East Of Algeria Research Articles

Ecology, phenology and wintering behavior of Anatidae in the wetlands of Souk–Ahras (north–eastern Algeria)

Understanding the spatial and temporal niche of waterfowl is essential for effective management and conservation. To determine the ecology and phenology of Anatidae in North Africa, we carried out a 12–month study (2019–2020) in three wetlands that constitute a winter refuge for waterbirds in the Souk–Ahras region in north–east Algeria. We surveyed species richness, the seasonal pattern of the number of Anatidae, and their wintering diurnal behavior using regular counts and scans. We recorded thirteen species: six wintering species (Anas clypeata, Anas penelope, Anas strepera, Tadorna tadorna, Aythya ferina, and Anas crecca crecca) and three sedentary nesting species (Anas platyrhynchos, Oxyura leucocephala, and Aythya nyroca), the latter two having national and international protection status. The survey showed that the wintering behavior of all these species is dominated by sleep, which on average accounts for almost half of the total time (48.91 %). Our results indicate that the three wetlands host a complex waterfowl community that includes species of conservation concern and that these sites likely play an essential role in providing the essential resources for wintering. Dataset published through GBIF (Doi: 10.15470/fozdot)

Anti-Quorum Sensing and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oils Extracted From Juniperus Species, Growing Spontaneously in Tebessa Region (East of Algeria)

The chemical composition of essential oils (EOs) extracted from the aerial parts of 2 species of Juniperus was determined by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). In total, 65 and 58 compounds accounting for 90.3% and 89.8% of the whole chemical composition of Juniperus oxycedrus (JO) and Juniperus phoenicea (JP) were identified, respectively, with α-pinene, α-amorphene, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpinene, and β-elemene, as major components. For the first time, the capacity to inhibit quorum-sensing for Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and CV12472 by the investigated EOs was evaluated. Both oils exhibited good violacein inhibition on CV12472 with 100.0 ± 0.0% inhibition at minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) values. Besides, the quorum-sensing inhibition of CV026 was high at MIC for JO essential oil from fruits (JOF, 16.3 ± 2.0 mm), JO leaves (JOL, 12.5 ± 3.5 mm), JP fruits (JPF, 19.7 ± 2.5 mm), and JP leaves (JPL, 21.1 ± 5.0 mm). On both CV12472 and CV026, essential oil from J. phoenicea leaves was the most active inhibitor. All investigated EOs inhibited swarming motilities in flagellated Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA01) in a concentration-dependent manner, and those from JP were more active than EOs from JO. Moreover, these EOs showed good antioxidant potential according to DPPH● and FRAP methods, especially the EO from JO leaves with an IC50 DPPH● inhibition value of 20.2 ± 1.0 mg/mL. Based on the obtained results, the investigated EOs are good candidates to combat microbial resistance be used as alternatives to conventional antibiotics, and equally find applications in food biosafety as preservatives.

GIS-based multicriteria approach for flood risk assessment in Sigus city, east Algeria

GIS-based multicriteria approach for flood risk assessment in Sigus city, east Algeria

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND THERMO-ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF RECYCLED MATERIALS: LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT APPLIED TO OFFICE BUILDING IN BISKRA CITY, ALGERIA

In order to reduce energy consumption of buildings and their environmental impacts, it’s important to improve their energy performance, and to have and evaluate sufficiently reliable multi-criteria tools, to highlight their origins, throughout the building life cycle. Such impacts may be resulting from their construction, during exploit, renovation and at the end of life. This work relates to a part of this action and seeks to derive results from a life-cycle analysis comparing an office building envelope configuration, located in Biskra, a city south East Algeria characterized by hot and dry climate. Life Cycle Assesment method was applied according to a standardized protocol (ISO14000 &14040), promoting a better understanding of a building environmental impact throughout its life cycle. More, such method, allows designers to make the most appropriate choice (recycled materials, energy systems HVAC) in relation to their objectives.

