bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determining Damage Development in Hot-Mix Asphalt with Use of Continuum Damage Mechanics and Small-Scale Accelerated Pavement Test
Authors: Bhattacharjee Sudip , Mallick Rajib B.
Published: January 2013

The modeling of asphalt concrete based on continuum damage mechanics (CDM) is an attractive and useful method of determining damage development in hot-mix asphalt (HMA). However, the CDM approach requires the calculation of the convolution integral over the loading duration and creates problems when large amounts of fatigue test data generated from accelerated pavement tests are handled. This study presents an approach to facilitating the calculation of the convolution integral for large amounts of data. Therefore, the approach can be used for pavement performance monitoring. Several asphalt concrete slabs were constructed in a laboratory with a vibratory roller compactor and instrumented with strain gauges and thermocouples. These slabs were tested under the small-scale accelerated loading device called the Model Mobile Load Simulator3. A frequency domain approach was used to analyze the continuous strain data. The constitutive equation in time domain was transformed to a frequency domain with the use of the Fourier transform technique; the pseudostrain and the complex modulus values were determined continuously during the loading. Results indicated that both the pseudostrain and the complex modulus were influenced by the combined effect of loading and temperature. A general trend of reduction of the pseudostiffness and the complex modulus because of these factors was observed in the study. Analysis results indicated that the frequency domain analysis approach was an efficient, better way to handle large amounts of data generated in long-term pavement studies and could be used to determine damage development in HMA as a result of loading.
Scanning Laser Detection System Used to Measure Propagation of Fatigue Damage of Asphalt Mixes
Authors: Ajideh Hossein , Bahia Hussain U. , Earthman James
Published: January 2013

Fatigue damage is a major distress in pavements that has been studied extensively in various approaches, over the past two decades. It is therefore well recognized that measuring fatigue damage accumulation is difficult, time-consuming, and in many cases highly variable. Better methods for monitoring the progression of damage are thus needed for asphalt mixtures because of their heterogeneity and inherited variability. The primary objective of this research was to develop a scanning laser system that would detect changes in surface properties for the purposes of monitoring damage and characterizing the fatigue behavior of asphalt mixtures. This technique characterizes the surface state with a defect frequency parameter by rapidly scanning a laser beam along the specimen. Results were found to correlate quite well with data from other traditional mechanical tests (50% reduction in stiffness) and estimated dissipated energy approaches. This laser system is believed to offer many advantages for testing asphalt mixtures as compared with the conventional mechanical systems. The new approach provides the opportunity to quantify the microcrack formation rate and to evaluate the fatigue performance of asphalt mixtures without the need for fixtures on the sample. This system also has the potential of being used in situ for pavement monitoring.
Effect of Mode of Loading on Viscoelastic and Damage Properties of Asphalt Concrete
Authors: Swamy Aravind Krishna , Daniel Jo Sias
Published: January 2013

The objective of this research was to study the effect of the mode of loading on viscoelastic properties and damage characteristics of asphalt concrete. Four 12.5-mm nominal maximum aggregate size mixtures were designed according to Superpave® specifications. The specimens prepared with these mixtures were tested under uniaxial, biaxial, and flexure modes to obtain viscoelastic and damage properties. Viscoelastic and damage properties depended on loading mode and testing frequency. Statistically significant differences were found between mean values of measured modulus under different modes of loading. Also, regions of overlap in phase angle measurements were observed. A systematic variation in viscoelastic properties was found between different loading modes. The specimen underwent damage at a faster rate under the uniaxial mode than under the flexure loading mode. At a given value of normalized pseudostiffness, the damage parameter ratio, computed with parameters obtained under different modes of loading, remained approximately the same and was a function of material properties.
The National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database (N2QOD): general overview and pilot-year project description
Authors: McGirt Matthew J. , Speroff Theodore , Dittus Robert S. , Harrell Frank E. , Asher Anthony L.
Published: January 2013

Given the unsustainable costs of US health care, universal agreement exists among payers, regulatory agencies, and other health care stakeholders that reform must include substantial improvements in the quality, effectiveness, and value of health care delivery. The Institute of Medicine and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 have called for the establishment of prospective registries to capture patient-centered data from real-world practice as a high priority to guide evidence-based reform. As a result, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons launched the National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database (N2QOD) and began enrolling patients in March 2012 into its initial pilot project: a web-based lumbar spine module. As a nationwide, prospective longitudinal registry utilizing patient reported outcome instruments, the N2QOD lumbar spine surgery pilot aims to systematically measure and aggregate surgical safety and 1-year postoperative outcome data from approximately 30 neurosurgical practices across the US with the primary aim of demonstrating the feasibility and validity of standardized 1-year outcome measurement from everyday real-world practice. At the end of the pilot year, 1) risk-adjusted modeling will be developed for the safety, quality, and effectiveness of lumbar surgical care (morbidity, readmission, improvements in pain, disability, quality of life, and return to work); 2) data integrity and validation will be demonstrated via internal quality control analyses and auditing, and 3) the feasibility of obtaining a high level of follow-up (~80%) of nationwide 1-year outcome measurement will be established. N2QOD will use only prospective clinical data, will avoid the use of administrative data proxies, and will rely on neurosurgically relevant risk factors for risk adjustment. Once national benchmarks of quality and effectiveness are accurately established and validated utilizing practice-based data extractors in the pilot year, N2QOD aims to introduce non–full-time employee (FTE)–dependent methodologies such as electronic medical record auto-extraction. N2QOD's non–FTE-dependent methodologies can then be validated against practice-based data extractor–derived measures of safety and effectiveness with the aim of more rapid expansion into the majority of US practice groups. The general overview, methods, and registry design of the N2QOD pilot year (lumbar module) are presented here.
Outcome science in practice: an overview and initial experience at the Vanderbilt Spine Center
Authors: McGirt Matthew J. , Speroff Theodore , Godil Saniya Siraj , Cheng Joseph S. , Selden Nathan R. , Asher Anthony L.
Published: January 2013

