This study aims to clarify how different transition metals influence the pseudocapacitive performance of layered double hydroxide (LDH)-based nanocomposites. We investigated reduced graphene oxide (rGO)@NiM LDH/SrTiO3 (M = Cu, Mn, or Co) hybrids to examine the role of metal selection in both structural evolution and electrochemical performance. The morphology of the NiM LDH NCs, decorated on SrTiO₃ nanosheets, varies significantly with the metal additive: Cu-containing hybrids exhibit a nanoparticle morphology, while Mn- and Co-based hybrids display a nanoflower-like structure. Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the in-situ formation of rGO during the electrodeposition of NiM LDH, without the need for any external carbon source. Furthermore, the characteristics of the interfacial oxygenated carbon bonds between rGO and NiM LDH NCs and the resulting synergistic interactions depend on the incorporated metal type. Electrochemical testing shows that all rGO@NiM LDH@SrTiO3 hybrids outperform pristine SrTiO3, achieving specific capacitances of 2053–2337 mF·cm⁻2 at 1 mA·cm⁻2 compared to 1182 mF·cm⁻2 for bare SrTiO3. Among assembled asymmetric supercapacitors, Co-based devices deliver the highest energy density (82.3 μWh·cm⁻2 at 5.59 mW·cm⁻2), Mn-based devices provide moderate performance (59.5 μWh·cm⁻2 at 6.12 mW·cm⁻2), and Cu-based devices show the lowest energy density (55.26 μWh·cm⁻2 at 5.87 mW·cm⁻2). However, Cu-based devices exhibit better energy retention, maintaining 46.5 μWh·cm⁻2 at a higher power density of 57.7 mW·cm⁻2. These findings highlight that metal choice critically governs both morphological features and energy storage characteristics, providing guidelines for the design of LDH-based pseudocapacitive materials. Graphical abstract

Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to investigate how microalgae Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis and macroalgae (Padina pavonica) were used as sources of bio-stimulants instead of chemical fertilizers. The principal goal is increasing various crop plant quality and productivity, particularly in sesame, while reducing environmental impacts.
Methods Both types of algal biomass were applied to Sesamum indicum L. plants either as a powder (3 g kg− 1 of soil) or water extract (9 g of algae 720 mL− 1 of tap water) during two developmental stages (the vegetative and productive stages).
Results In the vegetative experiment, the application of S. platensis, either powder or extract, had stimulative effects on all growth parameters and some metabolites in shoots and roots of sesame plants, while the application of Padina and Spirulina as a powder or extract induced the antioxidant concentrations. Tracking their effects until the productivity stage showed that the application of all treatments (powder or extract) to the soil improved the productive criteria, such as branch length, capsule numbers, and seed index. Also, similar responses were observed for the mineral composition of different plant parts.
Conclusion The biomass of algae can be used as a biofertilizer in addition to being a source of nutrition to increase crop
production to solve the problems of famine in poor countries. FT-IR analysis was used to qualitatively predict the most
important chemical components of P. pavonica and S. platensis as a powder and aqueous extract, which exhibited several active groups that make them effective as bio-stimulants for the sesame plant.

Silicon has long been recognized as a beneficial element in plant biology. Recent advances in nanosilicon technology have revealed its transformative potential in legume-rhizobia symbiosis. This review synthesizes current knowledge on how silicon and SiO₂ nanoparticles (Si-NPs) influence nodulation, microbial metabolism, and soil–plant interactions. We highlight emerging evidence that Si-NPs enhance symbiotic signaling, strengthen infection pathways, and mitigate oxidative stress, thereby supporting nitrogen fixation efficiency. Beyond the rhizosphere, nanosilicon improves soil structure, microbial diversity, and plant resilience under abiotic stress, offering a multifaceted approach to sustainable agriculture. The novelty of this review lies in its integrative perspective, connecting molecular mechanisms with ecological impacts and climate-smart applications. By examining Si-NPs across three domains—soils, rhizosphere metabolites, and plants—we provide a framework for understanding their role in enhancing productivity while reducing environmental costs. Importantly, we identify critical research gaps, including the need for standardized application protocols, large-scale field validation, sustainable nanosilicon production, and robust regulatory frameworks. These insights position nanosilicon as a promising tool for advancing legume productivity, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers, and contributing to global food security. This review underscores silicon’s potential not only as a plant nutrient but also as a strategic agent in climate-resilient agriculture.

