Les incitations fiscales en France après le projet BEPS

International audienc

Genetic variability of water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) tubers from Côte d'Ivoire based on agromorphological and culinary traits

Source Agritrop Cirad (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/616993/) * Autres projets (id;sigle;titre): INV-008567;RTBfoods project;(FRA) Breeding RTB Products for End User Preferences//International audienceAssessment of the genetic diversity within existing germplasm is essential for the sustainable management of plant genetic resources, and the development of improved cultivars. Dioscorea alata is considered as one of the most widespread root and tuber crop species in tropical regions, and significantly contributes to enhancing the income of small-scale producers and improving food security. This study was conducted to profile the genetic variability within a panel of 205 D. alata accessions using 15 key yam tuber traits. Multivariate analysis revealed high variability among the accessions for the evaluated traits. Based on the clustering methods, the accessions were grouped into four main clusters with different genetic performance. Furthermore, silhouette (Si) analysis indicated that tuber quality-related traits clustered the accessions more distinctly than tuber quantitative traits, with the highest coefficient of 0.58. A subset of traits, including flesh color, flesh oxidation, and tuber shape, emerged as the most relevant variables for cluster differentiation based on tuber quality. Meanwhile, yield, circumference, and length were the key quantitative traits that best defined the clusters. Among the relevant variables identified by PLS-DA, only tuber circumference and tuber length significantly predicted tuber yield, with regression coefficients of 0.55 and 0.35, respectively. Tuber browning was the trait that reduced cooking quality, and multi-trait genotype–ideotype distance index (MGIDI) analysis identified genotypes performing better within each cluster defined by tuber quantitative traits for water yam breeding programs. This study provides reliable and valuable insights into the genetic variability within Côte d'Ivoire's water yam germplasm and consitutes a reliable source for genetic improvement

Ashes to art: The glassmaking traditions of Königsfelden’s medieval windows

International audienceThe chemical composition and optical properties of the stained-glass windows in the Königsfelden Abbey church (Aargau, Switzerland), which are among the oldest and best-preserved examples from the 14th century in the region, were analysed on site using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and optical absorption spectroscopy. A subset of loose fragments was further characterised by Raman spectroscopy and LA-ICP-MS, and these data were used to improve the calibration of the results obtained with in situ pXRF. A machine-learning classifier (GLORIA) was applied to assess the variability of the glasses and their provenance relative to a reference database of European stained-glass windows. The results demonstrate that the Königsfelden corpus consists of potash-based forest glasses, mostly attributed to Central Europe (59%), with additional inputs from the Rhine region (32%) and Northwestern France (9%). While the colouring mechanisms for cobalt blue, copper red, manganese purple, silver yellow and iron sulphide amber are relatively well understood, the colouring techniques of a distinctive bluish grey and rare Pb-rich green glass ( ∼10 wt% PbO) are unusual and have no clear published parallels. One hypothesis for the high PbO contents in green glass is that a CuO-PbO frit was deliberately employed to facilitate the dissolution of metallic copper in the silicate melt. The blue-grey glass, unique in hue and composition, appears to result from the combination of a manganese-cobalt glass with an additional, yet unidentified, contribution. Our study thus provides new insights into medieval glass recipes, trade networks, and workshop practices, while also validating the potential of calibrated pXRF combined with reference standards and machine learning for heritage science applications

Conclusion. L'empreinte singulière des sports olympiques d'hiver

International audienceCe chapitre de conclusion referme l’aventure éditoriale vouée à explorer l’histoire des sports olympiques d’hiver. L’analyse souligne la singularité de ces sports et de l’évènement international qui les porte – soit les Jeux olympiques d’hiver. Elle revient en particulier sur la sécularisation paradoxale de la manifestation, le registre d’institutionnalisation spécifique des sports d’hiver, leur universalité discutable et leur avenir incertain au regard des bouleversements écologiques du XXIe siècle

Le contrôle européen des subventions étrangères sous forme fiscale

International audienceThis article argues that the Foreign Subsidies Regulation significantly expands European scrutiny of foreign fiscal advantages by combining concepts drawn from EU State aid law and WTO subsidy law. While it usefully fills a gap in the protection of competition on the internal market, its implementation must remain proportionate so as not to unduly undermine legal certainty for businesses

Sustainable acoustic metamaterials from recycled plastic bottles: A comprehensive review for circular noise control in the built environment

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Neuronal downregulation of PLCG2 impairs synaptic function and elicits Alzheimer disease hallmarks

ABSTRACT We developed a high content screening to investigate how Alzheimer disease (AD) genetic risk factors may impair synaptic mechanisms in rat primary neuronal cultures. Out of the gene targets identified, we found that shRNA-mediated downregulation of Plcg2 in mouse dentate gyrus neurons consistently impaired dendritic morphology and synaptic function. In human neuronal cultures (hNCs), PLCG2 downregulation also impaired synaptic function and was associated with increased levels of Aβ and Tau phosphorylation, potentially via the AKT/GSK3β axis. Very rare PLCG2 loss-of-function (LoF) variants were associated with a 10-fold increased AD risk. PLCG2 LoF carriers exhibit low mRNA/protein PLCG2/ PLCγ2 levels, consistent with nonsense-mediated mRNA decay mechanisms. Restoring PLCγ2 levels in shPLCG2-hNCs fully reversed the disease-related phenotypes. Our findings indicate that the downregulation of PLCγ2 increases the risk of AD by impairing synaptic function and increasing the levels of Aβ and Tau phosphorylation in neurons

