The Role of Novel Composite of 2D Materials and Their Characterization, Properties, and Potential Applications in Different Fields

Thin layers or coating of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is a new class of two-dimensional (2D) inorganic materials with unique physical and chemical properties. This book chapter covers the recent research of thin film of 2D materials using various novel technologies to synthesize and grow monolayer 2D materials on different substrates in different fields based on the knowledge available in the literature. Thin film on substrate can be enhanced with the favorable properties. Therefore, selection of methods can play a key role in characterizing the coating. The novel coating processes on composite materials and their characterization, properties, and process and potential applications also have been discussed. The 2D materials that have been investigated created a thin film through different methods and were used to serve different biomedical purposes such as modifying drug release, improving energy efficiency and storing energy, catalysts, and so an

The Idea of Unity of Existence in the Poems of Mikha'il Na'ima and Sohrab Sepehri (A Comparative Study)

Mikha'il Na'ima and Sohrab Sepehri, two Arab and Persian poets, represent valuable mystical themes in their poems. The study of the idea of Mystical in the poetry of these two poets, regardless of their oriental or Islamic origins, can help us recognize mystical literature truly. Among these themes is the theory of unity of existence that has a philosophical-mystical basis. This theory, which believes the unity of existence among all beings, has a special place in the realm of mysticism and philosophy. In this essay, we study the mystical unity of existence in the poems of Mikha'il Na'ima and Sohrab Sepehri using the analytical-comparative method. The findings suggest that the concept of ​​the unity of existence, in the poetry of these two poets, has brought their poetry quite close despite the difference in era. The most important and prominent concepts of the unity of existence, including the manifestation of the sacred divine essence in existence, man as a light of God's existence, and self-knowledge an introduction towards knowledge of God are common in the poetry and literature of both poets. But in the meantime Sohrab Sepehri is more interested in Islamic mysticism than in his mystical ideas. Which is relatively less evident in the thought of Naima. Keywords: Mikha'il Na'ima, Sohrab Sepehri, the concept of the unity of existence

Medicinal plants: Past history and future perspective

Human societies have been in close contact with their environments since the beginning of their formation and used the ingredients of the environment to obtain food and medicine. Awareness and application of plants to prepare food and medicine have been realized through trial and error, and gradually human became able to meet his needs from his surroundings. Information about medicinal plants has long been transmitted gradually and from generation to generation, a human knowledge has gradually become complete with the formation of civilizations and the provision of more facilities. Medicinal plants are used as a medical resource in almost all cultures. Ensuring the safety, quality and effectiveness of medicinal plants and herbal drugs very recently became a key issue in industrialized and developing countries. By standardizing and evaluating the health of active plant-derived compounds, herbal drugs can help the emergence of a new era of the healthcare system to treat human diseases in the future. Awareness of traditional knowledge and medicinal plants can play a key role in the exploitation and discovery of natural plant resources. In order to maintain this knowledge, comprehensive approach and collaboration are needed to maintain historical records on medicinal plants and use these resources in favour of human beings, before they are destroyed forever. Therefore, this review was conducted to investigate and describe the process of using medicinal plants throughout history. This review focuses on the recent various important challenges in quality evaluation of medicinal plants in the authenticity, efficacy, toxicity and consistenc

Development and optimization of the new ultrasonic-infrared-vacuum dryer in drying Kelussia odoratissima and its comparison with conventional methods

Among the post-harvest processing of medicinal plants, drying is an important and influential process. Given the numerous applications of medicinal plants, especially Kelussia odoratissima, in the food and pharmaceutical industries, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of the ultrasound-infrared radiation-vacuum method with conventional drying methods on the drying time, the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity of K. odoratissima. ANOVA result showed that the effects of drying methods, drying temperature and their interaction effect on phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant content were significant at 1% probability level. In the ultrasound-IR-vacuum method, by increasing temperature from 40 °C to 80 °C, the TFC increased by 35%. The highest antioxidant capacity was obtained for dry shade treatment, followed by dry sun treatment and three temperatures, i.e., 40 °C, 60 °C and 80 °C, in the combined method. The proposed optimal temperatures for the hot air, IR, and ultrasonic drying, were 63 °C, 66 °C and 71 °C, respectivel

Effects of ligands on (de-)enhancement of plasmonic excitations of silver, gold and bimetallic nanoclusters: TD-DFT+TB calculations

Metal nanoclusters can be synthesized in various sizes and shapes and are typically protected with ligands to stabilize them. These ligands can also be used to tune the plasmonic properties of the clusters as the absorption spectrum of a protected cluster can be significantly altered compared to the bare cluster. In this paper, we computationally investigate the influence of thiolate ligands on the plasmonic intensity for silver, gold and alloy clusters. Using time-dependent density functional theory with tight-binding approximations, TD-DFT+TB, we show that this level of theory can reproduce the broad experimental spectra of Au144(SR)60 and Ag53Au91(SR)60 (R = CH3) compounds with satisfactory agreement. As TD-DFT+TB does not depend on atom-type parameters we were able to apply this approach on large ligand-protected clusters with various compositions. With these calculations we predict that the effect of ligands on the absorption can be a quenching as well as an enhancement. We furthermore show that it is possible to unambiguously identify the plasmonic peaks by the scaled Coulomb kernel technique and explain the influence of ligands on the intensity (de-)enhancement by analyzing the plasmonic excitations in terms of the dominant orbital contributions

Durability of alkali-activated binders: a clear advantage over Portland cement or an unproven issue?

