Deterministic and probabilistic analysis of great-depth braced excavations:A 32 m excavation case study in Paris

The Fort d’Issy-Vanves-Clamart(FIVC)braced excavation in France is analyzed to provide insights into the geotechnical serviceability assessment of excavations at great depth within deterministic and probabilistic frameworks.The FIVC excavation is excavated at 32 m below the ground surface in Parisian sedimentary basin and a plane-strain finite element analysis is implemented to examine the wall deflections and ground surface settlements.A stochastic finite element method based on the polynomial chaos Kriging metamodel(MSFEM)is then proposed for the probabilistic analyses.Comparisons with field measurements and former studies are carried out.Several academic cases are then conducted to investigate the great-depth excavation stability regarding the maximum horizontal wall deflection and maximum ground surface settlement.The results indicate that the proposed MSFEM is effective for probabilistic analyses and can provide useful insights for the excavation design and construction.A sensitivity analysis for seven considered random parameters is then implemented.The soil friction angle at the excavation bottom layer is the most significant one for design.The soil-wall interaction effects on the excavation stability are also given.

Climate Services Elaboration for Cocoa Cultivation in Côte d’Ivoire: Contribution of CORDEX Climate Projections

This study assessed the contribution of climate projections to improving rainfall information for cocoa crops in the central and southern regions of Côte d’Ivoire. Particular attention was paid to fourteen localities in these two climatic zones. Simulation data were obtained from the CORDEX ensemble and observation data from CHIRPS. They cover the period 1991-2005 for the reference period and the future period from 2021 to 2050 for the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. In addition, the study was based on the water requirements necessary during the critical phase of the cocoa tree (the flowering phase) for a good yield from the cocoa production chain on the one hand, and on a selection of three climate indices CDD, CWD and r95PTOT to study their spatio-temporal changes over two future periods 2021-2035 (near future) and 2036-2050 (medium-term) on the other. These climatic indices influence cocoa cultivation and their use in studies of climatic impacts on agriculture is of prime importance. The analysis of their spatio-temporal changes in this work also contributes to providing climate services based on rainfall, to which cocoa crops are highly sensitive. Our results show that the CDD and CWD indices vary from one region to another depending on latitude. For the fourteen localities studied, the number of consecutive dry days (CDD) could increase between now and 2050, while the number of consecutive wet days (CWD) could decrease over the period 2021-2035 and then increase over the period 2036-2050. The localities of Tabou, Aboisso and San-Pedro record high numbers of CDD index and CWD index for both projection scenarios. In comparison with the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, these results show that the RCP8.5 scenarios are having an impact on cocoa growing in Côte d’Ivoire.

Projected Changes in the Climate Zoning of Côte d’Ivoire

This study assesses the projected changes in the climate zoning of Côte d’Ivoire using the hierarchical classification of principal components (HCPC) method applied to the daily precipitation data of an ensemble of 14 CORDEX-AFRICA simulations under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. The results indicate the existence of three climate zones in Côte d’Ivoire (the coastal, the centre and the north) over the historical period (1981-2005). Moreover, CORDEX simulations project an extension of the surface area of drier climatic zones while a reduction of wetter zones, associated with the appearance of an intermediate climate zone with surface area varying from 77,560 km2 to 134,960 km2 depending on the period and the scenario. These results highlight the potential impacts of climate change on the delimitation of the climate zones of Côte d’Ivoire under the greenhouse gas emission scenarios. Thus, there is a reduction in the surface areas suitable for the production of cash crops such as cocoa and coffee. This could hinder the country’s economy and development, mainly based on these cash crops.

