The present work examined γ-ray and neutron shielding capabilities of substances, including CS(516), SS(403), SS(410), SS(316), SS(316L), SS(304L), Incoloy-(600), Monel-(400), and Cupero_Nickel. Via the calculation of Half Value Layer (HVL), Effective atomic number (Zeff), Mean free path (MFP), Effective conductivity (Ceff), transmission factor (TF) and the dose rate (Dr). Fast neutron removal cross-section ∑R and total macroscopic cross-section ∑t, the association involving mean excitation energies of electrons and sample density, some charged ions variety at different energies, stopping power (SP) and CSDA range (R) of electrons and Transmission coefficient for several materials at varying incoming gamma ray energy. The efficiency of the alloys as gamma shields was examined using software (Phy_X/PSD and Py_MLBUF), while SRIM Monte Carlo software was used to calculate the range of charged ions at chosen energies between 0.01 and 20 MeV. At 0.025 eV and 4 MeV, the thermal and fast neutron removal factors were calculated using the NGCal software. The alloys fast neutron removal cross section was computed using the partial density method. Gamma ray shielding was found to be optimal with cupro_nickel. In the energy range of 0.02–15 MeV for neutrons, SS–316 was discovered to be the best shielding material. The current research should be helpful for choosing appropriate materials for γ-ray and neutron shielding in various industries as well as for probable uses of these materials in nuclear reactor core design.

Terrestrial and cosmic radiation are the two primary sources of natural radioactivity that have an impact on our everyday lives. Ionizing radiation is emitted continuously by naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs). The passage above explains that there are two types of radiation exposure: external and internal. External exposure occurs when individuals are exposed to gamma rays emitted by radionuclides such as uranium-238, thorium-232, and potassium-40 found in the Earth’s crust. Conversely, internal exposure occurs when individuals inhale radon gas, a radioactive gas present in buildings and underground [1–4]. There has been increasing interest in investigating the potential health hazards linked to prolonged exposure to radiation [32,33].

Molybdenum (Mo) deficiency is a global problem in acidic soils, limiting plant growth, development and nutrients availability. To address this, we carried out a field study with two treatments i.e. Mo applied (+Mo) and without Mo (-Mo) treatment to explore the effects of Mo application on crop growth and development, microbial diversity, and metabolites variations in maize and soybean cropping systems. Our results indicated that the nutrient availability (N, P, K) was higher under Mo supply, leading to improved biological yield and nutrient uptake efficiency in both crops. Microbial community analysis revealed that Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria were the dominant phyla in Mo treated (+Mo) soils for both maize and soybean. These both phyla accounted together 39.43%, 57.74% in -Mo and +Mo respectively in soybean rhizosphere soil, while 44.51% and 46.64% in maize rhizosphere soil which indicates more variations among the treatments in soybean soil as compared to maize soil. At lower taxonomic, the diverse responses of the genera indicated the specific bacterial community adaptations to fertilization.Candidatus Koribacter and Kaistobacter were commonly significantly higher in both crops under Mo applied circumstances in both cropping systems. These taxa, sharing similar functions, could serve as potential markers for nutrient availability and soil fertility. Metabolite profiling revealed 8 and 10 significantly differential metabolites in maize and soybean, respectively, under +Mo treatment, highlighting the critical role of Mo in metabolite variation. Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of Mo in shaping soil microbial diversity by altering metabolite composition, which in turn may enhance the nutrient availability, nutrient uptake, and plant performance.

Nickel (Ni) is required in trace amounts (less than 500 µg kg−1) to regulate metabolic processes and the immune system and to act as an enzymatic catalytic cofactor. However, it has been recognized as an acute toxic substance. Human nickel exposure occurs through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, ultimately leading to respiratory, cardiovascular, and chronic kidney diseases. The nickel concentration in environmental mediums has progres- sively surged to levels as high as 26,000 ppm in soil and 0.2 mg L−1 in water, significantly surpassing the estab- lished threshold limits of 100 ppm for soil and 0.005 ppm for surface water. Nickel is required by various plant species in the range of 0.01–5 µg g−1 (dry weight) to enhance their growth and yield. Nickel toxicity in plants (10–1000 mg kg−1 dry weight mass) leads to down-regulated growth and development, hindered seed germina- tion, chlorosis, necrosis, and disrupted metabolic processes. Nowadays, various remediation approaches are em- ployed to remove heavy metals (especially nickel) including Physicochemical, and biological methods. Physico- chemical methods are not commonly used due to their costly nature and the potential for producing secondary pollutants. On the other hand, bioremediation is an easy-to-handle, efficient, and cost-effective approach, en- compassing techniques such as bioremediation, bioleaching, bioreactors, landforming, and bio-augmentation. However, phytoremediation has become widely utilized for cleaning up contaminated sites. Numerous hyperac- cumulator plants can absorb and store high concentrations of nickel from their surroundings through various mechanisms, thereby helping detoxify nickel-contaminated soils via phytoextraction. Microbe-assisted phytore- mediation further optimizes nickel detoxification by fostering beneficial interactions between microbes and hy- peraccumulator plants, promoting enhanced metal uptake, transformation, and sequestration. Microbe-assisted phytoremediation can be categorized into subtypes: bacterial-assisted phytoremediation, cyanoremediation, my- corrhizal-assisted remediation, and rhizoremediation. This approach leads to a more efficient and sustainable re- mediation of nickel-contaminated environments.