Etude des opinions partagées dans des situations relationnelles variées

The Study of Shared Opinions in Varied Relational Situations – The Multiple-Association Methodology: This article examines the manner in which actors manage to form an opinion concerning certain aspects of AIDS, supposing that opinions are the product of interaction and not isolated acts. Cognitive and normative references are involved, but in societies of cultural diversity, an actor can be associated with different reference systems. Thus, we have adopted a structural approach for developing a theoretical model and a research protocol to study the (trans)formation of actor opinions associated with different relational contexts. The communicational convergence model we have adopted has led us to a survey tool capable of collecting information on actor opinions and the relational processes that produced them by comparing an actor’s opinions formulated in two different situations. The data were analyzed at the individual level, at the dyade level and at the triad level, showing the influence of socio-metric structures on the versatility of opinions.L’article s’intéresse à la manière dont les acteurs parviennent à se former une opinion sur certains aspects du SIDA, en supposant que les opinions sont produites ou reproduites dans les interactions et non dans les têtes d’acteurs isolés les uns des autres. Cette formation relationnelle des opinions mobilise des références cognitives et normatives. Mais dans une société marquée par la diversité « culturelle », il se peut qu’un acteur appartienne à des groupes aux références hétérogènes. Nous avons donc adopté une perspective structurale en formulant un modèle théorique ainsi qu’un protocole de recherche empirique qui permettent d’étudier la (trans)formation des opinions d’un acteur situé à l’intersection de contextes relationnels dont les contenus cognitifs et normatifs divergent. Le modèle de convergence communicationnelle formulé nous a conduit à l’élaboration d’une méthode d’enquête capable de capter à la fois le contenu des opinions des acteurs et les processus relationnels au sein desquels ces opinions sont produites, en comparant les opinions d’un même acteur formées dans deux situations de discussion différentes. Les données ainsi collectées ont pu être analysées au niveau individuel - se prêtant à une analyse classique de la structure des opinions - mais aussi au niveau de la dyade - elles permettent une analyse relationnelle de la formation d’opinions convergentes - et enfin, au niveau de la triade où elles révèlent les effets des structures sociométriques sur la versatilité des opinions

Carbon nanotubes filled with continuous ferromagnetic -Fe nanowires and surface- functionalized with paramagnetic Gd(III): A candidate magnetic hyperthermia structure and MRI contrast agent

PhDThe main goal of this project was the development of carbon nanotubes as a candidate for dual-functioning magnetic hyperthermia structure and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent. This was achieved by lling carbon nanotubes with continuous ferromagnetic -Fe nanowires and surface functionalized with paramagnetic Gd(III). Also, length control of both nanotube and nanowire was investigated. Firstly, a low vapour flow-rate and constant evaporation temperature chemical vapour deposition method based on the thermal decomposition of ferrocene was employed which achieved continuous -Fe nanowires on the same scale as the nanotube for lengths >10 m without the necessity of post-synthesis heat-treatment or introduction of other precursor elements. The low vapour flow-rate regime has the advantage of sustaining the intrinsic temperature gradient at the tip of the forming structure which drives the vapour feedstock to the growth front to guarantee continuous nanowire formation. For initially mixed-phase nanowires of length less than 10 m, the continuous -Fe nanowires were achieved by postsynthesis heat treatment. Secondly, a simple wet chemical method involving only sonication in aqueous GdCl3 solution was used for surface functionalization of iron-fi lled multiwalled carbon nanotubes with gadolinium. Functional groups on the sidewalls produced by the sonication provide active nucleation sites for the loading of Gd3+ ions. Characterization by electron paramagnetic resonance, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy con rmed the presence of Gd3+ ions on the sidewall surface. The ferromagnetic properties of the encapsulated iron nanowire maintained after surface functionalization. At room temperature a saturation magnetization of 40 emu/g and a coercivity of 600 Oe were observed. Heating functionality in an alternating applied magnetic eld was quanti ed through the measurement of speci c absorption rate: 50 W/gFe and the intrinsic loss power: 1.12 nHm2kg��1 at magnetic eld strength 8 kA/m and frequency of 696 kHz. These structures exhibited an extremely high relaxivity r1 200 mM��1 s��1 at high magnetic field (9.4 T).Engineering and Physical Science Research Council, UK

