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In the present work, samples of barium borate glasses containing different molar ratios of ZnO were prepared using the conventional melt-quenching technique. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the amorphous nature of the studied materials. Structural analysis using FT-Infrared confirmed the incorporation of the Zn atom in the glass matrix as a ZnO4 unit and the existence of ZnO in the tetrahedral interstitial sites. TEM images for the studied materials show that the average particle size is about 20 nm and the ZnO4 structural units reside in the glass matrix with high homogeneity. Density and molar volume studies manifested an increase in the density as the amount of ZnO increases and a subsequent decrease in the molar volume. UV absorption studies showed a blue shift in the absorption peak from 343 nm to 315 nm. Additionally, an observed reversible behavior around 338 nm divides the absorption range into high energy and low energy regions. In the high energy region, both absorbance, absorption coefficient, and refractive index increased with ZnO content increment. In the low energy region, this behavior was reversed, and the calculated values of the refractive index agreed with the measured ones in this region. Studies of optical dielectric parameters showed a Debye-type relaxation process in which increasing the ZnO content shortens the sample relaxation time. Our results, collectively, suggest the studied materials for several optoelectronic device applications such as high-energy optical filters, optical switches, and frequency converters.

For the carbon-based glass fabrication/manufacture process, different amounts of pure graphite powder were added up to 100 wt.% of sodium tetraborate oxide (the weight of one mole of the sodium tetraborate is 381.372 g/mol) and then melted at 950 °C for 2 h before fast quenching in the air at RT. The resulted solids were examined by the XRD and SEM techniques, which confirmed the amorphous natures for studied samples. FTIR spectroscopy showed that some C-atoms are shared in the glass network as C–O and CO2. In contrast, the UV–Vis showed that the increase in the graphite contents/impurities causes a red shift in the value of the optical edge and the value of Fermi energy. Also, the increase of the graphite impurities causes a decrease in the bandgap values of both direct and indirect electronic transitions. Both the values of Urbach energy and the metallization indicated an increase in the crystallinity degree as the graphite content increase. A graphite-based glass is a promising material for wide-scale applications.

This work is an attempt to estimate the effect of the exchanging of PbO with NiO on the optical and structural parameters for some borate-lead-lanthanum glass. The fast-cooling method was used to prepare the studied glass while XRD and FTIR were used to check their internal structures. XRD showed that all the studied samples are of high homogenous amorphous natures. The incorporation of NiO on the glass matrix acted to decrease the glass density and indirect optical bandgap, increase both the glass molar volume and the value of the refractive index. Also, the incorporation of NiO caused the Fermi level to be shifted toward the valence band.

A set of glasses composed of seven samples was prepared using the fast cooling mechanism for glass preparation. The synthesis processes based on the molar chemical formula; (60 − x) mole% B2O3—x mole% P2O5—25 mol% Na2O—15 mol% FeO, where x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 mol%. The obtained samples represented three different types of oxide glasses, pure borate glass (x = 0), Borophosphate glass (x = 10, 20, 30, 40, 50), and pure phosphate glass (x = 60). FTIR showed the non-crystalline natures of the as-prepared samples, and also, showed that some Iron cations share the tetrahedral glass positions as FeO4 to act as a glass network formers. At the same time, some other occupied the octahedral vacancies as FeO6 to act as a glass network modifiers. As B2O3 replaced by P2O5, all the density, molar volume, calculated static refractive index, and metallization factor increased. The Phy-X/PSD software was used to study the gamma attenuation and buildup parameters EBF and EABF for the studied glasses in the range of photon energy from 0.015 to 15 MeV. Phosphate-rich glasses showed comparable shielding ability concerning some standard glass samples (RS-253-G18, RS-360, and RS-520).

Samples of bismuth borate glasses were prepared by the melt-quenching method, following the molar ratio formula [(58.4–2x) mol% B2O3 + (18.8 + x) mol% ZnO + (18.8 + x) mol% CaO + 4 mol% Bi2O3)], where x = 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 and equal concentrations of zinc oxide and calcium oxide were incorporated into the glass matrix. The structural analysis of the prepared materials was characterized using X-ray diffraction measurements, where each sample showed highly homogenous glassy nature. Deconvolution of X-ray diffraction data was employed to separate unresolved bands, and results manifested the existence of two micro-nucleating agents at 2θ values about 30° and 50°. Optical and optoelectronic properties of the present glasses were assessed using the UV optical absorption. Introducing both zinc and calcium oxides increased the glass transparency for electromagnetic radiation in the UV region. Additionally, values of Fermi energy, Urbach energy, optical conductivity, and the linear refractive index were decreased by the incorporation of both zinc and calcium oxides, while the quality factor was increased. Our results suggest the studied materials for optical filtering, optical switching, and optoelectronic device applications.

Samples of pure poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and PMMA enhanced with metal complexes of Zn, Cd, and Hg were synthesized via catalytic chain transfer polymerization. Structural analysis, by means of XRD, showed the amorphous nature of the studied samples which meant high homogenous dissolution of the metals (Zn, Cd and Hg) into the polymer matrix. Density values increased linearly with respect to atomic radius of the incorporated metals. Addition of such elements causes an increase in mass attenuation coefficients and a remarkable decrease in the Half Value Layer (HVL) values, in comparison to existing standard shielding materials. Thermal studies by DSC indicated highly homogenous internal structure of the studied samples, with slight decrease in the Tg value when introducing metals due to heterogeneous nucleation agent role of the Cd, Zn and Hg. All observations and results suggest the studied materials to be used as promising and proper aprons for medical radiation shielding applications.

Anthocyanin have been used as a natural food colourant and as a source of natural antioxidants. Aqueous extracts of dried roselle calyces, outer peels of yellow onions, and peanut skins were used as sources of anthocyanin and other functional components such as phenolic and flavonoid compounds to fortify yoghurt beverages. Antioxidants, total phenolics, total flavonoids and anthocyanin were estimated in the plant extracts. Colour stability was evaluated in yoghurt beverages fortified with anthocyanin extracted during the storage period at 4±1°C for three weeks. The highest amount of total phenolic content was observed in peanut skin extract (1.645 mgžml-1), followed by dry outer peels of onions (1.5 mgžml-1) and roselle calyces (1.3 mgžml-1). Dry outer peels of onions showed the highest flavonoid content compared with peanut skin and roselle calyces extract. The highest amount of total anthocyanin was observed in roselle calyces (3.877 mg 100 g-1), followed by aqueous extract of onions skin (0.635 mg 100 g-1). During the storage period at 4±1 °C for three weeks, yoghurt beverages physicochemical and functional properties had been evaluated. The anthocyanin improved the colour, appearance, and overall acceptability of fortified yoghurt beverages. The overall results suggested that it is possible to produce high-quality yoghurt beverages fortified by adding 0.2% extracts of dry peanut skins, dry roselle calyces, and dry outer peels of yellow onions, which obtaining colours degree of red-orange, cheery red, and orange-yellow, respectively, colour stability during the storage period at 4±1°C for three weeks.

