818 research outputs found
Stability properties of periodic solutions of a Duffing equation in the presence of lawer and upper solutions
Variation saisonniÚre de la composition chimique de carraghénophyte, Gymnogongrus patens (J. Agardh) de la cÎte atlantique marocaine
Les compositions chimiques du carraghĂ©nophyte, Gymnogongrus patens ont Ă©tĂ© analysĂ©es sur des Ă©chantillons dâalgues rĂ©coltĂ©es mensuellement pendant un cycle annuel, dâavril 2002 Ă mars 2003, sur la plage de MĂ©hdia (Nord ouest de la cĂŽte atlantique marocaine). Lâanalyse de la composition chimique des thalles montre que la teneur en matiĂšre sĂšche (MS), en carraghĂ©nanes, en azote total et en cendres prĂ©sente des variations saisonniĂšres. La teneur moyenne en matiĂšre sĂšche est de 19,7% de la matiĂšre fraĂźche du thalle. Ainsi, celle-ci varie de 16% en automne-hiver Ă 22,5% en pĂ©riode printaniĂšre et estivale. LâĂ©tude de la production des carraghĂ©nanes par Gymnogongrus patens montre que les meilleurs rendements sont obtenus en Ă©tĂ© (30,2 % en aoĂ»t), les plus faibles en hiver (8,4% en janvier). Ceci montre que la meilleure pĂ©riode de rĂ©colte de lâespĂšce en vue de son exploitation est lâĂ©tĂ©. Les teneurs en azote total sont comprises entre un maximum notĂ© en fĂ©vrier (3,61% MS) et un minimum enregistrĂ© en aoĂ»t (2,57 % MS). Les taux moyens en cendres sont lĂ©gĂšrement Ă©levĂ©s, ils sont de lâordre de 35% MS. Le maximum est obtenu en janvier (46,34% MS) et le minimum pendant le mois de septembre (28,77% MS). Lâanalyse des taux en cendres au cours de lâannĂ©e montre que cette espĂšce est capable dâaccumuler des concentrations Ă©levĂ©es en sels minĂ©raux et peut donc ĂȘtre utilisĂ©es pour lâĂ©puration des eaux.Mots-clĂ©s : Gymnogongrus patens, composition chimique, carraghĂ©nanes, azote total, cendres, Maroc. Seasonal varaition in the Chimical composition of Gymnogongrus patens Agardh on Moroccan Atlantic caost The chimical composition of Gymnogongrus patens J. Agardh (Rhodophyta, Phyllophoracea) has been analyzed on samples collected monthly on a one year cycle from April 2002 to March 2003 on MĂ©hdia beach (North west Atlantic caost of Morocco). The analysis of chemical composition of thallus shows that the content of dry matter, of carrageenan, of nitrogen and of ash present also a seasonal variations. The study of carrageenan production from Gymnogongrus patens shows that the best yields were obtained In summer (30,2% in August) and the lowest ones in winter (8,4% in January). This shows that the best period of harvest of this species in order to its exploitation is a summer. The contents of total nitrogen are between a maximum in February (3,62%) and a minimum registered in August (2,57%). The medium rates of ash are highers little bite, they arrived to 35%. The maximum is observed in January (46.34% MS) and the minimum during September (28,77% MS). This important variation of ash rates during a year show that this species can accumulate high concentrations of minerals salt, therefore it can be used like an also for the epurification of waters.Keywords : Gymnogongrus patens, chimical composition, carrageenans, nitrogen, ash, Morocco
The perception of adolescentsâ inter-parental conflict and accompanied emotional security: A descriptive study
How Egyptian adolescents respond to their parentsâ inter-parental conflict is relatively unexplored. This descriptive study was completed with adolescents to determine their perceptions of inter-parental conflict and the impact of this on their level of emotional security. Two hundred students from Zagazig city in Egypt aged between 13 and 17 years completed the âChildrenâs perception of inter-parental conflict scaleâ and âSecurity in the inter-parental system scaleâ. The findings showed that when adolescents witnessed inter-parental conflict they felt scared, sad, emotionally charged or unable to stop thinking about the conflict that they had witnessed. However, participants were unprepared to assist in trying to solve their parentsâ conflict. Nurses need to be aware of the negative impact that inter-parental conflict may have on adolescents in their care. Interventions should focus on the preservation of the adolescentâs emotional security to prevent negative psychosocial effects occurring in the future
Security policy compliance: User acceptance perspective
Information security policy compliance is one of the key concerns that face organizations today. Although, technical and procedural security measures help improve information security, there is an increased need to accommodate human, social and organizational factors. While employees are considered the weakest link in information security domain, they also are assets that organizations need to leverage effectively. Employees\u27 compliance with Information Security Policies (ISPs) is critical to the success of an information security program. The purpose of this research is to develop a measurement tool that provides better measures for predicting and explaining employees\u27 compliance with ISPs by examining the role of information security awareness in enhancing employees\u27 compliance with ISPs. The study is the first to address compliance intention from a users\u27 perspective. Overall, analysis results indicate strong support for the proposed instrument and represent an early confirmation for the validation of the underlying theoretical model
