Projet Madian-Salagnac, quarante ans d’appui aux dynamiques paysannes

In the 1970s, the Madian-Salagnac project began forming multi-skilled facilitators to run outreach courses in agricultural techniques in rural southern Haiti. When the limitations of this approach became apparent, the project’s agronomists instead directly addressed groups of farmers (referred to by their social standing, as personnages or citoyens), building up a new pedagogical relationship based on observing the farmers’ practices and discussing their strategies with them. This opening-up to dialogue was reinforced by work in video-communication led by Gerald Belkin, which gave farmers an opportunity to talk about their lives without any intermediary. At the same time, the Salagnac Center trained many generations of students from the Agronomy Faculty in fieldwork studies. Meanwhile, with the support of university training and research institutions, numerous research-training actions were carried out, which shed light in particular on the constraints facing farmers, and on their lack of financial availability. Starting in 1980, the Salagnac Center set up a project to build 200 family cisterns and community rainwater collectors (impluviums) on the Rochelois plateau. These investments, and the way in which they were implemented, have generated numerous social improvements and led to the development of new vegetable and staple crops.Madian-Salagnac a commencé à former dans les années 70 des animateurs polyvalents destinés à vulgariser des techniques agricoles dans les zones rurales du sud d’Haïti. L’expérience ayant démontré les limites de cette approche descendante, les agronomes du projet s’adressèrent directement à des groupes d’agriculteurs qualifiés de « personnages » ou « citoyens », en établissant d’autres rapports pédagogiques s’appuyant sur l’observation des pratiques des agriculteurs et la discussion avec ceux-ci de leurs stratégies. Ces démarches de dialogue furent renforcées par les travaux de vidéocommunication de Gerald Belkin, qui donna aux agriculteurs l’occasion de s’exprimer sans intermédiaire sur leur vie. Simultanément, le Centre de Salagnac forma à l’étude du milieu de nombreuses générations d’étudiants de la Faculté d’agronomie. D’autre part, de nombreuses actions de recherche-formation ont été réalisées avec l’appui d’institutions de recherche et de formation universitaire ; elles ont en particulier mis en évidence les contraintes des agriculteurs et leur absence de disponibilités financières. Le Centre de Salagnac initia sur le Plateau des Rochelois à partir de 1980 un projet de construction de 200 citernes familiales et d’impluviums collectifs. Ces investissements et leurs modalités de réalisation ont généré de nombreuses améliorations sociales et le développement de nouvelles cultures maraîchères et vivrières.  Madian-Salagnac empezó a formar en los años 70 a animadores polivalentes para difundir técnicas agrícolas en las zonas rurales del sur de Haití. Como la experiencia demostró los límites de esta dinámica descendente, los agrónomos del proyecto se dirigieron directamente a grupos de agricultores calificados como “personajes” o “ciudadanos”, estableciendo otras relaciones pedagógicas basadas en la observación de las prácticas de los agricultores y el diálogo con ellos sobre sus estrategias. Estas dinámicas de diálogo se vieron reforzadas por los trabajos de videocomunicación de Gerald Belkin, que dio la posibilidad a los agricultores de hablar sin intermediarios de sus propias vidas. Simultáneamente, el Centro de Salagnac formó en estudios del medio a un gran número de generaciones de estudiantes de la Facultad de Agronomía. Por otra parte, se realizaron un gran número de acciones de investigación-formación con el apoyo de instituciones de investigación y formación universitaria; éstas subrayaron, en particular, las obligaciones de los agricultores y la ausencia de recursos financieros disponibles. El Centro de Salagnac iniciaba en el Plateau des Rochelois, a partir de 1980, un proyecto de construcción de 200 cisternas familiares y aljibes colectivos. Estas inversiones y sus modalidades de realización han producido un gran número de mejoras sociales y el desarrollo de nuevos cultivos hortícolas y cultivos de plantas comestibles

Des innovations paysannes réussies : associations de cultures maraichères et vivrières

Le Plateau des Rochelois, des écosystèmes favorables aux cultures maraîchères et vivrières Quelques éléments de géomorphologie et de pédologie d’après CABIDOCHE YM, 1994. Le plateau calcaire culminant à 1000 m, présentant dolines, poljés et bassins fluviokarstiques ayant piégé de la bauxite, ne comporte pas de réseaux hydrographiques externes. Sur le pourtour, des retombées en escalier de faille abritent une succession d’étages écologiques diversifiés favorables à l’équilibre des exploitation..

Modélisation multi-physique par modèles à constantes localisées ; application à une machine synchrone à aimants permanents en vue de son dimensionnement.

