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The present study focuses on the detailed description of postovulatory follicles (POFs) resorption and atresia in horse mackerel from Algerian waters. From February 2013 to February 2014, 155 female horse mackerel were randomly collected. Histological sections of ovaries were analyzed. Few POFs (7.28% of early POFs and 2.91% of old POFs of the total observed oocytes) were detected. Morphological changes of POF resorption were discussed in the current study. No particular shape was observed. Four types of atretic oocytes were determined: α = 34.38%, β = 5.28%, δ = 2.37% and γ = 0.94%, which was reported for the first time in horse mackerel. The incidence of α atresia was higher in the yolked (21.48%) than in the unyolked oocytes (12.89%). α atretic oocytes can be classified into two main types: non-bursting (capsulated, lipoidal and cystic atresia) and bursting (multiple bursts, single bursts, phagocytic bursts and liquified bursts). Further studies are required to better understand the reproductive strategies of fish in relation to postovulatory follicle resorption and atresia.

Beyond the surgeon's feedback on bone behavior in the operating room, there is a paucity of data present in the literature on the mechanical properties of pediatric calvarial bone. The present study tested the calvarial bone of four species (Adult Humans, Dog, Pig, and Monkey) to find the mechanical properties. Three types of tests were performed; flexural, compression, and torsion to mimic how bone is handled during the surgery and the results were further compared with the existing published data for human pediatric calvarium. Test results indicated a significant difference between the modulus (p = 0.006 for flexural, 0.0002 for compression, and 0.0075 for shear) and strength (p = 0.0005 for flexural, 0.0051 for compression, and p

In this review, in addition to the potential cardiovascular applications of β-blockers and, more specifically, propranolol, we wanted to list the more recent applications in psychiatry as well as current knowledge on the impact of oxidative stress on propranolol hydrochloride and the oxidative stress that could be limited by the latter. In fact, a number of studies show that this molecule is modified by oxidative stress but is also able to limit it. Mention is also made to studies on the increasingly important problem of eliminating drug waste and its impact on the environment, particularly the marine environment. Given the increase in the consumption of medicines, more rigorous waste management is needed to avoid impacting biodiversity.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a major ligament in the knee joint, and its function is crucial for both the movement and stability of the knee. Our research takes a novel approach by investigating the effect of meniscus tears on the ACL, how such tears will impact the stress on the ACL, and its overall compensation in response to the changes in the meniscus. Hypothesis/Purpose: This study aims to investigate how the ACL compensates for the change in knee joint stability and contact pressures due to partial horizontal cleavage tears (HCTs) in the meniscus, such as partial meniscectomy and partial transplantation on knee joint stability and contact pressures. We hypothesize that HCTs will increase contact pressures and decrease joint stability, thereby inducing compensatory stress on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Method: Seven freshly frozen human cadaveric knees were used in a study to investigate the effects of different meniscal conditions and surgical interventions on the meniscus itself. Four testing scenarios were established: intact knees, knees with partial horizontal cleavage tears (HCTs) of the meniscus, knees with partial meniscectomy, and knees with partial transplantation. Axial loading was applied, and the medial meniscus contact pressures were measured at 0° and 30° of flexion. Additionally, a mathematical 3D finite element model was created to evaluate the behavior of the ACL under different meniscus scenarios, which could not have been measured experimentally. Results: ACL contact pressure and stress analysis across various meniscal conditions demonstrated substantial variability. Horizontal cleavage tears (HCTs) resulted in heightened contact pressures and diminished joint stability, as evidenced by increased ACL stress attributed to compensatory mechanisms in the presence of meniscal tears. Conversely, transplantation procedures exhibited a mitigating effect, maintaining joint mechanics closer to intact conditions and minimizing alterations in ACL forces. These trends persisted at 30 degrees of knee flexion, where significant increases in ACL forces were observed in partial and complete HCT conditions. Conclusions: This study uncovers the biomechanical impacts of meniscal injuries, demonstrating how the ACL compensates for various meniscus conditions. In contrast, transplantation and repair conditions only slightly increase the stress on the ACL, putting much less strain on the ACL and supporting structures of the knee joint than an unrepaired tear.

