Search

For many years, the recombination of excited ions of argon, Ar + ( P 1 / 2 2 ) , has been assumed negligible under ambient conditions as compared to the recombination of ground-state ions, Ar + ( P 3 / 2 2 ). This opinion was confronted with detailed experimental results that seem to clearly support it. Here, we propose a new interpretation in light of our recent calculations, which shows that the recombination efficiency is comparable for both fine-structure states. Noteworthily, in our model leading to a picture consistent with the experiment, residual dimer ions emerge from A r + ( P 1 / 2 2 ) due to non-adiabatic dynamics effects and interplay in measured data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper examines how corporate social responsibility (CSR) through three dimensions (social, environmental and governance) could influence technological and non‐technological innovations. The study is conducted on a longitudinal dataset of firms listed on the SBF1201 index between 2005 and 2016. It shows significant associations between CSR performance, particularly social and governance performances, and technological innovations introducing new products. The implementation of new processes is positively and significantly associated with environmental performance. Findings highlight that the three CSR dimensions have significant effects on management innovations. However, they did not influence marketing innovations. Finally, undertaking socially responsible projects does not drive significant changes in R&D strategy, specifically R&D expenditures and the number of hired scientists and experts, but it increases significantly the number of patents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on evaluating the seasonal changes in groundwater quality in the Al Hoceima region of northern Morocco, with an emphasis on physicochemical parameters and indicators of fecal contamination. Topics include seasonal variations in groundwater quality, analysis of physicochemical and bacteriological data, and the impact of environmental factors on water contamination.

Objectives: This multicentre, assessor‐blinded, two‐arm cluster randomized trial evaluated the clinical and cost‐effectiveness of a behaviour change intervention promoting toothbrushing for preventing dental caries in UK secondary schools. Methods: Pupils aged 11–13 years with their own mobile telephone attending secondary schools with above average free school meals eligibility were randomized (at year‐group level) to receive a lesson and twice‐daily text messages or to usual care. Year‐groups (n = 84) from 42 schools including 4680 pupils (intervention, n = 2262; control, n = 2418) were randomized. Results: In 2383 participants with valid data at baseline and 2.5 years, the primary outcome of presence of at least one treated or untreated carious lesion (D4‐6 MFT [Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth] in permanent teeth using International Caries Detection and Assessment System) was 44.6% in the intervention group and 43.0% in control (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% CI 0.85–1.26, p =.72). There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes of presence of at least one treated or untreated carious lesion (D1‐6 MFT), number of D4‐6 MFT and D1‐6 MFT, plaque and bleeding scores or health‐related‐ (Child Health Utility 9D) or oral health‐related‐ quality of life (CARIES‐QC). However, twice‐daily toothbrushing, reported by 77.6% of pupils at baseline, increased at 6 months (intervention, 86.9%; control, 83.0%; OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.03–1.63, p =.03), but returned to no difference at 2.5 years (intervention, 81.0%; control, 79.9%; OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.84–1.30, p =.69). Estimated incremental costs and quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs) of the intervention, relative to control, were £1.02 (95% CI −1.29 to 3.23) and −0.003 (95% CI −0.009 to 0.002), respectively, with a 7% chance of being cost‐effective (£20 000/QALY gained threshold). Conclusion: There was no evidence of statistically significant difference for caries prevalence at 2.5‐years. The intervention's positive 6‐month toothbrushing behaviour change did not translate into caries reduction. (ISRCTN 12139369). COVID‐19 pandemic adversly affected follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper delves into the intricate interplay between human and social capital in shaping individual well-being. Drawing on the Mincerian model's foundation of linking wages, education, and experience, we investigate the extent to which these capital forms contribute to the well-being of individuals. Recognizing the limitations of traditional human capital theory, particularly its oversight of social networks and relationship dynamics, our study adopts a comprehensive approach. Utilizing advanced structural equation modeling, we analyze data sourced from the Moroccan General Census of Population and Housing in 2014. Our model encompasses the latent multidimensional concept of well-being as defined by Sen's framework. Through meticulous measurement and analysis, we authentically present a model that captures the nuanced connections among human and social capital variables, each containing multiple latent indicators. Our empirical findings illuminate various dimensions. Human capital, as represented by educational attainment and diploma type, significantly impacts well-being. Intriguingly, health indicators exhibit a distinct relationship pattern, suggesting a divergence from traditional human capital associations. Furthermore, the measurement model for social capital underscores the notable influence of marital status, particularly among married individuals, on overall well-being. Our results reveal that well-being, positioned as an endogenous latent variable, is positively affected by both human and social capital. This study not only substantiates the relevance of Sen's approach to well-being but also underscores the value of leveraging structural equation modeling for its comprehensive assessment. The findings reaffirm the theoretical underpinnings of the relationships between human and social capital variables and offer insights into policy implications aimed at enhancing the quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a new method for preparing multifunctional composite biomaterials with applications in advanced biomedical fields. The biomaterials consist of dicalcium phosphate (DCPD) and bioactive silicate glasses (SiO2/Na2O and SiO2/K2O), containing the antibiotic streptomycin sulfate. Materials were deeply characterized by X-ray diffraction and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and zeta potential analysis, UV–visible spectrophotometry, and ion-exchange measurement were applied in a simulating body fluid (SBF) solution. The main results include an in situ chemical transformation of dicalcium phosphate into an apatitic phase under the influence of silicate solutions and the incorporation of the antibiotic. The zeta potential showed a decrease in surface charge from ζ = −24.6 mV to ζ = −16.5 