A Comparative Study of Permanent Magnet Motor Cost Minimization Dedicated to Electric Traction JES Journal of Electrical Systems

In this paper, we present a permanent magnet motor cost minimization dedicated to the electric traction based on a genetic algorithms (GAs) method. Our objective is to minimize this cost by taking account of certain constraints. The choice of a suitable coding is a critical element which depends largely on the genetic algorithm effectiveness. That is why we present a comparative study between two types of genetic algorithms i.e. a binary coded genetic algorithm (BCGA) and a real coded genetic algorithm (RCGA)

Lagranulomatose De Wegener Apropos De Trois Localisations Orl Rares

La granulomatose de Wegener (GW) est une vascularite nécrosante granulomateuse présentant un tropisme particulier pour les voies aériennes supérieures. Nous rapportons 3 cas de la GW correspondants à des localisations ORL rares de la maladie : orbito-meningée, laryngée et linguale. Le but de nos études est d\'analyser les particularités épidemiologiques et cliniques de cette pathologie.Wegener\'s Granulomatosis (WG) is a necrotizing granulomatous vasculitis that has a strong affinity for the upper respiratory tract. We report 3cases of rare ORL locations of Wegener\'s Granulomatosis (orbit, larynx and tongue). The aim of our study is to analyse the characteristic features of WG. Journal Tunisien d\'ORL et de chirurgie cervico-faciale Vol. 16 2006: pp. 26-2

Clinical surveillance for human astrovirus in Monastir region, Tunisia

Abstract. Background/aims: Astroviruses (AstVs) are enteric viruses that can cause gastroenteritis in children. This study is part of monitoring the circulation of astroviruses in children hospitalized and/or outpatients for acute gastroenteritis at the primary care center of Ouerdanine or at the Pediatric Department of the University Hospital Fattouma-Bourguiba (Monastir, Tunisia). The aims of our study were to know the prevalence of human astrovirus in clinical samples of children, characterize the strains and evaluate the infectivity of isolated strains on cell culture. Methods: Fifty stool samples were collected from children under five years old in the region of Monastir (Tunisia)from October 2010 to June 2011. All specimens were subjected to RT-PCR amplification followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results: The study shows a low prevalence of astrovirus (4 %) in children. The two positive samples obtained were HAstV type 3. Samples that were RT-PCR positive were cultured in CaCO-2 cells and the presence of infectious viral particles was confirmed. The phylogenetic analysis shows that the different HAstV-3 strains isolated in Tunisia are grouped into two clusters. The first cluster includes strains obtained in 2004, which belong to lineage HAstV-3a, while strains isolated in 2010 belong to lineage HAstV-3c. Conclusions: This study is part of monitoring the circulation of astroviruses in children younger than five years old from Monastir region, Tunisia. The results show low prevalence (4 %). All genotyped samples belonged to lineage HAstV-3c, which could be presently emerging. Two different lineages have been isolated in Tunisia: HAstV-3a in 2004 and HAstV-3c in 2010

A Comparative Study of Permanent Magnet Motor Cost Minimization Dedicated to Electric Traction

In this paper, we present a permanent magnet motor cost minimization dedicated to the electric traction based on a genetic algorithms (GAs) method. Our objective is to minimize this cost by taking account of certain constraints. The choice of a suitable coding is a critical element which depends largely on the genetic algorithm effectiveness. That is why we present a comparative study between two types of genetic algorithms i.e. a binary coded genetic algorithm (BCGA) and a real coded genetic algorithm (RCGA)

Response Surface Methodology Optimization of an Acidic Protease Produced by Penicillium bilaiae Isolate TDPEF30, a Newly Recovered Endophytic Fungus from Healthy Roots of Date Palm Trees (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

To explore proteolytic activity of endophytic fungi inhabiting date palm roots, a Penicillium bilaiae isolate, displaying the highest level of protease production, has been recovered. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize culture conditions for protease production by the fungus. Plackett-Burman design allowed for screening of variables effective in protease production. Results indicated that temperature, initial pH and glucose concentration dramatically affect protease yield. These factors were further optimized using a Box-Behnken design and RSM. A combination of initial pH (6.26), temperature (24.5 °C), glucose (13.75 g/L), NaNO3 (1.5 g/L), MgSO4 (0.2 g/L), KH2PO4 (0.5 g/L) and KCl (0.5 g/L) were optimum for maximum production of protease. A 1086-fold enhancement of protease production was gained after optimization. Biochemical properties of fungal protease including the effect of pH and temperature on the activity and the stability of proteolytic enzyme were determined. Moreover, the influence of carbon and nitrogen sources, metal ions, detergents as well as enzyme inhibitors was investigated. Our results highlighted that protease of Penicillium bilaiae isolate TDPEF30 could be considered as a promising candidate for industrial applications

Date Palm Trees Root-Derived Endophytes as Fungal Cell Factories for Diverse Bioactive Metabolites

Endophytic fungi of healthy and brittle leaf diseased (BLD) date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera L.) represent a promising source of bioactive compounds with biomedical, industrial, and pharmaceutical applications. The fungal endophytes Penicillium citrinum isolate TDPEF34, and Geotrichum candidum isolate TDPEF20 from healthy and BLD date palm trees, respectively, proved very effective in confrontation assays against three pathogenic bacteria, including two Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Enterococcus faecalis (Ef), and one Gram-negative bacterium Salmonella enterica (St). They also inhibited the growth of three fungi Trichoderma sp. (Ti), Fusarium sporotrichioides (Fs), Trichoderma sp. (Ts). Additionally, their volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were shown to be in part responsible for the inhibition of Ti and Ts and could account for the full inhibition of Fs. Therefore, we have explored their potential as fungal cell factories for bioactive metabolites production. Four extracts of each endophyte were prepared using different solvent polarities, ethanol (EtOH), ethyl acetate (EtOAc), hexane (Hex), and methanol (MetOH). Both endophyte species showed varying degrees of inhibition of the bacterial and fungal pathogens according to the solvent used. These results suggest a good relationship between fungal bioactivities and their produced secondary metabolites. Targeting the discovery of potential anti-diabetic, anti-hemolysis, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and cytotoxic activities, endophytic extracts showed promising results. The EtOAc extract of G. candidum displayed IC50 value comparable to the positive control diclofenac sodium in the anti-inflammatory assays. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), β-carotene bleaching, reducing power (RP), and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonique) (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. The findings revealed strong anti-oxidant power with an IC50 of 177.55 µg/mL for G. candidum EtOAc extract using DPPH assay, probably due to high polyphenol and flavonoid content in both fungal extracts. Finally, LC-HRMS (Liquid Chromatography–High Resolution Mass Spectrometry) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry) analysis of G. candidum and P. citrinum extracts revealed an impressive arsenal of compounds with previously reported biological activities, partly explaining the obtained results. Finally, LC-HRMS analysis indicated the presence of new fungal metabolites that have never been reported, which represent good candidates to follow for the discovery of new bioactive molecules