James M. Decker’s forced thought of an end to ideology in George Orwell’s 1984

James M. Decker examines 1984 under a skeptical lens as a statement in favor of capitalist democracy: which according to him thrusts Orwell forthright in the mist of ideology. A more compelling question, however, would be: Why was the interpretation of Orwell’s 1984 mostly a trudge against one particular version of totalitarianism called Stalinism? Isn’t it a form of complicity to always ground totalitarianism in Stalinism (thus also masking the totalitarianism exerted elsewhere in the world)? It seems it is not the Inner Party employing ideology to keep the masses under control as much as James M. Decker who provides an entrance into 1984 within a paradigm which excludes any possibility of meaning outside his apocalyptic landscape of a humanity not less thoughtless than out of history

The shallow bond: the profit motive figuring into Virginia Woolf’s feminist message

Woolf’s vocabulary of feminist emancipation was the vector of her migration towards the genre of the novel. For all the vindictiveness it bears against gender inequality, exploring feminism as potential (i.e., as future-oriented) was not untouched by the writer’s inward-turned contradictions despite her choice of the variety of the narrative to intercept the strain of reminiscence (therefore the sentimentalism) of her poetry. “After being ill and suffering every form and variety of nightmare” (Letters IV, 231), Virginia Woolf   “by the light of reason, tr[ies] to put into prose” (ibid) her idea of female empowerment to “keep entirely off” (ibid) the danger of patriarchy. Proving the efficiency of her feminist message as an author was within Woolf’s battle against a stretched life of introversion with a view to explore the broader opportunity presented by prose.  However, a conspicuous part of her mental instability was Woolf’s unclear relation to the profit motif behind the project of female authorship which acquired a significance that always threatened to frustrate her very feminist concept

