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In the current setting, marked by the major challenges of growing food demand and climate change impacts, the ability of sub-Saharan agriculture to meet population needs depends on the resilience and adaptation capacity of this system. Using agrobiodiversity to promote agricultural sustainability is a strategy that has garnered much attention lately. Research suggests that mixing species or varieties within crop fields could increase the yield and/or stability. This mixing is also geared towards the conservation of crop diversity while ensuring that the various associated products and services will be available at the farm level. Few recent research studies have highlighted the benefits of varietal mixtures for Africa. This lack of research is a concern, given that this continent is considered to be highly vulnerable to climate change. This study was carried out to test whether plots with varietal mixtures would outperform monovarietal plots in terms of yield and pathogen regulation under smallholder farming conditions in Senegal. Together with farmers, we conducted 30 experiments in which mixtures of early- and late-flowering pearl millet landraces were grown in these farmers' fields, while monitoring their low input management. We noted a significant positive effect of varietal mixtures on grain yield (mean gain of 63 ± 31.5 kg ha−1 for mixture plots, p = 0.046) with a relative yield total (RYT) averaging 1.87 ± 0.94. Both early- and late-flowering landraces benefited from mixtures, with a greater impact on late-flowering landraces. Higher fertility in terms of the seed number, percentage of fertile tillers and number of panicles per tiller, was documented in mixture plots. We did not find a significant effect of mixture on fodder, striga or weed infestation. In water and nutrient resource limiting conditions, such as in Sahelian agroecosystems, growing mixtures of early- and late-flowering landraces appeared to be an efficient way to increase productivity while ensuring agrobiodiversity conservation. Perhaps even more importantly, mixtures allowed farmers to harvest multiple products with different uses in an agrosocioecosystem context with constantly increasing land pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Driven by net-zero policies, major landscape shifts expected in rural Europe. • Injustices arise from potential climate-influenced landscape transformations. • Empirical environmental justice study of three rural European landscapes. • Unequal land access central to rural environmental justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ecological and social desirability of forest regeneration in uplands is disputed. • We propose a conceptual framework for comparative discourse analysis. • We identify three discourses within four European protected areas. • Discourses derive from different ecologies, ideas, interests and institutions. • Power struggles and discourse-coalitions shape forest regeneration policies. Forest regeneration is a major land-use change in European uplands, and whether or not this is a desirable change for biodiversity is disputed. While this debate seems to be largely situated in the field of natural sciences, this paper aims to also examine its social dimensions. To do so, we adopt a comparative discourse analysis with four cases of protected areas in France, Spain, and Scotland. We draw on a conceptual framework highlighting both the ecological and social factors underpinning the construction of environmental discourses. It notably emphasises the role of interests, ideas and institutions, and the power dynamics underpinning discourse-coalitions. We show how diverging discourses emerged, gained ground, coalesced and competed differently in different contexts, explaining the adoption of seemingly opposite discourses by protected area authorities. These findings reaffirm the need to conceive environmental governance as an on-going deliberative process in order to achieve environmental justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ecosystem services governance is shaped by power asymmetries. • There is a need for novel approaches that unravel the nature and intensity of power asymmetries. • Social network analysis can be used to investigate the different forms of power handled by actors. • Some forms of power, such as domination, strongly increase conflict probability. Power asymmetries affect the governance of natural resources but are rarely considered explicitly in ecosystem services research, which often overlooks the diversity of actors and their interactions. In this paper, we propose an innovative and easily replicable method to analyze two types of power asymmetries, using social network analysis and a power typology which distinguishes between influence and domination. We apply this method to a network of actors involved in the governance of eight ecosystem services in the Peruvian Andes. The results reveal substantial power asymmetries, of different types. Indirect managers of ecosystem services had higher influence and domination than the direct managers and beneficiaries. Businesses showed significantly lower influence than members of civil society, non-governmental organizations, and the public sector (state or decentralized organizations, public enterprises). Compared to other actors, members of the public sector had significantly higher domination, especially national actors. Domination and influence relationships strongly increased conflict probability, along with difference of domination score between two actors. A better interdisciplinary understanding of the determinants of power asymmetries can make the governance of socio-ecological systems more sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A chemistry reduction approach based on machine learning is proposed and applied to direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a