Mapping and assessment of groundwater pollution risks in the main aquifer of the Mostaganem plateau (Northwest Algeria): utilizing the novel vulnerability index and decision tree model.

Water plays a pivotal role in socio-economic development in Algeria. However, the overexploitations of groundwater resources, water scarcity, and the proliferation of pollution sources (including industrial and urban effluents, untreated landfills, and chemical fertilizers, etc.) have resulted in substantial groundwater contamination. Preserving water irrigation quality has thus become a primary priority, capturing the attention of both scientists and local authorities. The current study introduces an innovative method to mapping contamination risks, integrating vulnerability assessments, land use patterns (as a sources of pollution), and groundwater overexploitation (represented by the waterhole density) through the implementation of a decision tree model. The resulting risk map illustrates the probability of contamination occurrence in the substantial aquifer on the plateau of Mostaganem. An agricultural region characterized by the intensive nutrients and pesticides use, the significant presence of septic tanks, widespread illegal dumping, and a technical landfill not compliant with environmental standards. The critical situation in the region is exacerbated by excessive groundwater pumping surpassing the aquifer's natural replenishment capacity (with 115 boreholes and 6345 operational wells), especially in a semi-arid climate featuring limited water resources and frequent drought. Vulnerability was evaluated using the DRFTID method, a derivative of the DRASTIC model, considering parameters such as depth to groundwater, recharge, fracture density, slope, nature of the unsaturated zone, and the drainage density. All these parameters are combined with analyses of inter-parameter relationship effects. The results show a spatial distribution into three risk levels (low, medium, and high), with 31.5% designated as high risk, and 56% as medium risk. The validation of this mapping relies on the assessment of physicochemical analyses in samples collected between 2010 and 2020. The results indicate elevated groundwater contamination levels in samples. Chloride exceeded acceptable levels by 100%, nitrate by 71%, calcium by 50%, and sodium by 42%. These elevated concentrations impact electrical conductivity, resulting in highly mineralized water attributed to anthropogenic agricultural pollution and septic tank discharges. High-risk zones align with areas exhibiting elevated nitrate and chloride concentrations. This model, deemed satisfactory, significantly enhances the sustainable management of water resources and irrigated land across various areas. In the long term, it would be beneficial to refine "vulnerability and risk" models by integrating detailed data on land use, groundwater exploitation, and hydrogeological and hydrochemical characteristics. This approach could improve vulnerability accuracy and pollution risk maps, particularly through detailed local data availability. It is also crucial that public authorities support these initiatives by adapting them to local geographical and climatic specificities on a regional and national scale. Finally, these studies have the potential to foster sustainable development at different geographical levels.

[Prevalence and determinants of continued breastfeeding beyond 6 months among Algerian women. Evidence for Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys]. / Prévalence et déterminants de l'allaitement maternel poursuivi au-delà de 6 mois chez les femmes algériennes. Analyse à partir des données de l'enquête par grappes à indicateurs multiples.

