Search

The Doukkala Plain is an important agricultural region in Morocco. Accordingly, the excessive use of fertilizers and chemical compounds in irrigated agriculture has led to groundwater contamination, increasing the harmful substances such as nitrates and salinity in groundwater. In the study area, groundwater contamination can also be caused by animal waste, poor sanitation practices, and industrial activities. Therefore, the groundwater vulnerability to contamination was evaluated by employing the DRASTIC model and GIS programming language to extract and map the DRASTIC seven thematic maps using Kriging interpolation and the DRASTIC index vulnerability map using Raster Calculator functions on GIS. Then, the DRASTIC model was validated by electrical conductivity (EC) and nitrate concentrations in 160 groundwater samples. The calculated DRASTIC index (Di) range is 48–141. Consequently, the Doukkala aquifer is divided into three zones of very low, low, and moderate vulnerability covering, respectively, 78%, 9%, and 3% of the Plain. The sensitivity analysis indicates that Depth to water, net Recharge, Soil media, and Topography were the most effective in the DRASTIC index variation. The result also demonstrates that the Doukkala aquifer is exposed to a growing risk of contamination in large irrigation schemes where 0 < D < 30 m, 100 < R < 175 mm/year, and 0 < T < 2%. The increasing likelihood of pollution is confirmed by the high groundwater contents of EC (> 1500 µS/cm) and nitrates (> 50 mg/l), highlighting the negative impact of anthropic activities on groundwater quality. Overall, the DRASTIC approach will strengthen the monitoring of the groundwater resources in Doukkala Plain to ensure their sustainability and protect them from contamination.

Previous research showed that the accuracy of landslide susceptibility maps (LSM) mainly depends on the landslide inventory used to train the algorithms. However, the preparation of the latter database is laborious and time-consuming, which is challenging especially in large study areas. For this reason, spatial extrapolation of LSM results obtained in small test zones can be valuable to researchers in limited data scenarios. In this paper, an extrapolation effort is conducted in two distinct geomorphological settings within the boundaries of Taounate province, Northern Morocco. In each setting, two test zones were considered for LSM analyses. Then the results were extrapolated on zone A (North of the study area), characterized by a heterogenous geomorphological setting, and the geomorphologically monotonous zone B located to the South. Our findings show that the extrapolated models yield acceptable to very good performances (0.65 < AUC < 0.85) depending on the geomorphological context, the number of the test zones selected and the technique used. By order of performance, which is defined in this paper by low sensitivity and high reliability, the techniques used can be ranked as follow, logistic regression, random forest, artificial neural networks, frequency ratio and lastly Shannon entropy. This is especially true in zone B where the monotonous landforms distribution is characterized by a lower sensitivity (less than 2%) compared to the heterogenous zone A. With respect to validation practices, our findings show that the validation strategy adopted by the landslides researchers significantly changes the accuracy assessment results (a 20% difference between expert derived and random approach). Therefore, testing data selection must be thoroughly and thoughtfully explained before proceeding to the validation of the LSMs.

Graphical abstract:

On February 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake and subsequent strong seismic activity struck in Kahramanmaras region, causing over 50,000 deaths in Turkey and Syria. The earthquake resulted in a surface rupture of the East Anatolian Fault Zone (EAFZ) spanning approximately 300 km. To gain new insights into the neotectonic and current stress field in the region, we compiled 141 focal mechanism solutions (FMS) of earthquakes (with magnitude M ≥ 3) that occurred along the EAFZ between 05/01/2003 and 27/02/2023. Stress inversion, by using the Win-Tensor program, indicated a predominant strike-slip tectonic regime, with few normal and thrust events related to complex fault geometry along the principal displacement zone. The calculated pressure/tension axes in the first order stress field are mainly sub-horizontal, with a maximum horizontal compressive stress (SHmax) direction of N19 ± 9.9° E, which aligns well with the slip character of the EAFZ. To reconstruct the second and third order stress fields, the study area was subdivided into five zones based on their structures and geomorphological characteristics. Reduced stress tensors were obtained for each zone, indicating a small rotation of SHmax directions under a prevailing strike-slip faulting regime. The maximum (σ1) and minimum (σ3) stress axes are nearly horizontal; while the intermediate (σ2) stress axis is nearly vertical, consistent with a predominant strike-slip regime. The results show, also, that the Kahramanmaras earthquake was caused by the neotectonic reactivation of northeast-striking sinistral strike-slip fault, with a north–south-oriented maximum horizontal stress axis. The neotectonic activity along the EAFZ aligns well with the collision models between the Arabian and Eurasian plates. Finally, a detailed seismic hazard assessment is required for the EAFZ and nearby regions.

