University of Kirkuk

This study examines the photoabsorption cross section (sigma) and the electric dipole polarizability (alpha D) for the closed-shell and closed-subshell nuclei 40Ca, 48Ca, 90Zr, 116Sn, 144Sm, and 208Pb using the self-consistent Random Phase Approximation (RPA) based on the Skyrme Hartree-Fock (HF) approach. Twenty types of Skyrme interactions are employed, covering a wide range of nuclear matter properties, including the incompressibility modulus KNM, saturation density rho 0, symmetry energy J, symmetry energy slope parameter L, effective isovector mass mv*/m, TRK enhancement factor (kappa). We calculated the centroid energy Ecen and the dipole polarizability alpha D, and we compared them with experimental data to gain insight into the internal structure of the nuclei under investigation. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the calculated properties to nuclear matter parameters is explored through the evaluation and analysis of the Pearson linear correlation coefficient.

The growing plastic crisis and the necessity to shift the use of fossil resources have placed bioplastics as central alternatives to other materials in the global environment. These materials, which include polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polylactic acid (PLA), and starch-based polymers, are derived as such that one can reduce carbon footprints as well as provide a viable end-of-life option due to biodegradability. However, without a conscious decision to be circular, the bioplastics will be sent to linear disposal models where, in the end, poor management will result in either contamination of recycling streams or inefficient degradation in an inappropriate environment. This lack of connection highlights the pressing need to incorporate bioplastics into strong Circular economy (CE) models, which would make a major focus on the constant retention of materials within utilisation cycles. This review argues that microorganisms and their enzymatic machineries are the biological catalysts that are needed to make this circular vision of bioplastics a reality. The systematic analysis of the microbial strategies is introduced, which begins with the enzymatic degradation of major classes of biopolymers and characterizes the specificity of depolymerases, cutinases, and hydrolases. The discussion then progresses into the field of microbial upcycling which represents a paradigm shift of treating waste to recovering resources, as bioplastic waste is used to generate value-added products in the form of platform chemicals, solvents, biosurfactants, and even next-generation biopolymers. Additionally, the state-of-the-art improvement with metabolic engineering and synthetic microbial consortia is investigated, which is to be efficient and resilient. The review critically evaluates how these biological processes may be incorporated into scalable CE systems, examines technological readiness, life-cycle, and the necessary synergy between policy, infrastructure and innovation. Finally, it hypothesizes that through adoption of microbial processes, bioplastic waste can be converted into a renewable feedstock, rather than a liability to the environment and thus creating an essential route toward a regenerative, circular bioeconomy.

This study examines the photoabsorption cross section (σ) and the electric dipole polarizability (αD) for the closed-shell and closed-subshell nuclei ⁴⁰Ca, ⁴⁸Ca, ⁹⁰Zr, ¹¹⁶Sn, ¹⁴⁴Sm, and ²⁰⁸Pb using the self-consistent Random Phase Approximation (RPA) based on the Skyrme Hartree–Fock (HF) approach. Twenty types of Skyrme interactions are employed, covering a wide range of nuclear matter properties, including the incompressibility modulus KNM, saturation density ρ₀, symmetry energy J, symmetry energy slope parameter L, effective isovector mass mv*/m, TRK enhancement factor (κ). We calculated the centroid energy Ecen and the dipole polarizability αD, and we compared them with experimental data to gain insight into the internal structure of the nuclei under investigation. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the calculated properties to nuclear matter parameters is explored through the evaluation and analysis of the Pearson linear correlation coefficient.

This study reports the synthesis, characterization, and multi-performance evaluation of Dy3+-doped Sr2MgSi2O7 (SMSDx; x = 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 mol%) nanophosphors prepared via a solution auto-combustion method using Aloe vera gel as fuel. Rietveld-refined PXRD patterns showed a dominating tetragonal phase (P-42(1) m, JCPDS Card No. 42-0932) next to a minor monoclinic phase (P2(1)/a, JCPDS Card No. 75-1736) with no notable peak shifts but varying intensity, suggesting effective Dy3+ replacement. While HRTEM projected an interplanar d-spacing of 0.285 nm, FESEM and TEM studies found quasi-spherical particles in the 29.85 nm range. Sr2+, Mg2+, Si4+, O2-, and Dy3+'s existence and oxidation states were verified by XPS and EDS. Increasing dopant concentration adjusted optical band gap values from 4.76 eV to 4.80 eV; Raman spectra showed changes in Si-O-Si and Mg-O vibrational modes caused by local lattice distortion. With SMSD3 displaying the greatest intensity, photoluminescence experiments under 352 nm excitation showed strong emissions at 483 nm (F-4(9/2) -> H-6(15/2)), 575 nm (F-4(9/2) -> H-6(13/2)), and 662 nm (F-4(9/2) -> H-6(11/2)). With a Q-value of about 6, showing dipole-dipole interaction, Dexter's hypothesis verified the concentration quenching process. Suitable for cool white-light phosphors, chromaticity study put all samples in the yellow-to-near-white area with CCT values between 4500 and 6000 K. A DOS study indicates that the interactions between the oxygen 2p and metal d orbitals govern the transitions. Additionally, DFT calculations revealed distinct electrical properties for each phase, with phase I exhibiting a direct band gap of 4.602 eV, while phase II has an indirect band gap of 4.969 eV. Conventional powder dusting forensic assessment revealed obvious Type-III level latent fingerprint visibility on surfaces, including ceramic, glass, and metal. Electrochemical sensing through CV and impedance studies, using SMSD-modified SPCEs revealed significant redox response, especially for SMSD9, with anodic/cathodic peaks at 0.57 V/0.31 V and large current densities for paracetamol oxidation, verifying diffusion-adsorption controlled two-electron, two-proton transfer. The Liner dynamic range (LDR) and limit of detection obtained for paracetamol were 0-10 mu M and 0.2945 mu M respectively. The sensor demonstrated commendable recovery (similar to 92.4 %) for paracetamol from acidified real water samples over a 15-day period, confirming its precision, dependability, and short-term operational stability in practical settings. The results show SMSDx nanophosphors as flexible nanophosphors linking luminous, forensic, and electrochemical domains-providing a hopeful answer to the rising need for application-integrated multifunctional materials.

The present study reports the isolation, screening and characterization of diverse yeast strains from different geographical regions for the valorization of waste palm oil mill effluent (POME) for biosurfactant production. A total of 192 yeast strains were isolated from different samples and screened for biosurfactant production, among which 57 yeasts demonstrated biosurfactant activity on POME via the drop-collapse method. The highest proportion of positive isolates (9.3