A Map of the Nanoworld: Sizing up the Science, Politics, and Business of the Infinitesimal

Mapping out the eight main nodes of nanotechnology discourse that have emerged in the past decade, we explore how various scientific, social, and ethical islands of discussion have developed, been recognized, and are being continually renegotiated. We do so by (1) identifying the ways in which scientists, policy makers, entrepreneurs, educators, and environmental groups have drawn boundaries on issues relating to nanotechnology; (2) describing concisely the perspectives from which these boundaries are drawn; and (3) exploring how boundaries on nanotechnology are marked and negotiated by various nodes of nanotechnology discourse.Comment: 25 page

Degradation mechanism of tributyl phosphate by UV/H2O2 treatment and parameters optimization towards the design of a pilot reactor

While activated sludge treatment is currently the preferred process for the removal of tributyl phosphate (TBP) at the mg.L−1 level, it is well known that this recalcitrant molecule is incompletely degraded, stimulating research into alternative approaches, such as advanced oxidation. The aim of this study was to characterize the degradation mechanism of TBP during ultraviolet/H2O2 treatment using 31P NMR, ionic chromatography and total organic carbon analysis. The effects of initial pH, amount of oxidant and pollutant concentration were also assessed using an experimental design approach. The results of this parametric study show that ultraviolet/H2O2 photo-oxidation efficiently degrades TBP at concentrations up to 600 mg.L−1, with >90% phosphate release and up to 95% removal of total organic carbon within 1 h. The data also show that the main reaction intermediates are short carboxylic acids, resulting from the released alkyl groups, meaning that an interesting application of this process may be to rapidly pre-treat industrial effluent upstream of activated sludge reactors

Changing Fields of Solidarity in France: A Cross-field Analysis of Migration, Unemployment and Disability

AbstractThis chapter evaluates the implications of recent crises for solidarity organisations in France. The main aim is to assess whether solidarity remains nationally bounded or otherwise follows some consistent pattern of transnationalisation. By focusing on the fields of migration, unemployment and disability, the chapter examines the main attributes of solidarity organisations; in particular, the analysis aims to evaluate how transnational features relate to endogenous characteristics, such as activities, roles and networks affecting their particular experiences within changing fields of solidarity. Crucially, findings show that the economic crisis and welfare retrenchment in France have well served the purpose of governments willing to pre-empt strong political challenge by potential solidarity movements

Smaïn Laacher, Croire à l’incroyable. Un sociologue à la Cour nationale du droit d’asile

Dans son essai Croire à l’incroyable. Un sociologue à la Cour nationale du droit d’asile, Smaïn Laacher propose « une ethnographie de l’univers de l’asile » (p. 23) à partir de son expérience de juge assesseur au sein de cette institution. Éminent spécialiste de l’immigration, il y représente en effet, de 1999 à 2014, le Haut commissariat des Nations-Unies pour les réfugiés (UNHCR, et plus couramment HCR). Est ici décrit le théâtre ritualisé de la Cour nationale du droit d’asile (CNDA), jurid..

Accessibility of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models are mathematical models that describe the absorption, disposition, metabolism and elimination processes that a substance undergoes in a living organism. A PBPK model subdivides the body in compartments representing organs connected through blood. This type of model aims to link an external exposure to an internal dose, particularly in the context of health regulations.This work focuses on the PBPK models developed at the Ineris (National Institute for the Industrial Environment and Risks). The goal is to make the use of these models more accessible for researchers as well as regulatory agencies. In 2010, the experimental toxicology and modeling unit published a reference PBPK model, which follows a human organism throughout his entire life. Since then, many versions have been developed to adapt to the different behaviors of substances. The multiple versions were collected, updated, annotated and compared. The combination of models into a generic model is under development. We have developed VICKY : an interface to graphically represent the dynamics of the model's predictions. This GUIincludes 3 tools : A table and graph of substance concentrations in organs as a function of years and a animated diagram of the human body. Intensity color of the human body organs represent concentration levels. This graphical interface linked to the generic model will facilitate interpretation of the results of the PBPK models by researchers and health agencies. Ultimately, it will help to assess exposure to substances in order to protect human populations in terms of health.</jats:p