Showing papers by "Conservatoire national des arts et métiers published in 2002"

Body mass index in 7-9-y-old French children: frequency of obesity, overweight and thinness.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of different grades of nutritional status (obesity, overweight and thinness) in French children aged 7–9 y using four current definitions based on body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Data were collected in 2000 in a randomly selected sample of French children following the protocol recommended by the European Childhood Obesity Group (ECOG). After computing the BMI (weight/height squared), four references were used to define grades of nutritional status: (1) the French references to define thinness and overweight (3rd and 97th percentiles respectively); (2) the Must et al references to define thinness, overweight and obesity (5th, 85th and 95th percentiles respectively); (3) the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs to define overweight and obesity; and (4) the Center for Disease Control 2000 references to define thinness, overweight and obesity (5th, 85th and 95th percentiles respectively). RESULTS: Age and gender standardized frequencies were estimated in 1582 children. According to the French, Must et al, IOTF and CDC references, overweight (including obesity) affected 16.3, 23.9, 18.1 and 20.6% of children, respectively; obesity affected 9.3, 3.8 and 6.4% of children according to the Must, IOTF and CDC references, respectively. Thinness was present in 3.9, 6.0 and 6.0% of children according to the French, Must and CDC references. Whatever the definition, little difference was observed between sexes. Through age classes, as a rule, overweight and obesity tended to decrease while thinness tended to increase. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed an increasing prevalence of overweight in comparison with previous French data and a trend for increasing prevalence of thinness. The IOTF-based prevalence of overweight (including obesity) in 2000 in France was similar with the prevalence recorded in the late 1980s in the USA and the prevalence of obesity in 2000 in France was similar to the prevalence of obesity in the late 1970s in the USA. Data in France are comparable to those reported in other studies conducted in Western Europe. This study provides baseline information for analysis of time trends and for geographical comparisons.

Views in a Large Scale XML Repository

Abstract: We are interested in defining and querying views in a huge and highly heterogeneous XML repository (Web scale). In this context, view definitions are very large, involving lots of sources, and there is no apparent limitation to their size. This raises interesting problems that we address in the paper: (i) how to distribute views over several machines without having a negative impact on the query translation process; (ii) how to quickly select the relevant part of a view given a query; (iii) how to minimize the cost of communicating potentially large queries to the machines where they will be evaluated. The solution that we propose is based on a simple view definition language that allows for automatic generation of views. The language maps paths in the view abstract DTD to paths in the concrete source DTDs. It enables a distributed implementation of the view system that is scalable both in terms of data and load. In particular, the query translation algorithm is shown to have a good (linear) complexity.

Hybrid Active-Passive Damping Treatments Using Viscoelastic and Piezoelectric Materials: Review and Assessment

Abstract: Hybrid active-passive damping treatments combine the reliability, low cost and robustness of viscoelastic damping treatments and the high performance, modal selective and adaptive piezoelectric active control. Numerous hybrid damping treatments have been reported in the literature. They differ mainly by the relative positions of viscoelastic treatments, sensors and piezoelectric actuators. Therefore, the present article provides a review of the open literature concerning geometric configurations, modeling approaches and control algorithms for hybrid active (piezoelectric)-passive (viscoelastic) damping treatments of beams. In addition, using a unified finite element model able to represent sandwich damped beams with piezoelectric laminated faces and an optimal control algorithm, the geometric optimization of four hybrid treatments is studied through treatment length and viscoelastic material thickness parametric analyses. A comparison of the performances of these hybrid damping treatments is carried out a...

A Nonaqueous Asymmetric Hybrid Li4Ti5 O 12 / Poly(fluorophenylthiophene) Energy Storage Device

Abstract: An asymmetric hybrid energy storage device has been built using a lithium titanate intercalation anode and the pseudocapacitive electronically conducting polymer poly(fluorophenythiophene). Results show that the device operates in the power range of electrochemical double-layer capacitors, while having three to four times their energy density, and a voltage profile and self-discharge characteristics typical of a battery. The cycle life is also intermediate between that of a battery and a supercapacitor, in the range of several thousands of cycles.

