Cloning and molecular characterization of a new fungal xylanase gene from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum S2

( Olfa Elleuch Ellouze ),( Sana Loukil ),( Mohamed Nejib Marzouki ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2011 BMB Reports Vol.44 No.10

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum fungus has three endoxylanases induced by wheat bran. In the first part, a partial xylanase sequence gene (90 bp) was isolated by PCR corresponding to catalytic domains (β 5 and β 6 strands of this protein). The high homology of this sequence with xylanase of Botryotinia fuckeliana has permitted in the second part to amplify the XYN1 gene. Sequence analysis of DNA and cDNA revealed an ORF of 746 bp interrupted by a 65 bp intron, thus encoding a predicted protein of 226 amino acids. The mature enzyme (20.06 kDa), is coded by 188 amino acid (pI 9.26). XYN1 belongs to G/11 glycosyl hydrolases family with a conserved catalytic domain containing E86 and E178 residues. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that there was no Asn-X-Ser/Thr motif required for N-linked glycosylation in the deduced sequence however, five O-glycosylation sites could intervene in the different folding of xylanses isoforms and in their secretary pathway. [BMB reports 2011; 44(10): 653-658]

How Do I Integrate Hemodynamic Variables When Managing Septic Shock?

Olfa Hamzaoui,Jean-Louis Teboul 대한중환자의학회 2016 Acute and Critical Care Vol.31 No.4

Hemodynamic management of sepsis-induced circulatory failure is complex since this pathological state includes multiple cardiovascular derangements that can vary from patient to patient according to the degree of hypovolemia, of vascular tone depression, of myocardial depression and of microvascular dysfunction. The treatment of the sepsis-induced circulatory failure is thus not univocal and should be adapted on an individual basis. As physical examination is insufficient to obtain a comprehensive picture of the hemodynamic status, numerous hemodynamic variables more or less invasively collected, have been proposed to well assess the severity of each component of the circulatory failure and to monitor the response to therapy. In this article, we first describe the hemodynamic variables, which are the most relevant to be used, emphasizing on their physiological meaning, their validation and their limitations in patients with septic shock. We then proposed a general approach for managing patients with septic shock by describing the logical steps that need to be followed in order to select and deliver the most appropriate therapies. This therapeutic approach is essentially based on knowledge of physiology, of pathophysiology of sepsis, and of published data from clinical studies that addressed the issue of hemodynamic management of septic shock.

Membrane Bioreactor Technology for Textile Wastewater Treatment

Olfa KHELIFI 대한환경공학회 2015 대한환경공학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.2015 No.10

Potential Contagion Effects on OECD Countries: A FAVAR Model under Bayesian Framework

Olfa Kaabia 한국국제경제학회 2015 International Economic Journal Vol.29 No.1

This paper studies whether and how US shocks impact the OECD countries in the case of a simulated crisis. Using Bayesian estimation methods we extract constrained factors (global, country and variable type specific) from a sample of 153 economic and financial OECD variables from 1980–2008. These factors are the transmission channels through which national shocks spread to other countries, as in a pandemic. The Bayesian interpretable factors are used to estimate FAVAR models. Our main findings suggest that differences exist in the contagion effects. This implies that no generalizations can be made for OECD countries even of equal economic size and in the same geographic region. In addition, our results show that a large portion of the variance of domestic economic variables is explained by global factors; and that the interest rate shock appears to play an important role in the spillover mechanism from the United States to the rest of the world. More precisely, Australia, the United Kingdom and Scandinavian countries appear to be most sensitive to the US shocks.

Photocatalytic degradation of bisphenol A in the presence of C-doped ZnO: Effect of operational parameters and photodegradation mechanism

Olfa Bechambi,Sami Sayadi,Wahiba Najjar 한국공업화학회 2015 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.32 No.-

C-doped ZnO with different molar ratio of carbon content were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen physisorption, Raman spectroscopy,Fourier transformed infrared, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectra. The C-doped ZnO catalysts exhibited excellent photoactivity on bisphenol A degradation under UVirradiation in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Under optimized conditions, C-doped ZnO reached100% BPA degradation and 70% BPA mineralization after 24 h of UV irradiation. The photocatalyticdegradation was found to follow the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model. Furthermore, the detaildegradation mechanism was investigated by the analysis of intermediates

Determinants Of Patronage Intention Though Omnichannel Retailing

OLFA Bouzaabia 한국유통과학회 2022 유통과학연구 Vol.20 No.8

Purpose: This study aims to enrich the literature related on Patronage intention in the context of omnichannel in Tunisia. It reveals the determinants of Patronage intention in the fashion retailer context by examining the roles of omnichannel integration quality (IQ), omnichannel perceived value (PV), flexibility, operational logistics service quality (OLSQ) and customer satisfaction. Research design and methodology: A quantitative online survey with 400 customers of fashion retailers was executed. A structural equation modeling approach was applied to test the research hypotheses using AMOS 25 and SPSS 25 software. Results: The findings show that the omnichannel integration quality, omnichannel perceived value, and operational logistics service quality affect play crucial roles in customer satisfaction. A positive relationship between flexibility and operational logistics service quality was also highlighted. And it is also found that a higher omnichannel integration quality led to a higher omnichannel perceived value in the omnichannel retailing context. Furthermore, customer satisfaction within omnichannel retailing can enhance patronage intention. Conclusions: This research adds to the body of knowledge in omnichannel retailing and presents a comprehension of the omnichannel system from the customer’s point of view. In addition, this study provides practical implications for omnichannel retailers to improve customer satisfaction and patronage intention.

