Unsupervised classification of non-linear dynamics in optical fiber propagation using intensity clustering

International audienceWe demonstrate that centroid-based clustering of normalized intensity profiles is able to successfully isolate different classes of pulses associated with physically distinct regimes of nonlinear and dispersive propagation in optical fiber. Remarkable for its simplicity, this approach shows how analysis of only the temporal intensity profiles of propagating pulses, even at relatively limited sampling resolution, reveal sufficient similarities to allow physical classification of different classes of propagation behavior

Sleep Stages Classification with Multi-modal Signals using Deep Learning

International audienceAccurate sleep stage classification is essential for diagnosing and managing sleep disorders. This study presents a novel deep learning architecture for automatically classifying sleep stages. Rigorous evaluation on the SOMEG dataset yielded a notable 82.05% overall accuracy, significantly outperforming traditional machine learning approaches. Comprehensive analysis of training, validation, and test accuracy metrics demonstrates the model's robust generalization across sleep stages. While confusion matrix analysis revealed potential refinements, particularly in differentiating EEG patterns with higher individual variability, these findings underscore the substantial potential of our deep learning framework for precise and automated sleep stage classification.</div

CALPHAD-aided synthesis and characterization of an Al–Co–Cr–Fe–Ni–W high-entropy alloy prepared by arc melting and spark plasma sintering

International audienceIn the present work, the novel Al0.15CoCrFeNiW0.15 High-Entropy Alloy (HEA) has been designed by CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) computations with the in-house built Genova High-Entropy Alloys (GHEA) database, aiming to a mostly monophasic face-centered cubic (FCC) alloy strengthened by the precipitation of secondary μ phase. To explore different preparation routes, alloy samples have been synthesized by both arcmelting (AM) and spark plasma sintering (SPS). Samples were characterized by low optical microscopy (LOM), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and microhardness measurements. Long-term annealing at 1100 °C has been performed, followed by quenching or furnace cooling. AM as-cast sample showed a monophasic FCC microstructure, characterized by large grains. Precipitation of μ phase was observed in the equilibrated and quenched sample, in good agreement with the thermodynamic calculations. On the other hand, SPS samples resulted in a finer microstructure, characterized by the presence of small particles of Al2O3 and μ phase, already present before annealing. Contrary to the thermodynamic pre­dictions, after equilibration and quenching, the dissolution of the μ phase was observed due to the Gibbs-Thomson effect, which enhanced W solubility in the FCC solid solution. Annealing of the SPSed alloy fol­lowed by furnace cooling, however, allowed the precipitation of μ, thanks to the slower cooling rate. Overall, this study highlighted CALPHAD’s utility for composition selection in complex multicomponent systems anddemonstrated how AM and SPS lead to significantly different microstructures and properties, with grain size playing a key role in determining the alloy performances

Une clinique du « travail émotionnel » chez les directeurs d’hôpital français, entre contrainte et élaboration psychique

International audienceThis article compares the emotional labor and emotional work among French hospital administrators. The qualitative exploratory research design employs interviews, in-situ observations, and focus group sessions, all lead by a clinical psychologist. Initially, the author reveals an emotional organization characterized by "affective silos" that isolate these administrators from each other. It then proposes that this suppression is driven by a shared ideal of a « good director » devoid of emotions. Subsequently, by recounting a four-session focus group experience, the author demonstrates how collective psychological elaboration is achievable among these professionals. The author suggests expanding the definition of emotional labor toencompass this collective psychological processing of raw experiences. In conclusion, the paper presents two factors that can assist the clinician-researcher in assessing the development of the groups they lead.Cet article s’intéresse aux deux facettes du travail émotionnel : contrainte et élaboration psychique, chez les directeurs d’hôpital français. Notre recherche qualitative exploratoire combine entretiens, observations in situ et conduite de focus groups. Nous donnons d’abord à voir une organisation émotionnelle en « silos affectifs » isolant les directeurs les uns des autres. Nous proposons que cette répression se fait au nom d’un idéal partagé de ce qu’est un bon directeur dépourvu d’affects. Puis, en relatant l’expérience d’un focus group sur quatre séances, nous montrons comment l’élaboration psychique collective est possible chez ces professionnels. Nous proposons d’élargir la définition du travail émotionnel à cette élaboration psychiquedes éprouvés bruts et terminons en avançant deux éléments à même d’aider le chercheur-clinicien à estimer la maturation des groupes qu’il mène

Early Dienerian ammonoids and nautiloids and a new late Griesbachian ammonoid site from the Dinwoody Formation (Thaynes Group) at Crittenden Springs, Elko County, Nevada.

