34 research outputs found
Study of the Effect of ACL Anode Catalytic Layer Porosity on the Efficiency of a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
No full textThe current work investigates the efficiency of a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) by using COMSOL. The set-up model takes into consideration the electrochemical kinetics and chemical reactions. The anode catalyst layers are a main element in the PEM fuel cell; their porosity significantly affects the fuel cell efficiency. We focus on the impact of catalytic layers porosity on the battery efficiency. As claimed by the results, the porosity of catalytic layer greatly affects the performance of the battery. In addition, better output performance of mu DMFC may be obtained when the catalytic layer porosity is chosen as epsilon(ACL)=0.009-0.1. The distributions of methanol, carbon dioxide, water, oxygen, polarization, and the current density are plotted to highlight the impact of porosity on the global performances
Molecular approach for the diagnosis of blood and skin canine filarioids
No full textThe zoonotic Onchocerca lupi and tick-transmitted filarioids of the genus Cercopithifilaria remain less well known due to the difficulties in accessing to skin samples as target tissues. Here, we proposed a molecular approach reliying on multiplex qPCR assays that allow the rapid identification of filarioids from canine blood, skin, and tick samples. This includes two newly developed duplex qPCR tests, the first one targeting filarial and C. grassii DNA (CanFil-C. grassii). and the second qPCR assay designed for the detection of Cercopithifilaria bainae and Cercopithifilaria sp. II DNAs (C. bainae-C.spII). The third one is a triplex TaqMan cox 1 assay targeting DNA of blood microfilariae (e.g., Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens and Acanthocheilonema reconditum). The novel duplex qPCRs developed were validated in silico and by screening of known DNA collection. The qPCR assays were also used for screening the blood and tick samples of 72 dogs from Algeria. This allowed the identification of canine filariasis infection with 100% of specificity and 89.47% and 100% of sensitivity from naturally infected blood and tick samples, respectively. The prevalences of 26.39% for D. immitis and 5.56% for both D. repens and A. reconditum were reported in blood and tick samples. Cercopithifilaria DNAs were detected only in tick samples, with a prevalence of 4.17% and 5.56% for C. bainae and Cercopithifilaria sp. II, respectively. Co-infections were diagnosed in 6.94% and 13.89% of blood and tick samples, respectively. Whereas all samples were negative for C. grassii DNA. The use of engorged ticks instead of blood and skin samples could be an easier option for the surveillance of all canine filarioids herein investigated. The multiplex qPCR assays herein validated were shown to be useful in the detection of filarial co-infections by overcoming sequencing of positive samples
Zoonotic abbreviata caucasica in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) from Senegal
Get PDFAbbreviata caucasica (syn. Physaloptera mordens) has been reported in human and various non-human primates including great apes. The identification of this nematode is seldom performed and relies on egg characterization at the coproscopy, in the absence of any molecular tool. Following the recovery of two adult females of A. caucasica from the feces of wild Senegalese chimpanzees, morphometric characteristics were reported and new data on the width of the esophagus (0.268– 0.287 mm) and on the cuticle structure (0.70–0.122 mm) were provided. The molecular characterization of a set of mitochondrial (cox1, 16S rRNA, 12S rRNA) and nuclear (18S rRNA and ITS2) partial genes was performed. Our phylogenetic analysis indicates for the first time that A. caucasica is monophyletic with Physaloptera species. A novel molecular tool was developed for the routine diagnosis of A. caucasica and the surveillance of Nematoda infestations. An A. caucasica-specific qPCR targeting the 12S gene was assessed. The assay was able to detect up to 1.13 × 10−3 eggs/g of fecal matter irrespective of its consistency, with an efficiency of 101.8% and a perfect adjustment (R2 = 0.99). The infection rate by A. caucasica in the chimpanzee fecal samples was 52.08%. Only 6.19% of the environmental samples were positive for nematode DNA and any for A. caucasica. Our findings indicate the need for further studies to clarify the epidemiology, circulation, life cycle, and possible pathological effects of this infestation using the molecular tool herein developed
Kateb Yacine Architect of Subversive Africanitis Literature and Decolonization in Action
No full textDoes this research, articulated around the problem:how does Kateb Yacine’s work embody a Pan-African vision, both literary and political, going beyond the boundaries of Algeria to embrace the struggles and imaginations of the continent? , reveals that the author transformed literature into a revolutionary act, merging innovative aesthetics and decolonial com-mitment. The analysis demonstrates how Kateb builds a “subversive Africa-nity” through linguistic hybridity (Nedjma), a reinvented Algerian orality, and a fragmented narrative structure, radically breaking with colonial codes. Its use of French as “booty of war” and its use of popular theater in dialect Arabic (Darija) and Tamazight are decrypted as weapons of cultural resistance, aimed at including marginalized masses.