Increased energy consumption and the depletion of petroleum reserves have pushed up oil prices globally. Diminishing the petroleum reserve is another global risk factor. ProducingBiodiesel vegetable oils and animal fat by transesterification can be a considerable energy alternative. In this study, biodiesel is produced from waste cooking oil by transesterification method with methanol in the presence of HCl as a catalyst. Biodiesel production begins with mixing raw the collected used cooking oil into one pool. The mixture is then settled for 8 hours at room temperature before initiating the transesterification process 90oC by mixing HCl (1% of oil weight) with methanol, while the methanol: oil ratio is 1:4. The process lasts for 9 h under a condenser. Biodiesel purification is carried out by washing the product twice with hot water (temperature 70°C) to remove excess reactants and byproducts such as alcohol, catalysts, soap and glycerine, and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). The resulting diesel density of 3.72 kg/m (at 15oC), a kinematic viscosity of 8.93 mm/sec., at 40oC, calorific value was 41299 kj/kg, Total acid number of 0.111 was for waste cooking oil, Cetane number of 48.95, acid value (AV) was 1.135 mg/koh was and Ester value (EV) was 178.42 mg/koh. The Saponification value (SV) was 179.56 mg/koh, pH was 5.7, and Glycerol Weight was 97.53 (Gw).

A field trial was achieved during 2018 and 2019 seasons on 9-years old Balady lime trees, to study the effect of spraying gibberellic acid (GA3) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) at 10, 20 and 30 ppm three times each year on yield and fruit physical and chemical properties of the fruit, grown in sandy reclamation soil located at Cairo-Alexandria desert road (60 Km from Cairo city), Egypt. A gradual yield increment was observed, physical and chemical properties of Balady lime fruits were improved the two growth regulators concentration from 0.0 to 30 ppm. Meaningless stimulation was detected among the two higher concentrations of GA3 and NAA namely 20 and 30 ppm. The best results with regard to yield, fruit physical and chemical properties of Balady lime obtained when the trees were sprayed with GA3 combined with NAA each at 20 ppm.

The biologically active compounds isolated from plants are known to be efficient as antibacterial and antioxidants. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of total phenols and flavonoids drived from the petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of Opuntia ficus-indicaseeds and peels were performed using DPPH and modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique against gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) and gram-negative bacteria (Serratia marcescens), respectively. In the present study, it is demonstrated that, both alcohol and ethyl acetate extracts show the best antioxidant and antibacterial activities than the petroleum ether extracts. This is consistent with the results of the chemical analyses of both extracts.

BACKGROUND: Many approaches have been employed to increase the understanding and consequently the performance of Microbial Fuel Cells to obtain simultaneous power production and biodegradation. This study uses recombinant Escherichia coli K-12 with MtrA, MtrC and MtrCAB inserts previously prepared using synthetic biology to evaluate the involvement of each of these genes in bioenergy production and biodegradation of Congo red using a double chamber microbial fuel cell. RESULTS: MtrC was the key gene required for energy production corresponding to an average voltage of 360 mV (external resistance 1 K&) and power density of 59 mW/m2, while E. coli with MtrCAB insert showed the highest decolourisation which reached 80% in 36 h under microbial fuel cells conditions. Coloumbic efficiency was 1.2% for E.coli with MtrCAB compared to 2.5% and 2.3% for MtrC and MtrA inserts, respectively. Riboflavin seems to be involved in the electron transferring, its concentration was highest for E.coli with MtrA insert despite its poor performance in both bioenergy production and dye degradation. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that electrons are mutually exclusive between electricity production, dye degradation and other cellular activities. This study helps us improve our understanding of the dual bioenergy/decolourisation process taking place in MFCs in order to maximize the outcome.

Samples of calcium borate glasses containing iron ions have been prepared with three different concentrations of both boron and iron oxides. X-ray diffraction spectroscopy was performed and results revealed that samples are in good glassy state, with high homogeneity and short range ordered structure. Electrical conductivity was experimentally measured in the temperature range from 300 to 553 K. Conductivity results have been studied as a function of the static dielectric constant (e) and the charge carrier’s relaxation time (τ). The results were modeled by means of an empirical formula that fits the experimental data as a function of both the static dielectric constant and the electric activation energy ΔE; in addition to the exponent factor s. Total measured conductivity modeled using the proposed empirical formula fits neatly the correlated barrier hopping model.

This research work aims to the estimation of the effect of the addition of La2O3, by different amounts in wt. %, to the matrix of the bismuth calcium borate glass. The fast cooling procedure was used to prepare the suggested compositions. XRD was used to inspecting the internal structural phases of the prepared samples, where XRD patterns confirmed the amorphous natures of all samples. It was found that the La-additives act to increase the glass density, micro hardness, and optical absorption. While the plasma treatment using N2 acted to reduce both the relative intensity of XRD and the optical absorption.

The presence of different pollutants in wastewater hinder microbial growth, compromise enzymatic activity or compete for electrons required for bioremediation pathway. Therefore, there is a need to use a single microorganism that is capable of tolerating different toxic compounds and can perform simultaneous bioremediation. In the present study, nitrate reducing bacteria capable of decolorizing azo dye was identified as Bacillus subtillis sp. DN using Protein profiling, morphological and biochemical tests X-ray diffraction pattern, Raman spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry confirm that the bacterium under study possesses membrane-bound nitrate reductase and that is capable of direct electron transfer. The addition of nitrate concentrations (0–50 mM) resulted in increased biofilm formation with variable exopolysaccharides (EPS), protein, and eDNA. Fourier Transform Infrared spectrum revealed the presence of a biopolymer at high nitrate concentrations. Effective capacitance and conductivity of the cells grown in different nitrate concentrations suggest changes in the relative position of polar groups, their relative orientation and permeability of cell membrane as detected by dielectric spectroscopy. The increase in biofilm shifted the removal of the azo dye from biodegradation to bioadsorption. Our results indicate that nitrate modulates biofilm components. Bacillus sp. DN granular biofilm can be used for simultaneous nitrate and azo dye removal from wastewater.

