bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Digital Down Conductor Detection Scheme for Overhead Electrical Power Distribution Systems
Authors: Bhalja Bhavesh , Shah Pragnesh , Rakholia Balubhai , Shah Jignesh
Published: October 2011

Detection of down conductor faults in an overhead electrical power distribution system is extremely difficult by the conventional over current protection devices. This paper presents a new digital down conductor detection scheme which is based on the combination (AND logic) of the ratio of the negative sequence current to the positive sequence current and the value of under current during an actual down conductor condition. Real time implementation of the proposed scheme has been carried out on an existing Indian 11 kV, 3 Phase, 50 Hz power distribution system with the help of digital over current relay. At the end, a comparative evaluation of the proposed scheme with the scheme modeled in PSCAD/EMTDC software package is also presented. Both practical and simulation results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
DC Ripple Reinjection: A Review
Authors: Das Bhaba , Watson Neville , Liu Yonghe
Published: October 2011

This paper presents a comprehensive review of power quality improvements made by applying the concept of DC ripple reinjection in current source series connected AC-DC rectifier for HVDC transmission. Recent advances in applying the reinjection concept, their suitability and selection is discussed. The main aim is to present a state of the art on the DC ripple reinjection technique over the years.
A New Phase Detection Method by Using Kalman Filter
Authors: Yamauchi Hayato , Uchida Kosuke , Yona Atsushi , Senju Tomonobu
Published: October 2011

This paper proposes a phase detection method for harmonics and unbalanced voltage conditions. The proposed method uses harmonics and unbalanced voltage compensation circuit in addition to basic PLL (Phase Locked Loop) circuit. In the harmonic compensation circuit, the harmonic voltage component are eliminated from the input voltages using specific harmonic detection method. Besides, frequency information of power system used in the specific harmonic detection method is estimated by an extended complex Kalman filter. In the unbalanced voltage compensation circuit, the input voltage is normalized after the calculated positive sequence component. By means of the proposed method, excellent phase detection performance can be achieved under harmonics and unbalanced voltage conditions. Moreover, detection of positive sequence voltage component becomes possible under voltage drop conditions due to faults in power systems. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by simulation results.
The norm convergence of a Magnus expansion method
Authors: Bátkai András , Sikolya Eszter
Published: October 2011

We consider numerical approximation to the solution of non-autonomous evolution equations. The order of convergence of the simplest possible Magnus method is investigated.
Structural Analysis of Pervious Concrete Pavement
Authors: Vancura Mary , MacDonald Kevin , Khazanovich Lev
Published: October 2011

Pervious concrete pavement must perform as both a stormwater management tool and a pavement. While much research has focused on porosity and permeability of pervious concrete, few guidelines exist for structural analysis and design of such pavement. In this paper, an existing pervious concrete pavement was analyzed for stiffness and fatigue by means of Westergaard's theory of a medium-thick plate on a Winkler foundation. The stiffness evaluation compared the responses of pervious and conventional concrete pavements to falling weight deflectometer stresses and to models created in ISLAB2005. Although pervious concrete had a lower modulus of elasticity than conventional concrete pavement, Wester-gaard's model adequately described the behavior of pervious pavements. Additionally, a fatigue analysis of pervious concrete was completed through use of the StreetPave fatigue model.
Thirty-Year Performance Evaluation of Two-Layer Concrete Pavement System
Authors: Greene James , Nazef Abdenour , Choubane Bouzid
Published: October 2011

In 1978, an experimental two-layer concrete pavement was opened to traffic on SR-45 near Fort Myers, Florida. The experimental pavement included a series of two-layer concrete pavement sections with various design features placed over either a granular or a cement-treated subbase. These sections consisted of a 3-in. (7.5-cm) portland cement concrete (PCC) surface over a 9-in. (23-cm) lean concrete (commonly referred to as econocrete) layer. The control section consisted of a standard PCC 9 in. (23 cm) thick with joints spaced at 20 ft (6 m) on a cement-treated subbase. After 30 years of service, the sections constructed over a granular base performed better than those placed over a cement-treated subbase. The distresses on the two-layer concrete pavement sections built on the granular subbase were minimal, regardless of their slab lengths. In contrast, the control section experienced greater cracking, greater corner deflections, and moderate-to-severe spalling. The findings validate several features of Florida's current design policies, such as limiting joint spacing to 15 ft and prohibiting cement-treated subbases directly below concrete pavements. Furthermore, this project has demonstrated that a two-layer concrete system consisting of a relatively thin high-quality PCC surface over a lower-quality econocrete layer and a granular subbase can be a sustainable and long-lasting pavement design alternative.
Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement
Authors: Won Moon C.
Published: October 2011

