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Sulfosalt thin film can be applied to a thermoelectric material due to its tunable electrical properties and low thermal conductivity. In this work, we study the thermoelectric figure of merit of SnxSb2Sy (1 ≤ x ≤ 3, 4 ≤ y ≤ 6) thin films. Here, we added the SnS component to improve the thermoelectric (TE) performance of SnxSb2Sy. The thermal properties were determined using the front electro-pyroelectric (FEPE) technique. The thermal conductivity values decrease with added SnS component. Meanwhile, the thermoelectric properties measured for SnxSb2Sy thin films reveal a simultaneous improvement in both Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity by the addition of SnS. In addition, the Seebeck coefficient average value of samples is approximately −160 µV/K at 300 K. Finally, Sn3Sb2S6 thin film had a significantly higher ZT value compared with SnSb2S4, reaching a value of 0.95 at 600 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pr0.67Ba0.22Sr0.11Mn1−xTixO3 (x = 0.05 and 0.075) manganites are synthesized using solid-state reaction route. All XRD patterns with narrow and intense diffraction peaks reveal that the samples are well crystallized. For electrical properties we measure the conductivity versus temperature (80–400 K) and frequencies (40 Hz–10 MHz). These measurements were made by admittance spectroscopy technique. The effect of titanium doping on the electrical properties of our compounds appears by semiconductor behavior. The variation of DC-conductivity with temperature presents two metal–semiconductor transitions. The first transition TMS bound by Mn3+/Mn4+ ratio but the second transition TSM depends to an extrinsic effect of grain boundaries. It was observed also that the conductivity decreases with titanium concentration, such behavior is associated to a reduction of double-exchange mechanism. The conduction mechanism is explained by thermally activated hopping of small polaron at high temperature range. The activation energy was evaluated of about Ea = 30 m eV for x = 0.05 and Ea = 61 meV for x = 0.075. The total conductance spectrum of Pr0.67Ba0.22Sr0.11Mn0.925Ti0.075O3 compound is well described by the Jonscher power law: G w = G dc + A ω n . Impedance study for the sample with x = 0.075 indicates the presence tow metal–semiconductor transitions and a non-Debye relaxation phenomenon related to a grain and grain boundary medium. Also, the modulation of the material by an electrical equivalent circuit show high values of grain boundary medium capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reproductive strategy of an unexploited population of Arca noae from the salt-water Bizerte Lagoon (Tunisia, western Mediterranean), including its tissue plasticity, was studied. In total 309 individuals, collected monthly from October 2013 to September 2014, were examined; 142 were females, 42 were males and five were hermaphrodites. They were used in histological and immunohistochemical (stem marker: Pou5f1; proliferation marker: proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)) analyses of gonads and adjacent tissues (N = 189) as well as to compute the monthly condition index (N = 120). Water salinity, temperature and chlorophyll a concentration were recorded. Ripe ovaries were observed in two discrete periods, October–November and April–August. Both gonad ripenings were followed by spawning periods, November–April and July–September. The mature oocyte density showed that the first spawning period was less vigorous than the second one. These data also indicated that A. noae is a multiple spawner. Five cases of protandric hermaphroditism occurred from December to April. Gonad tissue was strictly associated and intermingled with the digestive gland and mantle muscle fibres. Seasonal variations were observed in the relative proportions of digestive gland and gonads: the former predominated when the latter regressed (March) and vice versa (peak in June). Seasonal transitions from germinal to somatic tissue and vice versa were hypothesised to occur through transdifferentiation mechanisms based on the activity of stem and proliferating cells. The condition index roughly increased along with gonad ripening and decreased during the spawning periods, although it did not run parallel to gonad evolution, because it also depended on chlorophyll a concentration, a proxy for phytoplankton density. The condition index was significantly correlated, by multiple regression, to both mature oocyte density and chlorophyll a concentration. Arca noae appears to have evolved a flexible reproductive strategy that makes it capable of exploiting diverse environmental conditions, which also involves tissue transdifferentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to provide information about the changes in fatty acid composition and quality in Ruditapes decussatus tissue after four culinary treatments (steamed, baked, grilled and fried). All treated samples showed a significant decrease in moisture and protein. In contrast, a significant increase in fat content resulted from the grilled and fried treatments. Saturated fatty acid was significantly higher in fresh clams than all cooking processes, except in fried ones. Monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid varied significantly between fresh and cooked clams with high values recorded for fried clams. The n-3/n-6 ratio, peroxide index, EPA+DHA and atherogenicity index decreased significantly after the cooking processes particularly in fried clams. The mineral levels (Mg, Ca and Mn) of cooked clams decreased considerably with grilled and fried treatments. The impacts of cooking on the fatty acid composition and protein content in clam tissue was evaluated by lipid peroxidation (TBARS, PV, FFA, TOR) and protein oxidation (AOPP and PCO), which varied statistically in fried, steamed, grilled and baked samples; indicating alterations in cooked clam tissues structure. Based on our results, steaming is recommended for the preparation of clams because it preserves the most nutritional tissue quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reveals information for the first time about the total lipid (TL) content and fatty acid composition (FA) of Mactra stultorum (M. corallina). Three edible organs (foot, mantle and adductor muscle) were the subjects of this research in order to determine the most favorable periods for their consumption in relation to seasonal variability. The results showed lower lipid content in the adductor muscles in summer (12.73 ± 2.55 mg/g dry matter); while a higher content was observed in winter (28.97 ± 3.50 mg/g dry matter). However, similar lipid contents were observed in the mantle and foot tissues among the seasons. The fatty acid composition of Mactra stultorum adductor muscles, mantle and foot was dominated by saturated fatty acids (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Palmitic acid (16:0) was the major saturated fatty acid (SFA) and reached higher levels during summer in the foot (26%), mantle (21%) and adductor muscles (25%). Among PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) showed significant variation among seasons with high levels recorded during winter and spring. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) did not show any remarkable variation among seasons for the three studied tissues. Seasonal changes in fatty acids were observed for all samples, reaching a maximum level in winter or spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake and coastal Tunisian areas are rich biodiversity habitats, although little information is available about the distribution of food sources for the inhabitant species. In this study, a fatty acid analysis was used to study the trophic ecology of Venerupis decussatac ommunities from 10 sites located along the Tunisian Coast. The richest population in fatty acids was found in S4 followed by S5 and S8, while that of S1, S3 and S10 were the least rich. Results from multivariate analysis confirmed the ecological position of the studied population based on their fatty acid composition. Our results divided the ten studied populations into three similar groups according to their ecological and geographical positions in relation to environmental parameters and food and trophic links. A principal component analysis revealed that diatoms and dinoflagellates were the predominate diets in all the sampling stations. Bacteria and urban discharge dominated the dietary source of clams from S10 and S9. Zooplankton were the preferred diet of V. decussata harvested from the two S2 and S3 lakes; although green algae, phytoplankton and detritus were absent from the dietary source of the two previous populations. Despite spatial differences, clams from the north and the south could be easily distinguished from each other, which indicates the utility of this method in the dietary analysis of different food chain links. This study proves that geographic, ecologic and abiotic factors as well as their mutual interaction should be properly investigated in studies focusing on the trophic chains of aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The objectives of the present study are to determine the evolutionary profile of intense psychotic disorders in adolescents and to identify the factors, which could influence this evolution. Some factors are associated with the evolution to schizophrenia. Among these factors, we can mention male gender, progressive beginning without a precipitating factor, premorbid schizoid personality and the history of schizophrenia in the family. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the evolution of BHS at the short-term psychotherapy mother–child. Patients and methods: The study was prospective, descriptive and analytical occurring from 1st January 2005 to 31st December 2008 on 32 children, with severe BHS, and aged less than three years. Were collected the following data: the age of onset of the disorder, stress factors preceding onset, and the factors triggering the crisis, the “pace” of crises and their duration, measured at first consultation and after a year of regular mother–child psychotherapy. The analytical study was conducted in order to compare the changing parameters in the cyanotic and pale type. Results: The mean age at onset of the BHS was 13.7±6.46 months. The BHS was precipitated by stress factors in 84.37 % of cases dominated by the separation noted in 50 % of cases. The crisis was triggered by frustration in 50 % of cases, pain in 10 % of cases, emotion and association of two or three factors in 40 % of cases. Seizure frequency was variable from multiple episodes per day to a few crises per year. After one year, all children have kept the same type of crisis with decline in the duration of the crisis more than a few seconds, the frequency of crises triggered by the frustration that has risen from 50 % to 32.14 % as well as the total frequency of seizures. In fact 53.57 % were no longer a crisis every six months, 32.14 % were not a crisis per year. While daily or weekly crisis disappeared. Conclusion: These results confirm the emotional nature of BHS and suggest the beneficial effect of mother and child psychotherapy in the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of our study was to establish the clinic, psychopathologic and etiopathogenic profile of children’s chronic depression and to search for the link that it may have with anaclitic organisation.Material and methods – We led a retrospective study consisting of 15 files of children and teenagers presenting chronic depression evolving for more than 