Characterization of trace elements in medicinal herbs by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Medicinal herbs are often used as alternative medicines for healing and controlling some diseases in the world. This study focuses on the content of heavy and trace elements of some widely consumed herbs in Libya. Nine most popular herbs were analyzed by k ₀-instrumental neutron activation analysis. All the samples, SRM and flux monitors were irradiated for 7 and 10 hours under thermal neutron flux of 1.3·10¹³ cm⁻²·s⁻¹ at Tajoura nuclear reactor. In total, 33 elements were analyzed in different herbs. The variations in the concentration of the elements are attributed to soil composition and the climate in which the plant grows. The study showed that the toxic elements found in the samples were below the levels prescribed by health regulations. The precision and the accuracy of the results were evaluated by analyzing the reference materials Pine Needles SRM 1575 and Citrus Leaves SRM1572.     

A Coupled System of Caputo-Type Sequential Fractional Differential Equations with Coupled (Periodic/Anti-periodic Type) Boundary Conditions

In this paper, we introduce the concept of coupled (periodic/anti-periodic type) boundary conditions and solve a coupled system of nonlinear sequential fractional differential equations equipped with these conditions. Sufficient criteria ensuring the existence and uniqueness of solutions for the given problem are presented. Our results are new in the given configuration and are well illustrated with the aid of examples.     

Maximum Modulus of Polynomials

Let P(z) =n∑j=0 a_jz~j be a polynomial of degree n and let M(P, r) = max|z|=r|P(z)|. If P(z) ≠ 0 in |z| 1, then M( P, r) ≥ ((1 + r)/ (1 + ρ))~ n M( P, ρ).The result is best possible. In this paper we shall present a refinement of this result and some other related results.     

Surface Functionalization of g‐C3N4: Molecular‐Level Design of Noble‐Metal‐Free Hydrogen Evolution Photocatalysts

A stable noble‐metal‐free hydrogen evolution photocatalyst based on graphite carbon nitride (g‐C₃N₄) was developed by a molecular‐level design strategy. Surface functionalization was successfully conducted to introduce a single nickel active site onto the surface of the semiconducting g‐C₃N₄. This catalyst family (with less than 0.1 wt % of Ni) has been found to produce hydrogen with a rate near to the value obtained by using 3 wt % platinum as co‐catalyst. This new catalyst also exhibits very good stability under hydrogen evolution conditions, without any evidence of deactivation after 24 h.     

Kinetic freeze-out s pectra of identified particles produced in p–Pb collisions at $$\sqrt {s_{NN} }$$ = 5.02 TeV

We study the transverse momentum spectra of identified pions (π^– + π⁺), kaons ((K ^– + K ⁺), K ₀ ^s ), protons (p + p?) and lambda hyperons (Λ + Λ?) produced at mid-rapidity (0 < y _cm < 0.5) in most central (0?5)% p–Pb collisions at \(\sqrt {s_{NN} }\) = 5.02 TeV in comparison with a Unified Statistical Thermal Freeze-out Model (USTFM). The measurements for pions are reported upto p _T = 3 GeV, the kaons (K ^– + K ⁺) are reported upto p _T = 2.5 GeV, K ₀ ^s is reported upto p _T = 7 GeV, and the baryons (protons and lambda hyperons) are reported upto p _T = 3.5 GeV. A good agreement is seen between the calculated results and the experimental data points taken from the ALICE experiment. The transverse momentum spectra are found to be flatter for heavy particles than for light particles. Bulk freeze-out properties in terms of kinetic freeze-out temperature and the transverse collective flow velocity are extracted from the fits of the transverse momentum spectra of these hadrons. The effect of resonance decay contributions has also been taken care of.     

Femtosecond laser induced nanostructuring of zirconium in liquid confined environment

