The DICEMAN description schemes for still images and video sequences

To address the problem of visual content description, two Description Schemes (DSs) developed within the context of a European ACTS project known as DICEMAN, are presented. The DSs, designed based on an analogy with well-known tools for document description, describe both the structure and semantics of still images and video sequences. The overall structure of both DSs including the various sub-DSs and descriptors (Ds) of which they are composed is described. In each case, the hierarchical sub-DS for describing structure can be constructed using automatic (or semi-automatic) image/video analysis tools. The hierarchical sub-DSs for describing the semantics, however, are constructed by a user. The integration of the two DSs into a video indexing application currently under development in DICEMAN is also briefly described.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

On the Excess Entropy Scaling Law: a Potential Energy Landscape View

The relationship between excess entropy and diffusion is revisited by means of large-scale computer simulation combined to supervised learning approach to determine the excess entropy for the Lennard-Jones potential. Results reveal that it finds its roots in the properties of the potential energy landscape (PEL). In particular the exponential law holding in the liquid is seen to be correlated with the landscape-influenced regime of the PEL while the fluid-like power-law corresponds to the free diffusion regime

Optimisation de dispositifs FDSOI pour la gestion de la consommation et de la vitesse (application aux mémoires et fonctions logiques)

Avec la percée des téléphones portables et des tablettes numériques intégrant des fonctions avancées de traitement de l'information, une croissance exponentielle du marché des systèmes sur puce (SoC pour System On Chip en anglais) est attendue jusqu'en 2016. Ces systèmes, conçus dans les dernières technologies nanométriques, nécessitent des vitesses de fonctionnement très élevées pour offrir des performances incroyables, tout en consommant remarquablement peu. Cependant, concevoir de tels systèmes à l'échelle nanométrique présente de nombreux enjeux en raison de l'accentuation d'effets parasites avec la miniaturisation des transistors MOS sur silicium massif, rendant les circuits plus sensibles aux phénomènes de fluctuations des procédés de fabrication et moins efficaces énergétiquement. La technologie planaire complètement désertée (FD pour Fully depleted en anglais) SOI, offrant un meilleur contrôle du canal du transistor et une faible variabilité de sa tension de seuil grâce à un film de silicium mince et non dopé, apparaît comme une solution technologique très bien adaptée pour répondre aux besoins de ces dispositifs nomades alliant hautes performances et basse consommation. Cependant pour que cette technologie soit viable, il est impératif qu'elle réponde aux besoins des plateformes de conception basse consommation. Un des défis majeurs de l'état de l'art de la technologie planaire FDSOI est de fournir les différentes tensions de seuils (VT) requises pour la gestion de la consommation et de la vitesse. Le travail de recherche de thèse présenté dans ce mémoire a contribué à la mise en place d'une plateforme de conception multi-VT en technologie planaire FDSOI sur oxyde enterré mince (UTB pour Ultra Thin Buried oxide en anglais) pour les nœuds technologiques sub-32 nm. Pour cela, les éléments clefs des plateformes de conception basse consommation en technologie planaire sur silicium massif ont été identifiés. A la suite de cette analyse, différentes architectures de transistors MOS multi-VT FDSOI ont été développées. L'analyse au niveau des circuits numériques et mémoires élémentaires a permis de mettre en avant deux solutions fiables, efficaces et de faible complexité technologique. Les performances des solutions apportées ont été évaluées sur un chemin critique extrait du cœur de processeur ARM Cortex A9 et sur une cellule SRAM 6T haute densité (0,120 m ). Egalement, une cellule SRAM à quatre transistors est proposée, démontrant la flexibilité au niveau conception des solutions proposées. Ce travail de recherche a donné lieu à de nombreuses publications, communications et brevets. Aujourd'hui, la majorité des résultats obtenus ont été transférés chez STMicroelectronics, où l'étude de leur industrialisation est en cours.Driven by the strong growth of smartphone and tablet devices, an exponential growth for the mobile SoC market is forecasted up to 2016. These systems, designed in the latest nanometre technology, require very high speeds to deliver tremendous performances, while consuming remarkably little. However, designing such systems at the nanometre scale introduces many challenges due to the emphasis of parasitic phenomenon effects driven by the scaling of bulk MOSFETs, making circuits more sensitive to the manufacturing process fluctuations and less energy efficient. Undoped thin-film planar fully depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) devices are being investigated as an alternative to bulk devices in 28nm node and beyond, thanks to its excellent short-channel electrostatic control, low leakage currents and immunity to random dopant fluctuation. This compelling technology appears to meet the needs of nomadic devices, combining high performance and low power consumption. However, to be useful, it is essential that this technology is compatible with low operating power design platforms. A major challenge for this technology is to provide various device threshold voltages (VT), trading off power consumption and speed. The research work presented in this thesis has contributed to the development of a multi-VT design platform in FDSOI planar technology on thin buried oxide (UTB) for the 28nm and below technology nodes. In this framework, the key elements of the low power design platform in bulk planar technology have been studied. Based on this analysis, different architectures of FDSOI multi-VT MOSFETs have been developed. The analysis on the layout of elementary circuits, such as standard cells and SRAM cells, has put forward two reliable, efficient and low technological complexity multi- strategies. Finally, the performances of these solutions have been evaluated on a critical path extracted from the ARM Cortex A9 processor and a high-density 6T SRAM cell (0.120 m ). Also, an SRAM cell with four transistors has been proposed, highlighting the design flexibility brought by these solutions. This thesis has resulted in many publications, communications and patents. Today, the majority of the results obtained have been transferred to STMicroelectronics, where the industrialization is in progress.SAVOIE-SCD - Bib.électronique (730659901) / SudocGRENOBLE1/INP-Bib.électronique (384210012) / SudocGRENOBLE2/3-Bib.électronique (384219901) / SudocSudocFranceF

