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Neuronal differentiation is regulated by nerve growth factor (NGF) and other neurotrophins. We explored the impact of NGF on mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism through time-lapse imaging, metabolomics profiling, and computer modeling studies. We show that NGF may direct differentiation by stimulating fission, thereby causing selective mitochondrial network fragmentation and mitophagy, ultimately leading to increased mitochondrial quality and respiration. Then, we reconstructed the dynamic fusion–fission–mitophagy cycling of mitochondria in a computer model, integrating these processes into a single network mechanism. Both the computational model and the simulations are able to reproduce the proposed mechanism in terms of mitochondrial dynamics, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitophagy, and mitochondrial quality, thus providing a computational tool for the interpretation of the experimental data and for future studies aiming to detail further the action of NGF on mitochondrial processes. We also show that changes in these mitochondrial processes are intertwined with a metabolic function of NGF in differentiation: NGF directs a profound metabolic rearrangement involving glycolysis, TCA cycle, and the pentose phosphate pathway, altering the redox balance. This metabolic rewiring may ensure: (a) supply of both energy and building blocks for the anabolic processes needed for morphological reorganization, as well as (b) redox homeostasis.

This article proposes to present the issue of insularity in the archipelago of Cape Verde, an African country marked by several centuries of Portuguese colonization, with particular emphasis on the analysis of the interrelation between socio-historical factors and linguistic phenomena that occurred in this insular country. Taking into consideration this context, we will draw attention to the importance of insularity in the process of miscegenation of the populations in the colonial era, to the process of the formation of Creole as a result of multilingual contacts, as well as to the long process of the construction of the social identity of Cape Verdeans in the history of this society., This article proposes to present the issue of insularity in the archipelago of Cape Verde, an African country marked by several centuries of Portuguese colonization, with particular emphasis on the analysis of the interrelation between socio-historical factors and linguistic phenomena that occurred in this insular country. Taking into consideration this context, we will draw attention to the importance of insularity in the process of miscegenation of the populations in the colonial era, to the process of the formation of Creole as a result of multilingual contacts, as well as to the long process of the construction of the social identity of Cape Verdeans in the history of this society.

CONTEXTThere is growing evidence that agroecology can reconcile the environmental, economic, and social pillars of agricultural sustainability. However, teaching and learning agroecology is challenging, especially since most agricultural graduate programs in Europe are not adapted to teach the diversity of its related practices.OBJECTIVETo improve agroecology learning, we built the online simulation game SEGAE. This article illustrates the game's relevance for learning agroecology.METHODSThe game is based on a modeling framework that gamifies the implementation of agroecological practices in an integrated crop-livestock farm and assesses their impacts on sustainability. To do so, SEGAE is based on an output-oriented approach that represents impacts of practices on various indicators. These impacts are included in a matrix, which is associated with a dynamic graphical interface accessible to players. Two examples of game sessions were developed to illustrate the game's potential.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSIn the first example, players can gain knowledge about agroecological practices by implementing practices that improve soil quality and assessing their impacts on sustainability. Results of this example place the farm's improved overall sustainability into perspective with its reduced food production potential. In the second example, players can improve their skills in transition management and acquire a systems approach by converting the farm to organic farming within five years. Results of this example prompt discussion of the steps needed to obtain organic certification and the coherence between crop and animal production needed to foster sustainability.SIGNIFICANCESEGAE was designed to strengthen European training in agroecology, and active contributions from users would help to improve this tool, extend it to new farming systems and forge connections within the community of teachers working on agroecology.

CONTEXTThere is growing evidence that agroecology can reconcile the environmental, economic, and social pillars of agricultural sustainability. However, teaching and learning agroecology is challenging, especially since most agricultural graduate programs in Europe are not adapted to teach the diversity of its related practices.OBJECTIVETo improve agroecology learning, we built the online simulation game SEGAE. This article illustrates the game's relevance for learning agroecology.METHODSThe game is based on a modeling framework that gamifies the implementation of agroecological practices in an integrated crop-livestock farm and assesses their impacts on sustainability. To do so, SEGAE is based on an output-oriented approach that represents impacts of practices on various indicators. These impacts are included in a matrix, which is associated with a dynamic graphical interface accessible to players. Two examples of game sessions were developed to illustrate the game's potential.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSIn the first example, players can gain knowledge about agroecological practices by implementing practices that improve soil quality and assessing their impacts on sustainability. Results of this example place the farm's improved overall sustainability into perspective with its reduced food production potential. In the second example, players can improve their skills in transition management and acquire a systems approach by converting the farm to organic farming within five years. Results of this example prompt discussion of the steps needed to obtain organic certification and the coherence between crop and animal production needed to foster sustainability.SIGNIFICANCESEGAE was designed to strengthen European training in agroecology, and active contributions from users would help to improve this tool, extend it to new farming systems and forge connections within the community of teachers working on agroecology.

