Oil:Oil Correlation for Some Oil Fields in the North Western Part of the Western Desert, Egypt

Physical and specific geochemical analyses are used in detail for the petroleum geochemical studies to permit the correlation of six crude oil samples from Western Desert Egypt. Different analytical techniques, including liquid chromatographic separation, gas chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), were used to characterize the oil samples. The oils were identified using oil characterization parameters including specific gravity (°API), sulfur content, distribution of n-alkanes, carbon preference index (CPI), pristane/phytane ratio, isoprenoid/n-alkane ratios, and detailed biological marker analysis. All these parameters showed that the studied oil samples are correlated with each other, where they are similar in their oil type maturation and source depositional environments.     

Modelling approaches for the estimation of irreducible water saturation and heterogeneities of the commercial Ashtart reservoir from the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia

Oil production based on reserves in place in the Ashtart oilfield required the precise knowledge of the main reservoir parameters including porosity, permeability and irreducible water saturation. The reservoir series is comprised of Nummulitid but heterogeneous limestones of the El Garia Formation, the petrofacies texture, geometry and petrophysical parameters of which were apprehended using seismic profiles; gamma-ray and sonic lateral logs, as well as cores and cuttings taken in drillwells. The evaluation of residual oil saturation, multiphase flow and oil production techniques from the Ashtart reservoir also depend on variations and zoning of the irreducible water saturation. Estimation of the initial water saturation and hence variations in the capillary pressure in the reservoir, required compilations of porosity data measured on cores, supplemented by additional but computed porosities based on acoustic log diagrams. Furthermore, Gamma Ray, Sonic log, and well to well correlations tied to core results and well cuttings, help recognize the layered lithologies within the El Garia flat lying but stratified, Ypresian in origin reservoir rocks. Abundant permeability and porosity values compiled in the light of seismic sequence and Gamma Ray and Sonic log details, were integrated in an empirical approach using the Leverett J function, to model the irreducible water saturation depending on the capillary pressure distribution in the whole reservoir. Variations of this principal hydraulic parameter in a wide range (S_wir: 12 to 40%) compared to the preceding lithostratigraphic, petrographical and petrophysical results help recognize four main rock pore types in the commercial Ashtart reservoir. These vary from (1) a zone with a rock pore type showing an irreducible water saturation as low as 12%, and a fairly good reservoir character in the lower third part of the lithologic column which is thought to channelize a multiphase fluid flow in the global oilfield, (2) to those zones built-up of rock pore types with higher initial water saturation amounts which in certain cases tend to indicate zones of degraded reservoir. Our study suggests that diagenesis prevalently controls porosity, due to operative dissolutions of the Nummulitid tests/bioclasts, and cementation; moreover, diagenesis exerts effects on permeability by interconnecting intergranular and intratest pore spaces. In contrast, microfracturing enhances permeability of the reservoir. This is notably the case in the fairly permeable central zone in the Ashtart reservoir with excellent petrophysical parameters, but which were found to degrade gradually towards its peripheries.     

Preparation of PbS thin films: A new electrochemical route for underpotential deposition

Nanostructured thin films of lead sulfide have been synthesized by a new electrochemical approach based on the underpotential deposition (UPD) of Pb and S from the saturated solution of PbS containing excess of PbS particles as a source of Pb²⁺ and S²⁻ at various temperatures.We have demonstrated that this new electrochemical route is a simple method with several advantages, including better control of the growth conditions and a one-step process to obtain the nanostructures of PbS. Scanning probe microscopy studies indicate that the growth of PbS nanofilms follows a two-dimensional layer-by-layer growth kinetics at the beginning of electrodeposition but a three-dimensional growth dominates after the formation of the first few layers. The results of morphological and structural investigations reveal that PbS nanostructures grown by this method are single-crystalline in cubic structure and have a preferential orientation along the [2 0 0] direction. The optical absorption spectra of PbS nanostructures show the blue-shift with respect to those of the bulk counterpart, which are attributed as quantum-size effect.     

Residues of lead,cadmium, mercury and tin in canned meat products from Egypt: an emphasis on permissible limits and sources of contamination

In an attempt to determine the residual levels of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and tin (Sn) in canned meat products marketed in Egypt, a total number of 160 random samples (40 each) of canned chicken luncheon (CCL), canned beef luncheon (CBL), canned frankfurter (CF) and canned corned beef (CCB) were randomly collected from different supermarkets in Egypt to be analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. From the obtained results, it was found that the mean values of residual levels of Pb in examined CCL, CBL, CF and CCB samples were 0.330, 0.224, 0.206 and 0.334 mg/kg, respectively, while those of Cd were 0.057, 0.053, 0.039 and 0.042 mg/kg, those of Hg were 0.387, 0.450, 0.402 and 0.332 mg/kg, and finally those of Sn were 2.061, 2.308, 0.755 and 1.997 mg/kg. The obtained results were compared with the permissible limits of heavy metals recommended by international and national authorities. In addition, the public health significance as well as the sources of contamination of canned meat products by heavy metals were addressed.     

