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Abstract Structural insights into the photoactivated adenylate cyclases can be used to develop new ways of controlling cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels for optogenetic and other applications. In this work, we use an integrative approach that combines biophysical and structural biology methods to provide insight on the interaction of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) with the dark-adapted state of the photoactivated adenylate cyclase from the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria acuminata (OaPAC). A moderate affinity of the nucleotide for the enzyme was calculated and the thermodynamic parameters of the interaction have been obtained. Stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy and small-angle solution scattering have revealed significant conformational changes in the enzyme, presumably in the adenylate cyclase (AC) domain during the allosteric mechanism of ATP binding to OaPAC with small and large-scale movements observed to the best of our knowledge for the first time in the enzyme in solution upon ATP binding. These results are in line with previously reported drastic conformational changes taking place in several class III AC domains upon nucleotide binding.

Synthesis of nanocrystalline yttrium-aluminum garnet doped with neodymium was performed via modified Pechini methods. Evolution of material during synthesis was studied using differential thermal analysis; the structure and morphology of synthesized nanopowders were studied using scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. It was shown that the use of an additional low-temperature stabilizer leads to formation of crystalline yttrium-aluminum garnet phase at lower temperatures. It was shown that the formation of nanocrystals occurs at the temperature of about 883 °C. Obtained powders can be used as precursors for ceramics sintering or be introduced into the optical fiber in order to fabricate optical amplifiers.

With the growing prevalence of Arabic texts, extracting relevant information from these sources has become increasingly vital. Consequently, there is a pressing demand for technologies and tools capable of processing this relevant data. Named Entity Recognition (NER) is a fundamental technique in the field of information extraction, serving as the basis for many natural language applications such as question-answering (QA), machine translation, and text summarization. This paper presents a detailed review of the evolution of Arabic NER. We begin by providing an in-depth exploration of the foundational aspects of Arabic NER, encompassing its domains, types, applications, annotation schemes, and the challenges inherent in its development. We present an overview of the existing resources applicable to Arabic NER, including datasets, gazetteers, and prevalent processing tools. Then, we classify current approaches into three main paradigms: Rule-Based, Machine Learning (ML), and Deep-Learning (DL) methods. Within each paradigm, we survey notable methods and elucidate their architectures. Additionally, we synthesize the practical applications of these NER methods and propose potential directions for future research in the domain of Arabic NER. This literature review provides a valuable resource for researchers aiming to improve NER studies in Arabic.

Epidemiologists have used the timing of the peak of an epidemic to guide public health interventions. By determining the expected peak time, they can allocate resources effectively and implement measures such as quarantine, vaccination, and treatment at the right time to mitigate the spread of the disease. The peak time also provides valuable information for those modeling the spread of the epidemic and making predictions about its future trajectory. In this study, we analyze the time needed for an epidemic to reach its peak by presenting a straightforward analytical expression. Utilizing two epidemiological models, the first is a generalized $ SEIR $ model with two classes of latent individuals, while the second incorporates a continuous age structure for latent infections. We confirm the conjecture that the peak occurs at approximately $ T\sim(\ln N)/\lambda $, where $ N $ is the population size and $ \lambda $ is the largest eigenvalue of the linearized system in the first model or the unique positive root of the characteristic equation in the second model. Our analytical results are compared to numerical solutions and shown to be in good agreement.

Abstract Background Sexually polymorphic cognition (SPC) results from the interaction between biological (birth-assigned sex (BAS), sex hormones) and socio-cultural (gender identity, gender roles, sexual orientation) factors. The literature remains quite mixed regarding the magnitude of the effects of these variables. This project used a battery of classic cognitive tests designed to assess the influence of sex hormones on cognitive performance. At the same time, we aimed to assess the inter-related and respective effects that BAS, sex hormones, and gender-related factors have on SPC. Methods We recruited 222 adults who completed eight cognitive tasks that assessed a variety of cognitive domains during a 150-min session. Subgroups were separated based on gender identity and sexual orientation and recruited as follows: cisgender heterosexual men (n = 46), cisgender non-heterosexual men (n = 36), cisgender heterosexual women (n = 36), cisgender non-heterosexual women (n = 38), gender diverse (n = 66). Saliva samples were collected before, during, and after the test to assess testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone. Psychosocial variables were derived from self-report questionnaires. Results Cognitive performance reflects sex and gender differences that are partially consistent with the literature. Interestingly, biological factors seem to better explain differences in male-typed cognitive tasks (i.e., spatial), while psychosocial factors seem to better explain differences in female-typed cognitive tasks (i.e., verbal). Conclusion Our results establish a better comprehension of SPC over and above the effects of BAS as a binary variable. We highlight the importance of treating sex as a biological factor and gender as a socio-cultural factor together since they collectively influence SPC.