Free vibrations of simply-supported piezoelectric adaptive plates: An exact sandwich formulation

Abstract: An exact two-dimensional analytical solution is proposed for the free-vibration analysis of simply-supported piezoelectric adaptive plates. It is based on an original sandwich formulation that considers layerwise first-order shear-deformation theory and quadratic non-uniform electric potential, with no assumptions on electric field and displacement components. Thus, the electric-charge conservation equation is exactly satisfied and the induced potential, hence the electromechanical coupling, is correctly represented. Also, two-dimensional electromechanical equations of motion and generalized piezoelectric constitutive equations, corresponding to introduced stress and electric displacement resultants, are derived and presented for the first time. The proposed approach was numerically validated through modal analysis of several hybrid plates with graphite-epoxy cross-ply substrates and embedded or surface-bonded piezoelectric layers. Compared to available uncoupled and coupled (exact) three-dimensional elasticity (Navier and state space) and finite-element (layerwise and mixed equivalent single-layer/layerwise) solutions, the obtained results were the closest to the exact coupled three-dimensional ones, making the present approach very reliable.

Contribution of Mineral Waters to Dietary Calcium and Magnesium Intake in a French Adult Population

Abstract: Objective To assess the contribution of mineral water containing different amounts of calcium and magnesium to the total dietary intakes of these minerals Design Matched case control study using data issued from the Supplementation en Vitamines et Mineraux Antioxydants (SU.VI.MAX) cohort. Subjects Subjects were water consumers—240 men and 424 women—divided into the following 4 groups (n=166 per group): regular drinkers of a calcium-rich and magnesium-rich mineral water (calcium, 486mg/L; magnesium, 84mg/ L), drinkers of a water classified as a moderately mineralized content (calcium, 202mg/L; magnesium, 36mg/L), drinkers of 2 low-mineralized waters (calcium, 9.9 to 67.6mg/L and magnesium, 1.6 to 2mg/L, respectively), and drinkers of tap waters. Statistical analyses Quantitative data were compared using student's t test. Mean comparisons were performed in multivariate analysis by analysis of variance. Results Dietary calcium intake provided by the various food groups did not differ between the 4 consumer groups, except for calcium provided by mineral water. According to its calcium concentration, mineral water may contribute to one fourth of the total daily calcium intake. Subjects who regularly drink mineral-rich water have a calcium intake that is significantly higher ( P −3 ) than those drinking either low-mineral-content water or tap water. Dietary magnesium intake provided by the various food groups did not differ between the 4 consumer groups, except for magnesium provided by mineral water. Depending on the magnesium concentration of the mineral water, it contributed 6% to 17% of total daily magnesium intake. Drinkers of magnesium-rich mineral water and water with a moderate mineral content had magnesium intakes significantly ( P −3 ) higher than those of drinkers on low-mineralized or tap water. Applications Mineral-rich water may provide an important supplementary contribution to total calcium and magnesium intake. For dietetics professionals, it may provide—in place of the usual recommendations concerning the consumption of dairy products—a good way to improve calcium and magnesium intakes, particularly in subjects who don't like dairy products. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002;102:1658-1662.

Temperature Swing Adsorption Process with Indirect Cooling and Heating

Abstract: Experimental results for a new TSA process including a rapid heat exchanger for indirect cooling and heating are presented. Experiments were performed for the removal and recovery of ethane from a nitrogen stream (simulating a VOC in air). In addition, a simplified one-dimensional nonisothermal nonequilibrium model of the process was developed. As temperature swing is the driving force in the process, specific efforts were made to evaluate the heat-transfer coefficient between the heating or cooling medium and the gas stream. From the combination of the experimental and numerical results, the influence of some parameters (e.g., regeneration temperature, initial feed composition) on the process efficiency, analyzed in terms of both recovered mass and energy consumption, was determined.

The use of computerised 24 h dietary recalls in the French SU.VI.MAX Study: number of recalls required.

Abstract: Objective: The 24 h dietary recall is a widely used method to estimate nutritional intakes in epidemiological studies. The objective of the present study was to estimate the number of recalls necessary for an accurate estimation of nutrient intake in French adults followed for 4 y. Subjects and methods: Participants of the SU.VI.MAX study (intervention study on the effects of antioxidant supplementation on chronic diseases) who completed a 24 h dietary recall every 2 months for at least 1 y. Inter- and intra-individual variance ratios (Sw/Sb) were calculated by analysis of variance for two time periods: year 1 and 2 (n=4955) and year 3 and 4 (n=1458). The number of recalls necessary was calculated using an accuracy of 0.9. Results: The highest intra-individual/inter-individual variance ratio in the first period was seen for β-carotene and the lowest for carbohydrate. The number of recalls necessary was five for carbohydrate and calcium intake and 16 for β-carotene. For proteins, total and saturated fat, fibre, vitamin C and iron eight recalls were required, while nine, 11 and 10 recalls were necessary for mono- and polyunsaturated fat and vitamin E, respectively. The variance ratios in the second period were all lower and fewer recalls were therefore required. The same difference in number of recalls required between the two time periods was observed when only those subjects were included who completed at least 18 recalls (n=727). Conclusion: These results indicate that for an accurate estimation of carbohydrate intake only, already five recalls are necessary. Fewer recalls may be needed during long-time follow-up. Sponsorship: The SU.VI.MAX Study has support from public and private sectors: Fruit d'Or Recherche, Candia, Lipton, Kellogg's, Cereal, CERIN, Estee Lauder, L'Oreal, Peugeot, Jet Service, RP Scherer, Sodexho, France Telecom, Santogen, Becton Dickinson, Fould Springer, Boehringer Diagnostic, Seppic Givaudan Lavirotte, Le grand Canal, Danone and Knorr.