In terms of policy, research, quality improvement, and practice-based learning, there are essential principles—namely, quality, effectiveness, and value of care—needed to navigate changes in the current and future US health care environment. Patient-centered outcome measurement lies at the core of all 3 principles. Multiple measures of disease-specific disability, generic health-related quality of life, and preference-based health state have been introduced to quantify disease impact and define effectiveness of care. This paper reviews the basic principles of patient outcome measurement and commonly used outcome instruments. The authors provide examples of how utilization of outcome measurement tools in everyday neurosurgical practice can facilitate practice-based learning, quality improvement, and real-world comparative effectiveness research, as well as promote the value of neurosurgical care.
Measuring clinical practice: science and methods
Authors: Angevine Peter D. , McCormick Paul C.
Published: January 2013

The routine practice of neurosurgery generates a large amount of clinical data. The structured, systematic capture of this information using clinical registries or other rigorously designed observational studies can yield useful evidence to help improve the care of patients. Registries in particular can be designed to measure outcomes in real-world clinical settings and to study differences in outcomes between subgroups. This information can help clinicians to advise patients regarding their treatment options.

To provide valid, generalizable evidence, however, registries and other observational studies must be designed and conducted with a rigor similar to that of randomized clinical trials. Neurosurgeons with a basic understanding of the potential advantages and pitfalls of nonrandomized trials and the methods of statistical analysis will be able to assess the quality of clinical data and to incorporate the findings appropriately into their patients' care.
Regulatory considerations for prospective patient care registries: lessons learned from the National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database
Authors: Asher Anthony L. , McGirt Matthew J. , Glassman Steven D. , Groman Rachel , Resnick Dan K. , Mehrlich Melissa , Spivey Elizabeth , McCormick Paul
Published: January 2013

Clinical registries have emerged in the current resource-restricted environment of modern medicine as useful and logical mechanisms for providing health care stakeholders with high-quality data related to the safety, effectiveness, and value of specific interventions. Temporal and qualitative requirements for data acquisition in the context of clinical registries have rapidly expanded as clinicians and other stakeholders increasingly recognize the central importance of this information to the intelligent transformation of health care processes. Despite the potential of more robust clinical data collection efforts to advance the science of care, certain aspects of these newer systems, particularly the prospective, longitudinal acquisition of clinical data and direct patient contact, represent areas of structural overlap between emerging quality improvement efforts and traditional models of human subjects research. This overlap has profound implications for the design and implementation of modern clinical registries. In this paper, the authors describe the evolution of clinical registries as important tools for advancing the science of practice, and review the existing federal regulations that apply to these systems.
The National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database and NeuroPoint Alliance: rationale, development, and implementation
Authors: Asher Anthony L. , McCormick Paul C. , Selden Nathan R. , Ghogawala Zoher , McGirt Matthew J.
Published: January 2013

Patient care data will soon inform all areas of health care decision making and will define clinical performance. Organized neurosurgery believes that prospective, systematic tracking of practice patterns and patient outcomes will allow neurosurgeons to improve the quality and efficiency and, ultimately, the value of care. In support of this mission, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, in cooperation with a broad coalition of other neurosurgical societies including the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Society of Neurological Surgeons, and American Board of Neurological Surgery, created the NeuroPoint Alliance (NPA), a not-for-profit corporation, in 2008. The NPA coordinates a variety of national projects involving the acquisition, analysis, and reporting of clinical data from neurosurgical practice using online technologies. It was designed to meet the health care quality and related research needs of individual neurosurgeons and neurosurgical practices, national organizations, health care plans, biomedical industry, and government agencies. To meet the growing need for tools to measure and promote high-quality care, NPA collaborated with several national stakeholders to create an unprecedented program: the National Neurosurgery Quality and Outcomes Database (N2QOD). This resource will allow any US neurosurgeon, practice group, or hospital system to contribute to and access aggregate quality and outcomes data through a centralized, nationally coordinated clinical registry. This paper describes the practical and scientific justifications for a national neurosurgical registry; the conceptualization, design, development, and implementation of the N2QOD; and the likely role of prospective, cooperative clinical data collection systems in evolving systems of neurosurgical training, continuing education, research, public reporting, and maintenance of certification.
The evolution of a clinical registry during 25 years of experience with Gamma Knife radiosurgery in Pittsburgh
Authors: Berkowitz Oren , Kondziolka Douglas , Bissonette David , Niranjan Ajay , Kano Hideyuki , Lunsford L. Dade
Published: January 2013

Object

The first North American 201 cobalt-60 source Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) device was introduced at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 1987. The introduction of this innovative and largely untested surgical procedure prompted the desire to study patient outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of this technique. The parallel advances in computer software and database technology led to the development of a registry to track patient outcomes at this center. The purpose of this study was to describe the registry's evolution and to evaluate its usefulness.

