Développement territorial viable, capital social et capital environnemental : Quels liens ?

L’analyse des dynamiques de développement reste en grande partie le fait des sciences économiques. Ce faisant, les sphères spatiale, sociale et environnementale sont le plus souvent occultées au profit de l’étude de la croissance économique. Les interactions entre les composantes sociale et environnementale et leurs impacts sur la dynamique territoriale des communautés locales, au-delà de la pauvreté et de la détérioration environnementale, constituent un nouveau champ de réflexion. Les sciences régionales (Aydalot, 1985 ; Friedman et Weaver, 1979 ; Stöhr, 1981) et la géographie (Desmarais et Richot, 2000; Mohan et Mohan, 2002) s’intéressent d’ailleurs depuis longtemps à une approche territoriale « endogène » ou « par le bas ». De là, le paradigme de développement territorial viable (DTV), combiné à une approche humaniste du DD, constitue un cadre interprétatif pertinent pour mieux comprendre les liens entre le social et l’environnement (Gagnon, 2002; Theys, 2002). Il est ici envisagé comme une transformation sociale, caractérisée par un renouvellement du mode de gouvernance, la recherche de solutions alternatives et l’introduction de critères sociaux et culturels dans la prise de décision. Le cadre théorique s’appuie aussi sur les notions de capital social (Putman, 2001; Portes, 1988) et de capital environnemental (Costanza et al., 1997), un peu moins théorisé. En outre, à l’aide du concept de « connectivité civile », témoin de la présence de capital social dans une communauté, nous questionnons le dynamisme de la communauté en matière de valorisation de l’environnement. Le présent article tente donc d’apporter un éclairage nouveau sur les déterminants du développement territorial, suite à des recherches empiriques réalisées dans quatre territoires microrégionaux québécois (Gagnon et al., 2006).The analysis of the dynamics of development belongs, for the most part, to the domain of economics and as a result, the spatial, social and environmental dimensions are often overshadowed by the study of economic growth. However, the interactions between the social and environmental components and their impacts on the territorial dynamics of local communities, over and above those of poverty and environmental degradation, constitute new areas for reflection. Regional studies (Aydalot, 1985; Friedman et Weaver, 1979; Stöhr, 1981) and geography (Desmarais et Richot, 2000; Mohan et Mohan, 2002) have long focused on an “endogenous” or “bottom up” territorial approach to development. The paradigm of viable territorial development (VTD), combined with a humanistic approach to sustainable development (SD), provides a relevant interpretive framework for a better understanding of the links between the social and environmental dimensions of development (Gagnon, 2002; Theys, 2002). The paradigm envisaged here is one of social change characterized by a renewed mode of governance, the search for alternative solutions and the introduction of social and cultural criteria into decision-making. The theoretical framework is also based on the notions of social capital (Putman, 2001; Portes, 1988) and the somewhat less theorized environmental capital (Costanza et al., 1997). In addition, using the concept of community networks as indicator of the presence of social capital in a community, we examine community initiative regarding sustainable development. Following upon empirical research carried out in four “micro regions” of Quebec (FQRSC, Concerted Action 2005-2006), this article attempts to shed new light on the factors which determine territorial development

Territoires et communautés rurales : une complémentarité de méthodes pour l’étude du développement territorial viable de MRC québécoises

Les territoires ruraux connaissent de profonds changements, accélérés par la technologie ou la mobilité des biens et des personnes. Le contexte de transformation de la ruralité impose une révision des instruments d’observation et d’analyse dans le sens d’une approche méthodologique intégrative. Le texte pose la question de la pertinence d’une approche multidisciplinaire dans le cadre d’une recherche portant sur la dynamique de développement de territoires mercéens, notamment sur les rapports entre villes et campagnes (FQRSC, action concertée sur les communautés rurales, 2005-2006). Les trois méthodes d’analyse retenues sont : la topodynamique, la géographie structurale et les indicateurs socio-environnementaux.Rural territories are undergoing profound changes, accelerated by technology or by the mobility of assets and of individuals. The context of rural transformation calls for a review of the observation and analysis instruments along the lines of an integrated methodological approach. This paper raises the question of the relevance of a multidisciplinary approach for research focusing on the development dynamics of Regional County Municipality territories, particularly as regards the relations between towns and country areas (FQRSC, concerted action on rural communities, 2005-2006). The three methods of analysis used are : topodynamics, structural geography and socioenvironmental indicators

