Qualité physico-chimique des eaux du réservoir Daourat ; impact e la vidange sur son fonctionnement

Ce travail concerne l'étude de la qualité physico-chimique de la masse d'eau du réservoir Daourat au Maroc ; situé sur le cours inférieur du bassin Oum Rbia. Une vidange du réservoir a lieu le 23 décembre 2001, l'impact de cette vidange sur la qualité physico-chimique de l'eau a été déduit à travers l'augmentation du débit à l'entrée et à la sortie du réservoir en décembre ; l'élévation du taux de la matière en suspension ; des concentrations en éléments nutritifs et de la chlorophylle " a ". Cette étude inclue également une analyse de régression qui a permis de déterminer une relation entre le phosphore et la chlorophylle " a " ; ainsi qu'une évaluation du niveau d'eutrophisation du réservoir Daourat.Les résultats fournis par les paramètres physico-chimiques ont révélé que la masse d'eau ne présente aucune stratification thermique ni anoxie et que le pH est alcalin. L'évolution des concentrations en éléments nutritifs dans la masse d'eau du réservoir dépend des apports exogènes et endogènes. Les apports exogènes sont dominés par les apports latéraux venant du bassin versant local peu boisé et caractérisé par un sol à vocation agricole responsable de l'enrichissement du milieu récepteur en éléments azotés. Les apports endogènes sont gouvernés par les interactions eau - sédiment suite à la minéralisation de la matière organique en période estivale et par le relargage d'éléments à partir du sédiment suite à la vidange et à la crue en période hivernale. L'impact de la vidange sur l'écosystème étudié a été déduit à partir des modifications des paramètres abiotiques et biotique enregistrés en décembre (période de vidange) dans le milieu du réservoir (S2) et son aval (S3). L'étude de la relation entre les orthophosphates et la chlorophylle " a " dégage une forte corrélation significative. Les données du phosphore et de la chlorophylle " a " classe le réservoir Daourat dans l'état hypereutropheThe Oum Rbia River is the longest river in Morocco with a total length of about 550 km. Studies conducted on this river have shown that agricultural activity is the main factor affecting the water quality. The current study focused on Daourat Reservoir, a part of the Oum Rbia River.The aim of this study was to investigate the water quality of the Daourat reservoir (physico-chemical parameters, nutrients and chlorophyll a) in order to estimate its eutrophication status. The influence of draining reservoir on water quality was also analysed. This survey also included a regression analysis that permitted the determination of the relationship between phosphorus and chlorophyll a, as well as an assessment of the level of eutrophication of the Daourat reservoir.A monthly survey was conducted to monitor changes in the hydrological cycle as well as possible seasonal variations during the period from 2001-2002. Water parameters (T°, pH, dissolved oxygen, suspended solids), nutrients (NH4+, NO3-, P-PO4, Tot-P) and chlorophyll a were determined according to standard French protocols (AFNOR, 1994). Annual nutrient inputs and outputs were calculated from the monthly discharge from the river and the monthly mean nutrient concentrations. The annual nutrient output was calculated similarly.The physico-chemical parameters and nutrient concentrations varied temporally in the Daourat Reservoir. The highest concentrations of nutrients were observed during summer and winter, with the lowest concentrations occurring in the spring. This evolution seemed to be influenced by the nature of the loads. Nutrient loading from the upstream regions of the reservoir was minimal compared to the contributions from the local catchment area and from internal loading from the sediments. Significant nutrient loading to the reservoir came from sediment resuspension on December 23, 2001 and by internal loading from sediments during the summer. The upstream reservoirs (Al Massira and Imfout) had minimal influence and were in fact responsible for the reduced fluvial contributions to the Daourat Reservoir. The increase in nutrient loads in the reservoir was responsible for high phytoplankton biomass, indicated by the high chlorophyll a values (mean 35 µg/L). The trophic state of the Daourat Reservoir was classified as hypereutrophic. Due to the large intra-annual variability of water quality, a properly designed monitoring program of reservoir water is recommended