Methods

A team was created to develop a software database and tracking system to organize and retain information on the usage of GKS. All patients undergoing GKS were systematically entered into this database by a clinician familiar with the technology and the clinical indications. Information included patient demographics and diagnosis as well as the anatomical site of the target and details of the procedure.

Results

There are currently 11,738 patients in the database, which began to be used in August 1987. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has pioneered the evaluation and publication of the GKS technique and outcomes. Data derived from this computer database have facilitated the publication of more than 400 peer-reviewed manuscripts, more than 200 book chapters, 8 books, and more than 300 published abstracts and scientific presentations. The use of GKS has become a well-established surgical technique that has been performed more than 700,000 times around the world.

Conclusions

The development of a patient registry to track and analyze the use of GKS has given investigators the ability to study patient procedures and outcomes. The future of clinical medical research will rely on the ability of clinical centers to store and to share information.
The future of practice science: challenges and opportunities for neurosurgery
Authors: Selden Nathan R. , Ghogawala Zoher , Harbaugh Robert E. , Litvack Zachary N. , McGirt Matthew J. , Asher Anthony L.
Published: January 2013

Outcomes-directed approaches to quality improvement have been adopted by diverse industries and are increasingly the focus of government-mandated reforms to health care education and delivery. The authors identify and review current reform initiatives originating from agencies regulating and funding graduate medical education and health care delivery. These reforms use outcomes-based methodologies and incorporate principles of lifelong learning and patient centeredness.

Important new initiatives include the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Milestones; the pending adoption by the American Board of Neurological Surgery of new requirements for Maintenance of Certification that are in part outcomes based; initiation by health care systems and consortia of public reporting of patient outcomes data; institution by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of requirements for comparative effectiveness research and the physician quality reporting system; and linking of health care reimbursement in part to patient outcomes data and quality measures. Opportunities exist to coordinate and unify patient outcomes measurement throughout neurosurgical training and practice, enabling effective patient-centered improvements in care delivery as well as efficient compliance with regulatory mandates. Coordination will likely require the development of a new science of practice based in the daily clinical environment and utilizing clinical data registries. A generation of outcomes science and quality experts within neurosurgery should be trained to facilitate attainment of these goals.
Second impact syndrome in football: new imaging and insights into a rare and devastating condition
Authors: Weinstein Elizabeth , Turner Michael , Kuzma Benjamin B. , Feuer Henry
Published: January 2013

Premature return to play for the concussed pediatric athlete may result in devastating neurological injury. Identification of at-risk patients and ideal management of the concussed athlete remain challenging for the pediatrician. The authors review a case of second impact syndrome in which neuroimaging was obtained between the first and second impacts, a circumstance which to their knowledge has not been previously reported. This case offers new insights into the underlying pathophysiology of this disease process and potential risk factors for its development.
Neurosurgical practice and health care reform: moving toward quality-based health care delivery
Authors: Groman Rachel F. , Rubin Koryn Y.
Published: January 2013

In an effort to rein in spending and improve patient outcomes, the US government and the private sector have adopted a number of policies over the last decade that hold health care professionals increasingly accountable for the cost and quality of the care they provide. A major driver of these efforts is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA or Pub.L. 111–148), which aims to change the US health care system from one that rewards quantity to one that rewards better value through the use of performance measurement. However, for this strategy to succeed in raising the bar on quality and efficiency, it will require the development of more standardized and accurate methods of data collection and further streamlined federal regulations that encourage enhanced patient-centered care instead of creating additional burdens that interfere with the physician-patient relationship.
Use of a Terrestrial LIDAR Sensor for Drift Detection in Vineyard Spraying
Authors: Gil Emilio , Llorens Jordi , Llop Jordi , Fàbregas Xavier , Gallart Montserrat
Published: January 2013

The use of a scanning Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system to characterize drift during pesticide application is described. The LIDAR system is compared with an ad hoc test bench used to quantify the amount of spray liquid moving beyond the canopy. Two sprayers were used during the field test; a conventional mist blower at two air flow rates (27,507 and 34,959 m3·h−1) equipped with two different nozzle types (conventional and air injection) and a multi row sprayer with individually oriented air outlets. A simple model based on a linear function was used to predict spray deposit using LIDAR measurements and to compare with the deposits measured over the test bench. Results showed differences in the effectiveness of the LIDAR sensor depending on the sprayed droplet size (nozzle type) and air intensity. For conventional mist blower and low air flow rate; the sensor detects a greater number of drift drops obtaining a better correlation (r = 0.91; p < 0.01) than for the case of coarse droplets or high air flow rate. In the case of the multi row sprayer; drift deposition in the test bench was very poor. In general; the use of the LIDAR sensor presents an interesting and easy technique to establish the potential drift of a specific spray situation as an adequate alternative for the evaluation of drift potential.
Plant tropisms: From Darwin to the International Space Station
Authors: Wyatt Sarah E. , Kiss John Z.
Published: January 2013