Epidemiological Profile, Clinical, Paraclinical, and Evolutionary of Adult Autoimmune Cytopenia Cases in East of Algeria

BACKGROUND: Peripheral autoimmune cytopenia is defined by the immune-mediated destruction of hematological cell lines, including platelets, red blood cells, white cells (neutrophils), and multi-line destruction, called Evans syndrome. METHODS: Our retrospective study includes 59 patients admitted to the hematology service in Constantine Regional Military University Hospital during a period of 10 years (2010–2019) with the aim of specifying the epidemiological, clinical and biological characteristics as well as the characteristics therapy of adult autoimmune cytopenia in eastern Algeria region. RESULTS: Through this study, it can be noted that immunological thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is the most frequent of cytopenia 79.33% (47 cases) followed by autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHAI) by 20.34% (11 cases). The average age for ITP is 52.04 ± 5.78 years with a male predominance and a gender F/M ratio of 0.81. People over the age of 60 were the most affected. The diagnosis is evoked in the presence of a hemorrhagic syndrome in 51.06% of cases. Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100 g/l) is found in all our patients. Of the 24 cases with hemorrhagic syndrome, 83.33% have thrombocytopenia <30 g/l. The average age for AHAI is 46.92 ± 10.16 years with a gender F/M ratio of 0.71. The diagnosis is evoked in the presence of an anemic syndrome in 91.66% of cases. Anemia is found in all our patients, with an average hemoglobin level of 7.56 ± 0.95 g/dl. Direct positive test in 66.67% of cases. The markers of hemolysis remain mainly disrupted by the haptoglobin which is reduced with an average rate of 0.06 g/l. CONCLUSION: Peripheral autoimmune cytopenia is rare; we can remember that in our context ITP is the most frequent of autoimmune cytopenia in adults. It's a pathology that affects both sexes with a male predominance. In the AHAI, we have noticed a slight male predominance. Its main clinical manifestation is anemic syndrome and corticosteroids are the first-line treatment in both types ITP and AHAI.

Population Fluctuation and Diurnal Time Budgeting of White-Headed Duck (Oxyura Leucocephala) During Winter at Garaet Hadj Tahar (Skikda, North East Algerian)

This study was focused on the ecology and behavior of the White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) at Garaet Hadj Tahar (Guerbes-Sanhadja, North East of Algeria). Sampling was carried out during two wintering seasons (2017-2018 and 2018-2019). High number of this duck was recorded in 2018/19 (350 individuals). We observed two Oxyura population, the first sedentary, and the second, hosted the Garaet during the wintering season. Diurnal time budget was dominated by the comfort activities the sleeping with a rate of 39.13%. Following by swimming (37.76%), feeding (17.59%) grooming (4.58%), courtship ritual (0.56%) and flying (0.38%). The feeding of white-headed duck is done exclusively by diving. Beside, this waterbird associated between Feeding by diving and grooming in order to minimized energy. The accessory activities such as: courtship ritual, flying were done by this duck at the end of wintering. This results confirm that Garaet Hadj Tahar is considered as wintering site for this threatened species. Biological Conservation plan (BCP) must be applied at level of this wetland in order to manage bioressources and threatened waterbirds.

ЗАБРУДНЕННЯ АЕРОЗОЛЬНИМИ ЧАСТИНКАМИ, ЩО ПОВ'ЯЗАНЕ З ЕКСПОРТОМ ФОСФАТУ У ПОРТУ АННАБА

For several decades, airborne particulate matter (PM) pollution has become one of the major concerns of policymakers across the globe, due to its adverse effects on climate, human health, environment and various socio-economic sectors. The process of phosphate export in bulk is one of the main source generating air pollutants, such as PM emissions of different shapes, concentrations and particle sizes, which can cause respiratory diseases. The objective of this work is to determine the dust level generated by the processes of unloading, storage and loading of phosphate in bulk to ships, by the company of the port installation at the port of Annaba (East of Algeria). The PM measurement campaign was carried out according to the NF X 43-014. It was performed on 08 sampling points located at the port of Annaba and in a periphery with a radius of up to 2.3 km. The recorded results show very high levels of dust in 05 samples series largely exceeding the acceptable threshold (1000 mg/m²/day). The level of heavy metals in dust was evaluated by the analysis of Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. EDAX analysis showed that the phosphate PM have an angular morphology elongated particles and hook-shaped.