CONTEXTThere is growing evidence that agroecology can reconcile the environmental, economic, and social pillars of agricultural sustainability. However, teaching and learning agroecology is challenging, especially since most agricultural graduate programs in Europe are not adapted to teach the diversity of its related practices.OBJECTIVETo improve agroecology learning, we built the online simulation game SEGAE. This article illustrates the game's relevance for learning agroecology.METHODSThe game is based on a modeling framework that gamifies the implementation of agroecological practices in an integrated crop-livestock farm and assesses their impacts on sustainability. To do so, SEGAE is based on an output-oriented approach that represents impacts of practices on various indicators. These impacts are included in a matrix, which is associated with a dynamic graphical interface accessible to players. Two examples of game sessions were developed to illustrate the game's potential.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSIn the first example, players can gain knowledge about agroecological practices by implementing practices that improve soil quality and assessing their impacts on sustainability. Results of this example place the farm's improved overall sustainability into perspective with its reduced food production potential. In the second example, players can improve their skills in transition management and acquire a systems approach by converting the farm to organic farming within five years. Results of this example prompt discussion of the steps needed to obtain organic certification and the coherence between crop and animal production needed to foster sustainability.SIGNIFICANCESEGAE was designed to strengthen European training in agroecology, and active contributions from users would help to improve this tool, extend it to new farming systems and forge connections within the community of teachers working on agroecology.

CONTEXTThere is growing evidence that agroecology can reconcile the environmental, economic, and social pillars of agricultural sustainability. However, teaching and learning agroecology is challenging, especially since most agricultural graduate programs in Europe are not adapted to teach the diversity of its related practices.OBJECTIVETo improve agroecology learning, we built the online simulation game SEGAE. This article illustrates the game's relevance for learning agroecology.METHODSThe game is based on a modeling framework that gamifies the implementation of agroecological practices in an integrated crop-livestock farm and assesses their impacts on sustainability. To do so, SEGAE is based on an output-oriented approach that represents impacts of practices on various indicators. These impacts are included in a matrix, which is associated with a dynamic graphical interface accessible to players. Two examples of game sessions were developed to illustrate the game's potential.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSIn the first example, players can gain knowledge about agroecological practices by implementing practices that improve soil quality and assessing their impacts on sustainability. Results of this example place the farm's improved overall sustainability into perspective with its reduced food production potential. In the second example, players can improve their skills in transition management and acquire a systems approach by converting the farm to organic farming within five years. Results of this example prompt discussion of the steps needed to obtain organic certification and the coherence between crop and animal production needed to foster sustainability.SIGNIFICANCESEGAE was designed to strengthen European training in agroecology, and active contributions from users would help to improve this tool, extend it to new farming systems and forge connections within the community of teachers working on agroecology.

Validation, verification, and uncertainty quantification (VVUQ) of simulation workflows are essential for building trust in simulation results, and their increased use in decision-making processes. The EasyVVUQ Python library is designed to facilitate implementation of advanced VVUQ techniques in new or existing workflows, with a particular focus on high-performance computing, middleware agnosticism, and multiscale modeling. Here, the application of EasyVVUQ to five very diverse application areas is demonstrated: materials properties, ocean circulation modeling, fusion reactors, forced human migration, and urban air quality prediction.

Validation, verification, and uncertainty quantification (VVUQ) of simulation workflows are essential for building trust in simulation results, and their increased use in decision-making processes. The EasyVVUQ Python library is designed to facilitate implementation of advanced VVUQ techniques in new or existing workflows, with a particular focus on high-performance computing, middleware agnosticism, and multiscale modeling. Here, the application of EasyVVUQ to five very diverse application areas is demonstrated: materials properties, ocean circulation modeling, fusion reactors, forced human migration, and urban air quality prediction.

The aim of the article is to review the contemporary debate on the concept of Respon-sibility to Protect. Numerous publications concerning R2P are the best illustration of the fact that it is a very topical subject. Analysing the doctrinal issues focusing on new challenges for contemporary international law the author focuse on a visible change in the international law paradigm, transformation of moral norm into legal one and the effective use of the instruments of R2P application.

https://doi.org/10.21307/ane-2017-003

MR imaging of moisture ingression into porous tissue of decayed teeth in vitro with resolution of 30´120´180 μm3 was obtained using a 4.7 T research MRI scanner and a spinecho pulse sequence. High resolution images allowed the visualisation of the 3D structure of tooth pores and the estimation of their size and extent. Using a Single Point Imaging method, images of the mineralized tissue of teeth were obtained.

Verbal periphrases are one of the most representative ways of expression of the category of aspect in the Portuguese language. The purpose of this article is to present how the periphrases compose the aspectual value of expressions. Moreover the author indicates some semantic incompatibilities, which arise between particular elements forming together one periphrase and different elements forming whole expressions.