Background and rationale: Breastfeeding is considered the best nutrition for infants and plays a significant role in a child's growth and development. In this regard, the World Health Organization (WHO) strongly recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, as well as continued breastfeeding when safe and appropriate complementary foods are introduced, up to 2 years of age or beyond. Nonetheless, breastfeeding practices remain sub-optimal in many parts of the world. In this respect, many children have shown not to be breastfed up to 6 months of age or are not breastfed during their first hours of life or are weaned too early. This allows for the use of infant formula, which can be life threatening due to poor hygiene, storage conditions or inappropriate foods. Likewise, breastfeeding rates in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are lower than the global average. In Algeria, the breastfeeding rate up to 6 months of age is among the lowest in the world according to previous Multiple Indicators Cluster Surveys (MICS) reports. In addition, by the end of the sixth month, the percentage of children exclusively breastfed is less than 3% and only 23% of children receive breast milk at 22-23 months. The median duration of breast-feeding is 12 weeks. However, the socio-demographic factors associated with this sub-optimal breastfeeding practice are not explored in these reports, as studies and research conducted in this context using other data are few and mostly conducted in limited geographical areas. Materials and methods: This stands for a descriptive cross-sectional study of all children who were breastfed in the MICS database, carried out in 2019, 8 709 children, including 4 471 boys and 4 238 girls, registered in the database. To explore factors associated with the duration of breastfeeding, we only included weaned children to minimize bias related to children who were still breastfeeding. This allowed to analyze data from 3 761 children, including 1 930 boys (5.4%) and 1,831 girls (48.6%). Through using a logistic regression model, we could attain the assessment of the role of different socio-demographic, economic and geographical factors in the maintenance of breastfeeding beyond 6 months. Results: The prevalence of breastfeeding is 81.1%; the rate of exclusive breastfeeding of children aged 0-6 months is 28.7%. The factors associated with breastfeeding beyond six months are area of residence, mother's occupational status and wealth quintile. In fact, rural area appears to be a factor favoring the continuation of breastfeeding beyond six months, compared with urban area (OR = 1.29; CI [1.032-1.369]). Mothers living in the Eastern Highlands geographic region appear to be 1.56 times more likely to maintain breastfeeding for more than six months compared to those living in the Southern region (OR = 1.56; CI [1.123 - 1.677]). Children of non-working mothers are almost 1.5 times more likely to be breastfed after 6 months than those of working mothers (OR = 1.489; CI [1.107 - 1.947]). Parents belonging to the "richest" wealth quintiles appear to increase the chance of continued breastfeeding after 6 months with a 1.24-fold increase compared to those belonging to the "poorest" quintile (OR = 1.24; CI [1.086 - 1.812]). Factors such as the child's gender, maternal education level, and functional difficulties do not appear to be determining factors for the continuation of breastfeeding after six months. Discussion and conclusion: The prevalence and factors associated with the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding vary from one country to another. Notwithstanding the numerous studies to better comprehend mothers' breastfeeding behaviour and various initiatives for promotion thereof, many countries have low rates. In consequence, the downward trend in breastfeeding is directly linked to advances in the production and marketing of industrial milks, the lack of information and awareness among mothers and the lack of training of health professionals. In this respect, it is highly recommended to encourage behavioural changes, to improve communication about the duration of breastfeeding, to increase the use of postnatal counselling and training of paramedical staff according to the recommendations with support for mothers.This study is of great interest in developing countries like Algeria, in order to adopt preventive interventions, and to organise communication and pre- and post-natal counselling in the breastfeeding project. Clearly, this study should be enhanced with supplementary qualitative studies concerning the factors contributing to early discontinuation of breastfeeding.

Baseline assessment of macrolitter on the coastline of Algeria: Fit-for-purpose data for tailor-made measures to navigate the Plasticene Age.

Curbing the growing threat of marine litter requires reliable, coherent and fit-for-purpose data. The present study reports the findings of beach macrolitter surveys carried out in seventeen sites along the coastline of Algeria. The median litter density recorded along these sites amounted to 578 items per 100 m of coastline (range: 317-2684 items/100 m). Every surveyed beach exceeded the European threshold value of 20 items per 100 m of coastline by a significant margin. In addition, the evaluation conducted employing the Mediterranean threshold value of 130 items per 100 m of coastline indicated that each of the seventeen surveyed beaches resides within the non-Good Environmental Status spectrum. A significant proportion of the litter, accounting for 43 %, is attributed to food and beverage consumption-related items, highlighting the impact of single-use food packaging, including food and beverage containers resulting from unsustainable practices mainly by beach users and inadequate waste management.

Epidemiological update of cystic echinococcosis in livestock and assessment of practices related to its control in the Mediterranean area.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, is a zoonotic parasitic disease that still represents a serious threat to human and animal health worldwide. The Mediterranean basin is recognized as one of the major hotspots of CE due to several factors, including the presence of diverse intermediate host species as well as socio-economic and cultural conditions of local communities. This study aims to take a closer look at epidemiological data on CE in the Mediterranean area and assess the knowledge attitudes and practices of shepherds towards this disease in four countries (Algeria, Greece, Italy and Tunisia), highly endemic for CE, with the final goal of identifying highly endemic risk areas and practices in use which might potentially allow the persistence of E. granulosus infection in these areas. To update the epidemiological scenario of CE in Mediterranean areas, a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed literature on CE prevalence data published during the 2017-2023 period was carried out and, through a geographical information system (GIS), a map displaying the current CE distribution in the Mediterranean area was generated. In addition, a questionnaire survey was conducted through in-depth interviews of the farmers to collect information on their management system as well as knowledge attitudes and practices towards CE. From the farmer-participatory survey some risky practices emerged including the non-regular deworming of dogs or the use of ineffective drugs or dosing, as well as the provision of uncooked animal viscera to dogs. Finally, lower levels of knowledge and awareness of the disease was observed among farmers from North Africa compared with those of European countries. In conclusion, the results obtained highlight that CE is still a very serious problem in Mediterranean areas and increased efforts are needed to promote awareness among farmers and to turn research results into policy in order to reduce the spread of this disease, according to the One Health perspective.

