Variation saisonnière de la composition chimique de carraghénophyte, Gymnogongrus patens (J. Agardh) de la côte atlantique marocaine

Les compositions chimiques du carraghénophyte, Gymnogongrus patens ont été analysées sur des échantillons d’algues récoltées mensuellement pendant un cycle annuel, d’avril 2002 à mars 2003, sur la plage de Méhdia (Nord ouest de la côte atlantique marocaine). L’analyse de la composition chimique des thalles montre que la teneur en matière sèche (MS), en carraghénanes, en azote total et en cendres présente des variations saisonnières. La teneur moyenne en matière sèche est de 19,7% de la matière fraîche du thalle. Ainsi, celle-ci varie de 16% en automne-hiver à 22,5% en période printanière et estivale. L’étude de la production des carraghénanes par Gymnogongrus patens montre que les meilleurs rendements sont obtenus en été (30,2 % en août), les plus faibles en hiver (8,4% en janvier). Ceci montre que la meilleure période de récolte de l’espèce en vue de son exploitation est l’été. Les teneurs en azote total sont comprises entre un maximum noté en février (3,61% MS) et un minimum enregistré en août (2,57 % MS). Les taux moyens en cendres sont légèrement élevés, ils sont de l’ordre de 35% MS. Le maximum est obtenu en janvier (46,34% MS) et le minimum pendant le mois de septembre (28,77% MS). L’analyse des taux en cendres au cours de l’année montre que cette espèce est capable d’accumuler des concentrations élevées en sels minéraux et peut donc être utilisées pour l’épuration des eaux.Mots-clés : Gymnogongrus patens, composition chimique, carraghénanes, 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 Méhdia 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 adolescents’ inter-parental conflict and accompanied emotional security: A descriptive study

How Egyptian adolescents respond to their parents’ 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 “Children’s perception of inter-parental conflict scale” and “Security in the inter-parental system scale”. 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 parents’ 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 adolescent’s 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

L’objectif de cet essai est d'évaluer l'effet de la dose d'azote sur le rendement et la qualité des fruits et de déterminer la dose optimale en azote pour les arbres de l’orange Navel greffé sur le porte-greffe citrange Troyer planté en 1964 en plein champ à un espacement de 7mx7m (204 arbres/ha) au niveau de la station expérimentale d’El Menzeh, INRA Maroc. Le dispositif adopté est un bloc aléatoire complet avec trois blocs rangés en 4 arbres consécutifs par bloc sur la même ligne. Quatre doses de N ont été testés : (T0 (Témoin) : 0, T1 : 100, T2 : 200, T3 : 300 Kg N/ha). Les paramètres mesurés sont : le calibre des fruits, le poids moyen par fruit, la qualité des fruits (le rendement en jus, l’acidité du jus, l’extrait sec soluble (ESS ou °Brix) et l’indice de maturité (E/A)) et le rendement en fruits. Le rendement en fruits, le poids moyen des fruits, le calibre des fruits, l’extrait sec soluble (TSS), l'acidité du jus et l'indice de maturité de l’orange Navel ont répondu significativement à l’augmentation de la dose d’azote. Le rendement en kg de fruits/arbre a été considérablement amélioré avec l'augmentation de la dose d'azote. Par ailleurs, les rendements les plus élevés (129.21 et 139.82 kg/arbre) ont été enregistrés sous les traitements T2 et T3 respectivement. Par contre, le rendement en fruits/arbre le plus faible a été obtenu chez les arbres non fertilisés (témoin). Le poids des fruits (268.54 et 276.50g) et la taille des fruits (78.94 et 80.87 mm) les plus élevés ont été enregistrés avec les même traitements T2 et T3 respectivement. La teneur totale en sucre soluble (TSS) la plus élevée a été enregistrée chez les arbres des traitements T2 et T3 (12.20 et 11.70 °Brix respectivement). Par ailleurs, une augmentation significative de l'acidité du jus de fruits de l’orange Navel a été également enregistrée en augmentant la dose d’azote. L'acidité la plus élevée a été obtenue par les mêmes traitements T2 et T3 (1,13 et 1.20 % respectivement). L’application de 200 Kg de N /ha a permis d’avoir un rendement maximal et une qualité optimale des fruits des oranges Navel greffés sur le porte-greffe citrange Troyer sur un sol sableux dans la région 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 côte atlantique marocaine

L’algue carraghénophyte Gymnogongrus patens présente une large distribution sur le littoral marocain, sa valorisation et son exploitation ont été précédées par l’étude de sa biologie en milieu naturel. Le site étudié est la plage de Méhdia situé au nord de la côte atlantique marocaine. L’influence des facteurs environnementaux (température, salinité, nitrates et phosphates) sur l’évolution de la croissance a été étudiée par d’analyse en composantes principales (ACP). La croissance de l’espèce présente une variation saisonnière, ainsi deux périodes de croissance ont été déterminées : une période de forte croissance fin printemps et été et une période de faible croissance en automne et en hiver. L’ACP a confirmé cette saisonnalité de la croissance, en précisant que le gain en poids de thalles est principalement lié à l’augmentation de nombre de ramification total. La période active de croissance est caractérisée par l’élévation de la température, de la salinité et de l’intensité lumineuse principalement. L’étude de la capacité reproductive de G. patens a permis de montrer que l’espèce est fertile toute l’année avec une dominance de la génération tétrasporophytiques. Le maximum de fertilité a été obtenu en été.Mots-clés : 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: period’s active growth at the ending of spring and summer and period’s 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