Phytochemical screening and mosquito larvicidal activity of an Algerian Ruta graveolens hydro-methanolic extracts against Culiseta longiareolata

This study targeted to find biodegradable organic substances insecticides effective against the mosquitoes species and alternatives to synthetic chemical insecticides. These substances must be non-harmful to humans and do not pollute the environment. For this reason, an in vitro test of insecticidal activity of the methanolic, extracted of Ruta graveolens, cultivated in Tebessa (East Algeria), was applied against larvae of Culiseta longiareolata. In addition, our research focused on the phytochemical screening of Ruta graveolens and examined its hydro-methanolic extract effect on biomarkers (GST and GSH). The results showed that R. graveolens leaf extract contained flavonoids, alkaloids, catechin tannins, terpenoids and steroids. The gallic tannins, quinones, and saponins were not detected. The extract has a very effective larvicidal activity with LC50 of 33.06, 37.08, 82.27 and 150.6 mg/l for first, second, third and fourth instar larvae of Culiseta longiareolata respectively. The sensitivity of the larvae is variable and increased with increasing concentration of the extract. This extract was found to stimulate the detoxification system as showed by an increase in GST activity and a decrease in GSH rate. These results would be useful to replace chemical larvicides with bioactive compounds from plant sources such as a new mosquito control agents.

Rabbit meat in the east of Algeria: motivation and obstacles to consumption

<p>In Algeria, rabbit meat consumption is insufficiently anchored in culinary traditions compared to other types of meat that are widely consumed, namely sheep and chicken. The purpose of this research is to investigate the influence of sociogeographic variables, both intrinsic and extrinsic quality cues, on consumption frequency, purchasing decision, motivations and the main deterrents to rabbit meat consumption. A survey is conducted with 360 consumers across 15 <em>wilayas</em> (districts) in Eastern Algeria. The results help us draw a conclusion that rabbit meat is consumed in all surveyed <em>wilayas</em> with a low frequency of consumption for the majority of respondents (79%). On the one hand, the causes of consumption are mainly: good taste (59%) and nutritional value (27%). On the other hand, the limiting factors are different: scarcity of rabbit meat on the market (42%), price (22%), eating habits (17%), lack of information on nutritional value (13%), bad taste (3%) and its resemblance to cat meat (3%). Regarding purchasing criteria, tenderness (58%) and freshness (14%) were chosen by most consumers. Although most consumers recognise the nutritional benefits of rabbit meat, it is poorly ranked in the choice of its consumers, placing it fourth after sheep, beef and poultry. Cross tabulation results show that gender, employment status and geographical areas are three variables that significantly affect the consumer’s perception and behaviour towards rabbit meat. This study is the first to analyse the Algerian consumer profile and sheds light on factors encouraging and hindering rabbit meat consumption.</p>

In vivo evaluation of Aggressiveness, pathogenicity and patulin accumulation by three Penicillium expansum strains isolated from Algerian apples

Among the postharvest pathogens of apple fruit, Penicillium expansum (P.expansum) is considered to be one of the most common fungal pathogens worldwide. It is the causal agent of blue mold decay; the main serious economically disease of apple fruits, and the main producer of patulin (PAT). The principal objective of this work was to evaluate the aggressiveness and the PAT production of three isolated strains from apples produced in the East of Algeria. These strains were isolated then screened for their inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis (18 mm and 18 mm for S7; 10 mm and 11mm for S3), as well as their ability to cause blue rot (S4). The three strains S7, S3, and S4 (MN904448, MT023795 and MN904449, respectively) were identified as P. expansum by ITS1, ITS4, and β-tubulin gene sequences analysis. The in vitro ability to produce PAT was confirmed by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of strains’ crude extracts cul-tured on YES (Yeast-Extract-Sucrose) medium. Indeed, these strains exhibited a great capacity to cause blue mold decay for all tested apples (26 to 52 mm lesion diameter), after nine days of incubation at 25°C. Apples rotten area analysis that was performed by UPLC analysis revealed that these three strains were able to produce PAT at different concentrations ranging from 0.57 to 469 μg/mL. Thus, these strains constitute a risk to consumer health because these amounts exceed the permissive level of PAT.