Distribution, levels, sources and risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the bottom sediments of a Mediterranean river under multiple anthropopressures (Soummam River), Algeria.

The Soummam River, a vital watercourse in Algeria is threatened by anthropogenic activities despite its protected wetland status. This study is the first to assess sediment pollution in the Soummam River, examining levels, compositions, sources of 16 PAHs and their effects on the environment and human health. Analysis employing Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and molecular diagnostic ratios pointed to petrogenic sources, likely stemming from petroleum leaks originating from aging pipeline and vehicles, as well as pyrogenic sources arising from vehicle exhaust and biomass combustion. Environmental and health risks were assessed through risk quotients (RQ), Sediments Quality Guidelines (SQG) and Total Lifetime Cancer Risk (TLCR). Ecological risk was found to range from moderate to high, with anticipated biological impacts, while cancer risk was deemed low. Toxicity assessment, measured by TEQ, revealed that the majority of monitoring stations exceeded safe levels. Consequently, urgent action by local authorities is warranted to implement ecosystem rehabilitation measures.

The financial cost of coccidiosis in Algerian chicken production: a major challenge for the poultry sector.

Coccidiosis, caused by parasites of the genus Eimeria, is a significant economic burden to the poultry industry. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis to evaluate the financial losses associated with Eimeria infection in chickens in Algeria, relying on data provided by key stakeholders in the Algerian poultry industry to assess sub-clinical as well as clinical impact. We employed the updated 2020 version of a model established to estimate the cost of coccidiosis in chickens, taking into consideration specific cultural and technical aspects of poultry farming in Algeria. The findings predict economic losses due to coccidiosis in chickens of approximately £86.7 million in Algeria for the year 2022, representing £0.30 per chicken raised. The majority of the cost was attributed to morbidity (74.9%), emphasizing the substantial economic impact of reduced productivity including decreased bodyweight gain and increased feed conversion ratio. Costs associated with control measures made up 20.5% of the total calculated cost, with 4.6% of the cost related to mortality. These figures provide a clear indication of the scope and economic impact of Eimeria infection of chickens in Algeria, illustrating the impact of practices common across North Africa. They underscore the ongoing requirement for effective preventive and control measures to reduce these financial losses while improving productivity and welfare, ensuring the economic sustainability of the Algerian poultry industry.

The cost of multiple myeloma and its complications: A single-center study from Oran, Algeria.

BACKGROUND: The expenses of multiple myeloma (MM) represent a real economic and societal burden for patients and health authorities. However, very little is known about the situation in Algeria. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the costs generated by the management of MM and its complications in Algerian patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational retrospective study conducted on patients diagnosed with MM, from January 1st, 2019 to April 31st, 2023, at the Establishment Hospitalier Universitaire November 1st, Oran. A bottom-up costing methodology was used to assess the phase-specific cost and the complication burden. RESULTS: In total, 249 qualified for the study. For autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) eligible patients, the mean per patient cost of treating myeloma was estimated at: induction regimen ($4072); ASCT ($2899); consolidation ($1538); and maintenance ($355.76). The mean drug cost for ASCT-ineligible patients was $1421. The use of generic bortezomib and generic melphalan has led to a reduction in expenses of $1,075,181 ($5,024 per patient; 55.35%) and $10,864 ($487 per patient; 15.07%), respectively. Another cost-saving adaptation was ASCT using non-cryopreserved (NC) stem cells. The cost of managing MM complications was $177,782 per year. CONCLUSION: A number of adjustments have been implemented to the management of MM over time to improve clinical efficacy and reduce costs in Algeria. However, this may have come with a startlingly high cost of complications.

