In pursuit of greener nanoscale research, the utilization of the reductive potency of a common byproduct of food-processing industry, i.e., orange peel, has been researched to prepare “green” silver ...nanoparticles (AgNPs). The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and scanning electron microscopy. The results confirmed that silver nanoparticles were formed at the investigated concentrations of Ag+ (0.25–6.0 mmol/L) during 5–10 minutes, at ratio AgNO3 : extract (mL) = 1 : 1, and at 75°C. From the SEM images, the silver nanoparticles are found to be almost spherical. Powder XRD results reveal that Ag nanoparticles had a face-centered cubic crystal structure. The zeta potential value for AgNPs obtained was −21.7 mV, indicating the moderate stability of synthesized nanoparticles. The effect of pH on nanoparticle synthesis has been determined by adjusting the pH of the reaction mixtures. The catalytic effectiveness of the prepared green catalyst, AgNPs, has also been investigated in catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. The catalytic degradation reaction under solar irradiation was completed (99%) within 35 min, signifying excellent catalytic properties of silver nanoparticles in the reduction of MB.
Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) reduces mothers’ anticipated fear of childbirth (FOC), nonurgent obstetric interventions during childbirth and may improve childbirth outcomes in ...women with high FOC (Veringa-Skiba et al, 2022). The aim of this study was to examine the short- and longer-term outcomes of MBCP on psychological well-being, pregnancy and birth experience, as compared to enhanced care-as-usual (ECAU), in pregnant women with high FOC and their partners.
Participants were randomly assigned to MBCP or ECAU and completed questionnaires preintervention (T1), immediately after intervention (T2), two to four weeks after childbirth (T3) and 16-20 weeks after childbirth (T4). Both intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses were conducted.
The courses were provided by trained midwives.
Participants included 141 pregnant women and 120 partners.
MBCP comprised a nine-weekly three-hour session mindfulness group course for pregnant couples; ECAU consisted of two 90-minute individual couple consultation sessions.
Measures of psychological well-being included measures like stress, depression, anxiety and fatigue. Measures of pregnancy and birth experience concerned experiencing uplifts during pregnancy, experienced fear of childbirth, labour pain and satisfaction with childbirth.
No differences between MBCP and ECAU in the total group of birthing women were found. However, women with (at least an onset of) labour that participated in MBCP reported a better birth experience compared to ECAU at T3. Concerning the total partner group only one difference between MBCP and ECAU was found at T4; MBCP partners reported an increase in fatigue. However, in the partner risk group (i.e., partners with lower psychological well-being before intervention) partners experienced better psychological well-being at T2 and T3 after MBCP than ECAU.
MBCP and ECAU demonstrate similar effects on psychological well-being, birth and pregnancy experience. However, MBCP appears superior to ECAU for labouring women in having a better childbirth experience and for partners at risk for psychological complaints in increasing their psychological well-being.
MBCP only positively affects the childbirth experience of those who experience (onset of) natural birth. It might be advisable to include partners at risk for psychological complaints in the MBCP.
The preparation of stabilized silver nanodispersions under the action of short-term plasma discharge using a polyvinyl alcohol stabilizer (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)) was investigated. The influence of ...the basic technological parameters such as initial Ag+ concentration, PVA concentration, and process duration on the formation of nanoparticles and their characteristics (size and stability) were determined. The UV-Vis spectra showed the localized surface plasmon resonance at wavelengths of 400–420 nm. The SEM images showed that the shape of Ag NPs is spherical with an average particle size up to 30 nm. Ag NPs were used as a catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). The effect of the concentration of PNP and catalyst dosage on the value of apparent rate constant (kapp) for catalytic reduction of 4-NP in the presence of Ag NPs was investigated by means of UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The antimicrobial activity of Ag nanoparticles was investigated against yeast and Escherichia coli. The colorimetric sensor studies of plasma synthesized Ag NPs showed selective sensing of the potentially hazardous Hg2+ ion in water.
