Place de la securisation dans les dispositifs juridique et institutionnel fonciers Beninois

La performance des instruments juridiques de gouvernance foncière demeure toujours problématique particulièrement dans les pays ouest-africains. Dans ce contexte, le présent article a analysé la place de la sécurisation foncière dans l’arsenal juridique béninois. L’analyse part du postulat que la définition de la sécurisation foncière doit prendre en compte simultanément quatre piliers dont : la propriété/transfert, l’usage ou l’utilisation, l’accessibilité et la conservation des terres. Ainsi, une analyse de contenu des différents instruments juridiques, institutions et acteurs de la gestion foncière au Bénin à travers leurs objectifs et missions a été effectuée. Il ressort que les réformes entreprises dans la gestion foncière ont faiblement pris en compte des aspects de conservation de la terre et de biodiversité. Le cadre juridique et institutionnel mis en oeuvre dans la gestion foncière ne garantit pas la conservation des terres et la biodiversité au Bénin. Cette recherche suggère la prise en compte du pilier conservation dans l’arsenal juridique qui régit le foncier pour une gouvernance responsable des régimes fonciers au Bénin. English title: the place of security in Benin’s legal and institutional arsenal on land tenure systems Abstract The performance of legal instruments for land governance remains problematic, particularly in West African countries. In this context, this article analyzes the place of land tenure security in the Benin legal arsenal. The analysis is based on the assumption that the definition of land tenure security must simultaneously take into account four main elements: ownership/transfer, use or utilization, accessibility and conservation of land. Thus, a content analysis of the different legal instruments (Livre Blanc, laws), institutions and land management agents in Benin was carried out through its objectives and missions. It emerged that the reforms undertaken in land management have shown gaps in terms of taking into account aspects of land conservation and biodiversity in the different laws developed, the missions and objectives of institutions and development projects oriented towards land management in Benin. Thus, the legal and institutional framework implemented in land management does not guarantee the conservation of land and biodiversity in Benin. This research suggests that the conservation aspect should be taken into account in the legal arsenal governing land tenure for responsible governance of land in Benin. Keywords: Land security, land conservation, legal reform, Benin

Molecular heterogeneity of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels in canine intracardiac ganglia

Large conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels are widely expressed in the nervous system. We have recently shown that principal neurons from canine intracardiac ganglia (ICG) express a paxilline- and TEA-sensitive BK current, which increases neuronal excitability. In the present work, we further explore the molecular constituents of the BK current in canine ICG. We found that the β1 and β4 regulatory subunits are expressed in ICG. Single channel voltage-dependence at different calcium concentrations suggested that association of the BKα with a particular β subunit was not enough to explain the channel activity in this tissue. Indeed, we detected the presence of several splice variants of the BKα subunit. In conclusion, BK channels in canine ICG may result from the arrangement of different BKα splice variants, plus accessory β subunits. The particular combinations expressed in canine IC neurons likely rule the excitatory role of BK current in this tissue

Virtual Prototyping (VP) In Construction

ABSTRACT: VP means virtual prototyping is a computer aided design process. It is the latest and cost effective way to visualize real circumstances that enhance effective communication of design and ideas without manufacturing physical samples. Virtual prototyping involves the integration of different design softwares during each and every stages of a construction process, visualizing the construction site environment in different stages. This process enhance the capability of engineers to detect the problem areas. Now a days construction safety is a serious problem in construction industry worldwide, especially in the case of large scale construction projects. We can adopt the VP technology to improve the safety management performance through the identification of key factors that cause accident.. This report is an overview of virtual prototyping technique, its application for simulating construction process for the easy and effective execution, life cycle management of a construction process and to improve the safety management in construction projects

Exercise and insulin resistance in PCOS: muscle insulin signalling and fibrosis

OBJECTIVE:Mechanisms of insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remain ill-defined, contributing to sub-optimal therapies. Recognising skeletal muscle plays a key role in glucose homeostasis we investigated early insulin signalling, its association with aberrant transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) regulated tissue fibrosis. We also explored the impact of aerobic exercise on these molecular pathways. METHODS:A secondary analysis from a cross-sectional study was undertaken in women with (n=30) or without (n=29) PCOS across lean and overweight BMIs. A subset of participants with (n=8) or without (n=8) PCOS who were overweight completed 12-weeks of aerobic exercise training. Muscle was sampled before and 30 min into a euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp pre- and post-training. RESULTS:We found reduced signalling in PCOS of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Exercise training augmented but did not completely rescue this signalling defect in women with PCOS. Genes in the TGFβ signalling network were upregulated in skeletal muscle in the overweight women with PCOS but were unresponsive to exercise training except for genes encoding LOX, collagen 1 and 3. CONCLUSIONS:We provide new insights into defects in early insulin signalling, tissue fibrosis, and hyperandrogenism in PCOS-specific insulin resistance in lean and overweight women. PCOS-specific insulin-signalling defects were isolated to mTOR, while gene expression implicated TGFβ ligand regulating a fibrosis in the PCOS-obesity synergy in insulin resistance and altered responses to exercise. Interestingly, there was little evidence for hyperandrogenism as a mechanism for insulin resistance