Plant tropisms play a fundamental role in shaping the growth form of plants, and these fascinating movements are the focus of this thematic issue of the American Journal of Botany. The issue includes 16 reviews of the current literature and eight original manuscripts written by a diverse group of international experts in their respective fields. This special issue emphasizes tropistic responses to three fundamental stimuli governing plant growth: water, light, and gravity. We hope this issue will inform the current generation and inspire the next generation of plant biologists.
Modernisation du management dans un établissement d'accueil pour personnes handicapées
Authors: Cristallini Vincent , Goter-Grivot Françoise
Published: January 2013

Résumé Cet article tente de définir les termes économique et social, tout en montrant l’incontournable problématique économique des organisations sociales. Il s’appuie sur un cas d’établissement pour handicapés dans lequel la direction a souhaité sensibiliser l’ensemble de son personnel aux enjeux économiques de l’activité, afin d’assurer la survie de l’établissement. Il s’agit ensuite de tirer des enseignements du cas, pour encourager un management intégrateur social et économique.
Quelles sont les évocations du développement durable ? Une approche par la technique projective du collage
Authors: Lapeyre Alexandre , Bonnefont Annie
Published: January 2013

Résumé Souvent mentionnée dans les discours d’entreprises, l’expression développement durable reste complexe pour les consommateurs. L’objectif de cet article est d’en approfondir leurs représentations. Les résultats révèlent quelques divergences avec les définitions institutionnelles, l’existence de visions paradoxales et des évolutions à 5 ans d’intervalle. Des préconisations sont formulées pour une meilleure efficacité des communications d’entreprises.
Un outil de GTEC : la mise en place d'une charte de l'emploi saisonnier dans le secteur du végétal spécialisé. Le cas des rosiéristes du Douessin
Authors: Fauvy Stéphane , Arnaud Nicolas
Published: January 2013

Résumé Cet article s’intéresse au développement et à la mise en place d’une charte de l’emploi saisonnier au sein du secteur du végétal spécialisé. Cette charte constitue aux yeux des acteurs impliqués dans ce projet un outil emprunt d’une philosophie gestionnaire à n’en pas douter « bienveillante et durable », visant à diffuser auprès des entreprises du secteur ayant massivement recours à de l’emploi saisonnier, de bonnes pratiques en matière de gestion des ressources humaines. L’enquête menée par les auteurs a permis de mettre en évidence un décalage entre les intentions de l’outil et les problématiques plus profondes rencontrées par les rosiéristes du Douessin, premiers producteurs de roses en France.
Sources de dépendance et stratégies pour innover. Une application aux studios de jeu vidéo français
Authors: Gandia Romain , Gardet Elodie
Published: January 2013

Résumé La création d’un jeu vidéo innovant nécessite la coordination de nombreuses entreprises de la filière. Les studios, situés au centre de cette filière, subissent une dépendance face aux acteurs de l’amont et de l’aval. L’objectif de cet article est d’analyser les sources de dépendance influençant le choix stratégique lié à l’innovation. A travers l’étude de cinq studios, nous montrons que les sources de dépendance conditionnent les stratégies mises en œuvre pour innover.
L'innovation soutenable dans le tourisme : le cas de la Cité Européenne de la Culture et du Tourisme Durable (CECTD)
Authors: Fabry Nathalie , Zeghni Sylvain , Martinetti Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2013

Résumé En rupture avec les paradigmes dominants en matière de tourisme, la CECTD a pour ambition de diffuser une culture partagée, des compétences spécifiques, des savoir-faire multiples mais aussi de créer des outils adaptés pour concrétiser un nouveau mode de développement touristique soutenable qui replace l’Homme et le territoire au cœur de l’activité touristique. D’un point de vue analytique, cette CECTD s’apparente à un cluster de tourisme durable dont il nous reviendra de préciser les contours et les fonctionnalités.
Tourisme culinaire et valorisation des produits artisanaux : vers un tourisme durable
Authors: Salvador-Perignon Marielle
Published: January 2013

