This study investigates radon concentration and radon exhalation rates in granite rock samples from the Eastern Desert of Egypt, utilizing the Alpha GUARD measurement system. We assessed radon levels in terms of both area (Bq/m²) and mass (Bq/kg), providing a comprehensive analysis of radon emissions from these geological materials. Additionally, we calculated the annual effective doses associated with radon exposure, highlighting the potential health risks for populations in proximity to granite formations. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of radon behavior in granite rocks and underscore the importance of continuous monitoring, especially in radon-prone regions. The results of the study have revealed that the values obtained for the studied samples are higher than the internationally accepted recommended values. Finally, it can be concluded, from the obtained results that causes high risk to humans and cannot used as a safe source in manufacturing the building materials.

In this study, gamma-rays, neutrons, electrons, and charge particles interaction properties with {75[70TeO₂ - 30PbO] [(25-x) ZnO- xLi₂O]} where x = 0, 5, 10, 15, and 25 mol% glass systems were investigated. Tellurite glass composites were fabricated using melt-quenching method with densities varied from 6.0909 to 5.7834 g/cm³. The gamma attenuation capability was investigated experimentally using ¹³⁷Cs and ⁶⁰Co sources with NaI(Tl). The gamma shielding parameters were theoretically evaluated across a wide range of energy (0.015 – 15 MeV) with Phy-X/PSD and Py-MLBUF software. Fast neutron/macroscopic removal cross-section FNRCS/MRCS values for fast neutrons were calculated with the software Phy-X/PSD, MRCS, and NGcal software. The range (R) values of selected ions were estimated using the SRIM Monte Carlo code over a wide range (0.01 – 20 MeV). Additionally, continuous slowing …

Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) represent a rapidly advancing group of metal-free organic photocatalysts, offering a sustainable route for hydrogen (H₂) generation through photocatalytic water splitting. Their intrinsic permanent porosity, combined with extended π-conjugation and large surface areas, enables superior light harvesting, efficient exciton dissociation, and accelerated molecular diffusion—key attributes for effective photocatalytic systems. In this study, two newly developed CMPs—Py–Thio–Tri CMP and Py–Thio–PyD CMP—were synthesized and subjected to rigorous physicochemical characterization to investigate their photocatalytic performance. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements were employed to determine their porosity. The chemical structures and functional group integrity were validated via Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Photocatalytic evaluations demonstrate that Py–Thio–Tri CMP exhibits markedly superior hydrogen evolution activity compared to Py–Thio–PyD CMP. Specifically, Py–Thio–Tri CMP achieves an initial hydrogen generation rate (HGR) of 1100 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ within the first hour of irradiation, substantially surpassing the 182 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ recorded for Py–Thio–PyD CMP under similar circumstances. Upon incorporation of 3 wt % cobalt (Co) as a cocatalyst, the HGRs further increased to 1242 and 249 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ for Py–Thio–Tri CMP and Py–Thio–PyD CMP, respectively. Additionally, transient photocurrent response and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements corroborate Py–Thio–Tri CMP enhanced photogenerated carrier mobility and suppressed charge recombination dynamics.

20 The growing demand for medicinal plants in herbal medicine highlights their 21 therapeutic value, yet heavy metal contamination, such as cobalt (Co), poses 22 potential health risks. Cobalt's dual role as an essential micronutrient and a 23 toxic pollutant necessitates a more profound understanding of its impact on 24 medicinal plants like Adhatoda vasica. We investigated how varying Co 25 concentrations affect A. vasica shoot growth, leaf anatomy, antioxidant 26 enzyme activity, and secondary metabolite profiles. Additionally, molecular 27 docking was performed to assess the interaction of the metabolites with the 28 skin cancer-related protein anti-ssDNA antigen-binding fragment (PDB code: 29 1P7K). Low Co concentrations (50 µM) enhanced shoot dry weight by 41.45%, 30 while higher levels (100-1000 µM) reduced it by up to 66.86%. Cobalt 31 exposure increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and …

Groundwater in Wadi Ranyah, the main water source for local communities, was analyzed using 77 samples to evaluate physicochemical properties, major ions, and heavy metal concentrations. While most parameters met World Health Organization (WHO) standards, levels of arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, and nickel exceeded permissible limits. Hydrochemical analyses were conducted using Piper and Durov diagrams, alongside health risk assessments based on statistical ratios established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The analysis identified two dominant water types (SO₄·Cl–Ca·Mg and HCO₃–Ca·Mg), influenced by ion exchange, evaporite dissolution, and silicate weathering. Health risk assessment, based on US EPA models, revealed significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, particularly for children. Oral ingestion accounted for the majority of exposure

