130 research outputs found
L'émergence des produits dérivés : le cas du Québec
Dans les deux derniÚres décennies, l'essor considérable des produits dérivés a marqué le monde financier. Le Canada et le Québec ont été touchés par ce nouveau phénomÚne. Récemment, les pertes essuyées par de grandes institutions financiÚres ont fait jaillir aux yeux du public l'existence de ces nouveaux contrats. Pourtant, ceux-ci sont encore peu connus. Dans le présent article, l'auteure se propose d'examiner, en premier lieu, les principales caractéristiques des produits dérivés, le but qu'ils poursuivent et les intervenants sur ces opérations. En deuxiÚme lieu, seront passés en revue les risques associés à l'utilisation de ces produits et les propositions de réglementation effectuées afin de contrer ces risques. Enfin, pour bien comprendre le fonctionnement de ces produits, il est nécessaire d'étudier leur pratique contractuelle, et tout particuliÚrement la codification dont ils ont fait l'objet par l'entremise de contrats types.Over the past two decades, the skyrocketing popularity of derivatives has left its mark on the financial community. Canada and Québec have been affected by this new phenomenon. Recently, losses incurred by large financial institutions have drawn these new contracts into the public eye. Nonetheless, they still remain somewhat unknown. This article first attempts to examine the main features of derivatives, their purpose and the market intermediaries who deal in them. Then, the risks associated with these products and the regulatory measures proposed for handling such risks, are reviewed. Lastly, in order to understand how these products operate, it is necessary to analyze their contractual practices and especially, how they are codified through the master contracts governing them
Robert Chanaud [dir.], Limousin, terre dâhistoriens
Lâassociation Rencontre des historiens du Limousin, fondĂ©e en 1976 Ă lâinitiative de Louis PĂ©rouas, a publiĂ© depuis sa crĂ©ation plusieurs Ă©tudes remarquĂ©es, fruit dâune recherche collective de ses membres (de lâouvrage sur les prĂ©noms en Limousin depuis un millĂ©naire, paru en 1984, Ă ceux consacrĂ©s aux identitĂ©s limousines ou au paysage et Ă lâenvironnement, parus plus rĂ©cemment). La derniĂšre publication de cette association, aujourdâhui dirigĂ©e par Robert Chanaud, contient quinze communicati..
Espace urbain et religion en France au XIXe siÚcle
Lâintervention faite devant les Ă©tudiants de DEA dâHistoire, commun aux UniversitĂ©s de Clermont II, Limoges et Poitiers, avait pour but de montrer, Ă partir de trois exemples, comment et sous quelles formes lâĂglise catholique a inscrit son empreinte dans lâespace urbain au XIXe siĂšcle. Un espace en pleine mutation, dâabord, dans un siĂšcle oĂč le pourcentage de la population urbaine double entre 1800 et 1900. Une Ăglise catholique, ensuite, dont le renouveau des annĂ©es 1840 aux annĂ©es 1880 est..
