Comment on “Zemmouri earthquake rupture zone (Mw 6.8, Algeria): Aftershocks sequence relocation and 3D velocity model” by A. Ayadi et al.

International audienceAlthough often difficult to characterize, the relationship between a seismic rupture, its aftershock sequence, and cumulative subsurface or surface faulting or folding is an important challenge to modern seismology and seismotectonics. Among other benefits, it helps document fault length, slip, and magnitude relationships, reconstruct the evolution of the rupture process through historical and prehistorical times and identify the complexity of the deformation in its path toward the surface. This approach is a prerequisite to any seismic hazard assessment but is particularly difficult for faults whose surface trace projects offshore. A specific effort to identify and quantify the source parameters of large earthquakes in coastal areas is therefore needed, not only in subduction zones but also in areas of slow rate and/or diffuse deformation

Plio-Quaternary deformation pattern along the Algerian margin: insights from multibeam bathymetry and seismic reflection profiles (Maradja 1 and Samra cruises)

Offshore Algeria, multichannel bathymetry and seismic reflection profiles provide evidencefor tectonic activity during the Pliocene and the Quaternary. Between Cherchell and Dellys (Algiersregion), we show that the evolution of the structural pattern along strike is controlled by inheritedstructures. On the basis of relative timing offshore and absolute timing onshore, we propose that theinitiation of the shortening of the Algerian margin starts at ~3Ma in direct relationship with a changeof the direction of movement between the African and European plates

Immunomodulation by microbial ribosomes

Over the past twenty years, many authors have reported evidence of the immunoprotective capacity of ribosomes isolated from bacteria, fungi and parasites. Since 1971 we have explored the protective capacity of ribosomes isolated from a large variety of microorganisms responsible for human and animal diseases. More recently, using monoclonal antibodies raised against ribosomes and then selected for their ability to confer passive immunity to mice, we have studied the mechanism of the protection induced by ribosomes. These studies, in parallel with the development of a technology for the large scale production of ribosomes, have allowed us to achieve a new regard for ribosomal vaccines for use in human. The general concept of ribosomal vaccines in presented and examples of two such vaccines are described with data on the specific protection that they induce in mice against experimental infections with Klebsiella peneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. pyogenes and Haemophilus influenzae for the first one, and against Candida albicans type A and type B for the second one. Because of their high immunogenicity and their innocuity these vaccines represent a decisive improvement over classical microbial vaccines

Evidence for contractional reactivation of a passive margin : the case study of the central Algerian margin

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