Influence of gravel and adjuvant on the compressive strength and water absorption of concrete.

Concrete is the most commonly used material in civil engineering, given its economic cost and ease of manufacture. Its strength depends on the characteristics of its constituents. A good mix makes it possible to build solid, durable and economical structures. The present work aims to characterize the gravel of the Eastern region (quarry of eastern Morocco) by granulometric analysis and water absorption. Then, the studied gravel is used to produce three types of concrete (B20, B25 and B30), which were assessed in terms of water absorption and compressive strength. The last step is to study the effect of an adjuvant, more specifically a water reducer, on mechanical characteristics of local concrete. B25 concrete was chosen for the last step since it is the most used type in the region. Results show that adding a water reducer adjuvant, in this case 'Chrysoplast', can improve the compressive strength of concrete if the percentage added is accurately determined

Multi-view Brain Network Prediction from a Source View Using Sample Selection via CCA-Based Multi-kernel Connectomic Manifold Learning

Several challenges emerged from the dataclysm of neuroimaging datasets spanning both healthy and disordered brain spectrum. In particular, samples with missing data views (e.g., functional imaging modality) constitute a hurdle to conventional big data learning techniques which ideally would be trained using a maximum number of samples across all views. Existing works on predicting target data views from a source data view mainly used brain images such as predicting PET image from MRI image. However, to the best of our knowledge, predicting a set of target brain networks from a source network remains unexplored. To ll this gap, a multi-kernel manifold learning (MKML) framework is proposed to learn how to predict multi-view brain networks from a source network to impute missing views in a connectomic dataset. Prior to performing multiple kernel learning of multi-view data, it is typically assumed that the source and target data come from the same distribution. However, multi-view connectomic data can be drawn from different distributions. In order to build robust predictors for predicting target multi-view networks from a source network view, it is necessary to take into account the shift between the source and target domains. Hence, we first estimate a mapping function that transforms the source and the target domains into a shared space where their correlation is maximized using canonical correlation analysis (CCA). Next, we nest the projected training and testing source samples into a connectomic manifold using multiple kernel learning, where we identify the most similar training samples to the testing source network. Given a testing subject, we introduce a cross-domain trust score to assess the reliability of each selected training sample for the target prediction task. Our model outperformed both conventional MKML technique and the proposed CCA-based MKMLtechnique without enhancement by trust scores

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Extracts Against Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated From Urinary Tract Infected Patients

Antibiotic resistance has increased substantially in recent years and is posing an ever-increasing therapeutic problem. One of the methods to reduce the resistance to antibiotics is by using antibiotic resistance inhibitors from plants. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial properties of aqueous, petroleum ether and methanolic leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera plant against pathogenic bacteria isolated from urinary tract infected patients and five standard strains of American type culture collection. The antibacterial activity of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts was determined in vitro, using Cup plate method, and compared with sensitivity testing of some antibiotic agents using disc diffusion method. The results obtained showed that all concentration of methanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera had high inhibitory effects on S. aureus ATCC25923, K. pneumoniae ATCC35637 standard strains and the S. aureus, S. saprophyticus and E.coli isolated from UTI. The three concentration of water extract had inhibitory effects only on Proteus vulgaris NCTC8196 strain. The petroleum ether extracts showed no inhibitory activity on any organism. These results were compared with standard antibiotics Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin, and Norfloxacin which showed moderate sensitivity against S. aureus and Amikacin was completely resistant to K. pneumoniae isolated from UTI. These results provide valuable information that Moringa oleifera hold great promise as highly effective antibacterial agents

Uso combinado del LIDAR y medidas hiperspectrales para la teledetección de la fluorescencia y el perfil vertical del dosel

Revista oficial de la Asociación Española de Teledetección[EN] We report the development of a new LIDAR system (LASVEG) for airborne remote sensing of chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) and vertical profile of canopies. By combining laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), sun-induced fluorescence (SIF) and canopy height distribution, the new instrument will allow the simultaneous assessment of gross primary production (GPP), photosynthesis efficiency and above ground carbon stocks. Technical issues of the fluorescence LIDAR development are discussed and expected performances are presented.[ES] Se presenta el desarrollo de un nuevo sistema LIDAR (LASVEG) para la teledetección aerotransportada de la fluorescencia de la clorofila (ChlF) y el perfil vertical del dosel. Mediante la combinación de la fluorescencia inducida por láser (LIF), la fluorescencia inducida por el sol (SIF) y la distribución de la altura del dosel, el nuevo instrumento permitirá la evaluación simultánea de la producción primaria bruta (GPP), la eficiencia de la fotosíntesis y las reservas de carbono por encima del nivel del suelo. Se discuten cuestiones técnicas del desarrollo del LIDAR fluorescencia y se presentan las prestaciones previstasThis instrument is developed in the framework of the CALSIF project with the support of the French national agency ANR and the French space agency CNES.Ounis, A.; Bach, J.; Mahjoub, A.; Daumard, F.; Moya, I.; Goulas, Y. (2016). Combined use of LIDAR and hyperspectral measurements for remote sensing of fluorescence and vertical profile of canopies. Revista de Teledetección. (Special Issue):87-94. doi:10.4995/raet.2015.3982.SWORD8794Special Issu

An operative case of hepatic pseudolymphoma difficult to differentiate from primary hepatic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue

Hepatic pseudolymphoma (HPL) and primary hepatic marginal zone B cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT lymphoma) are rare diseases and the differential diagnosis between these two entities is sometimes difficult. We herein report a 56-year-old Japanese woman who was pointed out to have a space occupying lesion in the left lateral segment of the liver. Hepatitis viral-associated antigen/antibody was negative and liver function tests including lactic dehydrogenase, peripheral blood count, tumor markers and soluble interleukin-2 receptor were all within normal limit. Imaging study using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were not typical for hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, or other metastatic cancer. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography examination integrated with computed tomography scanning showed high standardized uptake value in the solitary lesion in the liver. Under a diagnosis of primary liver neoplasm, laparoscopic-assisted lateral segmentectomy was performed. Liver tumor of maximal 1.0 cm in diameter was consisted of aggregation of lymphocytes of predominantly B-cell, containing multiple lymphocyte follicles positive for CD10 and bcl-2, consistent with a diagnosis of HPL rather than MALT lymphoma, although a definitive differentiation was pending. The background liver showed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/early non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. The patient is currently doing well with no sign of relapse 13 months after the surgery. Since the accurate diagnosis is difficult, laparoscopic approach would provide a reasonable procedure of diagnostic and therapeutic advantage with minimal invasiveness for patients. Considering that the real nature of this entity remains unclear, vigilant follow-up of patient is essential

Contribution of type 2 diabetes associated loci in the Arabic population from Tunisia: a case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Candidate gene and genome-wide association studies have both reproducibly identified several common Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) that confer type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk in European populations. Our aim was to evaluate the contribution to T2D of five of these established T2D-associated loci in the Arabic population from Tunisia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A case-control design comprising 884 type 2 diabetic patients and 513 control subjects living in the East-Center of Tunisia was used to analyze the contribution to T2D of the following SNPs: E23K in <it>KCNJ11/Kir6.2</it>, K121Q in <it>ENPP1</it>, the -30G/A variant in the pancreatic β-cell specific promoter of Glucokinase, rs7903146 in <it>TCF7L2 </it>encoding transcription factor 7-like2, and rs7923837 in <it>HHEX </it>encoding the homeobox, hematopoietically expressed transcription factor.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>TCF7L2</it>-rs7903146 T allele increased susceptibility to T2D (OR = 1.25 [1.06–1.47], <it>P </it>= 0.006) in our study population. This risk was 56% higher among subjects carrying the TT genotype in comparison to those carrying the CC genotype (OR = 1.56 [1.13–2.16], <it>P </it>= 0.002). No allelic or genotypic association with T2D was detected for the other studied polymorphisms.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In the Tunisian population, <it>TCF7L2</it>-rs7903146 T allele confers an increased risk of developing T2D as previously reported in the European population and many other ethnic groups. In contrast, none of the other tested SNPs that influence T2D risk in the European population was associated with T2D in the Tunisian Arabic population. An insufficient power to detect minor allelic contributions or genetic heterogeneity of T2D between different ethnic groups can explain these findings.</p

Etiological factors in primary hepatic B-cell lymphoma

Sixty-four cases of malignant lymphoma involving the liver were examined. Of these, 20 cases were histologically confirmed to be primary hepatic B-cell lymphoma. Twelve of these 20 cases were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and eight cases were mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Of the 12 cases of DLBCL, six were immunohistologically positive for CD10 and/or Bcl6 (indicating a germinal center phenotype), six were positive for Bcl2, and five were positive for CD25. Eight of the 12 DLBCL cases (66.7%) and two of the eight MALT lymphoma cases (25%) had serum anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and HCV RNA. The incidence of HCV infection was significantly higher in the hepatic DLBCL cases than in systemic intravascular large B-cell cases with liver involvement (one of 11 cases, 9.1%) and T/NK-cell lymphoma cases (one of 19 cases, 5.3%) (p < 0.01 for both). Two hepatic DLBCL cases (16.7%) had rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate, and four MALT lymphoma cases (50%) had Sjögren’s syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis, or autoimmune hepatitis; one case in each of these two groups was complicated by chronic HCV-seropositive hepatitis. Although primary hepatic lymphoma is rare, persistent inflammatory processes associated with HCV infection or autoimmune disease may play independent roles in the lymphomagenesis of hepatic B cells

The minimal kinome of Giardia lamblia illuminates early kinase evolution and unique parasite biology

Background: The major human intestinal pathogen Giardia lamblia is a very early branching eukaryote with a minimal genome of broad evolutionary and biological interest. Results: To explore early kinase evolution and regulation of Giardia biology, we cataloged the kinomes of three sequenced strains. Comparison with published kinomes and those of the excavates Trichomonas vaginalis and Leishmania major shows that Giardia's 80 core kinases constitute the smallest known core kinome of any eukaryote that can be grown in pure culture, reflecting both its early origin and secondary gene loss. Kinase losses in DNA repair, mitochondrial function, transcription, splicing, and stress response reflect this reduced genome, while the presence of other kinases helps define the kinome of the last common eukaryotic ancestor. Immunofluorescence analysis shows abundant phospho-staining in trophozoites, with phosphotyrosine abundant in the nuclei and phosphothreonine and phosphoserine in distinct cytoskeletal organelles. The Nek kinase family has been massively expanded, accounting for 198 of the 278 protein kinases in Giardia. Most Neks are catalytically inactive, have very divergent sequences and undergo extensive duplication and loss between strains. Many Neks are highly induced during development. We localized four catalytically active Neks to distinct parts of the cytoskeleton and one inactive Nek to the cytoplasm. Conclusions: The reduced kinome of Giardia sheds new light on early kinase evolution, and its highly divergent sequences add to the definition of individual kinase families as well as offering specific drug targets. Giardia's massive Nek expansion may reflect its distinctive lifestyle, biphasic life cycle and complex cytoskeleton