Publications by Year: 2021

2021
Soltani O, BENABDELKADER SOUAD. Euclidean Distance Versus Manhattan Distance for New Representative SFA Skin Samples for Human Skin Segmentation. Traitement du Signal. 2021.Abstract

The human color skin image database called SFA, specifically designed to assist research in the area of face recognition, constitutes a very important means particularly for the challenging task of skin detection. It has showed high performances comparing to other existing databases. SFA database provides multiple skin and non-skin samples, which in various combinations with each other allow creating new samples that could be useful and more effective. This particular aspect will be investigated, in the present paper, by creating four new representative skin samples according to the four rules of minimum, maximum, mean and median. The obtained samples will be exploited for the purpose of skin segmentation on the basis of the well-known Euclidean and Manhattan distance metrics. Thereafter, performances of the new representative skin samples versus performances of those skin samples, originally provided by SFA, will be illustrated. Simulation results in both SFA and UTD (University of Texas at Dallas) color face databases indicate that detection rates higher than 92% can be achieved with either measure.

Tamma S, Kaouli N, Naoua M. Challenges Faced by Visually Impaired Students in Writing with Lack of Assistive Technology. The Journal of AsiaTEFL [Internet]. 2021;181 (1) :1-389. Publisher's VersionAbstract

This study highlights the significance of using AT to enhance the writing skills. Then, this accommodation would help SVI to meet their educational needs. Besides, this study shows the major barriers that hinder VI learners in writing when they lack AT devices.

Mohamadi A, Demdoum A, Bouaicha F, MENANI M-R. Evaluation of the quality of groundwater for its appropriateness for irrigation purposes using Water Quality Index (WQI), Mchira-Teleghma aquifer case study, northeastern Algeria. Sustainable Water Resources Management [Internet]. 2021;7. Publisher's VersionAbstract

The Mio-Plio-Quaternary groundwater of Mchira-Teleghma suffers from an increasing rate of salinity especially in the northwestern part. To identify the reason for the water’s salinity and its aptitude for irrigation, physico-chemical analyses of 20 water samples, which were based on the different physical and chemical parameters (electric conductivity EC, pH, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3, Cl, SO42−, NO3 and Sr2+), were carried out during the period of October 2015. This study showed disquieting anomalies of electric conductivity that reached the value of 4376.14 µS cm−1. The statistical analyses, the multivariate statistics: the principal component analysis, Q-mode cluster analyses, Sr2+/Ca2+ ratio and water type showed that the hydrochemistry of Mchira-Teleghma groundwater is controlled by the dissolution of carbonate rocks and the leaching of evaporite processes, which proved that these anomalies of the MPQ groundwater’s salinity of Mchira-Teleghma are mainly determined by the leaching of Triassic gypsum formations process. This hydrogeochemical process generates an unsuitable quality of water based on Wilcox’s and Water Quality Index’s methods, whereas Richard’s method classifies all water samples to C3S1 and C4S1 classes as they are recommended to be used with salt-tolerant species in well-drained and leached soils.

Seddik M-T, KADRI O, Bouarouguene C, Brahimi H. Detection of Flooding Attack on OBS Network Using Ant Colony Optimization and Machine Learning. Computación y Sistemas [Internet]. 2021;25 (2). Publisher's VersionAbstract

Optical burst switching (OBS) has become one of the best and widely used optical networking techniques. It offers more efficient bandwidth usage than optical packet switching (OPS) and optical circuit switching (OCS).However, it undergoes more attacks than other techniques and the Classical security approach cannot solve its security problem. Therefore, a new security approach based on machine learning and cloud computing is proposed in this article. We used the Google Colab platform to apply Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM)to Burst Header Packet (BHP) flooding attack on Optical Burst Switching (OBS) Network Data Set.

Alibi A, CHRIFI-ALAOUI L, LABDAI S, Drid S. FUZZY CONTROL AND OPTIMIZATION OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM FOR SMART BUILDING WITH LOW ENERGY CONSUMPTION. U.P.B. Sci. Bull., Series C [Internet]. 2021;83 :4. Publisher's VersionAbstract

This paper deals with the integration of a photovoltaic energy conversion system (PVECS) into a distribution network and cater for the energy needs of buildings. The main goals of this work are the reduction of the grid dependence, minimization of the energy cost and increasing the autonomy of the building’s energy. Two stages converters are used to ensure the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and to control the power flow. A fuzzy MPPT control is proposed to maintain the power of the Photovoltaic panel at its optimal value despite climatic condition variations and building’s load changes. The grid side inverter is controlled by hysteresis regulators to transfer the total produced energy, with the aim to partially or completely replace energy provided from the Grid. The DC link voltage is also stabilized in order to improve the energy quality. The complete PVECS system is modelled and simulated in Matlab/Simulink, the controllers used are simple to implement and the simulation results show that the building’s energy demand can be satisfied, and the energy exceed is injected into the grid. The results confirm the good effectiveness of the proposed control.