Dye pollution in water poses serious health and ecological risks, requiring wastewater treatment before discharge and prompting increased research attention due to the widespread use of dyes in various industries. This study investigates the biosorption of methylene blue (MB) using a novel composite of chitosan and Bacillus subtilis exopolysaccharides (EPS). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the presence of essential functional groups for dye adsorption. The biosorption process was pH-dependent, with optimal removal efficiencies at pH 6 for the chitosan/EPS composite and pH 7 for chitosan alone, showing increased adsorption capacity with rising pH from 3.0 to 7.0. Contact time experiments demonstrated efficient MB removal in approximately 30 min, achieving decolorization rates of 71.6% for the composite and 60.62% for chitosan. The composite also demonstrated a higher …

This study investigates the natural radioactivity of 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th in valley sediments from Wadi
Al-Maia located in Egypt’s Eastern Desert. Radiation monitoring was conducted using high-resolution gamma-
ray spectrometry with a NaI(Tl) detector. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were measured.
Based on these measurements, several radiological hazard parameters were calculated, including the absorbed
dose rate (ADR), radium equivalent activity (Raeq), gamma index (Iγ), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE),
annual effective dose equivalent (AEDEout and AEDEin), and the external and internal hazard indices (Hₑₓ and
Hᵢn).The average values of these parameters were 347 nGy/h (ADR), 724 Bq/kg (Raeq), 2.73 (Iγ), 2471 μSv/year
(AGDE), 425 μSv/year (AEDE out), 1700 μSv/year (AEDEin), 1.96 (Hex), and 2.47 (Hin), all of which exceed the
worldwide recommended limits. These results indicate that the study area exhibits elevated natural radioactivity
levels and potential radiological health risks. The findings can serve as a baseline for future monitoring of natural
radionuclide contamination and radiological risk assessment in the Eastern Desert of Egypt.

This study provides an integrated geochemical, petrographic, and
radiological assessment of the El Gara El Hamra and El Gara El Soda
granitoids in Egypt’s Southwestern Desert. Whole-rock major, trace, and REE
geochemistry, combined with tectonic discrimination diagrams, reveals that
the granitoids belong to ferroan A-type suites and comprise both
peraluminous and peralkaline varieties. These contrasting chemistries reflect
heterogenous crustal sources and within-plate magmatic processes associated with late Neoproterozoic post-collisional extension. Elemental
ratios (e.g., Nb/Yb, Ga/Al) and HFSE enrichments support an anhydrous,
oxidized, high-temperature melt regime consistent with the regional
evolution of the Arabian–Nubian Shield.
High-resolution gamma spectrometry was used to quantify primordial
radionuclides (238U, 232Th, 40K). Thorium and potassium show pronounced
enrichment in the peralkaline samples, whereas uranium displays moderate variability across the granitoid suites. Calculated radiological parameters—
including absorbed dose rate (Dγ), annual effective dose (E_annual), radium
equivalent activity (Raeq), and hazard indices—exceed global crustal averages
but remain within ranges typical of A-type granites worldwide. Radiogenic
heat production (RHP) varies significantly between the peraluminous and
ACCAERPTTICEDLE M IANN PURSECSRSIPT
ARTICLE IN PRESS
peralkaline groups, reaching up to 9.99 μW/m³, indicating favorable potential
for shallow-crust geothermal exploration.
Organ-specific dose modeling (ICRP‐based) identifies the bone marrow and
lungs as the most impacted tissues under hypothetical prolonged exposure scenarios. Although some samples exceed recommended limits for
unrestricted building use, actual public exposure would depend on rock
utilization and exposure geometry rather than intrinsic radionuclide
concentrations alone.
Overall, the El Gara granitoids represent a compositionally diverse A-type system with elevated heat-producing elements and moderate radiological
significance. These findings highlight the need for site-specific radiological
evaluation before large-scale quarrying or use as construction materials, and
underscore their potential relevance for geothermal energy assessments.