mV. In addition, a controlled and prolonged release of antibiotics was observed over a period of 37 days, with a released concentration of up to 755 ppm. Toxicity tests in mice demonstrated good tolerance of the biomaterials, with no significant adverse effects. Moreover, these biomaterials have shown potent antibacterial activity against various bacterial strains, including Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, suggesting their potential use in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and orthopedic and dental implants. By integrating the antibiotic into the biomaterial composites, we achieved controlled release and prolonged antibacterial efficacy. This research contributes to advancing biomaterials by exploring innovative synthetic routes and showcasing their promise in regenerative medicine and controlled drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. COVID‐19 is the major cause of serious acute respiratory complications, leading to strong perturbation of cytokine release and high levels of interleukin‐6. In this work, we assessed the efficacy and safety of Tocilizumab in Tunisian patients with severe COVID‐19. Materials and Methods. We enrolled in this retrospective study 255 critically ill patients in the intensive care unit of the military hospital of Tunis. These patients were categorized into a standard group (n = 148) and a Tocilizumab group (n = 107). Medical records were gathered and analyzed between September, 2020 and September, 2021. Results. No significant difference was detected in clinical and biological parameters at admission between the two studied groups. Interestingly, we revealed here a significant improvement in respiratory parameters as well as biological findings such as hemoglobin (p = 0.001), platelets (p = 0.005), CRP (p = 0.0001), fibrinogen (p = 0.0001), and creatinine (p = 0.002). Regarding the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and 28‐day mortality, we showed a significant decrease of these two parameters following 48 hr of drug administration (p = 0.0001, respectively). No significant difference between the two groups regarding complications except the renal failure and the need for renal replacement therapy, which are higher in the standard group as compared to patients treated with Tocilizumab (p = 0.02; p = 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions. Treatment with TCZ seems to be safe and effective in reducing the mortality rate in severe COVID‐19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an analysis of Donald Trump's inauguration speech in 2017, employing an approach of critical discourse. Applying Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as a theoretical foundation, this analysis investigates the linguistic features, discourse strategies, and thematic elements manifested in the given speech. The article posits that the speech delivered by Trump served as a potent instrument for attacking the entirety of the political establishment within the United States. This exemplifies the various methods by which language can be employed to sway and exert influence over the general populace, as well as to contest prevailing power dynamics. The analysis further emphasizes the need to employ critical discourse analysis as a means of comprehending the manners in which language is employed to influence power dynamics and social change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on characterizing the seed oil of Thapsia garganica (Apiaceae), a medicinal plant native to Laghouat, Algeria, and evaluating its antioxidant properties. Various solvent systems were employed to extract and fractionate the lipid content of T. garganica seeds oil. Chemical indices were determined, and fatty acids methyl esters were analyzed using GC/MS. Tocopherol composition was assessed via HPLC, and antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphényl 1-picrylhydrazyle (DPPH) method. The GC/MS analysis revealed distinct fatty acid profiles across various fractions, highlighting a notable presence of petroselinic acid and higher-than-usual levels of pentadecanoic acid in all fractions. T. garganica oil exhibited richness in tocopherols, particularly with α-tocopherol being the predominant homolog. The antioxidant activity assessment of different lipid fractions indicated potent activity within polar lipids (glycolipids and phospholipids). Furthermore, T. garganica oil was abundant in unsaturated fatty acids, notably petroselinic acid, displaying significant radical scavenging activity in its polar fractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have been carried out to assess the building's seismic vulnerability, to mitigate the seismic risk in urban areas, which is one of the most devastating natural hazards causing considerable economic and human losses. These studies must be incorporated to improve the planning of urban areas to have resistant and resilient cities in case of disasters. The seismic feedback has shown that the build-back-better concept has a direct impact on the city's economic growth. In this paper, the existing buildings' resilience is assessed, in order to highlight the capacity of these last to keep the functionality when an earthquake occurs. This building's resilience has been determined for three types of structures: masonry, reinforced concrete and steel, according to the reconstruction time, the reconstruction cost and the damage state. This last has been assessed from empirical fragility curves developed using the log normal distribution for five structures typologies (Unreinforced masonry; reinforced masonry; RC frame; RC shear walls/Mixed RC frame-RC shear walls and steel structures). A seismic resilience scenario was performed using a geographic information system (GIS) and applied for the Blida city (Algeria) classified as a high seismic zone according to Algerian seismic regulations. According to the results found, the old districts of the Blida city, built mainly during the so-called pre-code period, will not be resilient in case of disaster. The other districts built later in the low-code and high-code periods will have, respectively, medium and good functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to analyze the effects of Grenelle I and Grenelle II laws on financial performance, social performance, and risk-taking in France. The study is focussed on SBF120 (The SBF120 index consists of the 120 largest capitalizations listed on the French Stock Exchange market (SBF: Société des Bourses Françaises)) firms between 2005 and 2016. It provides the following results: first, it shows that after the introduction of the Grenelle I and II laws, financial performance decreased while corporate risk increased, particularly in low polluting industries. One explanation for this is that Grenelle laws are based on the comply or explain principle which may lead to adaptative and interpretative disclosure strategies. In addition, environmental regulations may involve high costs of compliance. In the short-term, environmental disclosure regulations do not drive businesses to improve their social performance: they have not been able