Geological Alterations and Chemical Treatment of a Polluted Limestone Foundation
A large factory for the production of concentrated sulphuric acid is constructed in 1977 and located in the west of Iraq near Al-Kaim city. The footings carrying the installations rest on calcareous rocks which extend deep into the ground. For many years, about 1.5 tons per day of acid seeped and percolated into the ground apart from frequent accidents when larger amounts took their path down into the ground. A record of the footings movement revealed that the footings experienced significant heave and settlement indicating a cyclic movement which depends on the frequency of seepage. The results of the past geotechnical and geochemical investigations have been carefully studied in order to trace the geological alterations occurring in the ground due to the percolation of sulphuric acid over years. It appeared that at certain depths the limestone rock has been almost converted to dough and that a significant amount of dolomitization has taken place in the factory ground. Contaminated samples have been obtained from boreholes executed in the factory site. Many chemical materials have been chosen to treat the contaminated samples. Among these materials are sodium silicate, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate plus calcium chloride, barium sulfate, aluminum oxide, ferric oxide and bentonite. Unconfined compression, ultrasonic wave, physical, wet chemical and XRD tests were performed on intact, contaminated and treated specimens. The results proved that sodium silicate is the best alternative to be used for chemical grouting of the ground. The use of calcium chloride with sodium silicate did not show an additional advantage. Samples contaminated to the degree of having the form of dough have almost regained their original solid state strength when treated with sodium silicate
Information Security Policy Compliance: An Empirical Study of Ethical Ideology
Information security policy compliance (ISP) is one of the key concerns that face organizations today. Although technical and procedural measures help improve information security, there is an increased need to accommodate human, social and organizational factors. Despite the plethora of studies that attempt to identify the factors that motivate compliance behavior or discourage abuse and misuse behaviors, there is a lack of studies that investigate the role of ethical ideology per se in explaining compliance behavior. The purpose of this research is to investigate the role of ethics in explaining Information Security Policy (ISP) compliance. In that regard, a model that integrates behavioral and ethical theoretical perspectives is developed and tested. Overall, analyses indicate strong support for the validation of the proposed theoretical model
Objective Prediction of Pharyngeal Swallow Dysfunction in Dysphagia through Artificial Neural Network Modelling
This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving'. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons LtdBackground
Pharyngeal pressure-flow analysis (PFA) of high resolution impedance-manometry (HRIM) with calculation of the swallow risk index (SRI) can quantify swallow dysfunction predisposing to aspiration. We explored the potential use of artificial neural networks (ANN) to model the relationship between PFA swallow metrics and aspiration and to predict swallow dysfunction.
Methods
Two hundred consecutive dysphagia patients referred for videofluoroscopy and HRIM were assessed. Presence of aspiration was scored and PFA software derived 13 metrics and the SRI. An ANN was created and optimized over training cycles to achieve optimal classification accuracy for matching inputs (PFA metrics) to output (presence of aspiration on videofluoroscopy). Application of the ANN returned a value between 0.00 and 1.00 reflecting the degree of swallow dysfunction.
Key Results
Twenty one patients were excluded due to insufficient number of swallows (<4). Of 179, 58 aspirated and 27 had aspiration pneumonia history. The SRI was higher in aspirators (aspiration 24 [9, 41] vs no aspiration 7 [2, 18], p < 0.001) and patients with pneumonia (pneumonia 27 [5, 42] vs no pneumonia 8 [3, 24], p < 0.05). The ANN Predicted Risk was higher in aspirators (aspiration 0.57 [0.38, 0.82] vs no aspiration 0.13 [0.4, 0.25], p < 0.001) and in patients with pneumonia (pneumonia 0.46 [0.18, 0.60] vs no pneumonia 0.18 [0.6, 0.49], p < 0.01). Prognostic value of the ANN was superior to the SRI.
Conclusions & Inferences
In a heterogeneous cohort of dysphagia patients, PFA with ANN modeling offers enhanced detection of clinically significant swallowing dysfunction, probably more accurately reflecting the complex interplay of swallow characteristics that causes aspiration
Whey- vs Casein-Based Enteral Formula and Gastrointestinal Function in Children With Cerebral Palsy.
