Recycled high-density polyethylene plastic reinforced with ilmenite as a sustainable radiation shielding material.

In this work, recycled high-density polyethylene plastic (r-HDPE) reinforced with ilmenite mineral (Ilm) in different ratios (0, 15, 30, and 45 wt%) as a sustainable and flexible radiation shielding material was manufactured using the melt blending method. XRD patterns and FTIR spectra demonstrated that the polymer composite sheets were successfully developed. The morphology and elemental composition were addressed using SEM images and EDX spectra. Moreover, the mechanical characteristics of the prepared sheets were also studied. The gamma-ray attenuation characteristics for established r-HDPE + x% Ilm composite sheets were theoretically computed between 0.015 and 15 MeV using Phy-X/PSD software. Also, the mass attenuation coefficients have been compared to their values by the WinXCOM program. It is also shown that the shielding performance of the r-HDPE + 45% Ilm composite sheet is significantly greater than that of r-HDPE. As a result, the ilmenite-incorporated recycled high-density polyethylene sheets are suited for medical and industrial radiation shielding applications.

Novel adsorbent based on carbon-modified zirconia/spinel ferrite nanostructures: Evaluation for the removal of cobalt and europium radionuclides from aqueous solutions.

Herein, a novel adsorbent based on carbon-modified zirconia/spinel ferrite (C@ ZrO2/Mn0.5Mg0.25Zn0.25Fe2O4) nanostructures were chemically prepared to remove 60Co and 152+154Eu radionuclides from liquid media using batch experiments. The XRD pattern confirms the successful preparation of the C@ZrO2/MnMgZnFe2O4 composite. Also, SEM and TEM images confirmed that the composite owns a heterogeneous morphology in the nanoscale range. The optical band gap value of Mn0.5Mg0.25Zn0.25Fe2O4, ZrO2, and the composite samples was 1.45, 2.38, and 1.54 eV, respectively. Many parameters have been studied as the effect of time, solution pH, and initial ion concentration. The kinetics models for the removal process of 152+154Eu and 60Co radionuclides were studied. The second-order kinetic equation could describe the sorption kinetics for both radionuclides. The Langmuir monolayer capacity for 60Co was 82.51 mg/g and for 152+154Eu was 136.98 mg/g. The thermodynamic parameters such as free energy ΔGo, the enthalpy ΔHo, and the entropy ΔSo were calculated. The results indicated that the sorption process has endothermic nature for both two radionuclides onto C@ZrO2/MnMgZnFe2O4 composite.

Influence of Ce3+ Substitution on Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Properties of ZnCexFe2-xO4 Nanoparticles (X = 0.0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, and 0.08) Conjugated with Ebselen and Its Role Subsidised with γ-Radiation in Mitigating Human TNBC and Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Proliferation In Vitro.

Cancers are a major challenge to health worldwide. Spinel ferrites have attracted attention due to their broad theranostic applications. This study aimed at investigating the antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and anticancer activities of ebselen (Eb) and cerium-nanoparticles (Ce-NPs) in the form of ZnCexFe2-XO4 on human breast and colon cancer cell lines. Bioassays of the cytotoxic concentrations of Eb and ZnCexFe2-XO4, oxidative stress and inflammatory milieu, autophagy, apoptosis, related signalling effectors, the distribution of cells through the cell-cycle phases, and the percentage of cells with apoptosis were evaluated in cancer cell lines. Additionally, the antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential have been investigated against different pathogenic microbes. The ZOI, and MIC results indicated that ZnCexFe2-XO4; X = 0.06 specimen reduced the activity of a wide range of bacteria and unicellular fungi at low concentration including P. aeruginosa (9.5 mm; 6.250 µg/mL), S. aureus (13.2 mm; 0.390 µg/mL), and Candida albicans (13.5 mm; 0.195 µg/mL). Reaction mechanism determination indicated that after ZnCexFe2-xO4; X = 0.06 treatment, morphological differences in S.aureus were apparent with complete lysis of bacterial cells, a concomitant decrease in the viable number, and the growth of biofilm was inhibited. The combination of Eb with ZFO or ZnCexFe2-XO4 with γ-radiation exposure showed marked anti-proliferative efficacy in both cell lines, through modulating the oxidant/antioxidant machinery imbalance, restoring the fine-tuning of redox status, and promoting an anti-inflammatory milieu to prevent cancer progression, which may be a valuable therapeutic approach to cancer therapy and as a promising antimicrobial agent to reduce the pathogenic potential of the invading microbes.

