Le silence des Sirènes : Franz Kafka

La nouvelle de Kafka, une page écrite le 23 octobre 1917, est une réécriture du passage de l’Odyssée d’Homère1 dans lequel Circé avertit Ulysse qu’il va passer au large de l’île des Sirènes. Ces êtres hybrides, mifemmes mioiseaux, attirent irrésistiblement les marins par leur chant et provoquent leur naufrage ce dont témoigne le rivage couvert d’ossements. Circé indique aussi à Ulysse le moyen d’échapper à ce sort funeste: il devra boucher les oreilles de ses compagnons avec de la cire; lui seul, solidement attaché au mât, pourra jouir de la voix des Sirènes.

La voix du castrat ou le sexe de l’ange

Ce texte a été écrit en hommage à l’Italie, un pays si nourri d’art en général, si amoureux des belles voix en particulier, qu’il a toléré pendant au moins deux siècles, en particulier au 17ème et 18ème siècles, l’âge baroque, la mutilation d’environ 3000 à 4000 jeunes garçons chaque année, afin de créer les plus étranges de toutes les voix de chanteurs, les voix de castrats.

Experimental and diagnostic protocol for the physical component of the CMIP6 Ocean Model Intercomparison Project (OMIP)

The Ocean Model Intercomparison Project (OMIP) aims to provide a framework for evaluating, understanding, and improving the ocean and sea-ice components of global climate and earth system models contributing to the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). OMIP addresses these aims in two complementary manners: (A) by providing an experimental protocol for global ocean/sea-ice models run with a prescribed atmospheric forcing, (B) by providing a protocol for ocean diagnostics to be saved as part of CMIP6. We focus here on the physical component of OMIP, with a companion paper (Orr et al., 2016) offering details for the inert chemistry and interactive biogeochemistry. The physical portion of the OMIP experimental protocol follows that of the interannual Coordinated Ocean-ice Reference Experiments (CORE-II). Since 2009, CORE-I (Normal Year Forcing) and CORE-II have become the standard method to evaluate global ocean/sea-ice simulations and to examine mechanisms for forced ocean climate variability. The OMIP diagnostic protocol is relevant for any ocean model component of CMIP6, including the DECK (Diagnostic, Evaluation and Characterization of Klima experiments), historical simulations, FAFMIP (Flux Anomaly Forced MIP), C4MIP (Coupled Carbon Cycle Climate MIP), DAMIP (Detection and Attribution MIP), DCPP (Decadal Climate Prediction Project), ScenarioMIP (Scenario MIP), as well as the ocean-sea ice OMIP simulations. The bulk of this paper offers scientific rationale for saving these diagnostics.

OMIP contribution to CMIP6: experimental and diagnostic protocol for the physical component of the Ocean Model Intercomparison Project

The Ocean Model Intercomparison Project (OMIP) is an endorsed project in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). OMIP addresses CMIP6 science questions, investigating the origins and consequences of systematic model biases. It does so by providing a framework for evaluating (including assessment of systematic biases), understanding, and improving ocean, sea-ice, tracer, and biogeochemical components of climate and earth system models contributing to CMIP6. Among the WCRP Grand Challenges in climate science (GCs), OMIP primarily contributes to the regional sea level change and near-term (climate/decadal) prediction GCs. OMIP provides (a) an experimental protocol for global ocean/sea-ice models run with a prescribed atmospheric forcing; and (b) a protocol for ocean diagnostics to be saved as part of CMIP6. We focus here on the physical component of OMIP, with a companion paper (Orr et al., 2016) detailing methods for the inert chemistry and interactive biogeochemistry. The physical portion of the OMIP experimental protocol follows the interannual Coordinated Ocean-ice Reference Experiments (CORE-II). Since 2009, CORE-I (Normal Year Forcing) and CORE-II (Interannual Forcing) have become the standard methods to evaluate global ocean/sea-ice simulations and to examine mechanisms for forced ocean climate variability. The OMIP diagnostic protocol is relevant for any ocean model component of CMIP6, including the DECK (Diagnostic, Evaluation and Characterization of Klima experiments), historical simulations, FAFMIP (Flux Anomaly Forced MIP), C4MIP (Coupled Carbon Cycle Climate MIP), DAMIP (Detection and Attribution MIP), DCPP (Decadal Climate Prediction Project), ScenarioMIP, HighResMIP (High Resolution MIP), as well as the ocean/sea-ice OMIP simulations.