Fourar Y-O, Djebabra M, Benhassine W, Boubaker L. Contribution of PCA/K-means methods to the mixed assessment of patient safety culture. International Journal of Health Governance [Internet]. 2021;26 (2) :150-164. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Purpose The assessment of patient safety culture (PSC) is a major priority for healthcare providers. It is often realized using quantitative approaches (questionnaires) separately from qualitative ones (patient safety culture maturity model (PSCMM)). These approaches suffer from certain major limits. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to overcome these limits and to propose a novel approach to PSC assessment. Design/methodology/approach The proposed approach consists of evaluating PSC in a set of healthcare establishments (HEs) using the HSOPSC questionnaire. After that, principal component analysis (PCA) and K-means algorithm were applied on PSC dimensional scores in order to aggregate them into macro dimensions. The latter were used to overcome the limits of PSC dimensional assessment and to propose a quantitative PSCMM. Findings PSC dimensions are grouped into three macro dimensions. Their capitalization permits their association with safety actors related to PSC promotion. Consequently, a quantitative PSC maturity matrix was proposed. Problematic PSC dimensions for the studied HEs are “Non-punitive response to error”, “Staffing”, “Communication openness”. Their PSC maturity level was found underdeveloped due to a managerial style that favors a “blame culture”. Originality/value A combined quali-quantitative assessment framework for PSC was proposed in the present study as recommended by a number of researchers but, to the best of our knowledge, few or no studies were devoted to it. The results can be projected for improvement and accreditation purposes, where different PSC stakeholders can be implicated as suggested by international standards.
Boulagouas W, Garc{\'ıa-Herrero S, Chaib R, Herrera Garc{\'ıa S. On the contribution to the alignment during an organizational change: Measurement of job satisfaction with working conditions. Journal of Safety Research [Internet]. 2021;76. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Introduction: Modern approaches to Occupational Health and Safety have acknowledged the important contribution that continuous improvements to working conditions can make to the motivation of employees, their subsequent performance, and therefore to the competitiveness of the company. Despite this fact, organizational change initiatives represent a path less traveled by employees. Specialized literature has drawn on the fact that employees’ satisfaction presents both the foundation and catalyst for effective implementation of improvements to working conditions. Method: This paper conceptualizes the alignment of employees through measurement of job satisfaction and uses the Bayesian Network to assess the influence of human factors, particularly the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects. Toward this aim, the Bayesian Network is evaluated through a cross-validation process, and a sensitivity analysis is then conducted for each influential dimension: emotional, cognitive, and behavioral. Results: The results reveal that these three dimensions are interrelated and have a direct influence on job satisfaction and employees’ alignment during the organization change. Further, they suggest that the best strategy for enhanced alignment and smooth conduct of organizational changes is simultaneous enhancement of the three dimensions. Practical applications: This study shows the influence of emotional, cognitive, and behavioral dimensions on job satisfaction and employees’ alignment during the organizational change. Furthermore, it elaborates the way to develop efficient and effective strategies for a successful change implementation and sustained alignment.
Mohammed AS, Smail R. A decision loop for situation risk assessment under uncertainty: A case study of a gas facility. Petroleum [Internet]. 2021;7 (3) :343-348. Publisher's VersionAbstract
This paper presents a decision-making support system for situation risk assessment associated with critical alarms conditions in a gas facility. The system provides a human operator with advice on the confirmation and classification of occurred alarm. The input of the system comprises uncertain and incomplete information. In the light of uncertain and incomplete information, different uncertainties laws have been associated with the probabilistic assessment of the system loops which combine data of several sources to reach the ultimate classification. The implemented model used Observe-Orient-Decide-Act loop (OODA) combined with Bayesian networks. Results show that the system can classify the alarms system.
