Raccourcissement alpin du massif des Ecrins : cinématique, calendrier tectonique et conditions pression-température

This field-based study of the Ecrins massif (Western Alps, external zone) show that the Alpine shortening is accomodated within the basement by brittle-ductile top-to-the-west reverse shear zones (probably localized by half-graben) as well as by the thrust sheets of La Meije and Combeynot to the east of the massif. The N-S normal fault do not seems to be reactivated. These shear zones are characterized by a phengitisation of feldspars along anastomosing planes whose geometry reflect a strain gradient which explain the "basement folds" formation underlined by the geometry of Triassic teguments. The maximum temperatures reach by the cover, due to the burial under the internal nappes are close to the isotherms 335°C for a geothermal gradient close to 20-25°C.km-1 from Bourg d'Oisans to the Penninic Frontal Thrust (PFT). The shear zones were dated between 33 to 25 Ma (40Ar/39Ar on syn-kinematics phengites), suggesting that they were initiated slightly after the burial which start close to 34 Ma. The phyllonites show younger ages than mylonite; that argue a localization of the deformation along these anastomosing planes between 30 to 25Ma and traduce a weak crust. The NW-Se shortening observed alonf the PFT seems to be coeval with the E-W to NE-SW shortening of the Ecrins massif. A sinistrial transpressive diffuse shear zones between the Ecrins massif and the Ligurian Alps, which is probably a reactivated Liassic transfer zone, can explaina part of the Oligocene building kinematics of the Western Alps. During Miocence, the deformation is localized along a crustal thrust under the Belledonne massif, which has given the Vercors massif, and along the PFT, reactivated as a normal fault.Cette étude de terrain du massif des Ecrins (Alpes Occidentales, zone externe) montre que le raccourcissement Alpin est essentiellement accommodé dans le socle par des zones de cisaillement inverse top-vers-l'ouest ductile-fragile (probablement localisé par la présence de demi-graben) ainsi que par les nappes de charriage de la Meije et du Combeynot à l'Est du massif. Les failles normales N-S ne semblent pas avoir été réactivées. Ces zones de cisaillement sont caractérisées par une phengitisation des feldspaths le long de bandes anastomosées dont la géométrie traduit un gradient de déformation qui permet d'expliquer la formation des "plis de socle" soulignée par la géométrie des téguments de Trias. Les températures maximum d'enfouissement liées au charriage des unités internes sont proches de l'isotherme 335°C pour un gradient géothermique compris entre 20 et 25°C.km-1 depuis Bourg d'Oisans au Front Pennique. Les zones de cisaillement ont été datées entre 33 et 25 Ma (40Ar/39Ar sur phengites syn-cinématiques), ce qui suggère qu'elles ont été initiées très tôt après l'enfouissement de la zone externe qui débute vers 34Ma. Les phyllonites présentent des âges plus jeunes que les mylonites, ce qui traduit une localisation de la déformation le long de ces bandes anastomosées de faible résistance entre 30 et 25Ma. Le raccourcissement NO-SE observé le long du Front Pennique semble synchrone des déformations E-O à NESO du massif des Ecrins. La présence d'une zone de cisaillement transpressive senestre diffuse entre le massif des Ecrins et les Alpes Ligures, issu de la réactivation d'une zone de transfert Liasique, permettrait d'expliquer en partie la cinématique d'édification Oligocène des Alpes Occidentales. Au Miocène, la déformation se localise le long d'un plan de chevauchement sous le massif de Belledonne, donnant naissance au Vercors, ainsi que le long du Front Pennique réactivé en faille normale

Feel, smell and see in an egg: emergence of perception and learning in an immature invertebrate, the cuttlefish embryo.

International audienceIt is now well established that prenatal sensory experience affects development itself and has long-term consequences in terms of postnatal behavior. This study focused on the functionality of the sensory system in cuttlefish in ovo. Embryos of stage 23, 25 and 30 received a tactile, chemical or visual stimulus. An increase of mantle contraction rhythm was taken to indicate a behavioral response to the stimulus. We clearly demonstrated that tactile and chemical systems are functional from stage 23, whereas the visual system is functional only from stage 25. At stage 25 and 30, embryos were also exposed to a repeated light stimulus. Stage 30 embryos were capable of habituation, showing a progressive decrease in contractions across stimulations. This process was not due to fatigue as we observed response recovery after a dishabituation tactile stimulus. This study is the first to show that cuttlefish embryos behaviorally respond to stimuli of different modalities and that the visual system is the last to become functional during embryonic development, as in vertebrate embryos. It also provides new evidence that the memory system develops in ovo in cuttlefish

