Nature like setting. Cultural ecosystem services and disservices of French urban green spaces

International audienceSociety has a growing interest for urban nature. The decision-makers have to take this concern into account but they need to know the fallouts of nature for their municipalities, their citizens and the tourists. It was the purpose of our research programs, which were funded by the French region Centre-Val de Loire. How urban nature is perceived by users? What kind of nature is more appreciated? How explain the increasing interest for urban nature? What users research in green spaces? The study was conducted in six green spaces, which belong to different categories (forest and semi-natural, ornamental and allotment gardens) and are located in the six main cities of the region Centre-Val de Loire. 321 users were interviewed from a semi-supervised manner. To complete this study, 12 green spaces managers (elected representatives, heads and technicians) were questioned on the representation of nature by urban-dwellers. To put the results into perspective, we also analyzed tourists’ point of view in the Center Parcs site, which is located in the same region and can be assimilated to urban space, with its cottages, facilities and shops. Here, the study considered an innovative method, basing on 2.118 comments posted by customers on a sharing website (TripAdvisor). The first conclusion is that nature is unanimously appreciated and sought-after, according to the accounts of green spaces users as well as Net surfers. But the green spaces managers moderate this idea. City-dwellers complain to them about nature: it has also disservices (pollen, weeds). If we analyze further the point of view of green spaces users, considering the perspective offered by Center Parcs customers, we can observe that French citizen appreciated only one kind of nature, the managed one. Moreover, this nature appears only like a setting. Indeed, users come first in nature spaces for peace and quiet, before coming for the closeness with nature

Achievements, Prospects and Challenges in Precision Care for Monogenic Insulin Deficient and Insulin Resistant Diabetes

Integration of genomic and other data has begun to stratify type 2 diabetes in prognostically meaningful ways, but this has yet to impact on mainstream diabetes practice. The subgroup of diabetes caused by single gene defects thus provides the best example to date of the vision of ‘precision diabetes’. Monogenic diabetes may be divided into primary pancreatic beta cell failure, and primary insulin resistance. In both groups, clear examples of genotype-selective responses to therapy have been advanced. The benign trajectory of diabetes due to pathogenic GCK mutations, and the sulfonylurea-hyperresponsiveness conferred by activating KCNJ11 or ABCC8 mutations, or loss-of-function HNF1A or HNF4A mutations, often decisively guide clinical management. In monogenic insulin-resistant diabetes, subcutaneous leptin therapy is beneficial in some severe lipodystrophy. Increasing evidence also supports use of ‘obesity therapies’ in lipodystrophic people even without obesity. In beta cell diabetes the main challenge is now implementation of the precision diabetes vision at scale. In monogenic insulin-resistant diabetes genotype-specific benefits are proven in far fewer patients to date, although further genotype-targeted therapies are being evaluated. The conceptual paradigm established by the insulin-resistant subgroup with ‘adipose failure’ may have a wider influence on precision therapy for common type 2 diabetes, however. For all forms of monogenic diabetes, population-wide genome sequencing is currently forcing reappraisal of the importance assigned to pathogenic mutations when gene sequencing is uncoupled from prior suspicion of monogenic diabetes. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version of this article (10.1007/s00125-022-05720-7) contains a slideset of the figures for download, which is available to authorised users

Vivre avec les conséquences d'un diagnostic de TDA/H : la voix des personnes diagnostiquées

Le trouble du déficit de l’attention avec ou sans hyperactivité est un sujet qui a été maintes fois étudié. Pourtant, peu de recherches ont été construites en se basant sur l’expérience des personnes directement concernées. Ce mémoire propose une analyse exploratoire des récits de vie de 8 personnes âgées de 20 à 30 ans qui ont été diagnostiquées pendant l’enfance ou l’adolescence. Les principaux thèmes abordés par celles-ci sont : les relations familiales, les relations avec le milieu scolaire, le processus de diagnostic, la relation avec la médication, la relation avec les experts, le rapport possible avec d’autres « problématiques » vécues simultanément et leur perception du regard de l’autre. À travers leur récit, on comprend que ces personnes vivent un rapport complexe avec leur diagnostic ne pouvant être réduit qu’à quelques facteurs. De cette manière, il est primordial de s’intéresser à leur expérience pour en dresser le portrait le plus complet possible et en comprendre les conséquences pour elles.Although the subject of Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity has been widely studied, most studies have not considered directly the experiences of diagnosed persons. Thus, this exploratory research analyses the life narratives of 8 people aged between 20 and 30 years old whom have been diagnosed in their infancy or teenage years. Certain themes have been discussed throughout the interviews such as : their relationship with their families, their relationship with school, their perceptions of medication, their diagnosis’ process, their relationship with experts, the possibility of living simultaneously others “problems” and their perception of others’ opinion regarding the diagnosis. As their story is told, the listener understands the complex relation they have with their diagnosis which cannot be reduce to a few aspects. Thus, it is necessary to consider their experience in order to paint a picture as complete as possible and to better understand the consequences a diagnosis has on their life

