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This study emphasizes the impact of Covid-19 on the poultry sector, a Moroccan economic sector that, on the surface, seems untouched by the global health crisis. The poultry sector encompasses manufacturers of feed mill, hatcheries, industrial poultry slaughterers, producers of eggs, and producers of poultry meat; all of which are gathered under the aegis of the Interprofessional Federation of the Poultry Sector.

The North African houbara bustard ( Chlamydotis undulata undulata ) is a medium-sized steppeland bird described as omnivorous and opportunistic. Its diet reflects the local abundances of plants and invertebrates. However, comprehensive studies based on both plant and animal materials are lacking to confirm or invalidate this characterization. The diet of the species during the non-breeding season was studied based on the contents of the stomachs of 42 adults collected during 2004, 2006 and 2007 in two regions of eastern Morocco. Taxa were identified to species or genus using a herbarium, a plant epidermis reference collection, an invertebrate reference collection, and an invertebrate fragment reference collection. We analyzed variation in the diet according to sex, region and year. The diet primarily included plant material (66 ± 25% of the dry weight of the stomach contents). The relative proportions of plants and invertebrates did not differ between the sexes but showed variations in space and time. The ingested plant and invertebrate assemblages differed between year and area but not between the sexes. These results suggest that both sexes forage in similar habitats and that their diet reflects spatial and temporal variations in plant and invertebrate availability, as expected for an opportunistic feeder.

Coefficient inverse problems are reformulated to a unified integral differential equation. The presented method of conversion of the considered inverse problems to a unified Volterra integral-differential equation gives an opportunity to distribute the acquired results also to analogous inverse problems for non-linear parabolic equations of different types.

Propagator numerical method was developed as an effective tool for modeling of linear advective dispersive reactive (ADR) processes [1]. In this work implicit propagator difference scheme for Fisher equation with nonlinear convection (convective Fisher equation) is elaborated. Our difference scheme has truncation errors of the second order in space and of the first order in time. Iteration process for implicit difference scheme is proposed by introducing forcing terms in the left and right sides of the difference equation. Convergence and stability criterions for the elaborated implicit propagator difference scheme are obtained.

Presence of water in porous asphalt mixtures detrimentally affected the bonding between binder-aggregate interface and cohesive failure within the binder-filler mastic, making them prone to stripping which contribute to the performance and durability. This paper presents the effect of anti-stripping additives in porous asphalt mixes. In this study, the Marshall specimens were prepared using quarry dust, ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and Pavement Modifier (PMD) as filler then mixed with 60/70 penetration grade bitumen. The specimens were measured for air voids content and coefficient of permeability and subsequently tested using indirect tensile and Cantabro tests. The moisture sensitivity of porous asphalt was determined based on the ratio of dry and conditioned specimens according to AASHTO T283. The specimens prepared with PMD showed lower air voids content, hence decrease the permeability to give a higher tensile strength and lower abrasion loss compared to specimens prepared with OPC and quarry dust. Based on the results, the PMD filler has a great potential to improve resistance to moisture damage compared to mixes with OPC and specimens prepared with quarry dust fillers.

金沢大学人間社会研究域学校教育系, 目的 かぎ針編地の代表である細編地で生じるカール現象について, その原因と考えられる弾性回復トルクに関する定量的知見を得る.成果 編地のカールは編むという基本操作時の糸の張力に比例する.この原因は, 糸の張力が大きいほど編地の基本ループが短くなり, 単位長さ当たりの弾性回復トルクが増大するからである.また, 編地のカールはかぎ針の太さに逆比例する.この原因は, 針の太さが大きいほど編地の基本ループが長くなり, 単位長さ当たりの弾性回復トルクが減少するからである.前報で提案した, かぎ針編地の基本操作に関する理論の正当性が証明された. (平成4年11月9日受理) (平成5年11月2日審査終了) In order to study the curling behavior of croched fabric quantitatively, yarn tension and thickness of crochet-hook are changed and those effects on loop length and curvature of the croched fabric are investigated. Following results were obtained. Curling behavior of croched fabric is in proportion to yarn tension at basic operation of knitting. This is because that the larger the yarn tension, the shorter the unit loop length, and the recovery elastic torque per unit length becomes larger. Curling behavior of croched fabric is inversely proportional to thickness of croched-hook. This is because that the bigger the thickness, the longer the unit loop length, and the recovery elastic torque per unit length becomes smaller. Theory concerning basic operation of croched fabric proposed in the former paper8 is proved to be valid. (Received November 9, 1992) (Accepted for Publication November 2, 1993)

