Les catastrophes cycloniques de septembre 2017 dans la Caraïbe insulaire au prisme de la pauvreté et des fragilités sociétales

Les auteurs s’intéressent dans cet article à l’impact des ouragans majeurs de la saison cyclonique 2017 sur la Caraïbe insulaire, Irma et Maria. Ils soutiennent que le facteur principal de vulnérabilité des sociétés caribéennes n’est pas systématiquement lié à la puissance des ouragans ou au niveau de pauvreté que la récurrence de catastrophes en Haïti a contribué à fortement ancrer comme l’une des sources principales de vulnérabilité. En s’appuyant principalement sur les exemples cubain et saint-martinois, les auteurs montrent qu’il convient d’interroger les structures fondamentales des sociétés insulaires.This article examines the impact of major hurricanes of the 2017 cyclonic season, Irma and Maria, on the the insular Caribbean region. The authors argue that the main factor of vulnerability of the caribbean societies is not systematically linked to the intensity of the hazard or the level of poverty that the recurrence of disasters in Haiti has helped to strongly anchor as one of the main sources of vulnerability. The analysis of the impacts of Irma and Maria on Cuba and Saint-Martin show that questions must be asked about the fundamental structures of island societies

Utilization of a novel digital measurement tool for quantitative assessment of upper extremity motor dexterity: a controlled pilot study.

BackgroundThe current methods of assessing motor function rely primarily on the clinician's judgment of the patient's physical examination and the patient's self-administered surveys. Recently, computerized handgrip tools have been designed as an objective method to quantify upper-extremity motor function. This pilot study explores the use of the MediSens handgrip as a potential clinical tool for objectively assessing the motor function of the hand.MethodsEleven patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) were followed for three months. Eighteen age-matched healthy participants were followed for two months. The neuromotor function and the patient-perceived motor function of these patients were assessed with the MediSens device and the Oswestry Disability Index respectively. The MediSens device utilized a target tracking test to investigate the neuromotor capacity of the participants. The mean absolute error (MAE) between the target curve and the curve tracing achieved by the participants was used as the assessment metric. The patients' adjusted MediSens MAE scores were then compared to the controls. The CSM patients were further classified as either "functional" or "nonfunctional" in order to validate the system's responsiveness. Finally, the correlation between the MediSens MAE score and the ODI score was investigated.ResultsThe control participants had lower MediSens MAE scores of 8.09%±1.60%, while the cervical spinal disorder patients had greater MediSens MAE scores of 11.24%±6.29%. Following surgery, the functional CSM patients had an average MediSens MAE score of 7.13%±1.60%, while the nonfunctional CSM patients had an average score of 12.41%±6.32%. The MediSens MAE and the ODI scores showed a statistically significant correlation (r=-0.341, p<1.14×10⁻⁵). A Bland-Altman plot was then used to validate the agreement between the two scores. Furthermore, the percentage improvement of the the two scores after receiving the surgical intervention showed a significant correlation (r=-0.723, p<0.04).ConclusionsThe MediSens handgrip device is capable of identifying patients with impaired motor function of the hand. The MediSens handgrip scores correlate with the ODI scores and may serve as an objective alternative for assessing motor function of the hand

Utilization of a novel digital measurement tool for quantitative assessment of upper extremity motor dexterity: a controlled pilot study

