University of Bechar

The hypersaline and alkaline sebkhas of Adrar (Algeria) constitute extreme ecosystems that have remained largely unexplored. The objective was to isolate and to characterize various Bacillus strains extracted from these specific environments. Two polyextremophilic isolates, Bacillus tequilensis (KM9) and Bacillus paralicheniformis (KM2), were identified through the analysis of 16S rRNA phylogeny. Physiological testing demonstrated robust adaptations: Isolate KM9 exhibited a broad salinity range (ranging from 2 to 17.0% w/v NaCl, Sopt 6%) and strict alkaliphily (pHoptimum 9.5, with growth observed up to pH 11.0). In contrast, Isolate KM2 exhibited higher thermal tolerance (Tmaximum 50 degrees C, Toptimum 40 degrees C), while maintaining growth up to 20% NaCl and pH 10.5. Functional profiling via API ZYM (Analytical Profile Index ZYM) revealed Isolate KM9's N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity, whereas Isolate KM2 demonstrated a broad hydrolytic spectrum (including proteases and glycosidases) and potent antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (25 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20 mm), as well as showing 50% inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum and Aspergillus flavus. These findings underscore the Adrar sebkhas as untapped reservoirs for diverse Bacillus strains. Their ability to remain active under simultaneous thermal, saline, and alkaline stress underscores their potential as sources of robust extremozymes and biocontrol agents for industrial biotechnology.

This article examines how spatial justice is institutionally configured across urban regimes in Cairo through a controlled comparison of premodern Islamic Khitat - subdivisions structured by socio-religious and juridical principles - and contemporary gated communities. The study adopts a comparative analytical stance rather than seeking normative reconciliation. Drawing on GIS-based spatial analysis, archival reconstruction of waqf endowments and 42 semi-structured interviews, the article explicitly foregrounds its mixed-methods design to ensure empirical grounding. The findings show measurable disparities in service density and access (3.2 vs 0.8 facilities per hectare; 1.8 vs 0.6 health facilities per 1000 inhabitants) and identifies patterned redistributive infrastructures linked to waqf endowments. The transition from moral oversight under the Muhtasib - responsible for hisba - to contractual governance in contemporary enclaves is examined through concrete institutional mechanisms of exclusion rather than abstract normative contrast. Rawlsian principles are used heuristically as analytical reference points without presuming hierarchy or equivalence between Islamic and liberal frameworks. The City of the Dead is analysed as a fully integrated empirical case supported by administrative records and spatial mapping, illustrating a hybrid configuration in which distinct regulatory rationalities intersect to produce measurable redistributive outcomes including 22% improvement in potable water access and 18% increase in primary school enrolment. Rather than proposing synthesis, the article situates Islamic and Rawlsian traditions as historically grounded rationalities whose institutional effects can be analytically compared. Conceptualizing spatial justice as an institutional configuration grounded in documented spatial effects, the study contributes to comparative urban theory and governance debates in fragmented metropolitan contexts. (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(Khitat, (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic))(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (GIS) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic),(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (waqf) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) 42 (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)((sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) 3.2 (sic)(sic) 0.8 (sic);(sic) 1000 (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) 1.8 (sic)(sic) 0.6 (sic)), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (hisba) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) (Muhtasib, (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)"(sic)(sic)(sic)"(City of the Dead) (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) 22%, (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic) 18%.(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic), (sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic)(sic).

Accurate dynamic models play a central role in achieving reliable control of quadcopters. Classical system identification methods remain widely used, mainly because of their interpretability. However, they often fail to capture important nonlinear effects, especially in small-scale aerial platforms where such effects become more pronounced. Data-driven approaches offer a different perspective. They can represent complex nonlinear dynamics more effectively, but this comes at the cost of reduced interpretability and the absence of well-calibrated uncertainty estimates. In this work, we propose a framework that combines physics-based modeling with data-driven learning, while explicitly accounting for uncertainty. A physics-based model is first identified using the Prediction Error Method (PEM), which captures the main structure of the system. The remaining dynamics are then modeled using a Gaussian Process (GP), allowing the residual behavior to be learned directly from data. This separation makes it possible to distinguish between known physical effects and unmodeled dynamics. The proposed framework is validated on a Duckiedrone-like experimental setup. The results show that the PEM-GP model achieves prediction accuracy comparable to that of a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network, while additionally providing calibrated uncertainty estimates. This combination improves model reliability and supports uncertainty-aware decision-making.

Accurate and flexible photovoltaic emulation is essential for the experimental validation of maximum power point tracking algorithms and photovoltaic (PV)-interfaced power converters. This paper presents a real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) photovoltaic emulator (PVE) that combines numerical PV modeling with physical power hardware to achieve high-fidelity source emulation. A single-diode PV model is executed in real time on a dSPACE DS1104 platform and coupled to a DC-DC buck converter operating as the power stage, with output current regulated to reproduce realistic PV behavior. A nonlinear Proportional-Integral (NLPI) current controller is proposed to overcome the dynamic limitations of conventional linear Proportional-Integral (PI) regulation. By adapting controller gains according to the tracking error, the NLPI simultaneously improves transient response and steady-state stability. In addition, a converter-based I-V tracer enables continuous and stable extraction of I-V and P-V characteristics under changing irradiance conditions. Comprehensive HIL experiments under standard test conditions and variable irradiance demonstrate that the proposed approach significantly enhances emulation accuracy, reduces output ripple, and ensures reliable curve reproduction. The developed HIL photovoltaic emulator provides a robust experimental platform for the development and validation of advanced PV control and energy conversion systems.

The thermal insulation envelope is a major challenge whose heating and cooling consumption can be reduced. The use of ecologic materials, as a recycled material, to improve a comfort and take control of an environmental impact. The aim of this research is not only to develop sustainable designs in the context of hot and dry climates conditions, but also to devise innovative thermal insulation systems using recycled fibers materials, in an attempt to increase thermal comfort. In two methods; Experimental and numerical, we are evaluating thermal characteristics, energy efficiency and comfort level achieved by these materials. Apart from that, the thermal performance and energy saving results are consistent with those set in the scientific literature. However, fire resistance and Lifecycle Cost Analysis of the material is less strong, which indicates that the recycled material developed possesses interesting thermal performance, worthy of use in building insulation in Algeria. Key Findings of this work is Recycled materials (polystyrene, fiber wool, cellulose) offer viable alternatives to traditional insulation. These materials enhance thermal comfort by stabilizing indoor temperatures and reducing energy demand. Sustainability benefits include reduced landfill waste and lower embodied energy. The result obtained reflects enhanced performance using re-cycled fibers such as wood fibers, and a decrease in energy usage by 56