Résumé Les offres de tourisme culinaire se développent et semblent répondre aux attentes de certains touristes. Dans ce cadre, il est intéressant d’étudier les liens avec les exigences du tourisme durable. Ces liens seront abordés à travers la recherche des caractéristiques des produits artisanaux. En effet, ces produits sont souvent achetés sur les lieux de vacances par les touristes culinaires notamment. Ces produits caractéristiques d’une région, s’ils constituent un moyen de valoriser un capital culturel local, doivent néanmoins être identifiés comme tel par les individus. Si la littérature fournit des éléments de réponse sur ce que sont les produits du terroir pour les consommateurs, il n’existe rien sur ce que signifie chez ces mêmes consommateurs, la fabrication artisanale d’un produit. L’étude des représentations mentales des individus permet d’apporter des précisions quant aux critères saillants d’un produit issu d’une fabrication artisanale, et révèle que ce dernier porte en lui-même les conditions d’un tourisme durable, respectueux des ressources culturelles et naturelles.
Tourisme durable et expériences touristiques : un dilemme. Proposition d'un dispositif d'analyse appliqué à l'itinérance en milieu rural
Authors: Marsac Antoine , Lebrun Anne-Marie , Bouchet Patrick
Published: January 2013

Résumé L’objectif de cet article est de proposer un dispositif d’analyse qui prenne en compte aussi bien les effets du tourisme en termes de développement durable et de valorisation des territoires que les expériences récréatives recherchées ou vécues par les touristes. Ce dispositif requiert une approche multi-échelle et pluridisciplinaire combinant l’apport des sciences de gestion à celui des sciences sociales. Il appréhende l’expérience touristique à travers l’analyse des discours des touristes et l’observation des interactions, l’analyse des usages des territoires couplée à l’étude des pratiques des prestataires. Une application de ce dispositif au tourisme itinérant en milieu rural est présentée et elle met en perspective le dilemme dans lequel sont pris les acteurs et parties prenantes pour s’engager dans une démarche d’aménagement durable face à la recherche d’expériences tous azimut de la clientèle qui peut être synonyme de destruction des richesses et/ou des potentialités des territoires pour les populations locales.
Politiques et stratégies de développement durable dans le secteur hôtelier : le cas d'ACCOR
Authors: Hergli Soumaya , Sahut Jean-Michel , Teulon Frédéric
Published: January 2013

Résumé Les entreprises du secteur touristique suivent de plus en plus des politiques de développement durable, sous la pression de leurs parties prenantes et de la réglementation. L’analyse de la politique de développement durable et des stratégies sous-jacentes, au sein d’une grande chaîne hôtelière comme le groupe Accor, montre que les risques de détournements sont forts, car cette dernière peut s’orienter vers la commercialisation, la communication, la requalification d’actions déjà anciennes, la valorisation de l’image de marque... La définition de stratégies optimales de développement durable dans des groupes hôteliers si diversifiés en termes de marque et de positionnement, comme Accor, doit donc reposer sur des principes et logiques forts permettant réellement d’adopter un tourisme durable.
Expérience corporelle et sens du mouvement : matérialisation via l'actimétrie du « contexte altéré par l'action » dans l'évolution du joueur de badminton
Authors: Dieu Olivier
Published: January 2013

Résumé Cette étude a pour objet de matérialiser l’expérience corporelle « in situ », sans recours à la conscience, via l’étude de la direction de jeu dans l’activité badminton. L’originalité de l’approche est d’utiliser l’actimétrie (cet outil mesure les accélérations sur les trois plans de l’espace : vertical, antéro-postérieur et médio latéral) comme indicateur de corps mobilisé afin de mettre en perspective le sens en termes d’étapes conatives (mobiles d’action) avec un sens ergonomique ou « sens du mouvement ». Le cadre conceptuel de cette recherche repose sur une hypothèse ergo-conative fondée sur une approche à la fois contextuelle (le contexte d’activité n’est pas un « déjà là », il est dynamique et résulte d’une codétermination acteur-contexte) et incorporée de l’action (le sens de l’action est davantage lié aux mobiles qu’aux motifs). Nous montrons qu’en fonction des étapes conatives du joueur de badminton, le sens qualitatif ou direction du mouvement change. Ce changement du sens en action, l’expérience corporelle « perçue » n’en rend que partiellement compte. L’objectivation de celui-ci via l’actimétrie nous semble riche pour des applications pédagogiques qui respectent le sens de la mobilisation du sujet.
S'entraîner à une virtuosité du sentir. Le cas des activités physiques et artistiques
Authors: Dumont Agathe
Published: January 2013

Résumé Cette étude porte sur douze interprètes issus de pratiques artistiques corporelles différentes (danse contemporaine, danse classique, acrobatie aérienne, acrobatie au sol et breakdance ). Son but est d’identifier les comportements de danseurs-acrobates, qualifiés de virtuoses ou qui se désignent comme tels, à l’entraînement en observant leur processus de travail, dans le quotidien de la pratique d’une activité physique et artistique et dans le cadre d’un projet esthétique. Leur pratique quotidienne est soumise à un fort engagement athlétique, alors que les études physiologiques menées sur les danseurs démontrent que leur condition physique est souvent en deçà des exigences de leur discipline. Sur la base de méthodes d’enquête ethnographique, d’observation participante, de pratique incorporée immersive et d’entretiens avec des danseurs, cette étude redéfinit l’expérience de la virtuosité au sein de la pratique d’entraînement du danseur. Pour les interprètes interrogés, deux catégories de virtuosité se dessinent : l’une « monodisciplinaire » qui s’évalue dans le rapport à la norme et à la technique (excellence classique, circassienne, sportive), l’autre « transdisciplinaire » posant la question d’un entraînement spécifique par rapport à un projet artistique, lié à l’expérience et au ressenti de l’interprète.
L'appropriation du judo : d'une « voie de la souplesse » à l'efficience incarnée
Authors: Hilpron Michaël
Published: January 2013