BACKGROUND: The current methods of assessing motor function rely primarily on the clinician’s judgment of the patient’s physical examination and the patient’s self-administered surveys. Recently, computerized handgrip tools have been designed as an objective method to quantify upper-extremity motor function. This pilot study explores the use of the MediSens handgrip as a potential clinical tool for objectively assessing the motor function of the hand. METHODS: Eleven patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) were followed for three months. Eighteen age-matched healthy participants were followed for two months. The neuromotor function and the patient-perceived motor function of these patients were assessed with the MediSens device and the Oswestry Disability Index respectively. The MediSens device utilized a target tracking test to investigate the neuromotor capacity of the participants. The mean absolute error (MAE) between the target curve and the curve tracing achieved by the participants was used as the assessment metric. The patients’ adjusted MediSens MAE scores were then compared to the controls. The CSM patients were further classified as either “functional” or “nonfunctional” in order to validate the system’s responsiveness. Finally, the correlation between the MediSens MAE score and the ODI score was investigated. RESULTS: The control participants had lower MediSens MAE scores of 8.09%±1.60%, while the cervical spinal disorder patients had greater MediSens MAE scores of 11.24%±6.29%. Following surgery, the functional CSM patients had an average MediSens MAE score of 7.13%±1.60%, while the nonfunctional CSM patients had an average score of 12.41%±6.32%. The MediSens MAE and the ODI scores showed a statistically significant correlation (r=-0.341, p<1.14×10(-5)). A Bland-Altman plot was then used to validate the agreement between the two scores. Furthermore, the percentage improvement of the the two scores after receiving the surgical intervention showed a significant correlation (r=-0.723, p<0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The MediSens handgrip device is capable of identifying patients with impaired motor function of the hand. The MediSens handgrip scores correlate with the ODI scores and may serve as an objective alternative for assessing motor function of the hand. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1743-0003-11-121) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

What are (Un)Acceptability and (Un)Grammaticality ? How do They Relate to One Another and to Interpretation ? Frontiers in Psychology

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Accurate c-myc-olfactory receptor quantification on characterized natural nanovesicles for biosensor applications

International audienceNatural vesicles produced from genetically engineered cells with tailored membrane receptor composition are promising building blocks for biosensing devices [1]. This is particularly true for the case of G - protein coupled receptors (GPC Rs) present in many sensing processes in cells, whose functionality crucially depends on their lipid environment. However, the controlled production of natural vesicles containing GPCRs and their GPCRs expression level are among the outstanding challenges in the road map to realize practical biomolecular devices based on GPCRs. Largely expressed in the human body, GPCRs are implicated in a wide range of disease pathways [2], including cancer [3,4], cardiomyopathy, and schizophrenia. Around 50% of the drugs on the market regulate GPCR function, 30% of which directly target GPCRs [5]. Herein we present the production and characterization of membrane nanovesicles (nanosomes) of about 100 nm diameter from Saccaromyces Cerevisiae carrying the heterologously expre ssed olfactory receptor c - myc - OR1740 [6], a member of the family of GPCRs and representative of important candidates for the development of bioelectronic noses [7]. The nanosomes size in solution was characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Nanopar ticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), and Cryo - Electron Microscopy. In addition, we describe a universal direct novel c - myc - GPCR quantification without the necessity of a previous protein purification step. The quantification was carried out by a highly promising strategy based on a competitive ELISA format assay using c - myc tag - bioconjugates as model conjugates that mimics the behavior of the c - myc olfactory receptor on nanovesicles. A custom made antibody (anti - c - myc) was produced giving assay detectability in t he picomolar range and allowing the quantification of the c - myc - OR proteins. The number of olfactory receptors (OR17 - 40) per nanovesicle obtained was (30 +/- 6) OR/NS. Evidences of the OR17 - 40 functionality have been obtained by Biacore (SPR) measurements. Present results constitute an important step in the practical realization of biosensor devices based on natural nanovesicles integrating G - protein coupled membrane receptors

Diffusion-controlled deposition of natural nanovesicles containing G-protein coupled receptors for biosensing platforms

International audienceNatural vesicles produced from genetically engineered cells with tailored membrane receptor composition are promising building blocks for sensing biodevices. This is particularly true for the case of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) present in many sensing processes in cells, whose functionality crucially depends on their lipid environment. However, the controlled production of natural vesicles containing GPCRs and their reproducible deposition on biosensor surfaces are among the outstanding challenges in the road map to realize practical biomolecular devices based on GPCRs. In this work we present the production and characterization of membrane nanovesicles from Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing heterologously expressed olfactory receptors - a member of the family of GPCRs - and study their deposition onto substrates used as biosensor supports. We show by direct observation with Atomic Force Microscopy that nanovesicles deposit and flatten without rupturing on glass substrates following approximately a diffusive law. We show that surface coverages larger than 20-25% of the substrate can be reproducibly achieved under practical nanovesicle concentrations and reasonable time scales, while keeping to the minimum the presence of background residuals coming from the nanovesicles production process. Surface chemistry modification of gold substrates indicates a higher affinity of natural nanovesicles for acid modified surfaces as compared to amino or alcohol modified surfaces. Present results constitute an important step in the practical realization of biosensor devices based on natural nanovesicles integrating G-protein coupled membrane receptors

Identifying predictors for postoperative clinical outcome in lumbar spinal stenosis patients using smart-shoe technology.

