Adenoviruses (Ads) have been extensively manipulated for the development of cancer selective replication, leading to cancer cell death or oncolysis. Clinical studies using E1-modified oncolytic Ads have shown that this therapeutic platform was safe, but with limited efficacy, indicating the necessity of targeting other viral genes for manipulation. To improve the therapeutic efficacy of oncolytic Ads, we treated the entire Ad genome repeatedly with UV-light and have isolated AdUV which efficiently lyses cancer cells as reported previously [1]. In this report, we show that no mutations were observed in the early genes (E1 or E4) of AdUV while several mutations were observed within the Ad late genes which have structural or viral DNA packaging functions. This study also reported the increased release of AdUV from cancer cells. In this study, we found that AdUV inhibits tumor growth following intratumoral injection. These results indicate the potentially significant role of the viral late genes, in particular the DNA packaging genes, to enhance Ad oncolysis.

The photodegradation of azithromycin present was carried out in water using H2O2 under UV irradiation. The reaction variables considered in this study were the amount of H2O2 solution and the initial concentration of azithromycin to evaluate the performance of the photodegradation process. The azithromycin degradation was not observed in the dark during stirring for 20 minutes. The study showed efficient photodegradation of azithromycin using H2O2 as an oxidant in the presence of UV irradiation. The azithromycin degradation was affected significantly by the pH of the irradiated solution. The degradation was low at an acidic pH and showed an increasing trend as the pH changed to basic. The azithromycin degradation was increased with a higher amount (higher concentration) of H2O2. The degradation of azithromycin decreased with a higher concentration of azithromycin in the reacting solution. The highest degradation of AZT was achieved in 1 hour using a 1.0 ppm AZT solution containing 3 ml of H2O2. The experimental data obtained was well-fitted to zero-order reaction kinetics. The results of this study were found to be superior when compared with those reported in the literature, with photocatalysis using nanomaterials and photolysis using irradiation and H2O2. The UV/H2O2 system was found to be quite efficient for the photodegradation of azithromycin, and this system can be applied to degrade other organic pollutants present in industrial wastewater. To this point, such a study has not been reported specifically for AZT photodegradation.

Highly transparent, conductive nanosheets are extremely attractive for advanced optoelectronic applications. Previously, we have demonstrated that transparent, conductive Au nanosheets can be prepared by UV irradiation of Au nanoparticle (AuNP) monolayers spread on water, which serves as the subphase. In this study, we show that this UV irradiation technique can easily be extended as a nanosheet modification method by using subphases containing metal ions. That is, aqueous solutions containing Au and Ag ions are effective in modifying Au nanosheets. HAuCl4 solutions increased Au nanosheet thickness, which improved conductivity, but reduced transparency. On the other hand, use of aqueous AgNO3 and CH3COOAg solutions yielded Au-Ag hybrid nanosheets; however, their morphologies depended on the electrolytes used. Homogeneous Au-Ag nanosheets from AgNO3 and AuNPs covered with an Ag nanosheet from CH3COOAg were also produced. Further, these Au-Ag hybrid nanosheets had high conductivity without reduced transparency. Therefore, this UV irradiation method, modified by adding metal ions is quite effective at improving and diversifying properties of Au nanosheets.

The search for molecular biosignatures at the surface of Mars is complicated by an intense irradiation in the mid- and near- ultraviolet (UV) spectral range for several reasons: (i) many astrobiologically relevant molecules are electronically excited by efficient absorption of UV radiation and rapidly undergo photochemical reactions; (ii) even though the penetration depth of UV radiation is limited, aeolian erosion continually exposes fresh material to radiation; and (iii) UV irradiation generates strong oxidants such as perchlorates that can penetrate deep into soils and cause subsurface oxidative degradation of organics.As a consequence, it is crucial to investigate the effects of UV radiation on organic molecules embedded in mineral matrices mimicking the martian soil, in order to validate hypotheses about the nature of the organic compounds detected so far at the surface of Mars by the Curiosity rover, as well as organics that will be possibly found by the next rover missions Mars 2020 and ExoMars 2020. In addition, studying the alteration of possible molecular biosignatures in the martian environment will help to redefine the molecular targets for life detection missions and devise suitable detection methods.Here we report the results of mid-UV irradiation experiments of Mars soil analog samples obtained adsorbing relevant organic molecules on a clay mineral that is quite common on Mars, i.e. montmorillonite, doped with 1 wt% of magnesium perchlorate. Specifically, we chose to investigate the photostability of a plausible precursor of the chlorohydrocarbons detected on Mars by the Curiosity rover, namely phthalic acid, along with the biomarkers of extant life L-phenylalanine and L-glutamic acid, which are proteomic amino acids, and adenosine 5’-monophosphate, which is a nucleic acid component.We monitored the degradation of these molecules adsorbed on montmorillonite through in situ spectroscopic analysis, investigating the reflectance properties of the samples in the Near InfraRed (NIR) spectral region. Such spectroscopic characterization of molecular alteration products provides support for two upcoming robotic missions to Mars that will employ NIR spectroscopy to look for molecular biosignatures, through the instruments SuperCam on board Mars 2020, ISEM, Ma_Miss and MicrOmega on board ExoMars 2020.

Iron Doped TiO₂ nanoparticles (Fe-TiO₂) were synthesized and photocatalitically investigated under high and low fluence values of UV-radiation. The Fe-TiO₂ physical characterization was performed using X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) technique. The XPS evidenced that ferric ion (Fe³⁺) was in the lattice of TiO₂ and co-dopants no intentionally added were also present due to the precursors of the synthetic method. The Fe³⁺ concentration played a key role in the photocatalytic generation of hydroxyl radical (•OH) and estriol (E3) degradation. Fe-TiO₂ materials accomplished E3 degradation, and it was found that the catalyst with 0.3 at. % content of Fe (0.3 Fe-TiO₂) enhanced the photocatalytic activity under low UV-irradiation compared with no intentionally Fe-added TiO₂ (zero-iron TiO₂) and Aeroxide^® TiO₂ P25. Furthermore, the enhanced photocatalytic activity of 0.3 Fe-TiO₂ under low UV-irradiation may have applications when radiation intensity must be controlled, as in medical applications, or when strong UV absorbing species are present in water.

Modification the biodegradable matrix was carried by graft-copolymerization polylactide with methacrylic acid of various concentrations. Ultraviolet irradiation with different exposure times to the samples was chosen as the initiator of copolymerization. In the experiment the effect of ultraviolet light on polylactide and graft copolymerization was investigated: the resulting samples were studied by viscosimetry, gravimetry, FTIR, static cation- exchange capacity analysis . The conditions for obtaining grafted copolymers and the dependence of the characteristics on the reaction conditions are established.

In the article, we are trying to find a general law that describes the physical properties of a complex compound through the same physical properties of compound elements. For metal alloys operated under extreme conditions - neutron and proton irradiations and thermal heating, the mechanical properties of these alloys and their elements have been studied. It turned out that the ultimate tensile strength of tantalum alloys used in the design of space reactors can be expressed in terms of the weighted sum of the ultimate tensile strengths of its elements in the range of neutron doses: (0 - 0.96) displacement per atom (dpa) for Ta–10W alloy and (1.4 - 1.7) dpa for T–111 alloy with a neutron energy of more than 0.1 MeV. For tungsten binary alloys used in the design of fusion reactors, the Vickers hardness can also be expressed in terms of the weighted sum of the Vickers hardnesses of the alloy elements in the range of proton irradiation doses: (0 - 0.05) dpa for W-1%Re alloy, (0.05 - 0.2) dpa for W-3%Re alloy and (0.05 - 1) dpa for W-1%Ta with a proton energy of 1 MeV.

The swelling behavior of titanium-modified austenitic stainless steel 15-15Ti was investigated by pre-implantation of He at room temperature followed by Ni irradiation at 580 °C to peak doses of 120, 240 and 400 dpa. Relatively smaller cavities were observed in the zone of helium implantation while large cavities appeared in the region near the damage peak. A correction formula of the dpa curve was proposed and applied for samples with large swelling. It is found that the steady-state swelling rate of 15-15Ti keeps at ~1% /dpa even to high doses. By comparing the swelling data of the helium-implanted and helium-free regions at same doses, 70 dpa and 122 dpa, the suppression of excessive helium on swelling can be deduced at such doses.

Cross-contamination poses a pervasive challenge within the realm of food production. The propagation of infections is recognized to occur in an uncontrolled manner. Given the essential nature of food for human sustenance, the domain necessitates stringent control over contamination and cross-contamination due to the perilous potential for severe intoxication. In the context of managing biological contamination in fresh food items, commencing from production and extending to the final consumable, the utilization of chemicals must be judiciously limited to avert adverse effects. This biochemical approach, however, engenders environmental and health quandaries attributable to the incessant employment and discharge of such materials. The present research is centered upon demonstrating, at a laboratory scale, a process involving the leaching of plants, accompanied by the application of UVC irradiation during this procedure. This obviates the necessity for chemical solutions. The empirical findings showcased that subjecting the solution utilized for vegetable washing to UV irradiation rendered it 99 % microorganism-free in vegetables and 99.999% in the water component. This attests to efficacious decontamination, resource conservation, and mitigation of discharge-associated predicaments. The mathematical model precisely characterizes the behaviors manifested in the empirical data, thereby establishing a close correspondence with the kinetics law equation. Grasping the fundamental mechanisms and articulating them enables the enhancement of optimization and seamless integration of this approach to combat cross-contamination with heightened efficacy. This approach to addressing cross-contamination holds significant promise, underscoring its pivotal role in elevating food safety measures and ameliorating environmental repercussions. Envisioning the implementation of these practices at an industrial scale carries the potential to yield substantial dividends in terms of public health and sustainable practices

Breast Angiosarcoma is a rare malignancy, accounting less than 1% of all soft tissue. It comprises primitive and secondary subtypes, such as radiogenic breast angiosarcoma (RAS). Despite the multimodal treatment, angiosarcomas represent an incurable disease for many patients and represent a cause of substantial deterioration of their quality of life. Surgery represents the cornerstone in the management, but high recurrence rates are reported. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is practicable locoregional treatment in patients with advanced angiosarcoma, in a multimodal therapeutic strategy. ECT palliative benefit includes optimal patient compliance, good local hemostasis control, and local responses. Considering that only 22 cases are described in literature, we reported a rare case of RAS treated with ECT, after a multidisciplinary approach including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). A literature review about the feasibility of ECT in RAS management was also performed.

The Dead Sea basin is the lowest terrestrial site on the globe and is internationally recognized as a photoclimatotherapy center. Since the last century, questions raised regarding the possible presence of a unique incident ultraviolet irradiation, allowing successful treatment of psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and other dermatological diseases. Aim: Determine the characteristics of the solar ultraviolet irradiation and understand the mechanism of action of photoclimatotherapy while applying the results to clinical protocols of treatment. Methods: A meteorological station was established at the Dead Sea basin to continuously measure global, UVB and UVA irradiation. The same irradiation parameters are also being monitored continuously by a set of identical ultraviolet irradiation instruments installed on the campus of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in Beer Sheva. Results: This study details the results of these long-term measurements, ae well as their correlation with the success obtained by clinicians treating psoriasis patients. Conclusions: A database of more than 25 years has enabled the medical staff to establish tailor-made protocols for sun-exposure time intervals as a function of particular month and hour of day. The availability of such information has significantly improved the results of photoclimatotherapy for psoriasis and at the same time increasing the safety of sun-exposure at the Dead Sea.

The degradation of the persistent compound perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in water by ultraviolet light in the presence and absence of hydrogen peroxide was examined. A laboratory experiment was designed to answer the question: is UV spectrophotometry feasible for PFOA research? Spectrophotometry was able to measure the degradation of PFOA, but a very high concentration was required. The 1 mg/L used is very concentrated when compared to the 70 ng/L suggested level in drinking water. A UV/Visible diode array scanning spectrophotometer was used to measure changes in PFOA concentrations after 15-minute exposures to ultraviolet light and ultraviolet light with hydrogen peroxide. A noticeable drop in concentration was measured for a 1 mg/L sample. The reaction kinetics were calculated and are likely skewed due to the greater concentration of experimental PFOA. These preliminary results will allow for the next phases of PFOA research to commence, including confirmation through liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry of low concentrations and developing bioremediation techniques.

Cannabis (Cannabis Sativa L.) is now legally produced in many regions worldwide. Cannabis flourishes under high light intensities (LI); making it an expensive commodity to grow in controlled environments, despite its exceptionally high market value. It is commonly believed that cannabis secondary metabolite levels may be enhanced both by increasing LI and by exposing crops to ultraviolet radiation (UV). However, there is sparse scientific evidence to guide cultivators. Therefore, the impact of LI and UV on yield and quality must be elucidated to enable cultivators to optimize their lighting protocols. We explored the effects of LI, ranging from 350 to 1400 μmol m^-2 s^-1 and supplemental UV spectra on cannabis yield and potency. There were no spectrum effects on inflorescence yield, but harvest index under UVA+UVB was reduced slightly (1.6%) vs. the control. Inflorescence yield increased linearly from 19.4 to 57.4 g/plant and harvest index increased from 0.565 to 0.627, as LI increased from 350 to 1400 μmol m^-2 s^-1. Although there were no UV spectrum effects on total equivalent Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (T-THC) content in leaves, the neutral form, THC, was 30% higher in UVA+UVB vs. control. While there were no LI effects on inflorescence T-THC content, the content of the acid form (THCA) increased by 20% and total terpenes content decreased by 20% as LI increased from 350 to 1400 μmol m^-2 s^-1. High LI can substantially increase cannabis yield and quality, but we found no commercially-relevant benefits of adding supplemental UV radiation to indoor cannabis production.

