High-yield synthesis of pure ZnO nanoparticles by one-step solid-state reaction approach for enhanced photocatalytic activity

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures were synthesized via a one-step solid-state reaction approach in ammonia (NH₃) gas environment with different temperature ramp rates. The so-formed nanostructures were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) for phase identification, where the typical wurtzite hexagonal structure was observed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the particle size to be in the range 45–50 nm, the same as calculated by the XRD pattern for the ramp rate of 10 °C/min. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the chemical purity of the samples. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum indicated multiple near-band-edge emissions and energy-band emissions. Then, these ZnO nanomaterials were used for the degradation of crystal violet (CV) dye under UV light irradiation. The CV solution was completely degraded in 2 hr. The initial photocatalyst and dye amounts of 0.2 g/100 ml and 0.5 mg/L, respectively, were found to be the optimum values for maximum degradation efficiency. The ZnO-based photocatalyst was stable up to three cycles of reuse. These results indicate that the high surface area and porosity of the nanomaterials are responsible for the high efficiency, which was confirmed by specific surface area analysis.     

Wave solutions and numerical validation for the coupled reaction-advection-diffusion dynamical model in a porous medium

The current study examines the special class of a generalized reaction-advection-diffusion dynamical model that is called the system of coupled Burger's equations. This system plays a vital role in the essential areas of physics, including fluid dynamics and acoustics. Moreover, two promising analytical integration schemes are employed for the study; in addition to the deployment of an efficient variant of the eminent Adomian decomposition method. Three sets of analytical wave solutions are revealed, including exponential, periodic, and dark-singular wave solutions; while an amazed rapidly convergent approximate solution is acquired on the other hand. At the end, certain graphical illustrations and tables are provided to support the reported analytical and numerical results. No doubt, the present study is set to bridge the existing gap between the analytical and numerical approaches with regard to the solution validity of various models of mathematical physics.     

Canted antiferromagnetic and optical properties of nanostructures of Mn2O3 prepared by hydrothermal synthesis

We have reported new magnetic and optical properties of Mn2O3 nanostructures.The nanostructures have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method combined with the adjustment of pH values in the reaction system.The particular characteristics of the nanostructures have been analyzed by employing X-Ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive X-ray(EDX) analysis,transmission electron microscopy(TEM),high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM),Raman spectroscopy(RS),UV-visible spectroscopy,and the vibrating sample magnetometer(VSM).Structural investigation manifests that the synthesized Mn2O3 nanostructures are orthorhombic crystal.Magnetic investigation indicates that the Mn2O3 nanostructures are antiferromagnetic and the antiferromagnetic transition temperature is at TN=83 K.Furthermore,the Mn2O3 nanostructures possess canted antiferromagnetic order below the Neel temperature due to spin frustration,resulting in hysteresis with large coercivity(1580 Oe) and remnant magnetization(1.52 emu/g).The UV-visible spectrophotometry was used to determine the transmittance behaviour of Mn2O3 nanostructures.A direct optical band gap of 1.2 eV was acquired by using the Davis-Mott model.The UV-visible spectrum indicates that the absorption is prominent in the visible region,and transparency is more than 80% in the UV region.     

Study of natural radionuclides and its radiation hazard index in Malaysian building materials

The main component of most building materials in Malaysia is rock. All rocks are known to contain natural radionuclides such as ²³⁸U and ²³²Th series as well as ⁴⁰K. In order to estimate the radiological impact to the dweller, the level of radionuclides present in various building materials available in Malaysia were analyzed using γ-spectrometry. The radiation hazard indexes were calculated based on the above results. The results showed that the activity concentration of natural radionculides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K was between 19.0–42.2 Bq/kg, 16.5–28.8 Bq/kg and 243.3–614.2 Bq/kg, respectively. On the whole, the radionuclides concentration was still below the global average of 50 Bq/kg, 50 Bq/kg and 500 Bq/kg for ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K, respectively The radiation hazard indexes of the building materials were also lower than the maximum value suggested.     

