The growth of S. chartarum markedly decreased with elevated concentrations of Cu and Co in the growth medium. Total lipids and proteins in isolated plasma membrane were increased at 400mg Cu or Col-1 and decreased above this concentration while, carbohydrates markedly increased with elevated concentrations of both metals. The total amount of detected phospholipids in the membranes was decreased at 800mg l-1 of both metal ions. However, Phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl glycerol showed an increase at this concentration. Moreover, most of the detected fatty acids (C16:0, C16:1, C18:1 and C18:2) in the plasma membrane were increased with elevated concentrations of both metals to approximately 1.5-2 fold higher than in the control except C16:1 at 800mg Cu l-1 highly increased to 24.9 times higher than in the control. Whereas, C16:0 was the only fatty acid which decreased at 800mg Col-1. The unsaturation index of fatty acids at 400mg l-1 exhibited a slight decrease while, at this concentration the fluorescence polarization value of DPH in the plasma membranes markedly increased. On the other hand, at 800mgl-1 the unsaturation index was increased while, fluorescence polarization value of DPH markedly decreased. This refers that the membrane at 400mgl-1 might be less fluid and at 800mgl-1 more fluid and cannot able to control the entry of toxic metals.

Interactive effects of Ni in binary combinations with other heavy metals (Mn, Co, Cu, Cr and Zn) were investigated on the growth of B. juncea L. seedlings. There was a decline in germination percentage, root and shoot lengths and dry weight of the seedlings with increase in concentrations of the metals in the growth medium. Multiple regression interaction models revealed that in all the binary combinations of Ni with other heavy metals, both the metals were detrimental to the seedling growth. However, the metals in combinations mutually decreased the toxicity of each other. Zn acted antagonistic to Ni and increased the germination percentage of B. juncea seeds. Zn and Mn were accumulated to the extent of 0.531 and 0.445 mg g-1 dw respectively at 100mg l-1 concentration of these metals, whereas the lowest uptake was observed for Ni (0.135 mg g-1 dw) at a concentration of 100 mg l-1. In binary combinations, (Ni+Cr), (Ni+Mn), (Ni+Co), (Ni+Cu) and (Ni+Zn), both the metals mutually inhibited the uptake of each other.

Eight isolates of actinomycetes were isolated from sand samples of underground spring at Giza Governorate, Egypt. The extracellular secondary metabolites of one isolate (Act-1) showed larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens. The morphological, physiological and chemotaxonomical characteristics of this isolate revealed that it belongs to Streptomyces sp. However, according to the 16S rDNA sequencing analysis, it was identified as Streptomyces microflavus. Twenty five ml of peptone-beef extract-yeast extract-glucose medium under static condition showed the best conditions for the production of secondary metabolites from Act-1 against mosquito larva. Addition of NaCl, FeSO4 and CaCO3 to the medium increased the produced mosquitocidal metabolites twelve times more than the original. The LC50 value of Streptomyces microflavus metabolites was 77.3 ppm with 95% fiducial limits (62.6-95.7).

Cationic antimicrobial peptides are the upcoming therapeutic molecules as alternative drugs to the antibiotics. These peptides have a good scope in current antibiotic research. In the present study E. coli strain GJ1158 host was chosen for the expression of gene for Insilco designed synthetic peptide, Using Modified M9 medium. Various trails were carried out to optimize the recombinant peptide production in modified M9 medium by following the Placket Burman model. The optimal media was chosen for further expression studies and the expressed antimicrobial peptide was purified using Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC) system. The product was visualized on 16% Tricine SDS-PAGE. It was identified that 30% of the bacterial proteins as the recombinant protein. The expressed antimicrobial peptide was purified using Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography (IMAC) system. The antimicrobial activity of purified peptide using Top agar assay showed that the recombinant antimicrobial peptide has high antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria.