Influence of Continental Atmospheric Forcing on the Decadal Variability of the West African Monsoon

The West African Monsoon (WAM) is characterized by strong decadal and multi-decadal variability and the impacts can be catastrophic for the local populations. One of the factors put forward to explain this variability involves the role of atmospheric dynamics, linked in particular to the Saharan Heat Low (SHL). This article addresses this question by comparing the sets of preindustrial control and historical simulation data from climate models carried out in the framework of the CMIP5 project and observations data over the 20th century. Through multivariate statistical analyses, it was established that decadal modes of ocean variability and decadal variability of Saharan atmospheric dynamics significantly influence decadal variability of monsoon precipitation. These results also suggest the existence of external anthropogenic forcing, which is superimposed on the decadal natural variability inducing an intensification of the signal in the historical simulations compared to preindustrial control simulations. We have also shown that decadal rainfall variability in the Sahel, once the influence of oceanic modes has been eliminated, appears to be driven mainly by the activity of the Arabian Heat Low (AHL) in the central Sahel, and by the structure of the meridional temperature gradient over the inter-tropical Atlantic in the western Sahel.

Climate Impact on the Productivity of Sugarcane Varieties in Ferke1 Industrial Plantations

This study assesses the climate impact on the productivity of five sugarcane varieties (R579, SP711406, M2593/92, M1400/86, and SP701006) in the industrial plantations of Ferké 1 sugar complex. It is a contribution to research efforts aimed at increasing the productivity of sugarcane varieties in the sugar fields. Also to support agricultural development and guarantee the income of planters. The sugarcane production data are from 2013 to 2017. Climatological data are measured and calculated continuously daily at the production site. In addition, the CMIP-5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project) climate database at 1º × 1º horizontal resolution was used for the predictability of crop yields of the 5 sugarcane varieties in the near future (2021-2050) and far future (2056-2075) to improve the quality of climate services to producers. The statistical methodological approach by multiple linear regression associated with the significativity test shows important and significant coefficients of determination (R2 > 0.90) between the yields of sugarcane varieties with certain climatic parameters such as minimum and maximum temperatures, insolation, global solar radiation, and potential evapotranspiration. The impact of rainfall has not been directly evaluated because the linear models do not explicitly show sensitivities to this parameter and the total water requirements for the plot are completely assured by irrigation. The future climate projections analyzed only from extreme thermal parameters (Tmax and Tmin) highlight their strong sensitivities with yields from an idealized model. In this model, we have assumed that the water supply needed by sugarcane is always met by irrigation on different plots. Moreover, linear models do not evolve fast enough in time and changes due to external environmental constraints are not too important at the plot scale. The projected thermic parameters can thus constitute a limiting factor for the producibility of sugarcane varieties either by excess or by default. In addition, the linear models used allowed us to observe the behavior of yields with respect to observed past climatic conditions. However, for future yields, there is no way to know if these regressions have the ability to predict them since they are based on projected weather conditions (i.e. CMIP5 data) marked by uncertainties. Additionally, none of the regression equations have been tested against independent observations.

Contribution of Climate Scenarios RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 to the Study of Climate Change Impacts on Cocoa Farming in Côte d’Ivoire

In the particular context of climate change in Côte d’Ivoire and the vulnerability of farmers to its effects, one of the major issues is how these changes could impact cocoa yields of cocoa production areas. Thus, the objective of this study is to sustainably increase the resilience of all cocoa farming stakeholders to the impacts of climate change. The study was carried out in the central and southern areas of Côte d’Ivoire with a focus on eleven localities that have many communities of cocoa producers and a humid climate. The rainfall and temperature observation data using come from the CRU, they cover the historical period from 1971 to 2000 at 0.5o × 0.5o horizontal scale. As for the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 climate scenarios, they come from the CORDEX database and cover the 2021-2050 period. The methodology is based on the calculation of climatic indices sensitive to cocoa cultivation which are the number of consecutive dry days (CDD), the number of consecutive wet days (CWD), the amount of rain during the rainy season and the maximum temperature above 33℃. The results show that for all the localities studied, indices such as CDD and CWD could experience an increase. In addition, the total amount of rain during the long rainy season (April to June) is calculated on the basis of the threshold of 700 mm representing the minimum annual precipitation during the rainy season necessary for good growth of the cocoa tree. It reveals that for the two scenarios the cumulative rainfall will all be greater than 700 mm. Regarding temperatures, the central and southern areas could have a low number of hot days (temperature greater than or equal to 33℃ which is the tolerable threshold for cocoa cultivation). The eleven localities, therefore, remain favorable areas for cocoa cultivation in terms of climatic conditions based on temperature and rainfall, despite the regional dimension of the effects of climate change and the associated constraints.

