Published since January 20, 2016

Physical Sciences Reviews

ISSN: 2365-659X

Editor-in-chief: Edwin Zondervan

Edited by: Marta Giamberini, Bartosz Tylkowski, Iwona Gulaczyk, Ponnadurai Ramasami, Stefan Odenbach, Dennis Meier, Gerhard Pfaff, Amit Kumar, Girish Kumar Gupta

About this journal

Physical Sciences Reviews publishes review articles in the areas of chemistry, physics and materials science. It aims at interdisciplinary topics in or between those classical disciplines. A focus lies on applications, closing the gap towards electrical engineering, bio-engineering and industrial chemistry.
Some of these Review Articles are published with the help of Guest Editors to ensure speedy publication, but can be included – at a much later date – as chapters in themed book volumes. However, ALL papers go through the peer review process.

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Volume 8 Issue 5

May 2023

Publicly Available June 12, 2023

Frontmatter

Page range: i-ii

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Reviews

June 10, 2021

Evaluation of the Chemistry curriculum at the lower secondary level: feedback from educators

Fawzia Narod, Vickren Narrainsawmy

Page range: 635-649

Abstract

Mauritius is presently witnessing a major educational reform, which has necessitated a review of the lower secondary curriculum in all subjects, including Science. Educators were called to evaluate the Science curriculum (which includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics components) by providing feedback on the curriculum content and content organisation. One hundred and thirty-three educators took part in this exercise. This paper focuses on a detailed analysis of the feedback obtained from educators regarding the lower secondary Chemistry curriculum (LSCC) to identify the challenges encountered in its implementation. The Process component of the Stufflebeam’s (Stufflebeam DL. The CIPP model for evaluation. In: Evaluation models. Dordrecht: Springer; 2000:279–317 pp) Context, Input, Process and Product (CIPP) Evaluation model has been used as a framework for the study. Based on qualitative thematic analysis, four main challenges were identified in the implementation of the LSCC namely, ensuring curriculum continuity, avoiding curriculum overload, the need for more laboratory experiences and knowledge transfer.

June 16, 2021

Polymers, plastics, & more – educating post-secondary students from different disciplines with polymer science

Jimmy Lowe, John P. Canal

Page range: 651-662

Abstract

Polymers are excellent materials that provide concrete examples of concepts and learning objectives covered in different post-secondary level courses. Modules focused on polymer science can be used for teaching general, organic, material and green chemistry. These modules can be tailored to build on the students' prerequisite knowledge. Science 300 is a course offered at Simon Fraser University (SFU) to non-science, post-secondary students focused on the impact of science in society. Prosthetics and Orthotics (PROR) is a diploma program offered at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). Both programs have incorporated polymer science as part of the curriculum. Design of the modules illustrates polymers as an important class of materials that possess both beneficial and environmental unfriendly properties. A variety of learning strategies are incorporated within the courses to aid students with understanding polymer science.

June 16, 2021

Quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and sector field ICP-MS: a comparison of analytical methods for the quantification of As, Pb, Cu, Cd, Zn, and U in drinking water

Héctor Hernández-Mendoza, Nancy Lara-Almazán, Abraham Kuri-Cruz, Elizabeth Teresita Romero-Guzmán, María Judith Ríos-Lugo

Page range: 663-678

Abstract

A comparison was carried out between quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS) detection and sector field ICP-MS (ICP-SFMS) detection for quantification of elements such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and uranium (U) in drinking water. A drinking water sample obtained from the International Atomic Energy Agency was used for validation measurement methods. ICP-QMS and ICP-SFMS obtained recoveries of 95–107% and 95–105%, respectively. Moreover, the relative standard deviation for ICP-QMS was <5% in comparison with ICP-SFMS, which was <2%. The limits of detection obtained in ICP-MS and ICP-SFMS for each element were under ng L −1 , except for Zn. Both methods were applied to evaluate these elements in drinking water for consumption in Mexico. According to Mexican Regulation for Human Drinking Water NOM-201-SSA1-2015 and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from the United States, the values are within the allowable limits. In conclusion, ICP-QMS and ICP-SFMS are excellent choices for measurements of these toxic elements in water samples because of high precision and accuracy in routine analysis minutes, while also exhibiting excellent precision and accuracy in routine analysis.

June 16, 2021

Development of reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method for determination of selected antihypertensive active flavonoids (rutin, myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol) in medicinal plants found in Botswana

Katso Binang, David T. Takuwa

Page range: 679-692

Abstract

The aim of the study was to develop a rapid, efficient, and cheap chromatographic method for determining four selected antihypertensive active flavonoid compounds in medicinal plants in Botswana. The determination of rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol in selected medicinal plants was conducted in less than 6 min using the developed reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method with a 2.7 µm Ascentis C18 express column (150 × 4.60 mm i.d) at 340, 360, and 368 nm detection wavelengths and mobile phase of methanol and 0.068% of formic acid solution in isocratic elution. Validation results showed good selectivity, linearity ( r 2 > 0.99), high percentage recoveries (90.2–104.7%), and precision (% RSD < 2) for n = 3, confirming suitability of the method for determination of the investigated flavonoids in Zingiber officinale (ginger). Application of the developed RP-HPLC method was performed in selected medicinal plants ( Lippia javanica ) (mosukujane) , Myrothanmus flabellious (galalatshwene) , and Elephantorrhiza elephantina (mositsana) used to manage hypertension by herbalists in Botswana . M. flabellious a very commonly used plant for managing hypertension was found to contain highest amounts of rutin and myricetin, whereas nothing was detected for E. elephantina .