Objectives: Children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) commonly have gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction. Whey-based enteral formulas have been postulated to reduce gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) and accelerate gastric emptying (GE). The authors investigated whether whey-based (vs casein-based) enteral formulas reduce GOR and accelerate GE in children who have severe CP with a gastrostomy and fundoplication.
Methods: Thirteen children received a casein-based formula for 1 week and either a 50% whey whole protein (50% WWP) or a 100% whey partially hydrolyzed protein (100% WPHP) formula for 1 week. Reflux episodes, gastric half-emptying time (GE t1/2), and reported pain and GI symptoms were measured.
Results: Whey formulas emptied significantly faster than casein (median [interquartile range (IQR)] GE t1/2, 33.9 [25.3-166.2] min vs 56.6 [46-191] min; P = .033). Reflux parameters were unchanged. GI symptoms were lower in children who received 50% WWP (visual analog symptom score, median [IQR], 0[0-11.8]) vs 100% WPHP (13.0 [2.5-24.8]) (P = .035).
Conclusion: This pilot study shows that in children who have severe CP with a gastrostomy and fundoplication, GE of the whey-based enteral formula is significantly faster than casein. The acceleration in GE does not alter GOR frequency, and there appears to be no effect of whey vs casein in reducing acid, nonacid, and total reflux episodes. The results indicate that enteral formula selection may be particularly important for children with severe CP and delayed GE. (JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2012;36:118S-123S
Effect of nitrogen level application on yield and fruit quality of Navel orange variety in a sandy soil
Lâobjectif de cet essai est d'Ă©valuer l'effet de la dose d'azote sur le rendement et la qualitĂ© des fruits et de dĂ©terminer la dose optimale en azote pour les arbres de lâorange Navel greffĂ© sur le porte-greffe citrange Troyer plantĂ© en 1964 en plein champ Ă un espacement de 7mx7m (204 arbres/ha) au niveau de la station expĂ©rimentale dâEl Menzeh, INRA Maroc. Le dispositif adoptĂ© est un bloc alĂ©atoire complet avec trois blocs rangĂ©s en 4 arbres consĂ©cutifs par bloc sur la mĂȘme ligne. Quatre doses de N ont Ă©tĂ© testĂ©s : (T0 (TĂ©moin) : 0, T1 : 100, T2 : 200, T3 : 300 Kg N/ha). Les paramĂštres mesurĂ©s sont : le calibre des fruits, le poids moyen par fruit, la qualitĂ© des fruits (le rendement en jus, lâaciditĂ© du jus, lâextrait sec soluble (ESS ou °Brix) et lâindice de maturitĂ© (E/A)) et le rendement en fruits. Le rendement en fruits, le poids moyen des fruits, le calibre des fruits, lâextrait sec soluble (TSS), l'aciditĂ© du jus et l'indice de maturitĂ© de lâorange Navel ont rĂ©pondu significativement Ă lâaugmentation de la dose dâazote. Le rendement en kg de fruits/arbre a Ă©tĂ© considĂ©rablement amĂ©liorĂ© avec l'augmentation de la dose d'azote. Par ailleurs, les rendements les plus Ă©levĂ©s (129.21 et 139.82 kg/arbre) ont Ă©tĂ© enregistrĂ©s sous les traitements T2 et T3 respectivement. Par contre, le rendement en fruits/arbre le plus faible a Ă©tĂ© obtenu chez les arbres non fertilisĂ©s (tĂ©moin). Le poids des fruits (268.54 et 276.50g) et la taille des fruits (78.94 et 80.87 mm) les plus Ă©levĂ©s ont Ă©tĂ© enregistrĂ©s avec les mĂȘme traitements T2 et T3 respectivement. La teneur totale en sucre soluble (TSS) la plus Ă©levĂ©e a Ă©tĂ© enregistrĂ©e chez les arbres des traitements T2 et T3 (12.20 et 11.70 °Brix respectivement). Par ailleurs, une augmentation significative de l'aciditĂ© du jus de fruits de lâorange Navel a Ă©tĂ© Ă©galement enregistrĂ©e en augmentant la dose dâazote. L'aciditĂ© la plus Ă©levĂ©e a Ă©tĂ© obtenue par les mĂȘmes traitements T2 et T3 (1,13 et 1.20 % respectivement). Lâapplication de 200 Kg de N /ha a permis dâavoir un rendement maximal et une qualitĂ© optimale des fruits des oranges Navel greffĂ©s sur le porte-greffe citrange Troyer sur un sol sableux dans la rĂ©gion de Gharb.The objective of the present paper was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen level on yield and fruit quality of citrus and to determine the optimum N fertilizer rates of Navel orange variety budded on Troyer citrange rootstock in field