L’autre Allemagne dans l'Allemagne unifiée. Réflexions sur l'unification allemande (Note)

The serious economic problems that the unified Germany has to face — as must other industrialized countries - cannot by themselves account for the growing disenchantment that is perceptible in the New Länder, where the utopian dreams of the fall of 1989 have been steadily unravelling. Why is it that the people of the GDR, who had pushed aside the lethargy of politicians in order to impose a speedy unification of the two German states, now seem to be adopting a radical attitude of defiance towards the federal government ? The author postulates that, in implementing the unification process, people overestimated the capability of the West German federal model to integrate the territories of the GDR and underestimated the permanence of the political consciousness specific to East German citizens, the weight of their historical experience, and their profound yearning to assume their destiny within a unified Germany. Had an autonomous East German chamber been created, with a time-limited mandate, it might have been possible to give meaning to the collective quest for identity now being expressed in the New Länder, a quest which for the time being, and in the absence of any alternative, finds an outlet in a party incarnating the region's specificity - the PDS

Toxicité Pour L’abeille Apis Mellifera Adansonii De Trois Herbicides Utilisés En Agriculture Au Bénin

Obtaining high outputs in agriculture requires the use of pesticides to control pests. However, protection of pollinators, precisely bees is very important. The objective of this study was to study the impact on the bee Apis mellifera adansonii of three herbicides usually used in the crop protection in Benin. Ten doses of each herbicide were used and varied from 0.0036.103 (10 ppm) to 1.8.103 nanogram (ng) per bee (5000 ppm) for Roundup, 0.0041.103 (10 ppm) to 2.05.103 nanogram (ng) per bee (5000 ppm) for Glycel and from 0.004.103 (10 ppm) to 2.103 nanogram (ng) per bee (5000 ppm) for Alligator. Each treatment included three replications consisting of 25 bees. Before the treatment, bees were anaesthetized with ether. Observations were made at 2 h, 10 h, 18h, 24h, 36 h and 48 h after the test. Results have shown that 48 hours after, the doses higher or equal to 0.36.103 ng/ab (1000 ppm) of Roundup induced mortality rate higher than 85 %. After 24 hours, the highest mortality rate of Glycel (45.2 ± 1.6 %) was induced by the dose of 1.23.103 ng/ab (3000 ppm). The dose of Alligator of 2.103 ng/ab (5000 ppm) caused the rates respective of mortality of 65.5 ± 2.4 % and 85 % at 24 h and 48 hours after the test. It is necessary to promote sustainable plant protection practices in relation with the use of herbicides to avoid negative impact on bees’ population

Design of tunable GHz-frequency optomechanical crystal resonators

We present a silicon optomechanical nanobeam design with a dynamically tunable acoustic mode at 10.2 GHz. The resonance frequency can be shifted by 90 kHz/V^2 with an on-chip capacitor that was optimized to exert forces up to 1 µN at 10 V operation voltage. Optical resonance frequencies around 190 THz with Q-factors up to 2.2 × 10^6 place the structure in the well-resolved sideband regime with vacuum optomechanical coupling rates up to g_0/2π = 353 kHz. Tuning can be used, for instance, to overcome variation in the device-to-device acoustic resonance frequency due to fabrication errors, paving the way for optomechanical circuits consisting of arrays of optomechanical cavities