Discharge capacity of shaft spillway with a polygonal section: a case study of Djedra dam (East Algeria)

Abstract This paper proposes a new design for the shaft spillway of the Djedra dam (East Algeria). The procedure consists of replacing the circular section with a polygonal configuration of twelve (12) sections. The study of the model was divided into five different versions according to the variants of technical modifications of the water intake funnel; this configuration was tested on a hydraulic model in the laboratory of hydroelectric power plants of the Moscow State University of Environmental Engineering. The use of the polygonal section weir can greatly simplify the formwork of the structure, also the free entry funnel increases the discharge coefficient by 20%, without exposing the head of the weir to the risk of cavitation. In the event of submersion, the adopted design can ensure the crossing of an estimated relative flow with a probability of P = 0.01%, which means reducing the height of the dam by 0.68 m, and thus making the hydraulic structure more efficient economically and more reliable. The experimental model was produced on a 1:60 scale of the prototype, which guarantees self-simulation of the hydraulic phenomena of the Djedra dam, and its final design is judged to be hydraulically satisfactory and recommended for construction.

Applying Multi-Index approach from Sentinel-2 Imagery to Extract Urban Area in dry season (Semi-Arid Land in North East Algeria)

<p>The mapping of urban areas mostly presents a big difficulty, particularly, in arid and semi-arid environments. For that reason, in this research, we expect to increase built up accuracy mapping for Bordj Bou Arreridj city in semi-arid regions (North-East Algeria) by focusing on the identification of appropriate combination of the remotely sensed spectral indices. The study applies the ‘k–means’ classifier. In this regard, four spectral indexes were selected, namely normalized difference tillage index (NDTI) for built-up, and both bare soil index (BSI) and dry bare-soil index (DBSI), which are related to bare soil, as well as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). All previous spectral indices mentioned were derived from Sentinel-2 data acquired during the dry season. Two combinations of them were generated using layer stack process, keeping both of NDTI and NDVI index constant in both combinations so that the multi-index NDTI/BSI/NDVI was the first single dataset combination, and the multi-index NDTI/DBSI/NDVI as the second component. The results show that BSI index works better with NDTI index compared to the use of DBSI index. Therefore, BSI index provides improvements: bare soil classes and built-up were better discriminated, where the overall accuracy increased by 5.67% and the kappa coefficient increased by 12.05%. The use of k-means as unsupervised classifier provides an automatic and a rapid urban area detection. Therefore, the multi-index dataset NDTI/ BSI / NDVI was suitable for mapping the cities in dry climate, and could provide a better urban management and future remote sensing applications in semi-arid areas particularly.</p>

A GIS-BASED DRASTIC MODEL: THE BOUMAIZA PLAIN (NORTH-EAST ALGERIA)

The plain of Boumaiza is located in the north east of Algeria in the wilaya of Skikda. This region is characterized by agricultural activity and is subject to a mediterranean climate. This agricultural development is liable to contaminate the groundwater heavily loaded by the local population for its drinking water needs. In order to highlight the state of vulnerability to groundwater pollution of the captive aquifer, which is composed of sands and gravels and pebbles, it is based on a marly substratum, GIS-based DRASTIC Index method has been applied in the aquifer of Boumaiza Plain. This method is presented in the form of numerical rating systems based on consideration of the different factors influencing the hydrogeological system, where a note and a weight are affected and varying with each parameter used. This method is based in the parameters like depth to the groundwater, net recharge, Aquifer media, soil media, topography, impact of the vadose zone, and hydraulic conductivity. The results show that the study area is characterized by a low and medium vulnerability to pollution.