The role of postmastectomy radiotherapy and regional nodal irradiation after radical mastectomy is defined in high-risk patients with locally advanced tumors, positive margins, and unfavorable biology. The benefit of postmastectomy radiotherapy in intermediate-risk patients (T3N0 tumors) remains a matter of controversy. It has been demonstrated that radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery lowers the locoregional recurrence rate compared with surgery alone and improves the overall survival rate. In patients with 4 or more positive lymph nodes or extracapsular extension regional lymph node irradiation is indicated regardless of the surgery type (breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy). Despite the consensus that patients with more than 3 positive lymph nodes should be treated with radiotherapy, there is a controversy regarding the recommendations for patients with one to three involved lymph nodes. In patients with N0 disease with negative findings on axillary surgery, there is a trend to administer regional lymph node irradiation in patients with a high risk of recurrence. In patients treated with neoadjuvant systemic therapy and mastectomy, adjuvant radiotherapy should be administered in case of clinical stage III and/or ≥ypN1. In patients treated with neoadjuvant systemic therapy and breast-conserving surgery, postoperative radiotherapy is indicated irrespective of pathological response.

Review of the existing bibliography shows that the direction and magnitude of the long-term trends of UV irradiance, and their main drivers, vary significantly throughout Europe. Analysis of total ozone and spectral UV data recorded at four European stations during 1996 – 2017 reveals that long-term changes in UV are mainly driven by changes in aerosols, cloudiness, and surface albedo, while changes in total ozone play a less significant role. The variability of UV irradiance is large throughout Italy due to the complex topography and large latitudinal extension of the country. Analysis of the spectral UV records of the urban site of Rome, and the alpine site of Aosta reveals that differences between the two sites follow the annual cycle of the differences in cloudiness and surface albedo. Comparisons between the noon UV index measured at the ground at the same stations and the corresponding estimates from the DWD forecast model and OMI/Aura observations reveal differences of up to 6 units between individual measurements, which are likely due to the different spatial resolution of the different datasets, and average differences of 0.5 – 1 unit, possibly related to the use of climatological surface albedo and aerosol optical properties in the retrieval algorithms.

Phototherapy is an efficient strategy to respond to oxidative stress and has been in the spotlight in various therapeutic fields through its biological effect, but the exact molecular mechanism has not yet been established. As a result of irradiating RAW264.7 cells with a 630 nm or 850 nm LED with an energy intensity of 0.01J/cm2, cell viability was increased depend on the irradiation time. After H2O2 was added, 630 nm or 850 nm LEDs were irradiated for 10 min or 40 min to increase cell viability by about 1.7- or 1.6-fold, respectively. In addition, 630nm or 850nm LED irradiation showed a significant ROS scavenging effect and significantly reduced TUNEL-positive cells by 45.7% and 37.8%, respectively, compared to cells treated only with H2O2. In the result of flow cytometry, the number of cells in the late apoptosis stage was about 2.3- and 1.8-fold lower than that of the cells treated with H2O2 only, but there was no significance. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio of cells irradiated with 630 nm or 850 nm LED was significantly lower than that of cells treated with H2O2 only, and the expression of procaspase-3 and cleaved PARP was also significantly expressed in the direction of suppressing cell death. In conclusion, the ROS scavenging activity by 630 nm or 850 nm LED irradiation, leading the expression of cell death pathway proteins in the direction of inhibiting cell death.

The irradiation biology of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB, Halyomorpha halys Stål) treated at the nymphal stage was investigated to determine its application for sterile insect technique (SIT). Fifth instar males of BMSB were exposed to gamma-radiation 60Co at different doses of 12, 16, 20, 24 and 64 Gy. Irradiated males were mated with non-irradiated virgin females to assess the longevity of both sexes, female fecundity and fertility of their offspring until the egg stage of the F2 generation. The mortality of each of the developmental stages of the F1 and eggs of the F2 generation was observed to determine whether negative effects from exposure to radiation was inherited. The data indicated that irradiation significantly reduced the lifespan of male insects at doses above 20Gy. Irradiated males did not affect the longevity and fecundity of their female partners, nor either sex of their resulting progeny, but it did reduce the hatch rate of the eggs at all doses tested. The sterility rates of F1 eggs were 55.6%, 73.3%, 74.1% and 74.1% at doses of 12Gy, 16Gy, 20Gy and 24Gy respectively. Eggs were completely sterile (100%) at a dose of 64Gy with no egg hatch recorded. A low hatch rate of F2 eggs illustrated that negative effects from radiation was inherited by the subsequent generation. The results support the potential for the use of SIT for BMSB management by irradiating the fifth instar male nymphs at 16-64Gy.

Zinc oxide is one of the most important semiconductor metal oxides and one of the most promising n-type materials, but its practical use is limited because of both its high thermal conductivity and its low electrical conductivity. Numerous studies have shown that doping with metals in ZnO structures leads to the modification of the band gap energy. In this work, Al-doped ZnO, Ni-doped ZnO, and undoped ZnO nanocrystalline powders were prepared by sol-gel method coupled with ultrasound irradiation. The doping concentration in ZnO was 1.0 at.% of Al and Ni. Influence of Al³⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions in the ZnO network are explored in this paper. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy, Nitrogen Adsorption (BET method), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analyses demonstrated the incorporation of metal ions (aluminum and nickel) into the ZnO wurtzite structure. The crystallite size of the sample was decreased from 24.5 nm (ZnO) to 22.0 nm (ZnO-Al) and 21 nm (ZnO-Ni).

Eyes are quintessential complex traits and our understanding of their evolution guides models of trait evolution in general. A long-standing account of eye evolution argues natural selection favors morphological variations that allow increased functionality for sensing light (Darwin 1859; v. Salvini-Plawen and Mayr 1977; Nilsson and Pelger 1994; Nilsson 2013). While certainly true in part, this focus on visual performance does not entirely explain why diffuse photosensitivity persists even after eyes evolve, or why eyes evolved many times, each time using similar building blocks. Here we briefly review a vast literature indicating most genetic components of eyes historically responded to stress caused directly by light, including UV damage of DNA, oxidative stress, and production of aldehydes. We propose light-induced stress had a direct and prominent role in the evolution of eyes by bringing together genes to repair and prevent damage from light-stress, both before and during the evolution of eyes themselves. Stress-repair and stress-prevention genes were perhaps originally deployed as plastic responses to light and/or as beneficial mutations genetically driving expression where light was prominent. These stress-response genes sense, shield, and refract light but only as reactions to ongoing light stress. Once under regulatory-genetic control, they could be expressed before light stress appeared, evolve as a module, and be influenced by natural selection to increase functionality for sensing light, ultimately leading to complex eyes and behaviors. Recognizing the potentially prominent role of stress in eye evolution invites discussions of plasticity and assimilation and provides a hypothesis for why similar genes are repeatedly used in convergent eyes. Broadening the drivers of eye evolution encourages consideration of multi-faceted mechanisms of plasticity/assimilation and mutation/selection for complex novelties and innovations in general.

With the increasing pace of global warming, it is important to understand the role of meteorological factors in influenza virus (IV) epidemics. In this study, we investigated the impact of temperature, UV index, humidity, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, and precipitation on IV activity in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania during 2010-2018. Both correlation and machine learning analyses revealed that low temperature and low UV indexes were the most predictive meteorological factors for IV epidemics in the Northern European countries. Our in vitro experiments confirmed that low temperature and UV radiation preserved IV infectivity. Associations between these meteorological factors and IV activity could improve surveillance and promote development of accurate predictive models for future influenza outbreaks in Northern Europe.

Ionizing radiation exposure is known to induce molecular and cellular injury, inflicting a cascade of potentially catastrophic events leading to tissue and organ damage. Metabolomic analysis allows for the identification and quantification of small molecules downstream of genomic changes induced by radiation exposure. We aimed to characterize metabolomic changes that underscore the prefinal stage of lethally irradiated rhesus nonhuman primates (NHPs). Peripheral blood was drawn at baseline, post-exposure as well as at the preterminal stage of NHPs (immediately prior to death in moribund NHPs), which did not survive exposure with 7.2 Gy total-body radiation (LD70/60). Herein, we analyzed global metabolomic changes using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS) in plasma samples of NHPs collected at various timepoints in relation to irradiation. The overall goal was to identify metabolic shifts present immediately prior to death. Our findings, for the first time, show that radiation induced significant time dependent metabolic perturbations when compared to pre-irradiation samples, particularly in the glycerophospholipid metabolism and steroid hormone biosynthesis and metabolism pathways. These findings provide valuable insights for identifying biomarkers for lethality, which may be helpful for triage during a mass casualty scenario.

Development of new techniques of multimodal treatment, diagnostics of various neoplasms and improvement of these techniques can significantly increase the life expectancy of patients with carcinomas of the colon and abdominal cavity organs, since prevention of various side effects of radiation therapy is one of the main problems of oncological care. Electron irradiation is one of the most promising types of radiation therapy. There are no data on proliferation and apoptosis of the colon epithelium after irradiation with electrons, especially in different modes (single and summary). Aim of the study: Morphological evaluation of apoptosis and proliferation of colonic epithelium after local irradiation with electrons at doses 2 Gy and 25 Gy. Materials and methods. Colon fragments from sexually mature Wistar rats (n=50, body weight 200 ± 10 g) were divided into three groups: I - control (n = 10); II - experimental group (n = 20; local single electron irradiation at a dose of 2 Gy), III - experimental group (n=30), local fractional irradiation with electrons at a total dose of 25 Gy. They were studied by light microscopy using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical reactions with antibodies to Ki-67 and Cas3. Morphological disorders were accompanied by increased expression of pro-apoptotic molecules (caspase-3), and the period of regeneration by proliferative marker (Ki-67). Conclusions: Local fractional irradiation of the colon with electrons at a dose of 2 Gy and 25 Gy resulted in minor changes in the epithelium, a decrease in the number of goblet cells, but with preservation of regenerative potential, mild degenerative-dystrophic lesions. Intestinal crypts were damaged, leading to a decrease in Ki-67 and an increase in the number of caspase-3-positive epitheliocytes.

Background: to assess the benefit of a deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) over standard irradiation technique, and eventually to identify anatomical and/or treatment preplanning characteristics correlated with LAD dose. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients with left-sided breast cancer who underwent whole breast radiotherapy in DIBH. All patients had both plans in DIBH and free-breathing (FB). Receiving operating characteristics (ROC analysis) were performed to define the cut-off point of parameters to predict LAD maximum dose >10 Gy and LAD mean dose > 4 Gy. Areas under the curve (AUCs) were calculated for all variables. Post-test probability has been calculated to evaluate advantage for parameters combination. Results: One hundred ninety-seven patients were identified. LAD dose was significantly reduced in DIBH plans with maximum and mean dose reduced by 31.7% (mean value 3.5 Gy vs 4.8 Gy, p=<0.001) and 28.1% (mean value 8.2 Gy vs 12.8 Gy, p=<0.001) in DIBH plans compared to FB plans. The strongest predictor of LAD maximum dose > 10 Gy and a LAD mean dose > 4 Gy was the minimum distance of LAD from tangent open fields. Other parameters were lung volume and heart volume for LAD Dmax > 10 Gy and lung volume, heart volume and breast separation for LAD Dmean > 4 Gy. Conclusion: The dosimetric benefit of DIBH is valid for all patients and DIBH should be preferred for all left sided patients.

Cyanides, though naturally occurring, are environmental pollutants when not treated properly. Some methods used to attenuate cyanides in waste waters from industrial processes are based simply on changing the physico-chemical properties of the waste water such as the pH and temperature. The effectiveness of these methods are based on hydrolysis of the cyanide and volatilization of the hydrogen cyanide formed. Another reaction which takes place simultaneously is ultraviolet-catalysed oxidation which converts the cyanide to bicarbonates and carbonates.The changes in the cyanide degradation rate approaches a minimum faster if the cyanide solution is maintained at a higher than ambient constant temperature.

As the global semiconductor market is growing steadily, the need for optimization of the man-ufacturing process is paramount. For example, in the process of transferring the semiconductor chips to the substrate, each chip needs to be individually separated from the dicing tape via a plunger. In this process, however, the fixed chip is not easily removed from the tape due to strong adhesion, and the chip can become damaged if it is forcibly pulled out. Therefore, the present paper reports the development of functional adhesive tapes that initially adhere strongly to the semi-conductor chip on the dicing tape but can be easily removed after transfer. The fabricated functional tape has an initial adhesion of 350 gf, which enables firm fixing of the semiconductor chip to be transferred, and a final adhesion of 0.8 gf after UV curing, thereby facilitating removal of the chip without damage after transfer. Therefore, the fabricated functional tape is expected to contribute to the optimization of the semiconductor manufacturing process and is expected to be useful in the semiconductor package manufacturing process.

