Isolation and X-ray crystal structure of tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids from Calycotome villosa Subsp. intermedias

Two tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids were extracted from the alkaloid fraction of a methanol extract of the seeds of Calycotome Villosa Subsp. intermedia. Their structures were established as (R)-1-hydroxymethyl-7-8-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro- isoquinoline (1) and (S)-7-hydroxymethyl-2-3-dimethoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydroisoquinoline chloride (2) by spectroscopic techniques and X-ray diffraction analysis

Détermination du point de performance des portiques en B.A par la méthode statique non linéaire pushover

The purpose of this work is determination of the performance point of a frame for different soil type, the location of this point on the curve capacity will predict the behavior of the frame in case of earthquakes, this method consists in a first step to apply static loads on the frame, the non linear behavior of the structure is defined, the nonlinearity of the structure is introduced with the use of plastic hinges, the second step is to find the capacity curve by transforming respectively shear at the base and displacement in the top to acceleration and displacement corresponding to a system of a single degree of freedom , finally results of performance point will be discussed. Le but du présent travail consiste à déterminer le point de performance des portiques en mettant l’accent sur l’influence du site sur les dégâts observés, l’emplacement de ce point sur la courbe capacité permettra de prédire le comportement réel du bâtiment en  cas de séismes. Cette méthode consiste dans une première étape à appliquer des charges statiques équivalentes d’allure triangulaire sur le portique étudié, le comportement non linéaire de la structure sera défini, la non linéarité de la structure est introduite au moyen  de rotules plastiques de flexion et de cisaillement., La seconde  étape  consiste à trouver la courbe de capacité en  transformant respectivement l’effort tranchant à la base et le déplacement du sommet de l’analyse push over à l’accélération et le déplacement correspondant à un système à un seul degré de liberté, finalement les résultats seront discutés

Prostatic fossa calculus

A 70-year-old man presented for evaluation of recurrent urinary tract infection. He had history of hypertension and had undergone suprapubic prostatectomy 8 years ago for enlarged obstructive prostate. Digital rectal examination found a stony irregular prostate and urine culture grew Escherichia Coli that was susceptible to Cephalosporines. As part of the evaluation, a plain radiograph was performed and incidentally showed a radiopaque prostatic calculus (Red arrows). A retrograde urethrocystography, performed after a 10-days course of antibiotics, confirmed the presence of an approximately 35 mm non-obstructive calculus occupying almost the whole prostatic bed (Red arrows) with a stricture of the membranous urethra (Yellow arrow), the bladder however showed no abnormalities (Orange arrows). Stones that form in the prostatic fossa are uncommon but can occur after all forms of prostatectomy. They are caused by a ligature, infection, a chip of prostate left behind in the prostatic bed or as a result of an iatrogenic urethral stricture. A meticulous operative and postoperative care is the best prevention of such a complication. Our patient was treated endoscopically by the combination of urethrotomy and transurethral ultrasonic lithotripsy. At 6 months follow-up, he voided properly and had a sterile urine culture.Pan African Medical Journal 2015; 2

The financial impacts of board mechanisms on performance: The case of listed Moroccan banks

Purpose: The present study examines the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on listed Moroccan banks' financial performance. Research methodology: This study investigates the relationship between listed banks' governance mechanisms and financial performance in the CSE for six years between 2014-2019. This study employs three performance measures, return on assets, return on equity, and Tobin's Q, to determine bank performance. This research uses the GMM EGLS approach to analyze data. In the first phase of this empirical research, we did use OLS, Fixed Effects, and Radom Effects regressions to show their inefficiency. Results: Our results portray that most board mechanisms have a negative impact on financial performance. In comparison, the audit committee and nomination & remuneration committee have a positive effect on financial performance. Limitations: Many qualitative and quantitative factors could influence financial performance and not only the used variables in this paper. Contribution: This research shows that the dynamic connection between corporate governance and financial performance is robust in the Moroccan banking context. Also, our study has important implications for establishing good corporate governance practices in emerging economies

The effects of corporate governance mechanisms on earnings management: Empirical evidence from Moroccan listed firms

