Le Modèle de Leadership Pour Une Conduite Efficiente de Changement dans les Organisations Internationales en Afrique Subsaharienne Francophone

The overall objective of this multidisciplinary research is to assess the impact of the cultural traits of the French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa on "leadership" in general, and in particular when exercised in a context of organizational change. The research was done on downsizing processes in OCHA Côte d'Ivoire (2013-2014) and ICRISAT Niger (2015), from a multiparadigmatic epistemological perspective (constructivism and empiricism). A qualitative analysis of the primary and secondary data collected on the two processes has yielded results that have confirmed the human dominated cultural theory of leadership attributed by the GLOBE study to the considered area. The characteristics of the leadership styles identified as instrumental in the success of these processes has inspired the main theoretical contribution of the research which is the EMPATHIC and SMART Leadership Model.L’objectif général de cette recherche multidisciplinaire est l’évaluation de l’impact des traits culturels de l’Afrique subsaharienne francophone sur le « leadership » en général, et en particulier, lorsqu’il est exercé dans un contexte de changement organisationnel. La recherche a été faite sur des processus de réduction d’effectifs à OCHA Côte d’Ivoire (2013-2014) et à ICRISAT Niger (2015), à partir d'une perspective épistémologique multiparadigmatique (constructivisme et empirisme). Une analyse qualitative des données primaires et secondaires recueillies sur les deux processus a abouti à des résultats qui ont confirmé la théorie culturelle du leadership à dominante humaine attribuée par l’étude GLOBE à la zone considérée. Les caractéristiques identifiées des styles de leadership qui ont été instrumentaux au succès de ces processus ont inspiré la principale contribution théorique de cette recherche : le modèle de leadership SMART, empreint d’EMPATHIE

The G1 phase Cdks regulate the centrosome cycle and mediate oncogene-dependent centrosome amplification

Because centrosome amplification generates aneuploidy and since centrosome amplification is ubiquitous in human tumors, a strong case is made for centrosome amplification being a major force in tumor biogenesis. Various evidence showing that oncogenes and altered tumor suppressors lead to centrosome amplification and aneuploidy suggests that oncogenes and altered tumor suppressors are a major source of genomic instability in tumors, and that they generate those abnormal processes to initiate and sustain tumorigenesis. We discuss how altered tumor suppressors and oncogenes utilize the cell cycle regulatory machinery to signal centrosome amplification and aneuploidy

Positively Correlated miRNA-miRNA Regulatory Networks in Mouse Frontal Cortex During Early Stages of Alcohol Dependence

Although the study of gene regulation via the action of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) has experienced a boom in recent years, the analysis of genome-wide interaction networks among miRNAs and respective targeted mRNAs has lagged behind. MicroRNAs simultaneously target many transcripts and fine-tune the expression of genes through cooperative/combinatorial targeting. Therefore, they have a large regulatory potential that could widely impact development and progression of diseases, as well as contribute unpredicted collateral effects due to their natural, pathophysiological, or treatment-induced modulation. We support the viewpoint that whole mirnome-transcriptome interaction analysis is required to better understand the mechanisms and potential consequences of miRNA regulation and/or deregulation in relevant biological models. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that ethanol consumption induces changes in miRNA-mRNA interaction networks in the mouse frontal cortex and that some of the changes observed in the mouse are equivalent to changes in similar brain regions from human alcoholics. Results: miRNA-mRNA interaction networks responding to ethanol insult were identified by differential expression analysis and weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Important pathways (coexpressed modular networks detected by WGCNA) and hub genes central to the neuronal response to ethanol are highlighted, as well as key miRNAs that regulate these processes and therefore represent potential therapeutic targets for treating alcohol addiction. Importantly, we discovered a conserved signature of changing miRNAs between ethanol-treated mice and human alcoholics, which provides a valuable tool for future biomarker/diagnostic studies in humans. We report positively correlated miRNA-mRNA expression networks that suggest an adaptive, targeted miRNA response due to binge ethanol drinking. Conclusions: This study provides new evidence for the role of miRNA regulation in brain homeostasis and sheds new light on current understanding of the development of alcohol dependence. To our knowledge this is the first report that activated expression of miRNAs correlates with activated expression of mRNAs rather than with mRNA downregulation in an in vivo model. We speculate that early activation of miRNAs designed to limit the effects of alcohol-induced genes may be an essential adaptive response during disease progression.NIAAA 5R01AA012404, 5P20AA017838, 5U01AA013520, P01AA020683, 5T32AA007471-24/25Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Researc

Work-related hand injuries: type, location, cause, mechanism and severity in a tertiary hospital