Asymmetric impact of patents on green technologies on Algeria's Ecological Future.

This study examines how patents on green technologies impact Algeria's ecological footprint from 1990 to 2022 while controlling for economic growth and energy consumption. The objectives are to analyze the asymmetric effects of positive and negative shocks in these drivers on ecological footprint and provide policy insights on leveraging innovations and growth while minimizing environmental harm. Given recent major structural shifts in Algeria's economy, time series data exhibits nonlinear dynamics. To accommodate this nonlinearity, the study employs an innovative nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag approach. The findings indicate that an upsurge in green technologies (termed as a positive shock) significantly reduces the ecological footprint, thereby enhancing ecological sustainability. Interestingly, a decline in green technologies (termed as a negative shock) also contributes to reducing the ecological footprint. This highlights the crucial role of clean technologies in mitigating ecological damage in both scenarios. Conversely, a positive shock in economic growth increases ecological footprint, underscoring the imperative for environmentally friendly policies in tandem with economic expansion. Negative shocks, however, have minimal impact. In a similar vein, positive shock in energy consumption increases ecological footprint, underlining the importance of transitioning towards cleaner energy sources. Negative shock has a smaller but still noticeable effect. The results confirm asymmetric impacts, with positive and negative changes in the drivers affecting Algeria's ecological footprint differently. To ensure long-term economic and ecological stability, Algeria should prioritize eco-innovation and green technology development. This will reduce dependence on fossil fuels and create new, sustainable industries.

Excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria: The case of Oran Province / Surmortalité pendant la pandémie de COVID-19 en Algérie : le cas de la wilaya d'Oran

Objective: This study aimed to estimate excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in Oran between March 2020 and December 2022. Method: Monthly all-cause data used to estimate excess mortality were modeled against the pre-pandemic period (January 2011-February 2020). Excess mortality between March 2020 and December 2022 was estimated using a quasi-Poisson regression. Analyses were stratified by age group. Results: From March 2020 to December 2022, there was a 30% excess mortality rate, corresponding to an average of 112 monthly excess deaths. Observed numbers of deaths were higher than expected for the age groups 20­39, 40­59, 60­79, and 80 and above. The age group 0­19 did not show excess mortality. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a significant increase in all-cause mortality in Oran. Our results highlight the importance of monitoring all-cause excess mortality as an indicator of the disease burden in situations such as the current pandemic.

Objectif: Cette étude avait pour objectif d'estimer la surmortalité pendant la pandémie de la COVID-19 à Oran entre mars 2020 et décembre 2022. Méthodes: Les données mensuelles toutes causes confondues utilisées pour estimer la surmortalité ont été modélisées par rapport à la période pré-pandémique (janvier 2011 à février 2020). La surmortalité entre mars 2020 et décembre 2022 a été estimée à l'aide d'une régression de quasi-Poisson. Les analyses ont été stratifiées par groupes d'âge. Résultats: De mars 2020 à décembre 2022, le taux de surmortalité était de 30 %, correspondant à une moyenne de 112 décès excédentaires mensuels. Le nombre de décès observés était plus élevé que prévu pour les groupes d'âge 20-39 ans, 40-59 ans, 60-79 ans et 80 ans et plus. Le groupe d'âge 0-19 ans n'a pas montré de surmortalité. Conclusion: La pandémie de COVID-19 a été associée à une augmentation significative de la mortalité toutes causes confondues à Oran. Nos résultats mettent en évidence l'importance de surveiller la surmortalité toutes causes confondues en tant qu'indicateur de la charge de morbidité dans des situations telles que la pandémie actuelle.

Prevalence and socio-economic determinants of consanguineous marriages in Algeria according to Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2019 data (MICS6).

Consanguineous marriage is still a customary social phenomenon in Arab-Muslim communities. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of consanguineous marriages in the Algerian population and to identify the socio-economic determinants associated with the practice of this form of union. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study included data for 21141 ever-married women aged 15-49 years, from the MICS6 Algeria (Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey database), conducted in 2019. Using a logistic regression model, we assessed the influence of socio-economic and geographical determinants on the practice of consanguineous marriages. The prevalence of consanguinity was 23.0% (95% CI: 22.4-23.6). According to multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, low level of education, early age at marriage (15-19; 20-30 years), rural area of residence, all geographical regions except the north-western territorial programming space, economic activity, and the lowest wealth index were the main determinants that assist in the prevalence of high rates of consanguineous marriages in Algeria. Considering these explanatory variables could help national health policy decision-makers to create and implement national preventive action plans that are intended alter behaviors attitudes toward preference of consanguineous marriages and, thus, reduce the burden of genetic disorders or congenital abnormalities associated with consanguinity.