The Genetics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Overview of Candidate Gene Systematic Reviews and Genome-Wide Association Studies

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition with mechanisms likely to involve the interaction between genetics and lifestyle. Familial clustering of PCOS symptoms is well documented, providing evidence for a genetic contribution to the condition. This overview aims firstly to systematically summarise the current literature surrounding genetics and PCOS, and secondly, to assess the methodological quality of current systematic reviews and identify limitations. Four databases were searched to identify candidate gene systematic reviews, and quality was assessed with the AMSTAR tool. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were identified by a semi structured literature search. Of the candidate gene systematic reviews, 17 were of high to moderate quality and four were of low quality. A total of 19 gene loci have been associated with risk of PCOS in GWAS, and 11 of these have been replicated across two different ancestries. Gene loci were located in the neuroendocrine, metabolic, and reproductive pathways. Overall, th

The effectiveness of high intensity intermittent training on metabolic, reproductive and mental health in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: study protocol for the iHIT- randomised controlled trial

Abstract Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive-metabolic condition. Insulin resistance is a hallmark of PCOS and is related to increased hyperandrogenism that drives inherent metabolic, reproductive and psychological features of the syndrome. Insulin resistance in women with PCOS is managed by weight loss, lifestyle interventions (i.e. exercise, diet) and insulin-sensitising medications. This manuscript describes the protocol of our study evaluating the effectiveness of high intensity intermittent training (HIIT) or moderate intensity exercise on cardiometabolic, reproductive and mental health in overweight women with PCOS. Methods/design We will employ a three arm, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial recruiting 60 women diagnosed with PCOS, aged between 18 and 45 years and with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2. Following screening and baseline testing, women will be randomised by simple randomisation procedure using computer generated sequence allocation to undergo one of two 12-week supervised interventions: either HIIT or moderate intensity exercise (standard supervised exercise), or to standard care [Con] (unsupervised lifestyle advice) at a 1:1:1 allocation ratio. The primary outcome for this trial is to measure the improvements in metabolic health; specifically changes in insulin sensitivity in response to different exercise intensities. Baseline and post-intervention testing include anthropometric measurements, cardiorespiratory fitness testing, reproductive hormone profiles (anti-müllerian hormone and steroid profiles), metabolic health, health-related quality of life and mental health questionnaires and objective and subjective lifestyle monitoring. Reporting of the study will follow the CONSORT statement. Discussion This trial aims to demonstrate the comparative efficacy and maintenance of different exercise intensities to advance the understanding of PCOS management and provide insight into the optimal exercise intensity for improved cardiometabolic outcomes. Secondary outcomes will include the impact of different exercise protocols on reproductive hormone profiles, mental health and health-related quality of life. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12615000242527. Registered on 17 March 2015

Deep Inelastic Scattering at HERA

Results from the H1 and ZEUS experiments at HERA on deep inelastic scattering are reviewed. The data lead to a consistent picture of a steep rise in the F_2 structure function and in the gluon density within the proton. Important new information on the partonic structure of diffraction is emerging from H1 and ZEUS. The space-like region in which the weak and electromagnetic interactions become of equal strength is being explored for the first time. A possible excess of events at high x and Q^2 compared to the expectations of the Standard Model has been observed in both experiments.Comment: 80 pages, 42 figure

First administration to man of Org 25435, an intravenous anaesthetic: A Phase 1 Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Org 25435 is a new water-soluble alpha-amino acid ester intravenous anaesthetic which proved satisfactory in animal studies. This study aimed to assess the safety, tolerability and efficacy of Org 25435 and to obtain preliminary pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data. METHODS: In the Short Infusion study 8 healthy male volunteers received a 1 minute infusion of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg (n = 2 per group); a further 10 received 3.0 mg/kg (n = 5) or 4.0 mg/kg (n = 5). Following preliminary pharmacokinetic modelling 7 subjects received a titrated 30 minute Target Controlled Infusion (TCI), total dose 5.8-20 mg/kg. RESULTS: Within the Short Infusion study, all subjects were successfully anaesthetised at 3 and 4 mg/kg. Within the TCI study 5 subjects were anaesthetised and 2 showed signs of sedation. Org 25435 caused hypotension and tachycardia at doses over 2 mg/kg. Recovery from anaesthesia after a 30 min administration of Org 25435 was slow (13.7 min). Pharmacokinetic modelling suggests that the context sensitive half-time of Org 25435 is slightly shorter than that of propofol in infusions up to 20 minutes but progressively longer thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Org 25435 is an effective intravenous anaesthetic in man at doses of 3 and 4 mg/kg given over 1 minute. Longer infusions can maintain anaesthesia but recovery is slow. Hypotension and tachycardia during anaesthesia and slow recovery of consciousness after cessation of drug administration suggest this compound has no advantages over currently available intravenous anaesthetics