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At the turn of the millennium, developments on metasurfaces lead to a significant step forward in the design of radar absorbing structures, especially at lower frequencies, thanks to a reduced thickness. Still, as with other passive impedance matching systems, they remain constrained in their bandwidth-to-thickness ratio. Fortunately, the recent integration of active electronic components onto metasurfaces has multiplied their functionalities, unlocking new ways to overcome these limitations. For instance, using varactor diodes, which act as variable capacitors, an absorbing metasurface can be rendered tunable to cover a frequency range wider than would any passive system of similar thickness. This is a valuable feature when facing modern frequency-hopping radars. However, the bias-dependent resistance introduced by the varactor diodes can compromise the impedance matching throughout the tunable frequency range. This work, therefore, focuses on the design and measurement of a tunable radar absorbing metasurface using varactor diodes, highlighting the necessity for a joint tuning of capacitance and resistance to grant near-perfect absorption over a wide frequency range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legume plants can acquire mineral nitrogen (N) either through their roots or via a symbiotic interaction with N-fixing rhizobia bacteria housed in root nodules. To identify shoot-to-root systemic signals acting in Medicago truncatula plants at N deficit or N satiety, plants were grown in a split-root experimental design in which either high or low N was provided to half of the root system, allowing the analysis of systemic pathways independently of any local N response. Among the plant hormone families analyzed, the cytokinin trans -zeatin accumulated in plants at N satiety. Cytokinin application by petiole feeding led to inhibition of both root growth and nodulation. In addition, an exhaustive analysis of miRNAs revealed that miR2111 accumulates systemically under N deficit in both shoots and non-treated distant roots, whereas a miRNA related to inorganic phosphate (Pi) acquisition, miR399, accumulates in plants grown under N satiety. These two accumulation patterns are dependent on Compact Root Architecture 2 (CRA2), a receptor required for C-terminally Encoded Peptide (CEP) signaling. Constitutive ectopic expression of miR399 reduced nodule numbers and root biomass depending on Pi availability, suggesting that the miR399-dependent Pi-acquisition regulatory module controlled by N availability affects the development of the whole legume plant root system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a simple quantum perturbative full dimensionality model to study field emission from a graphene blade within the frame of the Bardeen transfer Hamiltonian formalism. The material electronic wavefunction is obtained for a multidimensional square well potential specifically designed to reproduce two important characteristics of the material, the Fermi level, and the shape of the emitting orbitals. The wavefunction in the vacuum between the electrodes is obtained with a close coupling method in a finite domain. Our model provides the emitted current density with respect to the applied field. This allows us to discriminate the different functional forms proposed to fit the Fowler–Nordheim emission curves. Our model also provides information on emission patterns. Electron total energy distributions are computed for different field intensities and compared with other theoretical and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reliable automatic diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and Macular Edema (ME) is an invaluable asset in improving the rate of monitored patients among at-risk populations and in enabling earlier treatments before the pathology progresses and threatens vision. However, the explainability of screening models is still an open question, and specifically designed datasets are required to support the research. We present MAPLES-DR (MESSIDOR Anatomical and Pathological Labels for Explainable Screening of Diabetic Retinopathy), which contains, for 198 images of the MESSIDOR public fundus dataset, new diagnoses for DR and ME as well as new pixel-wise segmentation maps for 10 anatomical and pathological biomarkers related to DR. This paper documents the design choices and the annotation procedure that produced MAPLES-DR, discusses the interobserver variability and the overall quality of the annotations, and provides guidelines on using the dataset in a machine learning context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of acute thermal exposures on appetite appear hypothetical in reason of very heterogeneous methodologies. The aim of this study was therefore to clearly define the effects of passive 24-h cold (16°C) and heat (32°C) exposures on appetitive responses compared with a thermoneutral condition (24°C). Twenty-three healthy, young and active male participants realised three sessions (from 13.00) in a laboratory conceived like an apartment dressed with the same outfit (Clo = 1). Three meals composed of three or four cold or warm dishes were served ad libitum to assess energy intake (EI). Leeds Food Preference Questionnaires were used before each meal to assess food reward. Subjective appetite was regularly assessed, and levels of appetitive hormones (acylated ghrelin, glucagon-like peptite-1, leptin and peptide YY) were assessed before and after the last meal (lunch). Contrary to the literature, total EI was not modified by cold or heat exposure (P = 0·120). Accordingly, hunger scores (P = 0·554) were not altered. Levels of acylated ghrelin and leptin were marginally higher during the 16 (P = 0·032) and 32°C (P < 0·023) sessions, respectively. Interestingly, implicit wanting for cold and low-fat foods at 32°C and for warm and high-fat foods at 16°C were increased during the whole exposure (P < 0·024). Moreover, cold entrées were more consumed at 32°C (P < 0·062) and warm main dishes more consumed at 16°C (P < 0·025). Thus, passive cold and hot exposures had limited effects on appetite, and it seems that offering some choice based on food temperature may help individuals to express their specific food preferences and maintain EI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document delves into the intricacies of correlation in extended systems, with a focus on computational methods like CCSD and DFT for studying metallic systems and superconductors. Researchers discuss challenges in accurately modeling complex interactions, such as spin-phonon coupling, and stress the importance of high-quality experimental data for validating theoretical models. Quantum embedding methods, including the ghost Gutzwiller approach, are explored for their ability to capture spectral features accurately. The text also addresses the need for more interpretable models alongside accurate computations to achieve controllable simulations of extended systems and improve electronic structure methods for different materials. Challenges remain in extending methods to strongly correlated systems and dealing with the complexity of real solids and surfaces. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Novel perturbative and variational methods for stronger correlations: general discussion" delves into the quantification of electron correlation through quantum states and molecular Hamiltonians. It emphasizes the challenges of predicting correlation levels and the significance of kinematic measures in understanding quantum state structures. Various quantum chemistry methods like singlet excitations and coupled cluster theory are explored to study electronic states in molecular systems, with a focus on accuracy and efficiency through chemical intuition and symmetry constraints. The text showcases different researchers' efforts in developing and applying these methods to enhance the understanding of electronic structures and properties in molecular systems. [Extracted from the article]

The Cu2OCl2 compound has been shown to be a high-temperature spin-driven multiferroic system, with a linear magneto-electric coupling. In this paper we propose a complete study of its magnetic structure. We derive the low energy magnetic Hamiltonian using ab initio multi-reference configuration interaction and the spin structure using Monte-Carlo simulations. Among the three magnetic structures proposed in the literature from different experimental results, our calculations support the incommensurate cycloid magnetic structure with a q⇀ = (qa,0,0) propagation vector. Using symmetry analysis, we show that all experimental results (polarization, magnetic order, magneto-electric coupling) can be accounted for in the Fd′d′2 magnetic space group (2-fold axis along c⇀). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants and algae use light not only for driving photosynthesis but also to sense environmental cues and to adjust their circadian clocks via photoreceptors. Aureochromes are blue-light-dependent photoreceptors that also function as transcription factors, possessing both a LOV and a bZIP domain. Aureochromes so far have only been detected in Stramenopile algae, which include the diatoms. Four paralogues of aureochromes have been identified in the pennate model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum: PtAureo1a, 1b, 1c, and 2. While it was shown recently that diatoms have a diel rhythm, the molecular mechanisms and components regulating it are still largely unknown. Diel gene expression analyses of wild-type P. tricornutum, a PtAureo1a knockout strain, and the respective PtAureo1 complemented line revealed that all four aureochromes have a different diel regulation and that PtAureo1a has a strong co-regulatory influence on its own transcription, as well as on that of other genes encoding different blue-light photoreceptors (CPF1, 2 and 4), proteins involved in photoprotection (Lhcx1), and specific bHLH transcription factors (RITMO1). Some of these genes completely lost their circadian expression in the PtAureo1a KO mutant. Our results suggest a major involvement of aureochromes in the molecular clock of diatoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aureochromes (AUREOs) are unique blue light receptors and transcription factors found only in stramenopile algae. While each of the four AUREOs identified in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum may have a specific function, PtAUREO1a has been shown to have a strong impact on overall gene regulation, when light changes from red to blue light conditions. Despite its significance, the molecular mechanism of PtAUREO1a is largely unexplored. To comprehend the overall process of gene regulation by PtAUREO1a, we conducted a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments, including pull-down assays, yeast one-hybrid experiments, and phenotypical characterization using recombinant PtAUREOs and diatom mutant lines expressing a modified PtAureo1a gene. We describe the distinct light absorption properties of four PtAUREOs and the formation of all combinations of their potential dimers. We demonstrate the capability of PtAUREO1a and 1b to activate the genes, diatom-specific cyclin 2 , PtAureo1a , and PtAureo1c under both light and dark conditions. Using mutant lines expressing a modified PtAUREO1a protein with a considerably reduced light absorption, we found novel evidence that PtAUREO1a regulates the expression of PtLHCF15, which is essential for red light acclimation. Based on current knowledge, we present a working model of PtAUREO1a gene regulation properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide for an ever-increasing need for camouflage, experts in stealth have been envisioning for a few years to use metasurfaces and their unconventional electromagnetic properties to serve as efficient cloaking devices. To prepare for the use of surface-mounted electronic components, useful for frequency-selecting purposes, we take interest in an equivalent circuit analysis of metasurfaces. Indeed, metasurfaces using electronic components invite one to combine the passive behavior of the host structure with that of the lumped elements. The equivalent circuit analysis of the hosting surface deprived of electronic components has so far been dedicated to the case of metasurfaces constituted by rectangular or square unit cells. This work, therefore, aims at extending the former study on Cartesian unit cells to the coaxial geometry of interest. The validity of such a method is then assessed by comparison with the numerical simulation results obtained using a finite-element method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Clinically significant delayed bleeding (CSDB) is a frequent, and sometimes severe, adverse event after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). We evaluated risk factors of CSDB after colorectal ESD. Methods We analyzed a prospective registry of 940 colorectal ESDs performed from 2013 to 2022. The incidence of bleeding was evaluated up to 30 days. Risk factors for delayed bleeding were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression. A Korean scoring model was tested, and a new risk-scoring model was developed and internally validated. Results CSDB occurred in 75 patients (8.0%). The Korean score performed poorly