AMANDA : an autonomous self-powered miniaturized smart sensing embedded system

​© 2019 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.This paper introduces an Autonomous Smart Sensing Card (ASSC), an embedded system that will be powered indoors and outdoors by harvested energy, have miniaturized dimensions and serve multi-sensorial IoT applications for smart living and working environments. It will consist of a combination of newly developed and optimized off-the-shelf or close-tocommercialization technologies such as PV harvesters, energy storage and power management units, MCUs and sensors, all packed with a form factor under 3mm in thickness. The system will introduce technical breakthroughs that will boost further miniaturization, a small footprint, ultra-low power consumption as well as short- and long-range communications

Investigating tradeoffs in alternative catch share systems with a vessel-based bio-economic model

A vessel-based bio-economic model (IAM) is presented and applied to the Bay of Biscay sole fishery to investigate alternative quota management systems from a multi-criteria perspective. For this study, the model integrates several institutional arrangements related to catch share management. The current French co-management system with non-transferability of quota is compared to an alternative ITQ system in a context of transition to maximum sustainable yield (MSY). Trade-offs between ecological and socio-economic impacts are highlighted and the effectiveness of governance scenarios is discussed in regard to the challenge of capacity adjustment. Results emphasize that the introduction of ITQ is expected to reduce by 40% the number of vessels in the fishery. While effectively mitigating the economic impacts of the transition phase to MSY, ITQs are also expected to significantly increase the fishing effort by trawlers, which may cause ecological concerns. The scenarios tested also include the simulation of a decommissioning scheme where subsequent decommissioned vessels are significantly different from the vessels that would lease out their quotas in an ITQ system, resulting in differentiated ecological and socio-economic impacts between scenarios

Flow of partially molten crust controlling construction, growth and collapse of the Variscan orogenic belt: 1 the geologic record of the French Massif Central

We present here a tectonic-geodynamic model for the generation and flow of partially molten rocks and for magmatism during the Variscan orogenic evolution from the Silurian to the late Carboniferous based on a synthesis of geological data from the French Massif Central. Eclogite facies metamorphism of mafic and ultramafic rocks records the subduction of the Gondwana hyperextended margin. Part of these eclogites are forming boudins-enclaves in felsic HP granulite facies migmatites partly retrogressed into amphibolite facies attesting for continental subduction followed by thermal relaxation and decompression. We propose that HP partial melting has triggered mechanical decoupling of the partially molten continental rocks from the subducting slab. This would have allowed buoyancy-driven exhumation and entrainment of pieces of oceanic lithosphere and subcontinental mantle. Geochronological data of the eclogite-bearing HP migmatites points to diachronous emplacement of distinct nappes from middle to late Devonian. These nappes were thrusted onto metapelites and orthogneisses affected by MP/MT greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphism reaching partial melting attributed to the late Devonian to early Carboniferous thickening of the crust. The emplacement of laccoliths rooted into strike-slip transcurrent shear zones capped by low-angle detachments from c. 345 to c. 310 Ma is concomitant with the southward propagation of the Variscan deformation front marked by deposition of clastic sediments in foreland basins. We attribute these features to horizontal growth of the Variscan belt and formation of an orogenic plateau by gravity-driven lateral flow of the partially molten orogenic root. The diversity of the magmatic rocks points to various crustal sources with modest, but systematic mantle-derived input. In the eastern French Massif Central, the southward decrease in age of the mantle- and crustal-derived plutonic rocks from c. 345 Ma to c. 310 Ma suggests southward retreat of a northward subducting slab toward the Paleotethys free boundary. Late Carboniferous destruction of the Variscan belt is dominantly achieved by gravitational collapse accommodated by the activation of low-angle detachments and the exhumation-crystallization of the partially molten orogenic root forming crustal-scale LP migmatite domes from c. 305 Ma to c. 295 Ma, coeval with orogen-parallel flow in the external zone. Laccoliths emplaced along low-angle detachments and intrusive dykes with sharp contacts correspond to the segregation of the last melt fraction leaving behind a thick accumulation of refractory LP felsic and mafic granulites in the lower crust. This model points to the primordial role of partial melting and magmatism in the tectonic-geodynamic evolution of the Variscan orogenic belt. In particular, partial melting and magma transfer (i) triggers mechanical decoupling of subducted units from the downgoing slab and their syn-orogenic exhumation; (ii) the development of an orogenic plateau by lateral flow of the low-viscosity partially molten crust; and, (iii) the formation of metamorphic core complexes and domes that accommodate post-orogenic exhumation during gravitational collapse. All these processes contribute to differentiation and stabilisation of the orogenic crust

