Assessing the subsequent effect of nitrogen released from tobacco-waste on maize crop using a 15N isotope technique

The investigation of the residual effect of nitrogen (N) released from tobacco-waste (TW) using isotope techniques will provide valuable data for sustainable organic farming. For this aim, a pot experiment was conducted using the ¹⁵N isotope technique. The experiment was based on a completely randomised design with four replications and was conducted on a calcareous ustochrepts soil. TW at levels of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 t ha^?1 and N fertiliser as (NH₄)₂SO₄ at levels of 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg N ha^?1 were used for the Bezostaja-1 wheat variety. Concerning mineral N fertilisation with 20 and 80 kg N ha^?1, additional treatments with ¹⁵N-labelled (NH₄)₂SO₂ (10 at.% exc.) have been applied. Following harvesting wheat plants, the Pioneer 3377 maize variety was used to see the residual effect of TW. After harvesting, dry matter yields were recorded and total N concentrations were determined. ¹⁵N determinations and calculations were also made for ¹⁵N treatments separately. TW had a significant residual effect on the growth of corn plant under the pot condition. Increasing rates of TW significantly increased the dry matter yield of corn plant following wheat from 3.31 t ha^?1 (at control) to 7.89 t ha^?1 (at the TW treatment of 40 t ha^?1). The ¹⁵N values derived from the ¹⁵N fertiliser decreased with increasing TW application. The average values of N derived from N fertiliser (Ndff) varied from 2.14 to 3.09% at the rates of 20 and 80 kg N ha^?1, respectively. However, N derived from TW (Ndftw) significantly increased from 16.93 to 24.59% (at 20 kg N ha^?1), and it also increased from 23.06 to 28.15% (at 80 kg N ha^?1) with increasing TW applications from 20 to 40 t ha^?1, respectively.     

Generalized Bosbach states: part I

States have been introduced on commutative and non-commutative algebras of fuzzy logics as functions defined on these algebras with values in [0,1]. Starting from the observation that in the definition of Bosbach states there intervenes the standard MV-algebra structure of [0,1], in this paper we introduce Bosbach states defined on residuated lattices with values in residuated lattices. We are led to two types of generalized Bosbach states, with distinct behaviours. Properties of generalized states are useful for the development of an algebraic theory of probabilistic models for non-commutative fuzzy logics.     

Investigation of nanostructured Fe3O4 polypyrrole core-shell composites by X-ray absorbtion spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation

In this article, we focus on the structural peculiarities of nanosized Fe₃O₄ in the core-shell nanocomposites obtained by polymerization of conducting polypyrrole shell around Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The local structure of Fe atoms was determined from the Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure analysis using our own package computer programs. An X-ray diffraction method that is capable to determine average particle size, microstrains, as the particle size distribution of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles is presented. The method is based on the Fourier analysis of a single X-ray diffraction profile using a new fitting method based on the generalized Fermi function facilities. The crystallites size obtained by X-ray diffraction spectra analysis was estimated between 3.2 and 10.3 nm. Significant changes in the first and the second Fe coordination shell in comparison with standard bulk were observed. The global and local structure of the nanosized Fe₃O₄ are correlated with the synthesis conditions of the core-shell polypyrrole nanocomposites.     

Optical Fiber Excitation of Fano Resonances in a Silicon Microsphere

In this article, Fano lineshape whispering gallery modes were observed in the light scattering spectrum of a silicon microsphere in near-infrared telecommunication wavelengths. A simple model is presented to explain the transition from Lorentzian lineshape to the Fano lineshape resonances with the coupled-mode theory of multiple whispering gallery modes. Polar mode spacing of 0.23 nm is observed in the spectra, which correlates well with the calculated value. The quality factor of the Lorentzian and Fano resonances are on the order of 10⁵. By using an appropriate interface design for the microsphere coupling geometries, Fano lineshape optical resonances herald novel device applications for silicon volumetric lightwave circuits.     

Comparing Singlet Oxygen Generation of Schiff Base Substituted Novel Silicon Phthalocyanines by Sonophotochemical and Photochemical Applications

Although the sonophotodynamic method has an effective therapeutic outcome for anticancer treatment compared with the photodynamic method, there are not enough related studies in the literature and this study aims to contribute to the development of sonophotodynamic studies. For this purpose, the Schiff base substituted silicon phthalocyanines were designed and synthesized as effective sensitizer candidates and the photophysicochemical and sonophotochemical features of the phthalocyanines were examined to increase singlet oxygen efficiency. The calculated Φ_Δ values indicate that the contribution of substituent groups improved the production of singlet oxygen compared with silicon (IV) phthalocyanine dichloride (SiPcCI₂) and also the sonophotochemical applications increased the singlet oxygen yields. The Φ_Δ values (Φ_Δ = 0.76 for axially bis-{4-[(E)-(pyridin-3-ylimino)methyl]phenol} substituted silicon (IV) phthalocyanine ( 2a ), 0.68 for axially bis-4-[(E)-{[(pyridin-3-yl)methyl]imino}methyl]phenol substituted silicon (IV) phthalocyanine ( 2b ) in photochemical study) reached to Φ_Δ = 0.98 for 2a , 0.94 for 2b in sonophotochemical study. This article will enrich the literature on increasing singlet oxygen yield.     

