Morphological and chemical characterization of carob pulps collected from four moroccan regions

The present research is included in a strategy of conservation and management of genetic resources for Carob tree (Ceratonia Siliqua L.) in Morocco. It has as one of its objectives, the evaluation of the morphological and chemical characteristics of four Moroccan ecotypes of carob pulps. The study related to morphological characterization reveals that there was a significant difference between the four populations from Meknes, Fez, Khemisset and Marrakech collected in 2018 and 2019. The lipid profile of carob pulp extracts analyzed by GC-MS is constituted of fatty acids, hydrocarbons, non-oxygenated compounds, sterols and tocopherols. The concentration of these compounds varies according to the population and year of collection. According to the results, the fatty acid contents are relatively high in 2019 with the dominance of palmitic acid. Additionally, our study approved the dominance of 1-Hexacosene, Tetracosane, Heptadecane. 1-iodo Hexadecane, 1-chloro Octadecane and 1, 54-dibromo Tetrapentacontane. Furthermore, it is noted that Stigmasterol, gamma-Sitosterol, beta-Sitosterol, alpha-Tocospiro A, alpha-Tocospiro B and Vitamin E are present in the samples. Moreover, the hierarchical analysis based on the results of the morphological and chromatographic characterization of the four populations’ pulps identify three groups. The first group included populations P3 and P4 respectively from Marrakech and Khemisset. The second group presented by the population P1 from Meknes. The population P2 from Fez constituted the third group

Plant genomics in Africa: present and prospects

Plants are the world’s most consumed goods. They are of high economic value and bring many health benefits. In most countries in Africa, the supply and quality of food will rise to meet the growing population’s increasing demand. Genomics and other biotechnology tools offer the opportunity to improve subsistence crops and medicinal herbs in the continent. Significant advances have been made in plant genomics, which have enhanced our knowledge of the molecular processes underlying both plant quality and yield. The sequencing of complex genomes of African plant species, facilitated by the continuously evolving nextgeneration sequencing technologies and advanced bioinformatics approaches, has provided new opportunities for crop improvement. This review summarizes the achievements of genome sequencing projects of endemic African plants in the last two decades. We also present perspectives and challenges for future plant genomic studies that will accelerate important plant breeding programs for African communities. These challenges include a lack of basic facilities, a lack of sequencing and bioinformatics facilities, and a lack of skills to design genomics studies. However, it is imperative to state that African countries have become key players in the plant genome revolution and genome derived-biotechnology. Therefore, African governments should invest in public plant genomics research and applications, establish bioinformatics platforms and training programs, and stimulate university and industry partnerships to fully deploy plant genomics, particularly in the fields of agriculture and medicine

The Efficacy of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in Children with Attention Problems, Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity in Dubai

Disruptive behaviors can be associated with significant functional impairment. Early intervention for young children is essential to prevent long-term consequences. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a psychotherapeutic intervention, which has shown to be effective for children with externalizing symptoms. We present the treatment course of PCIT for two kindergarten children. The first has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and the second has frontal lobe epilepsy. Both presented with attention problems, hyperactivity, and impulsivity associated with significant impairment in multiple settings. Two certified PCIT therapists provided 17 sessions to the parents of the first patient and 25 sessions to the parents of the second patient. Most of the sessions were in-person; however, some were “virtual” due to the circumstances associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents of both patients achieved the “mastery” criteria. In both cases, PCIT contributed to improving the disruptive behaviors. PCIT may serve as an effective therapeutic option for young children with externalizing symptoms in Dubai

Ab Initio Calculations and Experimental Properties of CuAl x Ga1−x Te2 for Photovoltaic Solar Cells

International audienc

Seasonal variability of picophytoplankton under contrasting environments in northern Tunisian coasts, southwestern Mediterranean Sea

We investigated at the single cell level during 16 months (June 2012 to September 2013) the temporal distribution of picophytoplankton (picoeukaryotes, Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus) communities in two contrasted ecosystems: the Bay of Bizerte characterised by an oligotrophic regime typical of the Mediterranean Sea and the Bizerte Lagoon that exhibits a mesotrophic/eutrophic state. We aimed at depicting seasonal variations and quantifying the relationships between the environmental factors and the structure and abundance of picophytoplankton communities. Results showed that picophytoplankton groups were able to grow under a wide range of environmental conditions varying seasonally, although their abundances and contributions to the total chlorophyll biomass significantly varied and showed importance in the Bay of Bizerte. Synechococcus was the most abundant group reaching 225 * 10(3) cells.cm(-3) in the Bay and 278 * 10(3) cells.cm(-3) in the lagoon. This group was present all over the year in both ecosystems. Structural equation model results pointed out a different configuration regarding the picophytoplankton environmental drivers. The complexity of the configuration, i.e. number of significant links within the system, decreased under enhanced eutrophication conditions. The less exposure to anthropogenic stress, i.e. in the Bay of Bizerte, highlight a larger role of nutrient and hydrological conditions on the seasonal variations of picophytoplankton, whereas a negative effect of eutrophication on picophytoplankton communities was unveiled in the Bizerte Lagoon. We stress that such influence may be exacerbated under expected scenarios of Mediterranean warming conditions and nutrient release in coastal ecosystems

