Political Language under Pragmatic Scrutiny: A Euphemistic Analysis of Boris Johnson Three-Tier Covid-19 National Lockdown Announcements

More than a year elapsed since the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak all over the world including the United Kingdom. Unprecedentedly, several measures were accounted for in all life domains in order to contain the spread of the virus and adhere to its pervasive nature in a hopeful attempt for survival. So far, Politics and politicians have been under scrutiny from several sectors in society to counteract the ferocity of the Coronavirus extend and its detrimental effects on the normal flow of life. In UK, British citizens desperately anticipated behind their screens the news briefings in which the Prime Minister Boris Johnson updates his people on the high-level of Covid-19 stats that launched a decision towards UK confinement. Therefore, the present research aims at pragmatically analyzing Johnson’s three-tier national lockdown announcements during Covid-19 outbreak vis-à-vis the use of the highlighted 13 types of Euphemism along with its six functions. Thus, the objective of the study is to uncover the functional power Euphemism displayed in the PM speeches based on the frequent use of Euphemism. It therefore follows a quantitative-qualitative analysis of the three lockdown announcement speeches which revealed that six types of euphemism were used to imply positive intentions, whereas four types served a negative function and meaning

Algorithme Génétique (AG) pour le choix optimal des stations d’appoint de chlore sur les réseaux d’eau potable

La chloration sur les réseaux de distribution d’eau potable constitue une tâche délicate. Elle assure la protection contre la reviviscence microbienne et contre la contamination du réseau. Les réactions du chlore avec la matière organique du système entraînent la formation des sous‑produits chlorés, indésirables pour la santé humaine. Ainsi, le maintien du taux de chlore libre à des valeurs admissibles, sur tout le réseau et à tout moment, constitue un objectif principal des gestionnaires des réseaux.Lors de la chloration à partir des sources d’eau, les processus de réaction-transport créent sur les réseaux, caractérisés par des temps de séjours importants, de mauvaises distributions des taux de chlore libre. Les stations d’appoints sur les réseaux constituent une alternative efficace. La détermination de leur nombre et le choix des emplacements optimums constituent les deux difficultés auxquelles sont confrontés les gestionnaires. Le présent travail utilise un algorithme génétique (AG) pour la détermination du nombre et des emplacements optimums des stations d’appoint de chlore sur les réseaux. Deux objectifs ont été fixés : (1) l’amélioration de l’homogénéité spatio-temporelle de la chloration et (2) la minimisation du nombre de stations d’appoint. L’application du modèle développé sur un réseau test a permis d’identifier les emplacements des deux stations d’appoint de chlore. La solution optimale a considérablement amélioré l’homogénéité et a assuré, pour 98 % des noeuds, des taux de chlore libre dans l’intervalle admissible (0,1-0,5)  mg/L.The chlorination of drinking water networks represents a delicate task. It ensures protection against microbial regrowth and network contamination. However, chlorine also reacts with organic matter in the system and leads to the formation of chlorinated by-products, which are undesirable for the human health. Thus, one of the main objectives of the water network manager is to maintain acceptable levels of free residual chlorine, at all network nodes and at all times. When water sources are chlorinated, reaction-transport processes create an unbalanced distribution of free chlorine concentrations, especially in networks characterized by long water residence times. Booster stations in networks constitute an efficient alternative to improve the spatial and temporal chlorine distribution. Their number and their optimum locations are two challenges facing network managers. In this respect, this paper suggests the use of a genetic algorithm (GA) to determine the number and the optimum locations of chlorine booster stations in networks. The two main objectives of this study were: (1) the improvement of the spatio-temporal homogeneity of chlorination and (2) the reduction of the number of booster stations.A solution to this optimisation problem is an arrangement of ns booster stations in n consumption nodes of the water network. To resolve this problem, we linked the toolkit of the hydrodynamic computer program EPANET, which uses a one-dimensional reaction-transport model, to the proposed genetic algorithm (GA). In this application, we assume that free chlorine reactions through distribution networks are first-order. First, the EPANET computer program simulates temporal and spatial chlorine spreading in the network for each solution. Next, the GA calculates the sum square deviation E(NN, T), for the average chlorine concentration required for adequate sanitation (0.1‑0.5) mg/L, which corresponds to an optimal free chlorine concentration of 0.3 mg/L in the network. The number of booster stations is also defined for each solution studied. The optimal solution must minimize the sum square deviation and the number of booster stations used. Therefore, solution j can be evaluated by its fitness representing the weighted sum of the homogeneity function Fh(j) and the function of booster stations number Fsmin(j). According to the fitness of the solution, genetic operators (tournament selection, two points crossover and mutation) associated with an elitist evolution strategy (ES), combine individuals and create new populations. This iterative process explores the solution space and improves the maximum population fitness until stagnation, to achieve the optimal individual.The test network configuration maintained for modelling is formed by a tank and 20 km of pipes. The stretched-out shape of the network imposed long water residence times and usually created an unbalanced distribution of free chlorine concentrations at consumption nodes. In order to evaluate chlorination, three control nodes were chosen: N145 (first consumption node), N168 (middle of the network) and N206 (extremity of the network). For this network example, the best initial chlorination homogeneity was reached with a constant free chlorine concentration equal to 0.5 mg/L, usually imposed by the manager at the exit of the water tank. This initial management approach created in the network a sum square deviation of 65.9 mg2/L2, as well as an unbalanced spatial chlorination distribution with 27% of the consumption nodes having free chlorine concentrations less than the minimum required value for adequate sanitation (0.1 mg/L). The simulation of higher free chlorine concentrations at the exit of the water tank (0.8 mg/L) led to concentrations above the maximum value required for adequate human health protection (0.5 mg/L) at 26% of the consumption nodes. Also, 10% of the nodes had concentrations lower than the minimum concentration required for human health. For all constant chlorination scheduling studied (0.4; 0.5; 0.6; 0.7 and 0.8 mg/L), an important fraction of consumption nodes remained with free chlorine concentrations outside the desired concentration range. Therefore, this management approach is not suitable for networks with long residence times.Before its application, the GA required the definition of the crossover and the mutation probability (respectively 0.9 and 0.05), the size of the population (100) and the maximum number of generations (300). In addition, in the present application, chlorination homogeneity and the reduction of the booster stations number (p1 = p2 = 0.5) were given the same importance. According to boundary conditions, we imposed a free chlorine concentration of 0.5 mg/L at both the exit of the water tank and at the booster stations. The application of the GA, developed in this study, ensures the evolution of the initial population until stagnation of its maximum fitness. The resulting optimal solution involved the creation of two booster stations at nodes N179 and N196. The simulation of this chlorination management improves the spatio-temporal homogeneity of free chlorine concentrations in consumption nodes. It reduced the sum square deviation from 65.9 to 38.8 mg2/L2. Finally, 98% of the consumption nodes had free chlorine concentrations (0.1-0.5 mg/L) that were required in the context of human health.This model represents a first step in the optimization of chlorination homogeneity in networks characterized by long water residence times. The use of this tool requires network hydraulic modelling, the simulation of the free chlorine behaviour, the definition of the chlorine reaction coefficients and the GA parameters. The optimization of the chlorine concentration scheduling (in water sources and in booster stations) represents an additional step in the present work

THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL BEHAVIOUR OF THE SUPERPROTONIC CONDUCTOR PHASE IN Rb2(HSeO4)1.5(H2AsO4)0.5

Crystals of a new compound with a superprotonic phase transition Rb2(HSeO4)1.5(H2AsO4)0.5 (noted RbHSeAs), were synthesized by slow evaporation of an aqueous solution at room temperature. The differential scanning calorimetric analyses showed two endothermic peaks at 465 K and 566 K. The last peak corresponds to the decomposition of the material. The first transition was characterized by several techniques (impedance spectroscopy, complex modulus, Raman and X-ray diffraction powder depending on temperature). ac impedance measurements revealed that, upon heating, the compound undergoes at ~ 443 K a sharp increase in conductivity from a low temperature protonic phase to a superprotonic conductivity phase. The activation energies calculated from the modulus (ï„Ef) and impedance (ï„Eï³) spectra respectively are approximately equal, suggesting that the transport properties in this material above and below the superprotonic phase transition (443 K) are probably due to an H+ protons hopping mechanism

Actionneurs modulaires plats à flux réparti

International audienceOn présente dans cet exposé un dispositif de commande gestuelle à retour d'effort développé au sein du laboratoire ACROE et plus particulièrement la technologie de l'actionneur à flux réparti mis au point pour cette application. On exposera les performances et les caractéristiques d'une réalisation de cette technologie : le Clavier Rétroactif Modulaire ainsi que les applications en cours de ce dispositif

Essay of Modelling water resources management of the Oued Righ watershed (Algeria) using the WEAP decision support system

The region of Oued Righ is considered as a poor region in terms of precipitation, which it receives less than 150 mm / year. The intensive use of groundwater has led to many problems of wastewater discharges and an excess of irrigation water, which makes an adverse impact on the environment and the rise of the water table.  Applying the WEAP software "water assessment and planning", this paper aims to develop a decision support system (DSS) to model the water resources and their uses, assessing the balance-equilibrium resources needs and analyze the future situation of the water according to different scenarios. It is observed that water use is excessive which reflected by an unmet demand and significant discharges into the canal. Otherwise, comparison between the scenarios elaborated shows a remarkable reduction in water demand and return flows to the river channel Righ. The application has been developed under Arcgis that provides an easy access to the information and offer the most suitable solutions to meet the demand and to properly manage the discharges from thewastewater and irrigation.Key-words: WEAP, water table, Scenarios, model, ArcGI

