Dielectric relaxations of nanocomposites composed of HEUR polymers and magnetite nanoparticles

We investigate the dynamics of nanocomposites composed of hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethanes (HEUR) and magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) as dry films. Weemployed dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) in combination with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermally stimulated depolarization currents (TSDC).The three techniques reveal a strong heterogeneity of the matrix of the nanocomposites, consisting of (i) a crystalline poly(ethyleneoxide) PEO bulk phase, (ii) an amorphous PEO portion, and (iii) small PEO crystallites which experience different constraints than the PEO bulk phase. TSDC and DRS reveal a very high direct current (DC)-conductivity of the pure matrix, which increases with MNPs concentration. The increase of the DCconductivity is not related to an increase of the segmental mobility, but most likely to the change of the morphology of the hydrophobic domains of the polymer matrix, due to the formation of large MNPs clusters. Indeed, the MNPs neither influence the segmental dynamics of the polymer nor the phase behavior of the polymer matrix. The addition of MNPs slightly increases the activation energy related to the γ-relaxation of the polymer. This effect might be related to the changes in nano-morphology as demonstrated by the slight increase of the degree of crystallinity. The analysis of the DRS data with the electrical modulus M’’(ω) and the derivative ε’’der formalism allow us to identify a low-frequency process in addition to the conductivity relaxation. This low-frequency dispersion is also revealed by TSDC. It is most likely related to the Maxwell-Wagner- Sillars relaxation, which typically occurs in systems which feature phase separation. The detailed investigation of the dielectric properties of these novel nanocomposites with increasing MNPs concentration will be useful for their practical application, for example as absorbers of electromagnetic waves

‘There was nothing, just absolute darkness’: Understanding the needs of those caring for children and young people with complex neurodisability in a diverse UK context: A qualitative exploration in the ENCOMPASS study

This is the final version. Available from Wiley via the DOI in this record. Background: Children and young people (CYP) with complex neurodisability experience multiple physical, communication, educational and social challenges, which require complex packages of multidisciplinary care. Part of the holistic care required includes supporting the families and parents/caregivers. The aim of the wider study was to introduce a new programme (‘Ubuntu’) to parents/caregivers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in order to test the feasibility and acceptability of the concept and content, with the goal of potential adaptation for the UK in mind. Data collection and analysis uncovered rich data on caregiving journeys, navigation of health services, and perceived service gaps. This paper focuses solely on these topics. Further papers will report on the feasibility and adaptation data. Methods: Two rounds of semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 caregivers of CYP with complex neurodisability and six HCPs from a variety of disciplines, recruited from a community child health service in London Borough of Newham, UK in 2020. The interviews included open-ended questions to explore caregiving journeys, experiences of navigating health services and perceived service gaps. Transcripts were analysed using a data-driven inductive thematic analysis. Results: Three themes were identified that related to the aim of understanding caregivers' experiences and unmet needs relating to current service provision. These were (1) Caregiver Mental Health, (2) The Information Gap and (3) The Need for Holistic Support. Mental health difficulties were reported, particularly around the period of diagnosis. Priority needs included the provision of clear information about the diagnosis and services offered, opportunities to forge peer support networks and for services across the community to collaborate. Conclusions: The delivery of health services for CYP with neurodisability should encompass the broad needs of the family as well as meeting the clinical needs of the CYPBarts Charit

Inverse association of colorectal cancer prevalence to serum levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) in a large Appalachian population

Background Perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are persistent environmental contaminants that affect metabolic regulation, inflammation, and other factors implicated in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the link between these compounds and CRC remains unknown. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the association of CRC diagnosis to PFOA and PFOS blood levels in a large Appalachian population. Methods Participants were 47,359 adults ≥ 21 years of age and residing in six PFOA-contaminated water districts in the mid-Ohio Valley (N = 47,151 cancer-free adults, 208 cases of primary CRC). All participants completed a comprehensive health survey between 2005 and 2006; serum levels of PFOA, PFOS, and a range of other blood markers were also measured. Medical history was assessed via self report and cancer diagnosis confirmed via chart review. Results CRC showed a strong inverse, dose–response association with PFOS serum levels (odds ratio (OR) adjusted for potential confounders = 0.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2,0.3) for highest vs. lowest quartile of PFOS, P-trend \u3c 0.00001) and a significant, but more modest inverse association with PFOA (adjusted OR = 0.6 (CI 0.4, 0.9) for highest vs. lowest quartile, P-trend = 0.001). These inverse associations were stronger in those diagnosed within the previous 6 years and resident in the same water district for a minimum of 10–15 years preceding assessment. The relationship between PFOA and CRC was also more pronounced in men and leaner adults, and showed a stronger linear trend at lower exposure levels. Conclusions In this large cross-sectional study, we found a strong, inverse association between PFOS and likelihood of CRC diagnosis and a significant, although more modest inverse association between PFOA and CRC. If confirmed in prospective investigations, these findings may aid in identifying new strategies for CRC prevention and treatment and inform future studies regarding mechanisms underlying CRC pathogenesis

