Influence of metal nanoparticles synthesized by microorganisms upon soil-borne microscopic fungus Aspergillus terreus K-8 was studied. It was established that the metal nanoparticles synthesized by microorganisms affect the enzymatic activity of the studied culture. Silver nanoparticles lead to a decrease in cellulase activity and completely suppress the amylase activity of the fungus, while copper nanoparticles completely inhibit the activity of both the cellulase complex and amylase. The obtained results imply that the large-scale use of silver and copper nanoparticles may disrupt biological processes in the soil and cause change in the physiological and biochemical state of soil-borne microorganisms as well.
Abstract- Plasma parameters in a planar dc-sputtering discharge in argon were measured by cylindrical electrostatic probe (Langmuir probe).Electron density, electron temperature, floating potential, and space potential were monitored as a function of working discharge pressure. Electrostatic probe and supporting circuit were described and used to plot the current – voltage characteristics. Plasma properties were inferred from the current-voltage characteristics of a single probe positioned at the inter-cathode space. Typical values are in the range of (10-16 -10-17) m-3 and (2.93 – 5.3) eV for the electron density and the electron temperature respectively.
Heat treatment by solid solution method in the ?+? phase region was used at 970°C for Ti-5Al-2.5Fe alloy. The specimens cooled under different cooling media [water quenched (WQ), air cooled (AC) and furnace cooled (FC)], and subsequently aged at 550°C for 4 hours. Five specimens from each treatment were immersed in simulated body fluid SBF for a period of time (3 months). The dependence of corrosion rate on compositional variation in the phases resulted from various type of cooling rates are discussed based on immersion tests. The EDXA results show the precipitation of phosphate and calcium compounds on the alloy after 3 months of immersion in blood plasma solution forming a bone-like apatite, which enhanced the alloy biocompatibility ma
... Show MoreThe construction of highly safe and durable buildings that can bear accident damage risks including fire, earthquake, impact, and more, can be considered to be the most important goal in civil engineering technology. An experimental investigation was prepared to study the influence of adding various percentages 0%, 1.0%, and 1.5% of micro steel fiber volume fraction (Vf) to reactive powder concrete (RPC)—whose properties are compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and absorbed energy—after the exposure to fire flame of various burning temperatures 300, 400, and 500 °C using gradual-, foam-, and sudden-cooling methods. The outcomes of this research proved that the maximum reduction in mechanical prop
... Show MoreThree new polyphosphates were synthesized in good yields by reacting diethylenetriamine with the appropriate phosphate ester in ethanol under acidic conditions. The polyphosphate structures were determined using FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopies, and their elemental compositions were confirmed by EDX spectroscopy. Polyphosphates were added to poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) at low concentrations to fabricate thin films. The PVC films were irradiated with ultraviolet light for long periods, and the effect of polyphosphates as the photostabilizer was investigated by determining changes in the infrared spectra (intensity of specific functional group peaks), reduction in molecular weight, weight loss, and surface morphology. Minimal changes we
... Show MoreThe main objective of this study is to examine the impact of moisture concrete of clayey soil on the concrete slabs placed directly over it. This experimental study presents the mechanical properties of the concrete slab when placed on different clayey soil moisture content ranging from 0% to the optimum moisture content of 35%. The tests were performed on soil concrete specimens of 25*30*50 mm exposed to sprayed water curing conditions for 28 days. Tests of compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity, crack depth and crack width were investigated through this paper. An ejection relationship between compressive strength of concrete and water content in the soil was observed, with a 26% increase with water increasing from 0% to 35%. T
... Show MoreAssessment of the in service behavior of asphalt stabilized subgrade soil under environmental impact has got little attention by the research workers. However, the sustainability of the roadway depends mainly on the welfare of its subgrade soil condition. In this work, Gypseous soil was stabilized with asphalt emulsion for subgrade usage, the durability of the mixture has been assessed in term of its ability to maintain the compressive strength when practicing the environmental impacts. Specimens of 38 mm in diameter , and 76 mm in height have been prepared with various water-asphalt percentages, and subjected to 30 cycles of (freezing-thawing), (heating-cooling) and (wetting-drying) processes. Specimens have been tested for unconfined comp
... Show MoreThe study presents the test results of Completely Decomposed Granite (CDG) soil tested under drained triaxial compression, direct shear and simple shear tests. Special attention was focused on the modification of the upper halve of conventional Direct Shear Test (DST) to behave as free
head in movement along with vertical strain control during shear stage by using Geotechnical Digital System (GDS). The results show that Free Direct Shear Test (FDST) has clear effect on the measured shear stress and vertical strain during the test. It has been found that shear strength
parameters measured from FDST were closer to those measured from simple shear and drained triaxial compression test. This study also provides an independent check on