Les produits biocides. L'évaluation des risques pour l'environnement

L'annexe VI de la directive 98/8/CE concernant la mise sur le marché des produits biocides établit les principes communs d'évaluation des dossiers. Les mêmes principes sont valables pour l'évaluation des dossiers d'inscription de substances actives à l'annexe 1. Les détails techniques des procédés d'évaluation des risques seront décrits dans des guides techniques qui sont en cours d'élaboration. D'une manière générale, la méthodologie d'évaluation des risques sera la même que celle décrite dans les guides techniques accompagnant la directive 93/67/EEC sur l'évaluation des risques de substances nouvelles notifiées et le règlement (CE) 1488/94 sur l'évaluation des risques de substances existantes (TGD)

Microbial Challenge Testing of Single Liquid Cathode Feed Water Electrolysis Cells for the International Space Station (ISS) Oxygen Generator Assembly (OGA)

The International Space Station (ISS) Oxygen Generator Assembly (OGA) operational performance may be adversely impacted by microbiological growth and biofilm formation over the electrolysis cell membranes. Biofilms could hinder the transport of water from the bulk fluid stream to the membranes and increase the cell concentration overpotential resulting in higher cell voltages and a shorter cell life. A microbial challenge test was performed on duplicate single liquid-cathode feed water electrolysis cells to evaluate operational performance with increasing levels of a mixture of five bacteria isolated from ISS and Space Shuttle potable water systems. Baseline performance of the single water electrolysis cells was determined for approximately one month with deionized water. Monthly performance was also determined following each inoculation of the feed tank with 100, 1000, 10,000 and 100,000 cells/ml of the mixed suspension of test bacteria. Water samples from the feed tank and recirculating water loops for each cell were periodically analyzed for enumeration and speciation of bacteria and total organic carbon. While initially a concern, this test program has demonstrated that the performance of the electrolysis cell is not adversely impacted by feed water containing the five species of bacteria tested at a concentration measured as high as 1,000,000 colony forming units (CFU)/ml. This paper presents the methodologies used in the conduct of this test program along with the performance test results at each level of bacteria concentration

On Orbit ISS Oxygen Generation System Operation Status

The International Space Station (ISS) United States Orbital Segment (USOS) Oxygen Generation System (OGS) has accumulated almost a year of operation at varied oxygen production rates within the US Laboratory Module (LAB) since it was first activated in July 2007. It was operated intermittently through 2009 and 2010, due to filter clogging and acid accumulation in the recirculation loop. Since the installation of a deionizing bed in the recirculation loop in May of 2011 the OGA has been operated continuously. Filters in the recirculation loop have clogged and have been replaced. Hydrogen sensors have drifted apart, and a power failure may have condensed water on a hydrogen sensor. A pump delta pressure sensor failed, and a replacement new spare pump failed to start. Finally, the voltage across the cell stack increased out of tolerance due to cation contamination, and the cell stack was replaced. This paper will discuss the operating experience and characteristics of the OGS, as well as operational issues and their resolution

Microbial Challenge Testing of Single Liquid Cathode Feed Water Electrolysis Cells for the International Space Station (ISS) Oxygen Generator Assembly (OGA)

The International Space Station (ISS) Oxygen Generator Assembly (OGA) operational performance may be adversely impacted by microbiological growth and biofilm formation over the electrolysis cell membranes. Biofilms could hinder the transport of water from the bulk fluid stream to the membranes and increase the cell resistance resulting in higher cell voltages and a shorter cell life. A microbial challenge test was performed on duplicate single liquid cathode feed electrolyzer cells to evaluate operational performance with increasing levels of a mixture of five bacteria isolated from ISS and Space Shuttle potable water systems. Baseline performance of the single water electrolysis cells was determined for approximately one month with deionized water. Monthly performance was also determined following each inoculation of the feed tank with 100, 1000, 10,000 and 100,000 cells/ml of the mixed suspension of test bacteria. Water samples from the feed tank and recirculating water loops for each cell were periodically analyzed for enumeration and speciation of bacteria and total organic carbon. While initially a concern, this test program has demonstrated that the performance of the electrolysis cell is not adversely impacted by feed water containing the five species of bacteria tested at a concentration measured as high as 1,000,000 colony forming units (CFU)/ml. This paper presents the methodologies used in the conduct of this test program along with the performance test results at each level of bacteria concentration

Trivalent influenza vaccine in patients on haemodialysis: impaired seroresponse with differences for A-H3N2 and A-H1N1 vaccine components

One hundred and one patients on haemodialysis, 21 patients on peritoneal dialysis and 30 healthy controls received a trivalent split vaccine containing 15 micrograms haemagglutinin of a recent influenza A-H3N2, influenza A-H1N1 and influenza B strain, respectively. Antibody production after four weeks was determined by the haemagglutination-inhibition test and expressed as response rate, protection rate and overall mean fold increase. The patients on haemodialysis revealed a diminished seroresponse, as compared to patients on peritoneal dialysis and controls. For influenza A-H3N2, this was less distinct than for the other two antigens. In patients on haemodialysis the protection rate was 66% against the A-H3N2 vaccine component (versus 85% in controls, not significant), but only 25% against A-H1N1 and 27% against B (versus 84 and 77% in controls, p less than 0.001). Duration of haemodialysis up to eight years did not affect seroresponse. Patients on haemodialysis who were primed for influenza A-H1N1 in the period 1947-1957, reacted markedly better to the A-H1N1 vaccine component than subjects of other priming periods. A booster injection of the same vaccine dosage four weeks after the first immunization, performed in 98 patients on haemodialysis, was of little value: it had virtually no effect with regard to influenza A-H1N1 and influenza B, and showed, though significantly better, still poor results for A-H3N2. The differences in seroresponse between the A-H3N2 and A-H1N1 vaccine component suggest a major defect of primary, and a minor defect of secondary humoral response in patients on haemodialysis. The consequences for vaccine policy in these patients are discussed

