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North Africa counts several sheep breeds that can be categorized as fat‐ and thin‐tailed. The former are well adapted to dryland environments. In this study, we used 50K genome‐wide single nucleotide polymorphism profiles from 462 animals representing nine fat‐tailed and 13 thin‐tailed sheep breeds across North Africa to localize genomic regions putatively under differential selective pressures between the two types of breeds. We observed genetic clines from east to west and from north to south. The east–west cline separates the fat‐ and thin‐tailed breeds, with the exception of the fat‐tailed Algerian Barbarine, which is closely related to a genetically homogeneous cluster of Moroccan and Algerian thin‐tailed breeds. Using a combination of three extended haplotype homozygosity tests, we detected seven candidate regions under divergent selection between fat‐ and thin‐tailed sheep. The strongest selection signals reside on chromosomes 1 and 13, with the latter spanning the BMP2 gene, known to be associated with the fat‐tail phenotype. Overall, the candidate regions under selection in fat‐tailed sheep overlap with genes associated with adaptation to desert‐like environments including adipogenesis, as well as heat and drought tolerance. Our results confirm previously reported candidate genes known to be a target of fat‐tail selection in sheep but also reveal novel candidate genes specifically under selection in North African populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with Primary immunodeficiency (PIDs) may be infected by Polioviruses (PVs), especially when vaccinated with live Oral Polio Vaccine before diagnosis. They may establish long‐term shedding of divergent strains and may act as reservoirs of PV transmission. This study delved into the effect of the genetic evolution of complete PV genomes, from MHC class II‐deficient patients, on the excretion duration and clinical outcomes. Stool samples from three PID patients underwent analysis for PV detection through inoculation on cell culture and real‐time PCR, followed by VP1 partial sequencing and full genome sequencing using the Illumina technology. Our findings revealed a low number of mutations for one patient who cleared the virus, while two exhibited a high intra‐host diversity favoring the establishment of severe outcomes. Neurovirulence‐reverse mutations were detected in two patients, possibly leading to paralysis development. Furthermore, a recombination event, between type 3 Vaccine‐Derived Poliovirus and Sabin‐like1 (VDPV3/SL1), occurred in one patient. Our findings have suggested an association between intra‐host diversity, recombination, prolonged excretion of the virus, and emergence of highly pathogenic strains. Further studies on intra‐host diversity are crucial for a better understanding of the virus evolution as well as for the success of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oncology nurses constantly provide emotional support to patients and are confronted with their suffering, which represents chronic stress leading to the development of burnout syndrome. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of burnout and identify associated factors in a sample of oncology nurses. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross‐sectional study with 70 oncology nurses at the Salah Azaiez Institute of Oncology in Tunisia. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Service Survey. This study follows the STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Guidelines. Results: Burnout affected 60 nurses (85.7%), with a high level in 20% of cases. High scores of emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and low personal accomplishment were recorded in 65.7%, 50% and 25.7% respectively. Emotional exhaustion was associated with higher age, marital status, having 2 or 3 or more dependent children, number of patients under care exceeding 15, professional experience and history of psychiatric problems. Depersonalisation was correlated with age, marital status, professional grade and history of psychiatric problems. Low levels of personal accomplishment increased with the number of patients under care, history of psychiatric problems and the regret of professional choice. Conclusion: Burn‐out is a reality in oncology hospital with an alarming rate. Interventions including rationalisation of workload, support groups, training in emotion and stress management would improve the mental health of these nurses and increase their performance. The screening for burnout should be included as a regular practice in health promotion programmes for oncology health professionals, particularly for a vulnerable subgroup that possesses the risk mentioned above factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates citric acid (CA) synthesis using the indigenous strain Aspergillus niger ASP26, which was isolated from date by‐products. The study initially involved isolating fungi capable of CA production and identifying the most potent strain based on its characteristic enzymatic activity. A. niger ASP26 was acknowledged in a previous study for its remarkable ability to produce extracellular enzymes, such as cellulase and amylase, which enable it to degrade organic materials effectively. After the identification phase, these isolates were screened for CA production using a modified Czapek‐Dox medium. The research identified significant factors affecting CA production in submerged fermentation, including pH, carbon source, inoculum size, and fermentation time. Optimal conditions were determined for A. niger ASP26, resulting in a maximum CA yield of 16.89 g/L. These conditions included a 2.5% spore suspension at 2 × 107 spores/mL, an initial glucose concentration of 125 g/L, and incubation at 30°C for 144 h. Notably, A. niger ASP26 demonstrated the ability to produce CA under stress conditions as well. Citric acid is essential for various biological processes, such as cellular respiration, and is naturally present in citrus fruits. It also serves as a preservative and flavor enhancer in processed foods and beverages. The ability of A. niger ASP26 to produce CA from agricultural residues positions it as a viable candidate for sustainable CA production, harnessing the value from organic waste materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metasurface tuning is performed using different ways for a wide range of applications. This study presents the design of a thermally‐tuned all‐dielectric reconfigurable metasurface. A microfluidic channel, filled with different concentrations of tellurium–selenium (Te‐Se) alloy, is added on the top of the elliptical dielectric resonator (EDR) unit cell of the considered metasurface. The electrical properties of used semiconductor alloy are varied in the range of 400 to 700°C (steps size of 100°C). The impact of thermal tuning on the reflection and transmission characteristics of the designed metasurface is analyzed in the frequency range of 20–30 GHz using COMSOL Multiphysics. Obtained results demonstrated that the realized metasurface exhibits reconfigurable behavior in terms