French Team Research Articles

THE FIRST ROBAFIS‐ROBSE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COMPETITION IN SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

ABSTRACTSince 2006, AFIS, the French Chapter of INCOSE, organizes a systems engineering student challenge every year called RobAFIS. In 2016, GfSE, the German Chapter of INCOSE, joined AFIS in the RobSE challenge. Both chapters organized a first common international systems engineering student challenge this year. For this challenge, French and German teams have competed with a same requirement document, applicable to a space exploration robot called Explorer II. Its global mission was to put waypoints (identification marks) on different points of a planet's surface considered as dangerous to allow vehicles of future missions to move securely. A final meeting occured in Pforzeim, Germany in March, 2017.

Locomotor and Heart Rate Responses of Floaters During Small-Sided Games in Elite Soccer Players: Effect of Pitch Size and Inclusion of Goalkeepers.

To (1)compare the locomotor and heart rate responses between floaters and regular players during both small and large small-sided games (SSGs) and (2)examine whether the type of game (ie, game simulation [GS] vs possession game [PO]) affects the magnitude of the difference between floaters and regular players. Data were collected in 41 players belonging to an elite French football team during 3 consecutive seasons (2014-2017). A 5-Hz global positionning system was used to collect all training data, with the Athletic Data Innovation analyzer (v5.4.1.514) used to derive total distance (m), high-speed distance (>14.4km·h-1, m), and external mechanical load (MechL, a.u.). All SSGs included exclusively 1 floater and were divided into 2 main categories, according to the participation of goalkeepers (GS) or not (PO) and then further divided into small and large (>100m2per player) SSGs based on the area per player ratio. Locomotor activity and MechL performed were likely-to-most likely lower (moderate to large magnitude) in floaters compared with regular players, whereas differences in heart rate responses were unclear to possibly higher (small) in floaters. The magnitude of the difference in locomotor activity and MechL between floaters and regular players was substantially greater during GS compared with PO. Compared with regular players, floaters present decreased external load (both locomotor and MechL) despite unclear to possibly slightly higher heart rate responses during SSGs. Moreover, the responses of floaters compared with regular players are not consistent across different sizes of SSGs, with greater differences during GS than PO.

Variations of central and skin temperatures during 24 h in elite wheelchair rugby players

Spinal cord-injured athletes are of an inability to vasodilate and sweat below the injury, increasing the risk for marked core body temperature rises (Nicotra et al., 2006). The tetraplegics athletes have an important thermoregulatory impairment and are great risk of heat illness at a high intensity exercise or in hot environment (Price and Campbell, 2003). The magnitude of this impairment is proportional to the level of the lesion and requires adaptations adapted to each individual response (Griggs et al., 2015). Thus, the objective of this study was to assess body temperature induced by wheelchair rugby sessions and to compare the skin (Tsk°) and the central (Tc°) temperature measured during a one training day. Seven elite wheelchair rugby players (33 ± 7 years) with high-level lesions (tetraplegia) and all members in French team (7.1 ± 2 years training duration, 1.3 ± 0.8 points according to international classification) participated of this study. Central (Tc°) and skin (Tsk°) temperatures were continuous recorded during 24 h with an electronic pill (e-Celsius®) and Thermocron® ibutton® (DS1922L) devices placed on the shoulder. At the morning (Mo), before (Bef) and after (Aft) the training session and during the night (Ni), Tc° and Tsk° were noted. Tsk° was significant lower than Tc° (P < 0.01). Training session increase significantly Tc° and Tsk° (+3.5% for Tc° and 4.8% for Tsk°, respectively between Aft and Bef, P < 0.01). Ni Tc° (35.8 ± 0.2 °C) was significant lower than all measures (P < 0.001) and the variation between extreme diurnal and night values (max–min) were 2.4 ± 0.6 °C. No difference was founded for Tsk° between Mo, Bef and Ni and for Tc° between Mo and Bef. The Tsk° values are lower than those obtained with the pills, Tc°. Tc° increase of 1.3 ± 0.5 °C after wheelchair rugby is lower than that obtained by Price and Campbell (2.1 ± 0.5 °C) during 60 min at 60% VO2pic on wheelchair ergometer in hot environment chamber (31.5 °C, 43RH). However, skin measures are sensitive to exercise-induced imbalance and could be used by the staff to manage the thermoregulation troubles. It could be interesting to provide individual solutions to limit the effects of the large variation in Tc° measured during 24 h.