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are a major threat to pomegranate cultivation. Nanoparticles (NPs) present a possible substitute nematicide that lessens dependency on potentially dangerous chemical nematicides. This study assessed the efficacy of copper oxide (CuO) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) NPs to promote pomegranate (Punica granatum L. cultivar Hegazy) growth and provide protection against the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne javanica). The application of the NPs as copper oxide (CuO) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) involved both drenching and spraying using 50 mg/L on one-year-old pomegranate (Punica granatum cultivar Hegazy) seedlings, nematode-infected with (Meloidogyne javanica). By assessing how CuO and Fe2O3 NPs affect nematode and pomegranate growth, and some biochemical traits. Treatments with NPs successfully reduced the number of pomegranate root egg masses, galls, and juvenile nematodes in soil. NP treatments exhibited increased side branching, leaf area, levels of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids), total antioxidants, thiol compounds [glutathione (GSH), non-protein thiols (NPTs), protein thiols (PTs)], and flavonoids. However, NP treatments reduced the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline, stress markers, in pomegranate plants infected with nematodes. NP treatments did not affect the production of phenolic compounds in pomegranates. These results indicate that the NP effect partially depends on the increased production of photosynthetic pigments, thiol compounds, and flavonoids. These results elucidate how nanoparticles control nematode infection

o find new potential tyrosinase inhibitors, a diverse range of 2-arylchromone-4-thione derivatives (2a–2p) were designed and synthesized by employing a multistep strategy, and the newly synthesized compounds, for the first time, were screened in vitro for their tyrosinase inhibitory activity. In this context, the newly synthesized compounds (2a–2p) were characterized using a combination of several spectroscopic techniques including Fourier transform infrared, UV–vis, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies and electron ionization–mass spectrometry. All the target compounds were potent against tyrosinase as compared to the standard inhibitor kojic acid (half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) = 12.6 ± 0.6 μM). The compounds (2a–2p) produced IC₅₀ values in the range from 1.12 ± 0.04 to 5.68 ± 0.13 μM. Among the synthesized 4-thioflavones and 4-thioflavonols, the compound 2n exhibited excellent tyrosinase inhibitory activity with the lowest IC₅₀ of 1.12 ± 0.04 μM that could be recommended as potential lead candidates to cure tyrosinase-mediated hyperpigmentation in the future. A kinetic study of compound 2n revealed that compound 2n inhibited tyrosinase in a competitive mode. Furthermore, the nontoxic performance of the most beneficial compounds ranging from 1 to 25 g/mL was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide test method for A375 human melanoma cells for the highly efficient target compounds (2m, 2n, 2o, and 2p). Moreover, a molecular modeling study was performed against tyrosinase enzyme (2Y9X) to check the binding interactions of the synthesized compounds (2a–2p) against the target protein. Furthermore, quantitative structure-activity relationship studies were conducted based on an antityrosinase assay. The value of the correlation coefficient (R²) 0.9997 shows that there was a good correlation between (2a–2p) structures and selected properties. The geometry optimization of all complexes was performed by using Gaussian 09. Additionally, a drug-likeness research was used to establish the potent analogues’ positive action as a new antityrosinase agent (2n, 2o, and 2p).

Functionalized oxindoles and pyrrolizidines form the central structural framework for numerous natural products with extensive biological and pharmacological applications. The requirement for high regio- and stereoselectivity is the main obstacle in the synthesis of such five-membered heterocycles. Multicomponent cycloaddition reactions often provide an efficient and straightforward approach for the preparation of specific regio- and stereoisomers. In this
article, the regio- and stereochemistry of the polar [3 + 2]-cycloaddition (32CA) reaction of
azomethine ylides prepared by the reaction of isatin derivatives and L-proline with a series of
(E)-3-(2-oxo-2-(pyren-1-yl)ethylidene)indolin-2-ones was investigated by experimental and theoretical methods. Among the isatin and (E)-3-(2-oxo-2-(pyren-1-yl)ethylidene)indolin-2-one
derivatives, a remarkable inversion of regioselectivity was observed in the 32CA reaction of
azomethine ylide generated by the reaction of L-proline and 5-chloroisatin or N-methyl-5-
chloroisatin with (E)-5-chloro-3-(2-oxo-2-(pyren-1-yl)ethylidene)indolin-2-one. The regio- and
stereochemical assignment of the structures of the cycloaddition products was determined by
one- and two-dimensional (1D&2D) homonuclear and heteronuclear correlation nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The molecular mechanism as well as the regio- and stereoselectivity of the cycloaddition were investigated by means of global and local reactivity indices and a density functional theory (DFT) and explained in detail on the basis of the transition state stabilities of the reactants.

The increasing presence of pharmaceutical contaminants, particularly daclatasvir (DCV) in wastewaters poses significant environmental and health concerns. This study explores synthesis and application of a PEG6000@AlBDC nanocomposite as an effective adsorbent for DCV abatement from aqueous solutions. The nanocomposite was prepared by integrating polyethylene glycol (PEG6000) with aluminum-based benzene dicarboxylate MOF (Al-BDC). Comprehensive characterization of the compounds was conducted employing various techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The adsorption experiments assessed the impact of contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial DCV concentration on the removal efficiency. The results highlight that the PEG6000@Al-BDC nanocomposite exhibited a high adsorption capacity for DCV, achieving optimal removal of 93.9 % at pH 6.5, as compared to 38.0 % DCV removal using the un-modified MOF. Adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model, whilst equilibrium data were aligned well with Langmuir isotherm, indicating monolayer adsorption. Thermodynamic studies suggested that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. The findings demonstrate that PEG6000@Al-BDC is a promising adsorbent for DCV removal, showcasing a potential solution for the mitigation of pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater treatment systems.