Recent Progress in Semiconductor Photocatalysis for Organic Fine Chemical Synthesis

Photocatalytic process is a well-known reaction in photosynthesis by plants and algae. Artificial photosynthesis is a chemical process that mimics the natural plant photosynthesis to make important chemicals by using man-made materials. One of the most promising methods of artificial photosynthesis is synthesis of organic chemicals, including biodegradable plastics, pharmaceutical drugs, liquid fuels and intermediates for valuable chemicals, etc. In 1972, Fujishima and Honda discovered photocatalytic process using TiO2 semiconductor oxide electrodes to generate hydrogen from water. Researchers have achieved a single-step system that uses semiconductor particles for organic fine chemical synthesis under UV or visible radiation. This chapter summarizes the recent research trends on artificial photosynthesis by photocatalytic process for organic fine chemical synthesis on selected photocatalytic organic transformations, especially photocatalytic transformations by oxidation, carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom coupling, cyclization, etc

Abrupt Rise of the Longitudinal Recoil Ion Momentum Distribution for Ionizing Collisions

We report on the experimental observation of an abrupt rise in the longitudinal momentum distribution of recoil ions created in proton helium collision. The details of this structure can be related to electrons traveling with the velocity of the projectile [electron capture to the continuum (ECC)]. The longitudinal as well as the transverse distribution of the recoil ions can be explained as a continuation of the momentum distribution from ions resulting from electron capture illustrating the smooth transition from the capture to bound states of the projectile to the ECC.Fil: Weber, Th.. Institut für Kernphysik; AlemaniaFil: Khayyat, Kh.. Institut für Kernphysik; AlemaniaFil: Dörner, R.. Universität Freiburg; AlemaniaFil: Rodríguez Chariarse, Vladimir Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Física de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Mergel, V.. Institut für Kernphysik; AlemaniaFil: Jagutzk, O.. Institut für Kernphysik; AlemaniaFil: Schmidt, L.. Institut für Kernphysik,; AlemaniaFil: Müller, K. A.. Institut für Kernphysik; AlemaniaFil: Afaneh, F.. Institut für Kernphysik; AlemaniaFil: Gonzalez, A.. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; ArgentinaFil: Schmidt-Böcking, H.. Institut für Kernphysik; Alemani

Predictors of Medication Adherence and Blood Pressure Control among Saudi Hypertensive Patients Attending Primary Care Clinics: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose To assess the level of medication adherence and to investigate predictors of medication adherence and blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending primary healthcare clinics in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Patients and methods Hypertensive patients meeting the eligibility criteria were recruited from eight primary care clinics between January and May 2016 for this study. The patients completed Arabic version of Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), an eight-item validated, self-reported measure to assess medication adherence. A structured data collection form was used to record patients’ sociodemographic, medical and medication data. Results Two hundred and four patients, of which 71.6% were females, participated in the study. Patients’ mean age was 59.1 (SD 12.2). The mean number of medication used by patients was 4.4 (SD 1.89). More than half (110; 54%) of the patients were non-adherent to their medications (MMAS score 65 years (OR 2.0 [95% CI: 1.0–4.2; P = 0.04]), and being diabetic (OR 0.25 [95% CI: 0.1–0.6; P = 0.04]) were found to be independent predictors of medication adherence. Conclusion Medication adherence is alarmingly low among hypertensive patients attending primary care clinics in Saudi Arabia which may partly explain observed poor blood pressure control. There is a clear need to educate patients about the importance of medication adherence and its impact on improving clinical outcomes. Future research should identify barriers to medication adherence among Saudi hypertensive patients

Diasporic virginities: social representations of virginity and identity formation amongst British arab muslim women

This study compares how practising and non-practising British Arab Muslim women position themselves in relation to representations of virginity. Overall, in our qualitative study, we found that representations of culture and religion influenced social practices and social beliefs in different ways: non-practising Muslim women felt bound by culture to remain virgins, while practising Muslim women saw it as a religious obligation but were still governed by culture regarding the consequences of engaging in premarital sex. Interestingly, some practising Muslim participants used Mut’a (a form of temporary ‘marriage’) to justify premarital sex. This, however, did not diminish the importance of virginity in their understanding and identification as Arab women. In fact, this study found that virginity, for the British Arabs interviewed, embodied a sense of ‘Arabness’ in British society. Positioning themselves as virgins went beyond simply honour; it was a significant cultural symbol that secured their sense of cultural identity. In fact this cultural identity was often so powerful that it overrode their Islamic identities, prescribing their behaviour even if religion was seen as more ‘forgiving’

Photocatalytic degradation of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene using supported gold nanoparticle

