This work is devoted to the synthesis of different semiconductor nanoparticles and their metal
core–shell nanocomposites such as TiO2, Au/TiO2, ZnO, and Au/ZnO. The morphology and
crystal structures of the developed nanomaterials were characterized by transmission electron
microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). These materials were used as catalysts for the
photodegradation of malathion, which is one of the most commonly used pesticides in
developing countries. The degradation of 10 ppm malathion under ultraviolet (UV) and visible
light in the presence of different synthesized nanocomposites was analyzed using high
performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and UV–visible spectra. A comprehensive study
was carried out for the catalytic efficiency of the prepared nanoparticles. Moreover, the effects
of different factors that could influence catalytic photodegradation, such as different light
sources, surface coverage and the nature of the organic contaminants, were investigated. The
results indicate that the core–shell nanocomposite of semiconductor–gold serves as a better
catalytic system than the semiconductor nanoparticles themselves.

Female catfish, Clarias gariepinus, which were collected from the Nile River at Assiut region, were divided into 7 groups The first group was left as control, the second was treated with mercuric chloride (MC) for three weeks following by normal water for one week. The third , fourth and fifth groups were provided by MC (150 µg/ L of water). This treatment was continued for three weeks. Then these fish were received CN instead of MC, for one week, with 15 and 25 mg CN respectively / 100 g wet food. The fifth fish group received diet supplemented with vit E (α-tocopherol) (100 mg/kg wet diet), for one week, instead of MC treatment. Vitamin E was used as standard antioxidant drug. Following three weeks of normal ambient water, the sixth and seventh aquaria received only CN for one week, with 15 and 25 mg CN respectively / 100 g wet food, respectively. At the end of the experiment, Samples of liver, kidneys (posterior part), gills (right gills) and ovary were excised. The measurement included the oxidative stress parameters: carbonyl protein and total peroxide and the antioxidant enzyme activities superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) in all selected organs. MC treatment induced harmful effect in fish, probably due to its enhancing effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in fish organs especially the respiratory and osmoregulatory organs namely gills. The result suggests that this gill damage may exert hypoxic case, anoxia for different organs and some Cu excretion resulting in a magnification of ROS overproduction. Also, the observed oxidative stress in ovary tissue of MC-treated fish may affect fish fertility. The addition of CN in fish diets could protect the fish C. gariepinus against MC-induced oxidative damage showing recovery of fish organs. It could suggest that the detoxifying mechanism of action of CN is mainly due to its scavenging activity of free radicals rather than tissue healing.

The pyrazolone derivative 4 was synthesized by reaction of carbohydrazide 2 with ethyl benzoylacetate
in ethanol and p-toluene sulphonic acid followed by cyclization upon heating in acetic acid.
Chloroacylation of amino ester and amino benzoyl compounds 1, 19 gave the chloro acetylamino derivatives
5 and 20 respectively which both of them react with different amines to afford compounds 6, 23a-d.
Hydrolysis and decarboxlation of compound 1 yielded the aminothienotetrahydroisoquinoline 8 which
was used as versatile material for synthesizing other heterocyclic compounds 9-18. Compound 20 react
with hexamethylenetetramine and malononitrile yielded thediazepino and pyrrolo derivatives 21, 22 respectively.

The pyrazolone derivative 4 was synthesized by reaction of carbohydrazide 2 with ethyl benzoylacetate
in ethanol and p-toluene sulphonic acid followed by cyclization upon heating in acetic acid.
Chloroacylation of amino ester and amino benzoyl compounds 1, 19 gave the chloro acetylamino derivatives
5 and 20 respectively which both of them react with different amines to afford compounds 6, 23a-d.
Hydrolysis and decarboxlation of compound 1 yielded the aminothienotetrahydroisoquinoline 8 which
was used as versatile material for synthesizing other heterocyclic compounds 9-18. Compound 20 react
with hexamethylenetetramine and malononitrile yielded thediazepino and pyrrolo derivatives 21, 22 respectively.

The pyrazolone derivative 4 was synthesized by reaction of carbohydrazide 2 with ethyl benzoylacetate
in ethanol and p-toluene sulphonic acid followed by cyclization upon heating in acetic acid.
Chloroacylation of amino ester and amino benzoyl compounds 1, 19 gave the chloro acetylamino derivatives
5 and 20 respectively which both of them react with different amines to afford compounds 6, 23a-d.
Hydrolysis and decarboxlation of compound 1 yielded the aminothienotetrahydroisoquinoline 8 which
was used as versatile material for synthesizing other heterocyclic compounds 9-18. Compound 20 react
with hexamethylenetetramine and malononitrile yielded thediazepino and pyrrolo derivatives 21, 22 respectively.