L’esistenza umana tra ermeneutica foudaiana e progetto transumanista

International audienceDieser Artikel analysiert die Konfrontation zwischen dem hermeneutischen Denken von Basile Juléat Fouda und dem transhumanistischen Projekt, zwei unvereinbaren Sichtweisen der menschlichen Existenz. Der Transhumanismus, getragen von den NBIC-Wissenschaften und der Ideologie der Leistung, betrachtet den Menschen als ein zu optimierendes Programm, ausgerichtet auf kognitive Steigerung, Lebensverlängerung und die Abschaffung des Todes. Diese technowissenschaftliche Logik, verführerisch durch ihre Versprechen, offenbart jedoch wesentliche Sackgassen: die Reduktion des Menschen auf seine biologischen Funktionen, die Auslöschung der Transzendenz, die Bedrohung der Würde und die kulturelle Vereinheitlichung. Im Gegensatz dazu schlägt Fouda eine afrikanische Hermeneutik der Existenz vor, die den Menschen als ein Sinnwesen betrachtet, verwurzelt in der Kultur und offen für Gott. Sein Konzept des ontologischen Pankalismus bekräftigt die universelle Schönheit der Existenz und die kosmische Harmonie der Wesen. Der Begriff der Vitalisierung drückt den geistigen Sieg des Lebens über den Tod aus: nicht die Aufhebung der biologischen Endlichkeit, sondern die ontologische und spirituelle Wiedergeburt. Die menschliche Existenz wird somit als eine Ästhetik der Wiedergeburt verstanden, in der Individuelles und Kollektives, Menschliches und Kosmisches in einer lebendigen Harmonie verflochten sind. In diesem Sinne stellt Foudas hermeneutischer Humanismus eine entscheidende Alternative zu den Abwegen des Transhumanismus dar, indem er die Würde, die Transzendenz und die ästhetische Berufung des Menschen bekräftigt.This article examines the confrontation between Basile Juléat Fouda’s hermeneutical thought and the transhumanist project, two radically opposed visions of human existence. Transhumanism, driven by NBIC sciences and the ideology of performance, conceives man as a program to be optimized, oriented toward cognitive enhancement, life extension, and the suppression of biological limits. While attractive for its promises, this technoscientific logic reveals major shortcomings: the reduction of man to biological functions, the evacuation of transcendence, threats to human dignity, and cultural uniformity. In contrast, Fouda proposes an African hermeneutics of existence, which considers man as a being of meaning, rooted in culture and open to God. His concept of ontological pancalism affirms the universal beauty of existence and the cosmic harmony of beings. The notion of vitalization expresses the spiritual victory of life over death: it is not the suppression of biological finitude, but an ontological and spiritual rebirth. Human existence is thus understood as an aesthetics of rebirth, where the individual and the collective, the human and the cosmos, intertwine in a living harmony. In this sense, Fouda’s hermeneutical humanism constitutes a decisive alternative to the excesses of transhumanism, reaffirming human dignity, transcendence, and the aesthetic vocation of man.Este artículo analiza la confrontación entre el pensamiento hermenéutico de Basile Juléat Fouda y el proyecto transhumanista, dos visiones irreductibles de la existencia humana. El transhumanismo, impulsado por las ciencias NBIC y la ideología del rendimiento, concibe al hombre como un programa a optimizar, orientado hacia el aumento cognitivo, la prolongación de la vida y la erradicación de la muerte. Sin embargo, esta lógica tecnocientífica, seductora por sus promesas, revela importantes callejones sin salida: reducción del hombre a sus funciones biológicas, eliminación de la trascendencia, amenaza para la dignidad y uniformización cultural. En cambio, Fouda propone una hermenéutica africana de la existencia, que considera al hombre como un ser de sentido, enraizado en la cultura y abierto a Dios. Su concepto de pancalismo ontológico afirma la belleza universal de la existencia y la armonía cósmica de los seres. La noción de vitalización expresa la victoria espiritual de la vida sobre la muerte: no es supresión de la finitud biológica, sino renacimiento ontológico y espiritual. La existencia humana se entiende así como una estética del renacimiento, donde lo individual y lo colectivo, lo humano y el cosmos, se entrelazan en una armonía viviente. En este sentido, el humanismo hermenéutico de Fouda constituye una alternativa decisiva a las derivas del transhumanismo, reafirmando la dignidad, la trascendencia y la vocación estética del hombre.Cet article analyse la confrontation entre la pensée herméneutique de Basile Juléat Fouda et le projet transhumaniste, deux visions irréductibles de l’existence humaine. Le transhumanisme, porté par les sciences NBIC et l’idéologie de la performance, conçoit l’homme comme un programme à optimiser, orienté vers l’augmentation cognitive, la prolongation de la vie et l’éradication de la mort. Cette logique technoscientifique, séduisante par ses promesses, révèle cependant des impasses majeures : réduction de l’homme à ses fonctions biologiques, évacuation de la transcendance, menace pour la dignité et uniformisation culturelle. À l’inverse, Fouda propose une herméneutique africaine de l’existence, qui considère l’homme comme un être de sens, enraciné dans la culture et ouvert à Dieu. Son concept de pancalisme ontologique affirme la beauté universelle de l’existence et l’harmonie cosmique des êtres. La notion de vitalisation exprime la victoire spirituelle de la vie sur la mort : elle n’est pas suppression de la finitude biologique, mais renaissance ontologique et spirituelle. L’existence humaine se comprend ainsi comme une esthétique de la renaissance, où l’individuel et le collectif, l’humain et le cosmos, s’entrelacent dans une harmonie vivante. En ce sens, l’humanisme herméneutique de Fouda constitue une alternative décisive aux dérives du transhumanisme, en réaffirmant la dignité, la transcendance et la vocation esthétique de l’homme.Questo articolo analizza il confronto tra il pensiero ermeneutico di Basile Juléat Fouda e il progetto transumanista, due visioni irriducibili dell’esistenza umana. Il transumanesimo, sostenuto dalle scienze NBIC e dall’ideologia della performance, concepisce l’uomo come un programma da ottimizzare, orientato all’aumento cognitivo, al prolungamento della vita e all’eliminazione della morte. Questa logica tecno-scientifica, seducente per le sue promesse, rivela tuttavia impasse fondamentali: riduzione dell’uomo alle sue funzioni biologiche, eliminazione della trascendenza, minaccia alla dignità e uniformazione culturale. Al contrario, Fouda propone un’ermeneutica africana dell’esistenza, che considera l’uomo come un essere di senso, radicato nella cultura e aperto a Dio. Il suo concetto di pancalismo ontologico afferma la bellezza universale dell’esistenza e l’armonia cosmica degli esseri. La nozione di vitalizzazione esprime la vittoria spirituale della vita sulla morte: non soppressione della finitudine biologica, ma rinascita ontologica e spirituale. L’esistenza umana si comprende così come un’estetica della rinascita, dove l’individuale e il collettivo, l’umano e il cosmo, si intrecciano in un’armonia vivente. In questo senso, l’umanesimo ermeneutico di Fouda costituisce un’alternativa decisiva alle derive del transumanesimo, riaffermando la dignità, la trascendenza e la vocazione estetica dell’uomo

