Open Access Books

A conference celebrating Remo Ruffini's 80th birthday was held in Nice, France, from 16 to 18 May 2022, with the participation of over 90 scientists. Among the contributions presented orally there were those by Rashid Sunyaev, Peter Predehl, Demetrios Christodoulou, Thibault Damour, Nathalie Deruelle, Roy Kerr, Tsvi Piran, Claus Laemmerzahl, Asghar Qadir, Chen Pisin, and Marco Tavani, in the presence of Agnès Rampal, the representative of the Mayor of Nice. An extraordinary moment of the meeting in Nice was the delivery of the Marcel Grossmann Award to Rashid Sunyaev and Peter Predehl for the Spectr–Roentgen–Gamma (SRG) mission. This volume contains 10 papers by some of the meeting participants and collaborators of Remo Ruffini.

The Tsinghua University–University of Waterloo Joint Research Center for Micro/Nano Energy & Environment Technology (JCMEET) is a platform. It was established on Nov.11, 2017. The Chairperson of University Council of Tsinghua University, Dr. Xu Chen, and the President of the University of Waterloo, Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur, attended the opening ceremony and unveiled the nameplate for the joint research center on 29th of March, 2018. The research center serves as a platform for researchers at both universities to conduct joint research in the targeted areas, and to meet regularly for information exchange, talent exchange, and knowledge mobilization, especially in the fields of micro/nano, energy, and environmental technologies. The center focuses on three main interests: micro/nano energy technology, micro/nano pollution control technology, and relevant fundamental research. In order to celebrate the first anniversary of the Joint Research Center, we were invited to serve as the Guest Editors of this Special Issue of Materials focusing on the topic of micro/nano-materials for clean energy and environment. It collects research papers from a broad range of topics related to micro/nanostructured materials aimed at future energy resources, low emission energy conversion, energy storage, energy efficiency improvement, air emission control, air monitoring, air cleaning, and many other related applications. This Special Issue provides an opportunity and example for the international community to discuss how to actively address the energy and environment issues that we are facing.

L’individu au cours de sa vie connaît différents événements de diverses natures (naissance, mariage, changement d’emploi, obtention d’un diplôme, etc.) qui s’enchaînent parfois très vite ou qui semblent aussi bien confus dans leur ordonnancement que dans leur statut. Du fait de la meilleure observation des parcours individuels à travers les questionnaires d’enquête, les changements d’états ne peuvent être réduits à de simples événements. Ils sont en effet marqués par une transition plus ou moins étalée dans le temps, et l’observation, la modélisation, l’interprétation de ces seuils flous entre deux situations constitue un champ de recherche foisonnant en sciences sociales. Les auteurs ont mis en commun leurs expériencesdans le domaine du recueil biographique pour s’interroger à la fois sur la question de « mise au point », c’est-à-dire trouver la bonne distance pour appréhender la complexité des histoires de vie, et sur celle du temps, c’est-à-dire selon quelle horloge recueillir le détail de l’information. Ils apportent des solutions d’un point de vue conceptuel et méthodologique, après avoir analysé les liens entre données quantitatives et qualitatives, la gestion des faits et des perceptions, ainsi que déconstruit les catégories des collectes d’analyses. Cette étude dépasse le simple cas particulier. Elle offre un bagage empirique important, peu développé jusqu’à présent. Cet ouvrage s’adresse à un public bien plus large que la communauté des démographes : il concerne tous ceux en sciences sociales qui, à un moment ou un autre, ont à conduire une collecte sur le terrain, que ce soit en tant que chercheur ou en tant que praticien du social. Le Groupe de réflexion sur l’approche biographique (Grab) rassemble des chercheurs et universitaires de différentes institutions (Ined, IRD, CNRS, etc.) et de disciplines différentes (démographie, géographie, sociologie, économie, etc.). Aujourd’hui, autour du Grab, c’est l’expérience de 25 enquêtes biographiques réalisées en Europe, en Afrique et en Amérique latine qui est accumulée.

La désobéissance civile constitue un défi au Droit et aux règles de la démocratie représentative. La désobéissance civile s'enracine dans une histoire ancienne et complexe, que notre société, de plus en plus technicienne et individualiste, réactive. L'acte désobéissant connaît aujourd'hui un regain de vigueur, s'appuyant sur de nouveaux registres de légitimité. La contestation de la règle oblige les systèmes juridiques et politiques, notamment nos démocraties représentatives pluralistes, à re...

