Mapeo de redes de fracturas mediante imágenes Landsat-8 OLI en la zona minera de Jbel Tijekht en el Anti-Atlas oriental de Marruecos

Jbel Tijekht is one of the most important geological structures of the Ougnat-Ouzina ridge in the Eastern Anti-Atlas. This crescent-shaped massif was affected by a network fractures that is visible at different scales. It is particularly rich in numerous mineralized veins of barite, and is associated with other minerals (e.g. pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena). In order to study fracture systems in the mining zone of Jbel Tijekht, we opted for a combination of remote sensing and field investigation that became an important tool for fracture mapping and mineral exploration. This work presents a methodological approach to detect structural lineaments. For this purpose, various techniques were applied to the Landsat 8 image to improve the visibility of linear structures. After the radiometric and atmospheric corrections, the colors composites and directional filters applied to the Principal component (PC1) allow for the establishment of a lineaments map of Jbel Tijekht. The validation and the correction of lineaments are based on preexisting documents combined with field observations. Statistical analysis of the lineament map allows for identification of at least three directional fracture systems with average NS, NE-SW, and ENE-WSW orientations. NS and NE-SW systems show a high density in the largest part of the study area. These results clearly overlap different tectonic structures and existing veins. It allowed for the establishment of a geological link between lithology, fractures systems and mineralization. The fracture density can be attributed to the last variscan brittle phases, reflecting the rheology of rock units; the high fracture density is observed in competent rocks such as the Tabanit sandstones. These zones constitute a favorable area for mineralization deposits.El Jbel Tijekht es una de las estructuras geológicas más importantes de la cordillera de Ougnat-Ouzina en el Anti-Atlas Oriental. Este macizo en forma de media luna fue afectado por una red de fracturas que es visible a diferentes escalas. Es particularmente rico en vetas mineralizadas de barita y está asociado con otros minerales (por ejemplo, pirita, calcopirita, esfalerita y galena). Para estudiar los sistemas de fracturas en la zona minera de Jbel Tijekht, optamos por una combinación de teledetección e investigación de campo que se convirtió en una importante herramienta para la cartografía de las fracturas y la exploración de minerales. Este trabajo presenta un enfoque metodológico para detectar los lineamientos estructurales. Para ello, se aplicaron diversas técnicas a la imagen del Landsat 8 para mejorar la visibilidad de las estructuras lineales. Tras correcciones radiométricas y atmosféricas, los colores compuestos y los filtros direccionales aplicados al componente principal (PC1) se pudo establecer un mapa de lineamientos para Jbel Tijekht. La validación y corrección de estos lineamientos se basan en documentos preexistentes combinados con observaciones de campo. El análisis estadístico del mapa de lineamientos permite la identificación de al menos tres sistemas de fractura direccional con orientaciones promedio NS, NE-SW y ENE-WSW. Los sistemas NS y NE-SW muestran una alta densidad en la mayor parte del área de estudio. Estos resultados claramente se superponen a diferentes estructuras tectónicas y a las vetas existentes. Esto permitió establecer un vínculo geológico entre la litología, los sistemas de fracturas y la mineralización. La densidad de fracturas puede atribuirse a las últimas fases de fragilidad del orógeno varisco, lo que refleja la reología de las unidades de roca; la alta densidad de fractura se observa en las rocas competentes como las areniscas de Tabanit. Estas zonas constituyen un área favorable para los depósitos de mineralización

Socio-demographic characteristics and safety practices in pesticide applicators in Zangiabad area, Iran

Iran is the largest producer of pistachios in the world and farmers apply chemicals in pistachio orchards to pest control. A high risk of occupational human exposure to pesticides may occur in applicators if they do not practice adequate protective measures. The present study was designed to determine socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of safety practices and use of protective measures for applicators to avoid pesticide contamination. Structured face-to-face interviews were conducted and a questionnaire was administered to obtain information on characteristics such as environmental exposure, personal characteristics, lifestyle factors and agricultural work practices. There was a significant difference in educational level between cases and controls (α < 0.05) and cases had a generally lower educational level than controls. Among the pesticides that were used for pistachio pest control, amitraz was dominant. The most common form of packaging used to pesticides, especially amitraz, in the study area was COEX, Aluminum, and PET. In order to dispose of empty containers, most of the farmers sell empty containers for recycling, but it is not clear who buys them and how they are recycled. Health effects of pesticides underscore the importance of alternative methods for pest management to reduce pesticide exposure

