Effect of organic extracts of Bunium incrassatum on the hematological, ovarian and uterine parameters of mature female rabbit

This work aims to evaluate the effect of the organic extracts of Bunium incrassatum roots on some hematological parameters and histological changes of the genital tract. The study was achieved on mature rabbits of the local breed for 15 days. The animals were divided into five groups, which have daily administered 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day doses, respectively. The group with dose 0 was taken as a control. After treatment, the rabbits were sacrificed. The rabbit blood was collected in heparin tubes and their ovaries and uterus were removed, fixed in 10 % formalin; and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. The treatment induces a significant decrease in the level of Triglyceride, Cholesterol and a significant increase in the number of growing follicles accompanied by a decrease in atretic follicles, compared to the control group. The study shows that the organic extract of B. Incrassatum has estrogenic effects.Keywords: Bunium incrassatum, Organic extract, Rabbits, Ovaries, Follicles, Liver, Uteru

Tribological Study of Molybdenum Nitrides Under the Effect of Vanadium

Our study of the MoVN ternary thin films has the objective of improving certain tribological and mechanical characteristics and of finding the appropriate stoichiometry to have the microstructure that corresponds to the desired properties using the characterization techniques: SEM -XRD-EDS-XPS- WDS. Nano-indentation and the scrash-test. Note that wear and friction resistance does not depend on the internal characteristics of the materials in contact as is usually the case for mechanical properties, but rather depends mainly on the structure and morphology and experimental conditions. Hypotheses will be presented in order to explain the tribological behavior of deposits and to match them to their physicochemical and mechanical properties. The EDS-XPS microanalyses revealed that the atomic ratio (N/V) ~ 1 for VN, that (N/Mo) 1.22 for MoN and that (N/(Mo + V)) 1 for the MoVN ternary films. From this figure we find that the MoN film has an average coefficient of friction of 0.65. This film then has good wear resistance. Comparing this value with that obtained on MoN coatings deposited by the Alcatel PVD sputtering system on AISI substrate, (which is of the order of 0.45) therefore better than that deposited on XC100 and Si . This variation can be explained by the nature that differs between the coating/substrate interface and the other links that are generated. By comparing the Mo-V-N and MoN films, we can then say: increasing the V content in the Mo-V-N film is more favorable for the production of films with a low average value of the coefficient of friction. Which remains lower than that of MoN film (0.65)? So this is regular with the mechanical properties

Erratum: Effect of MoZrN Coating on a Steel XC100 [Metallofiz. Noveishie Tekhnol., 38, No. 7: 903–909 (2016), DOI: 10.15407/mfint.38.07.0903]

The zirconium nitride ZrN coatings are deposited on substrates of XC100 steel using physical vapour deposition (PVD) technique. Coatings based on nitrides of transition metals (Nb, Zr, Ti, V, ...) developed by PVD are known to increase the life of cutting tools, and so they naturally have seen a rapid industrial growth. It is possible to produce ZrN-coatings with variations of nitrogen partial pressure, the residual stresses, the thickness of the thin film, and the friction coefficient depending on the nitrogen content. Usage of nitrogen is a good way to enhance wear resistance and effectiveness in tribological applications.Покриття з нітриду цирконію ZrN наносилися на підложжя зі сталі XC100 з використанням технології вакуумного напорошення (PVD). Покриття на основі нітридів перехідних металів (Nb, Zr, Ti, V, ...), створені з використанням PVD-методи, як відомо, збільшують термін придатности різального інструменту; тому спостерігається швидкий ріст їх промислового виробництва. Наявна можливість виготовлення ZrN-покриттів зі змінними парціальним тиском азоту, залишковими напруженнями, товщиною тонкої плівки та коефіцієнтом тертя залежно від вмісту азоту. Використання азоту є перспективним шляхом підвищення зносостійкости та ефективности в трибології.Покрытия из нитрида циркония ZrN наносились на подложки из стали XC100 с использованием метода вакуумного напыления (PVD). Покрытия на основе нитридов переходных металлов (Nb, Zr, Ti, V, ...), созданные с использованием PVD-технологии, как известно, увеличивают срок службы режущего инструмента; поэтому наблюдается быстрый рост их промышленного производства. Имеется возможность изготавливать ZrN-покрытия с изменяемыми парциальным давлением азота, остаточными напряжениями, толщиной тонкой плёнки и коэффициентом трения в зависимости от содержания азота. Использование азота является перспективным путём повышения износостойкости и эффективности в трибологии