Vorticity–velocity–pressure formulation for the Stokes problem

Abstract: We present a new variational formulation of Stokes problem of fluid mechanics that allows to take into account very general boundary conditions for velocity, tangential vorticity or pressure. This formulation conducts a well posed mathematical problem in a family of particular cases.

Conceptual Modeling Quality - From EER to UML Schemas Evaluation

Abstract: This exploratory research investigates the evaluation process of conceptual specifications developed using either Extended Entity-Relationship (EER) or Unified Modeling Language (UML) conceptual models. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating EER and UML conceptual schemas. Furthermore, we define classes of metrics facilitating the evaluation process and leading to the choice of the appropriate representation among several schemas describing the same reality. Based on quality criteria proposed in the literature, we select a subset of criteria relevant to conceptual EER schema quality evaluation. For each criterion we define one or several metrics allowing the designer to measure the schema quality. We evaluate alternative EER conceptual schemas representing the same universe of discourse using the appropriate criteria and their associated metrics. Finally, we extrapolate this evaluation process to UML schemas. Following the development of our framework, we analyze a case study and provide evidence in the support of the usefulness of the framework.

Coming and Going from UML to B: A Proposal to Support Traceability in Rigorous IS Development

Abstract: CEDRIC-IIE is researching rigorous information system (IS) development. Previous work includes translation rules for deriving a B specification from object-oriented diagrams, metamodels of IS UML structural and functional concepts, and a prototype translation tool. Here we outline the traceability needs for a tool to assist in rigorous IS development, and provide meta-structures for the required links among B and IS UML concepts, in the context of existing translation rules and IS UML metamodels.

Absolute frequency measurement of an I2 stabilized Nd:YAG optical frequency standard

Abstract: The frequency of an I2 stabilized Nd:YAG optical frequency standard, developed at the BNM-INM as a national standard for the `mise en pratique' of the definition of the metre, has been measured with a frequency measurement chain based on a femtosecond laser. A frequency (in-)stability of 2.5×10-13τ-1/2 has been measured in the optical domain against a hydrogen maser. The measured (in-)stability decreases to 1×10-14 without evidence of flicker floor.

Response of CsI(Tl) scintillators over a large range in energy and atomic number of ions. Part I: recombination and δ-electrons

Abstract: A simple formalism describing the light response of CsI(Tl) to heavy ions, which quantifies the luminescence and the quenching in terms of the competition between radiative transitions following the carrier trapping at the Tl activator sites and the electron–hole recombination, is proposed. The effect of the δ-rays on the scintillation efficiency is for the first time quantitatively included in a fully consistent way. The light output expression depends on four parameters determined by a procedure of global fit to experimental data.

Synthesis and binding properties of calix[4]biscrown-based fluorescent molecular sensors for caesium or potassium ions

Abstract: The synthesis of two new fluorescent molecular sensors based on calix[4]biscrowns is reported. A dioxycoumarin fluorophore was incorporated into one of the crowns or into both crowns, leading to Calix-COU1 and Calix-COU2, respectively. The stability constants of the 1 ∶ 1 and 1 ∶ 2 complexes with potassium and caesium ions in ethanol or acetonitrile were measured. An anticooperative effect was observed when binding a second cation to the 1 ∶ 1 complex owing to electrostatic repulsion. The selectivity of Calix-COU1 in ethanol expressed as the ratio of the stability constants of the 1 ∶ 1 complexes was found to be about 4 × 104 for Cs+versus Na+ and greater than 500 for K+versus Na+. The origin of the cation-induced changes in the photophysical properties is discussed.

