Radioactivity concentrations in topsoil samples from the Thrace region of Turkey and assessment of radiological hazard

The activity concentrations of gamma emitting radionuclides were measured in surface soil samples from the Thrace region. ²³²Th, ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs activities and physico-chemical parameters of the soil samples were determined in samples collected from 73 sampling stations. Radionuclide concentrations measured were compared with those found in the samples from other locations of Turkey and from different countries. The average activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K and ¹³⁷Cs were found to be 24.71 ± 8.79, 22.30 ± 7.93, 32.09±12.44, 509.00±160.05, 32.74±29.24 Bq kg^?1, respectively. The mean value of the annual effective dose equivalent from the outdoor terrestrial gamma radiation was calculated as 57.2 μ Sv.     

Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) for the Isolation of Antioxidants from Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) by Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Abstract

The recovery of antioxidants from basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) was modeled with the aid of response surface methodology (RSM) using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Face-centered central design (FCCD) was employed to optimize the MAE operational parameters including the extraction time (1 to 7?min), extraction temperature (30 to 120?°C), solid-to-solvent ratio (0.1 to 0.4), and solvent concentration (20 to 80% ethanol, v/v), and to obtain the best possible combinations of these parameters for a high antioxidant yield from basil. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was expressed in trolox (TR) equivalents per gram of dried sample (DS). Three of the operational parameters (temperature, extraction time and solvent concentration) were shown to have significant effect on the extraction efficiency of antioxidants in basil extracts (p?<?0.05). The solvent concentration was shown to be the most significant factor on antioxidant yield obtained by MAE. There was a close relationship between experimental and predicted values using the proposed method. This optimized MAE method shows an application potential for the efficient extraction of antioxidants from basil in the food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Systematic Modulation of Thiol Functionalities in Inexpensive Porous Polymers for Effective Mercury Removal

Through accumulation, mercury contamination in aquatic systems still poses serious health risks despite the strict regulations on drinking water and industrial discharge. One effective strategy against this is adsorptive removal, in which a suitably functionalized porous material is added to water treatment protocols. Thiol (SH) group-grafted structures perform commendably; however, insufficient attention is paid to the cost, scalability, and reusability or how the arrangement of sulfur atoms could affect the Hg^II binding strength. We used an inexpensive and scalable porous covalent organic polymer (COP-130) to systematically introduce thiol functional groups with precise chain lengths and sulfur content. Thiol-functionalized COP-130 demonstrates enhanced wettability and excellent Hg^II uptake of up to 936 mg g⁻¹, with fast kinetics and exceptionally high selectivity. These Hg adsorbents are easily regenerated with HCl and can be used at least six times without loss of capacity even after treatment with strong acid, a rare performance in the domain of Hg-removal research.     

A unified model for electrostatic sensors in fluid media

Nonlinear Dynamics - We present a unified model of electrostatic sensors comprising cantilever microbeam resonators in fluid media. The model couples Euler–Bernoulli beam equation to the...     

Determination of direct violet 51 dye in water based on its decolorisation by electrochemical treatment

The decolorisation process of a synthetic textile dye, direct violet 51, was investigated in an aqueous solution using an electrochemical method in a batch electrochemical cell. Graphite electrodes were used as the anode and cathode for the decolorisation process. The parameters such as applied current, initial pH, solution conductivity, interfering ions, and effect of electrodes were optimised. It was found that the dye with an initial concentration of 20 mg L^?1 could be removed after 50 min using a current of 100 mA with colour removal of up to 94 %. The UV-VIS spectra of the dye were analysed prior to and after treatment and these confirmed that the conjugated systems were decomposed at a current of 100 mA. The optimised method was successfully applied to real wastewater samples.     

Crystal structure and computational studies of (E)-1-(benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)-N-(4-ethoxyphenyl)methanimine

Crystallography Reports - The title compound, C17H15NOS, crystallizes in the orthorhombic sp. gr. Pca21. Two molecules in the asymmetric unit have similar structure. Crystal structure contains weak...     

Synthesis of Cycloalk[b]indole Bearing Spiropiperidine Derivatives

The novel heterocyclic compounds that have cycloalk[b]indole moiety bearing spiropiperidinone and spiropiperidinedione ( 3a , 3b , 3c , 5a , 5b , 8a , 8b , and 10a ) were synthesized for the first time. The synthesis of spiropiperidinone and spiropiperidinedione structures was performed by a new method. These compounds are similar to sedative and hypnotic drugs such as methyprylon, glutethimide, and thalidomide.