In this paper, neutronic calculations and the core analysis of the VVER-1000 reactor were performed using MCNP6 code together with both ENDF/B-VII.1 and ENDF/B-VIII libraries. The effect of thorium introduction on the neutronic parameters of the VVER-1000 reactor was discussed. The reference core was initially filled with enriched uranium oxide fuel and then fueled with uranium-thorium fuel. The calculations determine the delayed neutron fraction βeff, the temperature reactivity coefficients, the fuel consumption, and the production of the transuranic elements during reactor operation. βeff and the Doppler coefficient (DC) are found to be in agreement with the design values. It is found that the core loaded with uranium and thorium has lower delayed neutron fraction than the uranium oxide core. The moderator temperature coefficients of the uranium-thorium core are found to be higher than those of the uranium core. Results indicated that thorium has lower production of minor actinides (MAs) and transuranic elements (mainly plutonium isotopes) compared with the relatively large amounts produced from the uranium-based fuel UO2.

Constituting the host-parasite interface and playing a censorious role in host immune response modulation and parasite survival, tegument represents a crucial target for many antischistosomal drugs. Sphingomyelin forms a stable outer leaflet of tegumental membrane-lipid bilayer. Neutral magnesium‏-dependent sphingomyelinase (Mg2+-nSMase) is a key enzyme in sphingomyelin breakdown was identified in schistosomes. We investigated the in vivo efficacy of ubiquinol, a natural inhibitor of Mg2+-nSMase, in free and niosomes-encapsulated forms, through five-day and 15-day regimens on the early and late Schistosoma mansoni parasitic stages, respectively, compared to PZQ. Oral administration of 300mg/kg/day ubiquinol-encapsulated niosomes (U-N) showed significant deterioration of the parasitic growth and development in the term of reduction of lung schistosomula burden (39.12 %), adult worm burden (50.81 %), hepatic and intestinal tissue-egg counts (80.89 % and 75.54 %, respectively). PZQ and free ubiquinol regimens reported reductions in lung schistosomula counts (45.36% and 22.90%, respectively) and total worm burdens of 86.28 % and 24.58 %, respectively. U-N therapy revealed worms de-pairing and remarkable diminution in female worms’ perimeters and fecundity. Scanning electron microscope revealed disruption of tegumental ridges with excessive longitudinal corrugation. Transmission electron microscope showed testicular and ovarian parenchymal degeneration, signs of immaturity and cell apoptosis. Indirect immunofluorescence assay approved parasite's tegumental changes. Remarkable reduction of granulomas size with amelioration of hepatic pathology and fibrosis were assumed to be attributed to the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of ubiquinol. These findings with the drug safety profile suggest that U-N could be a promising candidate for a new antischistosomal drug development.

Exogenous ameliorants hold a great potential to strengthen endogenous plant defence under various environmental stresses, including salinity. The effects of Cypress Leaf Extract (CLE, as a biostimulant) and salicylic acid (SA) on growth, physio-biochemical and molecular responses of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Kavili) seedlings under salt stress were investigated. Salt stress resulted in decreased photosynthesis activity and increased oxidative stress. However, CLE- and SA-pretreatment of salt-stressed seedlings enhanced their growth, photosynthetic capacity, antioxidant enzyme (SOD, CAT, APX, GPX, GR, and DHAR) activities and the contents of ascorbate, glutathione and proline as compared to the salt-stressed untreated seedlings. CLE- and SA-pretreatment also alleviated the salt stress-induced negative effects on CO2 assimilation and significantly increased the activity of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). Furthermore, CLE pretreatment also upregulated the expression of stress-inducible antioxidation-related genes (CuZnSOD2, CAT1, APX, GR, DHAR and PrxQ) in salt-stressed seedlings. Interestingly, CLE was found to outperform SA in augmenting these processes under both stress and stress-free conditions. Our study reveals that CLE-mediated enhancement of photosynthesis and antioxidative defence mechanisms plays a crucial role in the alleviation of salt stress, and thereby increasing salt tolerance and growth of zucchini plants.

This paper discusses how substituting a lanthanide oxide with a transition metal oxide impacts the structural matrix, shielding parameters, and the optical properties of the sodium borate glass. Where a set of glass samples have been prepared using the fast quenching method, where three types of glasses were obtained; i) copper-free/cerium-rich sodium borate glass (one sample), ii) cerium-free/copper-rich sodium borate glass (one sample), and iii) Cerium copper sodium borate glass (three samples). XRD patterns indicated the amorphous nature for the as-prepared samples regardless of the changing amounts of CeO2 and Cu2O3. FTIR-spectral analysis showed that ratio BO3:BO4 reached its lower limit in the sample containing equal CeO2 and Cu2O3 concentrations. At the same time, it has got its upper limit in the cerium-free/copper-rich sample. Optical calculations showed that the same contains equal concentrations of CeO2 and Cu2O3 have the maximum optical bandgaps and the minimum Urbach's energy among the studied samples. On the other hand, gamma-ray spectroscopic measurements associated with XCOM calculations indicated that the highest μm value was obtained for the Copper-free/cerium-rich samples. Based on the experimental μm, other important parameters, such as the half-value layer HVL, were evaluated to investigate the present glass system. The neutron shielding behavior of the studied samples was also evaluated by calculating the fast neutron removal cross-section ΣR, and the results revealed the possibility of using the studied glass samples containing 3% of the CeO2 content in radiation protection applications.

A Trichoderma viride metabolite culture filtrate was tested for its apoptotic effect on the fish fungal pathogen Aspergillus niger The filtrate was characterized as a non-enzymatic protein. Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and liquid mass chromatography (UPLC/MS/MS) revealed a predominant peak at 1294 m/z which is characteristic of peptaibol. Fungal culture extract was used to test its apoptotic effect on A. niger infecting Nile tilapia fish. Incubating the extract with A. niger increased catalase enzyme, protein content, and lipid peroxidation. Caspase-3 enzyme increase in A. niger suggested the involvement of mitochondria: this was confirmed by the increase in fluorescent intensity of Mitotracker red in A. niger treated with the T. viride culture extract. The extract was tested on tilapia fish blood, results of in vitro DNA analysis showed that 20 μl of the incubated extract was effective in inducing apoptosis in a pathogenic strain of A. niger but non-toxic to Nile tilapia.