Metagenomic screening of the virome of symptomatic tomato plants from La Réunion Island uncovers a complex of viruses including a newly identified whitefly-transmitted polerovirus

International audienceUsing unbiased high-throughput sequencing for metagenomic screening of viruses in diseased tomato plants, we identified a viral complex that includes viruses previously reported in tomato crops on La Réunion Island as well as a novel polerovirus, tentatively named "tomato necrotic yellowing virus" (ToNYV, proposed species, "Polerovirus ToNYV"). Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis revealed that ToNYV is closely related to two recently described poleroviruses from Africa and the Middle East, one of which is transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, a trait uncommon among poleroviruses. Our transmission experiments demonstrated that ToNYV is also transmitted by B. tabaci and is prevalent across major tomato-growing regions of La Réunion. These findings highlight the value of metagenomic virome analysis in diseased plants for identifying novel viruses potentially involved in emerging plant diseases, either individually or as components of viral complexes

Quartz porosity in amorphous SiO2 of granitic shear bands

International audienceAbstract Important porosity is commonly observed in quartz-rich rocks that viscously deformed at depths of the metamorphic continental crust. Although the presence of such pores – often occurring with angular, pyramidal shapes – has major implications for fluid circulation, mass transfer and rock strength, whether or not they are directly produced by deformation remains unclear. Here we provide detailed observations of plastically deformed, pure quartz aggregates decorated by (sub)micrometric pores in granitic shear bands (western granite, Naxos, Greece). Using electron microscopy, we demonstrate that pores (1) decorate both grain boundaries and intra-grain substructures, (2) do not necessarily align with substructures when decorating grain boundaries, and (3) interconnect through layers of amorphous SiO 2 . Transmission electron microscopy further reveals dislocation densities one (or two) order(s) of magnitude below the predictions based on the lattice curvature gradients, suggesting the occurrence of residual stress along pore-decorated, partly amorphized substructures. Challenging long-lasting hypotheses, these features are here proposed to result from stress concentration at grain and subgrain boundaries, followed by fluid exsolution into mechanically amorphized quartz. Although involving syn-kinematic processes that remain to be fully understood, our findings corroborate recent studies that emphasise stress-induced amorphization as a general process of lithospheric rock deformation