in our cohort, with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.567. In the multivariate analysis, risk factors were age ≥75 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.63; 95%CI 0.97–2.73; 1 point), use of antithrombotics (OR 1.72; 95%CI 1.01–2.94; 1 point), rectal location (OR 1.51; 95%CI 0.92–2.48; 1 point), size >50 mm (OR 3.67; 95%CI 2.02–7.14; 3 points), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of III or IV (OR 2.26; 95%CI 1.32–3.92; 2 points). The model showed fair calibration and good discrimination, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.751 (95%CI 0.690–0.812). The score was used to define two groups of patients, those with low–medium risk (0 to 4 points) and high risk (5 to 8 points) for CSDB (respective bleeding rates 4.1% and 17.5%). Conclusion A score based on five simple and meaningful variables was predictive of CSDB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large flat colorectal polyps are often encountered during screening colonoscopies. The most frequently used approach for resecting these polyps is endoscopic mucosal resection, which is associated with a substantial rate of recurrent or residual adenoma, necessitating routine follow-up colonoscopy within months. An alternative endoscopic resection technique, endoscopic submucosal dissection, may enable en bloc resection of such polyps, potentially reducing the rate of recurrent or residual adenoma. This randomized controlled trial compared these 2 endoscopic resection techniques in terms of the rate of neoplastic local recurrence during the 6-month follow-up colonoscopy. Visual Abstract. Endoscopic En Bloc Versus Piecemeal Resection of Large Nonpedunculated Colonic Adenomas: Large flat colorectal polyps are often encountered during screening colonoscopies. The most frequently used approach for resecting these polyps is endoscopic mucosal resection, which is associated with a substantial rate of recurrent or residual adenoma, necessitating routine follow-up colonoscopy within months. An alternative endoscopic resection technique, endoscopic submucosal dissection, may enable en bloc resection of such polyps, potentially reducing the rate of recurrent or residual adenoma. This randomized controlled trial compared these 2 endoscopic resection techniques in terms of the rate of neoplastic local recurrence during the 6-month follow-up colonoscopy. Background: Endoscopic resection of adenomas prevents colorectal cancer, but the optimal technique for larger lesions is controversial. Piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has a low adverse event (AE) rate but a variable recurrence rate necessitating early follow-up. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can reduce recurrence but may increase AEs. Objective: To compare ESD and EMR for large colonic adenomas. Design: Participant-masked, parallel-group, superiority, randomized controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03962868) Setting: Multicenter study involving 6 French referral centers from November 2019 to February 2021. Participants: Patients with large (≥25 mm) benign colonic lesions referred for resection. Intervention: The patients were randomly assigned by computer 1:1 (stratification by lesion location and center) to ESD or EMR. Measurements: The primary end point was 6-month local recurrence (neoplastic tissue on endoscopic assessment and scar biopsy). The secondary end points were technical failure, en bloc R0 resection, and cumulative AEs. Results: In total, 360 patients were randomly assigned to ESD (n  = 178) or EMR (n  = 182). In the primary analysis set (n  = 318 lesions in 318 patients), recurrence occurred after 1 of 161 ESDs (0.6%) and 8 of 157 EMRs (5.1%) (relative risk, 0.12 [95% CI, 0.01 to 0.96]). No recurrence occurred in R0-resected cases (90%) after ESD. The AEs occurred more often after ESD than EMR (35.6% vs. 24.5%, respectively; relative risk, 1.4 [CI, 1.0 to 2.0]). Limitation: Procedures were performed under general anesthesia during hospitalization in accordance with the French health system. Conclusion: Compared with EMR, ESD reduces the 6-month recurrence rate, obviating the need for systematic early follow-up colonoscopy at the cost of more AEs. Primary Funding Source: French Ministry of Health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By developing a conceptual analysis, this research explores the possibility of fostering a convergence between digitalization and sustainability, also named digitainability. This convergence is often seen as an opportunity to solve the various challenges the agrifood sector faces nowadays, especially those of feeding more people without deteriorating the environment and creating social divides and, at the same time, managing specific risks related to climate change, biodiversity loss, and hunger. The research describes how open innovation is becoming an imperative and explains the contribution of startups in the development of these new innovative initiatives. It also explains how sustainability considerations are closely linked to the development of servitization in the business context. Finally, it explores how these changes impact established companies, forcing them to develop ambidextrous innovation strategies to maintain and support their competitive advantage. In doing so, the paper illustrates some of the well-known effects of this ongoing change, while identifying the opportunities created and the challenges for which more research is still needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mature symbiotic root nodules, differentiated rhizobia fix atmospheric dinitrogen and provide ammonium to fulfill the plant nitrogen (N) demand. The plant enables this process by providing photosynthates to the nodules. The symbiosis is adjusted to the whole plant N demand thanks to systemic N signaling controlling nodule development. Symbiotic plants under N deficit stimulate nodule expansion and activate nodule senescence under N satiety. Besides, nodules are highly sensitive to drought. Here, we used split-root systems to characterize the systemic responses of symbiotic plants to a localized osmotic stress. We showed that polyéthylène glycol (PEG) application rapidly inhibited the symbiotic dinitrogen fixation activity of nodules locally exposed to the treatment, resulting to the N limitation of the plant supplied exclusively by symbiotic dinitrogen fixation. The localized PEG treatment triggered systemic signaling stimulating nodule development in the distant untreated roots. This response was associated with an enhancement of the sucrose allocation. Our analyses showed that transcriptomic reprogramming associated with PEG and N deficit