L’étrangeté sans qualités : le cas de Robert Musil

La notion centrale d’« absence de qualités » (Eigenschaftlosigkeit) dans le grand roman inachevé de Robert Musil permet de mettre en relief trois modalités différentes d’appréhension du sentiment d’étrangeté (Fremdheit) chez l’auteur de L’homme sans qualités. La première modalité se rattache au regard « scientifique » ou « ratioïde » qui domine la perspective ironique du héros Ulrich dans la première partie du roman. La seconde permet, quant à elle, de tracer les contours de la sphère « non ratioïde » de la « mystique diurne » explorée par Ulrich et sa soeur Agathe dans leur quête de l’utopie de l’Autre État qui constitue le fondement du deuxième volume. Cependant, au-delà de ces deux territoires bien arpentés par la critique musilienne, on peut identifier — du moins si l’on observe attentivement les derniers textes rédigés ou retravaillés par Musil — l’émergence d’une troisième modalité d’appréhension de l’étrangeté à soi et au monde.The central notion of “absence of qualities” (Eigenschaftlosigkeit) in Robert Musil’s great unfinished novel makes it possible to highlight three different modes of apprehending the sense of estrangement (Fremdheit) in the author of The Man without Qualities. The first involves the “scientific” or “ratioid” vision that dominates the hero Ulrich’s ironic viewpoint in the first part of the novel. The second allows us to trace the contours of the “non-ratioid” sphere of the “diurnal mystique” explored by Ulrich and his sister Agathe in their quest for the utopia of the Other State, which forms the basis of the second volume. However, in addition to these two areas much studied by Musilian critics and scholars, it is possible to identify—at least by examining the last texts Musil wrote or re-wrote – the emergence of a third mode of apprehending self-estrangement and estrangement from the worl

Estimating the Photovoltaic Hosting Capacity of a Low Voltage Feeder Using Smart Meters’ Measurements

Maximizing the share of renewable resources in the electric energy supply is a major challenge in the design of the future energy system. Regarding the low voltage (LV) level, the main focus is on the integration of distributed photovoltaic (PV) generation. Nowadays, the lack of monitoring and visibility, combined with the uncoordinated integration of distributed generation, often leads system operators to an impasse. As a matter of fact, the numerous dispersed PV units cause distinct power quality and cost-efficiency problems that restrain the further integration of PV units. The PV hosting capacity is a tool for addressing such power system performance and profitability issues so that the different stakeholders can discuss on a common ground. Photovoltaic hosting capacity of a feeder is the maximum amount of PV generation that can be connected to it without resulting in unacceptable power quality. This chapter demonstrates the usefulness of smart metering (SM) data in determining the maximum PV hosting capacity of an LV distribution feeder. Basically, the chapter introduces a probabilistic tool that estimates PV hosting capacity by using customer-specific energy flow data, recorded by SM devices. The probabilistic evaluation and the use of historical SM data yield a reliable estimation that considers the volatile character of distributed generation and loads as well as technical constraints of the network (voltage magnitude, phase unbalance, congestion risk). As a case study, an existing LV feeder in Belgium is analysed. The feeder is located in an area with high PV penetration and large deployment of SM devices

Planning Tools for the Integration of Renewable Energy Sources Into Low- and Medium-Voltage Distribution Grids

This chapter presents two probabilistic planning tools developed for the long-term analysis of distribution networks. The first one focuses on the low-voltage (LV) level and the second one addresses the issues occurring in the medium-voltage (MV) grid. Both tools use Monte Carlo algorithms in order to simulate the distribution network, taking into account the stochastic nature of the loading parameters at its nodes. Section 1 introduces the probabilistic framework that focuses on the analysis of LV feeders with distributed photovoltaic (PV) generation using quarter-hourly smart metering data of load and generation at each node of a feeder. This probabilistic framework is evaluated by simulating a real LV feeder in Belgium considering its actual loading parameters and components. In order to demonstrate the interest of the presented framework for the distribution system operators (DSOs), the same feeder is then simulated considering future scenarios of higher PV integration as well as the application of mitigation solutions (reactive power control, P/V droop control thanks to a local management of PV inverters, etc.) to actual LV network operational issues arising from the integration of distributed PV generation. Section 2 introduces the second planning tool designed to help the DSO, making the best investment for alleviating the MV-network stressed conditions. Practically, this tool aims at finding the optimal positioning and sizing of the devices designed to improve the operation of the distribution grid. Then a centralized control of these facilities is implemented in order to assess the effectiveness of the proposed approach. The simulation is carried out under various load and generation profiles, while the evaluation criteria of the methodology are the probabilities of voltage violation, the presence of congestions and the total line losses

Matching between regional coronary vasodilator capacity and corresponding circumferential strain in individuals with normal and increasing body weight

