Does Certification Guarantee that Ecological and Social Criteria are adequately considered in Everyday Forest Management?

A la suite du sommet de Rio en 1992, le WWF, les Amis de la Terre et Greenpeace ont prôné le développement de l'écocertification pour s'opposer à la dégradation des forêts dans le monde et pour promouvoir une gestion durable d'une façon plus constructive que le boycott des bois tropicaux. Ils ont ainsi participé à la fondation du FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) qu'ils soutiennent pour les objectifs environnementaux et sociaux qu'il poursuit, pour ses critères et indicateurs requérant un niveau minimal de gestion durable, pour l'équilibre qu'il organise dans son fonctionnement entre les intérêts écologiques, sociaux et économiques, pour la transparence qu'il recherche dans la chaîne de traçabilité des produits labellisés, pour le caractère volontaire de la demande de certification par le propriétaire ou gestionnaire de chaque entité de gestion, ... tous avantages que les systèmes concurrents de certification de la gestion forestière durable ne semblent pas réunir simultanément à l'heure actuelle.Following the 1992 Rio summit, WWF, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace advocated the development of ecocertification to combat the degradation of forests worldwide and promote sustainable management in a way that was thought to be more positive than boycotting tropical woods. They took part in the creation of the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) which they support for its environmental and social goals, its criteria and indicators that require a minimal level of sustainable management, the balance it operates as between the ecological, social and economic interests involved, its transparency objective in seeking the chain of custody approach to certified products, the voluntary basis of application for certification by the entity that owns or manages the forest, all of which are benefits that other competing certification systems for sustainable forests management seem so far unable to offer simultaneously

Source-sink relationships for carbon and nitrogen during early growth of Juglans regia L. seedlings: analysis at two elevated CO 2 concentrations

Assimilation and allocation of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) were studied in seedlings (Juglans regia L.) grown for 55 days under controlled conditions (22 °C, 12 h, 90 % relative humidity [RH]) using two CO2 concentrations (550 and 800 μL L-1 CO2). C and N decrease in seeds was unaltered by CO,. At the end of seed contribution (day 35), C and N accumulation in seedlings was favoured under 800 μL L-1 [CO2], resulting in an increase of about +50 % for C and +35 % for N. Growth enhancement was larger in roots than in shoot, resulting in a higher root:shoot ratio (R:S = 0.62) with respect to 550 μL L-1 CO, (R:S = 0.40) at day 55. These results were due, in order, to: 1) a shoot respiration temporarily depressed by [CO,], 2) a reduction by 46 % of the root + soil respiration, 3) a stimulation by 14 % of the C assimilation and 4) an increased uptake and assimilation of N coming from the rooting medium. An increased use of N originated from the seed was observed in leaves and lateral roots, suggesting optimisation of distribution of stored N pools by seedlings. These changes finally gave rise to an increased C:N ratio for taproot (+27 %), roots (+20 %), stem (+28 %), and leaves (+12 %), suggesting a N dilution in the tissues. (© Inra/Elsevier, Paris.)Relations source-puits pour le carbone et l'azote durant les premiers stades de croissance de semis de Juglans regia L. : analyse à deux concentrations en CO2 atmosphérique élevées. L'assimilation et la répartition du carbone (C) et de l'azote (N) ont été étudiées chez des semis de Juglans regia L. cultivés 55 j en conditions contrôlées (22 °C, 12h, 90 % H. R.) à deux teneurs en CO, atmosphérique (550 et 800 μL L-1 CO2). La diminution en C et N des graines n'est pas modifiée par la teneur en CO2. L'accumulation de C et N dans les plants est augmentée de 50% et 35% respectivement à 800 μL L-1 CO2, dès l'arrêt de la contribution de la graine (j 35). Sous la plus forte teneur en CO, le gain de croissance observé est plus important pour le système souterrain qu'aérien aboutissant à un rapport tige-racine augmenté (0,62) à 800 μL L-1 CO, comparé à 550 μL L-1 CO2 (0,40). Ces résultats sont dus à (1) une respiration temporairement déprimée par le CO,, (2) une diminution par 46 % de la respiration sol + racines, (3) une stimulation par 14 % de l'assimilation du C, et (4) une augmentation de l'absorption et de l'assimilation de l'azote du sol. Une augmentation de l'utilisation de l'azote originaire de la graine est observée dans les feuilles et les racines latérales suggérant une optimisation de l'utilisation et de la répartition de l'azote stocké par les plants. Ces changements aboutissent à une augmentation du rapport C/N pour le pivot (+27 %), les racines (+20 %), la tige (+28 %), et les feuilles (+12 %), suggérant une dilution de l'azote dans les tissus. (© Inra/Elsevier, Paris.

