Conservatoire national des arts et métiers

About: Conservatoire national des arts et métiers is a education organization based out in Paris, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 3573 authors who have published 7127 publications receiving 141430 citations. The organization is also known as: CNAM & Conservatoire des arts et métiers.

Refractometer for tracking changes in the refractive index of air near 780 nm

Abstract: A new system, consisting of a double-channel Fabry–Perot etalon and laser diodes emitting around 780 nm, is described and proposed for use for measuring air-refractive index. The principle of this refractometer is based on frequency measurements between optical laser sources. It permits quasi-instantaneous measurement with a resolution of better than 10-9 and uncertainty in the 10-8 range. Some preliminary results on the stability of this system and the measurements of the refractive index of air with this apparatus are presented. The first measurements of the index of air at 780 nm are, within an experimental uncertainty of the order of 2 × 10-8, in agreement with the predicted values by the so-called revised Edlen equations. This result is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to extend to the near IR the validity of the revised Edlen equation derived for the wavelength range of 350–650 nm.

Comparison of kinetic models for the aqueous solid-liquid extraction of tilia sapwood in a continuous stirred tank reactor

Abstract: The kinetic study of the aqueous extraction of Tilia sapwood was based on temperature, while all the other factors were kept constant. Several models were used and compared to explain the kinetics of the aqueous solid-liquid extraction of Tilia sapwood. For each model, the rate constant, the equilibrium extraction capacity, and the initial extraction rate were evaluated to analyze the suitability of these kinetic models to describe the leaching process for temperatures ranging from 313 to 363 K. The pseudo first-order model could not be applied during the whole of the process. The Elovich model provided a good degree of correlation (from 0.929 to 0.988) and could be applied all along the extraction process. The pseudo second-order model was satisfactorily applied, with coefficients of correlation over 0.998, showing that it perfectly described the process. A physical explanation of these models was finally proposed.

Cognitive control under social influence in baboons.

Abstract: From cockroaches to human beings, the presence of other members of the same species typically facilitates dominant (habitual/well-learned) responses regardless of their contextual relevance. This social facilitation requires special attention in animal species such as primates, given their evolved cognitive control mechanisms. Here we tested baboons who freely engaged in (computer-based) conflict response tasks requiring cognitive control for successful performance, and discovered that social presence does not only enhance dominant responses but also consumes cognitive control resources. Under social presence, the baboons experienced greater cognitive conflicts, were less able to inhibit a learned action in favor of a new one, and were also less able to take advantage of previous experience with response conflict, compared with isolation. These findings explain why inappropriate behaviors are not easily suppressed in primates acting in social contexts, and indicate a greater demand for cognitive control in social groups. This extra demand might represent a major evolutionary drive of human intelligence.

Flood risk mitigation in Europe: how far away are we from the aspired forms of adaptive governance?

Abstract: Flood mitigation is a strategy that is growing in importance across Europe. This growth corresponds with an increasing emphasis on the need to learn to live with floods and make space for water. Flood mitigation measures aim at reducing the likelihood and magnitude of flooding and complement flood defenses. They are being put in place through the implementation of actions that accommodate (rather than resist) water, such as natural flood management or adapted housing. The strategy has gained momentum over the past 20 years in an effort to improve the sustainability of flood risk management (FRM) and facilitate the diversification of FRM in the pursuit of societal resilience to flooding. Simultaneously, it is increasingly argued that adaptive forms of governance are best placed to address the uncertainty and complexity associated with social-ecological systems responding to environmental challenges, such as flooding. However, there have been few attempts to examine the extent to which current flood risk governance, and flood mitigation specifically, reflect these aspired forms of adaptive governance. Drawing from EU research into flood risk governance, conducted within the STAR-FLOOD project, we examine the governance of flood mitigation in six European countries: Belgium, England, France, the Netherlands, Poland, and Sweden. Using in-depth policy and legal analysis, as well as interviews with key actors, the governance and implementation of flood mitigation in these countries is evaluated from the normative viewpoint of whether, and to what extent, it can be characterized as adaptive governance. We identify five criteria of adaptive governance based on a comprehensive literature review and apply these to each country to determine the “distance” between current governance arrangements and adaptive governance. In conclusion, the flood mitigation strategy provides various opportunities for actors to further pursue forms of adaptive governance. The extent to which the mitigation strategy is capable of doing so varies across countries, however, and its role in stimulating adaptive governance was found to be strongest in Belgium and England.