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Gender differences in audience participation at infectious disease and microbiology conferences: a prospective observational study
No full textInternational audienceObjectivesIn medicine, women constitute a large proportion of the workforce but remain underrepresented in senior positions. Scientific conferences, critical for career advancement, reflect these inequities, with prior studies documenting gender gaps in invited speakers. However, less attention has been given to audience engagement, such as asking questions or making comments, which also enhances professional visibility. This study investigates gender differences in audience participation at infectious disease and clinical microbiology conferences, examining their prevalence, contextual variation, and potential structural drivers.MethodsThis prospective observational study recorded audience participations during national and international infectious disease and clinical microbiology conferences (October 2023–October 2024). Consortium members documented eligible sessions with traditional presentation–discussion formats, noting gender, role, and type of participation. Statistical analyses compared observed gender proportions with attendee distributions and examined factors associated with women's participation.ResultsA total of 298 sessions from 24 conferences were analysed, comprising 1873 audience participations. Women delivered 47.8% of presentations (n = 487/1018; 95% CI, 44.8–50.9%) but accounted for only 36.4% of participations (n = 681/1873; 95% CI, 34.2–38.5%), significantly fewer than men both in absolute terms and relative to their representation among attendees (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed women were more likely to intervene when at least one moderator was female (OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.02–2.04%; p 0.037), with a stronger effect when all moderators were women (OR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.40–3.24%; p < 0.001), and when the first question was asked by a woman (OR = 1.35; 95% CI, 1.00–1.81%; p 0.046).ConclusionOur findings highlight actionable levers to advance equity. Addressing participation gaps and raising awareness of gender disparities are essential to foster inclusive visibility, empower women, and strengthen scientific innovation
Global distribution and changes of leaf-level intrinsic water use efficiency and their responses to water stress
No full textInternational audienceIntrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) at the leaf level measures water expenditures by terestrial plants during photosynthesis, yet its global spatiotemporal dynamics and responses to water stress remain poorly understood. Using machine-learning models and carbon isotope observations in C3 foliage, here we elucidate global patterns, trends, and water-stress responses of leaf iWUE. We find high iWUE in cold, arid regions and lower values in warm, humid areas. From 2001 to 2020, global iWUE increases at 0.2 ± 0.02 μmol mol-1 year-1, with strong biome specific differences. Grasslands exhibit the highest mean iWUE but the slowest increase, whereas evergreen broadleaf forests show the lowest iWUE yet the fastest increase. iWUE rises with increasing water stress, but the rate of growth diminishes as water stress intensifies. Vapor pressure deficit influence iWUE more broadly than soil moisture. The ecological optimality model reproduces the spatial patterns of leaf iWUE and identifies vapor pressure deficit as the dominant driver, but overestimates mean iWUE and its trend. Our findings suggest that increasing water stress may slow the rate of global iWUE increase as the climate continues to warm
Adaptation aux fortes chaleurs dans l’agglomération de Sfax : mesures météorologiques et comportements de la population pendant l’été (2023-2024)
No full textInternational audienceThe semi-arid climate of the city of Sfax (east-central Tunisia) compels the population to adapt their behavior during the hot season and their ways of living in order to mitigate the discomfort caused by intense heat. The multi-methodological approach (in situ meteorological measurements, questionnaire survey and interviews) revealed that thermal atmosphere varies mainly according to the exposure of the dwelling to the cooling wind and the sunshine. The calculation of thermal comfort indices during the afternoon indicates that in dwellings exposed to the east (to the refreshing breeze and in the shade), there is a gain of approximately 6°C, while in dwellings facing south and southwest, the degradation of thermal comfort is explained by exposure and poor ventilation. During hot season, electric air conditioning is used systematically, particularly in the central part of the city, which has little vegetation and is characterized by collective housing built in red brick. Besides air conditioning, travel by the population of Sfax to seaside resorts in the north and south of the country may be another way for them to escape urban heat. Indeed, approximately 58% of those surveyed spend their summer holidays at seaside resorts in the north and south of the country.Le climat semi-aride de la ville de Sfax (centre-est de la Tunisie) contraint la population à adapter ses comportements lors de la saison chaude et ses modes d’habiter pour atténuer l’inconfort dû aux fortes chaleurs. L’approche méthodologique plurielle (mesures météorologiques in situ , enquête par questionnaire et entretiens) a permis de révéler que l’ambiance thermique varie surtout en fonction de l’exposition du logement au vent rafraîchissant et à l’ensoleillement. Le calcul d’indices de confort thermique pendant l’après-midi indique un gain d’environ 6°C dans les logements exposés à l’est (à la brise rafraîchissante et à l’ombre), tandis qu’au niveau des habitations orientées au sud et au sud-ouest, la dégradation du confort thermique est expliquée par l’exposition et la faible ventilation. Pendant la saison chaude, la climatisation électrique est systématiquement utilisée, notamment dans la partie centrale de la ville, peu végétalisée, caractérisée par des logements collectifs construits en brique rouge. Hormis la climatisation, les déplacements de la population de Sfax vers les sites balnéaires au nord et au sud du pays peuvent être une autre adaptation pour échapper de la chaleur urbaine. En effet, environ 58 % des enquêtés passent leurs vacances d’été dans des sites balnéaires au nord et au sud du pays
