Maximum Optical Density Values Research Articles

The incident photons cut-off energy, the optical linear equations and the electron phonon interactions in ZnO thin films annealed at different temperatures

The using RF-magnetron sputtering, the ZnO thin films were deposited on glass substrates at room temperature. Then using an electrical furnace in the presence of argon gas, they were annealed at different temperatures (400–600 °C). It was found that with taking Nc = 4, Za = 2, Ne = 8 for ZnO films for covalently bonded crystalline and amorphous chalcogenides, the constant β has values of about 0.37 ± 0.04 and for halides and most oxides that have ionic structure the constant β has values of about 0.26 ± 0.04 eV. It can be seen that with increasing annealing temperature absorption edge these films have a shifting behavior towards larger wavelength. Due to shifting behavior of defects distribution of atoms into films, the values of the cut-off energy, E cut-off and the λ cut-off of these films were about 3.48 eV and 355 nm, respectively. The ZnO films annealed at 500 °C specially above 3 eV have maximum value of optical density. The different linears fitting of ln (⍺) for films were obtained as y = Ex + F where 10<E < 12.5 and 14<F < 16. The ZnO films annealed at 600 °C have minimum value of electron phonon interaction (Ee-p) in a bout of 0.858 eV. The optical band gap and disordering energy plots of these films can be fitted by linear relationship EU and Eg = 0.0989–0.148 EU. We found that as deposited ZnO films have minimum value of steepness parameter σ in about of 30.93 × 10 −2eV.

Assessment of plastic degradation by indigenous bacteria from waste disposal sites

The present study focuses on the isolation of bacterial pathogens from waste disposal sites, and examination of their efficiencies for degrading various plastics. Seven bacterial isolates such as E. coli, Corynebacterium spp., Micrococcus spp., Azotobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. were identified. Bacillus spp. exhibited the highest percentage reduction in black plastic weight (47.46 %), while Corynebacterium spp., and E. coli achieved a maximum reduction of 45.76 and 46.42 % for pink plastic respectively. Pseudomonas spp. and Micrococcus spp. demonstrated notable reductions of 46.43 % and 56.60 % in white and Canteen Stores Department (CSD) biodegradable plastics, respectively. Optical density (OD) measurements revealed that bacterial isolates achieved maximum OD values with CSD plastics, emphasizing their proficiency in plastic degradation. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the degradation process, with a decrease in the peak value from 2916 to 2914 cm⁻1 for pink plastic, signifying alkane, and alkene presence. Three new peaks at 1398, 1371, and 1361 cm⁻1 in the FTIR spectrum of CSD plastic indicated presence of alcohol. Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) micrographs illustrated bacterial colonization, cracks, and spots on plastic surfaces, while X-ray Diffraction (XRD) spectra showed peaks at 4.083, 3.705, 3.020, and 1.909, suggesting plastic degradation. In conclusion, soil of waste disposal site harbored diverse microbial species, and have highlighted their effectiveness in mitigating environmental pollution by degrading hazardous plastic waste.

Exploring autochthonous strains with probiotic potential: A comprehensive characterization of functional properties and their application in fermented blueberry-watermelon smoothies

Fruit-fermented smoothies enriched with probiotics present a promising alternative for individuals who avoid dairy products. However, identifying suitable probiotic strains poses a critical challenge. This study aimed to characterize five potential probiotic strains: Hanseniaspora opuntiae BIOTEC045, Pediococcus pentosaceus BIOTEC046 and BIOTEC047, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LpAv and 73a. The objective was to assess their aggregation and antipathogenic abilities, safety, stress tolerance, and other functional properties. LpAv and 73a displayed the most favorable characteristics. They exhibited high auto-aggregation (>65%), resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions (with only 0.3–1.5 log reductions), efficient enzyme production (high levels of β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase), capability to utilize various prebiotics (with maximum optical density values of 1.62–1.81), and production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (1.2 mM), among other features. LpAv and 73a were selected for fermenting blueberry-watermelon smoothies (BWS). During a 7-day storage period at 5 °C, both strains maintained high viability (>9 log colony forming units/mL), while the control samples exhibited spoilage microbial load, highlighting the effectiveness of lactic acid fermentation as a viable bio-preservation technique. Additionally, the BWS retained bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity throughout storage after fermentation, with total phenolic and anthocyanin contents of 0.68–0.73 mg/g and 0.16–0.17 mg/g, respectively. These findings confirm the suitability of BWS as a matrix for fermentation with the selected potential probiotic bacteria. Additionally, the comprehensive characterization of the strains provides valuable insights into their functional properties and contributes to the understanding of their potential health benefits.