In a detailed investigation of the lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, mineralogy and
geochemistry of the stratigraphic interval spanning the Danian/Selandian (D/S) transition about 16 m
within the Dakhla Shale exposed at Gabal el-Qreiya has been examined and collected. Litho -
stratigraphically, the part of the Gabal el-Qreiya section under investigation is mainly composed
of grey shale and encompasses the D/S boundary. There is a marker bed (~30 cm thick) represents
the D/S boundary at Gabal el-Qreiya that consists of four alternating black and brownish organic-rich
shale bands (~5-12 cm thick each) sandwiched between two thick grey shale beds. We formally
describe this interval as the el-Qreiya Bed, which has been recognized in several localities elsewhere
in Egypt. The sediments of the el-Qreiya Bed are very similar to those in the lower part of the
earliest Eocene Dababiya Beds in Egypt, which include thinly laminated, phosphatic (fish debris),
organic-rich and extremely pyritic shales. The organic debris is noticed as amorphous organic matter
and woody fragments. Biostratigraphically, the succession is subdivided into six planktic foraminiferal
biozones, documenting a case of continuous sedimentation during the D/S transition. These
biozones are: The Danian Praemurica uncinata (P2), Morozovella angulata (P3a) and Igorina
albeari/P. carinata (lower most part of P3b) biozones and the Selandian I. albeari (main part of
P3b) and Globanomalina pseudomenardii (P4a) biozones. The basal surface of the el-Qreiya Bed
is marked by the last appearance of Praemurica carinata (El Naggar) and is taken to mark the
Danian-Selandian boundary. Above the D/S boundary, the planktic foraminiferal taxa of the
praemuricids were gradually replaced by morozovellids, acrininids and igorinids. The clay
mineralogy analysis of these sediments indicates alternating periods of humid (high kaolinite)
and dry (low kaolinite) climatic conditions during the deposition of the el-Qreiya Bed. Geochemical
analyses of samples representing the el-Qreiya Bed and the sediments above and below revealed
that the sediments of the el-Qreiya Bed are characterized by high anomalies in chalcophile elements.
The trace elements are most probably incorporated into the phosphatic components and organic
matter. The sediments around el-Qreiya Bed are normal marine sediments deposited in oxic bottom
waters. The sediments of el-Qreiya Bed reflect anoxic/euxinic marine environments and deposition
in H2S-containing bottom waters rich in organic matter. It is believed that high productivity and
upwelling activity were responsible for such conditions and the sedimentological, mineralogical,
geochemical and faunal characteristics of the D/S boundary at Gabal el-Qreiya section.

In a detailed investigation of the lithostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, mineralogy and
geochemistry of the stratigraphic interval spanning the Danian/Selandian (D/S) transition about 16 m
within the Dakhla Shale exposed at Gabal el-Qreiya has been examined and collected. Litho -
stratigraphically, the part of the Gabal el-Qreiya section under investigation is mainly composed
of grey shale and encompasses the D/S boundary. There is a marker bed (~30 cm thick) represents
the D/S boundary at Gabal el-Qreiya that consists of four alternating black and brownish organic-rich
shale bands (~5-12 cm thick each) sandwiched between two thick grey shale beds. We formally
describe this interval as the el-Qreiya Bed, which has been recognized in several localities elsewhere
in Egypt. The sediments of the el-Qreiya Bed are very similar to those in the lower part of the
earliest Eocene Dababiya Beds in Egypt, which include thinly laminated, phosphatic (fish debris),
organic-rich and extremely pyritic shales. The organic debris is noticed as amorphous organic matter
and woody fragments. Biostratigraphically, the succession is subdivided into six planktic foraminiferal
biozones, documenting a case of continuous sedimentation during the D/S transition. These
biozones are: The Danian Praemurica uncinata (P2), Morozovella angulata (P3a) and Igorina
albeari/P. carinata (lower most part of P3b) biozones and the Selandian I. albeari (main part of
P3b) and Globanomalina pseudomenardii (P4a) biozones. The basal surface of the el-Qreiya Bed
is marked by the last appearance of Praemurica carinata (El Naggar) and is taken to mark the
Danian-Selandian boundary. Above the D/S boundary, the planktic foraminiferal taxa of the
praemuricids were gradually replaced by morozovellids, acrininids and igorinids. The clay
mineralogy analysis of these sediments indicates alternating periods of humid (high kaolinite)
and dry (low kaolinite) climatic conditions during the deposition of the el-Qreiya Bed. Geochemical
analyses of samples representing the el-Qreiya Bed and the sediments above and below revealed
that the sediments of the el-Qreiya Bed are characterized by high anomalies in chalcophile elements.
The trace elements are most probably incorporated into the phosphatic components and organic
matter. The sediments around el-Qreiya Bed are normal marine sediments deposited in oxic bottom
waters. The sediments of el-Qreiya Bed reflect anoxic/euxinic marine environments and deposition
in H2S-containing bottom waters rich in organic matter. It is believed that high productivity and
upwelling activity were responsible for such conditions and the sedimentological, mineralogical,
geochemical and faunal characteristics of the D/S boundary at Gabal el-Qreiya section.

