Scanning the moduli of smooth hypersurfaces

We study the locus of smooth hypersurfaces inside the Hilbert scheme of a smooth projective complex variety. In the spirit of scanning, we construct a map to a continuous section space of a projective bundle, and show that it induces an isomorphism in integral homology in a range of degrees growing with the ampleness of the hypersurfaces. When the ambient variety is a curve, this recovers a result of McDuff about configuration spaces. We compute the rational cohomology of the section space and exhibit a phenomenon of homological stability for hypersurfaces with first Chern class going to infinity. For simply connected varieties, the rational cohomology is shown to agree with the stable cohomology of a moduli space of hypersurfaces, with a peculiar tangential structure, as studied by Galatius and Randal-Williams.Comment: v1: 42 pages; v2: 44 pages, minor editing, revised appendi

An h-principle for complements of discriminants

We compare spaces of non-singular algebraic sections of ample vector bundles to spaces of continuous sections of jet bundles. Under some conditions, we provide an isomorphism in homology in a range of degrees growing with the jet ampleness. As an application, when $\mathcal{L}$ is a very ample line bundle on a smooth projective complex variety $X$, we prove that the rational cohomology of the space of non-singular algebraic sections of $\mathcal{L}^{\otimes d}$ stabilises as $d \to \infty$ and compute the stable cohomology. We also approach the integral homology using tools from stable homotopy theory.Comment: 38 page

Former… des usagers aux besoins différenciés

Compléxité croissante de la documentation, public nomade, environnement en mouvement perpétuel, comment pérenniser les actions de formation ? En évoluant sans cesse

A Sustainability Framework for Engineering Carbon Capture Soil In Transport Infrastructure

Recent research has demonstrated considerable potential for artificial soils to be designed for carbon capture. The incorporation of quarry fines enables the accumulation of atmospheric CO2 in newly formed carbonate minerals. However, the rate and trajectory of carbon accumulation has been little studied. The relative contribution of biotic (e.g. vegetation, micro-organisms) and abiotic (water, light, temperature) factors to the carbonation process is also unknown. This article presents a sustainability framework which aims to determine the multi-functionality of soils to which fines have been added not only in their role as carbon sinks but also in their role of providing additional opportunities for improvement to ecosystem services. Such frameworks are required specifically where land designed for CO2 capture must also provide other ecosystem services, such as flood mitigation and biodiversity conservation. land within linear transport infrastructure provides a case study, focusing on 238,000 ha of vegetated land associated with roadside verges in the UK. Hypothetically this area could remove 2.5 t CO2 per year from the atmosphere, equivalent to 1% 2011 total UK emissions or 2% of current transport emissions and saving an equivalent of £1.1 billion in non-traded mitigation values. roadside verges should be designed to minimize flooding onto the highway and perform other important functions such as removal of dust and suspended solids from surface waters. Vegetation on 30,000 ha of railway land also provides opportunities for carbon sequestration, but management of this vegetation is subject to similar constraints to protect the rail tracks from debris extending from autumn leaves to fallen trees

Breaking Into Language in a New Modality: The Role of Input and Individual Differences in Recognising Signs

A key challenge when learning language in naturalistic circumstances is to extract linguistic information from a continuous stream of speech. This study investigates the predictors of such implicit learning among adults exposed to a new language in a new modality (a sign language). Sign-naïve participants (N = 93; British English speakers) were shown a 4-min weather forecast in Swedish Sign Language. Subsequently, we tested their ability to recognise 22 target sign forms that had been viewed in the forecast, amongst 44 distractor signs that had not been viewed. The target items differed in their occurrence frequency in the forecast and in their degree of iconicity. The results revealed that both frequency and iconicity facilitated recognition of target signs cumulatively. The adult mechanism for language learning thus operates similarly on sign and spoken languages as regards frequency, but also exploits modality-salient properties, for example iconicity for sign languages. Individual differences in cognitive skills and language learning background did not predict recognition. The properties of the input thus influenced adults’ language learning abilities at first exposure more than individual differences

Characterising sand and gravel deposits using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) : case histories from England and Wales

Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) is a rapidly developing geophysical imaging technique that is now widely used to visualise subsurface geological structure, groundwater and lithological variations. It is being increasingly used in environmental and engineering site investigations, but despite its suitability and potential benefits, ERT has yet to be routinely applied by the minerals industry to sand and gravel deposit assessment and quarry planning. The principal advantages of ERT for this application are that it is a cost-effective non-invasive method, which can provide 2D or 3D spatial models of the subsurface throughout the full region of interest. This complements intrusive sampling methods, which typically provide information only at discrete locations. Provided that suitable resistivity contrasts are present, ERT has the potential to reveal mineral and overburden thickness and quality variations within the body of the deposit. Here we present a number of case studies from the UK illustrating the use of 2D and 3D ERT for sand and gravel deposit investigation in a variety of geological settings. We use these case studies to evaluate the performance of ERT, and to illustrate good practice in the application of ERT to deposit investigation. We propose an integrated approach to site investigation and quarry planning incorporating both conventional intrusive methods and ERT

Signalement et valorisation des reliures sur le Web

Mémoire de fin d\u27étude du diplôme de conservateur, promotion DCB17, portant sur la valorisation et le signalement des reliures sur le web : expositions et bases de données

Considerations in relation to off-site emergency procedures and response for nuclear accidents

The operation of nuclear facilities has, fortunately, not led to many accidents with off-site consequences. However, it is well-recognised that should a large release of radioactivity occur, the effects in the surrounding area and population will be significant. These effects can be mitigated by developing emergency preparedness and response plans prior to the operation of the nuclear facility that can be exercised regularly and implemented if an accident occurs. This review paper details the various stages of a nuclear accident and the corresponding aspects of an emergency preparedness plan that are relevant to these stages, both from a UK and international perspective. The paper also details how certain aspects of emergency preparedness have been affected by the accident at Fukushima Dai-ichi and as a point of comparison how emergency management plans were implemented following the accidents at Three Mile Island 2 and Chernobyl. In addition, the UK’s economic costing model for nuclear accidents COCO-2, and the UK’s Level-3 Probabilistic Safety Assessment code “PACE” are introduced. Finally, the factors that affect the economic impact of a nuclear accident, especially from a UK standpoint, are described