AIM: To determine the distribution of vancomycin MIC and the frequency of S. aureus strains with reduced vancomycin susceptibility among Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates. METHODS: MRSA isolates (n = 100) were tested for reduced susceptibility to vancomycin using MIC broth microdilution method (BMD), vancomycin screening agar with different vancomycin concentrations with and without casein, and Vitek 2 system. RESULTS: BMD detected (22%) vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) and (78%) vancomycin-susceptible S. aureus (VSSA) but couldn’t detect nine (Heterogeneous VISA) (hVISA) isolates (9%) with MIC ≤ 2 µg/ml that grew on screening agar 4 µg/ml or 6 µg/ml. Adding casein to vancomycin screening agar increased detection rate of VISA by 4.5%. Screening agar with 6 µg/ml vancomycin overall detection rate for VISA was 95.45%. Probable ‘pre-hVISA’isolates (17%) showed growth on vancomycin screening agar 2 µg/ml with casein. Vitek 2 system failed to detect any VISA isolates. CONCLUSION: Vancomycin screening agar; 2 µg/ml and (4 and 6 µg/ml) were able to detect; probable “pre hVISA and (hVISA and VISA) isolates respectively based on their BMD MIC values. Decreased vancomycin susceptibility in MRSA isolates might be related to MIC creep. Analysis of vancomycin MIC values over longer periods is recommended to further study this phenomenon and its impact on vancomycin treatment failure. ABSTRACT Aims: Determine the distribution of vancomycin MIC and the frequency of S. aureus strains with reduced vancomycin susceptibility among MRSA isolates. Methods: MRSA isolates (n =100) were tested for reduced susceptibility to vancomycin using MIC broth microdilution method(BMD), vancomycin screening agar with different vancomycin concentrations with and without casein, and Vitek 2 system. Results: BMD detected (22%) vancomycin intermediate S. aureus(VISA) and (78%) vancomycin susceptible S. aureus(VSSA) but failed to detect nine (Heterogeneous VISA) (hVISA) isolates (9%) with MIC ≤2ug/ml that grew on screening agar 4ug/ml or 6 ug/ml. Adding casein to vancomycin screening agar increased detection rate of VISA by 4.5%. Screening agar with 6 ug/ml vancomycin over all detection rate for VISA was 95.45%. Probable ‘pre-hVISA’isolates (17%) showed growth on vancomycin screening agar 2µg/ml with casein. Vitek 2 system failed to detect any VISA isolates. Conclusion: vancomycin screening agar; 2 µg/ml and (4 and 6 µg/ml) were able to detect; probable “pre hVISA and (hVISA and VISA) isolates respectively based on their BMD MIC values. Decreased vancomycin susceptibility in MRSA isolates might be related to MIC creep. Analysis of vancomycin MIC values over longer periods of time is recommended to further study this phenomenon and its impact on vancomycin treatment failure.

Dimethoate (DM) is a widely used organophosphate insecticide in Egyptian fields with toxic impacts on mammalians. This paper intends to evaluate the role of l-carnitine (LC) on DM-generated hepatic...

Objective: The present study was performed to investigate the protective effect of blackberry as polyphenolic compounds for managing dry eye in experimental animal model. Materials and Methods: The Blackberry was dried in air oven. Dry eye induced by atropine sulphate 1% drops (2 drops in each eye daily) for 2 months, blackberry was taken as 20 % of the main diet. Thirty two rabbits (1000-1300g) were divided into four groups: G1: healthy control, G2: dry eye, G3: normal fed on blackberry, G4: dry eye feed on blackberry. Poly phenolic compounds of blackberry were analyzed by using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Tear production measured using tear break up time (TBUT) and schirmer test. Tears were collected day after day from all groups using 5-μL silanated microcapillary pipettes. At the end of experiments rabbits were fasted overnight and blood was withdrawn. The levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and interlukin-1beta (IL-1β) were estimated in the tears and blood. In addition catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined in the blood. Cornea excised and examined by light microscope. Results: Significant improvements were noticed in tear breakup time and schirmer I score of dry eye rabbits fed on 20% dried blackberry compared to dry eye group. There was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in serum and tears of IL-1β, NO and a statistically increase in the blood GSH, plasma CAT in dry eye rabbits fed on 20% dried blackberry compared to dry eye rabbit group. In conclusion: Supplementation with dried blackberry is effective against the dry eye syndrome by decreasing ocular inflammation and increasing antioxidant contents in tears of experimental animal model.

The study was conducted on lemon and orange peels to study the chemical composition of these residues by determinism each of carbohydrate, protein, fat, ash, and fiber contents. The pectin was also separated and purified and studied using HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and IR (Infrared Radiation) techniques. Finally studied the activity of antioxidant activity of pectin and methanol, ethanol and acetone extracts; Lemon peel contents of crude protein, ash, fiber, fat and carbohydrate were (7.89%, 5.30%, 15.40%, 2.50% and 68.91%, respectively) monoclonal and bivalent sugars and their derivatives found in pectin were arabinose, galactose and glucose. Through HPLC analysis, and by IR analysis in the region from (1619: 2049) and from (3046: 3235), there were a groups of (COOH and CH3) and pectin sugar was presented in the hexagonal ring structure. The area (616) nm and the antioxidant activity showed that the extract of methanol for lemon peel was the highest antioxidant as well as pectin orange peel contents of crude protein, ash, fiber, fat and carbohydrate were (5.26%, 4.30%, 9.90%, 2.75%, and 77.79% respectively) monoclonal and bivalent sugars and their derivatives were found in pectin of orange were arabinose, galactose, glucose and mannose. Through HPLC analysis and by IR analysis in the regions (2050: 2359) and (3036: 3234) containing the presence of COOH and CH3 Pectin sugar is presented by investigation at (615nm) in the hexagonal ring structure.

Series of five samples, named calcium bismuth niobium Borate glasses, were prepared by quenching their melts. The batches of all samples formed according to the chemical formula 60 mol% B2O3 – 20 mol% CaO – 20 mol% Bi2O3 – (20 − x) Nb2O5 mol%, where x = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 1 mol%. XRD, FTIR and UV–vis. Were used to characterize the internal structure of these glasses. Both XRD and FTIR showed the amorphous character for all samples. FTIR showed that all Nb5+ ions occupied some interstitial vacancies, as a glass network modifiers (GNM), while some of Bi3+ ions share in the glass matrix, as a glass network formers (GNF) and some other occupied some other interstitial vacancies (GNM). The BO4 was found to increase by replacing Bi2O3 by Nb2O5, in other word, increase of the non-bridging oxygen atoms. For all samples, UV–vis. exhibited two indirect (γ = 1/2) and direct (γ = 2) electronic transitions. Both the optical band gap and refractive index for direct transition case were found to have slightly increase as x increase. The density of the studied samples was found to be inversely proportional to their molar volume.

