Probing linguistic change in Arabic vernaculars : a sociohistorical perspective

It is received wisdom in variationist sociolinguistics that linguistic and social factors go hand in hand in structuring variability in language and any consequent instances of language change. We address the complexity of such factors by exploring data from several Arabic dialects in the eastern Arab world. We demonstrate that language change does not always follow expected phonological trajectories, even in cases where older changes are reconstructed to have operated along so-called universal patterns. In our explanation of recent changes in these dialects, we emphasise the role of social motivations for language change and the interactions between these social constraints and purely linguistic ones. Our analysis of change is supported by historical accounts of variation and change in Arabic. We illustrate how general principles of sociolinguistic theory apply to the Arabic data and provide additional layers of sociolinguistic information that highlight the importance of diverse data for evaluating cross-linguistic generalisations.Peer reviewe

Probing linguistic change in Arabic vernaculars: a sociohistorical perspective

It is received wisdom in variationist sociolinguistics that linguistic and social factors go hand in hand in structuring variability in language and any consequent instances of language change. We address the complexity of such factors by exploring data from several Arabic dialects in the eastern Arab World. We demonstrate that language change does not always follow expected phonological trajectories, even in cases where older changes are reconstructed to have operated along so-called universal patterns. In our explanation of recent changes in these dialects, we emphasise the role of social motivations for language change and the interactions between these social constraints and purely linguistic ones. Our analysis of change is supported by historical accounts of variation and change in Arabic. We illustrate how general principles of sociolinguistic theory apply to the Arabic data and provide additional layers of sociolinguistic information that highlight the importance of diverse data for evaluating cross-linguistic generalisations

Cadmium removal from aqueous solution by green synthesis zero valent silver nanoparticles with Benjamina leaves extract

Cadmium (II) is an important element used in various industries, however, it is a poisonous element that affects the health of plants, animals and humans alike. It’s very important to remove this element from contaminated waters. This study aims at synthesizing zero valent silver nanoparticles by environmentally ecofriendly method without using hazardous compounds (via green approach). In this work, silver nanoparticles were prepared using hot water for the Ficus tree (Ficus Benjamina) leaf extract (FBLE). The size of crystalline for AgNPs was measured by UV–vis spectroscopy and flourier transform infrared (FTIR). The properties of nano-silver particles (AgNPs) have been studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The capability of nanoparticles to remove Cd2+ from contaminated solution was then studied. Parameter like adsorbent dose, heavy metal concentration, pH, agitation speed and contact time were studied. Cadmium removal increased when the dosage of biosorbent increases, pH increased from 1 to 6, contact time from 5 to 40 and initial concentration of Cd decrease. Isotherm adsorption was also described by the Freundleich model with a constant correlation (R2) higher than 0.973

Assessment of some heavy metals in vegetables, cereals and fruits in Saudi Arabian markets

AbstractThe concentration of some heavy metals Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd and Hg in various vegetables (roots, stems, leafy, fruits, cereals and legumes) grown in four major industrial and urban cities (Tabouk, Riyadh, Damamm and Jazan) in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The obtained results declared that concentrations of major studied metals were exceeding than the recommended maximum acceptable levels proposed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Leafy vegetables were found to contain the highest metals values especially parsley (543.2 and 0.048μg/g for Fe and Hg respectively), Jews mallow (94.12 and 33.22μg/g for Mn and Zn respectively), spinach (4.13μg/g for Cd). While peas in legumes group maintained the highest Zn content 71.77μg/g and finally cucumber had the highest Pb content 6.98μg/g on dry matter basis. High concentrations of heavy metals in different parts of the vegetables might be related to their concentration in the polluted air with industrial activities especially in middle and eastern districts. The study concludes that atmospheric depositions and marketing systems of vegetables play a significant role in elevating the levels of heavy metals in vegetables having potential health hazards to consumers of locally produced foodstuffs

Green copper oxide nanoparticles for lead, nickel, and cadmium removal from contaminated water

Abstract Environmentally friendly copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were prepared with a green synthesis route without using hazardous chemicals. Hence, the extracts of mint leaves and orange peels were utilized as reducing agents to synthesize CuO NPs-1 and CuO NPs-2, respectively. The synthesized CuO NPs nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX), BET surface area, Ultraviolet–Visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Various parameters of batch experiments were considered for the removal of Pb(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II) using the CuO NPs such as nanosorbent dose, contact time, pH, and initial metal concentration. The maximum uptake capacity (qm) of both CuO NPs-1 and CuO NPs-2 followed the order of Pb(II) > Ni(II) > Cd(II). The optimum qm of CuO NPs were 88.80, 54.90, and 15.60 mg g−1 for Pb(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II), respectively and occurred at sorbent dose of 0.33 g L−1 and pH of 6. Furthermore, isotherm and kinetic models were applied to fit the experimental data. Freundlich models (R2 > 0.97) and pseudo-second-order model (R2 > 0.96) were fitted well to the experimental data and the equilibrium of metal adsorption occurred within 60 min