Different extractives from leaves and roots of Ocimum sanctum Linn. and O. basilicum Linn. have been evaluated for in vivo anti-malarial activity using Peter’s 4-day suppressive test against Plasmodium berghei in mice. Ethanol extracts of roots of both plants exhibited maximum anti-malarial activity amongst various extracts viz., petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and water at the dose of 800 mg/kg in mice. The results were observed on the 4th and 7th day. Ethanolic extract of O. sanctum roots showed maximum antiplasmodial activity of 3.2 ± 0.74 at dose of 800mg/kg on day 4th. However, O. basilicum root extract showed maximum activity of 4.9 ± 0.96 at dose 800mg/kg on day 4th. Maximum activity of ethanoic extract was observed on day 4th.

The antimalarial activity of the methanolic extract of Bridelia ferruginea benth bark was evaluated at varying doses of 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 800mg/kg body weights in mice (Mus musculus) infected with chloroquine -sensitive Plasmodium berghei. The antimalarial activity of the extract during Prophylactic (pre-treatment before infection with the parasite), Suppressive (co-treatment with the infection of the parasite on day zero) and Rane test (established infection which involves post treatment after 72hours infection with the parasite) were investigated. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics, saponins, steroids, anthraquinones and tannins in the extract. The extract demonstrated a dose-dependent suppression of parasitaemia following administration to infected mice. An optimum dose of 400mg/kg body weight with established infection mode of treatment demonstrated 100% total clearance of parasitaemia comparing favourably with chloroquine, the reference drug over the 28 days period of observations. Conclusively, the bark extract has exhibited promising antimalarial activity which can be exploited in malaria therapy.

Streptomyces viridodiastaticus isolated from Qalubiya soil of Egypt is capable to produce antibacterial and antifungal compounds. It showed the highest level of antimicrobial activity in the shaken culture broth after 7 days of incubation at neutral pH value using starch, potassium nitrate and dipotassium hydrogen phosphate amended medium. Two active fractions from the antimicrobial substance were extracted by diethyl ether at acidic pH and purified by Sephadex G-100 column chromatography. Elementary analysis indicated the absence of nitrogen from the two fractions. The empirical formulas for the two fractions (A) and (B) were C6H13O and C5H7O while the molecular formulas were C30H65O5 and C20H28O4 respectively. The ultraviolet, infrared and mass spectra of the purified substance (A) indicated the presence of hydrogen bond, methyl group, diketones, aliphatic compound, alkenes and hydroxyl group. The purified substance (B) contained all the groups present in substance (A) except hydroxyl group.

In this study, total twenty seven reptilian species including three turtle species, Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), and Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), nine lizard species such as Common Tree Lizard (Calotes versicolor versicolor), Spotted Barn Gecko (Hemidactylus brooki), Yellow Bellied Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus flaviviridis), Persian House Gecko (Hemidactylus persicus), Blotched House Gecko (Hamidactylus triedrus), Mediterranean House Gecko (Hamidactylus turcicus), Blue Tail Sand Lizard (Acanthodactylus cantoris), Spotted Lacerta (Mesalina watsonana), and Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis) were recorded from Manora, Sandspit, Hawksbay and Cape Monze areas during 2001-2009. Fifteen snakes species viz Beaked Sea Snake (Enhydrina schistosa), Blue Green Sea Snake (Hydrophis caerulescens), Annulated Sea Snake (Hydrophis cyanocinctus), Persian Sea Snake (Hydrophis lapemoides), Broad Band Sea Snake (Hydrophis mamillaris), Reef Sea Snake (Hydrophis ornatus), Yellow Sea Snake (Hydrophis spiralis), Pygmy Sea Snake (Lapemis curtus), Spotted Small Headed Sea Snake (Microcephalophis cantrois), Pelagic Sea Snake (Pelamis platurus), Spotted Viperine Sea Snake (Praescutata viperina), and Blotched Diadem Snake (Sphalerosophis diadema diadema) were recorded, while three species Cliff Racer (Platyceps rhodorachis), Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) and Black Cobra (Naja naja) were recorded from Manora, Hawkesbay and Cape Monze area only. There are several habitat degradation threats especially to marine turtles, Lizards are also affected by habitat degradation and disturbance, but it is a very minor threat. There is some mortality of Bengal Monitor during the road crossing. Human activities that directly or indirectly threaten marine turtles include the exploitation of eggs and turtles, fishery-related mortality, inappropriate management practices, destruction or modification of habitats, pollution, and recreation activities.