turbulent non-premixed syngas oxy-flame interacting with a cooled wall. The training and the subsequent application of artificial neural networks (ANNs) rely on the processing of 'thermochemical vectors' composed of species mass fractions and temperature (ANN input), to predict the corresponding chemical sources (ANN output). The training of the ANN is performed aside from any flow simulation, using a turbulent non-adiabatic non-premixed micro-mixing based canonical problem with a reference detailed chemistry. Heat-loss effects are thus included in the ANN training. The performance of the ANN chemistry is then tested a-posteriori in a two-dimensional DNS against the detailed mechanism and a reduced mechanism specifically developed for the operating conditions considered. Then, three-dimensional DNS are performed either with the ANN or the reduced chemistry for additional a-posteriori tests. The ANN reduced chemistry achieves good agreement with the Arrhenius-based detailed and reduced mechanisms, while being in terms of CPU cost 25 times faster than the detailed mechanism and 3 times faster than the reduced mechanism when coupled with DNS. The major potential of the method lies both in its data driven character and in the handling of the stiff chemical sources. The former allows for easy implementation in the context of automated generation of case-specific reduced chemistry. The latter avoids the Arrhenius rates calculation and also the direct integration of stiff chemistry, both leading to a significant CPU time reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel chemistry reduction strategy based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) is developed and applied to direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a turbulent non-premixed flame interacting with a cooled wall. The fuel syngas mixture is burning in pure oxygen. The training and the subsequent application of the CNN rely on the processing of two-dimensional (2D) images built from species mass fractions and temperature (CNN input), to predict the corresponding chemical sources at the center of the image (CNN output). This image-type treatment of chemistry is found to efficiently capture intermediate radicals species highly sensitive to the local flame topology. To reduce the CPU cost, a simplified 2D DNS database with detailed chemistry serves as reference and is used for training and testing the neural network. Comparisons are also made a posteriori against the same 2D DNS with a reduced chemical scheme specialized for syngas. Then, three-dimensional (3D) DNS are conducted either with CNN or the reduced chemistry for more a posteriori tests. The CNN reduced chemistry outperforms the reduced Arrhenius based mechanism in the prediction of radical species, such as monoatomic hydrogen, and also in terms of CPU cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multifunctionality of agriculture is often understood as a normative political notion aimed at fostering the sustainable development of rural areas. Considering it as a locally, socially-constructed concept, the objective of this paper is to analyse how the idea of agricultural multifunctionality was appropriated, re-constructed and negotiated in local arenas dedicated to land-use management. Conceptually, we adopt a political ecology approach which uses a constructivist and relational approach to the concept of 'ecosystem services'. Drawing on a case study in the French Pyrénées mountains, we analyse the diversity of discourses on the roles of livestock farming held by local stakeholders and unpack the ways that these different discourses interact with each other in the local action arenas. We show that a coalition of interests led to the emergence of a dominant and apparent consensus around the need to support livestock farming to maintain open landscapes. We also show that behind this apparent consensus, there are in fact tensions between people who want to maintain livestock farming for different reasons, with some having more instrumental visions than others. Finally, we demonstrate that the dominant consensus has generated a local taboo, hiding an unvoiced pro-rewilding perspective which considers that farmland abandonment could be an opportunity in terms of biodiversity. Incorporating the two concepts of ecosystem services and agricultural multifunctionality, this study allows us to discuss their respective heuristic values and policy implications. • We approach agricultural multifunctionality as socially constructed and negotiated. • We question the apparent consensus on the multifunctionality of mountain farming. • Different actors want to maintain livestock farming for different reasons. • There is a local taboo around the idea that land abandonment is worthwhile for biodiversity. • We discuss different paradigms of ecosystems services and agricultural multifunctionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Our review identifies three types of practices within participatory ES research. • They all address different forms of uncertainties - ethical, epistemic and radical. • Participatory ES research generally fails to consider plurality of worldviews. • Plurality of ES values is widely considered, but conflicts of interests are not. • Scientific epistemic and radical uncertainties are largely ignored. Participatory approaches are widely used in ecosystem services (ES) research. They are particularly advocated for situations characterized by complexity, uncertainties and multiple values. However, behind the intention to do participatory research on ES, there is likely a wide range of practices. In this paper, we undertook a systematic literature review to examine how participatory ES research is implemented in practice. Drawing on 93 reviewed articles, we explore how – and how far – various practices elicit and consider different types of uncertainties