Copper is a cheaper alternative to various noble metals with a range of potential applications in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. However, copper nanoparticles have major limitations, which include rapid oxidation on exposure to air. Therefore, alternative pathways have been developed to synthesize metal nanoparticles in the presence of polymers and surfactants as stabilizers, and to form coatings on the surface of nanoparticles. These surfactants and polymeric ligands are made from petrochemicals which are non- renewable. As fossil resources are limited, finding renewable and biodegradable alternative is promising.The study aimed at preparing, characterizing and evaluating the antibacterial properties of copper nanoparticles. Copper nanoparticles were prepared using gelatin biopolymer, CuSO4.5H2O ions and hydrazine as stabilizer, precursor salt and reducing agent respectively. However, vitamin C and NaOH solution were also employed as an antioxidant and pH adjuster. The synthesized copper nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), zeta potential measurements powder, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The UV-visible absorption spectrum confirms the formation of the CuNPs, which showed maximum absorbance at 583 nm. Results obtained from TEM indicated a decrease in size of particle from a low concentration to high concentration of the supporting materials. The optimum concentration of gelatin was found to be 0.75 wt%. The supporting materials used for this synthesis are biocompatible and the obtained products are stable in air. The synthesized CuNPs display promising antibacterial activities against B. subtilis (B29), S. aureus (S276), S. choleraesuis (ATCC 10708) and E. coli (E266) as gram positive and negative bacteria respectively.
The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with different fat sources on blood parameters of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Eighty four 7-week old laying quail were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups (21 birds per group) with 3 replicates for each treatment group and fed for three months on a commercial diet supplemented with 3% of either sunflower oil (T1), flax oil (T2), corn oil (T3) or fish oil (T4). The birds received water and feed ad libitum during the experiment. During the last month of experiment blood samples were collected fortnightly from each bird. The first blood samples collection was used to determine fresh blood parameters, while the second blood samples coll
... Show MoreHerein, we report designing a new Δ (delta‐shaped) proton sponge base of 4,12‐dihydrogen‐4,8,12‐triazatriangulene (compound
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacterium that holds significant clinical and epidemiological significance. It serves as the principal etiological cause of opportunistic infections in individuals with impaired immune systems. Integrons are known to have a notable impact on Gram-negative bacteria, particularly in the context of P. aeruginosa, a bacterium recognized for its ability to develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Aim. To systematically characterize and detect integron genes (intI, intII, intIII) with antibiotic-resistant and biofilm-forming capabilities in isolated P. aeruginosa. Methods. A total of 209 samples were collected from Al Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad City, Iraq to isolate P. aeruginosa. The process of
... Show MoreBackground: Malnutrition in human life may adversely affect various aspects of growth at different stages of life. Teeth are particularly sensitive to malnutrition. Malnutrition may affect odontometric measurement involving tooth size dimensions. The aim of this study is to estimate the effect of nutrition on teeth size dimension measurements among children aged 5 years old. Materials and methods: This study was conducted among malnourished group in comparison to well-nourished group matching with age and gender. The present study included 158 children aged 5 years (78 malnourished and 80 well-nourished). The assessment of nutritional status was done by using three nutritional indicators, namely Height-for-age, Weight-for-age and Weight-fo
... Show MoreThis study expands the state of the art in studies that assess torsional retrofit of reinforced concrete (RC) multi-cell box girders with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips. The torsional behavior of non-damaged and pre-damaged RC multi-cell box girder specimens externally retrofitted by CFRP strips was investigated through a series of laboratory experiments. It was found that retrofitting the pre-damaged specimens with CFRP strips increased the ultimate torsional capacity by more than 50% as compared to the un-damaged specimens subjected to equivalent retrofitting. This indicated that the retrofit has been less effective for the girder specimen that did not develop distortion beforehand as a result of pre-loading. From
... Show MoreThis research investigated the effect of adding two groups of reinforcement materials, including bioactive materials Hydroxyapatite (HA) and halloysite nanoclay and bioinert materials Alumina (AL2O3) and Zirconia (ZrO2), each of them with various weight ratios (1,2,3,4 &5)% to the polymer matrix PMMA. The best ratios were selected, and then a hybrid was preparing Composite red from the best ratios from each group. Thermal properties, including thermal conductivity and Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA) technology, have been studied. The results showed that adding 3% Hydroxyapatite (HA) and 5% halloysite nanoclay to the polymethacrylate (PMMA) mer leads to an increase in thermal conductivity. It was also found from the Thermomechanical Analysis
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