Construction and public works sites generate a significant amount of waste that is often costly to dispose of. To reduce the environmental impact and promote sustainability, recycling and recovering this waste is increasingly being recognized as a viable solution. This paper presents the findings of an experimental program investigating the feasibility of using brick and road demolition waste as concrete components. By substituting a portion of sand and cement with recycled materials, this study compares the properties of the reference concrete with concrete containing varying amounts of brick waste and road demolition debris. The obtained results demonstrate that the produced concrete with up to 40 % recycled content achieved a compressive strength exceeding 20 MPa after 28 days. This study suggests that recycled brick and road demolition waste could be a sustainable and economical substitute for conventional aggregates. Incorporating these materials into concrete reduces the cement content while maintaining or even improving the fresh and hardened properties of the concrete. However, it is crucial to limit the use of road demolition sand to 10 %, crushed brick fines to 20%, and brick sand (CBS) to 30% to ensure optimal performance.

Abstract. » Computer-assisted robots aid orthopaedic surgeons in implant positioning and bony resection. Surgeons selecting a robot for their practice are faced with numerous options. This study aims to make the choice less daunting by reviewing the most commonly used Food and Drug Administration-approved robotic total knee arthroplasty platforms in the American arthroplasty market. » Modern total knee arthroplasty (TKA) robots use computer guidance to create a virtual knee model that serves as the surgeon's canvas for resection planning. » Most available robotic TKA (rTKA) systems are closed semiactive systems that restrict implant use to those of the manufacturer. » Each system has distinct imaging requirements, safety features, resection methods, and operating room footprints that will affect a surgeon's technique and practice. » Robots carry different purchase, maintenance, and equipment costs that will influence patient access across different socioeconomic groups. » Some studies show improved early patient-reported outcomes with rTKA, but long-term studies have yet to show clinical superiority over manual TKA.

Abstract Purpose This paper investigates the biomechanical benefits of using hybrid constructs that combine cannulated screws with tension band wiring (TBW) cerclage compared to cannulated screws with anterior Variable Angle locking neutralisation plates (VA LNP). These enhancements can bear heavier loads and maintain the repaired patella's integrity, in contrast to traditional methods. Method Eighteen fresh‐frozen human cadaver patellae were carefully fractured transversely at their midpoints using a saw. They were then divided into two groups of nine for subsequent utilisation. Fixation methods included Cannulated Screw Fixation added with either TBW or VA LNP Fixation Technique. Cyclic loading simulations (500 cycles) were conducted to mimic knee motion, tracking fracture displacement with Optotrak. After that, the constructs were secured over a servo‐hydraulic testing machine to determine the load‐to‐failure on axial mode. Results The average fracture displacement for the anterior neutralisation plate group was 0.09 ± 0.12 mm, compared to 0.77 ± 0.54 mm for the tension band wiring with cannulated screw group after 500 cyclic loading. This result is statistically significant (p = 0.004). The anterior neutralisation plate group exhibited a mean load‐to‐failure of 1359 ±21.53 N, whereas the tension band wiring group showed 780.1 ± 22.62 N, resulting in a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.007). Conclusion This research highlights the superior biomechanical advantage of VA LNP over TBW for treating simple transverse patella fractures with two cannulated screws. It also highlights how the TBW is still a valuable option considering the load‐to‐failure limit. Level of Evidence Not Applicable.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to generate validated prediction rules for metacarpal lengths that can be applied without the need for computation tools to assist with restoration of anatomic length after fracture and utilizes only ipsilateral metacarpals. Methods: The anatomic lengths of all hand bones in 50 hands (25 men, 25 women) were used along with linear regression subset analysis to determine which metacarpals are the most predictive of each other. The most predictive metacarpals were then used to generate simple addition and subtraction prediction rules via simplifying the linear equation generated with linear regression analysis. Those rules were then applied to subsequent test cases, and percent accuracy within various cutoffs were analyzed and compared to the accuracy when using the contralateral side. Results: The prediction rules were generated and were found to be identical for both men and women. When applied to the test cases, the estimated metacarpal lengths were within 3 mm of the actual value in 97.5% of the cases for women and 90% of the cases for men compared to 95% when using the contralateral side. Conclusion: The simple additional and subtraction rules generated in this analysis were as good as or superior to using the contralateral side in all cases for women and were as good as or superior to using the contralateral side in for metacarpals 3–5 for men. Clinical Relevance: Using these simple estimating rules may be superior to using the contralateral side in most cases and provides a secondary method for determining anatomic lengths when contralateral radiographs are not available or when contralateral radiographs were obtained in different enough conditions such that the lengths may not be representative of the hand of interest.

