Abstract This study investigates the temperature-dependent elastic, mechanical, thermal, and acoustic features of alkaline earth semiconductors calcium monochalcogenides CaX (X = S, Se, Te). First of all, the second- and third-order elastic constants have been calculated in the temperature range 0–500 K using the Born-potential model. The evaluated SOECs values were utilized to compute the mechanical constants at 0 K and 300 K. Selected materials in the present investigation have been found mechanically stable and brittle, in nature. The elastic anisotropy of the mechanical moduli has been presented using the 3D surface. SOECs have also been employed to perceive the acoustical wave velocities for longitudinal and shear modes of propagation and Debye mean velocities along <100>, <110>, and <111> directions. SOECs and TOECs were used to calculate the acoustic Grüneisen parameters. Further, the Debye characteristic temperature, thermal conductivity, specific heat, and energy density were computed for CaX. Finally, the direction-dependent ultrasonic attenuation due to phonon–phonon interaction and thermelastic relaxation process has been computed for CaX at room temperature. The results obtained have been validated with existing results that are accessible for the chosen materials.

Abstract This study aims to delineate the biomechanical responses in both soft and hard tissues, alongside the interactions within the surrounding bone of a human skull subjected to clinical loadings generated by a miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) device. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of a 20-year-old female skull were segmented. The skull bones were meticulously modeled to reconstruct a comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) model for finite-element analysis (FEA). A displacement of 0.125 mm was applied on each side (0.25 mm total) of the MARPE device to simulate one complete turn of the jackscrew. The outcomes revealed that the miniscrews experienced a maximum equivalent von Mises stress of 264.91 MPa. Notably, the separation of the midpalatal suture exhibited a quasi-parallel deformation with an average displacement of 0.247 mm and a standard deviation of 0.006,67 mm. The ratio of the rotational angle to the lateral displacement of the zygomaticomaxillary complex was 0.6436 degree/mm. No fracture of miniscrews was observed during the activation of one turn per day.

Abstract Soil fungi are vital members of the soil ecosystem, performing a multitude of functions critical for ecosystem health. This study examined the relationship between soil properties and fungal communities in Tunisian agroecosystems. Soil characteristics like pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, and nutrient content displayed significant variations across the studied crops. These variations suggest the need for tailored irrigation and fertilization practices for optimal plant growth. Fungal abundance also varied significantly, with pomegranate (P. granatum cv. Gabsi: 14.82 x 10⁵ CFU/g of soil) harboring the most abundant community, while tomato (S. lycopersicum cvs. Firenze and Dorra: 0.92 x 10⁵ and 0.66 x 10⁵ CFU/g of soil, respectively) exhibited the least. Similarly, Trichoderma spp. abundance followed the same pattern (2.02 x 10⁵, 0.04 x 10⁵, and 0.06 x 10⁵ CFU/g of soil, respectively). Analysis revealed that fungal abundance increased in soils with low salinity, compaction, and clay content, but increased more in environments rich in organic matter, nutrients, and well-drained sandy textures. Furthermore, a preference for a higher soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratio suggests fungi favor readily available carbon sources for growth. In Tunisian agroecosystems, soil properties significantly influenced fungal abundance and composition across crops. This highlights the need for tailored management practices to promote both plant growth and beneficial fungi, with a focus on maintaining good soil health for diverse fungal communities.

Abstract This work is focused to carry out the investigation of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) approach on free space optical (FSO) transmission systems using Erbium Ytterbium Doped Waveguide Amplifier (EYDWA) integrated as post-or pre-amplifier for extending the reach to 30 Km for the cost-effective implementation of FSO system considering weather conditions. Furthermore, the performance of proposed FSO-wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system is also evaluated on the effect of varying the FSO range and results are reported in terms of Q factor, BER, and eye diagrams. It has been found that, under clear rain the post-amplification was performed and was able to reach transmission distance over 27 Km, whereas, the FSO distance has been limited at 19.5 Km by using pre-amplification.

