Producing fish sauce from Caspian kilka

Fish sauce is a fermented product which is used in south Asian countries. In the present study, Caspian Kilka was used to produce the sauce, using either cooked or raw fish subjected to four different treatments: 1) traditional method, where fish and salt were used; 2) an enzymatic method, where fish, salt and proteolytic enzymes, including Protamex and Flavourzyme (Novo Nordisc Co., Bagsvaerd, Denmark), were used; 3) a microbial method, where fish, salt, and Bacillus and Pediococcus species were used; and 4) a combination of the enzyme and microbial methods. Fermentation of the ingredients was carried out in 400cc bottles for a period of 6 months with microbiological and chemical tests at intervals of one week and then one month. The results of molds, yeast, and aflatoxin detection tests were negative. The total bacterial count ranged between log 2.1 and 6.18. Chemical tests included TVN and pH. pH of the final products ranged from 6.5 to 7.0. The speed of fermentation as determined by examining the bottles every two or three days was as follows: Traditional< Microbial<Enzymatic = Enzymatic+Microbial Method. However different treatments could be used to speed up the fermentation, but the traditional method is considered to be better as the quality is concerned

Investigation on microstructure and oxidation behavior of Cr-modified aluminide coating on γ-TiAl alloys

Microstructure and oxidation behavior of aluminide coating has been investigated. The layers were examined by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with EDS and X-ray diffraction method. The isothermal oxidation behaviors of samples were investigated at 950°C for 200 h. The results indicated that TiAl₃ were formed on substrate. In addition, aluminide coating improved the oxidation resistance of γ-TiAl alloys by forming a protective alumina scale. Moreover, during oxidation treatment the interdiffusion of TiAl₃ layer with γ-TiAl substrate results in depletion of aluminum in the TiAl₃ layer and growth of TiAl₂ layer. After oxidation treatment the coating layer maintained a microstructure with phases including TiAl₃, TiAl₂ and Al₂O₃.Досліджено мікроструктуру алюмінідного покриву та його поведінку під час високотемпературного окислення. Шари алюмінідів титану вивчали за допомогою оптичної мікроскопії, сканівної електронної мікроскопії (SЕМ) з використанням дисперсного рентгеноспектрометра (EDS) та рентгенівським дифракційним методом. Випробовування проводили при 950°C впродовж 200 h. Встановлено, що на підкладці з титанового сплаву утворився TiAl₃. Покрив з алюмініду титану покращує стійкість до окислення сплавів з γ-TiAl, утворюючи захисну плівку з оксиду алюмінію. Під час окислення дифузійна взаємодія TiAl₃ з підкладкою γ-TiAl спричиняє зменшення кількості алюмінію у шарі TiAl₃ та збільшення шару TiAl₂. Після окислення в покриві утворюється мікроструктура з фазами, що містять TiAl₃, TiAl₂ та Al₂O₃.Исследовано микроструктуру алюминидного покрытия и его поведение при высокотемпературном окислении. Слои алюминида титана изучали с помощью оптической микроскопии, сканирующей электронной микроскопии (SЕМ) с использованием дисперсного рентгеноспектрометра (EDS) и рентгеновским дифракционным методом. Испытания проводили при 950°C в течение 200 h. Установлено, что на подкладке из титанового сплава образовался TiAl₃. Покрытие из алюминида титана улучшает стойкость к окислению сплавов из γ-TiAl, образовывая защитную пленку из окисла алюминия. Во время окисления диффузионное взаимодействие TiAl₃ с подкладкой γ-TiAl влечет уменьшение количества алюминия в слое TiAl₃ и увеличение слоя TiAl₂. После окисления в покрытии образуется микроструктура с фазами, которые содержат TiAl₃, TiAl₂ и Al₂O₃

Application de certains indices diatomiques à un cours d'eau marocain : Oued Hassar

