First results from stratigraphic investigation of Chiselet tell (Romania) using seismic full waveform inversion

In this paper we analyze the applicability of seismic full-waveform inversion (FWI) for investigation of tells, which are often characterized by heterogeneous and small-scale stratigraphy. Major aim is to identify location and shape of settlement layers and house remains. Furthermore, a paleochannel, which is important to understand the interaction between tell and the surrounding landscape, was found at the tell flank

Dissecting the Shared Genetic Architecture of Suicide Attempt, Psychiatric Disorders, and Known Risk Factors

Background Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, and nonfatal suicide attempts, which occur far more frequently, are a major source of disability and social and economic burden. Both have substantial genetic etiology, which is partially shared and partially distinct from that of related psychiatric disorders. Methods We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 29,782 suicide attempt (SA) cases and 519,961 controls in the International Suicide Genetics Consortium (ISGC). The GWAS of SA was conditioned on psychiatric disorders using GWAS summary statistics via multitrait-based conditional and joint analysis, to remove genetic effects on SA mediated by psychiatric disorders. We investigated the shared and divergent genetic architectures of SA, psychiatric disorders, and other known risk factors. Results Two loci reached genome-wide significance for SA: the major histocompatibility complex and an intergenic locus on chromosome 7, the latter of which remained associated with SA after conditioning on psychiatric disorders and replicated in an independent cohort from the Million Veteran Program. This locus has been implicated in risk-taking behavior, smoking, and insomnia. SA showed strong genetic correlation with psychiatric disorders, particularly major depression, and also with smoking, pain, risk-taking behavior, sleep disturbances, lower educational attainment, reproductive traits, lower socioeconomic status, and poorer general health. After conditioning on psychiatric disorders, the genetic correlations between SA and psychiatric disorders decreased, whereas those with nonpsychiatric traits remained largely unchanged. Conclusions Our results identify a risk locus that contributes more strongly to SA than other phenotypes and suggest a shared underlying biology between SA and known risk factors that is not mediated by psychiatric disorders.Peer reviewe

Between two engineering ages: Of information and complex systems, professional research is based on a team work!

International audience– From twenty years we promote the idea that engineering's systems (and not only!) are nonlinear ones and usually can have chaotically behaviors and their associated processes need special studies' methods. In this paper we present two directions from our research: cryptography based on chaos and a new method to analyze signals from nonlinear dynamical systems. Keywords-Nonlinear complex systems, hinking in systems, cryptography based on chaos, signal processing based on recurrence plot ananlysis. In its most general sense, engineering is turning an idea into a reality, creating and using tools to accomplish a task or fulfill a purpose. There is the appreciation that the story of engineering divides into five ages: gravity, heat, electromagnetism, information, and systems. The same specialists appreciate that we are in the age of information, which has turned now into the age of complex systems. Complexity describes objects with many interconnected parts and complex systems are a subfield of computer science, called computational complexity. Speaking of the concepts: complicated and complex we can say that it is easy to distinguish one from the other only at the extremes, but there is a middle ground where the distinction becomes unclear and arbitrary. The interactions of interest are non-linear and this non-linearity yields levels of organization and hierarchies. Complex systems exhibit several kinds of behavior such as: self-organization into patterns, chaotic behavior adaptive interaction. Analyzing complexity, we can ask how systems can generate perpetual novelty using limited resources. And besides many answers two concepts become important: laws and states. For example, for a system, the course over time appears chaotic rather than deterministic. Though the partial differential equations describing chaotic systems are fully deterministic, the presumed guarantees of determinism: similar starting conditions yield similar state trajectories— no longer hold! We must take in account a systemic approach because a system is more than the sum of its parts. It may exhibit adaptive, dynamic, goal-seeking, self-preserving, and sometimes evolutionary behavior. The least obvious part of the system, its function or purpose, is often the most crucial determinant of the system's behavior. Complex behaviors of systems often arise as the relative strengths of feedback loops shift, causing first one loop and then another to dominate behavior! What can we do

Cavitation characterization using wide band signals in an acoustic active sensing system

International audienceThe paper presents a different approach based on an active acoustic system for the characterization of a vortex generating cavitation phenomenon. In the present work, the experiment was carried out in a reduced scale facility. The flow rate of the hydraulic system was varied and, when the flow became stable, the acoustic active system was started. The system is based on two ultrasonic transceivers which are placed in a "V" configuration. The main objective is to highlight the vortex presence influence on the acoustic sensing system using wide band signals. The Recurrence Plot Analysis (RPA) is used in order to highlight the vortex spectral signature, information which is not available when analyzing directly the acquired signal. The tests were done step by step, from no vortex flow to vortex flow

Implementation of a Customized Safety Checklist in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Importance of Team Time Out—A Dual-Center Pilot Study

