Institute for High Performance Computing and Networking

The aim of this study was to use different concentrations of lemon juice and honey to improve the formulation of a green tea water kefir (GTWK) beverage by applying a central composite design (CCD). Honey’s concentration was 10–50% and lemon juice concentration was 1–5%, these were used as the independent factors, whereas pH, bacteria and yeasts’ count, total phenolic content, % DPPH. scavenging activity, and overall acceptability were used as the dependent factors. The optimal concentration of honey and lemon juice for highest microbial count, antioxidant activities and overall acceptability was 42.85% and 1.771%, respectively. The analysis of variance revealed that the model was well-fitting, with R2 ranging from 87.27% to 96.95%, adj-R2 ranging from 78.17% to 94.26% and a non-significant lack of fits. The optimized fermented beverage showed antibacterial potential against Echerichia coli ATCC11229, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC6538 and Salmonella typhimirium ATCC14028 strains. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated on CaCo-2 and RAW 264.7 cells. According to ELISA assay, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in TNF-α concentration was found after inflammatory stimulation, from 1205.41 ± 55.87 pg/mL to 478.17 ± 69.12 pg/mL.

In this paper, a bearing-based three-dimensional self-localization and distributed circumnavigation with connectivity preservation and collision avoidance are investigated for a group of quadrotor-type unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A leader–follower structure is adopted, wherein the leader moves with reference dynamics (a target). Different from the existing approaches that necessitate full knowledge of the time-varying reference trajectory, in this paper, it is assumed that only some vehicles (at least one) have access to the bearing relative to the target, and all other vehicles are equipped with sensors capable of measuring the bearings relative to neighboring vehicles. In this paper, a consensus estimator is proposed to estimate the global position for each vehicle using relative bearing measurements and an estimate of neighboring vehicles received from a direct communication network. Then, a continuous robust integral of the sign of the error (RISE) control approach is effectively integrated with the distributed vector field approach to ensure UAV formation orbiting around the moving target while avoiding obstacles and maintaining network links within available communication ranges. In contrast to the classical RISE control rule, a $$\tanh (\cdot )$$ function is used instead of the $$\text {sgn}(\cdot )$$ function to further decrease the high-gain feedback and to obtain a smoother control signal. Furthermore, by using the localized radial basis function (RBF) neural networks (NNs) in a cooperative way, deterministic learning theory is employed to accurately identify/learn model uncertainties resulting from the attitude dynamics. The convergence of the entire closed-loop system is illustrated using the Lyapunov theory and is shown to be uniformly ultimately bounded. Finally, numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Common myrtle (Myrtus communis), a Mediterranean shrub species widely distributed within the forest of Northwest Tunisia, holds a crucial role in medicine as a vital resource for the local community and in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity. This study investigated the phytosanitary status of M. communis in Tunisian forests from a phytopathological perspective, exploring weather-related pathogen correlations. The study exhibited a month-dependent occurrence, with a significant difference in isolation frequency (IF%) between March and May (D. foeniculina P < 0.001; B.rosacearum P < 0.005), predominating in March for both fungal species. Moreover, a significant negative correlation was revealed between isolation frequency and temperature (P =-0.724), while a significant positive correlation was noted between isolation frequency and rainfall (D. foeniculina P = 0.995; B.rosacearum P = 0.981) for both fungal species. Our results underscore the effect of weather conditions on pathogen infection. This highlights the necessity of incorporating these considerations into the management strategies aimed at preserving myrtle, given its ecological and industrial importance. This finding is the first record of Diaporthe foeniculina and Biscogniauxia rosacearum causing leaf disease in Myrtus communis in the North Africa.

The development of ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET) sensors based on silicon nanowires (SiNW) has recently seen significant progress, due to their many advantages such as compact size, low cost, robustness and real-time portability. However, little work has been done to predict the performance of SiNW-ISFET sensors. The present study focuses on predicting the performance of the silicon nanowire (SiNW)-based ISFET sensor using four machine learning techniques, namely multilayer perceptron (MLP), nonlinear regression (NLR), support vector regression (SVR) and extra tree regression (ETR). The proposed ML algorithms are trained and validated using experimental measurements of the SiNW-ISFET sensor. The results obtained show a better predictive ability of extra tree regression (ETR) compared to other techniques, with a low RMSE of 1 × 10−3 mA and an R2 value of 0.9999725. This prediction study corrects the problems associated with SiNW -ISFET sensors.

