Stability of Some Copper Ternary Alloys in Chloride Solutions Polluted by Sulfide Ions

The electrochemical performance of three copper alloys was investigated in simulated marine solution polluted by sulfide ions. Polarization techniques and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS, were used. Surface examination and morphological studies were employed. The results showed that the Cu-10Ni-10Zn alloy is more stable than the other two alloys. The alloy surface was covered by a barrier layer protecting it from corrosion. The thickness and resistance of the barrier layer formed on the Cu-10Ni-10Zn alloy increases with the increase of the immersion time. The mechanism of the corrosion process and the barrier film formation was discussed.  A comparison was made between the electrochemical stability of the three alloys in sulfide polluted chloride solution. The incorporation of Ni in the Cu2O barrier film leads to its stabilization and the stability is enhanced by the presence of Zn. The results leads to the recommendation of the Cu-10Ni-10Zn alloy for applications in sulfide polluted marine environments. Keywords:  Copper alloys, EIS, Polarization, SEM, Passive Films

Geochemical and biomarker characteristics of crude oils and source rock hydrocarbon extracts: An implication to their correlation, depositional environment and maturation in the Northern Western Desert, Egypt

AbstractOil–oil and oil–source rock correlations are used in this study in order to achieve their relationship, depositional environments and diagenetic processes in the source rocks. Three oil samples and source rock hydrocarbon extracts were analyzed using relative geochemical analyses, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry are used for this purpose. The results revealed that the extracts of the Alam El Bueib and Khatatba formations are derived from mixed organic sources in which terrestrial dominates marine sources, and deposited in transitional environments under less anoxic conditions. The extracts of Bahariya formation are derived from mixed marine inputs with a limited terrestrial contribution. The Alam El Bueib oil shows more contribution of terrestrial than marine sources. Also, a genetic close relation between them supported the indigenous mixed source of Alam El Bueib oil which related to different sources including the Khatatba, Alam El Bueib and Bahariya formations. Accordingly, the Alam El Bueib formation can be considered as an important source for petroleum generation in the Northern Western Desert

Genotyping of PPAR-γ gene polymorphism in Egyptian neonates affected with sepsis disease and its severity

Background: Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor involved in inflammatory process. PPAR-γ gene was mentioned as having a modulating role in the pathological status of sepsis. The present study aimed to make a correlation between The Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPAR-γ gene and occurrence of neonatal sepsis and its severity among a sample of Egyptian neonates suffering sepsis.Subjects and methods: This case-control study included 30 neonates (11 females and19 males) newly admitted with neonatal sepsis at the intensive care unit (NICU) (mean age 10.3 days ± 6.23). The control group included 50 age and sex matched neonates (23 females and 27 males) (mean age 10.20 days ± 5.36 days). All the neonates (preterm and full term) included were with clinical signs and laboratory data consistent with neonatal sepsis. Genotyping for PPARc gene region harboring the Pro12Ala variant locus were carried out using Tetra ARMS technique.Results: About 56.7% of the patients group was homozygote (GG) for polymorphic locus (coding for Alanine/Alanine) while 30% was heterozygote for polymorphic locus (CG) (coding for Proline/Alanine) and up to 13.3% was homozygote for the polymorphic locus (CC) (coding for Proline/Proline). Compared to the control group where homozygotes for CC were the most prevalent (90%) and the CG were 10% with absence of GG genotypes. There was a strong  statistical significant difference between patients and the normal control group as regards  prevalence of PPAR-γ gene  polymorphism in occurrence of neonatal sepsis and its severity. Also, there were strong relation between genotype GG and low birth weight, neonatal fever, prematurity and depressed neonatal reflexes.Conclusion: PPAR-γ gene has been suggested to be a candidate gene for neonatal sepsis. Therefore, Pro12Ala polymorphism might be useful in predicting the risk factor of neonatal sepsis and its severity

The potentiality of hydrocarbon generation of the Jurassic source rocks in Salam-3x well, North Western Desert, Egypt

