Effect of the synthesis route on the structural and dielectric properties of SrBi<Subscript>1.8</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> ceramics

This work is devoted to the synthesis and characterization of yttrium-doped SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ ceramics prepared by three methods: solid state reaction, co-precipitation, and hydrothermal. Multiple characterizations, specifically scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), were used to validate the structural feature. The crystallite size was estimated by Scherrer’s formula and the Williamson–Hall plot. The effect of the process on the band intensities of the FTIR spectra was investigated. The crystallite size and microstructure of ceramics prepared from different synthesis processes were strongly influenced by the sinterability. SEM images revealed nanograin ceramics for materials prepared by co-precipitation and hydrothermal methods and micrograin ceramics prepared by the solid state method. The synthesized compounds underwent phase transitions at 480–465°C. The dielectric and electrical properties of these Y-doped SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ ceramics appear to be dependent on the grain size.     

Induction and effector functions of T(H)17 cells

T helper (T(H)) cells constitute an important arm of the adaptive immune system because they coordinate defence against specific pathogens, and their unique cytokines and effector functions mediate different types of tissue inflammation. The recently discovered T(H)17 cells, the third subset of effector T helper cells, have been the subject of intense research aimed at understanding their role in immunity and disease. Here we review emerging data suggesting that T(H)17 cells have an important role in host defence against specific pathogens and are potent inducers of autoimmunity and tissue inflammation. In addition, the differentiation factors responsible for their generation have revealed an interesting reciprocal relationship with regulatory T (T(reg)) cells, which prevent tissue inflammation and mediate self-tolerance.     

Characterization of root-nodulating bacteria on Retama raetam in arid Tunisian soils

The aim of this study is to investigate the diversity of Retama raetam root-nodule bacteria isolated from arid regions of Tunisia. Twelve isolates, chosen as representative for different 16S rRNA gene patterns, were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phenotypic analysis. Isolates were assigned to Sinorhizobium, Rhizobium and Agrobacterium. Symbiotic properties of Sinorhizobium and Rhizobium isolates showed a large diversity in their capacity to infect their host plant and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Strain RK 22 identified as Rhizobium was the most effective isolate.     

Characterization and photoluminescence properties of ultrafine copper molybdate (α-CuMoO4) powders prepared via a combustion-like process

We report a simple method for preparing copper(II) molybdate (CuMoO₄) powders via a combustion-like process. A gel was first prepared by the polymerizable complex method, where citric acid was used as a complexing and polymerizing agent and nitric acid was used as an oxidizing agent. The thermal decomposition behavior of the (CuMo)-precursor gel was studied by thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). We observed that the crystallization of CuMoO₄ powder was completed at 450°C. The obtained homogeneous powder was composed of grains with sizes in the range from 150 to 500 nm and exhibited a specific surface area of approximately 5 m2/g. The average grain size increased with increasing annealing temperature. The as-prepared CuMoO₄ crystals showed a strong green photoluminescence emission at room temperature under excitation at 290 nm, which we mainly interpreted on the basis of the Jahn-Teller effect on [MoO₄2- ] complex anions. We also observed that the photoluminescence intensity increased with increasing crystallite size.     

Genetic diversity of rhizobial populations recovered from three Lotus species cultivated in the infra-arid Tunisian soils

Eighty-three bacterial strains isolated from root nodules of Lotus creticus, L. pusillus, and L. arabicus grown in infra-arid Tunisian soils were characterized using a polyphasic approach including phenotypic analysis, rep-PCR and PCR-RFLP analyses of the 16S rRNA gene. Phenotypically, all isolates are fast growers the majority of which grow at a pH of between 5.5 and 9. Most of the tested isolates tolerate NaCl concentrations from 1.39% to 3.48%. By rep-PCR fingerprinting, the genomic similarity varied from 30% to 98%. All tested isolates were clustered into 32 rep-PCR clusters at the similarity level of 80%. The genomic divergence of strains revealed by rep/PCR analysis appeared to be very important since a molecular polymorphism delimiting symbionts for each species of Lotus was identified. With the high-resolution of rep-PCR profiles of the isolates obtained using Pearson’s/UPGMA analysis, the isolates were resolved into 60 different profiling groups to undergo 16S ARDRA analyses. The analysis of all restriction fragments from each strain based on the UPGMA algorithm from the combined patterns showed that Lotus isolates are very diverse and that they were affiliated to Sinorhizobium, Rhizobium, and Mesorhizobium genera.     