Focusing on the ChemFET (chemical field-effect transistor) technology, the development of a multi-microsensor platform for soil analysis is described in this work. Thus, different FET-based microdevices (i.e., pH-ChemFET pNH4-ISFET and pNO3-ISFET sensors) were realized with the aim of monitoring nitrogen-based ionic species in soil, evidencing quasi-Nernstian detection properties (>50 mV/decade) in appropriate concentration ranges for agricultural applications. Using a specific test bench adapted to important earth samples (mass: ~50 kg), first experiments were done in a lab, mimicking rainy periods as well as nitrogen-based fertilizer inputs. By monitoring pH, pNH4, and pNO3 in an acidic (pH ≈ 4.7) clay-silt soil matrix, different processes associated to the nitrogen cycle were characterized over a fortnight, demonstrating comprehensive results for ammonium nitrate NH4NO3 inputs at different concentrations, water additions, nitrification phenomena, and ammonium NH4+ ion trapping. Even if the ChemFET-based measurement system should be improved according to the soil(electrolyte)/sensor contact, such realizations and results show the ChemFET technology potentials for long-term analysis in soil, paving the way for future “in situ” approaches in the frame of modern farming.

Ba0.87Ca0.13(Ti0.9Zr0.1)0.98(Zn1/3Nb2/3)0.02O3 ceramic was prepared using a solid-state reaction method. This work investigates their dielectric, ferroelectric, energy storage, and electrocaloric properties. X-ray diffraction analysis confirms a pure perovskite structure. The dielectric constant reaches a maximum of 9364 at 326 K. Enhanced total energy density, recovered energy density, and energy storage efficiency are observed between 303 K and 363 K. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are employed for the indirect determination of large ECE and responsivity based solely on measured ferroelectric polarization (P(E,T)). This approach offers rapid and accurate predictions with minimal experimental data, significantly accelerating the characterization of novel electrocaloric materials. The maximum ECE occurs above the Curie temperature (TC) and increases with higher electric fields. The ceramic exhibits significant ECE parameters around TC with a broad electrocaloric temperature span. Various figures of merit, including relative cooling power, refrigerant capacity, and temperature-averaged entropy change, are explored under different electric fields, demonstrating the material's potential for green cooling devices. These figures improve monotonically with increasing field strength. A comprehensive analysis of the field dependence of ΔS (entropy change) confirms the second-order nature of the electric phase transition through master curve analysis. In conclusion, these lead-free ceramics exhibit promising applications in high-performance energy storage devices and solid-state refrigeration technology.

ABSTRACTThe detrimental effects of hyperthermia on the testes and the protective effect of thyme essential oil against testicular damage induced by this stress in rams were studied. Twenty‐four rams of the Barbarine breed with an average weight of 62.5 ± 0.3 kg and an average age of 24 ± 0.6 months. The experiment consisted of inducing localized heat stress on the first group of rams by applying heat bags to both testicles of six rams (G s). The second group underwent the same heat stress on the testes but received orally 100 µL/day/animal of thyme essential oil (G s‐he). A positive control did not undergo stress but received thyme essential oil (G he) with the same doses as the (G s‐he) group, and the negative control did not undergo either stress or receive the essential oil of thyme (G c). One hundred twenty‐eight adult ewes of the same breed divided into four groups of 32 ewes were used to study the effect of different treatments on the in vivo ram's fertility. Ewes are synchronized and we have applied natural mating with oestrus control, the reproduction balance sheet is calculated after lambing. The results showed that tests of heat stress (HS) negatively affect semen quality but did not cause infertility. However, neither tests for heat stress nor treatment with thyme EO significantly affected the haematological profile. The study of the effect of heat stress on the testes on fertility in vivo showed a drop in the number of females who were fertilized at the first oestrus and consequently a drop in fertility. However, the rams that suffered the same stress but were treated with EO thymus recorded an improvement in these parameters.