Comparing Two Partitions: Some Proposals and Experiments

Abstract: We propose a methodology for finding the empirical distribution of the Rand’s measure of association when the two partitions only differ by chance. For that purpose we simulate data coming from a latent profile model and we partition them according to 2 groups of variables. We also study two other indices: the first is based on an adaptation of Mac Nemar’s test, the second being Jaccard’s index. Surprisingly, the distributions of the 3 indices are bimodal.

Response of CsI(Tl) scintillators over a large range in energy and atomic number of ions. Part II: calibration and identification in the INDRA array

Abstract: The light output of the 324 CsI(Tl) scintillators of INDRA has been measured over large ranges in energy: 1– 80 AMeV and in atomic number of incident ions: Z =1–60. An analytical expression for the non-linear total light response as a function of the energy and the identity of the ion is developed. It depends on four parameters. For three of them, connected to CsI(Tl) intrinsic characteristics, fixed values are proposed. Two applications are presented: energy calibration and fragment identification in telescopes using a CsI(Tl) crystal as residual energy detector.

Enhancing information systems management with natural language processing techniques

Abstract: Natural language and databases are core components of information systems. They are related to each other because they share the same purpose: the conceptualization aspects of the real world in order to deal with them in some way. Natural language processing (NLP) techniques may substantially enhance most phases of the information system lifecycle, starting with requirements analysis, specification and validation, and going up to conflict resolution, result processing and presentation. Furthermore, natural language based query languages and user interfaces facilitate the access to information for anyone and allow for new paradigms in the usage of computerized services. This paper investigates the use of NLP techniques in the design phase of information systems. Then, it reports on data base querying and information retrieval enhanced with NLP.

Leadership in Indian Organizations from a Comparative Perspective

Abstract: This study explores the `culturalist' thesis in `hybrid' firms in India. The term hybrid refers to companies that represent (through business education or business association) a mixture of traditional Indian and Western practices. Such firms currently dominate the Indian industrial economy. The objective of this study was to identify some of the dimensions on which the top leadership of hybrid Indian business organizations differs from Western business organizations. To identify differences, the study used the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) that gives feedback on five leadership practices (challenging, inspiring, enabling, modeling and encouraging) as reported by the leaders and their subordinates. The study found that the Indian CEOs rated and were rated higher than their US counterparts on four dimensions of the LPI (challenging, modeling, inspiring, enabling) and lower on encouraging. It was argued that this higher rating of the CEO in Indian organizations is probably due to an idealization of l...

Ontology-Based Data Cleaning

Abstract: Multi-source information systems, such as data warehouses, are composed of a set of heterogeneous and distributed data sources. The relevant information is extracted from these sources, cleaned, transformed and then integrated. The confrontation of two different data sources may reveal different kinds of heterogeneities: at the intensional level, the conflicts are related to the structure of the data. At the extensional level, the conflicts are related to the instances of the data. The process of detecting and solving the conflicts at the extensional level is known as data cleaning. In this paper, we will focus on the problem of differences in terminologies and we propose a solution based on linguistic knowledge provided by a domain ontology. This approach is well suited for application domains with intensive classification of data such as medicine or pharmacology. The main idea is to automatically generate some correspondence assertions between instances of objects. The user can parametrize this generation process by defining a level of accuracy expressed using the domain ontology.

Oxidation of ferulic acid or arabinose-esterified ferulic acid by wheat germ peroxidase.

Abstract: The oxidation of ferulic acid (FA) or 5-O-(trans-feruloyl)-L-arabinose (EFA) by a purified wheat germ peroxidase was followed by UV spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography using an electrochemical detection. Wheat peroxidase (POD) exhibits a ping-pong bireactant mechanism forming phenoxy radicals more rapidly from FA than from EFA in routine assay conditions. When both the free and the esterified forms of FA are present, the reverse was found. This result could be due to a nonenzymatic cooxidation of FA by the phenoxy radicals of EFA leading to the formation of phenoxy radicals of FA and the EFA regeneration. Addition of ascorbic acid (AA) provokes a delay of FA consumption. AA reduced very rapidly the phenoxy radicals formed by POD back to initial phenol avoiding the formation of ferulate dimers until it was completely oxidized in dehydroascorbic acid. Conversely, cysteine addition slowed but did not delay the FA consumption. The thiol reduced a fraction of the phenoxy radicals produced by wheat POD and was oxidized into cystine, while the other part of phenoxy radicals formed ferulate dimers. These results could be of interest to understand the POD effect on the wheat dough rheological properties.