QCD and strongly coupled gauge theories : challenges and perspectives

We highlight the progress, current status, and open challenges of QCD-driven physics, in theory and in experiment. We discuss how the strong interaction is intimately connected to a broad sweep of physical problems, in settings ranging from astrophysics and cosmology to strongly coupled, complex systems in particle and condensed-matter physics, as well as to searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. We also discuss how success in describing the strong interaction impacts other fields, and, in turn, how such subjects can impact studies of the strong interaction. In the course of the work we offer a perspective on the many research streams which flow into and out of QCD, as well as a vision for future developments.Peer reviewe

Search for heavy resonances decaying into a vector boson and a Higgs boson in final states with charged leptons, neutrinos, and b quarks

Peer reviewe

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Mapping tidal flats in Vietnam using remote sensing techniques

Les espaces intertidaux correspondent à des estrans soumis à un régime de marée montrant un certain marnage. Il s’agit d’étendues basses constituées d’alluvions récentes, situées à proximité des mers à marée et envahies par les eaux lors des marées hautes. Les espaces intertidaux au nord du Vietnam sont sous l’influence de la mousson associé à un régime de marée diurne. Ils s’étendent sur environ 350 km le long de la côte. Le sud de la zone d’étude est marqué par le delta du fleuve Rouge et le fleuve Thai Binh qui apportent une grande quantité de sédiments, entraînant des estrans à dominante vaseuse ou vaso-silteuse. Le centre de la zone d’étude est caractérisé par des estrans noirs. L’exploitation du charbon dans la région de Cam Pha et de Ha Long expliquent un apport énorme de particules carbonées qui créent des estrans vaseux noirs tout à fait originaux. Cependant, les espaces intertidaux de ce secteur n’ont jusqu’à présent pas fait l’objet d’une étude détaillée. La présente thèse a pour objectif de répondre à quatre questions concernant ces espaces intertidaux :1. Comment la morphologie des estrans a-t-elle évolué depuis les 25 dernières années ?2. Quels sont les sédiments constituant ces estrans : granulométrie, teneur en carbonates, teneur en matière organique, etc. ?3. Quels sont les paramètres biophysiques de surface des estrans ?4. Quels sont les facteurs qui influencent les changements de morphologie des estrans et comment ces derniers peuvent-ils évoluer ?Afin de répondre à ces différentes questions, des images de télédétection tant optiques (Landsat, Spot, Aster, etc.) que radar (Sentinel-1A) ont été utilisées. Les analyses spatiales ont été réalisées à l’aide d’un système d’information géographique (SIG).Le présent travail est une thèse financée dans le cadre du programme liant l’Université de Sciences et Technologies de Hanoï et l’Université de Reims - Champagne-Ardenne, membre du consortium USTH.Tidal flat is a special environment suffering tidal regime in which tidal flats are submerged during flood tide and exposing the air during ebb tide. Tidal flats in the north coast in Vietnam are constituted in diurnal tide condition with tide range varying from 0.3m to 3.5m. Along 350km coastline of the study area, the diversity of constituent conditions formed various tidal flats with different characteristic. Tidal flats in the southern part of the study area are fed by sediment from two large river systems, in the middle part forms the coal tidal flats, but the only sandy sediment along with tide domination constitute the large tidal flats in the north coast of the study area. This study apply remote sensing techniques and GIS tools to solve four scientific issues including: the evolution of tidal flats over periods from 1989 to 2014, the characteristics of sediments in tidal flats, the surface parameter of tidal flats, and the forcing factors which influence the future change of tidal flats. The results of the study shows that, tidal flats in the north coast in the study area are dramatically eroded but the tidal flats in the south coast are deposition by the concentration of fine sediments. In total 14 forcing factors, the coastal nature factor has highest forcing to the deposition of tidal flats. However, the factors of wind-wave effect and tidal flat width have negative influence to deposition. Consequently, the highest potential for future deposition of tidal flats are around the river mouths in the south coast but no potential for future deposition is in tidal flats in the north of the study area. This study is implemented in the framework of the cooperation between University of Science and Technology Ha Noi (USTH) and Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne (URCA)