Benchmarking project management dimensions at the lapse of a century

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to investigate project management dimensions while constructing the Panama Canal from the end of ninetieth century to the start of twentieth century and then benchmarking against the Palm Diera Island at the lapse of a century. Second, to highlight issues of project management, specially the risk management with its economic, social and political domains at the construction site and in France and America.Design/methodology/approachThe case study research method of qualitative research has been adopted when comparing two mega projects executed in different time and space. For the Panama Canal project documentation investigation was performed. However, a semi-structured interview data collection method was adopted for the Palm Diera Island project. A comparative study of two projects helps in deeper understanding of cross-project management dimensions.FindingsThe research reveals that the French team failed to complete the Panama Canal construction project due to inadequate planning, inappropriate design, lack of risk management, health and safety of the staff and non-availability of finances. However, the Americans successfully completed construction of the canal within budget and time and this was due to the support of change in the purpose of the canal construction adding to achieve its commercial objectives and at the same time strengthen its naval presence. American took its construction as a national objective than the individual enterprise as executed by the French team.Research limitations/implicationsData collection for the Panama Canal was limited to only historical data available from the literature as documentary investigation. The researchers visited the canal to get in-depth understanding of the construction practices and the scale of construction. However, for the Palm Diera project, data collection was limited to three key personnel interviews.Practical implicationsThe Americans were successful in completing the canal due to the US Government control on management and finances of the canal construction and lessons learned during the French construction period. The paper serves as a benchmark for project management dimension in two different regions in different times. The paper bears economic implications for the construction of the mega projects both in South America and the Middle East. Cost overrun construction of the Panama Canal during the French period influenced political spectrum in France resulting into the defeat of the government. During the American period of construction first time out of country visit by the sitting president of the USA reflects its economic and social importance. The valley of death was converted into the valley comfort during the American period resulting into social welfare of the workers. Completion of the canal by the Americans helped them secure operations of the Panama Canal for the next 100 years, contributing to its economic and naval strength.Social implicationsThe paper reveals that safety and social implications for the work place in two different regions and at two different times. The impact of safe and improved working conditions at Palm Diera Island resulted into no injury or loss of life, however, during the Panama Canal construction more than 30,000 workers died affecting not only families of the respective workers but their nations as well. The impacts of both the projects on the society were also significant. The public opinion against the construction of the canal during the French period of construction was so significant that they had to abandon their construction equipment at the site. On the contrary, completion of construction of the Panama Canal during the French period helped secured political mileage for President Roosevelt and his party.Originality/valueThe paper benchmarks two different mega projects with different scope executed in two different regions at the lapse of a century. No such research work was found to have compared project management dimensions of two mega projects at the lapse of a century and in two different regions.

Small-Sided Games in Elite Soccer: Does One Size Fit All?

To compare the peak intensity of typical small-sided games (SSGs) with those of official matches in terms of running demands and mechanical work (MechW) over different rolling average durations and playing positions. Data were collected in 21 players (25 [5] y, 181 [7] cm, and 77 [7] kg) belonging to an elite French football team. SSG data were collected over 2 seasons during typical training sessions (249 files, 12 [4] per player) and official matches (n = 12). Players' locomotor activity was recorded using 5-Hz Global Positioning System. Total distance(m), high-speed distance (HS, distance above 14.4km·h-1, m), and MechW (a.u.) were analyzed during different rolling average periods (1-15min). The SSGs examined were 4v4+goalkeepers (GKs), 6v6+GKs, 8v8+GKs, and 10v10+GKs. Peak total distance and HS during 4v4, 6v6, and 8v8 were likely-to-most likely lower than during matches (effect size: -0.59 [±0.38] to -7.36 [±1.20]). MechW during 4v4 was likely-to-most likely higher than during matches (1-4min; 0.61 [±0.77] to 2.30 [±0.64]). Relative to their match demands, central defenders performed more HS than other positions (0.63 [±0.81] to 1.61 [±0.52]) during 6v6. Similarly, central midfielders performed less MechW than the other positions during 6v6 (0.68 [±0.72] to 1.34 [±0.99]) and 8v8 (0.73 [±0.50] to 1.39 [±0.32]). Peak locomotor intensity can be modulated during SSGs of various formats and durations to either overload or underload match demands, with 4v4 placing the greatest and the least emphasis on MechW and HS, respectively. Additionally, in relation to match demands central defenders and central midfielders tend to be the most and least overloaded during SSGs, respectively.