Genotypic sex shapes maternal care in the African pygmy mouse, Mus minutoides

Sexually dimorphic behaviours, such as parental care, have long been thought to be mainly driven by gonadal hormones. In the past two decades, a few studies have challenged this view, highlighting the direct influence of the sex chromosome complement (XX versus XY or ZZ versus ZW). The African pygmy mouse, Mus minutoides , is a wild mouse species with naturally occurring XY sex reversal induced by a third, feminizing X* chromosome, leading to three female genotypes: XX, XX* and X*Y. Here, we show that sex reversal in X*Y females shapes a divergent maternal care strategy (maternal aggression, pup retrieval and nesting behaviours) from both XX and XX* females. Although neuroanatomical investigations were inconclusive, we show that the dopaminergic system in the anteroventral periventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus is worth investigating further as it may support differences in pup retrieval behaviour between females. Combining behaviours and neurobiology in a rodent subject to natural selection, we evaluate potential candidates for the neural basis of maternal behaviours and strengthen the underestimated role of the sex chromosomes in shaping sex differences in brain and behaviours. All things considered, we further highlight the emergence of a third sexual phenotype, challenging the binary view of phenotypic sexes

Geographical variation of overweight, obesity and related risk factors: Findings from the European Health examination Survey in Luxembourg, 2013-2015

The analyses of geographic variations in the prevalence of major chronic conditions, such as overweight and obesity, are an important public health tool to identify “hot spots” and inform allocation of funding for policy and health promotion campaigns, yet rarely performed. Here we aimed at exploring, for the first time in Luxembourg, potential geographic patterns in overweight/obesity prevalence in the country, adjusted for several demographic, socioeconomic, behavioural and health status characteristics. Data came from 720 men and 764 women, 25–64 years old, who participated in the European Health Examination Survey in Luxembourg (2013–2015). To investigate the geographical variation, geo-additive semi-parametric mixed model and Bayesian modelisations based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques for inference were performed. Large disparities in the prevalence of overweight and obesity were found between municipalities, with the highest rates of obesity found in 3 municipalities located in the South-West of the country. Bayesian approach also underlined a nonlinear effect of age on overweight and obesity in both genders (significant in men) and highlighted the following risk factors: 1. country of birth for overweight in men born in a non-European country (Posterior Odds Ratio (POR): 3.24 [1.61–8.69]) and women born in Portugal (POR: 2.44 [1.25–4.43]), 2. low educational level (secondary or below) for overweight (POR: 1.66 (1.06–2.72)] and obesity (POR:2.09 [1.05–3.65]) in men, 3. single marital status for obesity in women (POR: 2.20 [1.24–3.91]), 4.fair (men: POR: 3.19 [1.58–6.79], women: POR: 2.24 [1.33–3.73]) to very bad health perception (men: POR: 15.01 [2.16–98.09]) for obesity, 5. sleeping more than 6 hours for obesity in unemployed men (POR: 3.66 [2.02–8.03]). Protective factors highlighted were: 1. single marital status against overweight (POR: [0.60 (0.38–0.96)]) and obesity (POR: 0.39 [0.16–0.84]) in men, 2. the fact to be widowed against overweight in women (POR: [0.30 (0.07–0.86)], as well as a non European country of birth (POR: 0.49 [0.19–0.98]), tertiary level of education (POR: 0.34 [0.18–0.64]), moderate alcohol consumption (POR: 0.54 [0.36–0.90]) and aerobic physical activity practice (POR: 0.44 [0.27–0.77]) against obesity in women. A double burden of environmental exposure due to historic mining and industrial activities and past economic vulnaribility in the South-West of the country may have participated to the higher prevalence of obesity found in this region. Other demographic, socioeconomic, behavioural and health status covariates could have been involved as well

