Seismic risk in the city of Al Hoceima (north of Morocco) using the vulnerability index method, applied in Risk-UE project

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2566-8Al Hoceima is one of the most seismic active regions in north of Morocco. It is demonstrated by the large seismic episodes reported in seismic catalogs and research studies. However, seismic risk is relatively high due to vulnerable buildings that are either old or don’t respect seismic standards. Our aim is to present a study about seismic risk and seismic scenarios for the city of Al Hoceima. The seismic vulnerability of the existing residential buildings was evaluated using the vulnerability index method (Risk-UE). It was chosen to be adapted and applied to the Moroccan constructions for its practicality and simple methodology. A visual inspection of 1102 buildings was carried out to assess the vulnerability factors. As for seismic hazard, it was evaluated in terms of macroseismic intensity for two scenarios (a deterministic and probabilistic scenario). The maps of seismic risk are represented by direct damage on buildings, damage to population and economic cost. According to the results, the main vulnerability index of the city is equal to 0.49 and the seismic risk is estimated as Slight (main damage grade equal to 0.9 for the deterministic scenario and 0.7 for the probabilistic scenario). However, Moderate to heavy damage is expected in areas located in the newer extensions, in both the east and west of the city. Important economic losses and damage to the population are expected in these areas as well. The maps elaborated can be a potential guide to the decision making in the field of seismic risk prevention and mitigation strategies in Al Hoceima.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Design and optimization of a new compact 2.4 GHz-bandpass filter using DGS technique and U-shaped resonators for WLAN applications

The objective of this work is the study, the design and the optimization of an innovative structure of a network of coupled copper metal lines deposited on the upper surface of a R04003 type substrate of height 0.813 with a ground deformed by slots (DGS). This structure is designed in an optimal configuration for use in the design of narrowband bandpass filter for wireless communication systems (WLAN), the aim of use the defected ground structure is to remove the unwanted harmonics in the rejection band, the simulation results obtained from this structure using CST software show a very high selectivity of the designed filter, a very low level of losses (less than-0.45 dB) with a size overall size of 43.5x34.3 mm

Nodulation of the endemic Retama dasycarpa by Bradyrhizobium spp. in the Maamora forest

Some shrubby legumes represent an appropriate alternative to reduce forest degradation and also an ecologically sustainable strategy that respects the environment, protects against desertification, and improves soil quality and fertility. Retama species are generally used to prevent desertification due to their aptitude to elicit symbiotic nitrogen-fixing associations with soil bacteria called rhizobia. In this work, we isolated and characterized some strains of rhizobia that nodulate Retama dasycarpa in the soils of the Maamora forest. Out of 73 bacteria isolated from R. dasycarpa root nodules, 20 strains were selected for molecular analyses based on their REP-PCR genomic fingerprints. The rrs and nodC gene sequence analyses showed that all the strains belong to Bradyrhizobium genus and members of the genistearum symbiovar. MLSA of the five housekeeping genes dnaK, atpD, gyrB, glnII, and recA revealed that the strains are related to B. lupini USDA 3051, B. cytisi CTAW11, B. canariense CTAW25, and a putative new genospecies. The strains metabolize a wide variety of carbohydrates and amino acids as sole carbon and nitrogen sources. Additionally, they solubilize phosphates, and produce siderophores. Our results show that Retama dasycarpa in the Maamora forest is nodulated by Bradyrhizobium spp. sv. genistearum, similar to the High-Atlas Mountains, and potentially new genospecies.This work was supported by the Moroccan Ministry of Higher Education and Innovation. Miss Kaoutar Kaddouri received a three-year grant for this research.Peer reviewe

Different species of Bradyrhizobium from Symbiovars Genistearum and Retamae Nodulate the endemic Retama dasycarpa in the High Atlas Mountains

Resumen del poster presntado en: 15th European Nitrogen Fixation Conference (ENFC). Napóles Italia. 31 agosto - 3 septiembre (2023

Intelligent autism screening using fuzzy agent

In the diagnosis of diseases, either physical or psychological, there are situations causing reaching for second independent opinion very hard. This is especially true in the diagnosis of Autism due to the complex process of diagnosis. Apart from the complex process, the challenges include cost and the availability of experts. This, however, does not change the fact that having regular independent second opinions is crucial. Hence, this study proposes an intelligent autism screening model using fuzzy agent, to assist the expert and non-expert in making the diagnosis. In this study, the fuzzy inputs are assigned based on five categories, which are Communication, Gross Motor, Fine Motor, Problem Solving, and Personal Social, and is specifically for three-year-old children only. The proposed model will be able to produce output in the form of sequences based on lowest to highest mark of the scores for each category. This output will then relate to the suggestion of activities to autistic children by priority (based on the scores obtained)

Key Learnings and Perspectives of a Newly Implemented Sex-and Gender-Based Medicine Modular Course Integrated into the First-Year Medical School Curriculum: A Mixed-Method Survey [Response To Letter]