of variations in the reflection and transmission characteristics with a change in either temperature or concentrations of selenium and tellurium. The wider bands with high reflection and low transmission frequency bands are obtained with lower concentrations of selenium and tellurium for all operating temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Septoria tritici blotch caused by Zymoseptoria tritici is a serious threat to wheat in Tunisia, causing yield losses of up to 50%. Epidemics occur regularly, mainly on durum wheat (DW) but also to a lesser extent on bread wheat (BW), that are mainly cropped in the north‐western and north‐eastern regions, respectively. Isolates of Z. tritici exhibit both cultivar specificity and host species specificity. In this study, we investigated the extent of host specialization of Z. tritici in the Tunisian context. Cross‐inoculations of different strains derived from either BW or DW were performed at the seedling stage on a panel of the most cultivated BW and DW varieties in Tunisia using the percentage of pycnidia coverage and necrotic leaf area as disease parameters. Results showed that the effect of strains, the strain‐derived species, the wheat species and of their interactions were highly significant based on pycnidia coverage. This indicates the presence of significant virulence variability among Z. tritici strains on the tested wheat genotypes, with some strains being more virulent than others. It also suggests cultivar and host species specificity, as not only genotypes of the strains interacted differently with the genotypes of the host, but also the origin of the strain, whether BW or DW, influenced the disease outcome. Hence, future research based on comparative genomics coupled with transcriptomics of these strains and their progenies could determine genes whose expression control this host specificity or is influenced by host or strain genotype, or alternatively by life cycle stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social enterprises follow the dual mission of achieving social aims as well as attaining financial sustainability and therefore elude easy categorization into either a non‐profit or for‐profit organization. Consequently, social enterprises might struggle with their image since external stakeholders (e.g., job applicants and customers) could hold back their support when the enterprise's dual aims seem unusual to them. Despite the importance of the image to gain stakeholder support, factors that determine how individuals perceive social enterprises are underexplored, especially in their early life stages before they have developed reputational capital and brand recognition. Following human value theory, we propose that stakeholders' self‐transcendence ("other‐oriented") versus self‐enhancement ("self‐centered") values explain how they evaluate social versus commercial enterprises. In a vignette study with 945 individuals, we reveal that social enterprises are more likely to attract self‐transcendent individuals whereas individuals with stronger self‐enhancement values are less likely to feel attracted to social enterprises. Moreover, our findings show that individuals' values were more strongly related to the image of social enterprises than to the image of commercial enterprises. Thus, external individuals' values lead to stronger and more contrasting reactions regarding social compared to commercial enterprises. The findings indicate that the image of social enterprises is more equivocal and distinct compared to commercial enterprises and therefore might require a different theoretical understanding and careful management as it depends on stakeholders' deep‐seated values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a retrospective study conducted in Tunis hospitals to assess the impact of COVID-19 on hospitalized pregnant women. The study population consisted of women aged 28-38 years with diverse educational backgrounds. Most women had no significant medical history, but some had controlled asthma or a prior pregnancy loss. Vaccination rates were high, with the majority receiving prenatal care. Common COVID-19 symptoms were reported in 73% of women, and most cases were mild with no maternal deaths. However, COVID-19 infection was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery, respiratory distress, and miscarriage. Psychological distress was observed in all women. Delivery outcomes were significantly impacted, with a rise in Caesarean sections and a high preterm birth rate. Neonatal COVID-19 infection occurred in 6% of cases, but most newborns had good Apgar scores. The study emphasizes the importance of continued vaccination efforts and close monitoring throughout pregnancy. [Extracted from the article]

Summary: Recent years have witnessed the rise of novel network applications such as telesurgery, telepresence, and holoportation. As such applications have stringent performance requirements, timely and accurate traffic monitoring becomes of paramount importance to be able to react in a timely and efficient manner, and swiftly adjust the network configuration to achieve the sought‐after requirements. However, existing monitoring schemes are either incurring high cost (e.g., high bandwidth consumption) due to the large number of monitoring messages or inefficient when they incur high reporting delay (i.e., the time needed for a monitoring message to reach the controller) making the collected statistics obsolete. In this paper, we address this problem and propose monitoring mechanisms for software defined networks that minimize the monitoring cost while satisfying an upper bound on the reporting delay of the statistics. Our solutions allow to carefully select the switch that should report the statistics about each flow crossing the network taking into consideration the available bandwidth and the capacity of the switch (i.e., the maximum number of flows that it can monitor). In particular, we formulate the switch‐to‐flow selection problem as an integer linear program and propose two heuristic algorithms to cope with large‐scale instances of the problem. We consider the scenario where a single controller is collecting statistics and another where statistics are collected by multiple controllers. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms provide near‐optimal solutions with minimal computation time and outperform existing monitoring strategies in terms of monitoring cost and reporting delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