related to ES, namely ethical uncertainties (plurality of worldviews, values and interests), epistemic uncertainties (multiple representations) and radical uncertainties (unpredictability). Our review shows a high level of diversity of methods within participatory ES research. Three main types of studies were identified: (1) those centered on socio-cultural valuation of ES, that acknowledge plurality of specific values; (2) those describing more scientific driven processes focusing on assessments of representations of ES dynamics, that partially acknowledge epistemic uncertainties; and (3) those (less numerous) describing more deliberative and collective processes, that navigate all uncertainty types, including plurality of interests, plurality of knowledge systems and radical uncertainties. In total, three main conclusions are drawn from this work. First, plurality of worldviews is seemingly not a strong concern for participatory ES research. This lends credence to concerns that ES framings may encourage a dualistic, anthropocentric and utilitarian framing of nature. Second, although a plurality of specific ES values were generally considered, conflicts of interests and trade-offs between these were much less often considered, which potentially reflects a lack of connection of participatory ES research to real life decision making and a limited ability to navigate power asymmetries and strategic political agendas. Third, while there was often appraisal of non-scientific stakeholders' representations of ES dynamics, radical uncertainties and differences between scientific and non-scientific representations were rarely addressed. This suggests that participatory ES research remains largely anchored in a Western science's positivist stance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Competition between wild and managed bees is a controversial issue. • We view floral resources as a common good providing multiple ecosystem services. • Our conceptual model highlights social interdependencies among actors. • Our case study shows that beekeepers perceptions and practices are evolving. • We identify critical issues for the collective governance of floral resources. It is increasingly acknowledged that bees are declining, notably as a result of global changes such as climate and land-use changes that affect the abundance and diversity of floral resources (i.e. pollen and nectar). Recently, a new concern has gained traction: the negative impact of honeybees on wild bees due to competition over floral resources. Some studies also suggest that there might be intraspecific competition among honeybees themselves. While these issues have mainly been considered by ecological scientists so far, this study aims to address their social dimensions as well. We suggest that viewing floral resources as common-pool resources could pave the way to new governance mechanisms for their management, based on collective action involving the multiple actors that use and modify these floral resources and the associated ecosystem services. Combining conceptual insights on common-pool resources, collective action and ecosystem services, we develop a conceptual model of human–bee–flower social-ecological systems. This model was applied in a case study in the Cévennes National Park, to analyse beekeepers' representations, practices, rules-in-use and social interactions, allowing us to identify critical levers and obstacles for collective governance of floral resources. Our analysis reveals that although there are diverse and controversial perceptions of floral resources and competition among bees, the idea of viewing floral resources as a common-pool resource underlies a range of practices and rules-in-use. In addition, we show that beekeepers' perceptions are changing due to the increasing vulnerability of floral resources. All in all, considering floral resources as a common-pool resource appears a relevant way to study the social interdependencies involved in their management. It is now crucial to develop new forms of governance of floral resources that will reconcile beekeeping and the conservation of wild bees, in coordination with farmers and other land managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participatory modelling must often deal with the challenge of ambiguity when diverse stakeholders do not share a common understanding of the problem and measures for its solution. In this paper, we propose a framework and a methodology to elicit ambiguities among different stakeholders by using a participatory Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) modelling approach. Our approach consists of four steps undertaken with stakeholders: (1) co-construction of a consensual conceptual model of their socio-ecological system, (2) translation of the model into a consensual Bayesian Net structure, (3) individual parametrization of conditional probabilities, and (4) elicitation of ambiguity through the use of scenarios. We tested this methodology on the ambiguity surrounding the effect of an ecological process on a potential innovation in biological control, and it proved useful in eliciting ambiguity. Further research could explore more conflictual or controversial ambiguities to test this methodology in other settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of its success, the concept of ecosystem services (ES) is increasingly taken for granted, without sufficient questioning of the strong uncertainties and controversies that surround it. In this paper, we consider this concept as socially constructed and we analyze the surrounding controversies in order to decipher the process through which it is constructed. From a literature review, we identify five main domains of controversies: (i) scientific uncertainties relating to causal relationships that underlie ES production, (ii) multiple understandings of the very concept of ES due to different