Numerical solution of a coupled Korteweg–de Vries equations by collocation method

A numerical method for solving the coupled Korteweg‐de Vries (CKdV) equation based on the collocation method with quintic B‐spline finite elements is set up to simulate the solution of CKdV equation. Invariants and error norms are studied wherever possible to determine the conservation properties of the algorithm. Simulation of single soliton, interaction of two solitons, and birth of solitons are presented. A linear stability analysis shows the scheme to be unconditionally stable. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2009     

A selective optical sensor for antimony based on hexagonal mesoporous structures

Mesostructured materials show promise in fabricating ordered sensing systems in a reproducible manner. Here, the fabrication of optically selective and sensitive sensors up to subnanomolar concentrations of Sb(III) ions was reported via simple and reproducible techniques in which the hexagonal mesoporous silicas in powder and monolith forms were used as probe carriers. Evidence of successful fabrication of the optical sensors was investigated by extensive characterizations using powder X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms, 29Si NMR spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The mesostructured features allowed high adsorption capacity and accessibility of probe molecules and efficient transport of toxic species via much more direct and easier diffusion to the network sites without significant alteration of their physical characteristics, leading to excellent sensing systems in terms of stability and sensitivity with rapid response time of detection. In addition, the high performance of the hexagonal sensors was dependent on key factors such as the number of support-based sensors, the reaction temperature, and the pH value that led to possible naked-eye detection of Sb(III) ion concentration with a detection limit as low as 3x10(-9) mol/dm3 and a wide detection range of 1 ppb-2 ppm. Of particular interest was that our mesostructured sensor design provided control over the retention of the potential functionality of the naked-eye sensing system of Sb(III) ions upon the storage and even after several regeneration and reuse cycles, indicating large-scale reversibility of sensing systems.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a Novel Series of Chalcones Incorporated Pyrazole Moiety as Anticancer and Antimicrobial Agents

A newly synthesized series of chalcone derivatives containing pyrazole rings were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activities in vitro against several human cancer cell lines. Most of the prepared compounds showed potential cytotoxicity against human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, HEPG-2, and HCT-116. Also the compounds were evaluated as antimicrobial agents. The three compounds 3, 4, and 5 were proved to be better anticancer agents than the positive standard doxorubicin with IC50 values (4.7, 4.4, and 3.9???g/ml) against the same human cancer cell lines, whereas compounds 5 and 6 showed the most active antimicrobial compounds in comparison to the other chalcones.     

Threshold reduction of stimulated Brillouin scattering in photonic crystal fiber

A simple configuration for the reduction of stimulated Brillouin scattering threshold in photonic crystal fiber is presented. The threshold reduction is contributed by the bidirectional pumping scheme through the reflection of transmitted Brillouin pump back to the gain medium. The pump recycling scheme has greatly reduced the Brillouin threshold of a 200-m long of photonic crystal fiber from 50 to 30 mW of Brillouin pump power.     

Towards understanding the critical heat flux for industrial applications

Understanding CHF is of an upmost importance in many industries, especially in the design and operation of boilers, nuclear power plants, cryogenic systems, etc. Due to safety issues related to the nuclear power plants, and the adaptation of CHF as the limiting criterion of power generation, it is important to understand the mechanisms of CHF relevant to nuclear systems operation. Moreover, CHF is expected to occur during transients than steady-state conditions. Therefore, knowledge of transient CHF is of great importance for the safety evaluation of nuclear reactors under transient condition. In this paper, the existing CHF experimental and modeling studies are discussed in order to understand the phenomena leading to CHF. Also, the effect of transient conditions on CHF for nuclear fuels has been evaluated.     

Seasonal variation of radon-222 concentrations in specific locations in Jordan

Previously calibrated passive detectors (CR-39) and an active radon device (Radon Monitor RM3) were used to study seasonal variation of radon-222 concentration levels inside and outside specific locations in Jordan. The study sites were located in an area that used to be an old phosphate mine. We found that the maximum value of radon concentration in air inside the dwellings, as measured by the passive dosimeters, was 1532.9 Bq/m³ during the winter season, and the minimum one was 46.3 Bq/m³ during fall season. While the highest and lowest readings of the active monitor were 892 and 4 Bq/m³ during fall and summer seasons, respectively. The radon concentration in soil ranges from 0.2 kBq/m³ in spring to 37.8 kBq/m³ in fall.     

Spectral Studies and Cathodic Reduction of some Thiazolylazo Derivatives

The structure of the 2-thiazolylazosalicylic acid molecule, TAS, has been determined by means of quantum SCF-CI calculations. The ionization potential and the electron affinity of TAS molecule were calculated to have the values 9.057 and 2.56 eV respectively. The solvation energies in different solvents, and the bond orders of the TAS molecule were calculated for the neutral state, the oxidized form (the cation) and the reduced form (the anion). Mixed solvent studies were carried out with TAS and 2-benzothiazolylazosalicylic acid (BTAS), using polar solvents (EtOH and MeOH) to confirm the formation of a solvent-solute complex. The azo group in the TAS molecule nas a considerable contribution in the SCFLUMO; thus cathodic reduction has been focused on the azo group and was verified experimentally by cathodic reduction.     

U + U potential in the sudden and adiabatic approximation

A recent approach for calculating both the real and imaginary parts of the ion-ion potential has been modified to produce the ground state properties of separate nuclei. This approach is used to study both the energy and orientation dependence of the optical potential between two U nuclei adopting the sudden and adiabatic approximations.