Judicious selection of landfill allocation is crucial since inappropriate dumping of wastes can negatively impact human health and degrade the ecosystem.Therefore,this survey presents an integration multi-criteria dec...Judicious selection of landfill allocation is crucial since inappropriate dumping of wastes can negatively impact human health and degrade the ecosystem.Therefore,this survey presents an integration multi-criteria decision approach with the geographic information system for re-evaluating the pending hazardous landfill in Jradou,Tunisia,considering the conflict with neighboring inhabitants.The study involved twelve constraints and eight factors relevant to environmental and socio-economic challenges based on international works,guidelines of the country’s legislation,and an assessment questionnaire on the landfill suitability map.The Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP)apportioned weights to criteria,and a Weighted Linear Combination(WLC)approach generated landfill suitability maps(LSM).Afterward,the produced LSM revealed that 2%(8.46km²)of the land was classified as very high,followed by 48%(203.04km²)as high,25%(105.75km²)as moderate,10%(42.3km²)as low,and the remaining 15%(63.45km²)as very low suitable.Furthermore,the operating hazardous waste landfill of Jradou falls within unsuitable areas,inflicting severe harm on the neighboring.The pending hazardous landfill of Jradou should be closed,and a new site must be identified.Conversely,the highly suitable classes are further identified in(1)the Eastern part of the study area,near Ouled ben Amara,and(2)the Northern part of Zaghouan,at 2 km north of Smenja,for potential future hazardous waste landfills.Consequently,governments and relevant stakeholders should investigate these zones to locate new landfills.展开更多
Objective This research aimed to evaluate the protective effects of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins present in four species extracted with methanol. Methods The total phenolic conte...Objective This research aimed to evaluate the protective effects of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins present in four species extracted with methanol. Methods The total phenolic content of the methanolic extracts was measured spectrophotometrically. The effect of the extracts on cell viability in U266 cells was measured. The effects of extracts on free radical scavenging were assessed by the DPPH test and FRAP assay. Antibacterial effects of the natural products in this report were investigated by using the disc diffusion method. Results Our results clearly demonstrated that the methanolic extracts were characterized by a high amount of phenolic compounds. It has been speculated that ME-TA and ME-TAl exhibit a significant(P < 0.05) and dose-dependent antiradical potential. The exposure of cells to high doses of extracts almost completely suppressed cell growth in vitro. ME-TA and ME-TAl showed significant cytotoxic effects at a concentration of 100 μg/mL in the U266 cell line. ME-TAl and ME-CF inhibited the growth of B. subtilis and S. aureus, respectively, to the same extent as 10 μg/μL of chloramphenicol at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. Conclusion Overall, these results suggest that plants used in traditional medicine have a novel application as free radical scavengers, bacterial inhibitors and tumor suppressors.展开更多
The nacrite-LiCl hybrid composite material was prepared at room temperature by indirect inter-calation of lithium chloride between the planar layers of nacrite, a clay mineral, using acetone as a solvent. The structur...The nacrite-LiCl hybrid composite material was prepared at room temperature by indirect inter-calation of lithium chloride between the planar layers of nacrite, a clay mineral, using acetone as a solvent. The structural identification of the hybrid clay material was determined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The qualitative XRD analysis showed that the basal spacing value increased from 0.72 nm to 1.14 nm and revealed that the alkali halide intercalated successfully in the interlayer space of the nacrite framework. The quantitative XRD analysis allowed us to determine the optimum structural parameters related to the position and number of keyed ions and water molecules per half unit cell calculated along the c* axis and the goodness of fit parameter (Rp). The thermal properties of the elaborated hybrid were in great accordance with the XRD study and confirm the intercalation of the hydrated salt in the interlamellar space of nacrite. Moreover, IR spectroscopy enabled the study of the interactions between the silicate ‘‘networks’’ and the alkali halide.展开更多
The Ain El Bey abandoned mine, in North-West Tunisia, fits into the geodynamic context of the European and African plate boundary. Ore deposit corresponds to veins and breccia of multiphase Cu–Fe-rich mineralization ...The Ain El Bey abandoned mine, in North-West Tunisia, fits into the geodynamic context of the European and African plate boundary. Ore deposit corresponds to veins and breccia of multiphase Cu–Fe-rich mineralization related to various hydrothermal fluid circulations. Petromineralogical studies indicate a rich mineral paragenesis with a minimum of seven mineralization phases and, at least, six pyrite generations. As is also the case for galena and native silver, native gold is observed for the first time as inclusion in quartz which opens up, thus, new perspectives for prospecting and evaluating the potential for noble metals associated with the mineralization. Scanning Electron Microscope--Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy analyses show, in addition, a large incorporation of trace elements, including Ag and Au, in mineral structures such as fahlores(tetrahedrite-tennantite) and chalcopyrite ones. The mineral/mineral associations, used as geothermometers, gave estimated temperatures for the mineralizing fluids varying from 254 to 330 ℃ for phase Ⅲ, from 254 to 350 ℃ for phase Ⅳ, and from 200 to 300 ℃ for phases Ⅴ and Ⅵ. The seventh and last identified mineralization phase, marked by a deposit of native gold, reflects a drop in the mineralizing fluid’s temperature(< 200 ℃) compatible with boiling conditions. Such results open up perspectives for the development of precious metal research and the revaluation of the Cu–Fe ore deposit at the Ain El Bey abandoned mine, as well as at the surrounding areas fitting in the geodynamic framework of the Africa-Europe plate boundary.展开更多
