STRAUEL (Jean-Philippe) et PITTINO (Hubert), La bataille de Grussenheim. 27, 28 et 29 janvier 1945

Ce livre sur la libération de Grussenheim prend place dans la liste des publications suscitées par les commémorations du soixante-dixième anniversaire de la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Il s’agit d’une description détaillée des journées du 26, 27, 28 et 29 janvier 1945 : l’approche des troupes alliées, la difficile entrée dans la commune puis sa défense face à la dernière contre-attaque allemande. C’est aussi, en filigrane, un hommage aux soldats de la 2e division blindée du général Lec..

The Rise and Fall of Energy Democracy: 5 Cases of Collaborative Governance in Energy Systems

A wide range of actors are seeking to democratize energy systems. In the collaborative governance process of energy system transitions to net zero, however, many energy democracy concepts are watered down or abandoned entirely. Using five renewable energy case studies, we first explore the diversity of energy democratizing system challengers and bottom-up actors. Secondly, we analyze the role of conflict and challenges arising from the subsequent collaborative governance process and identify what appear to be blind spots in the CG literature. Our case studies on Berlin (GER), Jena (GER), Kalmar (SWE),Minneapolis (US) and Southeast England (UK) include different types of policy processes and actors. They suggest that actors championing energy democracy principles play an important role in opening participation in the early stages of collaborative energy transition governance. As collaborative governance progresses, participation tends to be increasingly restricted. We conclude that collaborative processes by themselves are insufficient in maintaining energy democracy principles in the energy transition. These require institutional embedding of participative facilitation and consensus building. The Kalmar case study as our only successful example of energy democracy suggests that a more intermediated and service-oriented approach to energy provision can create a business case for democratizing energy provision through collaborative governance

The Rise and Fall of Energy Democracy: 5 Cases of Collaborative Governance in Energy Systems

A wide range of actors are seeking to democratize energy systems. In the collaborative governance process of energy system transitions to net zero, however, many energy democracy concepts are watered down or abandoned entirely. Using five renewable energy case studies, we first explore the diversity of energy democratizing system challengers and bottom-up actors. Secondly, we analyze the role of conflict and challenges arising from the subsequent collaborative governance process and identify what appear to be blind spots in the CG literature. Our case studies on Berlin (GER), Jena (GER), Kalmar (SWE), Minneapolis (US) and Southeast England (UK) include different types of policy processes and actors. They suggest that actors championing energy democracy principles play an important role in opening participation in the early stages of collaborative energy transition governance. As collaborative governance progresses, participation tends to be increasingly restricted. We conclude that collaborative processes by themselves are insufficient in maintaining energy democracy principles in the energy transition. These require institutional embedding of participative facilitation and consensus building. The Kalmar case study as our only successful example of energy democracy suggests that a more intermediated and service-oriented approach to energy provision can create a business case for democratizing energy provision through collaborative governance

Varanid evolution

15 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. 11-14).Saniwa ensidens is a pivotal taxon for understanding varanid evolution. A complete specimen of Saniwa ensidens was recently described, offering important new insights into the morphology of this taxon. We apply these new data to a broader-scale study of squamate relationships in order to understand the phylogenetic position of Saniwa ensidens and of varanids more generally. Among the other fossils included in our analysis were the Eocene taxon "Saniwa" feisti, the Miocene Varanus rusingensis, and the giant Pleistocene varanid Megalania prisca. We compare the phylogenetic hypothesis from our analysis of morphology with a recent molecular-based hypothesis and find numerous differences in the phylogenetic relationships within Varanus. We constrained our morphological data set to the phylogenetic pattern presented by the molecular data to further analyze the possible phylogenetic relationships of the fossil taxa. Our analyses show that Saniwa ensidens is the sister taxon to crown-group Varanus and that "Saniwa" feisti is a basal member of the varanid lineage, not closely related to Saniwa ensidens. Both Varanus rusingensis and Megalania prisca are members of the crown radiations of Varanus

Athlete Atypicity on the Edge of Human Achievement: Performances Stagnate after the Last Peak, in 1988

The growth law for the development of top athletes performances remains unknown in quantifiable sport events. Here we present a growth model for 41351 best performers from 70 track and field (T&F) and swimming events and detail their characteristics over the modern Olympic era. We show that 64% of T&F events no longer improved since 1993, while 47% of swimming events stagnated after 1990, prior to a second progression step starting in 2000. Since then, 100% of swimming events continued to progress