Évolution des paysages arborés dans les montagnes de Thừa Thiên Huế (Việt Nam)

L’article interroge la place de l’arbre dans les paysages des montagnes du centre du Việt Nam, son évolution depuis la fin du xixe siècle, en considérant la diversité des espèces végétales et les services associés – d’approvisionnement et culturels selon la terminologie du Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA, 2005). La méthodologie mêle connaissances endogène et exogène des paysages, en se fondant sur l’analyse de cartes d’occupation des sols (réalisées à partir de sources primaires), de relevés de terrain et d’entretiens avec les populations autochtones. L’objectif est d’identifier les rapports entre l’arbre et les sociétés montagnardes, en interrogeant les liens entre paysages arborés, diversité et services, de manière dynamique. Le travail met en avant une évolution majeure, entre l’avant et l’après-guerre – sans que le conflit en soit la seule cause. Jusqu’à la guerre (1945-1975), l’arbre spontané occupe une place centrale dans les paysages. Peuplant des formations végétales surtout denses, il se caractérise par une forte diversité et de nombreux services sont associés aux écosystèmes qu’il forme. Mais les bouleversements de la guerre puis l’accélération du recul de la forêt transforment les paysages. L’arbre spontané se raréfie et cède la place à l’arbre planté. Les pratiques évoluent, les services écosystémiques rendus aussi : les plantations offrent des ressources et sont alors considérées comme des « forêts économiques » mais non comme des forêts sacrées, un statut réservé aux sylvosystèmes spontanés.The article investigates the role of the tree in mountain landscapes in the central region of Viet Nam and its evolution since the end of the 19th century, by considering the diversity of plant species and the associated services – “supporting and cultural services”, according to the terminology of the Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA, 2005). The methodology associates endogenous and exogenous knowledge of the landscapes, based on an analysis of land-use maps (produced from primary sources), field surveys and interviews of indigenous populations. The objective is to identify the relations between trees and mountain communities by conducting a dynamic investigation of the links between forest landscapes and the various services. The research reveals a major change which occurred between the pre and post-war periods - without the conflict being the sole cause. Until the war (1945-1975), spontaneous tree growth occupied a central role in the various landscapes. Populating essentially dense plant formations, it presents a high degree of diversity and many services associated with the ecosystems it forms. But the turmoil caused by the war and the accelerating loss of forest resources has transformed landscapes. Fewer trees grow spontaneously and these are being replaced by planted trees. Practices are changing, the ecosystemic services rendered are also evolving ; plantations provide resources and are therefore considered as economic assets and woodlands are no longer as sacred forests, a status reserved to spontaneous sylvosystems

Improving the representations on forest plantations considering their ecosystem services. Case study in Viêt Nam

International audienceSince 1990’s, Vietnamese government encourages forest plantations (FP), followed by NGOs, which fund such operations. Consequently, FP occupy a growing place in the Vietnamese landscapes, especially since 2000’s. They replace agriculture on sloping lands but also spontaneous sylvosystem. Even if these ones are almost savannahs, this fact fuels the criticism against FP and increases the controversies, which surround them. FP are mainly criticized because they’re single-species and even-aged. Moreover, in Viêt Nam, the priority is given to exotic fast-growing species, from Acacia genus. Thus FP are on the opposite side of the biodiversity conservation. Nevertheless, don’t they provide ecosystem services (ES)? In other words, can this concept improve the representations of these forests? The study was conducted in Thua Thiên-Huê province (Central Viêt Nam), in the framework of a PhD. It consisted in crossing different sources:- provincial legislative texts and reports,- field surveys along 20 transects,- interviews of local authorities and populations living along these transects, to identify their expectations and their actions.FP have disservices, which are now well-known: increased vulnerability to pests, risks of erosion in clear-cut areas and inhibition of spontaneous regeneration. But FP also provide ES, first provisioning ones. Formed by fast-growing species, they offer short-term resources and contribute to the poverty alleviation. But these forests also provide other ES and contribute to improve the environment: rapid restoration of forest cover on savannah hillocks, improvement of soil quality and increase of forest areas. This growth is direct but also indirect, by helping to reduce extraction from spontaneous forests. By a systemic approach, ES concept allows to improve the representations of FP. Nevertheless, on cultural ES, the research has to be carried on, especially to know how the inhabitants consider these forests, from esthetic view point. We already know that, unlike spontaneous forests, they’re not regarded as “sacred” but as “economic” forests

Le peuplier, un arbre qui cache la forêt ?