By going beyond the categories of littératurophobie (rejection of literature) and littératurolâtrie (cult of the text), Kateb embodies literature, where writing becomes political action. His work draws a rhizome Africa, a space of intertwined memories and solidarity revolts, connecting the Maghreb to sub -Saharan Africa, Algeria to Vietnam. This literary and militant cartography still inspires contemporary struggles for emancipation, social movements (Endsars, Feesmustfall) in Afrofuturism. The study confirms that the heritage of Kateb Yacine, far from being a simple historic vestige, remains an open site for future decolonials of Africa and the world, where literature and revolution continue to feed each other.Cette recherche, articulée autour de la problématique : Comment l’œuvre de Kateb Yacine incarne-t-elle une vision panafricaine, à la fois littéraire et politique, dépassant les frontières de l’Algérie pour embrasser les luttes et les imaginaires du continent ?, révèle que l’auteur a transformé la littérature en acte révolutionnaire, fusionnant esthétique novatrice et engagement dé colonial. L’analyse démontre comment Kateb construit une « africanité subversive »à travers une hybridité linguistique (Nedjma), une oralité algérienne réinventée, et une structure narrative fragmentée, rompant radicalement avec les codes coloniaux. Son utilisation du français comme « butin de guerre » et son recours au théâtre populaire en arabe dialectal (darija) et en tamazight sont décryptés comme des armes de résistance culturelle, visant à inclure les masses marginalisées. En dépassant les catégoriesde littératurophobie (rejetde la littérature) et de littératuro-lâtrie (culte du texte), Kateb incarne une littératuropraxie, où l’écriture devient action politique. Son œuvre dessine une Afrique rhizome, un espace de mémoires entrelacées et de révoltes solidaires, reliant le Maghreb à l’Afrique subsaharienne, l’Algérie au Vietnam. Cette cartographie littéraire et militante inspire encore les luttes contemporaines pour l’émancipation, des mouvements sociaux (EndSARS, FeesMustFall)àl’afrofuturisme. L’étude confirme que l’héritage de Kateb Yacine, loin d’être un simple vestige historique, reste un chantier ouvert pour les futurs décoloniaux de l’Afrique et du monde, où littérature et révolution continuent de se nourrir mutuellement
Pressure effect on the structural and elastic properties of ternary compounds M
No full textUsing ab initio calculations, we have performed a study of the hydrostatic
pressure effect on the equilibrium volume, lattice parameters, elastic
modulus, and elastic anisotropy of selected M2AlC phases with M = Ti, V,
Nb, and Ta. The deviations of our calculated volume change are lower than
3% comparing with experimental measurement, lead to a discrepancy in the
bulk modulus less than 15%. Our results show a linear pressure dependence
of the elastic modulus and the bulk modulus. Shear elastic anisotropy factor
increase with the pressure enhancement, while the compressibility anisotropy
remains constant around weak values
First principle study of structural, elastic and electronic properties of APt<sub>3</sub> (A=Mg, Sc, Y and Zr)
No full text
Structural, elastic, electronic and magnetic properties of Fe
Get PDFWe report first principle calculations on the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of antiperovskite Fe3AC; A = Al, Ga and In. Calculations show that these compounds are more stable in the magnetic states, the estimated equilibrium lattice parameters (a and V) are in agreement with the experimental data. From the single crystal elastic constants, the polycrystalline elastic moduli is estimated. Similar to previous studies on carbides antiperovskite, these compounds are good electrical conductors. The analysis of the total and partial densities of states shows that the conductivity is assured by d electrons of the transition metal atoms. The magnetic character in these compounds is mainly related to the spin polarization of Fe-d electrons. The magnetic moment per unit formula is found to decrease from 3.52 μB to 3.06 μB corresponding to Fe3InC and Fe3AlC respectively
First-principles study of the structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of InCCo3 and InNCo3
No full textStructural, elastic, electronic and magnetic properties of Fe3AC; A = Al, Ga and In
No full textWe report first principle calculations on the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of antiperovskite Fe3AC; A = Al, Ga and In. Calculations show that these compounds are more stable in the magnetic states, the estimated equilibrium lattice parameters (a and V) are in agreement with the experimental data. From the single crystal elastic constants, the polycrystalline elastic moduli is estimated. Similar to previous studies on carbides antiperovskite, these compounds are good electrical conductors. The analysis of the total and partial densities of states shows that the conductivity is assured by d electrons of the transition metal atoms. The magnetic character in these compounds is mainly related to the spin polarization of Fe-d electrons. The magnetic moment per unit formula is found to decrease from 3.52 μB to 3.06 μB corresponding to Fe3InC and Fe3AlC respectively