In 2005, the Texas Department of Transportation initiated a rigid pavement database to collect information in preparation for the calibration and potential implementation of the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) for continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP). Twenty-seven sections, each 300 m (1,000 ft) long, were selected throughout the state. Deflection testing was conducted with a falling weight deflectometer. The information collected included load transfer efficiency (LTE) at small, medium, and large crack spacing for two different seasons, summer and winter. Also collected were crack-spacing information and slab deflections. LTE values for all the cracks were higher than 90% regardless of slab thickness, pavement age, crack spacing, or season. Mechanisms of primary distresses in CRCP were investigated. The investigation tentatively revealed that many distresses identified and recorded as punch-outs in Texas were not actually caused by structural deficiency. Rather, most of the distresses were caused by imperfections in design details, construction or material quality issues, or both. Horizontal cracking appears to be the major cause of distresses in CRCP in Texas. The interactions between longitudinal steel and concrete in response to dynamic wheel loading applications appear to be the cause of horizontal cracking. From the findings, mechanistic–empirical (ME) CRCP design procedures and a calibration function were developed. Because the accuracy of any ME design procedure depends to a great extent on the reasonableness of the transfer function, further efforts will be made to improve that function.
New Laboratory-Based Mechanistic–Empirical Model for Faulting in Jointed Concrete Pavement
Authors: Jung Youn Su , Zollinger Dan G.
Published: October 2011

Faulting is associated with many design- and performance-related factors of concrete pavement, such as traffic load, joint spacing, load transfer, drainage, subbase friction, and subbase erodibility. Subbase erosion is especially key to an understanding of the process of faulting distresses in jointed concrete pavement. However, subbase erosion has not been included explicitly in design-related analysis. As a consequence, design procedures have lacked a prerequisite sensitivity because of a lack of laboratory test procedures and material parameters to relate model prediction to subbase erosion performance. This paper presents a mechanistic–empirical faulting model. It is calibrated from the results of a new erosion test that involves the Hamburg wheel-tracking device and Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) data. The calculated faulting depths from the proposed model match well with the trends of observed LTPP field faulting data.
Improvements to Modeling of Concrete Slab Curling by Using NIKE3D Finite Element Program
Authors: Wang Qiang , Chen Yuanguo
Published: October 2011

The NIKE3D three-dimensional finite element program is used by FAA for design and analysis of airport pavement thickness. This paper briefly describes research on improvements to the contact interface algorithm of NIKE3D and to the modeling of curling of concrete slabs. A modified algorithm to check the interface penetration has been developed and tested in the NIKE3D program. An example demonstrates that the improved program provides more accurate computational results. Both temperature and concrete shrinkage effects are considered in the modeling. In contrast to the traditional method of including shrinkage effects by changing material properties, a simple, innovative approach is used to predict approximate slab curling responses. A nonuniform distribution of the equivalent temperature gradient can effectively simulate the slab deflection under the combined environmental and wheel loads. Results from the improved NIKE3D program with the new method of modeling slab curling are compared with data from a full-scale slab test as well as with the commercial finite element program ABAQUS.
Analysis of Perpetual Pavement Experiment Sections in China
Authors: Timm David H. , Robbins Mary M. , Huber Gerald , Yang Yongshun
Published: October 2011

The rapidly growing highway infrastructure in China has led to the need for long-lasting, high-performing pavement structures. Historically, under frequent extremely heavy loads, expressways in Shandong Province that use pozzolana-treated base have needed to be fully rehabilitated after only 5 to 8 years. In 2005, a full-scale experiment was initiated to develop a better understanding of how these pavements behave under load and to explore perpetual pavement concepts. Five sections were constructed on a new expressway near Binzhou, Shandong Province, China. Three sections were designed as full-depth asphalt pavements that use perpetual pavement concepts, while the other two sections followed more-conventional Chinese designs. The original designs developed in 2004 used the best available information but did not represent in situ properties, climate, or traffic. Now that the sections have been used for 5 years, valuable data sets have become available to conduct an analysis of the as-built sections. This paper documents the relevant input parameters and analysis conducted by using PerRoad, a probabilistic mechanistic–empirical pavement analysis program. Surveyed thicknesses, material properties derived from backcalculation, and load spectra from an on-site weigh-in-motion system were entered into PerRoad, from which probabilistic distributions of pavement response were generated. Both full-bond and full-slip interfacial conditions were modeled. Tensile strain data showed the unlikeliness that any of the sections will experience bottom-up fatigue cracking. Compressive stress in the pozzolana-treated base could be contributing to distress, and stress distributions are proposed to control cracking in the pozzolana-treated material. Interface conditions also appear to be critical.
Finite Element Model for Rutting Prediction of Flexible Pavement with Cementitiously Stabilized Base–Subbase
Authors: Wu Zhong , Chen Xingwei , Yang Xiaoming , Zhang Zhongjie
Published: October 2011

Cementitiously stabilized materials (cement-stabilized base–subbase, lime–fly ash stabilized subgrade, etc.) are widely used in roadway pavements by state agencies. Their use is a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly way to recycle industrial by-products. In the current Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide developed under NCHRP Project 1-37A, cementitiously stabilized layers are assumed not to con-tribute to the total permanent deformation of the pavement. Such an assumption may lead to a design for an inadequate base thickness, especially when a thin asphalt concrete layer or pavements subject to heavy traffic loading are used. In this study, a unified permanent deformation model developed for various pavement materials was used to simulate the permanent deformation behavior of cementitiously stabilized materials in flexible pavements. The proposed model was implemented into the ABAQUS program through a UMAT subroutine. The finite element (FE) model was calibrated by analyzing the permanent deformation results from six accelerated pavement test sections. A shift factor of 1.13 was obtained to account for the condition differences between the laboratory permanent deformation test and the field. The FE model and the calibrated shift factor were then used to predict the rut depths of two selected low-volume roads. Good agreement was found between the predicted and measured data.
Enhancing Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide Rutting-Performance Predictions with Hamburg Wheel-Tracking Results
Authors: Grebenschikov Sergey , Prozzi Jorge A.
Published: October 2011

