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The Southern Rifian Corridor was a gateway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean in the Late Miocene. Its rapid narrowing at the Tortonian - Messinian transition around 7.2 Ma, resulting from very intense tectonic activity, has triggered an ecological crisis well before the deposition of the Messinian Salinity crisis evaporites.The sedimentary successions deposited in the Saïs Basin have recorded different events regarding biostratigraphic, environmental, tectonic, and eustatic that characterized the area during the late Miocene. In order to get information on the marine and continental environment during the Tortonian-Messinian Transition (TMT), a palynological and biostratigraphic study was carried out on two boreholes in the Saïs Basin.The biostratigraphic analyses based on the planktonic foraminifera of the boreholes studied reveals the succession of several biostratigraphic events, allowing us to attribute these sedimentary deposits to the late Tortonian - early Messinian time interval including the recognition of the T/M boundary.The abundance of continental inputs (pollen, spores, BOM, WOM, and COM in the palynofacies) and the low D/S ratio values indicated that the Saïs basin was a neritic epicontinental environment suffering a significant influence of terrigenous inputs. The temperature index shows that the thermal conditions of the surface water were warm.In the late Tortonian, faunal and floristic assemblages indicate an open, relatively deep, outer platform type marine environment with a slight tendency towards an inner platform context. At the Tortonian-Messinian boundary, there is an increase in land inputs and relative reduction in the diversity of both microfauna and microflora. The presence of cold-water taxa probably indicates moderate cooling. In Lower Messinian the marine environment, was external platform with tendencies towards an internal area.The cover is opened and dominated by herbaceous plants that colonize the low altitudes, while trees colonized the middle altitudes. The climate was hot and humid in the mid-altitude and dry in the lowlands.

Determining the structural organisation of viral replication complexes and unravelling the impact of infection on cellular homeostasis represent important challenges in virology. This may prove particularly useful when confronted with viruses that pose a significant threat to human health, that appear unique within their family, or for which knowledge is scarce. Among Mononegavirales, bornaviruses (family Bornaviridae) stand out due to their compact genomes and their nuclear localisation for replication. The recent recognition of the zoonotic potential of several orthobornaviruses has sparked a surge of interest in improving our knowledge on this viral family. In this work, we provide a complete analysis of the structural organisation of Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) phosphoprotein (P), an important cofactor for polymerase activity. Using X-ray diffusion and diffraction experiments, we revealed that BoDV-1 P adopts a long coiled-coil α-helical structure split into two parts by an original β-strand twist motif, which is highly conserved across the members of whole Orthobornavirus genus and may regulate viral replication. In parallel, we used BioID to determine the proximal interactome of P in living cells. We confirmed previously known interactors and identified novel proteins linked to several biological processes such as DNA repair or mRNA metabolism. Altogether, our study provides important structure/function cues, which may improve our understanding of BoDV-1 pathogenesis.

In this study, a numerical investigation based on the CFD method is carried out to study the unsteady laminar flow of Newtonian fluid with a high viscosity in a three-dimensional simulation of a twisted double planetary mixer, which is composed of two agitating rods inside a moving tank. The considered stirring protocol is a “Continuous sine squared motion” by using the dynamic mesh model and user-defined functions (UDFs)to define the velocity profiles. The chaotic advection is obtained in our active mixers by the temporal modulation of rotational velocities of the moving walls in order to enhance the mixing of the fluid for a low Reynolds number and a high Peclet number. For this goal, we applied the Poincaré section and Lyapunov exponent as reliable mathematic tools for checking mixing quality by tracking a number of massless particles inside the fluid domain. Additionally, we investigated the development of fluid kinematics proprieties, such as vorticity, helicity, strain rate and elongation rate, at various time periods in order to view the impact of temporal modulation on the flow properties. The results of the mentioned simulation showed that it is possible to obtain a chaotic advection after a relatively short time, which can deeply enhance mixing fluid efficiency.