Halonium-Induced Polyene Cyclizations
International audienceThis review covers the methods that chemists have developed to access halogenated polycyclic structures from polyenes, by emulating Nature's enzymatic machineries. From pioneering studies to the most recent developments, the different strategies, whether based on the use of standard reagents or on the design of specific ones, will be presented. Finally, asymmetric reactions and applications for the total synthesis of natural products will be exposed
Serum Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) Concentrations and Liver Function Biomarkers in a Population with Elevated PFOA Exposure
Background: Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) persist in the environment and are found in relatively high concentrations in animal livers. Studies in humans have reported inconsistent associations between PFOA and liver enzymes
Towards 3D printed multifunctional immobilization for proton therapy: initial materials characterization
Purpose: 3D printing technology is investigated for the purpose of patient immobilization during proton therapy. It potentially enables a merge of patient immobilization, bolus range shifting, and other functions into one single patient-speci c structure. In this rst step, a set of 3D printed materials is characterized in detail, in terms of structural and radiological properties, elemental composition, directional dependence, and structural changes induced by radiation damage. These data will serve as inputs for the design of 3D printed immobilization structure prototypes. Methods: Using four di erent 3D printing techniques, in total eight materials were subjected to testing. Samples with a nominal dimension of 20Ă20Ă80 mm3 were 3D printed. The geometrical printing accuracy of each test sample was measured with a dial gage. To assess the mechanical response of the samples, standardized compression tests were performed to determine the Youngâs modulus. To investigate the e ect of radiation on the mechanical response, the mechanical tests were performed both prior and after the administration of clinically relevant dose levels (70 Gy), multiplied with a safety factor of 1.4. Dual energy computed tomography (DECT) methods were used to calculate the relative electron density to water Ïe, the e ective atomic number Ze , and the proton stopping power ratio (SPR) to water SPR. In order to validate the DECT based calculation of radiological properties, beam measurements were performed on the 3D printed samples as well. Photon irradiations were performed to measure the photon linear attenuation coe cients, while proton irradiations were performed to measure the proton range shift of the samples. The direc- tional dependence of these properties was investigated by performing the irradiations for di erent orientations of the samples. Results: The printed test objects showed reduced geometric printing accuracy for 2 materials (deviation > 0.25 mm). Compression tests yielded Youngâs moduli ranging from 0.6 to 2940 MPa. No deterioration in the mechanical response was observed after exposure of the samples to 100 Gy in a therapeutic MV photon beam. The DECT-based characterization yielded Ze ranging from 5.91 to 10.43. The SPR and Ïe both ranged from 0.6 to 1.22. The measured photon attenuation coe cients at clinical energies scaled linearly with Ïe. Good agreement was seen between the DECT estimated SPR and the measured range shift, except for the higher Ze . As opposed to the photon attenuation, the proton range shifting appeared to be printing orientation dependent for certain materials. Conclusions: In this study, the rst step toward 3D printed, multifunctional immobilization was performed, by going through a candidate clinical work ow for the rst time: from the material printing to DECT characterization with a veri cation through beam measurements. Besides a proof of concept for beam modi cation, the mechanical response of printed materials was also investigated to assess their capabilities for positioning functionality. For the studied set of printing techniques and materials, a wide variety of mechanical and radiological properties can be selected from for the intended purpose. Moreover the elaborated hybrid DECT methods aid in performing in-house quality assurance of 3D printed components, as these methods enable the estimation of the radiological properties relevant for use in radiation therapy
Report on the analysis and critical assessment of EU engagement in UN bodies
The first deliverable of Work Package No 5 (WP 5) presents the outcome of the analysis and critical assessment of EU human rights engagement in UN bodies. The EU has committed itself in the Treaty
on the European Union to âpromote multilateral solutions to common problems, in particular in the
framework of the United Nations.â In light of this provision, and taking into account the considerable
challenges the EU-UN cooperation encounters, the present report aims at four goals. Firstly, to map
the long-standing and multifaceted engagement of the EU within and towards UN human rights
bodies. Secondly, to critically assess the EUâs engagement in the UN from the perspective of both its
policy and institutions. Thirdly, to identify specific and structural flaws in the EUâs approach to human
rights at the UN. Fourthly, to find creative ways of enhancing the EUâs position, role, inclusion in and
impact upon these UN bodies.
The deliverable consists of seven chapters.
The first chapter presents the aims of the report and the methodology of the research. It also explains
the key concepts of the deliverable, such as coherence, leadership or mutual influence between the
EU and the UN.
The second chapter explores two of the guiding principles of the EUâs external policy: human rights
and multilateralism. In particular, it contains an analysis of the Unionâs commitment to âeffective
multilateralismâ and consistency of specific human rights priorities throughout the EU legislation and
other documents.
The third chapter presents the institutional framework of the EU-UN relations. As both, the EU and
the UN, share a common trait â a high complexity of their organisational structure, chapter III begins
with a detailed mapping of both organisations. It also explains the role of different stakeholders in the
EU-UN cooperation. This chapter also tackles the relationships between stakeholders and the
coordination of the EUâs position at the UN. The status of the EU in the UN is also explored from the
point of view of the legal framework of both organisations.
