pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Landslide velocity, thickness, and rheology from remote sensing: La Clapière landslide, France

International audienceQuantifying the velocity, volume, and rheology of deep, slow-moving landslides is essential for hazard prediction and understanding landscape evolution, but existing field-based methods are difficult or impossible to implement at remote sites. Here we present a novel and widely applicable method for constraining landslide 3-D deformation and thickness by inverting surface change data from repeat stereo imagery. Our analysis of La Clapière, an ~1 km2 bedrock landslide, reveals a concave-up failure surface with considerable roughness over length scales of tens of meters. Calibrating the thickness model with independent, local thickness measurements, we find a maximum thickness of 163 m and a rheology consistent with distributed deformation of the highly fractured landslide material, rather than sliding of an intact, rigid block. The technique is generally applicable to any mass movements that can be monitored by active or historic remote sensing
Effects of margin-parallel shortening and density contrasts on back-arc extension during subduction: Experimental insights and possible application to Anatolia

International audienceSo as to investigate the parameters influencing subduction and back-arc extension, we have done three series of laboratory experiments (32 in all) on physical models. Each model consisted of adjacent oceanic and continental plates, floating on an asthenosphere. In experiments of Series A, a wide rigid piston, moving horizontally, controlled the rate of convergence of the oceanic and continental plates, whereas, in Series B or C, a wide or narrow piston produced lateral compression, parallel to the continent-ocean boundary (COB) and perpendicular to the subduction direction. The parameters that we tested were (1) the velocity of plate convergence (Series A), (2) the width of the compressing piston (Series B and C), and (3) the density ratio between oceanic and continental plates (Series B and C). This density ratio was a key factor. For a ratio of 1.4, the amount of extension in the continental plate increased regularly throughout time; for a ratio of 1.3, the extension remained small, until the piston stopped moving laterally; and for a ratio of 1.1, there was little or no extension. The width of the compressing piston had a smaller effect, although a narrow piston provided more space, into which the continental plate could extend. One possible application of our models is to Anatolia. Despite similar geological settings, the areas north of the Hellenic and Cyprus subduction zones differ, in that extension is large in the former and much smaller in the latter. We suggest that one of the main driving forces for Aegean extension may have been a high density ratio between subducting oceanic lithosphere and a Hellenic-Balkanic upper plate
The IRAM-30 m line survey of the Horsehead PDR. II. First detection of the l-C3H+ hydrocarbon cation

9 pages, 7 PostScript figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics. Uses aa LaTeX macros.International audienceContext. Pure gas-phase chemistry models do not succeed in reproducing the measured abundances of small hydrocarbons in the interstellar medium. Information on key gas-phase progenitors of these molecules sheds light on this problem. Aims: We aim to constrain the chemical content of the Horsehead mane with a millimeter unbiased line survey at two positions, namely the photo-dissociation region (PDR) and the nearby shielded core. This project revealed a consistent set of eight unidentified lines toward the PDR position. We associate them to the l-C3H+ hydrocarbon cation, which enables us to constrain the chemistry of small hydrocarbons. We observed the lowest detectable J line in the millimeter domain along a cut toward the illuminating direction to constrain the spatial distribution of the l-C3H+ emission perpendicular to the photo-dissociation front. Methods: We simultaneously fit 1) the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants of a linear rotor; and 2) the Gaussian line shapes located at the eight predicted frequencies. A rotational diagram is then used to infer the excitation temperature and the column density. We finally compare the abundance to the results of the Meudon PDR photochemical model. Results: Six out of the eight unidentified lines observable in the millimeter bands are detected with a signal-to-noise ratio from 6 to 19 toward the Horsehead PDR, while the two last ones are tentatively detected. Mostly noise appears at the same frequency toward the dense core, located less than 40'' away. Moreover, the spatial distribution of the species integrated emission has a shape similar to radical species such as HCO, and small hydrocarbons such as C2H, which show enhanced abundances toward the PDR. The observed lines can be accurately fitted with a linear rotor model, implying a 1Σ ground electronic state. The deduced rotational constant value is B = 11 244.9512 ± 0.0015 MHz, close to that of l-C3H. Conclusions: This is the first detection of the l-C3H+ hydrocarbon in the interstellar medium. Laboratory spectroscopy is underway to confirm these results. Interferometric imaging is needed to firmly constrain the small hydrocarbon chemistry in the Horsehead. Based on observations obtained with the IRAM-30 m telescope. IRAM is supported by INSU/CNRS (France), MPG (Germany), and IGN (Spain)
Dark spots and cold jets in the polar regions of Mars: new clues from a thermal model of surface CO ice

