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Water governance decentralization in Africa: a framework for reform process and performance analysis
No full textFor long time water resources have been managed in a centralized manner where delivery of the full range of water resource management (WRM) activities was usually provided by national governments. Many problems have been associated with the centralized management approach. Inequality in access to water, limited financial and technical capacity at national and basin levels, poor infrastructure and service delivery, declining quality of river basin natural resources, limited stakeholders involvement in decision making, institutional fragmentation, uncoordinated sector policies, and increasing number of conflicts among stakeholders are examples of such problems (Easter and Heame, 1993; Swatuk, 2005). Decentralization of water management and governance through integrated water resources management (IWRM) approaches has been proposed as the appropriate framework to deal with such problems. This was endorsed by many international initiatives and conventions placing IWRM at the top of the international agenda as key requirement for achieving sustainable development (UNCED, 1992; Rahaman and Varis, 2005; GWP, 2000). Since then IWRM witnessed worldwide adoption and many African countries introduced various reforms in their water laws, policies and related regulations and institutions to facilitate implementation key elements of IWRM (Van der Zaag, 2005; GWP, 2000). SADC countries, for example have adopted comprehensive institutional reforms in the water sector towards decentralization of water management (Magaia, 2009; Backeberg, 2005; Karar, 2002; Wester, 2003; Manzungu and Kujinga, 2002). However, the impact of these reforms on river basin decentralization process and its performance is still largely unknown. Very different stages of advancement have been observed in various African river basins indicating the difficulty of implementing decentralization in practice. It therefore seems necessary to understand why some water agencies have succeeded more than others, what are the variables involved in such reform process, which variables have a positive or a negative impact on the implementation of decentralization processes in the African water sector, and which variables could be affected by policy interventions and how
Expression of constitutively active Notch1 in male genital tracts results in ectopic growth and blockage of efferent ducts, epididymal hyperplasia and sterility
No full textThe Notch signaling pathway is involved in a variety of developmental processes. Here, we characterize the phenotypes developing in the reproductive organs of male transgenic (Tg) mice constitutively expressing the activated mouse Notch1 intracellular domain (Notch1intra) under the regulatory control of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) long terminal repeat (LTR). Tg expression was detected in testis, vas deferens and epididymis by Northern blot analysis. In situ hybridization with a Notch1-specific probe lacked sensitivity to detect expression in normalappearing cells, but demonstrated expression in hyperplastic epithelial cells of the vas deferens, epididymis and efferent ducts. Tg males from three independent founder lines were sterile. Histological analysis of reproductive organs of young Tg males (postnatal ages 8 and 21) showed no difference compared to those of non-Tg males. In contrast, in adult Tg mice from day 38 onwards, the efferent ducts, the vas deferens and most epididymal segments revealed bilateral epithelial cell hyperplasia with absence of fully differentiated epithelial cells. Electron microscopy confirmed the uniformly undifferentiated state of these cells. Immunohistochemistry with anti-PCNA antibody also revealed enhanced proliferation of Tg epididymis. In adult Tg testis, the different generations of germ cells of seminiferous tubules appeared normal, although some tubules were highly dilated and revealed an absence of early and/or late spermatids. The epithelial cells of the Tg tubuli recti and rete testis were not abnormal, but the rete testis was highly dilated and contained numerous spermatozoa, suggesting a downstream blockage. Consistent with a blockage of efferent ducts often seen at the rete testis/efferent duct interface, spermatozoa were absent in epididymis of all adult Tg mice and in all highly hyperplastic efferent duct tubules of these Tg mice. Such a blockage was visualized by injection of Evans blue dye into the rete testis lumen. Finally, the presence of ectopic hyperplastic efferent duct tubules was observed within the testicular parenchyma itself, outside their normal territory, suggesting that Notch1 signaling is involved in the establishment of these borders. This phenotype seems to represent a novel developmental defect in mammals. Together, these results show that constitutive Notch1 signaling significantly affects the development of male reproductive organs
CLAVATA1 Dominant-negative alleles reveal functional overlap between multiple receptor kinases that regulate meristem and organ development