This paper addresses the challenge of integrating multiple energy sources into a single-domain microgrid, commonly found in urban buildings, while also providing a platform for energy management. A Lyapunov stability analysis of a simple boost converter was used as a basis for designing the dual control loop of the grid. The versatility of the developed control structure allows for the incorporation of an arbitrary number of sources hence achieving scalability. Next, the energy in the microgrid was separated into exogenous energy and actuator energy. This yielded a description of the system that quantified the condition of stability independent of the decision made by a would-be energy management system. This, in turns, liberates the process of designing an optimized energy management system from stability concerns. The acquired theoretical findings were then translated to a simulation model, where multiple components of the grid were simulated under a typical scenario of operation. Once the simulation phase was concluded, a prototype of the designed grid was constructed to emulate the theoretical results. The prototype exhibited promising performance, matching the simulation predictions to a reasonable degree.

IntroductionThe varus and valgus knee deformities result from imbalance in tension between medial and lateral soft tissue compartments. These conditions need to be addressed during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, there is no consensus on optimal soft-tissue release techniques for correcting varus and valgus deformities during TKA. We assessed the efficacy of a novel grid-based pie-crusting technique on soft-tissue release.MethodsCadaver knees were dissected, leaving only the femur and tibia connected by an isolated MCL or the femur and fibula connected by an isolated LCL. Bone cuts were made as performed during primary TKA. Mechanical testing was performed using an MTS machine. A 3D-printed 12-hole grid was placed directly over the MCL and LCL. Using an 18-gauge needle, horizontal in-out perforations were made 3 mm apart. Deformation and stiffness of the ligaments were collected after every 2 perforations. Means were calculated, and regression analyses were performed.ResultsA total of 7 MCL and 6 LCL knees were included in our analysis. The mean medial femorotibial (MFT) space increased from 6.018 ± 1.4 mm–7.078 ± 1.414 mm (R2 = 0.937) following 12 perforations. The mean MCL stiffness decreased from 32.15 N/mm–26.57 N/mm (R2 = 0.965). For the LCL group, the mean gap between the femur and fibula increased from 4.287 mm–4.550 mm following 8 perforations. The mean LCL stiffness decreased from 29.955 N/mm–25.851 N/mm. LCL stiffness displayed a strong inverse relationship with the number of holes performed (R2 = 0.988).DiscussionOur results suggest that using this novel grid for pie-crusting of the MCL and LCL allows for gradual lengthening of the ligaments without sacrificing their structural integrity. Our proposed technique may serve as a valuable piece in the soft-tissue release toolkit for orthopaedic surgeons performing TKA in varus and valgus deformed knees.

This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline Fe-A (Ni, Co, and Si) alloy powders using mechanical alloying technique with Retsch PM 400 high energy planetary ball mill. The evolution of the phases and magnetic properties of the powders are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) as a function of grinding time. The XRD results indicate that after 20 hours of milling, the FeNi, FeCo, and FeSi phases are completely formed. The lattice deformation of FeSi alloy is 0.7%, and the grain size decreases to 17 nm, 13.5 nm, and 10 nm for FeNi, FeCo, and FeSi, respectively. SEM observations of the powder morphologies at different stages of alloy formation are also conducted. Moreover, elemental maps of Fe, Ni, Co, and Si obtained by EDS experiments confirme the XRD results on the evolution of the alloy formation. Finally, the VSM results showed that the magnetic properties of FeNi, FeCo, and FeSi alloy nanoparticles are influenced by the composition, size, and morphology of the particles. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the preparation and characterization of nanocrystalline Fe-A (Ni, Co, and Si) alloy powders, which may have potential applications in various fields.

Background: Our study addresses the lack of consensus on measuring leg length discrepancy (LLD) after total hip arthroplasty (THA). We will assess the inter-observer variability and correlation between the five most commonly used LLD methods and investigate the use of trigonometric principles in overcoming the limitations of current techniques. Methods: LLD was measured on postoperative AP pelvic radiographs using five conventional methods. CT images created a 3D computer model of the pelvis and femur. The resulting models were projected onto a 2D, used to measure LLD by the five methods. The measurements were evaluated via Taguchi analysis, a statistical method identifying the process’s most influential factors. The approach was used to assess the new trigonometric method. Results: Conventional methods demonstrated poor correlation. Methods referenced to the centers of the femoral heads were insensitive to LLD originating outside the acetabular cup. Methods referencing either the inter-ischial line or the inter-obturator foramina to the lesser trochanter were sensitive to acetabular and femoral components. Trigonometry-based measurements showed a higher correlation. Conclusions: Our results underscore clinicians’ need to specify the methods used to assess LLD. Applying trigonometric principles was shown to be accurate and reliable, but it was contingent on proper radiographic alignment.