Electrical, morphological, optical and mathematical simulations equations studies in CAZO, CZO, AZO and ZNO films

Purpose In this paper, it can be seen from AFM images of the as-deposited ZnO and CZO films, and the particle size and shape are not clear, while by increasing annealing temperature, they become distinguishable. By increasing temperature to 600°C, ZnO and CZO, CAZO and aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) films particles became almost spherical. Due to high content of Cu in CZO target, and of Al in AZO target which was 5% weight ratio, doping plays a great role in the subject. Therefore, the annealing processing strongly affect the size and the shape of nanoparticles. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the authors tried to study, in detail, nobel optical characterizations of ZnO films doped by transition metals in different annealing temperature. The authors found that the values of skin depth, optical density, electron–phonon interaction, steepness parameter, band tail width, direct and indirect carriers transitions and the dissipation factor, free carriers density and roughness of films affect the optical properties, especially the optical absorptions of ZnO films doped by transition metals. Also these properties were affected by annealing temperatures. The authors also found that topography characterizations strongly were affected by these parameters. Findings The CZO films have maximum value of coordination number ß, with considering NC = 4, Za = 2, Ne = 8. The CZO films annealed at 500 °C have maximum value of optical density. The as-deposited CAZO films have maximum value of steepness parameters in about of 0.13 eV. The as-deposited AZO films have maximum value of dispersion energy Ed in about of 5.75 eV. Optical gap and disordering energy plots of films can be fitted by linear relationships Eg = 0.49 + 0.2 EU and Eg = 0.52 + 0.5 EU, respectively. Originality/value With considering Nc = 4, Za = 2, Ne = 8 for ZnO films, coordination number ß has maximum value of 0.198. CZO nanocomposites films annealed at 500°C have maximum value of optical density. Different linear fitting of ln (α) for films were obtained as y = Ax + B where 5&lt;A &lt; 17 and 5&lt;B &lt; 12. As-deposited CAZO nanocomposites films have minimum value of electron phonon interaction in about of 4.91 eV. Optical gap and disordering energy plots can be fitted by linear relationships Eg = 0.49 + 0.2 EU and Eg = 0.52 + 0.5 EU for as-deposited films and films annealed at 500°C, respectively. Steepness parameters of as-deposited CAZO nanocomposites films have maximum value of 0.13 eV. Dispersion energy Ed for as-deposited AZO nanocomposites films has maximum value of 5.75 eV.

CZO films: Effect of different post-annealing temperatures on electron-phonon interactions, steepness parameters, coordination numbers, optical mathematical equations, and skin depth

The CZO films annealed at 500°C are smoother and they have the maximum value of electron-phonon interaction. The CZO films annealed at 500°C have the maximum value of optical density. The absorption edge of films up to 500°C has a redshift and over 500°C they have a blue shift. The CZO films annealed at 500°C have the minimum value of band-to-band transitions energy. The as-deposited CZO films are more disordered. The empirical optical mathematical equation from linear fitting for these films was given as . It was demonstrated that values of the steepness parameters of CZO films are represented by a decreasing function while electron-phonon interactions by an increasing function with increasing annealing temperature. This may be ascribed to a change in iconicity and action valences of CZO films. Considering , , and for ZnO, the coordination number constants were calculated and for CZO films annealed at 600°C, β has a minimum value about of 0.18. Swanepoel method parameters also were obtained.

The optical density and topography characterizations of MWCNTs on Ni‐Cu/ a‐C:H substrates with different copper percentage

In this article, the Ni-Cu nanoparticles (NPs) in the amorphous carbon hydrogenated thin films with different copper percentage by co-deposition of RF-plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition were prepared using acetylene gas and Ni and Cu targets. The films deposited with 5% Cu have minimum value of the average diameter of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes, MWCNTs, in about of 100 nm. It can be seen that the lateral size values of the nanoparticles for films with 5% Cu have minimum value of 5.34 nm. Films deposited with 75% Cu have maximum value of optical density specially in high energy. The spectral density power of all films indicated the presence of fractal components in prominent topographies. Films deposited without Cu NPs have minimum value of fractal dimension in about of 2.96. The diagram of the bearing area versus the nanoparticles height has shown the percentage of cavities and single-layers. The single-layer contents of all films were about 95%.