In this study we focus on measurements and modeled UV index at the region of Athens, Greece, during a period of a low ozone event. During the period of 12 to 19 of May 2020, total column ozone (TOC) showed extremely low values 35-55 DU (up to 15%) decrease from the climatic mean (being lower than the -2σ). This condition favors the increase of UV erythemal irradiance, since stratospheric ozone is the most important attenuator at the UVB spectral region. A parallel intrusion of Saharan Dust aerosols in the region has masked a large part of the low ozone effect on UV irradiance. In order to investigate the event, we have used spectral solar irradiance measurements from the Precision Solar Radiometer (PSR), total column ozone from the BREWER spectrophotometer and Radiative Transfer Model (RTM) calculations. Model calculations of UV Index (UVI) showed an increase of ~30% compared to the long term normal UVI due to the low TOC while at the same time and for particular days, aerosols masked this effect by ~20%. The study points out the importance of accurate measurements or forecasts of both ozone and aerosols when deriving UVI under unusual low ozone-high aerosol conditions.

The sunscreen industry is achieving remarkable worldwide prominence by responding to the growing need for skin protection with fast-paced innovation. Increased consumer awareness of the harmful effects of sunlight has fueled the demand for improved photo protection. The need for broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays has inspired scientists worldwide to research new cosmetic formulations and delivery systems. More effective sunscreen actives, emollients and novel cosmetic and functional ingredients have been regularly added to the formulator’s repertoire. Creativity in innovation has been hindered only by regulatory agencies and patent restrictions worldwide. Familiarity with the current restrictive regulations and patent law infringements has become integral to any research effort attempting to provide improved protection to individuals affected by the sun’s damaging effects. The increasing incidence of skin cancers and photo damaging effects caused by ultraviolet radiation has increased the use of sun screening agents, which have shown beneficial effects in reducing the symptoms and reoccurrence of these problems. Unlike the situation in Europe where sunscreen ingredients are considered under cosmetics guidelines, the FDA is required to define sunscreens as drugs since they are advertised to prevent sunburn and, more recently, the risk of skin cancer. In the USA, the FDA has been regulating this industry since August 25, 1978, with the publication of the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Sunscreens are considered drugs and cosmetics and therefore must be governed by the FDA-OTC monograph. With the variety of sunscreen agents used in cosmetic and UV protection products, Australia, Canada, and the European Union (EU) have also developed regulatory protocols on safe sunscreen product use. Unlike the USA though, Australia has approved 34 active sunscreen ingredients and the EU has approved 28 of these ingredients. Current FDA regulations allow labeling of sunscreen products to a maximum of 30þ, despite the many products currently available with numbers as high as 100. From a cosmetic formulation point of view, increasing the SPF number in a product is governed by simple chemical principles.

Controlling the concentration of free radicals in polymerization systems is advantageous for preparing cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) with high molecular weight and acceptable dissolvability. In this study, a novel ultraviolet (UV)-initiated system characterized with adjustable light intensity and redox-azo complex initiator was used to synthesize a CPAM flocculant named NP. Comparatively, another CPAM flocculant named SP with stable UV light intensity and single initiator was prepared. The chemical structure, morphology, and thermal stability were analyzed through instrumental analysis. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance indicated that NP was successfully prepared, and a small fraction of cationic homopolymer was mixed in the product. Polymerization conditions were optimized, and polymerization mechanism was determined by investigating the effects of various parameters on intrinsic viscosity, conversion, and dissolvability. Results showed that the best performance was obtained at indexes of 0.45 wt‰ redox initiator concentration, 0.2 wt‰ azo initiator concentration, 40.0 wt% of cationic monomer, first- and second-stage light intensities of 8.5 and 13 mW/cm², respectively, and 3 wt% urea. Sludge conditioning performances of NP and SP were comparatively evaluated, and the mechanism was determined by investigating the sedimentation behavior and floc size distribution. High intrinsic viscosity, porous morphology structure, and the mixed cationic homopolymer of NP resulted in better sludge conditioning performance.

Additive manufacturing or 3D printing applying polycaprolactone-(PCL)-based medical devices represents an important branch of tissue engineering, where the sterilization method is a key process for further safe application in vitro and in vivo. In this study, the authors intend to access the most suitable gamma radiation conditions to sterilize PCL-based scaffolds in a preliminary biocompatibility assessment, envisioning future studies for airway obstruction conditions. Three radiation levels were considered, 25 kGy, 35 kGy and 45 kGy and evaluated as to their cyto- and biocompatibility. All three groups presented biocompatible properties, indicating an adequate sterility condition. As for the cytocompatibility analysis, devices sterilized by 35 kGy and 45 kGy showed better results, with the 45 kGy showing overall improved outcomes. This study allowed to select the most suitable sterilization condition for PCL-based scaffolds, aiming at immediate future assays, by applying 3D-customized printing techniques to specific airway obstruction lesions of the trachea.

Purpose: Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the current global concern. Radiotherapy (RT), commonly employed in cancer management, has been considered one of the potential treatments for COVID-19 pneumonia. Here, we present the final report of the pilot trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of low-dose whole-lung irradiation (LD-WLI) in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods and Materials: We enrolled patients with moderate COVID-19 pneumonia who were older than 60 years. Participants were treated with LD-WLI in a single fraction of 0.5 or 1.0Gy along with the national protocol of COVID-19. The primary endpoints were improvement of SpO₂, the number of hospital/ICU stay days, and the number of intubations after RT and the secondary endpoints were alterations of the c-reactive peptide, interleukin-6, ferritin, procalcitonin, and D-dimer. The response rate (RR) was defined as a rise in SpO₂ upon RT with rising or constant trend in the next two days, and clinical recovery (CR) included patients who were discharged from the hospital or acquired SpO₂ ≥93% on room air. Results: Between 21 May 2020 and 2 July 2020, ten patients were enrolled. The median age was 75 years, 80% were male, and 80% had comorbidities. The first five patients received a single 0.5Gy-WLI, and others received 1.0Gy. Patients were followed for 2-14 days (median 5.5 days). Following one day, nine patients experienced an improvement in SpO₂. Five patients were discharged (median 6^th day, range 2^nd-14^th day), and four patients died (median 7^th day, range 3^rd-10^th day). Overall, the RR and CR were 60.0% and 55.5%, respectively. The RR and CR rates of 0.5- and 1.0Gy group were 80% vs 40% and 75% vs 40%, respectively. No acute radiation-induced toxicity was recorded. Conclusions: LD-WLI with a single 0.5Gy fraction seems to be a more appropriate dose to warrant further evaluation in a large-scale, randomized trial.

The nature of the blue color in the iodine-starch reaction (or, in most cases, iodine-iodide-starch reaction, i.e. as I2 as well as I- are typically present) has for decades elicited debate. The intensity of the color suggests a clear charge-transfer nature of the band at ~600 nm, and there is consensus regarding the fact that the hydrophobic interior of the amylose helix is the location where iodine binds. Three types of possible sources of charge transfer have been proposed: (1) chains of neutral I2 molecules, (2) chains of poly-iodine anions (complicated by the complex speciation of the I2 - I- mixture), or (3) mixtures of I2 molecules and iodide or polyiodide anions. An extended literature review of the topic is provided here. According to the most recent data, the best candidate for the “blue complex” is a I2-I5-I2 unit – expected to occur in repetitive manner inside the amylose helix.

Skin aging is one of the most common problems facing humanity. It occurs because of altering the balance between free radicals and antioxidants and increasing the amount of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skin cells, which leads to oxidative stress especially when exposed to UV radiation. Antioxidants can neutralize the harmful effects of ROS, and secondary plant metabolites can help protect against UV radiation. In this study, punicalagin was extracted from pomegranate and concentrations of total polyphenolics and flavonoids were determined and antioxidant activities measured. Punicalagin was loaded onto niosomes and its morphology and release were studied. An in vitro study was performed on human fibroblast cell line HFB4 cells with aging induced by H2O2 and UV radiation. Cell cycle arrest was studied and different genes (MMP3, Col1A1, Timp3, and TERT) involved in the skin aging process were selected to measure punicalagin's effect. Punicalagin succeeded in reducing the growth arrest of HFB4 cells, activated production of the Col1A1 and Timp3 genes, maintained collagen level, and lowered of MMP3. Punicalagin increased human TERT concentration in skin cells. Punicalagin is promising as a natural antioxidant to protect human skin from aging.

ATLID (ATmospheric LIDar) is the atmospheric backscatter LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) on board of the EarthCARE (Earth Cloud, Aerosol and Radiation Explorer) mission, the sixth Earth Explorer Mission of the ESA (European Space Agency) Living Planet Programme [1-5]. ATLID’s purpose is to provide vertical profiles of optically thin cloud and aerosol layers, as well as the altitude of cloud boundaries [6-10]. In order to achieve this objective ATLID emits short duration laser pulses in the UV, at a repetition rate of 51 Hz, while pointing in a near nadir direction along track of the satellite trajectory. The atmospheric backscatter signal is then collected by its 620 mm aperture telescope, filtered through the optics of the instrument focal plane assembly, in order to separate and measure the atmospheric Mie and Rayleigh scattering signals. With the completion of the full instrument assembly in 2019, ATLID has been subjected to an ambient performance test campaign, followed by a successful environmental qualification test campaign, including performance calibration and characterization in thermal vacuum conditions. In this paper the design and operational principle of ATLID is recalled and the major performance test results are presented, addressing the main key receiver and emitter characteristics. Finally, the estimated instrument, in-orbit, flight predictions are presented; these indicate compliance of the ALTID instrument performance against its specification and that it will meet its mission science objectives for the EarthCARE mission, to be launched in 2023.

The roots, leaves, and other parts of American ginseng contain ginsenosides and polyphenols, among other bioactive components. So far, reports on exploring the changes in bioactive components within its leaves after heat treatment have been limited. In the present study, we investigated the effects of far-infrared irradiation (FIR) heat treatment from 160 to 200 ℃ on the deglycosylation and dehydration rates of the bioactive components in American ginseng leaves. As the temperature was increased, the amounts of constant ginsenosides decreased while those of rare ginsenosides increased. After FIR heat treatment of the American ginseng leaves at an optimal 190 ℃, the highest total polyphenolic content and kaempferol content were detected, the antioxidant activity was significantly enhanced, and the amounts of rare ginsenosides F4, Rg6, Rh4, Rk3, Rk1, Rg3, and Rg5 were 41, 5, 37, 64, 222, 17, and 266 times higher than those in the untreated leaves, respectively. Moreover, the radical scavenging rates for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and the reducing power of the treated leaf extract, were 2.17, 1.86, and 1.77 times higher, respectively. Hence, optimal FIR heat treatment at 190 ℃ is an efficient method for producing beneficial bioactive components from American ginseng leaves.

Nondestructive determination of the neutron irradiation induced embrittlement of nuclear reactor pressure vessel steel is a very important and recent problem. In the frame of the so called NOMAD project, funded by the Euratom research and training program, novel nondestructive electromagnetic testing methods were applied for inspection of irradiated reactor pressure vessel steel. In this review the most important results of this project are summarized. Different methods were used and compared with each other. Measurement results were compared with the destructively determined ductile to brittle transition temperature (DBTT) values. Three magnetic methods: 3MA (micromagnetic, multiparameter, microstructure and stress analysis), MAT (magnetic adaptive testing) and Barkhausen noise technique (MBN) were found as the most promising techniques. The results of these methods were in good confidence with each other. Good correlation was found between the magnetic parameters and the DBTT values. The basic idea of the NOMAD project is to use a multi-method/multi-parameter approach and to focus on their synergies that allows to recognise the side effects therefore supressing them at the same time. Different types of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms were tested in competition and their performances were evaluated. The important outcome of the ML technique is that not only one, but several different ML techniques could reach required precision and reliability, i.e. to keep the DBTT prediction error lower than +/-25°C threshold, which was previously not possible for any of the NDE methods as single entities. A calibration/training procedure was carried out on the merged outcome of testing methods with excellent results to predict transition temperature, yield strength and mechanical hardness for all investigated materials. Our results, achieved within NOMAD project can be useful for the future potential introduction of this (and in general, any) nondestructive evolution method.

Dengue virus infections are a serious public health problem worldwide. Aedes aegypti is the primary vector of dengue in Cuba. Since there is no vaccine or specific treatment, the control efforts are directed to reduce mosquito populations. The indiscriminate use of pesticides can lead to increase insecticide resistance as well as adverse effects on human health. The sterile insect technique is a species-specific and environmental friendly method of insect control based on the release of large numbers of sterile males. The success of this technique in sustainable control of agricultural pests has encouraged its evaluation for mosquito control. Here, we describe an open field trial to evaluate the effect of the release of irradiated males on a wild population of Aedes aegypti. The case-control study was performed in a suburb of Havana, and compared the mosquito population before and after the intervention, in both control and treated areas. The wild population was monitored by an ovitrap network, recording frequency and density of eggs as well as their hatch rate. A significant induced sterility was observed in the field population, compared to the control. The ovitrap index and the mean eggs/ trap declined dramatically after an expected lag period of twelve and five weeks, respectively. For the last three weeks, no egg was collected in the treated area, evidencing a significant suppression of the wild population. We conclude that the sterile males released competed successfully, and induced enough sterility to suppress the local Aedes aegypti population.