To analyze the effects of mix production variability on pavement rutting, this paper compares predictions from the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) with test results from the Hamburg wheel-tracking device (HWTD). An experiment was conducted during research to establish correlations effectively between the two methods. The experiment consisted of using volumetric data to model asphalt mixes and pavement structures in the MEPDG and to evaluate the sensitivity of these mixes in comparison to results obtained in the laboratory under the HWTD. The research study analyzed two limestone mixes: a coarse, dense-graded hot-mix asphalt (Type C) and a fine, dense-graded hot-mix asphalt (Type D), as defined in the 2004 Texas Department of Transportation Standard Specifications for Construction and Maintenance of Highways, Streets, and Bridges. The research found that the permanent deformation model embedded in the MEPDG supported the general performance trend observed in the laboratory under the HWTD. Both the MEPDG and the HWTD showed better performance for the Type C mix than for the Type D mix. However, the HWTD showed that small variations in mixture properties, such as mixture gradation within construction tolerance specifications and minor deviations from the optimum in binder content, had significant effects on pavement performance that were not captured by the MEPDG at a Level 2 mixture design. This finding suggests that laboratory results under the HWTD could be used to fine-tune the rutting performance models in the MEPDG until actual field performance data become available.
Estimation and Validation of Gaussian Process Surrogate Models for Sensitivity Analysis and Design Optimization
Authors: Retherford Jennifer Q. , McDonald Mark
Published: October 2011

The Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) is a powerful predictor of pavement distress, but it is computationally expensive to evaluate. Analyses that require many MEPDG evaluations, such as sensitivity analysis and design optimization, become impractical because of the computational expense. These applications are important in achieving robust, reliable, and cost-effective pavement designs. This paper develops Gaussian process (GP) surrogate models that, with a trivial amount of computational expense, accurately approximate the results of the MEPDG for each relevant distress mode. The GP is validated in accordance with three model metrics: average predictive percent error, predictive coefficient of determination, and Bayes factor. The GP models are then exploited for sensitivity analysis and design optimization, making these tasks computationally affordable.
Bootstrapping Procedure to Determine Convergence in Monte Carlo Simulations
Authors: Lea Jeremy D.
Published: October 2011

Monte Carlo simulations are routinely performed in many branches of engineering to determine the distribution of possible system performance. In particular, Monte Carlo simulation, or a variant of it, is the most likely candidate for realistic simulation of reliability in mechanistic–empirical pavement design methods. However, it is common to find no justification for the number of simulations run or any analysis to determine whether, in fact, the distribution has converged. Although standard sampling rules can be applied to the estimate of the performance of the mean, especially in the presence of distributions that are approximately normal, they are difficult to apply to full distributions or percentiles. This paper presents a simple method for using statistical bootstrapping techniques to improve the quality of distributions estimated by Monte Carlo simulation, especially the quality of the estimates for percentiles in the tail of the distribution. This method is applied to the results of a mechanistic–empirical simulation of rutting on an asphalt pavement to demonstrate the issues and the procedure. However, the procedure is applicable to any type of performance model.
Calibration of the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guidefor Flexible Pavement Design in Arkansas
Authors: Hall Kevin D. , Xiao Danny X. , Wang Kelvin C. P.
Published: October 2011

Because of potential differences between national and local conditions, the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) should be calibrated to a local level. Arkansas has invested heavily in efforts to implement the MEPDG. This paper summarizes the initial local calibration of flexible pavement models in the MEPDG for Arkansas. Data from the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database and local pavement management system (PMS) were used. The solver function in Microsoft Excel was used to optimize the coefficients for alligator cracking. Iterative runs of the MEPDG by means of discrete calibration coefficients were conducted to optimize rutting models. In general, the alligator cracking and rutting models are improved by calibration. However, a question remains about the suitability of the calibrated models for routine design. Many default values were used in the MEPDG because of a lack of data. It is recommended that additional sites be established and a more robust data collection procedure be implemented for future calibration efforts. The difference in the definitions of transverse cracking between the MEPDG and the LTPP may be critical to data collection and identification. Thermal cracking should be specifically identified in a transverse cracking survey to calibrate the transverse cracking model in MEPDG. The procedure using LTPP and PMS data for local calibration of the MEPDG in Arkansas is established. Additional development of database software for data manipulation, preprocessing, and quality control—under way in Arkansas—will significantly streamline the calibration process.
Toward Implementation of the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide in Latin America
Authors: Delgadillo Rodrigo , Wahr Carlos , Alarcón Juan Pablo
Published: October 2011

The Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) and MEPDG software are tools that provide more rational pavement designs than previous guides. The application of the mechanistic–empirical method, however, requires careful consideration of the input data and proper calibration to local conditions. Since 2004, several efforts have been made in Chile to study implementation of MEPDG in that country. The work has included obtaining local input data (axle load distributions, weather, and material characteristics), calibration efforts for distress prediction, and comparison of pavement designs by using MEPDG and the local design method. Axle load distributions were obtained for three important highways in the most populated area in the country. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the default load spectra from MEPDG with the local spectra. Significant differences were observed. Weather information was obtained for six cities that represent broadly the different weather conditions in the country. Master curves were developed for Level 2 design on the basis of the aggregate and binder properties of the local materials. Preliminary local calibration factors were obtained for transverse cracking and faulting of jointed plain concrete pavement. These local data were employed to develop pavement designs with the MEPDG software; these designs were then compared with designs developed with the current Chilean design methodology, which is based on AASHTO 93 and 98 methods. The work presented shows that the implementation of the MEPDG is possible for countries of Latin America. Some recommendations are provided for future versions of the MEPDG to make use of the software in the Southern Hemisphere easier and friendlier.
Differences in the timing of germination and reproduction relate to growth physiology and population dynamics of Sonoran Desert winter annuals
Authors: Kimball Sarah , Angert Amy L. , Huxman Travis E. , Venable D. Lawrence
Published: October 2011

• Premise of the Study: Trait differences can promote distinct survival and fecundity responses to environmental fluctuations. In a Sonoran Desert winter annual plant community, we have identified a tradeoff between relative growth rate (RGR) and water‐use efficiency (WUE) that predicts interannual variation in reproductive success. Here we test the hypothesis that traits underlying RGR and WUE differences are linked to seasonal phenology.

• Methods: We use long‐term demographic data and finer‐scale, short‐term data to investigate timing of germination, reproduction, and death of several winter annual species in multiple years in open and under‐shrub habitats. We hypothesized that species with high WUE and less interannual demographic variability would have life cycle transitions early in the winter to spring growing season. This would be due to an ability to use small amounts of rain and photosynthesize at low temperatures. By contrast, we hypothesized that species with low WUE whose survival and reproductive rates vary greatly from year to year would have life cycle transitions later in the season.

• Key Results: In any given year, species with high WUE germinated and reproduced earlier in the season than species with low WUE, whereas low‐WUE species germinated later and had shorter reproductive phases.

• Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a direct relationship between phenology and physiological trait differences. This link between phenology and physiology is of interest because it clarifies the mechanism by which trait differences determine species’ relative abundances.
Importance of autonomous selfing is inversely related to population size and pollinator availability in a monocarpic plant
Authors: Brys Rein , de Crop Eske , Hoffmann Maurice , Jacquemyn Hans
Published: October 2011

• Premise of the study: In animal‐pollinated plants, autonomous selfing may provide reproductive assurance when pollinators or reproductive partners are limited. Under such circumstances, the contribution of pollinator‐mediated seed set to total seed production also may be more variable compared with situations in which pollinator abundances are high or populations consist of large numbers of individuals. Despite the widespread acceptance of the reproductive assurance hypothesis, only limited empirical evidence exists that autonomous selfing confers reproductive output and guarantees constant seed set under variable pollination environments.

• Methods: We performed emasculation experiments in 22 populations of the short‐lived, monocarpic plant Centaurium erythraea in a fragmented dune landscape.

• Key results: Floral emasculations resulted in a significantly lower seed set compared with that of intact flowers. Seed set in emasculated flowers also declined significantly with decreasing population size and pollinator availability, whereas seed set of intact flowers did not depend on population size nor on pollinator availability. Variability in seed set among individuals was significantly lower in intact than in emasculated flowers and decreased significantly with increasing population size when flowers were emasculated but not in intact flowers.

• Conclusions: These results indicate that pollinator‐mediated seed set is strongly dependent both on population size and on pollinator availability but that reproductive assurance through autonomous selfing guarantees relatively constant levels of total seed production, even when populations are small and/or pollinator limited. High variation in seed set of emasculated flowers suggests strong unpredictability in pollinator services in small populations.
Development and characterization of EST‐SSR markers in Paeonia suffruticosa (Paeoniaceae)
Authors: Hou Xiao‐Gai , Guo Da‐Long , Wang Juan
Published: October 2011

• Premise of the study: Paeonia suffruticosa is one of the most famous flowering species in China. Ten simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were developed and characterized from the expressed sequence tag (EST) database of tree peonies to be applied in genetic diversity studies.

• Methods and Results: A total of 10 novel EST‐SSR loci were developed and characterized when tested on two populations of 45 tree peony individuals from China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from one to four and the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.2087 to 0.6581. Select loci also amplified successfully in three other Paeonia species (P. ostii, P. rockii, P. jishanensis).

• Conclusions: These markers will facilitate analysis of genetic diversity, population differentiation, and marker‐assisted breeding of Paeoniaceae.
Isolation of 16 polymorphic microsatellite markers from an endangered and endemic species, Podocarpus nakaii (Podocarpaceae)
Authors: Chiang Yu‐Chung , Shih Huei‐Chuan , Chang Li‐Wan , Li Wan‐Rung , Lin Huan‐Yu , Ju Li‐Ping
Published: October 2011

• Premise of the study: Sixteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized from the endangered evergreen tree Podocarpus nakaii to evaluate the population structure for conservation efforts.

