Contribution of the geographic information system for groundwater to the mapping of subterranean waters in the region Djelfa (Algeria)

The Djelfa region characterized by a semi-arid climate. The quality of groundwater is among the problems that are becoming increasing concern in the region. The physico-chemical characteristics of water are severely affected by high salinity of them. This research is devoted to the use of geographic information systems GIS, for drawing maps of the main parameters that can reveal the spatial variation of physical and chemical characteristics of water to achieve a good estimate of its quality. Mapping is the first step in the creation of geographic information systems. The aim of our work is to present a tool for decision making that can establish useful maps to study the water quality of the Djelfa region

Estimation des paramètres de l'érosion hydrique par Approche SIG/USLE : cas du bassin versant de l'Oued Arab (région de Khenchela, Nord-Est de l’Algérie)

L’érosion, le transport solide et la sédimentation constituent, de par leurs importances, un problème majeur en Algérie. Le présent travail a pour objectif d’évaluer et cartographier les zones sensibles et à haut risque d’érosion ainsi que les régions d’urgence d’intervention dans le bassin versant, par une approche SIG/USLE à l’échelle du bassin versant. Le modèle USLE ( Universal Soil Loss Equation), avec lequel on peut estimer les risques d’érosion hydrique des sols, a été appliqué au bassin versant d’ oued el Arab. L'analyse, des cinq paramètres d’érosion à savoir l’érosivité de la pluie, l’érodibilité du sol, l’inclinaison et la longueur de pente, le couvert végétal et les pratiques antiérosives, ont été opérées dans un SIG. La combinaison des différentes cartes de ces paramètres a permis de déduire la carte  d’érosion à partir de laquelle, il ressort que le phénomène d’érosion touche l’ensemble du bassin versant d’oued el Arab  et varient de 0 à plus de 65 t/ha/an avec une perte moyenne annuelle relativement forte de 7.3 t/ha/an.Mots-clés : Bassin versant oued El Arab, érosion hydrique, vulnérabilité, SIG, USLE

Hybrid renewable energy generation systems for eco-friendly buildings in Qatar.

To meet Qatar National Vision 2030, this research aims integrating renewable energy sources (RES) into large educational, industrial and commercial buildings in Qatar while making them energy efficient. The proposed hybrid energy system (HES) is investigated using the Texas A&M Engineering building in Qatar as the case-study. Proposed solution main components are: 1) Installing Photovoltaic panels (RES) on the roof of building. 2) Utilizing the flow of waste washing water and collected rain water in power generation. 3) Employing energy storage as a balancing mechanism, and to act as an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) during power shortages. 4) Providing the needed load dispatch criteria by control and optimization

Enhancement of plant growth, acclimatization, salt stress tolerance and verticillium wilt disease resistance using plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) associated with plum trees (Prunus domestica)

Plants interact with a great variety of microorganisms that inhabit the rhizosphere playing critical roles in several aspects of plant growth and protection against abiotic and biotic diseases. In this study, we performed a screening of bacteria associated with the rhizosphere of Prunus domestica trees to identify bacterial strains with plant growth-promoting activity. Ten strains isolated from the rhizosphere of P. domestica showed multiple in vitro plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) activity such as the production of indole acetic acid, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, solubilization of phosphates and antifungal activity against Verticillium dalhiae and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. melonis. In planta, they significantly increased the growth (stem length, number of leaflets, leaf area and root weight) and biochemical (nitrate reductase activity, proline and chlorophyll content) parameters of tomato, as well as the rate of seed germination. Two selected strains (Pr7 and Pr8) with higher antagonistic activity against V. dalhiae and F. oxysporum f.sp. melonis protected tomato plants against Verticillium wilt and salt stress. In addition, they enhanced acclimatization of Vitis vinifera cv. Pinot noir and the peach root stock GF305 from in vitro to the greenhouse. 16S rRNA sequencing identified strains Pr7 and Pr8 as Pseudomonas stutzeri and Bacillus toyonensis, respectively. Since these two PGPR inoculants exhibited multiple traits beneficial to the examined host plants, they may be applied in the development of safe, and effective seed treatments as an alternative to chemical fungicides and fertilization but also for successful acclimatization of micropropagated plants.Mohamed Faize was supported by funding from the ‘Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur, de la Recherche Scientifique de la Formation des Cadres’ (MERSFC, Morocco) within the framework of ARIMNet2 Projec

Mitochondrial Dysfunction as an Arrhythmogenic Substrate A Translational Proof-of-Concept Study in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome in Whom Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation Develops