Effects of microelements (Fe, Cu, Zn) on growth and pigment contents of Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis

A laboratory experiment was conducted to assess the bioaccumulation of microelements Fe 2+, Cu 2+, Zn 2+ and their effects on the growth and pigment contents of Spirulina platensis in Zarrouk’s media. The mentioned metals concentrations enhanced separately to tenfold of the Zarrouk’s content. The results indicated no differences in the dry weights for the different medias (p>0.05). A rapid increase in optical density values has been observed in tenfold of Cu+2 concentration giving the maximum optical density values (0.498± 0.234 mg L-1). In contrast, a gradual increase rate in the optical density has been observed at all concentration of treatments. Enrichment factor (EF) improved with increasing the metal concentration of treatments. The maximum EF value has been observed at 13.54 in Zn+2 concentrations. At all concentrations, the maximum production of chlorophyll A (1.213±0.514 mg L-1) occurred in 7th day of incubation. The highest total carotenoid concentration was recorded in S. platensis treated with Cu+2 (0.0042± 0.0004 mg L-1) after 14 days. The phycobiliproteins decreased in all of the treatments. Results suggested that S. platensis would be important part of in functional food developments.

QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF THE SUM OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS IN FRUIT OF RHUS TYPHINA(L.)

The genus Rhus of the Anacardiaceae family includes about 120–150 species of small trees, bushes, and lianas. The chemical composition of the sumac fluffy Rhus typhina (L.) is almost unknown. Previously, some phenolic compounds (rutin, quercetin, hyperoside, tannin, gallic acid) were identified in the fruits of the plant. To quantify the amount of phenolic compounds in the raw materials studied, a method based on the complexation reaction of phenolic compounds with a phosphomolybdic-tungsten reagent (Folin-Denis reagent) in an alkaline medium was chosen. The optimal conditions for the complexation reaction are selected: the ratio of the solution of gallic acid and Denis-Folin reagent is 0.06 mg / 1.6 ml, respectively. For the quantitative determination of the amount of phenolic compounds for the aqueous extraction of sumac fluffy must be added 1.1 ml of Denis-Folin reagent, to alcohol-water extraction – 1.2 ml of Folin-Denis reagent. The maximum value of optical density in aqueous and alcohol-aqueous extractions is observed at a wavelength of 720 nm. In alcohol-water extraction, more phenolic compounds (A = 0.8683) pass into the alcoholic water than to the aqueous one (A = 0.6346). The method used is valid and can be used for quantitative determination of the amount of phenolic compounds in fruits of sumac fluffy. To evaluate the linearity, the regression equation is calculated y = 941.67x + 0.0725 and the correlation coefficient r = 0.9895. The concentration of phenolic compounds in alcohol-water extraction was determined from the calibration graph. The average content of the sum of the phenolic compounds in terms of the gallic acid in the alcohol- water extraction was 10.04 ± 0.17%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) is 2.61%.

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using marine bacteria and Box–Behnken design optimization

ABSTRACTGold nanoparticles are exciting materials because of their potential applications in optics, electronics, biomedical, and pharmaceutical fields. In recent years, environmentally friendly, low-cost biosynthesis methods with bio-applicable features have continued to be developed for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. In the present study, an actinobacterial strain was isolated from the Petrosia ficiformis (Poiret 1798) sponge, which was collected from a marine environment, and the gold nanoparticle synthesis was performed for the first time from the bacteria type belonging to the Citricoccus genus. The synthesis conditions were optimized using the Box–Behnken experimental design, with a statistical method that included three independent variables (temperature, time, and mixture ratio) to affect the synthesis at three levels (+1, 0, and −1). Accordingly, the conditions proposed for the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles at the maximum optical density values that are specific for the Citricoccus sp. K1D109 strain were estimated as 35°C temperature, 24 h, and 1/5 mixture ratio (cell-free extract/HAuCl4 · 3H2O). When recommended conditions were applied, it was determined that the maximum absorbance of the synthesized gold nanoparticles is 1.258 at 545 nm, and their sizes are in the range of 25–65 nm, according to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data.

Administration of Three Natural Products as Protective Agents Against the Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Effect of Methotrexate in Mice ( Mus Musculus )

Background: Methotrexate is an antimetabolite and antifolate drug. It is used in treatment of cancer, autoimmune diseases. Material and methods: 210 healthy adult male Swiss albino mice (Mus musculus), were allotted among three groups. The animal were given daily (0.065mg/ml) of methotrexate intraperitonealy followed by injection of Omega-3 plus at dose (8.58 mg/20g mice), Apple at dose (1.43 mg/20 g mice) and Psyllium at dose (18.2mg /20 g mice) for five days. Results: Various Structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells; mitotic activity and sperm head abnormality were recorded, quantitated, and statistically analyzed. Also DNA extraction and apoptosis detection in liver was done. The intensity of apoptotic bands located at 200 b p; 400b p ; 600 b p;800 b p and intact DNA measured by software Gel Pro program as maximum optical density values. Conclusion:, Methotrexate had adverse effect on chromosomal and sperm head structure, also it induce apoptosis, necrosis and decrease total DNA in mice liver.Omega-3 plus, Apple, and Psyllium attenuate the methotrexate-related toxic effects.