• Methods and Results: Based on a modified amplified fragment length polymorphism and magnetic bead enrichment method, 16 polymorphic primer sets were developed for this endangered insular species. Allele numbers ranged from five to seven, with an observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.29 to 0.88. Most primers were able to amplify DNA from the endemic P. fasciculus and the widely distributed P. macrophyllus var. macrophyllus, P. macrophyllus var. maki, and P. costalis.

• Conclusions: The results reported here indicate the usefulness of codominant markers for future studies of the population genetics of P. nakaii. In addition, the markers are useful for further phytogeographic and speciation studies in P. fasciculus, P. macrophyllus var. macrophyllus, and P. macrophyllus var. maki, which are closely related species.
Mannose-binding Lectin Gene Polymorphisms in Brazilian Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: MARTINY FERNANDA LETICIA , VEIT TIAGO DEGANI , BRENOL CLAITON VIEGAS , BRENOL JOÃO CARLOS TAVARES , XAVIER RICARDO MACHADO , BOGO MAURÍCIO REIS , CHIES JOSÉ ARTUR BOGO
Published: October 2011

Objective.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease with unknown etiology but it is probably multifactorial. RA susceptibility is related to genetic, hormonal, immunologic, and environmental factors. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is an important protein of the human innate immune system, encoded by the MBL2 gene. Polymorphisms in MBL2 were associated with several diseases, and may be an important factor in RA susceptibility. We analyzed 3 MBL2 gene polymorphisms in 322 Brazilian patients with RA and 345 ethnically matched healthy controls.

Methods.

MBL2 gene variants were analyzed through polymerase chain reaction sequencing.

Results.

Considering MBL2 B, C, and D alleles separately, a significant difference in both genotypic and allelic frequencies, particularly concerning frequency of the C allele, was observed comparing European-derived and African-derived individuals (European-derived patients 0.022 vs African-derived patients 0.205; European-derived controls 0.029 vs African-derived controls 0.144; both p < 0.001). We also analyzed MBL2 genotype in relation to extraarticular manifestations. Considering MBL2 variants together, we found an increased frequency of the OO genotype among patients with rheumatoid nodules (p = 0.031), although this association lost significance after Bonferroni correction.

Conclusion.

Our findings suggest an association of MBL2 genotypes with some clinical manifestations of RA, but more studies are needed to clarify the actual role of MBL in RA.
Look Beyond the Disease Activity Score of 28 Joints (DAS28): Tender Points Influence the DAS28 in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: TON EVELIEN , BAKKER MARIJE F. , VERSTAPPEN SUZANNE M.M. , ter BORG EVERT JAN , van ALBADA-KUIPERS IET A. , SCHENK YOLANDE , van der VEEN MAAIKE J. , BIJLSMA JOHANNES W.J. , JACOBS JOHANNES W.G.
Published: October 2011

Objective.

To explore the influence of tender points (TP) on the Disease Activity Score assessing 28 joints (DAS28) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods.

In 200 consecutive patients with RA from the outpatient clinic, DAS28 and its components, tender and swollen joint counts (TJC, SJC, respectively), visual analog scale (VAS) for patient’s general health (GH), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), along with a tender point count (TPC) were assessed. Patients were categorized according to 4 TPC classes: zero, 1–5, 6–10, and ≥ 11 TP. The influence of TPC classes on DAS28 and its individual components was determined with Kruskal-Wallis tests and correlations between TP and DAS28 and its components were calculated.

Results.

In 196 eligible patients, 70% were female, mean age was 59 years, and median disease duration was 3.9 years; median DAS28 was 3.1; and 49% had active disease, defined as DAS28 > 3.2. In 15% of patients, the TPC was ≥ 11, in 12% 6–10, in 30% 1–5, and in 43% zero. TPC significantly influenced the DAS28 and its less objective components TJC and VAS-GH (i.e., based on patient’s report), but not the more objective DAS28 components SJC and ESR (i.e., observer- and laboratory-based).

Conclusion.

DAS28 is influenced by tender points, even in the non-fibromyalgia range, falsely suggesting higher disease activity and decreasing the sensitivity of the DAS28 criterion of low disease activity or remission. When applying DAS28-guided “tight control” or “treat-to-target” treatment strategies in RA, evaluation of not only the DAS28, but also its individual components along with a full joint and physical evaluation including assessment of TP is required to reliably estimate the individual’s disease activity, which guides therapeutic decisions.
Synovial Infiltration with CD79a-positive B Cells, But Not Other B Cell Lineage Markers, Correlates with Joint Destruction in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: MO YING-QIAN , DAI LIE , ZHENG DONG-HUI , ZHU LANG-JING , WEI XIU-NING , PESSLER FRANK , SHEN JUN , ZHANG BAI-YU
Published: October 2011

Objective.

The efficacy of B cell depletion in the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has revitalized interest in the pathogenic role(s) of B cells in RA. We evaluated the distribution of synovial B lineage cells and their correlation with histologic disease activity and joint destruction in RA.

Methods.

