University of Nice Sophia Antipolis

About: University of Nice Sophia Antipolis is a education organization based out in Nice, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Stars. The organization has 10291 authors who have published 19964 publications receiving 680762 citations. The organization is also known as: UNS & University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis.

The Gaia-ESO Survey: metallicity and kinematic trends in the Milky Way bulge

Abstract: Aims. Observational studies of the Milky Way bulge are providing increasing evidence of its complex chemo-dynamical patterns and morphology. Our intent is to use the iDR1 Gaia-ESO Survey (GES) data set to provide new constraints on the metallicity and kinematic trends of the Galactic bulge, exploring the viability of the currently proposed formation scenarios. Methods. We analyzed the stellar parameters and radial velocities of similar to 1200 stars in five bulge fields wich are located in the region -10 degrees < / < 7 degrees and -10 degrees < b < -4 degrees. We use VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) photometry to verify the internal consistency of the atmospheric parameters recommended by the consortium. As a by-product, we obtained reddening values using a semi-empirical Tdf -color calibration. We constructed the metallicity distribution functions and combined them with photometric and radial velocity data to analyze the properties of the stellar populations in the observed fields. Results. From a Gaussian decomposition of the metallicity distribution functions, we unveil a clear bimodality in all fields, with the relative size of components depending of the specific position on the sky. In agreement with some previous studies, we find a mild gradient along the minor axis (-0.05 dex/deg between b = -6 degrees and b = -10 degrees) that arises from the varying proportion of metal-rich and metal-poor components. The number of metal-rich stars fades in favor of the metal-poor stars with increasing b. The K-magnitude distribution of the metal-rich population splits into two peaks for two of the analyzed fields that intersects the near and far branches of the X-shaped bulge structure. In addition, two lateral fields at (l,b) = (7, -9) and (l, b) = (-10, 8) present contrasting characteristics. In the former, the metallicity distribution is dominated by metal-rich stars, while in the latter it presents a mix of a metal-poor population and and a metal-intermediate one, of nearly equal sizes. Finally, we find systematic differences in the velocity dispersion between the metal-rich and the metal-poor components of each field. Conclusions. The iDR I bulge data show chemo-dynamical distributions that are consistent with varying proportions of stars belonging to (i) a metal-rich boxy/peanut X-shaped component, with bar-like kinematics; and (ii) a metal-poor more extended rotating structure with a higher velocity dispersion that dominates far from the Galactic plane. These first GES data already allow studying the detailed spatial dependence of the Galactic bulge populations, thanks to the analysis of individual fields with relatively high statistics. (Less)

Do country or firm factors explain capital structure? Evidence from SMEs in France and Greece

Abstract: We investigate the capital structure determinants of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) using a sample of Greek and French firms We address the following questions: Are the capital structure determinants of SMEs in the two countries driven by similar factors? Are potential differences driven by country-specific or firm-specific factors? Are the size and structure of their financial markets important factors to explain any cross-country differences on SME capital structure? To answer these questions we apply panel data methods to the sample of firms for the period 1998 to 2002 We assess the extent to which the debt to assets ratio of firms depends upon their asset structure, size, profitability and growth rate The results show that the SMEs in both countries exhibit similarities in their capital structure choices Asset structure and profitability have a negative relationship with leverage, whereas firm size is positively related to their debt to assets ratio Growth is statistically significant only for France and is positively related to debt We attribute these similarities to their institutional characteristics and in particular the commonality of their civil law systems We find differences in the intensity of the capital structure relationship between the two countries We provide evidence that these differences are due to firm-specific rather than country factors

Effects of creatine monohydrate ingestion in sedentary and weight-trained older adults.

Abstract: To investigate the effects of an oral creatine supplementation in older adults, 32 elderly subjects (67-80 years; 16 females, 16 males) were randomly assigned to four equivalent subgroups (control-creatine; control-placebo; trained-creatine; trained-placebo) based on whether or not they took part in an 8-week strength training programme and an 8-week oral creatine monohydrate creatine supplementation programme. The strength training programme consisted of three sets of eight repetitions at 80% of one-repetition maximum, for leg press, leg extension and chest press, 3 days a week. The 52-day supplementation programme consisted of 20 g of creatine monohydrate (or glucose) and 8 g of glucose per day for the initial 5 days followed by 3 g of creatine monohydrate (or glucose), and 2 g of glucose per day. Prior to and after the training and supplementation periods, body mass, body fat, lower limb muscular volume, 1-, 12-repetitions maxima and isometric intermittent endurance tests for leg press, leg extension and chest press were determined. In all groups, no significant changes in anthropometric parameters were observed. For all movements, the increases in 1- and 12-repetitions maxima were greater (P < 0.02) in trained than control subjects. No significant interactions (supplementation/training/time) were observed for the 1-, 12-repetitions maxima, and the isometric intermittent endurance, whatever the movement considered. We conclude that oral creatine supplementation does not provide additional benefits for body composition, maximal dynamical strength, and dynamical and isometric endurances of healthy elderly subjects, whether or not it is associated with an effective strength training.