Bioenergy crops are an attractive option for use in energy production. A good plant candidate for bioenergy applications should produce a high amount of biomass and resist harsh environmental conditions. Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) have been described as promising seed germination and plant growth regulators. In this paper, we tested the impact of two CBNs: graphene and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on germination and biomass production of two major bioenergy crops (sorghum and switchgrass). The application of graphene and CNTs increased the germination rate of switchgrass seeds and led to an early germination of sorghum seeds. The exposure of switchgrass to graphene (200 mg/l) resulted in a 28% increase of total biomass produced compared to untreated plants. We tested the impact of CBNs on bioenergy crops under salt stress conditions and discovered that CBNs can significantly reduce symptoms of salt stress imposed by the addition of NaCl into the growth medium. Using an ion selective electrode, we demonstrated that the concentration of Na+ ions in NaCl solution can be significantly decreased by the addition of CNTs to the salt solution. Our data confirmed the potential of CBNs as plant growth regulators for non-food crops and demonstrated the role of CBNs in the protection of plants against salt stress by desalination of saline growth medium.

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The feasibility of using Infrared emission from a combustion flame as a means of detection for chromatography was Investigated. Over the wavelength Interval from 1 to 5 pm, two strong emission bands were observed with a PbSe detector when organic compounds were Introduced Into an hydrogen/alr flame. The band at 4.3 µ (2326 cm-1) was due to the asymmetric stretch of carbon dioxide while the band at 2.7 µ was due to both water and carbon dioxide emission. The carbon dioxide emission at 4.3 µ was found to be most Intense at the tip of the flame and to Increase with the amount of organic compound Introduced Into the flame. For chromatographic application, an optical filter was used to Isolate the 4.3-µ emission band. The feasibility of using Infrared emission as a means of detection for liquid chromatography was demonstrated for a mixture of methanol, ethanol, and propanol. The use of Infrared emission shows promise as a means of detection for both liquid and gas chromatography.

A specially designed burner system was developed to study the application ot flame Infrared emission (FIRE) detection to gas chromatography. The carbon dioxide emission band at 4.3 pm (2326 cm-1) was monitored by using a lead selenlde detector In conjunction with an optical filter for band

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The American Cancer Society has estimated an expected 279,100 new breast cancer cases, and an expected 42,690 breast cancer deaths in the U.S. for the year 2020. This includes an estimated 276,480 women who are expected to be diagnosed. Radiation therapy, also called ionizing radiation therapy, is one of the most frequently used methods in the treatment of breast cancer. While radiation therapy is used in the treatment of more than 50% of all cancer cases, tumor resistance to ionizing radiation presents a major challenge for effective cancer treatment. Most tumor cells are in a hypoxic microenvironment that promotes resistance to radiation therapy. In addition to radiation resistance, the hypoxic microenvironment also promotes cancer proliferation and metastasis. In this review, we will discuss the hypoxic microenvironment of breast cancer tumors, related signaling pathways, breast cancer stem-like cells, and the resistance to radiation therapy. Recent developments in our understanding of tumor hypoxia and hypoxic pathways may assist us in developing new strategies to increase cancer control in radiation therapy.

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