BackgroundApproximately 33% of the patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) who undergo surgery are not satisfied with their postoperative clinical outcomes. Therefore, identifying predictors for postoperative outcome and groups of patients who will benefit from the surgical intervention is of significant clinical benefit. However, many of the studied predictors to date suffer from subjective recall bias, lack fine digital measures, and yield poor correlation to outcomes.MethodsThis study utilized smart-shoes to capture gait parameters extracted preoperatively during a 10 m self-paced walking test, which was hypothesized to provide objective, digital measurements regarding the level of gait impairment caused by LSS symptoms, with the goal of predicting postoperative outcomes in a cohort of LSS patients who received lumbar decompression and/or fusion surgery. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and predominant pain level measured via the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used as the postoperative clinical outcome variables.ResultsThe gait parameters extracted from the smart-shoes made statistically significant predictions of the postoperative improvement in ODI (RMSE =0.13, r=0.93, and p&lt;3.92×10-7) and predominant pain level (RMSE =0.19, r=0.83, and p&lt;1.28×10-4). Additionally, the gait parameters produced greater prediction accuracy compared to the clinical variables that had been previously investigated.ConclusionsThe reported results herein support the hypothesis that the measurement of gait characteristics by our smart-shoe system can provide accurate predictions of the surgical outcomes, assisting clinicians in identifying which LSS patient population can benefit from the surgical intervention and optimize treatment strategies

Objectively quantifying walking ability in degenerative spinal disorder patients using sensor equipped smart shoes.

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a condition associated with the degeneration of spinal disks in the lower back. A significant majority of the elderly population experiences LSS, and the number is expected to grow. The primary objective of medical treatment for LSS patients has focused on improving functional outcomes (e.g., walking ability) and thus, an accurate, objective, and inexpensive method to evaluate patients' functional levels is in great need. This paper aims to quantify the functional level of LSS patients by analyzing their clinical information and their walking ability from a 10 m self-paced walking test using a pair of sensorized shoes. Machine learning algorithms were used to estimate the Oswestry Disability Index, a clinically well-established functional outcome, from a total of 29 LSS patients. The estimated ODI scores showed a significant correlation to the reported ODI scores with a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of 0.81 and p&lt;3.5×10(-11). It was further shown that the data extracted from the sensorized shoes contribute most to the reported estimation results, and that the contribution of the clinical information was minimal. This study enables new research and clinical opportunities for monitoring the functional level of LSS patients in hospital and ambulatory settings

Identifying predictors for postoperative clinical outcome in lumbar spinal stenosis patients using smart-shoe technology

Abstract Background Approximately 33% of the patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) who undergo surgery are not satisfied with their postoperative clinical outcomes. Therefore, identifying predictors for postoperative outcome and groups of patients who will benefit from the surgical intervention is of significant clinical benefit. However, many of the studied predictors to date suffer from subjective recall bias, lack fine digital measures, and yield poor correlation to outcomes. Methods This study utilized smart-shoes to capture gait parameters extracted preoperatively during a 10 m self-paced walking test, which was hypothesized to provide objective, digital measurements regarding the level of gait impairment caused by LSS symptoms, with the goal of predicting postoperative outcomes in a cohort of LSS patients who received lumbar decompression and/or fusion surgery. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and predominant pain level measured via the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used as the postoperative clinical outcome variables. Results The gait parameters extracted from the smart-shoes made statistically significant predictions of the postoperative improvement in ODI (RMSE =0.13, r=0.93, and p<3.92×10−7) and predominant pain level (RMSE =0.19, r=0.83, and p<1.28×10−4). Additionally, the gait parameters produced greater prediction accuracy compared to the clinical variables that had been previously investigated. Conclusions The reported results herein support the hypothesis that the measurement of gait characteristics by our smart-shoe system can provide accurate predictions of the surgical outcomes, assisting clinicians in identifying which LSS patient population can benefit from the surgical intervention and optimize treatment strategies