A thirteen week ad libitum administration toxicity study of tartrazine in Swiss mice

Tartrazine is a colorant widely used in food products, drugs and cosmetics. The current study evaluates the effect of sub-chronic ingestion of tartrazine in drinking water at doses of 0, 0.1, 0.45, 1 and 2.5% for 13 weeks in mice. Our results show that female body weight gain and food consumption decreased in all treated groups, while fluid consumption increased. The red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit were increased in male 2.5% treated groups and the white blood cell count decreased in all treated groups. In both sexes of the 2.5% doses groups, total proteins, albumin, creatinine, urea, uric acid, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and transaminases were higher. Histological examinations showed brain, liver and kidney damages in animals treated with 1 and 2.5% doses. We concluded that at doses of 1 and 2.5% in drinking water, tartrazine induces weight depression and adverse effects on brain, liver and kidney.Keywords: Tartrazine, subchronic toxicity, hematology, biochemical parameters, histology.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(28), pp. 4519-452

COCONUT MILK MODULATE THE ANTIGENICITY OF ALPHA-LACTALBUMIN IN BALB/C MICE

Objective: The aim of this work was to study the biochemical characteristics of coconut milk and its antigenic effect on the Balb/c mice immunized with α-lactalbumin protein, as well as its consequences on the structure of the intestinal epithelium.Methods: To achieve the objective of the study, an electrophoresis was realised on a polyacrylamide gel to determine various proteins contained in coconut milk. In addition, Lowry's method was used to determine the amount of proteins in the formula. The antigenicity of coconut milk in sera was also studied using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. For the histological study, 21 w-old mice Balb/c were used and distributed in three groups of 7 mice each. Group 1, received a standard feed with no treatment (Negative control), group 2 and 3 received respectively a standard feed (Positive control) and coconut milk for a period of 28 d after being immunized with α- lactalbumin.Results: Analysis of the data revealed that the rate of proteins of cow's milk is higher than that of the coconut milk ( p0.01). However, after carrying out the electrophoresis analysis, the coconut milk showed the absence of intact proteins. The anti α-Lactalbumin IgG titers significantly increased in positive control groups that received coconut milk (p&lt;0.0001). Moreover, there was an increase of the intestinal villi height of mice fed with coconut milk, in the structure level of their intestinal epithelium compared to the negative control group.Conclusion: The findings of the study provide the evidence that coconut milk is a possible alternative to the cow's milk formula in case of allergy

ANTIGENICITY OF HYDROLYZED RICE FORMULA IN ANIMAL MODEL (BALB/C MICE)

Objective: The hydrolyzed formulas of bovine proteins used in the cow's milk allergy treatment contain peptides which can preserve their allergenicity. These last years, a new preparation with hydrolyzed rice proteins was marketed and could establish a useful alternative in the cases of cow's milk allergy. The objective of our work is to study the biochemical characteristics of an infantile formula based on hydrolyzed rice and its antigenic effect on the Balb/c mice immunized with α-La protein. Methods: In our work, we have realized an electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel to determine various proteins which compose this infantile formula. Lowry's method is used to determine the amount of proteins in the formula. Our work has also allowed us to study the antigenicity of the hydrolyzed rice formula using ELISA method by the use of Balb/c mice serum. Results: Our results have shown that The electrophoresis analysis of the hydrolyzed rice formula has shown the absence of protein bands and consequently the lack of intact proteins in the formula. The protein content of the hydrolyzed rice formula is close to the breast milk protein concentration which is adapted to the needs of the infant. The hydrolyzed rice formula reacts very weakly with the anti α±-La IgG. Conclusion: The commercial hydrolyzed rice formula can be adapted to cover the needs of the infant. This infantile formula was treated by technological methods to reduce the antigenic potential to prevent Allergy