International audienceObservations of the Martian CO ice cap in late winter and spring have revealed exotic phenomena. Unusual dark spots, fans and blotches form as the south-polar seasonal CO ice cap retreats. The formation mechanisms of these features are not clearly understood. Theoretical models suggest that photons could penetrate deep into the CO ice down to the regolith, leading to basal sublimation and gas and dust ejection. We have developed a detailed thermal model able to simulate the temporal evolution of the regolith-CO ice layer-atmosphere column. It takes into account heat conduction, radiative transfer within the ice and the atmosphere, and latent heat exchange when there is a phase transition. We found that a specific algorithm, fully coupling these 3 components, was needed to properly predict ice sublimation below the surface. Our model allows us to determine under what conditions basal sublimation is possible and thus when and where it can occur on Mars. Our results show that basal sublimation is possible if we consider large pathlengths and very little dust content within the ice. Moreover, the model can explain how dark spots can appear very early after the end of the polar night at high latitudes. We also evaluate the importance of the different parameters in our simulations. Contrary to what was suggested by theoretical models, the role of seasonal thermal waves is found to be limited. Solar radiation alone can initiate basal sublimation, which therefore only depends on the CO ice properties. Three main modes were identified: one where condensation/sublimation only occurs at the surface (in the case of small grains and/or high dust content), one where basal sublimation is possible (large pathlengths and very little dust content) and an intermediate mode where sublimation within the ice may occur. We suggest that these different modes could be keys to understanding many processes that occur at the surface of Mars, like the anticryptic area behavior or the recent reported activity in gullies
Blind detection of giant pulses: GPU implementation

International audienceRadio astronomical pulsar observations require specific instrumentation and dedicated signal processing to cope with the dispersion caused by the interstellar medium. Moreover, the quality of observations can be limited by radio frequency interference (RFI) generated by Telecommunications activity. This article presents the innovative pulsar instrumentation based on graphical processing units (GPU) which has been designed at the Nançay Radio Astronomical Observatory. In addition, for giant pulsar search, we propose a new approach which combines a hardware-efficient search method and some RFI mitigation capabilities. Although this approach is less sensitive than the classical approach, its advantage is that no a priori information on the pulsar parameters is required. The validation of a GPU implementation is under way
Reconstruction of seasonal temperature variability in the tropical Pacific Ocean from the shell of the scallop, <i>Comptopallium radula</i>

International audienceWe investigated the oxygen isotope composition (d<sup>18</sup>O) of shell striae from juvenile <i>Comptopallium radula</i> (Mollusca; Pectinidae) specimens collected live in New Caledonia. Bottom-water temperature and salinity were monitored in-situ throughout the study period. External shell striae form with a 2-day periodicity in this scallop, making it possible to estimate the date of precipitation for each calcite sample collected along a growth transect. The oxygen isotope composition of shell calcite (d<sup>18</sup>O<sub>shell calcite</sub>) measured at almost weekly resolution on calcite accreted between August 2002 and July 2003 accurately tracks bottom-water temperatures. A new empirical paleotemperature equation for this scallop species relates temperature and d<sup>18</sup>O<sub>shell calcite</sub>: t(°C)=20.00(+/-0.61)-3.66(+/-0.39)x(d<sup>18</sup>O<sub>shell calcite VPDB</sub> -d<sup>18</sup>O<sub>water VSMOW</sub>) The mean absolute accuracy of temperature estimated using this equation is 1.0 °C at temperatures between 20 and 30 °C. Uncertainties regarding the precise timing of CaCO<sub>3</sub> deposition and the actual variations in d<sup>18</sup>O<sub>water</sub> at our study sites probably contribute to this error. Comparison with a previously published empirical paleotemperature equation indicates that <i>C. radula</i> calcite is enriched in <sup>18</sup>O by ~0.7‰ relative to equilibrium. Given the direction of this offset and the lack of correlation between shell growth rate and d<sup>18</sup>O<sub>shell calcite</sub>, this disequilibrium is unlikely to be related to kinetic isotope effects. We suggest that this enrichment reflects (1) a relatively low pH in the scallop's marginal extrapallial fluid (EPF), (2) an isotopic signature of the EPF different from that of seawater, or (3) Rayleigh fractionation during the biocalcification process. Relative changes in d<sup>18</sup>O<sub>shell calcite</sub> reflect seawater temperature variability at this location and we suggest that the shell of <i>C. radula</i> may be useful as an archive of past seawater temperatures
Mercury speciation in a tropical soil association; Consequence of gold mining on Hg distribution in French Guiana