Background and Objectives: Checking and correctly preparing the patient for endoscopic procedures is a mandatory step for the safety and quality of the interventions. The aim of this paper is to emphasize the importance and necessity of a “team time out” as well as the implementation of a customized “checklist” before the actual procedure. Material and Methods: We developed and implemented a checklist for the safe conduct of endoscopies and for the entire team to thoroughly know about the patient’s medical history. The subjects of this study were 15 physicians and 8 endoscopy nurses who performed overall 572 consecutive GI endoscopic procedures during the study period. Results: This is a prospective pilot study performed in the endoscopy unit of two tertiary referral medical centers. We customized a safety checklist that includes the steps to be followed before, during and after the examination. It brings together the whole team participating in the procedure in order to check the key points during the following three vital phases: before the patient falls asleep, before the endoscope is inserted and before the team leaves the examination room. The perception of team communication and teamwork was improved after the introduction of the checklist. The checklist completion rates, identity verification rates of patients by the endoscopist, adequate histological labeling management and explicit recording of follow-up recommendations are some of the parameters that improved post-intervention. Conclusions: Using a checklist and adapting it to local conditions is a high-level recommendation of the Romanian Ministry of Health. In a medical world where safety and quality are essential, a checklist could prevent medical errors, and team time out can ensure high-quality endoscopy, enhance teamwork and offer patients confidence in the medical team

60–700 K CTAT and PTAT Temperature Sensors with 4H-SiC Schottky Diodes

A SiC Schottky dual-diode temperature-sensing element, suitable for both complementary variation of VF with absolute temperature (CTAT) and differential proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) sensors, is demonstrated over 60–700 K, currently the widest range reported. The structure’s layout places the two identical diodes in close, symmetrical proximity. A stable and high-barrier Schottky contact based on Ni, annealed at 750 °C, is used. XRD analysis evinced the even distribution of Ni2Si over the entire Schottky contact area. Forward measurements in the 60–700 K range indicate nearly identical characteristics for the dual-diodes, with only minor inhomogeneity. Our parallel diode (p-diode) model is used to parameterize experimental curves and evaluate sensing performances over this far-reaching domain. High sensitivity, upwards of 2.32 mV/K, is obtained, with satisfactory linearity (R2 reaching 99.80%) for the CTAT sensor, even down to 60 K. The PTAT differential version boasts increased linearity, up to 99.95%. The lower sensitivity is, in this case, compensated by using a high-performing, low-cost readout circuit, leading to a peak 14.91 mV/K, without influencing linearity

60–700 K CTAT and PTAT Temperature Sensors with 4H-SiC Schottky Diodes

A SiC Schottky dual-diode temperature-sensing element, suitable for both complementary variation of VF with absolute temperature (CTAT) and differential proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) sensors, is demonstrated over 60–700 K, currently the widest range reported. The structure’s layout places the two identical diodes in close, symmetrical proximity. A stable and high-barrier Schottky contact based on Ni, annealed at 750 °C, is used. XRD analysis evinced the even distribution of Ni2Si over the entire Schottky contact area. Forward measurements in the 60–700 K range indicate nearly identical characteristics for the dual-diodes, with only minor inhomogeneity. Our parallel diode (p-diode) model is used to parameterize experimental curves and evaluate sensing performances over this far-reaching domain. High sensitivity, upwards of 2.32 mV/K, is obtained, with satisfactory linearity (R2 reaching 99.80%) for the CTAT sensor, even down to 60 K. The PTAT differential version boasts increased linearity, up to 99.95%. The lower sensitivity is, in this case, compensated by using a high-performing, low-cost readout circuit, leading to a peak 14.91 mV/K, without influencing linearity

Membrane Process to Sequester CO2 From Power Plant Flue Gas

The objective of this project was to assess the feasibility of using a membrane process to capture CO2 from coal-fired power plant flue gas. During this program, MTR developed a novel membrane (Polaris™) with a CO2 permeance tenfold higher than commercial CO2-selective membranes used in natural gas treatment. The Polaris™ membrane, combined with a process design that uses a portion of combustion air as a sweep stream to generate driving force for CO2 permeation, meets DOE post-combustion CO2 capture targets. Initial studies indicate a CO2 separation and liquefaction cost of $20 -$30/ton CO2 using about 15% of the plant energy at 90% CO2 capture from a coal-fired power plant. Production of the Polaris™ CO2 capture membrane was scaled up with MTR’s commercial casting and coating equipment. Parametric tests of cross-flow and countercurrent/sweep modules prepared from this membrane confirm their near-ideal performance under expected flue gas operating conditions. Commercial-scale, 8-inch diameter modules also show stable performance in field tests treating raw natural gas. These findings suggest that membranes are a viable option for flue gas CO2 capture. The next step will be to conduct a field demonstration treating a realworld power plant flue gas stream. The first such MTR field test will capture 1 ton CO2/day at Arizona Public Service’s Cholla coal-fired power plant, as part of a new DOE NETL funded program