Propagation of social representations

Based on a minimal formalism of social representations as a set of associated cognems, a simple model of propagation of representations is presented. Assuming that subjects share the constitutive cognems, the model proposes that mere focused attention on the set of cognems in the field of common conscience may replicate the pattern of representation from context into subjects, or, from subject to subject, through actualization by language, where cognems are represented by verbal signs. Limits of the model are discussed, and evolutionist perspectives are presented with the support of field data

Aïssaoua

Les ‘Aysawa sont les adeptes d’une confrérie religieuse musulmane originaire du Maroc où elle fut fondée par Sidi Mohammed ben ‘Aisa. Le saint fondateur, dit šayx al Kamil (le maître parfait) serait né en 1465 (l’année où mourut al-Jazuli) ; il serait mort à Meknès, vers 1526, durant cette période troublée où la pénétration portugaise suscitait chez les Berbères une réaction nationaliste qui prit la forme de mouvements d’inspiration maraboutique et chérifienne, visant à suppléer aux carences ..

Experiential learning and simulation-based training in Norwegian police education: examining body-worn video as a tool to encourage reflection

This research article aims to add to current knowledge on reflection, body-worn video, and police education. It examines the potential effects of an intervention which employed subcams (a type of body-worn video) and replay interviews of video footage to enhance experiential learning during an operative training course for Norwegian police students in their final year of study. Our investigation examines evaluation surveys for differences between an intervention and comparison group on reflection and experiential learning outcomes. Findings indicate that students in the intervention group self-reported more general learning outcomes from the course concerning decision-making and communication and that they could identify their own mistakes to a greater degree. They also reported more learning outcomes as measured by the number of statements written about what they learned and would change to improve their performance on three different simulations. Moreover, the content of these statements reflected the intervention as they involved communication and decision-making to a greater degree than students in the comparison group. Implications for the further use of body-worn video to encourage reflection and enhance experiential learning in professional police training and development are discussed

Flowering and pollination time affect fruit set of foreign almond cultivars in Morocco

The associations ‘Marcona’-‘Fournat de Brézenaud’ and ‘Ferragnès’-‘Ferraduel’ are the cultivar combinations mostly planted in commercial almond orchards in Morocco. The blooming times and effective pollination period (EPP) were determined for these associations to determine the effect of blooming and pollination times on the irregular yields observed in Morocco with these cultivars. ‘Marcona’ bloom was earlier than that of ‘Fournat de Brézenaud’, but ‘Ferragnès and ‘Ferraduel’ coincided. Fruit set and percentage of pistils with pollen grains was maximized when pollination occurred at day 2 after emasculation. Fruit set and stigmatic receptivity decreased drastically by day 4 after emasculation. Fruit set in the open pollination treatment was lower than that obtained after hand pollination at days 0 and 2 after emasculation, especially in ‘Marcona’. These results emphasize the importance of early pollination and the selection of new cultivars with the same flowering period as ‘Marcona’ to improve almond yields in Morocco.Peer ReviewedPrunus amygdalusbloomeffective pollination periodstigmatic receptivityfruit setPublishe

L'aménagement des forêts sud-méditerranéennes : quelle approche ?

Dans les pays du Sud de la Méditerranée, la forêt, par les multiples usages qu'elle procure aux populations rurales, joue un rôle de premier ordre sur le plan social. L'aménagement forestier a connu une évolution différentielle entre le nord et le sud de la Méditerranée. Sur la rive nord de la Méditerranée, l'évolution du concept d'aménagement accompagne le développement socio-économique, qui s'est traduit par un déplacement des besoins tirés de la forêt : bois de qualité, paysagisme, accueil du public, amélioration du patrimoine biologique etc Ainsi, les aménagements s'efforcent d'améliorer simultanément les potentialités et les fonctions de la forêt. Cependant, au Sud de la Méditerranée, l'exécution des plans d'aménagement type-forêt tempérée, n'a pas permis, non seulement, d'atteindre l'objectif primordial, à savoir la régénération des ressources forestières, mais la dégradation de ces écosystèmes a continué à un rythme important. En effet, ces aménagements ne prenaient pas suffisamment en considération la dimension socio-économique des zones forestières et périforestières. Le Maroc a développé depuis lors de nouvelles approches

Soil salinity related to physical soil characteristics and irrigation management in four Mediterranean irrigation districts

25 Pag., 6 Tabl., 1 Fig. The definitive version is available at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03783774Irrigated agriculture is threatened by soil salinity in numerous arid and semiarid areas of the Mediterranean basin. The objective of this work was to quantify soil salinity through electromagnetic induction (EMI) techniques and relate it to the physical characteristics and irrigation management of four Mediterranean irrigation districts located in Morocco, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey. The volume and salinity of the main water inputs (irrigation and precipitation) and outputs (crop evapotranspiration and drainage) were measured or estimated in each district. Soil salinity (ECe) maps were obtained through electromagnetic induction surveys (ECa readings) and district-specific ECa–ECe calibrations. Gravimetric soil water content (WC) and soil saturation percentage (SP) were also measured in the soil calibration samples. The ECa–ECe calibration equations were highly significant (P 0.1) with WC, and was only significantly correlated (P Morocco (2.2 dS m−1) > Spain (1.4 dS m−1) > Turkey (0.45 dS m−1). Soil salinity was mainly affected by irrigation water salinity and irrigation efficiency. Drainage water salinity at the exit of each district was mostly affected by soil salinity and irrigation efficiency, with values very high in Tunisia (9.0 dS m−1), high in Spain (4.6 dS m−1), moderate in Morocco (estimated at 2.6 dS m−1), and low in Turkey (1.4 dS m−1). Salt loads in drainage waters, calculated from their salinity (ECdw) and volume (Q), were highest in Tunisia (very high Q and very high ECdw), intermediate in Turkey (extremely high Q and low ECdw) and lowest in Spain (very low Q and high ECdw) (there were no Q data for Morocco). Reduction of these high drainage volumes through sound irrigation management would be the most efficient way to control the off-site salt-pollution caused by these Mediterranean irrigation districts.This study was supported by the European Commission research project INCO-CT-2005-015031.Peer reviewe

Luxation obturatrice de la hanche: un traumatisme rare en pratique sportive

Les luxations antérieures traumatiques de la hanche sans fracture du cotyle ou de la tête fémorale sont rares. Elles sont souvent secondaires à des accidents de haute énergie cinétique. La prise en charge thérapeutique nécessite un chirurgien vigilant et prévenu du risque de complications. Nous rapportons le cas d'une luxation obturatrice (antéro-inférieure) chez un jeune de 18 ans pratiquant le rolle