Fixed Points of Hopfield Type Neural Networks

The set of the fixed points of the Hopfield type network is under investigation. The connection matrix of the network is constructed according to the Hebb rule from the set of memorized patterns which are treated as distorted copies of the standard-vector. It is found that the dependence of the set of the fixed points on the value of the distortion parameter can be described analytically. The obtained results are interpreted in the terms of neural networks and the Ising model.Comment: RevTEX, 19 pages, 2 Postscript figures, the full version of the earler brief report (cond-mat/9901251

Sibling relationships in remarried families

This research project examines how different types of sibling relationships, that is, full siblings, half siblings and stepsiblings, develop within remarried families. The study focuses on three types of sibling solidarity: functional (i.e., instrumental help and assistance); associational (i.e., frequency of contact); and affectual (i.e., emotional closeness). The study further analyzes the effects of sibship size, proximity, birth order, marital status and age and gender on the three forms of solidarity, and relies on five middle range theories (attachment theory, family systems theory, rational choice, social comparison, and evolutionary theory). The study is based on participant observation in a Blended Family Workshop, personal accounts of college freshmen reflecting on their family of orientation, and data from the General Social Survey of 1986, 1994, and 2002. The majority of respondents identify a full sibling close in age (a 3 year difference) as their favorite sibling. When the favorite sibling is a half sibling or stepsibling, the age difference between respondent and sibling is much larger (about 7 and 11 years respectively). The results indicate that full sibling bonds are stronger than half sibling and stepsibling bonds. Respondents who grew up in remarried families cite functional solidarity as the major reason why a certain sibling is their favorite. Children who experience trauma such as death or divorce turn to their sibling(s) for instrumental help and assistance. They are resilient and form close bonds with their full siblings and sometimes with half siblings and stepsiblings. Divorce and remarriage do not scar children for life. While remarried family life definitely has its challenges, especially in the first few years, I found that remained families are beneficial for children as articulated in many positive statements of respondents reared in this type of family. Being part of a remarried family does not affect the ability to develop close bonds with siblings. I conclude that the notion of family and ties among siblings are still perceived as important and valuable in our contemporary American society

The Psychological Impact of Prenatal Diagnosis and Disclosure of Susceptibility Loci: First Impressions of Parents’ Experiences

Genomic microarray may detect susceptibility loci (SL) for neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and epilepsy, with a yet unquantifiable risk for the fetus. The prenatal disclosure of susceptibility loci is a topic of much debate. Many health care professionals fear that reporting susceptibility loci may put a psychological burden on pregnant couples. It is our policy to disclose prenatal susceptibility loci as we recognize them as actionable for prospective parents. The aim of this report was to evaluate the psychological impact of disclosing a prenatal diagnosis of susceptibility loci. The psychological impact of disclosing susceptibility loci was evaluated in the first patients who received such results. Eight out of 15 women who had a susceptibility locus disclosed and four of their partners consented to share their experiences through a telephonic evaluation (n = 12). Follow-up time ranged from 3 to 15 months after their prenatal test result. The reporting of susceptibility loci was initially ‘shocking’ for five parents while the other seven felt ‘worried’. Ten out of 12 participants indicated they would like to be informed about the susceptibility locus again, two were unsure. Most had no enduring worries. Participants unanimously indicated that pregnant couples should have an individualized pre-test choice about susceptibility loci (non)disclosure. We observed no negative psychological impact with the prenatal diagnosis and disclosure of SL on participants. A key factor in mitigating parental anxiety with SL disclosure appears to be post-test genetic counseling. Our report confirms that pregnant women and their partners prefer an individualized choice regarding the scope of prenatal testing

Traveling women professionals: a transnational perspective on mobility and professionalism of four women at the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century

Gegenstand dieser Dissertation ist die historische Erforschung der Etablierung von Frauen in traditionell männlich dominierten Wissensdisziplinen im nordamerikanischen Raum anhand der Karrieren von vier Frauen Ende des neunzehnten und Anfang des zwanzigsten Jahrhunderts. Dabei widmet sich diese Arbeit insbesondere der Interdependenz dieser Etablierung im Zusammenhang mit der sozialen und geographischen Mobilität dieser Frauen, die sich u.a. als Archäologinnen und Journalistinnen in multilateralen Grenzüberschreitungen über soziale Rollenbilder hinwegsetzten.The object of this dissertation is the historical investigation of the establishment of women in traditionally male-dominated disciplines in North America on the basis of the careers of four women at the end of the nineteenth and beginning of the twentieth century. This work focuses on the interdependence of this establishment in the context of the social and geographical mobility of these women, who, e.g. as archaeologists and journalists, multilaterally transcended their ascribed social roles