Afin de définir une conception optimale d un système électromécanique, celui-ci doit intégrer des contraintes toujours plus drastiques et de nombreux phénomènes physiques issus de : l électromagnétique, l aérothermique, l électronique, la mécanique et l acoustique. L originalité de cette thèse est de proposer une modélisation multi-physique pour la conception reposant sur des modèles à constantes localisées : solution intermédiaire entre la modélisation analytique et numérique. Ces différents modèles permettront l étude et la conception sous contraintes d une machine synchrone à aimants permanents dédiée pour la traction ferroviaire. Les résultats de simulations seront comparés à des résultats éléments finis mais aussi à des essais expérimentaux. Ce modèle multi-physique est entièrement paramétré afin d être associé à des outils d optimisation. On utilisera ici une optimisation par essaim de particules pour chercher des compromis entre différents objectifs sous forme de Front de Pareto. Dans ce papier, nous ciblerons les objectifs suivants : le couple d origine électromagnétique et le bruit d origine électromagnétique. Finalement une étude de sensibilité valide la robustesse de la conception retenue quand celle-ci est soumise aux contraintes de fabrication. L objectif étant de poser les bases d un outil d aide à la décision pour le choix d une machine électriqueIn order to perform an optimal design of electromechanical system, the designer must take into account ever more stringent constraints and many physical phenomena from electric, magnetic, aeraulic, thermic, electronic, mechanic and acoustic. The originality of this thesis is to put forward a multi-physic design based on lumped models: halfway between analytical and numerical modeling. These models allow sizing a permanent magnet synchronous machine under constraints for rail traction. The results are validated with finite element simulations and experimental analysis. The multi-physic modeling is fully automated, parameterized, in order to combine the model with the optimization tool. We used here particle swarm optimization to search compromises between several objectives (Pareto Front). In this paper, we focus on electromagnetic torque and electromagnetic noise. Finally a sensitive study validates the robustness of selected design when it is subjected to manufacturing constraints. The aim of this work is to propose a decision tool to size electrical machinesVILLENEUVE D'ASCQ-ECLI (590092307) / SudocSudocFranceF

The surface protein HvgA mediates group B streptococcus hypervirulence and meningeal tropism in neonates

Lethal meningitis triggered by the hypervirulent group B streptococcus clone ST-17 is mediated by a novel surface protein called HvgA

Human cytomegalovirus elicits fetal γδ T cell responses in utero

The fetus and infant are highly susceptible to viral infections. Several viruses, including human cytomegalovirus (CMV), cause more severe disease in early life compared with later life. It is generally accepted that this is a result of the immaturity of the immune system. γδ T cells are unconventional T cells that can react rapidly upon activation and show major histocompatibility complex–unrestricted activity. We show that upon CMV infection in utero, fetal γδ T cells expand and become differentiated. The expansion was restricted to Vγ9-negative γδ T cells, irrespective of their Vδ chain expression. Differentiated γδ T cells expressed high levels of IFN-γ, transcription factors T-bet and eomes, natural killer receptors, and cytotoxic mediators. CMV infection induced a striking enrichment of a public Vγ8Vδ1-TCR, containing the germline-encoded complementary-determining-region-3 (CDR3) δ1–CALGELGDDKLIF/CDR3γ8–CATWDTTGWFKIF. Public Vγ8Vδ1-TCR–expressing cell clones produced IFN-γ upon coincubation with CMV-infected target cells in a TCR/CD3-dependent manner and showed antiviral activity. Differentiated γδ T cells and public Vγ8Vδ1-TCR were detected as early as after 21 wk of gestation. Our results indicate that functional fetal γδ T cell responses can be generated during development in utero and suggest that this T cell subset could participate in antiviral defense in early life

Spread of Avian Influenza Viruses by Common Teal (Anas crecca) in Europe

Since the recent spread of highly pathogenic (HP) H5N1 subtypes, avian influenza virus (AIV) dispersal has become an increasing focus of research. As for any other bird-borne pathogen, dispersal of these viruses is related to local and migratory movements of their hosts. In this study, we investigated potential AIV spread by Common Teal (Anas crecca) from the Camargue area, in the South of France, across Europe. Based on bird-ring recoveries, local duck population sizes and prevalence of infection with these viruses, we built an individual-based spatially explicit model describing bird movements, both locally (between wintering areas) and at the flyway scale. We investigated the effects of viral excretion duration and inactivation rate in water by simulating AIV spread with varying values for these two parameters. The results indicate that an efficient AIV dispersal in space is possible only for excretion durations longer than 7 days. Virus inactivation rate in the environment appears as a key parameter in the model because it allows local persistence of AIV over several months, the interval between two migratory periods. Virus persistence in water thus represents an important component of contamination risk as ducks migrate along their flyway. Based on the present modelling exercise, we also argue that HP H5N1 AIV is unlikely to be efficiently spread by Common Teal dispersal only