Roadmap on Photovoltaic Absorber Materials for Sustainable Energy Conversion

Photovoltaics (PVs) are a critical technology for curbing growing levels of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and meeting increases in future demand for low-carbon electricity. In order to fulfil ambitions for net-zero carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emissions worldwide, the global cumulative capacity of solar PVs must increase by an order of magnitude from 0.9 TWp in 2021 to 8.5 TWp by 2050 according to the International Renewable Energy Agency, which is considered to be a highly conservative estimate. In 2020, the Henry Royce Institute brought together the UK PV community to discuss the critical technological and infrastructure challenges that need to be overcome to address the vast challenges in accelerating PV deployment. Herein, we examine the key developments in the global community, especially the progress made in the field since this earlier roadmap, bringing together experts primarily from the UK across the breadth of the photovoltaics community. The focus is both on the challenges in improving the efficiency, stability and levelized cost of electricity of current technologies for utility-scale PVs, as well as the fundamental questions in novel technologies that can have a significant impact on emerging markets, such as indoor PVs, space PVs, and agrivoltaics. We discuss challenges in advanced metrology and computational tools, as well as the growing synergies between PVs and solar fuels, and offer a perspective on the environmental sustainability of the PV industry. Through this roadmap, we emphasize promising pathways forward in both the short- and long-term, and for communities working on technologies across a range of maturity levels to learn from each other.Comment: 160 pages, 21 figure

A Solve-RD ClinVar-based reanalysis of 1522 index cases from ERN-ITHACA reveals common pitfalls and misinterpretations in exome sequencing

Purpose Within the Solve-RD project (https://solve-rd.eu/), the European Reference Network for Intellectual disability, TeleHealth, Autism and Congenital Anomalies aimed to investigate whether a reanalysis of exomes from unsolved cases based on ClinVar annotations could establish additional diagnoses. We present the results of the “ClinVar low-hanging fruit” reanalysis, reasons for the failure of previous analyses, and lessons learned. Methods Data from the first 3576 exomes (1522 probands and 2054 relatives) collected from European Reference Network for Intellectual disability, TeleHealth, Autism and Congenital Anomalies was reanalyzed by the Solve-RD consortium by evaluating for the presence of single-nucleotide variant, and small insertions and deletions already reported as (likely) pathogenic in ClinVar. Variants were filtered according to frequency, genotype, and mode of inheritance and reinterpreted. Results We identified causal variants in 59 cases (3.9%), 50 of them also raised by other approaches and 9 leading to new diagnoses, highlighting interpretation challenges: variants in genes not known to be involved in human disease at the time of the first analysis, misleading genotypes, or variants undetected by local pipelines (variants in off-target regions, low quality filters, low allelic balance, or high frequency). Conclusion The “ClinVar low-hanging fruit” analysis represents an effective, fast, and easy approach to recover causal variants from exome sequencing data, herewith contributing to the reduction of the diagnostic deadlock

Alpine shortening of the Ecrins massif : kinematics, tectonics calendar and pressure-temperature conditions