Surveillance des changements morphologiques dans une zone cotière du Delta du fleuve rouge (Vietnam) à l'aide de la télédétection et des SIG

article publié en anglais (p. 11-17), avec un résumé étendu en français (p. 18-19) et 8 planches couleur hors-texte (p. 27-34)International audienceThis paper shows the research of coastal morphological changes in Red river delta using Remote Sensing and GIS technique. Study was carried out to assess the intensity of erosion, deposition and sand bar movement in the study area. Satellite images of ALOS/AVNIR-2 and Landsat MSS, TM, ETM+ were used for the monitoring of coastal morphological changes over the period of 1975 to 2009. Band rationing and threshold technique was used for the coastline extraction. Tidal levels at the time of image acquisition varied from 1.47m to 2.72. Therefore, coastline from another image at a different tidal level in the same year was considered to get the corrected coastline by interpolation technique. A series of points were generated along the coastline from 1975 image and were established as reference points to see the change in later periods. The changes were measured in distances from these reference points to the other coastline. Positive values represented deposition to the sea and negative values are erosion. The research showed that maximum erosion was 23.77 m/y between 1975 and 1989 in GiaoThuy, Nam Dinh area. Human activities, such as shrimp farming and mangrove cultivation have expanded land nearly 3.5 km in Red river mouth and 2.8 km in Thai Binh river mouth from 1975 to 2009. The sand bar movement of the deltas were characterized by their alternating location of coastline, rate of deposition and erosion. In the analysis, sand bars were converted into centerlines for calculation. It was found that the sand bars moved 186 m/year in Red river mouth and 195 m/year in Day river mouth. ALOS/AVNIR-2 and Landsat MSS, TM, ETM+ images were classified to determine land cover changes of the coastal zone over three periods of time.Song Hong – ou le fleuve Rouge – est le plus grand fleuve au nord du Vietnam. Dans sa partie aval, il se jette dans le golfe du Tonkin et prend une forme de delta. Le delta du fleuve Rouge s’étend sur 130 km. Le littoral comprend sept grandes embouchures. Tout au long de son tracé, le rivage présente des secteurs en érosion ou en l’étude des changements morphologiques côtiers dans le delta du fleuve Rouge à l’aide de la télédétection et de la technique des SIG. Cette analyse a été réalisée afin d’évaluer l’intensité de l’érosion, d’identifier les zones de sédimentation ainsi que le mouvement des bancs sableux. Les images satellites d’ALOS/AVNIR-2 et Landsat MSS, TM, ETM+ ont été utilisées pour le suivi de l’évolution de la morphologie côtière sur la période de 1975 à 2009. Les rapports de bandes et la technique du seuillage ont été utilisés pour l’extraction du littoral. Les niveaux de marée au moment de l’acquisition des images variaient de 1,47 m à 2,72 m. Par conséquent, la côte a été déterminée comme le littoral corrigé par la technique d’interpolation à l’aide d’une seconde image acquise avec un niveau différent de marée (de la même année). Une série de points a été générée le long de la côte à partir de 1975. Ces points ont été considérés comme des références pour suivre l’évolution de la côte dans les périodes ultérieures. Les changements ont été mesurés à partir des distances de ces points de référence d’une côte à l’autre. Les valeurs positives représentent des dépôts alluviaux alors que les valeurs négatives permettent d’évaluer l’érosion. La recherche indique que l’érosion maximale a été de 23,77 m/an entre 1975 et 1989 dans GiaoThuy, zone de Nam Dinh.Les activités humaines, telles que l’élevage de crevettes et la culture de la mangrove ont entraîné une progression du littoral de près de 3,5 km dans l’embouchure du fleuve Rouge et de 2,8 km dans embouchure de la rivière ThaiBinh de 1975-2009. Les bancs de sable dans le delta du fleuve Rouge sont situés de part et d’autre de deux rivières. Ces bancs de sable se déplacent quotidiennement en fonction de la distribution des sédiments. Les bancs de sable ont été extraits à partir d’images satellite qui ont permis aussi de définir le centre de ces bancs en suivant le sens de la longueur du banc à l’aide des outils SIG. Le changement de médiane montre l’évolution temporelle et l’ampleur des mouvements des bancs de sable. Il a été constaté que les bancs de sable se déplacent de 186 m/an dans l’embouchure du fleuve Rouge et de 195 m/an dans l’embouchure du fleuve Jour. Pour évaluer l’effet du changement du littoral et la couverture terrestre, ALOS/AVNIR-2 et Landsat MSS, TM, ETM+ images, ont été classés par la méthode non supervisée, pour déterminer les changements de la couverture terrestre de la zone côtière, et ce sur trois périodes de temps. De 1975 à 2009, l’accumulation s’étend sur une superficie de 11174 ha de terres. L’érosion, quant à elle, occupe une superficie de 3809 ha de la couverture terrestre jusqu’au golfe du Tonki

