Identification and Explanation of Regional Development Poles in Haiti

The concentration of the population and socioeconomic activities in the Metropolitan Area of Port au Prince (MAPAP) in Haiti has a negative impact within MAPAP and on the socioeconomic development of the entire country. This phenomenon, known as urban primacy, is increasing at an unprecedented rate in developing countries. Urban primacy in the Third World is explained by scholars studying the phenomenon and by dependency theorists. Economic decentralization, based on growth pole theory, is one of the most frequently used policies for slowing the growth of primate cities by focusing on development poles. In Haiti, the potential growth poles are the regional capitals that have a constitutional mandate to promote and manage the development of their region. I have tested some of the assumptions of dependency and growth pole theories on Haiti, using the eight regional capitals as units of analysis. Using migration, geographic, and socioeconomic data, I have identified the strongest poles and explained their attraction power and formulated policy recommendations that will increase the chances of successfully implementing economic decentralization. The research design is the case study. The data show that MAPAP overshadows the regional capitals at the national level and within the capitals\u27 own region, except for Cap Haïtien. However, the regional capitals are the primary destinations for migrants within their regions. The strongest poles are Cap Haïtien, Gonaives, and Port de Paix. Their attraction power is explained primarily by their population size and by their connections to the international market. Due to the selection criteria of the units of analysis and the limitations of the data used, the support and rejection of the growth pole and dependency theories hypotheses are not conclusive for the testing of these theories in Haiti or the Third World. The Haitian government needs to be more aggressive in addressing the consequences of urban primacy by implementing a comprehensive economic decentralization. The January 12, 2010, earthquake brought light on the issues raised by this study. Fortunately, the Haitian government has expressed its vision for the rebuilding of Haiti with an emphasis on decentralizing socioeconomic activities outside of MAPAP

Inverse opal ceria–zirconia: architectural engineering for heterogeneous catalysis

The application of inverse opal structured materials is extended to the ceria–zirconia (Ce_(0.5)Zr_(0.5)O_2) system and the significance of material architecture on heterogeneous catalysis, specifically, chemical oxidation, is examined

Spectral Clustering: interpretation and Gaussian parameter

Spectral clustering consists in creating, from the spectral elements of a Gaussian affinity matrix, a low-dimensional space in which data are grouped into clusters. However, questions about the separability of clusters in the projection space and the choice of the Gaussian parameter remain open. By drawing back to some continuous formulation, we propose an interpretation of spectral clustering with Partial Differential Equations tools which provides clustering properties and defines bounds for the affinity parameter

Ancrages et mirages de la marque employeur, une construction sensible

Un ouvrage complet sur les questions sensibles en organisation, accompagné de recommandations afin de les détecter et de les prendre en compte. Tous les jours, les organisations sont amenées à gérer des sujets sensibles, qu’ils soient polémiques, tabous, intimes, litigieux ou déviants. Pourtant, pour diverses raisons, ils sont souvent peu ou pas gérés. En 2018, des chercheurs ont créé un groupe de recherche thématique (GRT) au sein de l’Association francophone de gestion des ressources humaines (AGRH) pour produire des connaissances sur les sujets RH sensibles et contribuer à outiller efficacement les acteurs concernés : Comment définir les sujets sensibles ? Quelles méthodologies mettre en place pour intervenir au sein des organisations ? L’objectif de cet ouvrage est d’encourager les pratiques organisationnelles responsables : La partie 1 propose une réflexion sur le management du sensible : l’alcool en entreprise, les pratiques de nontravail, le management des relations amoureuses. La partie 2 porte sur la prise en considération des vulnérabilités : les risques psycho-sociaux, l’identité professionnelle suite à un licenciement, le management inclusif. La partie 3 fournit des conseils et des outils pour agir en contexte sensible et relever les nombreux défis posés par ces situations. Cet ouvrage, qui permet d’ouvrir des débats, des perspectives de recherche, et de réfléchir aux pratiques et outils, intéressera les enseignants-chercheurs, les doctorants, les étudiants en master RH et management. Il s’adresse également aux consultants, RH, managers opérationnels, ainsi qu’aux salariés en situation de vulnérabilité et leurs collègues

Persistent inflammatory state after photoreceptor loss in an animal model of retinal degeneration

