Adult Movement Pattern and Habitat Preferences of the Maghribian Endemic Gomphus lucasii (Odonata: Gomphidae)

The Algerian Cubtail (Gomphus lucasii Selys) (Odonata: Gomphidae) is a river-dwelling dragonfly and one of the least known gomphid in the Palearctic. A survey of the movement patterns and habitat requirements of adults was conducted in the largest currently known population, located in the Seybouse River (Northeast Algeria). Daily mark-release-resighting surveys along a 2.5 km stretch of the watercourse and within plots in terrestrial habitats were carried out; a total of 1,316 individuals were marked. The resighting rate along the watercourse was 8.13% and did not significantly vary with sex and age. Adult spatial distribution differed according to sex and age. Mature females were significantly further from the water than males. Mature males were observed not only along the watercourse but also far from the water, up to 450 m where reproductive pairs in copula were recorded. Preferred maturation and foraging sites were open grasslands and dense wheat fields. Philopatry to reproductive sites had a mean of 1.11%, while philopatry to emergence site was lower (0.4%) and noted only in males. The mean distance of natal dispersal (from emergence to reproductive areas) was 596.5 ± 4.94 m. The mean dispersal distance from one reproductive site to another was 180.97 ± 238.54 m. Both mature males and females preferred fast flowing water, but females were observed to oviposit in relatively small watercourses.     

CRACM1 is a plasma membrane protein essential for store-operated Ca2+ entry

Store-operated Ca2+ entry is mediated by Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels following Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. We performed a genome-wide RNA interference (RNAi) screen in Drosophila cells to identify proteins that inhibit store-operated Ca2+ influx. A secondary patch-clamp screen identified CRACM1 and CRACM2 (CRAC modulators 1 and 2) as modulators of Drosophila CRAC currents. We characterized the human ortholog of CRACM1, a plasma membrane-resident protein encoded by gene FLJ14466. Although overexpression of CRACM1 did not affect CRAC currents, RNAi-mediated knockdown disrupted its activation. CRACM1 could be the CRAC channel itself, a subunit of it, or a component of the CRAC signaling machinery.     

Potential chemopreventive properties of extract from baked sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam. Cv. Koganesengan)

The extract from baked sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam. cv. Koganesengan) showed potential cancer-preventing effects. The extract was partially fractionated to four fractions (I, II-a II-b, and III) by Sephadex G-25 gel chromatography. The cytotoxicity against human myelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells, the suppression of TPA-induced transformation in mouse skin JB6 C141 cells, the apoptosis inducing activity in HL-60 cells, and the scavenging capacity against DPPH radical were tested on the four fractions. Fractions II-a and III showed markedly strong radical scavenging effects on the DPPH radical, coinciding with the high content of total phenolic compounds in the fractions. Both of these fractions suppressed strongly the proliferation of HL-60 cells with apoptosis induction in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the two fractions markedly blocked TPA-induced cell transformation in the JB6 cell line. Taken together, these data suggest that the water extract from baked sweet potato had potential chemopreventive properties.     

Traditional techniques for increasing the discharge from qanats in Algeria

This paper discusses the evolution of the foggara in time and the methods adopted by farmers to increase the water parts of owners. Field works were conducted in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 in the oases of Timimoun and Adrar. Over 100 foggaras were visited. Surveys and interviews with the populations and the owners were conducted. Two ancestral methods are used by the farmers to increase the discharge of the foggara. This is an extension of part of the drainage gallery and the addition of one or more branch in the main gallery. Over time, the foggara to a single gallery evolves towards a foggara to several galleries in the form a ramified network of galleries.     

Influence of Cropping Systems on Soil Properties in Semi-arid Conditions of Setif, Algeria

The effects of two culture systems, conventional and no-till combined the previous crop （lentil and wheat） on soil properties were studied in the experimental site of the station Technical Institute for Field Crops （ITGC） Setif （Algeria） during the crop year 2011/2012. The results indicate that the no-till system affects positively the variables of soil properties and the organic matter has a rate of 2.89% compared to 2.44% in conventional tillage. If the conventional system has an infiltration of moisture relatively higher than that observed for no-till throughout the cycle, the no-tillage is distinguished by a higher storage of moisture at the end of cycle wheat cultivation. The results also indicate that the density （1.44 g/cm）, permeability （22.79 cm/h） and soil compaction （12.51 kg/cm） in no-till were significantly higher compared to conventional tillage 1.35 g/cm, 14.13 cm/h, 7.40 kg/cm, respectively.