That migrants' legal status has impacts on their integration in receiving countries is a recognised fact. We further argue that it also affects their reintegration on returning to the home country, although with some significant variations depending on the details of their legal status history. Using data from the Senegalese TEMPER survey, we adopt a life course approach of migrant's status while they were in Europe to identify links between several indicators of reintegration and different patterns of irregular status (moment when they were in an irregular situation and the duration in this situation). The results of our multivariate analyses show that only those migrants whose irregular situations were the most extreme (deported, or irregular throughout their stay in Europe) are at a disadvantage compared to nonmigrants as well as other returnees. This shows that the initial disadvantage of out‐migrating from Africa without proper documentation does not turn systematically into a cumulative disadvantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a rare pregnancy complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which has microangiopathy as a key characteristic. The case study presented involves a 38-year-old pregnant woman at 17 weeks gestation who experienced symptoms such as headache, vomiting, and visual blur. The patient had a history of prior miscarriages, an ectopic pregnancy, and a previous Caesarean section. Physical examination and laboratory findings indicated microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, low platelet count, and elevated creatinine levels, leading to a suspected diagnosis of HUS. The importance of early diagnosis in pregnant women with anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure is emphasized due to the potential for severe maternal complications. [Extracted from the article]

In this work, we investigate the quadratic bilinear optimal control. We first review the case of finite‐time interval, and then focus on the case of infinite‐time horizon. The main difficulty in solving a quadratic optimal control for bilinear systems is the non‐convexity of the cost function, which due to the fact that the dependence of the state with respect to the control is highly nonlinear. Then we provide a class of bilinear systems, including the commutative case, for which the optimal control can be expressed as a time‐varying feedback control. We further show that under a controllability inequality, the obtained optimal control guarantees the strong stability of the resulting system. The techniques rely on linear semigroup theory and conditions of optimality. Applications to transport and heat equations are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite having received a significant amount of foreign aid for several decades, Africa is among the poorest regions in the world. This study examines the relationship between foreign aid, economic growth and governance in the African region during the period 1996–2014 by fully applying both DOLS and FMOLS techniques. In the first stage of this study, we examine the foreign aid effect on economic growth. In the second stage, we assess the intermediary role of institutions in the relationship between foreign aid and economic growth in the African countries. It was found that foreign aid has a negative effect on economic growth in African countries in both FMOLS and DOLS models. However, empirical results indicate that foreign aid improves economic growth in the presence of good institutional quality only in the DOLS model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Vivaldi dipole rectenna system for infrared (IR) energy harvesting is investigated. First, a parametric study on the Vivaldi dipole antenna is performed to collect the maximum electric field between the Vivaldi poles. The antenna arms were optimized to achieve a high‐efficiency rectenna system. The two arms of the antenna were formed using two different metals, that is, gold and titanium. These two metals have different work functions, which facilitate the diode operation through tunneling at zero bias. The two arms of the Vivaldi dipole are overlapped, and a suitable insulator layer is injected in the overlapped area to form the metal‐insulator‐metal (MIM) diode. The MIM diode is an ideal candidate for this operation as it works without any bias, provided the two metals have different work functions. For rectenna operation, it is crucial that the rectifying diodes should work without any aid of external bias. The Al2O3 is the insulator layer of the MIM diode. We have chosen Al2O3 because it has a low dielectric constant at terahertz frequency regime, which allows us to match the operational cut‐off frequency, that is, 28.3 THz. A parametric study of the Al2O3 insulator layer is performed to increase the captured received intensity. At the end, the nano‐antenna operates at a frequency band of [26 ... 30 THz] to harvest IR energy from the environment with good efficiency and demonstrate its capacity to capture incident waves and obtain high‐intensity values within its gap. It is a development that could eventually boost electricity generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixtures of cultivars with contrasting levels of resistance can suppress infectious diseases in wheat, as demonstrated in numerous field experiments. Most studies focus on airborne pathogens in bread wheat, while splash‐dispersed pathogens have received less attention, and no studies have been conducted in durum wheat. We conducted a 2‐year field experiment in Tunisia to evaluate the performance of cultivar mixtures with varying proportions of resistance (0%–100%) in controlling the polycyclic, splash‐dispersed disease septoria tritici blotch (STB) in durum wheat. To measure STB severity, we used a high‐throughput method based on digital image analysis of 3,074 infected leaves collected from 42 and 40 experimental plots during the first and second years, respectively. This allowed us to quantify pathogen reproduction on wheat leaves and to acquire a large data set that exceeds previous studies with respect to accuracy and precision. Our analyses show that introducing only 25% of a disease‐resistant cultivar into a pure stand of a susceptible cultivar provides a substantial reduction of almost 50% in disease severity compared to the susceptible pure stand. However, incorporating two resistant cultivars instead of one did not further improve disease control, contrary to predictions of epidemiological theory. Susceptible cultivars can be agronomically superior to resistant cultivars or be better accepted by growers for other reasons. Hence, if mixtures with only a moderate proportion of the resistant cultivar provide a similar degree of disease control as resistant pure stands, as our analysis indicates, such mixtures are more likely to be accepted by growers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents, for the first time, a novel design of ultra‐wideband (UWB), circularly polarized and highly directive log‐spiral THz photoconductive antenna. The proposed antenna is simulated in High Frequency Structure Simulator using gold as the antenna electrode material which is backed by a quartz substrate (εr = 3.78, tan δ = 0.0001) and hemispherical silicon‐based lens with a diameter of 140 μm. A comprehensive detailed parametric study of the antenna design parameters is performed in the frequency range of 1 to 6 THz for the optimal design of the developed antenna structure. The optimal antenna structure with integrated lens has UWB characteristics with −10 dB impedance bandwidth of 5 THz and 3 dB axial ratio bandwidth of around 4 THz. The observed directivity and half‐power beam width of the presented design varies in the range 5 to 12 dBi and 34° to 