This work deals with the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of the period representing the Paleocene-Eocene
Thermal Maximum (PETM) succession, at both the Gabal Dababiya Paleocene-Eocene GSSP and the Gabal Owaina sections. At both
sections, the sediments deposited during this interval contain varied amounts of phosphatized and silicified fish debris, pyrite framboids,
pseudomorphs of hematite spherules, calcite and detrital minerals. At Gabal Dababiya, the PETM succession is characterized by strong
anomalies inmost chalcophiles, especially in the lower part of the clay bed, aswell as in the coprolite-rich and the bone-bearing strata. In
contrast, such concentrations of the chalcophile elements have not been recorded at G. Owaina. This leads to the conclusion that these
trace elements are incorporated in the phosphatic components (fish debris and coprolites) and in the clay-fraction and/or organic matter.
The association of SiO2*-excess, and P2O5 enrichment with an abundant radiolarian fauna and enrichment of the organic matter within
the first three beds of Dababiya Quarry Beds, indicates high productivity and upwelling throughout their deposition. In the course of the
upwelling activity,water rich in nutrients rose to the surface, enriching sedimentswith organicmatter. The increased consumption of oxygen
caused by the sinking of organic carbon to the bottom resulted in a redox front at or just above the sediment-water interface. At G.
Owaina, the internal molds of radiolarians, as well as benthic and planktonic foraminifera which are represented by hematite spherules,
are abundant in the post-PETM succession. This is an indication that silica and calcite dissolution, rather than low productivity accounts
for the absence of opaline silica and biogenic calcite. Solutions resulting from the dissolution of siliceous and calcareous oozes may have
penetrated lower layers and formed Ca-Si-rich components (silicified fish debris and Ca-Si-rich phase).

This work deals with the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of the period representing the Paleocene-Eocene
Thermal Maximum (PETM) succession, at both the Gabal Dababiya Paleocene-Eocene GSSP and the Gabal Owaina sections. At both
sections, the sediments deposited during this interval contain varied amounts of phosphatized and silicified fish debris, pyrite framboids,
pseudomorphs of hematite spherules, calcite and detrital minerals. At Gabal Dababiya, the PETM succession is characterized by strong
anomalies inmost chalcophiles, especially in the lower part of the clay bed, aswell as in the coprolite-rich and the bone-bearing strata. In
contrast, such concentrations of the chalcophile elements have not been recorded at G. Owaina. This leads to the conclusion that these
trace elements are incorporated in the phosphatic components (fish debris and coprolites) and in the clay-fraction and/or organic matter.
The association of SiO2*-excess, and P2O5 enrichment with an abundant radiolarian fauna and enrichment of the organic matter within
the first three beds of Dababiya Quarry Beds, indicates high productivity and upwelling throughout their deposition. In the course of the
upwelling activity,water rich in nutrients rose to the surface, enriching sedimentswith organicmatter. The increased consumption of oxygen
caused by the sinking of organic carbon to the bottom resulted in a redox front at or just above the sediment-water interface. At G.
Owaina, the internal molds of radiolarians, as well as benthic and planktonic foraminifera which are represented by hematite spherules,
are abundant in the post-PETM succession. This is an indication that silica and calcite dissolution, rather than low productivity accounts
for the absence of opaline silica and biogenic calcite. Solutions resulting from the dissolution of siliceous and calcareous oozes may have
penetrated lower layers and formed Ca-Si-rich components (silicified fish debris and Ca-Si-rich phase).

We have analyzed the geochemistry and mineralogy of the five characteristic beds that constitute the
Dababiya Quarry Member (DQM) recovered from the Dababiya Quarry Core located near the Global
Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Eocene. Well developed in Upper Egypt, these beds are
known to record the isotopic and biotic signatures of the Paleocene/Eocene thermal maximum (PETM). We
have extracted the mineral phases from these beds (representing a total thickness of 2.35 m) and compared
them with those of the encasing shales through qualitative and semi-quantitative SEM analysis using EDX
technology. Total organic carbon was determined using the titrimetric method. Major and trace elements
were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer, and enrichment factors
were established relative to Al content. We discuss the significance of our data with regard to basaltic
volcanism and cometary impact, for neither of which we find support. In agreement with other studies, our
data indicate very high biological productivity during the deposition of the DQM. This may be related to
upwelling and/or increased nutrient supply, the latter because of an enhanced hydrologic cycle.