Les eaux de l'Oued Hassar (Maroc) sont caractérisées par une forte minéralisation. La conductivité, variant entre 3470 et 7210 µS.cm-1, est due essentiellement aux fortes teneurs en chlorures. L'examen de l'Indice de Pollution Organique (IPO) montre que l'effluent d'eaux usées provenant de la ville de Mediouna constitue la principale source de pollution des eaux de l'Oued Hassar.Concernant l'étude des diatomées épilithiques, 61 espèces et variétés de diatomées ont été inventoriées. Ces taxons sont liés particulièrement à la salinité (Pleurosira laevis, Fragilaria pulchella,…) et à la charge organique (Nitzschia palea, Gomphonema parvulum,…).Quatre indices diatomiques ont été testés pour l'évaluation de la qualité des eaux de l'Oued Hassar : l'Indice Diatomique Pratique (IDP), l'Indice Diatomique Générique (IDG), l'Indice de Sládecek (SLA) et l'Indice Diatomique Trophique (IDT). La variation spatio-temporelle de ces indices reflète bien la dégradation de la qualité de ce cours d'eau, particulièrement en aval du rejet de la ville de Mediouna (IDP=3,86 ± 1,84 ; IDG=6,05 ± 1,95 ; SLA=4,35 ± 1,93 ; IDT=5,80 ± 1,31). Parmi ces indices testés, seul l'IDP présente une corrélation significative (0,63 ; α<5%) avec l'IPO (indice de référence) tandis que l'IDG, le SLA et l'IDT montrent des corrélations non significatives avec cet indice (0,38 ; 0,27 et -0,11 respectivement).The water quality in Moroccan rivers and streams becomes more and more injured because of the important amount of pollutants discharged in these aquatic ecosystems without any treatment in the most cases. A physical, chemical and microbiological analyses are regularly done by public institutions (office national des eaux potables, direction de l'hydrolique). However, these analyses become insufficient facing the big diversity of chemicals and the intermittence of pollution sources at the time. So, methods using a biotic indicators as a complement of the chemical analyses become a requirement in the water quality assessment. In the present study, besides the physical and chemical analyses, we have tested the use of benthic diatoms as indicators of the oued Hassar water quality and diatom indices as a tool for the evaluation of this quality.Oued Hassar is a canalized stream situated on the valley of oued Mellah river. It drains a part of the Berrechid groundwater as sources. Its main source (station SC) is situated to 3 km in the Northeast of Mediouna (155 m). Along this water course, in sections of various degrees of water pollution, six sites (SC, SB, HP, OM, SH and CA) were sampled on four different dates (august 1997 and january, june and august 1998). The station OM belongs to oued Mouileh stream which is a unique tributary of oued Hassar. The main source of pollution; the wastewater effluent of Médiouna agglomeration entered the stream between The oued Hassar source and the station SB (Sidi Brahim). This region has a Mediterranean semi-aride bioclimate. The influence of the ocean results in a summer temperatures generally varying between 25 and 30°C and winter temperatures varying between 12 and 19°C.The physical and chemical analysis data of the oued Hassar waters show particularly elevated values of water conductivity essentially due to the high contents in chlorides. These values were understood between a minimal value recorded at station SH in August 1998 (3470 mS.cm-1) and a maximal value signalled at station OM in January of the same year (7210 mS.cm-1). Concentrations in sulphates vary according to stations. The most elevated values were recorded in january 1998 at stations SC and OM (231 and 218 mg.l-1 respectively). The hardness values are very important especially at the source of oued Hassar (SC) where the concentration reaches 25,2 meq.l-1. This excessive mineralization of waters, particularly at stations SC and OM, is essentially due to the Permo-triasique saliferous sedimentary layers which crop out in the area.The oued Hassar stream receives, to 100 ms downstream the station SC, the wastewater effluent of Médiouna agglomeration, highly loaded with organic matters, ammonia, orthophosphates and suspended matters. The impact of