École Nationale de Commerce et de Gestion de Tanger

Higher reversible capacity of 333 mA h g⁻¹ in Na cell is demonstrated for hard carbon derived from HCl-treated argan.

The aim of this paper is to present a deep neural network architecture and use it in time series weather prediction. It uses multi stacked LSTMs to map sequences of weather values of the same length. The final goal is to produce two types of models per city (for 9 cities in Morocco) to forecast 24 and 72 hours worth of weather data (for Temperature, Humidity and Wind Speed). Approximately 15 years (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015) of hourly meteorological data was used to train the model. The results show that LSTM based neural networks are competitive with the traditional methods and can be considered a better alternative to forecast general weather conditions.

Analyses of adult semantic networks suggest a learning mechanism involving preferential attachment: A word is more likely to enter the lexicon the more connected the known words to which it is related. We introduce and test two alternative growth principles: preferential acquisition-words enter the lexicon not because they are related to well-connected words, but because they connect well to other words in the learning environment-and the lure of the associates-new words are favored in proportion to their connections with known words. We tested these alternative principles using longitudinal analyses of developing networks of 130 nouns children learn prior to the age of 30 months. We tested both networks with links between words represented by features and networks with links represented by associations. The feature networks did not predict age of acquisition using any growth model. The associative networks grew by preferential acquisition, with the best model incorporating word frequency, number of phonological neighbors, and connectedness of the new word to words in the learning environment, as operationalized by connectedness to words typically acquired by the age of 30 months.

Identifying the influential spreaders in complex networks is crucial to understand who is responsible for the spreading processes and the influence maximization through networks. Targeting these influential spreaders is significant for designing strategies for accelerating the propagation of information that is useful for various applications, such as viral marketing applications or blocking the diffusion of annoying information (spreading of viruses, rumors, online negative behaviors, and cyberbullying). Existing methods such as local centrality measures like degree centrality are less effective, and global measures like closeness and betweenness centrality could better identify influential spreaders but they have some limitations. In this paper, we propose the HybridRank algorithm using a new hybrid centrality measure for detecting a set of influential spreaders using the topological features of the network. We use the SIR spreading model for simulating the spreading processes in networks to evaluate the performance of our algorithm. Empirical experiments are conducted on real and artificial networks, and the results show that the spreaders identified by our approach are more influential than several benchmarks.

This study presents the relationship between the rheology and the compressive strength of self-compacting concrete (SCC). The concrete mixes contained eight different dosages of superplasticizer. The used rheology measurements are the slump flow, V-funnel, L-box, yield stress and plastic viscosity. The used mechanical tests are the compressive strength. The superplasticizer effect on these rheological and mechanical properties will be studied in more details.Based on experimental tests, the results obtained show that the slump-flow diameter, L-box ratio, V-Funnel time, yield stress, plastic viscosity and compressive strength were correlated a high level. At 1 day, the best fit-curve representing this relationship is given by:Compressive strength value (MPa)=[−1.19×slump flow diameter value]+120;Compressive strength value (MPa)=[1.82×V−Funnel time value]+9;Compressive strength value (MPa)=[−148.4×H2/H1 ratio value]+167;Compressive strength value (MPa)=[0.71×Yield stress value]+18;Compressive strength value (MPa)=[0.20×Viscosity value]+18. Keywords: Rheology, Compressive strength, Superplasticizer, Yield stress, Plastic viscosity, Slump-flow

Sets of silica gels: aerogels, xerogels and sintered aerogels, have been studied in the objective to understand the mechanical behavior of these highly porous solids. The mechanical behaviour of gels is described in terms of elastic and brittle materials, like glasses or ceramics. The magnitude of the elastic and rupture modulus is several orders of magnitude lower compared to dense glass. The mechanical behaviours (elastic and brittle) are related to the same kinds of gel characteristics: pore volume, silanol content and pore size. Elastic modulus depends strongly on the volume fraction of pores and on the condensation reaction between silanols. Concerning the brittleness features: rupture modulus and toughness, it is shown that pores size plays an important role. Pores can be considered as flaws in the terms of fracture mechanics and the flaw size is related to the pore size. Weibull's theory is used to show the statistical nature of flaw. Moreover, stress corrosion behaviour is studied as a function of environmental conditions (water and alcoholic atmosphere) and temperature.

This paper proposes an ex post evaluation by users of an information system (IS) dedicated to the automotive industry (XPPS), which is based on the DeLone and McLean's information systems success model. The methodological approach is a mixed-methods case study: we started our research by performing an exploratory qualitative study at SEBN MA, that were used to contextualize our research model. This model was then tested through a quantitative study by adopting a hypothetico-deductive methodology and using data collected by questionnaire. An analysis of these data by the technique of structural equation modeling confirms that information quality plays a key role in increasing user satisfaction and intention to use of the system; the significance of the relationship between the quality of service and the use of the IS; the effect of both intention to use and use on individual impact and finally the positive influence of the individual impact on the organizational performance of XPPS. This article provides an empirical validation of the IS success model developed by DeLone and McLean in the automotive industry, a little investigated topic in the literature, and shows the managerial implications of using such a model.