The Impact of Coal Exploitation on Tidal Flat Changes, an Investigation Using Remote Sensing Data in Vietnam

Tidal flat plays a crucial role in socio-economic development and ecological environment. Tidal flats in Ha Long-Cam Pha in Vietnam are impacted by human activities, especially coal mining activities. Using remote sensing data is able to detect, extract, and monitor the changes of tidal flats and exploited coal mine area with multi-temporal, in various scales, and for a large coverage. This study aims to investigate the impact of coal mining activities on the changes of tidal flats using remote sensing in Cam Pha, Ha Long, one of the biggest coal basins in Vietnam. Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) of tidal flats constructed by Landsat satellite images acquired in years 1989, 2001, and 2014 are compared to determine the volume changes. Besides, coal mining activities including coal production, waste rock dump area, and the expansion of open coal mine during the period 1989-2014 are investigated using correspondent Landsat images and the reports from the coal mine companies in the study area. Sediment samples in tidal flats are analyzed to determine the origin of the sediments. As the results, organic matter in the tidal flats is dominant with the concentration of 459 g/kg to 607 g/kg, which is evidence for the impact of coal exploitation on the coastal environment. In addition, the relationship between coal mine activities and tidal flat variation is well observed in this study

Monitoring Lake Volume Variation from Space Using Satellite Observations—A Case Study in Thac Mo Reservoir (Vietnam)

International audienceThis study estimates monthly variation of surface water volume of Thac Mo hydroelectric reservoir (located in South Vietnam), during the 2016–2021 period. Variation of surface water volume is estimated based on variation of surface water extent, derived from Sentinel-1 observations, and variation of surface water level, derived from Jason-3 altimetry data. Except for drought years in 2019 and 2020, surface water extent of Thac Mo reservoir varies in the range 50–100 km2, while its water level varies in the range 202–217 m. Correlation between these two components is high (R = 0.948), as well as correlation between surface water maps derived from Sentinel-1 and free-cloud Sentinel-2 observations (R = 0.98), and correlation between surface water level derived from Jason-3 altimetry data and from in situ measurement (R = 0.99; RMSE = 0.86 m). We showed that water volume of Thac Mo reservoir varies between −0.3 and 0.4 km3 month−1, and it is in a very good agreement with in situ measurement (R = 0.95; RMSE = 0.0682 km3 month−1). This study highlights the advantages in using different types of satellite observations and data for monitoring variation of lakes’ water storage, which is very important for regional hydrological models. Similar research can be applied to monitor lakes in remote areas where in situ measurements are not available, or cannot be accessed freely

Łączenie zdjęć satelitarnych i danych bezzałogowego statku powietrznego w celu monitorowania eksploatacji kopalni odkrywkowej