Nanostructured Mg substituted Mn-Zn ferrites: A magnetic recyclable catalyst for outstanding photocatalytic and antimicrobial potentials.

With recently increasing the environmental problems and expected energy crisis, it is necessary to synthesis a low-cost, efficient, and UV-light responsive photocatalyst for contaminants' degradation. The nanostructured spinel ferrite Mn0.5Zn0.5-xMgxFe2O4 NPs (x = 0.0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375 and 0.50) were synthesized via the sol-gel method. The crystallite size was lied in nano regime ranging from 21.8 to 36.5 nm. The surface chemical composition of the Mn0.5Zn0.5-xMgxFe2O4 NPs was investigated via XPS analysis. Mossbauer spectra showed that the peaks were shifted to higher values of the maximum magnetic field as the Mg content increased, indicating that the crystallinity is enhanced while the crystal size is decreased. Also, various parameters such as the photocatalyst dose, dyes concentration, pH, point of zero charge, and the metals leaching were studied. The point of zero charge (PZC) has found at pH = 2.38. The Mn0.5Zn0.125Mg0.375Fe2O4 NPs showed an excellent UV-assisted photocatalytic activity against Chloramine T (90 % removal efficiency) and Rhodamine B (95 % removal efficiency) after 80 min as compared to pure Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 ferrite NPs. Besides, it a recyclable catalyst at least four times with a negligible reduction of photocatalytic activity with slight elements leaching. Furthermore, the Mn0.5Zn0.25Mg0.25Fe2O4 NPs showed a high antimicrobial activity towards pathogenic bacteria and yeats.

Antibacterial, antibiofilm, and photocatalytic activities of metals-substituted spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles.

This study reports the photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) dye (a class of dyestuffs that are resistant to biodegradation) under the influence of UV-light irradiation. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of ferrite nanoparticles (FO NPs) were examined against some pathogenic bacteria isolated from the medical operating room surfaces. In the same context, metals-substituted spinel cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with nominal composition [MxCo1-xFe2O4 NPs; (M = Zn, Cu, Mn; x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75)] were synthesized by citrate sol-gel method. Also, the structures of the synthesized FO NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, and Williamson-Hall (WH) method was used to determine the crystallite size. The estimated specific surface area is found in the range from 37.99 to 107.05 m2/g, between the synthesized ferrites, Zn0.5Co0.5Fe2O4 NPs have average pore radius 1.84 nm and the pore volume was 0.136 ml/g. SEM images revealed that, the synthesized FO NPs have an unique pores and uniformly distribution, while EDX spectra shows the elemental composition for the synthesized FO NPs. The elastic properties of FO NPs have been estimated using FTIR data, whereas (M - H) hysteresis loops revealed that, by replacing cobalt ions with Zn, Cu, and Mn ions the magnetic behaviour changed from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic. Results obtained from the photocatalysis indicated that Mn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 NPs (30.0 mg) were a promising photocatalyst achieving 96.0% removal of MB after 100 min of UV-light exposure in the alkaline solution. Antibacterial results showed that the most effective combination was Zn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 NPs (20.0 ppm) displaying activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus columbae, and Aerococcus viridians by 15.0, 13.0, and 12.0 mm ZOI, respectively. Additionally, Zn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 NPs were active as antibiofilm factors producing activity by 63.7, 57.9, and 45.5% towards S. aureus, A. viridians, and E. columbae, respectively. Accordingly, Zn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 and Mn0.75Co0.25Fe2O4 NPs can be utilized in industrial, biological and medical applications.

Synthesis and characterization of metals-substituted cobalt ferrite [Mx Co(1-x) Fe2O4; (M = Zn, Cu and Mn; x = 0 and 0.5)] nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents and sensors for Anagrelide determination in biological samples.