to undertake socially and environmentally responsible projects based on good governance practices. Using the Environmental Policy Stringency EPS index to measure the stringency of environmental policy, we show that international binding laws such as the Paris Agreement, unlike locally binding Grenelle laws, are able to enhance the overall social performance through the environmental, social and governance channels. In the long-term, Grenelle laws show effective results on the environmental performance and the quality of governance which enhance the overall social performance without impairing the financial one. Finally, quantile regression analysis provides evidence that businesses are likely to increase their environmental performance at the expense of low financial and overall social performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Gaucher disease type 1 (GD1) is characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, and disabling bone manifestations requiring regular MRI monitoring. The EIROS study assessed the real-world impact of velaglucerase alfa on GD1 bone disease, using MRI data collected in French clinical practice. Methods: MRIs collected retrospectively from treatment initiation and prospectively during follow-up (12-months) were analyzed centrally by a blinded expert radiologist to evaluate bone infiltration using the Bone Marrow Burden (BMB) score and a qualitative method (stable, improved or worsened for the spine and femur). Abdominal MRIs were also centrally analyzed to assess hepatosplenomegaly. Bone manifestations, hepatosplenomegaly, and hematologic parameters were analyzed from medical records. Results: MRI data were available for 20 patients: 6 treatment-naive patients and 14 patients who switched to velaglucerase alfa from another GD treatment. Interpretable MRIs for BMB scoring were available for seven patients for the spine and one patient for the femur. Qualitative assessments (n = 18) revealed stability in spine and femur infiltration in 100.0% and 84.6% of treatment-switched patients (n = 13), respectively, and improvements in 80.0% and 60.0% of treatment-naive patients (n = 5), respectively; no worsening of bone infiltration was observed. Liver, spleen, and hematologic parameters improved in treatment-naive patients and remained stable in treatment-switched patients. Conclusions: The qualitative real-world data support findings from clinical trials suggesting the long-term effectiveness of velaglucerase alfa on GD1 bone manifestations. When MRI assessment by radiologists with experience of GD is not possible, a simplified qualitative assessment may be sufficient in clinical practice for monitoring bone disease progression and treatment response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pin fins have the potential to improve the thermal performance of various engineering devices. Modified pin fins could further increase their thermal performance in a passive way at lower cost. This study is aimed at numerically investigating the thermal performance of trenched hemispherical pin fins heat sink (THPFHS) and the influence of parameters including the trench number (N = 1, 3 and 5) and thickness (e = 1 to 5 mm). The simulations were performed using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software considering turbulent air flow conditions. Results showed that the use of aluminum fins fitted with one trench in the middle of the hemispherical pin fin considerably increased the local heat transfer. Furthermore, all studied configurations show high thermal performance factor (HTPF) compared with the conventional cylindrical pin fins heat sink (CPFHS). For this new configuration (THPFHS), Nu increases by 45% while the thermal resistance reduces by 42%, compared to the baseline case. On the other hand, this improved performance results in 50% pressure drop penalty. Moreover, the obtained results showed a significant improvement in the performance mainly at high Re. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical presentation of COVID-19 shows high variability among individuals, which is partly due to genetic factors. The OAS1/2/3 cluster has been found to be strongly associated with COVID-19 severity. We examined this locus in the Moroccan population for the occurrence of the critical variant rs10774671 and its respective haplotype blocks. The frequency of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the cluster of OAS immunity genes in 157 unrelated individuals of Moroccan origin was determined using an in-house exome database. OAS1 exon 6 of 71 SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals with asymptomatic/mild disease and 74 with moderate/severe disease was sequenced by the Sanger method. The genotypic, allelic, and haplotype frequencies of three SNPs were compared between these two groups. Finally, males in our COVID-19 series were genotyped for the Berber-specific marker E-M81. The prevalence of the OAS1 rs10774671-G allele in present-day Moroccans was found to be 40.4%, which is similar to that found in Europeans. However, it was found equally in both the Neanderthal GGG haplotype and the African GAC haplotype, with a frequency of 20% each. These two haplotypes, and hence the rs10774671-G allele, were significantly associated with protection against severe COVID-19 (p = 0.034, p = 0.041, and p = 0.008, respectively). Surprisingly, in men with the Berber-specific uniparental markers, the African haplotype was absent, while the prevalence of the Neanderthal haplotype was similar to that in Europeans. The protective rs10774671-G allele of OAS1 was found only in the Neanderthal haplotype in Berbers, the indigenous people of North Africa, suggesting that this region may have served as a stepping-stone for the passage of hominids to other continents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whichever way you spin the record, rap music and courtrooms don’t mix. On one side, rap records are well known for their unapologetic lyrical composition, often expressing a blatant disregard for legal institutions and authorities. On the other, court records reflect a Van Gogh’s ear for rap music, frequently allowing rap lyrics—but not similar lyrics from other genres—to be used as criminal evidence against the defendants who authored them. Over the last thirty years, this immiscibility has engendered a legal landscape where prosecutors wield rap lyrics as potent instruments for criminal prosecution. In such cases, color-blind courts neglect that rap is a genre originating from and predominantly performed by Black musicians, hence becoming complicit in catalyzing this targeted weaponization of rap music, chilling Black artistic expression, and effectively stripping the genre of its creative license. Though hardly a novel challenge for rap artists, the pending criminal conspiracy case against Jeffrey Williams, professionally known as Young Thug, prompts a renewed sense of urgency in drawing a bright line between fictional rap lyrics and probative criminal evidence. Building from notable scholarship in this field, this Note situates the law’s disproportionate maltreatment of rap music within