Chebira S, Bourmada N, Boughaba A, Djebabra M. Fault diagnosis of blowout preventer system using artificial neural networks: a comparative study. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management [Internet]. 2021;38 (6) :1409-1424. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Purpose The increasing complexity of industrial systems is at the heart of the development of many fault diagnosis methods. The artificial neural networks (ANNs), which are part of these methods, are widely used in fault diagnosis due to their flexibility and diversification which makes them one of the most appropriate fault diagnosis methods. The purpose of this paper is to detect and locate in real time any parameter deviations that can affect the operation of the blowout preventer (BOP) system using ANNs. Design/methodology/approach The starting data are extracted from the tables of the HAZOP (HAZard and OPerability) method where the deviations of the parameters of normal BOP operating (pressure, flow, level and temperature) are associated with an initial rule base for establishing cause and effect of relationships between the causes of deviations and their consequences; these data are used as a database for the neural network. Three ANNs were used, the multi-layer perceptron network (MLPN), radial basis functions network (RBFN) and generalized regression neural networks (GRNN). These models were trained and tested, then, their comparative performances were presented. The respective performances of these models are highlighted following their application to the BOP system. Findings The performances of the models are evaluated using determination coefficient (R2), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) statistics and time execution. The results of this study show that the RMSE, MAE and R2 values of the GRNN model are better than those corresponding to the RBFN and MLPN models. The GRNN model can be applied with better performance, to establish a diagnostic model that can detect and to identify the different causes of deviations in the parameters of the BOP system. Originality/value The performance of the trained network is found to be satisfactory for the real-time fault diagnosis. Therefore, future studies on modeling the BOP system with soft computing techniques can be concentrated on the ANNs. Consequently, with the use of these techniques, the performance of the BOP system can be ensured performing only a limited number of monitoring operations, thus saving engineering effort, time and funds.
Chettouh S. Global and local sensitivity analysis of the Emission Dispersion Model input parameters. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development [Internet]. 2021;18 (4) :513-532. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Purpose The objectives of this paper are the application of sensitivity analysis (SA) methods in atmospheric dispersion modeling to the emission dispersion model (EDM) to study the prediction of atmospheric dispersion of NO2 generated by an industrial fire, whose results are useful for fire safety applications. The EDM is used to predict the level concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emitted by an industrial fire in a plant located in an industrial region site in Algeria. Design/methodology/approach The SA was defined for the following input parameters: wind speed, NO2 emission rate and viscosity and diffusivity coefficients by simulating the air quality impacts of fire on an industrial area. Two SA methods are used: a local SA by using a one at a time technique and a global SA, for which correlation analysis was conducted on the EDM using the standardized regression coefficient. Findings The study demonstrates that, under ordinary weather conditions and for the fields near to the fire, the NO2 initial concentration has the most influence on the predicted NO2 levels than any other model input. Whereas, for the far field, the initial concentration and the wind speed have the most impact on the NO2 concentration estimation. Originality/value The study shows that an effective decision-making process should not be only based on the mean values, but it should, in particular, consider the upper bound plume concentration.
Bouhamla K, Gharbi A, Ghelloudj O, Hadji A, Maouche H, Remili S, Chettouh S. Microstructural Characterization, Tribological and Corrosion Behaviour of Forged and Cast Grinding Balls a Comparative Study. Defect and Diffusion Forum [Internet]. 2021;406. Publisher's VersionAbstract
