Kamel, S.H., R.F. Al-Jassani and H.A. Al-Shammari. 2022. Effects of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis Isolates and Biologically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles on Cellulase Enzyme Activity in Workers' Digestive System of the Termite Microcerotermes diversus Silv. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 40(4): 315-324. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-40.4.315324 The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different bacterial isolates of P. fluorescens and B. t. tenebrionis and silver nanoparticles on the activity of the cellulase enzyme in termites' middle digestive system and its role in glucose release by treating cellulose media with bacterial strains and nanoparticles. Ultraviolet spectroscopy results revealed that silver nanoparticles synthesized by P. fluorescens isolated from termites, commercial P. fluorescens, and local B.t. tenrbrionis had the highest absorption at 385, 324, and 324 nm wave length, respectively. Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that ketons, amines, alkanes, and alcohols were among the groups that contributed to silver ions reduction, capping and stabilizing nanoparticles. The particle diameters were measured using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and found to be on average 32.43, 63.19, and 57.62 nm. The highest concentration of liberated glucose was recorded after 24 hours, which ranged between 0.453 and 1.285 mg/ml when treated with silver nanoparticles prepared from a commercial isolate of P. fluorescens bacteria and when treated with a bacterial isolate P. fluorescens, respectively. Only when treated with synthesized silver nanoparticles and when treated with commercial P. fluorescens isolates did the lowest concentrations of liberated sugar reached between 0.037 and 0.730 mg/ml after 72 hours, respectively. The high quantity of liberated sugar in the control treatment was constant, reaching 1.70 and 2.33 mg/ml after 24 and 72 hours, respectively. In addition to the variation in cellulase enzyme inhibition rates in termite digestive systems due to the effect of different treatments, it was discovered that the local isolate of B. t. tenrbrionis was better than the rest of the isolates in affecting the enzyme, causing inhibition rates of 71.42%. Furthermore, silver nanoparticles synthesized from a commercial isolate of P. fluorescens outperformed other treatments in inhibiting enzyme activity, with an inhibition rate of 78.57% . Keywords: Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus thuringiensis tenebrionis, silver nanoparticles, Microcerotermes diversus
This paper presents thermal characteristics analysis of a modified Closed Wet Cooling Tower (CWCT) based on heat and mass transfer principles to improve the performance of this tower in Iraq. A prototype of CWCT optimized by added packing was designed, manufactured and tested for cooling capacity of 9 kW. Experiments are conducted to explore the effects of various operational and conformational parameters on the thermal performance. In the test section, spray water temperature and both dry bulb temperature and relative humidity of the air measured at intermediate points of the heat exchanger and packing. Heat exchangers consist of four rows and eight columns for an inline tubes arrangement and six rows and five columns f
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Semiconductor-based gas sensors were prepared, that use n-type tin oxide (SnO2) and tin oxide: zinc oxide composite (SnO2)1-x(ZnO)x at different x ratios using pulse laser deposition at room temperature. The prepared thin films were examined to reach the optimum conditions for gas sensing applications, namely X-ray diffraction, Hall effect measurements, and direct current conductivity. It was found that the optimum crystallinity and maximum electron density, corresponding to the minimum charge carrier mobility, appeared at 10% ZnO ratio. This ratio appeared has the optimum NO2 gas sensitivity for 5% gas concentration at 300 °C working temperat
... Show MoreThe inhibitive action of a blend of sodium nitrite/sodium hexametaphosphate (SN+SHMP) on corrosion of carbon steel in simulated cooling water systems (CWS) has been investigated by weight loss and electrochemical polarization technique. The effect of temperature, velocity, and salts concentrations on corrosion of carbon steel were studied in the absence and presence of mixed inhibiting blend. Also the effect of inhibitors blend concentrations (SN+SHMP), temperatures, and rotational velocity, i.e., Reynolds number (Re) on corrosion rate of carbon steel were investigated using Second-order Rotatable Design (Box-Wilson Design) in performing weight loss and corrosion potential approach. Electrochemical polarization measurements