Whether noncombustible or combustible construction is used, the presence of combustible materials is likely to be used for various reasons, such as interior finishes, flooring, and insulation. Consequently, how regulations consider the degree of combustibility in their fire classifications will influence the level of fire safety provided in these buildings and the exchanges between all actors in the construction sector. In North America, the regulation of combustibility is primarily governed by surface flame spread assessed through the Steiner tunnel test. While there is a growing prevalence of calorimetric methods globally, their incorporation into North American building codes remains notably limited. Based on ISO 5660-1 cone calorimeter test results of twenty commercially available North American building materials, a comparative study was conducted between the Canadian flame spread classification and the classifications in Japan, New Zealand and the European Union (Euroclass). The tests and their limitations are described herein, as well as the conceptual frameworks. The results suggest that as materials’ combustibility levels increase, the level of agreement between classifications decreases and remains binary. The choice between the material and system scales is crucial for determining the effective development and implementation of regulations.

Introduction Human albumin is used in the treatment of complications of cirrhosis. However, the use of long-term human albumin administration is costly and resource demanding for both patients and healthcare systems. A precision medicine approach with biomarkers to predict human albumin treatment response, so-called predictive biomarkers, could make this a viable treatment option in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.Methods and analysis ALB-TRIAL is a multinational, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial. We aim to validate a predictive biomarker, consisting of a panel of circulating metabolites, to predict the treatment response to human albumin in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. All enrolled patients are stratified into a high-expected or low-expected effect stratum of human albumin based on the biomarker outcome. After stratification, patients in each group are randomised into either active treatment (20% human albumin) or corresponding placebo (0.9% NaCl) every 10th day for 6 months. The primary outcome is the cumulative number of liver-related events (composite of decompensation episodes, transjugular intrahepatic shunt insertion, liver transplantation and death). Key secondary outcomes include time-to-event analysis of primary outcome components, an analysis of the total healthcare burden and a health economic analysis.Ethics and dissemination The trial obtained ethical and regulatory approval in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary and Spain through the Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) from 13 February 2023, while UK approvals from the Health Regulatory Authority, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Research Ethics Committee are pending. Findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences, communicated to relevant stakeholders and in the public registry of CTIS, following trial completion.Trial registration number NCT05056220 EU CT: 2022-501006-34-01

The production of natural mineral waters bottled in Algeria recognized an exponential growth. The number of brands continues to increase regularly, currently reach one hundred. For this reason, that has fueled our appetite to take an interest in the phenomenon and to know Algerian mineral waters through the labels on the bottles. The objective of this study is to identify and categorize these waters. According to the results found, it appears that the most important of farms are located in the northeastern zone of the country with a density in the region of Tizi ouzou and Bejaia, belonging to hydrographic basins n°. 3 and no. 4. According to the physicochemical aspects, the waters of Ben Haroun, Mouzaia and Sidi Okba are bicarbonate waters (HCO3 content > 600 mg) and magnesium (Mg content > 50 mg). Ben Haroun water is calcium (calcium content > 150 mg), sodium (> 200 mg.L-1 and sulfated water (> 200 mg From the twenty brands selected waters, fifteen are characterized by a dry residue (DR) that complies with the standard (more than 500 mg Four other have an average DR and are those of Sidi Yakoub (152 mg), El Golea (180 mg), Lala khedidja (187 mg) and El Meniaa (199 mg). The waters of Ben Haroun and Mouzaia are characterized by a high dry residue, which is in order of 2800 and 1280 mg, respectively.

In Algeria, vegetable crops are dependent on irrigation. In this context, the present study is oriented towards the efficient management of agricultural water that contributes to the improvement of crop production. The approach is based on the calculation of the water requirements of the potato in order to control the efficiency of the water supply in relation to the crop water requirements. This efficiency of use is imperative for a better yield and a healthy agricultural environment. In this study, we used two agronomic models CropWat (v8.0) and AquaCrop (v6.1), which were developed by FAO, to evaluate the water use efficiency (WUE) in a semi-arid climate (Wilaya of Tiaret) over a 31-year period (1990-2021). And this, by estimating the irrigation water requirements (IWR) and crop water requirements (CWR). The results obtained showed that there is a very close relationship between the estimates produced by the two models CropWat and AquaCrop. These estimates are for IWR, CWR and WUE, which are in the order of 395.91 mm, 517.24 mm, 6.47 kg m-3 using CropWat and 385.46 mm; 507.38 mm, 6.37 kg m-3 using AquaCrop. Crop growth simulation models have become important tools for evaluating and developing deficit irrigation strategies, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.