We utilized laser irradiation as a potential technique in tuning the electrical performance of NiOx/SiO2 thin film transistors (TFTs). By optimizing the laser fluence and the number of laser pulses, the TFT performance is evaluated in terms of mobility, threshold voltage, on/off current ratio and subthreshold swing, all of which were derived from the transfer and output characteristics. The 500 laser pulses irradiated NiOx/SiO2 TFT exhibited an enhanced mobility of 3 cm2/V-s from a value of 1.25 cm2/V-s for as-deposited NiOx/SiO2 TFT. The laser-irradiated NiOx material likely has a significant concentration of defect gap states, which could also be involved in light absorption processes. Second, and more importantly, the excess energy that the photogenerated charge carriers possess (due to the significant difference between the photon energy and the bandgap of NiOx), combined with the very high light intensity, would result in complex thermal and photo thermal changes thus resulting in an enhanced electrical performance of p-type NiOx/SiO2 TFT structure.

In this study, we present comprehensive climatologies of effective ultraviolet (UV) quantities and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) over Cyprus for the period 2004 to 2023, leveraging the synergy of earth observation (EO) data and radiative transfer model simulations. The EO dataset, encompassing satellite and re-analysis data for aerosols, total ozone column, and water vapor, alongside cloud modification factors, to capture the nuanced dynamics of Cyprus's atmospheric conditions. With a temporal resolution of 15 minutes and a spatial of 0.05°x0.05°, these climatologies undergo rigorous validation against established satellite datasets and are further evaluated through comparisons with ground-based global horizontal irradiance measurements provided by the Meteorological Office of Cyprus. This dual-method validation approach not only underscores the models' accuracy but also highlights their proficiency in capturing intra-daily cloud coverage variations. Our analysis extends to investigating the long-term trends of these solar radiation quantities, examining their interplay with changes in cloud attenuation, aerosol optical depth (AOD), and total ozone column (TOC). Significant decreasing trends in the noon ultraviolet index (UVI), of -2 to -4% per decade have been found in Autumn, especially marked on the island’s Northeastern part, mainly originating from the (significant) positive trends in TOC. The significant decreasing trends in TOC, of -2 to -3% per decade that were found in Spring do not result in correspondingly significant positive trends in the noon UVI since variations in cloudiness and aerosols also have a strong impact on the UVI in this season. The seasonal trends in the Daylight Integral (DLI) were generally not significant. These insights provide a valuable foundation for further studies aimed at developing public health strategies and enhancing agricultural productivity, highlighting the critical importance of accurate and high-resolution climatological data.

The spectrophotometric methods of determination of the active pharmaceutical ingredients meloxicam and nimesulide were reviewed, and a simple UV-spectrophotometric method for the determination of these active pharmaceutical ingredients in industrial equipment cleaning validation samples were proposed. The methods are based on extraction of the residual quantities of meloxicam and numesulide from the manufacturing equipment surface by the concentrated sodium carbonate solution, and the subsequent UV-spectrophotometric determination of the basic forms of the drugs at the wavelength of 362 nm for meloxicam and at 397 nm for nimesulide. The calibration graphs are linear in the range from 5 to 25 mg/L of both nimesulide and meloxicam, the molar attenuation coefficients are 6100 m2/mol for nimesulide and 9100 m2/mol for meloxicam, the limit of detection is 0.8 mg/L for nimesulide and 1.9 mg/L for meloxicam, the limit of quantification is 2.5 mg/L for nimesulide and 5.8 mg/L for meloxicam, the methods are selective with respect to the common excipients, show a good accuracy (the relative uncertainty does not exceed 4%) and precision (the relative standard deviation does not exceed 5%), do not require lengthy sample preparation and sophisticated laboratory equipment and are suitable for the routine analysis of cleaning validation samples.

The aim of this study, for determination of verteporfin in real samples (simulated body fluid, and simulated tears, 0.9% isotonic sodium chloride solution, Lactated Ringer IV solution for infusion, 5% dextrose IV solution for infusion, lemon juice and drinking water) was the method validation and to examined by HPLC-DAD-UV. Metod validation parameters such as specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) for verteporfin were validated and developed according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) Q2 R1 guidelines. The LOD and LOQ for verteporfin were found 0.06 µg/L and 0.2 µg/L, respectively. The recovery values of the optimization and validation for verteporfin were found in the range of 97.5-100.7%. The relative standard deviations (RSD) for vertepofin were <1%. The developed method was successfully applied to real samples with high accuracy and the recoveries (%) from real samples were 99.9, 100, 98.2, 99.2, 99.4, 98.8 and 99.4, respectively.

Evidence has shown that the state of the patient care environment has a direct impact in heightening the risks of hospital acquired infections among patients admitted in hospitals. And in view of the sub-optimal standard of cleanings by housekeeping staff, the quest for a better approach to reliably disinfect environmental surfaces in healthcare facilities. The ultraviolet light has been known for its antimicrobial property, and have been used in water treatment, food processing and in-duct cleaning of ventilations. A recent introduction of its use for surface decontamination has raised interest among hospitals.However, studies have shown that, in spite of its relative success in other applications, there is doubt in its efficacy in decontaminating shadowed areas of the room, and therefore, would not be seen as justifying its capital intensiveness.

Ultraviolet (UV) light with a wavelength of 254 nm has proven to be effective at inactivating microorganisms, and thus has been increasingly employed as a method of disinfection for indoor environments. Solar UV wavelengths (300 to 400 nm) are known to initiate the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particles from photo-oxidation of volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere, but germicidal wavelengths have not been extensively studied for indoor environments. In this work, toluene was exposed to 254 nm UV light in a laboratory photoreactor, with varying conditions of the air, the duration of UV exposure, and the duration of post-UV time. The number of particles formed in the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) size range was measured, and significant levels of particle formation were observed for UV exposure periods of as short as 5 minutes. The particle formation ranged from 2.4x10⁶ particles/m³ for 5 minutes of UV exposure, to 1449.8x10⁶ particles/m³ for 15 minutes of UV exposure. Particle formation was found to increase with increasing concentrations of gas phase toluene, and at relative humidity of approximately 20% and higher. Variations in the initial number of particles present did not appear to have a significant effect on the particle formation, suggesting that nucleation was not a controlling factor. However, tests in a commercial environment showed no significant detectable PM2.5 formation, indicating that SOA formation during the intermittent use of germicidal UV may not significantly affect indoor air quality.

Non-impregnated small pore graphite (NSPG) with the compact microstructure for using in molten salt reactors (MSR) was prepared by the novel process, and the pore diameter of the obtained graphite was reduced to ~800 nm. The irradiation evaluation of the prepared graphite was carried out by 7 MeV Xe26+ ion irradiation and the microstructural changes of the graphite were investigated with IG-110 as a comparison. The graphitization degree of NSPG was higher than that of IG-110, though it was not subjected to an impregnation process. Under low-dose ion irradiation (

In this paper, the effects on the rheological properties, particle size distribution, and fluorescence properties of red wine were investigated under microwave irradiation, and the mechanism of the effects of microwave irradiation on the sensory properties of red wine was discussed. The results showed that the effect of microwave on the rheological properties in red wine could be fitted by the Power-law model and Carson model, through the analysis of the rheological constants, yield stress, and viscosity coefficient of wine, it was found that microwave treatment could improve leg phenomenon and thickening effect by the change of rheological properties; the particle size distribution in wine indicated that microwave irradiation did change the particle size distribution through friction effect and oxidative polymerization, resulting in the wine’s visual effect and mouthfeel; the wine quality could be improved by enhancing the fluorescence intensity under different microwave conditions, which meant that microwave technology could speed up the formation of fluorescent substances, such as the polymerization of flavan-3-ols. In conclusion, microwave treatment could modify the sensory characteristics of wine, and further provide the theoretical basis for the application of microwave in winemaking.

CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst is a commonly used catalyst for rea methanol steam reforming reaction. Oxalic acid was as precipitant in preparing oxalate precursor of CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst by co-precipitation, deionized water and ethanol were as solvents, microwave irradiation and water bath were as aging heating manner respectively. It indicated that ethanol selected crystal phase composition of oxalate precursors and restricted their growth. Microwave irradiation prompted the isomorphous substitution between Cu2+ of CuC2O4 and Zn2+ of ZnC2O4 in mother liquid, forming the master phase (Cu,Zn)C2O4 in precursor, the solid solution Cu-O-Zn formed after calcination, which exhibited nano-fibriform morphology. It possessed small CuO grains, large surface area and strong synergy between CuO and ZnO, which is beneficial to improve the catalytic performance of methanol steam reforming, the STY of H2 reached 516.7 mL·g-1·h-1, and the selectivity of CO was only 0.29%.

The aim of this study is to compare different methods used for determination of the DS for sulfonated membranes before and after high dose irradiation. Commercial PEEK was homogenously sulfonated up to DS of 60-90% and the membranes were prepared using solvent casting method. Part of the samples were irradiated with 10 MeV electron beam up to 500 kGy dose to assess the ionising radiation induced effects. Both non-irradiated and irradiated membranes were characterized by Fourier Transformation infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), electrochemical impedance analysis and for the first time for non-irradiated membranes by spectrophotometric analysis with Cr(III). Comparison of the above-mentioned methods for application for DS assessment was done. It was observed that irradiated membranes presented a higher value of DS. Appearance of different new signals in 1H-NMR and FT-IR spectra of irradiated membranes indicated the effects of radiation induced changes in the structure of SPEEK materials. It was determined that the novel method with Cr(III) is applicable for the determination of SPEEK DS under 80%.

A CoCrFeNiNb0.65 eutectic high-entropy alloys (EHEAs) prepared by arc melting were irradiated with a 100 keV He+ ion beam. Swelling, helium bubbles and mechanical response induced by irradiation were evaluated. When the ion fluence reached 1.0×1018 ions/cm2, the irradiation-induced swelling occurred on the sample surface, and as the ion fluence increasing, the swelling became increasingly severe and the surface of Nb-rich phase appeared peeling and shedding. Meanwhile, along the boundaries of matrix and Nb-rich phase there was a neat line of helium bubbles. The size of these helium bubbles decreased with distance from the center of the helium bubble layer. This result indicated that the phase boundaries were favorable sites for the nucleation and gathering of helium bubbles. Nanoindentaion results indicated that hardening and softening induced by He+ ion irradiation occurred in various ion fluences. At ion fluence of 5.0×1017 ions/cm2, the CoCrFeNiNb0.65 EHEAs exhibited an obvious hardening behavior, which can be explained by dislocation-dominated hardening effect. When the ion fluence reached 1.0×1018 ions/cm2 and 2.0×1018 ions/cm2, the hardening effect decreased probably due to the helium bubble aggregation and growth, as well as helium bubbles induced noncompact structures. The results of this study provide insights into the effect of helium bubbles on mechanical evolution and pave the way for designing EHEAs suitable for the nuclear industry.

The papaya mealybug Paracoccus marginatus is an invasive, polyphagous pest and poses a quarantine threat to tropical and subtropical countries. Infested commodity internationally should be undergoing phytosanitary treatment, while irradiation is recommended to replace methyl bromide fumigation. Dose-response tests were conducted on the 2-, 4-, and 6-d-old eggs and gravid females of P. marginatus using the X-ray radiation doses of 15–105 Gy with an interval of 15 Gy, respectively. Radiotolerance was compared using fiducial overlapping and lethal dose ratio (LDR) test, resulting in insignificant difference except for LDR test at LD90 (leading 90% mortality at 95% confidence level (CL)); the estimated dose for 99.9968% mortality at 95% CL was 176.5–185.2 Gy, which was validated in the confirmatory tests using gamma irradiation because gammy and X-rays have equal biological effect on pests. Therefore, a total of estimating 60,386 gravid females of papaya mealybug irradiated with 146.8–185.0 Gy resulted in no F1 nymphs developing. Eggs can therefore be used as an alternative to gravid females for dose-response tests; the recommended minimum dose for phytosanitary treatment of P. marginatus on infested commodity is 185 Gy, with treatment efficacy ≥ 99.9950% at 95% CL.

The use of vitamin D (VitD) supplements has become widespread in the last decade due not only to the dissociation between the blood levels recommended as "optimal" and those shown by the healthy population, but also to its presumed beneficial effects on multiple disorders. This work evaluated the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in a healthy population of European origin living in a region with high solar irradiation. In serum samples from a population-based study conducted in the Canary Islands, levels of 25(OH)D were analyzed. In 876 individuals who had no history of kidney or malabsorption disorders and who had not been treated with calcium and/or VitD supplementation, the median 25(OH)D level was 26.3 (5th;95th percentile, 14.3;45.8)ng/mL. Notably, 65.4% of the population had 25(OH)D blood levels below 30ng/mL, 23.4% below 20ng/mL and 6.4% below 15ng/mL. Based on the lack of evidence supporting causality between 25(OH)D levels below what is recommended as optimal (≥20ng/mL, or even ≥30ng/mL) and major skeletal and non-skeletal diseases, and in light of the distribution of the concentration of this vitamin in healthy adults living under optimal conditions of solar irradiation, it seems reasonable to consider 25(OH)D levels below 20ng/mL and close to 15ng/mL as adequate for the general population.

