European Integration and Social Convergence: A Qualitative Appraisal

Although with the Maastricht Treaty, European construction took a remarkable step forward, the robust pillar of the single currency started to shake the other one: the social welfare systems. The main goal of this contribution is to study the evolution of Social Protection in Europe by questioning the existence of a convergence between the different social welfare systems and the impact of the Treaty of Maastricht on this process. The evolution of the social protection concept in Europe, the reforms implemented in the most important domains of social protection: pensions, health and employment are analyzed. A common philosophy clearly appears. The welfare State is receding, calling more and more upon market mechanisms. Furthermore, the traditional binary typology is changing and countries are becoming more similar in their financing methods. We can thus say that a process of social convergence seems well and truly underway in the European Union.Welfare-state, Social welfare, Convergence, European Union

High-resolution photoelectron-spectroscopic investigation of the H2_2O+^+ cation in its A~+{\mathrm {\tilde A^+}} electronic state

The photoelectron spectrum of water has been recorded in the vicinity of the ${\mathrm {\tilde A^+}}$ $\leftarrow$ $\tilde{\mathrm{X}}$ transition between 112 000 and 116 000 cm$^{-1}$ (13.89-14.38 eV). The high-resolution allowed the observation of the rotational structure of several bands. Rotational assignments of the transitions involving the $\Pi(080)$, $\Sigma(070)$ and $\Pi(060)$ vibronic states of the $\tilde{\mathrm{A}}^+$ electronic state are deduced from previous studies of the $\tilde{\mathrm{A}}^+ - \tilde{\mathrm{X}}^+$ band system of H$_2$O$^+$ (Lew, Can. J. Phys. 54, 2028 (1976) and Huet et al., J. Chem. Phys. 107, 5645 (1997)) and photoionization selection rules. The transition to the $\Sigma(030)$ vibronic state is tentatively assigned.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Working Paper 94 - Des inégalités de genre à l’indice de qualité de vie des femmes

S’appuyant sur l’approche de Sen en termes de capabilités et sur une méthode d’agrégation issue de la théorie des ensembles flous, l’article tente de dépasser les principales critiques adressés aux indices ISDH et IPF du PNUD dans l’analyse des inégalités de genre. Le premier est un indice pur d’inégalités, fondé sur l’indice de Gini, et adresse les critiques liées au concept « d’inégalités » dans les indices du PNUD. Le second, l’indice sexospécifique de désavantage des femmes (ISDF) est indépendant du développement humain puisqu’il ne s’appuie que sur des ratios. De plus, il ne saisit que les inégalités à l’encontre des femmes alors que dans l’ISDH, les écarts de genre sont traités de manière symétrique. Le troisième, l’indice relatif de désavantage des femmes (IRDF) adresse la critique liée à l’inclusion du revenu dans les indices du PNUD. Il est décomposable en trois domaines (santé, éducation, participation) et exclut tout indicateur monétaire. Ces trois indices apportent des informations différentes pour l’analyse des inégalités de genre. Ils sont complétés par un quatrième indice, celui de la qualité de vie des femmes (QVF). Ce dernier indice est construit à partir d’indicateurs concernant uniquement les femmes et les enfants. Il est cependant fortement corrélé aux indices d’inégalités de genre.

Ecological restoration of European flat oysters in the German Bight

Several marine ecosystems currently face severe degradation, in the form of habitat loss. As a consequence, humans are undertaking initiatives to restore species and habitats to restore and preserve ecosystem services and functions. Although there have been many initiatives to restock commercial marine species for fisheries and aquaculture, the restoration of marine habitats is a relatively new discipline. To recover ecosystem conditions that maintain their structure and function, ecological restoration was conducted and implemented by the Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung (AWI) and the Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) for re-establishing lost and ecologically relevant biogenic oyster reefs in the frame of marine conservation measures in the German North Sea. From 2016 to 2019, the AWI-led and BfN-funded RESTORE project actively investigated the technical and biological feasibility of restoration, from which this thesis originates. In this context, three key topics (and their associated subtopics), relevant for the development of a successful restoration programme, are addressed in this thesis: I) Oyster supply - How can we provide ecological restoration efforts with substantial amounts of appropriate Ostrea edulis seeds (i.e. gametes, larvae and spat)? Which production techniques and knowledge exist? Which are appropriate for restoration? II) Supply of essential settlement substrate for the oyster life cycle - Which types of substrate to use in accordance with biological traits of O. edulis? Which types of substrate to use in accordance with legislative restrictions? III) Biosecurity aspects of oyster restoration - How to avoid the transfer of pathogens or invasive species during ecological restoration projects (focusing on seed production and substrate transfer)