The variation of salinity from Lake Quaroun, Fayium, Egypt may be a good indicator to differentiate between different levels of basins that have different concentrations of salts. There are four ponds (from the lake directly) that have different concentrated impurities and different soluble salts. According to the solubility product, some of the carbonate salts in addition to other impurities precipitate in the first pond. The rest of the carbonate minerals precipitate in second pond. Sulphate salts will precipitate in the third pond. Finally, chloride salts will precipitate in the fourth pond in the form of gel crystals. These chloride salts is pumped to plants to produce the nardite salt. The electrical properties were used in this study as a new tool to differentiate between the pollution of waste water and to define the pollution process. In addition, geochemical analyses, for bottom sediments, in the four ponds were done using XRF. Electrical properties were measured in frequency range of 42 Hz–5 MHz at room temperature. Slight changes were noticed between the samples taken from the different bonds. The changes in the electrical properties were found to be the result from changes in mineralogical composition in the different bonds. Most of the samples were composed of grains of clay-size fractions. The dielectric constant, generally, was found to decrease with discontinuous conduction paths and with frequency. Electrical conduction, usually, was found to increase with the increase of conductor continuous paths and with frequency.

Two processes for crosslinking polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) and thermal crosslinking were used to fabricate a proton exchange membrane (PEM). Such PEMs are used in different fields involving fuel cell applications. The crosslinking reaction between PVA and SSA was confirmed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The characterization of the prepared membranes, namely, ion exchange capacity (IEC), thermal analyses, water uptake, and ionic conductivity, was carried out. The IEC of the prepared membranes was found to be between 0.084 and 2.086 mmol g-1, resulting in an essential increase in the ionic conductivity. It was observed that the ionic conductivity was in the range of 0.003-0.023 S cm-1, depending on both temperature and SSA content. From the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results, it was revealed that the thermal stability of the crosslinked membranes improved. Moreover, water uptake decreased with increasing SSA content. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) was used to study the microstructure of the PVA/SSA membranes and their distribution at different ambient temperatures and relative humidity (RH) values. At room temperature, no significant change was observed in the free-volume holes up to 15 wt% SSA; thereafter, the size of the free-volume holes increased with the SSA content. The PALS results show that at different humidity values, the size of the free-volume holes for crosslinked PVA/SSA membranes is lower than those for Nafion membranes, i.e., the gas permeability for the prepared PVA/SSA membranes is less than that for the Nafion membrane. In addition, a strong correlation between the water uptake, ionic conductivity, tensile strength, and free-volume holes was observed.

Background: As there is no molecular-based assays available for the detection of hVISA and VISA. However, increasing amounts of data support a number of methods for the screening and confirmation of heterogeneous vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (hVISA) and vancomycin intermediate S. aureus (VISA) infection. The vancomycin MIC result alone is unable to accurately distinguish hVISA from VSSA isolates, and the use of MIC testingalone will fail to detect hVISA strains that are relatively common among isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) with broth MICs of 2 g per ml. Objective: The aim of the present work was to detect the efficacy of phenotypic and automated methods for detection of MRSA with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin. It aimed also, to determine the best MIC concentration in vancomycin screening agar for detection of VISA among MRSA isolates. Methods: One hundred MRSA isolates were obtained from 100 patients from different departments of Ain Shams University Hospitals during the period from October 2015 to the end of April 2016. They were isolated from different clinical specimens; sputum, wound swabs, blood, pus, urine, and body fluid that were referred to central microbiology laboratory for routine culture and sensitivity. Detection of S. aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin was done by vancomycin screening agar with different concentrations 2,4,6 ug/ml with and without casein, MIC broth microdilution method for vancomycin according to CLSI 2015, and Vitek 2 automated system for determination of vancomycin MIC. Results: Out of 100 MRSA isolates, vancomycin screening agar 2ug/ml with casein showed highest detection rate for VISA isolates (48 %) among other screening agars. Vancomycin screening agar 6 ug/ml without casein gave the lowest detection rate (29%). So, adding casein to vancomycin screening agar did not increase detection of VISA in any of vancomycin screening agar except for that with 2ug/ml vancomycin. Vancomycin screening agar 2ug/ml with casein gave the best sensitivity among all vancomycin screening agar tested. VITEK 2 system failed to detect any isolates with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin. They were sensitive to linezolid (100%) followed by tigecyclin (99%) then Quinupristin-dalfopristin (91%). However, most of the isolates were resistant to tetracycline (85%) followed by gentamicin (80%) then ciprofloxacin (63%). Conclusion: BHI agar with 2ug/ml vancomycin and 16 g/l casein is a reliable, easy to perform, and inexpensive method to screen large number of S. aureus isolates for detection of reduced susceptibility to vancomycin on a daily basis. Applying quadruplicate technique in vancomycin screening agar may increase the yield for detection of VISA isolates. Although vancomycin screening agar 6 ug/ml is recommended by CLSI as a screening method for detection of VISA, yet it did not perform well and underestimated VISA isolates. VITEK 2 system is not an appropriate method for detection of S. aureus with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin (VISA). MRSA isolates with reduced susceptibility to vancomycin can be treated effectively with Linezolid.

In this work, bismuth-niobium based sodium borate glass was modified by introducing Ag2O additives according to the formula 100 wt% {60 mol% B2O3 + 17.5 mol% Na2O + 17.5 Bi2O3 + 5 mol%Nb2O5} + x wt% Ag2O, where x = 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0. Glass samples were prepared by traditional melt quenching method, and silver oxide was incorporated by weight addition. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the amorphous nature of the studied materials and that the addition of Ag2O didn’t affect structural phases. Vibrational transitions showed cross-linking between BO3, BO4, and BiO3 structural groups, meanwhile the Na+, NbO6, and BiO6, in addition to the Ag2+ occupy the interstitial spaces. Furthermore, the study shows a transition of Bi2O3 from acting as a glass network modifier BiO6 to a glass network former BiO3. Study of the electronic transitions showed that the optical absorption edge is located around 505 nm. Furthermore, the addition of Ag2O caused a slight decrease in the value of Urbach energy which means an increase in the structural ordering, that may be assigned to the conversion of BO4 to BO3.