June 16, 2021

Accumulation and health effects of metals in selected urban groundwater

Adeleke Adeniyi, Olayiwola Giwa

Page range: 693-702

Abstract

The contamination of water sources as a result of man’s activities is of concern because of its potential impact on the health of humans. Samples of groundwater were collected from four households within metropolitan Lagos between the months of April and August, 2019. The samples were analyzed for cadmium, calcium, iron, lead, manganese and zinc using atomic absorption spectrometry. Structured questionnaire was administered to the residents in households where the water samples were collected. Results obtained were compared with global background values and WHO guidelines for drinking water. The pH values ranged from 5.16 ± 0.26 to 5.29 ± 0.44, whereas, the control pH values were within the WHO guidelines of 6.5–8.5. The concentrations (mg/L) ranged from 2.04 ± 1.01–23.48 ± 8.81 (calcium); 3.35 ± 1.94–3.60 ± 2.25 (iron); 0.31 ± 0.42–0.47 ± 0.51 (manganese) and 0.27 ± 0.04–0.77 ± 0.69 (zinc), respectively. Cadmium and lead were not detected. The health risk indices (HRI) values were found to be in the order of Fe > Zn > Mn and were below the threshold value of 1. Statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to ascertain statistical significant differences of metal concentrations in the four locations. Metal pollution source control and periodic water quality monitoring is recommended.

June 16, 2021

Phytochemical and antioxidant activity of Cadaba farinosa Forssk stem bark extracts

Emmanuel M. Halilu, Abdullahi M. Abdurrahman, Sylvester N. Mathias, Chinenye J. Ugwah-Oguejiofor, Muntaka Abdulrahman, Saadu Abubakar

Page range: 703-714

Abstract

Cadaba farinosa is used in traditional medicine for treatment of cancer, diabetes, and rheumatism. The research was aimed at evaluating the phytochemical and antioxidant activity of the extracts. The powdered stem bark was extracted successively with the aid of Soxhlet extractor using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The resulting extracts were concentrated on rotary evaporator and the percentage yields were calculated. The phytochemical and TLC profiles of the extracts were studied. The antioxidant activity of the extracts and ascorbic acid (standard) were determined using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay. The total phenolic content of the extracts and tannic acid (standard) were evaluated using Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. The percentage yields of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts were found to be 1.19, 1.37, and 13.93%, respectively. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, and triterpenoids. The TLC profiles of the extracts revealed the presence of compounds as evidenced from their R f values. The total phenolic content of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were found to be 135 and 112 mg, respectively. The free radical scavenging activity demonstrated by the extracts was comparable to ascorbic acid. The ethyl acetate extract had higher phenolic content and demonstrated the highest free radical scavenging with IC 50 31.07 mg/mL. The results of research have provided strong preliminary evidence of antioxidant activity which may be because of phenolic compounds in the extracts.

Ahead of Print / Just Accepted

Ahead of Print / Just Accepted

Volume 8 (2023)

Volume 7 (2022)

Volume 6 (2021)

Volume 5 (2020)

Volume 4 (2019)

Volume 3 (2018)

Volume 2 (2017)

Volume 1 (2016)

Volume 2016

Issue 8

CiteScore	2.5
Journal Citation Indicator	0.34
SCImago Journal Rank	0.318
Source Normalized Impact per Paper	0.497

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Editorial

Editors

Veronica Ambrogi (Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy)
Pierfrancesco Cerruti (Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Council of Research, Pozzuoli, Italy)
Marta Giamberini (Centre Tecnològic de la Química de Catalunya, Tarragona, Spain)
Iwona Gulaczyk (Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Pozna, Poland)
Renata Jastrzab (Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland)
Juin J. Liou (Department Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, USA)
Rafael Luque (Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de Cordoba, Spain)
Valentina Marturano (Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy)
Yasir Nawab (Faculty of Engineering & Technology, National Textile University, Faisalabad, Pakistan)
Basudeb Saha (Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, School of Engineering, London South Bank University, UK)
Bartosz Tylkowski (Centre Tecnològic de la Química de Catalunya, Tarragona, Spain)
Chun-Ping Xu (School of Food & Biological Engineering, Zhenzhou University of Light Industry, Zhengzhou, China)

(Deutsch)

Online ISSN: 2365-659X
Type: Journal
Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
First published: January 20, 2016
Publication Frequency: 12 Issues per Year
Audience: Graduate students, researchers and engineers in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Bio-Engineering and Industrial Chemistry.