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This study aims to investigate the mechanical properties of paretic and healthy plantar flexor muscles and assesses the spatial distribution of stiffness between the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) and lateralis (GL) during active force generation. Shear wave elastography measurements were conducted on a control group (CNT, n=14; age=59.9±10.6 years; BMI=24.5±2.5 kg/m2) and a stroke survivor group (SSG, n=14; age=63.2±9.6 years; BMI=23.2±2.8 kg/m2). Shear modulus within the GM and GL was obtained during passive ankle mobilization at various angles of dorsiflexion (P0 =0°; P1=10°; P2=20°; P3=-20° and P4=-30°) and during different levels (30%, 50%, 70%, 100%) of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Muscle activations of GM, GL, soleus and tibialis anterior were also evaluated. The results revealed a significant increase in passive stiffness within the paretic plantar flexor muscles under high tension during passive mobilization (p <0.05). Yet, during submaximal and maximal MVC, the paretic plantar flexors exhibited decreased active stiffness levels (p <0.05). A notable discrepancy was found between the stiffness of the GM and GL, with the GM demonstrating greater stiffness from 0° of dorsiflexion in the SSG (p <0.05), and from 10° of dorsiflexion in the CNT (p <0.05). No significant difference in stiffness was observed between the GM and GL muscles during active condition. Stroke affects the mechanical properties differently depending on the state of muscle activation. Notably, the distribution of stiffness among synergistic plantar flexor muscles varied in passive condition, while remaining consistent in active condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olive pomace is the main by-product generated by the olive oil production process. Although toxic to the environment, olive pomace is an important source of natural antioxidants due to its high content of phenolic compounds. The aim of the current study is to maximize the extraction yields of the main phenolic compounds present in olive pomace using innovative green technologies. For this purpose, the present work is divided into two parts. The first part is based on a solubility study of targeted phenolic compounds in various ethanol/water ratios at two different temperatures (20 °C and 50 °C). A computational prediction using COSMO-RS software was applied for the calculation of eventual solubility, which was subsequently confirmed by practical experiments. The determination of the optimal extraction conditions of solvent ratio (EtOH/H2O) (60:40 v/v) and temperature (50 °C) led to the second part of the work, which concerns the intensification of extraction yields. Furthermore, various green extractions using innovative technologies, including accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), ultrasound with its both system (probe (UAE-P) and bath (UAE-B)), bead milling (BM) and microwave (MAE), were carried out and then compared to conventional maceration (CM). Results showed that ASE was the most effective method for extracting phenolic compounds from dried olive pomace powder (5.3 milligrams of tyrosol equivalent (TE) per gram of dried olive pomace powder (DOP)) compared to CM (3.8 mg TE/g DOP). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A better understanding of the pathogenesis of Neuro-behçet's disease. • A broad visualization of secreted cytokines in the CSF of NBD as compared to RRMS. • A significant increase of IL-22 in the CSF of definite NBD. Remitting-Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) and Neuro-Behçet Disease (NBD) are two chronic neuro-inflammatory disorders leading to brain damage and disability in young adults. Herein, we investigated in these patients the cytokine response by beads-based multiplex assays during the early stages of these disorders. Cytokine investigations were carried out on treatment-naive patients suffering from RRMS and NBD recruited at the first episode of clinical relapse. Our findings demonstrate that Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) cells from NBD patients, but not RRMS, secrete significant high levels of IL-22 which is associated with elevated IL-22 mRNA expression. We also observed an increase in IL-22 levels in the definite NBD subgroup as compared to the probable NBD one, indicating a clear relationship between elevated IL-22 levels and diagnostic certainty. Interestingly, we found no correlation of IL-22 secretion between CSF and serum arguing about intrathecal release of IL-22 in the CNS of NBD patients. Moreover, we showed by correlogram analysis that this cytokine doesn't correlate with IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-21 suggesting that this cytokine is secreted by Th22 cells and not by Th17 cells in the CSF of NBD patients. Finally, we found elevated levels of IL-6 and a positive correlation between IL and 6 and IL-22 in the CSF of NBD. In conclusion, these results suggest that IL-6 contributes to the production of IL-22 by T cells leading to the exacerbation of inflammation and damage within the CNS of NBD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the central nervous system (CNS) is the primary affected site in an initial attack of Behçet's disease (BD), the differential diagnosis is particularly challenging. Some cases remain unclassified or qualified as probable neuro-Behçet's disease (NBD). Several cytokines are involved in the immunopathogenesis of this disease; however, studies establishing the differential cytokine pattern between probable and definite NBD are scarce. Twenty-eight parenchymal NBD patients, diagnosed according to the International Consensus Recommendation (ICR) criteria and classified into definite (D-NBD; n = 17) and probable (P-NBD; n = 11), were sampled at their first neurological symptoms, and compared with healthy control subjects (n = 20). Oligoclonal bands (OCB) of IgG were detected by isoelectric focusing on agarose, and immunoblotting of matched serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample pairs. T cell cytokines (INF-γ, IL-4, IL-17, and IL-10) and transcription factors related to Th1, Th2, Th17, and T regulatory populations (respectively T-bet, GATA-3, ROR-γt, and Foxp3) were studied by quantitative RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and CSF cells. Inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β were also analyzed. CSF OCB pattern 2 was present in only 1 out of 28 neuro-Behçet's patients who belonged to the P-NBD group. Two D-NBD patients had OCB in CSF showing pattern 4. In the D-NBD CSF samples, IL-17 and IL-10 expressions were significantly elevated compared to P-NBD. Moreover, D-NBD patients had increased levels of T-bet/GATA-3 and ROR-γt/Foxp3 ratios compared to P-NBD. Furthermore, a significant increase of CSF IL-6 in D-NBD, compared to P-NBD and the controls, was found. In addition to the increased IL-6 level, the data obtained suggest the existence in D-NBD patients of a significantly disrupted balance between Th17 effector and T regulatory cells, as reflected by the enhanced ROR-γt/Foxp3 ratio. This could be considered as an additional criterion for definite neuro-Behçet's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural variability of stress tolerance in halophytic plants is of significance both ecologically and in view of identifying molecular traits for salt tolerance in plants. Using ecophysiological and proteomic analyses, we address these phenomena in two Tunisian accessions of the oilseed halophyte, Cakile maritima Scop., thriving on arid and semi-arid Mediterranean bioclimatic stages (Djerba and Raoued, respectively), with a special emphasis on the leaves. Changes in biomass, photosynthetic gas exchange and pigment concentrations in C. maritima plants treated with three salinity levels (0, 100 and 300 mM NaCl) were monitored for 1 month. Comparative two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) revealed 94 and 56 proteins of differential abundance in Raoued and Djerba accessions, respectively. These salinity-responsive proteins were mainly related to photosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Although Djerba accession showed a lower biomass productivity, it showed a slightly higher CO2 assimilation rate than Raoued accession when