Nanocrystalline spinel ferrite nanoparticles [MxCo(1-x)Fe2O4;(M = Zn,Cu,Mn;x = 0 and 0.5)] like: Cobalt ferrite (CFO), Zinc Cobalt ferrite (ZCFO), Copper Cobalt ferrite (CCFO), and Manganese Cobalt ferrite (MCFO) modified carbon paste electrodes (CPE) were synthesized via sol-gel technique utilizing citric acid and ethylene glycol as a polymerization agent. The synthesized ferrite NPs were used as bi-functional smart biosensor, not only used to determine the drug Anagrelide-HCl (ANDH) in urine and serum samples, but also possesses antimicrobial potential against some pathogenic microbes, founded in the biological samples. The synthesized ferrite NPs were confirmed by XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, EDX, and elemental mapping images. Antimicrobial activities of ferrite NPs against selected urinary tract infected microbes were investigated. From XRD data and FTIR spectroscopy it is found that the average crystallite size is lies in the range 12.86 to 33.92 ±â€¯1.5 nm, also the bond lengths RA and RB increase from 1.8986 to 1.9145 Šand from 2.0434 to 2.0606 Šrespectively and Debye temperature θD lies in the range of 681.52-708.87 K. Our study describes the improvement of a screen-printed sensor, modified with ferrite NPs materials for rapid, sensitive and cost-effective quantification of ANDH present in the real samples such as blood serum samples, urine and in the pharmaceutical formulations. The results obtained postulate a linear regression between the ANDH charge density of peak current and its concentration in the range from (0.64-8.18 µg/ml) with DL 0.31 µg/ml and QL 0.94 µg/ml. Antimicrobial results indicated that ZCFO NPs were a novel antibacterial agent against Klebsiella pneumoniae (28.0 mm ZOI), and multidrug-resistant bacteria Enterococcus faecalis (27.0 mm ZOI). Additionally, ZCFO NPs were active against Candida albicans (18.0 mm ZOI) seems to be a smart antifungal agent. Therefore, ZCFO NPs can be used as applicant resources for industrial, medical, and biological applications.

Verification of high efficient broad beam cold cathode ion source.

An improved form of cold cathode ion source has been designed and constructed. It consists of stainless steel hollow cylinder anode and stainless steel cathode disc, which are separated by a Teflon flange. The electrical discharge and output characteristics have been measured at different pressures using argon, nitrogen, and oxygen gases. The ion exit aperture shape and optimum distance between ion collector plate and cathode disc are studied. The stable discharge current and maximum output ion beam current have been obtained using grid exit aperture. It was found that the optimum distance between ion collector plate and ion exit aperture is equal to 6.25 cm. The cold cathode ion source is used to deposit aluminum coating layer on AZ31 magnesium alloy using argon ion beam current which equals 600 µA. Scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction techniques used for characterizing samples before and after aluminum deposition.

Analysis of low-angle x-ray scattering peaks from lyophilized biological samples.

Low-angle x-ray scattering (LAXS) from lyophilized blood and its constituents is characterized by the presence of two peaks in the forward direction of scattering. These peaks are found to be sensitive to the variations in the molecular structure of a given sample. The present work aims to explore the nature of LAXS from a variety of lyophilized biological samples. It also aims to investigate the possibility that a certain biological macromolecule is responsible of the production of LAXS peaks. This is carried out through measurements of LAXS from complex biological samples and their basic constituents. Among the measured samples are haemoglobin (Hb), globin, haem, packed red blood cells, bovine albumin, egg albumin, milk, casein, glutamine, alanine, fat, muscle and DNA. A table containing some characteristic parameters of the LAXS profiles of these samples is also presented. Analysis of measured profiles shows that all lyophilized samples produce at least one relatively broad peak at a scattering angle around 10.35 degrees. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of this peak varies considerably among the measured samples. Except for milk and casein. one additional peak at a scattering angle around 4.65 degrees is observed only in the LAXS profiles of proteins or protein-rich samples. This fact strongly suggests protein to be the biological macromolecule from which this characteristic peak originates. The same idea is further strengthened through discussion of some previous observations.

Low-angle X-ray scattering from lyophilized blood constituents.

The characteristic nature of low-angle x-ray scattering from biological samples and its dependence on molecular structure is a subject of increasing interest. In this work, low-angle x-ray scattering from lyophilized (freeze-dried) whole blood, haemoglobin (Hb), serum and red blood cell membranes is studied. The scattering profiles of these samples are found to be reproducible and characteristic. A number of characterization parameters are introduced, showing significant differences between the investigated samples. The sensitivity of the scattering profiles of whole blood, Hb and serum towards induced molecular level variations is examined after doses of gamma irradiation of 3, 6 and 9 Gy. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the second peak of scattering and the percentage ratio of amplitudes of the first and second peaks (I1/I2)% are found to be the parameters most sensitive to irradiation. For all irradiated samples, it is observed that the FWHM of the second peak is always greater than the control, while the ratio (I1/I2)% is always smaller than the control.