Introduction: Work-Related Hand Injuries (WRHIs) may result in disability and diminished productivity and cause economic impacts not only to the individual, worker’s families and industries, but to the local community as well. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of severe Work-Related Hand Injuries (WRHIs) and factors associated at a tertiary hospital. Methods: A pre-tested validated questionnaire was used to obtain data. All patients 18 years and above with WRHIs seen at a tertiary hospital between January 2010 and June 2010 were included in the study. Data was analysed using SPSS version 18. Results: Out of the 297 industrial accidents, 74 (24.9%) were WRHIs. Among those with WRHIs, (47.3%) of them had severe hand injuries. The overall mean age of the respondents was 30.36 (± 9.54 SD) years. Majority (82.5%) of the injuries occurred between Mondays to Friday. Majority (70.1%) of hand injuries were caused by machine and 48.6% of the hand injuries occurred when the hand was caught in the operating part of the machine. Majority (62.1%) of the respondents had fingers’ injuries and 32.4% had open fracture. Bivariate analysis showed that there was significant association between severity of WRHIs and locations of injury, mechanisms of injury, sources of injury and sectors of industry (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that WRHIs was significantly associated with source of injury and sector of industry. Respondents with hand injury resulted while operating on mechanical machine was 26 times more likely to report severe WRHIs than those with other sources of their hand injury like (sharp tool, heavy door, and wet floor). Respondents working in metal-machinery industries were eight times more likely to report severe WRHIs than those who working in other sectors of industry like (wood-furniture, constriction, food preparing, service and automotive). Conclusions: WRHIs contributed to 24.9% of all industrial accidents seen at the emergency department and orthopaedic clinic and 47.3% of the respondents with WRHIs had severe hand injuries. Severity of WRHIs was significantly associated with sources of injury and sectors of industry

Mise en place d’une base de données pour une modélisation hydrologique distribuée du bassin versant du Bandama (Côte d’Ivoire) : apport d’un modèle numérique d’altitude, de la télédétection et du SIG Physitel

Le fleuve Bandama, l’un des plus importants fleuves de la Côte d’Ivoire (Afrique de l’Ouest) est le seul dont le bassin versant est entièrement situé sur le territoire ivoirien. Il prend sa source dans le Nord du pays etcoule globalement dans une direction Nord-Sud. Son bassin versant est à cheval sur les deux principales formations végétales caractéristiques des régions tropicales : la savane (Nord) et la forêt (Sud). Le déplacement du front forêt-savane, causé par les coupes anarchiques de bois, les extensions de plantations industrielles ont eu des impacts sur le régime des écoulements (de surface et souterrains) des eaux dans cet hydrosystème. De plus, les aménagements hydrauliques (construction des barrages hydro-électriques de Kossou et Taabo) et hydro-agricoles (construction d’environ 250 barrages pour l’irrigation) ont encore desimpacts très importants sur le fonctionnement et les caractéristiques hydrogéologiques du bassin. Pour mieux comprendre le fonctionnement de cet hydrosystème et dans le contexte d’une gestion durable desressources en eau, la modélisation hydrologique du bassin versant du Bandama s’avère nécessaire. L’objectif de cette étude est de fournir les paramètres physiques du bassin versant du Bandama à partir dumodèle numérique d’Altitude (MNA) et de la télédétection, utilisables à des fins de modélisation hydrologique distribuée. La démarche adoptée comporte deux (2) étapes. La première étape consiste en la cartographie des descripteurs physiques du bassin qui influencent les processus hydrologiques tels que la topographie, le réseau hydrographique, la couverture végétale et le type de sol. A partir du module PHYSITEL et d’un Modèle Numérique d’Altitude (MNA), les cartes des pentes et des orientations des facettes sont dérivées et ensuite couplées au réseau hydrographique pour la caractérisation de la structure interne d’écoulement du bassin et la détermination d’Unités Hydrologiques Relativement Homogènes (UHRH : petits sous bassins versants utilisés comme unités de simulations des processus hydrologiques). La classification supervisée des images satellitaires MODIS permet de produire des cartes d’occupation du sol. La carte des types de sols est extraite de la carte pédologique de la Côte d’Ivoire. La seconde étape consiste au croisement des cartes thématiques établies. La combinaison de ces cartes thématiques permet de déterminer le type de sol dominant et les occupations du sol par UHRH.Mots-clés : hydrosystème, modélisation hydrologique, MNA, télédétection, PHYSITEL, UHRH

Dry deposition of nitrogen compounds (NO 2 , HNO 3 , NH 3 ), sulfur dioxide and ozone in west and central African ecosystems using the inferential method