Trace elements in tea in Ouargla, Algeria and health risk assessment.

Tea is one of the most common drinks, consumed for its pleasant flavour and several medicinal values. The present study aimed to determine the levels of trace elements in tea products marketed in the Saharan region of Ouargla, Algeria and to evaluate the health risks associated with its regular consumption in adults and infants. To this aim, 78 tea samples were analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry. Tea samples appeared to be contaminated by lead (0.73 ± 0.08 µg g-1) and aluminium (0.22 ± 0.02 µg g-1). Cadmium, arsenic, mercury, cobalt, manganese, nickel, chromium, zinc and copper were also detected. General linear model analysis indicated that black tea samples were the most contaminated. Tea samples packed in tea bags were the most contaminated with arsenic, aluminium and manganese. The hazard index was 0.28 and 1.33 for adults and for infants, respectively, indicating adverse non-carcinogenic effects in infants.

Geochemical distribution and environmental assessment of potentially toxic elements in farmland soils, sediments, and tailings from phosphate industrial area (NE Algeria).

This study investigates the extent and spatial distribution of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in the Djebel Onk phosphate mine area in south-eastern Algeria, as well as the associated risks to human health. Various scales are considered and sampled, including tailing waste (n = 8), surrounding farmland soil (n = 21), and sediments (n = 5). The samples were mineralogically and chemically analyzed using XRD, FTIR, XRF, and ICP-MS techniques. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied after transforming the raw data into centered-log ratios (clr) to identify the dominant factors controlling the distribution of PTEs. Furthermore, pollution assessment was conducted using several indices, including geo-accumulation, pollution load, contamination security indices, and enrichment and contamination factors. The results reveal that the analyzed samples are mostly P-enriched in the mine tailings, farmland soil, and sediments, with P2O5 concentrations ranging from 13.37 wt% to 26.17 wt%, 0.91-21.70 wt%, and 17.04-29.41 wt%, respectively. The spatial distribution of PTEs exhibits clearly a decrease in the contents of CaO, P2O5, Cr, Sr, Cd, and U with increasing distance from the mine discharge site, while other oxides, such as MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, K2O, and Fe2O3, and associated elements (Cu, Co, Pb, and Zn), show an increase. PCA confirms the influence of minerals such as, apatite, dolomite, and silicates on the distribution PTEs. It denoted that the highest contamination level of all PTEs in soils and sediments was observed in the southern part of the plant and mine tailings compared to the northern part. In terms of human health risks, the assessment reveals that the hazard index (HI) values for both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks associated with PTEs in the study area are below 1, suggesting no significant risk. However, regardless of the sample type, the lifetime cancer risk (LCR) values vary from 1.69E-05-2.11E-03 and from 1.03E-04-2.27E-04 for Cr, Ni, As (children) and Cd (adults), respectively, exceeding the safe levels recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The study highlights that oral ingestion poses the greatest risk, followed by dermal contact and particle inhalation. Importantly, all these indices decrease with increasing distance from the sampling site to the waste discharge point and the factory, which indicates that the phosphate mining activity had caused some extent risks. These findings provide valuable insights for mitigating the adverse health impacts and guiding environmental management efforts.

Exploring the environmental and economic impact of fruits and vegetable loss quantification in the food industry.