Keying of lithium chloride alkali halide salt into the interlamellar space of nacrite clay mineral leads to a stable hybrid material that after calcination under inert atmosphere at 723 - 873 K induces an amorphous me...Keying of lithium chloride alkali halide salt into the interlamellar space of nacrite clay mineral leads to a stable hybrid material that after calcination under inert atmosphere at 723 - 873 K induces an amorphous metahybrid. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed to investigate the electric/dielectric properties of the hybrid with various parameters: frequency and temperature. Equivalent circuit was proposed to fit the EIS data. The experiment results show that the ionic conduction mechanism is related to the motion of Li+ cations which are thermally activated, named the hopping model. Furthermore, the resulting metahybrid obtained from dehydroxylation of the formal hybrid shows a superionic behavior with high ionic conductivity up to 10﹣2 S·m﹣1, good electrochemical stability and can be used as a solid electrolyte material for Li-ion batteries.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate how DNA fragmentation index(DFI)and chromatin denaturation index(CDI)relate to semen parameters across different types of male infertility,thereby improving the understanding and assessment of sp...Objective:To evaluate how DNA fragmentation index(DFI)and chromatin denaturation index(CDI)relate to semen parameters across different types of male infertility,thereby improving the understanding and assessment of sperm quality.Methods:A prospective and descriptive cohort study was conducted over two years at the Integrated Physiology Laboratory of the University of Carthage in collaboration with the Alyssa Fertility Group,Tunisia.A total of 163 participants were classified into five groups based on their semen parameters:normozoospermia,oligozoospermia,asthenozoospermia,teratozoospermia,and oligoastheno-teratozoospermia.The normozoospermia group was selected from volunteers who had children.Semen samples were analyzed according to WHO guidelines.DFI was measured using Halosperm®and CDI was tested using aniline blue staining.Results:Both DFI and CDI were significantly higher in all infertility groups,with the oligozoospermia group showing the highest DFI and CDI.Negative correlations were found between DFI/CDI and sperm motility,concentration,and morphology in the affected groups.The normozoospermia group served as a control with the lowest DFI and CDI values.Conclusions:DFI and CDI are increasingly recognized as important biomarkers for evaluating sperm quality in cases of male infertility.Their elevated levels in patients with oligozoospermia,asthenozoospermia,teratozoospermia,and oligo-asthenoteratozoospermia underscore their potential role in not only diagnosing male infertility but also in assessing the overall reproductive outcomes for affected individuals,thus guiding more effective treatment strategies.展开更多
To improve food quality, the use of olive leaf extracts has been an emergent strategy that needs to be study in different scenarios. Certain local olive varieties are waiting to be discovered as potential by-product s...To improve food quality, the use of olive leaf extracts has been an emergent strategy that needs to be study in different scenarios. Certain local olive varieties are waiting to be discovered as potential by-product sources, in which a Tunisian variety named ‘Chetoui’ can be pointed out. The use of this variety at different tree ages to elaborate olive leaf extracts (OLE) in different solvents has been the main procedure to study during this assay. Different OLE concentrations were prepared in order to evaluate its effect in contaminants such as acrylamide. Adult ‘Chetoui’ OLE presented a richer phenolic content that is younger homonym. Principal phenols like hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein and luteolin-7-O-gluvoside presented higher levels for both tree ages. In terms of extractants, the most effective was Methanol, having concentrations for oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and Luteolin-7-O-glucoside of 175331, 32433 and 10688 mg 100 g^(−1) respectively. Hexane was the least successful solvent, having no concentration for plenty of the phenols. Acrylamide concentration was deeply affected for the OLE presence for every extract concentration, being OLE (1:10) and OLE (1:10 + HTy) the additions with a better performance followed by OLE (1:100). A sensory analysis was performed finding out that OLE (1:100) was the most appealing for the consumer when adding it to table olives. The current research attempts to discover new applications for local varieties, using by-products to enhance oxidized black table olives added value. Finally, market products would become healthier, safer and with better quality to be released in the food industry.展开更多
基金This research was supported by Researchers Supporting Project number(RSP2025R425),King Saud University,Riyadh,Saudi Arabia.