Novel spiro[fluorene-9,3′-[1,2,4]triazoles were obtained in excellent yields from the reaction of N3-substituted benzamidrazones and (2,4,7-trinitro-9 H-fluoren- 9-ylidene)propanedinitrile in ethyl acetate solution at ambient temperature. The react ion mechanism is discussed.

The reaction of benzohydrazonamides with cyclic 1,3-diketones affords β-enaminones in good to excellent yields (14 examples, 69 − 89%). This transformation proceeds under mild reaction conditions (ethyl acetate, 25 °C, 12 − 24 h) in the absence of any catalyst and gives access to novel nitrogen-rich organic scaffolds.

A biosurfactant producing Gram positive bacterium isolated from anodic biofilm of textile wastewater fed MFC was identified as Bacillus sp. MFC (Accession number: MT322244). Scanning Electron Microscopy of the bacterium showed appendages, the bacterium forms biofilm on Congo red agar medium. The obtained results showed that the addition of 5 mg/l endogenous biosurfactant to the bacterial cells resulted in 19-fold increase in bacterial surface-bound exopolysaccharides (EPS) and 1.94-fold increase in biofilm. However, when the biosurfactant concentration increased to 20 and 40 mg/l, EPS and biofilm decreased and the cells lost their colony forming ability. The dielectric properties of the bacterial cells showed increase in conductivity and relative permittivity with increasing biosurfactant concentrations. The shape of the voltammogram currents peak, their location and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) suggest the involvement of biofilm as direct electron transfer pathway. The average voltage obtained was 0.65 V as compared to 0.45 V for the control MFC. Decolourization was tested for Congo red in a double chamber Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC), the results showed 2-fold increase in decolourization when biosurfactant is added post biofilm formation. The results confirm that Bacillus sp. MFC possess electrogenic properties and that adding low concentrations of endogenous biosurfactant to 24 h biofilm accelerates electron transfer by inducing perforations in the cell wall and increasing EPS as an electron transfer transient medium. Therefore, MFC performance can be enhanced.

Electrical properties of carbonate rocks from North Sinai, Egypt, were investigated experimentally in the frequency domain (100 Hz to 100 kHz). Changes between electrical properties were attributed to changes in mineral composition and texture of samples. Asymmetric mixture laws cannot describe electrical behavior of heterogeneous rocks in the mentioned frequency range. A theoretical pseudo-random renormalization group (PRNG) method was developed to model electrical behavior of rock mixtures. The main goal of this paper is to make forward and inverse modeling using PRNG method for the electrical properties as a function of frequency for carbonate rocks with texture. In PRNG method four phases were used to take into account the texture in the samples. Four phases are the best that we could use in the model. We are trying to increase the competence of the model in the near future. In these four phases mainly conducting constituents (silt and clay) and mainly insulating constituents (sand, air and carbonate) may coat each other. With appropriately chosen coatings for the four phases, the PRNG method can reasonably model the electrical properties of the samples in the measured frequency range. Thus, an inverse problem is used to find the detailed structure of the four phases, which leads to the measured electrical properties of the samples, taking into account the measured concentrations of the different constituents of the samples. The inverse problem is based on minimizing the misfit between the measured frequency response for the conductivity and the dielectric constant and those obtained theoretically from the PRNG method. It was shown that the texture plays an important role in determining the A.C. electrical properties of heterogeneous samples.

Detailed mineralogical and geochemical studies were carried out on the middle members of the black shales of the Duwi Formation (Quseir–Safaga province) to define their source rock, paleo-weathering, pollution impact and provenance of the sources. The studied black shales are highly fossiliferous and fissile. They are texturally classified as phosphatic marly mudstone microfacies. The black shale mineral composition is mainly composed of calcite, apatite, quartz, pyrite and clay minerals. The average values of Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, V, As and Se and the ratios Rb/Sr and Cr/Ni in black shale are enriched compared to those of the Post-Archean Australian Shale (PAAS) values. Electrical properties of samples were measured using a non-polarizing electrode, at room temperature (∼18 °C), and relative atmospheric humidity of (∼35%), in the frequency range from 42 Hz to 5 MHz. The changes in electrical properties were argued to be due to the change in mineral composition. Generally, the electrical properties of rocks are changed due to many factors such as grain size, mineral composition, grain shape and inter-granular relations between grains. The dielectric constant decreases with frequency, and increases with conductor concentration. Also, the conductivity increases with the increase of conductor continuous paths between electrodes.

Novel eco-preserving system was developed by combining biological and photocatalytic treatment techniques for synergistic removal of phenol from aqueous media. Penicillium chrysogenum a filamentous fungus was able to remove 77.3 % out of 125 mg/l phenol within 168 h. On the other hand, ZnO nanoparticles that were developed within low density polyethylene(LDPE)-g-(styrene(Sty)-co-acrylic acid(AAc)) sheets, prepared by γ-radiation induced graft copolymerization, were able to remove 77.6 % out of 125 mg/l phenol within 24 h. Combining both techniques via the employment of the developed LDPE-g-(Sty-co-AAc)/ZnO nanocomposite for 6 h prior to 18 h of biological treatment resulted in the removal of 89.5 % out of 125 mg/l phenol. The degradation products were assayed using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), while enzyme assay was performed to propose a pathway for degradation. A phytotoxicity test showed that the synergistic degradation products were less toxic than phenol. Moreover, LPDE-g-(Sty-co-AAc)/ZnO nanocomposite sheets were used three times with the same efficiency. The aforementioned results recommend biological/photocatalytic combined treatment technique as a promising eco-preserving system that reduce the potential toxicity of the treated waste water that offer a bonus of practicality and cost-effectiveness.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of partial substituting diets constituents by Egyptian leek (Allium porrum L.) as unconventional feedstuff in the diets of broiler chickens and its effect on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and some serum biochemical parameters. A total of 144 unsexed one day old (Cobb 500) broiler chickens were randomly divided into six equal triplicate groups (each replicate contained 8 chicks). A basal control diet was formulated to fulfil the nutrients requirement of broiler chickens according to NRC. In the experimental diets constituents were partially substituted by Egyptian leek (Allium porrum L.) at rate of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10%. Results revealed that the dietary treatments (4, 6, 8 and 10%) levels of leek had a significant effect (P 0.05) affected by broilers fed on different levels of leek, while there was a significant (P

