Modeling and optimizing of sonochemical degradation of Basic Blue 41 via response surface methodology

The nanocatalyst-assisted sonodegradation of Basic Blue 41 (BB41) dye in aqueous medium was modeled and optimized using response surface method (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design. The studied variables included pH, initial dye concentration, H₂O₂ concentration and sonolysis time while each factor varied at three levels: Low level (−1), Medium level (0) and High level (+1). The ultrasound -assisted degradation was well described by developing quadratic model with correlation value squared (R²) of 0.9114. Factor effects along with interaction effects were evaluated. The graphical optimization step was conducted to achieve the best experimental condition in dye removal. pH, H₂O₂ concentration and initial dye concentration of the reaction were investigated. It was recognized that at lower pH values the dye removal rate decreased. However, dye removal rate increased (82.5%) by increasing the concentration of H₂O₂ and by lowering the initial dye concentration.      

Recent progress of isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions in Iran

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the contributions and recent advances made by Iranian scientists in the field of isocyanide-based reactions between 1999 and 2009. With over 100 publications during this period, Iranians are responsible for approximately 10% of all publications in the world involving isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions (IMCRs). Some important aspects of these IMCRs include the execution of reactions in green reaction mediums like water or ethanol, high atom economies, mild reaction conditions, high yields, and catalyst-free processes. On the other hand, in most of these reactions, new classes of heterocyclic compounds with potential biological and medicinal activities have been reported.     

Nanotechnology in the public eye: the case of Iran,as a developing country

Using survey data, public awareness of and attitudes toward nanotechnology are examined in Iran (N = 759). Iran is a developing country with a national nanotechnology action plan for a ten year period starting from 2003 and has been active in the field of research and development of nanotechnology meanwhile. First, the results show that majority of people are still not familiar with nanotechnology and perceived risks posed by this technology are not considered to be a lot and most people feel its benefits outweigh the risks. The emotions toward this technology are of a hopeful and positive nature and this technology is looked upon favorably in Iran. In particular, our results reveals that although the level of trust is high specially in scientists to communicate the risks with the public, there are a great number who just have some trust not quite a lot of it. Knowing that it is a hard and time-consuming effort to manage a nation’s view on nanotechnology, extensive research as well as collaboration with other countries is needed to effectively communicate the risks in time.     

ZL-amenability and characters for the restricted direct products of finite groups

Let G   be a restricted direct product of finite groups _{Gi}i∈I${\{G_i\}}_{i\in I}$, and let Z?¹(G)${\mathrm{Z}?}^1(G)$ denote the centre of its group algebra. We show that Z?¹(G)${\mathrm{Z}?}^1(G)$ is amenable if and only if _Gi$G_i$ is abelian for all but finitely many i  , and characterize the maximal ideals of Z?¹(G)${\mathrm{Z}?}^1(G)$ which have bounded approximate identities. We also study when an algebra character of Z?¹(G)${\mathrm{Z}?}^1(G)$ belongs to _c0$c_0$ or ?^p${?}^p$ and provide a variety of examples.     

Determination of aflatoxin B1 by biomass derived porous carbon modified electrode with molecularly imprinted polymer

Aflatoxin determination is imperative among agricultural and food products as the pollution of the toxic aflatoxin could cause severe hazards towards animals and human beings. Here, we prepared Elaeagnus gum derived porous carbon material as electrode modified material. In situ electropolymerization of molecularly imprinted polymer utilizing phenol as monomer and aflatoxin B₁ as target template was further processed onto the porous carbon surface to achieve aflatoxin B₁ sensing ability. This sensitive MIP sensor has a detection range from 5 pM to 100 pM of aflatoxin B₁, an electrochemical sensitivity of 82.4 μA log(pM)⁻¹ cm⁻² with a detection limit of 1.7 pM, and a recovery rate of real sample measurement is 98.21 %. Good selectivity, fair repeatability and stability was confirmed. This work demonstrates the promising application of Elaeagnus gum derived porous carbon modified electrode sensor for food and drug monitoring.     

Life in the sabkha: Raman spectroscopy of halotrophic extremophiles of relevance to planetary exploration

The Raman spectroscopic biosignatures of halotrophic cyanobacterial extremophiles from sabkha evaporitic saltpans are reported for the first time and ideas about the possible survival strategies in operation have been forthcoming. The biochemicals produced by the cyanobacteria which colonise the interfaces between large plates of clear selenitic gypsum, halite, and dolomitized calcium carbonates in the centre of the salt pans are identifiably different from those which are produced by benthic cyanobacterial mats colonising the surface of the salt pan edges in the intertidal zone. The prediction that similar geological formations would have been present on early Mars and which could now be underlying the highly peroxidised regolith on the surface of the planet has been confirmed by recent satellite observations from Mars orbit and by localised traverses by robotic surface rovers. The successful adoption of miniaturised Raman spectroscopic instrumentation as part of a scientific package for detection of extant life or biomolecular traces of extinct life on proposed future Mars missions will depend critically on interpretation of data from terrestrial Mars analogues such as sabkhas, of which the current study is an example.     

Two‐dimensional magnetosonic shock wave propagation in dense electron–positron–ion plasmas

Two‐dimensional (2D) magnetosonic wave propagation in magnetized quantum dissipative plasmas is studied. The plasma system is comprised of inertial ions, inertia‐less electrons, and positrons. The multi‐fluid quantum hydrodynamic model is used, in which quantum statistical and quantum tunnelling effects of electrons and positrons are included. Reductive perturbation analysis is performed to derive the Zabolotskaya–Khokhlov equation for the 2D propagation of a magnetosonic shock wave in a magnetized qauntum plasma. The effects of varying the different plasma parameters such as positron density and magnetic field intensity on the propagation characteristics of magnetosonic shock waves are discussed with non‐relativistic degenerate plasma parameters in astrophysical plasma situations.     

Measurements of electron density, temperature and photoionization cross sections of the excited states of neon in a discharge plasma

In the present work emission and absorption spectroscopy have been used to determine the plasma parameters of neon in a hollow cathode discharge lamp. The excitation temperature is determined using the intensity ratio method and Boltzmann's plot method whereas the electron density is determined from the Stark broadening of the spectral lines. The behavior of the optogalvanic signal as a function of laser energy has been studied for three transitions from the 2p⁵3s [1/2]₂ metastable state following ΔJ=ΔK=0, ±1 dipole selection rules. The saturation technique has been used to measure the photoionization cross section from three intermediate states 2p⁵3p′ [1/2]_1, 2p⁵3p′ [3/2]₂ and 2p⁵3p [5/2]₃ up to the 2p^{5 2}P_1/2 ionization threshold.