In order to study the curling behavior of croched fabric quantitatively, yarn tension and thickness of crochet-hook are changed and those effects on loop length and curvature of the croched fabric are investigated. Following results were obtained. Curling behavior of croched fabric is in proportion to yarn tension at basic operation of knitting. This is because that the larger the yarn tension, the shorter the unit loop length, and the recovery elastic torque per unit length becomes larger. Curling behavior of croched fabric is inversely proportional to thickness of croched-hook. This is because that the bigger the thickness, the longer the unit loop length, and the recovery elastic torque per unit length becomes smaller. Theory concerning basic operation of croched fabric proposed in the former paper8 is proved to be valid. (Received November 9, 1992) (Accepted for Publication November 2, 1993)

Text-based game is supposed to be a low resource consumption application that delivers good performances when compared to graphical-intensive type of games. But, nowadays, some of the online text-based games are not offering performances that are acceptable to the users. Therefore, an online text-based game called Star_Quest has been developed in order to analyze its behavior under different performance measurements. Performance metrics such as throughput, scalability, response time and page loading time are captured to yield the performance of the game. The techniques in performing the load testing are also disclosed to exhibit the viability of our work. The comparative assessment between the results obtained and the accepted level of performances are conducted as to determine the performance level of the game. The study reveals that the developed game managed to meet all the performance objectives set forth.

WOS:A1992HP40200015; International audience; Seasonal changes of several parameters related to sexual activity were studied in the gerbil (Rodentia: Gerbillidae). The weight of the testes, seminal vesicles, and adrenals fluctuate throughout the year. Plasma androgen levels and histological aspect of the testes also vary throughout the year. Spermatogonial and steroid activities are synchronous and are maximal in winter and spring. The relationship between these activities and environmental climatic parameters is discussed: the beginning of sexual activity seems correlated with the first rains.

Essai de validation d'une méthode d'échantillonnage linéaire appliquée à trois espèces de rongeurs d'un peuplement de micromammifères d'un milieu saharien (Guelmime, Maroc)

International audience; A pluriannual study of Meriones shawi, Gerbillus campestris and Lemniscomys barbarus in a semi-arid environment (Marrakech) revealed important synchronous annual variations in numbers (a peak in May-June, a low from August to October) due to: 1.- reproduction resuming in the automn (rains arriving, vegetation starting to grow again), and 2.- numbers declining in summer (drought, degraded vegetation, a pause in reproduction, disappearance of youngs and subadults). This trophic relationship is indicated by: 1.- Lower meriones densities on fallow land than on cultivated land, 2.- the lighter the annual rain, the less rodents there are. Modifications in the use of space boy meriones accompagny these density variations. The numbers of these subdesert rodents depend on food availability. These data raise the problem of spacing behaviour modifications in relation to density.; L'étude pluriannuelle en milieu semi-aride (Marrakech) de Meriones shawi, Gerbillus campestris, Lemniscomys barbarus révèle d'importantes fluctuations annuelles et synchrones des effectifs (maximum en mai-juin, minimum en août-octobre) du fait de 1) la reprise automnale de la reproduction (arrivée des pluies, repousse de la végétation), 2) la chute estivale des effectifs (sécheresse, végétaux dégradés, arrêt de la reproduction, disparition de jeunes et subadultes). Cette relation trophique est aussi traduite par 1) des densités de Mériones plus faibles sur jachères que sur cultures, 2) des effectifs d'autant plus réduits que les précipitations annuelles sont plus faibles. Chez Mériones, des modifications de l'utilisation de l'espace accompagnent ces variations densitaires. Les effectifs de ces rongeurs subdésertiques dépendant des disponibilités alimentaires. Ces résultats posent également le problème des modifications des comportements d'espacement en fonction de la densité.

The diet of three sympatric Gerbilline Rodents (Meriones shawi, Gerbillus nanus and Psammomys obesus) was compared in a desert area near Guelmin, southern Morocco. The identification of the plant dietary items was based on the epidermal cells recovered in the stomach contents of animals trapped at monthly intervals. Meriones shawi has a varied diet (42 plant species) whatever the season, but it feeds mostly on two of the most abundant species, supplementing this basic diet with a variety of other plants. The nature of its plant food is also variable ; leaves, flowers, fruit and seeds are consumed, and a few arthropods are added to the ration in summer. This diet allows this rodent to live in a variety of habitats, cultivated areas included. Psammomys obesus has a much more specialized diet, mostly made up of the leaves of a single species of Chaenopodiaceae, supplemented by a few annuals. Gerbillus nanus has a diet similar to that of M. shawi in late winter and spring, but G. nanus becomes predominantly a seed-eater during the summer. The diets of M. shawi and G. nanus are therefore the most similar, whereas those of G. nanus and P. obesus differ strikingly. The preferred plant species of these sympatric rodents are different, as well as the plant parts they select. Three different feeding stategies can be distinguished in this gerbilline community : (a) a seasonal mixed feeding strategy for G. nanus which shifts from leaves to seeds during the summer ; (b) a stable mixed feeding strategy for M. shawi which feeds on a few abundant perennial plants and the few annuals available all the year long ; and (c) a specialized feeding strategy f or P. obesus which limits itself to a single species of drought resistant plant. Although the staple food of the three rodent species studied is basically made up of a few common plants, these sympatric gerbillids manage to make use of the available plant resources during the driest period of the year in a way that prevents competition. The sprouting of a few grass species during the autumn apparently coincides with the initiation of the autumnal breeding season of these three gerbillids., Zaime Abdelkader,Gautier Jean-Yves. Comparaison des régimes alimentaires de trois espèces sympatriques de Gerbillidae en milieu saharien, au Maroc. In: Revue d'Écologie (La Terre et La Vie), tome 44, n°2, 1989. pp. 153-164.