systemic signaling(s) shared many targets transcripts. Altogether, our study suggests that systemic N signaling is a component of the adaptation of the symbiotic plant to the local variations of its edaphic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkali halide postdeposition treatments (PDTs) have become a key tool to maximize efficiency in Cu(InxGa1−x)Se2 (CIGS) photovoltaics. RbF PDTs have emerged as an alternative to the more common Na‐ and K‐based techniques. This study utilizes temperature‐dependent current–voltage (JVT) measurements to study a unique RbF PDT performed in a S atmosphere. The samples are measured before and after 6 months in a desiccator to study device stability. Both samples contain Na and K which diffuse from the soda–lime glass substrate. A reference sample and a RbF + S PDT sample both show the development of a rear contact barrier after aging. The contact barrier is higher for the RbF + S PDT sample, leading to decreased current in forward bias. Series resistance is also higher in the RbF + S PDT device which leads to lower fill factor. However, after aging the reference sample has a larger decrease in open‐circuit voltage (VOC). Ideality factor measurements suggest Shockley–Read–Hall recombination dominates both samples. VOC versus temperature and a temperature‐dependent activation energy model are used to calculate diode activation energies for each sample condition. Both techniques produce similar values that indicate recombination primarily occurs within the bulk absorber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of part quality virtual sensors requires knowledge and observability of cutting conditions and in particular tool wear as tool are consumables. This paper presents an unsupervised anomalies detection approach to assess tool wear from standard machine load sensors in order to evaluate a nonquality risk metric. The developed methodology combines physics and business rules with density estimators to analyse the behaviour of axes and spindle loads. Industrial data from an automotive production line are used to illustrate the methodology application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article discusses the investigation of CuIn1−xGaxS2 (CIGS) thin films for photovoltaic applications. For decades, a Cu‐rich composition has been used to create solar cells with efficiencies of up to 13.5%; however, interest in chalcopyrite sulfide has recently been revived due to its high and adjustable bandgap, making it a serious candidate as a top cell in tandem configurations. Although chalcopyrite selenides share many properties with CIGS thin films, crucial differences have been reported. To further understand these materials, we studied more than 500 samples of absorbers and resulting solar cells. First, we found that the compositional window for obtaining single‐phase CIGS thin films with a three‐stage co‐evaporation process is very narrow. Second, we reported that a combination of low copper content and sodium addition during growth is required to maximize the photoluminescence intensity (i.e., to minimize the absorber‐related open‐circuit voltage losses). Finally, we showed that solar cell performance and stability depend not only on absorber quality but also on phenomena at interfaces (absorber/buffer and grain boundaries). Altogether, we formulate growth recommendations for the manufacture of stable CIGS/CdS solar cells with state‐of‐the‐art efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many arthropod species harbor a diverse range of viruses. While much is known about pathogenic viruses of some economically important insects and arthropods involved in disease transmission, viruses associated with mites have rarely been studied. The main objective of this study was to characterize the virome of Phytoseiulus persimilis (Phytoseiidae), a predatory mite commercially used worldwide for the biological control of the key pest Tetranychus urticae (Tetranichidae). A combination of de novo transcriptome assembly and virion sequencing, revealed that RNA viruses are highly prevalent and active tenants of commercial populations of P. persimilis, comprising on average 9% of the mite's total mRNA. Seventeen RNA viruses dominated the mite's virome (i.e., were highly transcribed) with over half (n = 10) belonging to the order Picornavirales, + ssRNA viruses that infect a large range of hosts, including arthropods. Screening of the 17 dominant virus sequences in P. persimilis and T. urticae revealed that three viruses (two Picornavirales of the families Iflaviridae and Dicistroviridae, and one unclassified Riboviria) are unique to P. persimilis and three others (two unclassified Picornavirales and one unclassified Riboviria) are present in both mite species. Most of the sequences were related to viruses previously documented in economically important arthropods, while others have rarely been documented before in arthropods. These findings demonstrate that P. persimilis, like many other arthropods, harbors a diverse RNA virome, which might affect the mite's physiology and consequently its efficiency as a biological control agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the commissioning of the FAB10 beamline (Femtosecond to Attosecond Beamline at 10 kHz repetition rate) that has been developped and operated in the last few years at the ATTOLab facility of Paris-Saclay University. Based on the high harmonic generation process, the beamline is dedicated to investigations of ultrafast dynamics in a broad variety of systems ranging from gas phase to condensed matter in pump-probe arrangements. Its design and operation has been strongly influenced by both the laser and the large scale instruments communities, which makes it unique in several aspects. In particular, it is possible to tune the extreme ultraviolet (XUV, 10–100 eV) bandwidth from 0.2 to 20 eV – with corresponding pulse duration from 30 to 0.3 femtoseconds (fs) – thanks to an original and fully automated XUV spectral filter with three operation modes. After a general overview of the beamline features, each of those operation modes is described, characterized and illustrated with commissioning experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a novel efficient and parallel implementation, RelaxSE, for the calculation of the low-lying excited states and energies of strongly correlated systems. RelaxSE is based on the fully uncontracted multi-reference method of Selected Active Space + Single excitations. This method has been specifically designed to be able to tackle systems with numerous open shells per atoms. It is, however, computationally challenging due to the rapid scaling of the number