The surface, structural, and mechanical properties of zirconium after irradiation with Ti: sapphire laser(800 nm, 30 fs,1 k Hz) have been investigated. The zirconium targets were exposed for a varying number of laser pulses ranging from 500 to 2000 at a fixed fluence of 3.6 J/cm~2 corresponding to an intensity of 1.2×10~(14)W/cm~2 in ambient environments of deionized water and propanol. A scanning electron microscope(SEM) was employed to investigate the surface morphology of the irradiated zirconium. The SEM analysis shows the formation of various kinds of features including nanoscale laser induced periodic surface structures(LIPSS), sponge like surface structure, flakes, conical structures, droplets, pores, and cavities. The energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy(EDS) analysis exhibits the variation in chemical composition along with an enhanced diffusion of oxygen under both ambient conditions. The crystal structure and phase analyses of the exposed targets were explored by x-ray diffraction(XRD) and Raman spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The XRD analysis confirms the presence of various phases of zirconium hydride and zirconia after ablation in both de-ionized water and propanol. However, excessive hydrides are formed in the case of propanol. The Raman analysis supports the EDS and XRD results. It also reveals the presence of oxides(zirconia) after irradiation in both de-ionized water and propanol environments.The chemical reactivity of zirconium was significantly improved in the presence of liquids which were accountable for the growth of novel phases and modification in the chemical composition of the irradiated Zr. A nanohardness tester was employed to measure the nanohardness of the laser treated targets. The initial increase and then decrease in nanohardness was observed with an increase in the number of laser pulses in the de-ionized water environment. In the case of propanol,a continuous decrease in hardness was observed.     

Metal Negatrode Supercapatteries: Advancements,Challenges, and Future Perspectives for High-Performance Energy Storage

Metal negatrode supercapattery (MNSC) is an emerging technology that combines the high energy storage capabilities of batteries with the high-power delivery of supercapacitors, thereby offering promising solutions for various applications, such as energy storage systems, electric vehicles, and portable electronics. This review article presents a comprehensive analysis of the potential of MNSCs as a prospective energy storage technology. MNSCs utilize a specific configuration in which the negatrode consists of a metal or metal-rich electrode, such as sodium, aluminum, potassium, or zinc, whereas the positrode functions as a supercapacitor electrode. The utilization of negatrodes with low electrochemical potential and high electrical conductivity is crucial for achieving high specific energy in energy storage devices, despite facing numerous challenges. The present study discusses the design and fabrication aspects of MNSCs, including the selection of appropriate metal negatrodes, electrolytes, and positrodes, alongside the fundamental operational mechanisms. Additionally, this review explores the challenges encountered in MNSCs and proposes solutions to enhance their performance, such as addressing dendrite formation and instability of metal electrodes.     

Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: Biopolymer-Based Aerogels as Smart Platforms for Targeted Drug Delivery

Cancer stands as a leading cause of global mortality, with chemotherapy being a pivotal treatment approach, either alone or in conjunction with other therapies. The primary goal of these therapies is to inhibit the growth of cancer cells specifically, while minimizing harm to healthy dividing cells. Conventional treatments, often causing patient discomfort due to side effects, have led researchers to explore innovative, targeted cancer cell therapies. Thus, biopolymer-based aerogels emerge as innovative platforms, showcasing unique properties that respond intelligently to diverse stimuli. This responsiveness enables precise control over the release of anticancer drugs, enhancing therapeutic outcomes. The significance of these aerogels lies in their ability to offer targeted drug delivery with increased efficacy, biocompatibility, and a high drug payload. In this comprehensive review, the author discuss the role of biopolymer-based aerogels as an emerging functionalized platforms in anticancer drug delivery. The review addresses the unique properties of biopolymer-based aerogels showing their smart behavior in responding to different stimuli including temperature, pH, magnetic and redox potential to control anticancer drug release. Finally, the review discusses the application of different biopolymer-based aerogel in delivering different anticancer drugs and also discusses the potential of these platforms in gene delivery applications.     

A monotropic liquid crystal polyester with a biphasic nematic-smectic phase

The polyesters made from the condensation of isophthalic acid (IA) or terephthalic acid (TA) with the mesogenic diol 4,4′-bis (6-hydroxy hexoxy)biphenyl (BHHBP) are both reported to show a smectic mesophase. However, in our previous work, we found evidence for a mesophase in the polyester containing BHHBP and IA, but not in the one with BHHBP and TA. For the BHHBP-IA polyester, we thought the phase sequence on cooling was I → S_A → K, while on heating the situation was unresolved; there was some indication that on heating, a K → I transition occurs without any intervening mesophase. In other words, it was suspected that the mesophase in the IA polyester was monotropic. In this work, we have now obtained firm evidence that the mesophase behavior of the BHHBP-IA polyester is indeed monotropic. Further, an additional complexity has been found: on cooling, there is in fact a nematic phase, besides a smectic A, and a crystal phase. However, the mesophase appears to be complex. As the nematic and smectic textures occurred simultaneously, it seems that the mesophase is a nematic-smectic biphase. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.