Sequencing of neuroblastoma identifies chromothripsis and defects in neuritogenesis genes

Neuroblastoma is a childhood tumour of the peripheral sympathetic nervous system. The pathogenesis has for a long time been quite enigmatic, as only very few gene defects were identified in this often lethal tumour. Frequently detected gene alterations are limited to MYCN amplification (20%) and ALK activations (7%). Here we present a whole-genome sequence analysis of 87 neuroblastoma of all stages. Few recurrent amino-acid-changing mutations were found. In contrast, analysis of structural defects identified a local shredding of chromosomes, known as chromothripsis, in 18% of high-stage neuroblastoma. These tumours are associated with a poor outcome. Structural alterations recurrently affected ODZ3, PTPRD and CSMD1, which are involved in neuronal growth cone stabilization. In addition, ATRX, TIAM1 and a series of regulators of the Rac/Rho pathway were mutated, further implicating defects in neuritogenesis in neuroblastoma. Most tumours with defects in these genes were aggressive high-stage neuroblastomas, but did not carry MYCN amplifications. The genomic landscape of neuroblastoma therefore reveals two novel molecular defects, chromothripsis and neuritogenesis gene alterations, which frequently occur in high-risk tumours.     

STUDY OF PET AIR-JET TEXTURING SEWING THREAD PROPERTIES

This paper presents a study of properties of air-jet textured threads made from high strengthpolyester filament and ordinary strength polyester filament.It includes the evaluation of tenacity,breaking elongation,modulus,specific work,evenness,abrasion resistance,hook strength,knotstrength and other mechanical properties relating to sewing.The polyester air-jet texturing sewingthread has special structure and appearance and possesses better properties of evenness,goodabrasion resistance,fatigue property,high hook and knot strength.     

Structural basis for the selectivity of the external thioesterase of the surfactin synthetase

Non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) and polyketide synthases (PKS) found in bacteria, fungi and plants use two different types of thioesterases for the production of highly active biological compounds. Type I thioesterases (TEI) catalyse the release step from the assembly line of the final product where it is transported from one reaction centre to the next as a thioester linked to a 4'-phosphopantetheine (4'-PP) cofactor that is covalently attached to thiolation (T) domains. The second enzyme involved in the synthesis of these secondary metabolites, the type II thioesterase (TEII), is a crucial repair enzyme for the regeneration of functional 4'-PP cofactors of holo-T domains of NRPS and PKS systems. Mispriming of 4'-PP cofactors by acetyl- and short-chain acyl-residues interrupts the biosynthetic system. This repair reaction is very important, because roughly 80% of CoA, the precursor of the 4'-PP cofactor, is acetylated in bacteria. Here we report the three-dimensional structure of a type II thioesterase from Bacillus subtilis free and in complex with a T domain. Comparison with structures of TEI enzymes shows the basis for substrate selectivity and the different modes of interaction of TEII and TEI enzymes with T domains. Furthermore, we show that the TEII enzyme exists in several conformations of which only one is selected on interaction with its native substrate, a modified holo-T domain.     

Problems of drinking water treatment along Ismailia Canal Province, Egypt

The present drinking water purification system in Egypt uses surface water as a raw water supply without a preliminary filtration process. On the other hand, chlorine gas is added as a disinfectant agent in two steps, pre- and post-chlorination. Due to these reasons most of water treatment plants suffer low filtering effectiveness and produce the trihalomethane （THM） species as a chlorination by-product. The Ismailia Canal represents the most distal downstream of the main Nile River. Thus its water contains all the proceeded pollutants discharged into the Nile. In addition, the downstream reaches of the canal act as an agricultural drain during the closing period of the High Dam gates in January and February every year. Moreover, the wide in- dustrial zone along the upstream course of the canal enriches the canal water with high concentrations of heavy metals. The obtained results indicate that the canal gains up to 24.06 × 10^6 m^3 of water from the surrounding shallow aquifer during the closing period of the High Dam gates, while during the rest of the year, the canal acts as an influent stream losing about 99.6× 10^6 m^3 of its water budget. The reduction of total organic carbon （TOC） and suspended particulate matters （SPMs） should be one of the central goals of any treatment plan to avoid the disinfectants by-products. The combination of sedimentation basins, gravel pre-filtration and slow sand filtration, and underground passage with microbiological oxidation-reduction and adsorption criteria showed good removal of parasites and bacteria and complete elimination of TOC, SPM and heavy metals. Moreover, it reduces the use of disinfectants chemicals and lowers the treatment costs. However, this purification system under the arid climate prevailing in Egypt should be tested and modified prior to application.