of determinants and their non-trivial ordering induced by the selection process. We propose a combined determinant-driven and integral-driven approach designed for hybrid OpenMP/MPI parallelization. The performances of RelaxSE are evaluated on a controlled test set and show linear scaling with respect to the number of determinants and a small overhead due to the parallelization. Systems with up to 1 × 109 determinants are successfully computed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the first implementation of the row-orthonormal hyperspherical coordinate formalism for the computation of the vibrational spectrum of a tetratomic system. The wavefunction of Ne4 is expanded on a large basis set of hyperspherical harmonics generated numerically. This method not only provides spectra with reasonable accuracy, but also gives physical insight into the vibrational dynamics of the system. The characteristics of the spectra are related to the symmetry and localization of the wavefunction in configuration space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine whether board representation of bondholders can be an effective market discipline mechanism to reduce bank risk, using a unique dataset combining information on bondholders and boards of directors of European listed banks. Our results show that the influence of bondholder representatives on the bank board significantly reduces bank risk without impacting profitability. The beneficial effect of this market discipline mechanism is stronger when bondholder representatives have regulatory experience, current or long relationships with their affiliated bondholders, and for more complex banks. In contrast, the reducing impact on bank risk is smaller for banks with lower capitalization levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voltage losses reduce the photovoltaic conversion efficiency of thin‐film solar cells and are a primary efficiency limitation in Cu(In,Ga)Se2. Herein, voltage loss analysis of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells fabricated at three institutions with variation in process, bandgap, absorber structure, postdeposition treatment (PDT), and efficiency is presented. Nonradiative voltage losses due to Shockley–Read–Hall charge carrier recombination dominate and constitute >75% of the total compared to <25% from radiative voltage losses. The radiative voltage loss results from nonideal absorption and carriers in band tails that stem from local composition‐driven potential fluctuations. It is shown that significant bulk lifetime improvements are achieved for all alkali PDT processed absorbers, chiefly associated with reductions in nonradiative recombination. Primary voltage loss contributions (radiative and nonradiative) change little across fabrication processes, but variation in submechanisms (bulk lifetime, net acceptor concentration, and interface recombination) differentiate nonradiative loss pathways in this series of solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the way the digital transformation of the agricultural sector is implemented in Europe and in France. It describes the main European and national strategies, the structure of research and innovation initiatives, and the investment in capacity building to foster innovation, adoption and use. More specifically, the French research and innovation ecosystem on digital agriculture is described. The actors involved come from different organisations, such as research and higher educational institutes, government agencies, agricultural technology (AgTech) companies, farmer unions etc., and work together by means of associations (e.g. Robagri), networks (e.g. RMT Naexus, DigiFermes, Fermes Leader), or living labs (e.g. Occitanum) on both digital technology assessment and co-design. Additionally, support is devoted to capacity building (e.g. Le Mas numérique , Mobilab) and a better understanding of the drivers of adoption and use of digital technologies (e.g. FrOCDA). Among these various organisations, #DigitAg, the Digital Agriculture Convergence Lab, has been created to foster interdisciplinary research on digital agriculture. All these initiatives aim to use digital technologies to support the European Green Deal, Farm-to-Fork and Biodiversity strategies as well as the French orientation towards more agroecological practices for safer and more sustainable food systems. Even though this organisational ecosystem is developing fast, the objective of encouraging the coevolution of both digital and green transformations is not without challenges that still need to be overcome, either through new research, innovations, initiatives or collaborations between the actors involved. Worldwide, agriculture is facing the challenges of digital and green transformations of its practices. This article describes how, in Europe and in France, an organisational ecosystem is developing to tackle these transformations in digital agriculture and facilitate their coevolution. Through European and national strategies, the structuring of research and innovation initiatives and capacity building, we describe how organisations are investing in the creation and deployment of digital technologies and solutions for safer and more sustainable food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 6-polyaminosteroid analogues of squalamine were synthesized with moderate to good yields and evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial properties against both susceptible and resistant Gram-positive (vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial strains. Minimum inhibitory concentrations against Gram-positive bacteria ranged from 4 to 16 µg/mL for the most effective compounds, 4k and 4n, and showed an additive or synergistic effect with vancomycin or oxacillin. On the other hand, the derivative 4f, which carries a spermine moiety like that of the natural trodusquemine molecule, was found to be the most active derivative against all the resistant Gram-negative bacteria tested, with an MIC value of 16 µg/mL. Our results suggest that 6-polyaminosteroid analogues of squalamine are interesting candidates for Gram-positive bacterial infection treatments, as well as potent adjuvants to fight Gram-negative bacterial resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foraging behaviours encompass strategies to locate resources and to exploit them. In many taxa, these behaviours are driven by a major gene called for, but the mechanisms of gene regulation vary between species. In the parasitoid wasp Venturia canescens, sexual and asexual populations coexist in sympatry but differ in life‐history traits, physiology and behaviours, which could impact their foraging