Dynamics of Interactions of Confined Microcavity Polaritons

The present Ph.D. thesis consists in a series of experiments carried out in the Laboratory of Quantum Optoelectronics under the direction of professor Benoît Deveaud-Plédran between April 2006 and April 2010. We study the effect of lateral confinement on the dynamics of microcavity polaritons according to two important subjects. On the one hand, we study the polariton relaxation, on the other hand, we study the role of the spin in polariton mutual interactions. We first introduce microcavity polaritons, their optical properties and present the polariton pseudospin formalism. In our sample, polaritons are trapped through their photonic component in cylindrical extensions of the cavity length called mesas. Polariton relaxation is studied in the linear and nonlinear regimes. In the linear regime, we demonstrate that polariton interactions with acoustic phonons are enhanced under lateral confinement. Thermalization, which is forbidden in planar microcavities, is facilitated by confinement, and is very efficient in small diameter mesas. We develop for the first time a comprehensive model of polariton relaxation dynamics under confinement, and highlight the role of polariton states with large exciton content. This work will be profitable to the design of future samples dedicated to the study of Bose-Einstein condensation. In the nonlinear regime, we study the impact of polariton-polariton collisions on the spatial dynamics of microcavity polaritons. In the low-density regime, when the mesa is excited in a coherent superposition of the three lowest energy states, the polariton dynamics is characterized by dipole oscillations. In the high-density regime, we observe a continuous damping of the dipole oscillation. This is due to multiple parametric scattering processes, which redistribute the energy to the benefit of the ground state. Moreover, we demonstrate that the collisional damping is more efficient for collisions between polaritons of the same spin than between polaritons of opposite spins. We investigate in detail the influence of polariton spin in the interactions between polaritons. We first consider the case of planar polaritons. We observe that optical bistability is strongly reduced, or even suppressed, when the system contains polaritons of opposite spins. This results from a pairing of polaritons of opposite spins to form biexciton states. We demonstrate the polarization control of the different optical instability regimes. We then study the case of confined polaritons. As the system is cleaner (we work with a single polariton energy level), we achieve full optical control over the spinor interactions. We demonstrate the first realization of multi-valued switching with a coherent spin ensemble in the solid state. This is a very important step in the research on spin manipulation for the development of spin optoelectronic devices. Finally, we show the influence of the polariton spin on the coupling between planar and confined polaritons and on the control of the polariton fluid dynamics. All our experiments are confirmed by theoretical models. We propose perspectives for the next studies on the dynamics of polaritons and on the coherent spin manipulation in microcavities

Epidémiologie de la démence des personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus au Bénin (Afrique de l’Ouest)