Do height and weight play an important role in block and attack efficiency in high-level men's volleyball?

The research objective was to study the relationships of players’ efficiency in attack and block with their anthropometric characteristics. Data on men’s weight and height and their proficiency in the game were used. The subjects were the members of the Estonian, Italian, French and Croatian national volleyball teams who participated in Pool B of the European Championship. Data are given on men’s height, weight, age, total number of spikes, attack errors, attacks won, efficiency of attack, total number of blocks, block errors, blocks won, and efficiency of block. In addition, the number of points won by men and their positions in the game are given. Minimums, maximums, standard deviations and means were calculated. To find correlations, Pearson’s correlation analysis (p&lt;0.05) was used. In our study, taller and heavier players proved to be more efficient at attack. Comparison of positions showed that middle blockers were taller and performed more blocks, setters were shorter and performed the least of attacks, and outside attackers and opposite attackers were of medium height and carried the greatest load of attack. As a conclusion, it was found that, in professional volleyball, height correlated with the efficiency of attack (r= 0.534; p&lt;0.05), and weight also correlated with the efficiency of attack (r= 0.518; p&lt;0.05). There was no correlation between the anthropometric characteristics and block in volleyball at the professional level in our study. In volleyball, the greatest load at attack is carried by outside attackers and opposite attackers, while middle blockers have the greatest load at block. Setters perform the smallest number of attacks.

Contribution des méthodes ESR et ESR/U-Th à la datation de quelques gisements pléistocènes de Chine

Since the beginning of the 2000s, studies concerning the chronology of the first human settlements in China were conducted by electron spin resonance (ESR) on sedimentary quartz and electron spin resonance coupled with U-series (ESR/U-series) on teeth in collaboration by French and Chinese teams on some Chinese archaeological or geological sites: Yunxian, Dali, Tangshan, Zongwei, Nihewan, Longgupo and several Giganthopithecus sites in Guangxi. After a quick overview of the used dating methods, some of the major results obtained during this collaboration will be briefly presented and discussed.

Dissecting the survivors – how the age of a club contributes to the ability of a team to maintain the top position in the European soccer leagues

Summary Objectives To test the hypothesis that the age of a club is a major determinant of the higher survival rates exhibited by European soccer teams. News We studied 185 teams from the 2006/2007 season to the 2012/2013 season. We used Cox proportional hazards regression models. We also controlled for the age effect with variables suggested by the literature. These variables included transfer flows, the presence of the team at UEFA competitions (Champions League or Europa League), stadium attendance, and the percentage of national players. Prospect We observed that the age of the club is an important determinant in explaining the higher survival rates of the teams belonging to older clubs. More nuance was discovered when the teams were analyzed by professional league. Among English teams, the survival rate at the top is positively affected by having higher percentages of national players, higher transfer inflows, participation in UEFA competitions and higher stadium attendance. Stadium attendance is an important factor in keeping a team at the top, independent of the European league (with the exception of the French competition). French teams’ survival tends to benefit from the acquisition of players (proxied by higher transfer outflows). Although significant, the age effect nevertheless does not prevent young clubs (those founded within the last 50 years) from achieving first place. Young clubs that manage transfers well, have impressive stadium attendance, and are stimulated by UEFA participation tend to experience additional positive effects on their survival rate at the top. Conclusion The most robust results indicate that the age effect is a statistically significant determinant. Older clubs tend to benefit from four age-related dimensions: the relevance of assets, more efficient decision-making processes, monopolistic market power and the control of decisions by the executive board.

