A series of ZrO2/c-Al2O3 catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of zirconyl nitrate hydrate aqueous solutions on nano-c-Al2O3 with ZrO2 loadings (1–30 % w/w) and calcined at 450 and 550 C for 3 h in a static air atmosphere. Physicochemical properties of the catalysts were determined using TG, DTA, XRD, FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, and N2 sorption measurements. The surface acidity of the catalysts was investigated by dehydration of isopropanol and adsorption of pyridine, 2,6-dimethyl pyridine and TPD–pyridine. This series of catalysts was used for vapor-phase dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether in a fixed bed reactor. It was found that all catalysts in this study were active and selective for DME synthesis. According to the experimental results, 1 % ZA catalyst exhibited the highest activity with selectivity of 100 % toward DME.

Paleontological studies on the Upper Paleocene-Lower Eocene succession at Darb Gaga, southeastern Kharga Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt document the changes associated with the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), such as 1) a radical alteration of the relative and absolute abundance of planktonic foraminifera; 2) a massive occurrence of the excursion planktonic foraminiferal taxa; 3) a widespread deposition of calcarenite yielding atypical (extremely high) faunal abundance associated with the younger phase of warming; and 4) a concentration of coprolites associated with the middle phase of warming. We also document the Lowest Occurrence (LO) of dimorphic larger benthic and excursion foraminifera during the earlier phase of warming at Darb Gaga, as recorded in Bed 1 of the Dababiya Quarry Member. The absence of these faunas in Bed 1 at Dababiya (the GSSP for the P/E Boundary) is likely to be due to both intense deficiency in dissolved oxygen and massive carbonate dissolution. Only remains (fish remains) of faunas that can tolerate the toxicity produced by low oxygen conditions are found in the stratigraphic record of this (oldest) phase at Dababiya. The Dababiya Quarry Member (DQM) at Darb Gaga reflects the unfolding of the sedimentary and biotic changes associated with the PETM global warming at, and following, the Paleocene/Eocene boundary on the southern Tethys platform. The changes began with a rapid increase in bottom and “intermediate” water temperature. The temperature increase was accompanied by removal of oxygen during the early and middle stages of warming. This led to the absence of both subbotinids and calcareous benthic foraminifera in the early and second coprolite-bearing phases (Beds 2 and 3 of the DQM). Dissolution seems to have no role during these stages as shown by the unusual abundance and good preservation of the warm-tolerant Ac. sibaiyaensis. This species reaches its maximum abundance in Bed 2 where it exhibits a broad range of size (63e250 mm) and shape that probably reflect optimal growth under the warmest water conditions. Thus, we infer that temperature and dissolved oxygen content of the seawater were the main factors controlling the distribution pattern(s) of the microplankton and microbenthos during the PETM.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of Plasmodium chabaudi infection on the plasma level of circulating immune complexes (CICs), haemoglobin (Hb) content, urine profile, and histological features of female BWF1 mice, the murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 female BWF1 lupus mice were randomly divided into three groups as follows: group (I) control group (P. chabaudi uninfected); group (II) lupus mice infected with live P. chabaudi; group (III) lupus mice infected with irradiated P. chabaudi. Urine samples were daily collected from the second week-post infection. Mice from the three groups were killed at day 14 post-infection and heparinized blood was collected for further haemoglobin contents and plasma analysis. Paraffin-embedded kidney, liver, lung, heart, brain, ovary and skin tissues were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and examined under light microscope. RESULTS: Our results reveal that infection of lupus mice with live P. chabaudi was associated with an increase in urinary Hb and a decrease in plasma Hb and CIC levels. Interestingly, infection of lupus mice with live P. chabaudi ameliorates the histopathological alterations mediated by lupus disease in kidney tissues. Although no parasite sequestration was observed in any of the investigated organs, P. chabaudi pigment deposition was observed in the liver of both live and irradiated P. chabaudi infected groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study in lupus prone BWF1 mice indicated that gamma-irradiated P. chabaudi infection has the desired lupus ameliorating effect without negative effects of malaria which assist the understanding of different responses to plasmodium sp. infection in human lupus patients.

Effects of high energy ball-milling on nanosized Cu0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 powders were studied at 30 and 330 min of milling. The powders were initially synthesized from its stoichiometric metal nitrates and urea mixtures, using a microwave assisted combustion method. Ball-milling induced electromechanical reaction was examined by XRD, TEM, Mossbauer spectroscopy, magnetization, and catalytic performance € by exploring potential changes in size, phases and chemical structure. Before Milling, the as-prepared powders were comprised of small grains of poor spinel crystallinity and very small crystallite size, and a minor a-Fe2O3 phase. Progressive milling significantly reduced the grain size, increased chemical disorder, and reduced the hematite phase. These changes are also manifested in the magnetization measurements. The Catalytic activity performance was carried out using dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol. The observed activity was correlated to the presence of Cu2þ and Fe3þ catalysts at octahedral sites before and after milling. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Effects of high energy ball-milling on nanosized Cu0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 powders were studied at 30 and 330 min of milling. The powders were initially synthesized from its stoichiometric metal nitrates and urea mixtures, using a microwave assisted combustion method. Ball-milling induced electromechanical reaction was examined by XRD, TEM, Mossbauer spectroscopy, magnetization, and catalytic performance € by exploring potential changes in size, phases and chemical structure. Before Milling, the as-prepared powders were comprised of small grains of poor spinel crystallinity and very small crystallite size, and a minor a-Fe2O3 phase. Progressive milling significantly reduced the grain size, increased chemical disorder, and reduced the hematite phase. These changes are also manifested in the magnetization measurements. The Catalytic activity performance was carried out using dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol. The observed activity was correlated to the presence of Cu2þ and Fe3þ catalysts at octahedral sites before and after milling. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Effects of high energy ball-milling on nanosized Cu0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 powders were studied at 30 and 330 min of milling. The powders were initially synthesized from its stoichiometric metal nitrates and urea mixtures, using a microwave assisted combustion method. Ball-milling induced electromechanical reaction was examined by XRD, TEM, Mossbauer spectroscopy, magnetization, and catalytic performance € by exploring potential changes in size, phases and chemical structure. Before Milling, the as-prepared powders were comprised of small grains of poor spinel crystallinity and very small crystallite size, and a minor a-Fe2O3 phase. Progressive milling significantly reduced the grain size, increased chemical disorder, and reduced the hematite phase. These changes are also manifested in the magnetization measurements. The Catalytic activity performance was carried out using dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol. The observed activity was correlated to the presence of Cu2þ and Fe3þ catalysts at octahedral sites before and after milling. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

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