Original Conductive Nano-Co3O4 Investigated as Electrode Material for Hybrid Supercapacitors

Cobalt oxides have been extensively used as conductive additives for Ni-MH batteries. We report in this paper the performances of an original nanometric cobalt oxide, close to Co3O4, as electrode material for hybrid supercapacitors. This spinel type phase contains hydrogen, lithium, cobalt vacancies, and especially Co4þ ions within the structure, leading to a high electronic conductivity. Cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy measurements show interesting capacitance (320 F/g in 8M-KOH), as well as good electrochemical cycling with a small amount of carbon black (5%)

Conjugalité et fécondité des femmes canadiennes : un modèle dynamique estimé à l’aide d’une série de coupes transversales

En économie du travail, un nombre croissant de propositions sont formulées en termes dynamiques. Pour tester ces propositions, on doit idéalement disposer de données longitudinales ou, tout au moins, rétrospectives. Cependant, des études récentes ont démontré que des données provenant de coupes transversales répétées dans le temps peuvent être utilisées pour estimer des modèles dynamiques. Suivant une approche proposée par Moffitt (1990, 1993), on construit un modèle markovien avec variables dépendantes discrètes pour analyser les décisions de formation des couples et de fécondité de rang un, deux et trois des femmes canadiennes. Ce modèle est estimé à l’aide de données tirées de l’Enquête sur les finances des consommateurs, une enquête ponctuelle répétée dans le temps.In labor economics, an increasing number of assertions are set out in dynamic terms. Ideally, panel data — or, at least, retrospective data — must be used to test these assertions. However, recent studies have shown that data taken from a time series of cross sections can be used to estimate dynamic models. Following Moffitt (1990, 1993), a markovian model with discrete dependent variables is set up to analyze the marriage and fertility decisions of Canadian women. The model is estimated with data taken from the Survey of Consumer Finances, a cross sectional survey repeated over time with different samples

Revisiting the Jurassic Geomagnetic Reversal recorded in the Lesotho Basalt (Southern Africa)

We carried out a detailed and continuous paleomagnetic sampling of the reversed to normal geomagnetic transition recorded by some 60 consecutive flow units near the base of the Lesotho Basalt (183  1 Ma). After alternating field or thermal cleaning the directions of remanence are generally well clustered within flow units. In contrast, the thermal instability of the samples did not allow to obtain reliable paleointensity determinations. The geomagnetic transition is incompletely recorded due to a gap in volcanic activity attested both by eolian deposits and a large angular distance between the field directions of the flows underlying or overlying these deposits. The transition path is noticeably different from that reported in the pioneer work of van Zijl et al. (1962). The most transitional Virtual Geomagnetic Poles are observed after the volcanic hiatus. Once continents are replaced in their relative position 180 Ma ago, the post-hiatus VGP cluster over Russia. However, two successive rebounds from that cluster are found, with VGP reaching repeatedly Eastern Asia coast. Thus, the VGP path is not narrowly constrained in paleolongitude. The decrease in intensity of magnetization as the field deviates from the normal or reversed direction suggests that the decrease in field magnitude during the reversal reached 80-90%. We conclude that although the reversal is of a dipole of much weaker moment than that which existed on average during Cenozoic time, the characteristics of the reversing geodynamo seem to be basically similar.Comment: Paper No GD124 submitted to Geophysical Journal International. Received in original form 20/01/2003, accepted 09/04/200

Perceptions of and responses to coastal erosion risks:The case of Cotonou in Benin

Intensive erosion has affected the coastal zone of Cotonou for several decades. An analysis of satellite images showed an average coastline retreat of 115 m in the study area over the period 2002–2013 with several hundred houses destroyed. Since 2014, a stabilisation of the coastline is observed. This study aimed at identifying the atrisk population and at analysing the perceptions of people who experience and those who manage coastal erosion risk, as well as the responses adopted. Based on four criteria and their hierarchy, we identified five profiles of inhabitants in this risk zone. (1) Wealthy people who leave the zone when they are affected or (2) fall into the category of people in danger in case they cannot migrate. (3) Fishermen who deliberately stay near the sea. (4) The most precarious people, trapped in the risk zone. Finally, (5) poor newcomers who continually increase the at-risk population. With the recent stabilisation of the coastline, the national authorities manage the “hazard” component of the risk. However, the majority of the population is not serene. The anthropogenic stress linked to evictions gradually replaced the stress to be engulfed by the sea. We conclude that the “vulnerability” component of the risk is not yet resolved. All categories of the population in this sensitive area need to be secured. Cooperation among multiple levels of governance, the application of land use planning regulations and of the Kampala Convention and the involvement of local communities are all measures which will enable to meet this objective