European urban water crisis: the management dimension

Between 2009 and 2013, the EAU&3E research program gathered several French research teams and water utilities, with the aim to provide a scientific answer to the following question: are our water services sustainable, even in the heart of Europe? The goal of this project was develop knowledge and improve methods to achieve a sustainable management for water services. Our ambition was to go beyond the separate analysis of each dimension of sustainable development (economic, social, environmental): in parallel and together, we tried to add knowledge on 4 major dimensions (namely: environment, economics, equity and governance), applied to a set of empirical case studies in France and in other OECD countries. We specifically focused on: a) the recent decline in water consumption and its feedbacks with water tariffs and water utilities' financial balance; b) the long term asset management issue, related to the necessary renewal of aging water infrastructures; c) the redistributive effects, including growing water poverty due to counter-intuitive effects of water tariffs; d) the new territorial scaling options for water service management (up-scaling, downscaling, technology mix), including multi-level governance to improve the resilience of urban water supply and to foster the participation of water users. Lastly, we synthesized our findings in a set of scenarios on upcoming possibilities for future water service management in European cities. Forecasting offers many interesting tools to support water services authorities and operating companies in its decisions and to better apprehend the sustainable/unsustainable paths for its future. In this paper we focus on large cities in France (Paris) and Spain (Madrid and Barcelona).

Analysing match attendance in the European Rugby Cup: Does uncertainty of outcome matter in a multinational tournament?

ABSTRACTResearch question: The paper analyses the determinants of attendances in rugby union’s European Rugby Cup (ERC) and, in particular, whether uncertainty of outcome had a significant effect on spectator demand.Research methods: We use data on attendance from 1226 ERC group stage matches played between 1995/1996 and 2013/2014 to estimate a model of spectator demand for ERC matches.Results and findings: We find that short-run (match) uncertainty had little effect on attendances, whereas the strength of the home team had a significant effect on attendances. Medium-term uncertainty, that is, the possibility of the home team reaching the knock-out stages, had a significant impact on attendances.Implications: The findings are significant because the ERC was replaced with a new European Rugby Champions Cup (ERCC) from the beginning of the 2014/2015 season. Changes in the distribution of revenue between participating teams combined with increases in English and French teams’ domestic league broadcast revenues suggest that the ERCC may be more unbalanced than the ERC. This has implications for the business models of clubs from smaller countries and their ability to compete and may lead to the emergence of an Anglo-French duopoly in the new competition.

Hormonal, chemical and thermal inhibition of spermatogenesis: contribution of French teams to international data with the aim of developing male contraception in France

Since the 1970s, international research on male contraception has been actively pursued. Hormonal and non-hormonal methods (thermal, chemical) have been tested, leading to clinical trials of interest to thousands of men and couples.The results showed that it was possible to develop methods of male contraception that inhibited spermatogenesis with good contraceptive efficacy. However, their side effects (mainly loss of libido), poorly accepted modes of administration, and the high frequency of poor responders prevented their widespread use.Based on earlier initiatives, new avenues were explored and significant progress was achieved, allowing the reasoned use of male contraception. For 40 years, several French teams have played an important role in this research. The aim of this paper is to outline the history and the progress of the experimental and clinical works of these teams who addressed hormonal, chemical and thermal approaches to male contraception. These approaches have led to a better comprehension of spermatogenesis that could be useful in fields other than male contraception: effects of toxic compounds, fertility preservation.

Medieval Qalhāt, historical vs archaeological data

Qalhāt, in Oman, was one of the main hubs of the Indian Ocean trade at the time of the kingdom of Hormuz, in the 13th to 15th centuries AD. It is now an impressive archaeological site, a large ruined city about 35 ha wide. Excavations started there in 2008 with a French team under the authority of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture of Oman, and have since turned into an important development project with the final aim to create an archaeological park on site. Research have yielded considerable data about: the spatial organization and development of the town, its fortifications, the various quarters and main buildings including the Friday mosque, the daily life of its inhabitants and the trading activities of the port. Paralleled with literary sources they now give a clearer idea of the history of this main harbour of the medieval period.