Contribution à l’évaluation de la toxicocinétique humaine du bisphénol S

La mesure du bisphénol-S (BPS) et de son glucurono-conjugué (BPSG) dans l’urine peut être utilisée pour la biosurveillance de l’exposition dans les populations. Cependant, cela nécessite une connaissance approfondie de la toxicocinétique de ces composés alors qu’à ce jour, il existe peu de données à cet effet chez l’humain. L’évolution dans le temps du BPS et du BPSG a été évaluée dans des matrices biologiques accessibles et représentatives comme l`urine et le sang de volontaires exposés par voie orale et cutanée. Suite à l’approbation du comité d’éthique de la recherche de l’Université de Montréal, six volontaires ont été exposés par voie orale à une dose deutérée de BPS-d8 de 0,1 mg/kg de poids corporel. Un mois plus tard, 1 mg/kg pc de BPS-d8 ont été appliqués sur 40 cm2 de l’avant-bras puis lavés 6 h après l’application. Des échantillons de sang ont été prélevés avant le dosage et à des intervalles de temps fixes sur une période de 48 h après traitement ; des collectes urinaires complètes ont été recueillies avant l’exposition et à des intervalles préétablis sur 72 h après dosage. Après exposition par voie orale, les profils temporels des concentrations plasmatiques de BPS-d8 et de BPSG-d8 évoluaient en parallèle et ont montré une apparition et une élimination rapides. Les valeurs maximales de BPS-d8 et BPSG-d8 dans le plasma ont été atteintes en moyenne (± écart-type [ET]) à 0,7 ± 0,1 et 1,1 ± 0,4 h après le dosage et les demi-vies d’élimination apparentes (moyenne ± ET) (t ½) de 7,9 ± 1,1 et 9,3 ± 7,0 h ont été calculées à partir de la phase terminale, respectivement. La fraction de BPS-d8 atteignant la circulation systémique inchangée (c’est-à-dire la biodisponibilité) a en outre été estimée à 62 ± 5 % en moyenne (± ET) et la clairance plasmatique systémique à 0,57 ± 0,07 L/kg pc/h. Toujours après exposition orale, les profils temporels des taux d’excrétion urinaire évoluaient aussi de manière parallèle aux concentrations plasmatiques et étaient similaires pour tant pour le composé parent que le métabolite. Le pourcentage moyen (± ET) de la dose administrée récupérée dans l’urine sous forme de BPS-d8 et BPSG-d8 au cours de la période de 72 h après le dosage était de 1,72 ± 1,3 et 54 ± 10 %. Après application cutanée, les niveaux plasmatiques étaient inférieurs à la limite inférieure de quantification (LLOQ) à la plupart des points dans le temps. Cependant, les valeurs maximales étaient atteintes entre 5 et 8 h selon les individus, suggérant un taux d’absorption plus lent par rapport à l’exposition orale. De même, des quantités limitées de BPS-d8 et de son conjugué, estimées en pourcentage de dose, de l’ordre 0,004 ± 0,003 et 0,09 ± 0,07 %. En somme, cette étude a fourni une plus grande précision sur la cinétique du BPS chez l’humain. Ces données seront utiles pour développer un modèle toxicocinétique pour une meilleure interprétation des données de biosurveillance. Pour la voie orale, le taux d’absorption apparent similaire du BPS-d8 et BPSG-d8 après une exposition par voie orale suggère que les formes libres et conjuguées du BPS atteignent la circulation sanguine systémique à peu près dans le même intervalle de temps. Ceci indique un effet de premier passage hépatique, c’est-à-dire une conjugaison du BPS-d8 dans le foie avant d’atteindre la circulation systémique. Néanmoins, malgré l’effet de premier passage, la biodisponibilité du BPS-d8 et donc la forme active non conjuguée du BPS dans le sang est relativement élevée. Celle-ci est en fait largement plus importante que celle du BPA. Le BPS libre s’est aussi avéré avoir a un temps de résidence plasmatique plus long que le BPA. Pour la voie cutanée, les données ont montré que le BPS atteignait rapidement la circulation sanguine systémique et était donc rapidement absorbé par peau. Par contre, son élimination du corps semble être plus lente après exposition cutanée comparativement à son élimination après exposition orale. Par ailleurs, malgré le fait que le BPS serait rapidement absorbé au niveau de la peau, la fraction d’absorption cutanée était très faible par rapport à la fraction d’absorption orale.The measurement of bisphenol-S (BPS) and its glucurono-conjugate (BPSG) in urine may be used for the biomonitoring of exposure in populations. However, this requires a thorough knowledge of their toxicokinetics. The time courses of BPS and BPSG were assessed in accessible biological matrices of orally and dermally exposed volunteers. Under the approval of the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Montreal, six volunteers were orally exposed to a BPS-d8 deuterated dose of 0.1 mg/kg body weight (bw). One month later, 1 mg/kg bw of BPS-d8 were applied on 40 cm2 of the forearm and then washed 6 h after application. Blood samples were taken prior to dosing and at fixed time periods over 48 h after treatment; complete urine voids were collected pre-exposure and at pre-established intervals over 72 h postdosing. Following oral exposure, the plasma concentration–time courses of BPS-d8 and BPSG-d8 over 48 h evolved in parallel and showed a rapid appearance and elimination. Average peak values (±SD) were reached at 0.7 ± 0.1 and 1.1 ± 0.4 h postdosing and mean (±SD) apparent elimination half-lives (t½) of 7.9 ± 1.1 and 9.3 ± 7.0 h were calculated from the terminal phase of BPS-d8 and BPSG-d8 in plasma, respectively. The fraction of BPS-d8 reaching the systemic circulation unchanged (i.e. bioavailability) was further estimated at 62 ± 5% on average (±SD) and the systemic plasma clearance at 0.57 ± 0.07 L/kg bw/h. Plasma concentration–time courses and urinary excretion rate profiles roughly evolved in parallel for both substances, as expected. The average percent (±SD) of the administered dose recovered in urine as BPS-d8 and BPSG-d8 over the 0–72 h period postdosing was 1.72 ± 1.3 and 54 ± 10%. Following dermal application, plasma levels were under the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) at most time points. However, peak values were reached between 5 and 8 h depending on individuals, suggesting a slower absorption rate compared to oral exposure. Similarly, limited amounts of BPS-d8 and its conjugate were recovered in urine and peak excretion rates were reached between 5 and 11 h postdosing. The average percent (±SD) of the administered dose recovered in urine as BPS-d8 and BPSG-d8 was about 0.004 ± 0.003 and 0.09 ± 0.07%, respectively. This study provided greater precision on the kinetics of this contaminant in humans and, in particular, evidenced major differences between BPA and BPS kinetics with much higher systemic levels of active BPS than BPA, an observation explained by a higher oral bioavailability of BPS than BPA. These data should also be useful in developing a toxicokinetic model for a better interpretation of biomonitoring data. Overall, this study provided greater precision on the kinetics of this contaminant in humans. These data will be useful in developing a toxicokinetic model for a better interpretation of biomonitoring data. For the oral route of exposure, the apparent similar absorption rate of BPS-d8 and BPSG-d8 after oral exposure suggests that free and conjugated forms of BPS reach the systemic blood circulation at about the same time interval. This indicates a first-pass effect in the liver, i.e. a conjugation of BPS-d8 in the liver before reaching the systemic circulation. Nevertheless, despite the first-pass effect, the bioavailability of BPS-d8 and therefore the proportion of unconjugated active form of BPS reaching the systemic bloodstream is relatively high. It is actually much higher than that of BPA. Free BPS was also found to have a longer plasma residence time than BPA. For the dermal route of exposure, data show that BPS quickly reaches systemic blood circulation and is therefore rapidly absorbed by skin. On the other hand, its elimination from the body appears to be slower after dermal exposure compared to its elimination after oral exposure. Furthermore, despite the fact that BPS is rapidly absorbed through the skin, the dermal absorption fraction was very small compared to the oral absorption fraction