Composite wedge failure using photogrammetric measurements and DFN-DEM modelling

Analysis and prediction of structural instabilities in open pit mines are an important design and operational consideration for ensuring safety and productivity of the operation. Unstable wedges and blocks occurring at the surface of the pit walls may be identified through three-dimensional(3D) image analysis combined with the discrete fracture network(DFN) approach. Kinematic analysis based on polyhedral modelling can be used for first pass analysis but cannot capture composite failure mechanisms involving both structurally controlled and rock mass progressive failures. A methodology is proposed in this paper to overcome such limitations by coupling DFN models with geomechanical simulations based on the discrete element method(DEM). Further, high resolution photogrammetric data are used to identify valid model scenarios. An identified wedge failure that occurred in an Australian coal mine is used to validate the methodology. In this particular case, the failure surface was induced as a result of the rock mass progressive failure that developed from the toe of the structure inside the intact rock matrix. Analysis has been undertaken to determine in what scenarios the measured and predicted failure surfaces can be used to calibrate strength parameters in the model.

Involvement of CRF2 signaling in enterocyte differentiation

To determine the role of corticotropin releasing factor receptor (CRF2) in epithelial permeability and enterocyte cell differentiation.METHODSFor this purpose, we used rat Sprague Dawley and various colon carcinoma cell lines (SW620, HCT8R, HT-29 and Caco-2 cell lines). Expression of CRF2 protein was analyzed by fluorescent immunolabeling in normal rat colon and then by western blot in dissociated colonic epithelial cells and in the lysates of colon carcinoma cell lines or during the early differentiation of HT-29 cells (ten first days). To assess the impact of CRF2 signaling on colonic cell differentiation, HT-29 and Caco-2 cells were exposed to Urocortin 3 recombinant proteins (Ucn3, 100 nmol/L). In some experiments, cells were pre-exposed to the astressin 2b (A2b) a CRF2 antagonist in order to inhibit the action of Ucn3. Intestinal cell differentiation was first analyzed by functional assays: the trans-cellular permeability and the para-cellular permeability were determined by Dextran-FITC intake and measure of the transepithelial electrical resistance respectively. Morphological modifications associated to epithelial dysfunction were analyzed by confocal microscopy after fluorescent labeling of actin (phaloidin-TRITC) and intercellular adhesion proteins such as E-cadherin, p120ctn, occludin and ZO-1. The establishment of mature adherens junctions (AJ) was monitored by following the distribution of AJ proteins in lipid raft fractions, after separation of cell lysates on sucrose gradients. Finally, the mRNA and the protein expression levels of characteristic markers of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) differentiation such as the transcriptional factor krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) or the dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) were performed by RT-PCR and western blot respectively. The specific activities of DPPIV and alkaline phosphatase (AP) enzymes were determined by a colorimetric method.RESULTSCRF2 protein is preferentially expressed in undifferentiated epithelial cells from the crypts of colon and in human colon carcinoma cell lines. Furthermore, CRF2 expression is down regulated according to the kinetic of HT-29 cell differentiation. By performing functional assays, we found that Ucn3-induced CRF2 signaling alters both para- and trans-cellular permeability of differentiated HT-29 and Caco-2 cells. These effects are partly mediated by Ucn3-induced morphological changes associated with the disruption of mature AJ in HT-29 cells and tight junctions (TJ) in Caco-2 cells. Ucn3-mediated activation of CRF2 decreases mRNA and protein expression levels of KLF4 a transcription factor involved in IEC differentiation. This signaling is correlated to a down-regulation of key IEC markers such as DPPIV and AP, at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels.CONCLUSIONOur findings suggest that CRF2 signaling could modulate IEC differentiation. These mechanisms could be relevant to the stress induced epithelial alterations found in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Impacts of the Sahel-Sahara Interface Reforestation on West African Climate: Intra-Annual Variability and Extreme Temperature Events

