In recent decades, municipalities around the world have been developing community policies and seeking to apply them in their cities. They use methods for exchanging information and opinions on ...decisions, policies, plans and strategies and involve and consult with the community and stakeholders in all aspects of the decision-making process. The application of methods for thoughtful planning has become the goal of policy makers to improve the lives of citizens and stop the expansion of the city into the countryside. The aim of this article is to integrate the notion of sustainability into a methodological approach, taking into account the actors involved in the decision-making phases, the objectives, and the local indicators in an urban redevelopment project (brownfield). Our approach is based on an analysis of 21 articles and on a transversal and cross-cutting view of the interdisciplinary themes of sustainable development by inserting the main actors into decision-making in urban projects and by selecting local indicators. We put in place a methodological approach for the evaluation of urban projects that takes into account local expectations. The goal is to identify and classify the elements that are needed for decision making, including the indicators related to environmental and socio-economic components, in order to develop an effective evaluation tool. This research contributes to the knowledge of project evaluation tools in the specific context of a city.
Blueberry (
Vaccinium corymbosum
and hybrids) is an autotetraploid crop whose commercial relevance has been growing steadily during the last 20 years. However, the ever-increasing cost of labor for ...hand-picking blueberry is one main constraint in competitive marketing of the fruit. Machine harvestability is, therefore, a key trait for the blueberry industry. Understanding the genetic architecture of traits related to machine harvestability through Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping is the first step toward implementation of molecular breeding for faster genetic gains. Despite recent advances in software development for autotetraploid genetic mapping, a high-resolution map is still not available for blueberry. In this study, we crafted a map for autotetraploid low-chill highbush blueberry containing 11,292 SNP markers and a total size of 1,953.97 cM (average density of 5.78 markers/cM). This map was subsequently used to perform QTL analyses in 2-year field trials for a trait crucial to machine harvesting: fruit firmness. Preliminary insights were also sought for single evaluations of firmness retention after cold storage, and fruit detachment force traits. Significant QTL peaks were identified for all the traits and overlapping QTL intervals were detected for firmness across the years. We found low-to-moderate QTL effects explaining the phenotypic variance, which suggest a quantitative nature of these traits. The QTL intervals were further speculated for putative gene repertoire. Altogether, our findings provide the basis for future fine-mapping and molecular breeding efforts for machine harvesting in blueberry.
The demand for blueberry
L. (and hybrids) plants has significantly increased in the last 30 years due to its market expansion. In vitro propagation of sterile plants are required for commercial ...purposes but also for research applications such as plant transformation. Thus far, tissue culture characteristics of the tropical-adapted blueberry have been scarcely studied. In this study we present the following findings: (i) zeatin, a hormone used to promote plant growth, should be used in the 1-2 mg/L range to promote plant architecture optimal for transformation experiments; (ii) red-blue LED lights induce more production of meristems and biomass than white LED or fluorescent lights; (iii) levels as high as 1000 mg/L of decontamination agents (the antibiotics timentin and cefotaxime) can be used to eliminate
overgrowth without inhibiting plant growth during plant transformation experiments; (iv) kanamycin, paromomycin, and geneticin, which are widely used antibiotics to select transgene-carrying transformants, cannot be efficiently used in this system; (v) glufosinate, a widely used herbicide, shows potential to be used as an effective selectable marker for transformed plants.
The reuse of brownfields is becoming a necessary option to meet the current requirements of urban densification and for the preservation of agricultural land, as well as for improvement in the ...quality of life. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the main objectives and benefits of a rehabilitation project implemented in Canada. The rehabilitation of the brownfield site Lachine-Turcot-Petite Bourgogne in Montréal was analyzed according to four indicators (revenue, average cost of rent, rental usage, and home resale price). The findings of the study demonstrate that the expectations (socio-economic benefits derived from Southwest borough—City of Montréal) of the local community were not respected and that the initial objectives of the project changed during its implementation. In particular, the average rent increased considerably after four years, by 165.47% in the period 2001–2006. The percentage of resident homeowners increased from 89% to about 95% in 10 years, and in the 1996–2014 period the total income per household increased from about $25,000 to about $78,000. We propose an evaluation tool that integrates an ontology of the elements necessary for decision-making and local indicators related to the environmental and socio-economic components with the goal of meeting the expectations of the local community.
