Analysis of Naturally Occurring Radioisotopes in Peat moss Greenhouse Soils and Agriculture Mud in Egypt

In this work, the activity concentrations (radioactivity) and distributions of natural radionuclides in peat moss samples were investigated. The measurements were performed using HP-Ge detector and XRD technique. The samples represent six types of soils. The concentrations of radionuclides of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K are ranged from 17.14 to 130.83, 13.19 to 26.09, 5.33 to 25.2 and 143.26 to 600.31 Bq · kg^–1 (dry weight), respectively, for the different samples. This work also highlights that no correlation has been observed between radionuclides present in the samples, which in turn reflects the random method behind the preparation of the samples. The obtained results from the XRD analysis were in good agreement with radiometry measurements. The safety of peat moss uses was limited for certain agricultural crops due to the presence of high percent of sulphur in some types of soil. The radon concentration calculated using the empirical formula is more accurate than those obtained from the manual measurements and significant values were expected to emanate from the samples under investigation.     

Full ultraviolet shielding potency of highly durable cotton via self- implantation of palladium nanoclusters

Cellulose - Unique technique is currently demonstrated for preparation of ultraviolet protective cotton fabrics with full shielding effect, via self-implantation of palladium (Pd) nanoclusters....     

Field-induced negative differential spin lifetime in silicon

We show that the electric-field-induced thermal asymmetry between the electron and lattice systems in pure silicon substantially impacts the identity of the dominant spin relaxation mechanism. Comparison of empirical results from long-distance spin transport devices with detailed Monte?Carlo simulations confirms a strong spin depolarization beyond what is expected from the standard Elliott-Yafet theory even at low temperatures. The enhanced spin-flip mechanism is attributed to phonon emission processes during which electrons are scattered between conduction band valleys that reside on different crystal axes. This leads to anomalous behavior, where (beyond a critical field) reduction of the transit time between spin-injector and spin-detector is accompanied by a counterintuitive reduction in spin polarization and an apparent negative spin lifetime.     

Synthesis of some thienopyrimidine derivatives

Thioxothienopyrimidinones, alkylthio- and arylalkylthiothienopyrimidinones, thienopyrimidinones, thienopyrimidines a thienopyrimidinedione and a thienotriazolo-pyrimidinone were prepared from 2-amino-3-carboethoxy-4,5-disubstituted thiophenes and 2-amino-3-cyano-4,5-disubstituted thiophenes via reactions with different reagents.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel chromone Schiff base complexes as p53 activators

A series of chromone Schiff base complexes were prepared and analytically as well as spectroscopically characterized. The ligand was found to act as a monobasic tridentate ligand bonded covalently or coordinatively to the metal ion via deprotonated hydroxyl group, azomethine nitrogen atom and carbonyl oxygen atom of antipyrine moiety. Both electronic spectra and magnetic measurements indicated an octahedral or a distorted octahedral geometry around the metal ions for all metal complexes except the nickel complex, which had a tetrahedral geometry. In addition, the ability of the newly prepared compounds to activate the tumour suppressor p53 in cancer cells was studied, with zinc and copper complexes showing promising activities for p53 ubiquitination compared with diphenylimidazole (reference drug).     

Sustainability performance of polyethylene terephthalate,clarifying challenges and opportunities

Publications on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) continue to increase including the number of publications on recycling. PET is a versatile material with the ability to be remade from its polymer state through mechanical recycling and even back to its original monomer through advanced recycling. The scale of PET's use affords continued research and applications in improved recycling. Publications on new uses of discarded PET and the ability to clean and convert it into many forms including alternative materials are expanding with an attempt to complete circular use or improve the end of life. As indicated in life cycle assessment studies, increases in recycling lower the energy required to manufacture products. The future for PET will reduce energy demands further with the largest breakthroughs in recycling technologies and bio-sourced resins trending toward zero energy and carbon negative solutions. Opportunities remain for improvement in the use of PET with light weighting. The testing of new resins, development of bio-feedstocks, improvements in engineering, processing, recycling, and design continue to provide benefits. This review provides context for these developments.     

Utilization of bromine azide to access vicinal-azidobromides from arylidene malononitrile

An efficient and facile approach for tetrachlorosilane as an in situ mediated transformation via a one-pot, synthesis of vicinal bromoazides through the generation of BrN₃ from azidochlorosilane and N-bromosuccinimide in acetonitrile as solvent at ambient temperature is achieved. This catalytic process represents a highly regioselective and high yielding method for the synthesis of 1,2-bromoazides. Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) riboswitches regulate essential genes in bacteria by changing conformation upon binding intracellular TPP. Molecular docking studies are conducted to understand the orientation and the interaction of each synthesized molecules with TPP riboswitches. 2016 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a rare square-planar Co(II) complex of a hydroxyamidinate ligand

Novel hydroxyamidinate complexes of cobalt(II) are presented, together with their electrochemical and spectroscopic properties. An unusual d(7) square-planar coordination around the cobalt(II) center exists and was confirmed by chemical oxidation to its Co(III) species. The Co(II) complex is difficult to reduce, but its facile oxidation suggests that it may be useful as an electron donor in photoredox reactions.