Abstract. This work is part of the IDAF program (IGAC-DEBITS-AFRICA) and is based on the long-term monitoring of gas concentrations (1998–2007) established at seven remote sites representative of major African ecosystems. Dry deposition fluxes were estimated by the inferential method using on the one hand surface measurements of gas concentrations (NO2, HNO3, NH3, SO2 and O3) and on the other hand modeled exchange rates. Dry deposition velocities (Vd) were calculated using the big-leaf model of Zhang et al. (2003b). The bidirectional approach is used for NH3 surface–atmosphere exchange (Zhang et al., 2010). Surface and meteorological conditions specific to IDAF sites have been used in the models of deposition. The seasonal and annual mean variations of gaseous dry deposition fluxes (NO2, HNO3, NH3, O3 and SO2) are analyzed. Along the latitudinal transect of ecosystems, the annual mean dry deposition fluxes of nitrogen compounds range from −0.4 to −0.8 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for NO2, from −0.7 to −1.0 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for HNO3 and from −0.7 to −8.3 kg N ha−1 yr−1 for NH3 over the study period (1998–2007). The total nitrogen dry deposition flux (NO2+HNO3+NH3) is more important in forests (−10 kg N ha−1 yr−1) than in wet and dry savannas (−1.6 to −3.9 kg N ha−1 yr−1). The annual mean dry deposition fluxes of ozone range between −11 and −19 kg ha−1 yr−1 in dry and wet savannas, and −11 and −13 kg ha−1 yr−1 in forests. Lowest O3 dry deposition fluxes in forests are correlated to low measured O3 concentrations, lower by a factor of 2–3, compared to other ecosystems. Along the ecosystem transect, the annual mean of SO2 dry deposition fluxes presents low values and a small variability (−0.5 to −1 kg S ha−1 yr−1). No specific trend in the interannual variability of these gaseous dry deposition fluxes is observed over the study period

Qualite des eaux du Bandama-Blanc (Cote D’ivoire) et de ses affluents soumis a de fortes activites

La qualité écologique des eaux des localités soumises à l’exploitation artisanale et clandestine de l’or au niveau du Bandama-Blanc et de ses affluents a été étudiée entre le 01 et le 15 Avril 2015. Le prélèvement du phytoplancton a été réalisé à l’aide de la bouteille hydrologique et du filet à plancton, tandis que le périphyton a été récolté par les méthodes de grattage et d’expression respectivement sur cailloux, bois et feuilles immergés. Cent soixante (160) taxons composés de 84 taxons de Chlorophyta, 42 taxons d’Euglenophyta, 25 taxons de Cyanobacteria, 5 taxons de Dinophyta, 2 taxons de Chrysophyta, 1 taxon de Rhodophyta et 1 taxon de Xanthophyta ont été identifiés au niveau des sites d’échantillonnage. La densité des Cyanobacteria est élevée dans les sites soumis aux activités d’orpaillage, de pêche et d’élevage au niveau des eaux du barrage et de la carrière avec une contribution élevée de Microcystis aeruginosa. Les valeurs des indices de diversité ont montré que les eaux de la zone d’étude sont diversifiées avec un peuplement dominé par les espèces Microcystis aeruginosa et Peridinium cinctum. Une mésotrophie des sites d’échantillonnage de la zone d’étude a été révélée par les valeurs de l’indice B proposé par Nygaard (1949).Mots clés : Phytoplancton, périphyton, diversité, barrage, Côte d’IvoireEnglish Abstrarct Water quality of the Bandama-Blanc (Cote D'ivoire) and its tributaries subject to strong anthropogenic activities from the algal microfloraEcological waters quality of the localities subjected to artisanal and clandestine gold mining at the level of Bandama-Blanc and its tributaries was studied between 01 and 15 April 2015. Phytoplankton sampling was performed using the hydrologic bottle and plankton net, while periphyton was harvested by scraping and expression methods respectively on rocks, wood and floating leaves. The microalgae comprised 160 taxa, mainly Chlorophyta (84 taxa), Euglenophyta (42 taxa), Cyanobacteria (25 taxa), Dinophyta (5 taxa), Chrysophyta (2 taxa), Rhodophyta (1 taxa) and Xanthophyta (1 taxa). Highest Cyanobacteria densities was observed in the localities subjected to gold mining, fishing and rearing activities at the level of the Kossou dam and the quarry with a high contribution of the species Microcystis aeruginosa. Values of the diversity indices showed that the waters of the study area are diversified with a stand dominated by the species of Microcystis aeruginosa and Peridinium cinctum. Mesotrophy of the sampling sites in the study area was revealed by the Nygaard B index values (1949).Keys words : Phytoplankton, periphyton, diversity, dam, Côte d’Ivoir