No full textThe CLAVATA1 (CLV1) receptor kinase controls stem cell number and differentiation at the Arabidopsis shoot and flower meristems. Other components of the CLV1 signaling pathway include the secreted putative ligand CLV3 and the receptor-like protein CLV2. We report evidence indicating that all intermediate and strong clv1 alleles are dominant negative and likely interfere with the activity of unknown receptor kinase(s) that have functional overlap with CLV1. clv1 dominant-negative alleles show major differences from dominant-negative alleles characterized to date in animal receptor kinase signaling systems, including the lack of a dominant-negative effect of kinase domain truncation and the ability of missense mutations in the extracellular domain to act in a dominant-negative manner. We analyzed chimeric receptor kinases by fusing CLV1 and BRASSINOSTEROID INSENSITIVE1 (BRI1) coding sequences and expressing these in clv1 null backgrounds. Constructs containing the CLV1 extracellular domain and the BRI1 kinase domain were strongly dominant negative in the regulation of meristem development. Furthermore, we show that CLV1 expressed within the pedicel can partially replace the function of the ERECTA receptor kinase. We propose the presence of multiple receptors that regulate meristem development in a functionally related manner whose interactions are driven by the extracellular domains and whose activation requires the kinase domain
Legume defoliation affects rhizosphere decomposers, but not the uptake of organic matter N by a neighbouring grass
No full textLegume–grass interactions have a great influence on grassland primary production and it was recently shown how defoliation of a legume can increase the transfer of fixed N to a neighbouring grass. It has also been shown that defoliation of a plant can increase soil microbial activity and lead to better soil N availability in the rhizosphere of the defoliated plant. We combined these two perspectives and tested whether defoliation of a legume (Lotus corniculatus) can enhance N nutrition of the neighbouring grass (Holcus lanatus) by increasing growth of soil decomposer biota and the availability of soil organic matter N for grass uptake. We grew mixtures of L. corniculatus and H. lanatus in grassland soil that included 15N-labelled L. corniculatus litter. In half of the systems, we subjected L. corniculatus to a defoliation treatment mimicking insect larvae feeding. At destructive harvests 1, 3, 9 and 30 days after the last defoliation event, we determined how L. corniculatus defoliation affected decomposer microbes, protozoa and nematodes and whether these changes among decomposers created a feedback on the growth and 15N uptake of the neighbouring H. lanatus. Defoliation reduced the growth and litter-N uptake, but increased shoot N concentration of L. corniculatus. Of the soil variables measured, defoliation doubled the number of bacterial-feeding protozoa, but did not affect the abundance of decomposer microbes and bacterial- and fungal-feeding nematodes. Defoliation did not have statistically significant effects on H. lanatus shoot growth, shoot N concentration or litter-N uptake. Our results demonstrate how defoliation-induced changes in legume ecophysiology can affect the growth of decomposers in soil. However, these effects did not appear to lead to a significant change in the availability of soil organic N to the neighbouring grass. It seems that when positive effects of legume defoliation on grass N nutrition are found in grassland ecosystems, these are more likely to be explained by direct transfer of fixed N rather than changes in the availability of soil organic matter N
Aide-mémoire de mission " appui à la valorisation des données entomologiques ". Mission du 10 au 24 mai 2025, Cotonou, Bénin
No full textCe rapport synthétise les activités menées lors de la mission de Quentin LEGROS en visite au Bénin du 10 au 24 mai 2025 dans le cadre de l'accord de coopération entre le CIRAD et l'IRC (convention MAD IRC). La mission s'est déroulée dans les locaux de l'IRC de Cotonou, en présence d'Ana LOPEZ LLANDRES et d'Emmanuel MEGNIGBETO. L'objectif principal de la mission était d'accompagner ce dernier dans les travaux de son doctorat qui doit être conclu cette année
The innovativeness of Malaysian furniture industry at the firm level
No full textThe Malaysian furniture industry is one of the main contributors to the country's economy. However, it is losing its competitiveness and the industry needs to innovate and move up the value chain in order to survive in the competitive global market. In order to help the industry to innovate, more information on its state of innovativeness needs to be gathered. Therefore, the objectives of this study are: i. To assess the level of innovativeness of furniture firms. ii. To determine the main motivation of innovation. In order to assess the level of innovativeness of the furniture firms, the types of innovation were identified and defined. This information is then incorporated into the questionnaire, which was used in the interviews with furniture firms in Selangor. Information gathered was analysed using Correspondence Analysis to identify the innovative companies and what variables contribute to their innovativeness. These variables are then used to develop an Innovation Index for each company as well as the furniture sector. During the interviews, furniture firms were also asked on what were the main motivations for undertaking innovation activities. The answers were analysed to determine the main motivations of innovation. The first round of analysis showed that there are six Innovative companies and five Non-innovative companies. The other companies, which their Innovativeness cannot be determined, are grouped as 'Intermediate'. Among the innovative companies, two types of behaviours towards