Etude des opinions partagées dans des situations relationnelles variées

The Study of Shared Opinions in Varied Relational Situations – The Multiple-Association Methodology: This article examines the manner in which actors manage to form an opinion concerning certain aspects of AIDS, supposing that opinions are the product of interaction and not isolated acts. Cognitive and normative references are involved, but in societies of cultural diversity, an actor can be associated with different reference systems. Thus, we have adopted a structural approach for developing a theoretical model and a research protocol to study the (trans)formation of actor opinions associated with different relational contexts. The communicational convergence model we have adopted has led us to a survey tool capable of collecting information on actor opinions and the relational processes that produced them by comparing an actor’s opinions formulated in two different situations. The data were analyzed at the individual level, at the dyade level and at the triad level, showing the influence of socio-metric structures on the versatility of opinions.L’article s’intéresse à la manière dont les acteurs parviennent à se former une opinion sur certains aspects du SIDA, en supposant que les opinions sont produites ou reproduites dans les interactions et non dans les têtes d’acteurs isolés les uns des autres. Cette formation relationnelle des opinions mobilise des références cognitives et normatives. Mais dans une société marquée par la diversité « culturelle », il se peut qu’un acteur appartienne à des groupes aux références hétérogènes. Nous avons donc adopté une perspective structurale en formulant un modèle théorique ainsi qu’un protocole de recherche empirique qui permettent d’étudier la (trans)formation des opinions d’un acteur situé à l’intersection de contextes relationnels dont les contenus cognitifs et normatifs divergent. Le modèle de convergence communicationnelle formulé nous a conduit à l’élaboration d’une méthode d’enquête capable de capter à la fois le contenu des opinions des acteurs et les processus relationnels au sein desquels ces opinions sont produites, en comparant les opinions d’un même acteur formées dans deux situations de discussion différentes. Les données ainsi collectées ont pu être analysées au niveau individuel - se prêtant à une analyse classique de la structure des opinions - mais aussi au niveau de la dyade - elles permettent une analyse relationnelle de la formation d’opinions convergentes - et enfin, au niveau de la triade où elles révèlent les effets des structures sociométriques sur la versatilité des opinions

Design and fabrication of a microfluidic device for synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Chitosan nanoparticles have a biodegradable, biocompatible, nontoxic structure, and are commonly used for drug delivery systems. In this study, design, modeling, and fabrication methodology of a microfluidic device for the synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles is presented. In the modeling, 2D flow and concentration field is computed using COMSOL Multiphysics® simulation environment to predict the performance of the device. The microfluidic chip is fabricated out of PDMS. The fabrication of the mold for the microfluidic device is performed using high-precision micromachining. Some preliminary proof-of-concept experiments were performed. It was observed that compared to conventional batch-type methods, the proposed microfluidic device can perform the synthesis much faster and in a much automated and convenient manner. Copyright © 2013 by ASME

The impact of UV-C irradiation on spoilage microorganisms and colour of orange juice

The effect of UV-C irradiation on inactivation of spoilage microorganisms and colour of freshly squeezed orange juice were investigated. Orange juice samples were intentionally fermented in order to increase the natural microflora which were mostly composed of yeasts and then exposed to UV-C irradiation at an intensity level of 1.32 mW/cm2 and sample depth of 0.153 cm for several exposure times by using a collimated beam apparatus. Applied UV dose was in the range of 0 and 108.42 mJ/cm2. Resistance of yeast to UV light and existence of suspended particles limited the effectiveness of the process. Survival data obtained for yeasts was either described by the Weibull or traditional first-order model and goodness-of-fit of these models was investigated. Weibull model produced a better fit to the data with higher adjusted determination coefficient (R2 adj) and lower mean square error (MSE) values which were 0.99 and 0.003, respectively. Time and UV dose of first decimal reduction were obtained as 5.7 min and 31 mJ/cm2, respectively. The data suggests that biodosimetric studies performed by using inoculated microorganisms for assesment of the efficiency of UV irradiation treatment in the shelf life extension of juices must be carefully evaluated. UV-C irradiation had no influence on the colour of orange juice.Izmir Institute of Technology (2008IYTE19