Résumé À partir d’une recherche sur le judo de compétition, cet article propose une analyse du principe d’efficience substantiel à la notion de techniques de conscience du corps, abréviée en TeCC (Chenault, Hamard, & Hilpron, 2012). Les données présentées sont issues d’une étude ethnologique comparative de cinq ans menée sur plusieurs terrains, dont le Pôle France Orléans judo, l’US Orléans judo et l’université Tenri (Japon) qui sont évoqués dans ce texte. En retraçant mon entrée sur le terrain japonais, la première partie explicite la place que tiennent les sensations dans la démarche de recherche d’inspiration ethnographique et dans le judo. Ces indications méthodologiques permettent de comprendre le rôle primordial de la culture matérielle dans la construction des judokas en ce qu’elle modèle les corps et permet l’échange sensori-moteur. L’influence fondamentale de l’environnement sur la pratique justifie l’adoption d’une posture écologique qui interroge le sens, l’essence et les sens du judo : émerge alors une voie de l’efficience invitant au passage des techniques du corps aux TeCC. Ce cheminement théorique et empirique relève d’une recherche de performance via le bien-être de l’athlète qui, étendue à d’autres activités, révèle l’intérêt d’une pratique efficiente car adaptée.
GWAP as a Tool to Analyze, Design, and Test Geo-Social Systems
Authors: Deplano Martina , Ruffo Giancarlo
Published: January 2013

In this chapter, the authors discuss the state-of-the-art of Geo-Social systems and Recommender systems, which are becoming extremely popular for users accessing social media trough mobile devices. Moreover, they introduce a general framework based on the interaction among those systems and the “Game With A Purpose” (GWAP) paradigm. The proposed framework/platform can help researchers to understand geo-social dynamics in order to design and test new services, such as recommenders of places of interest for tourists, real-time traffic information systems, personalized suggestions of social events, and so forth. To target the governance of such complexity, relevant data must be collected by the investigators, shared with the community, and analyzed to find dynamical patterns that correlate spatial-temporal information with the user’s preferences and objectives. The authors argue that the GWAP approach can be exploited to successfully satisfy many of these tasks.
Reliability and Validity of Shortened State Trait Anxiety Inventory in Spanish Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation
Authors: Perpiñá-Galvañ Juana , Cabañero-Martínez María José , Richart-Martínez Miguel
Published: January 2013

Background

In order to measure anxiety in physically and cognitively debilitated patients, such as patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation, the use of reliable and valid instruments is recommended; however, these instruments should be short.

Objective

To analyze the reliability and validity of a short version of the state subscale from the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, developed by Chlan and colleagues and translated into Spanish (STAI-E6), in patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation.

Methods

An instrumental study was conducted of 80 patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit at the Hospital of Alicante (Spain). The patients completed the 6-item STAI-E6 scale. Before the patients completed the scale, the interviewers indicated their impression of each patient's level of anxiety by using a linear scale. Internal consistency, construct validity, and convergent validity of the scale were analyzed.

Results

The scale did not present a floor/ceiling effect, the Cronbach α was 0.79, and the single-factor structure of the original scale was maintained. Scores on the scale correlated positively with the subjective assessment of the health professional. Significant differences were found only between anxiety level and duration of intubation.

Conclusions

The 6-item version of the state subscale from the STAI-E6 shows satisfactory reliability and validity for Spanish patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation.
Heat Shock Protein 90 Is Critical for Regulation of Phenotype and Functional Activity of Human T Lymphocytes and NK Cells
Authors: Bae Jooeun , Munshi Aditya , Li Cheng , Samur Mehmet , Prabhala Rao , Mitsiades Constantine , Anderson Kenneth C. , Munshi Nikhil C.
Published: January 2013

The 90-kDa heat shock protein (Hsp90) has become an important therapeutic target with ongoing evaluation in a number of malignancies. Although Hsp90 inhibitors have a high therapeutic index with limited effects on normal cells, they have been described to inhibit dendritic cell function. However, its effect on human immune effector cells may have significant clinical implications, but remains unexplored. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of Hsp90 inhibition on human T lymphocyte and NK cells, including their Ag expression, activation, proliferation, and functional activities. These studies demonstrate that Hsp90 inhibition irreversibly downregulates cell surface expression of critical Ags (CD3, CD4, CD8), the costimulatory molecule (CD28, CD40L), and αβ receptors on T lymphocytes, as well as activating receptors (CD2, CD11a, CD94, NKp30, NKp44, NKp46, KARp50.3) on NK cells. Hsp90 inhibition significantly reduced CD4 protein expression on T lymphocytes at both the cell surface and intracellular level, which was shown to be associated with aberrant regulation of Src-kinase p56Lck. Downregulation of the Ags triggered by Hsp90 inhibition on CD3+ T lymphocytes, both in CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets, was associated with a disruption in their cellular activation, proliferation, and/or IFN-γ production, when the inhibition occurred either in activated or inactivated cells. In addition, downregulation of key activating receptors on NK cells following Hsp90 inhibition resulted in decreased cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Therefore, these observations demonstrate the need to closely monitor immune function in patients being treated with a Hsp90 inhibitor and may provide a potential therapeutic application in autoimmune diseases.
Intrinsic Role of FoxO3a in the Development of CD8+ T Cell Memory
Authors: Tzelepis Fanny , Joseph Julie , Haddad Elias K. , MacLean Susanne , Dudani Renu , Agenes Fabien , Peng Stanford L. , Sekaly Rafick-Pierre , Sad Subash
Published: January 2013