A formal classification of the Lygeum spartum vegetation of the Mediterranean Region

Aims We examined local and regional contribution on the grasslands dominated by Lygeum spartum from Southern Europe and North Africa to produce a formalised classification of this vegetation and to identify main factors driving its plant species composition. Location Mediterranean Basin and Iberian Peninsula. Methods We used a dataset of 728 relevés, which were resampled to reduce unbalanced sampling effort, resulting in a dataset of 568 relevés and 846 taxa. We classified the plots by TWINSPAN, interpreted the resulting pools, and used them to develop formal definitions of phytosociological alliances characterised by L. spartum vegetation. The definitions were included in an expert system to assist automatic vegetation classification. We related the alliances to climatic factors and described their biogeographical features and ecological preferences. The floristic relationships between these alliances were analysed and visualised using distance‐based redundancy analysis. Results We defined eleven alliances of L. spartum vegetation, including the newly described Launaeo laniferae‐Lygeion sparti from SW Morocco and the Noaeo mucronatae‐Lygeion sparti from the Algerian highlands and NE Morocco. Biogeographical, climatic, and edaphic factors were revealed as putatively driving the differentiation between the alliances. The vegetation of clayey slopes and inland salt basins displayed higher variability in comparison with those of coastal salt marshes. Main conclusions The most comprehensive formal classification, accompanied by an expert system, of the L. spartum vegetation was formulated. The expert system, containing the formal definitions of the phytosociological alliances, will assist in identification of syntaxonomic position of new datasets

Increased Expression of Foxj1 after Traumatic Brain Injury

Foxj1 is a member of the Forkhead/winged-helix (Fox) family of transcription factors, which is required for postnatal differentiation of ependymal cells and a subset of astrocytes in the subventricular zone. The subpopulation of astrocytes has the ability of self-renew and neurogenic potential differentiated into astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and neurons. However, its expression and function in the central nervous system lesion are not well understood. In this study, we performed a traumatic brain injury (TBI) model in adult rats and investigated the changed expression of Foxj1 in the brain cortex. Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the expression of Foxj1 gradually increased, reached a peak at day 3 after TBI, and declined during the following days. Double immunofluorescence staining revealed that Foxj1 was co-expressed with MAP-2 and GFAP. In addition, we detected that Ki67 had the co-localization with NeuN, GFAP, and Foxj1. All our findings suggested that Foxj1 may be involved in the pathophysiology of brain after TBI

Loss of p53 results in protracted electrographic seizures and development of an aggravated epileptic phenotype following status epilepticus

The p53 tumor suppressor is a multifunctional protein, which regulates cell cycle, differentiation, DNA repair and apoptosis. Experimental seizures up-regulate p53 in the brain, and acute seizure-induced neuronal death can be reduced by genetic deletion or pharmacologic inhibition of p53. However, few long-term functional consequences of p53 deficiency have been explored. Here, we investigated the development of epilepsy triggered by status epilepticus in wild-type and p53-deficient mice. Analysis of electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings during status epilepticus induced by intra-amygdala kainic acid (KA) showed that seizures lasted significantly longer in p53-deficient mice compared with wild-type animals. Nevertheless, neuronal death in the hippocampal CA3 subfield and the neocortex was significantly reduced at 72 h in p53-deficient mice. Long-term continuous EEG telemetry recordings after status epilepticus determined that the sum duration of spontaneous seizures was significantly longer in p53-deficient compared with wild-type mice. Hippocampal damage and neuropeptide Y distribution at the end of chronic recordings was found to be similar between p53-deficient and wild-type mice. The present study identifies protracted KA-induced electrographic status as a novel outcome of p53 deficiency and shows that the absence of p53 leads to an exacerbated epileptic phenotype. Accordingly, targeting p53 to protect against status epilepticus or related neurologic insults may be offset by deleterious consequences of reduced p53 function during epileptogenesis or in chronic epilepsy