The tumor suppressor protein p53 is considered a guardian of genome integrity, regulating the induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in response to irradiation to block the transmission of teratogenic mutations to progeny cells. We examined the function of p53 in highly radiosensitive tissues, the developing brain and mature testis, using a small fish model, medaka (Oryzias latipes). Medaka offer advantages as a vertebrate model system, as the transparency and small size of the embryos enables clear detection of apoptotic cells in the developing brain. In addition, the simple architecture of medaka testes enables more precise identification of the differentiating spermatogenic stages compared with mammals. We found that in irradiated p53-deficient embryonic brain, diminished induction of apoptosis facilitated tissue regeneration earlier compared to irradiated wild-type embryos, which remained structural abnormalities in the retina at hatching. Moreover, the prominent delay in apoptotic induction in irradiated p53-deficient testes could induce transient mis-differentiation during spermatogenesis, such as the formation of ovum-like cells (testis-ova). However, all testis-ova cells were eliminated via p53-independent apoptosis, and spermatogenesis was completely restored within 1 month after irradiation. Collectively, these data indicate that p53 is not indispensable for the restoration of irradiation-induced damaged tissues.

Suzuki cross-coupling reaction has developed one of the furthermost effectual approaches for the synthesis of biaryls or substituted aromatic moieties from aryl halides and arylboronic acids with a palladium-catalyst in the past two era’s. Herein, Pd-free layered double hydroxide containing nickel catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation method under ultrasonic irradiation and N2 atmosphere with different molar ratios of Ni: Mg: Al and coded as (1NiLDHs-Dr), (1.5NiLDHs-Dr) and (2NiLDHs-Dr). A series of reduced catalysts under 5%H2/N2 at different temperatures were coded as 1NiLDHs-R200, 1.5NiLDHs-R200 and 2NiLDHs-R200. As-synthesized 2NiLDHs-Dr was the superlative catalyst when coupling different aryl halides with different boronic acids derivatives. Deep investigation of all catalysts was done using different techniques such as inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) connected with energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) and N2-physisorption at -196 ℃. The results attained verified that ɑ-Ni(OH)2 was fashioned for 2NiLDHs-Dr catalyst and the enclosure of nickel ions in the cationic sheet of layered structure were responsible for the fascinating catalytic efficacy rather than the basic nature of material. The Ni-containing LDHs catalysts encourage forthcoming studies in Pd-free catalyzed C-C coupling reactions.

The manuscript presents the optical properties of directly deposited films of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technology. Four samples were produced, with an AuNPs deposition time of 15 min, 30 min, 1h and 4h on the glass substrate. The morphological characterization of the deposited films showed that the size of the first deposited AuNPs is between 10 and 20 nm, while with a longer duration of the deposition process, larger clusters of AuNPs grow by coalescence and aggregation. The prepared layers were optically characterised with Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) and ellipsometry. The ellipsometric measurements showed an increasingly denser and thicker effective thickness of the AuNPs layers. The extinction spectra display a clear local surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) signature (peak 520-540 nm), indicating the presence of isolated particles in all samples. For all AuNPs layers, the imaginary part of both ε// and ε⏊ is dominated by a central peak around 2.2 eV corresponding to the LSPR of isolated particles and a high-energy shoulder due to Au interband transitions. It is shown that, as the density of particles increases, the extinction cross section grows over the whole spectral range where measurements are taken. Thus response can be explained with an enhanced electromagnetic response among AuNPs, that can be connected to the increase of particle density but also by the formation of clusters and irregular structures.

Sunscreens are topical preparations containing one or more compounds that protect humans from ultraviolet (UV) light. This review focuses on analytical methods, particularly liquid chromatography, aimed at identifying and determining UV filters (UVFs) in environmental and marine biota matrices. A literature review was done using NIH (PubMed and Medline), FDA and EPA databases, Google Scholar, and Federal Regulations. This retrospective literature review is focused on the last five years. UVFs quantification in environmental and biological matrices showed a wide array of methods where liquid chromatography is predominant. The scientific literature identified a large variety of analytical methodologies that are compared in this review, to evaluate the better results in terms of limits of quantification and the possibility to identify as many analytes as possible simultaneously.

Bixa orellana dye was extracted from the seed by method of Soxhlet extraction using ethanol and a percentage yield of 4.3 was obtained. Recrystallisation of the dye was performed using chloroform and ethanol. TLC was used to separate the dye into Bixin and Norbixin with R_f values of 0.56 and 0.42 respectively. The extracted dye was pH sensitive, insoluble in water but soluble in some organic solvents like ethanol and acetic acid . Characterisation by UV-spectroscopy showed maximum absorption for Bixin and Norbixin at 457nm and 453nm respectively. FTIR spectrum of Bixin and Norbixin showed bands confirming similar functional groups for both Bixin and Norbixin except for –CO- stretching and methylene vibration which was absent in Norbixin.

This review emphasizes the significance of dietary carotenoids in promoting skin health and appearance. The applications of carotenoids in health-promoting and nutrient products and their potential health effects are discussed. Food technology, health, nutrition, dermatology, and dermoaesthetics have recently focused on colorless carotenoids, particularly phytoene, and phytofluene, which have the unique ability to absorb UV radiation. These carotenoids, being significant components of the human diet, are readily bioavailable and have demonstrated various health-promoting actions in re-cent studies. Their distinct structures and properties, such as light absorption, oxidation sensitivity, stiffness, aggregation tendency, and even fluorescence in the case of phytof-luene, contribute to their potential benefits. Furthermore, it is recommended to assess the levels of these carotenoids to evaluate skin carotenoid status accurately.

Lichens are unique extremophilic organisms due to their phenomenal resistance to adverse environmental factors, including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Melanization plays a special role in the protection of lichens from UV-B stress. In present study, we analyzed the binding of melanins with the components of cell walls of mycobiont of upper cortex in the melanized lichen thalli Lobaria pulmonaria. Using scanning electron and atomic force microscopy, the morphological and nanomechanical characteristics of melanized layer of mycobiont cells were visualized. Melanization of lichen thalli led to the smoothing the surface relief and thickening mycobiont cell walls and resulted in the increase of deformation values and reduction of adhesion properties of lichen thallus. Treatment of thalli with hydrolytic enzymes, especially chitinase and lichenase, enhanced the yield of melanin from melanized thalli and release of carbohydrates, while treatment with pectinase increased the release of carbohydrates and phenols. Our results suggest that melanin by firmly binding with hyphal cell wall carbohydrates, particularly chitin and 1,4-β-glucans, can form associations, strengthen the melanized upper cortex of lichen thalli, and thereby can contribute to lichen survival under UV stress.

Three octahedral iron(III) nitrate complexes with dimethylated urea ligand isomers, [hexakis(N,N’-dimethylurea-O)iron(III)] nitrate (compound 1), trans-[diaquatetrakis(N,N-dimethylurea-O)iron(III)] nitrate (compound 2) and [hexakis(N,N-dimethylurea-O)iron(III)] nitrate trihydrate (compound 3) were prepared and characterized with single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR, Raman and UV-VIS methods. In compounds 1 and 3, six dimethylurea ligands coordinate to the central FeIII ion via the oxygen in octahedral geometry and the ligands are arranged in a propeller-like manner, dividing the complex cations into two sides. In compound 1, the dimethylurea propellers screw in the opposite direction on the two sides of the complex and in compound 3, they are arranged with the same handedness on the two sides. The complexes have helical chirality. The two sides of the complex cations differ not only in the rotation direction of the ligands but also in the hydrogen bond formation. On one side of the complex cation, the ligands form intermolecular hydrogen bonds only with the crystal waters, meanwhile on the other side of the complex, the ligands form hydrogen bonds only with the nitrate ions. In compound 2, [Fe(N,N-dimethylurea)4(H2O)2]3+ cations form layers that are separated by interconnected NO3- ions forming a hydrogen bonding system and connecting the complex cations A-s and B-s. The three crystallographically different nitrate ions each form four hydrogen bonds in a way that they have one bidentate O atom and two monodentate O atoms, however, the anions differ in their hydrogen bonding. The spectroscopic characteristics of compound 2 were determined by IR measurements on the deuterated compound 2 as well.

An HPLC method for indicating stability was developed, created, and confirmed for the quantification measurement of recombinant human erythropoietin in large quantities as well as dosage forms. An isocratic separation was accomplished using a Thermo Biobasic C18 (250 mm 4.6 mm i.d., 300Ao, 5 m) column with a flow rate of 1.0 mL min-1 as well as a UV detector to monitor the eluate at 278 nm. Acetonitrile, 0.05 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate (80:20 v/v), and orthophosphoric acid adjusted to 4.0 made up the mobile phase. The drug was exposed to oxidative stress, hydrolysis, and photodegradation to simulate stress conditionsRecombinant Human Erythropoietin, the parent compound, was eluted at roughly 6.675 minutes, as well as all byproducts have been entirely disconnected inside an overall analytical run time of about 15 minutes. To identify quantification limits of 0.05 and 0.2 g mL-1, respectively, the method was linear over a concentration range of 1-6 g mL-1 (r = 0.9989). Recombinant Human Erythropoietin can be measured accurately, selectively, sensitively, and precisely using this method both in dosage form and in bulk. Stress-induced degradation products did not interact with the identification of Recombinant Human Erythropoietin, indicating that the assay is stable.

To investigate the photosynthetic change characteristics of mango leaves under enhanced UV-B radiation, adult ‘Tainong No. 1’ mango (Mangifera indica) trees were treated (N=nine individuals) with simulated enhanced UV-B radiation [24 and 96 kJ/(m2·d)] in the field, and the photochemical reactions, activities of key enzymes in carbon assimilation, and the expression of genes were observed. The results showed that compared with the control, there was a decrease in tree yield and nutritional flavor quality of the fruits under the 96 kJ/(m2·d) treatment, while no significant changes were observed under 24 kJ/(m2·d). After 20 or 40 days, leaves’ net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Sc), transpiration rate (Tr), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and chlorophyll a/b under exposure to 96 kJ/(m2·d) of UV-B were significantly lower than in the control, whereas chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, Hill reaction activity, photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), and Rubisco activities were significantly higher. By contrast, the Hill activity and Rubisco activity under 24 kJ/(m2·d) were significantly higher than the control, while Pn, Sc, Tr, Ci, and the content of photosynthetic pigments were similar to the control. The expression of gene coding the Rubisco big subunit (rbcL) was inhibited by the 96 kJ/(m2·d) treatment. We conclude that stomatal limitation was directly induced by 96 kJ/(m2·d), resulting in the inhibition of photosynthesis and the reduction in yield and deterioration of the quality of mango.

Drug abuse is a major issue worldwide. Methylphenidate (MPH) and alprazolam (ALZ) are commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of ADHD and anxiety disorders, respectively. The limited studies suggest that abusers primarily use benzodiazepines to counteract adverse effects associated with methylphenidate usage. The main aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of drugs with DNA using spectroscopic methods. Female Wistar rats were administered with MPH (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) and ALZ (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) alone and in combination for a period of 28 days. The FT-IR and UV results reveal some spectral changes in a dose-dependent manner, which indicates interactions of drugs with DNA. Thus, the changes in spectral peaks provide some insight into the mechanism of the interaction of drugs with DNA.

In recent years, the nanoparticles applications have been well recognized in various fields. It is known that nanoparticles as an active ingredient in sunscreens are widely used. Zinc oxide and titanium oxide nanoparticles are common nanoparticles utilized in sunscreens. In this study, we aimed to suggest new nanoparticles for this purpose. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) were synthesized by using Musa sapientum fruit peel extract. Synthesized nanoparticles were identified through Raman, Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Field Energy Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX). The results showed that size of synthesized nanoparticles are in range 4-13 nm. The cytotoxic activity of synthesized nanoparticles on lung (A549) cancer cell line was performed through MTT assay. The results showed that synthesized nanoparticles are non-toxicity against A549 cell line to below 500 μg/mL of nanoparticles concentration. The Sun protection factor (SPF) was estimated ~ 40 for synthesized CeO2-NPs. So, synthesized nanoparticles can be a good option for use in the cosmetics industry.

Cyanobacterial mass developments in eutrophic ponds and lakes are a major concern for lake management, as many cyanobacteria produce a huge variety of toxic secondary metabolites, e.g. microcystins. The aim of this research was to culture a strain of the cyanobacterium Microcystis sp strain BM25, to observe its biomass production and to isolate and purify protease inhibitors from this cyanobacterial biomass. Different secondary metabolites were isolated following a standard bioassay-guideline. Isolation was performed, with an enzymatic protease assay as bioassay. High performance liquid chromatography was used to identify different fractions of secondary metabolite from the strain BM25. Moreover, protease homogenates were isolated from Daphnia magna in order to test the inhibitors against naturally occurring major digestive proteases trypsin and chymotrypsin. It was measured that 60% MeOH and the 80% MeOH C18-SPE fraction inhibits chymotrypsin activity 98% (6 nmol pNA min^-1 mg^-1) and 99 % (4 nmol pNA min^-1 mg^-1), respectively. In contrast, trypsin activity was not inhibited by methanolic extracts of this cyanobacterium strain.