The use of tools to measure the degree of sustainability of cities is the approach that receives the most attention in developed countries. However, studies of evaluation tools at the neighborhood ...level reveal that there are many weaknesses in the most widely-used evaluation systems (LEED-ND, BREEAM Communities, CASBEE-UD). There are ambiguities and gaps in weighting and in scoring and in most cases, there is no mechanism for local adaptability and participation. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the current situation by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of these evaluation tools in order to integrate social and economic aspects for the improvement of the CASBEE-UD (neighborhood level) evaluation tool. The selection of socio-economic aspects was made through the use of a multi criteria Analysis Hierarchical Process (AHP) and a Geographic Integration System (GIS). The results of this case study indicate that most evaluation tools need to be revised because most do not include socio-economic aspects. We have demonstrated that applying the CASBEE-UD assessment tool integrated with socio-economic aspects to four boroughs in the City of Montreal can measure success by addressing the objectives of sustainable development.
Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) has been recognized worldwide as a valuable source of health-promoting compounds, becoming a crop with some of the fastest rising consumer demand trends. Fruit firmness is ...a key target for blueberry breeding as it directly affects fruit quality, consumer preference, transportability, shelf life, and the ability of cultivars to be machine harvested. Fruit softening naturally occurs during berry development, maturation, and postharvest ripening. However, some genotypes are better at retaining firmness than others, and some are crispy, which is a putatively extra-firmness phenotype that provides a distinct eating experience. In this review, we summarized important studies addressing the firmness trait in blueberry, focusing on physiological and molecular changes affecting this trait at the onset of ripening and also the genetic basis of firmness variation across individuals. New insights into these topics were also achieved by using previously available data and historical records from the blueberry breeding program at the University of Florida. The complex quantitative nature of firmness in an autopolyploid species such as blueberry imposes additional challenges for the implementation of molecular techniques in breeding. However, we highlighted some recent genomics-based studies and the potential of a QTL (Quantitative Trait Locus) mapping analysis and genome editing protocols such as CRISPR/Cas9 to further assist and accelerate the breeding process for this important trait.
Modern neurosurgery uses preoperative imaging daily. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the cortical anatomy and of the superficial veins helps the surgeons plan and perform neurosurgical procedures ...much more safely. The target is always to give the patient maximum benefit in terms of outcome and minimize intraoperative and postoperative complications. This study aims to develop a method for the combined representation of the cerebral cortex anatomy and the superficial cerebral veins, whose integration is beneficial in daily practice. Only those patients who underwent surgical procedures with craniotomy and a large opening of the dura mater were included in this study, for a total of 23 patients, 13 females (56.5%) and 10 males (43.5%). The average age was 50.1 years. We used a magnetic resonance tomograph Magnetom Vision® 1.5T (Siemens AG). Two sequences were applied: a strongly T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient echo (MPRAGE) sequence to visualize cerebral anatomical structures, and a FLASH-2D-TOF angiography sequence to visualize the venous vessels on the cortical surface after the administration of a paramagnetic contrast agent. The two data sets were superimposed manually, co-registered in an interactive process, and merged to create a combined data set, segmented and visualized as a three-dimensional reconstruction. Furthermore, we present our method for visualizing superficial veins, which helps manage brain shift (BS). We also performed anatomical observations on the reconstructions. The reconstructions of the cortical and venous anatomy proved to be a valuable tool in surgical planning and positively influenced the surgical procedure. Due to the good correlation with the existing surgical site, this method should be validated on a larger cohort or in a multicentric study.
Firmness is an important parameter for fresh blueberries as it influences the quality perceived by consumers and postharvest storage potential. However, the blueberry research community has not yet ...identified a universal standard method that can evaluate firmness for quality purposes. Different mechanical tests have been considered, offering different perspectives on this quality trait. This review summarises the most common methods previously used to evaluate textural and mechanical properties of fresh blueberries as influenced by pre- and postharvest factors. In addition, this review intends to assist the blueberry research community and commercial supply chain when selecting suitable methods to measure blueberry firmness as a fruit quality response. Different research initiatives to develop, optimize or standardise instrumental methods to assess blueberry firmness and relate to consumer sensory perception are reviewed. Mechanical parameters obtained by compression tests are the most previously used techniques to evaluate the influence of genotype, maturity, calcium, and postharvest management on blueberry firmness or to relate to sensory descriptors. However, standardising operational settings (e.g., compression distance, loading speed, and calculation procedures) is required to make results comparable across data collection conditions. Whether other mechanical test methods such as penetration or a combination of tests can better characterise blueberry quality or the relationship with consumer acceptance remains unknown and is worth studying.