International audienceOngoing exploration in the Dinwoody Formation of the Thaynes Group at Crittenden Springs, Elko County, Nevada, motivated by the earlier reported discovery of late Griesbachian ammonoids and nautiloids, has led to the discovery of an early Dienerian ammonoid and nautiloid assemblage as well as a new late Griesbachian ammonoid site. The early Dienerian ammonoid fauna includes the genus Gyronites, heretofore known only from the Tethys and South Primorye, and the Crittenden Springs assemblage represents the only low-paleolatitude early Dienerian ammonoid and nautiloid occurrence in eastern Panthalassa. Early Dienerian ammonoid taxa include Gyronites rigidus (Diener), Gy. frequens Waagen, Gy. bullatus Ware and Bucher, Ussuridiscus varaha (Diener), Ghazalaites roohiae Ware and Bucher, Proptychites sp. and gen. et sp. indet. This assemblage correlates broadly with the early Dienerian of the Northern Indian Margin (NIM: Salt Range, Pakistan, Spiti, Himalaya and South Tibet, China). Nautiloids include Xiaohenautilus mulleni Jenks et al. and a new taxon, i.e., Xiaohenautilus chatelaini n. sp. The new late Griesbachian ammonoid site has yielded Wordieoceras wordiei (Spath) and W. mullenae Jenks et al. Several early Dienerian and late Griesbachian conodont taxa, including Sweetospathodus kummeli, the conventional basal Dienerian index marker, have been recovered from the study area. However, the validity of this taxon as a marker for the G/D boundary is questioned because of its first occurrence (FO) ~30 m above the FO of basal early Dienerian ammonoids

La biopolitique de Foucault et les études littéraires : lire la fiction dystopique et/ou postapocalyptique

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Cost of Carbon in the Total Cost of a Healthcare Procedure: Example of Micro-Costing Study in a French Setting

International audienceBackground: Economic evaluation aims to compare the costs and results of health strategies to inform public decision making. Although sometimes suggested, until now no national evaluation agency has recommended formally incorporating the cost of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by health interventions into the estimation of healthcare costs.Objective: The objective of this study was to test and discuss the feasibility of estimating and including the contribution of GHG emissions cost to the total cost of a surgical intervention, with the example of robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (RTA), using a micro-costing approach.Methods: The study was conducted in June 2022 at the William Morey Hospital (France). Data regarding all of the resources (labor, medical equipment, consumables), as well as energy consumption, staff commuting and waste treatment were collected and valued from the hospital point of view. Greenhouse gas emissions were valued using a cost-effectiveness approach. Several sensitivity analyses were performed.Results: The mean cost per patient of an RTA was estimated to be €4755.65, of which €152.64 (3.21 %) would be attributable to GHG emissions. The contribution of GHG emissions in the overall cost of a health intervention was highly dependent on the convention used for the price of carbon.Conclusion: Despite persistent theoretical and practical challenges, adding the estimation of GHG emission costs in the economic evaluation of health interventions may provide institutional decision makers with information that allows them to allocate the public healthcare resources more efficiently

Genetic variation and morphogenetic determinants of root-shoot allocation in two perennial forage legumes

International audienceBackground and aimsRoot phenotyping and breeding for desirable root traits have been limited in small seed forage species. The objectives of this study were to analyse the degree of within-species variation regarding initial root allocation in two forage legumes and to assess the covariation between root allocation patterns and root and shoot morphogenetic traits involved in carbon source-sink relationships.MethodsExperiments were carried out at a phenotyping platform to grow alfalfa and red clover plants of five contrasting cultivars under nutrient conditions non-limiting for growth. An automatic image analysis pipeline was used to characterise dynamic root-shoot allocation over 50 days during plant establishment. Measurements were also performed to characterise plant traits related to potential shoot and root development.ResultsIn both species, genetic variability was found regarding the allocation of biomass to roots and root morphological traits controlling root elongation and branching. The degree of variability was high for most root traits, within a range similar to that found for the shoot traits usually targeted by breeders. A clear dependency of initial biomass allocation to roots on the shoot traits controlling plant leaf area, and favouring carbon acquisition, was identified. Analysis of covariation between root traits revealed they were largely independent, suggesting considerable potential for their recombination to achieve improved root phenotypes capturing more soil resources at a given biomass.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the feasibility of direct breeding for root traits in legumes and could help to identify trait combinations that promote their rapid establishment and competitive ability

First-order factors of linear Mahler operators

Dedicated to the memory of Marko Petkovšek.International audienceWe develop and compare two algorithms for computing first-order right-hand factors in thering of linear Mahler operators$\ell_r M^r + \dots + \ell_1 M + \ell_0$where $\ell_0, \dots, \ell_r$ are polynomials in~$x$ and $Mx = x^b M$ for someinteger~$b \geq 2$.In other words, we give algorithms for finding all formal infinite productsolutions of linear functional equations$\ell_r(x) f(x^{b^r}) + \dots + \ell_1(x) f(x^b) + \ell_0(x) f(x) = 0$.The first of our algorithms is adapted from Petkovšek's classical algorithm forthe analogous problem in the case of linear recurrences.The second one proceedsby computing a basis of generalized power series solutions of the functional equationand by using Hermite--Padé approximants to detect those linear combinations of the solutionsthat correspond to first-order factors.We present implementations of both algorithms and discuss their usein combination with criteria from the literatureto prove the differential transcendence of power series solutions of Mahlerequations

Classifying farming practices for a conceptual model of their impact on biodiversity

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