strategies. Here, we explored the molecular bases underpinning divergence in behaviours by testing two mutually nonexclusive hypotheses: first, the divergence in the for gene correlates with differences in foraging strategies, and second, the latter rely on a divergence in whole‐genome expression. Using comparative genomics, we showed that the for gene was conserved across insects considering both sequence and gene model complexity. Polymorphism analysis did not support the occurrence of two allelic variants diverging across the two populations, yet the asexual population exhibited less polymorphism than the sexual population. Sexual and asexual transcriptomes split sharply, with 10.9% differentially expressed genes, but these were not enriched in behaviour‐related genes. We showed that the for gene was more highly expressed in asexual female heads than in sexual heads and that those differences correlate with divergence in foraging behaviours in our experiment given that asexuals explored the environment more and exploited more host patches. Overall, these results suggested that fine tuning of for gene expression between populations may have led to distinct foraging behaviours. We hypothesized that reproductive polymorphism and coexistence in sympatry of sexual and asexual populations specialized to different ecological niches via divergent optima on phenotypic traits could imply adaptation through different expression patterns of the for gene and at many other loci throughout the genome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symbiotic nodules formed on legume roots with rhizobia fix atmospheric N2. Bacteria reduce N2 to NH4+ that is assimilated into amino acids by the plant. In return, the plant provides photosynthates to fuel the symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Symbiosis is tightly adjusted to the whole plant nutritional demand and to the plant photosynthetic capacities, but regulatory circuits behind this control remain poorly understood. The use of split-root systems combined with biochemical, physiological, metabolomic, transcriptomic, and genetic approaches revealed that multiple pathways are acting in parallel. Systemic signaling mechanisms of the plant N demand are required for the control of nodule organogenesis, mature nodule functioning, and nodule senescence. N-satiety/N-deficit systemic signaling correlates with rapid variations of the nodules' sugar levels, tuning symbiosis by C resources allocation. These mechanisms are responsible for the adjustment of plant symbiotic capacities to the mineral N resources. On the one hand, if mineral N can satisfy the plant N demand, nodule formation is inhibited, and nodule senescence is activated. On the other hand, local conditions (abiotic stresses) may impair symbiotic activity resulting in plant N limitation. In these conditions, systemic signaling may compensate the N deficit by stimulating symbiotic root N foraging. In the past decade, several molecular components of the systemic signaling pathways controlling nodule formation have been identified, but a major challenge remains, that is, to understand their specificity as compared to the mechanisms of non-symbiotic plants that control root development and how they contribute to the whole plant phenotypes. Less is known about the control of mature nodule development and functioning by N and C nutritional status of the plant, but a hypothetical model involving the sucrose allocation to the nodule as a systemic signaling process, the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, and the redox status as potential effectors of this signaling is emerging. This work highlights the importance of organism integration in plant biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the gold standard for the treatment of precancerous lesions or superficial esophageal cancers. This procedure is currently performed by expert endoscopists only, and poorly standardized. We aimed to assess the technical results and outcomes of a "tunnel + clip" strategy for esophageal ESD procedures performed by less experienced operators for the treatment of superficial neoplasms. Methods: All consecutive esophageal ESDs performed with the "tunnel + clip" technique for patients with early esophageal cancer in 3 centers were enrolled. Procedural characteristics, clinical outcomes, and complications were recorded. Results: Among 195 esophageal ESD procedures performed, early adenocarcinomas or high-grade dysplasia complicating Barrett's esophagus were predominant (132/195, 67.7%) compared with early squamous cell carcinomas (63/195, 32.3%). The en bloc, R0 and curative resection rates were 100% (195/195), 78.5% (153/195) and 67.2% (131/195), respectively. The mean rate of ESD was 29.7 mm2/min. One (0.5%) perprocedural perforation and 7 (3.6%) postprocedural bleedings occurred, all managed endoscopically. No delayed perforation occurred. Overall, 31 patients (31/195; 15.9%) of patients developed stenosis. Conclusions: The "tunnel + clip" strategy is safe, and allows to achieve high en bloc, R0 and curative resection rates. This standardized procedure could be used by physicians with little experience and might help spreading esophageal ESD in Western countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of metallic surface contamination on the field electron emission is investigated for the first time using a three dimensional quantum mechanical model. The plane wave periodic version of the density functional theory is used to obtain wavefunctions and potentials. Local and averaged emitted current densities are obtained from them using the time dependent perturbation theory. This method is used to study the effect of the presence of carbon adsorbates on emission from tungsten surfaces. Fowler-Nordheim plots, which provide the dependence of the emitted current with the external electric field, show that carbon contamination inhibits emission. Significant differences with the results of the analytical Fowler-Nordheim model are observed. Emission images (i.e., the spatial dependence of the emitted current density) are presented to identify the important emission spots. These images are significantly different from the electronic density plots usually presented to model constant height scanning tunneling microscope images. Analysis of the emitted current density energy distributions in the light of the projected local density of states provides a deeper understanding of the emission process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects on the electronic emission of the presence of nanoscale steps on a tungsten surface are investigated for the first time using three dimensional quantum mechanical