Abstract Purpose--The purpose of this paper is to discuss a widespread idea in the financial literature: information in financial markets is free. Indeed, whenever an investor wants to intervene to [...]

The main result of this paper is to compute the a(1)-relative 1-cohomology space of the Lie algebra Vect(R), with coefficients in the space of binary bidifferential operators that act on λ-densities, Dλ,ν,μ, vanishing on the 2-dimensional affine Lie algebra a(1).

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of polymorphisms in some key gene actors of the vitamin D (vitD) metabolic pathway on supplementation efficacy. Methods: In total, 245 healthy participants were recruited from occupational medicine service in Sahloul University Hospital with vitD deficiency [25(OH)D ≤ 30 ng/ml]. After giving an informed consent, all participants were asked to complete a generalized questionnaire and to follow a detailed personalized supplementation protocol. Genetic study was performed by PCR-RFLP for 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) belonging to DBP, CYP2R1, CYP27B14, CYP24A1 and VDR genes. Statistical study was carried out with SPSS23.0. Results: Among the studied SNPs, non-response was significantly associated with variant alleles of rs4588 (OR* = 11.51; p&lt; 0.001), rs10766197 (OR* = 6.92; p= 0.008) and rs12794714 (OR* = 5.09; p= 0.004). These three SNPs contributed in 18.8% in response variability with rs4588 being the most influential (10.3%). There was a significant linear negative correlation between baseline 25(OH)D and post supplementation 25(OH)D concentration (r= −0.437; p&lt; 0.001) as well as a linear negative association between the increase in 25(OH)D concentration and GRS (GRS: genetic risk score = the sum of risk alleles) (r= −0.149; p= 0.033). Conclusions: DBP-rs4588, CYP2R1-rs10766197 and rs12794714 variants are associated with variations in serum 25(OH)D concentrations and efficacy of response to vitD supplementation in Tunisian adults. Taking into account these variations can help to better adapt vitD intake to ensure a higher response to supplementation.

N-((4-Bromophenyl)(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methyl)acetamide (BHMA) is a 1-amidoalkyl-2-naphthol derivative that has been reported to exhibit good acetylcholinesterase and α-glycosidase inhibitory activities. In the present paper, the free radical scavenging activity and mechanisms of BHMA were investigated using in vitro methods and quantum chemistry calculations. The molecular geometry of BHMA was first established using single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and was found to be nearly identical to that obtained theoretically. Then, the free radical scavenging activity of BHMA was evaluated by a series of in vitro assays including ABTS, phenanthroline and CUPRAC. After that, DFT (density functional theory)-based computational methods were used to study the main antioxidant mechanisms for all the possible sites of BHMA. As a result, BHMA was found to be a potent free radical scavenger with activity comparable to that of BHT and BHA. The OH bond was predicted to be more active for trapping free radicals than the NH/CH bonds. Hydrogen atom transfer and sequential proton loss electron transfer are, respectively, the dominant mechanisms in the gas phase and ethanol.

Discuter les décisions d’aptitude au travail au poste de médecin en considérant les caractéristiques professionnelles et médicales de cette catégorie professionnelle.

Outre son rôle établi dans le maintien de la masse osseuse, un nombre conséquent de preuves émergentes révèle que la Vitamine D est en relation étroite avec les troubles cognitifs.

