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In this theoretical article we present our hypothesis on the incompatibility of the inclusive education policy toward students with special educational needs with the meritocratic principle of education. If considering and recognizing the needs of these students is necessary to achieve a successful inclusive environment, we propose that this goal cannot be achieved within current educational systems driven by a meritocratic ideology. We base our rationale on social psychology theories such as system justification and backlash to argue that such incompatibility is particularly visible during the evaluation process. Finally, if we provide some incentives toward greater inclusion while considering the diverse contradictions such inclusivity generates, we also invite researchers to further empirically examine these contradictions in order to guide policy makers within their choices.

The pea root rot complex is a major concern for green pea production worldwide. This study aimed at characterizing its composition and dynamics throughout a cropping season in northern France. To this end, fungi and oomycetes were isolated from green pea plant roots with symptoms sampled at the flowering stage in 22 fields in 2017, and at the pea emergence, elongation and flowering stages in two fields in 2018. Out of 646 isolates collected, 317 were identified using molecular markers. Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani and F. redolens were highly predominant. Pathogenicity tests separated the isolates into four aggressiveness groups. F. solani isolates were the most aggressive. Phylogenetic analysis of their TEF1 sequences showed that they mainly belonged to the F. pisi lineage, and that F. oxysporum isolates were genetically close to isolates from the UK that did not belong to the forma specialis pisi. In addition, several Clonostachys rhizophaga isolates are reported for the first time to cause pea root rot. The oomycetes were rarely found and were represented by a few Pythium spp. isolates. Lastly, this study shows that the fungal and oomycete communities associated with pea root rot change during the cropping season. The level of dissimilarity of the root‐rot‐associated communities decreased throughout the cropping season towards a more similar composition at the flowering stage, dominated by F. solani, F. oxysporum and F. redolens. The proportion of nonpathogenic to weakly pathogenic isolates decreased progressively during the growing season in favour of moderately to highly pathogenic isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The failure probability and the reliability index have been determined for a pipe submitted to internal pressure, exhibiting a corrosion defect, embedded in a soil with a ground reaction, and submitted to displacement due to seismic activity. Results are obtained by computing the condition of failure: strain demand higher than strain resistance which is typically the Strain Based Design (SBD) basis. From the probabilistic point of view, this condition results as the product of the two probability distributions, demand and resistance. An analytical method is proposed to compute the common area between the strain demand and resistance distribution and then get the probability of failure. The strain demand is assumed to follow a power-law distribution and the strain resistance, a Normal one. The strain demand is computed assuming that the probability density of seism follows a Gutenberg –Richter distribution law as it is found in the south of France. This simple method is also used to predict the failure probability of different reference periods or seismic zone. It is also used to examine the influence of the coefficient of variation of the strain resistance distribution when using vintage pipe steels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine the trend of first blood prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test prescription in France between 2011 and 2017, based on the assumption that prostate cancer (PCa) screening is expected to decline over the years. Using a representative sample of the French population from the French Health Insurance database, we identified 50–52-year-old men without PCa and without any blood PSA test in the five years before 2011, 2014 and 2017 (January 1–December 31 of each year). For each of these three years, the primary outcome was the first reimbursement of a blood PSA test. We used a logistic regression model with first blood PSA test as the outcome and year as the main explanatory variable. As secondary objectives, we also identified the prescriber's specialty, the urological consultation frequency, and the number of prostate biopsies in the year after the first blood PSA test reimbursement (only for 2011 and 2014). In 2011, 2014 and 2017, 5 275, 5 792 and 5 887 50–52-year-old men, respectively, were included. The percentage of patients with a first blood PSA test prescription decreased linearly from 2011 to 2017: 15.7% in 2011, 13.2% in 2014, and 12.4% in 2017 (p <.001). Blood PSA testing was mainly prescribed by general practitioners (>95%). The median interval between PSA tests was 13 months in 2011 and 14 months in 2014. Fewer than 10% of men had ≥1 consultation with an urologist during the year after the first blood PSA test. After the first blood PSA test, eight prostate biopsies were performed in 2011 and two in 2014. Our results suggest that in France, PCa screening is a primary care issue. Although PCa screening remains controversial and confusion exists about the best practice, our study showed a linear decrease of blood PSA test prescriptions for 50–52-year-old men between 2011 and 2017, although the reason for screening was unknown. As clinical information was not available, additional evidence is needed to determine the real impact of this decrease on the cancer-specific and overall mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of glioblastoma (GBM) has increased in patients aged 70 years or older, and will continue to grow. Elderly GBM patients have been excluded from most clinical trials; furthermore, optimal care management as well as benefit/risk ratio of GBM treatments are still being debated. This study describes oncological patterns of care, prognostic factors, and survival for patients ≥70 years in France. We identified patients over 70 with newly diagnosed and histologically confirmed GBM on data previously published by the French Brain Tumor DataBase. We included 265 patients. Neurological deficits and mental status disorders were the most frequent symptoms. The surgery consisted of resection (RS) or biopsy (B); 98 patients did not have subsequent oncological treatment. After surgery, first-line treatment consisted of radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy (CT), and concomitant radiochemotherapy (CRC). The median age at diagnosis was 76, 74, and 73 years, respectively, for the untreated, B + RT and/or CT, RS ± RT and/or CT groups. Median survival (in