Summer Mortality of Hatchery-produced Pacific Oyster Spat (Crassostrea gigas). I. Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Survival and Growth

The multidisciplinary project "MOOREST" aims to improve our understanding of causes of summer mortality in "Crassostrea gigas" juveniles in France and to reduce its its impact on oyster production. As part of the MOREST project, 43 full-sib families nested within 17 half-sib families were produced, planted out and tested in 3 sites during summer 2001 to assess to what extent genetic variability exists for this trait. A strong genetic basis was found for survival as narrow-sense heritability estimates ranged from 0.47 to 1.08, with higher values in sites where summer mortality was higher. Genetic correlations across sites were positive and very high for survival, indicating no genotype by environment interaction. In contrast, lower genetic variation was observed for growth in all sites. Finally, genetic correlations between growth and survival were low, in all sites. Selective breeding in a single site should therefore be an efficient means of improving survival in oysters less than one year old along the French Atlantic and Channel coastlines with only very limited effects on growth. As yield mostly depends on survival and growth, this approach should significantly improve harvestable yield. Possible reasons why a high genetic variance for survival appears to be maintained in wild populations are discussed

Characterization of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes of Pasteurella multocida Isolated from Diseased Chickens in Egypt

 In this study, the prevalence of Pasteurella multocida in diseased chickens, capsular genotyping, antimicrobial resistance patterns and some resistance genes were determined. Lungs, liver and spleen samples were collected from 250 diseased chickens from layers and broiler flocks from El-Gharbia and Kafr El-Sheikh governorates in Egypt for isolation of P. multocida in the period from June 2018 to December 2019. Confirmatory identification was done by using PCR for capsular type A antigen. P. multocida was isolated from 3.6 % of the diseased chicken. Six isolates of P. multocida that examined for detection of capsular type A showed positive results. Antimicrobial resistance patterns were evaluated for all isolates against twenty antimicrobial agents and the results showed 100% resistance totrimethoprim/sulfamethazole, oxacillin and nitrofurantion. Also, strains expressed highly resistant to penicillin, chloramphenicol, rifampicin and ampicillin \sulbactam, while they were sensitive to norfloxacin, clindamycin, cephalexin and cefotaxime. The antimicrobial resistance genes were detected by using PCR and the results showed  that all isolates harbored  β-lactam-resistantgene BlaROB-1 (100%), followed by sulfonamide resistant gene  sul1 (50%), tetracycline-resistant gene tetH (33.3%) and trimethoprim-resistant dihydrofolate reductase dfrA (16.6%)

Richard de Normandie dans les Chansons de Geste

Les Chansons de geste célèbrent un personnage qui, de l'aveu de tous, n'est autre que Richard I, petit-fils de Rollon, fils de Guillaume Longue-Epée, duc de Normandie de 943 à 996. La Chansons de Roland le connaît déjà. C'est lui qui commande, dans la bataille contre Baligant, l'eschiele des Normands: 3044 Naimes li dux et li quens Jozerans. La quinte eschele unt faite de Normans. Vint milie sunt, ço dient tuit li Franc. Armes unt beles et bons cevals curanz; Ja pur murir cil n'erent recreanz; Suz ciel n'ad gent ki plus poissent en camp; Richarz li vielz les guierat el camp: Cil i ferrat de sun espiet trenchant. Il n'est pas compté au nombre des douze pairs dans la Chanson de Roland, mais bien dans Gui de Bourgogone, dans Renaut de Montauban, dans Fierabras, etc. Les chansons mêmes qui ne l'admettent pas dans la liste honorée des douze pairs le tiennent du moins pour l'un des principaux barons de Charlemagne, comme il convient au possesseur du beau fief qu'est la Normandie

