Synthesis of Super Hydrophobic Clay by Solution Intercalation Method from Aqueous Dispersions

The super hydrophobic materials have inspired a great deal of interest and research in recent years because of their unique water-repellent, self-cleaning properties, and their potential for practical applications. This study aims to create a super hydrophobic clay surface from aqueous dispersions of a long-chain hydrocarbon, Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide (CTAB), and layered silicate via the solution intercalation method. First, to increase diffusing tendency of $CTA^{+}$ions from aqueous medium to the interlayer region of clay, long-chain hydrocarbon agent was dispersed in aqueous surfactant solution via hydrophobic interactions between the tails of $CTA^{+}$ ions and hydrocarbon chains. Then, the adsorption of the long tailed ions of CTAB on the surface of the clay layers was carried out. Effects of variables, such as temperature, initial surfactant concentration and hydrocarbon dosage onto the adsorbed amount of $CTA^{+}$ ions were investigated by considering the zeta potentials and contact angle values of organo-clay particles. The results show that by intercalation of the long tailed $CTA^{+}$ ions to the interlayer galleries of clay, high hydrophilic clay can be possible to convert to super hydrophobic clay. Also, the static contact angle values of organo-clay particles progressively increase with the increasing amount of hydrocarbon. The static contact angle value of powder organo-clay is about 150°, indicating its super hydrophobic character. XRD pattern and HRTEM images for the organo-clay confirm the intercalated structures

Investigation of effectiveness of demonstrationsimulation based instruction in teaching energy conservation at 7th grade

This study aimed to explore the effect of teaching through demonstrationsimulation on students' achievement of energy conservation in comparison with traditional teaching. The sample consisted of fifty nine 7th grade students from a state primary school in Turkey. In the study, non-equivalent groups pretest-posttest design was used and the data was collected through an achievement test developed by the researchers, Energy Conservation Test. The conservation of energy concept was taught using a demonstration and a simulation in the experimental group and traditional instruction method in the control group. Data collected by the test was statistically assessed applying the analysis of covariance. To explore obviously the class atmosphere in experimental group, it was utilized from the teacher's observation notes and student interviews. The statistical comparison showed that there was a significant difference between groups with respect to students' scores of the test. Moreover, the analysis of the qualitative data indicated that such a class atmosphere supported the constructive and meaningful learning

Celebrating Multi-Religious Co-Existence in Central Kurdistan: the Bio-Culturally Diverse Traditional Gathering of Wild Vegetables among Yazidis, Assyrians, and Muslim Kurds

An ethnobotanical field study focusing on traditional wild vegetables was conducted in 22 villages of Central Kurdistan among three ethno-religious groups: Yazidis, Christian Assyrians, and (Sunni) Muslim Kurds. Through 91 interviews with elderly informants, we recorded the folk uses of 54 identified botanical taxa. We also observed important differences among these three groups in the use of wild vegetables that reflect the historical prevalence of pastoralism versus horticulture among Kurds and Assyrians, respectively. The preservation of the peaceful co-existence of different cultural and religious groups in the study area is crucial for the maintenance of the rich wild plant food local heritage