Modélisation de la formation d'une couche de particules sur une paroi poreuse

En filtration frontale, le colmatage du filtre par accumulation de particules en surface s'accompagne d'une augmentation de la résistance hydraulique du système couche de particules + paroi filtrante. L'approximation classique consistant à additionner la résistance de la paroi sans particule et celle de la couche de particules ne tient compte ni de la modification de l'écoulement par les pores de la paroi, qui augmente la résistance hydraulique par l'allongement des lignes de courant, ni du caractère discret des particules lorsque leur taille est comparable à celle du pore. La détermination exacte de la résistance hydraulique de l'ensemble du système nécessite la connaissance détaillée de la structure de l'écoulement au niveau du pore de la paroi. Une étude de la morphologie du dépôt, de la variation du débit en fonction de son volume, de la taille des pores de la paroi et des particules est proposée

DRC 2 : Dynamically Reconfigurable Computing Circuit based on Memory Architecture

International audienceThis paper presents a novel energy-efficient and Dynamically Reconfigurable Computing Circuit (DRC²) concept based on memory architecture for data-intensive (imaging, …) and secure (cryptography, …) applications. The proposed computing circuit is based on a 10-Transistor (10T) 3-Port SRAM bitcell array driven by a peripheral circuitry enabling all basic operations that can be traditionally performed by an ALU. As a result, logic and arithmetic operations can be entirely executed within the memory unit leading to a significant reduction in power consumption related to the data transfer between memories and computing units. Moreover, the proposed computing circuit can perform extremely-parallel operations enabling the processing of large volume of data. A test case based on image processing application and using the saturating increment function is analytically modeled to compare conventional and DRC²-based approaches. It is demonstrated that DRC²-based approach provides a reduction of clock cycle number of up to 2x. Finally, potential applications and must-be-considered changes at different design levels are discussed

An Experimental Approach to Adsorption of CO2 + CH4 Gas Mixtures Onto Coal (European RFCS CARBOLAB Research Project)

AbstractResults from adsorption experiments of CO2 + CH4 gas mixtures onto coal show that adsorption capacities determined with pure gas phases cannot be added to determine the total adsorption capacity of a gas mixture; and that both CO2 and CH4 adsorption capacities for experiments performed with gas mixtures are lower than those determined for experiments with pure gases. These results confirm that gases compete to adsorb onto coal. Results also show that the extended Langmuir model that is often used to model sorption of binary gas mixtures does not fit our experimental data. Thus, authors propose here another model

Photovoltaic Performance of FAPbI3 Perovskite Is Hampered by Intrinsic Quantum Confinement

Formamidinium lead trioiodide (FAPbI3) is a promising perovskite for single-junction solar cells. However, FAPbI3 is metastable at room temperature and can cause intrinsic quantum confinement effects apparent through a series of above-bandgap absorption peaks. Here, we explore three common solution-based film-fabrication methods, neat N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)–dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent, DMF-DMSO with methylammonium chloride, and a sequential deposition approach. The latter two offer enhanced nucleation and crystallization control and suppress such quantum confinement effects. We show that elimination of these absorption features yields increased power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) and short-circuit currents, suggesting that quantum confinement hinders charge extraction. A meta-analysis of literature reports, covering 244 articles and 825 photovoltaic devices incorporating FAPbI3 films corroborates our findings, indicating that PCEs rarely exceed a 20% threshold when such absorption features are present. Accordingly, ensuring the absence of these absorption features should be the first assessment when designing fabrication approaches for high-efficiency FAPbI3 solar cells

058 The ongoing MESAMI translational research program

PurposeDespite the improvement of pharmacological and surgical therapies, the mortality related to ischemic heart failure remains high. During the last years, bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) therapy has been proposed as a novel approach for the prevention and therapy of heart failure. Intramyocardial injection allows concentration of grafted cells within the injured zone. However, a major problem of with intraparenchymal route of administration is the early death of most of grafted cells. The goal of the MESAMI program is to evaluate the effect of intramyocardial administration of BM-MSC preconditioned or not with the pineal hormone melatonin in ischemic cardiomyopathy.Methods and ResultsOur preclinical investigations have designed a preconditioning strategy of BM-MSCs with the melatonin that significantly increases survival and efficacy of grafted cells in animal models of myocardial ischemia. Melatonin treatment significantly ameliorates the beneficial effects of BM-MSC on the recovery of cardiac function. In the mean time, we started a phase I clinical trial in patients with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy and no option of revascularization, using the NOGA XP system to guide injections into the myocardium. Based on our basic research results, we are developing a multicenter phase II trial on the effects of intramyocardial administration of melatonin-preconditioned BM-MSC in patients with chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy.ConclusionThe ongoing MESAMI program is representative of a translational research program in France