Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority

Yb2O3-doped aluminum–lead alkali phosphate glasses with the nominal composition 47P2O5–23Na2O–(24 − x)PbO–6Al2O3–xYb2O3 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 mol%) were fabricated by melt-quenching and investigated using FTIR spectroscopy, ultrasonic pulse-echo measurements, and radiation-shielding calculations. The density slightly decreased from 4235 to 4182 kg·m− 3, while the molar volume increased from 33.21 × 10− 6 to 34.86 × 10− 6 m3·mol− 1 as x increased from 0.0 to 3.0 mol%. The ultrasonic velocities increased with Yb2O3 addition, where the longitudinal velocity rose from 3567 to 3663 m·s− 1 and the shear velocity increased from 2021 to 2089 m·s− 1, indicating a composition-dependent enhancement in elastic response. The Debye temperature increased from 296 to 302 K at the highest Yb2O3 content (3.0 mol%), supporting the observed stiffening trend. FTIR analysis, including band deconvolution, suggests that the phosphate network rearranges upon Yb addition and that modifier-related linkages form. This is in line with the changes in measured ultrasonic parameters that were reported to be caused by changes in composition. Radiation-shielding descriptors tested between 15 keV and 15 MeV show that the glasses we made have a lower half-value layer (HVL) than standard concrete and commercial RS-360 shielding glass. This shows that they could be good materials for shielding gamma rays in a small space.

This study reports the synthesis and characterization of an alginate-poly(acrylic acid-co-vinyl sulfonic acid) (Alg-P(AA-co-VSA)) graft copolymer as an adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The graft copolymer was synthesized via γ-radiation-induced graft polymerization and characterized using FTIR, XRD, XPS, zeta potential, TGA, and SEM techniques. Batch adsorption studies revealed that adsorption is highly pH-dependent, with optimal pH values of 5.0 for Cu(II) and 6.0 for Zn(II). The maximum adsorption capacities were 65.78 mg/g for Cu(II) and 60.97 mg/g for Zn(II). The adsorption mechanism is complex, likely involving multiple interactions, with contributions from both heterogeneous multilayer adsorption (Freundlich model) and monolayer adsorption (Langmuir model). Adsorption kinetics were well-described by the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic analysis showed a spontaneous and exothermic adsorption process, with negative ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS values. A full factorial design was applied to optimize six key variables: pH, time, temperature, initial metal concentration, adsorbent dose, and agitation speed, leading to a maximum removal efficiency of >99% for Zn(II) and Cu(II) under optimal conditions. These results demonstrate the potential of Alg-P(AA-co-VSA) graft copolymer as a highly efficient adsorbent for both heavy metal removal, offering significant benefits for environmental and industrial applications.

These results highlight irradiated Ch-NPs as a promising, eco-friendly, and sustainable component of integrated disease management strategies, offering a viable alternative to conventional chemical fungicides for controlling Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. sesami in sesame cultivation. Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. sesami, poses a major limitation to sesame productivity. To develop a more efficient control approach, chitosan nanoparticles (Ch-NPs) were synthesized and exposed to 24kGy of gamma irradiation, a process that improves their structural uniformity and enhances their functional properties. The antifungal activity was tested under laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions, either alone or in combination with Trichoderma reesei, Bacillus subtilis, and the commercial fungicide Maxim-XL. The nanoparticles were characterized using UV, FTIR, and TEM analysis. UV analysis confirmed the nanoparticle spectrum with a maximum absorbance at 224nm. Using transmission electron microscopy, it was found that by gamma irradiation, Ch-NP size was reduced from 89.08-113.63nm to 48.11-56.22nm, which, in turn, made it more uniform and bioactive. Irradiated Ch-NPs (250µL L⁻1) demonstrated the ability of almost complete inhibition of F. oxysporum growth in vitro, along with controlling the disease incidence and severity in greenhouse and field tests, which is equal to that of Maxim-XL. Among the biological agents tried, T. reesei was the best in giving an antagonism of 76.3% inhibition. Treatment with irradiated Ch-NPs and T. reesei enhanced sesame growth and productivity, reflected in greater plant height, more capsules, and higher seed yield, and also elevated the activities of defense-related enzymes-peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, chitinase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. The study therefore sought to assess the effectiveness of gamma-irradiated chitosan nanoparticles, used in combination with biological control agents, as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical fungicides for managing the disease.