L'examen de dix mensurations craniometriques effectuees sur un lot de 40 Meriones libycus et de 193 Μ. shawi en provenance de Guelmime (etage climatique saharien marocain) a permis la mise en evidence d'un dimorphisme sexuel peu prononce chez la premiere espece, net chez la seconde. En outre, quatre rapports de mensurations craniometriques (rapport des longueurs condylo-basale, occipito-nasale, du diasteme et de la hauteur du crane, ä la longueur de la bulle tympanique) ont un fort pouvoir de discrimination specifique (moins de 1·% de recouvrement). Ces resultats sont discutes ä la lumiere de l'hypothese de Petter (1953) relative ä la signification fonctionnelle de l'importance des bulles tympaniques chez ces rongeurs desertiques.

WOS:A1989U146600002; International audience; The diet of three sympatric Gerbiiline Rodents (Meriones shawi, Gerbillus nanus and Psammomys obesus) was compared in a desert area near Guelmin, southern Mo rocco. The identification of the plant dietary items was based on the epidermal cells recovered in the stomach contents of animais trapped at monthly intervals. Meriones shawi has a varied diet (42 plant species) whatever the season, but it feeds mostly on two of the most abundant species, supplementing this basic diet with a variety of other plants. The nature of its plant food is also variable ; leaves, flowers, fruit and seeds are consumed, and a few arthropods are added to the ration in summer. This diet ailows this rodent to live in a variety of habitats, cultivated areas included. Psammomys obesus has a much more specialized diet, mostly made up of the leaves of a single species of Chaenopodiaceae, supplemented by a few annuals. Gerbillus nanus has a diet similar to that of M. shawi in late winter and spring, but G. nanus becomes predominantly a seed-eater during the summer. The diets of M. shawi and G. nanus are therefore the most similar, whereas those of G. nanus and P. obesus differ strikingly. The preferred plant species of these sympatric rodents are different, as well as the plant parts they select. Three different feeding stategies can be distinguished in this gerbilline community : (a) a seasonal mixed feeding strategy for G. nanus which shifts from leaves to seeds during the summer ; (b) a stable mixed feeding strategy for M. shawi which feeds on a few abundant perennial plants and the few annuals available all the year long ; and (c) a specialized feeding strategy for P. obesus which limits itself to a single species of drought resistant plant. Although the staple food of the three rodent species studied is basicaily made up of a few common plants, these sympatric gerbiilids manage to make use of the available plant resources during the driest period of the year in a way that prevents competition. The sprouting of a few grass species during the autumn apparently coïncides with the initiation of the autumnal breeding season of these three gerbillids; Dans les étages arides marocains, la distribution des Gerbillidés et leur cycle de reproduction semblent liés à la diversité et à l'abondance de la végétation, elle-même dépendante des facteurs climatiques (notamment du régime pluvial) et physiographiques (Zaime, 1985). Le but de cette étude est d'analyser les régimes alimentaires de trois espèces de Rongeurs sympatriques (Meriones shawi, Gerbillus nanus, Psammomys obesus) de la région de Guelmin, afin de montrer comment elles se partagent les ressources, notamment pendant la période de sécheresse estivale. Nous tenterons ensuite de voir dans quelle mesure les disponibilités alimentaires influent sur la démographie des populations, préalable nécessaire pour mettre au point une stratégie de lutte intégrée contre ces ravageurs des cultures.

WOS:A1987M279100039; International audience; A pluriannual study of Meriones shawi, Gerbillus campestris and Lemniscomys barbarus in a semi-arid environment (Marrakech) revealed important synchronous annual variations in numbers (a peak in May-June, a low from August to October) due to : 1) reproduction resuming in the autumn (rains arriving, vegetation starting to grow again), and 2) numbers declining in summer (drought, degraded vegetation, a pause in reproduction, disappearance of youngs and subadults). This trophic relationship is indicated by : 1) lower Meriones densities on fallow land than on cultivated land, 2) the lighter the annual rain fall, the less rodents there are. Modifications in the use of space by Meriones accompagny these density variations. The numbers of these subdesert rodents depend on food availability. These data raise the problem of spacing behaviour modifications in relation to density.