ObjectivesThis study sought to provide bedside evidence of the potential link between cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction and arrhythmia as reported in bench studies.BackgroundAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent complication of cardiac surgery. Underlying mechanisms of post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) remain largely unknown. Because cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction has been reported in clinical conditions with a high risk of POAF, we investigated whether a causal link exists between POAF onset and pre-operative function of cardiac mitochondria.MethodsPre-operative mitochondrial respiration and calcium retention capacity, respiratory complex activity, and myocardial oxidative stress were quantified in right atrial tissue from 104 consecutive patients with metabolic syndrome, in sinus rhythm, and undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.ResultsIn this high-risk population, POAF occurred in 44% of patients. Decreased pre-operative mitochondrial respiration and increased sensitivity to calcium-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening were significantly associated with POAF. Adenosine diphosphate–stimulated mitochondrial respiration supported by palmitoyl-l-carnitine was significantly lower in POAF patients and remained independently associated with AF onset after adjustment for age, body mass index, heart rate, beta-blocker use, and statin medication (multivariate logistic regression coefficient per unit = −0.314 ± 0.144; p = 0.028). Gene expression profile analysis identified a general downregulation of the mitochondria/oxidative phosphorylation gene cluster in pre-operative atrial tissue of patients in whom AF developed.ConclusionsOur prospective study identifies an association between pre-operative mitochondrial dysfunction of the atrial myocardium and AF occurrence after cardiac surgery in patients with metabolic disease, providing novel insights into the link between mitochondria and arrhythmias in patients

Enhanced salt-induced antioxidative responses involve a contribution of polyamine biosynthesis in grapevine plants

The possible involvement of polyamines in the salt stress adaptation was investigated in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) plantlets focusing on photosynthesis and oxidative metabolism. Salt stress resulted in the deterioration of plant growth and photosynthesis, and treatment of plantlets with methylglyoxal-bis(guanylhydrazone) (MGBG), a S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) inhibitor, enhanced the salt stress effect. A decrease in PSII quantum yield (Fv/Fm), effective PSII quantum yield (Y(II)) and coefficient of photochemical quenching (qP) as well as increases in non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) and its coefficient (qN) was observed by these treatments. Salt and/or MGBG treatments also triggered an increase in lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation as well as an increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POX) activities, but not ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity. Salt stress also resulted in an accumulation of oxidized ascorbate (DHA) and a decrease in reduced glutathione. MGBG alone or in combination with salt stress increased monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR), SOD and POX activities and surprisingly no accumulation of DHA was noticed following treatment with MGBG. These salt-induced responses correlated with the maintaining of high level of free and conjugated spermidine and spermine, whereas a reduction of agmatine and putrescine levels was observed, which seemed to be amplified by the MGBG treatment. These results suggest that maintaining polyamine biosynthesis through the enhanced SAMDC activity in grapevine leaf tissues under salt stress conditions could contribute to the enhanced ROS scavenging activity and a protection of photosynthetic apparatus from oxidative damages.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Project CICYT BFU2009-07443) co-financed by FEDER funds, and Fundación Séneca-Agencia de Ciencia y Tecnología de la Región de Murcia (II PCTRM 2007–2010 Framework) [11883/PI/09]. PDV acknowledge the CSIC and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for his Ramon & Cajal research contract, co-financed by FEDER funds. GBE thanks CSIC for his JAE-pre fellowship.Peer reviewe

Performance analysis of hybrid PV-diesel-storage system in AGRS-Hassi R’mel Algeria

The main research paper focuses on the optimal hybrid system using HOMER software in the central plant of Hassi R’mel. Indeed, the system is composed of PV panels, a battery bank, and a diesel engine, all of which are used to supply an industrial load. Hence, the present work proposes a solution to optimize the power generated by the power sources, maximize the photovoltaic source use, and minimize the use of the battery bank and the diesel generator. Moreover, the solution aims to guarantee the safe operation of the system components and continuity in the load power supply. These objectives are performed by the minimization of a cost function, in which the power generation cost, the energetic balance, and the environmental parameters are taken into consideration. Among the five solutions, the most optimal system obtained is PV/Diesel/batteries /Grid. This system consists of 1200 KW PV, an 1100 KW diesel generator, 800 units of battery, and an 1100 KW converter. Therefore, to supply the station with 49% of electricity by PV and 51% by diesel while the reduction of emissions is 60%, and 708020 liters of diesel is saved. Applying the sensitivity analysis also showed that renewable resources have an impact on the sizing of PV. When solar radiation increases, the size of renewable energy decreases and the NPC decreases as well. It can, thus, be illustrated that the PV/diesel/battery system is not fully-optimal. This strategy is recommended for industrial system security since it can be used to ensure systems from an energetic and economic point of view