Identifier les facteurs prédictifs de la douleur au cours de la lithotripsie extracorporelle (LEC), permettant de sélectionner les patients qui nécessitent une analgésie.

L'analyse dimensionnelle de l'équation de Navier fait apparaître de façon naturelle des nombres sans dimension caractéristiques de la nature physique du problème. Ces nombres sans dimension permettent de déterminer le domaine de validité du modèle de Kirchhoff-Love. Cette nouvelle approche ne nécessite aucune hypothèse a prioride changement d'échelle pour mettre en oeuvre la méthode des développements asymptotiques.

Étudier les caractéristiques socioprofessionnelles et médicales des salariés demandeurs d’une retraite anticipée.

We are interested in the mathematical study of the sensitivity of a reduced order model (ROM) of a particular single-parameterised quasi-linear equation, via the parametric evolution. More precisely, the ROM of interest is obtained in two different ways: First, we reduce the complete parametric equation using a proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) basis computed at a given reference value of the parameter, and second the parametric ROM is obtained by an expanded POD basis associated this time to a reference solution and its parametric derivative. The second case of our study was considered in a nearly similar way in Ito and Ravindran (1998), but in the context of the reduced basis (RB) method of the Navier–Stokes equations reduction. Indeed, the authors, Ito and Ravindran (1998) proposed to use an expanded set of basis functions, including solution flows for different values of the Reynolds number and their associated first-order derivatives with respect to this parameter. Beside this work, our second strategy for the parametric ROM-POD construction is to consider a temporal snapshots set including a reference solution and its first-order derivative with respect to the corresponding parameter reference value. We give in both proposed cases of the POD basis construction, an a prioriestimate of the parametric squared L2-error between the ROM’s solution and the one associated to the full semi-discrete problem. We will show that this estimate will be depending on the distance between two distinct parameters and the evolution of the ROM’s dimension. Moreover, we show that an a prioriupper bound of the squared L2-ROM-POD error is much better in the case of an expanded POD basis functions. In particular, we apply our theoretical study to the one-dimensional Burgers equation. Numerical tests are done for the one-dimensional Burgers equation, only in the case of a POD basis associated with a reference solution at a fixed value of the viscosity.

In this paper, we present the study of an asymptotic linear one-dimensional model for thin-walled beams with open strongly curved cross-section, which is different from the classical Vlassov model. After recalling the main steps of the asymptotic procedure leading to the equilibrium equations of the thin-walled beam model, an analytical resolution of the twist equation is performed. Then comparisons with experimental measurements and with the Vlassov model are carried out. The relevance of the asymptotic thin-walled beam model presented is put in a prominent position.

The crystal structure of Dibromonitrotoluen (DBNT) obtained at the ambient temperature 293k from the X-ray diffraction crystallizes in the space group P-1 with 2 molecules by mesh. The crystal growth is made along the a axis. In parallel with this study, a theoretical calculation of molecular conformation from the density functional theory (DFT) carried out using the Gaussian03 chain program in the case of isolated molecule, led to results of Optimization very close to the experiment. The molecular conformation calculations were made from two different functional the B3LYP and MPW1PW91. The values of bond lengths obtained from the functional MPW1PW91 and base set 6-311G are very close to the experiment with a gap of 1.25% (2.14% for the B3LYP) while for bond angles, calculation results are better for functional B3LYP (Lan2DZ) 0.95% and 1.02% for MPW1PW91.In this work a study of internal modes of Dibromonitrotoluen (DBNT) is presented, while comparing the infrared spectroscopic experimental results and the DFT studies of the isolated molecule. This material is a good probe to test the model precision and the calculated methods used to interpret dynamic properties by experimental spectroscopy.