«La relation de limitation et d’exception dans le français d’aujourd’hui : excepté, sauf et hormis comme pivots d’une relation algébrique »

L’analyse des emplois prépositionnels et des emplois conjonctifs d’ “excepté”, de “sauf” et d’ “hormis” permet d’envisager les trois prépositions/conjonctions comme le pivot d’un binôme, comme la plaque tournante d’une structure bipolaire. Placées au milieu du binôme, ces prépositions sont forcées par leur sémantisme originaire dûment métaphorisé de jouer le rôle de marqueurs d’inconséquence systématique entre l’élément se trouvant à leur gauche et celui qui se trouve à leur droite. L’opposition qui surgit entre les deux éléments n’est donc pas une incompatibilité naturelle, intrinsèque, mais extrinsèque, induite. Dans la plupart des cas (emplois limitatifs), cette opposition prend la forme d’un rapport entre une « classe » et le « membre (soustrait) de la classe », ou bien entre un « tout » et une « partie » ; dans d’autres (emplois exceptifs), cette opposition se manifeste au contraire comme une attaque de front portée par un « tout » à un autre « tout ». De plus, l’inconséquence induite mise en place par la préposition/conjonction paraît, en principe, tout à fait insurmontable. Dans l’assertion « les écureuils vivent partout, sauf en Australie » (que l’on peut expliciter par « Les écureuils vivent partout, sauf [qu’ils ne vivent pas] en Australie »), la préposition semble en effet capable d’impliquer le prédicat principal avec signe inverti, et de bâtir sur une telle implication une sorte de sous énoncé qui, à la rigueur, est totalement inconséquent avec celui qui le précède (si « les écureuils ne vivent pas en Australie », le fait qu’ils « vivent partout » est faux). Néanmoins, l’analyse montre qu’alors que certaines de ces oppositions peuvent enfin être dépassées, d’autres ne le peuvent pas. C’est, respectivement, le cas des relations limitatives et des relations exceptives. La relation limitative, impliquant le rapport « tout » - « partie », permet de résoudre le conflit dans les termes d’une somme algébrique entre deux sous énoncés pourvus de différent poids informatif et de signe contraire. Les valeurs numériques des termes de la somme étant déséquilibrées, le résultat est toujours autre que zéro. La relation exceptive, au contraire, qui n’implique pas le rapport « tout » - « partie », n’est pas capable de résoudre le conflit entre deux sous énoncés pourvus du même poids informatif et en même temps de signe contraire : les valeurs numériques des termes de la somme étant symétriques et égales, le résultat sera toujours équivalent à zéro

Dans l’ensemble : marqueur d’atténuation

Dans cet article, nous étudions ladverbial "dans lensemble" qui peut être considéré comme un marqueur datténuation au sens où il modalise la valeur de vérité dun énoncé. Cette atténuation a pour particularité de sexprimer par le biais dune approximation dont le fonctionnement doit être précisé. Dans cette perspective, nous montrons par quels biais cette approximation sétablit et partant quel processus sémantico-pragmatique est à luvre avec "dans lensemble". Il ressort de notre analyse que cette locution agit comme un modalisateur mettant en perspective les liens existant entre le sujet et le prédicat dun énoncé, ainsi que les connaissances stéréotypiques qui y sont associées. La confrontation de "dans lensemble" avec dautres expressions généralement données comme équivalentes nous permet ensuite daffiner lanalyse sémantique proposée jusqualors. Cette deuxième partie fait notamment intervenir les domaines de la généralité ("en général" / "généralement"), de lapproximation ("en gros" / "grosso modo" / "globalement") ainsi que les expressions liées à la quantification totale ("au total" / "en bloc"). Cette approche prend en compte les structures syntaxiques dans linterprétation sémantique, rendant visibles les principales différences des adverbiaux étudiés. Leffet dapproximation les rassemble dans tous les cas, tandis que latténuation ne concerne que leurs emplois dadverbes de phrase. Il est évident quune analyse fine de chacun des adverbiaux pris en compte dans cette étude, ainsi quune comparaison systématique permettrait de mettre au jour leurs différences syntactico-sémantiques et les fonctions particulières quils peuvent remplir

Women and Peace Negotiations in Cyprus

The integration of a gender agenda in the peace negotiations in Cyprus has been elusive over the five decades. However, it is only since the late 2000s that civil society and international observers have problematized this lack and attempted to address it through various initiatives. These have included local and international efforts to mobilize Cypriot women across the divide around an agenda based on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security, which led to the formation of the Gender Advisory Team in 2009. They have also included research efforts by local and international organizations and think tanks to document the extent to women’s inclusion in the peace process on the island. These efforts eventually led to the setup of the Technical Committee on Gender Equality which is attached to the peace negotiations since 2015, but the impact of which has remained marginal. One of the key problems frustrating the integration of a gender agenda in the peace negotiations remains the fact that despite great advances in both societies north and south of the dividing line in many areas of gender equality, the hard politics relating to the Cyprus conflict and its resolution remain contentious and politically perilous to oppose while also being discursively disconnected from perceptions of “gender” and feminist concerns