the broader canvas of systemic racism to propose avenues for how the law may evolve to accommodate the persistent intersections between rap music and the judicial system. By delineating clear parameters for the admissibility of rap lyrics as evidence to address troubling bias in juror perceptions, this framework seeks to find a balance between protecting Black artistic expression and preserving the integrity of criminal proceedings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homogeneous esterification of cellulose isolated from Stipatenacissima plant located in the eastern region of Morocco, using anhydride and acid chloride compounds has been performed in ionic liquids (ILs) prepared in our laboratory as reaction mediums. ILs were chosen as solvents due to their green character and ability to disperse native cellulose compared to other solvents. [C4mim]OAc showed the highest solubility percentage of cellulose (15 wt%). Other principles of green chemistry were applied herein such as the uses of biomass, catalysts, and green solvents. The formed cellulosic esters were analyzed for structural, surface, and thermal properties by various analytical techniques: FTIR-ATR, NMR, XRD, TGA, and DSC. The esterificating agents were varied in this study to obtain different cellulose derivatives. Notably, high degrees of substitution (DS) were achieved for cellulose propionate (2.91) and cellulose butyrate (2.76). However, cellulose phthalate and cellulose laureate were obtained with low DS values, which affect their solubility in different solvents depending on their DS values. The effect of esterification on cellulose properties, on one hand, decreases the crystallinity index (CIr) and crystallite size, however, on the other hand, increased the surface area and pore volume. The contact angle measurements revealed an enhancement in the hydrophobicity of the cellulose esters. Particularly, cellulose propionate with high DS exhibited a significantly elevated contact angle, reaching 142.5°. This emphasizes that the hydrophobic nature of the modified cellulose can be improved by raising the DS, rather than solely relying on the length of the carbonyl chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Informatics Control Measurement in Economy & Environment Protection / Informatyka, Automatyka, Pomiary w Gospodarce i Ochronie Środowiska is the property of Lublin University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the chemical composition, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and cytotoxic properties of the essential oils extracted from Rhanterium adpressum Coss. & Dur. (EORA) and Rhanterium suaveolens Desf. (EORS). The main compounds of EORA were myrcene (18.51%), α-pinene (14.36%), sabinene (13.55%), β-pinene (5.67%), and camphene (5.39%). While camphene (25.06%), α-pinene (13.14%), myrcene (9.74%), sabinene (8.27%), D-limonene (7.86%), and β-pinene (7.34%) constituted the major components of EORS. A potent antibacterial activity was also recorded against Escherichia coli with MIC = 5.72 mg/mL for EORA and MIC = 5.96 mg/mL for EORS. Concerning the antifungal effect, a remarkable efficiency was exerted against the two tested Candida albicans strains (MIC < 5.96 mg/mL) for EORS and against Candida albicans 26 (MIC = 5.72 mg/mL) for EORA. Furthermore, a promising antiparasitic ability was observed against Acanthamoeba castellanii (IC50 = 6.42±0.21 μg/mL) for EORS and against Leishmania amazonensis (IC50=9.66±1.46 μg/mL) for EORA. However, low cytotoxicity was recorded against macrophages J774-A1 (LC50 = 67.68±4.02 μg/mL) only for EORS. Based on the present findings, it may be concluded that the two tested EOs possess significant antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities with minimal cytotoxicity, so they can be used as new sources of antimicrobial and antiparasitic drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Przegląd Elektrotechniczny is the property of Przeglad Elektrotechniczny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bearings play a critical role in the operation of rotary machines, serving as essential components. Their failure often leads to unexpected shutdowns, posing a significant risk to the entire system. To mitigate these risks, it is imperative to implement proactive maintenance measures and strategic planning to prevent system breakdowns. This article introduces a comparative analysis between two predictive modelling approaches: Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) and Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) networks, aiming to enhance bearing prognostics. The proposed methodology involves a two-step process. Firstly, data undergoes preprocessing through wavelet packet decomposition (WPD). Subsequently, a degradation model is employed for predicting the remaining useful life (RUL). To validate the accuracy of the proposed approach, extensive testing is conducted using a bearing's life dataset obtained from a run-to-failure experiment. The results demonstrate that the ANFIS model exhibits remarkable capabilities in learning and accurately estimating the system's RUL, achieving this with minimal computation time compared to alternative methods, thus presenting a more efficient and precise solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology has significantly transformed human-machine interactions, but it remains limited in its representation of diverse languages and dialects. Moroccan Darija, the lively Moroccan dialect, has long been underrepresented in the realm of language technology. To address this gap, we present a novel corpus of audio files accompanied by meticulously transcribed Moroccan Darija speech. The corpus comprises 1,000 hours of diverse content, featuring multiple Moroccan accents, extracted from 80 YouTube channels. To standardize the representation of Moroccan Darija in our corpus, we made efforts to establish consistent writing norms and conventions. In addition to the dataset creation, we applied fine-tuning using the Wav2Vec2 model on the Moroccan Darija voice corpus (MDVC) dataset achieving a remarkable word error rate (WER) of 9%. This article discusses the current state of Moroccan Darija research, highlighting the scarcity of resources and the need for robust ASR systems. Our contribution offers a valuable resource for researchers and developers, and by standardizing the Darija language, we strive to improve ASR system for this low resource language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the dynamic and asymmetric linkage between crude oil, oil uncertainty, and the United States (US) equity markets across various horizons and tails using a combination of a time-frequency approach, Granger causality, and quantile-on-quantile regression from January 2020 to December 2022. The empirical results indicate that causal relationships and the dynamic co-movement between crude oil, oil implied volatility, and the Dow Jones industrial and transportation indices are confirmed across various frequencies through wavelet-based Granger causality and wavelet coherence. Then, the wavelet-based quantile-on-quantile regression shows that the