The objective of this research is to expand our understanding on dementia, particularly to enrich its epidemiology and social aspects in order to enable health policy makers to develop an adequate policy for the management of dementia among older population in Benin.Methods : A transversal survey in the general population have helped to diagnose dementia among those aged ≥ 65 years and residing in the city of Cotonou and the rural district of Djidja for at least 5 years. Screening for potential dementia subjects was performed by using a Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSID). The clinical diagnosis was made by a neurologist by using DSM-IV criteria, and if possible or probable cases of Alzheimer's disease were identified by using National Institute for Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke - Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS - ADRDA) criteria.Results : A total of 1139 individuals aged at least 65 years from Cotonou and 465 from rural Djidja were included. The females were 54.1% and mean age was 73.4± 7.2 years at Cotonou. In Djidja, females were 69.1% of the study population and mean age was 71.9± 5.0 years. The prevalence rates were 3.7 (95% CI: 2.6 - 4.8) in urban Cotonou and 2.6% (95%CI: 1.1 - 3.8) in rural Djidja. The prevalence among Cotonou Females was 2.6% (1.6 - 3.5) and among those at least 85 years was 12.8% (6.0 - 19.5). In Djidja, it was 3.4% (1.8 - 5.0) among females and 6.0% (2.8 - 11.1) among those at least 80 years. Alzheimer was the most dominant type in both zones. APOE allele ε4 was present in 22.2% of dementia individuals. Associated factors in urban zones were living alone (p= 0.02) and low weight (p= 0.01) and depression (p= 0.02). The communities in Benin were not aware of dementia as a disease but as a normal aging process.Conclusions : Prevalence of dementia in Benin is not very different as seen in other tropical countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America. It was however, more prevalent in urban than rural zones. Results of this research may help local health authorities to accord available resources to continue identification of its risk factors and better management of dementia in aged population.L’objectif de cette recherche est d’améliorer la connaissance de la démence, d’en enrichir l’épidémiologie et les aspects sociaux afin de permettre aux décideurs dans le domaine de la santé de mettre en place une politique adéquate pour la gestion des démences des personnes âgées au Bénin.Méthodes : des enquêtes transversales en population générale ont permis de diagnostiquer les démences chez des personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus résidents depuis au moins 5 ans dans la ville de Cotonou et dans l’arrondissement rural de Djidja. Le dépistage des sujets suspects a été réalisé avec le Community Screening Instrument for Dementia (CSI’D). Le diagnostic clinique a été fait avec les critères du DSM-IV par un neurologue, et les cas possibles ou probables de la maladie d’Alzheimer ont été identifiés à l’aide des critères du National Institute for Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke - Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association (NINCDS - ADRDA).Résultats : un total de 1139 personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus ont été incluses à Cotonou et 465 dans la zone rurale de Djidja. Les femmes étaient de 54,1% et la moyenne d’âge étaient 73.4 ± 7.2 ans à Cotonou. A Djidja, les femmes étaient 69,1%, l’âge moyen était de 71,9 ± 5 ans. Les prévalences étaient respectivement de 3,7% (IC95%: 2,6 - 4,8) en milieu urbain de Cotonou et de 2,6% (IC95%: 1,1 - 3,8) en milieu rural de Djidja. A Cotonou, la prévalence chez les femmes était de 2,6% (1,6 - 3,5) et chez les personnes de 85 ans et plus de 12,8% (6,0 - 19,5), et à Djidja, elle était de 3,4% (1,8 - 5,0) chez la femme et de 6,0% (2,8 - 11,1), chez les 80 ans et plus. La maladie d’Alzheimer (2,8% vs 2,2%) était le type prédominant dans les deux zones. Au plan génétique l’allèleε4 de l’APOE était présente chez 22,2% des déments. Les facteurs associés en zone urbaine étaient le fait de vivre seul (p= 0,02), le faible poids (p= 0,01) et la dépression (p= 0,02). Au plan socioculturel, les communautés du Bénin ne reconnaissaient pas la démence comme une maladie mais comme un processus normal du vieillissement.Conclusions : La prévalence de la démence au Bénin n'est pas très différente des autres pays tropicaux d’Afrique, d'Amérique latine ou d’Asie. Elle semble plus élevée dans la zone urbaine que dans la zone rurale. Les résultats de cette recherche pourront aider les autorités à allouer des ressources pour continuer la recherche des facteurs et pour une meilleure prise en charge de la démence chez les personnes âgées

Efficacité Du Kaolin (Kalaba) Dans La Gestion Intégrée Des Chenilles Endocarpiques Du Cotonnier Dans La Zone Centre Du Bénin

The study on the efficacy of Kaolin in the integrated management of the endocarpiques larvae of cotton was undertaken in the center of Benin. The objective of the work was to evaluate the potentiality of Kaolin in the control of some endocarpiques larvae of the cotton plant. To achieve this goal, a Fisher block device with 4 treatments and 4 repetitions were set up on two sites. The treatments developed consisted of an untreated plot ; a plot treated with Lambdacyalothrine 15 g/l - chlorpyrifos ethyl 300 g/l; a plot treated with kaolin 5% and another one with the mixture kaolin + Lambdacyalothrine 15 g/l - chlorpyrifos ethyl 300 g/l. The treatment with kaolin was achieved with a back, maintained pressure sprayer. Ten applications were conducted with the kaolin used alone and 6 with the other objects. Results showed that there is no significant difference between the average number of larvae recorded in the plots treated with kaolin and plots which served as control of reference (Lambdacyalothrine 15 g/l - chlorpyrifos ethyl 300 g/l at 1 l/ha). It was the same for the percentage of attacked green capsules and cotton seed production. The effect of kaolin in the control of Haritalodes derogata was low (11.6% of plants attacked against 0.1 % for the chemical reference control and 22.9 % for the untreated plot). The results of Kaolin associated with the binary acaricide, showed that the number of endocarpiques larvae has been significantly reduced compared to the reference control. This study indicates that kaolin can be used like other biological pesticides, as alternative to chemical control and then, constituted an important component of the integrated cotton pests management