International audienceMercury (Hg) speciation was compared in French Guiana pristine soils and in Hg-contaminated soils impacted by former (~ 1950's) gold mining activities which used Hg for gold amalgamation. Four selective extractions were performed on soil samples to assess the fraction of Hg present as Hg(II) and bond to organic matter (extracted by NH4OH and KOH), to amorphous iron oxides (ascorbate) and to soil components other than refractory minerals (HCl/HNO3). In addition, pyrolysis was used to quantify the content of elemental Hg in contaminated soils. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence micro-mapping (µXRF) were used in combination to selective extractions to assess the nature of targeted components, the possible overlaps between the different extraction procedures and the spatial correlation between Si, K, Fe, Au and Hg. In soil profiles from pristine toposequences, Hg concentrations (0.01–0.49 µg·g− 1) decreased with increasing depth in soil matrix. Hg concentrations also decreased from ferralsols to acrisols and further to gleysols. In pristine soil matrix, Hg was mainly associated to the clay-size fraction (< 2 µm) which was mainly constituted of amorphous and crystalline Fe oxides (Al-substituted goethite and hematite), gibbsite and fine organic matter (OM), whose relative abundances vary along the soil association. Total Hg concentration was positively correlated with sulfurs and organic carbon suggesting the association of Hg with OM sulfur-bearing functional groups. Gleysols were depleted in Hg because of the prevailing reducing conditions that lead to the dissolution of iron oxides. In the same soil profiles, Hg concentrations in ferruginous nodules, which make up most of the soil coarse fraction (> 2 mm), were similar to those reported in the pristine soil matrix. These nodules mainly contained Al-substituted hematite and goethite and were especially abundant upslope in ferralsols and acrisols. Gold-mined gleysols were strongly disorganized by former activities as neither the original structure nor the texture was preserved. Soil granulometry was dominated by gravels, sands and silts. Hg concentrations (0.09–9.22 µg·g− 1) largely exceeded those in pristine soils. µXRF allowed the identification of Au-amalgamated Hg and of elemental Hg droplets. Pyrolysis confirmed Hg to be mainly present in its elemental form in contaminated soils. Selective extractions showed additional minor contributions of Hg(II) associated to OM, and to Al or Fe oxides. The combination of selective extractions with XRD and µXRF data showed that extraction efficiency is strongly dependent on the soil type, and that this efficiency needs to be determined on a soil-by-soil basis for Hg speciation studies. KOH extraction was especially delicate as crystalline and amorphous oxides were extracted together with organic matter
Experimental pressure solution compaction of synthetic halite/calcite aggregates.

Experimental observations are reported of weakening of sediment-like aggregates by addition of hard particles. Sieved mixtures of calcite and halite grains are experimentally compacted in drained pressure cells in the presence of a saturated aqueous solution. The individual halite grains deform easily by pressure solution creep whereas calcite grains act as hard objects and resist compaction. The fastest rate of compaction of the mixed aggregate is not obtained for a 100% halite aggregate but for a content of halite grains between 45% and 75%. We propose that this unusual compaction behavior reflects the competition between two mechanisms at the grain scale: intergranular pressure solution at grain contacts and grain boundary healing between halite grains that prevent further compaction
The truncated Newton method for Full Waveform Inversion

Extended abstract for the NCMIP 2012 Conference in CachanInternational audienceFull Waveform Inversion (FWI) is a promising seismic imaging method. It aims at computing quantitative estimates of the subsurface parameters (bulk wave velocity, shear wave velocity, rock density) from local measurements of the seismic wavefield. Based on a particular wave propagation engine for wavefield estimation, it consists in minimizing iteratively the distance between the predicted wavefield at the receivers and the recorded data. This amounts to solving a strongly nonlinear large scale inverse problem. This minimization is generally performed using gradient-based methods. We investigate the possibility of applying the truncated Newton (TrN) method to this problem. This is done through the development of general second-order adjoint state formulas that yield an efficient algorithm to compute Hessian-vector products, and the design of an adaptive stopping criterion for the inner conjugate gradient (CG) iterations. Numerical results demonstrate the interest of using the TrN method when multi-scattered waves dominate the recorded data
Variable range hopping conduction in N- and P-type in-situ doped polycrystalline silicon nanowires

International audienceTemperature dependence of electrical properties in N- and P-type in-situ doped polycrystalline silicon nanowires synthesized by the sidewall spacer formation technique has been studied. Experimental analysis has been carried out for a temperature range from 200K to 530K on in-situ doped polycrystalline silicon nanowires with doping level varying from 2×1016 to 9×1018 cm-3. Results show that for N- and P-type doped samples the temperature dependence of the conductivity follows the 3D variable range hopping model due to hopping between localized electronic states near the Fermi level. The corresponding densities of states are determined following exponentials (tail states) distributions associated to the statistical shift of the Fermi level
Rationale and design of the Cyclosporine to ImpRove Clinical oUtcome in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients (the CIRCUS trial)