Tandem Ring‐Opening–Ring‐Closing Metathesis for Functional Metathesis Catalysts

Use of a tandem ring‐opening–ring‐closing metathesis (RORCM) strategy for the synthesis of functional metathesis catalysts is reported. Ring opening of 7‐substituted norbornenes and subsequent ring‐closing metathesis forming a thermodynamically stable 6‐membered ring lead to a very efficient synthesis of new catalysts from commercially available Grubbs’ catalysts. Hydroxy functionalized Grubbs’ first‐ as well as third‐generation catalysts have been synthesized. Mechanistic studies have been performed to elucidate the order of attack of the olefinic bonds. This strategy was also used to synthesize the ruthenium methylidene complex.     

New fixed point theorems for $${\alpha}$$-$${H\Theta}$$HΘ-contractions in ordered metric spaces

Recently, Jleli and Samet [J. Inequal. Appl. (2014), 2014:38] introduced and studied a new contraction to prove a generalization of the Banach contraction principle. In this paper, we introduce the concept of \({\alpha}\)-\({H\Theta}\)-contraction with respect to a general family of functions H and we establish Jleli–Samet-type fixed point results in metric and ordered metric spaces. As an application of our results we deduce Suzuki-type fixed point results for \({H\Theta}\)-contractions. We also derive certain fixed and periodic point results for orbitally continuous generalized \({\Theta}\)-contractions. Moreover, we present an illustrative example to highlight the obtained improvements.     

Effects of Different Doses of Low Power Continuous Wave He–Ne Laser Radiation on Some Seed Thermodynamic and Germination Parameters,and Potential Enzymes Involved in Seed Germination of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

In this study, water-soaked seeds of sunflower were exposed to He–Ne laser irradiation of different energies to determine whether or not He–Ne laser irradiation caused changes to seed thermodynamic and germination parameters as well as effects on the activities of germination enzymes. The experiment comprised four energy levels: 0 (control), 100, 300 and 500 mJ of laser energy and each treatment replicated four times arranged in a completely randomized design. The experimentation was performed under the greenhouse conditions in the net-house of the Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The seed thermodynamic parameters were calculated according to seed germination thermograms determined with a calorimeter at 25.8°C for 72 h. Various thermodynamic parameters of seed (ΔH, (ΔS)_e, (ΔS)_c, (ΔS)_e/Δt and (ΔS)_c/Δt) were affected significantly due to presowing laser treatment. Significant changes in seed germination parameters and enzyme activities were observed in seeds treated with He–Ne laser. The He–Ne laser seed treatment resulted in increased activities of amylase and protease. These results indicate that the low power continuous wave He–Ne laser light seed treatment has considerable biological effects on seed metabolism. This seed treatment technique can be potentially employed to enhance agricultural productivity.     

Doxycycline Interferes with Zika Virus Serine Protease and Inhibits Virus Replication in Human Skin Fibroblasts

Zika virus (ZIKV) represents a re-emerging threat to global health due to its association with congenital birth defects. ZIKV NS2B-NS3 protease is crucial for virus replication by cleaving viral polyprotein at various junctions to release viral proteins and cause cytotoxic effects in ZIKV-infected cells. This study characterized the inhibitory effects of doxycycline against ZIKV NS2B-NS3 protease and viral replication in human skin cells. The in silico data showed that doxycycline binds to the active site of ZIKV protease at a low docking energy (−7.8 Kcal/mol) via four hydrogen bonds with the protease residues TYR1130, SER1135, GLY1151, and ASP83. Doxycycline efficiently inhibited viral NS2B-NS3 protease at average human temperature (37 °C) and human temperature with a high fever during virus infection (40 °C). Interestingly, doxycycline showed a higher inhibitory effect at 40 °C (IC50 = 5.3 µM) compared to 37 °C (9.9 µM). The virus replication was considerably reduced by increasing the concentration of doxycycline. An approximately 50% reduction in virus replication was observed at 20 µM of doxycycline. Treatment with 20 µM of doxycycline reduced the cytopathic effects (CPE), and the 40 µM of doxycycline almost eliminated the CPE of human skin cells. This study showed that doxycycline binds to the ZIKV protease and inhibits its catalytic activity at a low micro-molecular concentration range. Treatment of human skin fibroblast with doxycycline eliminated ZIKV infection and protected the cells against the cytopathic effects of the infection.