The one hundred most-cited articles on laparoscopic liver surgery

Abstract: The aim of this review was to identify the 100 most-cited articles related to laparoscopic liver resection (LLR), to analyze their trend according to publication year and to summarize the knowledge and evidence these one-hundred articles brought to the surgical community. We performed a search to identify all studies dealing with LLR by utilizing the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science (Thomson Reuters, New York, NY, USA) database. We found 2,018 papers, applying the exclusion criteria on all articles, the 100 most cited articles on LLR were identified. The oldest article was published in 1996 and the most recent in 2015. The 100 articles were published in 23 different journals, 55 articles were published in 3 journals: Surgical Endoscopy [27], Annals of Surgery [20] and British Journal of Surgery [8]. The most frequent first and last authors were Dagher I (5 articles) and Cherqui D (7 articles) respectively. In 30 cases the article was published by a French team and in 18 cases from a USA team. Most frequent topics were: hepatocellular carcinoma (17 articles), liver cysts [9], major hepatectomy [8], left lateral resection [7], colorectal metastases [6], benign diseases [4] and living donor hepatectomies [3]. LLR is worldwide performed and surgical indications are expanding.

Wave-particle and wave-wave interactions in hot plasmas: a French historical point of view

The first researches on nuclear fusion for energy applications marked the entrance of hot plasmas into the laboratory. It became necessary to understand the behavior of such plasmas and to learn how to manipulate them. Theoreticians and experimentalists, building on the foundations of empirical laws, had to construct this new plasma physics from first principles and to explain the results of more and more complicated experiments. Along this line, two important topics emerged: wave-particle and wave-wave interactions. Here, their history is recalled as it has been lived by a French team from the end of the sixties to the beginning of the twenty-first century.

The C'JAAD: a French team for early intervention in psychosis in Paris

The aim is to describe a centre operating in Paris that pioneers the early intervention for young people at the onset and at high risk of psychosis in France. Comprehensive descriptive analysis of different clinical and service measures is used in describing the implementation of the C'JAAD (Evaluation Centre for Young Adults and Adolescents) using data from an ongoing prospective non-interventional research programme. Over a 2-year period, 151 patients were referred to the C'JAAD and included in the ICAAR research programme. After evaluation by the Comprehensive Assessment of the At-Risk Mental States Scale, 53.7% were identified at risk of developing a psychosis, 20.6% presented a full-blown psychosis and 25.7% were considered not at risk of developing a psychosis. A total of 84% of the at-risk subjects suffered from a psychiatric co-morbidity, of which anxiodepressive symptoms being the most frequent (39%). The global functioning of these at-risk subjects was seriously impaired (average Social and Occupational Functioning Assessment Scale score = 48.9). More than one third of the patients was self-referred (33.8%), 22.5% were addressed by a psychiatrist whereas 10.6% were referred by a general practitioner. In this paper, we report for the first time the activities of the C'JAAD, the pioneer unit in France for early detection and treatment of young adults with early psychosis. These observations indicate that such early intervention centre is a feasible and sustainable extension of traditional care for people with mental disorders in this country and offers promising perspective for the development of further centres.

Prediction of peak oxygen consumption from the multistage field test in elite wheelchair rugby players

Evaluations of physical fitness and efficiency to wheelchair propulsion are common in rehabilitation center. The multistage field test (MFT) was developed for wheelchair users and predicts the peak value of oxygen consumption VO 2 peak = 18.03 + 0.78 × MFT score , independently of their impairment [1] . In an earlier study, we did not find significant difference between VO 2 peak estimated by the Vanderthommen's formula and measured VO 2 peak [2] of trained wheelchair basketball players. Comparatively to wheelchair basketball, the athlete's cardio-respiratory and muscular limitations are greater higher in wheelchair rugby. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the measured VO 2 peak with ambulatory analyzer with its predicted value according the MFT score. Twelve elite wheelchair rugby players (all are members in French team, 6.1 ± 2.1 years training duration, 1.7 ± 0.9 points according to international classification) performed MFT in their competitive wheelchair. VO 2 peak were measured with a Metamax 3B ambulatory system and also calculated from the end-MFT scores. A significant correlation between both VO 2 peak values was found ( r = 0.96; R 2 = 0.91; P < 0.0001) and no significant difference between VO 2 peak values measured and estimated (28.7 ± 13.6 vs. 27.9 ± 3.4 mL/min/kg; P = 0.66). Bland–Altman plot revealed a poor agreement [–21.6 to 20.1 in mL/min/kg] (mean bias of –0.79, i. e., 72%) between both VO 2 peak values. Player classification was significantly correlated with VO 2 peak measured ( r = 0.87, R 2 = 0.75; P < 0.0001). Players ranked to high and low limits of the international classification (close to 1 or 3 points) have predicted VO 2 peak outside of the 95% limits of Bland–Altman plot agreement. The different etiologies presented in the population (tetraplegia, amputee, cerebral palsy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease) can explain the magnitude of the cardiorespiratory responses. Considering these limitations, with no technical equipment, MFT provides an estimate of physical fitness to elite wheelchair players.