The impacts of the reforestation of the Sahel-Sahara interface on the seasonal distribution of the surface temperature and thermal extremes are studied in the Sahel (West African region lying between 11&#176N and 18&#176N). We performed a simulation with the standard version of the RegCM4 model followed by another one using the altered version of the same model taking into account an incorporated forest. The impacts of the vegetation change are assessed by analyzing the difference between the two runs. The reforestation may influence strongly the frequency of warm days (TG90P) and very warm days (TX90P) by decreasing it over the reforested zone from March to May (MAM) and the entire Sahel during the June-August (JJA) period. These TG90P and TX90P indices decrease may be due to the strengthening of the atmospheric moisture content over the whole Sahel region and the weakening of the sensible heat flux over the reforested zone. The analysis also shows a decrease of the TN90P indice (warm nights) over the Sahel during the wet season (JJA) which could be partly associated with the strengthening of the evapotranspiration over the whole Sahel domain. The analysis of additional thermal indices shows an increase of the tropical nights over the entire Sahel from December to February (DJF) and during the warm season (MAM). The strengthening of the tropical night is partly associated with an increase of the surface net downward shortwave flux over the reforested zone. When considering the heat waves, an increase (a decrease) of these events is recorded over the southern Sahel during JJA and SON periods (over the whole Sahelian region during DJF), respectively. Changes in latent heat flux appear to be largely responsible for these extreme temperatures change. This work shows that the vegetation change may impact positively some regions like the reforested area by reducing the occurrence of thermal extremes;while other Sahel regions (eastern part of the central Sahel) could suffer from it because of the strengthening of thermal extremes.

Evidence of Long-Term Trend of Visibility in the Sahel and Coevolution with Meteorological Conditions and Vegetation Cover during the Recent Period

In this study, the long term trend of the observed visibility data used directly (without conversion into dust concentrations) over Sahel was investigated between 1957 and 2013. Then, to review the influence of atmospheric factors and land surface conditions on this trend, the coevolution between the visibility and the dust surface mass concentration from MERRA-2 (Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications) reanalysis, the in-situ surface meteorological data (rainfall, relative humidity, wind speed, and air temperature), as well as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were analyzed from 2000 to 2013. We showed that the horizontal visibility has significantly decreased since the 1970s. The coevolution between the visibility and the dust surface mass concentration revealed that visibility decreased significantly with increments in dust concentrations. Visibility increases with rainfall and relative humidity. It is greater in areas of high vegetation cover than in deforested areas. Visibility is weakly correlated with wind speed and air temperature but generally, wind leads to a decrease in visibility, while warm air temperature is associated with a clearer sky and hence, high visibility. The worst visibility in the dry season results from high dust concentrations due to warm and dry wind conditions and less vegetation cover. Rainfall, relative humidity and vegetation cover are the dominant factors contributing to the decrease of dust loading in the Sahel.

Review of Cellulose Nanocrystal-based Fluorophore Materials and Their Application in Metal Ion Detection

Cellulose nanocrystals （CNCs）, a unique and promising natural material extracted from native cellulose, have attracted considerable attention owing to their physical properties and special surface chemistry. This review focuses on chemical conjugation strategies that can be used for preparation of ？uorescent-molecule labeled CNCs and the development of biomaterials. Furthermore, their application in the detection of metal ions and future development prospects are discussed. We hope to provide a clear view of the strategies for surface fluorescent modifcation of CNCs and their application in detection of metal ions.

Effects of Microselective Neurotomy on Focal Spasticity and Description of the Surgical Technique

We studied the microselective neurotomy (MSN) and its advantages to alleviate disabling spasticity. The best indication for MSN is focal spasticity. We performed 298 MSN, 87 nerves on the upper limb, 211 nerves on the lower limb) in 68 patients. The initial causes were: stroke, cranial trauma, postoperative complications and multiple sclerosis. MSN procedures were performed on the median nerve (n = 40) for wrist and finger flexion;musculo-cutaneus nerve (n = 38) for elbow flexion;ulnaris nerve (n = 9) for cubital deviation of the hand;gastrocnemius nerve (n = 98) and soleus nerve (n = 49) for equinus foot, tibial posterior nerve (n = 45) for varus foot, and fascicles (or bundles) of the flexor digitorum for “claw” toes (n = 19). The main preoperative test to identify the responsible nerve was a neuromuscular block with local anesthesia (lidocaine or bupivacaine) injected into the site of the nerve connecting the spastic muscle. During surgery, the identified nerve was exposed and its epineurium opened. Nerve bundles were teased apart into individual rootlets and a number of rootlets cut were previously planned, according to the spasticity. Follow-up was performed for up to 10 years, with a mean period of 29 months. Results demonstrated a reduction of limb spasticity of 2 to 3 points: modified Ashworth scale (MAS). Pain and clonus were also diminished in the affected limb. In some cases, voluntary movement was once again possible. MSN is a useful alternative in those cases of focal spasticity where physiotherapy and nerve block with botulinum toxin or phenol no longer produce satisfactory results.