this effluent results on the elevated values of these parameters downstream the wastewater input (SB). On January 1998 (rainy period), the important contents in orthophosphates and sulphates recorded at all stations were essentially due to the high amounts of superphosphates and ammonia sulphates used as amendment of the cultivated lands situated a long the sides of oued Hassar stream.Outside of this period, contents in orthophosphates and ammonia at stations SC and OM are very low. However, the elevated content in nitrates at the oued Hassar's source (maximal value: 93,3 mg.l-1) gives an idea on the deterioration of the groundwater quality.To put in evidence the evolution of the global organic pollution of waters, the "Indice de Pollution Organique" (IPO) have been calculated. The exam of this index shows that the wastewater effluent constitutes the main source of pollution. Indeed, water quality goes from a mean pollution state (3,88 ± 0,14) at the oued Hassar's source to a very strong pollution state (1,96 ± 0,31) at the station SB. Downstream the swampy zone, at the station HP, the water quality of oued Hassar improves remarkably (3,50 ± 0,74) due to the auto-purification phenomenon and the dilution of these waters by those coming from the secondary sources situated between stations SB and HP. At the stations SH and CA, the IPO mean values (3,50 ± 0,79 and 3,75 ± 0,41 respectively) show that the water quality remains rather identical as at the station HP.Concerning the survey of epilithic diatoms, 61 species and varieties of diatoms have been inventoried. These taxa are bound especially to the salinity (Amphora coffeaeformis, Fragilaria fasciculata, Fragilaria pulchella, Pleurosira laevis,…) and to the organic load (Gomphonema parvulum, Navicula subminuscula, Nitzschia palea,…). In the most collected samples, particularly at the stations SB, SH and CA, diatom communities are essentially dominated by N. palea and the complex N. inconspicua / N. frustulum. At the station SB, the relative abundance of N. palea reaches 71% in august 1997 and august 1998, and goes beyond 45% in January and june 1998. giving evidence of the important organic pollution. this species is substituted, at stations SH and CA, essentially by Navicula subminuscula, N. veneta and Nitzschia inconspicua / N. frustulum complex. Diatom communities at the stations SC, HP and OM don't show an exclusive dominance of one or two species, but several species dominate and form a more varied communities.Four diatom indices have been tested to assess the water quality in Oued Hassar (Morocco) : the "Indice Diatomique Pratique" (IDP), the "Indice Diatomique Générique" (IDG), the Sládecek Index (SLA) and the Trophic Diatom Index (TDI). These indices are different by the assigned indicative values and pollution sensitivity coefficients relative to every species and by the taxonomic list integrated in the calculation of every index. The spatio-temporal variation of these indices reflects clearly the deterioration of water quality downstream the wastewater input of Mediouna agglomeration (IDP=3,86 ± 2,30; IDG=6,05 ± 2,31; SLA=4,35 ± 2,62; IDT=5,80 ± 1,85) and its recovery after the swampy zone at the station HP (IDP=9,37 ± 2,35; IDG=11,83 ± 1,77 ; SLA=7,19 ± 3,05 ; IDT=6,76 ± 2,48). Among these indices, only the IDP presents a significant correlation (0,63 ; α<5%) with the IPO (reference index). While the IDG, the SLA and the TDI don't show a significant correlation with this index (0,38 ; 0,27 and -0,11 respectively). The IDT shows nearly the same water quality in the different stations and rather inform on the high level of eutrophication in these water courses.The physical and chemical analyses, the composition of diatom communities as well as the relative results of diatom indices, show that the oued Hassar stream is submitted to an important pollution, particularly downstream the wastewater input. Among the tested indices, the IDP appears more adapted to the assessment of water quality in oued Hassar. However, more work is required in order to finalize a new diatom index which is more adapted to characteristics of the Moroccan water courses

