Physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of kitoza, a traditional salted/dried/smoked meat product of Madagascar

Kitoza samples collected from producers in Madagascar were analyzed for their physicochemical and microbial properties. Lactic acid bacteria and coagulase‐negative staphylococci were the two codominant populations with average counts of 6–7 log cfu/g. Good hygienic practices were sometimes lacking but samples were not contaminated with Salmonella, Clostridium perfringens, and Bacillus cereus and only once with Listeria monocytogenes. Staphylococcus aureus was found occasionally with higher counts in salted/dried products than in salted/smoked products. Moisture, protein, fat, and salt contents varied considerably and were on average 41.5, 43.5, 14.3, and 3.3 g/100 g, respectively, and water activity was 0.893 on average. Smoked kitoza showed higher moisture content compared to dried kitoza. Most of the smoked kitoza had a water activity higher than 0.9 which is not in accordance with their storage at ambient temperatures. Benzo(a)pyrene content was above 2 µg/kg in 11 out of 30 smoked samples (17 ± 16.5 µg/kg on average)

Ferroélectricité, ferroélasticité et transitions de phases dans des matériaux de type SrAIF5 ou Pb5Cr3F19

New fluorinated materials, ferroelectric or ferroelastic were developed: it comes SrAlF5 or Pb5Cr3F19 compounds...De nouveaux matériaux fluorés, ferroélectriques ou ferroélastiques, ont été élaborés : il s'agit de composés de type SrAlF5 ou Pb5Cr3F19. Les phases contenant des éléments alcalino-terreux sont des ferroélectriques "displacifs" ; celles comportant du plomb présentent un comportement singulier. Le fluoaluminate Pb5Al3F19 possède quatre phases ; la séquence de transition a été étudiée par diverses méthodes (mesures thermiques, optiques et diélectriques). La structure cristalline de Pb5Al3F19 a été déterminée à 300 K : les propriétés ferroélectriques sont discutées en fonction du déplacement des cations au sein des octaèdres fluorés

Stručni seminar Revizija i preventivna zaštita knjižnične građe (Osijek, 30. travanj 2004.)

Notes on some Madagascan tiger beetles, with description of two new species (Coleóptera, Cicindelidae). A recent collection of Madagascan tiger beetles is commented, and two new species are described, Pogonostoma (Pogonostoma) differens n. sp. and Physodeutera (Physodeutera ) didysilvae n. sp., respectively from the Andriantantely and Didy Forests (Domaine de l'Est). The female of Pogonostoma (Leptopogonum) phalangioide Rivalier, 1970, is also firstly described.Une collection récente de Cicindélides de Madagascar est commentée, et deux nouvelles espèces sont décrites, Pogonostoma (Pogonostoma) differens n. sp. et Physodeutera (Physodeutera) didysilvae n. sp., respectivement des forêts d'Andriantantely et de Didy, domaine de l'Est. La description de la femelle de Pogonostoma (Leptopogonum) phalangioide Rivalier, 1970 est donnée pour la première fois.Cassola Fabio, Andriamampianina Lanto. Notes sur des Cicindélides de Madagascar, avec la description de deux nouvelles espèces (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae). In: Bulletin de la Société entomologique de France, volume 106 (1), mars 2001. pp. 51-60

Soborno de los gobernantes. Análisis comparativo del delito de cohecho pasivo en Derecho penal español, francés y malgache