Process based model sheds light on climate sensitivity of Mediterranean tree-ring width

We use the process-based VS (Vaganov-Shashkin) model to investigate whether a regional <i>Pinus halepensis</i> tree-ring chronology from Tunisia can be simulated as a function of climate alone by employing a biological model linking day length and daily temperature and precipitation (AD 1959–2004) from a climate station to ring-width variations. We check performance of the model on independent data by a validation exercise in which the model's parameters are tuned using data for 1982–2004 and the model is applied to generate tree-ring indices for 1959–1981. The validation exercise yields a highly significant positive correlation between the residual chronology and estimated growth curve (<i>r</i>=0.76 <i>p</i><0.0001, <i>n</i>=23). The model shows that the average duration of the growing season is 191 days, with considerable variation from year to year. On average, soil moisture limits tree-ring growth for 128 days and temperature for 63 days. Model results depend on chosen values of parameters, in particular a parameter specifying a balance ratio between soil moisture and precipitation. Future work in the Mediterranean region should include multi-year natural experiments to verify patterns of cambial-growth variation suggested by the VS model

The physical modelling of complex physical structures. The mechanical clockwork / ESQUISSES Programme

International audienceThis paper deals with physical modelling and more particularly with the particle-based modelling technique used by the Cordis-Anima modeller-simulator designed by the ACROE. Our goal is to show that is possible to model a rigid articulate system with a complex geometry thanks to this technique. We chose an example of this category that seemed to us to be the most significant of this problem : a clockwork (NCL94_Conf_WS-Eurographics.pdf). This simulation of a clockwork was realized for " Tableau II - Horloge " of the visual and musical artwork ESQUISSES. The first performance of ESQUISSES was held August 31st 1993 in Chambéry, France (Acroe93_Art-Programme_ESQUISSES.pdf)

A Qualitative Analysis of Organisational Commitment in an Algerian Pharmaceutical Industry

Quiet quitting, bullshit jobs , the great resignation are recurrent words referring to disturbances increasingly observed in work life and new concepts characterizing the job market. They mainly indicate the evolution of work perception, the deterioration of work relations, and a quest for meaning among employees. In this context, this research attempts to look closely into the relationship between an organisation and its employees through a qualitative case study. This paper will first present a literature review as thoroughly as possible about the evolution of the concept of organisational commitment from the 1960s up to now; the literature review will also encompass the main antecedents and outcomes of this concept on organisational performance. Then, qualitative research following the socio-economic approach to management will be conducted in the Algerian pharmaceutical industry to grasp the complexity of the concept. A series of 38 semi-guided interviews is conducted, starting with the CEO of the company and including each Division Director and Chief of Department. The results of the research allowed us to identify several pivotal ideas that are likely to hinder organisational commitment, including the size of the premises is no longer fitted to the size of the company, which deteriorates the work environment and impedes performance; lack of work organisation and information communication following the growth of the company such as the absence of a Human Resource Management and a Management control division; centralization of decision making and communication about company objectives which contributes to a blurred role distribution; HRM practices characterized by limited career evolution option and a flawed personnel appraisal process; and finally, organisational changes put the company at challenge because of resistance to change ERP, skills shortage, skills destruction, flawed training and dissonant communication

EasySched : une architecture multi-agent pour l'ordonnancement prédictif et réactif de systèmes de production de biens en fonction de l'énergie renouvelable disponible dans un contexte industrie 4.0

International audienceIndustry 4.0 is concerned with sustainable development constraints. In this context, we propose a multi-agent architecture, named EasySched, aiming at elaborating predictive and reactive scheduling as the result of a coordination between systems producing goods and systems producing renewable energy. The validation of this architecture is original, and was conducted in a completely and physically distributed way, using networked embedded systems. This validation was done on a series of instances inspired by the literature. The results showed that EasySched succeeds in adapting the production of goods according to the available renewable energyL'industrie 4.0 s'accompagne de la prise en compte de contraintes de développement durable. Dans ce contexte, nous proposons une architecture multi-agent pour l'ordonnancement prédictif et réactif coordonné entre des systèmes de production de biens et des systèmes de production d'énergie renouvelable, appelée EasySched. La validation de cette architecture est originale, elle est menée de manière complètement et physiquement distribuée en utilisant des systèmes embarqués en réseau. Cette validation est menée sur une série d'instances inspirées de la littérature. Les résultats montrent que les mécanismes proposés permettent d'adapter la production selon l'énergie renouvelable disponible