Towards Automated Business Process Deduction through a Social and Collaborative Platform

Part 12: Collaboration Platforms

Collaborative Systems in Crisis Management: A Proposal for a Conceptual Framework

Part 11: Reference and Conceptual Models

Los jardines "pintados" de Émile Zola, lugares de encuentro entre literatura y arte

The thesis here presented, entitled “PAINTED” GARDENS BY ÉMILE ZOLA, MEETING PLACES OF LITERATURE AND ART, aims to analyze the treatment of the theme of garden in La Curée, the second of the twenty novels that make up the cycle of Les Rougon-Macquart, series published between 1871 and 1893. In this story, the author, an ardent republican, bluntly attacks the imperial regime, emphasizing the confusion of high society, the immorality of speculation occurred under the Haussmann's renovation of Paris, the profusion of luxury and pleasure, and, in short, a dynamism geared exclusively to the sense of destruction or perversion. Hence we have devoted an entire chapter to argue the presentation of this novel as a chronicle of Parisian society of the Second Empire. Also, because reading Zola is to recognize the profusion of metaphorical language, the analysis of the poetic discourse has played an important role in the body of this thesis. This analysis focuses on the two major descriptions of the greenhouse of hôtel Saccard, in chapters I and IV, both aiming to present this garden as a disturbing space, favorable to the discovery of unsuspected amorous capabilities, according to the mentality of the nineteenth century, so full of puritan principles, for which the tropical world of greenhouses meant a sexual freedom which did not understand bans or limitations. The sexual corruption that occurs in this greenhouse, is not only indicative of moral laxity in personal relationships, but also works as a symbolic image of decay and breakdown of society as a whole...

La carte et le territoire de Michel Houellebecq: un auteur au cœur de son roman

L'objectif principal de ce travail est de démontrer que Michel Houellebecq est au centre de son roman dans La Carte et le Territoire. En d'autres termes, nous pouvons dire qu'il est affecté à un poste roman Michel Houellebecq. Mais derrière cet objectif, d'autres peaux. En effet, il est aussi comprendre les motivations de l'auteur de développer son roman au sujet de son personnage. Nous voulons aussi déchiffrer les stratégies littéraires utilisés par l'auteur pour écrire son roman et définir le genre autobiographique de l'œuvre. Mais la difficulté de la question réside dans le caractère Auteur ambigu. Définir précisément le type de la carte et le territoire est une tâche difficile en raison de la originalité des performances offertes par l'écrivain. On pourrait penser qu'il a inventé, créé ce roman, un nouveau genre autobiographique encore à définir. La réponse à la question suivra un itinéraire: à partir de la première place, par la définition du genre Autobiographical de La Carte et le territoire à travers un inventaire des genres autobiographiques existantes et caractéristiques de chacun, une brève analyse du roman à la position dans des genres étudiés précédemment. Mais si la théorie est simple, la pratique est pas nécessairement parce que le roman Michel Houellebecq ne correspond pas à une réplique parfaite des caractéristiques d'un sexe déclarations. En fin de compte, il est réglé par le biais de cette étude, les limites générales genre et les limites du roman autobiographique étudiés. Deuxièmement, nous allons essayer d'analyser la roman et en particulier le caractère de Michel Houellebecq et les stratégies littéraires utilisés par l'auteur pour être placé au centre de son livre. Ces analyses nous permettent d'atteindre notre troisième approche pour étudier ce qui implique de comprendre les motivations de l'auteur pour l'auto-écrit ou moins la suggestion de motivations

Étranger à soi-même. La mue de la voix masculine dans l'oeuvre de Pascal Quignard

L’oeuvre de Pascal Quignard présente dans son ensemble beaucoup d’étrangeté, par ses contours génériques flous et imprécis, par sa vaste érudition, et par les thèmes traités. Nous nous attachons ici à un motif précis : la mue de la voix masculine à l’adolescence. Cette transformation de la voix du jeune garçon, qui s’accompagne d’une inévitable transformation sexuelle, engendre chez certains un profond traumatisme. De La Leçon de musique à Tous les matins du monde, nous étudierons les conséquences de ce phénomène spontané chez les êtres naturellement doués pour le chant et la musique. Nous en suivrons par la suite les différents linéaments narratifs et poétiques. Finalement, nous découvrirons dans les méandres de l’oeuvre quignardienne quelques échos très personnels, relatifs à l’auteur.

Nurses', midwives' and key stakeholders' experiences and perceptions on requirements to demonstrate the maintenance of professional competence.

Aim: To present the qualitative findings from a study on the development of scheme(s) to give evidence of maintenance of professional competence for nurses and midwives. Background: Key issues in maintenance of professional competence include notions of self- assessment, verification of engagement and practice hours, provision of an evidential record, the role of the employer and articulation of possible consequences for non-adherence with the requirements. Schemes to demonstrate the maintenance of professional competence have application to nurses, midwives and regulatory bodies and healthcare employers worldwide. Design: A mixed methods approach was used. This included an online survey of nurses and midwives and focus groups with nurses and midwives and other key stakeholders. The qualitative data are reported in this study. Methods: Focus groups were conducted among a purposive sample of nurses, midwives and key stakeholders from January–May 2015. A total of 13 focus groups with 91 participants contributed to the study. Findings: Four major themes were identified: Definitions and Characteristics of Competence; Continuing Professional Development and Demonstrating Competence; Assessment of Competence; The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and employers as regulators and enablers of maintaining professional competence. Conclusion: Competence incorporates knowledge, skills, attitudes, professionalism, application of evidence and translating learning into practice. It is specific to the nurse's/midwife's role, organizational needs, patient's needs and the individual nurse's/midwife's learning needs. Competencies develop over time and change as nurses and midwives work in different practice areas. Thus, role-specific competence is linked to recent engagement in practice.