Creativity and task perception
No full textInternational audienceThis paper explores how individuals perceive open versus closed tasks in creative contexts and how this perception influences their choice between tasks. The experiment has a 2 × 2 design, where we give the possibility (or not) to choose between tasks, and vary the incentive scheme (flat payment vs. performance-based incentives). We find that subjects perceive a task as more open the lower the goal clarity and the more they feel free to explore. Additionally, we show that the likelihood of choosing an open task increases with the perceived freedom to explore, while it decreases with goal clarity, particularly when incentives in place. The effects of self-selection on creative performance are then investigated
An autosomal recessive nonsense variant in the EGFR gene induces perinatal lethality in “Blonde d'Aquitaine” calves
No full textInternational audienceBackground: Six cases of perinatal lethality associated with phenotypes consistent across cases, short and brush-haired appearance, alopecia and erythematous areas on the limbs and facial protuberances, excess skin all-over the body, have recently occurred in the "Blonde d'Aquitaine" cattle breed in South-Western France, suggesting the emergence of a recessive genetic anomaly.Results:Genetic analysis identified a nonsense variant in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, XP_002696936:p.Trp898Ter, as likely responsible for this anomaly and a bull born in 1967 as one ancestor that contributed to the spread of this allele in the breed. Functional studies on affected calves and cross-species comparisons of the phenotypes associated with such a variant were consistent with the results of the genetic study.Conclusion: A recessive nonsense EGFR variant was identified as being responsible for perinatal lethality in the "Blonde d'Aquitaine" cattle breed. It enabled the introduction of a screening test for this allele, which should lead to the progressive eradication of this genetic flaw
Computation of Large Spatial Datasets with the M function
No full textIncreasing access to large geo-referenced datasets, coupled with the development of computing power, has encouraged the search for suitable spatial statistical tools. Distance-based methods have been extensively developed in several scientific fields to detect spatial concentration, dispersion or independence of entities at any distance and without any bias. Recently, Tidu et al. (2024) highlighted the qualities of Marcon and Puech’s M function, a relative distance-based measure, and also expressed reservations about the computation time required. Herein, we propose a methodology that specifies the processing of large spatialized datasets with the M function using R software. The computational performance of M was conducted using two methods: (i) a precise evaluation of the computational time and memory requirements for geo-referenced data was conducted using the dbmss package in R via performance tests, and (ii) based on Tidu et al. (2024), we considered an approximation of the geographical positions of the entities. The deterioration extent of the M results was estimated and discussed as the gains it provides in computation time. We provided evidence that the individual location approximation generated information loss at substantially small distances, implying a trade-off between the smallest distanceat which spatial interactions could be detected and computing performance. The R code used in the article is given for the reproducibility of our results
Vulnerability of soil organic carbon in Amazonian Podsols to changes in environmental conditions
No full textInternational audienceIt has recently been shown that the C stocks in Amazonian podzols are very large. They are much larger than was previously thought, particularly in the Bh horizon, which has been estimated to contain in excess of 10 Pg C for Amazonia alone. It is predicted that changes in the regional climate will result in a drier soil moisture regime, which may affect the C dynamics in these generally waterlogged soils. In order to determine the vulnerability to decomposition of the organic C contained in the Amazonian podzols as a result of environmental changes, we established a series of incubation experiments in which the effects of different environmental factors were measured. The direct effect of drier soil moisture regimes was tested by incubating undisturbed cores from the Bh horizon at a range of matric potentials. Contrary to what is usually found in soils, no significant difference in mineralisation was found among matric potentials, suggesting that other factors control microbial mineralisation of this organic C. In a second series of incubations, the effect of nitrogen additions, of anoxic conditions and of labile C substrate additions were also tested on undisturbed cores of the Bh horizon. Samples incubated under oxic conditions produced more than twice as much CO2 as samples incubated under anoxic conditions, whilst the mineralisation rates of samples incubated under oxic conditions with the addition of N increased more than four-fold relative to the anoxic samples. The addition of labile C did not have a significant effect on C mineralisation. The data suggest that the large pool of C in Amazonian Podzols may be vulnerable to increases in N and O2 availability
Stakeholders’ perceptions of climate change point to future challenges for the adaptation of grain legumes