Serological evidences link toxoplasmosis with schizophrenia and major depression disorder

AbstractThe etiology of psychiatric disorders is largely unknown. A role of environmental insults during early neurodevelopment have been suggested. Infections are possible risk factors for psychiatric disorders especially Toxoplasma gondii, a neurotropic parasite with a life-long residence in brain. This study has investigated a possible role of toxoplasmosis in the development of schizophrenia and major depression disorder (MDD). The influence of other covariates; age, gender and family history was also studied. A cross-sectional study on a total of 177 individuals, where anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM in sera of schizophrenia (n=63) and MDD (n=39) patients, all fulfilling DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, were compared to healthy volunteers (n=55). Toxoplasma positivity was highest (31.75%) among schizophrenics followed by MDD (25.64%) and controls (14.55%). IgG levels were significantly higher in toxo-positive schizophrenics (230.1±22.9) and MDD (220.56±24.8) compared to controls (9.98±1.78). Three patients only, all schizophrenic, have positive IgM antibodies. Age and male gender appear to have positive associations to toxoplasmosis and psychiatric disorders while family history has no obvious additive role. This report is one of few linking Toxoplasma infection to MDD and adds to many suggesting a link between latent toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia

Seasonal variability of picophytoplankton under contrasting environments in northern Tunisian coasts, southwestern Mediterranean Sea

Highlights: • Picophytoplankton was able to grow under a wide range of environmental conditions varying seasonally. • Picophytoplankton variability was more marked in the bay than in the lagoon. • Picophytoplankton decreased in the lagoon under enhanced anthropogenic stress. • Synechococcus, the most abundant group of the community, was frequently present in both ecosystems during the monitoring. We investigated at the single cell level during 16months (June 2012 to September 2013) the temporal distribution of picophytoplankton (picoeukaryotes, Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus) communities in two contrasted ecosystems: the Bay of Bizerte characterised by an oligotrophic regime typical of the Mediterranean Sea and the Bizerte Lagoon that exhibits a mesotrophic/eutrophic state. We aimed at depicting seasonal variations and quantifying the relationships between the environmental factors and the structure and abundance of picophytoplankton communities. Results showed that picophytoplankton groups were able to grow under a wide range of environmental conditions varying seasonally, although their abundances and contributions to the total chlorophyll biomass significantly varied and showed importance in the Bay of Bizerte. Synechococcus was the most abundant group reaching 225*103 cells·cm-3 in the Bay and 278*103 cells·cm-3 in the lagoon. This group was present all over the year in both ecosystems. Structural equation model results pointed out a different configuration regarding the picophytoplankton environmental drivers. The complexity of the configuration, i.e. number of significant links within the system, decreased under enhanced eutrophication conditions. The less exposure to anthropogenic stress, i.e. in the Bay of Bizerte, highlight a larger role of nutrient and hydrological conditions on the seasonal variations of picophytoplankton, whereas a negative effect of eutrophication on picophytoplankton communities was unveiled in the Bizerte Lagoon. We stress that such influence may be exacerbated under expected scenarios of Mediterranean warming conditions and nutrient release in coastal ecosystems

Formation and Study of the Nanostructured CuAl0.5Ga0.5Te2 Synthesized by Mechanical Alloying Processing

International audienceNanostructured chalcopyrite CuAl0.5Ga0.5Te2 has been prepared by milling a mixture of reactants, copper, aluminum, gallium, and tellurium. The crystal structure, morphology, and composition of the prepared samples have been characterized by means of x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-ray diffraction has revealed the presence of the characteristic peaks of the chalcopyrite phase for the CuAl0.5Ga0.5Te2-milled powders. The crystallite size and internal strain have been evaluated by XRD patterns using the Williamson–Hall method. The average particle size decreases as the milling time is prolonged, while the lattice parameters and internal strain increase. The TEM confirmed the formation of CuAl0.5Ga0.5Tee nanoparticles. The bandgap has been found to increase from 1.42 eV up to 1.45 eV as the process time varies, respectively, from 60 min to 360 min