Fungi are known to be affected by external environmental stimuli, resulting in different stress response effects, which in turn could be used to enhance its biodegrading ability. In a previous study, ethanol was used to manipulate cell-cell and cell-surface interaction to prevent cell loss and maximize the usage of Penicillium purpurogenum cells in the media, a correlation was drawn between ethanol oxidative stress, surface-bound proteins and fungal adhesion. The present study focuses on a more detailed study of the effect of ethanol on the same fungus. The results show that the presence of Yap1p gene and the detection of an oxidized form of glutathione (GSSG) suggest that a stress response might be involved in the adhesion process. The process of adhesion could be described as a signaling process and it is affected by the germ tube formation as an initial step in adhesion. Protein profile showed polymorphism in surface-bound proteins for cultures amended with ethanol when compared to control cultures. Ethanol also affected the DNA polymorphic profile of DNA, rendering the fungus genetically variable. P. purpurogenum produced phenol oxidase enzyme and could be used to degrade total phenols in olive mill waste water without the formation of biofilm on the surface of the containers.

Diaminomaleonitrile and N-arylbenzamidrazones reacted together to give 4-amino-5-iminopyrazoles. A probable reaction mechanism involves firstly removal of ammonia, followed by addition and cylization of the hydrazino-N2 of amidrazone to the nitrile group in diaminomaleonitrile. The structure of the obtained products was proved by IR, mass, NMR spectra and elemental analyses.

A new 2-thioquinazolinones series was designed and synthesized as HSP90 inhibitors based on the structure of hit compound VII obtained by virtual screening approach. Their in vitro anti-proliferative activity was evaluated against three human cancer cell lines rich in HSP90 namely; colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116), and cervical carcinoma (Hela), breast carcinoma (MCF-7). Compounds 5a, 5d, 5e and 9h showed a significant broad spectrum anti-proliferative activity against all tested cell lines. They were characterized by potent effect against breast cancer in particular with IC50 of 11.73, 8.56, 7.35 and 9.48 μM, respectively against Doxorubicin (IC50 4.17 μM). HSP90 ATPase activity inhibition assay were conducted where compound 5d exhibited the best IC50 with 1.58 μM compared to Tanespimycin (IC50 = 2.17 μM). Compounds 5a and 9h showed higher IC50 values of 3.21 and 3.41 μM, respectively. The effects of 5a, 5d and 9h on Her2 (a client proteins of HSP90) and HSP70 were evaluated in MCF-7 cells. All tested compounds were found to reduce Her2 protein expression levels and induce Hsp70 protein expression levels significantly, emphasizing that antibreast cancer effect is a consequence of HSP90 chaperone inhibition. Cell cycle analysis of MCF-7 cells treated with 5d showed cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase 38.89% and pro-apoptotic activity as indicated by annexin V-FITC staining by 22.42%. Molecular docking studies suggested mode of interaction to HSP90 via hydrogen bonding. ADME properties prediction of the active compounds suggested that they could be used as orally absorbed anticancer drug candidates.

New series of compounds bearing 2-thioquinazolinone scaffold were designed, synthesized as HSP90 inhibitors. Anti-proliferative activity of the synthesized compounds was evaluated against HCT-116, Hela and MCF-7 cell lines and compound 5k was found to be the most active member of the entire study with IC50 of 4.47, 7.55 and 4.04 μM, respectively, compared to DOX (IC50 of 5.23, 5.57 and 4.17 μM, respectively). Most of the tested compounds revealed lower cytotoxicity against normal fibroblast cells WI-38. Compounds 5b, 5k and 8a showed potent HSP90 inhibitory activities with IC50 values in nanomolar range; 71.32, 25.07 and 56.78 nm, respectively, against Tanespimycin (IC50 of 86.45 nm). Their HSP90 inhibitory activities were confirmed by their down regulation of HSP90 client protein Her2 and up regulation of chaperone HSP70 levels. Compound 5k had shown potent multi-target inhibitory activities against EGFR, VEGFR-2 and Topoisomerase-2 with IC50 values in nanomolar range; 38.5, 126.95 and 25.85 nm, respectively. Compound 5k was further evaluated for cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction on MCF-7 cells using flow cytometry. Compound 5k arrested the cell cycle on MCF-7 at a G2/M phase by 35.06% and induced apoptosis by 19.82%. Mechanistic evaluation of apoptosis induction was studied by following ways triggering mitochondrial apoptotic pathway through inducing ROS accumulation, increasing Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and activation of caspases 6, 7 and 9. Comparative molecular modeling study was performed between active and inactive HSP90 inhibitors. Docking studies into the active site of HSP90 N-terminal domain showed good agreement with the obtained biological results. ADMET analysis and parameters of Lipinski’s rule of five were calculated where compound 5k had reasonable drug-likeness with acceptable physicochemical properties so it could be used as promising orally absorbed antibreast targeted therapy.

Formaldehyde is one of the most dangerous chemical compounds affecting the human health; exposure to it from food may occur naturally or by intentional addition. In this study a high performance liquid chromatography method for determination of formaldehyde in dairy products was described. The dairy samples were reacted and extracted with a warmed organic solvent in the presence of derivatizing agent 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and formaldehyde; the mixture was centrifuged and followed by diode array detection. The method is validated and gives average recovery of formaldehyde at the three different levels 0.1, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg varied between 89% and 96%. The method is linear from the limit of quantification 0.1 mg/kg up to 10 mg/kg levels. This method is intended for formaldehyde analyses in dairy products simply with stable derivatization, minimum residue loss, excellent recovery, and accurate results with a sensitive limit of detection 0.01 mg/kg. 90 dairy samples from milk, cheese, and yogurt were investigated from seven Egyptian governorates and all samples were free from formaldehyde.