salt-treated. Photosynthesis impairment in both accessions under salinity was also suggested by the lower abundance of proteins involved in Calvin cycle and electron transfer. A significant increase of protein spots involved in the OXPHOS system was found in Djerba accession, suggesting an increase in mitochondrial respiration for increased ATP production under saline conditions, whereas a lesser pronounced trend was observed for Raoued accession. The latter showed in addition higher abundance of proteins involved in photorespiration. Salt-challenged plants of Djerba also likely developed mechanisms for scavenging ROS in leaves as shown by the increase in superoxide dismutase and thioredoxin, while an opposite trend was found in Raoued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remitting-RelapsingMultiple Sclerosis (RRMS) and Neuro-Behçet Disease (NBD) are two chronic neuroinflammatory disorders leading to neurological damage. Herein, we investigated in these patients the IL-10-producing cells during the early stages of these disorders. Cellular and molecular investigations were carried out on treatment naive patients suffering from RRMS and NBD recruited at the first episode of clinical relapse. Our findings demonstrate that CSF-B cells from NBD patients, but not RRMS, are the major source of intrathecal IL-10 as compared to T-CD4 cells. Moreover, we showed a lower expression of TGF-β and IL35, in the CSF cells of NBD patients as compared to the control group. Specific in vitro CpG stimulation of peripheral blood B cells from NBD patients resulted in a concomitant early mRNA expression of IL6 and IL10 but was limited to IL10 for RRMS patients. Furthermore, mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-10 receptors was assessed and intriguingly IL6ST receptor subunit was significantly lower in NBD CSF, but not RRMS while IL10RB was increased in both. Deciphering the role of increased IL-10-producing B cells and IL10RB despite relapsing disease as well as the discordant expression of IL6 and IL6ST may pave the way for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of these neuro-inflammatory disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The success of ephemeral scenographic event representations is partly explained by the capacity of the event to touch the spectator and to immerse him in a multisensory experience likely to awaken and appeal to his senses. The scenographic representation offers the spectator the possibility of experiencing the urban space in a different and plural way. This multisensory perception of the place of performance offers a new vision of space. The spectator realizes an association between the real space and the space perceived through his senses. By combining time, space and act, the spectator perceives the scenographic event space as a cognitive act that deepens his understanding of his ephemeral spatial environment. In other words, ephemeral event creation makes it possible to interpret the place and design the space differently (Eisenstein, 2007). Indeed, through the process of perception and identification, the spectator constructs a mental image of a temporary reality and is part of a process of physical and symbolic transformation of the place of the installation. This multisensory process upsets the viewer's relationship with the space and permanently modifies the social space. We will focus in this article on the study of the multisensory experience of the spectator in the scenographic representation by taking the example of the Festival of Lights in Lyon in 2019 and that of the Immersive Art Festival which took place in Paris in October 2019. We will first seek to highlight the perceptual-active process and the relationship between the viewer and the space. Secondly, we will illustrate the extent to which walkable scenography is capable of mutating space spatially and socially. Finally, we will demonstrate the influence of the perceptions that the individual may have on the very existence of space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The acetabulum has been reported as a reliable age estimation marker. However, analyzing its morphological changes can be challenging using computed tomography (CT) imaging. Newly introduced global illumination rendering (GIR) applied to CT can improve the visualization of the fine details and thus the method's performance. This study aimed to analyze age estimation using morphological features of the acetabulum using GIR applied to CT. Methods: We collected 200 postmortem CT scans. A segmentation of the acetabular joint was initially done. Then, three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the images was performed using GIR. These images were saved and then analyzed by two operators based on the three morphological criteria described in the Rougé-Maillart method. Reproducibility was assessed by intraclass correlation (ICC). Age estimation was assessed by multiple linear regression. Results: The sample was composed of 155 males and 45 females, with a mean age of 50 ± 18.3 years old. We observed high agreement in both the inter-observer and intra-observer reproducibility for the three variables (ICC of 75.6 to 90.8% and 89.3 to 95.8%, respectively) and the total score (ICC of 93.5% and 95%, respectively). The three variables, as well as the total score, were significantly correlated with age groups. The total score showed a prediction rate higher than 85% for ages under 40 and over 70 years old. We identified three models with two validated models with an adjusted R2 of 85.6% and 84.8%, respectively; a standard error of 0.688 and 0.706, respectively; and a good correlation of all variables and no inter-correlation. The first validated model included the three morphological criteria scores, and the second model was based on the total score. Conclusion: GIR applied to CT provides photorealistic images that can be useful for forensic imaging intended for age estimation based on morphological methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machine learning is an expanding research area. Its main application is in the medical field and particularly the detection of epilepsy and epileptic seizures through electroencephalographic signals (EEG). It aims to design an intelligent framework that enables an immediate diagnosis of this disease without neurological consultation and thus saves the lives of the epileptic patients by detecting seizures and warning them before it happens. However, as a real-time application, this kind of framework faces several challenges such as accuracy, fast responses, and optimal memory usage. Within this context, our work was carried out. We propose a new machine learning framework based on chaos and fractal theories. Two main novelties are presented in this paper. Firstly, we propose a new method for signal preprocessing, and we reconstruct new versions of studied EEG signals using derivative determination and chaotic injection. Secondly, we suggest a new method for fractal analysis using Higuchi fractal dimension (HFD). In fact, HFDs extracted from EEG derivatives lead to detect epilepsy, whereas HFDs extracted from EEG with a chaotic signal injection lead to seizure detection. In addition, feature fusion helped to linearize all classification problems. An experimental study using the Bonn EEG database proves the efficiency of our contributions in comparison to published research. An accuracy of 100% was achieved in different classification cases using few features and a simple linear classifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data about homicidal burns remain scarce. Intentional burns are a challenging situation in the case of an individual found dead in a fire zone with no witness of the fatal act. This study aimed to analyze the victim profiles of homicidal burns in Northern Tunisia. It was a descriptive cross‐sectional study with a retrospective data collection over 15 years (January 2005–December 2019). In total, 60 cases of homicidal burns were collected. The mean age was 40.22 ± 18.1 years (range 4–82 years). We noted a male predominance (sex ratio M/F = 1.3). Most of the victims were married (48.3%), unemployed (40%), and living in an urban area (63.3%). Homicidal burns occurred most frequently in private homes for female victims (80.8%) and in public places for male