This investigation aimed to assess the in vitro and in silico biological properties of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract obtained from leaves of Rubus ulmifolius Schott collected in Algeria. The phytochemical screening data disclosed that flavonoids, tannins, coumarins, saponins, and anthocyanins were abundant. High levels of total phenolics, total flavonoids and flavonols (523.25 ± 3.53 µg GAE/mg, 20.41 ± 1.80, and 9.62 ± 0.51 µg QE/mg respectively) were detected. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis was performed to identify low molecular weight compounds. d-(-)-Fructofuranose, gallic acid, caffeic acid, and catechin were detected as main metabolites of the EtOAc extract. The outcomes revealed that the extract exerted a potent antioxidant apt, and ensured significant bacterial growth inhibitory capacity, where the inhibition zone diameters ranged from 20.0 ± 0.5 to 24.5 ± 0.3 mm. These outcomes were confirmed through molecular docking against key bacterial enzymes that revealed significant interactions and binding affinities. d-(-)-Fructofuranose was identified as the most polar and flexible compound. Gallic acid and caffeic acid demonstrated higher unsaturation. Caffeic acid was well absorbed in the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and human intestine. Catechin was well absorbed in CaCO3, and can act as an inhibitor of CYP1A2. These results highlight how crucial it is to keep looking into natural substances in the quest for more potent and targeted pathology therapies.

Background/Objectives: This study investigates the chemical composition, antioxidant, antibacterial, and hemolytic properties of ylang-ylang (Cananga odorata) essential oil, with a focus on its potential therapeutic applications for dermatological diseases and the importance of transforming such bioactive properties into a stable, safe, and effective formulation. Methods/Rsults: Essential oils were extracted from flowers harvested in northern Grande Comore using hydro distillation at three different distillation times to examine the impact on yield and quality. Gas chromatographic analysis identified a complex mixture of compounds, including linalool, geranyl acetate, and benzyl benzoate. Antioxidant activity was assessed using DPPH, FRAP, TAC, and beta-carotene bleaching inhibition assays, revealing significant radical scavenging capabilities, with DPPH IC50 varying between 1.57 and 3.5 mg/mL. Antibacterial activity was tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, showing promising inhibition zones and minimum inhibitory concentrations. Hemolytic tests indicated varying degrees of red blood cell damage, emphasizing the need for careful concentration management in therapeutic applications. Molecular docking studies highlighted potential therapeutic targets for dermatological conditions, identifying high binding affinities for specific compounds against proteins involved in acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Conclusions: This comprehensive analysis underscores the potential of ylang-ylang essential oil (YEOs) as a natural alternative for antimicrobial treatments and dermatological applications, with its success dependent on optimized extraction methods and precise formulation to reduce cytotoxic effects. A formulation approach is crucial to ensure controlled release, improve bioavailability, and minimize skin irritation.

Due to the importance of learners’ beliefs towards language learning success in general and grammar learning in specific, the present paper seeks to gauge EFL students’ beliefs about the different types of grammar instruction. To this end, a quantitative descriptive method was adopted, using a questionnaire administered to 95 Algerian EFL students who enrolled in the second year at the Department of English, Mohamed Khidher University. The findings revealed that the students have positive attitudes toward the role grammar plays in language learning; however, they express mixed reactions towards both inductive and deductive grammar instruction, where most of the participants prefer the direct deductive approach. Such findings drive us to propose a model based on the experiential learning theory to correct some EFL learners' misconceptions about their learning, a shift from a teacher-centered approach to a learner-centered approach, to promote learner autonomy.