CD8+ T cells undergo rapid expansion during infection with intracellular pathogens, which is followed by swift and massive culling of primed CD8+ T cells. The mechanisms that govern the massive contraction and maintenance of primed CD8+ T cells are not clear. We show in this study that the transcription factor, FoxO3a, does not influence Ag presentation and the consequent expansion of CD8+ T cell response during Listeria monocytogenes infection, but plays a key role in the maintenance of memory CD8+ T cells. The effector function of primed CD8+ T cells as revealed by cytokine secretion and CD107a degranulation was not influenced by inactivation of FoxO3a. Interestingly, FoxO3a-deficient CD8+ T cells displayed reduced expression of proapoptotic molecules BIM and PUMA during the various phases of response, and underwent reduced apoptosis in comparison with wild-type cells. A higher number of memory precursor effector cells and memory subsets was detectable in FoxO3a-deficient mice compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, FoxO3a-deficient memory CD8+ T cells upon transfer into normal or RAG1-deficient mice displayed enhanced survival. These results suggest that FoxO3a acts in a cell-intrinsic manner to regulate the survival of primed CD8+ T cells.
Lamprey Variable Lymphocyte Receptors Mediate Complement-Dependent Cytotoxicity
Authors: Wu Fenfang , Chen Liyong , Liu Xin , Wang Huaying , Su Peng , Han Yinglun , Feng Bo , Qiao Xu , Zhao Jing , Ma Ning , Liu Huijie , Zheng Zhen , Li Qingwei
Published: January 2013

An alternative adaptive-immune system is present in the most basal vertebrates—lampreys and hagfish—the only surviving jawless vertebrates. These eel-like fish use leucine-rich repeat–based receptors for Ag recognition instead of the Ig-based receptors used in jawed vertebrates. We report that in Japanese lamprey (Lampetra japonica), variable lymphocyte receptor (VLR)B interacts with C1q and C3 proteins to mediate complement-dependent cytotoxicity for bacteria and tumor cells. The immune-based lysis involves deposition of VLRB and C1q-like protein complex on the surface of target cells, activation of C3, and ultimate disruption of cell wall integrity. The demonstration of functional interaction between VLRB and complement components in lamprey provides evidence for the emergence of cooperative innate and adaptive-immune responses at a pivotal point in vertebrate evolution, before or in parallel with the evolution of Ig-based Abs and the classical complement-activation pathway.
Flagellin Induces Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells: Implications for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease
Authors: Rieber Nikolaus , Brand Alina , Hector Andreas , Graepler-Mainka Ute , Ost Michael , Schäfer Iris , Wecker Irene , Neri Davide , Wirth Andreas , Mays Lauren , Zundel Sabine , Fuchs Jörg , Handgretinger Rupert , Stern Martin , Hogardt Michael , Döring Gerd , Riethmüller Joachim , Kormann Michael , Hartl Dominik
Published: January 2013

Pseudomonas aeruginosa persists in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and drives CF lung disease progression. P. aeruginosa potently activates the innate immune system, mainly mediated through pathogen-associated molecular patterns, such as flagellin. However, the host is unable to eradicate this flagellated bacterium efficiently. The underlying immunological mechanisms are incompletely understood. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are innate immune cells generated in cancer and proinflammatory microenvironments and are capable of suppressing T cell responses. We hypothesized that P. aeruginosa induces MDSCs to escape T cell immunity. In this article, we demonstrate that granulocytic MDSCs accumulate in CF patients chronically infected with P. aeruginosa and correlate with CF lung disease activity. Flagellated P. aeruginosa culture supernatants induced the generation of MDSCs, an effect that was 1) dose-dependently mimicked by purified flagellin protein, 2) significantly reduced using flagellin-deficient P. aeruginosa bacteria, and 3) corresponded to TLR5 expression on MDSCs in vitro and in vivo. Both purified flagellin and flagellated P. aeruginosa induced an MDSC phenotype distinct from that of the previously described MDSC-inducing cytokine GM-CSF, characterized by an upregulation of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 on the surface of MDSCs. Functionally, P. aeruginosa–infected CF patient ex vivo–isolated as well as flagellin or P. aeruginosa in vitro–generated MDSCs efficiently suppressed polyclonal T cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and modulated Th17 responses. These studies demonstrate that flagellin induces the generation of MDSCs and suggest that P. aeruginosa uses this mechanism to undermine T cell–mediated host defense in CF and other P. aeruginosa–associated chronic lung diseases.
Pro-Apoptotic Protein Noxa Regulates Memory T Cell Population Size and Protects against Lethal Immunopathology
Authors: Wensveen Felix M. , Klarenbeek Paul L. , van Gisbergen Klaas P. J. M. , Pascutti Maria F. , Derks Ingrid A. M. , van Schaik Barbera D. C. , ten Brinke Anja , de Vries Niek , Cekinović Đurđica , Jonjić Stipan , van Lier René A. W. , Eldering Eric
Published: January 2013