... Show MoreProblem of water scarcity is becoming common in many parts of the world. Thus to overcome this problem proper management of water and an efficient irrigation systems are needed. Irrigation with buried vertical ceramic pipe is known as a very effective in management of irrigation water. The two- dimensional transient flow of water from a buried vertical ceramic pipe through homogenous porous media is simulated numerically using the software HYDRUS/2D to predict empirical formulas that describe the predicted results accurately. Different values of pipe lengths and hydraulic conductivity were selected. In addition, different values of initial volumetric soil water content were assumed in this simulation a
... Show MoreOne of the most important problems of IRAQI HEALTH MINISTRY and all healthy instruments in IRAQ is Chronic Diseases because it have a negative effects on IRAQI population, this is the aim of our study ,to specify the important Chronic diseases which make the population fell weakly, they are six diseases as the IRAQ ministry of health specified ( Diabetes, blood pressure diseases ,Brain diseases , Cardiology, Asthma, epilepsy) we got these data from IRAQI HEALTH MINISTRY ,bureau of planning and studies ,for the period 2009-2012,as monthly observations , represent sum of peoples have chronic diseases in Baghdad .
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... Show MoreBACKGROUND: Dorsal reconstruction and augmentation for a saddle nose or generalized under projecting nose (familial ) require some type of grafting that increase the volume, raise the radix , raise the entire dorsum ,camouflage the osseocartilaginous junction or any irregularity along the dorsum, diced cartilage graft wrapped with fascia lata used to achieve that . AIM OF THE STUDY : The purpose of the study was to assess the aesthetic and functional outcome of dorsal augmentation by diced cartilage graft wrapped with fascia lata. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 2018 and May 2019. 7 patients included ,4 females and 3 males ,their age ranged between 20 to 37 years ,5 were primary and 2 secondary case rhinoplasty,2 operated by closed appro
... Show MoreThe paper discusses the structural and optical properties of In2O3 and In2O3-SnO2 gas sensor thin films were deposited on glass and silicon substrates and grown by irradiation of assistant microwave on seeded layer nucleated using spin coating technique. The X-ray diffraction revealed a polycrystalline nature of the cubic structure. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) used for morphology analysis that shown the grain size of the prepared thin film is less than 100 nm, surface roughness and root mean square for In2O3 where increased after loading SnO2, this addition is a challenge in gas sensing application. Sensitivity of In2O3 thin film against NO2 toxic gas is 35% at 300oC. Sensing properties were improved after adding Tin Oxide (SnO2) to be mo
... Show MoreThe Gas Assisted Gravity Drainage (GAGD) process has become one of the most important processes to enhance oil recovery in both secondary and tertiary recovery stages and through immiscible and miscible modes. Its advantages came from the ability to provide gravity-stable oil displacement for improving oil recovery, when compared with conventional gas injection methods such as Continuous Gas Injection (CGI) and Water – Alternative Gas (WAG). Vertical injectors for CO2 gas were placed at the top of the reservoir to form a gas cap which drives the oil towards the horizontal oil producing wells which are located above the oil-water-contact. The GAGD process was developed and tested in vertical wells to increase oil r
... Show MoreThe main objective of this paper is to study the behavior of Non-Prismatic Reinforced Concrete (NPRC) beams with and without rectangular openings either when exposed to fire or not. The experimental program involves casting and testing 9 NPRC beams divided into 3 main groups. These groups were categorized according to heating temperature (ambient temperature, 400°C, and 700°C), with each group containing 3 NPRC beams (solid beams and beams with 6 and 8 trapezoidal openings). For beams with similar geometry, increasing the burning temperature results in their deterioration as reflected in their increasing mid-span deflection throughout the fire exposure period and their residual deflection after cooling. Meanwhile, the existing ope
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