Contribution in developing a rapid strategy in assessing hardened steel machining

The present work is a contribution to developing a strategy for rapid analysis of the behaviour of surface roughness and tool wear during machining hardened steel with carbide cemented cutting tools on conventional cutting machines. In agreement with dies and mould manufacturers in East Algeria, the strategy is based on the machining potential of the manufacturers, cutting tools manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations from literature. The agreement suggested to focus on up and down shoulder finish milling of hardened AISI D3 tool steel using GC1030 insert on a conventional vertical milling machine. The strategy has been developed within five successive steps starting from the analyses of the performance of a machine tool to the definition of an experimental plan to respect. As expected, results show that down shoulder milling is the most suitable process rather than up shoulder milling which must be avoided whatever the hardening condition. In addition, the best performance of down shoulder milling is obtained when machining unhardened steel. In the as-received condition (31.6 HRc) when using down milling the cutting speed can be increased up to the maximum value of 113 m/min, however, the tool life obtained for this value is three times lower than that at Vc = 59 m/min. In 49 HRc hardening condition, milling at Vc = 59 m/min resulted in the good surface finish but with a tool life 6.5 times lower than the tool life when milling in the as-received condition. Vibration measurements provide a time referential data on the evolution of surface roughness together with corresponding tool wear. A time referential data on the evolution of displacement together with the corresponding tool life has been proposed as useful information to meet the needs of dies and moulds manufacturers when milling hardened steels.

First report of Toxoplasma gondii infection and associated risk factors in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) population in south East Algeria.

The study aimed at assessing the prevalence of toxoplasmosis due to T. gondii in dromedaries by the ELISA test and to identify associated risk factors. A cross-sectional study was performed on 320 dromedaries (Camelus dromedaries) from January to March 2018 in four provinces of southeastern Algeria (Biskra, El- Oued, Ouargla, and Ghardaia). A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on individual characteristics, husbandry management and health conditions. The ELISA test revealed an overall seroprevalence of 15% (CI95%: 11.5-19.33). Possible factors associated with T. gondii infection were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Age, husbandry system, and study area were identified as risk factors for T. gondii infection. Increased seropositivity was observed in old animals older than 10years (OR=2.81; CI: 1.51-3.87; p=0.003), two times higher in animals living in the intensive husbandry system (OR=2.42; CI: 1.3-3.07; p=0.003), and four times higher in animals living in Biskra (OR=4.2; CI: 1.21-9.85; p=0.0001) than other provinces. The identification of the risk factors determines the type of measures and strategies to be applied to reduce, control and prevent T. gondii infection in dromedaries and thereby reducing human infection risks.

THE ABUNDANCE AND DIVERSITY OF GRASSHOPPER (ORTHOPTERA: CAELIFERA) ALONG AN ALTITUDINAL GRADIENT IN JIJEL DISTRICT, ALGERIA

Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Caelifera) diversity were studied in three sites at different altitude in Jijel district (North East Algeria). The insects were captured with sweep net weekly from April to August 2016. It appears that 30 Grasshopper species belonging to 4 families and 11 subfamilies were identified amongst 712 individuals. Acrididae species (25) were the most frequent. The species richness was higher at medium altitude (23 species) and high altitude (22 species) than at low altitude (18 species). Species abundance distribution fitted the Broken stick model at low and high altitude while it fitted the Geometric or Motumura model at medium altitude. Grasshopper abundance increased with the altitude while diversity was not correlated with increasing altitude since diversity indices values were high in medium altitude.

Fault interaction for the Beni-Ilmane (east of Algeria) seismic sequence on May 2010

This work is aimed at understanding the interaction between faults of three moderate events of the seismic sequence which occurred on May 2010 in the region of Beni-Ilmane which belongs to the Hodna-Biban domain (east of Algeria). This seismic sequence occurred on a complex faulted fold located in the Biban region in the southern part of the Tellian Atlas. The first shock occurred on May 14, 2010, at 12:29 GMT (Mw = 5.5) either on a dextral plane oriented [Strike, Dip, Rake: 254°, 74°, 175°] or on a sinistral plane oriented [Strike, Dip, Rake: 345, 85, 16]. Based on the stress change modeling, the fault plane with [Strike, Dip, Rake: 254°, 74°, 175°] is the one played for the first shock and starting the seismic sequence. I have also shown that the plane of the second shock which occurred on May 16 at 06:52 GMT (Mw = 5.1) oriented [Strike, Dip, Rake: 250°, 55°, 120°] is loaded by the first shock (Coulomb stress changes = 0.19 bar). The third shock occurred on May 23 at 13:28 GMT (Mw = 5.2) with plane oriented [Strike, Dip, Rake: 12°, 57°, 12°] was loaded by the two previous shocks (Coulomb stress changes = 0.04 bar). I have correlated aftershocks occurred during this seismic sequence with Coulomb stress changes modeling taking into account the contribution of the regional stress tensor shows that the greatest number of aftershocks is located in positive areas of total Coulomb stress changes with a percentage that exceeds 65%. The best results are obtained for thrust optimal planes oriented NE-SW.