The Western Desert of Egypt exhibits well exposures of Late Cretaceous deposits, containing varieties of
marine and terrestrial vertebrate fossils. The Quseir Formation (Campanian age) contains vertebrate fossils
such as dinosaurs, turtles and crocodyliforms remains. This formation is formed of variegated shale and
siltstone intercalations, indicating supratidal marsh environment. The present work concerns with the
histology and the diagenetic process of the Late Cretaceous juvenile crocodyliform vertebrae from the
Campanian deposits of the Quseir Formation of the south of Baris Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt. It provides
the first discovery of the Late Cretaceous juvenile neosuchian crocodyliform postcranial remains in Egypt, in
addition to the study of the early and the late diagenesis phases exhibited by the microbial activities and the
minerals precipitations of the bone cavities.

Dyrosauridae are a clade of crocodyliforms characterized by diverse cranial morphologies and a broad palaeogeographic distribution from the Late Cretaceous to the Palaeogene. However, their early evolutionary history remains poorly understood due to a significant fossil gap during the Campanian. Here, we describe Wadisuchus kassabi gen. et sp. nov., an early-diverging dyrosaurid from the middle Campanian Quseir Formation of Egypt, based on two partial skulls and three partial mandibles. This new taxon displays transitional cranial features—including reduced premaxillary alveoli, modified occlusion patterns, and dorsally positioned external nares—that clarify aspects of cranial evolution related to longirostry in early dyrosaurids. Phylogenetic analyses consistently recover Wadisuchus as the earliest-diverging dyrosaurid, closely related to Chenanisuchus and distinct from Elosuchus, supporting a transition from dyrosauroids to dyrosaurids. Its Campanian age extends the temporal range of the clade and suggests that transatlantic dispersal from Africa to South America occurred earlier than previously recognized. Alongside Brachiosuchus kababishensis from Sudan, the new Egyptian taxon also implies that reverse dispersal into Africa preceded the Maastrichtian. Wadisuchus provides critical insights into the early diversification, palaeobiogeography, and cranial evolution of Dyrosauridae, confirming longirostry as an early-acquired trait and highlighting North Africa as a key region in their origin

Four large foraminiferal species have been newly recorded from the Darb Gaga area. The Darb Gaga area is represented by the Upper Paleocene-Lower Eocene succession, which is composed of the Esna Formation (Fm.) at the base followed upward by the lowermost part of the Thebes Fm. The present work concentrates on Abu Had Member (Mb.), the upper part of the Esna Fm., and the Thebes Fm. A new genus (Solimanina) is introduced for the first time in Egypt. Two species (Solimanina canaliferus and Solimanina conf. subgranulosa) belong to this genus. These species are recorded from the Abu Had Mb. Moreover, Nummulites pernotus and Nummulites partschi have been documented from the Thebes Fm. Morphometric, biometric, taxonomic and systematic study of the large benthonic foraminifera (LBF) in integration with field, litho- and bio-stratigraphical studies of the study area have been done. The recorded LBF species assigned the Abu Had Mb. and the lowermost part of the Thebes to be Early Eocene in age (Ypresian), within SBZ10 (the beginning of Late Ypresian). The shift from the outer shelf environment prevailed during the deposition of the Darb Gaga Mb. to the inner shelf environment of the Abu Had Mb. and the lowermost part of the Thebes Fm. may be due to sea-level changes and/or tectonism that occurred in Early Eocene (Ypresian) age.

The aim of the current study was to examine and document the diverse scale characteristics of three species of gerreid fish, namely Gerres longirostris (standard length [SL] 166–212 mm, Gerres oyena (SL 120–135 mm) and Gerres oblongus (SL 217–268 mm) from the Red Sea, Hurghada, Egypt. Variations in inter-specific geomorphometrics and in meristics of radii of the scales of these gerreid species were clearly evident in terms of size and shape. Light and scanning electron microscopic techniques were used to identify and describe the detailed scale structure and surface ornamentation of these Gerres species. These studies revealed a wide range of variations in surface morphology, interradial tongues and circuli, outer and inner lateral circuli, denticles, interradial and intercircular grooves, caudal field segmentation and granulation pattern, position of scales on fish, annuli and radii as well as lateral line canal. These findings have unequivocally demonstrated the potential use of scale size and shape variation as a means of identifying the Gerres species studied. Scale characteristics are a taxonomy tool that can be used for the identification of stocks and fisheries management.