victims (31.4%) (p < 0.001). The reported motive varied according to the victim's sex; males were mostly assaulted by an acquaintance in an interpersonal conflict (47.1%), and females were mostly assaulted by an intimate partner while in a dispute (42.3%; p = 0.001). The median total body surface area (TBSA) that was burned was 60.4%, and burn injuries were observed mainly in the anterior part of the body. In 19 cases, the burns were associated with another type of trauma, from which the most common association was burning and stab wounds (12 cases). The identified pattern of homicidal burn casualties was similar to the reported data in Western countries and to homicides in general in Tunisia, suggesting that prevention measures should address those of intentional interpersonal violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is based on a psychoanalytically inspired psychological investigation of two pregnant women with COVID-19 at different stages of pregnancy in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology A at the Charles Nicolle Hospital. Our study was conducted between 2020 and 2021, until deliveries. Two young Tunisian women aged 28 and 30 years were tested positive for COVID-19 during pregnancy. They suffered from emotional shock. In this study, we discuss the different points of collision between life and death by describing, in detail, the experiences of these two women during their confinement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les duplications digestives sont définies comme des malformations tubulaires ou kystiques, siégeant sur un segment du tube digestif, de la cavité buccale à l ́anus. Elles représentent une entité rare. Le diagnostic anténatal est possible quand il s ́agit d ́une forme kystique volumineuse. Nous rapportons le cas d ́une patiente de 33 ans, primipare sans antécédents médicaux ou chirurgicaux dont la grossesse était mal suivie. Une seule échographie faite à 8 semaines d ́aménorrhée (SA). Au cours du troisième trimestre l'examen échographique a montré une image kystique anéchogène de 3cm, à paroi propre, hautement situé dans le pelvis, nonvascularisée. Cette image paraît de localisation antérieure, indépendante des reins et de la vessie. Afin de mieux explorer cette image et ses caractéristiques, une imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) fœtale a été réalisée montrant une image kystique à paroi propre, bien limitée, venant au contact des anses grêliques sur le versant mésentérique. Le diagnostic d ́une duplication digestive a été fortement consolidé. L ́accouchement s ́est déroulé sans incidents par voie haute à 39 SA pour infertilité primaire de 7 ans. L ́échographie post-natale a renforcé cette hypothèse, en montrant une formation kystique au niveau de l ́hypochondre gauche, de 45 mm x 19 mm, multi cloisonnée, pouvant cadrer avec une duplication digestive. Le nouveau-né a été adressé à la consultation externe de chirurgie pédiatrique pour meilleure prise en charge et programmation d ́un acte chirurgical dans les premiers 6 mois. La découverte d ́une image fœtale kystique anéchogène pose le problème du diagnostic étiologique d ́une part et du suivi et prise en charge post-natale d ́autre part. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last years, big data has become the new emerging trend that increasingly attracting the attention of the R&D community in several fields (e.g., image processing, database engineering, data mining, artificial intelligence). Marine data is part of these fields which accommodates this growth, hence the appearance of marine big data paradigm that monitoring advocates the assessment of human impact on marine data. Nonetheless, supporting acoustic sounds classification is missing in such environment, with taking into account the diversity of such data (i.e., sounds of living undersea species, sounds of human activities, and sounds of environmental effects). To overcome this issue, we propose in this paper an approach that efficiently allowing acoustic diversity classification using machine learning techniques. The aim is to reach an automated support of marine big data analysis. We have conducted a set of experiments, using a real marine dataset, in order to validate our approach and show its effectiveness and efficiency. To do so, three machine learning techniques are employed: (i) classic machine learning models (i.e., k-nearest neighbor and support vector machine), (ii) deep learning based on convolutional neural networks, and (iii) transfer learning based on the reuse of pretrained models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lignocellulosic hydrolysate was used as the fermentation feedstock of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Y-MG1 for the production of microbial lipids as the potential raw material for biodiesel synthesis. On synthetic media and under nitrogen-limiting condition, the Y-MG1 strain produces 2.13 g/L of lipids corresponding to 32.7% of lipid content. This strain was able to assimilate a wide range of substrates, especially C5 and C6 sugars as well as glycerol and sucrose. Fatty acid composition shows a divergence depending on the nature of used carbon source with a predominance of oleic acid or linoleic acid. An effective hydrolysis process, based on diluted acid treatment, was established for providing the maximum of fermentable sugars from different characterized lignocellulosic wastes. The highest yield of reducing sugars (56.6 g/L) could be achieved when wheat bran was used as the raw material. Hydrolysate detoxification step was not required in this study since the Y-MG1 strain was shown to grow and produce lipids in the presence of inhibitors and without the addition of external elements. Operating by controlled fed-batch fermentation yielded a dry biomass and oil yield of up to 11 g/L and 38.7% (w/w), respectively. The relative fatty acid composition showed the presence of increased levels of monounsaturated (66.8%) and saturated (23.4%) fatty acids in lipids of Y-MG1 grown on wheat bran. The predictive determination of biodiesel properties suggests that this oil may effectively be used for biodiesel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the inter- and intramuscular variability of plantar flexors stiffness during prone and standing positions at different muscle lengths in healthy and paretic individuals. To access tissue stiffness, shear wave elastography (SWE) measurements were carried out on two groups: control group (CG; n=14; age 43.9±9.6 years; body mass index [BMI]=24.5±2.5 kg/m2) and stroke survivor group (SSG; n=14; age 43.9±9.6 years; BMI=24.5±2.5 kg/m2). Shear Modulus (μ, kPa) within three plantar flexors (the gastrocnemius medialis [GM], gastrocnemius lateralis [GL], and soleus [SOL]) was obtained during two conditions: prone and standing position, at different angles of dorsiflexion (0°, 10°, and 20°). Measurements were also performed in different proximo-distal regions of each muscle. Muscle activation of the GM, GL, SOL, and tibialis anterior were evaluated during the two conditions. Results showed a high spatial stiffness variability between and within plantar flexors during dorsiflexion. The highest stiffness was observed in the GM, especially in the distal region at 20° in healthy and paretic muscles. In the prone position, the paretic muscle exhibits greater stiffness compared to the healthy muscle (p < 0.05). In contrast, in the standing position, an increase of stiffness in the healthy muscle compared to the paretic muscle was observed (p < 0.05). Thus, mechanical properties are differently affected by stroke depending on active and passive states of ankle muscles during dorsiflexion. In addition, the modification of ankle muscle state change stiffness distribution between and within plantar flexors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crude extracts from a medicinal Tunisian plant, Pergularia tomentosa L., were the investigated natural material. Butanolic extract of roots analyzed with IR spectra revealed the presence of hydroxyl, alcoholic, and carboxylic groups and sugars units. Analysis of some secondary metabolites, total phenolic, flavonoids, flavonols, and procyanidins, was performed using different solvents following the increased gradient of polarity. Fruits and leaves contained the highest amounts of all these