models. The plane wave periodic version of the density functional theory is used to obtain the electronic wavefunctions and potentials for flat and corrugated structures. Local and averaged emitted current densities are obtained from them using time dependent perturbation theory. The orders of magnitude of the averaged current densities resulting from these calculations are similar for both flat and corrugated cases; however, strong enhancements are observed on the local current densities near the edges of the steps. These numerical results are compared with those of the analytical Fowler-Nordheim type models. The slopes of the Fowler-Nordheim plots are in good agreement for both numerical and analytical models, but the magnitudes of the emitted currents are significantly different. This is related to weaknesses in the description of the electronic structure of the metal in the analytical models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: During flights, pilots and crew are exposed to altitude hypoxia. It causes physiological responses (the first is hyperventilation) and can cause incapacities with flight safety impact. This varies depending on both extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Recently, a functional genetic polymorphism in Heme oxygenase-2 (HMOX2, rs4786504_T>C), an essential enzyme in heme catabolism, has been associated with high-altitude adaptation in Tibetans. In carotid body, heme oxygenase-2 is sensitive to oxygen availability and mediates the hypoxic response inducing increased breathing, which is different between individuals and linked to tolerance. We hypothesized that HMOX2 polymorphism influenced the chemosensitivity related to hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) in Caucasians. METHODS: HVR (FiO2 = 0.115) was measured at rest and exercise (30% maximal oxygen uptake) (the Richalet's test) in 84 healthy male and female volunteers. Among chemosensitivity parameters, HVR at exercise (HVRe) is considered the best independent predictor of high altitude hypoxia tolerance. Low chemoresponsiveness is defined when HVRe 0.78 < L.min-1.kg-1. The LAMP-MC technology was used to determinate HMOX2 polymorphism. To test genotype-phenotype associations with HMOX2 (two modalities, T/T-C/T vs. C/C genotypes), we used the student's t-test and a Chi-square analysis. This study was approved by CPP SUD MEDITERRANEE III. RESULTS: 47.6% homozygous C/C (n=40), 41.7% heterozygous C/T and 10.7% homozygous ancestral T/T (n=44). HVR was significantly higher for C/C subjects than for T allele carriers at rest (0.78 ± 1.16 versus 0.38 ± 0.405 L.min-1.kg-1 respectively, p = 0.043, F = 4.22) and exercise (0.736 ± 0.470 versus 0.534 ± 0.426 L.min-1.kg-1, p = 0.042, F = 4.36). A high HVRe was more frequent in subjects carrying C/C polymorphism versus T allele (p = 0.002, OR = 5.2 [1.69; 16.03]). DISCUSSION: In our population, there is a significant association between HMOX2 polymorphism and chemosensitivity evaluated by HVR. Although significant, this finding must be confirmed in larger samples. This could help to better understand the role of genetic factors in chemosensitivity, the first step in the hypoxia response, in order to provide personalized recommendations and countermeasures. Learning Objectives 1. Identify vulnerability factors to hypoxia from the first step of detection by carotid body chemoreceptors. 2. Understand the role played by genetic factors involved in chemosensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single cell transcriptomics has recently seen a surge in popularity, leading to the need for data analysis pipelines that are reproducible, modular, and interoperable across different systems and institutions. To meet this demand, we introduce scAN1.0, a processing pipeline for analyzing 10X single cell RNA sequencing data. scAN1.0 is built using the Nextflow DSL2 and can be run on most computational systems. The modular design of Nextflow pipelines enables easy integration and evaluation of different blocks for specific analysis steps. We demonstrate the usefulness of scAN1.0 by showing its ability to examine the impact of the mapping step during the analysis of two datasets: (i) a 10X scRNAseq of a human pituitary gonadotroph tumor dataset and (ii) a murine 10X scRNAseq acquired on CD8 T cells during an immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neuromuscular system can quickly adapt to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), such that it is less affected by subsequent damaging exercise, a phenomenon known as the repeated bout effect (RBE). Circulating muscle-specific microRNAs (myomiRs) may be able to potentially predict the long-lasting maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque deficit (>24 h), an indicator of EIMD. We aimed to investigate: 1) how plasma myomiR levels are modified by the RBE and 2) whether plasma myomiRs can predict the long-lasting MVC torque deficit. Nineteen participants performed two identical bouts of loaded downhill walking separated by 2 wk. MVC torque, creatine kinase (CK) activity, myoglobin (Mb) concentration, and myomiR levels were measured before and up to 48 h after exercise. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed to assess the ability of these markers to predict the largest MVC torque loss beyond 24 h postexercise. Similar to MVC torque, CK activity, and the Mb concentration, the relative abundance of certain myomiRs (hsa-miR-'-3p, and hsa-miR-'33a-3p) was less affected after the second bout of exercise relative to the first bout. The CK activity, Mb concentration, and level of several myomiRs (hsa-miR-'-3p, hsa-miR-'33a-3p, and hsa-miR-206) correlated with long-lasting MVC torque loss. Multiple regression showed that the best combination of markers to predict the long-lasting deficit of MVC torque included several myomiRs, Mb, and CK. Certain myomiR levels increased less after exercise bout 2 than after exercise bout 1, indicating the presence of the RBE. The measurement of myomiR levels in combination with Mb concentrations and CK activity could improve the prediction of the long-lasting MVC torque deficit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine whether directors on a board who are related to minority shareholders have an effect on bank risk. We use a panel of European banks with a controlling shareholder over the period from 2003 to 2017 and find that these directors result in lower risk. Our results depend crucially on whether or not such directors have reputational concerns or financial expertise, and the level of shareholder protection; the observed decrease in risk does not depend on their position on the board or on the presence of