Developing efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts using transition metals (TMs) is critical for enhancing electrocatalytic water splitting. This study examines the OER performance of Fe–Ni–S layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanostructures with sulfate-ion intercalation in various hierarchical configurations. These LDH hierarchical structures are electrodeposited in different processes, including one-step electrodeposition of FeS nanoflakes, NiS nanoflowers, and FeNiS nanoflowers, as well as two-step electrodeposition of FeNiS@NiS nanoflakes and FeNiS@FeS nanoflowers. The variation in heterostructure configurations considerably influences the morphology of the electrodeposited films, promoting the formation of interfacial synergy pathways between various active bonding states. The hierarchical FeNiS@FeS LDH nanoflowers demonstrate the optimal hetero structure combination for enhanced OER performance, exhibiting low overpotentials of 226 and 234 mV to reach current densities of 50 and 100 mA cm 2 , respectively, and a low Tafel slope of 27 mV•dec LDH structures exhibit high stability for 50 h at 50 mA cm 2 1 . All hierarchical . Notably, the fabricated FeNiS@FeS LDH nano f lowers outperform those reported in previous studies.

In the Shushan Basin, we examined the organic matter under transmitted light microscopy for spore coloration index (SCI) and kerogen type assessment. We used this index to estimate tentative values of the Thermal Alteration Index (TAI) and the Vitrinite Reflectance (Ro) that are equivalent to these SCI values on available standard color charts. Based on that, we inferred the degree of the thermal maturity of the investigated Early (to earliest Late) Cretaceous rock units. We confirmed their previously described high potential as sources of hydrocarbons. However, the Alam El-Bueib, Alamein, Dahab, Kharita, and Bahariya formations contain abundant AOM, frequent opaque phytoclasts, and common non-opaques, indicating oil- and gas-prone kerogen types II and III and reflect mature to overmature hydrocarbon generation potentiality.

We re-assessed and re-evaluated the diverse spores and pollen associations, presently recovered from clastics of the Shushan Basin. Eight (informal) Early Cretaceous (Valanginian to middle Cenomanian) spores/pollen zones are suggested, dated and correlated with regional/interregional records. Palynological dating offered bases for borehole stratigraphic resolution and basin correlation. It permitted revision of the homogeneous Early Cretaceous sediments of the borehole. Intrabasinal correlation, based on closely-spaced palynologicallyproductive samples, revealed the existence of an undetected sediment hiatus east of the basin, manifested by the wedging/missing of the Aptian Dahab clastics from west to east. The Shushan palynoflora exhibits great similarity with their counterparts in other provinces of the Northern Gondwana continent. But, however, A fern-dominated hygrophilous spores, along with Classopollis pollen, validated previous assumptions that humid conditions were responsible for the delayed appearance and scarcity of Dicheiropollis pollen in NE Africa (Egypt, Libya and Sudan), by the late Hauterivian. This humidity is thought to have triggered the production of Afropollis in the regional North African records, which reached an acme. Three main peaks of this pollen are inferred from the late Aptian, early Albian and early-middle Cenomanian intervals of the Shushan-1X well. Chronologically, these peaks can be of great stratigraphic value in NE Africa or other areas in Northern Gondwana that witnessed wet palaeoclimates during the Early Cretaceous.

Availability in Egypt is minimal due to a real restriction on the quantity and quality of acceptable water; it is also increasingly in demand, particularly since the reduction in the share in the Nile following the construction of the Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia. At the same time, the need for water increases due to population growth, industrial development and the cultivation of desert land. The country depends significantly on its water supply on the groundwater. Wadi Qena represents one of the most promising valleys, on which the government depends for land reclamations and developments. This study aims to assess groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes by integrating quantitative analyses and GIS techniques. To achieve this goal, 17 groundwater samples were collected from the Quaternary and Nubian aquifer from the middle and southern part of the Wadi. Chemical analysis of the major cations and anions was carried out at Assuit’s Regional Soil Fertility Laboratory. Maps of chemical variables are created using statistical tools by combining observations with interpolation models that can incorporate simple process relations. Major ions, total salinity, Na%, SAR, EC, RSC, PI, MH, KR, SSP, TH, and Cl− were used to assess the groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes. Schoeller’s, Stiff’s, and Piper’s, diagrams were used to determine the hydrochemical facies of groundwater in the area. The hydrochemical composition reflects that Sodium–Chloride is the main water type in the study area, and in the sequence of the cations and anions, 100% of the groundwater samples are in the order Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+/Cl− > SO42− > HCO3−. Comparative analysis against standard quality guidelines indicated that most groundwater samples exceeded safe levels for major constituents, TDS, TH, pH, and EC, making them unsuitable for drinking but potentially suitable for irrigation of high salt-tolerant crops. The results of hydrochemical analysis maps and analytical diagrams of groundwater samples revealed that the water was characterized by natural to alkali and the total dissolved solids (TDS) increasing from the Nubian to Quaternary and high ranges of sodium absorption (SAR). The GIS-spatial model indicated that the southwest part and northwest part represented the highest and lowest suitability, respectively, for drinking water purposes. In contrast, the northwest part and southwest parts represented the highest and lowest suitability, respectively, for irrigation purposes. This is confirmed by the values of Na+, SAR, EC, RSC, PI, MH, KR, SSP, TH, and Cl−. The values of Na+, SAR, EC, RSC, PI, MH, KR, SSP, TH, and Cl confirm this. The study lists corrective measures to improve groundwater quality using monitoring systems, efficient irrigation techniques, localized desalination, artificial recharge projects, stricter waste management and agricultural policies that will minimize sources of contamination. This study’s proposed model offers a promising and potentially universal tool for water quality assessment in the Nile basin and similar settings worldwide with the innovative model presented in this study.