compounds. Antioxidant properties were evaluated by the determination of free radical scavenging activity and the reducing power of methanolic extracts. Fruits and leaf extracts were the most powerful antioxidants for the two-assay in vitro system. Stems and fruits extracts exhibit an antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici which could become an alternative to synthetic fungicide to control Solanum species fungal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed germination recovery aptitude is an adaptive trait of overriding significance for the successful establishment and dispersal of extremophile plants in their native ecosystems. Cakile maritima is an annual halophyte frequent on Mediterranean coasts, which produces transiently dormant seeds under high salinity, that germinate fast when soil salinity is lowered by rainfall. Here, we report ecophysiological and proteomic data about (1) the effect of high salt (200 mM NaCl) on the early developmental stages (germination and seedling) and (2) the seed germination recovery capacity of this species. Upon salt exposure, seed germination was severely inhibited and delayed and seedling length was restricted. Interestingly, non‐germinated seeds remained viable, showing high germination percentage and faster germination than the control seeds after their transfer onto distilled water. The plant phenotypic plasticity during germination was better highlighted by the proteomic data. Salt exposure triggered (1) a marked slower degradation of seed storage reserves and (2) a significant lower abundance of proteins involved in several biological processes (primary metabolism, energy, stress‐response, folding and stability). Yet, these proteins showed strong increased abundance early after stress release, thereby sustaining the faster seed storage proteins mobilization under recovery conditions compared to the control. Overall, as part of the plant survival strategy, C. maritima seems to avoid germination and establishment under high salinity. However, this harsh condition may have a priming‐like effect, boosting seed germination and vigor under post‐stress conditions, sustained by active metabolic machinery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial lipid production using renewable raw material is considered an alternative for biodiesel production. In this study, several biotopes have been targeted for new oleaginous yeasts isolation. 205 yeast strains were screened to find efficient and more suitable oleaginous yeasts for agro-industrial wastes bioconversion. Using the qualitative fluorometric technique, 12 strains were pre-selected and the morphology of their lipid bodies was studied. The molecular identification showed that our isolates are closely related to six genera of oleaginous yeast. Cultivated on nitrogen limited medium, lipid content of all yeast strains exceeds 20% (w/w), confirming their oleaginous character. The highest lipid yield and content were achieved by Candida viswanathii Y-E4 (3.55 g/L) and Rhodotorula babjevae Y-SL7 (39.17%), respectively. All the lipid profiles analyzed are mainly formed by triacylglycerols of oleic acid. In addition to the lipogenic aptitude, the hydrolytic potential including cellualse and lipase activities was also studied. The highest CMCase (0.11 U/mL) and β-glucosidase (0.55 U/mL) activities were produced by the Trichosporon asahii Y-SL1 strain. However, the highest lipase activity (50 U/mL) was detected in the liquid culture of Yarrowia lipolytica Y-D1P. To minimize the SCO production cost, oleaginous yeasts were evaluated for their capacity to use agro-industrial by-products for lipids and enzymes production. Cultivated on wheat bran acid-hydrolysate, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Y-MG1 exhibits the highest lipid yield (2.2 g/L). In parallel, a considerable lipid content 64% (w/w) and lipase activity (174.1 U/mL) were achieved by Yarrowia lipolytica Y-D1P and Trichosporon asahii Y-D1 respectively, when the soap stock of pomace olive oil refining was used as carbon source. This study opens up new perspectives in the use of industrial wastes for production of microbial lipids and high-added value products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NaCl stress is a major abiotic stress factor limiting the productivity and the geographical distribution of many plant species. Although halophytes are able to withstand and even to require salt in the rhizosphere, roots are the most sensitive organs to salinity. Here, we investigate the variability of salt tolerance in two Tunisian accessions of the halophyte Cakile maritima (Raoued and Djerba, harvested from the semi-arid and arid Mediterranean bioclimatic stages, respectively) with a special emphasis on the proteomic changes in roots. Seedlings were hydroponically grown for one month under salt-free conditions and subsequently at three salinities (0, 100, and 300 mM NaCl). Physiological parameters (plant growth, water content, Na + , K + contents) and root protein profiles were analyzed. Plant biomass was higher in Raoued than in Djerba but the latter was impacted to a lesser extent by salinity, notably due to lower sodium accumulation and higher selectivity for K + . 121 and 97 salt-responsive proteins were identified in Djerba and Raoued accessions, respectively. These proteins can be assigned to several different functional categories: protein metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, amino acid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, translation and ribosome biogenesis, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, and reactive oxygen species regulation and detoxification. The comparative proteome analysis revealed that 33 proteins were salt-responsive in both accessions, while 88 and 64 proteins were salt-responsive only in the Djerba or Raoued accessions, respectively. Our results give deeper insights into the plasticity of salt-stress response of C. maritima in its native ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-variable Box-Behnken design was employed to obtain the best possible combination of extraction time, ratio (raw material/water) and extraction temperature to allow maximum extraction yield of polysaccharides from pea pod (PPP). The preferred extraction conditions were: extraction time 195 min, extraction temperature 70 °C and ratio of raw material/water 1/40. Under these conditions, the experimental yield was 16.21 ± 1.12%, which is in close agreement with the value predicted by response surface methodology model yield (16.08 ± 0.95%). The molecular weight distribution of PPP showed two peaks with M W of 5217 kDa and 50 kDa, respectively. The main monosaccharides in PPP were galactose, xylose and arabinose, whereas the major functional groups identified from FT-IR spectrum included CO, OH and CH. In addition, PPP had high 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and a moderate reducing power. The antibacterial activity of PPP was also observed against the tested microorganisms and at 50 mg/mL PPP could inhibit the growth of the Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Generally, these results suggest that the PPP has significant antioxidant activity and good antibacterial activity and can potentially be used as additive in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Neuro-Behçet’s Disease (NBD) are two recurrent disorders affecting the central nervous system (CNS) by causing inflammation and irreversible damage. Inaugural clinical symptoms for both diseases might be very similar and definitive diagnosis could be delayed. The present study aimed to find out possible differences at early stages in the transcription factors/cytokines expression profiles in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of MS and NBD patients which could be useful discriminative markers. Cytokines and transcription factors related to Th1, Th2, Th17 and T regulatory populations were studied by quantitative RT-PCR simultaneously in PBMCs and CSF, from 40 patients presenting a first episode of clinical features related to CNS inflammation and 22 controls with non inflammatory neurological diseases enrolled mainly for severe headache. The follow up of 12 months did allow a definitive diagnosis of remitting relapsing MS (RRMS) in 21 patients and of NBD in the other 19 among