Population growth has stimulated rising demand for agro-food products and economic activity for many years, negatively impacting the ecosystem and non-renewable resource consumption. Algeria confronts the monumental challenge of effectively choosing how to nourish everyone on a more congested globe. However, food loss is a significant issue that worsens as Algerians' population expands and food consumption increases. In Algeria, food production and processing of food items, which include fruits, vegetables, and cereals, generate a considerable amount of by-products, with no commercial exploitation and a negative environmental impact, generating enormous socioeconomic problems. These by-products are essential sources of products with high levels of added value that can be applied in different sectors. They have no studies to measure the scope of food loss in the Algerian food industry. In this background, our research aims to quantify the loss in the Algerian food industry generated by the transformation of various agricultural products, directly affecting the economy and food availability for the population. The research utilizes a mixed methods approach, including coefficients, production statistics transformed, and data analysis; the findings reveal that a significant portion of fruits and vegetables are lost in the Algerian food industry, suggesting that minimizing food loss can help companies minimize costs and mitigate the adverse environmental effects of food production. Finally, the study proposes practical options to minimize food loss to create a long-term food system in Algeria.

Metallic trace element dynamics in Paracentrotus lividus from Algeria: Environmental large-scale survey and human health risk assessment.

This paper evaluates the dynamics of Metallic Trace Elements (MTEs; Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ni and Co) in the gonads of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus collected in five sites: four contaminated and one reference, along the Western coast of Algeria, recontextualizes this contamination within a wider geographical distribution area throughout 83 sites among the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic and focuses on the potential risk of their consumption on human health for the first time in Algeria. The trace element pollution index places Algeria, and generally the North African coasts, as the region most contaminated by MTEs. The geographical variability in metal contamination levels is greater in the Mediterranean Sea than in the Atlantic. The health risk assessment indicates that Pb exceeds the maximum limit set by the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 at two of the four Algerian contaminated sites.

Spatial assessment of soil erosion by water using RUSLE model, remote sensing and GIS: a case study of Mellegue Watershed, Algeria-Tunisia.

Soil erosion is an important global phenomenon that can cause many impacts, like morphometry and hydrology alteration, land degradation and landslides. Moreover, soil loss has a significant effect on agricultural production by removing the most valuable and productive top soil's profile, leading to a reduction in yields, which requires a high production budget. The detrimental impact of soil erosion has reached alarming levels due to the exacerbation of global warming and drought, particularly in the arid climates prevalent in Tunisia and Algeria and other regions of North Africa. The influence of these environmental factors has been especially evident in the catchment of Mellegue, where profound vegetation loss and drastic changes in land use and cover, including the expansion of urban areas and altered agricultural practices, have played a significant role in accelerating water-induced soil loss between 2002 and 2018. The ramifications of these developments on the fragile ecosystems of the region cannot be overlooked. Accordingly, this study aimed to compare soil losses between 2002 and 2018 in the catchment of Mellegue, which is a large cross-border basin commonly shared by Tunisian-Algerian countries. The assessment and mapping of soil erosion risk were carried out by employing the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). This widely recognised equation provided valuable insights into the potential for erosion. Additionally, changes in land use and land cover during the same period were thoroughly analysed to identify any factors that may have contributed to the observed risk. By integrating these various elements, a comprehensive understanding of soil erosion dynamics was achieved, facilitating informed decision-making for effective land management and conservation efforts. It requires diverse factors that are integrated into the erosion process, such as topography, soil erodibility, rainfall erosivity, anti-erosion cultivation practice and vegetation cover. The computation of the various equation factors was applied in a GIS environment, using ArcGIS desktop 10.4. The results show that the catchment has undergone significant soil water erosion where it exhibits the appearance of approximately 14,000 new areas vulnerable to erosion by water in 2018 compared to 2002. Average erosion risk has also increased from 1.58 t/ha/year in 2002 to 1.78 in 2018, leading to an increase in total estimated soil loss of 54,000 t/ha in 2018 compared to around 25,500 t/ha in 2002. Maps of erosion risk show that highly eroded areas are more frequent downstream of the basin. These maps can be helpful for decision-makers to make better sustainable management plans and for land use preservation.

Identification and analysis of spatial access disparities related to primary healthcare in Batna City, Algeria.

