Centre Marc Bloch

Human mobility is known to be distributed across several orders of magnitude of physical distances , which makes it generally difficult to endogenously find or define typical and meaningful scales. Relevant analyses, from movements to geographical partitions, seem to be relative to some ad-hoc scale, or no scale at all. Relying on geotagged data collected from photo-sharing social media, we apply community detection to movement networks constrained by increasing percentiles of the distance distribution. Using a simple parameter-free discontinuity detection algorithm, we discover clear phase transitions in the community partition space. The detection of these phases constitutes the first objective method of characterising endogenous, natural scales of human movement. Our study covers nine regions, ranging from cities to countries of various sizes and a transnational area. For all regions, the number of natural scales is remarkably low (2 or 3). Further, our results hint at scale-related behaviours rather than scale-related users. The partitions of the natural scales allow us to draw discrete multi-scale geographical boundaries, potentially capable of providing key insights in fields such as epidemiology or cultural contagion where the introduction of spatial boundaries is pivotal.

A comprehensive review on designs and mechanisms of semiconducting metal oxides with various nanostructures for room-temperature gas sensor applications.

Abstract The ‘transfer’ of participatory budgeting from Brazil to Europe has been a highly differentiated process. In Porto Alegre, this innovative methodology enabled democratization and social justice to be articulated. In Europe, participatory budgeting relies on multiple procedures, and it is therefore necessary to give a clear methodological definition of it so that cases can be coherently compared and ideal‐types constructed to understand the variety of concrete experiments. The six ideal‐types we propose (Porto Alegre adapted for Europe; representation of organized interests; community funds at the local and city level; the public/private negotiating table; consultation on public finances; proximity participation) show striking differences that are highly influenced by existing participatory traditions. It is, above all, with the models Porto Alegre adapted for Europe and community funds that an ‘empowered participatory governance’ can develop and that a fourth power, beyond the three classical ones, is developing — that of the citizenry when it directly (or through delegates) assumes a decision‐making power. However, other models have their strengths, too, for example with regard to the reform of public administration which is a critical aspect in the search for ‘another possible world’. Résumé Le ‘transfert’ du budget participatif du Brésil à l'Europe s'est révélé un processus très différencié. A Porto Alegre, cette méthodologie novatrice a permis d'intégrer démocratisation et justice sociale. En Europe, comme le budget participatif s'appuie sur de nombreuses procédures, il faut lui donner une définition méthodologique claire afin de pouvoir comparer correctement les cas et élaborer des idéaltypes pour comprendre la variété des expériences concrètes. Cet article propose six idéaltypes : Porto Alegre adaptéà l'Europe, Représentation des intérêts organisés, Fonds communautaires au niveau local et municipal, Table de négociations public‐privé, Consultation sur les finances publiques, Participation de proximité. Tous présentent des divergences frappantes, fortement influencées par les traditions participatives en place. C'est surtout avec les modèles Porto Alegre adaptéà l'Europe et Fonds communautaires que peut se déployer une ‘gouvernance participative dotée de pouvoirs’ et que se développe un quatrième pouvoir, au‐delà des trois autres classiques : celui de l'ensemble des citoyens exerçant directement (ou via des délégués) un pouvoir décisionnel. Toutefois, d'autres modèles ont leurs atouts également, par exemple vis‐à‐vis de la réforme de l'administration publique donc d'un aspect crucial dans la quête d'un ‘autre monde possible’.

Oscillations in local field potentials in the beta-frequency band (13-35 Hz) are a pervasive feature of human and nonhuman primate motor cortical areas. However, the function of such synchronous activity across populations of neurons remains unknown. Here, we test the hypothesis that beta activity may promote existing motor set and posture while compromising processing related to new movements. Three experiments were performed. First, healthy subjects were instructed to make reaction time movements of the outstretched index finger in response to imperative cues triggered by transient increases in corticospinal synchrony, as evidenced by phasic elevations of beta-frequency band microtremor and intermuscular synchrony. Second, healthy subjects were instructed to resist a stretch to the index finger triggered in the same way. Finger acceleration in the reaction time task and transcortical components of the stretch reflex were measured and compared with those elicited by random cue or stretch presentation. Finally, we sought a correlation between finger acceleration in the reaction time task and cortical synchrony directly measured from the electrocorticogram in two patients undergoing functional neurosurgery. We demonstrate that movements are slowed and transcortical responses to stretch are potentiated during periods of elevated beta-band cortical synchrony. The results suggest that physiological periods of beta synchrony are associated with a cortical state in which postural set is reinforced, but the speed of new movements impaired. The findings are of relevance to Parkinson's disease, in which subcortical and cortical beta-band synchronization is exaggerated in the setting of increased tone and slowed movements.