ZnO films with Ti atoms incorporated (TZO) in a wide range (0-18 at. %) have been grown by reactive co-sputtering on silicon and glass substrates. The influence of the titanium incorporation in the ZnO matrix on the structural and optical characteristics of the samples has been determined by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy (RBS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicate that the samples with low Ti content (< 4 at. %) exhibit the wurtzite-like structure, with the Ti+4 ions substitutionally incorporated into the ZnO structure, forming Ti-doped ZnO films. In particular, very low concentration of Ti (<0.9 at. %) leads to a significant increase of the crystallinity of the TZO samples. Higher Ti contents give rise to a progressive amorphization of the wurtzite-like structure so samples with high Ti content (≥18at. %), displays an amorphous structure indicating the XPS analysis a predominance of Ti-O-Zn mixed oxides. The energy gap, obtained from absorption spectrophotometry, increases from 3.2 eV for pure ZnO films to 3.6 eV for those with the highest Ti content. Ti incorporation in the ZnO samples below 0.9 at. % rises both, the blue (380 nm) and green (550 nm) bands of the photoluminescence (PL) emission, thereby indicating a significant improvement of PL efficiency of the samples.

The effective treatment for chronic wounds constitute one of the most common worldwide health care problem due to the presence of high levels of proteases, free radicals and exudates in the wound, which constantly activate the inflammatory system avoiding the tissue regeneration. In this study, we describe a multifunctional bioactive and resorbable membrane with in-built antioxidant agent for the continuous quenching of free radicals as well as to control inflammatory response helping to promote the wound healing process. To reach that goal synthesized statistical copolymers of N-vinylcaprolactam (V) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (H) have been conjugated with catechol bearing hydrocaffeic acid (HCA) molecules. The natural polyphenol (catechol) is the key molecule responsible for the mechanism of adhesion of mussels, and provides the functionalized polymer conjugate a continuous antioxidant response, antiinflammatory effect, UV screen and bioadhesion in the moist environment of the human body, all of them key features in the wound healing process. Therefore, these novel mussel-inspired materials have an enormous potential of application and can act very positively, favoring and promoting the healing effect in chronic wounds.

In this study, a new type of temperature sensor device was developed. The circular electrode of the thermal sensitive sensor was modified with TMT and O₂ plasma to enhance the conductivity by forming a thin SnOxCy layer on the electrode surface. The Nano-Au particles were subjected to O₂ plasma pretreatment to form peroxide groups on the surface. The thermally sensitive sensor was made by mixing the above-treated Nano-Au particles with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) to form solution and then UV-induced grafting polymerization of the NIPAAm-containing solution onto the electrode substrate. The composite hydrogels on the electrode introduce thermo-sensitive polymeric surface films for temperature sensing. Using ambient environment resistance test to measure the resistance, the LCST (lower critical solution temperature) of Nano-Au (MUA) mixed with NIPAAm hydrogel was found to be 32 °C. At ambient temperatures higher than LCST, the electrode resistance decreases linearly.

Chert rock is a by-product of sand quarrying (about 40% in the geological section). All attempts to use ordinary technologies for aggregate production from chert have been economically unsuccessful, resulting in significant chert "waste" accumulation covering vast quarry areas. This paper presents the study results of the effect of microwave irradiation on the mechanical properties of chert gravel, which is mineralogically relatively homogenous and consists of fine quartz grains. The results show that an increase in irradiation time decreases the strength of chert gravel (by a factor of 4-6 for the 2.5 min of irradiation), while the quenching changes the fractional content of the samples after the crushing test, decreasing the Gravel-to-Sand ratio.

Background: Radiotherapy is an important part of the medical therapy concept treating tumors in the head and neck region; however, the impact on the field of dentistry could be im-mense. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of uni-versal adhesives and to compare the results of different application modes (etch-and-rinse and self-etch) on irradiated and sound human dentin. Methods: Dentin specimen of 180 extracted human wisdom teeth were divided in two superordinate groups. Ninety teeth received either no irradiation (control group) or the high-level therapeutic dose of 60 Gy (test group) applied frac-tionally (2 Gy/day, 5 days/week, 6 weeks). Samples from each group were randomly divided in-to six subgroups assigned to three established universal adhesives (Futurabond® U, VOCO; AdheSE® Universal, Ivoclar Vivadent; Xeno® Select, Dentsply) in both conceivable application modes: etch-and-rinse and self-etch (n = 15). Bond strength was assessed with a universal testing machine immediately after application and light curing of the adhesive materials. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way ANOVA (p<0.01) and Tukey's test (p<0.05). Results: The effect of dentin irradiation and application mode for the adhesive restoration was found to be significant (p<0.01, ANOVA). In all groups, a decrease of µTBS could be observed when used on irradiated dentin. However, no significant influence of high level radiation on the bond strength of Futurabond® U and AdheSE® Universal in both modes could be evaluated (p>0.05, Tukey´s test). Solely in the case of the adhesive system Xeno® Select, significantly reduced bond strength could be determined in self-etch mode after irradiation (group 60 Xse) compared to the control group (0 Xse) (p<0.05, Tukey´s test). Conclusions: Within the limitations of an in vitro study, some effects of high-level tumor irradiation on the bond strength of universal adhesives can be detected. However, these effects were strongly depending on the used material and application mode.

Date palm trees generate large amounts of various types of waste, including leaf sheath fibers which can be used as a low-cost, precursor for production of biochar including activated carbon (AC) that can be employed for adsorption of contaminants. In the current study, activated carbon was made from leaf sheath fibers of date palm (LSDPFAC) by use of chemical activation with K2CO3, combined with microwave irradiation, characterized and evaluated for its adsorptive capacity of lead ions (Pb2+). The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area, Langmuir surface area, total pore volume and average pore diameter of LSDPFAC were 560.20 m2/g, 744.31 m2/g, 0.29 cm3/g and 2.47 nm respectively. When the initial concentrations of Pb2+ were increased from 1 to 10 mg/L, Pb2+ adsorption increased from 0.97 to 8.76 mg/g, dry mass (dm) while the percent of Pb2+ removed decreased from 96.70 to 87.60%. The greatest removal of Pb2+ occurred at pH 13 with adsorption capacity of 9.15 mg/g, dm. Results of isotherm and kinetic studies demonstrated that adsorption of Pb2+ onto LSDPFAC was best described by the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second order (PSO) models. Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacity, Qm was 14.10 mg/g. Thermodynamic parameters of H°, S°, G° and Ea were 6.39 kJ/mol, 0.12 kJ/mol.K, -31.28 kJ/mol and 15.90 kJ/mol, respectively, which demonstrated that adsorption of Pb2+ by LSDPFAC was endothermic, spontaneous and governed by physisorption.

Mesoporous TiO2/reduced graphene oxide/Ag (TiO2/RGO/Ag) ternary nanocomposite with effective electrons transfer pathway is obtained by an electrostatic self-assembly method and photo-assisted treatment. Compared with bare mesoporous TiO2 (MT) and mesoporous TiO2/RGO (MTG), the ternary mesoporous TiO2/RGO/Ag (MTGA) nanocomposite exhibited superior photocatalytic performance for the degradation of MB under visible light, and the degradation rate reached 0.017 min-1, which was 3.4 times higher than that of MTG. It is proposed that Ag nanoparticles can form the local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) to absorb the visible light and distract the electrons into MT, and RGO can accept the electrons from MT to accelerate the separation efficiency of carriers. The establishment of MTGA ternary nanocomposite make the three components act synergistic effect to enhance the photocatalytic performance.

Seaweeds have been the target of much attention due to the known bioactivities of some of their compounds. Although many studies about the application of seaweeds in various areas are available, these data are mostly about the raw extracts and not about specific compounds, such as seaweeds pigments. Moreover, the fungal infections of the skin, nails and hair caused by dermatophytes, are the most common fungal infections in humans. These pathologies require long periods of topical and/or systemic treatment that are associated with adverse effects and contraindications. This study had two objectives, the first was to evaluate the possibility of isolating and characterizing the pigments of Calliblepharis jubata and Fucus vesiculosus; the second was to assess their antifungal activity. The extraction of pigments was performed using a method of extraction by exhaustion; the purification was carried out by column chromatography. Three techniques were used to characterize the pigments, thin layer chromatography (TLC), UV-visible spectrophotometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antifungal activity was evaluated using the micro-dilution method, following the EUCAST international standards, on three dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis. It was possible to observe that the extract obtained from the seaweed C. jubata and F. vesiculosus, corresponding to the purified pigment phycobiliprotein, and the crude extract, an enriched extract, obtained from the seaweed C. jubata showed antifungal activity against the three fungal agents of human skin infection.

This study aimed to investigate the atherogenicity (quality) of LDL particles in patients with acute and recovered from COVID-19 infection. The participants were adults, aged 18 years or older of both sexes. Those with positive RT-PCR results at baseline were included in the Acute COVID-19 group (n=33), and those with negative RT-PCR six months after acute infection, were included in the Recovered COVID-19 group (n=30). The LDL quality was evaluated using three validated methods: Z-scan, UV-visible spectroscopy, and Lipoprint. The Recovered COVID-19 group showed significantly higher numbers of large LDL particles (less atherogenic) than the Acute COVID-19 group (P&lt;0.05). We also found that COVID-19 infection was associated with the oxidative modification of LDL particles. D-dimer and CRP levels were correlated with Z-scan results and antioxidant-amount estimate. Moreover, we noticed that the infection left a sequel in LDL quality, even after six months of recovery. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring lipids during and after recovery from COVID-19 infection, and their potential deleterious effect on the LDL profile might correlate with the progression of atherosclerosis and poor clinical outcomes.

The emergence of Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) has stimulated the growth and advancement of technological civilization. NIR is ubiquitous; it has helped improve all fields and even deepened democratic processes through the transfer of data and electronic transmission of results etc. A breathtaking part of NIR is its recent application in the treatment of adverse health effects through radiofrequency ablation, phototherapy, etc. as summarized in Table 1. The benefits of NIR are enormous, however, technological civilization has not come without a cost; some of the adverse health effects associated with NIR include skin cancers, sleep disorders, photo-aging, etc. as summarized in Table 2. Therefore, with the rapid and sporadic increase in the sources of NIR from Natural and Artificial sources including fossil fuel burning, Starlink technology, mobile phones, mobile base antennas, etc., background radiation is expected to rise beyond the exposure limit leading to health illnesses. Intrinsically, there is a dare need to marry concerns that evolve with this growth. Hence, this review article aims to congregate the health hazards associated with NIR and the state-of-the-art applications of NIR in medicine and the health sector in Nigeria being a developing country. Part of our recommendations is that the government at all levels should set up enforcement agencies and policies to drive strict adherence to NIR as provided by ICNIRP; frequent-periodic assessments of background radiation in public places should be carried out due to the increasing sources. In addition, further research is needed to ascertain the health hazard from emerging sources of NIR like Starlink technology and to substantiate findings of non-thermal effects.

The Ramazzottius varieornatus tardigrade is an extremotolerant terrestrial invertebrate belonging to the phylum of Tardigrada. At a length of 0.1-1.0 mm, tardigrades are small animals with an exceptional tolerance to extreme conditions such as high pressure, chemicals and irradia-tion. These properties have been attributed to the recently-discovered Dsup protein. Dsup is a nucleosome-binding protein that prevents DNA damage against X-ray and oxidative stress without impairing cell life, also in Dsup-transfected animal and plant cells. However, the precise “protective” role of this protein is still under study. We performed experiments on human cells and shows that, as compared to control cells, Dsup+ cells are more resistant to UV-C exposure and H2O2. Real-time PCR identified different expression patterns of endogenous genes involved in apoptosis, cell survival and DNA damage repair in Dsup+ cells in response to H2O2 and UV-C. While H2O2 treatment in Dsup+ cells only marginally involved the activation of pathways responsible for DNA repair reinforcing the idea of a direct protective effect of the protein on DNA, in UV-C exposed cells, Dsup efficiently upregulates DNA damage repair genes. In conclusion, our data may help to delineate the different mechanisms by which the Dsup protein operates in response to different insults.

UV-Visible spectroscopy method has been developed for the analysis of Thiamine in biological and pharmaceutical product, based on a chromogenic derivatizing reaction using PDAB (P- dimethyl amino benzaldehyde) reagent. A Central Composite Design (CCD) design with response surface methodology was executed for optimization of experimental conditions of drug with a smaller number of experimental trials. Three independent factors, the concentration of PDAB, the volume of PDAB reagent, and volume of HCl, were used to construct a mathematical model and study the effects of these independent factors on responses as absorbance. The colored complex exhibits a Red shift with absorption maximum λmax at 425 nm, which was selected as the analytical wavelength. The drug seems to be linear, which was established via the regression analysis from 5-30 μgmL-1, with an R2 value of 0.998.The % RSD for intraday and interday precision was < 2%, with good recovery ranging from 95.02 to 101.43% with biological and pharmaceutical samples. LOD and LOQ of the developed method were found to be 1.51 μg mL-1 and 4.57 μg mL-1.This method can be used in routine analysis of pharmaceutical products containing aromatic primary amines along with an estimation of biological samples like urine, blood, sweat, faeces.

