Half integer extreme points in the linear relaxation of the 2-edge-connected subgraph polyhedron

This paper studies the graphs for which the linear relaxation of the 2-connected spanning subgraph polyhedron has integer or half-integer extreme points. These graphs are called quasi-integer. For these graphs, the linear relaxation of the k-edge connected spanning subgraph polyhedron is integer for all k=4r, r≥1. The class of quasi-integer graphs is closed under minors and contains for instance the class of series-parallel graphs. We discuss some structural properties of graphs which are minimally non quasi-integer graphs, then we examine some basic operations which preserve the quasi-integer property. Using this, we show that the subdivisions of wheels are quasi-integer.     

Le bon,la brute et le migrant ? Le rôle négocié des acteurs religieux dans un dispositif policier d’enfermement des étrangers en Allemagne

Contrary to the French model, the German detention and deportation centre for irregular migrants that has been studied here does not allow for any third parties other than chaplains. However, their scope of action goes far beyond spiritual assistance and extends to the defence of detained aliens’ rights and political contestation of the confinement regime. The detention centre therefore brings together two professional groups, chaplains and police officers, whose goals are a priori irreconcilable. After explaining the origins of this unique juxtaposition, I will analyse here the impact of the presence of religious actors within the state confinement regime on the construction, by each group of actors, of its professional legitimacy and on the practices of assistance and control that go along with it.     

Composition of Graphs and the Triangle-Free Subgraph Polytope

In this paper, we study a composition (decomposition) technique for the triangle-free subgraph polytope in graphs which are decomposable by means of 3-sums satisfying some property. If a graph G decomposes into two graphs G ₁ and G ₂, we show that the triangle-free subgraph polytope of G can be described from two linear systems related to G ₁ and G ₂. This gives a way to characterize this polytope on graphs that can be recursively decomposed. This also gives a procedure to derive new facets for this polytope. We also show that, if the systems associated with G ₁ and G ₂ are TDI, then the system characterizing the polytope for G is TDI. This generalizes previous results in R. Euler and A.R. Mahjoub (Journal of Comb. Theory series B, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 235–259, 1991) and A.R. Mahjoub (Discrete Applied Math., vol. 62, pp. 209–219, 1995).     

Comparaison des représentations des amish et des mormons fondamentalistes (FLDS) dans deux téléréalités américaines

This research explores the representations of two minority religions in United States, the Amish and the fundamentalist Mormons (FLDS), in two reality shows produced in 2013: Breaking Amish and Breaking the Faith. To which extent these reality shows contribute to reinforce stereotypes about these minority religions? The hypothesis postulates that there is a convergence in the representations of minority religions in these reality shows which contributes to the reproduction of stereotypes. Based on theories of identity construction and on the study of new religious movements, the analysis shows that the same guiding lines are recurrent in both reality shows.     

The Importance of General Self-Efficacy for the Quality of Life of Adolescents with Chronic Conditions

We investigated the influence of general self-efficacy perceived by adolescents with chronic conditions and parents on quality of life. This cross-sectional study used the general self-efficacy scale and DISABKIDS condition-generic module to survey adolescents (92/293; 31 %) with type I diabetes, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, kidney/urological conditions, and neuromuscular disorders; and parents (121/293; 41 %). Self perceived and parents’ perceived general self-efficacy of adolescents was compared using paired t-tests, and adolescents’ quality of life and general self-efficacy were compared among conditions using analysis of variance. Bivariate correlations between general self-efficacy and quality of life were identified, and multiple regression sought predictors of quality of life after controlling for background variables. Social quality of life was lowest among those with neuromuscular disorders. General self-efficacy was highest among adolescents with cystic fibrosis and lowest among those with urological conditions. Parents’ perceptions of general self-efficacy were higher than adolescents’ (p ≤ 0.05), although absolute differences were small. General self-efficacy perceived by parents and adolescents was related to emotional, physical, and social quality of life. Adolescents’ perceived self-efficacy predicted all quality of life domains. Parents’ perceptions of the adolescents self-efficacy predicted the adolescents’ social quality of life (β = 0.19; p ≤ 0.01). General self-efficacy of adolescents with chronic conditions as perceived by themselves and their parents is important for adolescents’ quality of life. Interventions to improve general self-efficacy should benefit quality of life among these adolescents.     

COVID‐19 as a breakdown in the texture of social practices

‘A lot of things need to be repaired and a lot of relationships are in need of a knowledgeable mending. Can we start to talk/write about them?’ This invitation — sent by one of the authors to the others — led us, as feminist women in academia, to join together in an experimental writing about the effects of COVID‐19 on daily social practices and on potential (and innovative) ways for repairing work in different fields of social organization. By diffractively intertwining our embodied experiences of becoming together‐with Others, we foreground a multiplicity of repair (care) practices COVID‐19 is making visible. Echoing one another, we take a stand and say that we need to prevent the future from becoming the past. We are not going back to the past; our society has already changed and there is a need to cope with innovation and repairing practices that do not reproduce the past.