Microwave-assisted synthesis of MnO nanosorbent for adsorptive removal of Cs(I) and Sr(II) from water solutions.

In this study, a flower-like porous δ-MnO nanostructure was synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal process for adsorptive removal of strontium (Sr(II)) and cesium (Cs(I)) from wastewater. The prepared δ-MnO nanosorbent exhibited superior affinity for Sr(II) over Cs(I) in the single-solute system, with partition coefficient (PC) values of 10.2 and 2.

Gastric Cancer Pre-Stage Detection and Early Diagnosis of Gastritis Using Serum Protein Signatures.

Background: A gastric cancer (GC) diagnosis relies on histopathology. Endoscopy rates are increasing. infection is a major GC risk factor.

Influence of Homogenizing Methodology on Mechanical and Tribological Performance of Powder Metallurgy Processed Titanium Composites Reinforced by Graphene Nanoplatelets.

In the present work, 0.25 wt%GNP-Ti composites were prepared through powder metallurgy route by adopting three types of mixing modes to investigate the extent of mixing on the mechanical and tribological properties. Dry ball milling, wet ball milling, and rotator mixing were independently employed to homogenize the composite constituents.

Lung cancer prediction using multi-gene genetic programming by selecting automatic features from amino acid sequences.

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths. Early diagnosis of lung cancer using automatic feature selection from large number of features is a challenging task. Conventionally, cancer diagnosis approaches use physical features that appear in later stages, while harmful effects have already been occurred due to abnormal somatic mutations.

Isolated dextrogastria with eventration of right hemidiaphragm and hiatal hernia in an adult male.

Background: Type 2 isolated dextrogastria in conjunction with protrusion of the right hemidiaphragm and hiatal hernia is an uncommon anomaly among all transpositions of the viscera. Clear diagnosis is not straightforward in such cases both clinically and with various imaging techniques leaving often only laparotomy for diagnosis.

Case Presentation: Here, we discuss the case of a so far asymptomatic 19-year-old male, who had a 3-month history of abdominal pain and 2 days of vomiting with absolute constipation, and reduced air entry in the base of the right lung.

Determination of Blood Calcium and Lead Concentrations in Osteoporotic and Osteopenic Patients in Pakistan.

Osteoporosis is the leading cause of deformity and bones fracture all over the world and has some relationship with the blood concentrations of calcium and lead. Therefore, in the current study, the blood samples of 58 control and 56 clinically diagnosed osteoporotic and osteopenic patients were taken from different hospitals in Pakistan and analyzed for calcium and lead concentrations using atomic absorption spectrometry. In female control samples, the mean calcium value was found to be 98.

Computational study of electronic properties of X-doped hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN): X = (Li, Be, Al, C, Si).

The structural and electronic properties of h-BN sheet implanted with X atoms (X = lithium (Li), beryllium (Be), aluminum (Al), carbon (C), and silicon (Si)) have been investigated to tune its band gap to amend its insulating behavior toward semiconducting material employing density functional theory (DFT). It has been observed that on replacing nitrogen or boron (N/B) atom with impurity atom, several impurity levels appear in band gap dividing big gap into small energy gaps, albeit to a different extent, depending upon the dopant element and substitutional site. The lowest value of band gap falls as low as 2.

Gastric metastasis before diagnosis of primary invasive lobular breast carcinoma: a rare case presentation from Pakistan.

Metastatic spread of invasive lobular breast carcinoma to stomach is rare especially before diagnosis of primary breast cancer. Incorrect diagnosis might result in delay of appropriate treatment for breast cancer. Recognition of this possibility enables better clinical management.

CERN-MEDICIS: A Review Since Commissioning in 2017.

The CERN-MEDICIS (MEDical Isotopes Collected from ISolde) facility has delivered its first radioactive ion beam at CERN (Switzerland) in December 2017 to support the research and development in nuclear medicine using non-conventional radionuclides. Since then, fourteen institutes, including CERN, have joined the collaboration to drive the scientific program of this unique installation and evaluate the needs of the community to improve the research in imaging, diagnostics, radiation therapy and personalized medicine. The facility has been built as an extension of the ISOLDE (Isotope Separator On Line DEvice) facility at CERN.

A comparative density functional theory study of oxygen doping versus adsorption on graphene to tune its band gap.

Graphene, having a perfect two-dimensional crystal structure, has many excellent features such as a high specific surface area, and extraordinary electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. However, its usage in electronic devices is possible only if band gap of desired value is induced in this gapless semi-metal. Therefore, first principle calculations have been carried out to investigate the role of oxygen (O) doping versus adsorption and, the impurity concentration and coverage to induce band gap in graphene employing PBE at GGA level.

Effect of copper concentration and sulfur vacancies on electronic properties of MoS monolayer: a computational study.

We investigated the geometrical and electronic properties of copper-doped MoS by first principles calculations. The doping is done by Cu substitution with Mo (1 to 4 atoms) accompanied by study of S vacancies. Our outcomes show that the concentration of doping and vacancy of S leads to determine and finely tune the band gap in the range of 0.

Green synthesis of multifunctional carbon coated copper oxide nanosheets and their photocatalytic and antibacterial activities.

The studies of metal oxides in environmental remediation of chemical and biological pollutants are gaining colossal importance. Herein, we report the facile synthesis of multifunctional copper oxide nanosheets (CuO NS) using an aqueous extract of Rhazya stricta. The phytochemical investigation of R.