Adhesives for fixed orthodontic bands

Background: Orthodontic treatment involves using fixed or removable appliances (dental braces) to correct the positions of teeth. It has been shown that the quality of treatment result obtained with fixed appliances is much better than with removable appliances. Fixed appliances are, therefore, favoured by most orthodontists for treatment. The success of a fixed orthodontic appliance depends on the metal attachments (brackets and bands) being attached securely to the teeth so that they do not become loose during treatment. Brackets are usually attached to the front and side teeth, whereas bands (metal rings that go round the teeth) are more commonly used on the back teeth (molars). A number of adhesives are available to attach bands to teeth and it is important to understand which group of adhesives bond most reliably, as well as reducing or preventing dental decay during the treatment period. :Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the adhesives used to attach bands to teeth during fixed appliance treatment, in terms of: (1) how often the bands come off during treatment; and (2) whether they protect the banded teeth against decay during fixed appliance treatment. Search methods: The following electronic databases were searched: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register (searched 2 June 2016), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2016, Issue 5) in the Cochrane Library (searched 2 June 2016), MEDLINE Ovid (1946 to 2 June 2016) and EMBASE Ovid (1980 to 2 June 2016). We searched ClinicalTrials.gov and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform for ongoing trials. No restrictions were placed on the language or date of publication when searching the electronic databases. Selection criteria: Randomised and controlled clinical trials (RCTs and CCTs) (including split-mouth studies) of adhesives used to attach orthodontic bands to molar teeth were selected. Patients with full arch fixed orthodontic appliance(s) who had bands attached to molars were included. Data collection and analysis: All review authors were involved in study selection, validity assessment and data extraction without blinding to the authors, adhesives used or results obtained. All disagreements were resolved by discussion. Main results: Five RCTs and three CCTs were identified as meeting the review's inclusion criteria. All the included trials were of split-mouth design. Four trials compared chemically cured zinc phosphate and chemically cured glass ionomer; three trials compared chemically cured glass ionomer cement with light cured compomer; one trial compared chemically cured glass ionomer with a chemically cured glass phosphonate. Data analysis was often inappropriate within the studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Authors' conclusions: There is insufficient high quality evidence with regard to the most effective adhesive for attaching orthodontic bands to molar teeth. Further RCTs are required.

Preference inference based on Pareto models

In this paper, we consider Preference Inference based on a generalised form of Pareto order. Preference Inference aims at reasoning over an incomplete specification of user preferences. We focus on two problems. The Preference Deduction Problem (PDP) asks if another preference statement can be deduced (with certainty) from a set of given preference statements. The Preference Consistency Problem (PCP) asks if a set of given preference statements is consistent, i.e., the statements are not contradicting each other. Here, preference statements are direct comparisons between alternatives (strict and non-strict). It is assumed that a set of evaluation functions is known by which all alternatives can be rated. We consider Pareto models which induce order relations on the set of alternatives in a Pareto manner, i.e., one alternative is preferred to another only if it is preferred on every component of the model. We describe characterisations for deduction and consistency based on an analysis of the set of evaluation functions, and present algorithmic solutions and complexity results for PDP and PCP, based on Pareto models in general and for a special case. Furthermore, a comparison shows that the inference based on Pareto models is less cautious than some other types of well-known preference model.

Talking about quality: exploring how ‘quality’ is conceptualized in European hospitals and healthcare systems

BACKGROUND: Conceptualization of quality of care - in terms of what individuals, groups and organizations include in their meaning of quality, is an unexplored research area. It is important to understand how quality is conceptualised as a means to successfully implement improvement efforts and bridge potential disconnect in language about quality between system levels, professions, and clinical services. The aim is therefore to explore and compare conceptualization of quality among national bodies (macro level), senior hospital managers (meso level), and professional groups within clinical micro systems (micro level) in a cross-national study. METHODS: This cross-national multi-level case study combines analysis of national policy documents and regulations at the macro level with semi-structured interviews (383) and non-participant observation (803 hours) of key meetings and shadowing of staff at the meso and micro levels in ten purposively sampled European hospitals (England, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, and Norway). Fieldwork at the meso and micro levels was undertaken over a 12-month period (2011-2012) and different types of micro systems were included (maternity, oncology, orthopaedics, elderly care, intensive care, and geriatrics). RESULTS: The three quality dimensions clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and patient experience were incorporated in macro level policies in all countries. Senior hospital managers adopted a similar conceptualization, but also included efficiency and costs in their conceptualization of quality. 'Quality' in the forms of measuring indicators and performance management were dominant among senior hospital managers (with clinical and non-clinical background). The differential emphasis on the three quality dimensions was strongly linked to professional roles, personal ideas, and beliefs at the micro level. Clinical effectiveness was dominant among physicians (evidence-based approach), while patient experience was dominant among nurses (patient-centered care, enough time to talk with patients). Conceptualization varied between micro systems depending on the type of services provided. CONCLUSION: The quality conceptualization differed across system levels (macro-meso-micro), among professional groups (nurses, doctors, managers), and between the studied micro systems in our ten sampled European hospitals. This entails a managerial alignment challenge translating macro level quality definitions into different local contexts.