TH-E-BRB-04: Dose Response of EBT2 Film Modeled as a Bimolecular Reaction

Purpose: This study investigated if the dose-response of EBT2 film can be modeled as a bimolecular reaction of the monomers that composes the active layer of the EBT2 film. The LET dependence of EBT2 films was explored using the models developed in this study. Methods: To build a dose-response curve a set of films was exposed to pristine proton beams of 161.61 MeV, with doses ranging from 0.93 Gy to 14.82 Gy at a depth of 2 cm in water. The same procedure was applied to a film using a lower energy beam, 85.55 MeV. Because the chemical models predict different values for the maximum optical density of the film, another set of films was exposed to a higher dose, about 200 Gy, to determine which chemical model would better predict the film parameters. Fluence-averaged LET curves were computed by calculating the ratio of the dose and fluence in water. Proton energy spectra were also computed at selected depths for both energies. Results: The unimolecular and the bimolecular models were able to accurately fit the experimental data, with both having R̂2 = 0.9996. The maximum optical density values found were 0.901 +/− 0.050 by the unimolecular model and 1.276 +/− 0.077 by the bimolecular model. Exposing a set of EBT2 films to 200 Gy yielded a measured optical density of 1.360 +/− 0.070, which indicated larger systematic uncertainties in the unimolecular model compared to the bimolecular model. Conclusions: Although both the unimolecular and the bimolecular models fit the experimental data with similar accuracy, only the bimolecular model could predict the maximum optical density of the EBT2 film with acceptable accuracy. We also observed that the energy spectra at the measurement depths play a role in the LET response of the EBT2 films when described as a bimolecular reaction. This project is supported in part by P01CA021239 from the National Cancer Institute. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Cancer Institute or the National Institutes of Health.

Protective effect of green tea extract against cytotoxicity induced by enrofloxacin in rat

Enrofloxacin is bactericidal and has excellent activity against both Grampositive and Gram-negative pathogens.120 male and female adult albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were allotted among three groups. The animal were given daily 75mg/kg of enrofloxacin intraperitonealy followed by injection of green tea extract 1%,1.5% and 3% for ten days. Various Structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells; mitotic activity and sperm head abnormality were recorded, quantitated, and statistically analyzed. Also DNA extraction and apoptosis detection in liver, kidney, and spleen was done; in addition to RNA damage was detected in lysate tissues. The intensity of apoptotic bands located at 200 b p; 400b p ; 600 b p; 800 b p and intact DNA measured by software Gel Pro program as maximum optical density values. Enrofloxacin had adverse effect on chromosomal and sperm head structure, also it induce apoptosis, necrosis and decrease total RNA in rat tissues. Green tea extract attenuate the enrofloxacin-related toxic effects. The most potent dose of Green tea extract was1% and the less effective was 3%.

Genotoxicity of Some Commonly Used Antidepressants (Fluoxetine, Sertraline and Clomipramine)

Genotoxic drugs may not produce pronounced harmful effects early during the course of medication. Unfortunately these harmful effects may appear later. Identification of genotoxic antidepressants as a long term medications is important to avoid their prescription. In the present study, thirty eight patients were under treatment of antidepressants [Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRIs)], were compared with ten (5 males and 5 females) untreated healthy volunteers matched with patients. All patients meeting Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria for both generalized anxiety disorder and major depression and were treated at Neuropsychiatry department of Tanta university hospital . Fluoxetine treated pt were 7 males and10 females, sertraline treated pt were 5 males and 5 females and clomipramine treated pt were 6 males and 5 females. Detection of total genomic damage in all subjects was performed by DNA gel electrophoresis. The intensity of peripheral leucocytes DNA damage were measured by measuring optical density of DNA fragments at 200bp and 400bp by software Gel Pro program as maximum optical density values. There was a significant increase in DNA damage in all treated groups compared with the control. Male showed significant increase in DNA damage in comparison with females. Fluoxetine caused the most drastic DNA damage whereas sertraline caused an intermediate effect and clomipramine was the least genotoxic of the three compounds.

