The synthetic psychology of the self

Synthetic psychology describes the approach of “understanding through building” applied to the human condition. In this chapter, we consider the specific challenge of synthesizing a robot “sense of self”. Our starting hypothesis is that the human self is brought into being by the activity of a set of transient self-processes instantiated by the brain and body. We propose that we can synthesize a robot self by developing equivalent sub-systems within an integrated biomimetic cognitive architecture for a humanoid robot. We begin the chapter by motivating this work in the context of the criteria for recognizing other minds, and the challenge of benchmarking artificial intelligence against human, and conclude by describing efforts to create a sense of self for the iCub humanoid robot that has ecological, temporally-extended, interpersonal and narrative components set within a multi-layered model of mind

Analyses multi-élémentaires par XRF, ICP-AES et ICP-MS dans le cadre de l’étude du colmatage au niveau des plaques entretoises des tubes de générateurs de vapeur pour les centrales nucléaires de type REP.

National audienceMalgré des progrès considérables depuis plus de trente ans dans les générateurs de vapeur des centrales nucléaires, lephénomène de corrosion du circuit secondaire, bien que maîtrisé, est inéluctable. Récemment, un nouveau phénomène estapparu : le colmatage au niveau des passages foliés des plaques entretoises, qui maintiennent les tubes de générateurs devapeur. Ce phénomène de dépôt de matières solides est dommageable vis-à-vis des performances du générateur de vapeur.Afin de comprendre et de remédier à ces bouchages progressifs, le CEA Cadarache et EDF ont lancé un programmeexpérimental, dont l'objectif est de reproduire les premiers stades de développement du phénomène de colmatage,d'identifier les mécanismes de formation de ces dépôts colmatants, ainsi que les paramètres clés de leur développement.C’est pourquoi un grand nombre d'échantillons de ces expériences ont été analysés au LARC (Laboratoire d’AnalyseRadiochimique et Chimique) par XRF, ICP-AES et ICP-MS. L’utilisation de la XRF a permis l’analyse multi-élémentaire desfiltres concernés par cette étude. L'avantage de l’analyse panoramique par ICP-AES sur un appareil simultané sera mis enévidence pour l’analyse des filtrats. L'importance du mode CRI (Collision Reaction Interface) pour le dosage du fer en ICPMS sera soulignée.Cette étude met l'accent sur la complémentarité de ces trois techniques dans la caractérisation de fluide secondaire pourexaminer le colmatage au niveau des plaques entretoises des tubes de générateurs de vapeur de réacteur nucléaire à eaupressurisée

Coffinite and ningyoite from the natural, nuclear reactor at Bangombé, Gabon

P-rich coffinite, U(Si,P)04•H20 , from the natural nuclear reactors in Bangombe, Gabon, is an important phase that incorporates percent levels of actinides and fission products. We have examined sample BAX03 (depth 12.2-12.3m) from Bangombe in order to understand micro- and nano-scale crystalo-chemical properties of P-coffinite. Electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) was completed only on coffinite inclusions (-100 fliil in size) in quartz to minimize the effect of alteration to U(VI)-phosphates and - sulfates. Based on the Si/P ratios three different chemical compositions; i) coffinite (<1.45 wt.% of P20 5) without uraninite inclusions, ii) P-coffinite, and iii) Si-ningyoite, (U,Ca,Ceh(P04)2•1-2H20. Phases ii) and iii) have inclusions of uraninite. The composition of coffinite i) is expressed to be CUo.79Cao.osREE+ Yo.04)o. s7(Si,.03Po.os)J.0704. The amount of (Y+REE)203 is <1.9 wt.%. Phosphorous substitutes for Si as evidenced by its negative correlation with Si (R2=0.87) and positive correlation with Y +REE (R2=0.6). The formula of P-coffinite (ii) is (Uo.7J-o. ss Cao.o6-o.uREE+ Yo.o7-o.Js)o.92- J.os(Sio. 39-o.s9Po.2s-o.4So.03-0.J2)o.s-o.9604, and the P20 s and (REE+Y)203 m·e as high as 9.3 wt.% and 8.64 wt.%, respectively. There is a positive correlation between Ca and P (R2=0.62), but no correlation among P, Y+REE and Si. The chemical formula of Si-rich ningyoite is (U~.43_u 3REE+ Y0.2_ o.3C<lo.J s-o.23)J.88-2.3(Po.7-o.sSio.6-o.sSo.J-o.3Aso-o.J)J. 32-1.6404. Silicon is positively correlated with P (R2=0.7). The EMPA elemental maps reveal homogeneous distribution of P, Si, Nd, Y and U in P-coffinite and Si-ningyoite. These results suggest that coffinite-(i) in Bangombe is not the alteration product of uraninite. But, P-coffinite and Siningyoite precipitated at the expense of uraninite under reducing conditons. The lack of con·elation between P and Y +REE in P-coffinite and Si-ningyoite implies that these minerals may consist of nano-scale intergowths of coffinite and homogeneously disttibuted (Ca,U,Y,REE)-phosphates. This is supported by the elemental maps, as well as TEM results

Precipitation and alteration of coffinite (USiO4·nH 2O) in the presence of apatite

