An investigation of the biogeochemistry of the uranium radionuclide in the munitions testing contaminated soil of Kirkcudbright, New Galloway, SW Scotland

The understanding of the bio-geochemical behavior of the uranium radionuclides in the environmental matrices is crucial for the health safety point of view. The research was carried out in munitions testing sites New Golloway (SW) of Scotland at the Dunderann firing range which is contaminated with depleted uranium and site is particularly important because it provides a controlled environment for the investigation of post depositional association of Depleted Uranium (DU) in contaminated soils. This study used the modified BCR sequential extraction method to investigates the association of DU in at the different sampling location and in a control soil and were followed by elemental analysis using inductively coupled-optical Emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES).The Certified Reference Material (CRM) were used for the validation of the concentration. The concentrations of (Bureau of Reference) BCR-extracted Uranium (U) were in the range of 4–40 (±13.2) mg kg⁻¹ for the DU-contaminated sites whilst U was barely detectable in the soil from the control site (Rebury Gun) RGW. With the exception of RGH and RGW, the values for BCR-extracted U compared well with those obtained using Aqaua-regia. The obtained result showed that the maximum Uranium deposition is at RGE and it is 20 mg kg⁻¹ before hitting the target, the 6 mg kg⁻¹ at RGH and minimum is at RGG and RGW control site.     

Schwinger representation for the symmetric group: Two explicit constructions for the carrier space

We give two explicit constructions for the carrier space for the Schwinger representation of the group Sn. While the first relies on a class of functions consisting of monomials in antisymmetric variables, the second is based on the Fock space associated with the Greenberg algebra.     

Synthesis of Benzofuran Derivatives: One Pot Synthesis of 2(3H) Benzofuranones

Phenols are condensed with cinnamic acids in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid to give high yields of the corresponding 2(3H) benzofuranones.     

Ferulic Acid: A Natural Phenol That Inhibits Neoplastic Events through Modulation of Oncogenic Signaling

Despite the immense therapeutic advances in the field of health sciences, cancer is still to be found among the global leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Ethnomedicinally, natural bioactive compounds isolated from various plant sources have been used for the treatment of several cancer types and have gained notable attention. Ferulic acid, a natural compound derived from various seeds, nuts, leaves, and fruits, exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects in cancer, including its proapoptotic, cell-cycle-arresting, anti-metastatic, and anti-inflammatory activities. This review study presents a thorough overview of the molecular targets and cellular signaling pathways modulated by ferulic acid in diverse malignancies, showing high potential for this phenolic acid to be developed as a candidate agent for novel anticancer therapeutics. In addition, current investigations to develop promising synergistic formulations are also discussed.     

From Linear to Angular Isomers: Achieving Tunable Charge Transport in Single‐Crystal Indolocarbazoles Through Delicate Synergetic CH/NH⋅⋅⋅π Interactions

Weak intermolecular interaction in organic semiconducting molecular crystals plays an important role in molecular packing and electronic properties. Here, four five‐ring‐fused isomers were rationally designed and synthesized to investigate the isomeric influence of linear and angular shapes in affecting their molecular packing and resultant electronic properties. Single‐crystal field‐effect transistors showed mobility order of 5,7‐ICZ (3.61 cm² V^?1 s^?1) >5,11‐ICZ (0.55 cm² V^?1 s^?1) >11,12‐ICZ (ca. 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1) and 5,12‐ICZ (ca. 10^?6 cm² V^?1 s^?1). Theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) and polaron transport model revealed that 5,7‐ICZ can reach higher mobilities than the others thanks to relatively higher hole transfer integral that links to stronger intermolecular interaction due to the presence of multiple NH???π and CH???π(py) interactions with energy close to common NH???N hydrogen bonds, as well as overall lower hole‐vibrational coupling owing to the absence of coupling of holes to low frequency modes due to better π conjugation.     

An X-band time domain electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer

A computer-controlled X-band time domain electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometer, with a time resolution of the order of 0.5μsec, has been constructed with many of the crucial microwave components designed and fabricated by the Microwave Engineering Group of TIFR. The spectrometer operates either in a microwave power pulsed mode for determination of spin-lattice relaxation times by the saturation recovery technique or in the kinetic mode for determination of the time dependence of EPR signal after laser excitation. It has an automatic frequency control, an automatic phase control and, most importantly, a field-frequency lock which ensures good stability of the EPR line positions enabling signal averaging for extended periods. The constructional details of the spectrometer and its performance in both the modes are described here by reporting results on certain typical systems.     

Random-walk theory for localization

A continuous-time random-walk theory has been developed for Anderson localization. On a continuous time scale random walks are performed along extended (i.e., propagating) and localized (i.e., trap) states. Complete information of disorder is contained in a distribution function called “hopping time distribution function” ψ_nm(t), which gives the probability per unit time for transition from state m to state n in time t. The “stay-put” probability ??(t = ∞), which is the probability to rediscover an excitation at a site “0” at time t = ∞ if it was there at t = 0, is obtained in terms of ψ_nm(t). Appropriate forms for ψ_nm(t) are constructed which are in conformity with the photoconductivity experiments on dispersive transport, and ??(∞) are calculated. The results indicate that the entire spectrum consists of three regimes, namely, those of (i) “diffusion,” (ii) “weak diffusion,” and (iii) “no diffusion,” which, respectively, designate the extension, the power-law localization, and the exponential localization of states. The results also shed light on the question of “continuous or discontinuous (?)” transition across the mobility edge.     

Antioxidant Effect of Azadirachta Indica on High Fat Diet Induced Diabetic Charles Foster Rats

Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of both types of diabetes mellitus. Excessively high levels of free radicals cause damage to cellular proteins, membrane lipids and nucleic acids, and eventually cell death. The present study was designed to investigate the possible effect of Azadirachta indica leaf extract in high fat diet induced diabetic Charles Foster rats. The increased level of lipidperoxidation and altered levels of enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and non-enzymatic (glutathione) antioxidants were seen in high fructose fed animals. The treatment with A. indica leaf extract significantly normalized the altered levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status at 400?mg/kg b.w. dose. The A. indica leaf extract was also tested for in vitro inhibition of generation of superoxide anion and hydroxyl free radical in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems. The A. indica leaf extract was found to inhibit generation of superoxide anion and hydroxyl free radical significantly at 200???g/ml concentration. Data of present study demonstrated that the A. indica leaf extract has both antidiabetic and antioxidant properties.