Analyse de la structure sociale des conflits et des alliances intergangs

Cette étude propose un cadre analytique qui permet d’étudier le réseau social des gangs montréalais, dont certains s’identifient aux deux grandes coalitions étatsuniennes : les Bloods (les rouges) et les Crips (les bleus). L’objectif de cette recherche est de décrire la structure de ce réseau social en s’intéressant d’abord à la constitution et à l’organisation interne de ces gangs et, ensuite, aux dynamiques relationnelles qui les unissent une fois mis en interaction les uns avec les autres. Nous souhaitons donc comprendre dans quelle mesure les dynamiques intergangs, tant positives que négatives, s’orchestrent selon la conception polarisée des conflits Crips versus Bloods. Nos données ont été recueillies auprès de 20 membres juvéniles de gangs pris en charge par le Centre jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire. Ces participants, qui appartiennent à différents gangs rivaux ou alliés, ont été rencontrés dans le cadre d’une série d’entrevues de groupe réalisée au cours de l’année 2007. Ensemble, ils ont identifié un total de 35 gangs qui occupent des territoires précis à Montréal. La structure obtenue comprend des modèles de relations attendus par la conception traditionnelle, conflits inter-consortiums (77 % de l’ensemble des dynamiques négatives n = 43) et alliances intra-consortiums (87 % de l’ensemble des dynamiques positives n = 40). Des exceptions à cette conception sont soulevées et nuancent la compréhension de la structure relationnelle à l’étude.This study proposes an analytical framework to study the network of street gangs in Montreal, including some affiliated to the two major American coalitions : Crips (blue) and Bloods (red). The objectives are two-fold : a) Describe the nature of the gangs themselves, emphasizing some of their core organizational features ; b) Describe the relational dynamics within the network, once the gangs are allowed to interact (positively or negatively) with each other. We also want to understand in which ways the dynamics are orchestrated along the traditional perspective, that is, rivalries only occur between opposite consortiums. These objectives are fulfilled through an analysis of focus group interviews involving 20 youth gang members currently doing time in Centre jeunesse de Montreal-Institut universitaire. These youth gang members were affiliated to a diversity of gangs and coalitions. Together, they identified a total of 35 active gangs in Montreal. The resulting structure includes models of relationships expected by the traditional view, conflicts inter-coalitions (77 % of all negative relations n = 43) and allies intra-coalition (87 % of all positive relations n = 40). Exceptions to the rule have been raised in our study and lead to a more nuanced understanding of Montreal’s street gang network.Este artículo propone un marco analítico para el estudio de la red de pandillas callejeras de Montreal, entre otras las que se identifican con dos de las grandes bandas de Estados Unidos, los Crips (azules) y los Bloods (rojos). El objetivo es doble : describir la naturaleza misma de las pandillas, principalmente sus características organizativas, y describir la dinámica relacional al interior de la red cuando las pandillas interactúan entre sí, de forma positiva o negativa. De manera específica, se investiga en qué medida las relaciones entre las pandillas se dan en términos polarizados Crips contra Bloods. Los datos se obtuvieron a partir de entrevistas de grupo realizadas en 2007 con 20 miembros de diferentes pandillas y coaliciones que estaban a cargo en ese momento del Centre jeunesse de Montreal-Institut universitaire. Los entrevistados identificaron 35 pandillas activas en Montreal en territorios específicos. La estructura derivada incluye modelos de relaciones de concepción tradicional, con conflictos inter coalición (77 % de dinámicas negativas n = 43) y de alianzas intra coalición (87 % del conjunto de dinámicas positivas n = 40). Las excepciones que el estudio encontró en esta dinámica confirman y matizan la estructura de relaciones encontrada en el estudio