Pomegranate peel phenolics: Microencapsulation,storage stability and potential ingredient for functional food development

In this study, we investigated the effects of microencapsulation conditions on product quality of pomegranate peel phenolics. Our results indicate an optimum air inlet temperature of 160 °C and 1/1 (w/w) or 1/3 (w/w) for phenolics/maltodextrin ratio. No differences were observed amongst the maltodextrins used for coatings. There were also no statistically significant differences in phenolic content of microcapsules for the storage periods of 90 days at 4 °C (p > 0.05). We also evaluated the resultant microencapsulated phenolics for enrichment of the functional properties of regular ice cream used as model food in our studies. Addition of pomegranate peel phenolics at 0.5 and 1.0% (w/w) showed significant improvement of the antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the enriched ice creams compared with control sample. Antioxidant activity as EC₅₀ and α-glucosidase inhibitory as IC₅₀ of 1.0% phenolic enriched ice creams were 133.3 and 22.9 μg/mL, respectively. More than 75% of the panellists accepted the phenolic enriched ice creams in sensory evaluation, which lends supports to such products for commercial introduction to the general public with the potential as functional foods.     

Effects of almond gum as texture and sensory quality improver in wheat bread

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of almond gum as dietary fibre source in enhancing the wheat bread quality. Different amounts of almond gum (2%, 5% and 10% (w/w)) were used in bread formulation. The volume, texture, crust and crumb colour, as well as the sensorial properties, were evaluated and compared to control (without almond gum). The obtained results showed that almond gum addition enhanced significantly the volume of bread. The highest volume was obtained using 2% almond gum concentration with 23.6% increase, compared to control. Using almond gum in bread formulation improved considerably its texture with a notable decrease in hardness by 61.7% and 42.5% when using 2% and 5% almond gum, respectively. The sensory analysis scores showed that the better overall acceptability was found for breads supplemented with 2% almond gum, as compared to control and breads supplemented with 5% or 10% almond gum.     

Anticonvulsant activity of furanocoumarins and the essential oil obtained from the fruits of Heracleum crenatifolium

The anticonvulsant activity of furanocoumarins, coumarin mixture and the essential oil obtained from the fruits of Heracleum crenatifolium was examined against maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizures in mice. Bergapten showed significant anticonvulsant activity. The furanocoumarins isolated from the fruits of the plant were identified using thin-layer chromatography, melting points and spectroscopic methods (IR, MS, ¹H NMR) as isobergapten (1), pimpinellin (2), bergapten (3), isopimpinellin (4), sphondin (5) and byak-angelicol (6). The essential oil content of the fruits were found as 5.5%. Twenty-two compounds representing 99.3% of the essential oil obtained from the fruits of H. crenatifolium were determined and the major components were identified as octanol and octyl acetate (3.1% and 88.4% respectively) by GC and GC–MS.     

Comparison of eluted monomer from different indirect and direct resin composites

Indirect resin composites used in indirect restorations have been used as alternative methods to avoid the negative effects of a direct application. The composition and structure of these are similar to a direct composite. Several authors have discussed the elution monomer from resin composites because it is a crucial factor in optimizing the physical properties and biocompatibility of resin composites. The aim of this study was to compare the elution of monomers from different resin composites using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Indirect composites including Signum, Gradia, and Solidex, and direct composite Filtek Ultimate were used. The samples (2 x 5 mm) were prepared and polymerized for 20 seconds with a light-emitting diode unit. A secondary curing was then applied to the indirect resin composites. After fabrication, each sample was immediately immersed in a 75 wt% ethanol/water solution and analyzed by HPLC. The obtained data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD (p < 0.05). Residual monomers were eluted from indirect and direct resin composites and the amount of eluted monomers increased over time. The highest mean concentrations of residual Bis-GMA, UDMA, TEGDMA, and HEMA were detected with the Filtek Ultimate (2,342 µM), Solidex (7,908 µM), Signum (2.8 µM), and Filtek Ultimate (9.7 µM), respectively. The highest amount of eluted monomer concentrations detected was viewed as critical for toxic reactions in human cells.     

Anticonvulsant Profiles of Certain New 6-Aryl-9-substituted-6,9-diazaspiro-[4.5]decane-8,10-diones and 1-Aryl-4-substituted-1,4-diazaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,5-diones

Synthesis and anticonvulsant potential of certain new 6-aryl-9-substituted-6,9-diazaspiro[4.5]decane-8,10-diones (6a–l) and 1-aryl-4-substituted-1,4-diazaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,5-diones (6m–x) are reported. The intermediates 1-[(aryl)(cyanomethyl)amino]cycloalkanecarboxamides (3a–f) were prepared via adopting Strecker synthesis on the proper cycloalkanone followed by partial hydrolysis of the obtained nitrile functionality and subsequent N-cyanomethylation. Compounds 3a–f were subjected to complete nitrile hydrolysis to give the respective carboxylic acid derivatives 4a–f which were cyclized under mild conditions to give the spiro compounds 5a–f. Ultimately, compounds 5a–f were alkylated or aralkylated to give the target compounds 6a–i and 6m–u. On the other hand, compounds 6j–l and 6v–x were synthesized from the intermediates 5a–f through alkylation, dehydration and finally tetrazole ring formation. Anticonvulsant screening of the target compounds 6a–x revealed that compound 6g showed an ED₅₀ of 0.0043 mmol/kg in the scPTZ screen, being about 14 and 214 fold more potent than the reference drugs, Phenobarbital (ED₅₀ = 0.06 mmol/kg) and Ethosuximide (ED₅₀ = 0.92 mmol/kg), respectively. Compound 6e exhibited an ED₅₀ of 0.019 mmol/kg, being about 1.8 fold more potent than that of the reference drug, Diphenylhydantoin (ED₅₀ = 0.034 mmol/kg) in the MES screen. Interestingly, all the test compounds 6a–x did not show any minimal motor impairment at the maximum administered dose in the neurotoxicity screen.