Diversity of Ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Two Forest Sites from Kabylia of Djurdjura, Northern Algeria

The current study deals with the diversity of ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in Kabylia of Djurdjura. It has been carried out in two forest sites from the localities of Azeffoun and Assi-Youcef, Tizi Ouzou (northern Algeria). Two sampling methods were adopted: manual capture and pitfall traps. Various community metrics were used as key elements to assess ant biodiversity within the two study sites. They included the species richness, the relative abundance, the constancy, and the Shannon-Weaver and equitability indices. Our inventory allowed identifying 24 species belonging to 12 genera and three subfamilies, which are the Myrmicinae (58%), the Formicinae (34%), and the Dolichoderinae (08%). The highest species richness was registered for the two first subfamilies, while the subfamily Dolichoderinae dominated numerically. The Site of Azeffoun, which is more submitted to human activities, recorded higher values in the number of individuals, the species richness, and the Shannon-Weaver diversity index. However, the difference between the two sites consisted mainly of the rare species, such as Crematogaster laestrygon, Goniomma sp. and Palagiolepis sp., which were present in the Azeffoun site. The local site conditions certainly have played a key role in ant species occurrence within the two study areas. Azeffoun is more disturbed than Assi-Youcef, resulting in the recruitment of much more rare and accidental species in the first site. In contrast, the rate of accessory to omnipresent species is substantially higher in Assi-Youcef, which recorded a high species evenness. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the ant genus Formica in Kabylia of Djurdjura

Optimisation des Performances de Rayonnement d'une Nouvelle Structure d'Antenne Patch de Forme Carrée pour un Lecteur RFID

L’objectif principal de ce travail est d’optimiser les performances de rayonnement d’une nouvelle structure d'antenne patch de forme carrée. Cette antenne est excitée par une ligne microruban ayant un port d’alimentation adapté

Cytogenetic effects of Tribulus terrestris L. on meristematic cells of Allium cepa L. and Vicia faba L.

Tribulus terrestris is a plant of the Zygophyllaceae family frequently used worldwide to treat various diseases due to the therapeutic effects of its pharmacological components. This study examines the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of T. terrestris using two plant models, Allium cepa and Vicia faba. Extracts of 0.00625, 0.0125, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1mg/mL were tested on meristematic cells of A. cepa and V. faba roots. This assessment includes the study of root growth, structure and coloration, as well as the determination of the mitotic index (MI) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) as accurate indicators of toxicity. Our results showed a significant decrease in the mean length of roots treated with 0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/ml for A. cepa and 0.1 mg/ml for V. faba. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity results showed a significant decrease in MI from 0.025 mg/ml in A. cepa and from 0.05 mg/ml in V. faba, and this decrease in MI is linked to the increase in concentration and treatment time with T. terrestris. Furthermore, a significant increase in CAs was observed in A. cepa and V. faba from the 0.025 mg/ml concentration. The significant reduction in MI and CAs abundance suggests the genotoxicity of T. terrestris. Therefore, T. terrestris is a medicinal plant that should be used with caution, appropriately and based on essential therapeutic needs

Metodología para un inventario y evaluación de sitios geológicos en Marruecos: propuesta para su aplicación a otras regiones africanas

Officially, there is no exhaustive inventory of Sites of Geological Interest (SGI) in Morocco. Nonetheless, the Geological Service of Morocco started identification of these sites a few years ago, and published 9 volumes on the subject as geological and mining guides of Morocco. This was only limited to identification of SGI without their characterization and assessment, or identification of the threats that could affect them. In the last few years several PhD Thesis and research papers have dealed with this subject. Unfortunately, these initiatives are sporadic and far from establishing a global strategy for geoconservation and valorization of the Moroccan geological heritage. This paper proposes a global methodology for the inventory of geoheritage in Morocco by: i) providing a detailed synthesis of the research work on geoheritage in the world; ii) proposing the ways for assessing the Moroccan geoheritage at different scales (scientific education, geotourism, sustainable development, etc.); and iii) applying them to a wide variety of landscapes in Morocco. The obtained results and conclusions can be further extended to other African regions.No existe un inventario exhaustivo oficial de Sitios de Interés Geológico (SGI) en Marruecos. El Servicio Geológico de Marruecos ha promovido en los últimos años iniciativas para identificar estos sitios y las ha publicado, en 9 volúmenes, en forma de guías geológicas y mineras de Marruecos. Esta iniciativa sólo se limitaba a identificar los SGI sin caracterizarlos, evaluarlos o reconocer las amenazas que pudieran afectarles. En los últimos años varias tesis doctorales y trabajos de investigación han abordado esta cuestión. Desafortunadamente, han sido iniciativas esporádicas que no pueden cumplir el ambicioso reto de establecer una estrategia global de geoconservación y valorización del patrimonio geológico marroquí. En este trabajo se propone una metodología global para inventariar el geopatrimonio marroquí mediante: i) una síntesis detallada de trabajos de investigación llevados a cabo sobre geopatrimonio en el mundo; ii) la propuesta de criterios para evaluar estos resultados a diferentes escalas (educación científica, geoturismo, desarrollo sostenible, etc.); y iii) su aplicación a una gran variedad de paisajes de Marruecos. Los principales resultados y conclusiones obtenidos se pueden aplicar a otras regiones africanas.The present work has been funded by the Research Project reference PID2020-114381GB-I00 (Spanish Ministry of Education and Science), the Research Group reference VIGROV-53 (Alicante University, CTMA-IGA), both coordinated by M. Martín-Martín; and the Research Project “Identification, conservation et valorisation du Patrimoine Géologique de la région Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima pour un développement durable” (Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Morocco) coordinated by R. Hlila