2 years, from among 1452 new consultant files. These cases answer all the criteria of anaclitic organisation according to the French Classification of Mental disorders in Children and Adolescents (FCMCA).Results – The school difficulties and behavioural problems constituted the main motive of the most frequent consultation (14/15 cases). The symptomatology was concealed right away by behavioural unrest in five out of 15 cases. The ten remaining cases became marked more and more by the evolution. The projective tests showed, in the eight children tested, a picture of a fragile self, a change in the image of the mother, and the experience of abandonment.All children had undergone experiences of loss or separation. A disturbance in the parents investment in the child has been noted in 12 cases out of 15. A mental pathology of one or both parents has been noted at 10 cases on 15.Conclusion – All patients followed for chronic depression fulfilled the criteria for anaclitic organisation of the CFTMEA, which suggests that this organisation in the child predisposes to the chronicity of depression in the child.Due to the existence of the well-integrated self and of the absence of specific defence mechanisms of borderline pathology; anaclitic organisation deserves to be individualised in relation to borderline pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of our work was to study  the role of  parental divorce in the appearance of possible specific psychopathologics of children and teenagers.The survey was retrospective and comparative. We used 84 files of children and teenagers with divorced parents and 300 files of patients from unite families; they were matched according to age, sex and socioeconomic level.We compared motives of consultation, settings nosographics and the evolution of troubles in the 2 groups.Three motives of consultation were linked to divorce: character disturbance, behavior disturbance and school difficulties.Three pathologies were linked to divorce: personality disorders without neurosis and psychosis, functional disturbance and depressive disturbance.The short-term and medium-term aggravation of the psychic pathology was meaningfully more frequent for children of divorced parents. The long-term evolution was similar in both groups.The frequency of personality disorders out of neurosis and psychosis, of functional and depressive disturbance for children of divorced parents can be partly linked to the importance of separation experiences in these pathologies.Divorce appears to be a factor of risk for mental pathology of children and teenagers but no etiologic linear link was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Infant Schizophrenia is a severe developmental disorder affecting most areas of children's adaptive functioning; especially the social field. The objective of this work was to study the psychosocial implications of early onset schizophrenia. Methods We conducted a descriptive and retrospective survey on 58 children and adolescents who were hospitalized in the child and adolescent psychiatry department of Sfax for schizophrenia according to the DSM-IV TR criteria, during 14 years (from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2013) Results In this study, patients frequently showed disruption of family interactions. Indeed, the child's relationship with his parents was marked by the withdrawal in 26% of cases, the dominance in 19% of cases and rejection in 13.7% of cases. For their part, parents demonstrated attitudes of indifference in 29% of cases, hyper protection in 28% of cases and rejection in 24% of cases. In addition, adjustment difficulties were noted in 63.3% of cases, a tendency of isolation in 43.6% of cases and a conflictual relationship with peers in 27.3% of cases. Academically, patients had difficulties in school in 62% of cases. It was as type of school decline in 36% of cases, absenteeism in 36% of cases, school disinvestment in 30.5% of cases and grade repetition in 12% of cases. Conclusion This study shows that children and adolescents with schizophrenia had family, social and school adjustment difficulties; which joined the literature as to the severity of early onset schizophrenia whose prognosis is often unfavorable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectifs Identifier les facteurs corrélés à l’existence de manifestations anxio-dépressives, à une mésestime de soi et à une qualité de vie altérée Patients et méthodes Etude transversale et comparative menée sur une année portant sur 30 enfants atteins de déficit en hormone de croissance (GH). Ce groupe de patients é été comparé à un groupe témoin (GT) composé de 60 enfants et adolescents. Résultats L’âge moyen était de 13 ans avec sex ratio à 2, 3. Le déficit en GH était isolé dans 77% des cas et associé à un déficit thyréotrope dans 23% des cas. La vitesse de croissance avait passé de 2 cm/an à 6,7 cm/an sous traitement par GH. Le déficit en GH était corrélé à des manifestations dépressives dans 60% des cas contre 11% dans le GT (p=0,000). Des manifestations anxieuses ont été notées dans 66% des cas contre 36% dans le GT (p=0,000). Une baisse de l’estime de soi était notée dans 84% des cas contre 34% dans le GT. Ces difficultés psychologiques étaient corrélées à plusieurs facteurs : type de déficit, durée du traitement, âge au début du traitement et gain statural Conclusion Notre étude révèle la fréquence des difficultés psychologiques chez les patients porteurs d’un déficit en GH ce qui nécessite une collaboration étroite entre pédiatre, pédopsychiatre et psychologue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The goal of this work was to study the nature of co-morbidity in bipolar disorders of the adolescent and their clinical and evolutional impact. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]