The vortex motion and the magnetization study in YBa2Cu3O7-d single crystal

We have investigated the vortex motion and the magnetization of high critical temperature superconductors YBa2Cu3O7-d Measurements were made using a vibrating sample magnetometer technique. Several magnetization hysteresis cycles have been obtained for different angles, θ, between the applied magnetic field, H, and the crystallographic c-axis. For T = 30 K we observed a central peak and for T = 80 K we observed a second peak or "fishtail".We have investigated the vortex motion and the magnetization of high critical temperature superconductors YBa2Cu3O7-d Measurements were made using a vibrating sample magnetometer technique. Several magnetization hysteresis cycles have been obtained for different angles, θ, between the applied magnetic field, H, and the crystallographic c-axis. For T = 30 K we observed a central peak and for T = 80 K we observed a second peak or "fishtail"

The critical current density and the vortex pinning in high quality YBa2Cu3O7-d thin films

We have measured the critical current density Jc of high quality c-axis oriented YBa2Cu3O7-d thin films. Measurements were performed for various magnetic field and temperature values, and as a function of the angle q between the c-axis and the applied magnetic field direction. A maximum of the critical current density was obtained when the flux lines are aligned along the CuO planes (q = 90°); another maximum in Jc was also observed when the magnetic field is adjusted parallel to the c-axis. We attribute these effects to different, intrinsic and extrinsic, pinning mechanisms of vortices in the sample.We have measured the critical current density Jc of high quality c-axis oriented YBa2Cu3O7-d thin films. Measurements were performed for various magnetic field and temperature values, and as a function of the angle q between the c-axis and the applied magnetic field direction. A maximum of the critical current density was obtained when the flux lines are aligned along the CuO planes (q = 90°); another maximum in Jc was also observed when the magnetic field is adjusted parallel to the c-axis. We attribute these effects to different, intrinsic and extrinsic, pinning mechanisms of vortices in the sample

Synthesis, structural characterisation and theoretical studies of a novel pyridazine derivative: Investigations of anti-inflammatory activity and inhibition of α-glucosidase

X-ray crystallography on pyridazine 1 (ethyl 2-(3-methyl-4-(4-methylbenzyl)-6-oxopyridazin1(6H)-yl)acetate) shows the planar pyridazinyl ring to exhibit significant delocalisation of πelectron density over the constituent atoms and to be substituted with oxo, methyl, (4- methylphenyl)methyl and N-bound ethylacetate groups. While three of the ring-bound atoms are close to co-planar with the ring, the ethylacetate group is not; the latter exhibits a definitive kink in its conformation. In the molecular packing of 1, helical supramolecular chains along the b-axis are formed through O- and N-methylene-C–H…O(carbonyl) and Omethylene-C–H…π(pyridazinyl) interactions. The chains are connected into a supramolecular layer by π(pyridazinyl)…π(phenyl) interactions. The flat layers stacks along the c-axis 2 without directional interactions between them. The geometry-optimisation of 1 resulted in the straightening of terminal ethylacetate group but no other substantial changes. Computational chemistry shows the most stabilising interactions in the crystal are due to the π(pyridazinyl)…π(phenyl) (-10.7 kcal/mol) followed by O- and N-methylene-C–H…O(carbonyl) (-9.5 and -9.0 kcal/mol, respectively). The most prominent identified interlayer interaction is a weak methylene-C–H···N(pyridazinyl) contact. Throughout, comparisons are made with the phenyl analogue of 1, namely 2. Most notably, the lattice energy of 1 is approximately 4.1 kcal/mol more stable than that of 2, an observation related to the influence upon the molecular packing exerted by the methyl substituent of 1. Compound 1 exhibits moderate inhibition against α-glucosidase, compared to Acarbose, and weak heatinduced haemolysis inhibition

Methodology for classification and definition of epilepsy syndromes with list of syndromes: Report of the ILAE Task Force on Nosology and Definitions