Microglia act as the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, including the retina. In response to damaging stimuli microglia adopt an activated state, which can progress into a phagocytic phenotype and play a potentially harmful role by eliciting the expression and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of the present study was to assess longitudinal changes in microglia during retinal degeneration in the homozygous P23H rat, a model of dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Microglial phenotypes, morphology and density were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and cytokine antibody array. In addition, we performed electroretinograms to evaluate the retinal response. In the P23H retina, sclera, choroid and ciliary body, inflammatory cells increased in number compared with the control at all ages analyzed. As the rats became older, a higher number of amoeboid MHC-II+ cells were observed in the P23H retina, which correlated with an increase in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that, in the P23H model, retinal neuroinflammation persists throughout the rat’s life span even after photoreceptor depletion. Therefore, the inclusion of anti-inflammatory drugs at advanced stages of the neurodegenerative process may provide better retinal fitness so the remaining cells could still be used as targets of cellular or gene therapies.This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of the Economy and Competitiveness-FEDER (BFU2012-36845, BFU2015-67139-R), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (RETICS-FEDER RD12/0034/0010), Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles (ONCE), Asociación Retina Asturias, FUNDALUCE and Fundación Jesús de Gangoiti Barrera

Natural Compounds from Saffron and Bear Bile Prevent Vision Loss and Retinal Degeneration

All retinal disorders, regardless of their aetiology, involve the activation of oxidative stress and apoptosis pathways. The administration of neuroprotective factors is crucial in all phases of the pathology, even when vision has been completely lost. The retina is one of the most susceptible tissues to reactive oxygen species damage. On the other hand, proper development and functioning of the retina requires a precise balance between the processes of proliferation, differentiation and programmed cell death. The life-or-death decision seems to be the result of a complex balance between pro- and anti-apoptotic signals. It has been recently shown the efficacy of natural products to slow retinal degenerative process through different pathways. In this review, we assess the neuroprotective effect of two compounds used in the ancient pharmacopoeia. On one hand, it has been demonstrated that administration of the saffron constituent safranal to P23H rats, an animal model of retinitis pigmentosa, preserves photoreceptor morphology and number, the capillary network and the visual response. On the other hand, it has been shown that systemic administration of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), the major component of bear bile, to P23H rats preserves cone and rod structure and function, together with their contact with postsynaptic neurons. The neuroprotective effects of safranal and TUDCA make these compounds potentially useful for therapeutic applications in retinal degenerative diseases.This research was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness-FEDER (BFU2012-36845), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (RETICS RD12/0034/0010), Asociación Retina Asturias, Fundación Jesús Gangoiti, Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles (ONCE) and FUNDALUCE

Attractivité des PME vs. GE selon la génération Z : Le cas des Entreprises françaises de Services du Numérique

Il a toujours été plus difficile pour les PME que pour les structures de grande taille d’être attractives auprès des candidats. Cet article se propose d’étudier les effets de la marque employeur sur l’attractivité des PME et des grandes entreprises (GE) françaises dans le secteur du numérique. L’originalité de cette recherche provient de l’intérêt qu’elle porte à la génération Z, dont certains membres ne sont pas encore entrés sur le marché du travail. Les résultats d’une étude conduite auprès des futurs salariés des entreprises du numérique issus de cette génération montrent que les leviers d’attractivité des PME diffèrent de ceux des GE. Les PME du numérique sont perçues comme des employeurs qui favorisent la créativité et l’innovation. A l’inverse, l’attractivité des GE résulte des bonnes conditions économiques.In the highly competitive digital industry, SMEs face difficulties in recruiting compared to large companies, whose attractiveness is higher. This paper investigates and compares the effects of employer branding on the attractiveness of French SMEs and large companies in the digital sector. The originality of this research is that it focuses on members of generation Z, whose young members have not yet started their working life. The results of a study conducted with members of generation Z as future employees of digital sector companies show that the attractiveness levers of SMEs differ from those of large companies. SMEs’ attractiveness relies on the interest value (working in an exciting environment, innovative employer, innovative products and services). Conversely, the attractiveness of large companies results from good economic conditions

Digital-sector SMEs, the Eldorado of Generation Z?

It has always been more difficult for SMEs to attract candidates than larger organizations, whose arguments can be more convincing. This article compares the factors that influence the attractiveness of SMEs and large enterprises (LEs) in the digital sector, as perceived by members of Generation Z. To this end, a study was conducted with young people from Generation Z as future employees in the digital sector. The results show that attractiveness factors differ between LEs and SMEs. Digital-sector SMEs are seen as employers that pay lower wages than large companies but promote creativity and innovation. This study was conducted prior to the COVID crisis