Objectives The perspective of general practitioners’ (GPs) on retirement and the factors influencing their attitude towards retirement have been previously investigated. However, while the number of GPs has been declining for many years in France, leading to the emergence of medical deserts, the impact on their patients remains to be explored. The aim of this study was to understand patients’ perceptions of their GP’s retirement.Design A semistructured interview-based qualitative study was conducted, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.Setting Interviews were conducted in two general practices located in Essonne, Ile-de-France, France, between January and April 2014.Participants Thirteen women and five men, aged 21–94 years, were included in this study. Exclusion criteria were the non-declaration of the physician as the declared doctor and being under 18 years of age.Results The GP–patient relationship is a link that is built up over time, over the course of several consultations. Patients choose their GP based on qualities or skills they value. In this way, the physician chosen is unique for their patients; this choice reflects a certain loyalty to their physician. The interaction with the family sphere reinforces this relationship through the multiple links created during care. When a GP retires, this link is broken. Patients’ reactions can range from indifference to real grief.Conclusion This study confirms the importance of the link between the GPs and their patients and highlights the need to prepare patients for their GP’s retirement.

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a prevalent disease that could be responsible of severe intractable hematuria requiring invasive surgical management. Case presentation: We report three high-risk cases presented with intractable hematuria of prostatic origin with high medical co-morbidities treated safely and effectively by prostatic artery embolization with favorable outcomes. Conclusions: In non-surgical, anticoagulated patients, prostatic artery embolization represents a safe and effective intervention for the treatment of intractable hematuria related to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Introduction Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder marked by abnormal interpretations of reality, often resulting in hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking that significantly impairs daily functioning and can be disabling. Lifelong treatment is necessary, and early intervention can help manage symptoms and improve long-term outcomes. Polycythemia Vera (PV) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm causing an excess of red blood cells in the peripheral blood (polyglobulia). While the disease typically presents with symptoms, it can also be asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during routine laboratory tests, leading to a diagnosis of polycythemia when no secondary cause is apparent. While early 20th-century literature linked PV to intense neurological and psychiatric symptoms, contemporary studies rarely make such references. Objectives The aim of this study is to explore, through a clinical case of a patient undergoing treatment for treatment-resistant schizophrenia with clozapine, and concurrently diagnosed with Polycythemia Vera, the potential causes of this condition. We seek to discern whether it represents mere comorbidities or if Polycythemia Vera is an adverse effect of antipsychotic treatment, particularly with clozapine. Methods A 41-year-old patient, with a history of cranial trauma at the age of 5 and 19 years of treatment for schizophrenia, also has a tobacco use disorder. While hospitalized for the management of symptomatic reactivation of schizophrenia, despite being on clozapine, the patient underwent various therapeutic combinations with no observed clinical improvement. A few months later, follow-up blood tests indicated an elevation in all blood cell lines. An internal medicine consultation was sought, resulting in the diagnosis of Polycythemia Vera. Results The evaluations conducted led us to the conclusion that there are two distinct nosological entities, with the treatment of the psychiatric condition revealing true polycythemia. Even after reducing the doses of clozapine and changing the atypical antipsychotic, all subsequent evaluations showed no effectiveness in managing the psychiatric disorder or improvement in the hematological condition. Conclusions In summary, schizophrenia is a severe and lifelong mental disorder requiring early intervention for symptom management. Polycythemia Vera (PV), a myeloproliferative disorder, typically presents with symptoms but can also be asymptomatic. While early literature linked PV to intense neurological and psychiatric symptoms, contemporary studies seldom reference such associations. The coexistence of schizophrenia and PV in a patient underscores the need for comprehensive and interdisciplinary care to address the complex interplay between mental and physical health. Further research is needed to deepen our understanding of concurrent psychiatric and hematological conditions. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction “Electrolyte abnormalities are commonly encountered in daily clinical practice, and their diagnosis relies on routine laboratory results. Electrolyte disturbances can affect the brain among many other organs and tissues and must be promptly recognized, as they can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications if neglected or not appropriately treated. Neurological manifestations reflect the severity of acute neuronal dysfunction and thus require urgent treatment. Acute and/or severe electrolyte imbalances can manifest with rapidly progressive neurological symptoms, seizures, and psychiatric manifestations. They are more frequently observed in patients with sodium disorders (especially hyponatremia), hypocalcemia, and hypomagnesemia. Objectives Were the psychiatric manifestations secondary to hyponatremia or epilepsy? Or is it a comorbidity? What are the risk factors? And what is the appropriate course of action for this type of patient?” Methods We present, through a clinical case, the situation of a 64-year-old patient who experienced status epilepticus secondary to hyponatremia, requiring hospitalization in the neurology department. Subsequently, she developed psychiatric manifestations with a marked change in behavior. She began experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depressive mood, headaches, somatic complaints, and social isolation. Her condition gradually worsened, necessitating hospitalization in the psychiatry department 3 years later. Results The patient was placed on Carbamazepine by her neurologist, and since then, she has not experienced epileptic seizures. Her follow-up electrolyte panel initially showed slight disturbances before normalizing. Psychiatric manifestations were concurrent with these somatic symptoms and worsened over time. During her psychiatric hospitalization three years later, after a thorough evaluation, she was prescribed Sertraline ans Risperidone in combination with Carbamazepine, resulting in a significant improvement in her condition. Conclusions In summary, this case illustrates the critical impact of electrolyte abnormalities on both neurological and psychiatric health, especially in older patients. Understanding risk factors associated with electrolyte imbalances is crucial for effective diagnosis and management, particularly in the elderly. This underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to address the potential serious consequences of electrolyte disturbances on overall patient well-being. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