Light-assisted hierarchical fabrication of two-dimensional surfaces using DNA-functionalized semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots

The development of novel strategies for self-assembly in the field of nanotechnology has witnessed remarkable progress in recent years. Here, we present a DNA-driven programmable self-assembly to fabricate the targeted nanophotonic structures. The exploitation of the programmable properties of DNA and the unique optical properties of QDs unfolds the ability to engineer complex nanostructures with laser irradiation. The main advantages of this method are the precise interaction of colloidal quantum dots (QDs)/nanoparticles (NPs) with the substrate and its reversibility in tuning the temperature of the medium. Two-dimensional (2D) hierarchical patterns of QD-ssDNA (ss-single stranded) conjugates were formed over the amine-ssDNA (NH-ssDNA complementary to the ssDNA conjugated with QDs) coated glass substrates using the laser (green laser light) radiation for3 or4 h. The localised heating effect of laser created a dark spot on the substrate where the laser was irradiated. The optical microscopy images confirmed the effect of laser irradiation on the coating behaviour of QD-ssDNA conjugates on the substrate. Further, green-emitting QD-ssDNA were coated onto the hole created by laser radiation over the red-emitting QD-ssDNA-coated substrate. The optical properties of DNA-functionalized QDs can be actively controlled on the complementary DNA-functionalized glass surface by an external optical excitation. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of light-driven self-assembly as a powerful tool for fabricating desired nanostructures of DNA-QD conjugates. This technique holds promise for various applications, including the development of advanced optical devices, nanophotonic circuits, and bioengineering systems

Comparison of Water Quality Program Efforts for Non-Governmental Organizations Within Northern Gulf of Mexico Watersheds

Non-governmental organizations concerned with water quality issues within the Northern Gulf of Mexico were surveyed to compare their program differences. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent of water quality programs and priority program emphasis for non-governmental organizations in the Northern Gulf of Mexico. The study utilized a methodology that identified the program elements of four different watersheds in four southeastern states. The results demonstrate that evaluating non-governmental program efforts in a region reveals targeted priorities that may help to define future program needs

Microfluidic device for synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles

Chitosan nanoparticles have a biodegradable, biocompatible, non-toxic structure, and commonly used for drug delivery systems. In this paper, simulation of a microfluidic device for the synthesis of chitosan nanoparticle is presented. The flow filed together with the concentration field within the microchannel network is simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics® simulation environment. Different microchannel geometries are analyzed, and the mixing performance of these configurations are compared. As a result, a 3D design for a microfluidics platform which includes four channel each of which performs the synthesis in parallel is proposed. Future research directions regarding the fabrication of the microfluidic device and experimentation phase are addressed and discussed. Copyright © 2013 by ASME

Pulmonary Sequestration Infant with Unusual Presentation: A Case Report

Background: Pulmonary sequestration (PS) is characterized by a separate segment of the lung that receives anomalous vascular supply separate from the pulmonary arteries. Here we report the case of a 4-year-old girl with dyspnea and recurrent pneumonia who was finally diagnosed as a case of PS. Case presentation: A 4-year-old girl was admitted to Imam-Reza hospital, Mashhad city, Iran, with a history of coughing and dyspnea from two years ago. On the CXR, consolidation can be seen in the left lower lobe. As there was a high likelihood of aspiration or pneumonia following her past medical history, the patient underwent bronchoscopy. More investigation with HRCT revealed vascular anomaly. CMRI (Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging) showed no cardiac abnormality. More findings showed a large collateral artery originated from left lateral side of abdominal aorta. This collateral artery went upward to the LLLL (the Lower Lobe of Left Lung) and anastomosed directly with two large posterior segmental tributary of the left lung pulmonary veins. Hyper-vascular pattern of both lungs was also observed in the MRI. Conclusion: To avoid misdiagnosis, PS should be considered in differential diagnosis in infants with chronic cough and dyspnea. These patients should be referred to a tertiary center to receive appropriate treatment

Iron-filled multiwalled carbon nanotubes surface-functionalized with paramagnetic Gd (III): A candidate dual-functioning MRI contrast agent and magnetic hyperthermia structure

The authors are grateful for the financial support from the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council, UK