文摘Judicious selection of landfill allocation is crucial since inappropriate dumping of wastes can negatively impact human health and degrade the ecosystem.Therefore,this survey presents an integration multi-criteria decision approach with the geographic information system for re-evaluating the pending hazardous landfill in Jradou,Tunisia,considering the conflict with neighboring inhabitants.The study involved twelve constraints and eight factors relevant to environmental and socio-economic challenges based on international works,guidelines of the country’s legislation,and an assessment questionnaire on the landfill suitability map.The Analytic Hierarchy Process(AHP)apportioned weights to criteria,and a Weighted Linear Combination(WLC)approach generated landfill suitability maps(LSM).Afterward,the produced LSM revealed that 2%(8.46km²)of the land was classified as very high,followed by 48%(203.04km²)as high,25%(105.75km²)as moderate,10%(42.3km²)as low,and the remaining 15%(63.45km²)as very low suitable.Furthermore,the operating hazardous waste landfill of Jradou falls within unsuitable areas,inflicting severe harm on the neighboring.The pending hazardous landfill of Jradou should be closed,and a new site must be identified.Conversely,the highly suitable classes are further identified in(1)the Eastern part of the study area,near Ouled ben Amara,and(2)the Northern part of Zaghouan,at 2 km north of Smenja,for potential future hazardous waste landfills.Consequently,governments and relevant stakeholders should investigate these zones to locate new landfills.
文摘Objective This research aimed to evaluate the protective effects of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins present in four species extracted with methanol. Methods The total phenolic content of the methanolic extracts was measured spectrophotometrically. The effect of the extracts on cell viability in U266 cells was measured. The effects of extracts on free radical scavenging were assessed by the DPPH test and FRAP assay. Antibacterial effects of the natural products in this report were investigated by using the disc diffusion method. Results Our results clearly demonstrated that the methanolic extracts were characterized by a high amount of phenolic compounds. It has been speculated that ME-TA and ME-TAl exhibit a significant(P < 0.05) and dose-dependent antiradical potential. The exposure of cells to high doses of extracts almost completely suppressed cell growth in vitro. ME-TA and ME-TAl showed significant cytotoxic effects at a concentration of 100 μg/mL in the U266 cell line. ME-TAl and ME-CF inhibited the growth of B. subtilis and S. aureus, respectively, to the same extent as 10 μg/μL of chloramphenicol at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. Conclusion Overall, these results suggest that plants used in traditional medicine have a novel application as free radical scavengers, bacterial inhibitors and tumor suppressors.
文摘The nacrite-LiCl hybrid composite material was prepared at room temperature by indirect inter-calation of lithium chloride between the planar layers of nacrite, a clay mineral, using acetone as a solvent. The structural identification of the hybrid clay material was determined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). The qualitative XRD analysis showed that the basal spacing value increased from 0.72 nm to 1.14 nm and revealed that the alkali halide intercalated successfully in the interlayer space of the nacrite framework. The quantitative XRD analysis allowed us to determine the optimum structural parameters related to the position and number of keyed ions and water molecules per half unit cell calculated along the c* axis and the goodness of fit parameter (Rp). The thermal properties of the elaborated hybrid were in great accordance with the XRD study and confirm the intercalation of the hydrated salt in the interlamellar space of nacrite. Moreover, IR spectroscopy enabled the study of the interactions between the silicate ‘‘networks’’ and the alkali halide.