AbstractThe present work deals with the identification of the potential and generating capability of oil generation in the Jurassic source rocks in the Salam-3x well. This depending on the organo-geochemical analyses of cutting samples representative of Masajid, Khatatba and Ras Qattara formations, as well as, representative extract samples of the Khatatba and Ras Qattara formations. The geochemical analysis suggested the potential source intervals within the encountered rock units as follows: Masajid Formation bears mature source rocks and have poor to fair generating capability for generating gas (type III kerogen). Khatatba Formation bears mature source rock, and has poor to good generating capability for both oil and gas. Ras Qattara Formation constituting mature source rock has good to very good generating capability for both oil and gas. The burial history modeling shows that the Masajid Formation lies within oil and gas windows; Khatatba and Ras Qattara formations lie within the gas window. From the biomarker characteristics of source rocks it appears that the extract is genetically related as the majority of them were derived from marine organic matters sources (mainly algae) deposited under reducing environment and take the direction of increasing maturity and far away from the direction of biodegradation. Therefore, Masajid Formation is considered as effective source rocks for generating hydrocarbons, while Khatatba and Ras Qattara formations are the main source rocks for hydrocarbon accumulations in the Salam-3x well

Association of dopamine D4 receptor gene variants with autism

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heritable neurodevelopmental disorder with poorly understood and complex etiology. The central dopaminergic system is strongly implicated in ASD pathogenesis. Genes encoding various elements of this system have been linked to ASD. This study aimed to estimate the distribution frequency of dopamine D4 receptor-exon III repeat region polymorphic genotypes among Egyptian children with autism.Methods: This case-control study included 178 children with autism (mean age 4.46±1.72 years) (118 males and 60 females) and a normal control group (n=128) of matching age and gender. Assessments by DSMIV- TR criteria, Stanford-Binet intelligence scale and childhood autism rating scale (CARS) were done. Assay for DRD4 48 bp VNTR genotypes was performed on amplified DNA by RFLP-PCR.Results: The 4/4 allele had the highest frequency among both autistic (39.32%) and control children (62.5%), with no significant difference between them. The 7/7 allele had also a high frequency (33.7%) among autistic patients, which was significantly different (p˂0.05) from the control group (12.5%) Furthermore, 70% of the patients carrying the 7/7 allele had the lowest IQ scores (58.5±6.5).Conclusions: There is a strong evidence that the DRD4 7/7 allele might be a risk factor for autism.

RESPONSE OF CUMIN PLANT TO SOME ORGANIC, BIOFERTILIZATION AND ANTIOXIDANT TREATMENTS II. ESSENTIAL OIL PRODUCTION AND CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

The effect of farmyard manure (FYM) at 10, 15 and 20 m3/fed. Effective microorganisms (E.M.) and/or vitamin E or vit. B1 treatments on oil production (essential oil % and essential oil yield/plant and /fed) and chemical components (photosynthetic pigments content and NPK %) were investigated during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 at Samalot region (El-Byaho village) - Minia Governorate and Laboratory of ornamental plants, Fac. of Agric., Minia Univ. All treatments of FYM statistically increased oil production as well as chemical components as compared with control. The high level of FYM was more effective in this concern. The treatments of E.M. + vit. B1 followed by E.M. + vit. E, then mineral NPK (full dose) gave the best results in increasing all previous traits. Supplying cumin plants with FYM at 20 m3/fed. in combination with E.M. + vitamins (B1 or E) or FYM at 15 m3/fed. plus E.M. + vit. B1 resulted overall the highest values of the previous traits

RESPONSE OF CUMIN PLANT TO SOME ORGANIC, BIOFERTILIZATION AND ANTIOXIDANT TREATMENTS I. VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND FRUITS YIELD

The effect of farmyard manure (FYM) at 10, 15 and 20 m3/fed E.M. and/or vitamin E or vit. B1 treatments on vegetative growth (plant height, number of branches/plant and dry weight of herb/plant), yield (number of umbels/plant, fruit yield/plant and /fed) of cumin plant were investigated during 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 at Samalot region (El-Byaho village) - Minia Governorate and Laboratory of Ornamental Plants, Fac. of Agric., Minia Univ. All treatments of FYM statistically increased vegetative growth characters and fruit yield as compared with control. The high level of FYM was the most effective in this concern. The treatments of E.M. + vit. B1 followed by E.M. + vit. E, then mineral NPK (full dose) were the best results in increasing all the previous traits. Supplying cumin plants with FYM at 20 m3/fed in combination with E.M. + vitamins (B1 or E) or FYM at 15 m3/fed plus E.M. + vit. B1 resulted overall the highest values of the previous traits