Information processing effects of accounting consistency: Evidence from Egypt

Using path analysis, this study investigates the direct and indirect effect of accounting consistency and accounting-based earnings quality proxy on market synchronicity of the Egyptian listed firms. We firstly examine how time-series accounting consistency achieves earnings quality. We find a significant association between time series accounting consistency and lower variation of accruals residuals. We also examine the direct impact of accruals quality on stock returns synchronicity. We find a significant association between lower variation of accruals residuals and higher stock returns synchronicity.  Finally we examine the direct and indirect impact of accounting consistency on market synchronicity. We find that the consistent use of accounting policies can achieve market synchronicity only after achieving earnings quality. Our findings indicate that earnings quality increases the effect of time series accounting consistency on achieving stock returns synchronicity.  &nbsp

Post stratified estimation using a known auxiliary variable

Post stratification is considered desirable in sample surveys for two reasons - it reduces the mean squared error when averaged over all possible samples, and it reduces the conditional bias when conditioned on stratum sample sizes. The problem studied in this thesis is post stratified estimation of a finite population mean when there is a known auxiliary variable for each population unit. The primary direction of the thesis follows the lines of Holt and Smith (1979). A method is given for using the auxiliary variable in selection of the stratum boundaries and, using this approach to determine strata, to compare post stratified estimates with the self -weighting estimates from the analytical and empirical points of view. Estimates studied are: the post stratified mean, the post stratified combined ratio, and the post stratified separate ratio. The thesis contains simulation results that explore the distributions of the self -weighting estimates, and the post stratified estimates using conditional and unconditional inferences. The correct coverage properties of the confidence intervals are compared and the design effect, i.e. the ratio of the variance of the self -weighting to the variance of post stratified estimates, is calculated from the samples and its distribution explored by the simulation study for several real and artificial populations. The confidence intervals of post stratified estimates using conditional variances had good coverage properties for each sample configuration used, and hence the correct coverage property over all possible samples provided that the Central Limit Theorem was applied. The comparisons indicated that post stratification is an effective approach when the boundaries are obtained based on proper stratification using an auxiliary variable. Moreover it is more efficient than estimation based on simple random sampling in reducing the mean squared error. Finally, there is strong evidence that the post stratified estimates are robust against poorly distributed samples, whereas empirical investigations suggested that the self -weighting estimates are very poor when the samples are unbalanced

Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions: The Case of Merger Control v. Merger Deregulation

During the last century, not only the legal literature but also the literature in many fields along with government efforts on all levels, were all mainly devoted to the debate of trade liberalization in general, and specifically to the case of the expected gains from using international agreements as a tool to remove the trade barriers. Meanwhile, all the parties have paid little attention to profound questions about identifying the impediments that they are facing and the other possible options that might maximize the general welfare, which are the cross-border merger and acquisition transactions. This dissertation will address that under-researched question, and it will try to identify some of those impediments that are facing the cross-border merger and acquisition transactions. The dissertation will mainly focus on the different premerger control laws that are adopted around the globe, as an impediment that faces the cross-border mergers and acquisitions, and it will try to identify the drawbacks of those laws and most importantly develop and examine reforming proposals. The underlying result of this dissertation will reveal that the multijurisdictional premerger control laws across the globe have numerous drawbacks that are actual impediments that face mergers and acquisitions in general, and especially the cross-border transactions. In addition to that, the best reformative option is the abolishing of the premerger control laws, or in other words the deregulation of the cross-border merger and acquisition transactions. The conclusion of this dissertation is that using the law as a useful tool should be reinvented on two dimensions, at one end of the spectrum the law should enable the state possibilities that are required to give a hand and facilitate the entry to markets, by abolishing the premerger control laws i.e. deregulating mergers and acquisitions, and at the other end of the spectrum the law should grant the state the power to monitor and challenge those practices that might cause harm to employees or consumers, before the courts, along with the primary power to challenge anticompetitive behaviors

Kôm Ombo

1. Problématique et bilan des principaux résultats La mission poursuit les travaux épigraphiques qui avaient été interrompus par le décès d’Adolphe Gutbub. Actuellement, un volume est en préparation, consacré à la petite salle hypostyle (PM VI, 186, salle B), dont la couverture photographique est confiée à Gaël Pollin. Au projet épigraphique relancé en 2010 s’ajoutent à présent deux points : construire, à la demande du ministère des Antiquités (MoA), des socles destinés à exposer les blocs re..