62°, respectively, for the frequency range of 1 to 4 THz. The wideband, high directivity as well as high‐efficiency (>50%) characteristics of the proposed design make it a favorable choice for the THz sensing and imaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paratesticular soft tissue sarcomas are very rare malignant mesenchymal tumors. With only few cases reported in the literature, data regarding diagnostic and management of these tumors are limited. We reported a case of primary paratesticular leiomyosarcoma in a 72-year-old man complaining of a progressively growing painless right scrotal mass. The patient underwent radical inguinal right orchiectomy and adjuvant 3D conformal radiotherapy to the tumor bed including the surgical scar. The prescription dose was 54 Gy, and no pelvic irradiation was performed. He remained free of recurrence for the last 16 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Desmoid tumor also called aggressive fibromatosis is a rare type of benign tumor. It is a mesenchymal malignancy without metastatic potential. The standard management is resection, but other options including observation may be discussed. Desmoid-type fibromatosis may occur throughout the body, but the abdominal wall is the most common site. The aim of our study was to assess the clinicoepidemiological profile, prognostic factors, and treatment outcome of desmoid tumors. Methods. A monocentric retrospective study was conducted over a period of 19 years between February 2000 and November 2019 at the oncology department of Salah Azaïz Institute. Our study concerns 30 patients with desmoid tumor. All data regarding patients were obtained from the medical record. Results. Thirty patients were included. The median age was 35 years with a female predominance (sex ratio = 0.07). A palpable mass was the most common complaint (n = 27). Median tumor size was 5 cm. The principal site of involvement was the abdominal wall (n = 14). Surgery was performed in 27 patients. The histopathology reports listed 14 (52%) cases with negative margins and 13 (48%) cases with positive margins. Radiation therapy was performed in 2 patients. One patient received tamoxifen. Local recurrence occurred in 11 patients. Two patients died of their desmoid tumor. Abdominal wall tumors have less risk of recurrence compared with other sites (p = 0.047). Macroscopic margin involvement (R2) was the only prognostic factor influencing disease-free-survival (p = 0.034). Conclusion. Desmoid tumors are aggressive tumors with a tendency for local recurrence. Abdominal wall tumors have less risk of recurrence. Macroscopic margin involvement was the only prognostic factor that affects disease-free-survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gastric location of EBVMCU is extremely rare. The pathology examination and immunochemistry are mandatory for the diagnosis. It is essential that physicians be aware of this new entity to accurately diagnose and handle this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biallelic variants of the gene DNAJC12, which encodes a cochaperone, were recently described in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA). This paper reports the retrospective genetic analysis of a cohort of unsolved cases of HPA. Biallelic variants of DNAJC12 were identified in 20 patients (generally neurologically asymptomatic) previously diagnosed with phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) deficiency (phenylketonuria [PKU]). Further, mutations of DNAJC12 were identified in four carriers of a pathogenic variant of PAH. The genetic spectrum of DNAJC12 in the present patients included four new variants, two intronic changes c.298‐2A>C and c.502+1G>C, presumably affecting the splicing process, and two exonic changes c.309G>T (p.Trp103Cys) and c.524G>A (p.Trp175Ter), classified as variants of unknown clinical significance (VUS). The variant p.Trp175Ter was detected in 83% of the mutant alleles, with 14 cases homozygous, and was present in 0.3% of a Spanish control population. Functional analysis indicated a significant reduction in PAH and its activity, reduced tyrosine hydroxylase stability, but no effect on tryptophan hydroxylase 2 stability, classifying the two VUS as pathogenic variants. Additionally, the effect of the overexpression of DNAJC12 on some destabilizing PAH mutations was examined and a mutation‐specific effect on stabilization was detected suggesting that the proteostasis network could be a genetic modifier of PAH deficiency and a potential target for developing mutation‐specific treatments for PKU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clear cell sarcoma of the esophagus is very rare. The etiology of this neoplasm remains unknown. Confirmed diagnosis requires histopathology with immunochemistry and molecular study. CCS typically shows highly aggressive behavior with a high rate of local recurrence, metastases, and death from disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This proposal is concerned with a new methodology named Tecnology and Electronics—Do It Yourself (TECDIY) with the aim to motivate students of the first course of systems and multimedia engineering grade to prepare the practical laboratories and the exams of Physics and Electronics subject. The methodology consists in integrating projects‐based learning (‐) and the motivation for the practical laboratories and exams using preprepared videos, models adaptation of the theory, exercises, and problems preparation Gymkana. In addition, TECDIY methodology is supported by an attendance registration system, which allows the students assistance to class to be verified and controlled. The study is performed by comparing indicators, namely the predelivery of the laboratories theoretic calculations, the problems delivery, and assistance to class, performed in three academic years (2013–2014, 2014–2015, and 2015–2016). The results of applying this method demonstrate a significant increase of these indicators, which means the efficiency of TECDIY method in motivating the students to prepare the exam and the practical laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: North Africa has a great diversity of indigenous sheep breeds whose origin is linked to its environmental characteristics and to certain historical events that took place in the region. To date, few genome‐wide studies have been conducted to investigate the population structure of North African indigenous sheep. The objective of the present study was to provide a detailed assessment of the genetic structure and admixture patterns of six Maghreb sheep populations using the Illumina 50K Ovine BeadChip and comparisons with 22 global populations of sheep and mouflon. Regardless of the method of analysis used, patterns of multiple hybridization events were observed within all North African populations, leading to a heterogeneous genetic architecture that varies according to the breed. The Barbarine population showed the lowest genetic heterogeneity and major southwest Asian ancestry, providing additional support to the Asian origin of the North African fat‐tailed sheep. All other breeds presented substantial