Background: To define the relationship between regional coronary vasodilator capacity and myocardial circumferential strain at rest in normal weight, overweight, and obese individuals with normal global left-ventricular function. Methods and Results: Myocardial blood flow at rest and during pharmacologic vasodilation was measured with 13N-ammonia PET/CT in mL/g/minute in normal weight control (CON, n=12), overweight (OW, n=10), and obese individuals (OB, n=10). In addition, resting myocardial function was evaluated as circumferential strain (Єc, %) by MRI. Global myocardial flow reserve (MFR) did not differ significantly between CON and OW (2.98±0.96 vs 2.70±0.66, P=.290), whereas it declined significantly in OB (1.98±1.04, P=.030). Further, global Єc (%) was comparable between CON, OW, and OB (−0.24±0.03, −0.23±0.02, and −0.23±0.04) but it was lowest in OB when normalized to the rate-pressure product (NЄc: −0.31±0.06, −0.32±0.05, and −0.26±0.08). When MFR of the three major coronary territories was correlated with corresponding Єc, a positive association was observed in CON (r=0.36, P=.030), in OW (r=0.54, P=.002), and also in OB when relating NЄc to coronary vascular resistance during pharmacologic vasodilation (r=−0.46, P=.010). Conclusions: Higher coronary vasodilator capacity is related to corresponding regional circumferential strain at rest in non-obese individuals, while this is also observed for reduced MFR in obesit

Représentations cérébrales des articulateurs de la parole

National audienceIn order to localize cerebral regions involved in articulatory control processes, ten subjects were examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging while executing lip, tongue and jaw movements. Although the three motor tasks activated a set of common brain areas classically involved in motor control, distinct movement representation sites were found in the motor cortex. These results support and extend previous brain imaging studies by demonstrating a sequential dorsoventral somatotopic organization of lips, jaw and tongue in the motor cortex

In vivo labelling of resting monocytes in the reticuloendothelial system with fluorescent iron oxide nanoparticles prior to injury reveals that they are mobilized to infarcted myocardium

Aims To evaluate the feasibility of loading resting monocytes/macrophages by intravenous (i.v.) injection of fluorescent iron oxide nanoparticles prior to injury and tracking of these cells in the very same animal to myocardial infarction (MI) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical imaging. Methods and results Rats were injected with fluorescent iron oxide nanoparticles (10 mg/kg) (n = 15) prior to injury. After disappearance of the nanoparticles from the blood, MI was induced. Monocytes/macrophages were then tracked in the very same animal by MRI and optical imaging. Control groups were (i) non-injected animals (n = 15), (ii) injected animals associated with a sham operation (n = 8), and (iii) animals treated with an anti-inflammatory agent (n = 6). The presence of iron-loaded cells can be detected by MRI in vivo in the infarcted myocardium. Here, we showed that the detection of inflammatory cells in vivo correlated well with ex vivo imaging (MRI and reflectance fluorescence) and histology. We also showed that the method is robust enough to depict changes in the inflammatory response. Conclusion This study demonstrates that resting monocytes/macrophages can be loaded in vivo by a simple i.v. injection of fluorescent superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles prior to injury and then tracked, in the same animal, in a model of ischaemia-reperfusion leading to myocardial infarct. Although previous studies of macrophages infiltration following MI have labelled the macrophages after injury, this study, for the first time, has pre-load the resting monocytes with fluorescent iron oxide nanoparticle

CC chemokine CCL5 plays a central role impacting infarct size and post-infarction heart failure in mice

Aims The chemokine CCL5 plays a critical role as neutrophil and macrophage activator do in atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Thus, we investigated whether the treatment with a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) to mouse CCL5 would provide therapeutic benefit when provoking a coronary-associated ischaemic event. Methods and Results C57Bl/6 mice were submitted to left coronary artery permanent ligature. Then, various parameters were monitored for up to 21 days. At5 min and 3days after coronary occlusion, mice received one intravenous injection of the rat anti-mouse CCL5 mAb or isotype IgG control. Infarct size was assessed histologically and by measuring serum cardiac troponin I levels. Kinetics of CCL5 tissue expression, leucocyte infiltration, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels, and collagen deposition were histologically assessed. Serum chemokine levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cardiac function and dimensions were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Chronic ischaemia increased both circulating and intracardiac levels of CCL5. At 24 h, treatment with the anti-CCL5 mAb resulted in a smaller infarct size and reduced circulating levels of chemokines. This effect was associated with reduction of neutrophil and macrophage infiltration within the infarcted myocardium. After 3 days of chronic ischaemia, anti-CCL5 mAb treatment reduced cardiac MMP-9. At 7 days, collagen content was significantly lower. At 21 days, neutralizing CCL5 improved mouse survival, cardiac myocyte size, and cardiac function. Conclusion Treatment with anti-CCL5 mAb significantly reduced both infarct size and post-infarction heart failure in a mouse model of chronic cardiac ischaemia. Cardioprotective effects were associated with the reduction of leucocyte recruitment within infarcted heart