This study explores the integration of phenomenology in urban placemaking, focusing on the Ghobeiry neighborhood in Beirut. By examining the transformation of a public garden through a phenomenological lens, this research highlights the impact of a bottom-up approach in urban design. The methodology combines a literature review with empirical data gathered from interviews and observations within the community. The findings indicate that the initial top-down development of the public garden failed to resonate with residents, leading to its neglect. However, a shift towards community engagement, initiated by a local social activist, encouraged a sense of ownership and transformed the space into a vibrant, meaningful area. This study contributes to urban planning literature by demonstrating the practical application of phenomenological principles, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in creating authentic urban spaces. It underscores the need for inclusive, participatory approaches in urban development, offering insights into the transformative potential of engaging local narratives and experiences.

Abstract : The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the African dimension in Algerian contemporary novels. The chosen corpus consists of three novels by Algerian novelist Essedik Hadj Ahmed who had a positive attitude toward Africa, aspects of African cultural patrimony abound in his works. He carried out his works in order to clarify Saharan man's issues, pains, desires, and relationships with others. The study took a historical approach to track the emergence and evolution of Algerian novel. The semantic approach was sometimes required to reveal hidden signs and their meanings in the narrative in order to define African dimensions related to space, history, society, economy, and culture. Analysis and description were additionally employed to reveal the presence and effectiveness of African dimensions in shaping and influencing the narrative work. The study concluded that the Algerian contemporaneous novel assumed the role to be the voice of African resistance. Keywords: African dimension, Algerian novel, Sahara, African patrimony, African identity.

We propose an epidemiological model for the interaction of either two viruses or viral strains with cross-immunity, where the individuals infected by the first virus cannot be infected by the second one, and without cross-immunity, where a secondary infection can occur. The model incorporates distributed recovery and death rates and consists of integro-differential equations governing the dynamics of susceptible, infectious, recovered, and dead compartments. Assuming that the recovery and death rates are uniformly distributed in time throughout the duration of the diseases, we can simplify the model to a conventional ordinary differential equation (ODE) model. Another limiting case arises if the recovery and death rates are approximated by the delta-function, thereby resulting in a new point-wise delay model that incorporates two time delays corresponding to the durations of the diseases. We establish the positiveness of solutions for the distributed delay models and determine the basic reproduction number and an estimate for the final size of the epidemic for the delay model. According to the results of the numerical simulations, both strains can coexist in the population if the disease transmission rates for them are close to each other. If the difference between them is sufficiently large, then one of the strains dominates and eliminates the other one.