Friends with(out) benefits : Co-offending and re-arrest

Research shows that co-offending has contradictory effects on rates of re-arrest. On the one hand, group offending may be riskier: for example, co-offenders might be targeted by police or might snitch to protect themselves. Criminal networks may also have indirect effects: offenders embedded in criminal networks commit more offenses and thus should have a higher risk of being arrested at some point. On the other hand, networks generate steady criminal opportunities with relatively low risk of arrest and high monetary benefits (e.g., drug trafficking). Few authors have empirically explored the relation between co-offending and re-arrest. This paper does so, using data from seven years of arrest records in the province of Quebec (Canada). The analysis is designed to explore why some offenders are re-arrested after an initial arrest while others are not. It focuses on the factors involved in re-arrest, considering two distinct levels of measures of co-offending. The first level of analysis takes into account a situational measure that indicates whether a given offense was committed by co-offenders (group offense). The second level is used to examine whether being part of a criminal network influences re-arrest. For offenders embedded in such networks, two network features (degree centrality and clustering coefficient) show that the global position of individuals within the Quebec arrest network are analyzed. Our results suggest that co-offending is a crucial factor that should be taken into account when looking at the odds of being caught again. The use of generalized linear mixed model brings interesting nuances about the impact of co-offending. The paper adds to the recently growing literature on the link between networks and criminal careers

High energy gamma ray counterparts of astrophysical sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays

If ultra-high energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) are accelerated at astrophysical point sources, the identification of such sources can be achieved if there is some kind of radiation at observable wavelengths that may be associated with the acceleration and/or propagation processes. No radiation of this type has so far been detected or at least no such connection has been claimed. The process of photopion production during the propagation of UHECRs from the sources to the Earth results in the generation of charged and neutral pions. The neutral (charged) pions in turn decay to gamma quanta and electrons that initiate an electromagnetic cascade in the universal photon background. We calculate the flux of this gamma radiation in the GeV-TeV energy range and find that for source luminosities compatible with those expected from small scale anisotropies in the directions of arrival of UHECRs, the fluxes can be detectable by future Cerenkov gamma ray telescopes, such as VERITAS and HESS, provided the intergalactic magnetic field is not larger than $\sim 10^{-10}$ Gauss and for source distances comparable with the loss length for photopion production.Comment: accepted for publication on Astroparticle Physic

The Luna experiment

One of the main ingredients of nuclear astrophysics is the cross section of the thermonuclear reactions which power the stars and synthesize the chemical elements in the Universe. Deep underground in the Gran Sasso Laboratory the cross section of the key reactions of the proton-proton chain and of the Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen (CNO) cycle have been measured right down to the energies of astrophysical interest. The main results obtained during the solar phase of LUNA are reviewed before describing the current LUNA program devoted to the study of the nucleosynthesis of the light elements in AGB stars and Classical Novae. Finally, the future of LUNA with the new 3.5 MV accelerator devoted to the study of helium and carbon burning is discussed

Health impact assessment of waste management facilities in three European countries

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Policies on waste disposal in Europe are heterogeneous and rapidly changing, with potential health implications that are largely unknown. We conducted a health impact assessment of landfilling and incineration in three European countries: Italy, Slovakia and England.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 49 (Italy), 2 (Slovakia), and 11 (England) incinerators were operating in 2001 while for landfills the figures were 619, 121 and 232, respectively. The study population consisted of residents living within 3 km of an incinerator and 2 km of a landfill. Excess risk estimates from epidemiological studies were used, combined with air pollution dispersion modelling for particulate matter (PM₁₀) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). For incinerators, we estimated attributable cancer incidence and years of life lost (YoLL), while for landfills we estimated attributable cases of congenital anomalies and low birth weight infants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>About 1,000,000, 16,000, and 1,200,000 subjects lived close to incinerators in Italy, Slovakia and England, respectively. The additional contribution to NO₂levels within a 3 km radius was 0.23, 0.15, and 0.14 μg/m³, respectively. Lower values were found for PM₁₀. Assuming that the incinerators continue to operate until 2020, we are moderately confident that the annual number of cancer cases due to exposure in 2001-2020 will reach 11, 0, and 7 in 2020 and then decline to 0 in the three countries in 2050. We are moderately confident that by 2050, the attributable impact on the 2001 cohort of residents will be 3,621 (Italy), 37 (Slovakia) and 3,966 (England) YoLL. The total exposed population to landfills was 1,350,000, 329,000, and 1,425,000 subjects, respectively. We are moderately confident that the annual additional cases of congenital anomalies up to 2030 will be approximately 2, 2, and 3 whereas there will be 42, 13, and 59 additional low-birth weight newborns, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The current health impacts of landfilling and incineration can be characterized as moderate when compared to other sources of environmental pollution, e.g. traffic or industrial emissions, that have an impact on public health. There are several uncertainties and critical assumptions in the assessment model, but it provides insight into the relative health impact attributable to waste management.</p