Merino introgression ranging from 15% for D'man to 31% for Black Thibar. We highlighted several signals of ancestral introgression between North African and southern European sheep. In addition, we identified two opposite gradients of ancestry, southwest Asian and central European, occurring between North Africa and central Europe. Our results provide further evidence of the weak global population structure of sheep resulting from high levels of gene flow among breeds occurring worldwide. At the regional level, signs of recent admixture among North African populations, resulting in a change of the original genomic architecture of minority breeds, were also detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose We report a patient with a human cationic amino acid transporter 2 (CAT‐2) defect discovered due to a suspected arginase 1 deficiency observed in newborn screening (NBS). Methods: A NBS sample was analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry. Screen results were confirmed by plasma and urine amino acid quantification. Molecular diagnosis was done using clinical exome sequencing. Dimethylated arginines were determined by HPLC and nitrate/nitrite levels by a colorimetric assay. The metabolomic profile was analyzed using 1D nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results: A Spanish boy of nonconsanguineous parents had high arginine levels in a NBS blood sample. Plasma and urinary cationic amino acids were high. Arginase enzyme activity in erythrocytes was normal and no pathogenic mutations were identified in the ARG1 gene. Massive parallel sequencing detected two loss‐of‐function mutations in the SLC7A2 gene. Currently, the child receives a protein‐controlled diet of 1.2 g/kg/day with protein‐and amino‐acid free infant formula, 30 g/day, and is asymptomatic. Conclusion: We identified a novel defect in human CAT‐2 due to biallelic pathogenic variants in the SLC7A2 gene. The characteristic biochemical profile includes high plasma and urine arginine, ornithine, and lysine levels. NBS centers should know of this disorder since it can be detected in arginase 1 deficiency screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total concentration and the speciation of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cr) in surface sediments of Rades-Hamam Lif coast were determined, with particular focus on the effect that urban and industrial waste in the Meliane river has on the estuary and coastal surface sediments of the Rades-Hamam Lif coast, off the Mediterranean Sea. Several geochemical indices were applied to assess the risk of contamination and the environmental risks of heavy metals on surface sediments. The total concentrations of these heavy metals are influenced by runoff, industrial, and urban wastewater. The Cd, Pb, Zn, and Ni are affected by anthropogenic sources, especially at the mouth of the Meliane river. The sequential extraction of Cd was presented dominantly in the exchangeable fraction and thus the high potential bioavailability. In contrast, Cr and Cu were mostly bound to the residual fraction indicating their low toxicity and bioavailability. The order of migration and transformation sequence was Cd > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cr > Cu, and the degree of pollution was Cd > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cr > Cu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GM1 gangliosidosis is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder due to mutations in the lysosomal acid 3-galactosidase gene, GLB1. It is usually classified into three forms, infantile, juvenile, or adult, based on age at onset and severity of central nervous system involvement. Because of their broad clinical spectrum and their similarity to many other aetiologies, including inherited neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, it is often difficult to diagnose such diseases. Recently, whole exome sequencing (WES) has become increasingly used when a strong hypothesis cannot be formulated based on the clinical phenotype. Here, we present three patients belonging to a consanguineous Moroccan family with a GM1-gangliosidosis with unusual clinical onset and atypical radiological presentation that had eluded diagnosis for over a decade. To identify the disease-causing mutation, we performed a whole exome sequencing and a chromosomal microarray genotyping in order to reduce the number of genetic variants to be interpreted, by focusing the data analysis only on the linked loci. The already known pathogenic missense mutation c.601G>A in GLB1 (p.R201C) was found at homozygous state in the proband V.1 and at heterozygous state in his father IV.1. The mutation was validated by Sanger sequencing and segregated in all the family members according to a recessive mode of inheritance. Outside of the linked loci, we found the EXOSC8 p.Ser272Thr mutation at heterozygous state in all the patients and their mother IV.2. This mutation was reported to cause pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 1C and could act as a modifying factor that exacerbates the brain atrophy of patients. Our study identified the first GLB1 mutation in North Africa in patients with unexpected brain-MRI outcomes extending the clinical spectrum of the GM1-gangliosidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the design of a new microwave all-dielectric chiral metasurface with circular dichroism behavior based on elliptic dielectric resonators (EDRs). During the design procedure, we have first optimized numerically the effects of the main design parameters such as the resonator’s size and orientation, as well as the size of the slot within them, on the metasurface transmission over the frequency band 10–20 GHz. Measurements on the final metasurface prototype have shown a large circular dichroism (Δ=0.61 and Δ=0.5) over two bands (17.55–17.61 GHz and 17.91–18.05 GHz) with ellipticities close to 45° which means that the developed device can be used as a circular polarization filter and circular polarizer at microwave frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the design of all-dielectric Quarter-Wave Plate (QWP) and Half-Wave Plate (HWP) metasurfaces based on elliptic dielectric resonators (EDRs) for the transmission control of electromagnetic waves over the frequency band 20–30 GHz. First, an extensive numerical analysis was realized by studying the effect of the resonators geometry (thickness and ellipticity) on the transmission of both x- and y-polarized waves. Then, based on the numerical analysis, we have realized and characterized experimentally both QWP and HWP all-dielectric metasurfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The LRRK2 G2019S mutation is the most common genetic determinant of Parkinson’s disease (PD) identified to date. This mutation, reported in both familial and sporadic PD, occurs at elevated frequencies in Maghreb population. In the present study, we examined the prevalence of the G2019S mutation in the Moroccan population and we compared the motor and nonmotor phenotype of G2019S carriers to patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Methods. 