Connecting Biology and Mathematics: First Prepare the Teachers

Developing the connection between biology and mathematics is one of the most important ways to shift the paradigms of both established science disciplines. However, adding some mathematic content to biology or biology content to mathematics is not enough but must be accompanied by development of suitable pedagogical models. I propose a model of pedagogical mathematical biological content knowledge as a feasible starting point for connecting biology and mathematics in schools and universities. The process of connecting these disciplines should start as early as possible in the educational process, in order to produce prepared minds that will be able to combine both disciplines at graduate and postgraduate levels of study. Because teachers are a crucial factor in introducing innovations in education, the first step toward such a goal should be the education of prospective and practicing elementary and secondary school teachers

Planification stratégique pour la gestion des écosystèmes de rivières alpines

International audienceWithin the framework of the Interreg Alpine Space project "SPARE", project partners from six Alpine countries are working together to advance the harmonization of human use requirements and the protection of Alpine rivers. Five different pilot areas across the Alpine space (Dora Baltea, IT; Drôme, FR; Inn, CH; Soča, SL; Steyr, AT) are committed to integrative river and catchment management, and engaged in participatory processes, to improve existing river management practices and to increase awareness and knowledge about the ecosystem services of healthy rivers. The poster will present preliminary outputs of the three-year project, such as the experiences learnt from the five pilot areas, a pan-Alpine overview of priority rivers with high protection needs and an interactive online platform for knowledge exchange & policy support.Dans le cadre du projet Interreg Alpine Space «SPARE», les partenaires du projet de six pays alpins travaillent ensemble pour faire progresser l'harmonisation des besoins humains avec la protection des écosystèmes aquatiques. Cinq zones pilotes à travers l'espace alpin (Dora Baltea, IT, Drôme, FR, Inn, CH, Soča, SL, Steyr, AT) se sont engagées à gérer leurs rivières et bassins versants de manière intégrative, et à mettre en oeuvre des processus participatifs, à la fois pour améliorer les pratiques de gestion des rivières et pour accroître la sensibilisation et les connaissances sur les services écosystémiques des rivières en bonne santé. Le poster présentera les résultats préliminaires du projet triennal, tels que les expériences acquises dans les cinq zones pilotes, un aperçu pan-alpin des cours d'eau prioritaires ayant des besoins de protection élevés et une plateforme interactive en ligne pour l'échange de connaissances et l'appui aux politique

Skin Blood Flow in the Upper and Lower Extremities of Diabetic Patients with and without Autonomic Neuropathy

Background: Microvascular blood flow in the human skin is subject to rhythmic variations reflecting the influence of heartbeat, respiration, intrinsic myogenic activity, neurogenic factors and endothelial activity. The aim of our study was to test the hypothesis that basal skin blood flow (BSBF) and its dynamic components differ (1) among diabetic patients without autonomic neuropathy and with it and healthy control subjects, and (2) among the upper and lower extremities. Patients and Methods: BSBF at four recording sites with predominantly nutritive capillary circulation (right and left caput ulnae, right and left medial malleolus) was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry in 25 diabetic patients without cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (D), 18 neuropathic diabetic patients (DAN) and 36 healthy controls (C). Wavelet transform was applied to the laser Doppler signal. Results: In absolute terms, mean flow, mean amplitude of the total spectrum and mean amplitudes at all frequency intervals were highest in C, followed by DAN and lowest in D. However, these differences were statistically significant only in the left arm. Within all three groups, mean flow and spectral amplitudes were significantly higher in the arms than in the legs, besides there was a significant difference between the two arms in D. Conclusion: We have confirmed the differences in BSBF among D, DAN and C, and demonstrated differences among the four recording sites which have not been previously described. The latter indicates an uneven progression of autonomic neuropathy and allows for speculation that the left arm is the latest to be affected