Transcriptional activation by bidirectional RNA polymerase II elongation over a silent promoter

Transcriptional interference denotes negative cis effects between promoters. Here, we show that promoters can also interact positively. Bidirectional RNA polymerase II (Pol II) elongation over the silent human endogenous retrovirus ( HERV)-K18 promoter ( representative of 2.5 +/- 10(3) similar promoters genome-wide) activates transcription. In tandem constructs, an upstream promoter activates HERV-K18 transcription. This is abolished by inversion of the upstream promoter, or by insertion of a poly( A) signal between the promoters; transcription is restored by poly( A) signal mutants. TATA-box mutants in the upstream promoter reduce HERV-K18 transcription. Experiments with the same promoters in a convergent orientation produce similar effects. A small promoter deletion partially restores HERV-K18 activity, consistent with activation resulting from repressor repulsion by the elongating Pol II. Transcriptional elongation over this class of intragenic promoters will generate co-regulated sense - antisense transcripts, or, alternatively initiating transcripts, thus expanding the diversity and complexity of the human transcriptome

A pragmatic approach to managing antiretroviral therapy-experienced patients diagnosed with HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis: impact of antiretroviral therapy adherence and duration

Cryptococcal meningitis accounts for 15% of all HIV-related deaths [1]. The overall number of cryptococcal meningitis cases has remained relatively stable in many low-to-middle income countries (LMICs) despite increasing roll-out of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Increasing numbers of patients are at risk of developing cryptococcal meningitis following ART failure or discontinuation, offsetting declines in those presenting for the first time with advanced HIV [2–4]. Over half of patients diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis in recent studies in sub-Saharan Africa are ART-experienced (i.e. currently receiving or previously received ART) [5,6]. Although there is robust evidence from prospective randomized trials that ART initiation should be delayed until 4–6 weeks after starting antifungal therapy in ART-naïve cryptococcal meningitis patients [7,8], the approach to ART management among ART-experienced cryptococcal meningitis patients lacks adequate evidence, with a paucity of published data

The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization

Background: The shift from solitary to social behavior is one of the major evolutionary transitions. Primitively eusocial bumblebees are uniquely placed to illuminate the evolution of highly eusocial insect societies. Bumblebees are also invaluable natural and agricultural pollinators, and there is widespread concern over recent population declines in some species. High-quality genomic data will inform key aspects of bumblebee biology, including susceptibility to implicated population viability threats. Results: We report the high quality draft genome sequences of Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, two ecologically dominant bumblebees and widely utilized study species. Comparing these new genomes to those of the highly eusocial honeybee Apis mellifera and other Hymenoptera, we identify deeply conserved similarities, as well as novelties key to the biology of these organisms. Some honeybee genome features thought to underpin advanced eusociality are also present in bumblebees, indicating an earlier evolution in the bee lineage. Xenobiotic detoxification and immune genes are similarly depauperate in bumblebees and honeybees, and multiple categories of genes linked to social organization, including development and behavior, show high conservation. Key differences identified include a bias in bumblebee chemoreception towards gustation from olfaction, and striking differences in microRNAs, potentially responsible for gene regulation underlying social and other traits. Conclusions: These two bumblebee genomes provide a foundation for post-genomic research on these key pollinators and insect societies. Overall, gene repertoires suggest that the route to advanced eusociality in bees was mediated by many small changes in many genes and processes, and not by notable expansion or depauperation

The Future of Psychopharmacological Enhancements: Expectations and Policies

The hopes and fears expressed in the debate on human enhancement are not always based on a realistic assessment of the expected possibilities. Discussions about extreme scenarios may at times obscure the ethical and policy issues that are relevant today. This paper aims to contribute to an adequate and ethically sound societal response to actual current developments. After a brief outline of the ethical debate concerning neuro-enhancement, it describes the current state of the art in psychopharmacological science and current uses of psychopharmacological enhancement, as well as the prospects for the near future. It then identifies ethical issues regarding psychopharmacological enhancements that require attention from policymakers, both on the professional and on the governmental level. These concern enhancement research, the gradual expansion of medical categories, off-label prescription and responsibility of doctors, and accessibility of enhancers on the Internet. It is concluded that further discussion on the advantages and drawbacks of enhancers on a collective social level is still needed