relationship between oil, oil implied volatility, and both US equity markets is heterogeneous and asymmetric across short-and long-run horizons, in particular. The findings provide new insights into the sensitivity of US stock markets to oil shocks across various time frequencies and tails, offering several portfolio implications useful for heterogeneous investors and portfolio managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-material stacks comprising composite and metallic layers are widely used in aerospace components. For the assembly of structural part, high-quality holes are required to ensure the performance of the mechanical fastening (rivet/bolt). On the final assembly lines of aircraft structures, these machining operations are often performed using an electric automated drilling unit (eADU). When drilling hybrid stacks, the difference in machinability of the materials (CFRP, titanium alloy, and aluminum alloy) makes it difficult to avoid delamination, fibre pullout, matrix degradation, burrs, roughness, and size defects. Therefore, each material must be drilled with suitable machining conditions to meet the demanding quality requirements. To this end, automated material detection would allow for the adjustment of appropriate cutting parameters for each material. Due to the numerous stack configurations (material, thickness) and the variability of process parameters (tool geometry, cutting conditions, lubrication, etc.), automated material detection is not an easy task. To address this issue in eADU applications, this paper presents a novel approach to identify during the process the drilled material being manufactured using a random forest (RF) machine learning model and multi-sensor data fusion. Cutting forces, vibration, micro-lubrication conditions (flow rate and pressure), and eADU spindle and feed motor currents are monitored on a dedicated drilling test rig. Numerous tests were performed on Al7175/CFRP stacks with different cutting conditions to validate the proposed methodology. Advanced signal processing and analysis in the time and frequency domains are used for feature extraction to identify Al7175 from the CFRP. The input features of the RF model were selected using the feature importance measure embedded in the RF model learning process. The knowledge process of drilling multiple material stacks is also considered. The results showed that the features extracted from the frequency domain are more effective in identifying the CFRP Al7175 than those extracted from the time domain. This optimal subset was then used to build the RF model. The proposed methodology resulted in a highly accurate classification allowing the implementation of an adaptive machining process on the eADU for hybrid stack drilling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Saka region and its environs are situated in the northeastern part of Morocco. This study aimed to optimize automated lineament extraction based on the comparing of Landsat-8 optical satellite data with Sentinel-2B for enhanced analysis. The research delved into the structural lineaments within the Saka region, with the objective of advancing the understanding of lineament extraction techniques. Remote sensing techniques were employed to extract and map these lineaments Furthermore, the study sought to elucidate the distribution and genesis of volcanism in the Saka region and its surroundings in the context of geodynamics. The availability of optical and multispectral remote sensing datasets, including those from Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2B, characterized by medium and high spatial resolutions, enhances the efficiency and simplicity of lineament mapping - an essential component of any structural geological investigation. However, due to the differences in spatial resolution and sensitivity to land cover, the outcomes from these diverse data sources were derived with varying resolutions display variability. The spatial resolution of the images significantly influences the precision and clarity of the retrieved lineaments. The findings underscore a strong correlation between lineament directions (primarily NE-SW, E-W, NW-SE) and faults, i.e., correspond to the distribution of volcanic outcrops in the Saka area and its vicinity. For validation purposes, the lineaments extracted through directional filtering were compared to the manually obtained lineaments, alongside lineaments digitized from the pre-existing neotectonic map (faults) as well as satellite images depicting lineaments in the study area. Density analysis was employed to investigate the correlation between the concentration of lineaments and the distribution of pre-existing faults. Additionally, the geological map was utilized to refine the correlation between density distribution and the spatial orientations of volcanic rock formations in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morocco is currently facing significant challenges due to the ever-changing climate, with its critical water sources crucial for agriculture, economy, and daily life being greatly affected. In order to thoroughly understand the impact of climate change on the Ghis-Nekor watershed, an in-depth study spanning 38 years (1978-2016) was conducted. This involved examining the meteorological data from three stations and utilizing advanced indices, such as SPI, RDI, and DI. The findings of this study revealed prominent shifts in precipitation patterns, indicating a vulnerability in the region. While there was a general increase in annual rainfall during the specified time period, a sharp decline was observed post-2008. Further analysis of drought confirmed the presence of persistent dry spells and recurring episodes, highlighting the urgent need for effective water management strategies. These crucial findings must be considered by decision-makers for successful climate adaptation, emphasizing the key role played by this study in mitigating the effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the critical issue of classifying cardiac ischemia, a disease with signifi- cant global health implications that contributes to the global mortality rate. In our study, we tackle the classification of ischemia using six diverse electrocardiogram (ECG) datasets and a convolutional neural network (CNN) as the primary methodology. We combined six separate datasets to gain a more comprehensive understanding of cardiac electrical activity, utilizing 12 leads to obtain a broader perspective. A discrete wavelet transform (DWT) preprocessing was used to eliminate irrelevant information from the signals, aiming to improve classification results. Focusing on accuracy and minimizing false negatives (FN) in ischemia detection, we enhance our study by incorporating various machine learning models into our base model. These models include multilayer perceptron (MLP), support vector machines (SVM), random forest (RF), long short-term memory (LSTM), and bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM), allowing us to leverage the strengths of each algorithm. The CNN-BiLSTM model achieved the highest accuracy of 99.23% and demonstrated good