Épisodes d’inactivité et revenus criminels dans une trajectoire de délinquance

L’instabilité de l’activité criminelle dans le temps est déjà bien documentée. On connaît toutefois peu les circonstances qui expliquent ces variations à court terme. Une meilleure connaissance de ces facteurs est souhaitable puisqu’il est possible que les transitions et les changements à court terme précèdent les points tournants des carrières criminelles. Les conditions qui rendent compte d’une interruption temporaire des activités peuvent, par exemple, contribuer à expliquer un désistement définitif. L’étude se fonde sur les trajectoires de 172 délinquants impliqués dans des crimes à but lucratif et analyse les variations mensuelles de leurs revenus criminels ainsi que les épisodes d’inactivité criminelle à l’intérieur d’une période fenêtre de 36 mois. La méthode des calendriers d’histoire de vie combinée aux modèles hiérarchiques permet d’examiner conjointement le rôle de facteurs statiques (les caractéristiques individuelles des sujets) et dynamiques (les circonstances de vie). Les résultats mettent en évidence l’importance des événements qui marquent le style de vie des délinquants et des paramètres qui caractérisent l’engagement criminel dans la compréhension des variations dans les trajectoires à l’étude. Ils soulignent également l’importance de la finalité derrière les activités criminelles pour expliquer la décision des délinquants de cesser temporaire leurs activités illicites

Rescue of myogenic defects in Rb-deficient cells by inhibition of autophagy or by hypoxia-induced glycolytic shift

pRb is required to inhibit apoptosis in myoblasts and autophagy in myotubes but not for activation of the myogenic differentiation program

Mortality and morbidity among people living close to incinerators: a cohort study based on dispersion modeling for exposure assessment

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several studies have been conducted on the possible health effects for people living close to incinerators and well-conducted reviews are available. Nevertheless, several uncertainties limit the overall interpretation of the findings. We evaluated the health effects of emissions from two incinerators in a pilot cohort study.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study area was defined as the 3.5 km radius around two incinerators located near Forlì (Italy). People who were residents in 1/1/1990, or subsequently became residents up to 31/12/2003, were enrolled in a longitudinal study (31,347 individuals). All the addresses were geocoded. Follow-up continued until 31/12/2003 by linking the mortality register, cancer registry and hospital admissions databases. Atmospheric Dispersion Model System (ADMS) software was used for exposure assessment; modelled concentration maps of heavy metals (annual average) were considered the indicators of exposure to atmospheric pollution from the incinerators, while concentration maps of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) were considered for exposure to other pollution sources. Age and area-based socioeconomic status adjusted rate ratios and 95% Confidence Intervals were estimated with Poisson regression, using the lowest exposure category to heavy metals as reference.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mortality and morbidity experience of the whole cohort did not differ from the regional population. In the internal analysis, no association between pollution exposure from the incinerators and all-cause and cause-specific mortality outcomes was observed in men, with the exception of colon cancer. Exposure to the incinerators was associated with cancer mortality among women, in particular for all cancer sites (RR for the highest exposure level = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.99), stomach, colon, liver and breast cancer. No clear trend was detected for cancer incidence. No association was found for hospitalizations related to major diseases. NO₂levels, as a proxy from other pollution sources (traffic in particular), did not exert an important confounding role.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>No increased risk of mortality and morbidity was found in the entire area. The internal analysis of the cohort based on dispersion modeling found excesses of mortality for some cancer types in the highest exposure categories, especially in women. The interpretation of the findings is limited given the pilot nature of the study.</p