Investigating word recognition in intercomprehension: methods and findings

in Linguistics (in press)

Numerical modelling of ground temperature evolution and soil subsidence as a result of underground coal fire

in Australian Geomechanics Journal (in press)

What do latest Famennian and Misissippian miospores from South American diamictites tell us?

in Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments (in press)

Hollow Cylinder Tests on Boom Clay: Modelling of Strain Localization in the Anisotropic Excavation Damaged Zone

in Rock Mechanic and Rock Engineering (in press)

Carrying capacity of stainless steel columns in the low slenderness range.

in Journal of Structural Engineering (in press)

The strength of thin-walled stainless steel columns has been investigated extensively over the past few years. In European standards, the concept of section classification for determining the cross ... [more ▼]

The strength of thin-walled stainless steel columns has been investigated extensively over the past few years. In European standards, the concept of section classification for determining the cross-section capacity is used. In this system, for Class 4 cross-sections, the Effective Width Method (EWM) must be used to account for the effect of local buckling. Because of the complexity and limitations of this method, other methods have been developed, such as the Direct Strength Method (DSM) for cold-formed thin-walled profiles and the Continuous Strength Method (CSM), initially established for members made of nonlinear metallic materials. In the CSM, to take advantage of strain hardening, a deformation-based design approach employing a continuous relationship between the cross-sectional slenderness and the cross-sectional deformation capacity is used. To a large extent, the CSM yield accurate predictions, especially in the low slenderness range where the current DSM design procedures for members submitted to pure compression tends to produce conservative predictions, for materials with pronounced strain hardening such as stainless steel alloys. The present paper presents an extension of the traditional DSM which provides accurate design strength predictions in the low slenderness range for stainless steel thin-walled section columns failing by distortional, local and overall buckling. It contains practical information concerning the reference experimental data and draws conclusions about the justification of the proposed analytical formula. The paper is divided into three main parts: the description of the database, the establishment of the design model and a reliability analysis of the method. [less ▲]

Arsinoe II come dea attraverso le sue epiclesi cultuali

in Athenaeum : Studii Periodici di Letteratura e Storia (in press), 101.II

Dopo una introduzione storica e storiografica sul significato dei culti regali ellenistici, l’intervento esamina alcuni dei nomi divini attribuiti ad Arsinoe II nelle fonti letterarie e documentarie, con ... [more ▼]

Dopo una introduzione storica e storiografica sul significato dei culti regali ellenistici, l’intervento esamina alcuni dei nomi divini attribuiti ad Arsinoe II nelle fonti letterarie e documentarie, con l’eccezione dell’epiclesi esclusiva Philadelphos. Scopo della ricerca è 1) una valutazione delle strategie di inserimento della nuova dea nel pantheon tradizionale; 2) una riflessione sull’autoconsapevolezza degli antichi in relazione alla propria tradizione religiosa, per come essa si manifesta attraverso l’oculata manipolazione di un elemento essenziale nella definizione della divinità, qual è il nome divino. Un’Appendice elenca, in tre tabelle, tutte le denominazioni greche di Arsinoe II (esclusa Philadelphos), fornendo indicazioni sulla fonte, la sua collocazione spaziale e temporale e sulla divinità tradizionale di riferimento. [less ▲]

Postérités politiques du jugement réfléchissant esthétique. Kant, d’Arendt à Rancière

in MethIS : Méthodes et Interdisciplinarité en Sciences Humaines (in press), 4

Cet article concerne le concept de réflexion et son importance pour la philosophie de l’art et de la politique depuis la modernité kantienne. Il s’organise en trois temps. Il s’agira d’abord d’interroger ... [more ▼]

Cet article concerne le concept de réflexion et son importance pour la philosophie de l’art et de la politique depuis la modernité kantienne. Il s’organise en trois temps. Il s’agira d’abord d’interroger le concept de réflexion à l’œuvre dans la Critique de la raison pure et d’apprécier son rapport au jugement réfléchissant esthétique qui fait le cœur de la première partie de la Critique de la faculté de juger. Dans un deuxième temps, on montrera, en suivant H. Arendt, à quelle type de lecture politique ce problème esthétique kantien a pu donner lieu ; d’autre part, avec cette fois A. Badiou, on signalera à quelle sorte de critique s’expose la lecture arendtienne. L’objectif est en général de montrer qu’il est possible d’allier les propositions esthétiques de Kant avec un concept radical – marxien plutôt qu’arendtien – de la politique. C’est pourquoi, dans un troisième temps, on s’attachera à quelques textes de J. Rancière : la critique qu’il oppose aux lectures de Kant proposées par Bourdieu et par Lyotard démontre en effet qu’une pensée de la politique d’inspiration kantienne bien plus radicale que celle de Arendt reste possible. Plus globalement, on montrera ici que l’histoire de la philosophie moderne (par exemple kantienne) ne peut être à elle-même sa propre fin : elle doit toujours être infléchie en direction des enjeux actuels qui sont ceux de la philosophie politique, et ceux de la politique tout court. Sauf à estimer que la tâche philosophique doit désormais s’identifier à celle du gardien de musée, ou du gardien du temple. [less ▲]

L’« originalité » perceptive d’un sujet pervers au test de Rorschach

in Evolution Psychiatrique (in press)

The author starts with a discussion about two notions appearing into the Rorschach test: the perception and the apperception. By this way, it is suggest ways for a phenomenological study of the Rorschach ... [more ▼]

The author starts with a discussion about two notions appearing into the Rorschach test: the perception and the apperception. By this way, it is suggest ways for a phenomenological study of the Rorschach test. These proposals are consistent with those of the Comprehensive System (Proposed by John E. Exner). Then the author proposes a protocol analyzing of a patient with a perverse psychological functioning. In one hand, the result obtained by the Form Quality (FQ) is detailed in particular regarding to the status of unusual perceptions. According to the Comprehensive System proposed by J.E. Exner, a significant proportion of responses "u" (46% for this protocol) indicates that the person is not influenced by any social request or any expectation and some of his behaviors could ignore or avoid any question about social convention. From an other point of view, when analyzing these data, an adaptive dimension for these unusual perceptions is identified. The pervert perceives the stimuli that "really exists" according to him not everyone can perceive it. This advantage allows a better adaptation to the environment and the ability to change this environment. The manipulation (a particular skill that is most of the time attributed to the perverse person) is probably a consequence of having an original perception of reality. It is also discussed the interpretation of the "anatomical content" in connection with this adaptive hypothesis. In addition, the author also discusses a particular answer of the protocol: the answer "shoes" that presents a specific perceptual characteristic. [less ▲]