Acidizing of carbonate reservoirs is a common technique used to restore and enhance production by dissolving a small fraction of the rock to create highly conductive channels. Literature review reveals that most acidizing studies are focused on acid injection at a constant volumetric rate (CVR) instead of at a constant injection pressure (CIP). Therefore, the primary objective of the present work is to investigate the benefits and recommended applications of each technique. The study analyzes dissolution patterns and wormhole propagation rate. A coreflood study was conducted using different Indiana limestone cores to assess both techniques. Additionally, a two-dimensional (2D) wormhole model was used to mathematically describe the acidizing phenomena. The algorithm is based on a 2D radial flow system that iterates time to quantify wormhole propagation and injection rate. Wormhole velocity is calculated by an empirical laboratory model that depends on two parameters measured from core flow testing. Therefore, the algorithm captures the essential physics and chemistry of the acid reaction in a carbonate porous medium. The study confirmed that conical, wormhole, and branched types of acid dissolution patterns exist for both techniques (CVR or CIP). Unlike in the CVR technique, dissolution patterns during the CIP technique can change and tend toward a branched dissolution regime. The CIP technique required a lower acid volume to achieve a breakthrough in the conical dissolution regime and a higher acid volume to achieve a breakthrough in the branched dissolution regime compared to the CVR technique. In a dominant wormhole pattern, both techniques required nearly the same acid volume for a breakthrough. A computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed that the CIP technique developed a uniform wormhole at a low initial injection rate. For the CIP technique, the acid injection rate increased exponentially with the volume of the acid injected. The CIP technique is recommended for a low-permeability reservoir where acid injection at a high rate is not possible to avoid face dissolution wormhole patterns. On the other hand, the CVR technique is recommended for a medium—to the high-permeability reservoir where high acid injection rate can be achieved.

Three new series of 2-phenyl benzimidazole-based derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines. Three compounds 8, 9, and 15 showed high cytotoxic activities, with IC50 values of 3.37, 6.30, and 5.84 μM, respectively, while they showed comparable cytotoxicity to the standard drug doxorubicin against human normal cells, including nontumorigenic breast epithelial cell line (MCF-10F), skin fibroblast cell line (BJ), and lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5). Six of the synthesized compounds were screened against vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) where compounds 8, 9, 12, and 15 exhibited an outstanding potency in comparison with sorafenib, with IC50 values of 6.7-8.9 nM. Molecular docking study assessed the good binding patterns of the most potent compounds with the reported conserved amino acids of VEGFR-2 active site.

Reaction of amidrazones 1a–1i with (1,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-4H-pyrazol-4-ylidene)propanedinitrile (2) in ethyl acetate solution in one-step reaction led to the formation of unprecedented pyrazolo[4,3-c][1,2,4]triazino[4,5-a]quinolin-4(5H)-ones 3a–3g along with pyrazolo[4,3-c][1,2,4]triazino[4,5-a]quinolin-12b-oles 3h–3m in moderate to excellent yields. These novel heterocycles were formed via a Michael addition reaction followed by intramolecular cyclization via a dearomatization process.

Efficient ammonia gas sensor devices were fabricated based on nickel oxide (NiO) nanostructures films. Two chemical synthesis approaches were used: chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) and chemical bath deposition (CBD), aiming at obtaining highly developed surface area and high chemical reactivity of NiO. Crystal structure, morphology, and composition of NiO films and nanostructures were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. CSP method results in the synthesis of NiO films with pure cubic crystalline structure of preferred orientation along (111) direction. The type of the precursors used (nickel acetate, nickel chloride and nickel nitrate) affects the morphology and crystallites average size of the deposited films. CBD method consisted of two stages: (i) deposition of nickel hydroxide phase and (ii) thermal annealing of nickel hydroxide at 450 A degrees C in air for 4 h. Resulted structures were nanoflakes, vertically arranged in a "wall-like" morphology. Fabricated structures were found to be sensitive to ammonia differently, depending on the synthesis approach and material morphology. NiO films deposited by CBD demonstrated a stable response to ammonia with maximum magnitude at the operating temperature of 300 A degrees C. The highest average response for the CBD-NiO sample was 114.3-141.3% for 25 and 150 ppm NH3, respectively, whereas the response range observed for the film processed by spray pyrolysis using nickel chloride was 31.7-142.5% for 25 and 150 ppm NH3, respectively. Funding Agencies|Egyptian Ministry for Higher Education and Scientific Research; Swedish Research Council [VR 348-2013-6782]; Angpanneforeningens Forskningsstiftelse [14-517]; Swedish Research Council (VR) Marie Sklodowska Curie International Career Grant [2015-00679]

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) degradation by soil indigenous bacteria represents a practical and cost-effective solution. In the present study, bacteria isolated from paddy soil was investigated and the role of electron shuttling (ES) in the PCP degradation process was assessed. Two strains demonstrated the highest PCP degradation of 93.5% and 94.88% in the presence of citrate and were identified using 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis as Pseudomonas chengduensis and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, respectively. Both strains showed higher PCP degradation in free form as opposed to a reduced activity in immobilized and respiratory impaired form. The addition of pyruvate resulted in about 80% PCP degradation in 5 days for P. chengduensis, on the other hand, P. plecoglossicida showed the same result under anaerobic conditions whether pyruvate was added or not. Phenazine and the outer membrane c-type cytochrome were reported only for P. chengduensis as opposed to P. plecoglossicida. The results indicate that despite following different approaches in PCP degradation, both strains are useful in PCP clean-up under aerobic and anaerobic conditions and in free direct contact. The degradation is enhanced via ES. This is considered both an effective and feasible technology for in situ clean-up of contaminated sites or on-site bioreactors.

International audience; Hybrid materials were synthesized by chemical grafting of different compounds (diethylenetriamine DETA, cysteine, alanine and serine) on chitosan/magnetite nanoparticles. The sorbents were characterized by TEM, XRD and FTIR analysis and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) before being tested for uranium sorption. The nanometric size of sorbent particles reduces the impact of diffusion resistance and uptake kinetics are quite fast. Sorption isotherms are modeled by the Langmuir equation. The sorption is spontaneous and exothermic. Uranium is desorbed using acidic thiourea and the sorbent can be recycled for at least 4/5 cycles.

The Jurassic sedimentary section in north Sinai is of a special interest in particular for its economic potentiality. The understanding of petrographical and electrical properties of these rocks is essential for investigating minerals and oil and water exploration. This paper presents a study of the petrographical and A. C. electrical properties of Jurassic carbonates. Electrical measurements have been conducted for twenty-nine (18) carbonate samples. The slight changes between samples in electrical properties were attributed to the changes in mineral composition, texture pore spaces and pore throat distribution of the samples. Electrical properties generally change with many factors (grain size, mineral composition, grain shape and facies). The dielectric constant decreases with frequency and increases with the presence of conductive solids (silt and clay) and its composition. The conductivity increases with the increase of conductor paths between electrodes. The main goal of this paper is to shed more light on interrelations between electrical properties (conductivity, dielectric constant and impedance as a function of frequency), petrography and mineral composition (carbonates that contain clays and quartz grains).