Automatic medical image segmentation is one of the main tasks for many organs and pathology structures delineation. It is also a crucial technique in the posterior clinical examination of brain tumors, like applying radiotherapy or tumor restrictions. Various image segmentation techniques have been proposed and applied to different image types. Recently, it has been shown that the deep learning approach accurately segments images, and its implementation is usually straightforward. In this paper, we proposed a novel approach, called PU-NET, for automatic brain tumor segmentation in multi-modal magnetic resonance images (MRI). We introduced an input processing block to a customized fully convolutional network derived from the U-Net network to handle the multi-modal inputs. We performed experiments over the Brain Tumor Segmentation (BRATS) dataset collected in 2018 and achieved Dice scores of 90.5%, 82.7%, and 80.3% for the whole tumor, tumor core, and enhancing tumor classes, respectively. This study provides promising results compared to the deep learning methods used in this context.

Introduction: Breakfast skipping is an unhealthy eating behavior reportedly common among adolescents. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with breakfast skipping among schoolchildren aged 12–19 years in Beni Mellal city, Morocco, and to assist in the design of interventions to improve breakfast consumption habits of school-aged children in this region. Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 550 children were included in the study. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with skipping breakfast consumption. The association between dependent and independent variables was assessed using an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval and p value

Abstract Myosin VI (Myo6) is the only minus-end directed nanomotor on actin, allowing it to uniquely contribute to numerous cellular functions. As for other nanomotors, the proper functioning of Myo6 relies on precise spatiotemporal control of motor activity via a poorly defined off-state and interactions with partners. Our structural, functional, and cellular studies reveal key features of myosin regulation and indicate that not all partners can activate Myo6. TOM1 and Dab2 cannot bind the off-state, while GIPC1 binds Myo6, releases its auto-inhibition and triggers proximal dimerization. Myo6 partners thus differentially recruit Myo6. We solved a crystal structure of the proximal dimerization domain, and show that its disruption compromises endocytosis in HeLa cells, emphasizing the importance of Myo6 dimerization. Finally, we show that the L926Q deafness mutation disrupts Myo6 auto-inhibition and indirectly impairs proximal dimerization. Our study thus demonstrates the importance of partners in the control of Myo6 auto-inhibition, localization, and activation.

The paper deals with the existence of solutions for quasilinear elliptic systems involving singular and convection terms with variable exponents. The approach combines the sub-supersolutions method and Schauder's fixed point theorem.

To help discover a reasonable and eco-friendly insecticide, we undertook a study on the insecticidal potential of carvacrol and essential oils extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus from the plant species Nigella sativa seeds essential oils of Nigella sativa (EONS) on Callosobruchus maculatus adults. Several tests including contact toxicity, repellent effect, topical contact test, and inhalation effect were conducted. Adults of C. maculatus have been exposed to the toxic effects of different concentrations of these essential oils as well as with carvacrol. The results obtained showed that both EONS and carvacrol exhibited a moderate repellent effect (class II) on C. maculatus adults. EONS showed the highest toxicity by inhalation test, with an LD50 of 13.386 and an LD95 of 33.186 μL/cm2, compared to carvacrol (LD50 = 21.509 and LD95 = 38.877 μL/cm2). The EONS by contact test exhibited more toxic effects, with an LD50 of 23.350 µL/100 g and an LD95 of 45.315 µL/100 g, compared to carvacrol (LD50 = 27.853 µL/100 g and LD95 = 45.184 µL/100 g). For the topical contact test results, carvacrol was more toxic, with an LD50 of 3.915 and an LD95 of 7.696 µL/mL, compared to EONS (LD50 = 14.509 and LD95 = 25.516 µL/mL). The high toxicity of EONS can be explained by the presence of 25.8% of o-cymene, 8.53% of cyclofenchene, and 7.71% of beta-pinene, as well as 4.6% of carvacrol, in its chemical composition. Unmitigatedly, these data suggest that the essential oils of N. sativa may present a raw material for the development of new bio-insecticidal products against C. maculatus, one of the main pests of stored foodstuffs.