Serum resistance of Pasteurella multocida in avian and porcine sera, and comparative virulence investigations of selected serum-sensitive and resistant strains in chickens

Growth in serum of Pasteurella multocida and related species in chicken, turkey, duck and pig sera were compared, and selected serum-resistant and serum-sensitive strains were inoculated into 18-week-old layers. Eighty-seven field strains of Pasteurella spp. and nine reference strains representing different clones defined by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) profiles were used in the study. Serum activity was measured by changes in the optical density (OD) of the serum after inoculation and incubation at 41°C for chicken, turkey and duck serum and 39°C for pig serum. Serum activity was measured by comparison with previously determined serum-resistant (P-1059) and serum-sensitive (CU vaccine) strains, and classified into highly serum-resistant, moderately serum-resistant and serum-sensitive. Strains of the same REA type were found to have identical growth curves and the same maximum OD values when tested in serum from the same host species. Turkey serum was shown to be less inhibitory to a wide range of P. multocida strains than chicken, duck and pig sera. Serum-resistant strains were demonstrated among avian as well as mammalian strains. Among the avian strains, the proportion of serum-resistant strains was higher in outbreak strains than in strains from apparently healthy carriers. Removal of the capsule from selected strains by hyaluronidase treatment failed to change the serum activity. The most severe lesions in experimentally infected chickens were produced by a serum-resistant strain; however, lesions were also found in chickens infected by serum-sensitive strains, indicating the involvement of multiple factors in the virulence of P. multocida . Further investigations on serum resistance are indicated in order to relate other host and bacterial factors responsible for the development of fowl cholera.

ELISA for detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to sandfly fever sicilian virus

• An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to detect specific human immunoglobulin G and M antibodies to sandfly fever Sicilian (SFS) virus. Acute and early convalescent serum pairs with ⩾ 7 days between the 2 specimens were available from 20 patients and all showed significant optical density (OD) increase and significant titre rise (⩾ 4-fold) by IgG ELISA. However, negative or borderline-positive sera were found as late as 11 days after onset of symptoms when tested by IgG ELISA. • Specific IgM antibodies were detected during the first week of symptoms, and maximum OD values were obtained during the first 4 weeks after onset of disease. The IgM OD values declined over the following 3–9 months. All sera collected later than 14 months post-onset were negative by IgM ELISA. • The combination of early antibody response and the need to test only one serum specimen gives IgM ELISA an advantage over IgG ELISA in patient diagnosis. • The IgG ELISA was also evaluated as a seroepidemiological tool and compared to a plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) using sera from a normal Cypriot population. Of 183 sera tested, 34 (19%) were positive in plaque reduction neutralization tests (PRNT) and 113 (62%) by IgG ELISA. A number of PRNT-negative sera were strongly positive by IgG ELISA and also by indirect immunofluorescence test, which may suggest the presence of a virus related to SFS in Cyprus which has not yet been isolated.

Optimisation of density and contrast yielded by multiformat photographic imagers used for scintigraphy

The maximum optical density (MOD) and contrast (characterised by an effective gamma, gamma eff) yielded by multiformat photographic imagers used for scintigraphy, was determined by densitometry of a computer image, which consisted of a pattern of uniform squares containing known counts. A series of clinical scintigrams were photographed using various MOD and gamma eff values, and were graded by three experienced clinicians. It was found that a MOD of 1.6 and a gamma eff of 2.9 yielded optimal images for general use if bone scintigrams are also to be photographed. Lesion detectability in phantom images using extreme MOD and gamma eff values that were still clinically acceptable was determined. At very low false-positive rates (<or=1%) the higher gamma eff yielded a significantly greater lesion detectability (p=0.02) at an information density of 2200 counts cm-2 in accordance with Whitehead's theory. It is concluded that quantification and optimisation of density and contrast factors are important and that the technique described enables quality control of multiformat imagers with respect to these factors.

A micro-heterometric determination of traces of iron (III) in alloys and salts with α-nitroso β-naphthol

Ferric iron constituting approximately 0.01% — 0.1% may be determined by a heterometric titration with α-nitroso-β-naphthol. The solution may contain 99.9% or more of calcium, barium, magnesium, aluminium, chromium, manganese, nickel, cadmium or lead salts. No previous separation is necessary. The α-nitroso-β-naphthol is dissolved in alcohol. The analysed solution must be acidified. No complexing agents are necessary. Citrate or tartrate must be absent. The maximum optical density values which are obtained at the end of the titration are proportional to the amount of iron which is analysed. These maximum values are entirely unaffected by the concentrated salt solutions. The heterometric sensitivity of the reaction between iron and α-nitroso-β-naphthol is three times higher in 50% alcoholic solution than in water. The titration takes about one hour. The error is 0.0—4%.