The fourth chapter presents the processes and dynamics behind the formulation of EU human rights
aims, objectives and priorities at the UN. It indicates the critical factors, relevant actors and their roles
as well as the overall characteristics of the process. The chapter also provides a detailed analysis of
the EUâs specific goals and objectives at the UN as well as their consistency. The report focuses on the
Unionâs priorities with regard to (i) thematic human rights issues, (ii) its country-specific priorities, and
(iii) its aims and objectives relating to the institutional architecture of the UN.
The fifth chapter concerns the tools and methods deployed by the EU at the UN. Particular attention
has been paid to the issue of the EUâs resolution initiatives in UN human rights fora: the UNGA Third
Committee and the HRC. The analysis focuses on resolution initiatives tabled by the Union, but also
tackles the national initiatives of the EU Member States and the co-sponsoring of resolutions by the
EU/Member States. It also explores the EUâs involvement in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
process. Taking into account that the EU does not formally participate in the UPR, the involvement of
its Member States is analysed, also from the point of view of realisation of EU human rights priorities.
This section also explains the notion of light-coordination. Finally, the fifth chapter explores the EUâs
FRAME Deliverable No. 5.1
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financial contribution to UN human rights activities, in particular to the Office of the High
Commissioner of Human Rights.
The deliverable is supplemented by four case studies included in chapter six of the deliverable. They
are related to EUâs engagement in specific thematic topics at the UN covering the areas of: economic,
social and cultural rights, human rights defenders, the right to development and counterterrorism.
The final chapter presents the conclusions of the research. Due to the comprehensive nature of the
analysis of the various dimensions of EU-UN interaction, the report seeks not only to advance the
existing knowledge on the topic, but also to create a broad base for future research. In particular, the
findings of this study will constitute the background for next deliverables of this work package on the
Unionâs engagement with regional multilateral organisations
New Exposure Biomarkers as Tools for Breast Cancer Epidemiology, Biomonitoring, and Prevention: A Systematic Approach Based on Animal Evidence
Background: Exposure to chemicals that cause rodent mammary gland tumors is common, but few studies have evaluated potential breast cancer risks of these chemicals in humans. Objective: The goal of this review was to identify and bring together the needed tools to facilitate the measurement of biomarkers of exposure to potential breast carcinogens in breast cancer studies and biomonitoring. Methods: We conducted a structured literature search to identify measurement methods for exposure biomarkers for 102 chemicals that cause rodent mammary tumors. To evaluate concordance, we compared human and animal evidence for agents identified as plausibly linked to breast cancer in major reviews. To facilitate future application of exposure biomarkers, we compiled information about relevant cohort studies. Results: Exposure biomarkers have been developed for nearly three-quarters of these rodent mammary carcinogens. Analytical methods have been published for 73 of the chemicals. Some of the remaining chemicals could be measured using modified versions of existing methods for related chemicals. In humans, biomarkers of exposure have been measured for 62 chemicals, and for 45 in a nonoccupationally exposed population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has measured 23 in the U.S. population. Seventy-five of the rodent mammary carcinogens fall into 17 groups, based on exposure potential, carcinogenicity, and structural similarity. Carcinogenicity in humans and rodents is generally consistent, although comparisons are limited because few agents have been studied in humans. We identified 44 cohort studies, with a total of > 3.5 million women enrolled, that have recorded breast cancer incidence and stored biological samples. Conclusions: Exposure measurement methods and cohort study resources are available to expand biomonitoring and epidemiology related to breast cancer etiology and prevention. Citation: Rudel RA, Ackerman JM, Attfield KR, Brody JG. 2014. New exposure biomarkers as tools for breast cancer epidemiology, biomonitoring, and prevention: a systematic approach based on animal evidence. Environ Health Perspect 122:881â895; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.130745
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