Nankai Trough Velocity Structure Reconstruction using FWI of Wide-angle OBS Data with Graph-space Optimal Transport Misfit Function

Technical development oriented on the detailed seismic imaging and velocity model building coupled with rapid increase of the computing power available nowadays make it possible to process large volumes of seismic data using numerically intensive approaches based the wavefield propagation.

Impaired Executive Function in Everyday Life: A Predictor of OCD Relapse?

Objectives: In the present study, we set out to establish whether executive function in everyday life is impaired in obsessive-compulsive disorder patients, and if it is more impaired (or not) in patients who relapsed after cognitive behavioural therapy than in treatment-na?ve obsessive-compulsive disorder patients. Method: The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function— Adult Version (BRIEF-A) was used to measure executive function in everyday life in three groups of 19 participants: treatment-na?ve obsessive-compulsive disorderpatients, obsessive-compulsive disorder patients having relapsed after CBT, and healthy controls. Results: The BRIEF-A results revealed an impairment in executive function in the treatment-na?ve and relapsed obsessive-compulsive disorder groups, relative to the healthy control group. There was no significant difference in executive function between the two groups of patients. Conclusions: These results show that impaired executive function is not associated with relapse in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder having undergone cognitive behavioural therapy.

Origins of the Problematic Substances in Fines, for Their Acceptance at Inert Landfills

Integrated solid waste management (ISWM) involves approaching solid waste in a comprehensive manner with careful selection of appropriate technology. The aim of good waste management is to push waste up the hierarchy with landfill as a last resort. However given the current sorting technology, heterogeneous residues called Fines are created, they are considered at the present time as non-sortable and non-recoverable sent to second class landfills. A previous conducted study has revealed that fines contain several problematic substances for an inert classification. This article summarizes the most important problematic substances in fines for their acceptance inert landfills. These substances were identified by analyzing several samples collected from a siting of non-hazardous solid waste in the region of Rh&#244ne-Alpes in France. Eluate Analysis and fines analysis were conducted in order to identify the presence of any component that could prevent the classification of fines in an inert landfill. The obtained results were compared with the limit values for waste acceptance in an inert landfill. The study concluded that the six top-ranking problematic substances are Copper, Mercury, Antimony, Chloride, Fluoride and Sulfates, this study gives additional information on the origins of these substances that deserves particular attention to better limit their presence in the input of fines stream.

Boosted Photoactivity of Titania Nanotube Layers Doped with a Suspension of Gold Nanoparticles

In the present work, we report on the behavior of synthesized gold nano-particles suspension, incorporated in titanium dioxide nanotube layers (TiO2- NT) and fabricated by electrochemical anodization in 0.4 wt% hydrofluoric acid solution and we study its photocatalytic response. Gold nanoparticles were characterized using Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the morphology of TiO2 nanotube layers doped by gold nanoparticles. Boosted photocatalytic performances on the degradation of an azo dye were obtained by using TiO2 nanotube layers doped by gold nanoparticles (Au/TiO2-NT), compared to undoped TiO2 nanotube layer (TiO2-NT) catalysts. Under UV irradiation, this new nanomaterial, with noble metal-semi conductor heterojunction (Au/ TiO2-NT) exhibits a synergetic effect in accelerating the electron transfert, resulting in an enhanced photoactivity recorded in the kinetics of degradation of Acid Orange 7 (AO7). Chronoamperometry was used to highlight higher photocurrent produced by gold-titania interface submited to UV irradiation.

ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: Value of Apheresis in Initial Treatment

Introduction: Vasculitis associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) can be grouped with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MAP), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Diagnosis of these rare pathologies is based on clinical presentation, the positivity of ANCA, and, if possible, histological proof of vasculitis. Our study describes a series of six cases of ANCA-associated vasculitis where due to the severity of symptoms apheresis sessions were started from the beginning of the therapy. Patients and methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center observational, monocentric study on all patients treated by apheresis for ANCA vasculitis in the period January 01, 2016 to December 01, 2019. Results: We identified six cases of ANCA vasculitis treated by apheresis over a 3-year period. The mean age was 61 ± 19 years;M/F gender ratio was 1:1. Initial renal damage in all patients was rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Inflammatory syndrome occurred in all patients with average CRP of 82 mg/L. All patients had positive ANCA at diagnosis. Four patients required renal replacement therapy at the time of diagnosis. The induction regimen consisted of rituximab associated with IV boluses of methylprednisolone. The apheresis techniques used were the same for all patients, i.e. plasmapheresis. Outcomes were favorable for five patients;only one patient became dependent on hemodialysis. No mortality occurred. Conclusion: This study analyzed practices for the management of patients with ANCA vasculitis. No patient was treated with cyclophosphamide as a first approach but rituximab instead. Plasmapheresis was given because of symptoms severity at initial diagnosis.

Sensitivity Study of the RegCM4’s Surface Schemes in the Simulations of West Africa Climate

Two simulations of five years (2003-2007) were conducted with the Regional Climate models RegCM4, one coupled with Land surface models BATS and the other with CLM4.5 over West Africa, where simulated air temperature and precipitation were analyzed. The purpose of this study is to assess the performance of RegCM4 coupled with the new CLM4.5 Land surface scheme and the standard one named BATS in order to find the best configuration of RegCM4 over West African. This study could improve our understanding of the sensitivity of land surface model in West Africa climate simulation, and provide relevant information to RegCM4 users. The results show fairly realistic restitution of West Africa’s climatology and indicate correlations of 0.60 to 0.82 between the simulated fields (BATS and CLM4.5) for precipitation. The substitution of BATS surface scheme by CLM4.5 in the model configuration, leads mainly to an improvement of precipitation over the Atlantic Ocean, however, the impact is not sufficiently noticeable over the continent. While the CLM4.5 experiment restores the seasonal cycles and spatial distribution, the biases increase for precipitation and temperature. Positive biases already existing with BATS are amplified over some sub-regions. This study concludes that temporal localization (seasonal effect), spatial distribution (grid points) and magnitude of precipitation and temperature (bias) are not simultaneously improved by CLM4.5. The introduction of the new land surface scheme CLM4.5, therefore, leads to a performance of the same order as that of BATS, albeit with a more detailed formulation.

Analytical Calculation of the Energy in a Permanent Magnet

The energy in permanent magnet is not a trivial problem because it exist two types of energy: the field energy and the demagnetizing energy. For parallelepiped shape, the magnet energy has been calculated by fully analytical expressions in 3D. The result has been obtained after four successive integrations of Arctangent and Logarithm functions. The analytically calculated energy corresponds to the demagnetization energy in the magnet. The analytical results have been compared with different terms of energy obtained by computation.

Geophysical evidence of large-scale silica-rich fluid flow above the continental subduction interface

Fluids in subduction zones can have major effects on subduction dynamics.However,geophysical constraints on the scale and impact of fluid flow during continental subduction are still limited.Here we analyze the VP/VS ratios in the Western Alpine region,hosting one of the best-preserved fossil continental subduction zones worldwide,to investigate the impact of fluid flow during continental subduction.We found a belt of high VP/VS ratios>1.9 on the upper-plate side of the subduction zone,consistent with a partially serpentinized upper-plate mantle,and a belt of unusually low VP/VS ratios<1.7 on the lower-plate side,at depths shallower than 30 km.We propose that these low VP/VS ratios result from a widespread network of silica-rich veins,indicating past fluid flow along the continental subduction interface.Our results suggest that past fluid flow may have reduced the effective stress along the subduction interface thus favoring continental subduction.