Antioxidants of natural origin which are based on agroprocessing waste appear as substance with high performance properties. They have complicated structure and contain a complex of biologically ...active compounds. This is why research of the above is particularly relevant in current competitive market. When working with plant raw materials and isolation of valuable compounds, the urgent issue is the choice of the method (extraction method) and extractant, which will ensure a maximum release of chemically active compounds. Known solvents such as methanol, ethanol, hexane, diethyl ether, and mixtures thereof are usually used for recovery. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of selected nonpolar solvents on the phytochemical composition and the antioxidant capacity of Prunus armeniaca L. Extracts were obtained using ethanol, silicone, propan-2-ol, and mixtures of ethanol silicone and propan-2-ol with silicone. In the obtained extracts, identification of the sequestered chemically active compounds was carried out by means of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and IR and UV spectrometry, and the extracts were evaluated on antioxidant properties. Various extracts showed varying degrees of antioxidant activity in various test systems, depending on the concentration. Since various antioxidant compounds have different mechanisms of action, several methods have been used to evaluate the effectiveness of antioxidant extracts. The results showed that the test solvents play an important role in the extraction of the plant material into the component composition, as well as the antioxidant ability of Prunus armeniaca L.
The process of obtaining aqueous solutions of silver nanoparticles with the use of a low-temperature nonequilibrium contact plasma and stabilizing agent—polysaccharide (sodium alginate)—has been ...examined. The synthesized Ag NPs were characterized by using UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and XRD analysis. The effect of concentration of Ag+, sodium alginate, duration of processing by plasma discharge, and pH of liquid on the production of silver nanoparticles has been studied. The results demonstrated that synthesis provides the formation of silver nanoparticles for investigated concentrations of Ag+ (0.3-3.0 mmol/l) and 5.0 g/l Na-Alg (pH=7–10) within 1–5 minutes. From the SEM images, the silver nanoparticles are found to be almost spherical. Powder XRD results reveal that Ag nanoparticles have a face-centered cubic crystal structure. Zeta potential of plasma-chemically obtained colloidal solutions at various concentrations of Ag+ ions and stabilizing agent varies from −32.8 to −39.3 mV, indicating the moderate stability of synthesized nanoparticles.
The paper presents newly acquired data on the budget and mobility of isotopes of noble gases in samples of amphibole, a mineral commonly characterized by relatively high He concentrations compared to ...other rock-forming minerals of Earth’s crust. In the amphibole samples from alkaline granites of the Ponoy Massif, Kola Peninsula,
3
He,
4
Не, and
40
Ar* isotopes were mostly radiogenic, generated by radioactive decay and nuclear reactions. Retention ability of two helium isotopes was found to be different: since the time of metamorphic event approximately 38%
3
Не and only approximately 16%
4
Не have been preserved. A small He fraction (≈3% of its total concentration) and a larger part of radiogenic
40
Ar* (≈35%) are hosted in fluid inclusions. Relatively high
3
Не/
4
He ratios (up to ≈1 × 10
–6
) in the amphibole were caused by the high Li concentrations and better preservation of
3
Не. The
3
He/
4
He ratios in helium extracted from the samples by melting and crushing are indistinguishable, while the
4
He/
40
Ar* ratios in the fluid inclusions (opened by sample crushing) (~0.6) are notably lower than those in the bulk samples (melting) (5) and those calculated from the U, Th, and K concentrations (15). Two He release peaks were observed on the curves of rapid (12–40°C min
–1
) liner heating of the samples. At a lower heating rate (~5°C min
–1
), the high-temperature peak disappeared. Further investigation of this peculiarity of He migration has shown that (1) it is also typical of some other amphibole samples (not only those from Ponoy granites); (2) He amount in the “disappearing” peak varies from sample to sample and also depends on the heating rate and grain size (powdered samples with an average grain size of ≤50 µm did not yield the second peak, regardless of the heating rate); (3) the temperature of He release from powdered samples is approximately 50°C lower than that for mineral grains; and (4) preliminary long-term heating of the sample to 400°C (a temperature at which He starts to diffuse from the amphibole structure) results in a significant decrease in the low-temperature peak and a shift of the “disappearing” peak toward lower temperatures. The probable reasons for this phenomenon are discussed.
The focus of the investigation is physicochemical properties (electrical conductivity, electrochemical window) and theoretical study of stability of the formed deep eutectic solvents (DESs). ...Quantum-chemical calculations have been performed to predict the formation of solvents with higher stability. The reported results reveal a complete description of fluid's characteristics which of the components is the most effective donor for creation hydrogen bond with hydrogen bond acceptor. Two DESs have been synthesized by using of choline chloride as hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs) and Urea and Lactic acid as hydrogen bond donors (HBDs). Also, DES have been synthesized by using of Lactic acid as hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs) and Sodium Acetate as hydrogen bond donors (HBDs). The electrical conductivity of deep eutectic solvents was measured and the width of electrochemical window was evaluated using cycling voltammetry depending on water content in the solvent (0-25%).
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