The Utility of Using Social Media Networks for Data Collection in Survey Research

Social media networks (SMNs) such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter seem appealing tools for matters of reaching potential candidates for survey or case study research. Yet scholars remain cautious about leveraging these platforms. This research in progress paper compares and discusses the benefits of six generic strategies for reaching survey candidates on SMNs, and argues that while their use has potential pitfalls, the upside for explanatory type research may outweigh its risks. Furthermore, the paper outlines the empirical setting of a study that has been conducted to assess our propositions, and in which Linkedin was used to identify and solicit survey candidates

A year of genomic surveillance reveals how the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic unfolded in Africa.

The progression of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in Africa has so far been heterogeneous, and the full impact is not yet well understood. In this study, we describe the genomic epidemiology using a dataset of 8746 genomes from 33 African countries and two overseas territories. We show that the epidemics in most countries were initiated by importations predominantly from Europe, which diminished after the early introduction of international travel restrictions. As the pandemic progressed, ongoing transmission in many countries and increasing mobility led to the emergence and spread within the continent of many variants of concern and interest, such as B.1.351, B.1.525, A.23.1, and C.1.1. Although distorted by low sampling numbers and blind spots, the findings highlight that Africa must not be left behind in the global pandemic response, otherwise it could become a source for new variants

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance.

Investment in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing in Africa over the past year has led to a major increase in the number of sequences that have been generated and used to track the pandemic on the continent, a number that now exceeds 100,000 genomes. Our results show an increase in the number of African countries that are able to sequence domestically and highlight that local sequencing enables faster turnaround times and more-regular routine surveillance. Despite limitations of low testing proportions, findings from this genomic surveillance study underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic and illuminate the distinct dispersal dynamics of variants of concern-particularly Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron-on the continent. Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve while the continent faces many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

From autonomous strategic behaviour to emergent strategy: an exploratory study

This dissertation reports findings from an exploratory study of the formation of emergent strategy (Mintzberg 1978; Mintzberg & Waters 1985) in large and complex organizations. The study tracks autonomous strategic behaviour (Burgelman, 1983b), which is theorized and shown to be an important precursor to emergent strategy, using a single case study covering a period of ten years at a large telecommunications company. Building on Bower and Burgelman's model (Bower, 1970; Burgelman, 1983a, 1983b, 1983c), the dissertation develops a process model for emergent strategy which features four key components: project definition; mobilizing wider support to provide impetus; manipulating strategic context; and embedding within structural context. In addition, the study identifies four paths for emergent strategy formation by distinguishing between initiatives resulting from new ideas and initiatives resulting from the recycling of preexisting ideas from prior projects; and between projects for which "promoting" is an early priority versus those for which "executing" is an early priority. The study also identifies mechanisms through which autonomous strategic behaviour becomes "ephemeral" and disappears rather than enduring to become realized as emergent strategy.Cette étude exploratoire analyse la formation de la stratégie émergente (Mintzberg 1978; Mintzberg et Waters 1985) au sein des entreprises complexes de grande envergure. Notre étude fait un examen systématique des comportements stratégiques autonomes (Burgelman, 1983b), que l'on théorise comme précurseurs importants de la stratégie émergente. La recherche utilise une étude du cas d'une grande entreprise de télécommunication couvrant une période de dix ans. S'appuyant sur les travaux de Bower et Burgelman (Bower, 1970; Burgelman, 1983a, 1983b, 1983c), nous développons un modèle de processus qui comprend quatre composantes, soit : la définition du projet, la mobilisation de bases de support élargies pour donner de l'impulsion, la manipulation du contexte stratégique, ainsi que l'inclusion au sein du contexte structurel. De plus, l'étude identifie quatre chemins pour la formation de la stratégie émergente en différentiant d'une part les projets issus d'une nouvelle idée, plutôt que ceux faisant appel à une idée préexistante, et d'une part, les projets que l'on « soutient d'abord », de ceux que l'on « exécute d'abord », L'étude identifie aussi les mécanismes par lesquels les comportements stratégiques autonomes deviennent « éphémère» et disparaissent plutôt que de perdurer dans le temps et se réaliser en stratégie émergente