Synovial tissue samples were obtained by closed-needle biopsy from 69 Chinese patients with active RA, from 14 patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and from 15 with orthopedic arthropathies (OrthA) as disease controls. Serial tissue sections were stained immunohistochemically for CD79a (pro-B cell to plasma cell), CD20 (B cells), CD38 (plasma cells), CD21 (follicular dendritic cells), CD68 (macrophages), CD3 (T cells), and CD34 (endothelial cells). Densities of positive-staining cells were determined and correlated with histologic disease activity (Krenn 3-component synovitis score) and radiographic joint destruction (Sharp score).

Results.

Mean sublining CD79a-positive cell density was significantly higher in RA than in OA (p <0.001) or OrthA (p = 0.003). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that CD79a-positive cell density differentiated RA well from OA [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.79] or OrthA (AUC = 0.75). Spearman’s rank order correlation showed significant correlations between sublining CD79a-positive cell density and the synovitis score (r = 0.714, p < 0.001), total Sharp score (r = 0.490, p < 0.001), and the erosion subscore (r = 0.545, p < 0.001), as well as the joint space narrowing subscore (r = 0.468, p = 0.001) in RA.

Conclusion.

Synovial CD79a-positive B cells may be a helpful biomarker for histologic disease activity in RA and may be involved in the pathogenesis of joint destruction in RA.
Mourir et tuer pour de faux
Authors: Tisseron Serge
Published: October 2011

Résumé Si l’acte de tuer est souvent présent dans les jeux vidéo, il prend une signification bien différente selon qu’il est intégré dans une narration ou pas. Mais parallèlement à l’acte de tuer, le joueur est aussi invité à expérimenter sa propre mort. Pour certains, il ne s’agit que d’un accident dans leur parcours initiatique, mais pour d’autre, c’est l’occasion de mettre en scène leur propre disparition, voire de mettre à mort des parties d’eux-mêmes dont ils ont envie de se débarrasser... y compris parfois leur désir de mourir !
Étude de cas d'un adolescent pris dans les jeux vidéo, mort de la socialisation traditionnelle ?
Authors: Denoix Sebastian , Thévenot Anne
Published: October 2011

Résumé Dans cet article, nous faisons le lien entre virtualité et réalité partagée, pour montrer l’enjeu des identifications possibles pour un adolescent avec son avatar dans un jeu vidéo. Cette identification serait un facteur important dans le développement de certaines psychopathologies. Nous présentons un cas clinique qui essaie de montrer l’influence d’une pratique excessive du jeu vidéo sur la construction subjective d’un adolescent pris dans une problématique dépressive.
La mort dans les fictions vidéo-ludiques. Analyse d'un imaginaire thanatique contemporain
Authors: Coussieu Wilfried
Published: October 2011

Résumé Les jeux vidéo font partie des marchandises culturelles les plus commentées de notre temps. Media d’un type hybride. longtemps suspecté de ne pas être un véritable objet académique. tantôt jugé responsable de certaines perturbations du corps social (violence. addiction. perte des repères). il est désormais reconnu pour ses enjeux cognitifs. voire thérapeutiques. et s’illustre par son importance économique. Cet article envisage l’objet vidéo-ludique sous un angle différent : celui des obsessions et des angoisses qu’il met en scènes par le biais de ses univers narratifs et immersifs. Il s’agit d’explorer comment. en revêtant les traits extrêmes de l’horreur et de la mort au travers de récits fantastiques et dystopiques. le jeu vidéo devient symptomatique d’un imaginaire plus vaste.
L'expérience de la mort virtuelle : les jeux vidéo ou la fausse mort
Authors: Gentil Philippe
Published: October 2011

Résumé Les temps modernes, autrement dit notre époque, nous permettent de jouer et de mourir virtuellement puis de ressusciter pour recommencer et le jeu et mourir pour revivre à nouveau. Jamais l’être humain n’avait encore atteint pareille possibilité auparavant. Celle de vivre de manière très réaliste sa propre destruction ou disparition, sa propre mort pour immédiatement après, trouver l’extraordinaire possibilité de renaître et de revivre. Chaque individu le vit à sa façon, mais la griserie est bien réelle, tant les jeux sont réalistes. Au-delà de cette fantastique expérience se cachent également de terrifiants syndromes générés par la sur-utilisation des jeux vidéo conduisant à la mort et pouvant conduire à l’overdose du jeu et à la mort, ou, dans le pire des cas, au goût du meurtre et parfois même au passage à l’acte. Certaines études tendent à les exonérer de toutes responsabilités de la part des jeux vidéo mais les exemples criminels ne manquent néanmoins pas. L’enquête mérite d’être conduite sans passion mais avec lucidité. Fort heureusement, d’autres jeux fondés sur la prise de responsabilités de l’individu fleurissent et ont pour vertu de rendre l’être humain plus lucide sur les grands enjeux de la vie et de la mort à travers des exemples didactiques du jeu. La génération actuelle, déjà immergée dans ces univers virtuels qui banalisent la mort, vivra sans aucun doute d’autres expériences où la technologie et la science permettront probablement de faire du rêve ou du cauchemar une réalité.
Rêves d'apocalypse : place et fonction des récits eschatologiques dans le cinéma contemporain
Authors: Donneaud Adrien
Published: October 2011