Agricultural valorization of composts produced by recycling organic waste

Purpose This paper investigates the composting recovery of different bio-wastes and the use of the composts produced as soil fertilizer and organic amendment.Method A composting process was carried out for 111 days using different organic wastes (fruits, vegetables, olive pomace, poultry, and cattle manure). The physicochemical properties of the generated compost were determined. The quality of the compost produced was evaluated by measuring pH, carbon/nitrogen (C/N), dry matter, and organic matter. A phytotoxicity test (germination test) was conducted to complete the analysis.Results The results of the physicochemical properties complied with AFNOR standards. The pH ranged between 7.3 and 8.7. The C/N ratio was between 10.05 and 18.46, and organic matter content varied between 33.6 and 72.7%. The phytotoxicity test showed that the safety of compost as a soil amendment is related to the applied dose and the type of crop.Conclusion The physicochemical parameters and phytotoxicity test showed that the compost obtained can be used as organic fertilizer due to its organic matter content and mineral elements

African League Against Rheumatism (AFLAR) preliminary recommendations on the management of rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives: To develop recommendations for the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A task force comprising of 25 rheumatologists from the 5 regions of the continent was formed and operated through a hub-and-spoke model with a central working committee (CWC) and 4 subgroups. The subgroups championed separate scopes of the clinical questions and formulated preliminary statements of recommendations which were processed centrally in the CWC. The CWC and each subgroup met by several virtual meetings, and two rounds of voting were conducted on the drafted statements of recommendations. Votes were online-delivered and recommendations were pruned down according to predefined criteria. Each statement was rated between 1 and 9 with 1-3, 4-6 and 7-9 representing disagreement, uncertainty and agreement, respectively. The levels of agreement on the statements were stratified as low, moderate or high according to the spread of votes. A statement was retired if it had a mean vote below 7 or a \u27low\u27 level of agreement. Results: A total of 126 initial statements of recommendations were drafted, and these were reduced to 22 after the two rounds of voting. Conclusions: The preliminary statements of recommendations will serve to guide the clinical practice of rheumatology across Africa amidst the changing practices and uncertainties in the current era of COVID-19. It is recognized that further updates to the recommendations will be needed as more evidence emerges. Key Points • AFLAR has developed preliminary recommendations for the management of RMDs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. • COVID-19 is an unprecedented experience which has brought new concerns regarding the use of some disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and these recommendations seek to provide guidelines to the African rheumatologists. • Hydroxychloroquine shortage has become rampart across Africa as the drug is being used as prophylaxis against COVID-19 and this may necessitate a review of treatment plan for some patients with RMDs. • Breastfeeding should continue for as long as possible if a woman is positive for SARS-CoV-2 as there is currently no evidence that the infection can be transmitted through breast milk

Elaboration and Characterization of ZnO/FTO thin films under different concentrations - Study dedicated to the photovoltaic systems - Study d

© 2020 IEEE. This paper presents an elaboration of thin films dedicated to photovoltaic systems. Zinc oxide (ZnO) on fluorine tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrates are one of the best semiconductors oriented to solar cell preparations. In this study, the ZnO solution is performed with some sol concentration (0.1 M to 0.5 M) to verify its effect on thin-film samples. On the other hand, samples prepared are analyzed and characterized in structural and the optical properties using different techniques as ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). This work showed the variation of the energy gap (Eg) values. The Eg values allow us to ensure good solar cells. In this study, the thin films prepared showed that the energy gap values are ranged between 3.29 eV and 3.4 eV. These results led us to confirm the possibility of having an easy passage of the electrical current. In addition, the transmittance spectra of the ZnO/FTO thin films showed an average of ~75% in the visible region and presented sharp absorption edges at 375 nm. The experimental preparation ensures a good decision about electrical energy production which based on the photovoltaic systems

growth of zno nanorods on fto glass substrate

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Quantifying time-dependent structural and mechanical properties of UV-aged LDPE power cables insulations

This paper reports effects of ultraviolet (UV) light radiation on the physicochemical, electrical and mechanical properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) cable insulating materials. Changes in structural and morphological properties of UV-aged samples were characterized by various analytical methods such as attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATRFTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Additionally, elongation at break, tensile strength, dielectric strength, and optical properties were also evaluated. Changes in some physical properties of LDPE after exposing to UV irradiation clearly highlighted that the polymer underwent the structural degradation. In addition, it was also found that such degradation yielded both crosslinking and chain scission as two competing processes during UV aging

TGF-Beta Modulates the Integrity of the Blood Brain Barrier In Vitro, and Is Associated with Metabolic Alterations in Pericytes

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a selectively permeable boundary that separates the circulating blood from the extracellular fluid of the brain and is an essential component for brain homeostasis. In glioblastoma (GBM), the BBB of peritumoral vessels is often disrupted. Pericytes, being important to maintaining BBB integrity, can be functionally modified by GBM cells which induce proliferation and cell motility via the TGF-β-mediated induction of central epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) factors. We demonstrate that pericytes strengthen the integrity of the BBB in primary endothelial cell/pericyte co-cultures as an in vitro BBB model, using TEER measurement of the barrier integrity. In contrast, this effect was abrogated by TGF-β or conditioned medium from TGF-β secreting GBM cells, leading to the disruption of a so far intact and tight BBB. TGF-β notably changed the metabolic behavior of pericytes, by shutting down the TCA cycle, driving energy generation from oxidative phosphorylation towards glycolysis, and by modulating pathways that are necessary for the biosynthesis of molecules used for proliferation and cell division. Combined metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses further underscored that the observed functional and metabolic changes of TGF-β-treated pericytes are closely connected with their role as important supporting cells during angiogenic processes