Soil Erosion Assessment Using Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation for Selective Dry Valleys In the Eastern Desert of Egypt

Abstract: Soil erosion is one of a major environmental concern. It may cause serious problems on the cultivated land areas. Obtaining spatial information of soil loss by water erosion is very important for evaluating soil potentiality in agricultural expansion. Soil loss is commonly predicted using the Universal W ater Loss Equation. In the current study, both Universal W ater Loss Equation (USLE) and Revised Universal Water Loss Equation (RUSLE) were used to predict soil loss of four selective dry valleys in three selected regions located in the eastern desert of Egypt. The regions were (El-Minia -Giza, Suhag -El-Minia, and Luxor-Suhag). These regions were exampled by four valleys (Sannur, Tarfa, Asyuit and Qena) which exposed to soil loss by surface runoff. Geographic Information System GIS capabilities have been utilized to produce a geometrically corrected physiographic map for these dry valleys. Twelve soil profiles were chosen in this research to represent the four dry valleys. Soil parameters, slope and climate values were serve as inputs into the Universal and the Revised soil loss equations to evaluate the present state and the risk of soil water erosion. The results demonstrated that the highest soil erosion rate was recorded in (Luxor-Suhag) region while the lowest erosion rate was recorded in (El-Minia -Giza) region. Soil erosion rates obtained by the (RUSLE) were approximately close to those obtained by the (USLE). Both equations are reliable tools for determination of the relative change in soil loss of the studied valleys

The Burkholderia Cenocepacia OmpA-Like Protein BCAL2958: Identification, Characterization, and Detection of Anti-BCAL2958 Antibodies in Serum from B. Cepacia Complex-Infected Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Respiratory infections by bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) remain an important cause of morbidity and mortality among cystic fibrosis patients, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. In the present work we have studied the B. cenocepacia protein BCAL2958, a member of the OmpA-like family of proteins, demonstrated as highly immunogenic in other pathogens and capable of eliciting strong host immune responses. The encoding gene was cloned and the protein, produced as a 6× His-tagged derivative, was used to produce polyclonal antibodies. Bioinformatics analyses led to the identification of sequences encoding proteins with a similarity higher than 96 % to BCAL2958 in all the publicly available Bcc genomes. Furthermore, using the antibody it was experimentally demonstrated that this protein is produced by all the 12 analyzed strains from 7 Bcc species. In addition, results are also presented showing the presence of anti-BCAL2958 antibodies in sera from cystic fibrosis patients with a clinical record of respiratory infection by Bcc, and the ability of the purified protein to in vitro stimulate neutrophils. The widespread production of the protein by Bcc members, together with its ability to stimulate the immune system and the detection of circulating antibodies in patients with a documented record of Bcc infection strongly suggest that the protein is a potential candidate for usage in preventive therapies of infections by Bcc

Flexible Bench-Scale Recirculating Flow CPC Photoreactor for Solar Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Using Removable TiO 2

TiO2 immobilized on polyethylene (PET) nonwoven sheet was used in the solar photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB). TiO2 Evonik Aeroxide P25 was used in this study. The amount of loaded TiO2 on PET was approximately 24%. Immobilization of TiO2 on PET was conducted by dip coating process followed by exposing to mild heat and pressure. TiO2/PET sheets were wrapped on removable Teflon rods inside home-made bench-scale recirculating flow Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC) photoreactor prototype (platform 0.7 × 0.2 × 0.4 m3). CPC photoreactor is made up of seven low iron borosilicate glass tubes connected in series. CPC reflectors are made of stainless steel 304. The prototype was mounted on a platform tilted at 30°N local latitude in Cairo. A centrifugal pump was used to circulate water containing methylene blue (MB) dye inside the glass tubes. Efficient photocatalytic degradation of MB using TiO2/PET was achieved upon the exposure to direct sunlight. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) analyses reveal the complete mineralization of MB. Durability of TiO2/PET composite was also tested under sunlight irradiation. Results indicate only 6% reduction in the amount of TiO2 after seven cycles. No significant change was observed for the physicochemical characteristics of TiO2/PET after the successive irradiation processes