The Journal of Middle East and North Africa Sciences

5-12

Authors: Jiang Chun-Xuan

Using the stable number theory, Jiang’s calculates the best electron configurations of the elements and not from experimental data (Chun-Xuan, 1988, Jiang, 1998; Jiang, 2002). Jiang makes the Jiang periodic table of the elements. In studying the stability of the many-body problem we suggest two principles (Jiang, 1981; Chun-Xuan, 1979; Jiang, 1985; Jiang, 1986; Jiang, 1988; Chun-Xuan, 1988, Jiang, 1998; Jiang, 2002). (1) The prime number principle. A prime number is irreducible in the integers; it seems, therefore, natural to associate it with the most stable subsystem. We prove that 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 23, 47 are the most stable primes. (2) The symmetric principle. The most stable configuration of two prime numbers is then the stable symmetric system in nature. We prove that 2, 4, 6, 10, 14, 22, 46, 94 are the most stable even numbers. The stability can be defined as long life and existence in nature, and instability as short life or non-existence in nature. In this paper by using the prime number principle and the symmetric principle we calculate the best electron configurations of the elements. Total quantum number and orbital quantum number determine the best electron configurations of the elements

21-26

Authors: Abdalla M. Abdalla Mustafa; Mohamed El Mukhtar A. Aziz

Recently facial makeup cosmetic products have become very popular among Sudanese women in spite of the fact that they might contain toxic materials including Pb, Hg, Cd, As, Ni and Zn, and their use as ingredients in cosmetics is prohibited as they cause skin problems. Owing to the absence of control standards of these products sold in Sudanese markets, the present study aimed at developing a method for the determination of these metals by inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Eighty-six samples of different facial makeup cosmetic products were collected randomly from the local Sudanese markets. A microwave- assisted digestion with a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and hydrochloric acid was applied for sample preparation. The concentration of each metal was determined in triplicate by ICP-MS. For eye shadow, in a wide range of concentrations, all analyzed elements were detected at high levels in the imported samples, but Pb, Hg, and Cd were detected at low levels in the locally prepared not only eye shadow but also lipstick samples. Although Pb was present at low concentrations in all samples, locally prepared whitening creams, lipstick, and eye shadow showed highest concentration levels of 33.63 µg /g, 42.42 µg /g, and 52.02 µg /g, respectively. The highest concentration levels for Hg in locally prepared whitening creams and eye shadow samples were found to be 42.09 µg /g, and 21.30 µg /g, respectively. The highest concentration levels for Cd, however, were found to be 5.21 µg /g, 22.53µg /g, and 7.06µg /g, in imported lipstick, eye shadow, and local whitening creams, respectively. High concentration levels of Zn were not obtained in all analyzed samples except in the imported eye shadow, (72.46µg /g). The determination of heavy metals in cosmetic products sold in Sudanese markets increase the needs to set laws to regulate their preparation locally and to set standards to control their quality and safety.

30-33

Authors: A. D. V Ayansina; B. O. Atobatele; A. A. Sobowale

Pesticides are generally used in agriculture to eliminate un-wanted growths and reduce productivity cost with little concern for non-target organisms. Studies were carried out on the effect of two commonly used insecticides (common names-DD force & Scorpio) on some soil physicochemical parameters and microbial loads at recommended rate (x1.0) and twice the recommended rate (x2.0) over a period of 8 weeks. Generally, insecticides treatments resulted in soil pH reduction from 7.23 for the control soil to 5.98 for DD force and 7.03 for Scorpion. At recommended application rates (x1.0) there was a decrease in bacterial counts at week 0 (6 hours after treatment)-control soil = 6.90 x106 cfu/ml; DD force = 3.09 x106 cfu/ml and Scorpio = 3.09 x 106 cfu/ml. Thereafter, there was an increase in bacterial counts reaching a maximum at week 4. This was followed by a general decrease in bacterial counts. Bacteria counts in soils treated with DD force and Scorpio at twice the recommended rates (x2.0) were higher compared to counts obtained from the two insecticides treated at the recommended rates (x1.0). However, fungal counts from soils treated with the two insecticides at recommended rates (x1.0) were higher compared to counts obtained from soils treated at twice the recommended rates. A total of 55 bacterial species were isolated from the insecticide treated and control soils which are Bacillus sp (30.9%), Proteus sp (12.7%), Flavobacterium sp (14.5%), Pseudomonas sp. (1.8%), Lactobacillus sp (10.9%), Staphylococcus sp (10.9%), Antinomycetes sp (12.7%). A total of 20 fungi isolated were isolated from insecticides treated soil and control soil which includes Aspergillus sp (40%), Penicillium sp (20%), Rhizopus sp (20%).