International economic relations have always been seen as the field in which the law has developed norms and methods of regulation which combine both flexibility and operators' autonomy of will. Despite these assets, the failure or inefficiency of law and its authors, the State in particular, is obvious in the financial sector. During the G20 summits, the debate focused on the revalorization of the State as a supervisory authority for the regulation and the control of markets. One of the pioneering measures was the reinforcement of the regulation and the supervision of the financial architecture on the world scale. The emergence of such a regulation is thus conceivable only if actors conform to a principle of common sense: "For transnational or international actor, international law must apply". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rearrangement reactions often lead to the regio‐ and stereoselective formation of carbon–carbon or carbon–heteroatom bonds, and allow the construction of otherwise hard‐to‐access molecular frameworks. Research disclosed in the present decade, especially in the last two years, has shown that organocatalytic modes of activation can be successfully applied to a variety of rearrangements. In this Minireview we discuss the advances achieved so far in asymmetric organocatalytic rearrangement reactions.

It's an affair of four: The study of nonlinear effects in the proline–thiourea‐catalyzed aldol reaction between acetone and aromatic aldehydes, together with NMR and ESI‐MS experiments, shows that the main role of the thiourea co‐catalyst is that of promoting both the formation of a soluble Seebach's oxazolidinone intermediate and its conversion into the iminium carboxylate isomer.

This paper describes the Reduced Order Modeling (ROM) for fluid rigid body interaction problem and discusses Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) utilisation. The principal difficulty for using POD being the moving domains, a referenced fixed domain has been introduced. The POD has been applied for the velocity field obtained on the fixed domain. Then a method to reduce dynamical system for rigid body fluid interaction has been developed. This method consists in treating the entire fluid-solid domain as a fluid. The rigid body has then been considered as a fluid, by using a high viscosity which can play the role of a penalisation factor of the rigidity constraint. The fluid flow problem is then formulated on the reference domain and POD modes have been used in the weak formulation.

Abstract: In this paper, ModelBuilderTM in ArcGIS (ESRI) has been applied to landslide-susceptibility analysis, mapping and validation. The models (scripts), available for direct downloading as an ArcGIS tool, allow landslide susceptibility to be computed in a given region, providing a landslide-susceptibility map, with the GIS matrix method, and ensuring a quality validation. The paper details the steps needed for the model-building process, enabling users to build their own models and to become more familiar with the tool. The susceptibility model leads the user first through a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), depicting the morphological and morphometric features of the study area, and then through a Digital Terrain Model (DTM), useful as a source of landslide-determinant factors, such as slope elevation, slope angle and slope aspect. In addition, another determinant factor is the lithological unit, independent of the DEM. Once the determinant landslide factors are reclassified and in a vectorial format, all the combinations between the classes of these factors are determined using the geoprocessing abilities of ArcGIS. The next step for the development of the landslide-susceptibility model consists of identifying the areas affected by a given surface of rupture (i.e. source area) in every combination of the determinant-factor classes. This step leads to the landslide matrix based on a previously georeferenced landslide database of the region, in which the slopes are distinguished into two simple classes: with or without landslides. In the last stage, to build a landslide-susceptibility model, the user computes the percentages of area affected by landslides in every combination of determinant factors. In the resulting landslide-susceptibility map a progressive zonation of areas or slopes increasingly prone to landslides is performed. A model for the validation of the resulting landslide-susceptibility map is also presented, based on the determination of the degree of fit, which is calculated from the cross tabulation between a set of landslides (not included in the susceptibility analysis) and the corresponding susceptibility map.

The perturbation theory has proved to be an efficient tool for the numerical resolution of non-linear problems in mechanics. However, it is not suitable for singular problems, for which the series solution is divergent. We propose to use the Borel-Laplace series resummation method for the resolution of such a problem. The resulting algorithm is applied to some model problems in fluid mechanics.