those with CNS inflammation compared to controls. In initial blood samples, T-bet was significantly increased in NBD patients only while IFN-γ was elevated in patients who evolved into RRMS or NBD. IL-17a, GATA-3 and IL-4 were significantly lower in RRMS patients than in the NBD group. In initial CSF samples, ROR-γt, IL-17a and IFN-γ were significantly elevated in patients compared to controls. The most striking finding was the significant increase of CSF IL-10 that we did observe in NBD patients only. Thus, we propose CSF IL-10 as a predictive marker to help clinicians discriminating between these two neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the investigation of the nonlinear dynamic behavior of a one-degree-of-freedom (1-DoF) impact mechanical oscillator subject to a single rigid constraint and under an OGY-based state-feedback control law. Our analysis is mainly carried out through bifurcation diagrams. Several cases of the raised behaviors are also illustrated through time-traces, phase portraits and Poincaré sections. To prevent some problems in the computation of unstable solutions and their continuation to locate and characterize local bifurcations, we develop an analytical expression of a stroboscopic controlled hybrid Poincaré map. Moreover, we present conditions for determining the fixed point of such Poincaré map and for studying its stability. Through the hybrid Poincaré map, we analyze the displayed nonlinear phenomena in the controlled impacting oscillator. We show that several interesting behaviors are revealed including the period-doubling route to chaos, the period-adding cascade, interior and boundary crisis, the complete and incomplete chaotic chattering, the cyclic-fold bifurcation, the saddle-saddle bifurcation, the Neimark–Sacker bifurcation, the sub-critical period-doubling bifurcation, the grazing bifurcation, among others. Furthermore, we show also that the 1-DoF impacting mechanical oscillator displays, for the first time, the border-collision bifurcation, which is exhibited due to the OGY-based state-feedback control. In addition, we establish conditions for the localization of the border-collision bifurcation. Its occurrence is investigated via a two-parameter bifurcation diagram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Complexes of imidazole derivatives with transition metal ions have attracted much attention because of their biological and pharmacological activities, such as antimicrobial, antifungal, antiallergic, antitumoural and antimetastatic properties. In addition, imidazoles occupy an important place owing to their meaningful catalytic activity in several processes, such as in hydroamination, hydrosilylation, Heck reaction and Henry reaction. In this work, we describe the crystallization of two halogenometallate based on 2-methylimidazole. Their IR, thermal analysis, catalytic properties and antibacterial activities have also been investigated. Results: Two new isostructural organic-inorganic hybrid materials, based on 2-methyl-1H-imidazole, 1 and 2, were synthesized and fully structurally characterized. The analysis of their crystal packing reveals non-covalent interactions, including C/N–H···Cl hydrogen bonds and π···π stacking interactions, to be the main factor governing the supramolecular assembly of the crystalline complexes. The thermal decomposition of the complexes is a mono-stage process, confirmed by the three-dimensional representation of the powder diffraction patterns (TDXD). The catalytic structure exhibited promising activity using MeOH as solvent and as the unique source of acetalization. Moreover, the antimicrobial results suggested that metal-complexes exhibit significant antimicrobial activity. Conclusion: This study highlights again the structural and the biological diversities within the field of inorganic–organic hybrids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We define an abstract setting to treat essential spectra of unbounded coupled operator matrix. We prove a well-posedness result and develop a spectral theory which also allows us to prove an amelioration to many earlier works. We point out that a concrete example from integro-differential equation fit into this abstract framework involving a general class of regular operator in L1 spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 26-year-old patient with no significant medical history to mention, primigravida, was admitted to our department for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, accompanied by ketonuria at the 14th week of gestation. The physical examination showed a conscious and cooperating patient with a full Glasgow score of 15 with a normal neurological examination (meningeal signs were absent), a stable hemodynamic status, and the absence of dehydration signs except diminished skin turgor. [Extracted from the article]

The purpose of our study is to identify the contribution of MRI as a complementary examination to ultrasound in order to optimise the characterisation of ovarian mass characterisation. In cases where pelvic ultrasonography could not contribute substantially to the diagnosis, we completed the exploration with a pelvic MRI. [Extracted from the article]

On ultrasound: Cleft lip and palate, lissencephaly and microcephaly. Second trimester ultrasound is usually performed between 22 and 24 weeks of amenorrhea to assess the growth of the fetus, to carry out an in-depth morphological study, to study the mobility and the fetal appendages and to highlight certain associations of malformations. The frequency of cleft lip and palate is estimated to 1.5 per 1000 births the diagnosis is made during second trimester ultrasound. [Extracted from the article]

The getal ascites puncture was the next step, for the sake of the Bglucosidase assay. Chromosome abnormalities were heavily suspected, especially the Turner syndrome, the trisomies (Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 21), for this purpose we completed our investigation with an amniocentesis. Our patient underwent a testing of a panoply of serologies, but all the I in utero i infection(s), such as the TORCH group, the fetal parvovirus B19 infection and the coxsackie viral infection were cleared. [Extracted from the article]

Due to steadily growing population and economic transitions in the more populous countries, renewable sources of energy are needed more than ever. Plant biomass as a raw source of bioenergy and biofuel products may meet the demand for sustainable energy; however, such plants typically compete with food crops, which should not be wasted for producing energy and chemicals. Second-generation or advanced biofuels that are based on renewable and non- edible biomass resources are processed to produce cellulosic ethanol, which could be further used for producing energy, but also bio-based chemicals including higher alcohols, organic acids, and bulk chemicals. Halophytes do not compete with conventional crops for arable areas and freshwater resources, since they grow naturally in saline ecosystems, mostly in semi-arid and arid areas. Using halophytes for biofuel production may provide a mid-term economically feasible and environmentally sustainable solution to producing bioenergy, contributing, at the same time, to making saline areas -- which have been considered unproductive for a long time -- more valuable. This review emphasises on halophyte definition, global distribution, and environmental requirements. It also examines their enzymatic valorization, focusing on salt-tolerant enzymes from halophilic microbial species that may be deployed with greater advantage compared to their conventional mesophilic counterparts for faster degradation of halophyte biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two approaches have been established to study the effect of texturing scales on the anti-fingerprint and self-clean performances. In the first, we have analyzed the mechanical response of a dry finger when it is loaded over different textures. A contact model was developed to measure the real touched area. The second approach aims to highlight the effect of texturing on the interaction between fingerprint liquids and textured surfaces. A wetting model was performed to examine the wetting behavior of the previously simulated textures. The results issued from the two approaches