The issue of reducing spatial disparities is one of the most pressing concerns for policymakers and planners, which consider a crucial focus in planning and public service, especially accessibility to healthcare. Accessibility and proximity are the principal keys to providing good public service. Therefore, a healthcare system that meets the requirements of availability and affordability will be useless if spatial accessibility is not provided equally to all demands (population). Many technics and methods exist to quantify accessibility, including the two-step floating catchment area (2SFCA) method, its widely used to measure healthcare accessibility based on the travel distance threshold. This research paper aims to use the 2SFCA method to measure the spatial healthcare accessibility in Batna City because the 2SFCA method offers to measure accessibility on both spatial and functional levels. The spatial level will consider the threshold distances between the health demand (population) and the health provider location (healthcare facilities); moreover, functional accessibility is measured based on facility to population ratio that will give a better overview of Batna's healthcare provider. As a result, the optimal threshold distance that offers balanced results between the spatial accessibility score and other WHO ratios will be a distance between 1000- and 1500-meters travel distance. In addition, the central census districts have a higher access score than the rest of the city's districts; most census districts that do not have accessibility (12% of the population) to healthcare facilities are concentrated in the southwest of Batna city.

Assessment of radioactivity levels and radiological hazard indices in phosphate and phosphate mine waste samples from Algeria.

Phosphate ore is the starting raw material for production of all phosphate products including fertilisers phosphate waste. It can be of sedimentary, volcanic or biological origin. Like any other geological material found in nature, it contains various amounts of naturally occurring primordial radionuclides, such as 238U series, 232Th series and 40K. Gamma-ray spectrometry was used to assess natural radioactivity levels and radiological hazard indices in phosphate samples. In this paper, the specific activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K of phosphate ores, merchant and mine waste samples were determined. Based on the activity concentrations, the radiation hazard indices (Raeq, Hex, Hin and I𝛾𝑟), and the radiation doses (D, AED and ELCR) were calculated. The results were discussed and compared with those from other studies as well as recommended safety limit values.

Assessment of water resources for livestock in the Wilaya of Naama, Southwest Algeria: a GIS-based approach.

This study employs Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools and spatial data to evaluate water resource availability for livestock watering in Algeria's southwestern Wilaya of Naama. The research adopts a two-stage approach, starting with the creation of seven thematic maps encompassing livestock water needs, proximity to water sources, water quantities from boreholes, hillside reservoirs, wells, and springs, precipitation, and land use/land cover (LULC). Subsequently, an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is utilized to identify suitable areas within the Wilaya for livestock watering. Beyond its primary objective of establishing a benchmark for water resources to facilitate optimal and sustainable livestock management, this study also aims to assess suitable sites for livestock and provide a comprehensive evaluation of water resources for grazing. The findings reveal that the majority of the area is unsuitable for grazing due to limited water resources, with approximately 2.43% being "highly suitable" (S1), 13.42% "moderately suitable" (S2), and the remaining 84.15% categorized as "marginally suitable" (S3), "temporarily unsuitable" (N1), or "permanently unsuitable" (N2). These results underscore the significance of GIS and spatial analysis in natural resource management and emphasize the need for further research to refine the methodology. The data generated in this study will be invaluable to researchers and water stakeholders for informed decision-making in this sensitive zone.

Assessment of biofilm, enzyme production and antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria from milk pre- and post-pasteurization pipelines in Algeria.

Bacterial biofilm is a major concern of dairy industry due to its association with milk contamination and its derived products. Algerian pasteurized milk shelf-life does not exceed one day, which may reflect the high level of contamination of this product and presence of extracellular enzymes such as lipases and proteases. This work aimed to investigate the microbial biodiversity in milk-processing surfaces of a dairy plant in Algeria. Therefore, stainless steel cylinders were placed in piping system of the dairy system before and after pasteurization of the milk, being removed after 7 days, for biofilm maturation and microorganism isolation and identification by mass spectrometry. Fifty-nine Gram-positive isolates were identified, namely Bacillus altitudinis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus weithenstephanensis, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus faecium, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. In addition, twenty-four Gram-negative isolates were identified, namely Acinetobacter schindleri Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter xiangfangensis, Leclercia adecarboxylata, and Raoultella ornithinolytica. Bacterial isolates showed ability for production of extracellular enzymes, being 49 % capable of both proteolytic and lipolytic activities. Milk isolates were tested for the ability to form biofilms on stainless steel. The cell numbers recovered on plate count agar plates from stainless steel biofilms ranged from 3.52 to 6.92 log10 CFU/cm2, being the maximum number detected for Enterococcus casseliflavus. Bacterial isolates showed intermediate and/or resistant profiles to multiple antibiotics. Resistance to amoxicillin, cefoxitin and/or erythromycin was commonly found among the bacterial isolates.