Signs of spatial neglect in unilateral peripheral vestibulopathy

Background and purpose In this study, the question of whether egocentric representation of space is impaired in chronic unilateral vestibulopathies was examined. The objective was to test current theories attributing a predominant role to vestibular afferents in spatial cognition and to assess whether representational neglect signs are common in peripheral vestibular loss. Methods The subjective straight-ahead (SSA) direction was investigated using a horizontal rod allowing the translation and rotation components of the body midline representation to be dissociated in 21 patients with unilateral vestibular loss (right, 13; left, eight) and in 12 healthy controls. Results Compared to the controls, the patients with unilateral vestibulopathy showed a translation bias of their SSA, without rotation bias. The translation bias was not lateralized towards the lesioned side as typically found for biases reported after unilateral vestibular loss. Rather, the SSA bias was rightward whatever the side of the vestibular loss. The translation bias correlated with the vestibular loss, as measured by caloric response and vestibulo-ocular reflex gain, but not with the subjective visual vertical or the residual spontaneous nystagmus. Conclusion The present data suggest that the dysfunctions of neural networks involved in egocentred and allocentred representations of space are differentially compensated for in unilateral vestibular defective patients. In particular, they suggest that asymmetrical vestibular inputs to cortical regions lead to representational spatial disturbances as does defective cortical processing of vestibular inputs in spatial neglect after right hemisphere stroke. They also highlight the predominant role of symmetrical and unaltered vestibular inputs in spatial cognition

Critical Dialogue Developing Critical Consciousness: The Cornerstone of Social Work Group Practice

There has been an increased focus on addressing health inequities through interventions that utilize critical consciousness and community organizing. However, little guidance has been provided on how to incorporate critical dialogue about oppression to develop critical consciousness as a therapeutic tool to mobilize marginalized groups in addressing social determinants of health and other sociopolitical inequities implicated in personal and interpersonal distress. This paper describes the critical dialogue component of an innovative, manualized, multilevel, behavioral health, group intervention, Community Wise. Community Wise consists of 15, two-hour group sessions, delivered weekly and designed to reduce substance use frequency, HIV/HCV risk behaviors, and reoffending among formerly incarcerated individuals by increasing critical consciousness in the community. Community Wise uses critical dialogue to develop critical consciousness. The critical dialogue sessions consist of group meetings where formerly incarcerated individuals with a history of substance use disorder reflect and engage in dialogue to develop a deeper understanding of how marginalizing processes (e.g., structural and internalized racism, sexism, classism) impact their lives and behavior. This paper details the critical dialogue intervention component illustrated by quotes and examples extracted from voice recordings of intervention groups conducted during the pilot test of Community Wise. This paper provides a descriptive guide for clinicians and the requisite facilitation tools to add the critical dialogue component to any social work group practice.National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (R01MD010629) Dr. Liliane Windsor National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (3R01MD010629-04S1)Ope

SR120819A, an orally-active and selective neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor antagonist

AbstractAn orally-active antagonist of neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y1 receptors, SR 120819A, has been characterized. This compound displays highly selective and competitive affinity for rat, guinea-pig and human (Ki = 15 nM) NPY Y1 receptors. In vitro, SR 120819A blocks the inhibitory effect of NPY on adenylyl cyclase activity in human SK-N-MC cells and that of the selective Y1 agonist, [Leu31,Pro34]NPY, on rabbit vas deferens contraction (pA2 = 7.20 ± 0.07). In vivo, by intravenous route, this compound acts as an antagonist in anesthetized guinea-pigs and, notably, after oral administration, SR 120819A counteracts the pressor response of [Leu31,Pro34]NPY (5 μg/kg i.v.) with a long duration of action (>4 h at 5 mg/kg p.o.). Thus, SR 120819A is the first orally-effective NPY Y1 receptor antagonist yet descrobed. It could be a useful tool for exploring the role of NPY and the therapeutic relevance of an antagonist at NPY Y1 receptors

Combined Influences of Gm and HLA Phenotypes upon Multiple Sclerosis Susceptibility and Severity

In some Caucasian populations, multiple sclerosis (MS) susceptibility has been independently related to given alleles of HLA or Gm systems that respectively code for major histocompatibility complex class I and II antigens or immunoglobulin G heavy chains. Whether given combinations of alleles at both series of loci simultaneously influence MS susceptibility and/or severity was investigated by comparing 147 French MS patients and 226 geographically-matched healthy controls. The G2m(-23)/HLA-B35 phenotype and Glm(-1)/HLA-B7(-)/HLA-DR2 phenotype were respectively associated with significant protection against (relative risk = 0.05) and susceptibility to (relative risk = 4.3) MS. When considering MS severity, the presence of HLA-B7 antigen correlated with a more severe disease in Gm1/Gm3 heterozygous patients, but not in Gm3/Gm3 homozygous patients. Conversely, an HLA-B12-associated milder disease was restricted to Gm3/Gm3 homozygotes. These results demonstrate the combined influence on MS of genetic loci that are unlinked but immune response-associated. Combined Gm and HLA typing is very likely able to serve as a prognostic indicator in this disease

Introduction

0.1. Protection des sols et services écosystémiques, la nécessité d’une reconsidération épistémologique Liliane Icher, Bastien Alidor Une réflexion épistémologique semble être un préalable indispensable à toute étude académique, mais elle a paru encore plus nécessaire à l’écriture du présent ouvrage. D’abord parce qu’il s’agit d’un ouvrage collectif et ensuite parce que la recherche s’est voulue interdisciplinaire. Tout en conse..