Long-term tolerance and efficacy of siltuximab (anti-IL-6) in a young adult with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease during COVID-19

Background: Castleman disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder with various subtypes, including the HHV-8-negative/idiopathic multicentric CD (iMCD). The diagnosis of iMCD remains challenging due to its non-specific presentation, in the form of generalised lymphadenopathies and inflammation. Two clinical presentations have been recently defined: a severe form iMCD-TAFRO and a milder form of iMCD not otherwise specified (iMCD-NOS). identification of interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a major culprit of inflammatory symptoms led to the development of anti-IL-6 therapies, with siltuximab being the approved first-line treatment. Case description: A 16-year-old male presented with recurrent fever, night sweats and several other non-specific symptoms. After extensive evaluations, an excisional lymph node biopsy confirmed the iMCD-NOS diagnosis. The patient received high-dose steroid therapy followed by siltuximab for four years. This treatment was well tolerated with only mild neutropenia not leading to dose adjustment. On siltuximab, the patient developed two mild COVID-19 episodes. His response to siltuximab remained effective throughout four years. Discussion: The absence of biomarker or causal agent identification poses a diagnostic challenge requiring lymph node histopathology for a definitive diagnosis of iMCD. Anti-IL 6 (siltuximab) is the recommended frontline therapy, suppressing inflammation and halting disease progression. Intravenous administration every 3 to 6 weeks can impact patient quality of life, prompting further research for alternative treatments. High-dose steroids, rituximab, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, lenalidomide or combined chemotherapy such as rituximab-bortezomib-dexamethasone are among the considered options according to disease severity. Conclusion: Overall, long-term siltuximab effectively controlled iMCD symptoms and was well tolerated by this young adult, who endured two mild COVID-19 episodes

Synthesis, characterization, DFT and molecular docking analysis of N-phenyl-2-((4-(3-phenylthioureido)phenyl)selanyl)acetamide

In this study, we disclose the synthesis of a new organoselenium (OSe) candidate, N-phenyl-2-((4-(3-phenylthioureido)phenyl)selanyl)acetamide (5), achieved in three synthetic steps starting from the commercially available chemical, aniline. The chemical structure of the target OSe compound 5 was characterised using NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry. The DFT calculations were performed. The results reveal that compound 1 demonstrates the lowest HOMO energy (-5.03 eV) and the most significant energy gap (3.62 eV), indicating high stability and low reactivity. In contrast, compound 2 shows the highest HOMO energy (-3.62 eV) and the smallest energy gap (1.31 eV), confirming its high reactivity and low stability. HB168 and compound 3 demonstrate intermediate properties with moderate reactivity and stability. The Dipole Moment analysis highlights strong polarity in HB168 (6.47 Debye) and weak polarity in S2 (0.27 Debye). Additionally, compound 1 displays the highest electronegativity (3.22 eV) and lowest electrophilicity index (2.86 eV), further supporting its stability and low reactivity. Conversely, compound 2 exhibits the highest electrophilicity index (6.71 eV), indicating a strong electrophilic character. The prepared OSe compound was docked against three bacterial strain protein targets: Escherichia coli (ID: 5L3J) as gram-negative bacteria, whereas Bacillus Subtilis (ID: 7S3L) and Staphylococcus aureus (ID: 3BL6) was chosen as the gram-positive bacteria. Also, molecular docking were performed against three drugs as a reference drug Ampicillin as a wide spectrum antibiotic and Ebselen, Diphenyl diselenide as a Selenium containing drugs