X-ray computed tomography (CT) and ESEM-EDS investigations of unusual subfossilized juniper cones

Mohamed, Wafaa A; Mansour, M. H.; Salem, M. H.; Ali, Hayssam M.; Böhm, Martin

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-01789-z

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 58 publications

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“…In the x, y, and z directions, the system had a low-contrast resolution of 2 mm at 0.3% and a high-contrast resolution of 0.35 mm. The following values were used: voltage 120 kV, current 150 mA, timing 15.819 s, and thickness 0.5 × 16 mm 2 [ 37 ] . The CT number, which is expressed by brightness data in an image, is based on linear X-ray absorption coefficients [ 38 ] .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term fungal inoculation of Ficus sycomorus and Tectona grandis woods with Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium chrysogenum

Mansour

Mohamed

El-Settawy

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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In the current study, two molds, Aspergillus flavus (ACC# LC325160) and Penicillium chrysogenum (ACC# LC325162) were inoculated into two types of wood to be examined using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX) and computerized tomography (CT) scanning. Ficus sycomorus, a non-durable wood, and Tectona grandis, a durable wood, were the two wood blocks chosen, and they were inoculated with the two molds and incubated for 36 months at an ambient temperature of 27 ± 2 °C and 70 ± 5% relative humidity (RH). The surface and a 5-mm depth of inoculated wood blocks were histologically evaluated using SEM and CT images. The results showed that A. flavus and P. chrysogenum grew enormously on and inside of F. sycomorus wood blocks, but T. grandis wood displayed resistance to mold growth. The atomic percentages of C declined from 61.69% (control) to 59.33% in F. sycomorus wood samples inoculated with A. flavus while O increased from 37.81 to 39.59%. P. chrysogenum caused the C and O atomic percentages in F. sycomorus wood to drop to 58.43%, and 26.34%, respectively. C with atomic percentages in Teak wood’s C content fell from 70.85 to 54.16%, and 40.89%, after being inoculated with A. flavus and P. chrysogenum. The O atomic percentage rose from 28.78 to 45.19% and 52.43%, when inoculated with A. flavus and P. chrysogenum, respectively. Depending on how durable each wood was, The examined fungi were able to attack the two distinct types of wood in various deterioration patterns. T. grandis wood overtaken by the two molds under study appears to be a useful material for a variety of uses.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long-term fungal inoculation of Ficus sycomorus and Tectona grandis woods with Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium chrysogenum

Mansour

Mohamed

El-Settawy

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Characterization of Two Historical Postage Stamps Made from Cotton Fibers and Their Restoration Trials Based on the Experimental Studies

Mansour

Zidan

Hakim

et al. 2021

Journal of Chemistry

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Ancient stamps are suffering from the destructive effects of different kinds of inks that were prepared from different ingredients. Two Egyptian historical postage stamps printed in blue and red printing inks were evaluated and examined for their composition using a light microscope, SEM-EDS, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopic analyses. Mechanical, chemical, and deacidification treatments were done for the two stamps. Model stamps were made from the cotton pulp in the book house to simulate historical stamp paper with an average thickness of 11 microns. The unprinted and printed paper samples with printing inks that aged and unaged were treated with 0.7% Klucel G, 0.2% TiO2 NP, or a mixture of 0.7% Klucel G + 0.2% TiO2 NP, and the color change was measured and compared with the blank samples. The two stamps are suffering from high pH, where the margin color of the stamps changed to yellow-brown with weakness of the stamp paper. By SEM examination, stamps have suffered from fibers’ weakness and dryness resulting from the self-oxidation reactions. EDS elemental composition of the red stamp showed the presence of C, O, Na, Al, Si, Mg, S, Ca, Ba, and Fe, while in the blue stamp, it was C, O, Na, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, and Ca. Raman spectrometer wavelengths turn out that the blueprinting ink of the stamp was characterized with spectra of ultramarine blue (lazurite), while hematite was characterized by the red stamp. FTIR analysis for the printing inks identified that gum Arabic sample and linseed oil were the binding and color medium, respectively. From the model trials, it was observed that the treatment of a mixture of Klucel G and TiO2 NP had the best properties for the consolidation of stamps. The two historical stamps were documented through different spectroscopic analyses, and from the restoration trials, it was observed that the mixture of 7% Klucel G + 0.2% TiO2 NP appeared to be a new and effective method for recovering the historical postage stamps.

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Biology and ecology of Juniperus drupacea Labill.

Boratyński¹,

Dönmez²,

Kharrat³

et al. 2023

Dendrobiology

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This literature review focuses on the biology and ecology of Juniperus drupacea. Within the context of the series ‘Our Forest Trees’ by the Institute of Dendrology PAS at Kórnik, the following key topics are discussed: taxonomy with paleo-records, morphology, anatomy, geographical distribution, ecology (including habitat, communities, response to biotic factors and the environment, and phenology), disease, and conservation. Juniperus drupacea, also known as the Syrian juniper, is a dioecious evergreen gymnosperm found primarily in two distribution centers: one in the southern Peloponnese in Europe and the other in the mountains along the Mediterranean Sea in Southwest Asia. The populations from Europe and Asia differ genetically, biochemically, and morphologically. Juniperus drupacea is a medium-sized tree occurring in mountains, predominantly at elevations of 800–1400 m, on basic to moderately alkaline soils and even on calcareous rock. It is a component of fir, pine, cedar, and sometimes also juniper forest, rarely entering maquis. As with other junipers, it is a light-demanding, moderately frost- and drought-resistant, sometimes acting as an invader of abandoned fields and pastures. It is rarely grazed by goats. Its low palatability is a result of the high content of volatile oils in the needles and cones. The volatile oils have been extensively used in folk medicine and have been investigated for new medicinal uses. The species is rare, endangered and protected in Greece, parts of Turkey and Lebanon. Its ecological niche could potentially be reduced by global climate change.

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X-ray computed tomography (CT) and ESEM-EDS investigations of unusual subfossilized juniper cones

Cited by 3 publications

References 58 publications

Long-term fungal inoculation of Ficus sycomorus and Tectona grandis woods with Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium chrysogenum

Long-term fungal inoculation of Ficus sycomorus and Tectona grandis woods with Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium chrysogenum

Characterization of Two Historical Postage Stamps Made from Cotton Fibers and Their Restoration Trials Based on the Experimental Studies

Biology and ecology of Juniperus drupacea Labill.

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