The general static spherical potential in the form of 2 2 2 = 1 kr r B r ? A + + is proposed. The first term is the usual Newton’s law. The second term refers to the negative field energy of the source which is rather small when comparing with the first term. The last term relates to a spring constant k of the source which acts as a repulsive force against the gravitational one. We point out that the spring effect has a limit distance depending on individual sources. Furthermore, the spring force acting against the gravitational one can be regarded as the fifth force. The spring theory is also applied in short range interaction.

The thrust of this work demonstrates the unique capability of laser depth-profiling to ‘peer’ within reservoir cores and reveal anomalies and irregularities associated with sulphate scale deposition. The intrinsic behavior of scale deposition within the pore space of near wellbore formation rock is relatively unexplored, and the essence of this paper concerns the application of an ablative laser technique to study the uniformity of strontium and barium distributions in suitable oil producing reservoir core sections. Information on the spatial and depth distributions of these metal components in sidewell core slivers could provide an insight into the location of relevant scale deposits, particularly barium and strontium sulphates. Nucleation and growth on the surface could indicate potentially favorable conditions for precipitation. On the other hand, sporadic ingrained deposits would signal abrupt changes in compositional or physical conditions within the specimen. The investigation was divided into two parts: (i) continuous ‘drilling’ by the laser at random points to uncover metal distribution at successive depths; and (ii) iterative surface scans at randomly selected areas to evaluate compositional consistency. The laser was attached to a high resolution ICP-MS instrument, and irradiations were conducted with a 213-nm beam of 30% total energy and 100 ?m diameter. Following iterative surface scanning, the laser ablated a total depth of 50?m at 10?m-intervals at each point. The study was largely semi-quantitative in the absence of standardization. Characteristic intensities originating from the metals of interest were measured. The experimental results showed distinct inhomogeneity in the distribution of Sr and Ba – declining sharply to negligible levels in some cases, and occurring sporadically at specific depths. Some data revealed that these deposits were markedly absent from some points in the core fragments, distinctly suggesting that specific conditions in the rock matrix are necessary to influence scale formation. The exact mechanism for this irregular behavior is not clear at this stage, and has considerable scope for extended research, including modeling studies. This work is of definite interest to geophysicists and petroleum scientists.

The aim of this study was preparation and characterization of barium hydroxyapatite, Ba10 (PO4)6(OH)2, BHP, to be used as ion exchanger for removal of some toxic cations from their aqueous solutions. The starting materials were barium hydroxide and phosphoric acid. The effects of the ratio between phosphoric acid and barium hydroxide on the produced hydroxyapatite were studied. X-ray diffraction, IR spectra, Transition electron microscope, and surface area were used for characterization of the produced barium hydroxyapatite. The x-ray patterns indicated the formation of the crystalline barium hydroxyapatite by using 0.02M H3PO4, while the other normality gives more than one phase. The IR spectrum exhibits specific absorption peaks at 558.2, 693.28, 1008.11, 1428.99, 1751.53, 1941.97, 3440.87, which characterizes the barium hydroxyapatite. It is observed that the intensity of the specific peaks on the x-ray charts increases with increasing of the acid normality, this indicate that the crystallinity improves by the increase of the acid normality. The TEM showed that: (1) the particle size of the barium hydroxyapatite lies in the scale of nanoparticles (40- 180 nm). (2) the size of the barium hydroxyapatite increases with increasing the ratio of phosphoric acid. (3) the particles have irregular shape and not depend on the ratio of phosphoric acid. (4) The sample produced by using phosphoric acid = 0 .04 M showed a bone structure. The measurements of the surface area indicated that it depends on the morphology of the produced samples which by turn depends on the normality of phosphoric acid. The more suitable sample was used to remove Cu, Cd, Ni, and Zn from their aqueous solutions.