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Abstract The article reviews the recent debate about workplace democracy. It first presents and critically discusses arguments in favor of democratizing the firm that are based on the analogy with states, meaningful work, the avoidance of unjustified hierarchies, and beneficial effects on political democracy. The second part presents and critically discusses arguments against workplace democracy that are based on considerations of efficiency, the difficulties of a transition towards democratic firms, and liberal commitments such as the rights of employees and owners to work for or invest in nondemocratic firms. The conclusion summarizes the debate and argues that experiments with democratic workplaces as what Erik Olin Wright calls “real utopias” could deliver new insights and thus move the discussion forward.

To examine the effects of a wide range of sodium intake on plasma and urinary norepinephrine values in normal man, we studied 14 men at six levels of sodium intake from 10 to 1500 mEq/24 hrs.Mean blood pressure increased from 83.8 ± 1 (SEM) to 1003 ± 3 mm Hg, while cardiac index increased from 2.6 ± 0.1 to 3.6 ± 03 llters/min/m 1 (p < 0.001).Upright venous plasma norepinephrine concentration decreased from 467 ±63 to 67 ± 24 pg/ml, while urinary norepinephrine excretion decreased from 543 ± 3.4 to 23.4 ± 2.9 Mg/24 hrs.There was no effect of sodium intake on blood pressure responses to isometric hand-grip contraction.The urinary sodium excretion was inversely correlated with urinary norepinephrine excretion (r = -0.46,p < 0.001).There was a significant inverse multiple correlation of mean blood pressure and plasma and urinary norepinephrine values (correlation coefficient = 0.72, p < 0.001).These results indicate that sodium homeostasis has a signiflcant effect on plasma and urinary norepinephrine values.Sympathetic nervous system activity appears to decrease with sodium loading in normal subjects.These responses may have facilitated the excretion of massive salt loads in normal subjects and may nave modulated the increases in blood pressure.(Hypertension 1: 261-266, 1979) KEY WORDS • catecholamines • urinary norepinephrine • plasma norepinephrine sodium loading • sympathetic nervous system • autonomic nervous system I NCREASES in arterial blood pressure have been observed with increases in salt intake in subjects with diminished renal function since the report of Ambard and Beaujard in 1904.l Subsequently, similar blood pressure observations have been made in normal persons subjected to large increases in salt intake. 1 " 4 We recently reported that increases in blood pressure occurred in normotensive human volunteers when they were subjected to a sodium intake in excess of 800 mEq per day. 5The sympathetic nervous system plays a major role in the blood pressure regulation of normal persons," and has also been implicated in the development of experimental hypertension, 7 as well as in certain forms of human essential hypertension. 8" 10 We therefore observed indices

Résumé Dans les démarches participatives contemporaines, des expressions comme « savoir citoyen », « savoir ordinaire » ou « savoir d'usage » sont utilisées de façon inflationniste. L'article clarifie analytiquement ce que recouvrent ces expressions en étudiant successivement trois ensembles épistémiques mobilisables dans les dynamiques de participation : la raison ordinaire, l'expertise citoyenne et le savoir politique. Il interroge les enjeux politiques de cet appui revendiqué sur ces formes spécifiques de savoir, et contribue à renouveler l'opposition classique entre théories élitistes et théories « participationnistes » de la démocratie. Si la résorption du savoir des professionnels de la politique dans un savoir politique plus générique est improbable, l'appui sur les savoirs citoyens n'est-il pas susceptible de contribuer à redynamiser la politique dans son ensemble ?