Photocatalytic oxidation of benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) was studied over Au nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated titania (Au/TiO2) catalyst under UV radiation using H2O2 as oxidant. The reaction parameters such as, catalyst weight, Au loading, calcination of Au/TiO2 catalysts and [H2O2]:[DBT] mole ratio are studied. The Au/TiO2 catalyst was synthesised by deposition–precipitation method. The catalysts were characterized by ICPAES, XRD and TEM analysis. ICP-AES analysis demonstrate that with a nominal amount of 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 at.% of Au in a solution at pH 7, the amount of gold deposited on the TiO2 was 0.78, 1.42, 1.92, 2.45 and 2.87 at.% respectively. The average particle size of Au in the 2 at.% Au/TiO2 sample after drying was 3 nm and in the sample after calcination at 573 K was 5 nm. The XPS spectra of Au/TiO2 sample demonstrate that the sample dried at 373 K contains Au0 and Au3+ and the sample after calcination at 573 K contains Au0 and negligible amount of Au3+. The photocatalysis studies show that the Au nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated titania showed higher activity for the removal of DBT compared to pure titania. The optimum Au loading in Au/TiO2 for the photocatalytic removal of DBT was found to be 1.5 at.% Au. The Au NPs act as electron sink to enhance e/h+ charge separation and produce number of oxidizing species, thereby increase the reaction rate. The calcined catalyst sample showed higher activity toward DBT removal compared to the uncalcined sample. This is due to the presence of metallic gold in the calcined sample, which can effectively involve in the charge separation. The optimum catalyst weight for DBT removal was found to be 0.3 g of Au/TiO2 for 200 ml of DBT in isooctane (200 ppm S). The optimum [H2O2]:[DBT] molar ratio was found to be 3. Comparison of photocatalytic removal of DBT and BT showed that the removal of DBT is faster than the BT

New Israeli sonographic estimated fetal weight growth curves as compared to current birth weight growth curves: On what should diagnosis of intrauterine growth disorders be based?

Background Two types of growth curves are commonly used to diagnose fetal growth disorders: neonatal birth weight (BW) and sonographic estimated fetal weight (EFW). The debate as to which growth curve to use is universal. Objectives To establish sonographic EFW growth curves for the Israeli population and to assess whether the use of the BW growth curves currently adapted in Israel leads to underdiagnosis of intrauterine growth disorders. Methods Biometric data collected during a 6 year period was analyzed to establish sonographic EFW growth curves between 15–42 weeks of gestation for the Israeli population. Growth curves were compared to previously published sonographic EFW growth curves. A comparison with the Israeli BW growth curves was performed to assess the possibility of underdiagnosis of intrauterine growth disorders. Results Out of 42,778 sonographic EFW studies, 31,559 met the inclusion criteria. The sonographic EFW growth curves from the current study resembled the EFW curves previously published. The comparison of the current sonographic EFW and BW growth curves revealed under-diagnosis of intrauterine growth disorders during the preterm period. Four percent of the fetuses assessed between 26–34 weeks would have been suspected of being growth restricted; 2.8 percent of the fetuses assessed between 30–36 weeks would have been suspected of having macrosomia, based on the BW growth curves. Conclusions New Israeli sonographic EFW growth curves resemble previously published sonographic EFW curves. Using BW growth curves may lead to the under-diagnosis of growth disorders. We recommend adopting sonographic EFW growth to diagnose intrauterine growth disorders.</p

New Israeli sonographic estimated fetal weight growth curves as compared to current birth weight growth curves: On what should diagnosis of intrauterine growth disorders be based?

Background Two types of growth curves are commonly used to diagnose fetal growth disorders: neonatal birth weight (BW) and sonographic estimated fetal weight (EFW). The debate as to which growth curve to use is universal. Objectives To establish sonographic EFW growth curves for the Israeli population and to assess whether the use of the BW growth curves currently adapted in Israel leads to underdiagnosis of intrauterine growth disorders. Methods Biometric data collected during a 6 year period was analyzed to establish sonographic EFW growth curves between 15–42 weeks of gestation for the Israeli population. Growth curves were compared to previously published sonographic EFW growth curves. A comparison with the Israeli BW growth curves was performed to assess the possibility of underdiagnosis of intrauterine growth disorders. Results Out of 42,778 sonographic EFW studies, 31,559 met the inclusion criteria. The sonographic EFW growth curves from the current study resembled the EFW curves previously published. The comparison of the current sonographic EFW and BW growth curves revealed under-diagnosis of intrauterine growth disorders during the preterm period. Four percent of the fetuses assessed between 26–34 weeks would have been suspected of being growth restricted; 2.8 percent of the fetuses assessed between 30–36 weeks would have been suspected of having macrosomia, based on the BW growth curves. Conclusions New Israeli sonographic EFW growth curves resemble previously published sonographic EFW curves. Using BW growth curves may lead to the under-diagnosis of growth disorders. We recommend adopting sonographic EFW growth to diagnose intrauterine growth disorders.</p