sensitivity of 98.53%, effectively reducing false negative cases in the overall tests. The CNN-BiLSTM model demonstrated the ability to effectively identify abnormalities, misclassifying only 25 out of 1,673 ischemic cases in the test set as normal. This is due to the BiLSTM's efficiency in capturing long-range dependencies and sequential patterns, making it suitable for tasks involving time-series data such as ECG signals. In addition, CNNs are well-suited for hierarchical feature learning and complex pattern recognition in ECG data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circadian rhythms play a pivotal role in governing various physiological processes, including physical performance. However, in individuals deprived of light perception, such as the blind, these circadian rhythms face disruption. This study aimed to explore the influence of disturbed circadian rhythms on short-term maximal physical performance in children and adolescents with visual impairment. Forty-five volunteers participated in this study, comprising 17 blind, 13 visually impaired, and 15 sighted participants. The participants underwent a series of tests assessing maximal isometric strength performance across two days. To mitigate the influence of morning session fatigue on the evening results, each participant group performed in two separate testing sessions (i.e. in the morning (7:00 h) and in the evening (17:00 h)) on non-consecutive days in a randomized and counterbalanced setting, with approximately 36 h of recovery time between sessions. To mitigate the impact of inter-individual differences on mean values and to account for the influence of age and sex on the studied variables, data were normalized. The outcomes revealed a significant diurnal variation in maximal isometric strength performance among sighted individuals, with peak performance observed in the evening. This pattern aligns with their well-entrained circadian rhythm. In contrast, blind and visually impaired individuals did not display significant diurnal variation, signaling disrupted circadian rhythms due to the absence of light perception. These findings emphasize the crucial consideration of circadian rhythms in assessments of physical performance, especially among participants with visual impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotics have become increasingly ineffective in the face of bacterial resistance, particularly in hospitals. Interestingly, there is high demand for bioprospecting of secondary metabolites, particularly for treating multidrug-resistant clinical diseases. In fact, Rosemary has been used for its antiseptic properties dating back to antiquity. The aim of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil against multidrug-resistant clinical bacterial pathogens. Results showed promising antibacterial activity against seven bacteria: Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia odorifera, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Aeromonas hydrophila with MIC values of 35.7, 17.85, 71.4, 8.9, 17.8, 285.7, 35.7 µg/ml respectively and MBC values of 142.8, 71.4, 285.7, 35.7, 71.4, 571.5,71.4 µg/ml respectively. This study suggests that Rosmarinus essential oil can be used as a therapeutic agent in the fight against a wide range of multi-resistant bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abscesses represent the most prominent emerging problem in the red meat industry, leading to great economic constraints and public health hazards. Data on etiological agents present in these purulent lesions in Algeria are very scarce. The aim of this study was to identify the bacteria responsible for these abscesses and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility profiles. A total of 123 samples of abscesses from 100 slaughtered sheep and 23 slaughtered cattle were cultured in several media. A total of 114 bacterial isolates were cultured from 103 abscesses. Bacteria were identified using MALDI–TOF, and antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method on Mueller–Hinton agar. A total of 73.6% (n = 84) corresponded to Enterobacterales, of which four were multidrug-resistant (MDR). These isolates, together with Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative Staphylococci, and seven randomly chosen susceptible Escherichia coli isolates, were further characterized using WGS. Resistome analysis of the four MDR Enterobacterales isolates revealed the presence of OXA-48 carbapenemase in two Klebsiella pneumoniae ST985 and one E. coli ST10 isolates and a CTX-M-15 ESBL in one E. coli isolate ST1706. Two coagulase-negative Staphylococci isolates were found to carry the mecA gene. WGS showed the presence of different resistance genes and virulence genes. Our study revealed 5% of MDR Enterobacterales (including ESBLs and carbapenemases) identified from abscesses, thus urging the need for abscess monitoring in slaughterhouses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enhancement of the thermal conductivity of dielectric oils has a positive effect on the performance of electrical equipment that uses these oils as a cooling medium. Nanofluids (NFs) have inspired high-voltage engineers to use them as alternative fluids in power transformers due to their impressive heat transfer and insulation compared to traditional dielectric oils. The present study is a numerical simulation by COMSOL Multiphysics of the thermal conductivity of NFs based on dielectric oils used in power transformers, to identify the effect of temperature, the concentration of nanoparticles (NPs), type of insulating fluid and NPs on thermal conductivity. The NFs were modeled inside a cube using the finite element method (FEM) by applying a temperature gradient. Several types of NPs were used (SiC, ZnO, TiO2, and Al2O3) in addition to several volume concentrations (0%, 0.001%, 0.002%, 0.01%, and 0.02%). The results showed a significant improvement in the thermal conductivity of the NFs with increasing concentration since the best results were recorded at an estimated volume concentration of 0.02%, while the lowest results were obtained for samples using a volume concentration estimated at 0.001%. The base fluid (BF) type and NPs play a dominant role in the thermal performance of the NFs, as the vegetable oil-based nanofluid provided the highest thermal conductivity values and silicon carbides (SiC) was the best NPs used in this study. However, a decrease in thermal transfer capacities was observed for all samples with increasing temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven carboxylate Sn(IV) complexes C1–C7 were synthesized by condensation between piperic acid with tri-phenylstannanol C1, piperic acidwith di-butylstannanone C2, phenylthioacetic acid with di-butylstannanone C3, 1,1′-(propane-1,3-diyl)-bis-(5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid) with tri-phenylstannanol C4, 1,1′-(ox-ybis(ethane-2,1- di-yl))bis(5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid) with tri-phenylstannanol C5, 1,1′-(propane-1,3-diyl)-bis-(5-methyl-1H -pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid) with di-butylstannanone C6 and 