Cet article interroge la place des peupleraies dans les paysages, en prenant en compte leurs dynamiques récentes et les enjeux liés (dont, localement, l’inscription Unesco du Val de Loire). Fondée sur des témoignages collectés auprès de différents acteurs et sur des photographies aériennes analysées et confrontées dans un SIG, l’étude est menée à l’échelle locale, sur deux terrains situés en Anjou. La 1re partie dévoile la complexité des débats qui entourent les peupleraies, en s’intéressant notamment au regard du défenseur des paysages. La 2e partie est centrée sur les dynamiques qui affectent les peupleraies depuis la fin des années 1980. On y perçoit que ces plantations cristallisent des tensions qui les dépassent et que, plus que leur progression, c’est la fermeture des paysages dans les vallées qui pose problème et qui est à mettre en lien avec la déprise agricole. Les facteurs d’évolution sont ensuite questionnés, dans la 3e partie. Il en ressort que les représentations sur les peupleraies ont pu guider les politiques publiques mais les diverses réglementations n’ont souvent que peu de poids ; d’autres facteurs doivent être convoqués pour comprendre le recul en cours.This article examines the role of poplar groves in landscapes and considers their recent dynamics and related issues (including, at the local level, the UNESCO world heritage listing of the Loire Valley). Based on testimonials from different stakeholders and on aerial photographs analysed and compared in a GIS, the study is conducted on two sites in the region of Anjou. The first part of the article reveals the complexity of the discussions regarding poplar groves and examines the viewpoint of landscape conservationists. The second part considers the dynamics that have affected the poplar groves since the late 1980s. It shows that these plantations are the focus of tensions which extend beyond them. It also explains that it is the enclosure of the valley landscapes more than the development of these plantations that poses a problem which should be considered as related to agricultural decline. The factors of change are examined in the third part of the article. It emerges that although representations of the poplar groves may have guided public policy, regulations often carry little weight and that other factors must be considered to understand the decline which is under way

Alzheimer's Disease and Anesthesia

Cognitive disorders such as postoperative cognitive dysfunction, confusion, and delirium, are common following anesthesia in the elderly, with symptoms persisting for months or years in some patients. Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients appear to be particularly at risk of cognitive deterioration following anesthesia, and some studies suggest that exposure to anesthetics may increase the risk of AD. Here, we review the literature linking anesthesia to AD, with a focus on the biochemical consequences of anesthetic exposure on AD pathogenic pathways

Preliminary paleohistological observations of the StW 573 ('Little Foot') skull.

Numerous aspects of early hominin biology remain debated or simply unknown. However, recent developments in high-resolution imaging techniques have opened new avenues in the field of paleoanthropology. More specifically, X-ray synchrotron-based analytical imaging techniques have the potential to provide crucial details on the ontogeny, physiology, biomechanics, and biological identity of fossil specimens. Here we present preliminary results of our X-ray synchrotron-based investigation of the skull of the 3.67-million-year-old Australopithecus specimen StW 573 ('Little Foot') at the I12 beamline of the Diamond Light Source (United Kingdom). Besides showing fine details of the enamel (i.e., hypoplasias) and cementum (i.e., incremental lines), as well as of the cranial bone microarchitecture (e.g., diploic channels), our synchrotron-based investigation reveals for the first time the 3D spatial organization of the Haversian systems in the mandibular symphysis of an early hominin

Preliminary paleohistological observations of the StW 573 ('Little Foot') skull

Numerous aspects of early hominin biology remain debated or simply unknown. However, recent developments in high-resolution imaging techniques have opened new avenues in the field of paleoanthropology. More specifically, X-ray synchrotron-based analytical imaging techniques have the potential to provide crucial details on the ontogeny, physiology, biomechanics, and biological identity of fossil specimens. Here we present preliminary results of our X-ray synchrotron-based investigation of the skull of the 3.67-million-year-old Australopithecus specimen StW 573 ('Little Foot') at the I12 beamline of the Diamond Light Source (United Kingdom). Besides showing fine details of the enamel (i.e., hypoplasias) and cementum (i.e., incremental lines), as well as of the cranial bone microarchitecture (e.g., diploic channels), our synchrotron-based investigation reveals for the first time the 3D spatial organization of the Haversian systems in the mandibular symphysis of an early hominin

The productive herd : Past, present and perspectives

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 selection and editorial matter, Tim Horstkotte, Øystein Holand, Jouko Kumpula and Jon Moen.Traditionally the multipurpose reindeer herd supplied an array of products from both live and slaughtered animals. After the transportation revolution and integration into the market economy in the 1960s and 1970s, however, the focus was directed towards maximizing meat production. Research carried out at the time revealed that the females’ adult body mass was an appropriate proxy for their production potential. Herd composition, selection and slaughter strategies were reformed. A winter herd composed predominantly of productive females with a spring body mass of around 70 kg and herd size not exceeding the available winter resources will yield a high percentage of calves to be slaughtered in autumn. Economic incentives and imposed regulations contributed to this transformation. However, these modern production imperatives were not necessarily compatible with the herders’ traditional values. Indeed, meat productivity varies between and within countries. This chapter discusses abiotic and biotic factors, genetics, as well as management practices that may influence these differences. Herds in good condition are able to withstand and adapt to ongoing climate change and frequent weather extremes. Integrating resilience to environmental variability into reindeer breeding programmes may improve the capacity of the production system.Peer reviewe