Background and Aims: We aimed to assess the associations of exposure to air pollutants and standard and advanced lipoprotein measures, in a nationwide sample representative of the adult population of Spain. Methods: We included 4647 adults (>18 years), participants in the national, cross‐sectional, population‐based di@bet.es study, conducted in 2008–2010. Standard lipid measurements were analysed on an Architect C8000 Analyzer (Abbott Laboratories SA). Lipoprotein analysis was made by an advanced 1H‐NMR lipoprotein test (Liposcale®). Participants were assigned air pollution concentrations for particulate matter <10 μm (PM10), <2.5 μm (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), corresponding to the health examination year, obtained by modelling combined with measurements taken at air quality stations (CHIMERE chemistry‐transport model). Results: In multivariate linear regression models, each IQR increase in PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 was associated with 3.3%, 3.3% and 3% lower levels of HDL‐c and 1.3%, 1.4% and 1.1% lower HDL particle (HDL‐p) concentrations (p <.001 for all associations). In multivariate logistic regression, there was a significant association between PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations and the odds of presenting low HDL‐c (<40 mg/dL), low HDL‐p (

Objectives: In patients with head and neck carcinoma, “treatment package time” (TPT) was proven to impact outcomes in cases receiving adjuvant radiotherapy alone. Its impact in patients receiving radiotherapy with concurrent systemic therapy has not been studied previously. The TPT influence on survival endpoints for patients treated with surgery followed by radiation and concurrent systemic therapy was analyzed. Methods: Institutional database to identify head and neck carcinoma cases treated with definitive surgery followed by concomitant chemo(bio) radiotherapy (CRT) was used. TPT was the number of days elapsed between surgery and the last day of radiation. %FINDCUT SAS macro tool was used to search for the cutoff TPT that was associated with significant survival benefit. Kaplan–Meier curves, log-rank tests as well as univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS). Results: One hundred and three cases with a median follow up of 37 months were included in the study. Oropharyngeal tumors were 43%, oral cavity 40% and laryngeal 17% of cases. Concurrent systemic therapy included platinum and cetuximab in 72% and 28%, respectively. Optimal TPT was found to be

Alternative splicing is an important mechanism for the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes during development, cell differentiation or stress response. Alterations in the splicing profiles of genes under high temperatures that cause heat stress (HS) can impact the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and thermotolerance. Consequently, information on factors involved in HS-sensitive alternative splicing is required to formulate the principles of HS response. Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins have a central role in alternative splicing. We aimed for the identification and characterization of SR-coding genes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), a plant extensively used in HS studies. We identified 17 canonical SR and two SR-like genes. Several SR-coding genes show differential expression and altered splicing profiles in different organs as well as in response to HS. The transcriptional induction of five SR and one SR-like genes is partially dependent on the master regulator of HS response, HS transcription factor HsfA1a. Cis-elements in the promoters of these SR genes were predicted, which can be putatively recognized by HS-induced transcription factors. Further, transiently expressed SRs show reduced or steady-state protein levels in response to HS. Thus, the levels of SRs under HS are regulated by changes in transcription, alternative splicing and protein stability. We propose that the accumulation or reduction of SRs under HS can impact temperature-sensitive alternative splicing.

To understand the abilities of Ca-alginate microcapsules and their specific applications in different fields, it is necessary to determine the physicochemical and structural properties of those formulated microcapsules. In this work, we aimed to study the effect of alginate concentration in the improvement of the encapsulation efficiency (EE) and on the release of phenolic and flavonoid substances. The relationship between the structure of the encapsulated bioactive substance and Ca-alginate network and their effect on the EE and release kinetics have been investigated. The incorporation, structure, morphology, and phase properties of all elaborated materials were characterized by UV-spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (DRX). The results indicate that increasing the polymer concentration increases the EE and decreases the loading capacity (LC), whereas the effect of alginate polymer concentration on the release was not observed. The release study of bioactive substances showed that the release kinetics is relatively dependent on the structure and the physicochemical characteristics of the bioactive substance, which became clear when the encapsulated compounds were released from the core of calcium alginate microcapsules. Thus, it could be concluded that the pores size of the Ca-alginate network is smaller than the volume of the crocin molecule (2794.926 Å3) and higher than the volume of the gallic acid molecule (527.659 Å3). For the same microcapsules system, the release mechanism is affected by the structure and physicochemical properties of the encapsulated molecules.