Hernie post traumatique de la paroi abdominale antérieure

La hernie post-traumatique de la paroi abdominale antérieure peut être méconnue dans un contexte d’urgence.Nous rapportons l’observation d’un patient âgé de 32 ans, avec un BMI à 30 Kg/m2 ayant présenté une hernie de la paroi abdominale antérieure suite à un accident de la voie publique. Cette lésion était méconnue par l’examen clinique. La tomodensitométrie abdominale montrait un défect de 8 cm de la paroi abdominale antérieure. Le patient était opéré avec découverte d’un défect musculo-aponévrotique sur 12 cm. La réparation était réalisée par une suture par des points séparés. Les suites opératoires étaient marquées par une nécrose secondairement infectée de la peau. Elle avait bien évolué après cicatrisation dirigée. A 3 mois post-opératoire, le patient va bien avec une plaie cicatrisée et une paroi abdominale solide.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Efficient Hardware Design for Computing Pairings Using Few FPGA In-built DSPs

This paper is devoted to the design of a 258-bit multiplier for computing pairings over Barreto-Naehrig (BN) curves at 128-bit security level. The proposed design is optimized for Xilinx field programmable gate array (FPGA). Each 258-bit integer is represented as a polynomial with five, 65 bit signed integer, coefficients. Exploiting this splitting we designed a pipelined 65-bit multiplier based on new Karatsuba- Ofman variant using non-standard splitting to fit to the Xilinx embedded digital signal processor (DSP) blocks. We prototype the coprocessor in two architectures pipelined and serial on a Xilinx Virtex-6 FPGA using around 17000 slices and 11 DSPs in the pipelined design and 7 DSPs in the serial. The pipelined 128-bit pairing is computed in 1. 8 ms running at 225MHz and the serial is performed in 2.2 ms running at 185MHz. To the best of our knowledge, this implementation outperforms all reported hardware designs in term of DSP use. Keywords

The relationship between locus of control and pre-competitive anxiety in highly trained soccer players

IntroductionPrevious studies have not considered the potential association between locus of control and precompetitive anxiety in elite soccer players. Accordingly, this cross-sectional study examined The prediction of locus of control on precompetitive anxiety in highly trained cadet soccer players.ObjectiveBased on a literature review, our research question was: can the locus of control be considered as an explanatory element of precompetitive anxiety?MethodsThirty-five Tunisian highly trained soccer players licensed from two regional soccer clubs aged between 15 and 16 years participated in the resent study. All participants were evaluated using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2) and the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale. The relationship between measures of anxiety, self-confidence and the locus of control scores were analyzed using Pearson’s product–moment correlation coefficient. Further, multiple linear stepwise multiple regression models were calculated to determine the most robust predictors of the locus of control.ResultsBased on our findings, the regression analysis explains up to 21.3% of the total variation of our independent variable (locus of control) and explains only 21.3% of the variability of our dependent variable somatic anxiety. Furthermore, locus of control explains 61.9% of the variability in self-confidence.ConclusionThe locus of control can be used for the detection and selection of young athletic talent to identify individuals with the best psychological aptitude to cope with psychological problems related to sports performance. Preparing highly trained soccer players on how to deal with their anxiety could prevent them from becoming overwhelmed when they feel powerless to change their situation during competition