ZnO has many technological applications which largely depend on its properties that can be tuned by controlled synthesis. Ideally, the most convenient ZnO synthesis is carried out at room temperature in aqueous solvent. However, the correct temperature values are often loosely defined. In the current paper we performed synthesis of ZnO in aqueous solvent, by varying reaction and drying temperature by 10°C steps and monitored the synthesis products primarily by XRD. We found out that a simple direct synthesis of ZnO, without additional surfactant, pumping of freezing, required both a reaction (TP) and a drying (TD) temperature of 40°C. Higher temperatures also afford ZnO, but lowering any of the TP or TD below the threshold value results either in the achievement of Zn(OH)2 or in a mixture of Zn(OH)2/ZnO. A more detailed Rietveld analysis of the ZnO samples reveals a density variation with the synthesis temperature and an increase of the nanoparticles average size also verified by SEM images. The optical properties of ZnO obtained by UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopy indicate a red shift of the band gap by ~0.1 eV.

Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) is a by-product from the refining of crude palm oil. It comprises mainly of free fatty acids, having around 45% of palmitic and 33% oleic acids as the major components. Ultra-violet (UV) curable urethane acrylate (UA) oligomers could be synthesized from PFAD by the following procedure. A hydroxyl terminated macromer was first prepared by reacting PFAD with a mixture of isophthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, neopentagylcol (NPG) and pentaerythritol. The macromer is then reacted with 2-hydroxylethylacrylate (2HEA) and toluene diisocynate (TDI) to generate a resin containing acrylate side chains for UV curable application. A series of UA resins were prepared by using 15, 25, 45, 55 and 70% of PFAD respectively. The UA resin has Mw in the range of 3200 to 27,000. They could be cured by UV irradiation at intensity of 225mW/cm². Glass transition temperature (T_g) of the cured film was measured by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and hardness of the film was determined by pendulum hardness tester according to ASTM4366. The resins were used in wood coating application. All of the cured films showed good adhesion, hardness and chemical resistant for resins using up to 55% PFAD; however the resin at 70% did not cure properly.

In this paper, the single event burnout(SEB) and reinforcement structure of 1200V SiC MOSFET (SG-SBD-MOSFET) with split gate and schottky barrier diode(SBD) embedded were studied. The device structure was established using Sentaurus TCAD, and the transient current changes of single event effect(SEE), SEB threshold voltage, as well as the regularity of electricfield peak distribution transfer were studied when heavy ions were incident from different regions of the device. Based on SEE analysis of new structural device, two reinforcement structure designs for SEB resistance were studied, namely the expansion of P+body contact area and the design of multi-layer N-type interval buffer layer. Firstly, two reinforcement schemes for SEB were analyzed separately, and then comprehensive design and analysis were carried out. The results showed that the SEB threshold voltage of heavy ions incident from the N+source region was increased by 16% when using the P+body contact area extension alone; When the device is reinforced with multi-layer N-type interval buffer layer alone, the SEB threshold voltage increases by 29%; The comprehensive use of P+body contact area expansion and multi-layer N-type interval buffer layer reinforcement increased the SEB threshold voltage by 33%. Overall, the breakdown voltage of the reinforced device decreased from 1632.935V to 1403.135V, which can be seen as reducing the remaining redundant voltage to 19%. The device performance was not significantly affected.

This study aimed to assess the impact of different modes of laser irradiation on the bactericidal efficacy of aPDT. Dentin plates were prepared by sectioning the crown dentin of bovine teeth infected with Streptococcus sobrinus. Nine aPDTs involving the combinations of three photosensitizers (brilliant blue, BB; acid red, AR; and methylene blue, MB) and three laser irradiation modes (50 mW for 120 s, 100 mW for 60 s, and 200 mW for 30 s) were performed for each infected dentin plate, and the control group consisted of the specimens not applied with aPDT. The bactericidal effects in 10 experimental groups were evaluated (n=11) using both assays of the colony-count and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The data obtained were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. The aPDT performed with semiconductor laser in combination with BB, AR, and MB exerted a remarkable bactericidal effect. aPDT with MB exerted a more significant bactericidal effect in the colony-count assay. The results of aPDT performed with varying irradiation times and powers but with constant irradiation energy showed no difference with AR and MB between the modes, whereas BB showed a more significant bactericidal effect when irradiated for a shorter time at a higher irradiation power.

Laser-induced functionalisation using excimer laser irradiation has been widely applied to transparent conductive oxide films. However, exploring suitable irradiation conditions is time-consuming and cost-ineffective as there are numerous routine film fabrication and analytical processes. Thus, we herein explored a real-time technique to monitor the laser-induced functionalisation of transparent conductive oxide films. We developed two types of monitoring apparatus, electrical and optical, and applied them to magnetron-sputtered Sn-doped In2O3 films grown on glass substrates and hydrogen-doped In2O3 films on glass or plastic substrates using a picosecond Nd:YAG pulsed laser. Both techniques could monitor the functionalisation from a change in properties of the films on glass substrates by laser irradiation, but electrical measurement was unsuitable for plastic samples because of a laser-induced degradation of the underlying plastic substrate, which harmed proper electrical contact. Instead, we demonstrated that the optical properties in the near-infrared region were suitable for the monitoring and the changes in the optical properties were visually detected in real-time by using a near-infrared camera.

Over the past two decades, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have become the most widely studied porous crystalline materials. Its specific physical and chemical properties are determined by the arrangement of atoms (crystal structure). Therefore, the determination of its structure is arguably the most important characterization step for COFs. Although single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) is the most widely used method for structure determination, the size of COF crystals is too small, or their crystal quality is so poor that confirmation of their structure is limited to lattice fringes by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). At present, many 2D-COFs have clear PXRD patterns, but not all 2D-COFs can obtain specific lattice fringes. This severely hinders the development of the COF field. Here, we discover the lattice shrinkage behavior of COFs under electron beam irradiation by comparing the lattice fringes of 2D-COFs under different conditions. By comparing the lattice fringes of TAPT-TFPT COF at room temperature and under liquid nitrogen freezing conditions, we found that the lattice fringes are in good agreement with the Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and theoretical values of COF (2.213 nm) under freezing conditions, however, the lattice fringe spacing is only 1.656 nm at room temperature. The discovery not only provides new insights into the TEM characterization of COFs, but also further expands the range of crystalline COF materials.

In order to study the effects of irradiation on the physicochemical properties and digestion behavior of chickpea protein, chickpea protein concentrate (CPC) was treated with electron beam irradiation (EBI) at doses of 5, 10, 15 and 20 kGy, respectively. After irradiation, protein solubility first increased at 10 kGy and 15 kGy, and then decreased at higher dose of 20 kGy. This was supported by SDS-PAGE where the intensity of major protein bands first increased and then decreased. Increased does of EBI generally led to greater oxidative modification of proteins in CPC, indicated by reduced sulfhydryls and increased carbonyls. In addition, protein structure was modified by EBI shown by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis where α-helix generally decreased and β-sheet increased. Although the protein digestibility was not significantly affected by EBI, the peptidomic analysis of the digests revealed significant difference among CPC irradiated with varying doses. A total of 337 peptides were identified from CPC irradiated with 0 kGy, 10 kGy and 20 kGy, respectively, with 18 overlapping peptides and 60, 29 and 40 peptides specific to the groups of 0, 10 and 20 kGy respectively. Theoretical calculation showed that the distribution of peptide length, hydrophobicity, net charge, and C-terminal residues were affected by irradiation. The 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity showed a marginal decrease with increasing dose of irradiation. In conclusion, EBI led to oxidative modification and structural changes of the chickpea protein, which subsequently affected the physicochemical properties of peptides obtained from in-vitro digestion of CPC despite of similar digestibility.

The review starts by highlighting the significance of nuclear power plants in contemporary world, especially its indispensable role in the global efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. Then, it describes the impact of irradiation on microstructure and mechanical properties of reactor structural materials. The main part provides the reader with a thorough overview of crystal plasticity models developed to address the irradiation effects so far. All three groups of most important materials are included. Namely, the Zr alloys used for fuel cladding, austenitic stainless steels used for reactor internals and ferritic steels used for reactor pressure vessel. Other materials, especially those considered for construction of future fission and fusion nuclear power plants, are also mentioned. The review pays also special attention to ion implantation and instrumented nanoindentation which are a common way to substitute costly and time-consuming neutron irradiation campaigns.

Different machine learning models (multiple linear regression, vector support machines, artificial neural networks and random forests) are applied to predict the monthly global irradiation (MGI) from different input variables (latitude, longitude and altitude of meteorological station, month, average temperatures, among others) of different areas of Galicia (Spain). The models were trained, validated and queried using data from three stations, and each best machine model was checked in two independent stations. The results obtained confirmed that the best ML methodology is the ANN model which presents the lowest RMSE value in the validation and querying phases 122.6·10kJ/(m2∙day) and 113.6·10kJ/(m2∙day), respectively, and predict conveniently for independent stations, 201.3·10kJ/(m2∙day) and 209.4·10kJ/(m2∙day), respectively. Given the good results obtained, it is convenient to continue with the design of artificial neural networks applied to the analysis of monthly global irradiation.

Chitosan decorated copper nanoparticles (CS/CuNPs) catalysts were synthesized via reduction methods utilizing green protocol. The CS/CuNPs hybrid catalysts were tested for the synthesis of quinoline derivatives utilizing one-pot multicomponent reaction (MCR) under ultrasonic irradiation. The best catalyst (CS/CuNPs) that provided good conversion reaction yield and high turnover frequency (TOF) was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), , scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. Generalization of the scope of the proposed catalytic process was studied using different aldehydes. Excellent products yield and high TOF in even shorter reaction time (~5 min) was attained. Recyclability performance of the catalyst over five times re-use without detectable loss in product yield was recorded. The current method is green process utilizing environmentally benign catalyst and considered to be promising sustainable protocol for the synthesis of fine chemicals.

To improve efficacy and safety of sunscreen emulsions, UV‐filter skin permeation could be kept as low as possible by reducing UV‐filter content or changing emulsion composition. In this work, different lipid phase ratio (12, 14 and 16% w/w) were assessed for their ability to affect the technological and sensory properties of O/W emulsions in which bemotrizinol (BMTZ), a broad spectrum sunscreen agent, was incorporated free or loaded into nanostructured lipid nanocarriers (NLC) to reduce its release from the vehicle and, hence, its skin permeation. The following technological properties were evaluated in vitro by suitable methodologies: spreadability, viscosity, pH, occlusion factor, BMTZ release, sun protection factor (SPF). Sensory attributes were assessed by trained panelists in three different phases: before/during pick‐up, rub‐in, after application. Raising the lipid phase ratio led to an increase of viscosity and to a corresponding drop of spreadability while the incorporation of BMTZ‐loaded NLC determined a decrease of occlusion factor and an increase of SPF. No BMTZ release was observed from all emulsions. Sensory attributes were mainly affected by lipid phase ratio. These results suggest that lipid phase ratio and BMTZ incorporation into NLC could contribute to determine technological and sensory properties of O/W emulsions.

Various wood fibres, including pine and flax, are used in wood–plastic composites (WPCs). This paper studies the effect of the lignin content on the morphological and thermal degradation and damage due to the ultraviolet (UV) aging of polypropylene/flax (PP-flax) and polypropylene/pine (PP-pine) fibres composites. Flax and pine fibres exhibited distinct densities of 1.51 and 1.47 g/cm³, respectively, potentially influenced by growth factors and varying compositions of light substances, such as hemicellulose, lignin, and impurities. The thermal decomposition mass loss increased proportionally with the percentage of lignin in the fibre. From 238°C to 390°C, the pine fibre exhibited a 72% mass loss compared to flax fibre, which showed a 54% mass loss, owing to the higher lignin content in pine fibres. Based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the fibre composition affected the material melting temperature. Moreover, DSC curves revealed a higher degree of crystallinity in the case of the PP-flax biocomposite (12%) compared to pure polypropylene (9%) and PP-pine (6%). This result can be attributed to the high content of crystalline components in flax fibres, such as cellulose. Acoustic emissions analysis confirmed that the high lignin content delays degradation and mitigates the appearance of microcracks on the surface of the PP-pine biocomposite. Overall, the study provides valuable data for understanding the UV degradation phenomenon in biocomposites and highlights the influence of fibre composition on material performance.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) exhibit improved optical and spectral properties compared to bulk materials, making them suitable for detection of DNA, RNA, antigens, and antibodies. Here, we describe a simple, selective, and rapid non-cross linking detection assay, using approx. 35 nm spherical Au nanoprobes, for a common mutation occurring in exon 19 of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), associated with non-small cell lung cancer cells. AuNPs were synthesized based on the seed-mediated growth method and functionalized with a specific 16 bp thiolated oligonucleotide using a pH-assisted method. Both AuNPs and Au nanoprobes proved to be highly stable and monodisperse by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and electrophoretic light scattering (ELS). Our results indicate a detection limit of 1.5 µg mL−1 using a 0.15 nmol dm−3 Au nanoprobe concentration. In conclusion, this work is an effective possibility for a straight-forward, fast, and inexpensive alternative for the detection of DNA sequences related to lung cancer, leading to a potential platform for an early diagnosis of lung cancer patients.