Well-preserved terrestrial palynoflora assemblages, dominated by pteridophyte spores
(e.g., Deltoidospora, Triplanosporites, and Dictyophyllidites), with angiosperms and
elaterate-bearing taxa, were recorded from the Kharita Formation, northern Egypt. Biostratigraphically,
the angiosperm pollen Afropollis jardinus is the most significant
element, along with elaterates including Elaterosporites klaszii and Elaterocolpites
castelainii, in dating the Kharita Formation and confirming its previous (dinoflagellate)
Albian dating. We applied current and previous documented redox states in the borehole and discovered
evidence of missing of angiosperms and elaterates from some stratigraphic levels.
At stratigraphic horizons where opaque phytoclasts are extraordinarily abundant, oxidation
is highly expected and, consequently, some palynomorphs of the original palynological assemblages
may have been oxidized. At other horizons with mild oxidation, some palynomorphs
cannot be preserved due to environmental restrictions. Therefore, under these circumstances,
if these marker taxa are missing, age assessments can be unreliable.
Therefore, care must be taken in order to determine reliable palynostratigraphy. An oxic to
dysoxic-suboxic marginal marine environment was inferred, with a few examples of periodic
distal settings at the basal and top parts of the Kharita Formation. The Kharita palynofloras,
as part of the palynofloristic Albian-Cenomanian African-South American (ASA)
province, reflect the influence of the break-up of the continents of Africa and South America.
They reflect the resultant global palaeoclimate change near the equator, which brought
humid conditions to Egypt during Albian times.

The current study's palynofacies analysis and visual microscopic inspections of some subsurface Middle Jurassic rocks from Egypt's northern Western Desert revealed that not all the investigated rock units are suitable source rocks for hydrocarbons; some are gas-prone rocks, while others are oil-prone rocks. However, assessments of the hydrocarbon potentiality of the studied rock unit, which is represented by the Khatatba Formation in the Fadda-1 well, can be classified as overmature gas-prone source rocks, as well as reconstruct plant cover and infer palaeoclimate conditions. The high frequency of Deltoidospora and Cicatricosisporites spores suggests locally pteridophyte-dominated lowlands vegetation near/at the well site. Conifer flora is assumed to exist in somewhat dry hinterlands due to the presence of saccate (Araucaria cites and Balmeiopsis) pollen grains. In addition, due to the presence of drought resistant Cassopolis pollen grain, a regional warm and relatively dry palaeoclimate is thought to have prevailed, with a local humid condition developing around the well site.

This study was carried out to investigate the histological and ultrastructural changes
in the liver cells that would occur in response to the use of sodium benzoate. Adult
male albino rats used in this study were divided into five groups; first group used as
control was administered distilled water and other four groups were administered
with sodium benzoate dissolved in distilled water at a dose 1g/kg/bwt daily: two
groups administered sodium benzoate for 90 days and 365 days were sacrificed
immediately. While the other two groups administered sodium benzoate for 90 days
and 365 days were sacrificed after further 30 days without sodium benzoate
administration. The most striking changes which occurred in rats were vacuolation of
hepatic cytoplasm, the appearance of large areas of rarified cytoplasm separating
dense areas of cellular organelles and an increase of lipid droplets. Disorgination of
cellular organelles, increasing of collagenous fibres and depletion of polysaccharides
and total protein were also observed. These alterations became more pronounced in
liver of rats administered to long period. In the two recovery groups, the liver tissue
retained its normal appearance to a large extent compared with sections administered
with sodium benzoate for 90 days and 365 days.