Objective Lumbar lateral interbody fusion (LLIF) allows placement of large interbody cages while preserving ligamentous structures important for stability. Multiple clinical and biomechanical studies have demonstrated the feasibility of stand-alone LLIF in single-level fusion. We sought to compare the stability of 4-level stand-alone LLIF utilizing wide (26 mm) cages with bilateral pedicle screw and rod fixation. Methods Eight human cadaveric specimens of L1–5 were included. Specimens were attached to a universal testing machine (MTS 30/G). Flexion, extension, and lateral bending were attained by applying a 200 N load at a rate of 2 mm/sec. Axial rotation of ±8° of the specimen was performed at 2°/sec. Three-dimensional specimen motion was recorded using an optical motion-tracking device. Specimens were tested in 4 conditions: (1) intact, (2) bilateral pedicle screws and rods, (3) 26-mm stand-alone LLIF, (4) 26-mm LLIF with bilateral pedicle screws and rods. Results Compared to the stand-alone LLIF, bilateral pedicle screws and rods had 47% less range of motion in flexion-extension (p < 0.001), 21% less in lateral bending (p < 0.05), and 20% less in axial rotation (p = 0.1). The addition of bilateral posterior instrumentation to the stand-alone LLIF resulted in decreases of all 3 planes of motion: 61% in flexion-extension (p < 0.001), 57% in lateral bending (p < 0.001), 22% in axial rotation (p = 0.002). Conclusion Despite the biomechanical advantages associated with the lateral approach and 26 mm wide cages, stand-alone LLIF for 4-level fusion is not equivalent to pedicle screws and rods.

University governance seems to have undergone many changes, often associated with economic and/or political crises. Until the 1960s, universities were mostly "ivory towers" run by academics and designed for a specific social category, the elite. In the case of Algeria, it is the government that intervenes in the financing and management of higher education institutions. The idea of reforming the governance of academic institutions is not a passing fad or a project linked to a power process or a party or union agenda. This idea has emerged slowly, with the deepening disintegration of the university system from within and the current emergence of a global transformation movement at the top of various institutions. This work aims to present the main characteristics as well as the strategy of the reform of Higher Education in Algeria. Keywords: University governance, higher education, scientific research, strategy, reform.

The duality of here and there is a recurring motif in Maghrebian exile literature, which revolves around the experiences of North African immigrants who reside in Europe. This dualistic framework underscores the sense of displacement and cultural alienation that many immigrants experience in their new homes, as they find themselves straddling two cultures and struggling to find a sense of belonging in either of them. Leïla Sebbar’s novel Le silence des rives portrays the last day in the life of a Maghrebian immigrant in France, whose life is fraught with unfulfilled promises and shattered dreams. The present article examines how spatial duality and the here-there dichotomy serve as the main device for the exploration of the lives of the novel’s characters. This article also highlights the argument that the notions of “home” and “belonging” are not merely physical, but also emotional and psychological. The concept of spatial duality, as developed by Gaston Bachelard, provides a valuable framework for understanding the intricate relationship between exiles’ experiences of physical and psychological space. The postcolonial reading perspective also elucidates the complexity of (im)migrant subjectivity and the discourse of belonging.

IntroductionCurrent clinical practice suggests using patellar and quadriceps tendon autografts with a 10 mm diameter for ACL reconstruction. This can be problematic for patients with smaller body frames. Our study objective was to determine the minimum diameter required for these grafts. We hypothesize that given the strength and stiffness of these respective tissues, they can withstand a significant decrease in diameter before demonstrating mechanical strength unviable for recreating the knee's stability.MethodsWe created a finite element model of the human knee with boundary conditions characteristic of the Lachman test, a passive accessory movement test of the knee performed to identify the integrity of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The Mechanical properties of the model's grafts were directly obtained from cadaveric testing and the literature. Our model estimated the forces required to displace the tibia from the femur with varying graft diameters.ResultsThe 7 mm diameter patellar and quadriceps tendon grafts could withstand 55–60 N of force before induced tibial displacement. However, grafts of 5.34- and 3.76-mm diameters could only withstand upwards of 47 N and 40 N, respectively. Additionally, at a graft diameter of 3.76 mm, the patellar tendon experienced 234% greater stiffness than the quadriceps tendon, with similar excesses of stiffness demonstrated for the 5.34- and 7-mm diameter grafts.ConclusionsThe patellar tendon provided a stronger graft for knee reconstruction at all diameter sizes. Additionally, it experienced higher maximum stress, meaning it dissociates force better across the graft than the quadriceps tendon. Significantly lower amounts of force were required to displace the tibia for the patellar and quadriceps tendon grafts at 3.76- and 5.34-mm graft diameters. Based on this point, we conclude that grafts below the 7 mm diameter have a higher chance of failure regardless of graft selection.