Comportements stratégiques autonomes et pressions institutionnelles : le cas du BYOD

Le phénomène du BYOD (Bring Your Own Device, Prenez vos Appareils Personnels) représente une tendance lourde sur le marché du travail. Nombreux sont les employés qui réclament utiliser les appareils et logiciels de leur choix : téléphones et tablettes, sites de stockage et partage de données (Dropbox, iCloud), systèmes de discussion vidéo (Facetime, Skype) par exemple, et cette liberté peut s’avérer être facteur décisif dans le choix d’un employeur ou pour la rétention des talents. Même dans le cas où ces pratiques sont interdites par leur organisation, certains employés, soucieux de pouvoir mieux effectuer leur travail, trouvent aisément une façon de les contourner. À l’inverse, certains employeurs s’attendent à ce que les employés utilisent leur appareil personnel (notamment leur smartphone) pour certaines tâches, réalisant ainsi une économie. À ce jour l’essentiel des recherches relatives au phénomène du BYOD s’est concentré sur l’aspect de la sécurité (des systèmes et des données organisationnelles) et du risque, sur les impacts sur la vie privée ainsi que sur des milieux spécifiques (contexte médical). Notre recherche s’intéresse aux contextes fréquents où les employés veulent utiliser leur appareil personnel ; elle tente de répondre à la question suivante : quels facteurs et mécanismes favorisent l’implantation du BYOD dans les sphères professionnelles ? En analysant le phénomène à l’aune de la théorie institutionnelle (plus particulièrement les pressions institutionnelles) et des comportements stratégiques autonomes mis en œuvre par les acteurs; nous proposons que de leur rencontre naisse le BYOD, phénomène émergent non planifié par la direction, qui conduira possiblement à l’apparition de stratégies émergentes dans les organisations. La méthodologie adoptée est une étude de cas unique

Comportements stratégiques autonomes et pressions institutionnelles : le cas du BYOD

The Bring Your Own Device phenomenon (BYOD) represents a major trend on the job market. Many employees demand to use the devices and software of their choice: mobile phones, tablets, online data storage and data sharing sites (Dropbox, iCloud), videoconferencing systems (Facetime, Skype) among others. This flexibility can be key when choosing an employer or for the purpose of talent retention. Even when these practices are not allowed, many employees, anxious to do their job better, easily find a way around. Conversely, some employers expect their employees to use their own smartphone for some tasks, thus saving on costs. Most of the research published to date on this topic focusses on security (of organizational systems and data), risks, privacy, and in specific contexts (medical settings). Our research focusses on contexts where employees want to use their own device; it tries to answer the following question: what factors and mechanisms enable the implementation of BYOD in professional spheres? We analyse this phenomenon through the lens of institutional theory (more specifically institutional pressures) and by identifying autonomous strategic behaviours of key actors; we suggest that the interplay of institutional pressures and autonomous behaviours leads to BYOD, an emergent phenomenon, that was not planned by management, and then, in turn, possibly to emerging strategies. Our methodology is a case study.Le phénomène du BYOD (Bring Your Own Device, Prenez vos Appareils Personnels) représente une tendance lourde sur le marché du travail. Nombreux sont les employés qui réclament utiliser les appareils et logiciels de leur choix : téléphones et tablettes, sites de stockage et partage de données (Dropbox, iCloud), systèmes de discussion vidéo (Facetime, Skype) par exemple, et cette liberté peut s’avérer être facteur décisif dans le choix d’un employeur ou pour la rétention des talents. Même dans le cas où ces pratiques sont interdites par leur organisation, certains employés, soucieux de pouvoir mieux effectuer leur travail, trouvent aisément une façon de les contourner. À l’inverse, certains employeurs s’attendent à ce que les employés utilisent leur appareil personnel (notamment leur smartphone) pour certaines tâches, réalisant ainsi une économie. À ce jour l’essentiel des recherches relatives au phénomène du BYOD s’est concentré sur l’aspect de la sécurité (des systèmes et des données organisationnelles) et du risque, sur les impacts sur la vie privée ainsi que sur des milieux spécifiques (contexte médical). Notre recherche s’intéresse aux contextes fréquents où les employés veulent utiliser leur appareil personnel ; elle tente de répondre à la question  suivante : quels facteurs et mécanismes favorisent l’implantation du BYOD dans les sphères professionnelles ? En analysant le phénomène à l’aune de la théorie institutionnelle (plus particulièrement les pressions institutionnelles) et des comportements stratégiques autonomes mis en œuvre par les acteurs; nous proposons que de leur rencontre naisse le BYOD, phénomène émergent non planifié par la direction, qui conduira possiblement à l’apparition de stratégies émergentes dans les organisations. La méthodologie adoptée est une étude de cas unique.