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to systematically review and examine the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanisms in restraining earnings management among the listed firms of the Casablanca Stock Exchange. Research methodology: In this study, we used the modified Jones model to calculate discretionary accruals. Our sample comprises 27 firms covering the period from 2016 to 2018, analyzed by the EGLS estimator. Results: Our empirical results show that gender diversity, board size, and audit committee independence reduce the managers' discretion. Simultaneously, we found a significantly positive association between earning management and different corporate governance characteristics such as CEO duality, institutional investor ownership, and family ownership. We do not find any evidence that audit committee size, ownership concentration, and managerial ownership significantly influence discretionary accruals. Limitations: This study's main limitation is that we did not address the direction of discretionary accruals, which does not allow us to detect the motivational aspects behind earnings management. Contribution: The results of this study will help Moroccan authorities in their formulation of an appropriate regulatory framework because very few studies have been conducted in this area in the case of the Moroccan listed companies, especially with a large set of governance variables as our empirical model

A Novel Approach to Reduce the Unicast Bandwidth of an IPTV System in a High-Speed Access Network

Channel change time is a critical quality of experience (QOE) metric for IP-based video delivery systems such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). An interesting channel change acceleration scheme based on peer-assisted delivery was recently proposed, which consists of deploying one FCC server (Fast Channel Change Server) in the IP backbone in order to send the unicast stream to the STB (Set-Top Box) before sending the normal multicast stream after each channel change. However, deploying such a solution will cause high bandwidth usage in the network because of the huge unicast traffic sent by the FCC server to the STBs. In this paper, we propose a new solution to reduce the bandwidth occupancy of the unicast traffic, by deploying the FCC server capabilities on the user STB. This means that, after each channel change request, the STB will receive the unicast traffic from another STB instead of the central server. By using this method, the unicast traffic will not pass through the IP network; it will be a peer-to-peer communication via the Access Network only. Extensive simulation results are presented to demonstrate the robustness of our new solution

Discretionary loan loss provision in the Moroccan banking sector: The role of governance mechanisms

Purpose: The present paper aims to examine the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on earnings management extent in the Moroccan banking sector. Research methodology: This research investigates the relationship between listed banks' governance mechanisms and earnings management in the CSE over the period 2017-2020. This study relies on a two-step quantitative approach, which consists firstly of estimating discretionary loan loss provisions to measure EM, then presenting the association between banks’ governance mechanisms and discretionary loan loss provisions. Results: The findings indicate that board size, gender diversity, audit committee’s independence, and state ownership constraint EM practices among the Moroccan listed banks. While other governance mechanisms, such as institutional ownership and board activity, seem to have no significant effect on restraining managers’ discretionary behavior. Limitations: Many qualitative and quantitative factors could influence discretionary loan loss provisions and not only the used variables in this research. Contribution: This research reveals the need to maintain the vigilant supervision of the regulatory framework to limit these opportunistic practices in the local banking industry.  Also, our study has important implications for establishing a new set of governance requirements such as board diversity in Morocco

Moderate Islam vis-a-vis Salafism in Indonesia: An Ideological Competition

A unique moderate style of Islam in Indonesia was believed to be the first entrance of Islam to the Indonesian archipelago. This model adopted a moderate approach of spreading Islam, not fundamental nor radical. The oil boom of Saudi Arabia in the 1970s promoted the spreading of Salafism in Indonesia. This group, known as Wahhabism, started to flourish from the 1970s until now. This study examines the contestation of moderate Islamic movement vis a vis Salafism in Indonesia from the 1970s to 2018. The data in this study were collected from any related literature such as books, articles, and internet sources. All information was presented by using a method of formal library research. This study reveals that the competition between these two groups has been taking place since the 1970s. With the massive attack from the Salafism group, the Moderate Islamic movement responded by introducing ‘Islam Nusantara’ (Islam that accommodates customs and cultures in the Indonesian archipelago) to strengthen the moderate style of Islam in Indonesia. The response of the Moderate Islamic movement includes many aspects, such as through the educational sector and establishing mass Islamic organizations