Worldwide biogenic soil NOx emissions inferred from OMI NO2 observations

Biogenic NOx emissions from soils are a large natural source with substantial uncertainties in global bottom-up estimates (ranging from 4 to 15 Tg N yr-1). We reduce this range in emission estimates, and present a top-down soil NOx emission inventory for 2005 based on retrieved tropospheric NO2 columns from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). We use a state-of-science soil NOx emission inventory (Hudman et al., 2012) as a priori in the GEOS-Chem chemistry transport model to identify 11 regions where tropospheric NO2 columns are dominated by soil NOx emissions. Strong correlations between soil NOx emissions and simulated NO2 columns indicate that spatial patterns in simulated NO2 columns in these regions indeed reflect the underlying soil NOx emissions. Subsequently, we use a mass-balance approach to constrain emissions for these 11 regions on all major continents using OMI observed and GEOS-Chem simulated tropospheric NO2 columns. We find that responses of simulated NO2 columns to changing NOx emissions are suppressed over low NOx regions, and account for these non-linearities in our inversion approach. In general, our approach suggests that emissions need to be increased in most regions. Our OMI top-down soil NOx inventory amounts to 10.0 Tg N for 2005 when only constraining the 11 regions, and 12.9 Tg N when extrapolating the constraints globally. Substantial regional differences exist (ranging from -40% to +90%), and globally our top-down inventory is 4–35% higher than the GEOS-Chem a priori (9.6 Tg N yr-1). We evaluate NO2 concentrations simulated with our new OMI top-down inventory against surface NO2 measurements from monitoring stations in Africa, the USA and Europe. Although this comparison is complicated by several factors, we find an encouraging improved agreement when using the OMI top-down inventory compared to using the a priori inventory. To our knowledge, this study provides, for the first time, specific constraints on soil NOx emissions on all major continents using OMI NO2 columns. Our results rule out the low end of reported soil NOx emission estimates, and suggest that global emissions are most likely around 12.9 ± 3.9 Tg N yr-1

Trends and seasonal variability in ammonia across major biomes in western and central Africa inferred from long-term series of ground-based and satellite measurements

Ammonia (NH3) is the most abundant alkaline component in the atmosphere. Changes in NH3 concentrations have important implications for atmospheric chemistry, air quality, and ecosystem integrity. We present a long-term ammonia (NH3) assessment in the western and central African regions within the framework of the International Network to study Deposition and Atmospheric chemistry in Africa (INDAAF) programme. We analyse seasonal variations and trends in NH3 concentrations and total column densities along an African ecosystem transect spanning dry savannas in Banizoumbou, Niger, and Katibougou, Mali; wet savannas in Djougou, Benin, and Lamto, Côte d'Ivoire; and forests in Bomassa, Republic of the Congo, and Zoétélé, Cameroon. We use a 21-year record of observations (1998–2018) from INDAAF passive samplers and an 11-year record of observations (2008–2018) of atmospheric vertical column densities from the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) to evaluate NH3 ground-based concentrations and total column densities, respectively. Climatic data (air temperature, rainfall amount, and leaf area index), as well as ammonia emission data of biomass combustion from the fourth version of the Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED4) and anthropogenic sources from the Community Emissions Data System (CEDS), were compared with total NH3 concentrations and total columns over the same periods. Annual mean ground-based NH3 concentrations are around 5.7–5.8 ppb in dry savannas, 3.5–4.7 ppb in wet savannas, and 3.4–5.6 ppb in forests. Annual IASI NH3 total column densities are 10.0–10.7 × 1015 molec. cm−2 in dry savanna, 16.0–20.9 × 1015 molec. cm−2 in wet savanna, and 12.4–13.8 × 1015 molec. cm−2 in forest stations. Non-parametric statistical Mann–Kendall trend tests applied to annual data show that ground-based NH3 concentrations increase at Bomassa (+2.56 % yr−1) but decrease at Zoétélé (−2.95 % yr−1) over the 21-year period. The 11-year period of IASI NH3 total column density measurements show yearly increasing trends at Katibougou (+3.46 % yr−1), Djougou (+2.24 % yr−1), and Zoétélé (+3.42 % yr−1). From the outcome of our investigation, we conclude that air temperature, leaf area index, and rainfall combined with biomass burning, agricultural, and residential activities are the key drivers of atmospheric NH3 in the INDAAF stations. The results also show that the drivers of trends are (1) agriculture in the dry savanna of Katibougou; (2) air temperature and agriculture in the wet savanna of Djougou and Lamto; and (3) leaf area index, air temperature, residential, and agriculture in the forest of Bomassa.</p