representations of human–nature relationships, (iii) diverging opinions regarding the idea of valuing ES and the notion of value itself, (iv) conflicts of interests, power plays, and scale issues associated with the management of ES, and (v) controversies around the policy tools derived from the ES concept. In conclusion, we advocate for a greater engagement of human geographers in these debates. We emphasize in particular the need to study the complex social interdependences underlying ES dynamics, and to engage in participatory research exploring the potential of collaborative options for the management of ES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to question the increasingly common choice to build and use spatially explicit models, especially in the case of participatory agent-based modelling processes. The paper draws on a combination of lessons from literature and the case of a companion modelling process conducted in the context of a conflict about land and forest management in Northern Thailand. Using insights from negotiation theories, we analyze specifically the influence of spatial representations on the way people interacted, discussed and learnt from each other in the participatory modelling process. We argue that models that are spatially too explicit and realistic can actually impede the exploration of innovative and integrative scenarios in which ecological, social and economic objectives are mutually enriching. Indeed, spatial representations might lead to think in terms of boundaries and segregated space, and therefore prevent from thinking in terms of multifunctional space and from finding innovative and integrative solutions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become an increasingly important pathogen responsible for hospital-acquired infections. Our study was to evaluate the efficiency of our selective screening program for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriers at admission to nonintensive care units. Methods: During 6 months, all patients were screened at admission to an internal medicine ward, at which time they were classified as patients at risk of carriage (PRC) and those with no known risk factor. The amplitude of cross transmission was estimated using various indicators during this universal screening period and during the same calendar period of the preceding year (selective screening). Results: The prevalence of MRSA carriage at admission was 5.5%. Among the 22 carriers identified, only 10 were PRC. Age >80 years was significantly associated with MRSA carriage upon admission (OR, 3.5; P < .01). All estimation indicators of MRSA dissemination amplitude were significantly lower during universal screening (relative risks varied from 2.79 to 26.4 according to indicators), demonstrating the need to broaden our criteria defining PRC. Conclusion: Adding patients >80 years of age to our PRC definition would increase screening sensitivity (15 carriers identified for 128 patients sampled) and would enable early implementation of barrier precautions for the additional carriers identified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Splenectomised squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) are increasingly being used as an experimental host for human malaria studies, notably for the assessment of candidate vaccines against Plasmodium falciparum blood-stage infection. Recently, S. sciureus monkeys in our primate-breeding colony were reported to be asymptomatic carriers of a putative Haemobartonella species. Patent haemobartonella infection is frequently activated following splenectomy, and may interfere with studies on the course of P. falciparum parasitaemia in these animals. Here, we show by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis that this wall-less bacterium is not a rickettsia but, instead, is a haemotrophic mycoplasma. Haemotrophic mycoplasmas are a newly identified group of mycoplasmas that parasitise the surfaces of erythrocytes of a wide variety of vertebrate hosts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction Rapid-onset of sensorineural hearing loss in a patient at risk of genital or oral exposure to treponema can be secondary to early neurosyphilis, for which delayed treatment may result in irreversible sequelae. Summary of the case report A 40-year-old, HIV seropositive man with a CD4 lymphocyte count greater than 500/mm 3 presented with rapid-onset of bilateral sensorineural hearing loss over a period of one week. Otorhinolaryngological examination was normal. The audiogram showed bilateral hearing loss of 25 and 30 decibels, respectively. He subsequently developed loss of visual acuity, leading to the diagnosis of syphilitic meningitis affecting the optic and auditory nerves. Discussion In about one half of cases, neurosyphilis is an early manifestation of the disease occurring several weeks or months after contamination. Rapid- or even sudden-onset of hearing loss may be due to auditory neuritis. Clinical interview and syphilis serology in a patient at risk of exposure can allow rapid diagnosis and treatment, consisting of two weeks parenteral penicillin. Recovery of hearing loss is inconstant but can be complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of tracheal suctioning with an open or a closed system on equipment and health care workers contamination with multidrug-resistant pathogens was compared. Only the closed system reduced hand and equipment contamination during tracheal suctioning. This equipment could be systematically used to reduce risk of cross contamination in the intensive care unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European farms and regions follow the trend of agricultural specialisation, which results in a disconnection between crop and livestock production. High-input specialised farming systems are continuing to be developed even though they generate negative