In this work, we report manganese phthalocyanine (MnPc) films obtained by ultrasonic spray-pyrolysis technique at 40°C deposited on glass substrate subjected to thermal annealing at 100 °C and 120°C. The MnPc films were characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The absorption spectra of the MnPc films were studied in a wavelength range from 200 to 850 nm, where the characteristic bands of a metallic phthalocyanine known as B and Q bands were observed in this range of the spectrum. The optical energy band (Eg) was calculated by the Tauc equation. It was found that for these MnPc films, the Eg has the values of 4.41, 4.46 and 3.58 eV corresponding to as deposited, annealing 100°C and 120°C, respectively. The Raman spectra of the films showed their characteristic vibrational modes of the MnPc films. In X-ray diffractograms of these films, the characteristic diffraction peaks of a metallic phthalocyanine are observed, presenting a monoclinic phase. SEM images of these films were studied in cross section obtaining thicknesses of 2, 1.2 and 0.3 μm to as deposited, annealing 100°C and 120°C, successively. Also, in the SEM images of these films, both the average particle sizes ranging from 4 to 0.041 µm and the average diameter from 4.8 to 0.091 μm were obtained. The results agree with those reported in the literature for MnPc films deposited with other techniques.

Euglenoids are a common component of primary producers in high acidic and organic shallow freshwater systems. They are free-living photosynthetic motile flagellates exhibiting rapid responses to various external stimuli including chemical pollution. The unique combination of diverse physiological processes of Euglena such as photosynthesis, movement, and orientation offers a range of sensitive criteria that respond to aquatic pollutants. This has led to the development of several acute and chronic assay methods to monitor the adverse impacts of potent toxicants in aquatic ecosystems. Euglenoids also reflect the consequences of physical stress factors such as UV radiation. This review summarizes the ecotoxicity studies using euglenoid flagellates as model species and their potential to contribute toward rapid screening of ecological impacts of pollution in the aquatic environment. Factors determining the reliability of Euglena tests are outlined.

There is experimental evidence of high vibronic activity that accompanies the strongly allowed transition between the ground state and the lowest electronic singlet excited state of oligofurans that contain 2,3, and 4 furan rings. The absorption and emission spectra of the three lowest oligofurans measured in liquid nitrogen temperature show distinct fine structures that are reproduced using the projection-based model of vibronic coupling (with Dushinsky rotation included) parameterized utilizing either DFT (with several different exchange-correlation functionals) or ab initio (CC2) quantum chemistry calculations. Using as reference the experimental data concerning the electronic absorption and fluorescence for the 8 lowest oligofurans we first analyze the performance of the exchange-correlation functionals for the electronic transition energies and the reorganization energies. Subsequently, we use the best functionals alongside the CC2 method to explore how the reorganization energies are distributed among the totally symmetric vibrations, identify the normal modes that dominate in the fine structures present in the absorption and emission bands, and trace their evolution with the increasing number of rings in the oligofuran series. Confrontation of the simulated spectra with the experiment allows for verification of the performance of the selected DFT functionals and the CC2 method.

Glass samples (59.5 – x) B2O3 – 20Na2O – 20CaO – xV2O5 – Er2O3 – 0.5AgCl (x = 0 – 2.5 mol%) were prepared using melt – quenching method to investigate the structural and optical properties of the glass. The structural of the glass were characterized by using XRD, TEM and FTIR, meanwhile the optical properties were characterized by UV – VIS absorption. The XRD patterns confirmed the amorphous nature of the prepared glass samples. FTIR confirmed the presence of VO4, VO5, BO3, and BO4 vibration, and this result showed NBO increased with increasing vanadium concentration. The UV – Vis – NIR spectra exhibits six absorption band centered at 490, 520, 540, 660, 800, and 980 nm. The optical band gap (Eopt), Urbach energy and refractive index shown decrease, increase and increase, respectively. The Judd – Ofelt intensity parameter reveal the trends was Ω2 &gt; Ω4 &gt; Ω6. There are three emission bands at 516 nm, 580 nm, and 673 nm which are represented by 2H11/2 – 4I15/2, 4S3/2 – 4I15/2, and 4F15/2 – 4I15/2, respectively under 800 nm excitation was obtained.

A prominent feature of stress-tolerant microalgae is their versatile metabolism allowing then to synthesize a broad spectrum of molecules with beneficial effects on many aspects of human body functioning. This is in line with the current understanding that many stress-induced deleterious processes in the human body and in photosynthetic cell are mediated by the same mechanisms such as free-radical attacks and lipid peroxidation. These related risks are kept at bay by optical screening of harmful UV, enzymatic ROS elimination systems, and potent low-molecular antioxidants. Microalgae synthesize a broad spectrum of compounds exerting antioxidant and/or UV-absorbing properties. In microalgae, they increase stress-resilience of these organisms. In human body, they exhibit photoprotective, antiaging, and sunscreen activities. Therefore, these algal metabolites were recognized as promising ingredients for innovative cosmetics and cosmeceutical formulations. Ever increasing effort is being invested into the search for new natural biologically active substances from microalgae. This trend is also fueled by the growing demand for natural raw materials for food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetology associated with the global transition to a "greener" lifestyle. Here, we review the currently accumulated knowledge about the main groups of cosmeceutical compounds from microalgae.

Tellurium exhibits exceptional intrinsic electronic properties. However, investigations into the modulation of tellurium's electronic properties through physical modification are notably scarce. Here, we present a comprehensive study focused on the evolution of the electronic properties of tellurium crystal flakes under plasma irradiation treatment by employing conductive atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The plasma-treated tellurium experienced a process of defect generation through lattice broken. Prior to the degradation of electronic transport performance due to plasma irradiation treatment, a remarkable observation emerged: in the low-energy region of hydrogen plasma-treated tellurium, a notable enhancement in conductivity was unexpectedly detected. The mechanism underlying this enhancement in electronic transport performance was thoroughly elucidated by comparing it with the electronic structure induced by argon plasma irradiation. This study not only fundamentally uncovers the effects of plasma irradiation on tellurium crystal flakes, but also unearths an unprecedented trend of enhanced electronic transport performance at low irradiation energies when utilizing hydrogen plasma. This abnormal trend bears significant implications for guiding the prospective application of tellurium-based 2D materials in the realm of electronic devices.

The process of ultrasonic atomization involves a series of dynamic/topological deformations of free surface, though not always, of a bulk liquid (initially) below the air. This study focuses on such dynamic interfacial alterations realized by changing some acousto-related operating conditions, including ultrasound excitation frequency, acoustic strength or input power density, and the presence/absence of a “stabilizing” nozzle. High-speed, high-resolution imaging made it possible to qualitatively identify four representative transitions/demarcations: 1) the onset of a protrusion on otherwise flat free surface; 2) the appearance of undulation along the growing protuberance; 3) the triggering of emanating beads fountain out of this foundation-like region; and 4) the induction of droplets bursting and/or mist spreading. Quantitatively examined were the two-parameters specifications—on the degrees as well as induction—of the periodicity in the protrusion-surface and beads-fountain oscillations, detected over wider ranges of driving/excitation frequency (0.43–3.0 MHz) and input power density (0.5–10 W/cm2) applied to the ultrasound transducer of flat surface on which the nozzle was mounted or not. The resulting time sequence of images processed for the extended operating ranges, regarding the fountain structure pertaining in particular to recurring beads, confirms the wave-associated nature, i.e., their size “scalability” to the ultrasound wavelength, predictable from the traveling wave relationship. The thresholds in acoustic conditions for each of the four transition states of the fountain structure have been identified—notably, the onset of plausible “bifurcation” in the chain-beads diameter below a critical excitation frequency.

TomoBreast hypothesized that hypofractionated 15 fractions/3 weeks image-guided radiation therapy (H-IGRT) can reduce lung-heart toxicity, as compared with normofractionated 25-33 fractions/5-7 weeks conventional radiation therapy (CRT). 123 women with stage I-II operated breast cancer were randomized to receive CRT (N=64) or H-IGRT (N=59). The primary endpoint used a four-items measure of the time to 10% alteration in any of patient self-reported measure, physician clinical evaluation, echocardiography or lung function tests, analyzed by intention-to-treat without exclusion. Results found comparable survivals, but H-IGRT significantly reduced the toxicity measured by lung diffusion capacity and alveolar volume as compared with CRT, G1 in 53% (31/59) versus 72% (44/61) patients, P=0.006; G2, 29% versus 48%, P=0.020. H-IGRT significantly reduced the risk of composite cardio-pulmonary alteration at 5 years, 10.2% versus 26.7%, P=0.024. In conclusion, TomoBreast is a proof-of-concept that image-guided radiation-therapy can improve the overall balance of lung-heart outcomes in breast cancer adjuvant therapy. Furthermore, the significance of the findings supports the efficacy of a small trial size design, which can be critical when clinical research resources are limited.

Fast neutron (FN) radiation mediated mutagenesis is a unique approach among the several induced mutagenesis methods being used in plant science in terms of impacted mutations. The FN mutagenesis usually creates deletions from a few bases to several million bases (Mb). A library of random deletion generated using FN mutagenesis lines can provide indispensable resources for the reverse genetic approaches. In this review, information from several efforts made using FN mutagenesis has been compiled to understand the type of induced mutations, frequency, and genetic stability. Concerns regarding the utilization of FN mutagenesis technique for a plant with different level of ploidy and genome complexity are discussed. We have highlighted the utility of next-generation sequencing techniques which can be efficiently utilized for the characterization of mutant lines as well as for the mapping of causal mutations. Pros and cons of Mut-map, MutChromSeq, exon capture, whole genome sequencing, MutRen-Seq, and different tilling approaches can be used for the detection of FN-induced mutation has also been discussed. Genomic resources developed using the FN mutagenesis have been catalogued wooing to meaningful utilization of the available resources. The information provided here will be helpful for the efficient exploration for the crop improvement programs and for better understanding of genetic regulations.

The effect of γ-ray irradiation on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing capability of refractive index (n = 1.418–1.448) of the silica glass optical fiber comprised of germano-silicate glass cladding embedded with Au nano-particles (NPs) was investigated. As the γ-ray irradiation increased from 1 hour to 3 hours with the dose rate of 1,190 Gy/h, the morphology of the Au NPs and the SPR spectrum were found to change. The average diameter of Au NPs increased with the aspect ratio from 1 to 2 and the nano-particles became grown to the clusters. The SPR peak wavelength shifted towards longer wavelength with the increase of total dose of γ-ray irradiation regardless of the corresponding refractive indices. The SPR sensitivities (wavelength/refractive index unit, nm/RIU) also increased from 407 nm/RIU to 3,553 nm/RIU, 1,483 nm/RIU, and 2,335 nm/RIU after the γ-ray irradiation at the total dose of 1,190 Gy, 2,380 Gy, and 3,570 Gy, respectively.

UV-digital printing belongs to the commonly used method for custom large-area substrate decoration. Despite low surface energy and adhesion, transparent polymer materials, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC), represent an ideal substrate for such purposes. The diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) in a novel compact configuration was used for substrate activation to improve ink adhesion to the polymer surface. This industrially applicable version of DCSBD was prepared, tested, and successfully implemented for the UV-digital printing process. Furthermore, wettability and surface free energy measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force and scanning electron microscopy evaluated the surface chemistry and morphology changes. The changes in adhesion of the surface and of ink were analyzed by a peel-force and a crosscut test, respectively. A short plasma treatment (1-5 s) enhanced the substrate's properties of PMMA and PC while providing the pre-treatment suitable for further in-line UV-digital printing. Furthermore, we did not observe damage or significant change of roughness affecting the substrate's initial transparency.

Plastic materials have revolutionized modern life, particularly in the domain of food packaging, owing to their versatility, lightweight nature, and ease of processing. However, the environmental ramifications of non-degradable plastics have raised concerns. Polylactic acid (PLA), derived from renewable sources, presents a sustainable alternative due to its biodegradability and exceptional barrier, mechanical, and safety properties. Nevertheless, the high UV transmittance of PLA limits its use for photosensitive food and pharmaceutical packaging, where UV radiation can lead to nutritional loss and spoilage. Various methods have been explored to enhance the UV-blocking capabilities of PLA, including the integration of inorganic nanoparticles and surface coatings. Despite advancements, these approaches often compromise the inherent transparency of PLA. Incorporating large conjugated groups can maintain transparency but introduces additional challenges. This paper reviews modification methods to enhance PLA's UV-barrier properties and anticipates its expanded utility in food and drug packaging, promoting UV resistance and diversifying PLA's applications.

Petrosamine (1) – a colored pyridoacridine alkaloid from the Belizean sponge, Petrosia sp. that is also a potent inhibitor of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) – was investigated by spectroscopic and computational methods. Analysis of the petrosamine free energy landscapes, pKa and tautomerism revealed an accurate electronic depiction of the molecular structure of 1 as the di-keto form, with net charge of q = +1, rather than a dication (q = +2) under ambient conditions of isolation-purification. The pronounced solvatochromism (UV-vis) reported for 1, and related analogs, was investigated in detail and is best explained by charge delocalization and stabilization of the ground state (HOMO) of 1 rather than an equilibrium of competing tautomers. Refinement of the molecular structure of 1 by QM methods complements published computational docking studies to define the contact points in the enzyme active site that may improve design of new AChE inhibitors based on the pyridoacridine alkaloid molecular skeleton.