Pour une esthétique de la vérité - De Kant à Kant en passant par Bachelard

in Philosophie (in press)

Enzymatic but not compensated Jaffe methods reach the desirable specifications of NKDEP at normal levels of creatinine. Results of the French multicentric evaluation

in Clinica Chimica Acta (in press)

The French Society of Clinical Biochemistry conducted this study to compare the accuracy and performances of the best creatinine enzymatic assays and the compensated Jaffe methods from the same ... [more ▼]

The French Society of Clinical Biochemistry conducted this study to compare the accuracy and performances of the best creatinine enzymatic assays and the compensated Jaffe methods from the same manufacturers. Creatinine was measured in 3 serum pools with creatinine levels of 35.9 ± 0.9 μmol/L, 74.4 ± 1.4 μmol/L, and 97.9 ± 1.7 μmol/L (IDMS determination). The performances of the assays (total error that includes the contribution of bias and imprecision) were evaluated using Monte-Carlo simulations and compared against desirable NKDEP criteria. The enzymatic assays always fell within the desirable total Error of 7.6%. By contrast, this requirement was never obtained for the compensated Jaffe methods at the critical level of 74.4 ± 1.4 μmol/L. Only the compensated Jaffe creatinine on Olympus analyzer reached this specification at 35.9 ± 0.9 and 97.9 ± 1.7 μmol/L levels. This study demonstrates that, despite substantial improvement regarding traceability to the IDMS reference method and precision, compensated Jaffe creatinine methods, by contrast to enzymatic ones, do not reach the desirable specifications of NKDEP at normal levels of creatinine. [less ▲]

La Configuración de Territorios de Pueblos en “Aislamiento voluntario” Controversias sobre las formas de producción de conocimientos, las formas de contacto y las formas de gestión

in Redes (Revista de estudios sociales de la ciencia) (in press)

El objetivo de este artículo es interrogar la incertidumbre que envuelve la gestión de territorios amazónicos. De hecho, en cada etapa de los programas de explotación de recursos naturales se reavivan ... [more ▼]

El objetivo de este artículo es interrogar la incertidumbre que envuelve la gestión de territorios amazónicos. De hecho, en cada etapa de los programas de explotación de recursos naturales se reavivan controversias que obligan a rexaminar las formas de producción de conocimientos, las formas de contactar y las formas de manejar los territorios y sus poblaciones humanas y no-humanas. Yo me intereso particularmente a la situación de los pueblos dichos en “aislamiento voluntario”. ¿Cómo entrar en contacto sin reducirlos con nuestros virus occidentales o sin morir bajo sus lanzas? Pero también: ¿Cómo hacer hablar entidades que temporalmente no pueden, definitivamente no saben, o en ciertas ocasiones no quieren hacerlo? Estas son, entre otras, algunas preguntas que emergen en medio de la colonización interna de la Amazonía. He intentado comprender cómo se traduce este silencioso aislamiento a partir del análisis de la acción del Serviço de Proteção aos Índios (1910-1967) en Brasil, así como de los debates del Seminario Regional Pueblos indígenas en aislamiento voluntario y contacto inicial en la Amazonía y el Gran Chaco (Bolivia, 2006). He identificado dos controversias que dan testimonio de la complejidad del tema y nos obligan a reconsiderar la naturaleza de éstas poblaciones en la configuración de las áreas protegidas. [less ▲]

Cognitive support for a better handoff: does it improve the quality of medical communication at shift change in an emergency department?

in European Journal of Emergency Medicine (in press)

In order to improve the communication during shift handover in an emergency department, we observed the handover process and analysed the discourse between physicians at shift change first, then we ... [more ▼]

In order to improve the communication during shift handover in an emergency department, we observed the handover process and analysed the discourse between physicians at shift change first, then we created two cognitive tools and tested their clinical impact on the field. We used different measures to evaluate this impact on the health care process including frequency and type of information content communicated between physicians, duration of the handoff, physician self-evaluation of the quality of the handoff and a post-handover study of patient handling. Our results showed that the patient's medical history, significant tests results, recommendations (treatment plan) and patient follow-up were communicated to a greater extent when the tools are used. We also demonstrated that physicians spent more time at the bedside and less time consulting medical records using these tools. [less ▲]

Criteria and tools for objectively analysing the vocal accuracy of a popular song

in Logopedics, Phoniatrics, Vocology (in press)

Abstract This study aims to validate our method for measuring accuracy in a melodic context. We analysed the popular song “Happy Birthday” sung by 63 occasional and 14 professional singers thanks to ... [more ▼]

Abstract This study aims to validate our method for measuring accuracy in a melodic context. We analysed the popular song “Happy Birthday” sung by 63 occasional and 14 professional singers thanks to AudioSculpt and OpenMusic (Ircam, Paris, France). In terms of evaluation of the pitch interval deviation, we replicated the profile of occasional singers described in the literature (the slower the performance, the more accurate it is). Our results also confirm that the professional singers sing more accurately than occasional singers but not when a Western operatic singing technique is involved. These results support the relevance of our method for analysing vocal accuracy of occasional and professional singers and led us to discuss adaptations to be implemented for analysing the accuracy of operatic voices. [less ▲]

Semantic Annotation of GPS Traces: Activity Type Inference

in Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board (in press)

Due to the rapid development of technology, larger data sets concerning activity travel behavior become available. These data sets often lack semantic interpretation. This implies that annotation in terms ... [more ▼]

Due to the rapid development of technology, larger data sets concerning activity travel behavior become available. These data sets often lack semantic interpretation. This implies that annotation in terms of activity type and transportation mode is necessary. This paper aims to infer activity types from GPS traces by developing a decision tree-based model. The model only considers activity start times and activity durations. Based on the decision tree classification, a probability distribution and a point prediction model were constructed. The probability matrix describes the probability of each activity type for each class (i.e. combination of activity start time and activity duration). In each class, the point prediction model selects the activity type that has the highest probability. Two types of data were collected in 2006 and 2007 in Flanders, Belgium, i.e. activity travel data and GPS data. The optimal classification tree constructed comprises 18 leaves. Consequently, 18 if-then rules were derived. An accuracy of 74% was achieved when training the tree. The accuracy of the model for the validation set, i.e. 72.5%, shows that overfitting is minimal. When applying the model to the test set, the accuracy was almost 76%. The models indicate the importance of time information in the semantic enrichment process. This study contributes to future data collection in that it enables researchers to directly infer activity types from activity start time and duration information obtained from GPS data. Because no location information is needed, this research can be easily and readily implemented to millions of individual agents. [less ▲]

Spore assemblages from Upper Ordovician and lowermost Silurian sediments recovered from the Qusaiba-1 shallow core hole, Qasim region, central Saudi Arabia

in GeoArabia (in press)

Dire et décrire le présent dans les lettres de Francesco Guicciardini (1483-1540)

in Mosaique (in press)

Depuis les travaux de Jean-Louis FOURNEL et Jean-Claude ZANCARINI, notamment, il est établi que les auteurs florentins qui vécurent à l’époque des guerres d’Italie identifièrent immédiatement la nouveauté ... [more ▼]

Depuis les travaux de Jean-Louis FOURNEL et Jean-Claude ZANCARINI, notamment, il est établi que les auteurs florentins qui vécurent à l’époque des guerres d’Italie identifièrent immédiatement la nouveauté et le caractère extraordinaire des faits qui bouleversèrent leur époque. Parmi ceux-ci, le célèbre Nicolas Machiavel mais aussi son ami et contemporain, Francesco Guicciardini, qui, si l’histoire littéraire ne lui a pas toujours fait la part belle, retrouve ces dernières années la place qui lui revient dans celle des idées. Auteur, historiographe mais aussi lieutenant des troupes pontificales lors de la Ligue de Cognac et, donc, acteur de l’histoire en train de se jouer, Francesco Guicciardini est en prise directe avec les événements ; dans sa volumineuse correspondance se mêlent petite et grande Histoire. Or, si le substantif et l’adjectif « contemporaneo » existent en italien depuis Dante au moins, Guicciardini n’en fait l’usage ni dans ses œuvres, ni dans ses lettres qui ne comptent aucune occurrence du terme. Partant de ce constat, je me propose, dans mon article, de relever et d’analyser le langage utilisé par Guicciardini pour nommer le moment auquel il vit, en cerner les contours et la façon dont celui-ci se distingue de ce qui précède pour former un moment à part : les expressions qui disent le présent (tempo presente/tempi presenti, questi tempi, medesimi tempi) et celles qui le caractérisent (conditione de' tempi, extraordinario, tempi strani) ou qui expriment le moyen de l’affronter (remedii conformi a’ tempi) seront, dès lors, au centre de mon attention. [less ▲]

DENDRITIC CELLS IN BARRETT’S ESOPHAGUS CARCINOGENESIS: AN INADEQUATE MICROENVIRONMENT FOR ANTITUMOR IMMUNITY?

in American Journal of Pathology (in press)

Data Interpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions (DINEOF): a tool for geophysical data analyses

in Mediterranean Marine Science (in press)

An overview of the technique called DINEOF (Data Interpolating Empirical Orthog- onal Functions) is presented. DINEOF reconstructs missing information in geophys- ical data sets, such as satellite imagery ... [more ▼]

An overview of the technique called DINEOF (Data Interpolating Empirical Orthog- onal Functions) is presented. DINEOF reconstructs missing information in geophys- ical data sets, such as satellite imagery or time series. A summary of the technique is given, with its main characteristics, recent developments and future research di- rections. DINEOF has been applied to a large variety of oceanographic variables in various domains of different sizes. This technique can be applied to a single variable (monovariate approach), or to several variables together (multivariate approach), with no complexity increase in the application of the technique. Error fields can be computed to establish the accuracy of the reconstruction. Examples are given to illustrate the capabilities of the technique. DINEOF is freely offered to download, and help is provided to users in the form of a wiki and through a discussion email list. [less ▲]

Politique, savoir, subjectivation. Recherche sur la question du sujet dans la philosophie politique française contemporaine

in Dissensus (in press), 5

Ce long article montre notamment que le propos épistémologique de Foucault et d’Althusser impliquait la destruction du concept classique de sujet (conscience de soi originaire formatrice de l’objectivité ... [more ▼]

Ce long article montre notamment que le propos épistémologique de Foucault et d’Althusser impliquait la destruction du concept classique de sujet (conscience de soi originaire formatrice de l’objectivité) et imposait sa reconstruction en deux temps : en tant que constitué (assujettissement), en tant que constituant (subjectivation). Étudiant la postérité de ce dernier thème dans la philosophie politique française contemporaine, par exemple chez J. Rancière et A. Badiou, il tente de forger, au-delà de ces auteurs, mais tout près d’É. Balibar, un concept de la transformation socio-historique comme subjectivation politique, et articule ce concept en termes de négativité et de totalité, d’autonomie et de finitude. Celui-ci se résumerait finalement de l’idée d’une « épreuve politique de la finitude », non loin de Bataille ou de Blanchot, soit « l’expérience d’un passage au dehors témoignant de la frappe de l’impossible et de l’infini mais qui se sait, et qui dès lors se construit, en tant que finie ». [less ▲]

Behavior of Deep Beams with Large Headed Bars

in ACI Structural Journal (in press)

While anchor heads are particularly useful in the case of large bars which require significant development lengths, the ACI code provides design guidance for bars #11 or smaller. This paper presents a ... [more ▼]

While anchor heads are particularly useful in the case of large bars which require significant development lengths, the ACI code provides design guidance for bars #11 or smaller. This paper presents a test of a large deep beam reinforced with a single #18 headed bar. The behavior of the beam is evaluated in comparison to the behavior of a specimen with more conventional reinforcement of 6#8 headed bars, and to the behavior of a specimen with lap-spliced anchor hooks. Despite the extreme detailing of the specimen with a single #18 bar, the beam had the same strength as the specimen with 6#8 bars. The compressive stress in front of the anchor head reached about 1.5 times the compressive strength of the concrete and the stress in the #18 bar reached about 414 MPa (60 ksi) before the beam failed in shear along a diagonal crack away from the anchorage zone. Shear strength calculations according to Appendix A of the ACI code showed that the current strut-and-tie provisions can overestimate the shear strength of deep beams by as much as 23%. [less ▲]

Quelles dynamiques d'identification organisationnelle lors de processus de modernisation? Analyse d'une administration belge.

in International Review of Administrative Sciences (in press)

Dans les diverses réformes conçues et implémentées en vue de moderniser l’administration, l’accent est mis sur les marchés avec un focus particulier sur les citoyens désormais clients (Korunka et al ... [more ▼]

Dans les diverses réformes conçues et implémentées en vue de moderniser l’administration, l’accent est mis sur les marchés avec un focus particulier sur les citoyens désormais clients (Korunka et al., 2007 ; Thomas, 2012). Alors que les approches initiales du NPM se centraient sur l’efficience, l’applicabilité et la pertinence de techniques managériales importées du secteur privé dans les organisations publiques (Ferlie et al., 1996), les réformes plus récentes tendent à inclure d’autres objectifs tels que la gestion de la qualité, la transparence et le centrage client (Meier & O’Toole, 2007 ; Lapsley, 2008). Du Gay (1996), pour sa part, affirme que le NPM est un projet identitaire, dans la mesure où il vise à redéfinir la main d’œuvre (en termes de profils et compétences recherchées, ciblant la figure du travailleur-entrepreneur en lieu et place du fonctionnaire). Bon nombre d’études interrogent également les paradoxes et les tensions intrinsèques du modèle NPM (Lynn, 1998; Aucoin, 1990; Hood, 2000 ; Goldfish & Wallis, 2010), les difficultés liées à sa mise en œuvre (Mathiasen, 1999 ; Dunleavy et al., 2006 ; Jones & Cole, 2009) ou à l’évaluation de ses outputs concrets pour l’administration (Pollitt, 1993; Hodge, 1999). De façon générale, la littérature met en lumière les effets que ces réformes ont produit sur les différentes facettes de l’administration : ses modes de fonctionnement et ses structures (Gualmini, 2008), son management, ses stratégie et pratiques de GRH (Pichault, 2007), ses missions et son identité organisationnelle (Horton, 2006) mais aussi sur l’ethos (Maesschalk, 2004 ; Fortier, 2010) et la motivation des fonctionnaires (Vandenabeele et Hondeghem, 2007), entre autres éléments. Plusieurs auteurs mentionnent les débats et questionnements identitaires qui se produisent lorsque l’organisation fait face à des situations de bouleversement profond (Albert et Whetten, 1985 ; Dutton et al., 1994 ; Alvesson et Empson, 2008). Dans un processus de réforme, l’organisation se remet en question et s’interroge sur ce qu’elle est, ce qu’elle devient, ce qu’elle veut être, propulsant l’identité organisationnelle au premier plan des préoccupations (Skalen, 2004 ; Meyer & Hammerschmid, 2006). Dans un contexte où l’identité organisationnelle est en proie à tel bouleversement, comment ses membres en font-ils l’expérience ? Ce questionnement, à la base de cet article, se pose en termes d’identification organisationnelle, unissant dans une même équation deux termes centraux : l’identité organisationnelle et les perceptions qu’ont les membres du contexte en évolution. La question que nous adressons est la suivante : dans un contexte d’organisation publique en mutation, quelles sont les dynamiques identitaires à l’oeuvre en regard de la perception des évolutions du contexte des individus ? A partir de l'analyse de la réforme Copernic (introduction du NPM dans l'administration fédérale belge) réalisée en 2005-2006, nous avons élaboré de manière inductive une typologie des logiques et profils identitaires, issue de l’analyse d’entretiens qualitatifs (Rondeaux, 2007, 2008, 2010). Sur base de celle-ci, nous avons mené une enquête par questionnaires auprès d’une administration régionale belge, engagée dans un processus de modernisation, en vue de vérifier l’existence et la pertinence de cette typologie, au moyen d’une démarche quantitative. Réalisée en 2010, cette enquête illustre en particulier trois aspects : 1. les représentations associées au travail au sein de l’administration en regard de son évolution, et le degré d’identification à l’institution dans ce contexte ; 2. la perception de la modernisation et le rôle de la hiérarchie dans cette perspective ; 3. les identités représentées au sein de l’institution (logiques institutionnalisée et alternatives, profils en congruence ou en dissonance). Nous montrons notamment que la majorité des positions est marquée par la dissonance, principalement relative à la valeur ajoutée de la modernisation et à sa mise en œuvre concrète. [less ▲]

Item familiarity and controlled associative retrieval in Alzheimer's disease: An fMRI study

in Cortex : A Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System & Behavior (in press)

MALDI In-Source Decay, from sequencing to imaging

in Topics in Current Chemistry (in press)

MALDI is now a mature method allowing the identification and, more challenging, the quantification of biopolymers (proteins, nucleic acids, glycans…). MALDI spectra show mostly intact singly charged ions ... [more ▼]

MALDI is now a mature method allowing the identification and, more challenging, the quantification of biopolymers (proteins, nucleic acids, glycans…). MALDI spectra show mostly intact singly charged ions. To obtain fragments, the activation of singly charged precursors is necessary, but not efficient above 3.5 kDa thus making MALDI MS/MS difficult for large species. In-source decay (ISD) is a prompt fragmentation reaction that can be induced thermally or by radicals. As fragments are formed in the source, precursor ions cannot be selected; however, the technique is not limited by the mass of the analyzed compounds and pseudo MS/MS can be performed on intense fragments. The discovery of new matrices that enhance the ISD yield, combined with the high sensitivity of MALDI mass spectrometers, and software development, opens new perspectives. We first review the mechanisms involved in the ISD processes, then discuss ISD applications like top-down sequencing and post-translational modifications studies, and finally review MALDI-ISD tissue imaging applications. [less ▲]

First report of banana mild mosaic virus infecting plantain in Ivory Coast

in Plant Disease (in press)

Dalle sabbie all’apparato. Riflessioni su due recenti contributi alla Storia della Tradizione di Livio e Sallustio

in Athenaeum : Studii Periodici di Letteratura e Storia (in press)

Social Coops: When Social Enterprises Meet the Cooperative Tradition

in Journal of Entrepreneurial and Organizational Diversity (in press)

Performance expectations, personal resources and job resources: How to they predict work engagement?

in European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology (in press)

Lifestyle Behaviours and Plasma Vitamin C and Beta-Carotene Levels from the ELAN Population (Liège, Belgium)

in Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism (in press), 2011

Several factors, including fruit and vegetables intakes, have been shown to significantly influence the plasma concentrations of the two antioxidants vitamin C and β-carotene. Deficiency levels of 6 mg/L ... [more ▼]

Several factors, including fruit and vegetables intakes, have been shown to significantly influence the plasma concentrations of the two antioxidants vitamin C and β-carotene. Deficiency levels of 6 mg/L (34.2 μM) for vitamin C and of 0.22 mg/L (0.4 μM) for β-carotene have been suggested below which cardiovascular risk might be increased. The present study performed on 897 presumably healthy subjects aged 40–60 years aimed to examine how modifiable lifestyle factors may be related to vitamin C and/or β-carotene deficiency. Gender, smoking, lack of regular physical activity and of daily fruit consumption (≥2/day), and social status (in particular, unemployment) were found to be significant risk factors for vitamin C deficiency. For β-carotene deficiency, the same factors were identified except social status; moreover, overweight and OC use in women were also found to have a deleterious effect. For non exposed subjects, the probability of developing vitamin C deficiency was 4% in men and 2.4% in women. This probability increased to 66.3% for men and to 44.3% for women (and even to 50.4% under OC use), when all risk factors were present. For β-carotene deficiency, the corresponding probabilities were equal to 29.7% in men and 13.7% in women (no risk factor present), and to 86.1% for men and 69.9% (91.6% for OC use) for women (all factors present), respectively. [less ▲]

Accelerated and Localized Newton Schemes for Faster Dynamic Simulation of Large Power Systems

in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems (in press)

This paper proposes two methods to speed up the demanding time-domain simulations of large power system models. First, the sparse linear system to solve at each Newton iteration is decomposed according to ... [more ▼]

This paper proposes two methods to speed up the demanding time-domain simulations of large power system models. First, the sparse linear system to solve at each Newton iteration is decomposed according to its bordered block diagonal structure, in order to solve only those parts that need to be solved, and update only sub-matrices of the Jacobian that need to be updated. This brings computational savings without degradation of accuracy. Next, the Jacobian structure is further exploited to localize the system response, i.e. involve only the components identified as active, with an acceptable and controllable decrease in accuracy. The accuracy and computational savings are assessed on a large-scale test system. [less ▲]

Coupling between flow and sediment deposition in rectangular shallow reservoirs

in Journal of Hydraulic Research (in press)

Flow velocity and sedimentation patterns were investigated experimentally and numerically in shallow rectangular reservoirs with different asymmetric locations of the inlet and outlet channels. Velocity ... [more ▼]

Flow velocity and sedimentation patterns were investigated experimentally and numerically in shallow rectangular reservoirs with different asymmetric locations of the inlet and outlet channels. Velocity fields were measured in the entire reservoir, both for clear water flow and with suspended sediments. Thickness of sediment deposits were mapped in the whole reservoir by means of a laser light method. In one of the studied geometric configurations, injection of suspended sediments led to a complete change in the observed flow field. Experimental results were compared with numerical simulations performed with the depth-averaged flow model WOLF 2D, using a depth-averaged k-e turbulence model. The simulations lead to accurate predictions of the velocity profiles and the change in flow pattern as a result of sediment deposits was successfully reproduced. [less ▲]

Reproductive impacts of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) in the hermaphroditic freshwater gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis

in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (in press), 2013

Tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) are emblematic endocrine disruptors, which have been mostly studied in gonochoric prosobranchs. Although both compounds can simultaneously occur in the environment ... [more ▼]

Tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) are emblematic endocrine disruptors, which have been mostly studied in gonochoric prosobranchs. Although both compounds can simultaneously occur in the environment, they have mainly been tested separately for their effects on snail reproduction. Because large discrepancies in experimental conditions occurred in these tests, the present study aimed at comparing the relative toxicity of TBT and TPT under similar laboratory conditions in the 0–600 ng Sn/L range. Tests were performed on the simultaneous hermaphrodite Lymnaea stagnalis, a freshwater snail in which effects of TPT were unknown. Survival, shell length and reproduction were monitored in a 21d semi-static test. Frequency of abnormal eggs was assessed as an additional endpoint. TPT hampered survival while TBT did not. Major effects on shell solidity and reproduction were observed for both compounds, reproductive outputs being more severely hampered by TBT than by TPT. Considering the frequency of abnormal eggs allowed increasing test sensitivity, since snail responses to TBT could be detected at concentrations as low as 19 ng Sn/L. However, the putative mode of action of the two compounds could not be deduced from the structure of the molecules or from the response of apical endpoints. Sensitivity of L. stagnalis to TBT and TPT was compared to the sensitivity of prosobranch molluscs with different habitats and different reproductive strategies. [less ▲]

Arsinoe divinizzata al fianco del re vivente Tolemeo II. Uno studio di propaganda greco-egiziana (270-246 a.C.)

in Historia. Zeitschrif für Alte Geschichte (in press), 62.3

A review of the Greek and Egyptian sources showing the deceased and divinized queen Arsinoe II on the side of the living king Ptolemy II. In addition to the cults of Arsinoe under the kingdom of her ... [more ▼]

A review of the Greek and Egyptian sources showing the deceased and divinized queen Arsinoe II on the side of the living king Ptolemy II. In addition to the cults of Arsinoe under the kingdom of her brother and husband Ptolemy II, I am interested to re-discuss the famous passage of Chremonides' decree where Arsinoe is mentioned among the models of Ptolemy's commitment to Greek freedom. [less ▲]

Refinement of the production of antigen-specific hen egg yolk antibodies (IgY) intended for passive dietary immunization in animals: A review

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (in press)

Antibodies have become essential tools in recent decades, with a wide range of applications in the laboratory and in human and veterinary medicine. The use of laying hens, instead of mammals, to obtain ... [more ▼]

Antibodies have become essential tools in recent decades, with a wide range of applications in the laboratory and in human and veterinary medicine. The use of laying hens, instead of mammals, to obtain the necessary antibodies from the eggs is a major advance in terms of animal welfare because it makes blood sampling obsolete. However, the advantages of this technology are numerous, in addition to the animal welfare aspect. With a carefully designed immunization protocol, it is possible to enhance both the hen’s immune response and its welfare during the process. This review puts forward recommendations how to do this and discusses recent approaches on improving the technology. [less ▲]

The ocean bomb radiocarbon inventory revisited

in Radiocarbon (in press)

Large discrepancies exist among data-based estimates and model reconstructions of the ocean bomb radiocarbon inventory. In order to resolve this gap, it has been proposed that the CO2 piston veloc- ity ... [more ▼]

Large discrepancies exist among data-based estimates and model reconstructions of the ocean bomb radiocarbon inventory. In order to resolve this gap, it has been proposed that the CO2 piston veloc- ity should be revised downward (Sweeney et al., 2007; Müller et al., 2008). Here we compare the transient 14C distributions in the ocean obtained with different formulations of the isotopic ratio commonly used in modeling studies. It is found that both the CO2 increase and the air-sea CO2 flux significantly contribute to the 1990 ocean bomb radiocarbon inventory, by around 10% each. Moreover, these two processes explain more than 25% of the inventory difference be- tween 1974 and 1990. These results imply that, as already argued by Naegler (2009), inventories based on observations which lack infor- mation about CO2 invasion are underestimated. Further, this work allows to gain insight into the reasons for discrepancies among model results. It suggests that while a comprehensive isotopic formulation is needed when addressing the global radiocarbon cycle, a simplified form is more relevant for model calibration and piston velocity assess- ment based on currently available bomb radiocarbon inventories. [less ▲]

Reconstructing and Tracking Network State from a Limited Number of Synchrophasor Measurements

in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems (in press)

A method is proposed to reconstruct and track network state from a limited number of Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) data. To deal with the resulting unobservability, the state with bus powers and generator ... [more ▼]

A method is proposed to reconstruct and track network state from a limited number of Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) data. To deal with the resulting unobservability, the state with bus powers and generator voltages closest to previously estimated values is computed. Those values, treated as pseudomeasurements, are obtained from the last reconstructed state, in a recursive manner. The method involves solving an optimization problem with linear constraints. It is scalable insofar as it accommodates from a few PMUs up to configurations ensuring full network observability. Reconstruction of only a region is possible. These and other features are demonstrated on the Nordic32 test system, with synchronized phasors obtained from detailed time simulation of a situation evolving towards instability. Suitable choices of PMU location and pseudo-measurements are also discussed. [less ▲]

Habitat specialization triggers the evolution of unique morphologies within the Lejeuneaceae (Lejeuneaceae, Hepatocopsida). The case of Cololejeunea crandal-stotlerii, spec. nov.

in Bryologist (in press)

Compte-rendu et apport de la conférence-débat : « Nature, conditionnalité et verdissement de la PAC : un tournant wallon ? ». 9 novembre 2011. Espace Senghor, Gembloux, Belgique.

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (in press)

Recently, the European Union (EU) proposed a reform project for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). One of the proposed reforms consists in imposing to set aside 7% of arable land for biodiversity ... [more ▼]

Recently, the European Union (EU) proposed a reform project for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). One of the proposed reforms consists in imposing to set aside 7% of arable land for biodiversity support purposes. About this proposal, a conference was hold in Gembloux, Belgium, on 9th November 2011. Such systems already exist in neighboring countries. French and Swiss systems were displayed in order to highlight their advantages and limits. Scientific arguments subtending such policies were presented. It was shown that creation of semi-natural elements in the agricultural matrix should be efficient to promote biodiversity. Both the quantity and the quality of these elements should be considered. Also, biodiversity is likely to provide services to agriculture, notably crop pollination and pest control. Currently, uncertainties remain on eligible areas to reach the 7% threshold. However, based on most probable scenarios, the current likely eligible areas cover only 4.3% of arable land in Wallonia. Less than 20% of Walloon farms already reach the 7% threshold proposed by the EU. If the European project is approved, it will therefore be of first importance to have a societal recognition toward farmers for their effort. To optimize positive effects of the policy on biodiversity, it is also imperative to make sure that a high biological quality is reached in the areas dedicated to biodiversity and to monitor this quality in the light of clearly defined objectives. Economical, societal and environmental issues should all be considered when applying this policy in order to improve agriculture sustainability and to stop biodiversity decline in agricultural landscapes. [less ▲]

A new Lower Cretaceous ichthyosaur from Russia reveals skull shape conservatism within Ophthalmosaurinae

in Geological Magazine (in press)

Ophthalmosaurinae is a recently recognized clade of derived ichthyosaurs (marine reptiles) ranging from the Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) to the late Albian (late Early Cretaceous). Whereas the Middle-Late ... [more ▼]

Ophthalmosaurinae is a recently recognized clade of derived ichthyosaurs (marine reptiles) ranging from the Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) to the late Albian (late Early Cretaceous). Whereas the Middle-Late Jurassic ophthalmosaurine Ophthalmosaurus is often regarded as a hyperspecialized deep diver, very little is known about the anatomy, evolutionary history, and ecology of Cretaceous ophthalmosaurines because of the scarcity of the fossils and the lack of well-preserved skull material. Here, we describe the skull of a new basal ophthalmosaurine ichthyosaur, Leninia stellans gen. et sp. nov., from the lower Aptian of western Russia, and compare the ocular characteristics of ophthalmosaurids. Leninia is recovered as a basal ophthalmosaurine; it possesses unique traits such as star-shaped frontal–parietal sutures as well as features previously thought to be unique to Ophthalmosaurus such as a supratemporal–stapes contact. A large sclerotic aperture – significantly bigger than in platypterygiine ophthalmosaurids and similar to that of the largest-eyed modern animals (giant and colossal squids) – and reduced dentition appear widespread within ophthalmosaurines. This conservatism suggests ophthalmosaurine ophthalmosaurids occupied similar ecological niche(s) throughout their long evolutionary history. [less ▲]

Relationships between brain metabolism decrease in normal aging and changes in structural and functional connectivity

in NeuroImage (in press)

Normal aging is characterized by brain glucose metabolism decline predominantly in the prefrontal cortex. The goal of the present study was to assess whether this change was associated with age-related ... [more ▼]

Normal aging is characterized by brain glucose metabolism decline predominantly in the prefrontal cortex. The goal of the present study was to assess whether this change was associated with age-related alteration of white matter (WM) structural integrity and/or functional connectivity. FDG-PET data from 40 young and 57 elderly healthy participants from two research centres (n=49/48 in Centre 1/2) were analyzed. WM volume from T1-weighted MRI (Centre 1), fractional anisotropy from diffusion-tensor imaging (Centre 2), and resting-state fMRI data (Centre 1) were also obtained. Group comparisons were performed within each imaging modality. Then, positive correlations were assessed, within the elderly, between metabolism in the most affected region and the other neuroimaging modalities. Metabolism decline in the elderly predominated in the left inferior frontal junction (LIFJ). LIFJ hypometabolism was significantly associated with macrostructural and microstructural WM disturbances in long association fronto-temporo-occipital fibers, while no relationship was found with functional connectivity. The findings offer new perspectives to understand normal aging processes and open avenues for future studies to explore causality between age-related metabolism and connectivity changes. [less ▲]