Supplementary behavioural and neurobiological material from Genotypic sex shapes maternal care in the African pygmy mouse, <i>Mus minutoides</i>

Descriptive statistics, Bayesian model outputs : graphs and tabs, mother-pup interactions graphs and neuropeptides distributions across the PV

Modeling phase change materials behaviour in building applications: selected comments

Abstract: In a recent meeting of IEA&apos;s Annex 23, several members presented their conclusions on the modeling of phase change materials behavior in the context of building applications. These conclusions were in agreement with those of a vast review, involving the survey of more than 250 journal papers, undertaken earlier by the group of École de technologie supérieure. In brief, it can be stated that, at this point, the confidence in reviewed models is too low to use them to predict the future behavior of a building with confidence. Moreover, it was found that overall thermal behaviors of PCM are poorly known, which by itself creates an intrinsic unknown in any model. Models themselves are most of time suspicious as they are often not tested in a very stringent or exhaustive way. In addition, it also appears that modeling parameters are somewhat too simplified to realistically describe the complete physics needed to predict the real life performance of PCMs added to a b uilding. As a result, steps are now taken to create standard model benchmarks that will improve the confidence of the users. Hopefully, following these efforts, confidence will increase and usage of PCM in buildings should be eased. Keywords: Phase change material, PCM characterization, Mathematical model, Model validation Context The ever increasing level of greenhouse gas emissions combined with the overall rise in fuel prices (although fluctuations occur) are today&apos;s main reasons behind efforts devoted to improve the use of various sources of energy. Economists, scientists, and engineers throughout the world are nowadays in search of: 1) strategies to reduce the demand; 2) methods to ensure the security of the supplies; 3) technologies to increase the energy efficiency of power systems; and 4) new and renewable sources of energy to replace the limited and harmful fossil fuels. One of the options to improve energy efficiency is to develop energy storage devices and systems in order to reduce the mismatch between supply and demand. In this context, latent heat storage could be considered. Indeed, it is particularly attractive since it provides a highenergy storage density and has the capacity to store energy at a constant temperature -or over a limited range of temperature variation -which is the temperature that corresponds to the phase transition temperature of the material. For instance, it takes 80 times as much energy to melt a g iven mass of water (ice) than to raise the same amount of water by 1°C. For the interested reader, excellent global reviews that pertain to phase change materials and their various applications were proposed by Zalba et al. Modeling in building applications A better management of the fluctuations of the external temperatures, wind, solar load, and heating or cooling needs is possible by the use of phase change materials. In building applications, these materials undergo a phase change close to the desired room temperature, which allow storing a large amount of heat in a relatively small volume compared to liquid water, brick or concrete. This results in direct energy savings as the solar gains can be used when needed, thus reducing the energy consumption for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. Moreover, in many countries, these materials could also be used to reduce the peak consumption leading to money savings in this particular case. Nevertheless, high fidelity models are needed to guide the decisions of the architects and/or HVAC engineers in choosing optimum designs. Unfortunately, to formulate, implement, and validate such models is a rather difficult task mainly due to the non-linear nature of the problem. In addition, other technical issues add complexity to this problem. Here, we will discuss two of the most significant problems that should be addressed by the scientific community: phase change material characterization and model validation PCM characterization The first problem faced even before beginning the modeling process is the characterization of the phase change materials (PCMs) themselves. In building applications, composite PCMs are the favored packaging method for inner walls applications. In this form, PCMs can be integrated into a building using the same techniques used for gypsum panel, which would provide a seamless integration. However, this type of material is rather difficult to characterize. The key problem comes from the interaction with the substrate and the PCM in confined pores. This interaction affects both the melting and freezing temperatures as their respective enthalpy. To our knowledge, this phenomenon was first observed in building application by Hawes et al. Many physical models have been proposed to explain this behavior Even then, adequate characterization of PCM is a d ifficult task. For example, we have observed that reported enthalpy of melting and freezing can differ by more than as 15% in composite PCMs (ex: construction material In practice, the broad width of the composite PCM freezing/melting curve impairs the separation between latent and sensible heat. In addition, in some cases, there is an indication in many published measurements that at least a part of the