controlling shareholders. To identify the relationship, we use a dynamic generalized method of moments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given an unordered list of 2D or 3D point trajectories corrupted by noise and partial observations, in this paper we introduce a framework to simultaneously recover the incomplete motion tracks and group the points into spatially and temporally coherent clusters. This advances existing work, which only addresses partial problems and without considering a unified and unsupervised solution. We cast this problem as a matrix completion one, in which point tracks are arranged into a matrix with the missing entries set as zeros. In order to perform the double clustering, the measurement matrix is assumed to be drawn from a dual union of spatiotemporal subspaces. The bases and the dimensionality for these subspaces, the affinity matrices used to encode the temporal and spatial clusters to which each point belongs, and the non-visible tracks, are then jointly estimated via augmented Lagrange multipliers in polynomial time. A thorough evaluation on incomplete motion tracks for multiple-object typologies shows that the accuracy of the matrix we recover compares favorably to that obtained with existing low-rank matrix completion methods, specially under noisy measurements. In addition, besides recovering the incomplete tracks, the point trajectories are directly grouped into different object instances, and a number of semantically meaningful temporal primitive actions are automatically discovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although rhizobia that establish a nitrogen‐fixing symbiosis with legumes are also known to promote growth in non‐legumes, studies on rhizobial associations with wheat roots are scarce. We searched for Rhizobium leguminosarum symbiovar viciae (Rlv) strains naturally competent to endophytically colonize wheat roots. We isolated 20 strains from surface‐sterilized wheat roots and found a low diversity of Rlv compared to that observed in the Rlv species complex. We tested the ability of a subset of these Rlv for wheat root colonization when co‐inoculated with other Rlv. Only a few strains, including those isolated from wheat roots, and one strain isolated from pea nodules, were efficient in colonizing roots in co‐inoculation conditions, while all the strains tested in single strain inoculation conditions were found to colonize the surface and interior of roots. Furthermore, Rlv strains isolated from wheat roots were able to stimulate root development and early arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization. These responses were strain and host genotype dependent. Our results suggest that wheat can be an alternative host for Rlv; nevertheless, there is a strong competition between Rlv strains for wheat root colonization. In addition, we showed that Rlv are endophytic wheat root bacteria with potential ability to modify wheat development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

G-operators, a class of differential operators containing the differential operators of minimal order annihilating Siegel's G-functions, satisfy a condition of moderate growth called Galochkin condition, encoded by a p-adic quantity, the size. Previous works of Chudnovsky, André and Dwork have provided inequalities between the size of a G-operator and certain computable constants depending among others on its solutions. First, we recall André's idea to attach a notion of size to differential modules and detail his results on the behavior of the size relatively to the standard algebraic operations on the modules. This is the corner stone to prove a quantitative version of André's generalization of Chudnovsky's Theorem: for f (z) = ∑ α , k , ℓ c α , k , ℓ z α log (z) k f α , k , ℓ (z) , where f α , k , ℓ (z) are G-functions, we can determine an upper bound on the size of the minimal operator L over Q ¯ (z) of f(z) in terms of quantities depending on the f α , k , ℓ (z) , the rationals α and the integers k. We give two applications of this result: we estimate the size of a product of two G-operators in function of the size of each operator; we also compute a constant appearing in a Diophantine problem encountered by the author. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose several quantum mechanical models to describe electronic field emission from first principles. These models allow us to correlate quantitatively the electronic emission current with the electrode surface details at the atomic scale. They all rely on electronic potential energy surfaces obtained from three dimensional density functional theory calculations. They differ by the various quantum mechanical methods (exact or perturbative, time dependent or time independent), which are used to describe tunneling through the electronic potential energy barrier. Comparison of these models between them and with the standard Fowler-Nordheim one in the context of one dimensional tunneling allows us to assess the impact on the accuracy of the computed current of the approximations made in each model. Among these methods, the time dependent perturbative one provides a well-balanced trade-off between accuracy and computational cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Photosynthetic carbon fixation is often limited by CO2 availability, which led to the evolution of CO2 concentrating mechanisms (CCMs). Some diatoms possess CCMs that employ biochemical fixation of bicarbonate, similar to C4 plants, but whether biochemical CCMs are commonly found in diatoms is a subject of debate.In the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) is present in two isoforms, PEPC1 in the plastids and PEPC2 in the mitochondria. We used real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blots, and enzymatic assays to examine PEPC expression and PEPC activity, under low and high concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC).We generated and analyzed individual knockout cell lines of PEPC1 and PEPC2, as well as a PEPC1/2 double‐knockout strain. While we could not detect an altered phenotype in the PEPC1 knockout strains at ambient, low or high DIC concentrations, PEPC2 and the double‐knockout strains grown under ambient air or lower DIC availability conditions showed reduced growth and photosynthetic affinity for DIC while behaving similarly to wild‐type (WT) cells at high DIC concentrations. These mutants furthermore exhibited significantly lower 13C/12C ratios compared to the WT.Our data imply that in P. tricornutum at least parts of the CCM rely on biochemical bicarbonate fixation catalyzed by the mitochondrial PEPC2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]