100 PD patients were assessed for motor and nonmotor symptoms, current medication, and motor complication including motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. The LRRK2 G2019S mutation was investigated by direct sequencing in patients and ethnically matched controls, all of Moroccan origin. Results. Among the 100 PD Moroccan patients, 41 (41%) were carriers of the G2019S mutation. The mutation frequency was higher among probands with autosomal dominant inheritance (76%) than among sporadic ones (28%). Interestingly, G2019S mutation was also found in 5% of control individuals. Clinically, patients carrying the G2019S mutation have more dystonia (OR = 4.6, p = 0.042) and more sleep disorders (OR = 2.4, p = 0.045) than noncarriers. Conclusions. The LRRK2 G2019S prevalence in Morocco is the highest in the world reported to date. Some clinical features in G2019S carriers such as dystonia and sleep disturbances are worth noting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper aims at optimizing three parameters involved in solid state fermentation (SSF) using Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) to improve a traditional cereal food "Bsissa" in order to elaborate a new probiotic fermented breakfast cereal. A Box- Behnken experimental design was used and the optimal fermentation conditions were liquid to solid ratio: 1.2 (vw-1), fermentation time: 12 h, and sucrose concentration: 10.48 g (100 gDM)-1. Under these conditions, the viable LGG cells, the free amino nitrogen content, and the total acidity were obtained to be 9.1 log10(cfu g-1), 12.95 (mgg-1), and 6.46 (μmol g-1), respectively. After three weeks of refrigerated storage, the viability of LGG in the fermented Bsissa was 8.23 log10(cfu g-1).This study shows a new possibility to make an acceptable nonfermented dairy product based mainly on cereals, leguminous plants, spices, and aromatic herbs, which are suitable substrates able to support the high probiotic viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the geographic variability in otolith shape of round sardinella Sardinella aurita as a tool for stock discrimination. Fish were analysed from six sampling locations from Senegal to the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. A combination of otolith shape indices and elliptic Fourier descriptors was investigated by multivariate statistical procedures. Within the studied area, three distinct groups were identified with an overall correct classification of 78%. Group A: Nador (Alboran Sea), group B: Casablanca (northern Morocco) and group C: Senegalese-Mauritanian. The results of this study confirm the absence of an Atlantic Ocean-Mediterranean Sea transition for this species, the Gibraltar Strait acting as an efficient barrier for S. aurita population separation. Off north-west Africa, fish from northern Morocco form a single group which is clearly isolated from Senegalese-Mauritanian waters, confirming the existence of a distinct stock in this area. Among group C, some discontinuity exists and suggests the existence of a sedentary fraction of S. aurita in northern Mauritania (Arguin Bank). The results are discussed in relation to oceanographic features and physical barriers to dispersal and fish management strategy in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. Ten of fifteen causative genes linked to familial forms of PD have been reported to cause autosomal recessive forms. Among them, mutations in the PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) gene were shown to be responsible for a phenotype characterized by early onset, good response to levodopa, and a benign course. Using chromosomal microarray analysis and Sanger sequencing, we identified a homozygous G/C substitution in a 58-year-old Moroccan man diagnosed with recessive inherited Parkinson’s disease. This G-to-C transition occurred at position 1617 leading to an amino acid change L/F at position 539 located in highly conserved motif in the C terminal sequence of PINK1. Interestingly, the c.1617G>C substitution is absent in 192 ethnically matched control chromosomes. Our findings have shown that the p.L539F is a novel mutation located in the C terminal sequence of the PINK1 protein that could be pathogenic and responsible for a clinical phenotype resembling idiopathic Parkinson’s disease with rapid progression and early cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Machining defects as rebuilt material and dislodgement were often induced by cutting of difficult to machining AISI 304 stainless steel. Their density increases with a decreasing of cutting speed. The effect of these defects on surface topography and residual stress was evaluated by roughness and X-ray diffraction measurements coupled with numerical simulation. The role of the rebuilt material on the distribution of fatigue crack nucleation sites was investigated by scanning electron microscope examination of post fatigue samples loaded at different imposed strain amplitudes. The association of machining defects and fatigue crack nucleation sites was attributed to the contribution of additional tensile residual stresses induced by rebuilt material rather than local stress concentration. Moreover, the fatigue crack coalescence is promoted by increasing the rebuilt material density. When the machining defect density increases from 5 to 60 particles/mm2, the fatigue life decreases from −22% to −65% with respect to the electropolished surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a theoretical investigation of strained Ge1− xSn x/Ge (001)-oriented quantum wells as a bulding block in active region of infrared photodetector. The electronic band parameters, gaps, discontinuities and effective masses for heterointerfaces between compressively strained Ge1− xSn x and relaxed Ge have beencomputed at room temperature. From this preliminary and mendatory work, we conclude that pseudomorphic Ge1− xSn x alloys become direct band gap semiconductors at a Sn-fraction of 15.3%, e.g. a lattice mismatch as high as 2.3%. Due to achievable critical layer thickness and mainly solid solubility limit, a type-I compressively strained Ge/Ge0.92Sn0.08/Ge (double) quantum well is studied by solving Schrödinger equation without and applied bias voltage. A strong absorption coefficient (> 1×104 cm−1) and a Stark shift of the direct transition between 2.01 μm and 2.25 μm at large external fields (40kV/cm) are attractive characteristics for the design of infrared photodetectors (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitivity of 159 isolates of Zymoseptoria tritici collected from durum wheat fields in Tunisia in 2012 was analysed towards pyraclostrobin, fluxapyroxad, epoxiconazole, metconazole, prochloraz and tebuconazole using microtiter tests. All isolates were found to be highly sensitive to pyraclostrobin with EC50 <0.01 mg/l with the exception of three isolates from the same field with higher EC50 values (>0.5 mg/l). These three isolates carried a mutation in the cytochrome b gene encoding the G143A substitution. This is the first report of quinone outside inhibitors (QoI) resistance in Z. tritici in Tunisia. Sensitivity towards r