Discovering the variation of an open-pit mine in vertical, horizontal, and temporal dimensions as well to characterize the stages and the trends of the exploitation are indispensable tasks which provide information supporting decision making and planning for sustainable development of the mining industry. Remote sensing technique with the advantages of multi-spatial, multi-spectral, multi-temporal resolution is a promising solution to meet the information requirement. This study proposes an approach of coupling the high-resolution satellite images and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data to observe the variation of Tan An open rocky mine during its lifetime. Five satellite images with the resolution of 0.5 m acquired in 2006, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and two ortho-images with 0.034 m resolution constructed from UAV photos captured in 2019, 2020 are used to make land cover maps. The analysis of land cover changes discovers 3 stages of open-pit mine exploitation consisting of unprompted exploitation, exploiting outbreak and stable exploitation corresponding to the changes in the mine. Besides, two Digital Surface Models (DSM) constructed by UAV photos are compared to calculate the elevation and volume changes. The assessment of the correlation between elevation change and land cover change indicates that the mineral exploitation is in the vertical range from 645 m to 660 m, and the exploitation trend is following the horizontal expansion rather than the deep excavation. Additionally, this experiment results in 79,422 m3 of mineral taken from the mine, and 34,022 m3 of soil used for the restoration within a year from June 2019 to June 2020.Monitorowanie zmienności kopalni odkrywkowej w wymiarze pionowym, poziomym i czasowym oraz scharakteryzowanie etapów i trendów eksploatacji są niezbędnymi zadaniami niezbędnymi do dostarczenia informacji wspomagających podejmowanie decyzji i planowanie zrównoważonego rozwoju górnictwa. Technika teledetekcji z zaletami wieloprzestrzennej, wielospektralnej, wieloczasowej rozdzielczości jest obiecującym rozwiązaniem spełniającym powyższe wymaganie. Niniejsze badanie proponuje podejście po-legające na połączeniu obrazów satelitarnych o wysokiej rozdzielczości i danych z bezzałogowego statku powietrznego (BSP) w celu obserwacji zmian w otwartej kopalni skalnej Tan An w czasie jej życia. Pięć zdjęć satelitarnych o rozdzielczości 0,5 m, pozyskanych w latach 2006, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 oraz dwa ortofotomapy o rozdzielczości 0,034 m wykonane ze zdjęć BST wykonanych w 2019, 2020 r. Są wykorzystywane do tworzenia map pokrycia terenu. Analiza zmian pokrycia terenu ujawnia 3 etapy eksploatacji kopalni odkrywkowej, na które składają się: eksploatacja niezamówiona, ognisko eksploatacyjne oraz etapy stabilnej eksploatacji odpowiadające zmianie pokrycia terenu w kopalni. Ponadto porównuje się dwa modele numeryczne powierzchni (MNP) zbudowane na podstawie zdjęć BSP, aby obliczyć wysokość i zmiany objętości kopalni. Ocena korelacji między zmianą wysokości a zmianą pokrycia terenu wskazuje, że eksploatacja kopaliny mieści się w przedziale od 645 m do 660 m npm, a trend eksploatacji raczej według ekspansji poziomej niż metodą wydobywczą. Dodatkowo, w wyniku tego doświadczenia uzyskano 79 422 m3 gruntów pobranego z kopalni oraz 34022 m3 gruntów użytej do rekultywacji w ciągu roku od czerwca 2019 do czerwca 2020

The Study Of Land Cover Change Using Change Vector Approach Integrated With Unsupervised Classification Method: A Case In Duy Tien (Vietnam)

Investigating information on land cover changes is an indispensable task in studies related to the variation of the environment. Land cover changes can be monitored using multi-temporal satellite images at different scales. The commonly used method is the post-classification change detection which can figure out the replacement of a land cover by the others. However, the magnitude and dimension of the changes are not been always exploited. This study employs the mixture of categorical and radiometric change methods to investigate the relations between land cover classes and the change magnitude, the change direction of land covers. Applying the Change Vector Analysis (CVA) method and unsupervised classification for two Landsat images acquired at the same day of years in 2000 and in 2017 in Duy Tien district, the experimental results show that a low magnitude of change occurs in the largest area of direction I and direction IV regarding the increase of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), but the opposite trend of (Bare soil Index) BI in the rice field. Alternately, the high magnitude of change is seen in the build-up class which occupies the smallest area with 1700 ha. The characterized changes produced by the CVA method provide a picture of change dynamics of land cover over the period of 2000-2017 in the study area