Epilepsy syndromes have been recognized for >50 years, as distinct electroclinical phenotypes with therapeutic and prognostic implications. Nonetheless, no formally accepted International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification of epilepsy syndromes has existed. The ILAE Task Force on Nosology and Definitions was established to reach consensus regarding which entities fulfilled criteria for an epilepsy syndrome and to provide definitions for each syndrome. We defined an epilepsy syndrome as "a characteristic cluster of clinical and electroencephalographic features, often supported by specific etiological findings (structural, genetic, metabolic, immune, and infectious)." The diagnosis of a syndrome in an individual with epilepsy frequently carries prognostic and treatment implications. Syndromes often have age-dependent presentations and a range of specific comorbidities. This paper describes the guiding principles and process for syndrome identification in both children and adults, and the template of clinical data included for each syndrome. We divided syndromes into typical age at onset, and further characterized them based on seizure and epilepsy types and association with developmental and/or epileptic encephalopathy or progressive neurological deterioration. Definitions for each specific syndrome are contained within the corresponding position papers

Indoor Air Pollutants and Health in the United Arab Emirates

Background: Comprehensive global data on the health effects of indoor air pollutants are lacking. There are few large population-based multi–air pollutant health assessments. Further, little is known about indoor air health risks in the Middle East, especially in countries undergoing rapid economic development

TNFR1 inhibition with a nanobody protects against EAE development in mice

TNF has as detrimental role in multiple sclerosis (MS), however, anti-TNF medication is not working. Selective TNF/TNFR1 inhibition whilst sparing TNFR2 signaling reduces the pro-inflammatory effects of TNF but preserves the important neuroprotective signals via TNFR2. We previously reported the generation of a Nanobody-based selective inhibitor of human TNFR1, TROS that will be tested in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We specifically antagonized TNF/TNFR1 signaling using TROS in a murine model of MS, namely MOG(35-55)-induced EAE. Because TROS does not cross-react with mouse TNFR1, we generated mice expressing human TNFR1 in a mouse TNFR1-knockout background (hTNFR1 Tg), and we determined biodistribution of Tc-99m-TROS and effectiveness of TROS in EAE in those mice. Biodistribution analysis demonstrated that intraperitoneally injected TROS is retained more in organs of hTNFR1 Tg mice compared to wild type mice. TROS was also detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of hTNFR1 Tg mice. Prophylactic TROS administration significantly delayed disease onset and ameliorated its symptoms. Moreover, treatment initiated early after disease onset prevented further disease development. TROS reduced spinal cord inflammation and neuroinflammation, and preserved myelin and neurons. Collectively, our data illustrate that TNFR1 is a promising therapeutic target in MS

The cytokine tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis and its receptor fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 have a neuroprotective effect in the central nervous system

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cerebral cortical neurons have a high vulnerability to the harmful effects of hypoxia. However, the brain has the ability to detect and accommodate to hypoxic conditions. This phenomenon, known as preconditioning, is a natural adaptive process highly preserved among species whereby exposure to sub-lethal hypoxia promotes the acquisition of tolerance to a subsequent lethal hypoxic injury. The cytokine tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its receptor fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) are found in neurons and their expression is induced by exposure to sub-lethal hypoxia. Accordingly, in this work we tested the hypothesis that the interaction between TWEAK and Fn14 induces tolerance to lethal hypoxic and ischemic conditions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Here we used <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo </it>models of hypoxic and ischemic preconditioning, an animal model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and mice and neurons genetically deficient in TWEAK, Fn14, or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) to investigate whether treatment with recombinant TWEAK or an increase in the expression of endogenous TWEAK renders neurons tolerant to lethal hypoxia. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to study the effect of TWEAK on the expression of neuronal TNF-α, Western blot analysis to investigate whether the effect of TWEAK was mediated by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and immunohistochemical techniques and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis to study the effect of TWEAK on apoptotic cell death.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that either treatment with recombinant TWEAK or an increase in the expression of TWEAK and Fn14 induce hypoxic and ischemic tolerance <it>in vivo </it>and <it>in vitro</it>. This protective effect is mediated by neuronal TNF-α and activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 pathway via phosphorylation and inactivation of the B-cell lymphoma 2-associated death promoter protein.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our work indicate that the interaction between TWEAK and Fn14 triggers the activation of a cell signaling pathway that results in the induction of tolerance to lethal hypoxia and ischemia. These data indicate that TWEAK may be a potential therapeutic strategy to protect the brain from the devastating effects of an ischemic injury.</p