Effective interventions and treatments for complex diseases have been implemented globally, however, coverage in Africa has been comparatively lower due to lack of capacity, clinical applicability and knowledge on the genetic contribution to disease and treatment. Currently, there is a scarcity of genetic data on African populations, which have enormous genetic diversity. Pharmacogenomics studies have the potential to revolutionise treatment of diseases, therefore, African populations are likely to benefit from these approaches to identify likely responders, reduce adverse side effects and optimise drug dosing. This review discusses clinical pharmacogenetics studies conducted in African populations, focusing on studies that examined drug response in complex diseases relevant to healthcare. Several pharmacogenetics associations have emerged from African studies, as have gaps in knowledge.

In order to evaluate the antioxidant properties of aqueous and methanol extracts of needles and berries of Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. oxycedrus (Joo) species, various antioxidant capacity assessment tests (free radical scavenging assays (DPPH• and ABTS•+ tests), ferrous ions (Fe2+) chelating activity and reducing power assay (FRAP) were conducted. In all of the tests, the extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity. Furthermore, in-vitro cytotoxic activity assays of the methanolic extracts showed potent cytotoxic effects against two breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-468 and MCF-7), with no cytotoxicity towards normal cells (PBMCs). Reactive oxygen species generation was presumed to be a potential reason for the observed cytotoxic effects. According to all the above, and considering its appropriate composition of mineral elements and phenolic compounds, Joo could offer a beneficial and natural source of bioactive compounds that can be either used on the preventive side as it could potentially be used in the clinic without toxicity.

In this work, we have studied the wettability of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) by highlighting the effect of polar and non-polar ZnO facets on contact angle (CA) results. The variation in the wettability behaviors of the synthesized surfaces is mainly related to physical and chemical surface texturing which influenced the liquid drop penetration. Indeed, three main penetration states can be deduced: total, partial, and null-penetration. Where, low CA (100.9°) with high contact angle hysteresis (CAH) (13°) is observed for total penetration of the liquid drop. While, high CA (139.6°) with low CAH (7°) is observed for null-penetration. Moreover, we have found that the chemical texturing of ZnO, especially the hydrophilicity of ZnO tips, responsible for liquid drop sticking, prevents the liquid slipping over the surface. In order to promote the liquid rolling on the ZnO surface, we reported the physical modification of the ZnO structures. Therefore, the rolling of the liquid drop on the inclined surface of ZnO is achieved by using a new structure based on double scale roughness. This surface exhibits superhydrophobic behavior with a CA of 153° and CAH of 3°.

This study investigated the effect of seaweed extract (SWE) sprays obtained from Ulva rigida on wheat plants (Triticum durum L., variety Karim) grown under salt stress conditions for six weeks. Three levels of NaCl (0, 34.22, 68.44 mM) and four different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25 and 50%) of Ulva rigida as a water extract were applied. The obtained results indicated that seaweed treated plants showed higher ability to tolerate salt stress (34.22 or 68.44 mM of NaCl) by a significant (p < 0.05) increase of plant growth and the photosynthetic pigment contents, compared to those of control (non-treated plants). Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in antioxidant enzyme activity, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) activities in the stressed plants, especially in those treated with 12.5% of SWE. Overall, our results suggest that the application of the Ulva rigida water extract could be used as a promising plant growth biostimulant for treating wheat plants under salinity stress.

The development of the Internet of Things will greatly facilitate the process of patient's diagnosis and monitoring, with small IP-based wireless sensors implemented on the patient's body, his physiological parameters, such as blood pressure and heart rate, can be monitored remotely and continuously. This scenario must absolutely respect the confidentiality and privacy of patient's medical information, only caregivers and authorized persons should possess the right to access these information. The security must be ensured throughout the healthcare application scenario. This paper presents a study of the potential security problems in this application, and proposes a security model as a solution. Our model is based on symmetric cryptography with a proposed key management system and network nodes authentication mechanism.

Water conservation refers to reducing the usage of water and recycling of wastewater for different purposes such as irrigation, laundry and sanitation. As water scarcity increases worldwide, dialysis facilities should be focused on salvaging water. However, most of them still ignorantly discard to the sewer huge volumes of this reusable resource. This article reviews the current water conservation techniques in hemodialysis and the potential benefits drawn when using this technology.