F.A.R.O.G. FORUM, Vol. 4 No. 1

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/1054/thumbnail.jp

Active colloids in complex fluids

We review recent work on active colloids or swimmers, such as self-propelled microorganisms, phoretic colloidal particles, and artificial micro-robotic systems, moving in fluid-like environments. These environments can be water-like and Newtonian but can frequently contain macromolecules, flexible polymers, soft cells, or hard particles, which impart complex, nonlinear rheological features to the fluid. While significant progress has been made on understanding how active colloids move and interact in Newtonian fluids, little is known on how active colloids behave in complex and non-Newtonian fluids. An emerging literature is starting to show how fluid rheology can dramatically change the gaits and speeds of individual swimmers. Simultaneously, a moving swimmer induces time dependent, three dimensional fluid flows, that can modify the medium (fluid) rheological properties. This two-way, non-linear coupling at microscopic scales has profound implications at meso- and macro-scales: steady state suspension properties, emergent collective behavior, and transport of passive tracer particles. Recent exciting theoretical results and current debate on quantifying these complex active fluids highlight the need for conceptually simple experiments to guide our understanding.Comment: 6 figure

F.A.R.O.G. FORUM, Vol. 5 No. 8

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/1064/thumbnail.jp

F.A.R.O.G. FORUM, Vol. 5 No. 4

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/1062/thumbnail.jp

F.A.R.O.G. FORUM, Vol. 5 No. 1

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/1059/thumbnail.jp

F.A.R.O.G. FORUM, Vol. 6 No. 4

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/francoamericain_forum/1065/thumbnail.jp

Increased Postprandial Nonesterified Fatty Acid Appearance and Oxidation in Type 2 Diabetes Is Not Fully Established in Offspring of Diabetic Subjects

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that abnormal postprandial plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) metabolism may participate in the development of tissue lipotoxicity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). We previously found that non-diabetic offspring of two parents with T2D display increased plasma NEFA appearance and oxidation rates during intravenous administration of a fat emulsion. However, it is currently unknown whether plasma NEFA appearance and oxidation are abnormal during the postprandial state in these subjects at high-risk of developing T2D. METHODOLOGY: Palmitate appearance and oxidation rates and glycerol appearance rate were determined in eleven healthy offspring of two parents with T2D (positive family history, FH+), 13 healthy subjects without first-degree relatives with T2D (FH-) and 12 subjects with T2D at fasting, during normoglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp and during continuous oral intake of a standard liquid meal to achieve steady postprandial NEFA and triacylglycerols (TG) without and with insulin infusion to maintain similar glycemia in all three groups. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Plasma palmitate appearance and oxidation were higher at fasting and during the clamp conditions in the T2D group (all P<0.05). In the postprandial state, palmitate appearance, oxidative and non oxidative rates were all elevated in T2D (all P<0.05) but not in FH+. Both T2D and FH+ displayed elevated postprandial TG vs. FH- (P<0.001). Acute correction of hyperglycemia during the postprandial state did not affect these group differences. Increased waist circumference and BMI were positively associated with elevated postprandial plasma palmitate appearance and oxidation. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Postprandial plasma NEFA intolerance observed in subjects with T2D is not fully established in non-diabetic offspring of both parents with T2D, despite the presence of increased postprandial plasma TG in the later. Elevated postprandial plasma NEFA appearance and oxidation in T2D is observed despite acute correction of the exaggerated glycemic excursion in this group

Heat transfer in a swirling fluidized bed with Geldart type-D particles

A relatively new variant in fluidized bed technology, designated as the swirling fluidized bed (SFB), was investigated for its heat transfer characteristics when operating with Geldart type D particles. Unlike conventional fluidized beds, the SFB imparts secondary swirling motion to the bed to enhance lateral mixing. Despite its excellent hydrodynamics, its heat transfer characteristics have not been reported in the published literature. Hence, two different sizes of spherical PVC particles (2.61mm and 3.65mm) with the presence of a center body in the bed have been studied at different velocities of the fluidizing gas. The wall-to-bed heat transfer coefficients were measured by affixing a thin constant foil heater on the bed wall. Thermocouples located at different heights on the foil show a decrease in the wall heat transfer coefficient with bed height. It was seen that only a discrete particle model which accounts for the conduction between the particle and the heat transfer surface and the gas-convective augmentation can adequately represent the mechanism of heat transfer in the swirling fluidized bed