fluxapyroxad was in a narrow range with EC50 values ranging between 0.013 and 0.125 mg/l, which can serve as baseline sensitivity data for the future. Demethylation inhibitors sensitivity varied across a broad range with the data indicating a slight shift in sensitivity when compared to a previous study on the 2010 population. No highly sensitive strains were isolated from samples from fields, which had received three or four DMI applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focused identification of germplasm strategy (FIGS) has been validated using predictive computer models in simulation studies to predict a priori known trait scores. This study was designed as a "blind" study where the person calculating the computer model did not know the actual trait scores. This study design provides a more realistic test of the predictive capacity of the FIGS approach compared to previous studies. Furthermore this study also explored the suitability of FIGS for the identification of resistance in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. subsp. aestivum) and durum wheat [Triticum turgidum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.] to Ug99—a strain of stem rust (Puccinia graminis Pers. f. sp. tritici Eriks. & Henn.) and typified to race TTKSK. The predictions were validated against a dataset with the screening of wheat accessions conducted in Yemen in 2008. Only a small training set representing 20% of the trait screening results was disclosed to the person conducting the data analysis for the calibration of the prediction model. The hit rate for identification of Ug99-resistant accessions was more than two times higher when using the FIGS approach compared to a random selection of accessions. These results suggested that FIGS was well suited for the identification of samples with resistance to fungal pathogens. It is therefore recommended that FIGS approach be used as a complement to expert knowledge and experience when selecting accessions for plant breeding and crop research activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by Fusarium graminearum Schwabe causes extensive losses in durum wheat [Triticum turgidum subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn.]. The only verified resistance contributed by a tetraploid wheat species comes from T. turgidum L. subsp. dicoccoides (Körn. ex Asch. & Graebn.) Thell. This research was conducted to determine whether five Tunisian durum lines exhibiting Type II FHB resistance carry the same resistance alleles as the hexaploid wheat 'Frontana', 'Sumai 3', and 'Wangshuibai' and subsp. dicoccoides genotype (Israel A). One hundred thirty-one polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based markers were used to determine the genetic similarity among 20 genotypes including resistant and susceptible Tunisian lines and adapted tetraploid and hexaploid cultivars. Phenotypic evaluation was conducted in two greenhouse seasons. Cluster analysis of the Tunisian lines based on the genetic markers showed they are genetically distant from known sources of resistance. Tunisian 7, the most resistant line in this study, was distinctly placed on a separate branch from all the other Tunisian lines, indicating the presence of some genetic diversity. Nineteen of the genotypes were haplotyped with PCR-based markers for nine loci on six chromosomes associated with known Type II FHB resistance. The Tunisian lines amplified different fragment sizes from the known resistant hexaploid wheat cultivars and subsp. dicoccoides. Results from this study indicate that these Tunisian lines may contain a novel source of Type II FHB resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium head blight (FHB) has recently become d major disease in durum wheat {Triticum turgiqum L. subsp. durum (Desf.) Husn. [syn. Triticum turgidum L. var. durum (Desf.) Bowden]} in Tunisia. Although partial resistance to FHB is found in durum wheat landraces, little is known about resistance genes and their effectiveness. lihe objective of this research was to evaluate potential resistance or tolerance to FHB using a cross between two partially resistant durum v~iheat cultivars, Divide, a North Dakota State University (NDSU) cultivar, and Tun7, a Tunisian landrace. Seven populations (P1, P2, F1, F2, F3, BC1, and BC2) were evaluated in the greenhouse. Percentages of infected spikelets (PIS) v~'ere evaluated at 7, 14, and 21 d postinoculation (DPI) and area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) and Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) were measured. Mean generations analysis indicated that dominance effect (h) and dominance x dominance epistasis effect (!) contributed largely to the expression of partial resistance to FHB as measured by the PIS observed at 7 DPI (h = -8,9 and I = 10.4), 14 DPI (h = -28 and I = 33.7), and AUDPC (h = -300.5 and! = 340). Vanànce components indicated that additive effect (d) and additive x additive epistasis effect (I) are predominant components in the disease development at 21 DPI (d 8.5 and I = -9). Additive effect (d) appeared to condition the expression of FDK (d = -3). Heritability estimates were 0.42 for PIS observed at 21 DPI and 0.84 for FDK. These results suggest that disease scoring at 21 DPI and FDK could be used to screen for FHB in early generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an experimental and modeling study of the oxidation of methyl and ethyl butanoates in a shock tube. The ignition delays of these two esters mixed with oxygen and argon for equivalence ratios from 0.25 to 2 and ester concentrations of 0.5% and 1% were measured behind a reflected shock wave for temperatures from 1250 to 2000 K and pressures around 8 atm. To extend the range of studied temperatures in the case of methyl butanoate, two sets of measurements were also made in a jet-stirred reactor at 800 and 850 K, at atmospheric pressure, at residence times varying between 1.5 and 9 s and for equivalence ratios of 0.5 and 1. Detailed mechanisms for the combustion of methyl and ethyl butanoates have been automatically generated using a version of EXGAS software improved to take into account these oxygenated reactants. These mechanisms have been validated through comparison of simulated and experimental results in both types of reactor. The main reaction pathways have been derived from reaction flux and sensitivity analyses performed at different temperatures. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 226–252, 2010 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which proposed a methodology based on geostatistics and the examination of the relationships between seasonal nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations and auxiliary variables. Geostatistical methods are now commonly applied to represent past and current pollution situations at the city or the region scale. Input data are usually obtained from passive diffusion tube surveys which enable a wide sampling coverage. The geostatistical framework is based on a detailed analysis of background and roadside NO2 measurements and of the correlation between concentrations and auxiliary variables.