Premier rapport sur la prolifération de marées jaunes ichthyotoxiques à Prymnesium parvum Carter (Haptophyceae) dans le lac hypereutrophe Oued Mellah (Maroc)

Les algues Prymnesiophyceae ou Haptophyceae (Chrysophyta) renferment des espèces capables de pullulations spectaculaires nommées " marées jaunes ". Parmi les Haptophycées, les plus communes sont : Prymnesium parvum, Prymnesium patelliferum et Chrysochromulina polylepis. Ces microalgues ont été souvent incriminées dans des cas de mortalité aiguë de poissons et d'invertébrés aquatiques. P. parvum est connue depuis cent ans comme responsable de blooms toxiques ayant entraîné des mortalités catastrophiques de poissons dans diverses régions du monde.Au Maroc, ces blooms à Prymnesiophyceae n'ont, jusqu'à présent, jamais été signalés. Nos recherches sur les successions phytoplanctoniques du lac hypereutrophe et saumâtre de Oued Mellah (33°30'N-07°20'W), ont mis en évidence la prolifération périodique en automne de l'Haptophycée P. parvum occasionnant des blooms spectaculaires. Les densités cellulaires de P. parvum, espèce dominante, atteignent des maxima de 148·106 cellules·L-1 en 1998 et 169·106 cellules·L-1 en 1999, représentant 34 à 80 % de la biomasse totale. Ces " marées jaunes " coïncident régulièrement avec des mortalités catastrophiques de poissons et d'invertébrés aquatiques dans le lac laissant présager une toxicité aiguë de cette souche de microalgue.Dans ce travail sont présentés les premiers résultats concernant la dynamique interannuelle des blooms à P. parvum et l'influence des conditions physicochimiques particulières des eaux du lac sur leur développement est discutée.The Prymnesiophyceae or Haptophyceae (Chrysophyta) contain species-forming spectacular blooms named yellow tides. Among Haptophyceae, Prymnesium parvum, Prymnesium patelliferum and Chrysochromulina polylepis are the most common. These microalgae were often involved in acute fish and aquatic invertebrates mortality cases. P. parvum, known since hundred years as being responsible for toxic blooms, has induced catastrophic fish mortality in various areas throughout the world.In Morocco, blooms of Prymnesiophyceae have never been reported up till now. Studies on phytoplankton successions in the hypertrophic brackish Oued Mellah lake (33°30'N-07°20'W) show a periodic autumnal proliferation of P. parvum. This species, which cellular densities reach a maxima of 148·106 cells·L-1 in 1998 and 169·106 cells·L-1 in 1999, dominates the other phytoplanctonic species with 34 to 80% of the total biomass. The yellow tides coincide regularly with dramatic fish and aquatic invertebrates mortality in the lake leading to the prediction of an acute toxicity due to this microalgae.The principal aim of this study was to present the first results concerning the interannual dynamics of P. parvum blooms and to discuss the influence of the particular physical and chemical water characteristics on their development

Stacked Capsule Autoencoders

Objects are composed of a set of geometrically organized parts. We introduce an unsupervised capsule autoencoder (SCAE), which explicitly uses geometric relationships between parts to reason about objects. Since these relationships do not depend on the viewpoint, our model is robust to viewpoint changes. SCAE consists of two stages. In the first stage, the model predicts presences and poses of part templates directly from the image and tries to reconstruct the image by appropriately arranging the templates. In the second stage, SCAE predicts parameters of a few object capsules, which are then used to reconstruct part poses. Inference in this model is amortized and performed by off-the-shelf neural encoders, unlike in previous capsule networks. We find that object capsule presences are highly informative of the object class, which leads to state-of-the-art results for unsupervised classification on SVHN (55%) and MNIST (98.7%). The code is available at https://github.com/google-research/google-research/tree/master/stacked_capsule_autoencodersComment: NeurIPS 2019; 14 pages, 7 figures, 4 tables, code is available at https://github.com/google-research/google-research/tree/master/stacked_capsule_autoencoder

Visual Performance in Patients with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Undergoing Treatment with Intravitreal Ranibizumab