Swelling of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-vinylcaprolactam-dodecyl methacrylate gel in {heptane + toluene} mixtures

A copolymer gel has been synthesized from N-vinylcaprolactam and dodecyl methacrylate in ethanol using the free radical cross-linking polymerization method. Characterizations of the gel were performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. Swelling behavior of the gel was investigated in heptane, toluene, and their binary mixtures with different compositions. Swelling value in toluene is higher than that in heptane and swelling value increases with the increasing initial content of toluene in the binary mixture with heptane. The swelling values are correlated by the first- and second-order differential equations, and the best model correlating the experimental results is a second-order one. Diffusion coefficients have also been calculated for heptane and toluene at each concentration by power-law and first-order equations. While the diffusion mechanism of the gel in heptane is a Fickian one, the gel swelled in toluene exhibits a non-Fickian character. Diffusion mechanisms of the gels in binary mixtures are much more complicated. Because of the higher swelling degree in toluene compared to that in heptane, selectivity of the gel in different {heptane + toluene} mixtures with selectivity close to 1 has also been taken into consideration.     

Theoretical investigation of the Anti-Parkinson drug rasagiline and its salts: conformations and infrared spectra

The conformational analysis of rasagiline [N-propargyl-1(R)-aminoindan] was performed by the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP method using the 6–31++G (d,p) basis set. A single point energy calculations based on the B3LYP optimized geometries were also performed at MP2/6-31++G (d, p) level. The vibrational frequencies of the most stable conformer of rasagiline was calculated at the B3LYP level and vibrational assignments were made for normal modes on the basis of scaled quantum mechanical force field (SQM) method. The influence of mesylate and ethanedisulfonate salts on the geometry of rasagiline free base and its normal modes are also discussed.      

Degenerate molecular shuttles with flexible and rigid spacers

The preparation and dynamic behavior of degenerate rotaxane molecular shuttles are described in which a benzylic amide macrocycle moves back and forth between two naphthalimide-glycine units along a diphenylethyne spacer or an aliphatic spacer consisting of a C(9), C(12), or C(26) alkyl chain. Subtle differences in the (1)H NMR spectra of the rotaxanes can be related to the presence of conformers in which the macrocycle interacts simultaneously with both glycines, especially in the case of the C(9) spacer. The kinetic data of the shuttling behavior in the C(26) rotaxane were obtained from dynamic NMR spectroscopy. The Eyring activation parameters were found to be ΔH(?) = 10 ± 1 kcal mol(-1), ΔS(?) = -6.5 ± 2.0 cal mol(-1) K(-1), ΔG(?)(298) = 11.9 ± 0.2 kcal mol(-1). For the systems with the shorter spacers, the shuttling rates were higher. Also in the diphenylethyne, rotaxane shuttling is rapid on the NMR time scale, indicating that the rigid unit does not impose a large barrier to the translocation of the macrocycle.     

In vivo biodistribution of <Superscript>131</Superscript>I labeled bleomycin (BLM) and isomers (A2 and B2) on experimental animal models

Bleomycins (BLMs; BLM, A2, and B2) were labeled with ¹³¹I and radiopharmaceutical potentials were investigated using animal models in this study. Quality control procedures were carried out using thin layer radiochromatography (TLRC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and liquid chromatography (LC/MS/MS). Labeling yields of radiolabeled BLMs were found to be 90, 68, and 71%, respectively. HPLC chromatograms were taken for BLM and cold iodinated BLM (¹²⁷I-BLM). Five peaks were detected for BLM and three peaks for ¹²⁷I-BLM in the HPLC studies. Two peaks belong to isomers of BLM. The isomers of BLM were purified with using HPLC. Biological activity of BLM was determined on male Albino Wistar rats by biodistribution and scintigraphic studies were performed for BLMs by using New Zelland rabbits. The biodistribution results of ¹³¹I-BLM showed high uptake in the stomach, the bladder, the prostate, the testicle, and the spinal cord in rats. Scintigraphic results on rabbits agrees with that of biodistributional studies on rats. The scintigraphy of radiolabeled isomers (¹³¹I-A2 and ¹³¹I-B2) are similiarly found with that of ¹³¹I-BLM.