International audienceBACKGROUND: Both acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion contribute to cardiomyocyte death in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The final infarct size is the principal determinant of subsequent clinical outcome in STEMI patients. In a proof-of-concept phase II trial, the administration of cyclosporine prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) has been associated with a reduction of infarct size in STEMI patients. METHODS: CIRCUS is an international, prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. The study is designed to compare the efficacy and safety of cyclosporine versus placebo, in addition to revascularization by PPCI, in patients presenting with acute anterior myocardial infarction within 12 hours of symptoms onset and initial TIMI flow ≤1 in the culprit left anterior descending coronary artery. Patients are randomized in a 1:1 fashion to 2.5 mg/kg intravenous infusion of cyclosporine or matching placebo performed in the minutes preceding PCI. The primary efficacy end point of CIRCUS is a composite of 1-year all-cause mortality, rehospitalization for heart failure or heart failure worsening during initial hospitalization, and left ventricular adverse remodeling as determined by sequential transthoracic echochardiography. Secondary outcomes will be tested using a hierarchical sequence of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and absolute measurements of LV volumes. The composite of death and rehospitalization for heart failure or heart failure worsening during initial hospitalization will be further assessed at three years after the initial infarction. RESULTS: Recruitment lasted from April 2011 to February 2014. The CIRCUS trial has recruited 975 patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction. The 12-months results are expected to be available in 2015. CONCLUSIONS: The CIRCUS trial is testing the hypothesis that cyclosporine in addition to early revascularization with PPCI compared to placebo in patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction reduces the incidence of death, heart failure and adverse LV remodeling at one-year follow-u
Peptide immobilization onto radiation grafted PVDF-g-poly(acrylic acid) films

International audienceIntroducing hydrophilic functions on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films surface allows the covalent immobili-zation of peptides. Therefore radiation grafting of acrylic acid (AA) in pre-irradiated PVDF films was achieved to allow surface functionalization with linear and cyclic peptides. Peptides were bound via spacer molecules using EDC as a coupling agent. The reactions were followed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection (ATR) mode. The amount of immobilized peptides was determined by UV spectroscopy. As well, an uncommon method for PVDF characterization and reactions quantification was used: high-resolution-magic angle spinning nuclear mass spectroscopy (HR-MAS NMR). Spacer saturation of the film surface corresponded to 25 mol% yield meaning that one spacer on 4 carboxylic acids was covalently bound. XPS experiments were also performed to deepen analysis of the surface composition. Peptide density is governed by steric hindrance. ELISA tests showed that the peptidesÕ activity is maintained
Experimental comparison of classical pid and model-free control: position control of a shape memory alloy active spring

WOSInternational audienceShape memory alloys (sma) are more and more integrated in engineering applications. These materials with their shape memory effect permit to simplify mechanisms and to reduce the size of actuators. sma parts can easily be activated by Joule effect but their modelling and consequently their control remains difficult, it is principally due to their hysteretic thermomechanical behaviour. Most of successful control strategy applied to sma actuator are not often suitable for industrial applications: they are particularly heavy and use the Preisach model or neural networks to model the hysteretic behaviour of these material; this kind of models are difficult to identify and to use in real time. That is why this paper deals with an application of the new framework of model-free control (mfc) to a sma spring based actuator. This control strategy is based on new results on fast derivatives estimation of noisy sig- nals, its main advantages are: its simplicity and its robustness. Experimental results and comparisons with pi control are exposed that demonstrate the efficiency of this new control strategy. Key words: Nonlinear control, Model-free control, Shape memory alloy, Derivative estimation, Nonphysical modelling
A FEM-based topological sensitivity approach for fast qualitative identification of buried cavities from elastodynamic overdetermined boundary data

International audienceA time-domain topological sensitivity (TS) approach is developed for elastic-wave imaging of media of arbitrary geometry. The TS, which quantifies the sensitivity of the misfit cost functional to the creation at a specified location of an infinitesimal hole, is expressed in terms of the time convolution of the free field and a supplementary adjoint field as a function of that specified location. Following previous studies performed under (mostly) static or time-harmonic conditions, the TS field is here considered as a natural and computationally efficient approach for defining a defect indicator function. This study emphasizes the implementation and exploitation of TS fields using standard displacement-based FEM approaches, a straightforward task once the correct sensitivity formulation is available. A comprehensive set of numerical experiments on 3-D and 2-D elastodynamic and acoustic configurations is reported, allowing to assess and highlight many features of the proposed TS-based fast qualitative identification such as its ability to identify multiple defects and its robustness against data noise
Ant colony optimization for the single model U-type assembly line balancing problem

Cataloged from PDF version of article.An assembly line is a production line in which units move continuously through a sequence of stations. The assembly line balancing problem is defined as the allocation of tasks to an ordered sequence of stations subject to precedence constraints with the objective of optimizing a performance measure. In this paper, we propose ant colony algorithms to solve the single-model U-type assembly line balancing problem. We conduct an extensive experimental study in which the performance of the proposed algorithm is compared against best known algorithms reported in the literature. The results indicate that the proposed algorithms display very competitive performance against them. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved