What is the role of the Brand Human Voice in driving Consumer Engagement? A social media perspective

Conference (2013, June 03)

Social Rights, Civil Rights : Addressing Disability Discrimination in the United States and in Sweden

Conference (2013, June 02)

Some scholarly works have highlighted the diffusion of the US disability rights model in Europe, considering that a disability rights’ revolution was underway. They have also identified sources of ... [more ▼]

Some scholarly works have highlighted the diffusion of the US disability rights model in Europe, considering that a disability rights’ revolution was underway. They have also identified sources of resistance to the diffusion of this “civil rights’ frame” to address disability issues in Europe (Burke, 2004; Heyer, 2002; Vanhala, 2011; Waldschmidt, 2009). Focusing on legal mobilizations against disability discrimination in the workplace, I analyze and compare how government agencies (the Swedish Ombudsman against discrimination and the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission), as well as non-governmental organizations in both countries, address these issues. How do the structures of national institutions frame legal mobilizations against disability discrimination in each country? Do they tend to converge in the way they mobilize the law to address these issues? Through investigative techniques consisting primarily of open-ended interviews with lawyers working in NGOs and in government agencies for equality in the United States and in Sweden, I highlight several challenges faced by studies on disability rights, especially when they describe and explain convergence of legal mobilizations, and try to offer suggestions for overcoming these challenges. More broadly, this contribution aims to call into question the processes of transnationalisation and policy transfer from one country to another. [less ▲]

Vocal impact of a prolonged reading task at two intensity levels : Perceptual analysis

Conference (2013, June 01)

Our goal is to evaluate the impact on voice of both duration and intensity level of 2 hours of continuous oral reading. Fifty normophonic women underwent two sessions of voice loading in which the ... [more ▼]

Our goal is to evaluate the impact on voice of both duration and intensity level of 2 hours of continuous oral reading. Fifty normophonic women underwent two sessions of voice loading in which the required intensity level of voice varied: 60-65 dB(A) for the first session, and 70-75 dB(A) for the second session. Objective measurements and subjective self-ratings were presented in a previous study (Remacle, Finck, Roche & Morsomme, 2012). Here are the results of perceptual analysis based on comparative judgments. Ten expert listeners evaluated the pressedness and the breathiness of one sentence recorded before and after each loading session. Pairs of stimuli were presented randomly to listeners who were asked to designate the most pressed sample at a first listening and the most breathy sample at a second listening. Each pair of stimuli was presented twice in order to evaluate the reliability. Results indicate that inter-judges and intra-judges reliability was poor to fair. Concerning the duration effect of vocal loading, results showed a significant decrease of breathiness but no change of pressedness after reading in both sessions. The decreased breathiness represents a voice improvement which could be interpreted as an adaptation of voice to loading. When comparing the two intensity levels, no difference was found for breathiness and pressedness after vocal loading. Similarly to objective measurements and self-ratings, perceptual assessments suggest that the duration of vocal loading has more effects on voice than its intensity level. [less ▲]

DRAFT: ASSESSMENT OF FATIGUE RELIABILITY FOR JACKET-TYPE OFFSHORE PLATFORMS CONSIDERING DYNAMIC BEHAVOIR

Scientific conference (2013, June)

In order to traditionally investigate the strength of marine structures, the structure is subjected to a maximum static load. However, the marine structures are usually suffering environmental forces ... [more ▼]

In order to traditionally investigate the strength of marine structures, the structure is subjected to a maximum static load. However, the marine structures are usually suffering environmental forces varying with time. Wave forces are the most important time dependent loading that causes fatigue in structural elements and joints. In this paper different methods base on S-N curve and linear elastic failure mechanics are presented. The governing equations and theories that are used in each method are expressed and the application of each method will be discussed. The two main methods of deterministic analyses are: stressbased approach (S-N curve approach) and linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) approaches. These approaches are applicable to different analyzing strategies, ie the first approach is used for cases in which general form of fatigue is dominant, but the latter involves the calculations of reliability as functions of crack geometry and its boundary conditions. The SPD12C jacket platform is also modeled as a case study and the results of fatigue reliability analysis are presented. In this paper a comprehensive method is presented to accurately predict the reliability of offshore platforms. This method is based on S-N curve and the results are compared with the fatigue life of joints. Due to nonlinear interaction of soil and piles and the other affecting parameters such as flexibility of joints, non Gaussian procedure of loading, and nonlinearity of reaction force, the precise analyzing of stress levels will be impossible and a complex numerical analysis could only give limited information about the statistical properties of stress. In order to perform the fatigue analysis and predicting the cycles of stress SACS was used which is known as a powerful software in designing and analyzing offshore structures. In this paper the whole structure was modeled subjected to different forces such as wave and sea currents. The effects of parameters such as marine growth and interaction of soil and piles are also included. The latter is shown to have a significant effect on determination of fatigue life of the platform. [less ▲]

Réaction transfusionnelle hémolytique retardée (RTHR) suite à une transfusion massive de concentrés érythrocytaires ABO-incompatibles

Poster (2013, June)

Exuberant inflammatory reaction after an infiltration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

in British Journal of Sports Medicine (2013, June), 47(10 (e3)), 92

Background: PRP, obtained from centrifuged autologous blood, contains a large quantity of growth factors, which may enhance the tissue healing processes. Local infiltration of PRP represents a relatively ... [more ▼]

Background: PRP, obtained from centrifuged autologous blood, contains a large quantity of growth factors, which may enhance the tissue healing processes. Local infiltration of PRP represents a relatively new treatment for tendinopathies. To date, no side effects have been reported after infiltration of PRP to treat tendinopathy. Case report: A 35-year-old patient had a right upper patellar tendinopathy which was resistant to all conservative treatments for more than 6 months. The patient was a type 1 diabetic (well controlled). He had an intratendinous infiltration of 6 mL of PRP (8.105 platelets/mm3, almost no red or white blood cells) after disinfection but without local anaesthetic. Immediately following the infiltration, local cryotherapy was performed for 15 minutes. NSAIDs were avoided, but class-1 or -2 pain-killers were authorised if necessary. A standardised sub-maximal eccentric rehabilitation should have been started 1 week after. However, the patient experienced local swelling with erythema, increased heating and pain which appeared just underneath the patella, but without biological inflammatory syndrome. A great Doppler signal in a thicker patellar tendon was observed by US, but there was no sign of local infectious disease demonstrated by either CT or MRI. However, the local inflammation did not decrease after a progressive 3-week treatment of local cryotherapy, local and oral NSAIDs and colchicine 1 mg. Thus, an insidious infection was suspected, even though there was neither evidence of biological inflammatory syndrome nor sign of infectious lesion on imagery examination. An antibiotic therapy (rifampicine 600 mg + minocycline 100 mg) was initiated for 3 months. Finally, a 3-phase bone scintigraphy suggested the presence of a complex regional pain syndrome type 1 treated by a classical physical therapy and concomitant class-2 pain killers. The evolution was favourable after 6 months of symptomatic treatment, and the pain decreased to a level similar to that before the infiltration of PRP. Discussion/Conclusions: This case report draws attention to potential side effects that are linked to this new therapy by infiltration of platelet rich plasma in case of tendinopathy, in particular when used in patients with type 1 diabetes. Thus, the balance between benefits and risks must be carefully evaluated before using this treatment in patients with type 1 diabetes. Reference: Platelet-rich plasma application in the management of chronic tendinopathies. Acta Orthop Belg 2013; 79: 10-15. [less ▲]

Les enjeux de la gestion de la diversité

Learning material (2013)

Brain metabolic dysfunction in Capgras syndrome during Alzheimer’s disease: a positron emission tomography study

Poster (2013, June)

Change in viability of Acetobacter senegalensis cells during gluconic acid fermentation at high temperature

Poster (2013, June)

Introduction: Gluconic acid (GA) is a multifunctional carbonic acid with versatile applications in food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Although the production of GA and its derivative dating ... [more ▼]

Introduction: Gluconic acid (GA) is a multifunctional carbonic acid with versatile applications in food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Although the production of GA and its derivative dating backs decades, but use of this acid and its derivatives due to high prices is currently restricted. Using a thermotolerant bacterium in production of this acid at high temperature can provide a new option for industrially cost effective production. However, fermentation productivity may be negatively affected by factors (such as high temperature) leading to loss of cell viability. Objectives: In this study, the ability of a thermotolerant bacterium, Acetobacter senegalensis, in gluconic acid production at high temperature and its survival responses to some factors including temperature and carbon sources were evaluated. Materials and Method: Different batch fermentation processes were carried out at 38 °C, and then cell viability (total dehydrogenase activity) and culturability were assessed using flow cytometry and plate counting techniques, respectively. Results: A. senegalensis oxidized 95 g/L of glucose to gluconic acid at 38 °C. In exponential growth phase, cells were less subjected to damages; but upon transition of cells to stationary phase, cell viability and culturability reduced. Consequently, due to the lack of dehydrogenase activity the specific rate of glucose consumption and gluconic acid production decreased dramatically. High temperature (38 °C), oxidation of high amount of glucose and accumulation of inhibitory compounds (possibly gluconic acid) were dominant inducers leading cells into a viable but non-culturable state (VBNC) during the course of stationary phase. In contrast, presence of ethanol accompanied with glucose, and low incubation temperature assisted in resuscitation of senescent cells of stationary phase. Conclusions: A. senegalensis is able to produce gluconic acid at 38 °C. But, due to entrance of cells into VBNC state during stationary phase, the performance of batch fermentation is adversely affected. [less ▲]

Determination of activation yield curves for fusion escaping particle diagnostics

Conference (2013, June)