Depuis 2010, les techniques prédictives basées sur l’apprentissage artificiel (machine learning), et plus spécifiquement des réseaux de neurones (deep learning), réalisent des prouesses spectaculaires dans les domaines de la reconnaissance d’image ou de la traduction automatique, sous l’égide du terme d’“Intelligence artificielle”. Or l’appartenance de ces techniques à ce domaine de recherche n’a pas toujours été de soi. Dans l’histoire tumultueuse de l’IA, les techniques d’apprentissage utilisant des réseaux de neurones – que l’on qualifie de “connexionnistes” – ont même longtemps été moquées et ostracisées par le courant dit “symbolique”. Cet article propose de retracer l’histoire de l’Intelligence artificielle au prisme de la tension entre ces deux approches, symbolique et connexionniste. Dans une perspective d’histoire sociale des sciences et des techniques, il s’attache à mettre en évidence la manière dont les chercheurs, s’appuyant sur l’arrivée de données massives et la démultiplication des capacités de calcul, ont entrepris de reformuler le projet de l’IA symbolique en renouant avec l’esprit des machines adaptatives et inductives de l’époque de la cybernétique.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of a short-term electromyostimulation (EMS) training program on the strength of knee extensors, skating, and vertical jump performance of a group of ice hockey players. METHODS: Seventeen ice hockey players participated in this study, with nine in the electrostimulated group (ES) and the remaining height as controls (C). EMS sessions consisted of 30 contractions (4-s duration, 85 Hz) and were carried out 3x wk for 3 wk. Isokinetic strength of the knee extensor muscles was determined with a Biodex dynamometer at different eccentric and concentric angular velocities (angular velocities ranging from -120 to 300 degrees .s). Jumping ability was evaluated during squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ), and 15 consecutive CMJ (15J). Sprint times for 10- and 30-m skates in specific conditions were measured using an infrared photoelectric system. RESULTS: After 3 wk of EMS training, isokinetic torque increased significantly (P<0.05) for ES group in eccentric (-120 and -60 degrees .s) and concentric conditions (60 and 300 degrees .s), whereas vertical jump height decreased significantly (P<0.05) for SJ (-2.9+/-2.4 cm), CMJ (-2.1+/-2.0 cm), and DJ (-1.3+/-1.1 cm). The 10-m skating performance was significantly improved (from 2.18+/-0.20 to 2.07+/-0.09 s, before and after the 3-wk EMS period, respectively; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that an EMS program of the knee extensors significantly enhanced isokinetic strength (eccentric and for two concentric velocities) and short skating performance of a group of ice hockey players.

The present study investigated the influence of a 12-week electromyostimulation (EMS) training program performed by elite rugby players. Twenty-five rugby players participated in the study, 15 in an electrostimulated group and the remaining 10 in a control group. EMS was conducted on the knee extensor, plantar flexor, and gluteus muscles. During the first 6 weeks, training sessions were carried out 3 times a week and during the last 6 weeks, once a week. Isokinetic torque of the knee extensors was determined at different eccentric and concentric angular velocities ranging from -120 to 360 degrees .s(-1). Scrummaging and full squat strength, vertical jump height and sprint-running times were also evaluated. After the first 6 weeks of EMS, only the squat strength was significantly improved (+8.3 +/- 6.5%; p < 0.01). After the 12th week, the -120 degrees .s(-1) maximal eccentric, 120 and 240 degrees .s(-1) maximal concentric torque (p < 0.05), squat strength (+15.0 +/- 8.0%; p < 0.001), squat jump (+10.0 +/- 9.5%; p < 0.01), and drop jump from a 40-cm height (+6.6 +/- 6.1%; p < 0.05) were significantly improved. No significant change was observed for the control group. A 12-week EMS training program demonstrated beneficial effects on muscle strength and power in elite rugby players on particular tests. However, rugby skills such as scrummaging and sprinting were not enhanced.

Example of an advanced characterization study of a complex system (thin film solar cell) that may serve as an instructive handbook to help building up the full picture of multilayer-based devices for a broad spectrum of readers and researchers.

While bilingual education programmes in European mainstream languages are becoming increasingly popular in France, the bilingualism of migrant children remains overlooked and is believed by many to delay the acquisition of French. An institutionalised language hierarchy lies all too often unchallenged within the French education system and linguistic policies for primary schools, while trying to develop foreign language learning from the earliest age, fail to deal with the question of minority languages. This study presents a language awareness project in a small primary school in the Mulhouse area of Alsace as an example of how languages of unequal status can be placed on an equal footing in a school context, how children can be educated to linguistic and cultural variety and teachers made aware of the linguistic and cultural wealth present in their classes and their community. Finally, we shall argue that language awareness programmes do not have to compete with early foreign language teaching, but can be implemented in a complementary way, to educate children about language, languages and cultures, thus valuing differences as a source of learning, helping to foster tolerance and fight racism and extending teachers' knowledge and understanding of multilingual and multicultural issues.

gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has been reported to be a ligand for GABAB receptor(s), although with low or very low affinity (IC50 = 150-796 microM). In addition, several reports argue for a role of GHB via GABAB receptors in both in vivo and in vitro electro-physiological experiments. In the present study, we demonstrate that the inhibition of GHB's conversion into GABA by rat brain membranes blocks the ability of GHB to interfere with GABAB binding. In particular, the inhibition of GHB dehydrogenase by valproate or ethosuximide and the blockade of GABA-T by aminooxyacetic acid induce the disappearance of the GABA-like effect of GHB at GABAB, but also at GABAA, receptors. This finding could explain the misinterpretation of in vitro or in vivo experiments where GHB possesses a GABA-like effect. But in addition, it is postulated that the normal metabolism of GHB in brain induces GABAB mechanisms that could be blocked by the administration of valproate or ethosuximide.