were discussed and correlated with each other. It clearly shows the potential effect of texture scales on the achievement of anti-fingerprint functions and delineates the superior functionality of hierarchical textures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the problem of obtaining stable and robust oscillations of underactuated mechanical systems. It is concerned with the Hopf bifurcation analysis of a Controlled Inertia Wheel Inverted Pendulum (C-IWIP). Firstly, the stabilization was achieved with a control law based on the Interconnection, Damping, Assignment Passive Based Control method (IDA-PBC). Interestingly, the considered closed-loop system exhibits both supercritical and subcritical Hopf bifurcation for certain gains of the control law. Secondly, we used the center manifold theorem and the normal form technique to study the stability and instability of limit cycles emerging from the Hopf bifurcation. Finally, numerical simulations were conducted to validate the analytical results in order to prove that with IDA-PBC we can control not only the unstable equilibrium but also some trajectories such as limit cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose was to create a three-dimensional (3-D) model of circumferential aqueous humor outflow (AHO) in a living human eye with an automated detection algorithm for Schlemm's canal (SC) and first-order collector channels (CC) applied to spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Anterior segment SD-OCT scans from a subject were acquired circumferentially around the limbus. A Bayesian Ridge method was used to approximate the location of the SC on infrared confocal laser scanning ophthalmoscopic images with a cross multiplication tool developed to initiate SC/CC detection automated through a fuzzy hidden Markov Chain approach. Automatic segmentation of SC and initial CC's was manually confirmed by two masked graders. Outflow pathways detected by the segmentation algorithm were reconstructed into a 3-D representation of AHO. Overall, only <1% of images (5114 total B-scans) were ungradable. Automatic segmentation algorithm performed well with SC detection 98.3% of the time and <0.1% false positive detection compared to expert grader consensus. CC was detected 84.2% of the time with 1.4% false positive detection. 3-D representation of AHO pathways demonstrated variably thicker and thinner SC with some clear CC roots. Circumferential (360 deg), automated, and validated AHO detection of angle structures in the living human eye with reconstruction was possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water stress is a major abiotic constraint leading to serious crop losses. Recently, in the Mediterranean region, water stress has become markedly sensed, especially in Citrus orchards. This study investigated the physiological responses of local sour orange ( Citrus aurantium L.) clones to severe water stress. Water stress was applied by withholding irrigation during weeks, followed by a rewatering phase during three months. Under water stress, sour orange clones decreased their stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate. On the contrary, biomass was stable, especially in the Kliaa clone. In addition, reduced leaf water potentials (-3 MPa) and water contents were measured in most of the clones, except Kliaa which kept the highest water potential (-2.5 MPa). After rewatering, all clones recovered except of the Ghars Mrad (GM) clone. Ultrastructural observations of leaf sections by transmission electron microscopy did not reveal marked alterations in the mesophyll cells and chloroplast structure of Kliaa in comparison to the sensitive clone GM, in which palisade parenchyma cells and chloroplasts were disorganized. This contrasting behavior was mainly attributed to genetic differences as attested by molecular analysis. This study highlighted GM as the drought-sensitive clone and Kliaa as the tolerant clone able to develop an avoidance strategy based on an efficient stomatal regulation. Although a high percentage of polyembryony characterizes C. aurantium and justifies its multiplication by seeds, heterogeneous water-stress responses could be observed within sour orange plants in young orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pea and broad bean pods fibers were extracted and incorporated with different levels into dough and breads made from wheat white flour. Incorporation of those two kinds of fibers at 1 g/100 g into low bread-making quality flour leads to the increase of the dough strength to 18.8 mJ and 20.8 mJ for the fiber from pea pods and broad bean pods, respectively. Also, the curve configuration ratio was increased from 0.73 for the control to 1.13 and 1.42 for the fiber from pea pods and broad bean pods, respectively. Bread evaluation revealed that the addition of fibers from pea pods and broad bean pods improved considerably the texture profile of bread. In fact, there is a clear decrease in hardness (15.24 N for the control and 13.83 N and 12.75 N for breads enriched with fibers from pea pods and broad bean pods, respectively) with a slight perfection in adhesion and cohesion. In conclusion, fibers from pea pods and broad bean pods could be recommended as improver in the bread making industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention has focused on bakery products such as cake which is one of the most common bakery products consumed by people in the world. Legume by-products, pea pods (PPs) ( Pisum sativum L.) and broad bean pods (BBPs) ( Vicia faba L.) mediterranean (Tunisian), has been studied for its high dietary fiber content (PP: 43.87 g/100 g; BBP: 53.01 g/100 g). Protein content was also a considerable component for both by-products. We investigated the effect of substituted of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of PP and BBP flours on the sensory and technological properties in cake. Cakes hardness increased whereas L* and a* color values decreased. The overall acceptability rate showed that a maximum of 15% of PP and BBP flours can be added to prepare acceptable quality cakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Levan polysaccharide, a type of fructan, has been shown to have industrial applications as a new industrial gum in the fields of cosmetics, foods like dietary fiber and pharmaceutical goods. The objective of this current study was to investigate the possible hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects of levan in rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet. Animals were allocated into four groups of six rats each: a normal diet group (Control), normal rats received levan (L), a high-cholesterol diet group (Chol) and a high-cholesterol diet with a daily dose of levan equivalent to 5%. Treated hypercholesterolemic rats were administrated with levan in drinking water through oral gavage for 60 days. After the treatment period, the plasma antioxidant enzymes and lipid profiles were determined. Our results show that treatment with levan polysaccharide positively changed plasma antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides) in cholesterol-rats, and thus may have potential hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects. Levan could protect against oxidative stress linked atherosclerosis and decrease the atherogenic index. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A newly isolated thermophilic bacterial strain from Tunisian thermal source was identified as Bacillus sp. and was selected for its ability to produce extracellular levansucrase. Following the optimization of carbon source, nitrogen source, temperature and initial pH of the growth medium in submerged liquid cultures. In fact, sucrose was found to be a good inducer of levansucrase enzymes. The optimal temperature and pH of the levansucrase were 50°C and 6.5, respectively and its activity increased four folds in the presence of 50mM Fe2+. This enzyme exhibited a remarkable stability and retained 100% of its original activity at 50°C for more than 1h at pH 6.5. The half-life of the enzyme was 1h at 90°C. Crude enzyme of Bacillus sp. rich in levansucrase was established for the synthesis of fructooligosaccharides and levan. Bacillus sp. could therefore be considered as a satisfactory and promising producer of thermostable levansucrases. Contrary to other levansucrases, the one presented in the current study was able to produce high levels of levan with high molecular weight at 50°C and having an important effect as a hypoglycemic agent which was demonstrated in our previous publications (Dahech et al., 2011 ) and as a hypo-cholesterolemic agent which will be investigated in further research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a polysaccharide named levan, which was produced by new isolated bacteria, on oxidative stress and hyperglycemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Levan polysaccharide was given in drinking water for 60 days at a daily dose equivalent to 2%. The oral administration of levan in diabetic rats caused a decrease in glucose level in plasma and an increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities in both pancreas and liver. Furthermore, a protective action against hepatic and pancreatic toxicity in diabetic rats was clearly observed. Furthermore, a significant decrease in hepatic and pancreatic indices toxicity was observed, i.e., alkalines phosphatases (ALP), aspartate and lactate transaminases (AST and ALT), lactate deshydrogenases (LDH) activities and the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs). These beneficial effects of levan were confirmed by histological findings in hepatic and pancreatic tissues of diabetic rats. This study demonstrates for the first time that levan is efficient in inhibiting hyperglycemia and oxidative stress induced by diabetes and suggests that administration of levan may be helpful in the prevention of diabetic complications associated with oxidative stress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study aims to examine the effects of polysaccharide levan on oxidative stress and hyperglycemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Levan, used in this study, was a microbial levan synthetisized by a non pathogenic bacteria recently isolated and identified as Bacillus licheniformis. Animals were allocated into four groups of six rats each: a control group (Control), diabetic group (Diab.), normal rats received levan (L) and diabetic rats fed with levan (DL). Treated diabetic rats were administrated with levan in drinking water through oral gavage for 60 days. The administration of polysaccharide levan in diabetic rats caused a significant increase in glycogen level by 52% and a decrease in glucose level in plasma by 52%. Similarly, the administration of polysaccharide levan in diabetic rats caused a decrease in the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) by 31%, 41%, 39% and 25%, an increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 40%, 50%, 44% and 34%, and in catalase (CAT) by 18%, 20%, 12% and 18% in liver, kidney, pancreas and heart, respectively. Furthermore, a significant decrease in hepatic and renal indices toxicity was observed, i.e. alkalines phosphatases (ALP), aspartate and lactate transaminases (AST and ALT) activities, total bilirubin, creatinine and urea levels by 19%, 31%, 32%, 36%, 37% and 23%, respectively. The results show that administration of polysaccharide levan can restore abnormal oxidative indice near normal levels. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that polysaccharide levan is efficient in inhibiting hyperglycemia and oxidative stress induced by diabetes and suggests that levan supplemented to diet may be helpful in preventing diabetic complications in adult rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Diabetogenic T-cells can be detected in pre-diabetic nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice after transfer in NOD-SCID recipients. Here we demonstrate that 6-week-old pre-diabetic NOD mice, >2 months before disease onset, already harbor pathogenic T-cells in equal numbers to overtly diabetic animals. The delay in diabetes appearance is explained by the presence of regulatory CD4+ CD25+ T-cells that control diabetogenic effectors and that are, in our hands, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta-dependent. Our present results suggest, however, that diabetes onset is only partly explained by a decline in this regulatory T-cell activity. Another major factor appears to be the progressive resistance of diabetogenic cells to TGF-beta-dependent mediated inhibition. We propose that progression to overt disease correlates with the pathogenic T-cell's escape from TGF-beta-dependent T-cell-mediated regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the growth of Dunaliella salina as influenced by cadmium (Cd) contamination. Growth was measured in terms of cell number and chlorophyll a content and was found to decrease with increasing Cd concentration. This metal, which was mainly removed by bioadsorption to cell surfaces (95.34 ± 3.04 % of total Cd removed), also drastically reduced the soluble and insoluble carbohydrate (0.41 ± 0.01 and 0.81 ± 0.07 pg cell, respectively, for 150 mg Cd L) concentrations and increased the total metallothioneins protein content (from 0.11 ± 0.02 for the control culture to 3.30 ± 0.2 for 100 mg Cd L). In addition, the presence of this metal in the medium stimulated the synthesis of some secondary metabolites such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids. These compounds had an important role to protect D. salina against the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the presence of Cd in the medium as shown by the increase of the antioxidant capacity of D. salina exposed to Cd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To characterize the rate and pattern of age-related and glaucomatous neuroretinal rim area changes in subjects of African and European descent. Design Prospective longitudinal study. Participants Two hundred ninety-six eyes of 157 healthy subjects (88 patients of African descent and 69 of European descent) and 73 progressing glaucoma eyes of 67 subjects (24 patients of African descent and 43 of European descent) from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study and the African Descent and Glaucoma Evaluation Study were included. Methods Global and sectoral rim areas were measured using confocal laser scanning ophthalmoscopy. Masked stereophotograph review determined progression of glaucomatous optic disc damage. The rates of absolute rim area loss and percentage rim area loss in healthy and progressing glaucomatous eyes were compared using multivariate, nested, mixed-effects models. Main Outcome Measures Rate of rim area loss over time. Results The median follow-up time was 5.0 years (interquartile range, 2.0–7.4 years) for healthy eyes and 8.3 years (interquartile range, 7.5–9.9 years) for progressing glaucoma eyes. The mean rate of global rim area loss was significantly faster in progressing glaucomatous eyes compared with healthy eyes for both rim area loss (−10.2×10 −3 vs. −2.8×10 −3 mm 2 /year, respectively; P < 0.001) and percentage rim area loss (−1.1% vs. −0.2%/year, respectively; P < 0.001), but considerable overlap existed between the 2 groups. Sixty-three percent of progressing glaucoma eyes had a rate of change faster than the fifth quantile of healthy eyes. For both healthy and progressing eyes, the pattern of rim area loss and percentage rim area loss were similar, tending to be fastest in the superior temporal and inferior temporal sectors. The rate of change was similar in progressing eyes of patients of African or European descent. Conclusions Compared with healthy eyes, the mean rate of global rim area loss was 3.7 times faster and the mean rate of global percentage rim area loss was 5.4 times faster in progressing glaucoma eyes. A reference database of healthy eyes can be used to help clinicians distinguish age-related rim area loss from rim area loss resulting from glaucoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we propose a binary phase shift keying-ultra wide band (BPSK-UWB) system in which multiple access is defined by chaotic time hopping. We showed that the performance of the proposed system depends on the invariant probability density of the used chaotic transformation; more over when the width of the pulse is little enough with respect to the period of one bit then the performance of the proposed system approaches the performance of the one user BPSK system. This result is confirmed by simulating the system and computing the binary error rate (BER). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there is an increased demand on the international market of dried fruits and vegetables with significant added value. Due to its important production, consumption and nutrient intake, drying of tomato has become a subject of extended and varied research works. The present work is focused on the drying behavior of thin-layer tomato and its mathematical modeling in order to optimize the drying processes. The moisture desorption isotherms of raw tomato were determined at four temperature levels namely 45, 50, 60 and 65 °C using the static gravimetric method. The experimental data obtained were modeled by five equations and the (GAB) model was found to be the best-describing these isotherms. The drying kinetics were experimentally investigated at 45, 55 and 65 °C and performed at air velocities of 0.5 and 2 m/s. In order to investigate the effect of the exchange surface on drying time, samples were dried into two different shapes: tomato halves and tomato quarters. The impact of various drying parameters was also studied (temperature, air velocity and air humidity). The drying curves showed only the preheating period and the falling drying rate period. In this study, attention was paid to the modeling of experimental thin-layer drying kinetics. The experimental results were fitted with four different models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the displayed phenomena in the semi-passive dynamic walking of a torso-driven biped robot under the OGY control method as it descends inclined surfaces. The desired torso angle is the accessible control parameter. Analysis of the controlled steady semi-passive gaits are carried out mainly by means of bifurcations diagrams and Poincaré sections as the slope parameter varies. Based on Floquet multipliers, we show that a torus bifurcation was born leading hence to the generation of a quasi-periodic bipedal walking. Analysis of the controlled semi-passive dynamic walking is investigated also through a constrained controlled Poincaré map. We demonstrate that a such controlled map and the controlled impulsive hybrid nonlinear model of the biped display almost the same phenomena. We show also that the controlled constrained Poincaré map exhibits a discontinuous period-doubling bifurcation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High efficiency video coding (HEVC) is the latest video compression standard that provides significant performance improvement on the compression ratio compared to all existing video coding standards. The intraprediction procedure plays an important role in the HEVC encoder, and it is being achieved by providing up to 35 intra-modes with a larger coding unit requiring a high computational complexity that needs to be alleviated. Toward this end, the paper proposes two fast intra-mode decision algorithms that exploit the features of video sequences. First, an early detection of zero transform and quantified coefficients method is applied to generate threshold values employed for early termination of the intra-decision process and hence accelerates the encoding procedure. Another fast intra-mode decision algorithm is elaborated that relies on a refinement technique. Based on statistical analyses of frequently chosen modes, only a small part of the candidate modes is chosen for intra-prediction process, which reduces the complexity of the intra-encoding procedure. The performance of the proposed algorithms is verified through comparative analysis of encoding time, visual image quality, and compression ratio. Compared to HM 10.0, the encoding time reduction can reach 69% with only a slight degradation of image quality and compression ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A thermophilic fungus , Talaromyces thermophilus that produces a novel thermotolerant extra-cellular β-glucosidase (Bgl.tls), was isolated from Tunisian soil samples. The enzyme was purified from the culture filtrates of T. thermophilus grown on lactose using gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography and FPLC. The monomeric enzyme had a molecular mass of 116.0 kDa and a high specific activity of 1429 UI/mg. Bgl.tls exhibited optimal activity at pH 5.0 and 65 °C. It was also stable over a wide range of pH (4.0–10.0) and stable at 50 °C for 34 h. Bgl.tls retained about 80% of its initial activity after 1.0 hours of preincubation at 60 °C. The Km and Vmax values recorded for p NPG were 0.25 mM and 228.7 µmol min −1 , respectively. Bgl.tls was activated by Mn 2+ , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ and Co 2+ but obviously inhibited by Fe 2+ and Cu 2+ . It was able to hydrolyze a variety of aryl / alkyl -β-glucosides and disaccharides as well as (1→6) and (1→4)-β-glucosidic linkages and α-glycosidic substrates, thus providing evidence for its broad substrate specificity. The enzyme also displayed high hydrolytic and transglycosylation activities. Overall, this study is the first report on the purification and physicochemical properties of a β-glucosidase secreted by T. thermophilus . The cello-oligosaccharides synthesized by this enzyme within 2 h were mainly cellotriose, cellotetraose and cellopentaose identified by HPLC and ESI-MS techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present work was to study the potential biotechnological use of Dunaliella species isolated from the solar saltern of Sfax (Tunisia). D. salina was grown in artificial seawater (3.4M NaCl) under a constant temperature (25°C) and light ( $${265 {\mu}{\rm mol} {\rm photons} {\rm m}^{-2} {\rm s}^{-1}}$$ ). The maximal cellular density was about $${4.66\times 10^{6} {\rm cells/ml}}$$ , and the growth rate ranged between 0.13 and 0.16 doublings/day. Chlorophyll a reached $${52.32 \pm 0.12 {\rm mg/l}}$$ in the exponential phase. Protein and carbohydrates content reached maximum values in the lag phase ( $${52.4 \pm 0.2}$$ and $${5.7 \pm 0.34\,{\rm mg/l}}$$ , respectively). The maximal values of total lipids content were obtained at the decline phase ( $${92 \pm 0.87\,{\rm mg/l}}$$ ). In addition, during this study, the analyses of the fatty acids profile have shown the presence of essential fatty acids that accumulate in D. salina during the stress phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Phenolic compounds were extracted and isolated from S. undulata roots. Methods. Sample of roots from E. hirta was tested for phenolic compounds, and in vitro antioxidant activity by diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, ABTS, FRAP and reducing power was measured using cyanoferrate method. Results. The methanolic fraction exhibited the highest total phenol content (6.12 ±0.11 mg AGE/g DW). On the other hand, the highest fl avonoids concentration was observed in ethyl acetate fraction (2.90 ±0.05 mg CE/g DW) in addition to anthocyanins (28.56 ±3.96 mg/l). Besides, the highest level of tannins content was measured in the polar aprotic solvent ethyl acetate extract (3.25 ±0.06 mg CE/g DW). The different extracts of S. undulata were evaluated for their radical scavenging activities by means of the DPPH assay. The strongest scavenging activity was observed in methanolic fraction scavenged radicals effectively with IC50 values of 0.14 ±0.02 mg/ml. Similarly, the potassium ferricyanide reduction (FRAP) and ABTS·+ of methanol extract. On the other hand, the total reducing power of ethyl acetate extract was found higher than of other extracts. This paper presents the application of the design-of experiment method for optimizing the extraction of phenolic content using methanol solvent. The resulting regression model has shown that the effect of temperature is not statistically significant (with >95% certainty), while that of agitation speed is. The two main effects are contributed by the solvent concentration and the maceration period. Conclusion. Our results clearly showed that the extraction of phenolic compounds and their antioxidant capacity is significantly affected by solvent combinations. S. undulata presented the highest total phenolic content, total fl avonoids content and antioxidant capacity values. The resulting regression model has shown that the effect of temperature is not statistically significant (with >95% certainty), while that of agitation speed is. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]