Missing Protein Landscape of Human Chromosomes 2 and 14: Progress and Current Status.

Within the C-HPP, the Swiss and French teams are responsible for the annotation of proteins from chromosomes 2 and 14, respectively. neXtProt currently reports 1231 entries on chromosome 2 and 624 entries on chromosome 14; of these, 134 and 93 entries are still not experimentally validated and are thus considered as "missing proteins" (PE2-4), respectively. Among these entries, some may never be validated by conventional MS/MS approaches because of incompatible biochemical features. Others have already been validated but are still awaiting annotation. On the basis of information retrieved from the literature and from three of the main C-HPP resources (Human Protein Atlas, PeptideAtlas, and neXtProt), a subset of 40 theoretically detectable missing proteins (25 on chromosome 2 and 15 on chromosome 14) was defined for upcoming targeted studies in sperm samples. This list is proposed as a roadmap for the French and Swiss teams in the near future.

Trouble de l’identité de genre chez l’enfant et l’adolescent : expériences de prise en charge à l’étranger

Children and adolescents’ gender identity disorders have been studied for years in medical literature. In France, demands from young people and their families are becoming more frequent and the demand is sooner, carrying giving by specialized multidisciplinary teams dealing transsexualism. In the first part, we will explain the articles on that theme. Our research is based on those keywords: gender identity and adolescence or dysphorie de genre et adolescence or encore trouble de l’identité de genre et adolescence. Then, a paragraph will focus on the specific caring of the childhood that is different than adolescence. At last, we will inform our readers of the World Professional Association for the Transgender Health (WPATH) actual recommendations. And finally, in another part, we will study the sexual identity construction within three therotical models: the psychoanalysis, the social cognitif and the integrative one. To finalized, it is necessary that professional from the youth department take action. In the upcoming years, the gender disorder in childhood and adolescence is a diagnosis problematic that will increase on the French territory. We need to look at the articles and international revues, the practice from our internationale colleges that already have experience and also that a step back on those cases. We will need to develop “mixte pediatric-psychiatrist” team to guide those children and their families. However, the main question will be how France will position itself in this specific care. Will the French team follow the WPATH recommendations?

Wood machining with a focus on French research in the last 50 years

Wood machining is compulsory both for timber separation and the surfacing of wooden objects. The anisotropy, cellular nature and multi-scale level organisation of wood make its cutting complicated to study. During the last 50 years, most of the wood machining subjects were covered by French teams. Woodcutting is a very old technology but scientific research is scarce on the subject. In the last 50 years, much work on basic mechanisms as well as on industrial processes has been done in France. The specific nature of wood introduces strong differences between wood and metal cutting processes. The paper focuses on French teams’ contributions. The basic aspects of the tool–material interaction for different basic modes in woodcutting are highlighted. In primary conversion such as sawing, veneer cutting or green wood chipping, huge progress comes from automation and the possibility of linking the process to log and product quality through new sensors. In secondary processing, much has been done on the links between the cutting process, surface qualification and the properties of these surfaces for further processing, such as gluing or coating. Tool wear depends on the cutting process, timber quality and species. Trade-offs are required in tool technology and coating technologies may improve tool life. A large amount of knowledge and innovation has come from 50 years of worldwide research effort, with France being particularly active in this period. The transfer of skills from metals cutting industry was often a key, but much is needed to move closer to both metal cutting sector and woodcutting skills among craftsmen.

Global management of patients with ebola viral disease, experience of the Healthcare workers Treatment of Conakry, Guinea

The Healthcare Workers Treatment Center of Conakry, Guinea, was inaugurated in january 2015. It is dedicated to the diagnosis and the treatment of healthcare workers with probable or confirmed Ebola viral disease. It is staffed by the french army medical service. The french military team may reconcile their medical practice and the ethno-cultural imperatives to optimise the patient adherence during his hospitalization.