During this present study, we were able theoretically and experimentally to optimized the synthesis of permeable and asymmetric membranes (PSU-M1 and PSU-EPS-M2). These membranes are synthesized based on polysulfone polymer (PSU) as basic matrix, expanded polystyrene (EPS) recycled as additives, N, N′-dimethyl formamide (DMF) as a solvent and water as a non-solvent. The 2K factorial design method and the phase inversion technique allowed us to optimize the synthesized membranes. Membranes obtained were tested by measuring permeability flux, selectivity rate, thickness, swelling rate and mechanical resistance. Also, synthesized membranes were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The experiment’s results are in good agreement with theoretical approaches that we envisaged. Further, we exploited the membranes realized in the ultrafiltration technique whose optimal conditions are 14%-PSU-M1 and 11-3%-PSU-EPS-M2. The present study has shown that the membranes chosen to initiate the theme of this research have a maximum permeability of the order 3030 ​L/m2.bar for the membrane 14%-PSU-M1 and of the order 2970 ​L/m2.bar for the membrane 11-3%-PSU-EPS-M2. These membranes have a selectivity rate of the percentage 90% with respect to the membrane 14%-PSU-M1 and of the percentage 93% relative to the membrane 11-3%-PSU-EPS-M2 at a threshold cutoff equivalent to 240 ​kDa of dextran, respectively. Keywords: Asymmetric membranes, Polysulfone polymer, Expanded polystyrene, Optimization, 14%-PSU-M1, 11-3%-PSU-EPS-M2, Selectivity rate

This paper summarizes a review of the viscosimetric, viscoelastic and rheological properties of polymers and hybrid nanocomposite polymers. Hybrid nanocomposites can be combined from natural fibers or synthetic fibers and/or both. The hybrid nanocomposite polymer offers the designer the opportunity to achieve the required characteristics to a considerable extent controlled by the choice of appropriate fibers or fillers and the polymer architecture. The rheological behavior of hybrid nanocomposite depends on fiber content, fiber length, fiber orientation, fiber-to-matrix bonding, fiber configuration and filler, respectively. Further, rheological properties of hybrid nanocomposite polymers by introducing various charges were examined discussed.

The Ground Penetrating Radar is a device which can be used for non-destructive inspection of civil engineering structures such as reinforced concrete buildings and bridges. Because of its ability to detect defects and provide reliable image of the substructure, it has attracted large interest from both practitioners and researchers in the field of health monitoring of vital structures. The objective of this work is to analyze detectability of defects in reinforced concrete structures by considering the presence of a defect which can attenuate GPR signals. Defects embedded in the structure can in fact cause significant changes in the intensity of the hyperbolic like reflection patterns generated by reinforcement bars. To assess this effect, a numerical simulation study of GPR data was conducted by using the GprMax software which is based on finite differences time domain method. The proposed approach has enabled to study the modification affecting the radargram due to the presence of a defect of finite size.

In the present review, we have been able to describe the different families of dyes and pigments used in textile finishing processes (Yarns, fabrics, nonwovens, knits and rugs) such as dyeing and printing. These dyes are reactive, direct, dispersed, indigo, sulphur and vats. Such that their presence in the liquid effluents resulting from the textile washing constitutes a serious risk, in the absence of their purification, for the quality of receiving aquatic environments. Indeed, the presence of these dyes and pigments can cause a significant alteration in the ecological conditions of the aquatic fauna and flora, because of the lack of their biodegradability. This has a negative impact on the equilibrium of the aquatic environment by causing serious dangers, namely the obvious dangers (Eutrophication, under-oxygenation, color, turbidity and odor), the long-term dangers (Persistence, bioaccumulation of carcinogenic aromatic products and formation of by-products of chlorination), mutagenicity and carcinogenicity.

Le Coworking représente une forme émergente d'organisation du travail, où des startups ou des travailleurs indépendants partagent des espaces de travail en mettant l'accent sur les notions de partage, de communauté, de productivité et d’innovation. Le phénomène a pris de l’ampleur après la crise économique de 2008. Il a permis de créer une forme hybride entre un travail standard dans un lieu de travail traditionnel, en l’occurrence une entreprise, et une vie professionnelle indépendante et automne assurée en isolement à partir du domicile. Le Coworking est devenu ainsi un symbole de l’économie du partage. L’entrepreneuriat a trouvé, de ce fait, un nouveau support adapté au développement d’activités entrepreneuriales dans un environnement partagé. Les espaces de Coworking rassemblent en effet plusieurs intervenants de l’écosystème entrepreneurial, notamment des fournisseurs, des utilisateurs potentiels, des financeurs de startups, etc. Le nombre de ce type d’espaces reste relativement faible eu égard aux opportunités qu’ils offrent en matière de création de richesse et d’emplois pour le pays. Le présent travail s’appuie sur l’étude de cas d’un espace de Coworking au sein de la ville de Rabat qui peut ouvrir des voies de recherche scientifique et d’action des pouvoirs publics et surtout de l’université marocaine pour soutenir l’entrepreneuriat