The aim of the present study was the isolation of high exopolysaccharide (EPS) producers, Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) strains, from three types of milk: goat, sheep, and camel milk. Among 112 LAB isolates tested for their ability to produce EPS on MRS-sucrose agar, only 11 strains were able to produce EPS and only three higher producers’ strains were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as two strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis (SP255, SP257) isolated from camel milk and one strain of Weissella cibaria (SP213) isolated from goat milk. The physicochemical characterization of the purified EPSs revealed a significant sugar yield, with concentrations ranging from 2.17 to 2.77 g/L, while the protein content remained relatively low (0.03 g/L). The UV-visible spectrum showed high Ultra Violet (UV) absorption at 240–280 nm and the Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra showed the presence of a large number of functional groups, including hydroxyl (-OH), carbonyl (-C=O), and methyl groups (-CH3). The EPS solubility indicated their hydrophilic properties and the investigation of interfacial properties indicated that these EPSs could be used as natural emulsifiers and stabilizers in both acidic and neutral emulsions. Moreover, a new type of emulsion system was developed by the utilization of EPSs in the formation of multilayer interfaces in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions stabilized by sodium caseinate (CAS). Thus, the impact of an EPS addition on the particle size distribution and electrical charge has been studied. At pH 3, the studied EPSs adhered to the surfaces of caseinate-coated droplets and the stability of O/W emulsions was improved by adding certain concentrations of EPSs. The minimum concentration required to stabilize multilayer emulsions for EPSs SP255, EPS SP257, and EPS SP213 was 1.5, 1.5, and 1.7 g/L, respectively. These findings reveal a new EPS with significant potential for industrial use, particularly as an emulsion stabilizer.

New anodes consisting of zirconium-doped PbO2 coating, growth on titanium dioxide interlayer, were deposited on titanium substrates using spin coating method and have been tested for the removal of ampicillin, a β-lactam antibiotic, from water. Morphological, structural, and electrochemical properties of the prepared coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical impendence spectroscopy (EIS). Results showed that the incorporation of zirconium dopant had a noticeable modification in the morphology of anodes. An increase in the surface roughness and the specific active area were observed with Ti/TiO2/PbO2- 10% Zr electrode compared to other anodes. The electrochemical measurements indicated that the anode doped with 10% Zr showed a more protective coating performance than the undoped and 20% Zr-doped PbO2 electrodes. The experiments on ampicillin degradation revealed that doped lead dioxide anodes have excellent electrocatalytic activity. The major byproduct generated during anodic oxidation treatment has been identified as ampicilloic acid by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC–MS) analysis. Results demonstrated that Ti/TiO2/PbO2- 10% Zr anode presents the best removal rate of ampicillin with a minimum intermediate amount, which leads to conclude that 10% is the optimum percentage of zirconium dopant for antibiotic wastewater treatment.

The development of ISE-based sensors for the analysis of nitrates in liquid phase is described in this work. Focusing on the tetradodecylammonium nitrate (TDDAN) ion exchanger as well as on fluoropolysiloxane (FPSX) polymer-based layers, electrodeposited matrixes containing double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs), embedded in either polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) or polypyrrole (PPy) polymers, ensured improved ion-to-electron transducing layers for NO3− detection. Thus, FPSX-based pNO3-ElecCell microsensors exhibited good detection properties (sensitivity up to 55 mV/pX for NO3 values ranging from 1 to 5) and acceptable selectivity in the presence of the main interferent anions (Cl−, HCO3−, and SO42−). Focusing on the temporal drift bottleneck, mixed results were obtained. On the one hand, relatively stable measurements and low temporal drifts (~1.5 mV/day) were evidenced on several days. On the other hand, the pNO3 sensor properties were degraded in the long term, being finally characterized by high response times, low detection sensitivities, and important measurement instabilities. These phenomena were related to the formation of some thin water-based layers at the polymer–metal interface, as well as the physicochemical properties of the TDDAN ion exchanger in the FPSX matrix. However, the improvements obtained thanks to DWCNT-based ion-to-electron transducing layers pave the way for the long-term analysis of NO3− ions in real water-based solutions.