Engineering Materials and Personal Spaces in Public Repositories: The Case of the MERLOT Digital Library

The open educational resources are learning, teaching and research materials available in open sites for free access, and are frequently grouped into personal collections by users. MERLOT, the well-known online repository, includes amongst its materials Bookmark Collections (BC) created by its contributors. This article evaluates, from the point of view of users other than the creators, the usefulness of the MERLOT personal collections in engineering education. There are at least 895 Bookmark Collections in the Engineering collection of MERLOT. The main assessment criteria are the potential of shareability and reusability of the collection in terms of the engineering content and description, and the coherence of materials and collection with the respective engineering discipline and sub-discipline. Results show that the quality of these collections could be improved if the assignment of the collection would be declared, as the title and description, during the BC creation. The improvement of the BC title and most especially its description would be also a good improvement that will guide the searcher more precisely

Achieving energy balance with a high‐fat meal does not enhance skeletal muscle adaptation and impairs glycemic response in a sleep‐low training model

Training with low carbohydrate availability (LCHO) has shown to acutely enhance endurance training skeletal muscle response, but concomitant energy deficit (ED) in LCHO interventions has represented a confounding factor in past research. This study aimed at determining if achieving energy balance with high‐fat (EB‐HF) acutely enhances the adaptive response in LCHO compared to ED low‐fat (ED‐LF). In a crossover design, nine well‐trained males completed a ‘sleep‐low’ protocol: on day 1 they cycled to deplete muscle glycogen while reaching a set energy expenditure (30 kcal/kg of fat free mass (FFM)). Post‐exercise, low carbohydrate, protein‐matched meals completely (EB‐HF, 30 kcal/kg FFM) or partially (ED‐LF, 9 kcal/kg FFM) replaced the energy expended, with the majority of energy derived from fat in EB‐HF. In the morning of day 2, participants exercised fasted and skeletal muscle and blood samples were collected and a carbohydrate‐protein drink was ingested at 0.5h recovery. Muscle glycogen showed no treatment effect (P < 0.001) and decreased from 350 ±98 and 192 ±94 mmol/kg dry‐mass between rest and 0.5 h recovery. Phosphorylation status mTOR and AMPK pathway proteins showed only time effects. mRNA expression of p53 increased after exercise (P = 0.005) and was higher in ED‐LF at 3.5h compared to EB‐HF (P = 0.027). Plasma glucose and insulin AUC (P < 0.04) and peak values (P≤0.05) were higher in EB‐HF after the recovery drink. Achieving energy balance with a high‐fat meal in a ‘train‐low’ (‘sleep‐low’) model did not enhance markers of skeletal muscle adaptation and impaired glycemia in response to a recovery drink following training in the morning

Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa

The world is facing unprecedented, inter-connected threats to the health of people, animals and the environment. Threats to health security originating from animals and ecosystems can best prevented and managed by One Health (OH) which recognizes the interconnection of people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. But attaining the OH dividend requires greater operationalization of OH science and harnessing the power of youth to solve the problems of the present and future. In line with this approach, this project aims to enhance national and sub-regional cross-sectoral collaboration between government entities with OH mandates and OH stakeholders across society, to equip educational and research institutes to train the next generation One Health workforce, and to increase the capacity of government and non-governmental stakeholders to identify and deliver OH solutions to key problems. To conceptualize the above objectives, we conducted an expert integrative review to identify OH capacity potential and gaps in eastern and southern Africa, to develop a four-year, eleven-country project to translate OH science to development impact. We identified neglected zoonoses, emerging zoonoses, food safety and livestock associated antimicrobial resistance as key OH domains, with soil health subsidiary. Multi-criteria processes identified 11 priority countries (Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, of which four are deep dive) and four support areas (observatory, platforms, future workforce and field solutions). A consortium was developed of research and research translation institutes (three Africa-based) linked to multipliers in priority countries. Future OH capacity will be enhanced through strengthening educational institutions to deliver recognised OH courses. Delivery of solutions for a specific OH issue is planned for Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, with the approach then used as a model for OH delivery. This initiative will ensure government entities capacitated in the development of evidence based One Health strategies and policies, education institutes strengthened in building OH capacity of the present and future workforce, and research institutes capacitated in identification, development, adoption and delivery of One Health solutions

Impact of caloric and dietary restriction regimens on markers of health and longevity in humans and animals: a summary of available findings

Considerable interest has been shown in the ability of caloric restriction (CR) to improve multiple parameters of health and to extend lifespan. CR is the reduction of caloric intake - typically by 20 - 40% of ad libitum consumption - while maintaining adequate nutrient intake. Several alternatives to CR exist. CR combined with exercise (CE) consists of both decreased caloric intake and increased caloric expenditure. Alternate-day fasting (ADF) consists of two interchanging days; one day, subjects may consume food ad libitum (sometimes equaling twice the normal intake); on the other day, food is reduced or withheld altogether. Dietary restriction (DR) - restriction of one or more components of intake (typically macronutrients) with minimal to no reduction in total caloric intake - is another alternative to CR. Many religions incorporate one or more forms of food restriction. The following religious fasting periods are featured in this review: 1) Islamic Ramadan; 2) the three principal fasting periods of Greek Orthodox Christianity (Nativity, Lent, and the Assumption); and 3) the Biblical-based Daniel Fast. This review provides a summary of the current state of knowledge related to CR and DR. A specific section is provided that illustrates related work pertaining to religious forms of food restriction. Where available, studies involving both humans and animals are presented. The review includes suggestions for future research pertaining to the topics of discussion