Fabrication of Nanostructured Cadmium Selenide Thin Films for Optoelectronics Applications.

There is lot of research work at enhancing the performance of energy conversion and energy storage devices such as solar cells, supercapacitors, and batteries. In this regard, the low bandgap and a high absorption coefficient of CdSe thin films in the visible region, as well as, the low electrical resistivity make them ideal for the next generation of chalcogenide-based photovoltaic and electrochemical energy storage devices. Here, we present the properties of CdSe thin films synthesized at temperatures (below 100°C using readily available precursors) that are reproducible, efficient and economical.

Real-time simulation of accidental passive transport of radioactive pollutant from a proposed nuclear power plant.

Power plant's site selection is a complex task and involves through analyses of multi-disciplinary processes which are interlinked with each other. The site selection for nuclear power plants additionally requires an assessment of radiation doses to the environment and public during normal operation and in the case of an accident. This demands the problem of radioactive particles' dispersion in atmosphere to be analysed in real time for a comprehensive set of radioactive release scenarios in prevailing meteorological conditions in the plant surroundings.

Lu-DOTATATE Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy: Indigenously Developed Freeze Dried Cold Kit and Biological Response in In-Vitro and In-Vivo Models.

Somatostatin receptors (SStR) based Lu-DOTATATE therapy is known as one of the highly effective neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) treatment strategy. Development of DOTATATE freeze-dried kit for imaging and therapy of SStR positive NETs is a prime goal in neuroendocrine cancer research. The present work describes the development of Lu-DOTATATE freeze dried cold kit for indigenous needs, through technology development fund (TDF) program offered by Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan.

Computational study of X-doped hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN): structural and electronic properties (X = P, S, O, F, Cl).

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), with insulating band gap (> 6 eV) 2D material, has attracted extensive attentions. To discover potential applications in optoelectronic devices, modulation in electrical conductivity (n or p type) plays a significant role. In this paper, the structural and electronic properties of energetically stable doped boron nitride monolayer via ab initio calculations have been reported.

Health risk assessment of radioactive footprints of the urban soils in the residents of Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the radiation levels, radiological doses and excess lifetime cancer risk possessed by the urban soils that were collected from the vicinity of the exclusive mining and excavation centers of Dera Ghazi Khan. The high purity germanium detector was utilized for assessment of naturally occurring radionuclides (NORMs) in soil and results showed that the average activity concentrations of Ra, Th, and K (37 Bq/kg, 43.07 Bq/kg, 737 Bq/kg respectively) surpassed the world's average documented values (35 Bq/kg, 30 Bq/kg, and 400 Bq/kg respectively).

Surveillance of Patulin in Apple, Grapes, Juices and Value-Added Products for Sale in Pakistan.

The prime objective of the current study was to investigate the occurrence of mycotoxin patulin (PAT) in apples, grapes and their value added products. PAT was determined by a validated method based on HPLC with UV detector. A total of 381 samples comprising apple and grape fruits ( = 133 each), apple-based products ( = 76, juice, puree, jam) and grape juice ( = 39) were analyzed.

Radiosensitization by Au-nanofilm at micrometer level using confocal Raman spectroscopy.

Purpose: To measure the radiosensitization by an Au-nanofilm (GNF) at a micrometer level on a radiochromic film (RCF) using confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS).

Methods: Unlaminated radiochromic films were irradiated by 200 kVp x-ray from 0.3 to 50 Gy to obtain a calibration curve.

Experimental Calculations of Metals Content in Skin-Whitening Creams and Theoretical Investigation for Their Biological Effect Against Tyrosinase Enzyme.

The demand for skin-whitening creams (SWCs) has increased rapidly worldwide due to sharp rise in product advertisements in the media and the growing awareness. Metals are present either as impurities or added intentionally in creams and may have toxic effects on users. The present study was carried out to determine the content of metals such as mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) in fifteen skin-whitening creams marketed at local shops in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Salinity enrichment, sources and its contribution to elevated groundwater arsenic and fluoride levels in Rachna Doab, Punjab Pakistan: Stable isotope (δH and δO) approach as an evidence.

The present study aimed at exploring the sources of salinity and the link it shares with the enrichment of As (arsenic) and F- (fluoride) in the groundwater of Rachna Doab. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) were used as the measure of salinity to classify samples into three groups: TDS <1000 mg/L (freshwater), 1000-3000 mg/L (slightly saline) and 3000-10,000 mg/L (moderately saline). The stable isotope analysis (δH and δO relative to VSMOW) were used to explore the sources of salinity and a conceptual model, based on secondary data was used for comparing the current and past scenarios of groundwater salinization sources.

Investigation of calcium silicate as a natural clay-based sunblock: Formulation and characterization.

Background: Sunlight exposure causes several types of health issues to humans, and in particular, it affects especially the skin. Among the most common harmful issues developed by UV exposure are erythema, pigmentation, and lesions in DNA, which may lead to cancer. These long-term effects can be minimized with the use of sunscreen.

EVALUATION OF INDOOR/OUTDOOR GAMMA EXPOSURE RATES AND EXCESS LIFE TIME CANCER RISK IN DIFFERENT CITIES OF PAKISTAN.

This study presents a detailed measurement of indoor and outdoor terrestrial gamma radiation levels in different cities of Pakistan. The measurements covered dwellings in 27 cities, covering all provinces and region of Azad Kashmir. Most of the houses were of attached type, made of brick walls and concrete roofs.