基金funded by the “Laboratoire de Recherche Ressources, Matériaux et Ecosystémes”, University of Carthage 7021 Zarzouna, Bizerte, Tunisia
文摘The Ain El Bey abandoned mine, in North-West Tunisia, fits into the geodynamic context of the European and African plate boundary. Ore deposit corresponds to veins and breccia of multiphase Cu–Fe-rich mineralization related to various hydrothermal fluid circulations. Petromineralogical studies indicate a rich mineral paragenesis with a minimum of seven mineralization phases and, at least, six pyrite generations. As is also the case for galena and native silver, native gold is observed for the first time as inclusion in quartz which opens up, thus, new perspectives for prospecting and evaluating the potential for noble metals associated with the mineralization. Scanning Electron Microscope--Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy analyses show, in addition, a large incorporation of trace elements, including Ag and Au, in mineral structures such as fahlores(tetrahedrite-tennantite) and chalcopyrite ones. The mineral/mineral associations, used as geothermometers, gave estimated temperatures for the mineralizing fluids varying from 254 to 330 ℃ for phase Ⅲ, from 254 to 350 ℃ for phase Ⅳ, and from 200 to 300 ℃ for phases Ⅴ and Ⅵ. The seventh and last identified mineralization phase, marked by a deposit of native gold, reflects a drop in the mineralizing fluid’s temperature(< 200 ℃) compatible with boiling conditions. Such results open up perspectives for the development of precious metal research and the revaluation of the Cu–Fe ore deposit at the Ain El Bey abandoned mine, as well as at the surrounding areas fitting in the geodynamic framework of the Africa-Europe plate boundary.
文摘Keying of lithium chloride alkali halide salt into the interlamellar space of nacrite clay mineral leads to a stable hybrid material that after calcination under inert atmosphere at 723 - 873 K induces an amorphous metahybrid. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed to investigate the electric/dielectric properties of the hybrid with various parameters: frequency and temperature. Equivalent circuit was proposed to fit the EIS data. The experiment results show that the ionic conduction mechanism is related to the motion of Li+ cations which are thermally activated, named the hopping model. Furthermore, the resulting metahybrid obtained from dehydroxylation of the formal hybrid shows a superionic behavior with high ionic conductivity up to 10﹣2 S·m﹣1, good electrochemical stability and can be used as a solid electrolyte material for Li-ion batteries.
文摘Objective:To evaluate how DNA fragmentation index(DFI)and chromatin denaturation index(CDI)relate to semen parameters across different types of male infertility,thereby improving the understanding and assessment of sperm quality.Methods:A prospective and descriptive cohort study was conducted over two years at the Integrated Physiology Laboratory of the University of Carthage in collaboration with the Alyssa Fertility Group,Tunisia.A total of 163 participants were classified into five groups based on their semen parameters:normozoospermia,oligozoospermia,asthenozoospermia,teratozoospermia,and oligoastheno-teratozoospermia.The normozoospermia group was selected from volunteers who had children.Semen samples were analyzed according to WHO guidelines.DFI was measured using Halosperm®and CDI was tested using aniline blue staining.Results:Both DFI and CDI were significantly higher in all infertility groups,with the oligozoospermia group showing the highest DFI and CDI.Negative correlations were found between DFI/CDI and sperm motility,concentration,and morphology in the affected groups.The normozoospermia group served as a control with the lowest DFI and CDI values.Conclusions:DFI and CDI are increasingly recognized as important biomarkers for evaluating sperm quality in cases of male infertility.Their elevated levels in patients with oligozoospermia,asthenozoospermia,teratozoospermia,and oligo-asthenoteratozoospermia underscore their potential role in not only diagnosing male infertility but also in assessing the overall reproductive outcomes for affected individuals,thus guiding more effective treatment strategies.
基金financial support from the Junta de Extremadura(project IB21121)which is co-funded by the European Regional Development FundFurthermore,this work has been supported by Junta de Extremadura with the following projects:i)GR21121,and ii)“Garantía Juvenil”contract(TE-0078-19).
文摘To improve food quality, the use of olive leaf extracts has been an emergent strategy that needs to be study in different scenarios. Certain local olive varieties are waiting to be discovered as potential by-product sources, in which a Tunisian variety named ‘Chetoui’ can be pointed out. The use of this variety at different tree ages to elaborate olive leaf extracts (OLE) in different solvents has been the main procedure to study during this assay. Different OLE concentrations were prepared in order to evaluate its effect in contaminants such as acrylamide. Adult ‘Chetoui’ OLE presented a richer phenolic content that is younger homonym. Principal phenols like hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleuropein and luteolin-7-O-gluvoside presented higher levels for both tree ages. In terms of extractants, the most effective was Methanol, having concentrations for oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and Luteolin-7-O-glucoside of 175331, 32433 and 10688 mg 100 g^(−1) respectively. Hexane was the least successful solvent, having no concentration for plenty of the phenols. Acrylamide concentration was deeply affected for the OLE presence for every extract concentration, being OLE (1:10) and OLE (1:10 + HTy) the additions with a better performance followed by OLE (1:100). A sensory analysis was performed finding out that OLE (1:100) was the most appealing for the consumer when adding it to table olives. The current research attempts to discover new applications for local varieties, using by-products to enhance oxidized black table olives added value. Finally, market products would become healthier, safer and with better quality to be released in the food industry.