Toxicokinetics of bisphenol-S and its glucuronide in plasma and urine following oral and dermal exposure in volunteers for the interpretation of biomonitoring data

The measurement of bisphenol-S (BPS) and its glucurono-conjugate (BPSG) in urine may be used for the biomonitoring of exposure in populations. However, this requires a thorough knowledge of their toxicokinetics. The time courses of BPS and BPSG were assessed in accessible biological matrices of orally and dermally exposed volunteers. Under the approval of the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Montreal, six volunteers were orally exposed to a BPS-d8 deuterated dose of 0.1 mg/kg body weight (bw). One month later, 1 mg/kg bw of BPS-d8 were applied on 40 cm2 of the forearm and then washed 6 h after application. Blood samples were taken prior to dosing and at fixed time periods over 48 h after treatment; complete urine voids were collected pre-exposure and at pre-established intervals over 72 h postdosing. Following oral exposure, the plasma concentration–time courses of BPS-d8 and BPSG-d8 over 48 h evolved in parallel, and showed a rapid appearance and elimination. Average peak values (±SD) were reached at 0.7 ± 0.1 and 1.1 ± 0.4 h postdosing and mean (±SD) apparent elimination half-lives (t½) of 7.9 ± 1.1 and 9.3 ± 7.0 h were calculated from the terminal phase of BPS-d8 and BPSG-d8 in plasma, respectively. The fraction of BPS-d8 reaching the systemic circulation unchanged (i.e. bioavailability) was further estimated at 62 ± 5% on average (±SD) and the systemic plasma clearance at 0.57 ± 0.07 L/kg bw/h. Plasma concentration–time courses and urinary excretion rate profiles roughly evolved in parallel for both substances, as expected. The average percent (±SD) of the administered dose recovered in urine as BPS-d8 and BPSG-d8 over the 0–72 h period postdosing was 1.72 ± 1.3 and 54 ± 10%. Following dermal application, plasma levels were under the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) at most time points. However, peak values were reached between 5 and 8 h depending on individuals, suggesting a slower absorption rate compared to oral exposure. Similarly, limited amounts of BPS-d8 and its conjugate were recovered in urine and peak excretion rates were reached between 5 and 11 h postdosing. The average percent (±SD) of the administered dose recovered in urine as BPS-d8 and BPSG-d8 was about 0.004 ± 0.003 and 0.09 ± 0.07%, respectively. This study provided greater precision on the kinetics of this contaminant in humans and, in particular, evidenced major differences between BPA and BPS kinetics with much higher systemic levels of active BPS than BPA, an observation explained by a higher oral bioavailability of BPS than BPA. These data should also be useful in developing a toxicokinetic model for a better interpretation of biomonitoring data

Reutilisation of hazardous spent fluorescent lamps glass waste as supplementary cementitious material

[EN] Spent fluorescent lamps glass (SFLG) waste, manually and mechanically processed in a lamps waste treatment plant, was used to partially replace up to 50 wt% Portland cement (PC). Both waste types exhibited similar pozzolanic activity. The mortars containing up to 35 wt% SFLG met the specifications for other pozzolanic materials (e.g. fly ash) and, after 90 curing days, their compressive strength values were sim- ilar to or higher than those of the 100% PC sample (58.8 MPa). Our results provide an alternative reutilization process for this hazardous waste to reuse SFLG as-received (no washing to reduce mercury) and contributes to less PC useThis work was supported by the Universitat Jaume I of Castellon [Project UJI-B2019-21], and the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport [research collaboration grant, academic year 2015/2016].Pitarch, A.; Reig, L.; Gallardo, A.; Soriano Martinez, L.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Rochina, S. (2021). Reutilisation of hazardous spent fluorescent lamps glass waste as supplementary cementitious material. Construction and Building Materials. 292:1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123424S11329

African Linguistics in Central and Eastern Europe, and in the Nordic Countries

Non peer reviewe

Language endangerment and language documentation in Africa

Non peer reviewe