This chapter elucidates Augustine’s uses of Paul’s phrase “ipse enim est pax nostra” (Eph. 2:14a) within his extant preaching. Although primarily exegetical and theological, the implications of this exegesis and theology for spirituality and ecclesiology are also discussed. Contemporary biblical scholars often limit Eph. 2:14’s claims to reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles, and the way(s) that this reconciliation serves as a basis for living out the bond between God and his people and as an inspiration for peace in this world. However, for Augustine, Eph. 2:14 teaches even more about living the Christian life and about reconciling human beings, whether they are inside or outside the visible church. Augustine employed Eph. 2:14 more than sixty times in various contexts. Eph. 2:14 appears in sermons for both Christmas and for Epiphany, in sermons directly or indirectly addressing Jews, Pelagians, and Donatists, and in sermons intended to educate or encourage particular congregations. The true import of Ephesians 2:14a for Augustine is most clearly seen, however, in his overtly exegetical sermons. In these, Augustine invokes Eph. 2:14 to emphasize the necessity of faith in Christ for experiencing peace either in this age or in the age that is to come, that Christ is the only genuine pacificus, and that Israel’s “true” identity is only found among those who are united with the trans-temporal church. The sermons for Epiphany, which are by definition anti-Donatist, often plead for reconciliation, even as they cast doubt upon the genuineness of Donatist claims to possess faith in Christ.

There is a growing recognition that poorly designed work can degrade employees’ mental health. Relatedly, there is also an acknowledgment that employees with existing mental health challenges—such as clinically significant depression and anxiety—may need particular support to thrive in the workplace. Yet, while research on this topic has blossomed, there are systematic challenges that must be addressed to promote continued advancement. This book will go beyond the basics to investigate complex questions about the relationship between work and employees’ mental health. For instance, how are employees’ mental health challenges impacted by their gender or race? How can employees’ mental health be protected in inherently stressful work? By juxtaposing curated research on mental health and work, this edited volume provides value by highlighting novel perspectives, as well as areas of opportunity to better understand how diverse employees manage mental health in the changing world of work. Researchers and advanced students in management and psychology will find that this book provides a strong foundation for conducting future studies at the intersection of work and mental health.

The statements here presented represent a tribute to David Sassoli and to the European values defended by Sassoli in his discours on the Future of Europe here included.

Process design deals with the most important long-term engineering decisions in the chemical and process industries. It determines process economics, environmental impacts, and workers' wellbeing—the three pillars of sustainable development. The United Nations’ resolution of 2015 defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); among the most important ones is Goal No. 12: “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.” It includes 11 targets to be achieved over the next decade. Three of these targets are of utmost importance to industrial development by 2030: achieving the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources; achieving the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all types of waste throughout their life cycle and significantly reducing their release into air, water, and soil; substantially reducing waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse. SDG 12 includes the consumption of raw materials, energy, water, and other resources used in process industries and their value chains. It is embracing the circular economy, resource efficiency, zero waste, and design for the environment (eco-design) by investing in innovation, research, and education to redesign the economy and update pollution strategies and industrial policies. Industry 4.0 brings about artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data, automation, robotics, and process intensification. All these changes require a rapid adaptation of process design for sustainable development, which is the topic covered in this reprint.

Ce livre veut amener le lecteur à une réflexion sur les problèmes actuels de la bioéthique et de la déontologie médicales et infirmières. Il replace d’abord l’histoire de la pensée éthique dans son contexte politique et social, avant de l’inscrire dans celui des découvertes scientifiques et techniques. Passant en revue les auteurs et les pratiques de l’Antiquité, du Moyen Âge, des temps modernes et de l’époque contemporaine, il montre comment a évolué la conception que l’on se fait de la médecine et des soins infirmiers. D’une médecine cherchant d’abord à apprivoiser la nature, et de soins infirmiers centrés sur la philanthropie et la charité, on est passé à une pratique médicale et infirmière beaucoup plus interventionniste. Parallèlement à cette évolution se sont développées des préoccupations éthiques nouvelles, touchant des questions de plus en plus complexes, comme la contraception, l’avortement, l’euthanasie, l’eugénisme, la dissection ou la confidentialité des thérapeutiques. Les personnels médical et infirmier ont connu un développement important de leurs responsabilités sociales et morales. Sans renier le serment d’Hippocrate et, plus tard, le serment de Florence Nightingale, ils en sont venus à une redéfinition de leurs tâches plus respectueuse de la personnalité du patient et plus soucieuse du rôle de l’acte médical et infirmier.