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Purpose. To assess visual function and its response to serial intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis, Genentech) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nv-AMD). Methods. Forty-seven eyes of 47 patients with nv-AMD, and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) logMAR 0.7 or better, undergoing intravitreal injections of ranibizumab, were enrolled into this prospective study. Visual function was assessed using a range of psychophysical tests, while mean foveal thickness (MFT) was determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Results. Group mean (±sd) MFT reduced significantly from baseline (233 (±59)) to exit (205 (±40)) ( ). CDVA exhibited no change between baseline and exit visits ( and , resp.). Measures of visual function that did exhibit statistically significant improvements ( for all) included reading acuity, reading speed, mesopic and photopic contrast sensitivity (CS), mesopic and photopic glare disability (GD), and retinotopic ocular sensitivity (ROS) at all eccentricities. Conclusion. Eyes with nv-AMD undergoing intravitreal ranibizumab injections exhibit improvements in many parameters of visual function. Outcome measures other than CDVA, such as CS, GD, and ROS, should not only be considered in the design of studies investigating nv-AMD, but also in treatment and retreatment strategies for patients with the condition

ANTINOCICEPTIVE PROPERTIES OF HYDRO ALCOHOLIC EXTRACTS OF ANETHUM GRAVEOLENS L. (DILL) SEED AND AERIAL PARTS IN MICE

Chronic pain and its treatment have always posed a significant challenge for medical practitioners and many attempts have been made to reduce and eliminate it, both in past and recent history. Research to discover new effective drugs with excellent safety profiles is ongoing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the plant Anethum graveolens (dill) for use as an analgesic drug. Forty-two mice were divided randomly into seven groups (n=6). In the formalin test, the first group received normal saline; the second group, extract of plant seed (300 mg/kg); the third group, extract of plant crops (300 mg/kg) and the forth group received morphine (1 mg/kg). For the hot plate test, the first group received normal saline; the second group, extract of plant seed (300 mg/kg) and the third group received extract of plant crops (300 mg/kg). All injections consisted of 0.5 ml given intraperitoneally. In the early phase of formalin test, the animals treated with seed and crop extracts did not show analgesic effects compared to control group (P=0.386, P=0.284 respectively). In contrast, in the late phase of formalin test, seed and crop extracts significantly decreased indications of pain compared to the saline group with seed extracts showing stronger analgesic effects (P=0.004, P=0.023 respectively). In the hot plate test, crop and seed extracts showed hyperalgesic properties. This effect was stronger in animals treated with crop extracts as compared to seed extracts. These findings indicate that Anethum graveolens can reduce inflammatory pain, probably by inhibiting inflammatory mediators. In contrast, this plant has no analgesic effects on spinal nociception and conversely may exacerbate it. This study provides a basis for the use of Anethum graveolens extracts in popular folk medicine, but further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of its analgesic actions

Changes of Leptin concentration in plasma in patients with spinal cord injury: A Meta-analysis

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate changes of leptin concentration in plasma in patients with spinal cord injury to come to a single concept by using a Meta-analysis.Setting:Systematic Review.Methods:Searching relevant articles was performed in Ovid data base, Medline (PubMed) EMBASE, Google Scholar, Cochrane and Scopus up to February 2013. Five articles were selected using two independent reviewers. Analysis were performed using SPSS version 18 and Comparative Meta-analysis software version 2.0.Results:The combined analysis with confidence interval of 95 using comprehensive meta-analysis showed significant higher leptin levels in patients with spinal cord injury in comparison with able bodies (P<0.0001). The effect of spinal lesion level on plasma leptin concentration was also statistically significant (P<0.0001). Body mass index was positively related to plasma leptin concentration in both groups (P<0.0001).Conclusion:This Meta analysis approves increased level of leptin in spinal cord injured patients which can be due to fat distribution changes and sympathetic dysfunction in these patients. Our results also showed that patients with higher spinal lesion level have higher plasma leptin concentration. © 2013 International Spinal Cord Society All rights reserved