Déterminants Et Contraintes De La Pratique De L’apiculture Dans Les Communes De Djidja Et Zogbodomey Au Sud Du Bénin (Afrique De l’Ouest)

Beekeeping is a very interesting activity having a positive impact on agricultural production and rural incomes. This study conducted in both municipalities of Djidja and Zogbodomey, in southern Benin, aimed at analyzing the determinants and constraints of beekeeping activities. For this purpose, a sample of 110 beekeepers randomly selected was investigated. Data about socio-economic and demographic characteristics of households as well as the difficulties in beekeeping were collected through individual interviews and focus groups. The statistical analysis done with R software version 3.1.2 have shown that beekeeping in the study area was influenced by three important socio-economic factors such asthe municipality of the producer, , literacy level and the producer belonging to a village agricultural association. The studies also revealed that the development of beekeeping faced many problems such as: the lack of financial resources, the low level of knowledge in beekeeping techniques, the lack of extension services, the high level of parasitism and other forms of constraints as theft, bush fire. Taking into account these results will allow to pay more attention on farmers’ and beekeepers situation what will be a means of alleviating of rural poverty

E-Learning and North-South collaboration: the experience of two public health schools in France and Benin

Introduction: Distance learning (e-learning) can facilitate access to training. Yet few public health E-learning experiments have been reported; institutes in developing countries experience difficulties in establishing on-line curricula, while developed countries struggle with adapting existing curricula to realities on the ground. In 2005, two schools of public health, one in France and one in Benin, began collaborating through contact sessions organised for Nancy University distance-learning students. This experience gave rise to a partnership aimed at developing training materials for e-Learning for African students. The distance-learning public health course at Nancy teaches public health professionals through a module entitled "Health and Development." The module is specifically tailored for professionals from developing countries. To promote student-teacher exchanges, clarify content and supervise dissertations, contact sessions are organized in centres proximate and accessible to African students. The Benin Institute's main feature is residential team learning; distance-learning courses are currently being prepared. Outcome: The two collaborating institutions have developed a joint distance-learning module geared toward developing countries. The collaboration provides for the development, diffusion, and joint delivery of teaching modules featuring issues that are familiar to African staff, gives the French Institute credibility in assessing research work produced, and enables modules on specific African issues and approaches to be put online. Lessons learned: While E-learning is a viable educational option for public health professionals, periodic contact can be advantageous. Our analysis showed that the benefit of the collaboration between the two institutions is mutual; the French Institute extends its geographical, cultural and contextual reach and expands its pool of teaching staff. The Benin Institute benefits from the technical partnership and expertise, which allow it to offer distance learning for Africa-specific contexts and applications

The effect of feeding restriction with cassava flour on carcass composition of broilers

In order to promote poultry farming in resource-limited rural areas, the effects of feeding restriction with cassava flour on the carcass composition of broilers was studied. After three weeks on a restrictive diet (step 1), the broilers were re-fed during four weeks according to their physiological needs (step 2). In total, 75 four-weeks old chicks were randomly divided into three lots of 25 subjects. Lot I (control) is fed without cassava flour. The lots II and III are fed with diets containing respectively 10 and 30 % of cassava flour, with energetic and protein density of 85 and 70 % of the control. Eight broilers of each lot have been randomly selected and slaughtered at the end of each step. At the end of the restrictive step, the carcass yields and the weights of the digestive tracts are 67.1, 66.3, and 64.7 % and 178.5, 170.0, and 113.3 g respectively for the lots I, II, and III with a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) between lot I and III and then between lots II and III. After 4 weeks of re-feeding, the lots I, II, and III had respectively 69.9, 73.2, and 67.7 % of carcass yield as well as digestive tract weights of 178.3, 180.8, and 156.0 g. The carcass yield had been entirely made up (p ≥ 0.05) to the broilers previously submitted on a restrictive diet. However, the weight of the empty cold carcass was not fully compensated (p ≤ 0.05)