Various facilities are used in mineral processing to prepare raw material. Practically, two types of balls are used, cast balls and forged balls. They are respectively made from high chromium cast iron and forged steel and are supplied in different sizes and chemical compositions. The cast and forged balls have different microstructures and consequently display dissimilar wear behavior. The target aimed in this work is to achieve a comparative study taking into account the type of microstructure, mechanical properties, and wear behavior of these two kinds of materials. Specimens have undergone chemical, metallographic and XRD characterizations. Subsequently, these samples were subjected to hardness measurements, abrasion and friction tests in order to evaluate their wear behaviour. Tribological tests, under unlubricated environment, are carried out on both types of grinding balls in order to study the wear system. Corrosion tests are also performed on forged steel and high chromium cast iron ball samples. The obtained results reveal a large difference in terms of chemical composition and microstructural components. Chromium cast iron balls are more resistant to friction, whereas forged balls are more resistant to abrasion. Additionally, the corrosion tests reveal a narrow discrepancy in corrosion behaviour between the studied materials.
Aouadj S, Zebirate S, Smail R, Saidi F. Optimization of the technical and environmental performance of the renewable energies. Case of the hybrid powerplant “SPPI” of HassiR’mel in the central highlands of Algeria. Environ Eng Res [Internet]. 2021;26 (3). Publisher's VersionAbstract
The exploitation of fossil fuels is causing global warming whose negative effects have recently been felt all over the world. Therefore, the search for new sources of energy, renewable and respectful of the environment is crucial for manufacturers. The concept of Best Available Techniques (BAT) presents an adequate solution for manufacturers, for the control, elimination or reduction of the harmful impacts of their activities on the environment. This concept, known as Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC), was introduced and imposed from 1996 in Europe. This paper aims to introduce the possibility of transferring the IPPC approach and BAT concepts to Algeria. Therefore, the main objective is to propose some recommendations to optimize the technical and environmental performance of hybrid solar-gas systems, by treating as a case study the first hybrid solar-gas power plant SPPI (Solar Power Plant One) near Hassi R’mel in the south of Algeria. A gap analysis of the Algerian environmental policy compared to the IPPC system, and an assessment of technical and environmental performance of the “SPPI” plant in terms of regulation and BAT are developed in our study.
Fourar Y-O, Benhassine W, Boubaker L. Proposal of a novel approach to the assessment of patient safety culture. Int. J. Behavioural and Healthcare Research [Internet]. 2021;7 (3). Publisher's VersionAbstract
The assessment of Patient Safety Culture (PSC) is often conducted using a quantitative approach based on questionnaires or a qualitative one focused on the deployment of Patient Safety Culture Maturity Models (PSCMM). These two approaches suffer from a number of limitations and their resolution is only possible by exploiting the possible complementarity that exists between them. Indeed, to overcome their inherent limits, it is imperative to merge the two PSC approaches in a single approach called quali-quantitative evaluation of PSC. This article fits into this context and aims to materialise the merger of PSC approaches through their co-deployment. This will make it possible to capitalise the scores of the HSOPSC dimensions in terms of PSC maturity levels.
Boulagouas W, Chaib R, Djebabra M. Proposal of a temporality perspective for a successful organizational change project. International Journal of Workplace Health Management [Internet]. 2021;14 (5). Publisher's VersionAbstract
Improvements to health and safety at work constantly involve organizational changes (OCs). However, the OC initiatives often fail at achieving their intended goals despite efforts to draw knowledge from various disciplines, such as sociology, psychology and information sciences, to guide the change implementation. This paper proposes a temporality approach to manage the resistance during an OC project based on the capitalization of the actors’ behaviors (i.e. alignment/resistance) for successful OC implementation.Employees in an industrial company (N = 186) undergoing an OC answered a questionnaire survey. The statistical analysis approach was used to measure the influence of the constructs of the proposed temporality capitalization approach on the OC conduct.Results indicate that the considered constructs have positive and significant correlations with OC