Corporate Social Responsibility and Urban Regeneration

The idea of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has gained a international influence and attention in recent years in business and cities development. In this context we can talk about urban social responsibility (USR). USR considers the necessity to monitor urban development in the diverse sectors, from public policies to architecture, from urban design to local administrations, from environmental to social issues. This article aims to designate on the importance of partnership and how CSR is a multi-dimensional tool for cities to use for their development

Career Management in the Artistic Field

Career management is a concept of interest at present for organizations that aim to maintain staff employment in the long term, with the expected performance. This study looks at aspects of artistic career management within a musical theatre. The empirical research approach includes an analysis of how the artistic career is managed, starting with the studies followed by the activities that employees carry out today and projections for the future. The results of the study show that the studies completed by respondents are compatible with the current job, and the general perception of career is related to the exercise of passion

Preparation and Characterisation of Alumina Template Obtained by OneStep Anodization Method

The goal of this study was to obtain an alumina template (AAO) by one-step anodization method and to evaluate its optical properties correlated with the annealing temperature. AAO was obtained from two different media: sulphuric acid (1.5 M H2SO4) and oxalic acid (0.4 M H2C2O4) at a potential of 15 V and 40 V, respectively. AAO morphology and chemical composition had been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The average pore diameters such as 20 nm for AAO obtained from H2SO4 and 40 nm from H2C2O4 were measured. The crystalline structures of AAO samples annealed at three different temperatures of 150 ºC, 300 ºC and 350 ºC were studied by Xray diffractometry (XRD). The effect of annealing temperature on the optical properties of AAO was studied by UV-VIS spectrophotometry

A novel carbon nanotube modified scaffold as an efficient biocathode material for improved microbial electrosynthesis

We report on a novel biocompatible, highly conductive three-dimensional cathode manufactured by direct growth of flexible multiwalled carbon nanotubes on reticulated vitreous carbon (NanoWeb-RVC) for the improvement of microbial bioelectrosynthesis (MES). NanoWeb-RVC allows for an enhanced bacterial attachment and biofilm development within its hierarchical porous structure. 1.7 and 2.6 fold higher current density and acetate bioproduction rate normalized to total surface area were reached on NanoWeb-RVC versus a carbon plate control for the microbial reduction of carbon dioxide by mixed cultures. This is the first study showing better intrinsic efficiency as biocathode material of a three-dimensional electrode versus a flat electrode: this comparison has been made considering the total surface area of the porous electrode, and not just the projected surface area. Therefore, the improved performance is attributed to the nanostructure of the electrode and not to an increase in surface area. Unmodified reticulated vitreous carbon electrodes lacking the nanostructure were found unsuitable for MES, with no biofilm development and no acetate production detected. The high surface area to volume ratio of the macroporous RVC maximizes the available biofilm area while ensuring effective mass transfer to and from the biofilm. The nanostructure enhances the bacteria-electrode interaction and microbial extracellular electron transfer. When normalized to projected surface area, current densities and acetate production rates of 3.7 mA cm-2 and 1.3 mM cm-2 d-1, respectively, were reached, making the NanoWeb-RVC an extremely efficient material from an engineering perspective as well. These values are the highest reported for any MES system to date

Evaluation en EHPAD de MINDs, un jeu vidéo musical développé pour et avec des personnes souffrant de la maladie d'Alzheimer

National audienceIl existe de nombreux jeux vidéo "sérieux" à destination des personnes âgées. Parmi eux, MINDs est un jeu médical développé pour et avec des personnes souffrant de la maladie d'Alzheimer ou des troubles apparentés. Il propose une activité musicale agréable et adaptée à leurs capacités et leurs spécificités. Issu des travaux de recherche du Dr. Benveniste (MINES ParisTech/CEN STIMCO) sous la direction de Pierre Jouvelot (MINES ParisTech), il a été conçu avec des soignants et des patients en milieu hospitalier en collaboration avec le Dr. Péquignot (H. Saint-Maurice). Une étude pilote indépendante à l'hôpital Broc a démontré qu'il était bien adapté à cette population. Le but de la présente étude était d'évaluer l'efficacité et l'impact de MINDs en établissement d'hébergement pour personnes âgées dépendantes (EHPAD) et de tester la faisabilité d'un déploiement à plus grande échelle

Melimine-Modified 3D-Printed Polycaprolactone Scaffolds for the Prevention of Biofilm-Related Biomaterial Infections

Biomaterial-associated infections are one of the major causes of implant failure. These infections result from persistent bacteria that have adhered to the biomaterial surface before, during, or after surgery and have formed a biofilm on the implant's surface. It is estimated that 4 to 10% of implant surfaces are contaminated with bacteria; however, the infection rate can be as high as 30% in intensive care units in developed countries and as high as 45% in developing countries. To date, there is no clinical solution to prevent implant infection without relying on the use of high doses of antibiotics supplied systemically and/or removal of the infected device. In this study, melimine, a chimeric cationic peptide that has been tested in Phase I and II human clinical trials, was immobilized onto the surface of 3D-printed medical-grade polycaprolactone (mPCL) scaffolds via covalent binding and adsorption. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) spectra of melimine-treated surfaces confirmed immobilization of the peptide, as well as its homogeneous distribution throughout the scaffold surface. Amino acid analysis showed that melimine covalent and noncovalent immobilization resulted in a peptide density of ∼156 and ∼533 ng/cm2, respectively. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the immobilization of melimine on mPCL scaffolds by 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl] carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) coupling and noncovalent interactions resulted in a reduction of Staphylococcus aureus colonization by 78.7% and 76.0%, respectively, in comparison with the nonmodified control specimens. Particularly, the modified surfaces maintained their antibacterial properties for 3 days, which resulted in the inhibition of biofilm formation in vitro. This system offers a biomaterial strategy to effectively prevent biofilm-related infections on implant surfaces without relying on the use of prophylactic antibiotic treatment

Copper Plating Corrosion Study in Certain Environments

Copper plating was performed on nickel substrate by means of the potentiostatic electrodeposition method from a sulphate electrolyte solution. The copper coatings morphology was studied by means of the optical and electronic scanning microscopy techniques. The uniform electrodeposited films have a thickness of about 15 µm measured in cross-section. The corrosion behaviours of nickel substrate and copper films in different corrosive environments were studied. The corrosion study was performed by means of the linear polarisation method in four acid environments: 0.5 M H2SO4, HCl, HNO3 and glacial CH3COOH. From the recorded Tafel curves it was possible to obtain some information about the corrosion rate and the polarization resistance. In order to confirm these results, the gravimetric parameter was calculated by means of the “mass loss” method. By means of the X-ray diffraction analysis, the crystallographic structure of the specimens before and after corrosion was revealed. By means of the spectrophotometer device, the optical properties of the specimens were analysed

Microcellular Electrode Material for Microbial Bioelectrochemical Systems Synthesized by Hydrothermal Carbonization of Biomass Derived Precursors

V.F. acknowledges a UQ Postdoctoral Fellowship. This work was supported by the Australian Research Council Grant DP110100539. The authors acknowledge the facilities and the scientific and technical assistance of the Australian Microscopy & Microanalysis Research Facility at the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis (The University of Queensland). The Ghent University Special Research Fund (BOF) is acknowledged for the postdoctoral grant of M.N.B