Résumé Nombreux sont ceux qui aujourd’hui parlent du rapport à l’image bidimensionnelle comme plateforme privilégiée d’accès à la fonction symbolique. En effet, pour certains le virtuel bidimensionnel est devenu un système complet d’interprétation mythologique. Face à la totale banalisation de la violence au cinéma, ce travail propose d’explorer les représentations eschatologiques au sein de l’espace filmique contemporain et d’expliquer ainsi l’attraction qu’exerce la mort collective sur une société individualiste de plus en plus aliénée et effrayée par la mort.
Mort et cinéma : une dialectique du vide
Authors: Lecomte Kevin
Published: October 2011

Résumé Le cinéma naît d’un cadre vide. Le cinéaste pioche dans la réalité, y intègre un espace, puis faire entrer l’élément humain. Ce nouvel espace-temps devient un lieu de vie propre, qui, à travers nous, agit comme une autre réalité, mais cloi- sonnée. Ainsi, tout ce qui est hors-cadre est inexistant, comme mort. Alors que se passe-t-il justement quand le cinéma traite de cette inconnue qu’est la mort ? Et bien il lui donne sens. La mort au cinéma est une réponse, une image du vide. À travers mon premier court métrage, j’ai tenté de le faire parler...
Le paradigme du déni social de la mort à l'épreuve des séries télévisées. Mise en scène et mise en sens de la mort
Authors: Julier-Costes Martin
Published: October 2011

Résumé À l’inverse des thèses du déni social de la mort encore dominantes aujourd’hui, cet article démontre que les séries télévisées sont des tentatives de mise en sens de la mort. L’analyse d’une quinzaine d’entre elles a permis d’identifier des figures de la mort contemporaine. Classées en deux groupes : les experts et les intermédiaires, ces figures révèlent des lieux et des personnes d’une société certes scientifique et technicienne mais qui, par ailleurs, ne peut s’empêcher d’interroger la mort.
Programmation de la recherche : perspectives conceptuelles, institutionnelles et... actuelles
Authors: Barré Rémi
Published: October 2011

Résumé On définit d’abord les trois fonctions d’un système national de recherche : orientation, programmation et recherche. Dans un second temps, on définit les deux grandes configurations possibles des systèmes de recherche selon le degré d’intégration – séparation des fonctions, en particulier des fonctions programmation et recherche (rôle important des organismes de recherche versus rôle important des agences de financement et des universités) ; on montre et on explique les différences entre les pays de ce point de vue et on caractérise chaque modèle. On présente alors le cas de la France, constitué depuis l’après seconde guerre mondiale sur le modèle à dominante intégrée ; on montre les succès de cette approche mais les interrogations qu’elle soulève depuis les années 1990, compte tenu de la montée en puissance des universités, de l’évolution des dynamiques de la recherche (pluridisciplinarité), des nécessité de lisibilité et de l’émergence de l’Espace européen de la recherche. On arrive alors aux réformes des années 2005-2008, qui tendent à faire évoluer, potentiellement, le système français vers le modèle à fonctions séparées. On évoque en conclusion, sous forme de scénario, les évolutions possibles des rapports entre universités et organismes de recherche. Codes JEL : I23, I28, O38
Programmer la recherche : facile mais... impossible
Authors: Claessens Michel
Published: October 2011

Résumé Programmer la recherche est une idée relativement récente, du moins à grande échelle, que l’on peut dater avec précision. Dans cet article, nous abordons quelques aspects de cette thématique, en particulier le rôle des scientifiques, la contribution des programmes européens et la programmation de la recherche au niveau politique. Nous terminons par quelques réflexions sur le contrôle social et sociétal de la technoscience pour conclure par cette question qui figure au centre du développement technoscientifique : contrôler la marche du progrès a-t-il un sens ? Et pour aller dans quel sens ? Dans une société qui repose aussi étroitement (et aussi peu démocratiquement) sur la science et la technologie, notre seule marge de manœuvre se réduit-elle à anticiper l’évolution technoscientifique et à nous adapter à celle-ci ? Codes JEL : O20, O30, O31, O32, O33, O38
L'impact des critères de sélection des programmes de financement sur les pratiques scientifiques
Authors: Tricoire Aurélie
Published: October 2011

Résumé Cet article montre comment l’attribution compétitive des ressources dans le secteur de la recherche accentue la différenciation qualitative entre les équipes, au niveau de la solidité expérimentale des résultats produits, de la qualité de la formation du personnel et de la visibilité au sein d’une communauté disciplinaire. La mise en concurrence affecte aussi bien les individus, les collectifs que les projets, influençant les carrières, les réseaux et les contenus scientifiques. Percer les secrets du système compétitif d’allocation des ressources constitue un enjeu important pour un chercheur mais cela nécessite d’y consacrer du temps. En effet, il faut, d’une part, connaître aussi précisément que possible les processus d’évaluation, et, d’autre part, s’inscrire dans une logique de guichets multiples qui permet aux porteurs de projet de diversifier leurs chances d’être financés en développant un portefeuille de projets. Cette double assurance – affinement du contenu du projet et multiplication des demandes – répond à la forte incertitude qui demeure quant à l’accueil qui sera réservé à chacune des demandes formulées et qui dépend de la qualité relative des projets concurrents reçus par un même financeur. Ces nécessités de plus en plus pesantes réorganisent jusque dans ses activités quotidiennes le métier de chercheur. Le fonctionnement des équipes est modifié, dans le sens du renforcement de la division du travail ; les contenus scientifiques sont réorientés afin de les adapter aux préoccupations des bailleurs de fonds ; les réseaux scientifiques sont mobilisés afin de répondre aux critères de sélection. L’existence d’un lien entre modes d’attribution des financements et pratiques professionnelles quotidiennes des chercheurs nous amène donc à réinterroger la définition du terme de pratiques scientifiques. Codes JEL : O22, O31, O32, O39
Comment gouverner un « espace européen de la recherche » et des « chercheurs-entrepreneurs » ?
Authors: Bruno Isabelle
Published: October 2011