Three endophytic bacteria, namely BvV, BvP and BvL, were newly isolated from the root nodules of bean, pea and lentil plants respectively cultivated in Mascara the northwest of Algeria, and identified by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing as Brevundimonas naejangsanensis. These strains were able to produce hydrolytic enzymes and hydrogen cyanide. All strains produced a growth-promoting hormone, indole acetic acid, varying in concentration from 83.2 to 171.7 µg/mL. The phosphate solubilizing activity of BvV, BvP and BvL varied from 25.5 to 42.02 µg/mL for tricalcium phosphate. The three antagonistic Brevundimonas spp. showed in vitro the most inhibitory effect on mycelial growth of Fusarium redolens FRC (from 78.33 to 85.55%). Strain BvV, BvP and BvL produced also volatile metabolites which inhibited mycelial FRC growth up to 39.2%. All strains showed significant disease reduction in pot experiments. Chickpea Fusarium yellows severity caused by FRC was reduced significantly from 89.3 to 96.6% in the susceptible cultivar ILC 482 treated with antagonistic B. naejangsanensis. The maximum stimulatory effect on chickpea plants growth was observed by inoculation of strain BvV. This treatment resulted in a 7.40-26.21% increase in shoot height as compared to the control plants. It is concluded that the endophytic bacterial strains of B. naejangsanensis having different plant growth promoting (PGP) activities can be considered as beneficial microbes for sustainable agriculture. To our knowledge, this is the first report to use B. naejangsanensis strains as a new biocontrol agent against F. redolens, a new pathogen of chickpea plants causing Fusarium yellows disease in Algeria.

The objective of the current work is to analyze the influence of water cooling of high density polyethylene (HDPE) sheet welding by friction stir process (FSW) on mechanical strength, based on microhardness tests. In the present work, the process using the conventional tool (C-FSW) is presented with the new procedure developed for FSW for HDPE, called water conventional friction stir welding (W-FSW). Test results for water-cooled and non-cooled welded samples were compared. HDPE sheets were initially welded by FSW process, and intensive water cooling was performed to weld after the tool exceeded the initial welding position by 30mm. The tool rotation speed of 1100 rpm and welding speed of 26 mm/min was used. The results were compared and evaluated with the hardness tests. A decrease in the hardness was observed when the sheets were treated by quenching, especially in the weld cores. It was found that the average hardness was much lower than that of untreated welded plates. Additionally, there is a region outside the core that has more or less the same stiffness value. The use of intensive quenching and conventional tooling has proven to be of great importance in improving surface finish, reducing defects, and increasing the mechanical strength of welds. The resulting recrystallization modified the hardness and thus increased the efficiency of the joint. These findings indicate the welding quality of the studied polyethylene.

ABSTRACT This study presents an approach using a fuzzy analytical hierarchy process to assist experts during inspection campaigns of old masonry buildings. The approach is developed through a case study on the assessment of damages to old masonry buildings. Fuzzy systems are preferred due to their ability to handle uncertainties by simulating human reasoning during decision-making. The problem is broken down into a hierarchy of 37 criteria and sub-criteria to enable informed decisions. The weights of these criteria are calculated using the FAHP approach, which is commonly used in multi-criteria decision-making. Experts then assign scores to estimate the global score, reflecting the overall damage to the historical structure. This overall level of damage is associated with a colour, indicating the degree of construction degradation. The methodology is illustrated in the assessment of the health condition of the historic monument of Emir Abdelkader’s staff, with results found to be in agreement with those obtained from previous expertise on the historical building. The study concludes that the method adopted is an effective scientific tool that can be of great support to experts in their task of assessing the damage caused to old Masonry buildings.

This study aimed to evaluate the antigastroenteritis effect against Salmonella enterica subsp. arizonae after therapeutic application of hydromethanolic extracts (MeOH.E) and aqueous extracts (Aq.E) of Zizyphus lotus (ZL) and Ruta chalepensis (RC). Acute oral toxicity was elucidated using in vivo methods and antigastroenteritis effect were evaluated using S. enterica subsp. arizonae-induced diarrheal model. Furthermore, test groups were treated with 400 mg/kg of the MeOH.E and Aq.E of each plant, while the control group was given neomycin (200 mg/kg) as standard antibiotic treatment, positive and negative controls were given the infectious germ (4 × 106 cells/mL) and 0.9% saline solution NaCl (10 ml/kg), respectively. Both plants extracts showed no toxicity for all the animals, so the LD50 was found to be greater than 5000 mg/kg. Moreover, an important bactericidal effect, using both plants extracts was determined against S. enterica subsp. arizonae cells in the intestine. In parallel, a decrease in alkaline phosphatase, amino alanine transferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels was observed with reduction in blood erythrocyte sedimentation rate in all treated animals. Thus, these results could be exploited in the medical field for the formulation of potent antibacterial drugs that cure severe gastrointestinal infections.