Cadmium exposure is a known disruptor of ovarian redox homeostasis and steroidogenesis, with clinically relevant implications for fertility and pregnancy outcomes. We hypothesized that date seed extract (DS), rich in antioxidant constituents, and low-dose gamma radiation (LDR) could synergistically counteract Cd-induced ovarian toxicity. (1) To assess whether DS and/or low-dose γ-radiation mitigate Cd-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, and impairment of steroidogenesis; (2) to determine whether the combination of DS + LDR offers superior protection relative to single treatments; and (3) to evaluate whether biochemical improvements translate to preservation of ovarian histology. The present study highlights the combinatorial approach (DS + LDR) as a potential, novel intervention for reducing Cd-associated gonadotoxicity. Forty-eight female Swiss albino rats were allocated to eight groups (n = 6): Control; DS; R; DS + R; Cd; Cd + DS; Cd + R; Cd + DS + R. Treatments were administered for 21 days (DS) and 2 weeks (Cd exposure) with ongoing γ-radiation where indicated. Outcomes included: (i) oxidative stress markers (SOD, GSH); (ii) steroidogenic axis components (StAR, CYP11A1, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD) at the ovarian level; (iii) hormonal profiles (e.g., estrogen, progesterone, and relevant gonadotropins); (iv) inflammatory signaling (NF-κβ); and (v) histopathology of ovarian sections. Cd exposure caused a significant decline in ovarian antioxidants (SOD, GSH) and a reduction in steroidogenic enzyme expression, accompanied by hormonal disturbances and prominent NF-κβ-driven inflammatory changes. Histologically, Cd induced cortical and follicular disruption with increased degenerative changes. DS and LDR mitigated these effects, with the combination DS + LDR showing the most robust rescue: antioxidant defenses and steroidogenic enzyme expression nearly normalized, hormonal levels stabilized, NF-κβ signaling reduced, and ovarian architecture preserved. Statistical significance was achieved for most endpoints (p < 0.05) and trends supported additive or synergistic benefits for DS + LDR. The combination of DS and low-dose γ-radiation offers superior protection against Cd-induced ovarian toxicity by restoring redox balance, downregulating inflammatory pathways, normalizing steroidogenesis, and preserving ovarian histology. These findings support further exploration of DS + R as a potential therapeutic strategy to mitigate heavy metal-related reproductive damage.

In this study, multiferroic composites MF/SmF (MF = NiFe2O4, CoFe2O4, ZnFe2O4, CdFe2O4, and SmF representing SmFeO3) were synthesized using the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were employed to examine the impact of SmF on the MF's phase composition, microstructure, and degree of crystallinity. These analyses confirmed the formation of pure composites with two phases (orthorhombic + cubic), identified the chemical bonds present in the composites, and verified the nanoscale dimensions of all composites (17-92nm). The composition element was determined through energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). UV-vis absorption spectroscopy was used to assess the effect of SmF on the band gap energy of the MF, where the band gap energy of the SmF sample is 2.28eV, CoF/SmF is 1.18eV, and the NiF/SmF composite has an energy band gap of 1.8eV. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, characterized by unpaired electron spins, and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) were used to analyze the nanocomposites' ferromagnetic characteristics. The exchange-coupled interaction between Sm and MF was confirmed by the lattice parameters and the functional groups present, as well as the energy gap for each compound and the magnetic parameters of SmF/FM nanocomposites.