Musical coordination in a large group without plans nor leaders

A widespread belief is that large groups engaged in joint actions that require a high level of flexibility are unable to coordinate without the introduction of additional resources such as shared plans or hierarchical organizations. Here, we put this belief to a test, by empirically investigating coordination within a large group of 16 musicians performing collective free improvisation—a genre in which improvisers aim at creating music that is as complex and unprecedented as possible without relying on shared plans or on an external conductor. We show that musicians freely improvising within a large ensemble can achieve significant levels of coordination, both at the level of their musical actions (i.e., their individual decisions to play or to stop playing) and at the level of their directional intentions (i.e., their intentions to change or to support the music produced by the group). Taken together, these results invite us to reconsider the range and scope of actions achievable by large groups, and to explore alternative organizational models that emphasize decentralized and unscripted forms of collective behavior

Variabilité génétique du rendement a l'abattage et de la composition anatomique de lapins de trois races

International audienc

Efficacité théorique d'un indice de sélection sur collatéraux pour le foie gras de l'oie Landaise

L’efficacité théorique d’un indice de sélection sur collatéraux pour améliorer le poids du foie gras de l’oie Landaise est étudiée. Sur m oisons disponibles par oie et saison de reproduction, n sont gavés et abattus pour servir de test des reproducteurs, m - n animaux contemporains (dont la moitié de chaque sexe) sont candidats à la sélection. Cela revient à chercher l’optimum pour n, de façon à maximiser le produit de l’intensité de sélection par la corrélation entre la valeur génétique additive et celle estimée par l’indice de sélection. Une solution sub-optimale est trouvée, pour un intervalle de génération de un an. Une solution pratique est proposée pour un noyau de sélection de faible effectif (160 oies).Theoretical efficacy of a selection index to increase fat liver production of Landaise goose is studied. For m goslings per goose in each reproductive season, n are force feeded and slaughtered for the test of breeding animals, m - n contemporaneous animals (half of each sex) are candidates for selection. We have to look for an optimum for n, number of animals of test, in order to maximise the product of selection intensity and correlation between additive genetic value and the one estimated by the selection index. A sub optimum solution is found, with a generation interval of one year. A practical solution is proposed for a nucleus of limited size (160 geese)

Etude de quelques facteurs de variation du poids à deux mois et des performances de prégavage et de gavage d'oies Landaises en station

International audienc

Paramètres génétiques des caractères de croissance, de gavage et de foie gras dans le croisement de deux souches d'oies (Anser anser) sélectionnées

International audienc

Mapping of health system functions to strengthen priority programs. The case of maternal health in Mexico

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Health system strengthening is critical to ensure the integration and scaling-up of priority health promotion, disease prevention and control programs. Normative guidelines are available to address health system function imbalances while strategic and analytical frameworks address critical functions in complex systems. Tacit knowledge-based health system constructs can help identify actors' perspectives, contributing to improve strengthening strategies. Using maternal health as an example, this paper maps and analyses the health system functions that critical actors charged with formulating and delivering priority health programs consider important for their success.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using concept mapping qualitative and statistical methods, health system functions were mapped for different categories of actors in high maternal mortality states of Mexico and at the federal level. Functions within and across maps were analyzed for degree of classification, importance, feasibility and coding.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Hospital infrastructure and human resource training are the most prominent functions in the maternal health system, associated to federal efforts to support emergency obstetric care. Health policy is a highly diffuse function while program development, intercultural and community participation and social networks are clearly stated although less focused and with lower perceived importance. The importance of functions is less correlated between federal and state decision makers, between federal decision makers and reproductive health/local health area program officers and between state decision makers and system-wide support officers. Two sets of oppositions can be observed in coding across functions: health sector vs. social context; and given structures vs. manageable processes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Concept mapping enabled the identification of critical functions constituting adaptive maternal health systems, including aspects of actor perspectives that are seldom included in normative and analytical frameworks. Important areas of divergence across actors' perceptions were identified to target capacity strengthening efforts towards better integrated, performing health systems.</p