Transcriptional dynamics during cell wall removal and regeneration reveals key genes involved in cell wall development in rice

Efficient and cost-effective conversion of plant biomass to usable forms of energy requires a thorough understanding of cell wall biosynthesis, modification and degradation. To elucidate these processes, we assessed the expression dynamics during enzymatic removal and regeneration of rice cell walls in suspension cells over time. In total, 928 genes exhibited significant up-regulation during cell wall removal, whereas, 79 genes were up-regulated during cell wall regeneration. Both gene sets are enriched for kinases, transcription factors and genes predicted to be involved in cell wall-related functions. Integration of the gene expression datasets with a catalog of known and/or predicted biochemical pathways from rice, revealed metabolic and hormonal pathways involved in cell wall degradation and regeneration. Rice lines carrying Tos17 mutations in genes up-regulated during cell wall removal exhibit dwarf phenotypes. Many of the genes up-regulated during cell wall development are also up-regulated in response to infection and environmental perturbations indicating a coordinated response to diverse types of stress

Towards Institutionalization of One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa

The integration of One Health (OH) approaches, principles, and ethos within international organizations and public sectors’ national health and environmental structures is a long process that requires both institutionalization and operationalization. Within the framework of a development project covering 12 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, an innovative process to institutionalize OH approaches and principles at the national level is presented. Supported by international research and technical organizations, national higher education institutions were empowered to assist relevant ministries and stakeholders in their roadmap towards the integration of OH approaches and principles. A rapid OH assessment tool was designed to understand the existing OH stakeholders, governance structures, and gaps in the implementation of OH in each country. This provided evidence for developing plans for furthering the country’s goals towards institutionalizing OH and was implemented through a stakeholder, demand-driven process. After close to 2 years of implementation, five key insights for OH institutionalization developed: (1) utilizing higher education ‘multiplier’ institutions for intersectoral cohesion and action; (2) emphasizing participatory design driven by demand; (3) having a flexible project framework to ensure national needs are met with timing adapted to local administrative and political rhythms; (4) promoting cross-country learning opportunities that offer peer-to-peer buy-in, trust; and (5) the need for soft skills training in OH for better intersectoral collaboration

Interroger les gouvernances urbaines : entre fragmentation et contrat territorial Paris : Karthala, 2017, 352 p. (Hommes et Sociétés). ISSN 0993-4294

International audienceDe quelles gouvernances traite cet ouvrage ? De la gouvernance non normative : celle qui n'est pas une somme d'injonctions, de règles administratives ou de périmètres institutionnels, mais d'abord un ensemble complexe de pratiques sociales, de consensus transitoires et d'équilibres labiles à l'échelle d'un territoire. Cet ouvrage se propose donc d'interroger des gouvernances territoriales en situation, à partir de cas aussi variés que ceux liés aux différents services urbains (transport, décharge publique, eau et assainisse­ment) d'une grande métropole, ou à la planification territoriale. Comment une coordination territoriale de l'action publique et collective peut-elle émerger de processus de déconcentration encore très centripètes, de décentralisations souvent inachevées, d'un "urbanisme de projets" dispersé ? L'efficacité de l'action publique se cherche dans des champs politiques souvent fragmentés et marqués par une multiplicité d'acteurs publics et privés. Elle demande d'analyser les processus conflictuels, décisionnels et politiques dans leur capacité à produire des consensus viables. À cet égard, que nous disent les expériences ayant débouché sur une action publique coordonnée localement par un acteur ayant acquis une certaine légitimité politique ? Dans cette perspective, les contributeurs à cet ouvrage analysent l'intimité systémique de onze contextes très diversifiés, allant de l'Afrique subsaharienne (Bénin, Congo­ Brazzaville, Mali) à ceux de pays d'Europe occidentale (Italie, France) en passant par des pays d'Amérique latine (Mexique), du Maghreb (Maroc) ou du Moyen Orient (Liban)

Villes et urbanités au Maghreb

Le fait urbain est au cœur des mutations que vit le Maghreb. En quelques décennies l’urbanisation a été massive, rapide et parfois brutale tant les bouleversements dans les modes de vie et les structures sociales ont été profonds. Produit des transformations de la société, la ville est elle-même génératrice d’importantes mutations sociales. De tels processus interpellent la recherche urbaine, dont le dynamisme reflète toute l’acuité des problèmes posés par la transition en cours. Pour saisir cette complexité, les coordonnateurs de ce dossier et la rédaction de L’Année du Maghreb ont opté pour une entrée « par le bas », à l’échelle de ceux qui vivent la ville au quotidien. Les contributions portent sur les processus de production de l’urbain, du bâti et des espaces, les modes de vie, les pratiques et les représentations sociales induites par la ville, la construction des territoires urbains, le rapport entre l’espace voulu et l’espace vécu, la question de la gestion des cadres de vie, l’interaction enfin entre les politiques publiques et l’action collective. L’univers des signes par lesquels se disent et se lisent les villes est aussi le lieu où s’exprime l’exigence de nouvelles citoyennetés, déclinées du quartier à l’espace mondialisé, en passant par toutes les échelles de l’accès au politique

Villes et urbanitès au Maghreb

Le fait urbain est au cœur des mutations que vit le Maghreb. En quelques décennies l’urbanisation a été massive, rapide et parfois brutale tant les bouleversements dans les modes de vie et les structures sociales ont été profonds. Produit des transformations de la société, l’urbanisation est elle-même génératrice d’importantes mutations sociales. Pour autant, les villes du Maghreb ne sont pas homogènes. De grandes diversités les caractérisent : entre les pays maghrébins, à l’intérieur des pay..