Abstract: Navier–Stokes equations (NS) admit transformations which transform a solution to another solution (galilean transformation, scaling transformation,…). They also admit viscosity dependent transformations which transform a solution to a solution of another NS with different viscosity. These particular transformations are called symmetries of NS. Each of them has a physical role (such as conservation laws,…). A consistent turbulence model should then remain invariant under these symmetry transformations. Unfortunately, this is not the case of several models. In this article, a class of subgrid-scale models preserving the symmetries of NS is built. This class is then refined such that the models respect the second law of thermodynamics. One of the simplest models of the class is tested to the flow in a ventilated room. Better results than those provided by Smagorinsky and dynamic models are obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work presents the results of applying the matrix method in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to the drawing of maps of susceptibility to slope movements in different sectors of the Betic Cordillera (southern Spain). In addition, the susceptibility models built by the matrix method were compared with a multivariate statistical method, and the first method gave the best results. The susceptibility maps drawn by the GIS matrix method were validated by calculating the coefficients of association with the degree of fit between recent slope movements registered in 1997 and the different levels of susceptibility of previously drawn maps (1995–1996) in different representative zones of the Betic Cordillera (southern Spain). The first sector studied showed excellent degrees of fit, with an error of less than 10% for all the slope failures and 3% when considering only failures of natural origin. In the second sector, the relative errors were less than 5%. In the third sector, the error hardly exceeded 6%. The results are discussed in the different zones and for each type of slope movement. In any case, these results evidence the predictive capacity of susceptibility maps drawn in GIS by the matrix method, for a great number of slope movements.

This paper describes Reduced Order Modeling (ROM) in Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) and discusses Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) utilization. The ROM method was selected because its performance in fluid mechanics. The principal problems of its application in FSI are due the space character of the modes resulting from the POD whereas domains are mobile. To use POD in moving domain, a charateristic function of fluid is introduced in order to work on a fixed rigid domain, and the global velocity (fluid and structure) is studied. The POD modes efficiency is tested to reconstruct velocity field in one and two-dimensional FSI case. Then reducing dynamic system using POD is introduced in moving boundaries problem. In addition, the one dimensional case of Burgers equation coupled with spring equation is tested.

Abstract: IAEG Commission No. 1—Engineering Geological Maps—is developing a guide to hazard maps. Scientists from 17 countries have participated. This paper is one of a series that presents the results of that work. It provides a general review of GIS landslide mapping techniques and basic concepts of landslide mapping. Three groups of maps are considered: maps of spatial incidence of landslides, maps of spatial–temporal incidence and forecasting of landslides and maps of assessment of the consequences of landslides. With the current era of powerful microcomputers and widespread use of GIS packages, large numbers of papers on the subject are becoming available, frequently founded on different basic concepts. In order to achieve a better understanding and comparison, the concepts proposed by Varnes (Landslide hazard zonation: a review of principles and practice, 1984) and Fell (Some landslide risk zoning schemes in use in Eastern Australua and their application 1992; Landslide risk assessment and acceptable risk. Can Geotech J 31:261–272, 1994) are taken as references. It is hoped this will also add to the international usefulness of these maps as tools for landslide prevention and mitigation. Six hundred and sixty one papers and books related to the topic are included in the references, many of which are reviewed in the text.

In this article, we present an adaptive method for solving transfer equations. The method consists in projecting the discretized problem on a basis we have defined in order to obtain a reduced model that can be quickly and accurately solved with classic numerical schemes. The originality of the methods stays in the way of the basis is constructed. At each iteration of computation, the basis is adapted: first the old basis is improved using a Karhunen-Loève decomposition whereas in a second phase the improved basis is expanded with Krylov vectors. The example we study is the one-dimension Burgers’ equation. The results we obtained were compared to the Newton-Raphson method: whereas the accuracy is not better than the Newton-Raphson method, we show that the computationnal time is drastically reduced. In addition, the basis we obtain shows a great ability to represent the long-time dynamics of the system, as shown in the last part of the paper.

The phenomenon of jet attachment to a wall by Coanda effect is very important in many industrial applications (sound reduction, bad dispersion of the air in a venlilated room …). In order to control it, it is necessary to know its occurrence according to the various parameters of the flow. In this article the asymptotic numerical method (ANM) is used to study the Coanda effect which occurs in several flow configurations (sudden expansion with or without divergent and open cavity). The ANM is a jast, efficient and robust melhod 10 determine these stalionary bifurcations. The attachement Reynolds numbers oblained with the ANM are compared 10 the results found in the literature. Finally, evolution laws of critical Reynolds numbers according to the various geometrical parameters are proposed.