This work focused on the leaves of Dittrichia viscosa, a plant used in Mediterranean folk medicine. Compared to water extract, the methanolic extract had higher antioxidant effects. Moreover, this extract showed potent in vitro inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase and showed an interesting antiglycation effect. Additionally, the evaluation of the cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extract against two human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468, was very promising, with no cytotoxicity towards normal cells (peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The antibacterial effect was also assessed and showed potent inhibitory activity against Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus subtilis. On the other hand, Dittrichia viscosa leaves were rich in macro-elements containing appropriate micro-elements and high levels of phenolics and flavonoids such as caffeic acid derivatives. Taken together, the results obtained in this study indicate that Dittrichia viscosa could constitute a valuable source of bioactive molecules and could be used either on the preventive side or for therapeutic applications without toxicity.

Hough Transform (HT) algorithm is commonly used for linear detection but requires huge memory and computational complexity. In this paper, we design an adapted hardware architecture of HT for straight lane lines detection. Because the lane markings parallel in the 3D world cannot be horizontal or vertical in the image plane, we optimize the architecture and the computational complexity of HT. The proposed architecture uses (Y-intercept, θ) parameterization for the construction of HS and lane orientation, which also simplifies the inverse HT (IHT) operation and reduces the dimension of the accumulator. The efficiency of the proposed architecture is demonstrated by a software-hardware co-simulation on a Xilinx Virtex-5 ML505 platform. Compared to other reported hardware implementation, the proposed method can reduce the circuit resources. The processing speed is 1.47ms and the detection rate is 92%.

Bleeding occurs when a freshly mixed cement-based material starts to settle. Severe bleeding can have a significant impact on the durability of concrete. The present study examines the effects of four materials—superplasticizer, viscosity-modifying agent, silica fume, and limestone filler—on the bleeding behavior of self-compacting concrete and the effects of bleeding on the quality of concrete. In the study, slump flow, L-box, V-funnel, and sieve segregation of 29 self-compacting concrete mixtures were evaluated. The entrained air of the concrete mixtures was assessed using an aerometer. The yield stress and the plastic viscosity of the concrete mixtures were measured using a rheometer. The results show that the rheological properties of self-compacting concrete mixtures are closely related to their bleeding index.

Uncertainty regarding the movement and population exchange of Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from the two primary spawning areas (Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea) is increasingly implicated as a major impediment for the conservation of this species. Here, two mixture methods were applied to natural chemical markers (18O and 13C) in otoliths (ear stones) to comprehensively investigate the nature and degree of transoceanic movement and mixing of eastern and western populations in several areas of the North Atlantic Ocean that potentially represent mixing hotspots. Areas investigated occurred on both sides of the 45W management boundary as well as waters off the coast of Africa (Morocco, Canary Islands) where both populations are known to occur. Projections of population composition (i.e., natal or nursery origin) from a multinomial logistic regression (MLR) classification method with different probability thresholds were generally in agreement with maximum likelihood estimates from the commonly used mixed-population program HISEA; however, predicted contributions for the less abundant population were occasionally higher for MLR estimates. Both MLR and HISEA clearly showed that mixing of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Central North Atlantic Ocean was highly variable from year to year with expatriates of eastern or western origin commonly crossing into the other management area. Pronounced transoceanic movement and mixing of western migrants was also present off the coast of Africa, with the occurrence of western migrants in the Canary Islands and Morocco ranging from zero to the majority of the individuals assayed for the years examined. Results indicate highly variable rates of movement and population exchange for Atlantic bluefin tuna, highlighting the need for temporally resolved estimates of natal origin in mixing hotspots to improve population models used to evaluate the status of this threatened species.

High energy density of 54.3 J cm⁻³ with an efficiency of 51.3% was obtained for the ZrO₂ film capacitors with 2 nm-thick HAO insert layer.

Journal Article The Arab Conquest of the Western Sahara Get access The Arab Conquest of the Western Sahara, by H. T. Norris. Longman and Librairie du Liban, Harlow, Essex, and Beirut, 1986. xxvi + 309 pp. £25.00 hardback, ISBN 0 582 75643 X. THOMAS E. WHITCOMB THOMAS E. WHITCOMB The American School of Tangier Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar African Affairs, Volume 87, Issue 347, April 1988, Pages 293–294, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.afraf.a098030 Published: 01 April 1988

This letter proposes an accurate parameter extraction method based on the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm for a silicon carbide (SiC) power mosfet model. An improved compact model uses this method to study the static behavior of SiC power mosfets according to the temperature and the input voltage. The simulation results obtained with this proposed method fit perfectly the measurements and accurately describe the static behavior of 1200 V Gen 2 SiC mosfets. The extracted model parameters (threshold voltage, saturation region transconductance, and transverse electric field parameter) are evaluated to analyze the temperature impact and understand the physical behavior of 1200 V Gen 2 SiC power mosfet.