EFFECT OF HYDROLYZED RICE FORMULA ON INTESTINAL STRUCTURE OF BALB/C MICE IMMUNIZED WITH COW'S MILK PROTEINS

Objective: In the last few years a new preparation with hydrolyzed rice proteins was introduced and marketed as auseful alternative in the cases of cow's milk allergy.The objective of our work is to study the consequences of hydrolyzed rice formula on the structure ofthe intestinal epithelium.Methods: For the histological study, we have used 4 weeks old 60 female mice Balb/c, weighting (19.50 ± 0.25) gand distributed as follow:Group 1A: 10 mice receiving hydrolyzed rice formulafor a period of 28 days after being immunized withnative ß-Lg.Group 1B: 10 mice continue receiving a standard feed for a period of 28 days after being immunized with native ß-Lg (Positive control).Group 2C: 10 mice receiving hydrolyzed rice formulafor a period of 28 days after being immunized withα-La protein.Group 2D: 10 mice continue receiving a standard feed for a period of 28 days after being immunized with α-La protein (Positive control).Group 3: 20 mice receiving just a standard feed with no treatment (Negative control).Results: The weight growth of all the experimental groups increases gradually with time, but the consumption ofthe hydrolyzed rice proteinscauses a decrease of the degree of evolution of thephysical weight to mice fed with this infantile formula compared with control groups. It alsocauses an increase of the intestinal villi height at the structure level of the intestinal mucous membrane of mice fed with hydrolyzed rice proteinscompared to the positive control groups. The lymphocytic infiltration of mice fed with hydrolyzed riceproteins is similar to the one in negativecontrol group.Conclusion: The preliminary results show that the hydrolyzed rice formula is a possible alternative to the cow’s milk formula in case of allergy. Further studies are needed to prove its nutritionalefficacy

Assessment of inhalation exposure to Amitraz among pesticide sprayers in Zangiabad, Iran

Orchard operations involve heavy use of pesticides to control pests and the potential for exposure of sprayers is high. When high pressure equipments for pesticide application are used, the potential for respiratory exposure is increased. The aim of this study was to assess the amitraz residue level in the individual breathing zone of the sprayers. Individual air samples of 70 amitraz sprayers have been collected using modified fitted with impinger acetonitrile as liquid sorbent. A sample size of 480 liters of air was collected in each case. The mean concentration of amitraz and its metabolite in the breathing area during the application were 11.51 and 1.35 ug/m3, respectively

EFFECTS OF ORALLY ADMINISTERED ENTEROCOCCUS FAECIUM ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEMIC RESPONSE AND INTESTINAL EPITHELIAL STRUCTURE IN BALB/C MICE IMMUNIZED BY BOVINE Î’-LACTOGLOBULIN

Objective: Determine the effect of Enterococcus faecium on systemic immune response and its effect on the intestinal epithelial structure in the Balb/c mice. Methods: Thirty Balb/c mice were dispatched in three lots of 10 mice each. During an initial period of 18 days, the animals from the first lot received via an oral way suspension of 0,3 mL containing 108 ufc/mL of Enterococcus faecium,for the second and the third lot received 0,3 mL of a saline solution. In a second period of time, mice from the first and second lots were immunised via parenteral way using β-Lg. Then they were sacrified on the 50th day after the end of the first period (18 days). The level of IgG anti-β-Lg was determined in the sera by the ELISA, and histologic studies were conducted on the jejunum fragments. Results: Our results show that anti β-Lactoglobulin IgG titers were significantly reduced in immunized mice that received the Enterococcus faecium (1/280th) (***p&lt;0,001). The histological studies of the intestinal epithelium shows long intestinal villi (53,88 ± 1,38µm) with diminished intra-epithelial lymphocytes. Conclusion: The study shows that Enterococcus faecium PC4.1 may help protect the intestinal epithelium integrity by maintaining the structure of the villi and has the ability to decrease the systemic immune response to β-lactoglobulin

Magnetic Skyrmions: Theory and Applications

Magnetic skyrmions have been subject of growing interest in recent years for their very promising applications in spintronics, quantum computation and future low power information technology devices. In this book chapter, we use the field theory method and coherent spin state ideas to investigate the properties of magnetic solitons in spacetime while focussing on 2D and 3D skyrmions. We also study the case of a rigid skyrmion dissolved in a magnetic background induced by the spin-tronics; and derive the effective rigid skyrmion equation of motion. We examine as well the interaction between electrons and skyrmions; and comment on the modified Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. Other issues, including emergent electrodynamics and hot applications for next-generation high-density efficient information encoding, are also discussed