Application of X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to provenance studies of Algerian archaeological pottery

The North African regions boast a multimillenary tradition of pottery production that represents a decisive progress in all societies. In this paper, we present the analysis of several fragments of pottery dating from the Middle Ages and collected in the archaeological site of Gouraya in Béjaïa (Algeria). Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence measurements were performed to obtain the elemental composition of the clays and to attempt a classification of the samples through multivariate analysis methods, connecting them to the archaeological information about the sites. Hierarchical clusters analysis (HCA) identified two possible different groups, related to different production sites, even if only one source of clay seem to be used, consistently with the geological contest. Based on the results, a tentative provenance interpretation could be proposed on historical bases. We put in place a strategy that made it possible to perform provenance studies respecting sample integrity as we aim to extend our research also to integer and well-preserved object from museum, to create a database for Algerian production of in the Middle Ages.     

Rheological studies and optimization of Herschel–Bulkley parameters of an environmentally friendly drilling fluid using genetic algorithm

The Herschel–Bulkley rheological parameters of an environmentally friendly drilling fluid formulated based on an Algerian bentonite and two polymers—hydroxyethyl cellulose and polyethylene glycol—have been optimized using a genetic algorithm. The effect of hydroxyethyl cellulose, temperature, pH and sodium chloride (NaCl) on the three-parameter Herschel-Bulkley model was also studied. The genetic algorithm technique provided improved rheological parameter characterization compared to the nonlinear regression, especially in the case of drilling fluids formulated with sodium chloride making it a better choice. Furthermore, the oscillatory test offered more reliable yield stress values. The rheological parameters were found to be very sensitive to different conditions. Yield stress and consistency index increased with increasing the hydroxyethyl cellulose concentration, reaching maximum at a temperature of 65 °C and decreased with decreasing pH and also when adding sodium chloride to the drilling fluid. The flow index changed inversely to yield stress and consistency index. The physical origins of these changes in rheological parameters were discussed and correlation between variation in rheological parameters and bentonite suspension properties were concluded. Based on these results, it is recommended to use the proposed formulation of drilling fluid at high temperature and when the formation of alkaline pH is encountered due to the gelation mechanism and to select the optimum concentration of NaCl to avoid degradation of the rheological parameters.

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Nonlinear localized dust acoustic waves in a charge varying dusty plasma with trapped ions

The problem of nonlinear variable charge dust acoustic waves in a dusty plasma with trapped ions is revisited. The correct non-isothermal ion charging current is presented for the first time based on the orbit motion limited (OML) approach. The variable dust charge is then expressed in terms of the Lambert function and we take advantage of this new transcendental function to investigate nonlinear localized dust acoustic waves in a charge varying dusty plasma with trapped ions more rigorously.     

Erratum to: Synthesis,X-ray structure and theoretical study of benzazole thioether and its zinc complex as corrosion inhibitors for steel in acidic medium

Research on Chemical Intermediates -     

A Convenient and efficient method for the preparation of 6-Acyl-2(3H)-benzoxazolones

Benzoxazolinone derivatives have been found to exhibit various pharmacological properties and 6-acyl-2(3H)-benzoxazolones are considered as key starting materials for the preparation of these compounds. Reported here are the optimal conditions for a regioselective acylation at the 6-position of the benzoxazolinone ring. A general method leading to the expected products in excellent yields consists in using a mixture of aluminum chloride-dimethylformamide as catalyst and acid anhydrides or chlorides as acylating agents.     

Low-Temperature Synthesis of Nanosize Zn2SiO4:Mn2+ Phosphor from the Precursor Sol in Supercritical Ethanol and its Photoluminescent Properties

Acetylcellulose (AC)/silica and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/silica composites were prepared by the sol–gel method from Si(OCH₃)₄-AC-HNO₃-H₂O-tetrahydrofuran-CH₃OC₂H₄OH and Si(OCH₃)₄-PVP-(CH₃COOH or NH₃)-H₂O-CH₃OH-CH₃OC₂H₄OH solutions. AC/silica composites were composed of micrometer-sized particles rich in silica and a matrix rich in AC, while PVP/silica composites were single-phase on the SEM length scale. The AC/silica composites exhibited elastic-plastic behavior, and had excellent machinability without chipping on cutting with an electric saw while the PVP/silica composites showed less plasticity and machinability. Youngs modulus and bending strength were increased by post-drying, 1.8–2.8 GPa and 49–88 MPa, respectively, for the AC/silica composites, and 1.0–3.9 GPa and 17–79 MPa, respectively, for the PVP/silica composites.     

Senecipyrrolidine,an unusual pyrrolidine alkaloid isolated from Jacobaea gigantea (Desf.) Pelser (Asteraceae)

Alkaloids and phenolic compounds are among the most biologically active natural products from the Jacobaea/Senecio genera (Asteraceae). To isolate original natural products directly from Jacobaea gigantea crude polar extracts, centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) was used. Previously, we reported the phytochemical study of J. gigantea (syn. Senecio giganteus) n-butanol extract using various classical chromatographical techniques combined with CPC. Herein major constituents from the J. gigantea crude ethyl acetate extract and further compounds from the n-butanol extract were purified in only one step using this technique. A new pyrrolidine alkaloid, named senecipyrrolidine was isolated along with thirteen known compounds – chiro-inositol, three phenolic acids, six flavonoids, two quinones and emiline, another pyrrolidine alkaloid – from crude n-butanol or ethyl acetate extracts. Pyrrolidine alkaloids were isolated for the first time in the Jacobaea/Senecio genera and were probably biogenetically related to the two isolated quinones derivatives jacaranone and 3a-hydroxy-3,3a,7,7a-tetrahydrobenzofuran-2,6-dione, isolated in this species.