Differential effects of aging on the neural correlates of recollection and familiarity

in Cortex : A Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System & Behavior (in press)

The present experiment aimed to investigate age differences in the neural correlates of familiarity and recollection, while keeping performance similar across age groups by varying task difficulty. Twenty ... [more ▼]

The present experiment aimed to investigate age differences in the neural correlates of familiarity and recollection, while keeping performance similar across age groups by varying task difficulty. Twenty young and twenty older adults performed an episodic memory task in an event-related fMRI design. At encoding, participants were presented with pictures, either once or twice. Then, they performed a recognition task, with a Remember/Know paradigm. A similar performance was observed for the two groups in the Easy condition for recollection and in the Hard condition for familiarity. Imaging data revealed the classic recollection-related and familiarity-related networks, common to young and older groups. In addition, we observed that some activity related to recollection (left frontal, left temporal, left parietal cortices and left parahippocampus) and familiarity (bilateral anterior cingulate, right frontal gyrus and left superior temporal gyrus) was reduced in older compared to young adults. However, for recollection processes only, older adults additionally recruited the right precuneus, possibly to successfully compensate for their difficulties, as suggested by a positive correlation between recollection and precuneus activity. [less ▲]

Review of physicochemical processes involved in agrochemical spray retention

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (in press)

This review provides a broad view of the processes and parameters involved in applying agrochemicals to the leaves of field crops. Treatment efficiency is assessed using macroscopic and microscopic ... [more ▼]

This review provides a broad view of the processes and parameters involved in applying agrochemicals to the leaves of field crops. Treatment efficiency is assessed using macroscopic and microscopic approaches to investigate spray retention. With the macroscopic approach, aspects related to spray coarseness, carrier volume, leaf wettability, plant architecture, crop density and additives are addressed. Comparative studies have highlighted the wide variability in spray retention as a function of these parameters. They have failed, however, to describe the underlying physical relationships clearly enough to generalize the results. These relationships are better investigated using a microscopic approach, where drop impact behavior is established in relation to target surface and fluid properties. The wetting regime (either Wenzel or Cassie-Baxter) depends on the leaf surface microscopic roughness ratio (r) and chemical nature, fluid dynamic surface tension and drop impact energy. Adhesion, rebound and disintegration have been observed successively with increasing drop impact energy. Transitions between impact outcomes are influenced by fluid rheology and the dynamic surface tension of the fluid. The effect of surface orientation remains poorly explored, but it seems to have a limited influence on retention. Recent fundamental studies on superhydrophobicity and wetting should help practitioners in their search for an ever more rational application of agrochemicals. They could also drive the development of new systematic retention testing methods. [less ▲]

Commerce ambulant : les libertés de circulation et la directive services font un tour sur le marché communal

in Administration publique trimestrielle (in press), (2012),

La performance de l'entreprise sociale : définitions et limites d'une évaluation monétaire

in Revue Internationale P.M.E. (in press)

In a social enterprise, the notion of "performance" must be understood in a broader sense than the sole financial profitability. Because enterprises of this type pursue a social mission, whose completion ... [more ▼]

In a social enterprise, the notion of "performance" must be understood in a broader sense than the sole financial profitability. Because enterprises of this type pursue a social mission, whose completion generates collective impacts, one has to go beyond what is made possible by the sole market-based indicators. This requires to revise not only the very notion of production, but also the way in which the value of what is produced by the enterprise is measured. This is the task that the authors of the present article tackle, through building a definition of performance understood as "enlarged production" – a notion which they nevertheless define with accuracy. Whenever the notion of production is enlarged so as to take into account the impacts of the latter, the question of whether this approach is also operational unavoidably arises. In particular, one must ask oneself whether the impacts that one wants to include in an enlarged conception of production are measurable. By nature, these impacts are not taken into account by the market and measuring them sends back to the classical question of the evaluation of non-market goods. The authors draw up an inventory of the various techniques of monetary evaluation of the value of non-market goods and indicate whether these techniques are likely to lead to values that are relevant to evaluate the performance of a social enterprise. They illustrate their analysis by applying this grid of analysis to the methodology of social return on investment (SROI). Because of the theoretical limits of monetary evaluation, the authors conclude that works on performance evaluation based on multi-criteria analyses must be further pursued. [less ▲]

L’acte incendiaire, son sujet et sa signification : propositions à partir du Saint Genet de Jean-Paul Sartre

in Annales Médico-Psychologiques (in press)

Objectives In this paper we studied fire setters with the hermeneutics’ method from the philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre. In the psychobiography of Jean Genet, the philosopher raises issues of the ... [more ▼]

Objectives In this paper we studied fire setters with the hermeneutics’ method from the philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre. In the psychobiography of Jean Genet, the philosopher raises issues of the infractional acting and its social meaning. Methods After recalling the basic notions of international literature about fire setters (including confusion with pyromania, diagnostic problems proposed by the DSM IV and the concept of "communicative arson"), we propose phenomenological and existential clues to discuss the act and its meaning. It is the unlawful act that is analysed and more specifically the arson. We propose different analysis than the psychic causality which is inspired by psychoanalysis. The criminogenesis gives way to a questioning of identity, about the place of fire in the subject’s history and within its relationships to others. As proposed by Sartre, the paradigm of this research is to consider the meaning "as the return of the future in the present". The second field of this study is an analysis of three clinical cases. These cases are the result of a forensic practice. The method is focused on the analysis of a narrative and autobiographical production. By this way we studied the temporal process of these three arsonists. Results A comparative reading of the psychobiography of Jean Genet written by Sartre and of the situation of arsonists gives accurate information. The "criminogenesis" gives way to a questioning of identity. In this way we discuss the meaning of fire in the subject's history and within its relationship to others. We highlight the inscription of the act in the social and constitutive process of the individual. From the clinical material, the author demonstrates a link between arson and construction of identity. Identity is considered as a dialectic between “ipse” and “idem”, as suggested by Ricœur. We can therefore consider the real sense that the arson has from the perspective of the actor but also from the viewpoint of the society and these conceptions may be similar or different. In clinical practice, we recommend to pay special attention to how the fire is part of the biography of the patient. Conclusions The fascination for fire is a source of meaning which can be radically different depending on whether we consider the external interpreter (the world or the clinician) or the author of the action. The basic principles of hermeneutics, as described by Gadamer and Ricœur, are to demonstrate that the understanding and the interpretation are not only the methods used in the human sciences but are also part of the fundamental processes inherent in human nature. Hermeneutics in general is the opposite of a doctrine of truth. It rather seeks to show arbitrarily how the interpretation and the search for meaning are paradigmatic of the human experience. [less ▲]