Memory T cells form a highly specific defense layer against reinfection with previously encountered pathogens. In addition, memory T cells provide protection against pathogens that are similar, but not identical to the original infectious agent. This is because each T cell response harbors multiple clones with slightly different affinities, thereby creating T cell memory with a certain degree of diversity. Currently, the mechanisms that control size, diversity, and cross-reactivity of the memory T cell pool are incompletely defined. Previously, we established a role for apoptosis, mediated by the BH3-only protein Noxa, in controlling diversity of the effector T cell population. This function might positively or negatively impact T cell memory in terms of function, pool size, and cross-reactivity during recall responses. Therefore, we investigated the role of Noxa in T cell memory during acute and chronic infections. Upon influenza infection, Noxa−/− mice generate a memory compartment of increased size and clonal diversity. Reinfection resulted in an increased recall response, whereas cross-reactive responses were impaired. Chronic infection of Noxa−/− mice with mouse CMV resulted in enhanced memory cell inflation, but no obvious pathology. In contrast, in a model of continuous, high-level T cell activation, reduced apoptosis of activated T cells rapidly led to severe organ pathology and premature death in Noxa-deficient mice. These results establish Noxa as an important regulator of the number of memory cells formed during infection. Chronic immune activation in the absence of Noxa leads to excessive accumulation of primed cells, which may result in severe pathology.
Dynein Light Chain LC8 Inhibits Osteoclast Differentiation and Prevents Bone Loss in Mice
Authors: Kim Hyeryeon , Hyeon Seungha , Kim Hojin , Yang Yoohee , Huh Ji Young , Park Doo Ri , Lee Hyojung , Seo Dong-Hyun , Kim Han-Sung , Lee Soo Young , Jeong Woojin
Published: January 2013

NF-κB is one of the key transcription factors activated by receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) during osteoclast differentiation. The 8-kDa dynein L chain (LC8) was previously identified as a novel NF-κB regulator. However, its physiological role as an NF-κB inhibitor remains elusive. In this study, we showed the inhibitory role of LC8 in RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and signaling pathways and its protective role in osteolytic animal models. LC8 suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation, actin ring formation, and osteoclastic bone resorption. LC8 inhibited RANKL-induced phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of IκBα, the expression of c-Fos, and the consequent activation of NFATc1, which is a pivotal determinant of osteoclastogenesis. LC8 also inhibited RANKL-induced activation of JNK and ERK. LC8-transgenic mice exhibited a mild osteopetrotic phenotype. Moreover, LC8 inhibited inflammation-induced bone erosion and protected against ovariectomy-induced bone loss in mice. Thus, our results suggest that LC8 inhibits osteoclast differentiation by regulating NF-κB and MAPK pathways and provide the molecular basis of a new strategy for treating osteoporosis and other bone diseases.
Regulation of DNA Methylation in Rheumatoid Arthritis Synoviocytes
Authors: Nakano Kazuhisa , Boyle David L. , Firestein Gary S.
Published: January 2013

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) exhibit an aggressive phenotype. Although the mechanisms responsible are not well defined, epigenetic determinants such as DNA methylation might contribute. DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) are critical enzymes that establish and maintain DNA methylation. We evaluated whether proinflammatory cytokines might contribute to differential DNA methylation previously described in RA FLS through altered DNMT expression. FLS were obtained from RA and osteoarthritis (OA) synovium at the time of total joint replacement. Gene expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR and protein expression by Western blot analysis. DNMT activity was measured with a functional assay, and global methylation was determined by an immunoassay that detects methylcytosine. Resting expression of DNMT1, -3a, and -3b mRNA were similar in RA and OA FLS. Western blot showed abundant DNMT1 and DNMT3a protein. Exposure to IL-1 decreased DNMT1 and DNMT3a mRNA expression in FLS. Dose responses demonstrated decreased DNMT expression at concentrations as low as 1 pg/ml of IL-1. DNMT mRNA levels decreased rapidly, with significant suppression after 2–8 h of IL-1 stimulation. IL-1 stimulation of OA FLS did not affect methylation of LINE1 sites but led to demethylation of a CHI3L1 locus that is hypomethylated in RA FLS. Chronic IL-1 stimulation also mimicked the effect of a DNMT inhibitor on FLS gene expression. Exposure to proinflammatory mediators reversibly alters DNA methylation in FLS by decreasing DNMT expression and function. These data suggest that IL-1 can potentially imprint cells in chronic inflammatory diseases.