innovation are observed. The first type is pro - active in seeking information needed for product development from various sources. The second type relies more on government and other companies within their group when carrying out innovation activities. The Non-innovative companies are found to be less enthusiastic in carrying out innovation activities. Further analysis done on the Intermediate group showed that there are three types of behaviours towards innovation. The Innovation Index showed that the Innovative companies have higher scores than the Intermediate and Non - innovative companies, except for a company, which is C10. C10, which is an Intermediate company, is found to have higher score than three Innovative companies. The analysis on motivation showed that the Innovative companies are motivated by two main types of desire in carrying out innovation activities. They are the desire to compete and win (Vengeance) and the desire for social standing and attention (Status). The Intermediate companies are motivated by many more different types of desire compared to the Innovative companies. As for the Non - innovative companies, they are found to be the most affected by the desire to collect and value frugality (Saving) as well as the desire to avoid anxiety and fear (Tranquility). The level of innovativeness of Malaysian furniture firms has been successfully assessed in this study. The firms are categorised into three levels of innovativeness and the level of innovation is found to be affected by the different types of desire that motivate them. However, the survey was confined to the Selangor area due to time and financial constraints. If the survey is being extended to other states, the innovativeness level, motivation and behaviour towards innovation of furniture firms in different states could be analysed
Aide-mémoire de mission " appui à la valorisation des données entomologiques ". Mission du 11 au 25 mai 2024, Cotonou/Parakou, Bénin
No full textCe rapport synthétise les activités menées lors de la mission de Quentin LEGROS en visite au Bénin du 11 au 26 mai 2024 dans le cadre de l'accord de coopération entre le CIRAD et l'IRC. L'objectif principal de la mission est d'apporter un appui à l'axe de valorisation des données entomologiques engagé par l'IRC, notamment les données du dispositif de surveillance des ravageurs. La mission a été constituée de deux séquences : deux visites dans les locaux de l'IRC de Cotonou qui ont eu lieu les 13 et 23-24 mai ont encadré une période de présence continue sur le site de l'IRC de Parakou. Les échanges à Cotonou (notamment avec Ana L. LLANDRES, Romain LOISON et Emmanuel SEKLOKA) ont permis d'établir un état des lieux de l'axe de valorisation des données. La séquence de Parakou a été entièrement dédiée à l'assistance d'E. MEGNIGBETO pour son travail de doctorat. Elle a été ponctuée de 3 réunions : - un point de suivi général du doctorat réunissant Thierry BREVAULT, Fabien HOUNTONDJI, E. MEGNIGBETO et Q. LEGROS le jeudi 16 mai 2024 ; - un point de présentation des avancées à la direction scientifique de l'IRC réunissant E. SEKLOKA, A. L. LLANDRES, E. MEGNIGBETO et Q. LEGROS le mardi 21 mai 2024 ; - un point de présentation de avancées au tuteur universitaire réunissant F. HOUNTONDJI, E. MEGNIGBETO et Q. LEGROS le mercredi 22 mai. Au-delà du compte-rendu des activités menées pendant ces deux semaines, cet aide-mémoire est l'occasion de formaliser le cadre des activités relatives à la valorisation des données à l'IRC. Il contient ainsi des propositions en termes d'objectifs et d'amélioration de l'animation des activités
TOLTECA – Towards Life Cycle Assessment of meso systems: an environmental assessment of the CIRAD organization - Restitution des activités
No full textComment l'Analyse du Cycle de Vie (ACV) peut entrer en résonance avec les activités des scientifiques du département Environnements et Sociétés (ES)?
No full textStickiness RefMat preparation: Cirad-LTC procedure
No full textTo prepare quantities of reference materials for stickiness measuring methods (RefMat), the main goal is to assure that the sticky points are evenly distributed within the material. This is achieved only when the statistical distribution of the sticky points as detected by Sticky Cotton Thermo-detector (SCT) or High-Speed Stickiness Detector (H2SD) on several sub-samples is a Poisson distribution 1. To approach this condition with cotton fiber samples, opening and doubling the material several times is the ultimate solution, based on over 30 years of experience. Along time, orders have been coming by sets of 100 grams each, and therefore the preparation procedure has been designed accordingly. The following slides illustrate the way RefMat are produced, using a minicard equipped with flat flats in place of teeth flats. Other preparation device could be used as long as thin layers are pilled-up into fleeces, so that the number of doublings allows the possibility to get a Poisson distribution of the sticky points into the RefMat. This procedure takes into account the fact that the minicard breaker removes waste and some fibers along the way. It also takes into account the fact that each set of RefMat is re-established at the time of preparation, as stickiness can change over time. In this way, any user can be sure of the number of sticky points in the RefMat at the moment of delivery; this assumes that RefMats are stored in dry conditions, prior to use after a period of conditioning in the standard atmosphere approved for testing