Stratégies paysannes de gestion des terroirs et de lutte anti-érosive en pays Bamiléké (Ouest-Cameroun)

Sur les hauts plateaux bamilékés de l'Ouest-Cameroun, les aménagements agraires tiennent compte des potentialités du milieu naturel, fondées sur un découpage en terroirs spécifiques, calqués sur la topographie. Les pentes, le climat, la pression démographique et foncière y exposent les sols aux risques d'érosion et d'épuisement rapides. Cependant, les paysans bamilékés ont mis au point des techniques de préparation, de conservation et de fertilisation relativement efficaces, mais variables suivant la nature des liens entre les exploitants et la terre. Paradoxalement, ce sont les secteurs les moins densément peuplés, et les moins intensément cultivés qui manifestent de réels signes d'érosion et d'épuisement. (Résumé d'auteur

A reference haplotype panel for genome-wide imputation of short tandem repeats.

Short tandem repeats (STRs) are involved in dozens of Mendelian disorders and have been implicated in complex traits. However, genotyping arrays used in genome-wide association studies focus on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and do not readily allow identification of STR associations. We leverage next-generation sequencing (NGS) from 479 families to create a SNP + STR reference haplotype panel. Our panel enables imputing STR genotypes into SNP array data when NGS is not available for directly genotyping STRs. Imputed genotypes achieve mean concordance of 97% with observed genotypes in an external dataset compared to 71% expected under a naive model. Performance varies widely across STRs, with near perfect concordance at bi-allelic STRs vs. 70% at highly polymorphic repeats. Imputation increases power over individual SNPs to detect STR associations with gene expression. Imputing STRs into existing SNP datasets will enable the first large-scale STR association studies across a range of complex traits

Gommage et résistance dans le processus de mythification postcoloniale

Using the central figures of Um Nyobe and Patrice Lumumba, this paper aims to show that postcolonial mythology is a confrontation of two tendencies: on one hand, the colonial and postcolonial States, whose efforts tend to rub out history and its great faces, and on the other, artists and thinkers from Africa or abroad who want to establish the memory and the deeds of the missing as a source of inspiration for the present and next generation

Nomenclature des patients dans la formation des professionnels de la santé en fonction du rôle et de l'implication : une revue de littérature narrative

Research problem: Real patients living with a disease and engaged in the education of healthcare professionals are referred to by different terms. To address this, A.Towle proposed a draft taxonomy. Objective: Our objective is to extract from the literature the definitions given for the following terms: (1) patient educator, (2) patient instructor, (3) patient mentor, (4) partner patient, (5) patient teacher, (6) Volunteer Patient in order to clearly identify their roles and level of engagement. Methods: The literature search was carried out in Medline, CINAHL, PsychInfo and Eric by adding medical education or healthcare professional to our previously identified keywords to ensure that it is indeed literature dealing with real patients’ involvement in the education of healthcare professionals.  Results: Certain terms refer to real and simulated patients. Roles are more or less well described but may refer to multiple terms. The notion of engagement is discussed, but not specifically.  Conclusion: Explicitly defining the terms used according to the task descriptions and level of engagement would help contribute to Towle’s taxonomy. Real patients would thus feel more legitimately involved in health professional education.Problème de recherche : Les patients vivant avec une maladie et qui sont impliqués dans l'éducation des professionnels de la santé sont désignés par des termes différents. Pour y remédier, A.Towle a proposé un projet de taxonomie. Objectif : Notre objectif est d'extraire de la littérature les définitions données pour les termes suivants : (1) patient éducateur, (2) patient instructeur, (3) patient mentor, (4) patient partenaire, (5) patient enseignant, (6) patient volontaire afin d'identifier clairement leurs rôles et leur niveau d'implication. Méthodes : La recherche documentaire a été effectuée dans Medline, CINAHL, PsychInfo et Eric en ajoutant l'éducation médicale ou le professionnel de santé à nos mots-clés précédemment identifiés afin de s'assurer qu'il s'agit bien de littérature traitant de l'implication des patients dans l'éducation des professionnels de santé. Résultats : Certains termes font référence à des patients ayant une maladie ou simulés. Les rôles sont plus ou moins bien décrits mais peuvent faire référence à plusieurs termes. La notion d'implication est abordée, mais pas de manière spécifique. Conclusion : Définir explicitement les termes utilisés en fonction de la description des tâches et du niveau d'implication permettrait de contribuer à la taxonomie de Towle. Les patients se sentiraient ainsi plus légitimement impliqués dans la formation des professionnels de santé.

Optimal Control of a Fractional Diffusion Equation with Delay

We study a homogeneous Dirichlet boundary fractional diffusion equation with delay in a bounded domain. The fractional time derivative is considered in the left Caputo sense. By means of a linear continuous operator, we first transform the fractional diffusion equation with delay into a an equivalent equation without delay. Then we show that the optimal control problem associate to the controlled equivalent fractional diffusion equation has a unique solution. Interpreting the Euler-Lagrange first order optimality condition with an adjoint problem defined by means of right fractional Caputo derivative, we obtain an optimality system

SMALL Savannah : an information system for the integrated analysis of land use change in the Far North of Cameroon

SMALL Savannah is an Environmental Information System designed for the integrated analysis and sustainable land management in the savannas region of the Far North of Cameroon. This system combines an observation and spatial analysis module for the representation of phenomena from various geographic data sources, with a module for the explanation and prediction of land use pattern and changes, and a dynamic modelling and simulation module for the exploration of possible land use change trajectories. Due to a high demographic pressure combined with an increasing human mobility, many changes have occurred in the land use of the study area during the last two decades. These dynamics have led to land saturation resulting in more competition between land uses and conflicts between actors. The spatial and quantitative analysis for the observation period (1987-1999) indicates that accessibility to the main urban centre, soil suitability and population pressure, have been the main driving factors behind this process. According to assumption formulated for future development, it is expected that changes in land use of this area will continue to depend on these factors. But, the land use trajectories will be mainly influenced by the implication of urban actors and the potential investment of local actors for improving land quality and management. The simulations performed for the period 1999 to 2010 indicate areas where changes are likely to occur, thus providing a possibility to evaluate the spatial impact of a given land management policy. The information system under development is an appropriate tool for a regional monitoring system of land use change and rural development. It can be used by scientist and actors involved in land use planning for decision making and adaptive land use management. Another utilisation can be considered with local actors in order to discuss and prepare any concertation or negotiation when dealing with participatory approach of land use and management.LEI Universiteit LeidenPRASAC (Pôle régional de Recherche Appliquée au développement des Savanes d’Afrique Centrale), IRAD (institut de recherche Agricole pour le Développement) • SIMES (Système d’Information Multimédia sur l’Environnement, en Afrique Subsaharienne), Université de Yaoundé • CEDC (Centre d’étude de l’Environnement et du Développement au Cameroun), University of Dschang CML (Institute of Environnemental Sciences), University of LeidenConservation Biolog