Can participatory budgeting help make public services really work for the public ? Incorporating a range of experiments in ten different countries, this book provides the first comprehensive analysis of participatory budgeting in Europe and the effect it has had on democracy, the modernization of local government, social justice, gender mainstreaming and sustainable development. By focussing on the first decade of European participatory budgeting and analysing the results and the challenges affecting the agenda today it provides a critical appraisal of the participatory model. Detailed comparisons of European cases expose similarities and differences between political cultures and offer a strong empirical basis to discuss the theories of deliberative and participatory democracy and reveal contradictory tendencies between political systems, public administrations and democratic practices.

Subway systems span most large cities, and railway networks most countries in the world. These networks are fundamental in the development of countries and their cities, and it is therefore crucial to understand their formation and evolution. However, if the topological properties of these networks are fairly well understood, how they relate to population and socio-economical properties remains an open question. We propose here a general coarse-grained approach, based on a cost-benefit analysis that accounts for the scaling properties of the main quantities characterizing these systems (the number of stations, the total length, and the ridership) with the substrate's population, area and wealth. More precisely, we show that the length, number of stations and ridership of subways and rail networks can be estimated knowing the area, population and wealth of the underlying region. These predictions are in good agreement with data gathered for about 140 subway systems and more than 50 railway networks in the world. We also show that train networks and subway systems can be described within the same framework, but with a fundamental difference: while the interstation distance seems to be constant and determined by the typical walking distance for subways, the interstation distance for railways scales with the number of stations.

We consider a system of interacting particles, diffusing under the influence of both thermal noise and a random, external electric field which acts in a subspace of m dimensions. In the nonequilibrium steady state, the net current is zero. When the interparticle interaction is short ranged and attractive, a second-order phase transition is expected. Analyzing this system in field-theoretic terms, we find the upper critical dimension to be 4-m and its behavior to fall outside the universality classes of the equilibrium Ising model and the usual driven diffusive system. A new fixed point and critical exponents are computed.

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Abstract The Maltese archipelago and south‐eastern Sicily include an Uppermost Oligocene to Upper Miocene hemipelagic sedimentary succession representing the Malta‐Hyblean plateau, which limits the eastern Mediterranean to the west. This succession hosts a unique and well‐exposed series of condensed and allochthonous phosphate‐rich beds, which were formed in a sedimentary regime of erosion, sediment reworking and frequent gravity‐flow deposition. The combination of nannofossil biostratigraphy and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr isotope stratigraphy allows for the precise attribution of ages to the phosphate deposits and for the distinction of three periods of major phosphogenesis. The first phase occurred between 24·5 and 21 Ma and 25 and 18·9 Ma (clustering of ages between 25 and 22·5 Ma) on Malta and Sicily, respectively. The second and third phases of phosphogenesis are documented from the Maltese Islands and are dated as 17·2 to 13·1 Ma and 10·9 to 9·8 Ma, respectively. The phosphate‐rich beds are associated with hiatuses and phases of important condensation which, for the oldest phosphogenic period, envelop the time period of 23·2 to 22 Ma for the Fomm Ir Rhi Bay section (Malta) and from 19·1 to 16·3 Ma for the sections of Sampieri and Modica (Sicily). For the second phase of phosphogenesis on the Maltese Islands, a consistent hiatus was found which embraces the time period of approximately 17 to 15 Ma. Also the third phase of phosphogenesis appears to be associated with a major hiatus, which probably envelops the time period between 12·5 and 10·9 Ma, but a better age control is needed here. The correspondence in timing of the Maltese‐Sicilian phases of phosphogenesis with major phases of phosphogenesis outside the Mediterranean realm, to maxima in oceanic phosphorus‐burial rates and maxima in the δ 13 C benthic foraminiferal record suggests that the palaeoceanographic evolution of the eastern Mediterranean was well in phase with that of other ocean basins until at least the early Late Miocene, despite its increasing isolation due to the gradual closure of the Eurasian‐Arabian Strait and progressive sea‐level fall.

The notion of information puts the human, the animal and the vegetable all on the same plane, and tends to dissolve the previous specificities of these categories. DNA, in this way, is fetishized. Also, the notion of information, and of the gene, has moved from the domain of expert or technical culture to become a part of mass culture: a development that has important social consequences. The human body is seen as a prototype that needs to be tested or rectified (a consequence of the notion of ‘bad’ genes). From prenatal testing to the courtroom, it is implicitly around the notion a ‘life worth living’ (that is to say, of good morphological or genetic quality) that intense debates have arisen concerning the status of the body, of illness and of disability. Genetics is becoming part of the social environment, and it is setting itself up as a form of secular religion, with fundamentalist overtones. This article will analyse the anthropological shifts that have grown up around these new definitions of the human.