Effet du Microcredit sur la Probabilite d’autonomisation des Femmes en Côte d’ivore

L’objectif de ce papier est d’évaluer l’impact du microcrédit sur l’autonomisation des femmes en Côte d’Ivoire. Pour ce faire, nous estimons les données issues de l’Enquête Niveau de Vie (ENV 2015) à partir de la méthode d’appariement sur le score de propension (PSM) et celle basée sur la pondération inverse des probabilités (IPWA). Les résultats issus des estimations indiquent globalement que l’accès au microcrédit a eu un impact négatif et significatif sur l’autonomisation des femmes en Côte d’Ivoire. Cela pourrait s’expliquer par les sources par lesquels les femmes accèdent au financement de leurs activités, et aussi par l’instabilité des secteurs d’activités dans lesquels ces femmes opèrent. Ces résultats soulignent l'importance pour les institutions d’améliorer les conditions d’accès des femmes au microcrédit, et de mettre en œuvre une stratégie d’accompagnement des bénéficiaires.   The objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of microcredit on the empowerment of women in Côte d'Ivoire. To do this, we estimate the data from the Standard of Living Survey (ENV 2015) using the propensity score matching method (PSM) and that based on the inverse probability weighting (IPWA). The results from the estimates generally indicate that access to microcredit has had a negative and significant impact on the empowerment of women in Côte d'Ivoire. This could be explained by the sources through which women access financing for their activities, and also by the instability of the sectors of activity in which these women operate. These results underscore the importance for institutions to improve the conditions for women's access to microcredit, and to implement a support strategy for beneficiaries

Ecological restoration of European flat oysters in the German Bight

Several marine ecosystems currently face severe degradation, in the form of habitat loss. As a consequence, humans are undertaking initiatives to restore species and habitats to restore and preserve ecosystem services and functions. Although there have been many initiatives to restock commercial marine species for fisheries and aquaculture, the restoration of marine habitats is a relatively new discipline. To recover ecosystem conditions that maintain their structure and function, ecological restoration was conducted and implemented by the Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung (AWI) and the Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) for re-establishing lost and ecologically relevant biogenic oyster reefs in the frame of marine conservation measures in the German North Sea. From 2016 to 2019, the AWI-led and BfN-funded RESTORE project actively investigated the technical and biological feasibility of restoration, from which this thesis originates. In this context, three key topics (and their associated subtopics), relevant for the development of a successful restoration programme, are addressed in this thesis: I) Oyster supply - How can we provide ecological restoration efforts with substantial amounts of appropriate Ostrea edulis seeds (i.e. gametes, larvae and spat)? Which production techniques and knowledge exist? Which are appropriate for restoration? II) Supply of essential settlement substrate for the oyster life cycle - Which types of substrate to use in accordance with biological traits of O. edulis? Which types of substrate to use in accordance with legislative restrictions? III) Biosecurity aspects of oyster restoration - How to avoid the transfer of pathogens or invasive species during ecological restoration projects (focusing on seed production and substrate transfer)? A review paper on the reproductive biology of O. edulis and on existing seed production techniques relevant for aquaculture and restoration (Chapter I) provides the knowledge basis for successful production, tailored to the demands of ecological restoration. It reviews four majour seed production processes of O. edulis, discusses them in the context of different aquaculture and ecological restoration scenarios (e.g. techniques to minimise disease transmission, or to manage genetic variability), and identifies critical knowledge gaps that need to be closed to facilitate stable and substantial O. edulis seed production. Twenty substrate types are evaluated in the context of seed supply in natural environments (to enhance recruitment in the field) as well as in hatchery seed production (Chapter II). The approach is complementary (in situ and in vitro tests) and shows clear differences in settlement preferences of O. edulis larvae in relation to substrate type and environment. The results indicate that substrate selection (for practicioners) is essential to optimise O. edulis restoration practices. Biosecurity measures are investigated for the substrate supply chain (Chapter III) as well as for hatchery production (Chapter IV). The lack of established and recognised practical measures regarding the potential risks of translocations of non-native species, diseases and/or pests highlights the early stage of ecological restoration in Europe. A new method for sorting and processing shell substrate from France for restoration projects in Germany is presented here. Based on different treatments, first conclusions are drawn and future research directions suggested for the practice of importing shells for re-establishment at sea