Résumé Dans le cadre de la stratégie de Lisbonne (2000-2010), le projet d’un « espace européen de la recherche » (EER) a été conçu sur le modèle d’un marché censé offrir un environnement compétitif à ses acteurs, les « chercheurs-entrepreneurs ». Loin d’exclure les pouvoirs publics de ce chantier, les promoteurs de l’EER ont produit un discours normatif et prescriptif sur la meilleure façon d’aménager et de piloter les « systèmes nationaux d’innovation », recommandant l’usage du savoir-faire managérial pour optimiser leurs performances organisationnelles. Cet article se propose ainsi de dégager les règles gestionnaires de cet art de gouverner telles qu’elles sont exposées dans la documentation programmatique de l’EER produite tout au long de la dernière décennie. Autrement dit, elle entend examiner la technologie politique qui préside à la coordination des politiques scientifiques aux échelons européen, national et régional. Codes JEL : D7, D8, E61, F15, F21, F42, F5, G38, H1, H5, H7, H83, I23, I28, L5, M1, O3, P1
L'impact des institutions sociales sur la formation du capital social dans la valorisation de la recherche : une analyse sociologique des créations d'entreprises de haute technologie
Authors: Krauss Gerhard
Published: October 2011

Résumé Le présent article traite de l’influence des environnements institutionnels sur la formation et l’utilisation du capital social dans un domaine particulier : celui de la valorisation de la recherche et du transfert des technologies. Il étudie la création d’entreprises à orientation scientifique ou technologique comme mode de transfert des connaissances, reliant recherche académique et entreprises. À l’instar du système d’innovation du Bade-Wurtemberg, caractérisé par son riche paysage institutionnel, on remarque la force d’orientation des institutions sur les stratégies relationnelles des acteurs. Ainsi, les relations professionnelles se nouent plus facilement là où il existe des institutions, ces dernières orientant les comportements des acteurs. Les activités de transfert de technologies et de valorisation des nouvelles connaissances scientifiques sont enracinées dans des réseaux formés à partir des secteurs technologiques bien institutionnalisés (ceux des moyennes à hautes technologies). En revanche, les liens professionnels se développent plus difficilement dans les secteurs faiblement institutionnalisés. À ce titre, l’article présente l’exemple du secteur des biotechnologies, qui a fait l’objet d’une politique inédite de développement de nouveaux clusters régionaux de haute technologie. Celui-ci montre les grandes difficultés de mise en place d’une telle stratégie visant le rapprochement et l’intensification des échanges entre recherche et entreprises qui, malgré l’existence d’un fort potentiel de recherche, d’excellence, dans la région, et les soutiens politiques et économiques apportés à cette initiative nécessite beaucoup de temps dans sa mise en œuvre. Codes JEL : M13, O14, O13, R11, L1, L2, Z13
Quel est le sens du mot science dans l'expression « Science économique » ?
Authors: Spieser Philippe
Published: October 2011

Résumé S’interroger sur les rapports deux fois séculaires qu’entretiennent la Science, surtout mathématique, et la Science économique amène au constat que ces relations apparaissent parfois comme presque consubstantielles, parfois comme conflictuelles. Cette dialectique constante a laissé inachevée la tâche de définir, sans contestation de nature idéologique, l’objet même de la discipline. Un souci légitime de rigueur, une volonté de rendre prédictif le discours économique a conduit néanmoins à en dégager des énoncés qui, par leur caractère hypothético-déductif, se veulent aussi solidement établis que des lois physiques. La finance, qui imprègne aujourd’hui l’économie dans son ensemble et qui présente une intrication originelle forte avec les mathématiques, a logiquement entraîné un usage immodéré et décevant de sa formalisation. Codes JEL : B23, G17, B41, G00, G01
Gouvernance et performance des organisations
Authors: Marchesnay Michel
Published: October 2011

Résumé La gouvernance, qui porte sur le temps, l’espace et les individus, comprend trois niveaux : la politique générale, les outils de décision, le champ de contrôle. La gouvernance dans la société française repose historiquement sur une idéologie éloignée du libéralisme anglo-saxon. Or, la gouvernance managériale repose sur une doxa techno-scientiste, individualiste et libérale, qui est aujourd’hui critiquée pour ses excès. Cependant, l’État français entend généraliser cette orthodoxie managériale dans le secteur public, alors que les pratiques et modèles néo-managériaux tentent actuellement de trouver de nouvelles règles de gouvernance. Codes JEL : G32, M00, H1, O32, L1