environmental impacts. Despite these trends, a few pioneering farmers have intentionally reintegrated livestock onto crop farms in several regions. To date, research has rarely examined farmers' motivations to develop such systems. We aimed to identify French farmers' motivations for reintegrating livestock onto specialised crop farms and into crop-producing regions. Following innovation-tracking principles, we identified 18 crop farmers who had reintegrated livestock in two regions where crop farming predominates: Occitanie and the Parisian Basin. The farmers' profiles varied in production mode, farm size, the crops and livestock produced, and the type and duration of livestock reintegration. Semi-directed interviews focused on the farmers' motivations for having reintegrated livestock. At the end of the interviews, we asked them to select and rank 10 of 36 cards that represented their main agronomic, economic, social and environmental motivations for crop-livestock farming. We transcribed the interviews and performed inductive content analysis, which was then triangulated with the farmers' rankings of the cards. Seven categories of motivations for reintegrating livestock emerged from the interviews: following personal ethical and moral values, increasing and stabilising income, promoting ecosystem services, increasing self-sufficiency and traceability, connecting to the local community, decreasing pollution and keeping the landscape open. In both discourse analysis and motivation card rankings, agronomic motivations (including promoting ecosystem services) were predominant, especially improving soil life and fertility. Farmers ranked economic and social categories nearly equally. Improving and stabilising income was cited by 17/18 farmers in their discourse, consistently with the two most-selected economic motivation cards. Strengthening social connections was the most-selected social motivation in card rankings and was mentioned by 14/18 farmers in their discourse, particularly for connections among farmers. Environmental motivation cards were selected less often, except for environmental stewardship, which was consistent with the desire to build an environmentally friendly farming system to follow personal ethical and moral values mentioned by 10 farmers in their discourse. This study is the first to provide a ranked summary of crop farmers' motivations for reintegrating livestock. Understanding this diversity is an initial step in incentivising, promoting and/or supporting the development of this innovative sustainable practice under favourable conditions and can encourage public actions that promote it. [Display omitted] • Specialisation of crop or livestock production has negative environmental impacts. • A few pioneering farmers have reintegrated livestock onto crop farms and into crop regions. • We identified seven categories of motivations for reintegrating livestock. • Promoting ecosystem services and following personal values were the main motivations. • Strengthening social connections and improving income were other major motivations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of seed provisioning in food security and nutrition, agricultural development and rural livelihoods, and agrobiodiversity and germplasm conservation is well accepted by policy makers, practitioners and researchers. The role of farmer seed networks is less well understood and yet is central to debates on current issues ranging from seed sovereignty and rights for farmers to GMOs and the conservation of crop germplasm. In this paper we identify four common misconceptions regarding the nature and importance of farmer seed networks today. (1) Farmer seed networks are inefficient for seed dissemination. (2) Farmer seed networks are closed, conservative systems. (3) Farmer seed networks provide ready, egalitarian access to seed. (4) Farmer seed networks are destined to weaken and disappear. We challenge these misconceptions by drawing upon recent research findings and the authors’ collective field experience in studying farmer seed systems in Africa, Europe, Latin America and Oceania. Priorities for future research are suggested that would advance our understanding of seed networks and better inform agricultural and food policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To differentiate imported and acquired strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a 48-hour delay from hospital admission to the first MRSA-positive culture is usually considered. To assess if taking into account this delay without any other consideration is an accurate method, we defined 3 situations for whom we considered the MRSA acquisition status as questionable. The other situations were defined as either acquired MRSA or imported MRSA. We determined the acquisition status of MRSA (acquired, imported, or questionable) isolated during a 20-month period by considering or not considering screening samples performed on admission. The ratio “imported MRSA/acquired MRSA” (I/A) was calculated according to (1) the consideration of MRSA with questionable status as imported or acquired, and (2) the consideration of screening samples or not in the calculation of the ratio. The acquisition status in our hospital was questionable in 3.6% of patients when all samples were considered and in 12,0% when only clinical samples were taken into account (p = 0,01). The ratio I/A was 4-fold higher by considering both clinical and screening cultures and questionable status as imported than by considering only clinical samples and questionable status as acquired. Using a 48-hour delay without any other consideration is probably an accurate method to differentiate acquired and imported MRSA when a selective screening programme at admission in operational. Conversely, this definition seems to be more hazardous in the absence of screening. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]