Histology is the science of tissues and as such histology studies cells and tissues of organs using a variety of techniques. Histological techniques are used in different disciplines: research, teaching, and clinical applications. This book explores the research currently being carried out at the molecular, subcellular, and cellular levels, both in normal and pathological processes, from genetic mechanisms to intra- and intercellular signaling. This book includes cutting-edge research reviews and descriptions of technological advances to modify bodily cells and tissues. Targeted at students and researchers in biological, medical, and related disciplines, this book will provide an overview of the work being done in this field, and will highlight gaps and areas that would benefit from further exploration. The book contains eight chapters in four sections and presents reviews in different areas of histology written by experts in their respective fields. Basic histology, cell biology, histopathology, and histological techniques are featured prominently as a recurring theme throughout the chapters. This book will be a most valuable resource for histologists, cell biologists, pathologists, and other scientists alike and contribute to the training of current and future biomedical scientists.

Denne boken viser hvordan det å yte helse- og sosialtjenester ofte støter mot de helt grunnleggende spørsmålene i livet. Eksistensielle tema aktualiseres ofte i møte med motgang og lidelse. Selv om det er enighet i fagmiljøene om nødvendigheten av åndelig og eksistensiell omsorg, viser forskning at profesjonelle hjelpere fortsatt er tilbakeholdne og usikre på hva som skal til for å håndtere slike tema. Et sentralt siktemål med boken er derfor å gi et utvidet repertoar og større forståelse for menneskets eksistensielle dimensjon. Hvert av bokens åtte kapitler gir en forskningsbasert innføring i et eksistensielt begrep: sårbarhet, verdighet, skam, forsoning, mening, sorg, mot og lengsel. Forfatterne kommer fra ulike fagtradisjoner og henter perspektiver fra filosofi, religionspsykologi, teologi, diakoni og sykepleievitenskap. Kapitlene belyser hvordan eksistensielle tema kan ha betydning i helse- og sosialfaglig praksis, samt bidrar til utvikling av forskningen på feltet.

While it has traditionally been seen as a means of documenting an external reality or expressing an internal feeling, photography is now capable of actualizing never-existed pasts and never-lived experiences. Thanks to the latest photographic technologies, we can now take photos in computer games, interpolate them in extended reality platforms, or synthesize them via artificial intelligence. To account for the most recent shifts in conceptualizations of photography, this book proposes the term virtual photography as a binding theoretical framework, defined as a photography that retains the efficiency and function of real photography (made with or without a camera) while manifesting these in an unfamiliar or noncustomary form.

The issue of villages and neighborhoods at risk of abandonment is a common topic in many Mediterranean regions and is considered as a strategic point of the new European policies. The progressive abandonment of inland areas, with phenomena of emigration and fragmentation of cultural heritage, is a common trend in countries characterized by economic underdevelopment. This leads to the decay of architectural artifacts and buildings and problems with land management. Some aspects of this issue are also found in several urban areas. The goal of this research work is collecting international debates, discussions, opinions and comparisons concerning the analysis, study, surveys, diagnoses and graphical rendering of architectural heritage and landscape as well as demo-ethno-anthropological witnesses, typological-constructive stratifications, materials and technologies of traditional and vernacular constructions of historic buildings.

Défini dans la Rhétorique et dans la Poétique d’Aristote comme un langage-action, le pathos est l’une des techniques d’argumentation destinée à produire la persuasion, cela en émouvant les récepteurs. Les critiques de cette raison pratique n’ont cessé de dénoncer sa dimension manipulatrice et démagogique, constatant son écart avec le raisonnement formel centré sur la vérité objective. Cependant, l’analyse des émotions dans la langue permet de reconnaître la problématique essentielle de la culture, celle qui consiste à favoriser ou, au contraire, à nier la logique singulière d’une identité et d’une différence. Les études présentées dans ce livre proposent de soulever cette réflexion qui paraît urgente, compte tenu de la montée en puissance des nouveaux discours communautaristes, négationnistes et racistes. Empruntant aux passions communes, ces discours cherchent à réduire la pluralité des valeurs culturelles nécessaires à la vie en société. Fruit de discussions passionnées, cet ouvrage intéressera celles et ceux qui pensent que les émotions participent au dialogue entre individus et que l’étude des passions dans la langue favorise une meilleure compréhension des pratiques culturelles contemporaines.