In this study, nanoparticles were synthesized using the pulsed laser ablation technique, employing an Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm. The ablation process was carried out at room temperature under varying laser energy of 950 mJ. The structural characteristics of the resulting nanoparticles were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The biological impact of the synthesized nanoparticles was assessed by administering two different doses (1 ml/kg and 4 ml/kg) to experimental animal models. The study evaluated changes in thyroid hormone levels, specifically thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T[Formula: see text] and thyroxine (T[Formula: see text]. Variations in hormone concentrations were observed, including increases and decreases in TSH, T3 and T4 levels, depending on the administered dose. Additionally, the relative body weight of the rats was monitored throughout the experimental period, providing insights into the influence of the nanoparticles on metabolic activity.
Removing hazardous organic pollutants, such as 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and Congo red (CR) dyes from aqueous media and CO2 from the atmospheric medium remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a facile in-situ synthetic approach for fabricating CuO-ZnO heterostructure photocatalysts through the surfactant-assisted co-precipitation method. The catalytic results demonstrate that the Cu1O-ZnO photocatalyst exhibits excellent activity under direct sunlight irradiation, owing to the heterostructure formation between the CuO and ZnO. The Cu1O-ZnO photocatalyst showed higher reaction rate constant (k) values of 0.20 min−1 for 4-NP and 0.09 min−1 for CR compared to previous reports. Additionally, efficient CO2 reduction was also achiev
... Show MoreBackground The appropriate disposal of medication is a well-recognized issue that has convened growing recognition in several contexts. Insufficient awareness relating to appropriate methods for the disposal of unneeded medicine may result in notable consequences. The current research was conducted among the public in Iraq with the aim of examining their knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding the proper disposal of unused and expired medicines. Methods The present study used an observational cross-sectional design that was community-based. The data were obtained from using an online questionnaire. The study sample included people of diverse genders, regardless of their race or occupational status. The study mandated that all pa
... Show MoreExperimental results on harmonic distortions in 13.56 MHz RF Argon glow discharge using different grounded electrodes areas and electrodes spacing are presented. The experiment is carried out at four pressure values. RF power values used are between 20 and 90 watts. The results indicate significant increase in distortions at two specific values of the cone angle enclosing the two electrodes within its geometrical volume. The computation of the cone head angle gave the symmetry discharge or asymmetry as well as when the angle is small the condition is near symmetry discharge associated with decrease in the nonlinearity.
A single-crystalline semi-polar gallium nitride (11-22) was grown on m-plane (10-10) sapphire substrate by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Three-step approach was introduced to investigate the grain size evolution for semi-polar (11-22) GaN. Such approach was achieved due to the optimized gallium to ammonia ratio and temperature variations, which led to high quality (11-22) oriented gallium nitride epilayers. The full width at half maximum values along (-1-123) and (1-100) planes for the overgrowth temperature of 1080°C were found to be as low as 0.37° and 0.49°, respectively. This was an indication of the enhanced coalescence and reduction in root mean square roughness as seen by atomic force microscopy. Surface analysi
... Show MoreHigh tunnels, or unheated plastic greenhouses, are becoming increasingly popular among organic vegetable growers across the United States. However, the intensive production typical of these systems presents soil health challenges, including salinization due to high fertilizer or compost inputs coupled with lack of rainfall to leach salts. Legume cover crops may improve soil health in high tunnels by reducing the need for external inputs, while adding organic matter. We tested the soil health effects of a winter hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) cover crop used to replace fertilizer N in an organic tomato cropping system in high tunnels. Studies were replicated across three sites differing in climate and soil type (Kansas, Kentucky, and Minne
... Show MoreBackground: Occupational exposure to hazardous drugs occurs in all aspects of anticancer drug handling. Proper recommendations and guidelines should be applied to control and reduce exposure. Objective: To assess pharmacists' knowledge and practice regarding the safe handling of anticancer drugs. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at seven major hospitals in Baghdad City, Iraq, from December 2023 to February 2024. A pre-designed questionnaire was given to pharmacists who handled anticancer drugs in chemotherapy units. The questionnaire comprises sociodemographic data, knowledge of the safe handling of cytotoxic drugs and thoughts about exposure and risk, practices for safely handling cytotoxic drugs, and challenges for s
... Show MoreIn this paper, investigates the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by biochemical method using Myrtus communis leaves extract as reducing agent and Chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) as precursors. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and FTIR were used in addition to UV-visible spectroscopy (UV) in order to characterize the AuNPs. The biosynthesized AuNPs exhibited inhibitory effects on alpha amylase and alkaline phosphatase in sera of patient with type 2 Diabetes Miletus and the sera of healthy control subjects; the inhibition percentage with alpha amylase was 72 % and 45 % for patient and control group respectively. Oral consent obtained from the most of patients and healthy subjects before them being under
... Show MoreMetal enhanced fluorescence (MEF) is an unequaled phenomenon of metal nanoparticle surface plasmons, when light interacts with the metal nanostructures (silver nanoparticles) which result electromagnetic fields to promote the sensitivity of fluorescence. This work endeavor to study the influence of silver nanoparticles on fluorescence intensity of Fluoreseina dye by employment mixture solution with different mixing ratio. Silver nanoparticles had been manufactured by the chemical reduction method so that Ag NP layer coating had been done by hot rotation liquid method. The optical properties of the prepared samples (mixture solution of Fluoreseina dye solutions and colloidal solution with 5 minutes prepared of Ag NPs) tested by using UV-V
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