The alkali activation of alumino-silicate materials is a complex chemical process evolving dissolution of raw materials, transportation or orientation and polycondensation of the reaction products. Publications on the field of alkali-activated binders, state that this new material is likely to have high potential to become an alternative to Portland cement. While some authors state that the durability of these materials constitutes the most important advantage over Portland cement others argue that it’s an unproven issue. This paper presents a review of the literature about the durability of alkali-activated binders. The subjects of this paper are resistance to acid attack, alkali–silica reaction, corrosion of steel reinforcement, resistance to high temperatures and to fire, resistance to freeze–thaw. Special attention is given to the case of efflorescences, an aspect that was received very little concern although it is a very important one

Remote ischemic preconditioning in lower limb surgery; the hemodynamic and respiratory effects

Aim and Background: Remote Ischemic Preconditioning introduces brief episodes of ischemia and reperfusion which reduces long term ischemia in orthopaedic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate hemodynamic and respiratory effects of remote ischemic preconditioning in lower extremity orthopaedic surgeries.Methods: In this clinical trial 40 patients scheduled for lower extremity surgery with pneumatic tourniquet were randomly allocated to remote ischemic preconditioning (RIP group, n=20) and control group (n=19). Patients in RIP group received three “5 minutes” cycles of ischemia, alternating with 5 minutes of reperfusion before extended use of tourniquet. Hemodynamic variables prior to inflation of tourniquet, every 30 minutes during the surgery and 10 minutes after tourniquet deflation and also arterial blood gas sample prior to and after surgery were recorded and compared between groups.Results: During operation blood pressure dropped in the RIP group and variations in heart rate, respiratory rate and pulse oximeter measurements after surgical tourniquet release were not significantly different between two groups. Changes in blood gas parameters were significantly less pronounced in the RIP group.Conclusion: Remote ischemic preconditioning may not attenuate most of the adverse effects of surgical tourniquet deflation including variations in heart rate, respiratory rate and arterial oxygen saturation as well as blood pressure drops. However, RIP may reduce increases in systolic blood pressure and acidosis following tourniquet application.Key Words: Remote Ischemic Preconditioning; Orthopedic, surgery, blood pressure, tourniquet, oxygenatio

Synthesis, structure and photophysical properties of binuclear methylplatinum complexes containing cyclometalating 2-phenylpyridine or benzo{h}quinoline ligands: a comparison of intramolecular Pt–Pt and π–π interactions

The binuclear cyclometalated complexes [Pt2Me2(ppy)2(μ-dppm)], 1a, and [Pt2Me2(bhq)2(μ-dppm)], 1b, in which ppy = 2-phenylpyridyl, bhq = benzo{h}quinoline and dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, were synthesized by the reaction of [PtMe(SMe2)(ppy)] or [PtMe(SMe2)(bhq)] with 1/2 equiv of dppm at room temperature, respectively. Complexes 1a and 1b were fully characterized by multinuclear (1H, 31P, 13C, and 195Pt) NMR spectroscopy and were further identified by single crystal X-ray structure determination. A comparison of the intramolecular Pt–Pt and π–π interactions in complexes 1a and 1b has been made on the basis of data on crystal structures and wave functions analysis. The binuclear complexes 1a and 1b are luminescent in the solid state, and showing relatively intense orange–red emissions stemming from 3MMLCT excited states. The reaction of complex 1b with excess MeI gave the binuclear cyclometalated Pt(IV)–Pt(IV) complex [Pt2Me4(bhq)2(μ-I)2], 2. Crystal structure of complex 2 shows intermolecular C–H⋯I and C–H⋯π interactions in solid state

Rhabdomyosarcoma Arising within Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation; a Case Report

This case report describes a 30-month-old child with primary pulmonary rhabdomyosarcoma with a congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM). In the current literature, primary pulmonary neoplasms have been reported for similar cases. The tumor was located in the anterior-basal segment of the left lower lobe with a thin-walled cystic appearance and lobulated margins. A histology examination showed rhabdomyosarcoma origin with an embryonal subtype. Postoperative systemic chemotherapy was carried out. After a 6-month follow-up, the patient had no residual or recurrent disease