Effet du Microcredit sur la Probabilite d’autonomisation des Femmes en Côte d’ivore

L’objectif de ce papier est d’évaluer l’impact du microcrédit sur l’autonomisation des femmes en Côte d’Ivoire. Pour ce faire, nous estimons les données issues de l’Enquête Niveau de Vie (ENV 2015) à partir de la méthode d’appariement sur le score de propension (PSM) et celle basée sur la pondération inverse des probabilités (IPWA). Les résultats issus des estimations indiquent globalement que l’accès au microcrédit a eu un impact négatif et significatif sur l’autonomisation des femmes en Côte d’Ivoire. Cela pourrait s’expliquer par les sources par lesquels les femmes accèdent au financement de leurs activités, et aussi par l’instabilité des secteurs d’activités dans lesquels ces femmes opèrent. Ces résultats soulignent l'importance pour les institutions d’améliorer les conditions d’accès des femmes au microcrédit, et de mettre en œuvre une stratégie d’accompagnement des bénéficiaires.   The objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of microcredit on the empowerment of women in Côte d'Ivoire. To do this, we estimate the data from the Standard of Living Survey (ENV 2015) using the propensity score matching method (PSM) and that based on the inverse probability weighting (IPWA). The results from the estimates generally indicate that access to microcredit has had a negative and significant impact on the empowerment of women in Côte d'Ivoire. This could be explained by the sources through which women access financing for their activities, and also by the instability of the sectors of activity in which these women operate. These results underscore the importance for institutions to improve the conditions for women's access to microcredit, and to implement a support strategy for beneficiaries

Bibliothèque et ses livres numérisés : quels critères objectivables pour évaluer un dispositif de lecture ? Volume 1 (La)

Mémoire de fin d\u27étude du diplôme de conservateur, promotion 23, étudiant les conditions d\u27une expérience de lecture numérique réussie à travers l\u27évaluation des divers dispositifs et interfaces mis à la disposition des lecteurs par les bibliothèques

Aquaculture as a tool to support goby‐fry fishery? Current knowledge on biology and ecology of the red‐tailed goby Sicyopterus lagocephalus

Sicydiinae species are amphidromous gobies, adults spawn in freshwater, whereas free embryos undergo a pelagic open sea phase. Post-larvae or juveniles are caught for human consumption when entering in freshwater after their pelagic larvae life in seawater. Such goby-fry fisheries are existing since centuries and widespread in tropical areas over the world. There are uncertainties related to caught volumes and trends but, overall, go-fry fisheries are declining and their sustainability is questionable. Aquaculture is a potential tool in conservation and management of wild goby stocks. Among Sicydiinae species, the red-tailed goby Sicyopterus lagocephalus is the most spread and used as a model species in numerous works involving amphidromous fish. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential in aquaculture of the red-tailed goby through the analysis of the literature available on this species. We found that this species has some assets to be a potential candidate for aquaculture such as a short production cycle and a high fecundity as well as potential high market values. Nevertheless, given the small size at hatching and the long pelagic larval life, larval rearing is likely to be a challenging rearing phase but appears to be feasible based on past experiences with other goby species. Throughout the paper, we provided recommendations for future research in red-tailed goby aquaculture