Cette étude de terrain du massif des Ecrins (Alpes Occidentales, zone externe) montre que le raccourcissement Alpin est essentiellement accommodé dans le socle par des zones de cisaillement inverse top-vers-l'ouest ductile-fragile (probablement localisé par la présence de demi-graben) ainsi que par les nappes de charriage de la Meije et du Combeynot à l'Est du massif. Les failles normales N-S ne semblent pas avoir été réactivées. Ces zones de cisaillement sont caractérisées par une phengitisation des feldspaths le long de bandes anastomosées dont la géométrie traduit un gradient de déformation qui permet d'expliquer la formation des "plis de socle" soulignée par la géométrie des téguments de Trias. Les températures maximum d'enfouissement liées au charriage des unités internes sont proches de l'isotherme 335°C pour un gradient géothermique compris entre 20 et 25°C.km-1 depuis Bourg d'Oisans au Front Pennique. Les zones de cisaillement ont été datées entre 33 et 25 Ma (40Ar/39Ar sur phengites syn-cinématiques), ce qui suggère qu'elles ont été initiées très tôt après l'enfouissement de la zone externe qui débute vers 34Ma. Les phyllonites présentent des âges plus jeunes que les mylonites, ce qui traduit une localisation de la déformation le long de ces bandes anastomosées de faible résistance entre 30 et 25Ma. Le raccourcissement NO-SE observé le long du Front Pennique semble synchrone des déformations E-O à NESO du massif des Ecrins. La présence d'une zone de cisaillement transpressive senestre diffuse entre le massif des Ecrins et les Alpes Ligures, issu de la réactivation d'une zone de transfert Liasique, permettrait d'expliquer en partie la cinématique d'édification Oligocène des Alpes Occidentales. Au Miocène, la déformation se localise le long d'un plan de chevauchement sous le massif de Belledonne, donnant naissance au Vercors, ainsi que le long du Front Pennique réactivé en faille normale.This field-based study of the Ecrins massif (Western Alps, external zone) show that the Alpine shortening is accomodated within the basement by brittle-ductile top-to-the-west reverse shear zones (probably localized by half-graben) as well as by the thrust sheets of La Meije and Combeynot to the east of the massif. The N-S normal fault do not seems to be reactivated. These shear zones are characterized by a phengitisation of feldspars along anastomosing planes whose geometry reflect a strain gradient which explain the "basement folds" formation underlined by the geometry of Triassic teguments. The maximum temperatures reach by the cover, due to the burial under the internal nappes are close to the isotherms 335°C for a geothermal gradient close to 20-25°C.km-1 from Bourg d'Oisans to the Penninic Frontal Thrust (PFT). The shear zones were dated between 33 to 25 Ma (40Ar/39Ar on syn-kinematics phengites), suggesting that they were initiated slightly after the burial which start close to 34 Ma. The phyllonites show younger ages than mylonite; that argue a localization of the deformation along these anastomosing planes between 30 to 25Ma and traduce a weak crust. The NW-Se shortening observed alonf the PFT seems to be coeval with the E-W to NE-SW shortening of the Ecrins massif. A sinistrial transpressive diffuse shear zones between the Ecrins massif and the Ligurian Alps, which is probably a reactivated Liassic transfer zone, can explaina part of the Oligocene building kinematics of the Western Alps. During Miocence, the deformation is localized along a crustal thrust under the Belledonne massif, which has given the Vercors massif, and along the PFT, reactivated as a normal fault

Emmanuel Bellanger, François-Mathieu Poupeau, Lumières sur la banlieue, histoire du Syndicat intercommunal de la périphérie de Paris pour l’électricité et les réseaux de communication

National audienceDans l’imaginaire collectif, l’électrification du territoire national renvoie surtout à l’intervention de l’État et à l’action d’une grande entreprise publique, EDF. Cette aventure technologique, associée à la diffusion du progrès, est en réalité une oeuvre partagée avec un autre acteur majeur : les collectivités territoriales. L’histoire du Syndicat des communes de la banlieue parisienne pour l’électricité (SCBPE), créé en 1924, en témoigne. Cette institution méconnue, qui est au coeur de cet ouvrage, assume dès sa fondation une fonction essentielle, qu’elle conserve aujourd’hui encore : celle d’autorité concédante des réseaux de distribution publique d’électricité. Après quelques années d’apprentissage, le SCBPE parvient à s’imposer comme l’un des plus influents établissements intercommunaux de France. En 1946, la nationalisation du secteur électrique limite son champ d’intervention, jusque dans les années 1990, qui marquent sa renaissance, au moment où la France libéralise ses grands réseaux de service public. Rebaptisée en 1997 Syndicat intercommunal de la périphérie de Paris pour l’électricité et les réseaux de communication (SIPPEREC), l’institution se transforme alors en profondeur, gagne en expertise, élargit ses compétences aux réseaux de communications électroniques et aux énergies renouvelables, et étend son territoire. À l’heure où se dessine un nouveau modèle de service public et où se recompose la gouvernance du Grand Paris, cet ouvrage met en lumière les enjeux, les tensions et les réalisations qui ont jalonné près d’un siècle d’histoire intercommunale de l’électricité