Rust fungi can overcome the effect of host resistance genes rapidly, and spores can disperse long distance by wind. Here we demonstrate a foreign incursion of similar strains of the wheat yellow rust fungus, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, in North America, Australia and Europe in less than 3 years. One strain defined by identity at 15 virulence loci and 130 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fragments was exclusive to North America (present since 2000) and Australia (since 2002). Another strain of the same virulence phenotype, but differing in two AFLP fragments, was exclusive to Europe (present since 2000–2001) as well as Western and Central Asia and the Red Sea Area (first appearance unknown). This may be the most rapid spread of an important crop pathogen on the global scale. The limited divergence between the two strains and their derivatives, and the temporal–spatial occurrence pattern confirmed a recent spread. The data gave evidence for additional intercontinental dispersal events in the past, that is, many isolates sampled before 2000 in Europe, North America and Australia had similar AFLP fingerprints, and isolates from South Africa, which showed no divergence in AFLP, differed by only two fragments from particular isolates from Central Asia, West Asia and South Europe, respectively. Previous research has demonstrated that isolates of the two new strains produced up to two to three times more spores per day than strains found in USA and Europe before 2000, suggesting that increased aggressiveness at this level may accelerate global spread of crop pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ignition delay times of cyclopentene–oxygen–argon mixtures were measured behind reflected shock waves. Mixtures contained 0.5% or 1% of hydrocarbons for equivalence ratios ranging from 0.5 to 1.5. Reflected shock wave conditions were as follows: temperatures from 1300 to 1700 K and pressures from 7 to 9 atm. When compared with the previous results obtained under similar conditions, it can be observed that the reactivity of cyclopentene is much lower than that of cyclohexene, but very close to that of cyclopentane. A kinetic mechanism recently proposed for the combustion of cyclopentene in a flame has been used to model these results, and a satisfactory agreement is obtained. The main reaction pathways have been derived from the flow rate, simulated temporal profiles of products, and sensitivity analyses. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 25–33, 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The artciel presents a case study of a 47-year-old woman presented with abdominal pain ongoing for 2 months associated with nausea and vomiting in the last 15 days, and the pain was diffuse and limited her oral intake. Topics discussed include Abdominal examination with deep palpation yielded a suspect mass in the right lower quadrant; and the result of rectal examination was normal, and she subsequently underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen.

The oxidation of several binary mixtures 1-hexene/toluene has been investigated both in a shock tube and in a jet-stirred reactor (JSR). The self-ignition behavior of binary mixtures was compared to that of neat hydrocarbons studied under the same conditions. Furthermore, molecular species concentration profiles were measured by probe-sampling and GC/MS, FID, TCD analyses for the oxidation of the mixtures in a JSR. Experiments were carried out over the temperature range 750–1860 K. Mixtures were examined under two pressures 0.2 and 1 MPa, with 0.1% initial concentration of fuel. The equivalence ratio was varied from 0.5 to 1.5. The experiments were modeled using a detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanism. The modeling study showed that interactions between hydrocarbons submechanisms were not limited to small reactive radicals. Other types of interactions involving hydrocarbon fragments derived from the oxidation of the fuel components must be considered. These interactions mainly consist of hydrogen abstraction reactions. For example, benzyl radical that is the major radical produced from the oxidation of toluene at high temperature can abstract hydrogen from 1-hexene and their products such as hexenyl radicals. Similarly, propyl, allyl, and hexenyl radicals that are the major radicals produced during 1-hexene oxidation at high temperature can abstract hydrogen from toluene. Improved modeling was achieved when such interaction reactions were included in the model. Good agreement between experimental and calculated data was obtained using the proposed detailed chemical kinetic scheme. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 39: 518–538, 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a commentary on studies related to breast cancer T1 in an emerging country. Topics include aim to describe their clinico-epidemiological and to evaluate different therapeutic strategies and to clarify the prognostic factors of relapse and overall survival; and indications of treatment were made in a medical multidisciplinary consultation meeting.

The article presents a case study of a 16-year-old girl presented with erythematous and infiltrative changes which appeared one month ago in the left breast. Topics include reports that physical examination showed an increase in the volume of the left breast with diffuse thickening, induration, and variable edema, but no mass was palpated.

AFLP markers were used to measure the amount and distribution of genetic variation amongRhynchosporium secalisisolates on a microgeographical scale in Syria. Forty isolates hierarchically sampled from a single barley field were assayed for AFLP variation using primer combinations not previously tested in populations of the pathogen from Syria. In contrast to a previous study, which showed high clonality within field populations ofR. secalisin Syria, the present study revealed a much higher level of genetic diversity, stressing the important roles that sampling strategies and the choice of primers/primer combinations play in the evaluation of genetic variation inR. secalispopulations at a microgeographical scale. A high level of genetic variation was found to occur on a fine scale throughout the pathogen population examined, with 40 different haplotypes being identified among the 40 isolates sampled. Data were consistent with the hypothesis that the primary inoculum originated from a genetically diverse founding population, which may have consisted of ascospores of an as yet undescribed teleomorph and/or asexual spores of a highly mutable local population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]