DIGITAL LEARNING WITH COVID-19 IN ALGERIA

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic poses an unprecedented global challenge, impacting profoundly on health and wellbeing, daily life, and the economy around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has also changed education forever. The COVID-19 has resulted in schools shut all across the world. Globally, all children at schools or students at universities are out of the classroom. As a result, education has changed dramatically, with the notable rise of e-learning, whereby teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms. Batna 2 University -situated in East of Algeria- is one of the universities suggested after the spread of COVID-19 in March, that online learning has been shown to increase retention of information, and take less time, meaning the changes coronavirus have caused might be here to stay. All institutes and departments, including the Industrial Engineering department, are started using the e-learning Moodle platform to publish courses for all degrees of study and establish online sessions, especially for Ph.D. students.

Distribution of seroprevalence and risk factors for bovine tuberculosis in east Algeria

Despite the difficulties and the absence of credible scientific information concerning bovine tuberculosis in Algeria, our cross-sectional and inferential study, which is estimated to be a first in Algeria, affected three major semi-intensive regions in East of Algeria, by analyzing 21 holdings which grouped 516 cattle in an intensive and semi-intensive breeding character over a period of 12 months, in order to estimate the seroprevalence and the risk factors those influence the emergence of the disease in these regions. A serological test (ELISA) was carried out on all collected sera, after a stratified two-level sampling. A generalized linear mixed model was used to identify risk factors associated with animal-level positivity. A multivariate descriptive analysis (MCA) was used to identify farm clusters associated with bTB seroprevalence. The results obtained allow us to classify Algeria on the epidemiological level in the field of bovine tuberculosis, in an intermediate situation with a seroprevalence rate of 3.49 % (95 % CI : 1,91, 507); between industrialized countries where the seroprevalence is mostly very low below 0,1% and developing countries with very high seroprevalence such as African-Asian countries. This intermediate epidemiological position is influenced by certain risk factors that are integrated into the three mechanisms commonly known by the scientific community: “contamination by the introduction of an animal”; “neighborhood contamination"; “recurrence”. But what characterizes this study is the obtaining of a “Animals purchased from a country listed as not OTF” factor that has returned as a highly protective factor and contributed to the decrease in this seroprevalence, and put Algeria in an intermediate epidemiological situation according to our study, and this is due to a purchase channeled by the state which is exclusive of the countries certified OTF by the OIE.

Phylogenetic characterization and screening of halophilic bacteria from Algerian salt lake for the production of biosurfactant and enzymes

Environments containing significant concentration of NaCl such as salt lakes harbor extremophiles microorganisms which have a great biotechnology interest. To explore the diversity of Bacteria in Chott Tinsilt (Algeria), an isolation program was performed. Water samples were collected from the saltern during the pre-salt harvesting phase. This Chott is high in salt (22.47% (w/v). Seven halophiles Bacteria were selected for further characterization. The isolated strains were able to grow optimally in media with 10–25% (w/v) total salts. Molecular identification of the isolates was performed by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. It showed that these cultured isolates included members belonging to the Halomonas, Staphylococcus, Salinivibrio, Planococcus and Halobacillus genera with less than 98% of similarity with their closest phylogenetic relative. The halophilic bacterial isolates were also characterized for the production of biosurfactant and industrially important enzymes. Most isolates produced hydrolases and biosurfactants at high salt concentration. In fact, this is the first report on bacterial strains (A4 and B4) which were a good biosurfactant and coagulase producer at 20% and 25% ((w/v)) NaCl. In addition, the biosurfactant produced by the strain B4 at high salinity (25%) was also stable at high temperature (30-100°C) and high alkalinity (pH 11).