•A universal standard method to measure blueberry firmness is absent.•Compression test has been the preferred method to measure blueberry firmness.•Genotype, maturity, calcium, and postharvest management influence blueberry firmness.•Relationship between mechanical parameters and consumer acceptance is required.
In this microneurosurgical and anatomical study, we characterized the superficial anastomosing veins of the human brain cortex in human specimens.
We used 21 brain preparations fixed in formalin (5%) ...that showed no pathological changes and came from the autopsy sections. The superficial veins were dissected out of the arachnoid with the aid of a surgical microscope.
We dissected nine female and 12 male brain specimens, with an average age of 71 ± 11 years (range 51-88 years). We classified the superficial veins in five types: (I) the vein of Trolard as the dominat vein; (II) the vein of Labbé as the dominant vein; (III) a dominant sylvian vein group, and the veins of Trolard and Labbé nonexistent or only rudimentary present without contact to the Sylvian vein group; (IV) very weak sylvian veins with the veins of Trolard and Labbé codominant; and V) direct connection of Trolard and Labbé bypassing the Sylvian vein group. The vein of Trolard was dominant (Type I) in 21.4% and the vein of Labbé (Type II) in 16.7%. A dominant sylvian vein group (Type III) was found in 42.9%. Type IV and Type V were found in 14.3 and 4.7% respectively.
No systematic description or numerical distribution of the superior anastomotic vein (V. Trolard) and inferior anastomotic vein (V. Labbé) has been found in the existing literature. This study aimed to fill this gap in current literature and provide data to neurosurgeons for the practical planning of surgical approaches.
Blueberry (Vacciunium corymbosum and hybrids) is an autotetraploid crop whose commercial relevance has been growing steadily during the last twenty years. However, the ever-increasing cost of labor ...for hand-picking blueberry is one main constraint in competitive marketing of the fruit. Machine harvestability is, therefore, a key trait for the blueberry industry. Two main challenges have limited scientific advancement with regards to fast implementation of crucial attributes in elite cultivars. On one hand, little is known about the genetic architecture of these traits. Quantitative Trait Locus mapping is the first step towards implementation of molecular breeding for faster genetic gains. In this study, a genetic map of tetraploid blueberry was assembled. This map was subsequently used to perform QTL analyses for traits relevant to machine harvesting: firmness, firmness retention, and fruit detachment force (FDF). Significant QTL peaks were identified for all the traits. The QTL intervals were further explored for putative candidate genes. Genes related to cell wall remodeling were highlighted in the firmness and firmness retention intervals. For fruit detachment force, transcription factors involved in fruit abscission were detected. These findings provide the basis for future fine-mapping and molecular breeding efforts for machine harvesting in blueberry. On the other hand, very little is known about the tissue culture and molecular practices and pipelines required to achieve transformation. Transformation is a required step for most new breeding technologies such as gene editing. Paving the way to editing genes contributing to firmness or other traits relevant to machine harvest would allow for rapid gene function characterization and improvement of elite germplasm. In this context, the results presented here indicate that I) zeatin, a hormone used to promote plant growth, should be used in the 1-2 mg/L range to promote optimal plant architecture II) kanamycin, paromomycin and geneticin, which are widely used antibiotics to select transgene-carrying transformants, cannot be used in this system III) glufosinate, a widely used herbicide, shows potential to be used as an effective selectable marker for transformed plants IV) GFP, albinism and hyperpigmentation are not suitable transformation markers for blueberry V) GUS-based assays confirm that the improved transformation pipelines are effective in this subsegment of blueberry. VI) So far, no gene editing was reported to be above the significance threshold, meaning that either the gene editing machinery is not correctly expressed in this system, or its efficiency is not sufficient to carry out enough edits in the chimeric explants that were analyzed. Altogether, these findings pave the way for future endeavors that attempt to edit genes in this species, aiding both research and future breeding effort.
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