Optimal Discrete-time Integral Sliding Mode Control for Piecewise Affine Systems

Olfa Jedda,Ali Douik 제어·로봇·시스템학회 2019 International Journal of Control, Automation, and Vol.17 No.5

This paper presents an optimal discrete-time integral sliding mode control for constrained piecewiseaffine systems. The proposed scheme is developed on the basis of linear quadratic regulator approach and differentialevolution algorithm in order to ensure the stability of the closed-loop system in discrete-time sliding mode andthe optimization of response characteristics in presence of control input constraints. Moreover, the controller is designedsuch that chattering phenomenon is avoided and finite-time convergence to the sliding surface is guaranteed. The follow-up of a reference model is also ensured. The efficiency of the proposed method is illustrated with aninverted pendulum system.

Woodhouse-Sakati Syndrome: Report of the First Tunisian Family with the C2orf37 Gene Mutation

Olfa Hdiji,Emna Turki,Nouha Bouzidi,Mariem Damak,Saeed Bohlega,Chokri Mhiri 대한파킨슨병및이상운동질환학회 2016 Journal Of Movement Disorders Vol.9 No.2

Woodhouse-Sakati syndrome (WSS) is an infrequent autosomal recessive condition characterized by progressive extrapyramidal signs, mental retardation, hypogonadism, alopecia, and diabetes mellitus. This syndrome belongs to a heterogeneous group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders characterized iron accumulation in the brain, and it is caused by mutations of the C2orf37 gene. We report the first Tunisian family with two affected sisters presenting with a phenotype suggestive of WSS. We examined the index patient presenting with movement disorders and mental retardation and then searched for similar cases in her family, which identified a sister with similar signs. We performed a genetic study that confirmed the diagnosis and revealed a c.436delC mutation of the C2orf37 gene. Therefore, WSS is an important consideration in patients presenting with movement disorders and intellectual disability. A high consanguinity contributes to the clustering of such rare autosomal recessive syndromes.

Simplified model to study the dynamic behaviour of a bolted joint and its self loosening

Olfa Ksentini,Bertrand Combes,Mohamed Slim Abbes,Alain Daidié,Mohamed Haddar 국제구조공학회 2015 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.55 No.3

Bolted joints are essential elements of mechanical structures and metal constructions. Although their static behaviour is fairly well known, their dynamic behaviour due to shocks and vibrations has been less studied, because of the large size of the finite element models needed for a detailed simulation. This work presents four different simplified models suitable for studying the dynamic behaviour of an elementary bolted joint. Three of them include contact elements to allow sliding of the screw head and the nut on the assembled parts, and the last one allows rotation between screw and nut. A penalty approach based on the Coulomb friction model is used to model contact. The results show that these models effectively represent the dynamic behaviour, with different accuracy depending on the model details. The last model simulates the self loosening of a bolt subjected to transversal vibrations.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of critically ill COVID-19 patients in Sfax, Tunisia

Mabrouk Bahloul,Sana Kharrat,Kamilia Chtara,Malek Hafdhi,Olfa Turki,Najeh Baccouche,Rania Ammar,Nozha Kallel,Majdi Hsairi,Olfa Chakroun-Walha,Chokri Ben Hamida,Hedi Chelly,Khaiereddine Ben Mahfoudh,Ab 대한중환자의학회 2022 Acute and Critical Care Vol.37 No.1

Background: Africa, like the rest of the world, has been impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, only a few studies covering this subject in Africa have been published. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of critically ill adult COVID-19 patients—all of whom had a confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection—admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Habib Bourguiba University Hospital (Sfax, Tunisia). Results: A total of 96 patients were admitted into our ICU for respiratory distress due to COVID-19 infection. Mean age was 62.4±12.8 years and median age was 64 years. Mean PaO2/FiO2 ratio was 105±60 and ≤300 in all cases but one. Oxygen support was required for all patients (100%) and invasive mechanical ventilation for 38 (40%). Prone positioning was applied in 37 patients (38.5%). Within the study period, 47 of the 96 patients died (49%). Multivariate analysis showed that the factors associated with poor outcome were the development of acute renal failure (odds ratio [OR], 6.7), the use of mechanical ventilation (OR, 5.8), and serum cholinesterase (SChE) activity lower than 5,000 UI/L (OR, 5.9). Conclusions: In this retrospective cohort study of critically ill patients admitted to the ICU in Sfax, Tunisia, for acute respiratory failure following COVID-19 infection, the mortality rate was high. The development of acute renal failure, the use of mechanical ventilation, and SChE activity lower than 5000 UI/L were associated with a poor outcome.