Nicola Luigi Bragazzi,1–4 Hicham Khabbache,5 Khalid Ouazizi,6 Driss Ait Ali,6 Hanane El Ghouat,6 Laila El Alami,6 Hisham Atwan,7 Ruba Tuma,8–10 Nomy Dickman,10 Raymond Farah,10,11 Rola Khamisy-Farah9,10 1Human Nutrition Unit (HNU), Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; 2Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada; 3Postgraduate School of Public Health, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; 4United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair, Health Anthropology Biosphere and Healing Systems, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy; 5Director of the UNESCO Chair “Lifelong Learning Observatory” (UNESCO/UMSBA), Fez, Morocco; 6Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences Fès-Saïss, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco; 7Department of Internal Medicine, Kaplan Medical Centre, Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel; 8Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Galilee Medical Center, Nahariya, Galilee, Israel; 9Clalit Health Services, Akko, Israel; 10Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel; 11Department of Internal Medicine B, Ziv Medical Center, Safed, IsraelCorrespondence: Nicola Luigi Bragazzi, Human Nutrition Unit (HNU), Department of Food and Drugs, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, Parma, 43125, Italy, Tel +39 0521 903121, Email [email protected]

MHO1, an Evolutionarily Conserved Gene, Is Synthetic Lethal with PLC1; Mho1p Has a Role in Invasive Growth

The novel protein Memo (Mediator of ErbB2 driven cell motility) was identified in a screen for ErbB2 interacting proteins and found to have an essential function in cell motility. Memo is evolutionarily conserved with homologs found in all branches of life; the human and yeast proteins have a similarity of >50%. In the present study we used the model organism S. cerevisiae to characterize the Memo-homologue Mho1 (Yjr008wp) and to investigate its function in yeast. In a synthetic lethal screen we found MHO1 as a novel synthetic lethal partner of PLC1, which encodes the single phospholipase C in yeast. Double-deleted cells lacking MHO1 and PLC1, proliferate for up to ten generations. Introduction of human Memo into the memoΔplc1Δ strain rescued the synthetic lethal phenotype suggesting that yeast and human proteins have similar functions. Mho1 is present in the cytoplasm and the nucleus of yeast cells; the same distribution of Memo was found in mammalian cells. None of the Memo homologues have a characteristic nuclear localization sequence, however, a conserved nuclear export sequence is found in all. In mammalian cells, blocking nuclear export with Leptomycin B led to nuclear Memo accumulation, suggesting that it is actively exported from the nucleus. In yeast MHO1 expression is induced by stress conditions. Since invasive growth in S. cerevisiea is also stress-induced, we tested Mho1's role in this response. MHO1 deletion had no effect on invasion induced by nutrient deprivation, however, Mho1 overexpression blocked the invasive ability of yeast cells, suggesting that Mho1 might be acting in a dominant negative manner. Taken together, our results show that MHO1 is a novel synthetic lethal interactor with PLC1, and that both gene products are required for proliferation. Moreover, a role for Memo in cell motility/invasion appears to be conserved across species

Identification of InuR, a new Zn(II)2Cys6 transcriptional activator involved in the regulation of inulinolytic genes in Aspergillus niger

The expression of inulinolytic genes in Aspergillus niger is co-regulated and induced by inulin and sucrose. We have identified a positive acting transcription factor InuR, which is required for the induced expression of inulinolytic genes. InuR is a member of the fungal specific class of transcription factors of the Zn(II)2Cys6 type. Involvement of InuR in inulin and sucrose metabolism was suspected because of the clustering of inuR gene with sucB, which encodes an intracellular invertase with transfructosylation activity and a putative sugar transporter encoding gene (An15g00310). Deletion of the inuR gene resulted in a strain displaying a severe reduction in growth on inulin and sucrose medium. Northern analysis revealed that expression of inulinolytic and sucrolytic genes, e.g., inuE, inuA, sucA, as well as the putative sugar transporter gene (An15g00310) is dependent on InuR. Genome-wide expression analysis revealed, three additional putative sugar transporters encoding genes (An15g04060, An15g03940 and An17g01710), which were strongly induced by sucrose in an InuR dependent way. In silico analysis of the promoter sequences of strongly InuR regulated genes suggests that InuR might bind as dimer to two CGG triplets, which are separated by eight nucleotides

Bacteria-inducing legume nodules involved in the improvement of plant growth, health and nutrition

Bacteria-inducing legume nodules are known as rhizobia and belong to the class Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria. They promote the growth and nutrition of their respective legume hosts through atmospheric nitrogen fixation which takes place in the nodules induced in their roots or stems. In addition, rhizobia have other plant growth-promoting mechanisms, mainly solubilization of phosphate and production of indoleacetic acid, ACC deaminase and siderophores. Some of these mechanisms have been reported for strains of rhizobia which are also able to promote the growth of several nonlegumes, such as cereals, oilseeds and vegetables. Less studied are the mechanisms that have the rhizobia to promote the plant health; however, these bacteria are able to exert biocontrol of some phytopathogens and to induce the plant resistance. In this chapter, we revised the available data about the ability of the legume nodule-inducing bacteria for improving the plant growth, health and nutrition of both legumes and nonlegumes. These data showed that rhizobia meet all the requirements of sustainable agriculture to be used as bio-inoculants allowing the total or partial replacement of chemicals used for fertilization or protection of crops