development. It has also been found that the employees’ alignment is highly correlated with the opportunities they might gain from the OC.The proposed temporality capitalization approach shows that providing the employees with clear objectives is not sufficient to support the change, and it is suggested that the change management has to move a step further and seek to target the perspectives of the employees to energize them around the OC and maximize their alignment.In this paper, change management is approached through the temporality capitalization that confirms the importance of monitoring the change development through the alignment. In other terms, the curve of the adaptation of the change receivers matters and should attract more attention rather than the change implementation speed.
كمال حزحازي, مهدي سحساحي, صورية حميدة. استخدام تقنية الواقع المعزز بواسطة تطبيق أي جاك على تحسين تعلمات الطلبة نظريا وتطبيقيا في مادة الثقافة البدنية. المحترف [Internet]. 2021;8 (3) :490-507. Publisher's VersionAbstract
يهدف البحث الى التعرف على اثر تطبيق تقنية الواقع المعزز في تدريس مادة الثقافة البدنية لطلبة السنة الثانية ليسانس، في جامعة باتنة 2 خلال الموسم الجامعي الحالي2020/2021، و تم استخدام المنهج الشبه التجريبي. على عينة تتكون من 20طالب، مقسمة الى مجموعتين، وتوصلنا الى ان هناك فروق بين نتائج الطلبة في الاختبارين النظري والتطبيقي وان لاستخدام تقنية الواقع المعزز بواسطة تطبيقEyeJack أثر كبير على اكتساب الطلبة في مادة الثقافة البدنية على المستويين النظري والتطبيقي.
مهدي سحساحي. اشكالية حرق الدهون بين تمارين الكار ديو ورياضة كمال الأجسام (مقاربة وصفية تحليلية). مجلة العلوم الاجتماعية والانسانية [Internet]. 2021;22 (1) :83-96. Publisher's VersionAbstract
أصبحنا نرى في الآونة الاخيرة ان الكثير من الاشخاص اصبحت تنموا لديهم الرغبة في حرق الدهون الزائدة في الجسم والتي تعود الى عديد الاسباب وتختلف من شخص الى اخر ومن مجتمع الى اخر تبعا الى نمط وطريقة المعيشة. لكن الكثير منهم يصطدم بعلامة استفهام كبيرة هل الحل يكمن في تمارين الكارديو ام يكمن في الرياضات الخاصة برفع الاثقال والأوزان في صورة رياضة كمال الاجسام؟ لذا أردنا ان نقوم بهذه الدراسة الاستقصائية للتوصل الى أكثر معلومات حول هذا الموضوع كون هاتين الطريقتين هما الاكثر شعبية بين الممارسين الراغبين في الحصول على الجسم المثالي والخالي من الدهون الزائدة. 
كمال حزحازي. الإسعافات الأولية -اساسياتها واهم إجراءاتها الفعالة ميدانيا. الملتقى الدولي حول مساهمة العلوم الطبية في تطوير الأداء الرياضي النخبوي ،جامعة ام البواقي يومي 29 و 30ماي. 2021.
مهدي سحساحي. الإسعافات الأولية واساسياتها واهم إجراءاتها الفعالة ميدانيا. "الملتقى الدولي الافتراضي الثاني حول "مساهمة العلوم البيوطبية في تطوير الأداء الرياضي النخبوي. 2021.
الحفيظ قادري عبد, الحفيظ قادري عبد, صورية حميدة. البنية العاملية لإتجاهات الأساتذة الجامعيين نحو إستخدام التعليم عن بعد خلال فترة الحجر الصحي المفروض بسبب وباء كورونا المستجد (covid19). دراسات نفسية وتربوية [Internet]. 2021;14 (2) :716-732. Publisher's VersionAbstract
هدفت الدراسة لتبيان البنية العاملية لإتجاهات الأساتذة الجامعيين نحو التدريس عن بعد في ظل الحجر الصحي المفروض بسبب جائجة كوفيد-19 للسنة الجامعية 2019-2020، تم إستخدام المنهج الوصفي، وتكونت عينة الدراسة من 431 أستاذ جامعي من مختلف جامعات الوطن ، وزع عليهم إستبيان، لتقصي آرائهم، وبعد جمع البيانات أجري التحليل العاملي بطريقة تحليل المكونات الرئيسية، وقد أسفر الحل العاملي عن وجود ثلاثة عوامل حيث تم تسميتها وترتيبها حسب قيمة الجذر الكامن، حيث تكون عامل أول سمي (فوائد التعليم عن بعد)، ثم عامل ثاني سمي (الإتجاهات نحو الدروس على الخط) ، وثالثا (الأنترنت واستخدام التعليم عن بعد). -الكلمات الدالة: البنية العاملية؛ الإتجاهات، التعليم عن بعد؛ الحجر الصحي؛ وباء كورونا.
كمال حزحازي, الحفيظ قادري عبد, صورية حميدة. : التطور الرقمي لمنافسات السباحة الحرة 100 و 400متر عبر تاريخ الألعاب الأولمبية الحديثة من دورة أثينا 1896 إلى دورة ريو 2016. مجلة الابداع الرياضي [Internet]. 2021;12 (3) :167-187. Publisher's VersionAbstract
الورقة عبارة عن دراسة تتبعية، للتطور الرقمي لمنافسات السباحة الحرة 100م و 400م عبر تاريخ الالعاب الاولمبية الحديثة، من دورة اثينا 1896 الى دورة ريو 2016 ،بالإضافة الى ابراز اهم مراحل التي عرفت معدل التحسن والتطور. واهم الاسباب المساهمة في ذلك. و التعرف على الدول الاكثر تتويجا في تاريخ المنافستين. واستخدمنا في هذه الدراسة المنهج التاريخي، معتمدين على سجلات اللجنة الاولمبية الدولية CIO .وقمنا بتحليل الارقام المسجلة من طرف عينة قصدية قوامها 158 من السباحين الأولمبيين الذكور، وتوصلنا ان ارقام سباحي 100م و 400م حرة عرفت تحسنا مستمرا، حسب المنحنى البياني للنتائج، وقسمنا ذلك على مراحل03 الاولى من التطور من أثينا 1896 الى باريس 1924وأجريت اغلب المنافسات خارج المسابح، اما الثانية من أمستردام 1928م الى ميونيخ 1972وعرفت تطورا ملحوظا و المرحلة الاخيرة ما بعد ميونيخ 1972م وهي المرحلة التي شهدت تطورا متدرجا ، كما توصلنا الى ان المنتخبات الاكثر تتويجا في المسابقتين هي الولايات المتحدة الامريكية بمجموع (22ميدالية) و استراليا بــــ (17 ميدالية).

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