MD1003 (high-dose biotin) for the treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Treatment with MD1003 (high-dose biotin) showed promising results in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) in a pilot open-label study. OBJECTIVE: To confirm the efficacy and safety of MD1003 in progressive MS in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. METHODS: Patients (n = 154) with a baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 4.5-7 and evidence of disease worsening within the previous 2 years were randomised to 12-month MD1003 (100 mg biotin) or placebo thrice daily, followed by 12-month MD1003 for all patients. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with disability reversal at month 9, confirmed at month 12, defined as an EDSS decrease of ⩾1 point (⩾0.5 for EDSS 6-7) or a ⩾20% decrease in timed 25-foot walk time compared with the best baseline among screening or randomisation visits. RESULTS: A total of 13 (12.6%) MD1003-treated patients achieved the primary endpoint versus none of the placebo-treated patients (p = 0.005). MD1003 treatment also reduced EDSS progression and improved clinical impression of change compared with placebo. Efficacy was maintained over follow-up, and the safety profile of MD1003 was similar to that of placebo. CONCLUSION: MD1003 achieves sustained reversal of MS-related disability in a subset of patients with progressive MS and is well tolerated.journal article2016 Nov2016 09 01importe

DMTs and Covid-19 severity in MS: a pooled analysis from Italy and France

We evaluated the effect of DMTs on Covid-19 severity in patients with MS, with a pooled-analysis of two large cohorts from Italy and France. The association of baseline characteristics and DMTs with Covid-19 severity was assessed by multivariate ordinal-logistic models and pooled by a fixed-effect meta-analysis. 1066 patients with MS from Italy and 721 from France were included. In the multivariate model, anti-CD20 therapies were significantly associated (OR = 2.05, 95%CI = 1.39–3.02, p < 0.001) with Covid-19 severity, whereas interferon indicated a decreased risk (OR = 0.42, 95%CI = 0.18–0.99, p = 0.047). This pooled-analysis confirms an increased risk of severe Covid-19 in patients on anti-CD20 therapies and supports the protective role of interferon

Differential cross section measurements for the production of a W boson in association with jets in proton–proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Measurements are reported of differential cross sections for the production of a W boson, which decays into a muon and a neutrino, in association with jets, as a function of several variables, including the transverse momenta (pT) and pseudorapidities of the four leading jets, the scalar sum of jet transverse momenta (HT), and the difference in azimuthal angle between the directions of each jet and the muon. The data sample of pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV was collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb[superscript −1]. The measured cross sections are compared to predictions from Monte Carlo generators, MadGraph + pythia and sherpa, and to next-to-leading-order calculations from BlackHat + sherpa. The differential cross sections are found to be in agreement with the predictions, apart from the pT distributions of the leading jets at high pT values, the distributions of the HT at high-HT and low jet multiplicity, and the distribution of the difference in azimuthal angle between the leading jet and the muon at low values.United States. Dept. of EnergyNational Science Foundation (U.S.)Alfred P. Sloan Foundatio

Optimasi Portofolio Resiko Menggunakan Model Markowitz MVO Dikaitkan dengan Keterbatasan Manusia dalam Memprediksi Masa Depan dalam Perspektif Al-Qur`an

Risk portfolio on modern finance has become increasingly technical, requiring the use of sophisticated mathematical tools in both research and practice. Since companies cannot insure themselves completely against risk, as human incompetence in predicting the future precisely that written in Al-Quran surah Luqman verse 34, they have to manage it to yield an optimal portfolio. The objective here is to minimize the variance among all portfolios, or alternatively, to maximize expected return among all portfolios that has at least a certain expected return. Furthermore, this study focuses on optimizing risk portfolio so called Markowitz MVO (Mean-Variance Optimization). Some theoretical frameworks for analysis are arithmetic mean, geometric mean, variance, covariance, linear programming, and quadratic programming. Moreover, finding a minimum variance portfolio produces a convex quadratic programming, that is minimizing the objective function ðð¥with constraintsð ð 𥠥 ðandð´ð¥ = ð. The outcome of this research is the solution of optimal risk portofolio in some investments that could be finished smoothly using MATLAB R2007b software together with its graphic analysis