A mineral assemblage of coffinite, USiO4-TiH2O, n= 0-2, carbonate-fluorapatite (CFAp) and (Ca, Sr)-(meta)autunite (MAut) from the Woodrow Mine, Grants uranium region, New Mexico, has been investigated in order to understand the influence of a Prich micro-geochemical environment on precipitation of coffinite and its subsequent alteration under oxidizing conditions. Finegrained coffinite (< 10 μm) precipitated under reducing conditions replacing CFAp, pyrite and aluminosilicates. Electron-microprobe analyses (EMPA) of coffinite indicate limited incorporation of P 2O5 and CaO, <2.7 and <3.0 wt%, respectively, into the coffinite structure during replacement of CFAp. The chemical formula of coffinite is (U0.95±0.09Ca 0.15±0.02)Σ1.10± 0.1(Si0.84±0.08P 0.06±0.02)<0.90 ± 0.08- Analysis by high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) revealed that coffinite initially formed as crystals as large as 100 nm at the edges of altered CFAp. Subsequently, infiltration of (Na, Ba, Sr)-rich oxidizing fluids into fractures resulted in precipitation of Sr-rich M-Aut (up to 4 wt% of SrO) at the expense of coffinite and CFAp. Highresolution TEM reveals that Na-rich fluids caused a distortion of the ideal coffinite structure and stabilized amorphous domains that formed due to alpha-decay event radiation damage. Subsequently, the Na-enriched amorphous areas of coffinite were preferentially altered, and secondary porosity formed at the scale of ∼1 urn. Porosity also was formed during alteration of CFAp to M-Aut, which facilitated the migration of oxidizing fluids over distances of ∼ 150 μm; in to CFAp, as evidenced by precipitation of M-Aut. We report, for the first time, the precipitation of coffinite at the expense of apatite and the subsequent alteration of coffinite under P-rich, oxidizing conditions. These results show that micro-scale dissolution of apatite can create conditions conducive to the precipitation of U(IV)- and U(VT)-minerals, leading to the reduced mobility of U-species under both reducing and oxidizing conditions

Crystal chemistry and radiation-induced amorphization of P-coffinite from the natural fission reactor at Bangombe, Gabon

Phosphorous-rich coffinite, U(Si, P)04Ti20, from the natural nuclear reactor at Bangombe, Gabon (depth 12.25 m), has been examined as an important primary mineral and alteration product of uraninite under reducing conditions. Based on electron microprobe analyses (EMPA) and textural relationships, two distinct types of coffinite have been identified: (1) P-coffinite-(i) [with P2C)5 and (REE+Y)20, as high as 9.84 and 8.66 wt%, respectively] replaces uraninite and has a chemical formula of (FJ0.84±.0.05Y, REE 0.12±0.02Ca0.10±0.02Th 0.003±0.002)Σ1.07±o.o6(Si 0.41±0.07P0.34±0.03S 0.08±0.05) Σ0.84±0.05O4 and; (2) coffmite-(ii), lacks uraninite inclusions [with P20 5 and (Y+REE)203 up to 1.45 and 1.79 wt%, respectively] and has a chemical formula of (U0.78±0.02Ca 0.05±0.003YREE0.03±0.01 Th0.002 ±0.001) Σ0.87±0.02(Si 1.02±0.02P0.06±0.01) Σ 1.08±0.01O4- The EMPA elemental maps reveal a homogeneous distribution of P, Si, Nd, and FT in P-coffinite-(i). Charge-balance calculations indicate that S substitution for Si in the coffinite structure results in the enhancement of the incorporation of P and REEs. High EMPA totals (95-100 wt%), suggest that water is not an essential component of the coffmite structure. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) reveal the decomposition of single crystals of uraninite into 50 nm grains during the alteration process to P-coffmite-(i). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (F1RTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns confirm that P-cofiinite-(i) has the coffinite structure. However, P-coffmite-(i) has a large amorphous fraction probably due to radiation damage caused by a-decay events. The calculated cumulative dose for both types of coffinite varies from 1.6-1.9 x 10 18 (a-decay events/mg), which is equivalent to 134.2-161.5 displacement per atom (dpa) that have accumulated most probably during the past 800 million years

Unraveling the tripartite interactions among the woolly poplar aphid, its host tree, and their environment: a lead to improve the management of a major tree plantation pest?

Article en open accessInternational audienceKey message For an optimal deployment of poplar resistance to the gall-inducing aphid Phloeomyzus passerinii, a laboratory susceptibility assay has been developed. The nature of aphid–tree interactions during compatible and incompatible situations has been studied in detail. This should help at identifying specific resistance markers and at testing effects of site conditions on tree–pest interactions. Context P. passerinii is a major pest of poplar plantations in Europe, and the plantation of resistant poplar genotypes is regarded as the best long-term management strategy for this pest. This requires a sound knowledge of the interactions among the pest, its host and their environment. Aims Here, we review the recent advances aiming at developing an optimal deployment of host resistance versus P. passerinii. Results Investigations on aphid-host interactions demonstrated that P. passerinii induces pseudogalls within the bark of susceptible hosts. This results in a reduction of starch bark content during aphid outbreaks, which could be involved in tree death. The constitutive level of starch in the bark could be related to the tolerance level of trees. A susceptibility test has been designed for poplar genotypes, discriminating three categories of susceptibility depending on tree’s ability to totally or partially inhibit pseudogall induction. The test still has several limitations however. It neither takes into account the large level of individual genetic diversity of the aphid in France, nor the environmental modulation of tree resistance and tolerance, while water deficit and fertilization could potentially affect these parameters. Conclusion The hypotheses drawn regarding the processes leading to tree death or resistance should help at identifying resistance markers, and at testing effects of site conditions on tree–pest interactions