Mechanisms of the Deterioration of the Wall Reliefs at Shenhur Temple, Upper Egypt and Concepts for Conservation

The Roman Period temple of Isis at Shenhur was built and enhanced amid the rule of Augustus (30 BCE-14 CE) through that of Trajan (98-117 CE). It was built of two sorts of local limestone and decorated with reliefs. Examination of conservation state uncovered that it was collapsed and only partly preserved and it disposed of some still buried rooms. The temple is exposed to different deteriorations processes created by internal and external stresses because of the mineral composition of the building materials, atmosphere variables, salts crystallization and groundwater. In this study, the deterioration problems of the wall reliefs were examined for the aim of its conservation. For this purpose, the chemical, physical and structural characterization were performed by means of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and observation of thin section by transmitted light optical microscopy (LOM), polarized microscope, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) attached with EDX and thermogravimetric (DTA & TGA). Additionally, microbiological study and chemical analyses of ground water were carried out. Results demonstrated that the deterioration of Shenhur was because of the forceful activity of the environment agents and soluble salts such as chlorides and sulphates. These results and information allowed that the identification of the types of salts and deterioration features might be used in the future for conservation purposes.

Synthesis, characterization and biocompatibility studies of zinc oxide(ZnO) nanorods for biomedical application

Nanoparticles are increasingly being recognized for their potential utility in biological applications including nanomedicine.Here,we have synthesized zinc oxide(ZnO)nanorods using zinc acetate and hexamethylenetetramine as precursors followed by characterizing using X-ray diffraction,fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.The growth of synthesized zinc oxide nanorods was found to be very close to its hexagonal nature,which is confirmed by X-ray diffraction.The nanorod was grown perpendicular to the long-axis and grew along the[001]direction,which is the nature of ZnO growth.The morphology of synthesized ZnO nanorods from the individual crystalline nucleus was confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.The length of the nanorod was estimated to be around 21 nm in diameter and 50 nm in length.Our toxicology studies showed that synthesized ZnO nanorods exposure on hela cells has no significant induction of oxidative stress or cell death even in higher concentration(10μg/ml).The results suggest that ZnO nanorods might be a safer nanomaterial for biological applications.

Insight on the Ultrastructure, Physicochemical, Thermal Characteristics and Applications of Palm Kernel Shells

The ultrastructure and physicochemical and thermal properties of Palm Kernel Shells (PKS) in comparison with Coconut Kernel Shells (CKS) were investigated herein. Powder samples were prepared and characterized using Surface Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Chemical and elemental constituents, as well as thermal performance were assessed by Van Soest Method, TEM/EDXA and SEM/EDS techniques. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) were also performed for thermal characterization. SEM/EDS and TEM/EDXA revealed that most of the PKS and CKS materials are composed of particles with irregular morphology;these are mainly amorphous phases of carbon/oxygen with small amounts of K, Ca and Mg. The DSC data permitted to derive the materials’ thermal transition phases and the relevant characteristic temperatures and physical properties. Thermal Transition phases of PKS observed herein are consistent with the chemical composition obtained and are similar to those of CKS. Nonetheless, TGA/DTG showed that the combustion characteristics of PKS are higher than those of CKS. Taken together, our results reveal that PKS have nanopores and can be efficiently used for 3D printing and membrane filtration applications. Moreover, the chemical constituents found in PKS samples are in agreement with those reported in the literature for material structural applications and thus, present potential use of PKS in these applications.

Antibacterial Activity of Green Synthesis Silver Nanoparticles Using Some Wild Edible Plants Commonly Used in Al Baha, Saudi Arabia

In the present study, aqueous extract of Cissus rotundifolia (Wild edible plants) was used as a reducing and capping agent in the formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). UV-visible spectroscopy (Uv-Vis) was used to monitor the formation of AgNPs in the aqueous medium. The green-prepared AgNPs investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The morphology and size of the benign silver nanoparticles were carried out by the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). The susceptibility of bacteria strains against the green synthesis AgNPs was determined using the disk diffusion method. The microorganisms employed were E. coli, K. pneumoniae, B. cereus, S. aureus, C. lbicans and Aspergillus. The results showed the characteristic surface plasmon resonance peak of the AgNPs appeared at approximately 418 - 446 nm. XRD revealed peaks at 38.2, 44.16, 64.24 and 77.22 θ, and the intensity of these peaks enhanced when using microwave curing compared to ambient temperature. SEM and TEM results showed that the silver nanoparticles have a spherical shape and the particle size for samples is less than 37 nm. FTIR spectroscopy measurements showed the binding of organic compounds on the surface of the silver nanoparticles. The highest antibacterial activity was enhanced with increasing of AgNPs dose and with increasing of extract ration against most of microorganisms.

One-pot synthesis of silver nanocomposites from Achyranthes aspera:An eco-friendly larvicide against Aedes aegypti L.

Objective:To formulate silver nanocomposites from Achyranthes aspera leaf extracts and evaluate its larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti.Methods:The silver nanocomposites were synthesized from Achyranthes aspera leaf extracts.The process was optimized and traced through UV-visible and photon correlation spectroscopy.The larvicidal potential of silver nanocomposites of Achyranthes aspera leaf extracts was assessed against the early fourth instars of Aedes aegypti and three non-target organisms.Furthermore,the most effective and eco-safe nanocomposite was characterized by different biophysical techniques including scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive X-ray(EDX)spectroscopy,transmission electron microscopy(TEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD)and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR).Results:The formulated silver nanocomposites exhibited efficient larvicidal efficacy against Aedes aegypti.Bioassay with silver nanocomposites formulated using different Ag NO3 concentrations(3,4,and 5 m M)revealed respective LC50 values of 37.570,6.262 and 1.041μg/m L;5.819,1.412 and 0.489μg/m L;and 5.519,1.302 and 0.267μg/m L after 24,48 and 72 h.The silver nanocomposites with 4 m M Ag NO3 were selected for characterization.SEM and TEM analysis revealed spherical,poly-dispersed structure with varied diameters of 1-25 nm.The XRD analysis established the crystalline and face-centred-cubic structure of silver nanocomposites with the maximum peak at a 2θvalue of 37.42°.The EDX pattern showed the presence of Ag,O and C in the nanocomposites in their order of weight%.The FT-IR displayed visibly distinct peaks in different ranges demonstrating the intricacy of silver nanocomposites.In addition,the lethal concentrations of silver nanocomposites of Achyranthes aspera leaf extracts against Aedes aegypti larvae were non-toxic to non-target organisms including Gambusia affinis,Daphnia magna and Moina macrocopa.Conclusions:Silver nanocomposites synthesized with leaf extract of Achyranthes aspera provide a cost-effective and eco-safe alternative to conventional insecticides,and can be utilized as a potent mosquito nano-larvicide.

COMPARISON OF VARIOUS PARTICLE SIZING TECHNIQUES

SEM,TEM, gas absorption, X-ray Sedi-graph and laser particle sizing have been employed to analyse particle size distribution and powder agglomeration for Alcoa A16 and for Sumitomo AKS-53B and SKP-53 alpha - Al2O3 powders on several occasions as well. Comparison and evaluation of various particle-sizing techniques have been made.