The objective of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of body mass index (BMI) in detecting an elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) level in the college students population. The cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2005 to 2008 based on the health checkup data. A total of 7875 college freshmen were examined. Logistic regression was used to quantify the contribution of BMI to an elevated ALT (40 U/L) level. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the BMI cut-off points for the risk of elevated ALT. BMI was a significant predictor of elevated ALT in both male (OR=1.30, 95%CI:1.24–1.36) and female (OR=1.21, 95%CI:1.60–1.27). The risk of elevated ALT was 38.79 (95%CI:22.46–67.01) fold higher with obesity in male and 21.96 (95%CI:8.24–58.51) fold in female. According to the data of the ROC curve, the BMI cut-off points for predicting the risk of elevated ALT were 24.1 kg/m2 in male and 21.7 kg/m2 in female. BMI is a good predictor of elevated ALT serum activity in the college students population. To identify college students population at high risk of elevated ALT in Taiwan, cut-off points little higher than currently recommended overweight for BMI is needed in male students while lower than overweight for BMI is suggested in female.

In the frame work of relativistic harmonic model (RHM), we have investigated the mass spectrum of the S-wave heavy mesons. The full Hamiltonian used in the investigation has Lorentz scalar plus vector harmonic potential and confined one gluon exchange potential (COGEP). The mass of the mesons was obtained by diagonalsing a 5x5 matrix. A good agreement is obtained with the experimental masses of heavy mesons. The role of COGEP is discussed. The limitation of the perturbative treatment of estimating ?c-J/? is pointed out.

The transport of vorticity in viscoelastic Walters B? fluid in the presence of suspended magnetic particles in porous medium is considered. Equations governing the transport of vorticity in Walters B? viscoelastic fluid in the presence of suspended magnetic particles in porous medium are obtained from the equations of magnetic fluid flow proposed by Wagh and Jawandhia (1996). From these equations, it follows that the transport of solid vorticity ? r is coupled with the transport of fluid vorticity 1 ? r in porous medium. Further, it is found that due to thermo-kinetic process, fluid vorticity may exist in the absence of solid vorticity in porous medium, but when fluid vorticity is zero, then solid vorticity is necessarily zero. A two-dimensional case is also studied.

In this study, two hair dye types, one liquid and the other solid, were analyzed to determine their elemental compositions and possible radioactivity. The liquid dye sample was analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and based on the American Standard Test Method (ASTM), five ions namely: Fe2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, S2-, and SO4 2- were detected with concentrations of 0.702, 0.002, 0.003, 0.044, and 0.059mg.l-1 respectively. The solid hair dye sample was analyzed using the Neutron Activation Analysis technique. Eighteen elements (Al, Ti, K, Fe, Na, V, Mn, Sb, La, Sm, Sc, Cs, Eu, Br, Ce, and Th) were measured. Six of the elements (Al, Na, Eu, Br, Ce, and Th) were found in trace concentrations of 31.9± 5.4, 40.6 ± 5.9, 0.16 ± 0.05, 0.18 ± 0.04, 0.37 ± 0.08, and 0.13± 0.02 ppm respectively. Ce and Eu presently have no known negative effect on humans, while Pb, Cd, and Fe cannot easily get into the body through skin absorption. Hence the application of dyes containing these elements may not bring about effects associated with the intake of these elements, unless the dye mistakenly finds its way into food. The presence of Al, Na, Br, Th, S, and SO4 could result to those adverse effects associated with each element. In addition, the major active ingredient; Paraphelylene diamine (1, 4- diaminobenzene) has cancerous effects usually directed at the bladder.

In the present study an attempt has been made to investigate the machinability of Powder Metallurgy components. According to the literature review on this topic it has been found that very little effort has been expended so far on studying the effect of machining parameters and process variables on the machinability of Powder Metallurgy components. So it was felt necessary to carry out a systematic study of the above parameters and processes of Powder Metallurgy components. These investigations were based on Design of Experiments Technique in order to achieve optimum machinability of such components. Compacting pressure, sintering temperature and sintering time are considered as the controllable process parameters and cutting forces as the response variable. A second order response surface model (RSM) has been used to develop a predicting equation of cutting force based on the data collected by a statistical design of experiments known as central composite design (CCD). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that the observed data fits well into the assumed second order responses surface model.