days, 95 % CI) with these main strategies, when analyzed according to surgical groups, was: B-CT, 199; B-CRC, 318; B-RT, 149; RS-CT, 245; RS-CRC, 372; RS-RT, 269. This population study for elderly GBM patients is one of the most important in Europe, and could be considered as a historical cohort to compare future treatments. Moreover, we can hypothesize that elderly patients (versus patients <70 years) are undertreated. Karnofsky performance status seems to be the most relevant clinical predictive factor, and RS and CRC have a positive impact on survival for elderly GBM patients in the general population, at least when feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we examine whether the financial performances of socially responsible investment (SRI) mutual funds are related to the features of the screening process. Based on a sample of French SRI funds, we find evidence that a greater screening intensity slightly reduces financial performance (but the relationship runs in the opposite direction when screening gets tougher). Further, we show that only sectoral screens - such as avoiding 'sin' stocks - decrease financial performance, while transversal screens - commitment to UN Global Compact Principles, ILO/Rights at Work, etc. - have no impact. Lastly, when the quality of the SRI selection process is proxied by the rating provided by Novethic, its impact is not significant, while a higher strategy distinctiveness amongst SRI funds, which also gives information on the quality of the selection process, is associated with better financial performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were first to assess airborne endotoxin levels in the dwellings of 162 newborns living in Paris twice during a 1-year period, and second, to identify predictors for endotoxin concentrations using questionnaire data in relation to housing factors and living conditions. Air samples were collected on a glass fiber filter in polystyrene filter holders, using a pump at a flow rate of 3.5 l/min for 24 h placed in the main room of the home. Endotoxin levels were measured using a chromogenic kinetic Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate test. Geometric means (geometric standard deviation) of airborne endotoxin levels at two different visits were respectively 0.509 (4.289) EU/m3 and 0.557 (3.029) EU/m3. Airborne endotoxin levels were significantly increased: (i) in cold season ( P = 0.024), with (ii) the presence of visible cockroaches in the previous 12 months at home ( P < 0.001), (iii) increased number of inhabitants per square meter ( P = 0.012), (iv) the high frequency of cleaning with the floor cloths ( P = 0.0014), and (v) the low frequency of vacuuming ( P = 0.0045). This study provided for the first time airborne endotoxin levels issued from repeated measurements in Paris dwellings. Practical Implications This analysis contributed to identify a few factors that determined indoor airborne endotoxin levels. However, the predictive model including housing factors and living conditions poorly estimated endotoxin levels. Consequently, multiple samples and longer sampling periods might improve the estimate of long-term airborne endotoxin exposure especially its variability, in cohort studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the effort of the government to democratize secondary education in France. The access to education was influenced by parental ambition or the proximity of the school facility instead of the consideration of the aptitude of the student. This diminishes the opportunities for higher education. The raising of the school leaving age to 16 allows the progressive observation of the pupils, which provides a solid basis for their future orientation.

The reliability index was determined for a pipe presenting a corrosion defect, subjected to an internal hydrogen pressure, buried in a soil with a reaction and subjected to displacement due to seismic activity. The results are obtained by calculating the failure condition: strain demand greater than strain resistance, which is usually the basis of local strain-based design (LSBD). From a probabilistic point of view, this condition results from the product of the two probability distributions, Demand and Resistance. The Resistance is assumed to follow a normal distribution. The strain Demand is calculated assuming that the earthquake probability density follows a Gutenberg–Richter distribution. The reliability index is calculated by analytical method. This method is used to predict the reliability index of three different reference periods or seismic zones located in France. • The reliability index was determined for a pipe subjected to an internal hydrogen pressure, presenting a corrosion defect, buried in soil with a reaction and subjected to displacement due to seismic activity. • The failure strain has been measured on X60 pipe steel after hydrogen embrittlement. • The failure criterion is based on the local failure strain assuming to follow a Normal distribution. • The strain demand induced by seismic displacement is assumed to follow a Gutenberg–Richter distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Indoor mould growth can affect health, especially in early childhood. As part of a birth cohort follow-up, the purpose of this study was firstly to examine spectrum and levels of airborne fungi in 190 Paris newborns’ dwellings, and secondly to identify predictors of these levels. Sequential duplicate air samples were collected twice a year in the newborn''s bedroom and outside the building. A single-stage multi-holed impactor (Air Ideal®) was used with chloramphenicol/MEA agar. Housing characteristics were assessed using a questionnaire administered by a trained interviewer. Cladosporium and Penicillium were isolated in, respectively, 77% and 93% of homes in the cold season, and in 95% and 83% of homes in the hot season. Aspergillus and Alternaria were recovered from indoor air in, respectively, 60% and less than 20% of homes. Geometric means (geometric standard deviation) of indoor total airborne fungal concentrations at two different visits were, respectively, 232.4 (3.2) and 186.7 (2.7)cfu/m3. In the GEE multivariate analysis, outdoor fungal concentrations were the best predictors for variability of indoor total fungal and Cladosporium concentrations (respectively, R 2=32% and 31%). Levels of total airborne fungal and Cladosporium concentrations were significantly higher during the hot season (respectively, p=0.003 and p<0.001) and were positively correlated with the duration of bedroom aeration (respectively, p=0.004 and p<0.001). Signs of dampness were associated with higher total airborne fungi (p=0.031) and Aspergillus levels (p=0.055). This study provides for the first time indoor airborne fungal spectrum and concentrations in Paris. Outdoor levels and season largely contributed to the variability of indoor total airborne fungal concentrations, which also depended on aeration and signs of dampness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]