High-throughput analysis of human cytomegalovirus genome diversity highlights the widespread occurrence of gene-disrupting mutations and pervasive recombination

Human cytomegalovirus is a widespread pathogen of major medical importance. It causes significant morbidity and mortality in the immunocompromised and congenital infections can result in severe disabilities or stillbirth. Development of a vaccine is prioritized, but no candidate is close to release. Although correlations of viral genetic variability with pathogenicity are suspected, knowledge about strain diversity of the 235kb genome is still limited. In this study, 96 full-length human cytomegalovirus genomes from clinical isolates were characterized, quadrupling the available information for full-genome analysis. These data provide the first high-resolution map of human cytomegalovirus interhost diversity and evolution. We show that cytomegalovirus is significantly more divergent than all other human herpesviruses and highlight hotspots of diversity in the genome. Importantly, 75% of strains are not genetically intact, but contain disruptive mutations in a diverse set of 26 genes, including immunomodulative genes UL40 and UL111A. These mutants are independent from culture passaging artifacts and circulate in natural populations. Pervasive recombination, which is linked to the widespread occurrence of multiple infections, was found throughout the genome. Recombination density was significantly higher than in other human herpesviruses and correlated with strain diversity. While the overall effects of strong purifying selection on virus evolution are apparent, evidence of diversifying selection was found in several genes encoding proteins that interact with the host immune system, including UL18, UL40, UL142 and UL147. These residues may present phylogenetic signatures of past and ongoing virus-host interactions.status: publishe

Conservation and alteration of painting pigments: the case of green copper-based organometallic pigments

International audienceGreen copper organometallic pigments have been known since Antiquity. Some of them, such as verdigris and copper resinate, were widely used in easel paintings from the 15th to 17th centuries, for their transparency, brilliance and pure green tones.However these pigments often undergo chromatic modifications, like browning or darkening. This phenomenon is not systematic, and altered and non-altered areas can coexist in a same painting.The understanding of the darkening process is crucial for conservation issues, to improve the readability of degraded paintings and decide how to treat them

Suite de la discussion sur l’affaire du Clermontois, lors de la séance du 15 mars 1791

Foucault de Lardimalie Louis, marquis de, Camus Armand Gaston, Mirabeau Honoré-Gabriel Riquetti, comte de, Estourmel Louis Marie, marquis d', Menou Jacques François de Boussay, baron de, Durget Pierre-Antoine, Madier de Montjau Noel Joseph, Barnave Antoine, Châtelet Louis-Marie du, Folleville Antoine-Charles, marquis de, Prieur Pierre-Louis, Montesquiou Anne-Pierre, marquis de, Dubois de Crancé Edmond Louis, Maury Jean Siffrein, abbé, Vismes Jacques-François-Laurent de, Lameth Charles Malo, comte de, Bonnay Charles François, marquis de, Le Deist de Botidoux Jean-François, Aubergeon de Murinais Guy Joseph d', Boutteville-Dumetz Louis, Lavie Marc Antoine, Geoffroy Jean-Baptiste, Voidel Charles, Bengy de Puyvallée Philippe-Jacques de, Clermont-Lodève Charles de Guilhem, marquis de, Bouche Charles-François, Delavigne Jacques, Virieu François-Henri, comte de, Dufraisse-Duchey Amable-Gilbert. Suite de la discussion sur l’affaire du Clermontois, lors de la séance du 15 mars 1791. In: Archives Parlementaires de 1787 à 1860 - Première série (1787-1799) Tome XXIV - Du 10 mars 1791 au 12 avril 1791. Paris : Librairie Administrative P. Dupont, 1886. pp. 109-128