Robust estimation for ordinal regression

in Journal of Statistical Planning & Inference (in press)

Ordinal regression is used for modelling an ordinal response variable as a function of some explanatory variables. The classical technique for estimating the unknown parameters of this model is Maximum ... [more ▼]

Ordinal regression is used for modelling an ordinal response variable as a function of some explanatory variables. The classical technique for estimating the unknown parameters of this model is Maximum Likelihood (ML). The lack of robustness of this estimator is formally shown by deriving its breakdown point and its influence function. To robustify the procedure, a weighting step is added to the Maximum Likelihood estimator, yielding an estimator with bounded influence function. We also show that the loss in efficiency due to the weighting step remains limited. A diagnostic plot based on the Weighted Maximum Likelihood estimator allows to detect outliers of different types in a single plot. [less ▲]

Preference for rich, random tactile stimulation in woodlice (Porcellio scaber)

in Learning & Motivation (in press)

All living beings exhibit preferences for a variety of biologically significant stimuli. Interestingly, stimuli without biological significance, such as saccharine, are also able to induce preferences in ... [more ▼]

All living beings exhibit preferences for a variety of biologically significant stimuli. Interestingly, stimuli without biological significance, such as saccharine, are also able to induce preferences in vertebrates. Can invertebrates show preferences for biologically neutral cues as well – i.e. independently of any conditioning process? Experiment 1 aimed to determine the preference of woodlice (Porcellio scaber Latreille 1804) exposed to floor textures that differed in tactile cues, how they expressed their tactile preference, and whether they were able to inhibit that preference when a shelter of variable quality was available on the non-preferred floor texture. Experiment 2 provided additional information relative to the strength of woodlice’s tactile preference as well as the way of measuring it. Experiment 3 complemented the previous one in attempting to determine woodlice’s preference for regular versus random tactile cues. Taken together, the results suggest that (i) woodlice are able to process sensory information relative to biologically non-significant stimuli and (ii) that, because the motivation induced can interact with sheltering as a survival-related behavior, the processing of both types of motivation might depend on the same brain systems. [less ▲]

A near-infrared interferometric survey of debris disc stars. III. First statistics based on 42 stars observed with CHARA/FLUOR

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (in press)

Context. Dust is expected to be ubiquitous in extrasolar planetary systems due to the dynamical activity of minor bodies. Inner dust populations are, however, still poorly known due to the high contrast ... [more ▼]

Context. Dust is expected to be ubiquitous in extrasolar planetary systems due to the dynamical activity of minor bodies. Inner dust populations are, however, still poorly known due to the high contrast and small angular separation with respect to their host star. Yet, a proper characterisation of exozodiacal dust is mandatory for the design of future Earth-like planet imaging missions. Aims. We aim to determine the level of near-infrared exozodiacal dust emission around a sample of 42 nearby main sequence stars with spectral types ranging from A to K, and to investigate its correlation with various stellar parameters and with the presence of cold dust belts. Methods. We use high-precision K-band visibilities obtained with the FLUOR interferometer on the shortest baseline of the CHARA array. The calibrated visibilities are compared with the expected visibility of the stellar photosphere to assess the presence of an additional, fully resolved circumstellar emission source. Results. Near-infrared circumstellar emission amounting to about 1% of the stellar flux is detected around 13 of our 42 target stars. Follow-up observations showed that one of them (eps Cep) is associated with a stellar companion, while another one was detected around what turned out to be a giant star (kap CrB). The remaining 11 excesses found around single main sequence stars are most probably due to the presence of hot circumstellar dust, yielding an overall occurrence rate of 28+8-6% for our (biased) sample. We show that the occurrence rate of bright exozodiacal discs correlates with spectral type, K-band excesses being more frequent around A-type stars. It also correlates with the presence of detectable far-infrared excess emission in the case of solar-type stars. Conclusions. This study provides new insights regarding the phenomenon of bright exozodiacal disc, showing that hot dust populations are probably linked to outer dust reservoirs in the case of solar-type stars. In the case of A-type stars, no clear conclusion can be made regarding the origin of the detected near-infrared excesses. [less ▲]

Experimental study on an open-drive scroll expander integrated into an ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) system with R245fa as working fluid

in Energy (in press)

The present paper focuses on the experimental characterization of an open-drive scroll expander integrated into an Organic Rankine cycle using R245fa as working fluid. The expander is a commercially ... [more ▼]

The present paper focuses on the experimental characterization of an open-drive scroll expander integrated into an Organic Rankine cycle using R245fa as working fluid. The expander is a commercially available air compressor that was modified to operate in expander mode. The ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) system is designed for a nominal heat input of 20 kW and a nominal net power output of 1.8 kW. A total of 74 steady-state operating points are measured to evaluate the expander performance over a wide range of conditions. The operating parameters that are varied include the inlet pressure (from 9 to 12 bar), outlet pressure (from 1.5 to 4 bar) and rotational speed (from 2000 to 3500 rpm). The maximum isentropic efficiency and shaft power are, respectively, 75.7% and 2.1 kW. A maximum cycle efficiency of 8.5% is reached for evaporating and condensing temperatures of 97.5 °C and 26.6 °C respectively. For most of the tests, hot water is produced in the condenser and the system therefore behaves as a CHP (combined heat and power). Depending on the water temperature requirement, a power to heat ratio varying between 1.9% and 11.8% is obtained. Water over 50 °C can be produced with a power to heat ratio higher than 8%. The experimental data points are then used to generate a performance map of the expander. This performance map allows for simulation of the use of such an expander in other ORC system [less ▲]