This article presents a method to map landslide susceptibility in rock massifs using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The method is based on making an inventory of rupture zones of different types of slope movements and then analysing the bivariate correlation of these with the factors that determine instability. After determining the factors that present the highest correlation with each type of movement, a matrix is created to combine these factors and to determine the percentage of the rupture zone in each combination, which provides an expression of the susceptibility of the terrain. The map thus obtained is divided into susceptibility classes. The susceptibility maps (made in 1995) for each type of movement are first calibrated with the inventory of the movements from which they are derived (previous to 1995), and subsequently validated by another inventory elaborated after the susceptibility maps (in 1997). In both cases, significant correlation coefficients were obtained (the Goodman–Kruskal coefficients were over 0.8 and sometimes exceeded 0.9). The relative error (degree of accumulated fit for very low to low susceptibility classes) was always less than 5%,while the relative success rate was always above 50%. These resultsillustrate the adequacy of the method and of the maps obtained.

Calcium alginate‐immobilized Candida tropicalisand Saccharomyces cerevisiaeare compared for glucose fermentation. Immobilized C. tropicaliscells showed a slight morphological alteration during ethanol production at 40°C, but their fermentation capacity was reduced by 25%. Under immobilization conditions, the two species demonstrated two different mathematical patterns when the relationship between growth rate, respiration rate, and ethanol tolerance was assessed. The interspecific difference in behavior of immobilized yeast cells is mainly due to their natural metabolic preference. The production of CO2by calcium alginate‐immobilized C. tropicalis, as well as the lower supply of oxygen to the cells, are the major factors that reduce ethanol production.

In order to characterise the influence of the heavyrains on the observed landslides during the 1996–1997hydrological cycle, rainfall records for the last 100years are analysed from 104 stations in easternAndalusia. Regarding the amounts of rain recordedbetween October 1996 and March 1997 in the 104stations studied, 31 presented new all-time records;15 presented values that were 80–100% of thepre-1995 record; 49 stations, 80–50%; and 9stations, < 50%. A map has been devised of thesusceptibility of the materials through which thesouth-eastern Andalusian road network crosses,together with an inventory of the damage caused byinstability phenomena on banks and cuttings of theroad network during the winter of 1996–1997. Therelationships between the rainfall during the studyperiod, the damage caused to the road network and thesusceptibility of the materials affected are analysed.The results indicate that there is a clearcorrespondence between the rainfall recorded and thesusceptibility of the materials with the inventorieddamage. It is concluded that the widespread seriousdamage caused in early 1997 to the roads andsurrounding areas in the Alpujarra region and thecoast of the Province of Granada was mainly caused bythe extraordinarily heavy rains. However, considerablyless damage was observed where the susceptibility ofthe terrain is low, thus highlighting the extremeusefulness of terrain-susceptibility maps for riskprevention and territorial planning.

The spectra of ozone in the region 2300-2600 cm−1have been recorded with the high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer of Reims. A White-type cell with a length of 36 m and pressure of 50 Torr of ozone has been used. This region corresponds mainly to the weak bands ν1+ 2ν2and 2ν2+ ν3, which were previously analyzed with a much lower amount of ozone. Now high values of Jand Kahave been observed up to 55 and 11, respectively. The final fit on the 615 energy levels is very satisfactory, 0.39 × 10−3cm−1, equal to experimental accuracy. Good agreement is also obtained for line intensities. Furthermore, the two difference bands 3ν3− ν2and ν1+ 2ν3− ν2have been observed for the first time and their transition moments are given.

The overall interaction parameter for the ternary polymer solution formed by: a-methylstyrene(1)–toluene(2)–poly(a-methylstyrene)(3) was determined from static vapor pressure using a binary liquid mixture computation method. The obtained parameter was used along with available data for three binary interaction parameters in order to deduce the specific ternary interaction parameters of the type ?123. The yielded negative values for the latter were mainly attributed to some entropic contribution into the whole ternary mixing process.