[ES] Hacer un estudio sobre la corrupción parece estar de moda en la actualidad. Precisamente no se trata de algo desconocido sino de un fenómeno que cambia constantemente sus formas. El estudio sobre este tema debe ser actualizado permanentemente si lo que se pretende es luchar contra él. Las ciencias sociales han aportado contribuciones significativas en sus múltiples facetas pero no se consigue consensuar entre ellas una definición universal. Las ciencias jurídicas no hacen más que aislar algunos actos considerados como corruptos por el legislador. Aunque la aproximación jurídica debe ser harmonizada por los convenios internacionales, conviene destacar que los legisladores nacionales se muestran más reticentes cuando se trata de Derecho penal. Por lo tanto, el análisis comparativo entre los ordenamientos jurídicos permite valorar aspectos desapercibidos por otro tipo de método. Comparar el Derecho penal español con el Derecho penal francés y malgache supone dejar la comparación formal para adoptar una equivalencia funcional. Las herramientas dogmáticas no son las mismas, por lo tanto, los debates doctrinales no pueden más que sufrir un desequilibrio en su desarrollo. La diferencia de bien jurídico en los tres códigos penales no impide que se siga una misma línea de política criminal. En Derecho penal moderno, la relación de prestación entre la Administración Pública y los administrados son más importante que la relación de sujeción entre la primera y sus agentes. Por consiguiente, merece protección del Derecho penal el correcto funcionamiento de la Administración y particularmente el principio de imparcialidad en el marco del delito de cohecho. Este delito tiene las características de un delito unilateral ya que, aunque su núcleo se halle en la formación de un pacto de corrupción, las iniciativas unilaterales, como la solicitud, son suficientes para consumirlo. Eso implica varias consecuencias. Una de las más importantes es la imposibilidad de contemplar la tentativa. Por otra parte, no se puede cometer ni por omisión ni por imprudencia. Centrándose en la vertiente pasiva del delito de estudio, las modalidades ¿recibir¿ y ¿aceptar¿ constituyen etapas en el iter criminis y pueden ser realizadas tanto por el funcionario público como por una persona interpuesta. Esta última puede actuar también como destinataria o beneficiaria de la retribución del pacto corrupto. Para llegar a este compromiso mutuo, el funcionario, a efectos penales debe realizar, abstener o retrasar un acto de su cargo. La palabra ¿acto¿ no se puede confundir con ¿acto administrativo¿. En cuanto al particular, su aportación consiste en una dádiva o retribución de cualquier clase. Eso significa que tanto su naturaleza como su cantidad no se pueden valorar objetivamente. Por último, a partir de las reformas penales en España y en Francia, el momento de la realización del acto, respecto del pacto, deja de tener relevancia por la introducción de la modalidad subsiguiente en el delito de cohecho pasivo. En Madagascar, el principio de anterioridad del pacto sigue siendo la regla, lo cual abre una brecha de impunidad por el abuso de los regalos de agradecimiento.[EN]This study takes the phenomenon of the corruption as a base. The study on this topic must be updated permanently if what is claimed is to fight against him. The social sciences have contributed significant contributions in his multiple facets but one does not manage to agree between them on a universal definition. The juridical sciences do not do any more that to isolate any acts considered like corrupt for the legislator. Though the juridical approximation must be harmonizada for the international agreements, it suits to emphasize that the national legislators prove to be more reticent when it is a question of Criminal law. Therefore, the comparative analysis between the juridical classifications allows to value unnoticed aspects for another type of method

Inhibition Of TNF-α Release by D : B- Friedo - Olean -5- En- 3α -Ol in Human Monocytes

This study was focused on the release of TNF- α by cultured monocytes of human blood in the absence and presence of D : B Friedo - olean - 5 -en- 3α -ol (DBFO). The human monocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The release of TNF-α by monocytes was induced by the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to the culture medium. ELISA Sandwich's method was used to the dosing of TNF- α concentration. The release of TNF-α is inhibited by DBFO. In the absence of DBFO, TNF- α concentration is 3.86 ng/ml versus 3.77 ; 3.2 ; 2.79 and 0.89 ng/ml in the presence of DBFO at concentrations 1 , 3, 10 and 30 μg/ml respectively ( p <0.05)

How countries cope with competing demands and expectations: perspectives of different stakeholders on priority setting and resource allocation for health in the era of HIV and AIDS

Background: Health systems have experienced unprecedented stress in recent years, and as yet no consensus has emerged as to how to deal with the multiple burden of disease in the context of HIV and AIDS and other competing health priorities. Priority setting is essential, yet this is a complex, multifaceted process. Drawing on a study conducted in five African countries, this paper explores different stakeholders′ perceptions of health priorities, how priorities are defined in practice, the process of resource allocation for HIV and Health and how different stakeholders perceive this. Methods: A sub-analysis was conducted of selected data from a wider qualitative study that explored the interactions between health systems and HIV and AIDS responses in five sub-Saharan countries (Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Madagascar and Malawi). Key background documents were analysed and semi-structured interviews (n = 258) and focus group discussions (n = 45) were held with representatives of communities, health personnel, decision makers, civil society representatives and development partners at both national and district level. Results: Health priorities were expressed either in terms of specific health problems and diseases or gaps in service delivery requiring a strengthening of the overall health system. In all five countries study respondents (with the exception of community members in Ghana) identified malaria and HIV as the two top health priorities. Community representatives were more likely to report concerns about accessibility of services and quality of care. National level respondents often referred to wider systemic challenges in relation to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Indeed, actual priority setting was heavily influenced by international agendas (e.g. MDGs) and by the ways in which development partners were supporting national strategic planning processes. At the same time, multi-stakeholder processes were increasingly used to identify priorities and inform sector-wide planning, whereby health service statistics were used to rank the burden of disease. However, many respondents remarked that health system challenges are not captured by such statistics. In all countries funding for health was reported to fall short of requirements and a need for further priority setting to match actual resource availability was identified. Pooled health sector funds have been established to some extent, but development partners′ lack of flexibility in the allocation of funds according to country-generated priorities was identified as a major constraint. Conclusions Although we found consensus on health priorities across all levels in the study countries, current funding falls short of addressing these identified areas. The nature of external funding, as well as programme-specific investment, was found to distort priority setting. There are signs that existing interventions have had limited effects beyond meeting the needs of disease-specific programmes. A need for more comprehensive health system strengthening (HSS) was identified, which requires a strong vision as to what the term means, coupled with a clear strategy and commitment from national and international decision makers in order to achieve stated goals. Prospective studies and action research, accompanied by pilot programmes, are recommended as deliberate strategies for HSS