Palaeophytogeography of Ordovician-Silurian land plands

in Lower Palaeozoic palaeo(bio)geographies (in press)

Syntaxe et ponctuation des verbes introducteurs du discours direct en ancien français. Étude du manuscrit de la _Conquête de Constantinople_ de Robert de Clari

Conference (in press)

Diagnostic, assessment and remediation of the attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): The neuropsychologist’s point of view

in Neuropsychiatrie de l'Enfance et de l'Adolescence (in press)

Despite the advances made regarding both the characterization and classification of the disorder (e.g., DSM-IV), the diagnosis of the Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children ... [more ▼]

Despite the advances made regarding both the characterization and classification of the disorder (e.g., DSM-IV), the diagnosis of the Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children remains very difficult. The principal aim of this paper is to present the interest of a integrative approach in the understanding, diagnosis and identification of difficulties in ADHD children. More particularly, it aims to underline the interest of the cognitive approach in the understanding of this disorder in the day-to-day life functioning, as well as the benefits of this approach when a specific remediation is planned. [less ▲]

Individual methane predictions from milk mid-infrared spectra of Holstein dairy cows.

in Journal of Dairy Science (in press)

Characterization of volatile organic compounds emitted by Barley (HordeumvulgareL.) roots and their attractiveness to wireworms

in Journal of Chemical Ecology (in press)

Root volatile organic compounds (VOCs), their chemistry and ecological functions have garnered less attention than aboveground emitted plant VOCs. We report here for the first time on the identification ... [more ▼]

Root volatile organic compounds (VOCs), their chemistry and ecological functions have garnered less attention than aboveground emitted plant VOCs. We report here for the first time on the identification of VOCs emitted by barley roots (Hordeum vulgare L.). Twenty nine VOCs were identified from isolated 21-d-old roots. The detection of root volatiles was dependent on the medium used for root cultivation. From 7-d-old roots cultivated on sterile Hoagland gelified medium, 24 VOCs were identified, on sterile vermiculite 33 VOCs, and on non-sterile vermiculite 34 VOCs. The major VOCs identified were fatty acid derived compounds, including hexanal, methyl hexanoate, (E)-hex-2-enal, 2-pentylfuran, pentan-1-ol, (Z)-2-(pentenyl)-furan, (Z)-pent-2-en-1-ol, hexan-1-ol, (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol, (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol, oct-1-en-3-ol, 2-ethylhexan-1-ol (likely a contaminant), (E)-non-2-enal, octan-1-ol, (2E,6Z)-nona-2,6-dienal), methyl (E)-non-2-enoate, nonan-1-ol, (Z)-non-3-en-1-ol, (E)-non-2-en-1-ol, nona-3,6-dien-1-ol and nona-2,6-dien-1-ol. In an olfactometer assay, wireworms (larvae of Agriotes sordidus Illiger, Coleoptera: Elateridae) were attracted to chemical cues emanating from barley seedlings. We discuss the role of individual root volatiles or a blend of the root volatiles detected here and their interaction with CO2for wireworm attraction. [less ▲]

An interferometric study of the Fomalhaut inner debris disk. III. Detailed models of the exozodiacal disk and its origin

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (in press)

Context. Debris disks are thought to be extrasolar analogues to the Solar System planetesimal belts. The star Fomalhaut harbors a cold debris belt at 140AU comparable to the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt, as well ... [more ▼]

Context. Debris disks are thought to be extrasolar analogues to the Solar System planetesimal belts. The star Fomalhaut harbors a cold debris belt at 140AU comparable to the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt, as well as evidence for a warm dust component, unresolved by single-dish telescopes, that is suspected to be a bright analogue to the Solar System's zodiacal dust. Aims. Interferometric observations obtained with the VLTI/VINCI instrument and the Keck Interferometer Nuller have identi fied near- and mid-infrared excesses attributed respectively to hot and warm exozodiacal dust residing in the inner few AU of the Fomalhaut environment. We aim to characterize the properties of this double inner dust belt and to unveil its origin. Methods.We perform parametric modelling of the exozodiacal disk ("exozodi") using the GRaTer radiative transfer code in order to reproduce the interferometric data, complemented by mid- to far-infrared photometric measurements from Spitzer and Herschel. A detailed treatment of sublimation temperatures is introduced to explore the hot population at the size-dependent sublimation rim. We then use an analytical approach to test successively several source mechanisms for the dust and suspected parent bodies. Results. A good fi t to the multi-wavelength data is found by two distinct dust populations: (1) a population of very small (0.01 to 0.5 µ m) and therefore unbound, hot dust grains con ned in a narrow region ( ~0.1 - 0.3 AU) at the sublimation rim of carbonaceous material; (2) a population of bound grains at 2AU that is protected from sublimation and has a larger mass despite its fainter flux level. We propose that the hot dust is produced by the release of small carbon grains following the disruption of dust aggregates that originate from the warm component. A mechanism such as gas braking is required to further con ne the small grains for long enough. In situ dust production could hardly be ensured for the age of the star and we conclude that the observed amount of dust is triggered by intense dynamical activity. Conclusions. Fomalhaut may be representative of exozodis that are currently being surveyed at near and mid-infrared wavelengths worldwide. We propose a framework for reconciling the "hot exozodi phenomenon" with theoretical constraints: the hot component of Fomalhaut is likely the "tip of the iceberg" as it could derive from the more massive, but fainter, warm dust component residing near the ice line. This inner disk exhibits interesting morphology and can be considered a prime target for future exoplanet research. [less ▲]