Paris West University Nanterre La Défense

About: Paris West University Nanterre La Défense is a education organization based out in Paris, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Finite element method. The organization has 895 authors who have published 1430 publications receiving 21712 citations.

Feasibility of the Manufacturing of Building Materials from Magnesium Slag

Abstract: Summary Magnesium manufactured by “MACNETHERM” process leads to obtention of two byproducts: a “powdered” slag which is similar to a cement and a “granulated” slag which has the granulometry of a sand and possesses latent hydraulic properties. This research consists in investigation about the variation of the properties of these slags and valuing the characteristics of mortars made from them. The final aim of this work is valorization of magnesium slags by manufacturing building blocks.

Melatonin ingestion after exhaustive late-evening exercise attenuate muscle damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation during intense short term effort in the following day in teenage athletes.

Abstract: The present study aimed to investigate whether nocturnal melatonin (MEL) ingestion has beneficial effects against exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage in young athletes. Fourteen healthy-trained teenagers performed two-test sessions separated by at least, 1 week. During each session, participants completed the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) at 20:00 h. Then, they ingested a single 10-mg tablet of MEL or Placebo (PLA) in a double-blind randomized order at 22:00 h. The following morning (i.e., 07:30 h), participants performed the same test as the previous night. Blood samples were taken before and after exercise. MEL intake increased the peak power (Ppeak) (p < .01), mean power (Pmean) (p < .001) and decreased the total time (TT) (p < .001) and the fatigue index (FI) (p < .05). Furthermore, MEL ingestion attenuated the hematologic parameters before and after exercise (White Blood Cells (WBC: p < .001 and p < .001, respectively); Neutrophiles (NE: p < .001 and p < .001, respectively); Lymphocytes (LY: p < .001 and p < .001, respectively)) and the ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein (us-CRP: p < .001 and p < .001; respectively) compared to PLA. Also, MEL reduced muscle and hepatic damage enzymes before and after exercise (creatine kinase (CK: p < .001 and p < .001; respectively), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH: p < .05 and p < .01; respectively), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT: p < .01 and p < .001; respectively)), Malondialdehyde (MDA: p < .001 and p < .001; respectively) and Homocysteine (Hcy: p < .001 and p < .001; respectively)) from placebo. Plasma lactate [La] and glucose (GL) remained unchangeable during the two conditions. In summary, acute MEL ingestion after strenuous late-evening exercise attenuated transient leucocytosis and protected against lipid peroxidation and muscle damage induced by strenuous exercise the following morning in healthy male teenage athletes.

Development and validation of the Cancer Exercise Stereotypes Scale.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop and validate a French-language questionnaire measuring stereotypes related to exercise in cancer patients: The Cancer Exercise Stereotypes Scale (CESS). Four successive steps were carried out with 806 participants. First, a preliminary version was developed on the basis of the relevant literature and qualitative interviews. A test of clarity then led to the reformulation of six of the 30 items. Second, based on the modification indices of the first confirmatory factorial analysis, 11 of the 30 initial items were deleted. A new factorial structure analysis showed a good fit and validated a 19-item instrument with five subscales. Third, the stability of the instrument was tested over time. Last, tests of construct validity were conducted to examine convergent validity and discriminant validity. The French-language CESS appears to have good psychometric qualities and can be used to test theoretical tenets and inform intervention strategies on ways to foster exercise in cancer patients.

Impact of total sleep deprivation and related mood changes on approach-avoidance decisions to threat-related facial displays.

Abstract: Study objectives Total sleep deprivation is known to have significant detrimental effects on cognitive and socio-emotional functioning. Nonetheless, the mechanisms by which total sleep loss disturbs decision-making in social contexts are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the impact of total sleep deprivation on approach/avoidance decisions when faced with threatening individuals, as well as the potential moderating role of sleep-related mood changes. Methods Participants (n = 34) made spontaneous approach/avoidance decisions in the presence of task-irrelevant angry or fearful individuals, while rested or totally sleep deprived (27 hours of continuous wakefulness). Sleep-related changes in mood and sustained attention were assessed using the Positive and Negative Affective Scale and the psychomotor vigilance task, respectively. Results Rested participants avoided both fearful and angry individuals, with stronger avoidance for angry individuals, in line with previous results. On the contrary, totally sleep deprived participants favored neither approach nor avoidance of fearful individuals, while they still comparably avoided angry individuals. Drift-diffusion models showed that this effect was accounted for by the fact that total sleep deprivation reduced value-based evidence accumulation toward avoidance during decision making. Finally, the reduction of positive mood after total sleep deprivation positively correlated with the reduction of fearful display avoidance. Importantly, this correlation was not mediated by a sleep-related reduction in sustained attention. Conclusions All together, these findings support the underestimated role of positive mood-state alterations caused by total sleep loss on approach/avoidance decisions when facing ambiguous socio-emotional displays, such as fear.

Demand-Pull Instruments and the Development of Wind Power in Europe: A Counterfactual Analysis

Abstract: Renewable energy technologies are called to play a crucial role in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Since most of these technologies did not yet reach grid parity, public policies have been implemented in order to foster their deployment. The approach that has been privileged in Europe is the demand-pull approach that aims at creating a demand for these new technologies and at stimulating their diffusion. This paper examines the effect of demand-pull policies on the diffusion of onshore wind power technology in six European countries: Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain. In a first step, a micro-founded model of diffusion is calibrated in order to replicate the observed diffusion of wind power in these six countries. In a second step, a counterfactual analysis is conducted by investigating several scenarios. By taking into account the complex self-sustained dynamics of diffusion and the learning spillovers that operate in the wind power sector, we can derive several insights about demand-pull policies. First, the impact of a demand-pull policy on the diffusion of wind power is determined by the stage at which it comes to support it. The effect seems to be stronger at the beginning of the diffusion. Second, international spillovers do operate in the wind power sector. These international spillovers however are not strong enough to foster the diffusion of wind power in a country having no demand-pull support. We can derive from these two statements that a strategy consisting in not implementing any demand-pull policy, with the expectation that international spillovers will reduce the cost of wind power and foster the diffusion of the technology that then shall become competitive, is not a good option for a country targeting a high share of wind power in its energy mix.