1,1′-(2-hydroxypropane-1,3-di-yl)bis(5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid) with di-butylstannanone C7 these complexes characterized (by 13C NMR, 1H NMR and IR). Then the elaborated catalytic properties of these complexes were evaluated to catalyze the oxidation reaction of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol to 3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone. All the complexes showed good catalytic activity towards the oxidation reaction. Notably, complex C3 emerges as a standout performer, displaying remarkable catalytic activity in the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol to 3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone. With a reaction rate of 14.45 μmol L−1 min−1 and an astonishing turnover (T) value of 21671.05 cycles per minute, C3 signifies a promising catalyst for future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to identify the unbalance of a specific rotor system like the double U-Joint driveshaft mounted on isotropic bearings and moving foundations. The challenge is to estimate the unbalance parameters of such system from its complex signal by considering parallel misalignment and foundation decreased stiffness as uncertainties. Methods: The equations of motion of the system were governed by finite element model (FEM) that allows related degrees of freedom and supports misaligned configurations and unbalanced loads. The uncertainty quantification was achieved by the Chebyshev inclusion (CI) method. The uncertain response generated a dataset of processed signals to train the chosen proper orthogonal decomposition and radial basis functions (POD-RBF), an estimation tool for low-dimension data. Results: The model's accuracy has been validated by numerical and experimental tests. In general, the procedure has given good accuracy when using the real data of the system. Otherwise, applying a regression for experimental systems with a mathematical-training data has drastically increased the errors by the fact of many uncertain conditions. Conclusion: The estimation results proved that the prediction accuracy is sensitive to the training data. Indeed, although using uncertainty quantification, the estimation of occurred unbalances in simulations and experiments was inaccurate compared to the one using the real-captured reduced data. Finally, the use of the proposed method has slightly improved the accuracy of both analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated, for the first time, the effect of different solvent extraction and regional variation on the phenolic constituents and the in vitro antioxidant (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP), antihemolytic and antihyperglycemic activities of twelve bran and husk samples from local Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum Desf.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and their derived products, scorched immature durum wheat grains (frik) and parboiled immature barley grains (mermez). PCA analysis allowed us to choose twenty from sixty extracts according to their biological activities for identification and quantification by HPLC–DAD–ESI–MS. It seems from our findings that the degree of maturity and processing of the grain affects the phytochemical constituents of bran and husk, A significant amount of TP content was detected using Folin–Ciocalteu method 3.430 ± 0.144 and 0.064 ± 0.001 mg GAE g−1 DM, the result revealed that all the extracts showed a variable antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activities. Eleven phenolic compounds were detected, catechin, malic acid and quinic acid were the most abundant, highest amount found in scorched immature wheat bran (frik), most relevant compounds contributing to alpha amylase inhibition were catechin and malic acid, suggesting the health benefits of frik while caffeic acid 3-O-glucuronide and P-coumaric acid correlated positively with antihemolytic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder. It is characterized by a gradual decrease in cognitive function and is considered a disorder in which the intensifying neuronal loss. The autopsy is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of AD and non-AD dementia. Objective: Our study aims to clarify the involvement of neuroinflammation processes in brain lesions of AD. Methods: The defunct was admitted to the forensic medicine department of Issad Hassani Hospital (Algeria). In order to recover the brain, an autopsy was performed within 24 hours of death and then immediately fixed in formaldehyde to maintain structural brain integrity for histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: Our findings indicate the presence of tissue lesions in the specific brain regions: right middle frontal gyrus, right cingulate gyrus, right putamen and globus pallidus, right caudate nucleus, right hippocampus, inferior parietal lobule, left parahippocampal gyrus, and left hippocampus. Notably, there is a predominant occurrence of lesions: granulovacuolar degeneration, Hirano bodies, cotton-wool, and neuritic plaques. The causes of neurodegenerative processes are probably related to TNF-α, IL-1β, and TGF-β production and iNOS expression by the NF-κB activation pathway in the R-HP, inducing necroptosis. Conclusions: The occurrence of neuroinflammatory responses is linked to tissue lesions in AD. The production of inflammatory cytokines is the basis of this process, which ultimately leads to the necroptosis, which is triggered by neuroinflammation amplification. The inhibition of neuroinflammation by targeting TNF-α/iNOS could stop tissue damage, this may be a promising therapeutic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we aim to establish an $ L^2 $ L 2 inequality for a Modified Struve transform of order α, denoted as $ S_\alpha $ S α . For this purpose, we use Titchmarsh's method consisting of applying Mellin transform to invert asymmetrical Fourier transforms. We obtain the inversion formula and the $ L^2 $ L 2 estimation of the Modified Struve transform $ S_\alpha $ S α . As an application, we prove the Heisenberg uncertainty principle for $ S_\alpha $ S α . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of increasing efficiency and durability of fuel cells can be achieved through optimal control of their operating conditions. In order to implement such controllers, accurate and computationally efficient fuel cell models must be developed. This work presents a hybrid (physics-based and data-driven), control-oriented model for approximating the output voltage of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) while operating under dynamical conditions. First, a physics-based model, built from simplified electrochemical, membrane dynamics and mass conservation equations, is developed and validated through experimental data. Second, a data-driven, neural network (echo state network) is trained, fitted and tested with the same dataset. Then, the hybrid model is formed as a parallel structure, where the simplified physics-based model and the trained data-driven model are merged through an algorithm based on Gaussian radial basis functions. The merging algorithm compares the output of both single models and assigns weights for computing the prediction of the hybrid result. The proposed hybrid model structure is successfully trained, validated and tested with an experimental dataset originating from fuel cells within an automotive PEMFC stack. The hybrid model is assessed through the mean square error index, with the result of a low tracking error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of Phillyrea angustifolia L leaves and fruits from Algeria. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents, sun protection factor, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities such as DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, and o-phenanthroline reduction were determined. The findings of the comparative analysis revealed that the leaves contained higher levels of total phenolic content (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) compared to the fruit, indicating their maximum antioxidant potential. TPC values for leaves ranged from 528.411 ± 9.94 to 816.352 ± 5.09 µg EAG/mg of dry extract, while for fruits, it ranged from 378.215 ± 5.26 to 579.392 ± 14.2 µg EAG/mg extract/ml. Similarly, TFC values for leaves varied from 65.833 ± 9.42 to 147.986 ± 5.59 µg EAG/mg of dry extract, and for fruits, it ranged from 45.486 ± 5.00 to 90.208 ± 6.77 µg EAG/mg extract/ml. Moreover, both leaves and fruit extracts showed significant growth inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, with the highest activity against Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Escherichia coli. The sun protection factor (SPF) values of both leaves and fruits extracts are close to the values of standard sunscreen VICHY. In addition, molecular docking studies identified promising compounds, including Demethyloleuropein, Luteolin-7-O-glucoside, Apigenin 7-Glucoside, Oleuropein, Pinoresinol, and Syringaresinol monoglucopyranoside of leaves from P. angustifolia L, these compounds are showing a better binding affinity than native ligands against Rhomboid protease GlpG from E. coli, the same thing about luteolin-7-O-glucoside and apigenin 7-glucoside exhibited similar binding free energy values to the target protein S. aureus sortase A. The study suggests that leaves and fruits of Phillyrea angustifolia L could be valuable sources for developing drugs against pathogenic oral yeasts, Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global financial markets suffered unprecedented shocks, leading to significantly increased uncertainty in the markets due to various economic and financial recessions and geopolitical tensions, resulting in substantial fluctuations in market prices. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the response of the clean energy, conventional energy, and food markets to economic uncertainty and political tension while considering the influence of numerous crises and political conflicts. To achieve this, we employ the DCC-GARCH-based connectedness approach and the quantile-on-quantile model on monthly data spanning from May 2008 to June 2023. The results provide evidence of the sensitivity of dynamic volatility spillovers between financial assets to GEPU and GPR during major economic and financial crises and geopolitical events. Notably, this sensitivity increases significantly during the global financial crisis (GFC), the European debt crisis, Brexit, the US presidential election, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russian-Ukrainian war. However, the investigation of the tail dependence structure reveals that the relationship between uncertainties and total volatility connectedness across various market conditions appears to be asymmetric and heterogeneous. Our findings assist policymakers and green investors in designing the most effective policies to mitigate the impact of uncertainties on both conventional and green investments. This is achieved through insightful knowledge about the primary drivers of contagion among these indices, all while not compromising sustainability goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the impact of temperature variations and alterations in transistor channel dimensions on CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) circuit technology. To facilitate this investigation, we first identified critical parameters characterizing the device's performance, which could exhibit susceptibility to these influences. The analysis encompassed critical metrics such as the transfer characteristic, drain current, logic levels, inflection points, and truncation points. These parameters enabled us to validate the results obtained from the PSPICE simulator, which demonstrated unequivocal effectiveness. Notably, our simulation results unveiled significant effects resulting from a wide temperature range spanning from -100°C to 270°C, offering valuable in-sights into thermal-induced failures. Additionally, the influence of channel dimension changes on factors like drain current and transfer characteristics, as well as temporal parameters including signal propagation delay and rise and fall times, were meticulously examined and appreciated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moon's influence on human physiology and behavior has been a topic of interest, with studies exploring its potential impact on sleep and physical activity. However, findings have been fragmented and inconclusive. This review summarizes 17 studies investigating lunar cycles' effects on sleep and physical activity. Some studies reported associations between the full moon phase and poorer sleep quality, while others found no significant effect. Similarly, the impact of lunar cycles on physical activity showed conflicting results. To address methodological challenges, we propose a standardized protocol using moon cycle variables like moon illumination and gravitational force. This approach may provide more reliable insights into the moon's influence on human well being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The greatest cause of death worldwide continues to be cancer, a complicated set of diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell development. Although early identification and therapeutic approaches have improved, the incidence of the disease is still on the rise, demanding continued study into its underlying causes and cutting-edge treatment paradigms. For creative interventions and focused medicines, the variety of cancer kinds, which are influenced by genetics, way of life, and environmental variables, poses both difficulties and opportunities. In this paper, we present a mathematical model to treat cancer with combined therapies, oncolytic viruses and Mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors. We demonstrate that our model is both biologically and mathematically well-posed through the existence, the non-negativity and the boundedness of solutions. Furthermore, we study the equilibrium points as well as the stability of these equilibria. Finally, we use numerical simulations to illustrate the effect of this combined therapy on tumor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]