PCM stays in supercooling state during the whole thermal cycle. In addition, heat capacity value and conductivity are different between liquid and solid phases. All these problems make very difficult to define a meaningful baseline to extract the latent heat curve. In addition, hysteresis in the cooling/heating curve has been observed In general, thermophysical properties measurements are done on a small sample. However, due to the non classical behavior of composite PCM, it is unclear whether these measurements are representative of the macroscopic thermal properties of the material. A more detailed study is under investigation, which consists on the consideration of the heat transfers within the calorimeter cells. The goal is to determine the true value of specific enthalpy regardless of experimental conditions (sample mass, heating and cooling rates) In conclusion, improved thermal characterisation procedures are needed and will be certainly welcomed by modellers. Model validation The validation of modelling algorithms is also troublesome. While not restricted to building applications However, as time went by, the authors relied more and more on ot her studies, mostly numerical ones, to validate their own numerical results. Many of the recent studies discuss their results qualitatively only, as the comparison with a graph taken from a publication may be somehow hazardous. And, interestingly, among the numerous -more than 250 -references and studies reported in Statements are almost never made on t he agreement or disagreement with previous results. This may be explained partly by the engineering scientific culture, where challenging or trying to duplicate previous works is not a common practice. As an illustration of this observation, we noticed that the work of Heim and Clark However, engineering sociology merely reflects the practical constraint of doing such crossvalidations. Materials, geometries, testing conditions and models are almost always different from one study to another. In such conditions, even for the most dedicated researcher, it is very hard to validate previous work. In our mind, this is a serious issue. Without a common ruler, it is impossible to formulate a meaningful recommendation about a technology. Finally, we found that there is little comparison between various models and experiments. Every research group seems to have its own numerical model. To our knowledge, all these models were claimed to work well. Nevertheless, recent works Further steps To address some of these problems, the IEA annex 23 has prepared two standard cases to test numerical models The existence of such divergence with a simple situation is by itself a strong warning about the models reliability. A second benchmark is now proposed. This benchmark is based on a small cubicle using PCM in its walls. In that case, high quality experimental data are used as a reference. To populate a database of benchmark, members of the annex 23 are invited to submit there own experimental data. These initiatives are certainly a step in the right direction. Their use as a validation tool should be considered by any researchers working into application of PCM in building. Nevertheless, results are too fragmentary at this point to produce general guideline for researchers. Conclusion While the applications of PCM in building are promising as a tool to reduce energy consumption, there are still many roadblocks on the widespread utilization. To optimize their utilization in buildings, reliable models are needed. At this point, the confidence in models is too low to be use to predict the future behavior of a building. However, thermal behavior of PCM themselves are poorly known, which by itself create a huge unknown in model. Models themselves are suspicious as they are rarely tested in a very stringent way. 932 In addition, it a lso appears to us that modeling parameters are somewhat too simplified to realistically describe the real life performance of PCM addition into buildings. For example, seldom complete meteorological information (solar irradiation, external temperature and wind) are used as inputs. However, correlation and anti-correlation between these factors could strongly affect the results. In addition, in most systems modeled, thermal loads are restricted to solar heating. Additional heat from appliances will certainly affect the results. Also most of the time modeling is done on individual rooms or few rooms aligned in a perfect east-west alignment and empty. In real life, most houses are not perfectly oriented, have additional room with little solar heating, are equipped with furniture, and are occupied by people. This will both modify the thermal loading and the effective storage mass of the building. From our analysis of the literature, typical gain in energy efficiency by the utilization of PCM is expected to be roughly about 10-15%. In consequence, the factors not included in models could easily change the overall conclusion about the pertinence of PCM in building application. The steps taken now by the IEA ECES IA Annex 23 to create standard model benchmark will improve the confidence of the users. Phase change material characterization is still an unresolved issue, but many research teams work on it. Hopefully, following these efforts, confidence will increase and usage of PCM in building will be more straightforward

Normal weight, overweight and obesity in EHES-LUX_2013-2015 Survey: General characteristics.

<p>Normal weight, overweight and obesity in EHES-LUX_2013-2015 Survey: General characteristics.</p