conditions. The orange Navel orchard spaced 7mx7m (204 trees/ha) grown in 1964 on a sandy soil at the experimental station of El Menzeh, INRA Morocco. The experiment was set up in a complete randomized block design with three blocks and the experimental unit was composed on 4 consecutive trees in the row. Four fertilization treatments of N (Kg/ha) (T0 (control): 0, T1: 100, T2: 200, T3: 300) were applied to Navel citrus tree in field conditions over two seasons 2012-2013 and 2013-2014.Fruit yield, fruit weight, fruit size, total soluble sugar (TSS) content, acidity of juice and maturity index of Navel orange were significantly affected by increasing N level. Fruit yield/tree was improved significantly with increase in N rate. Significant highest yields (129.21 and 139.82. kg/tree) were recorded under treatments T2 and T3 respectively. The lowest fruit yield/tree was obtained from untreated control plot. Maximum fruit weight (268.54 and 276.50 g) and fruit size (78.94 and 80.87 mm) was recorded with the same treatments T2 and T3 respectively. Total soluble sugar content was also maximum in trees receiving treatment (T2) and treatment (T3) 12.20 and 11.70°Brix respectively. Significant increase in acidity of juice of fruit Navel orange was also recorded by increasing the rate of N. The highest acidity (1.13 and 1.20%) was achieved by the same treatments T2 and T3 respectively. Two-year studies showed that application of fertilizers at the rate of 200 Kg N/ha would be optimum for achieving higher yield and better fruit quality of Navel orange variety in sandy soil in Gharb area
Croissance et capacité réproductive de Gymnogongrus patens (J. Agardh) (Rhodophyceae, Gigartinale) de la cÎte atlantique marocaine
Lâalgue carraghĂ©nophyte Gymnogongrus patens prĂ©sente une large distribution sur le littoral marocain, sa valorisation et son exploitation ont Ă©tĂ© prĂ©cĂ©dĂ©es par lâĂ©tude de sa biologie en milieu naturel. Le site Ă©tudiĂ©Â est la plage de MĂ©hdia situĂ© au nord de la cĂŽte atlantique marocaine. Lâinfluence des facteurs environnementaux (tempĂ©rature, salinitĂ©, nitrates et phosphates) sur lâĂ©volution de la croissance a Ă©tĂ©Â Ă©tudiĂ©e par dâanalyse en composantes principales (ACP). La croissance de lâespĂšce prĂ©sente une variation saisonniĂšre, ainsi deux pĂ©riodes de croissance ont Ă©tĂ© dĂ©terminĂ©es : une pĂ©riode de forte croissance fin printemps et Ă©tĂ© et une pĂ©riode de faible croissance en automne et en hiver. LâACP a confirmĂ© cette saisonnalitĂ© de la croissance, en prĂ©cisant que le gain en poids de thalles est principalement liĂ© Ă Â lâaugmentation de nombre de ramification total. La pĂ©riode active de croissance est caractĂ©risĂ©e par lâĂ©lĂ©vation de la tempĂ©rature, de la salinitĂ© et de lâintensitĂ© lumineuse principalement. LâĂ©tude de la capacitĂ© reproductive de G. patens a permis de montrer que lâespĂšce est fertile toute lâannĂ©e avec une dominance de la gĂ©nĂ©ration tĂ©trasporophytiques. Le maximum de fertilitĂ© a Ă©tĂ© obtenu en Ă©tĂ©.Mots-clĂ©s : Gymnogongrus patens, croissance, reproduction, ACP, Maroc.Growth and reproductuive capacity of Gymnogongrus patens (Rhodophyceae, Gigartinale) on the Morccan Atlantic coastGymnogongrus patens represent an important biomass along the Atlantic coast of Morocco, the first step befor exploitation is gather information about the biology and growth of this species in naturel environment. The studied site is the beach of Mehdia located at the north of the Moroccan Atlantic Coast. The influence of environmental parametres (temperature, salinty, nitrates and phosphates) on growth has been studied using Principal Components Analysis (ACP). The monthly survey of its growth did sow seasonal variations. G. Patens has 2 periods of growth: periodâs active growth at the ending of spring and summer and periodâs weak growth in automn and winter. ACP showed a seaonal variation of the species growth. The active growth periods of G. Patens are characterized by important temperature and salinty and light intensities. The species was fertil almost all along the year and tetrasporophyte pahse predominated. The maximum of fertility was obtained in summer.Keywords : gymnogongrus patens, growth, reproduction, ACP, Morocco
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