Випробування твердості за Віккерсом сталевих труб, зварених високочастотною індукцією

Швидкий розвиток технології проектування та висока ринкова конкуренція спонукали нас розглянути сферу виробництва сталевих труб із процесом, який повністю відповідає промисловим вимогам, а саме високочастотним (HF) індукційним зварюванням, який є найпоширенішим процесом зварювання у виробництві сталевих труб. На даний момент цей процес більш відомий для виробництва труб різного діаметру на установці Tube Gaz в Тебесі (Алжир). Серед різних відомих руйнівних випробувань для контролю труб використовується тест на твердість за Віккерсом. Цей тест дозволяє визначити еволюцію твердості в поздовжньому та поперечному напрямках зварного з'єднання. Метою нашого дослідження є характеристика процесів, які керують механічною поведінкою сталевих труб (тип S235) товщиною 2,2 мм і зовнішнім діаметром 70,70 мм, зварених HF індукцією. Аналіз показує наявність дуже різноманітних мікроструктур у досліджуваному зварному з'єднанні.The rapid development of design technology and strong market competition have prompted us to look into the field of production of steel pipes with a process that perfectly meets industrial requirements, which is high frequency (HF) induction welding, which is the most common welding process to produce steel pipes. This process is currently better known for the manufacture of pipes of different diameters at the Tube Gaz unit in Tebessa (Algeria). Among the various known destructive tests, the Vickers hardness test is used to control the pipe. This test will allow us to determine the evolution of hardness in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the welded joint. The objective of our study is based on the characterization of the processes controlling the mechanical behavior of steel pipes (type S235) with a thickness of 2.2 mm and an outside diameter of 70.70 mm, welded by HF induction. The analysis shows the existence of very diverse microstructures in the studied welded joint

Механічна поведінка зміцнених частинками термопластичних матричних композитів з використанням моделювання методом кінцевих елементів

Частинки стають все більш популярними армуючими елементами у виробах, виготовлених методом лиття під тиском. Зміцнення частинками дозволяє обробляти термопластик із застосуванням тих самих методів, що і для неармованого термопластика. Ультрадисперсні частинки, діаметр яких порівнянний з кристалічними областями в полімері, мають помітний зміцнюючий ефект на еластичні властивості полімеру. Дрібні частинки міцно прилипають до полімеру, що призводить до сильного зміцнюючого ефекту. У зміцнених частинками термопластичних матричних композитах навантаження не прикладаються безпосередньо до частинок, а прикладаються до матриці, і частина прикладеного навантаження передається частинкам. Процес передачі навантаження між частинками та матрицею залежить від міцності поверхні розділу. У роботі модель багаточастинкового композиту була проаналізована при розтягуючому навантаженні. Метою даної роботи є аналіз впливу діаметра частинок (використовували частинки з діаметрами 19.61, 26.15, 39.22 та 78.45 мкм) на напруження фон Мізеса термопластичного матричного композиту із нейлону 66, армованого частинками скла, з використанням методу кінцевих елементів (FEA). Друга мета роботи полягає в аналізі впливу упаковки частинок (квадратне, шестикутне та випадкове розташування) на поведінку нанокомпозитів.Particles are becoming increasingly popular reinforcing elements in products made by injection molding. Particles reinforcement allows the thermoplastic to be processed employing the same methods as those used for unreinforced thermoplastic. Ultrafine particles, whose diameters are comparable to the crystalline regions in the polymer, have a prominent reinforcing effect on the elastic properties of the polymer. Small particles adhere strongly to the polymer, which leads to a strong reinforcing effect. In particle reinforced thermoplastic matrix composites, loads are not directly applied to the particles but are applied to the matrix, and some of the applied loads are transferred to the particles. The process of transfer of load between particles and matrix depends on the strength of the interface. In this work, multiparticle composite model was analyzed under tensile load. The purpose of this work is to analyze the influence of particle diameter (the diameters of 19.61, 26.15, 39.22 and 78.45 m were used) on the Von Mises stress of glass particle reinforced thermoplastic nylon 66 matrix composite using finite element analysis (FEA). The second objective is to analyze the effect of particle packing (square, hexagonal and random arrangement) on nanocomposite behavior