No full textInternational audienceAbstract The diversification of cropping systems using grain legumes has been identified as a crucial lever in the transition towards more sustainable agriculture in Europe. However, climate change will likely impact the yields and services provided by these crops. Increasing the production area of grain legumes will therefore require the design of effective adaptation strategies. Of all the factors constraining grain legume development in Europe, the impact of climate change is one that has received little attention from researchers to date. This study contributes to filling this gap by evaluating stakeholders’ perceptions of climate change and adaptation options, as well as the barriers hindering adaptation. We conducted 33 interviews with stakeholders involved at various stages of the value chains for five major grain legume species in France. Interviewees’ perceptions depended on their location and the grain legume species considered. Although most interviewees perceived climate change as a constraint for grain legumes, they identified opportunities for specific crops and regions. The interviewees had either observed, imagined, or experimented with a diverse range of adaptation options. Despite this diversity, the interviewees reported barriers of various natures that need to be removed to support adaptation. This diagnosis points to three major challenges for the adaptation of grain legumes: (i) addressing the antagonistic symptoms of climate change, including the perceived increase in climate variability, and the lack of methods for anticipating long-term climatic changes; (ii) dealing simultaneously with adapting to climate change and unlocking socio-technical systems regarding grain legumes; and (iii) filling knowledge gaps on grain legume response to climate change. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess stakeholders’ perceptions of climate change and identify opportunities and challenges for the adaptation of grain legumes in Europe
Quel numérique pour l'agroécologie ? Enseignements de la co-conception de la Pépinière-Mesclun, une application en ligne pour les maraîchers
No full textAccompagner l’évolution des systèmes agricoles vers une moindre dépendance aux produits phytopharmaceutiques en se concentrant sur les méthodes préventives et sur les évaluations élargies des pratiques de protection des cultures et en les appréciant à travers leur durabilité. Dans ce numéro, nous abordons la conception d’outils et de stratégies de prévention, le développement de méthodes de lutte non chimique contre différents ravageurs et pathogènes, ainsi que l’évaluation, la définition d’indicateurs, la diffusion et la structuration de pratiques, depuis l’échelle de la parcelle jusqu’à celle des territoires et des filières.Ces projets ont été financés dans le cadre des appels à projets Ecophyto Recherche & Innovation lancés en 2019 : - Les approches globales pour limiter l’utilisation des produits phytopharmaceutiques- Durabilité des systèmes de productions agricoles alternatifs évitant ou limitant l’utilisation des produits phytopharmaceutiques"National audienceThrough the analysis of a case study involving the co-design of an online application for vegetable growers (La Pépinière-Mesclun), our objective was to explore the characteristics of a digital tool capable of addressing the needs and expectations of users engaged in agroecological approaches. We identified 73 design decisions made throughout the process, which relate to 13 design principles and 4 design values. In terms of values, the tool was intended to (i) respect the diversity and complexity of agricultural systems, (ii) be accessible to a wide range of user profiles, (iii) value human expertise and support autonomous decision-making, and (iv) be managed as a digital commons.A travers l'analyse d'un cas d'étude de co-conception d'une application en ligne pour les maraîchers (La Pépinière-Mesclun) notre objectif était d'explorer les caractéristiques d'un outil numérique pouvant répondre aux besoins et aux attentes d'usagers engagés dans des démarches d'agroécologie. Nous avons identifié 73 décisions de design prises au cours du processus qui se rattachent à 13 principes de design et 4 valeurs de design. En termes de valeurs, notre outil devait (i) respecter la diversité et la complexité des systèmes agricoles, (ii) être accessible à une diversité des profils d'usagers, (iii) valoriser l'expertise humaine et soutenir l'autonomie de décision, (iv) être géré comme un « commun numérique »
Benefits of Increased Dietary Diversity Depend on Food Group and Diversity Dimension: A Microsimulation Modeling Study
No full textInternational audienceBackground: Dietary diversity is essential for nutrient adequacy, but its effects may vary depending on which food groups are diversified and the dimension of diversity considered (i.e., the number of food subgroups consumed, their consumption evenness, or their nutritional dissimilarity).Objectives: This study aimed to identify which food groups and diversity dimensions contribute to positive or negative effects of dietary diversity on the nutrient quality of diets, and to assess the magnitude of these effects and their underlying mechanisms.Methods: Using data from the French National Food Consumption Survey, we developed an individual level microsimulation model to maximize diversity within 12 food groups—one at a time—either in a single dimension or across the 3 dimensions simultaneously, while keeping the total quantity consumed constant. Nutrient quality was evaluated using probabilistic scores for nutrient adequacy, nutrient security (i.e., risk of deficiency), and moderation (i.e., avoidance of excessive intakes of sugar, sodium, and saturated fat). The effects of iincreasing diversity were analyzed using factorial repeated-measures analysis of variance.Results: Five food groups categories emerged based on how increased within-group diversity impacted nutrient quality: “favorable,” “no effect, “mixed effects,” “highly contrasting effects,” and “unfavorable.” “Vegetables,” “Fish and Seafood,” and “Bread” food groups fell into the first category, where greater diversity enhanced nutrient adequacy (with effect sizes ranging from +0.04 to +0.16 SD) without compromising moderation. In these cases, increasing the number of subgroups consumed was the most effective strategy. In contrast, increasing diversity within “Meat, Poultry, Eggs” and “Dairy,” classified under the contrasting or unfavorable categories, tended to undermine moderation (from–0.05 to–0.20 SD). These negative effects were primarily driven by increasing consumption evenness and nutrient dissimilarity.Conclusions: Promoting dietary diversity should not be generic. It should be targeted to the food group and diversification strategies that enhance nutrient adequacy without compromising moderation