Diet of harbor porpoises along the Dutch coast: a combined stable isotope and stomach contents approach

in Marine Mammal Science (in press)

High stranding frequency of porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, along the Dutch coast since 2006 has led to increased interest in the ecology of porpoises in the North Sea. Stranded porpoises were collected ... [more ▼]

High stranding frequency of porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, along the Dutch coast since 2006 has led to increased interest in the ecology of porpoises in the North Sea. Stranded porpoises were collected along the Dutch coast (2006–2008) and their diet was assessed through stomach content and stable isotope analysis (d13C and d15N) of porpoise muscle and prey. Stable isotope analysis (SIAR) was used to estimate the con- tribution of prey species to the porpoises’ diet. This was compared to prey composi- tion from stomach contents, to analyze differences between long- and short-term diet. According to stomach contents, 90.5% of the diet consisted of gobies, whiting, lesser sandeel, herring, cod, and sprat. Stable isotope analysis revealed that 70-83% of the diet consisted of poor cod, mackerel, greater sandeel, lesser sandeel, sprat, and gobies, highlighting a higher importance of pelagic, schooling species in the porpoises’ diet compared to stomach contents. This could be due to prey distribution as well as differ- ences in behavior of porpoises and prey between the coastal zone and offshore waters. This study supports the need for multi-method approaches. Future ecological and fishery impact assessment studies and management decisions for porpoise conservation should acknowledge this difference between the long- and short-term diet. [less ▲]

Impact of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells on experimental xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease

in Cytotherapy (in press)

Background aims. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation caused by donor T cells reacting against host tissues. Previous ... [more ▼]

Background aims. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation caused by donor T cells reacting against host tissues. Previous studies have suggested that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) could exert potent immunosuppressive effects. Methods. The ability of human bone marrow derived MSCs to prevent xenogeneic GVHD in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice and in NOD/SCID/interleukin-2Rg(null) (NSG) mice transplanted with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was assessed. Results. Injection of 200 106 human PBMCs intraperitoneally (IP) into sub-lethally (3.0 Gy) irradiated NOD/SCID mice also given anti-asialo GM1 antibodies IP 1 day prior and 8 days after transplantation induced lethal xenogeneic GVHD in all tested mice. Co-injection of 2 106 MSCs IP on day 0 did not prevent lethal xenogeneic GVHD induced by injection of human PBMCs. Similarly, injection of 30 106 human PBMCs IP into sub-lethally (2.5 Gy) irradiated NSG mice induced a lethal xenogeneic GVHD in all tested mice. Injection of 3 106 MSCs IP on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 did not prevent lethal xenogeneic GVHD induced by injection of human PBMCs. Conclusions. Injection of MSCs did not prevent xenogeneic GVHD in these two humanized mice models. [less ▲]

Muscle fatigue experienced during maximal eccentric exercise is predictive of the plasma creatine kinase (CK) response

in Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports (in press)

Unaccustomed eccentric exercise may cause skeletal muscle damage with an increase in plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity. Although the wide variability among individuals in CK response to standardized ... [more ▼]

Unaccustomed eccentric exercise may cause skeletal muscle damage with an increase in plasma creatine kinase (CK) activity. Although the wide variability among individuals in CK response to standardized lengthening contractions has been well described, the reasons underlying this phenomenon have not yet been understood. Therefore, this study investigated a possible correlation of the changes in muscle damage indirect markers after an eccentric exercise with the decline in muscle performance during the exercise. Twenty-seven healthy untrained male subjects performed three sets of 30 maximal isokinetic eccentric contractions of the knee extensors. The muscular work was recorded using an isokinetic dynamometer to assess muscle fatigue by means of various fatigue indices. Plasma CK activity, muscle soreness, and stiffness were measured before (pre) and one day after (post) exercise. The eccentric exercise bout induced significant changes of the three muscle damage indirect markers. Large intersubject variability was observed for all criteria measured. More interestingly, the log (CKpost/CKpre) and muscle stiffness appeared to be closely correlated with the relative work decrease (r = 0.84, r2 = 0.70 and r = 0.75, r2 = 0.56, respectively). This is the first study to propose that the muscle fatigue profile during maximal eccentric protocol could predict the magnitude of the symptoms associated with muscle damage in humans. [less ▲]

Computation of worst operation scenarios under uncertainty for static security management

in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems (in press)

This paper deals with day-ahead static security assessment with respect to a postulated set of contingencies while taking into account uncertainties about the next day system conditions. We propose a ... [more ▼]

This paper deals with day-ahead static security assessment with respect to a postulated set of contingencies while taking into account uncertainties about the next day system conditions. We propose a heuristic approach to compute the worst-case under operation uncertainty for a contingency with respect to overloads. We formulate this problem as a non-convex nonlinear bilevel program that we solve approximately by a heuristic approach which relies on the solution of successive optimal power flow (OPF) and security-constrained optimal power flow (SCOPF) problems of a special type. The method aims at revealing those combinations of uncertainties and contingencies for which the best combination of preventive and corrective actions would not suffice to ensure security. Extensive numerical results on a small, a medium, and a very large system prove the interest of the approach. [less ▲]

Reining in Excessive Risk Taking by Executives: The Effect of Accountability

in Theory and Decision (in press)

Performance-contingent compensation by means of stock options may induce risk taking in agents that is excessive from the point of view of the company or the shareholders. We test whether increasing ... [more ▼]

Performance-contingent compensation by means of stock options may induce risk taking in agents that is excessive from the point of view of the company or the shareholders. We test whether increasing shareholder control may be an effective checking mechanism to rein in such excessive risk taking. We thus tell one group of experimental CEOs that they may have to justify their decision making processes in front of their shareholders. This indeed reduces risk taking and increases the performance of the companies they manage. Implications are discussed. [less ▲]

Chemical surface inhomogeneities in late B-type stars with Hg and Mn peculiarity: I. Spot evolution in HD 11753 on short and long time scales

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (in press)