Three-dimensional bimodal pore-rich G/MXene sponge amalgamated with vanadium diselenide nanosheets as a high-performance electrode for electrochemical water-oxidation/reduction reactions

Exploring new strategies to design non-precious and efficient electrocatalysts can provide a solution for sluggish electrocatalytic kinetics and sustainable hydrogen energy. Transition metal selenides are potential contenders for bifunctional electrocatalysis owing to their unique layered structure, low band gap, and high intrinsic activities. However, insufficient access to active sites, lethargic water dissociation, and structural degradation of active materials during electrochemical reactions limit their activities, especially in alkaline media. In this article, we report a useful strategy to assemble vanadium diselenide (VSe2) into a 3D MXene/rGO-based sponge-like architecture (VSe2@G/MXe) using hydrothermal and freeze-drying approaches. The 3D hierarchical meso/macro-pore rich sponge-like morphology not only prevents aggregation of VSe2 nanosheets but also offers a kinetics-favorable framework and high robustness to the electrocatalyst. Synergistic coupling of VSe2 and a MXene/rGO matrix yields a heterostructure with a large specific surface area, high conductivity, and multi-dimensional anisotropic pore channels for uninterrupted mass transport and gas diffusion. Consequently, VSe2@G/MXe presented superior electrochemical activity for both the HER and OER compared to its counterparts (VSe2 and VSe2@G), in alkaline media. The overpotentials required to reach a cathodic and anodic current density of 10 mA cm−2 were 153 mV (Tafel slope = 84 mV dec−1) and 241 mV (Tafel slope = 87 mV dec−1), respectively. The Rct values at the open circuit voltage were as low as 9.1 Ω and 1.41 Ω for the HER and OER activity, respectively. Importantly, VSe2@G/MXe withstands a steady current output for a long 24 h operating time. Hence, this work presents a rational design for 3D microstructures with optimum characteristics for efficient bifunctional alkaline water-splitting.This article is published as Chaudhary, Khadija, Sonia Zulfiqar, Zeid A. ALOthman, Imran Shakir, Muhammad Farooq Warsi, and Eric W. Cochran. "Three-dimensional bimodal pore-rich G/MXene sponge amalgamated with vanadium diselenide nanosheets as a high-performance electrode for electrochemical water-oxidation/reduction reactions." Dalton Transactions (2024). doi: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4DT00602J. This is an Open Access Article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/)

Electrochemical performance enhancement of MnO2 nanowires through silver incorporation for next-generation supercapacitors

Increased demand for effective energy storage systems emphasizes the urgency to overcome the bottlenecks of existing technology. Supercapacitors (SCs), owing to their high specific power and fast charging/discharging capabilities, are perfect candidates for future energy applications but their low energy density makes them impractical for commercial applications. Because of their high energy density and variable oxidation states, transition metal oxides (TMOs) have great potential as supercapacitor electrode materials. But for practical applications, their poor intrinsic conductivity needs to be improved. Noble metal doping offers a compelling method to raise the conductivity and structural stability of TMOs. Herein, we have prepared AgxMnO2 (x = 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15) to improve the conductivity and structural stability of the electro-active material. FESEM micrographs exhibit cracks on the nanowire (NW) surface by Ag doping, proposing less dead volume. Ag doping also fortified electrode pulverization during charging/discharging cycles by imparting structural stability. These properties enabled Ag0.05MnO2 NWs to demonstrate a specific capacitance of 1027 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1. The electrode also retained a capacitance of 93.16% after 10[thin space (1/6-em)]000 GCD cycles@12 A g−1 along with 86% rate capability at 9 A g−1. By tackling critical difficulties such as poor conductivity and structural stability, this study advances energy storage technologies and lays the groundwork for the creation of high-performance supercapacitors for future energy applications.This article is published as Khalid, Muhammad Usman, Sonia Zulfiqar, M. Naziruddin Khan, Imran Shakir, Muhammad Farooq Warsi, and Eric W. Cochran. "Electrochemical performance enhancement of MnO 2 nanowires through silver incorporation for next-generation supercapacitors." Materials Advances (2024). doi: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MA00118D. This Open Access Article is licensed under (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/)

Ti3C2Tx MXene reinforcement: a nickel–vanadium selenide/MXene based multi-component composite as a battery-type electrode for supercapacitor applications†

Designing innovative microstructures and implementing efficient multicomponent strategies are still challenging to achieve high-performance and chemo-mechanically stable electrode materials. Herein, a hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) graphene oxide (GO) assisted Ti3C2Tx MXene aerogel foam (MXene-GAF) impregnated with battery-type bimetallic nickel vanadium selenide (NiVSe) has been prepared through a hydrothermal method followed by freeze-drying (denoted as NiVSe–MXene-GAF). 3D-oriented cellular pore networks benefit the energy storage process through the effective lodging of NiVSe particles, improving the access of the electrolyte to the active sites, and alleviating volume changes during redox reactions. The 3D MXene-GAF conductive matrix and heterostructured interface of MXene–rGO and NiVSe facilitated the rapid transport of electrical charges and ions during the charge–discharge process. As a result of the synergism of these effects, NiVSe–MXene-GAF exhibited remarkable electrochemical performance with a specific capacity of 305.8 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 and 99.2% initial coulombic efficiency. The NiVSe–MXene-GAF electrode delivered a specific capacity of 235.1 mA h g−1 even at a high current density of 12 A g−1 with a 76.8% rate performance. The impedance measurements indicated a low bulk solution resistance (Rs = 0.71 Ω) for NiVSe–MXene-GAF. Furthermore, the structural robustness of NiVSe–MXene-GAF guaranteed long-term stability with a 91.7% capacity retention for successive 7000 cycles. Thus, developing NiVSe–MXene-GAF provides a progressive strategy for fabricating high-performance 3D heterostructured electrode materials for energy storage applications.This article is published as Chaudhary, Khadija, Sonia Zulfiqar, Khamael M. Abualnaja, Muhammad Shahid, Hala M. Abo-Dief, Muhammad Farooq Warsi, and Eric W. Cochran. "Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene reinforcement: a nickel–vanadium selenide/MXene based multi-component composite as a battery-type electrode for supercapacitor applications." Dalton Transactions (2024). doi: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4DT01230E. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2024. This Open Access Article is licensed under a (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/

Heteroatom decorated polythiourethane sorbent for copper (II) extraction in wastewater treatment

Copper ions in wastewater present substantial environmental hazards, toxic to aquatic species and prone to bioaccumulation. Addressing this, we present a novel cross-linked polythiourethane (C-PTU) as a promising chelating adsorbent for the effective removal of copper ions from wastewater. A new monomer, 5-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide) benzene-1,3-bis(carbonyl) isothiocyanate (TFA-ITC), was synthesized and further condensed with a 1,4-butane diol to produce a trifluoroacetamide functionalized polythiourethane (TFA-PTU) and subsequently generating amine functionalized polythiourethane (A-PTU). The cross-linking reaction was carried out through amino groups present on the polymer backbone with terephthaloyl chloride, resulting in the formation of C-PTU. The monomer and polymers underwent characterization using Fourier transform infrared, 1H, and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, with X-ray diffraction analyzing the resin's chain alignment. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry assessed C-PTU's thermal properties. The adsorption process for Cu(II) ions was studied using atomic absorption spectroscopy, optimizing conditions for maximal uptake. Results revealed that C-PTU exhibited a significant adsorption capacity for Cu(II) ions, reaching 67% after a 2 h contact time, with optimal adsorption occurring at pH 6. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm described the sorption mechanism, indicating favorable monolayer cation adsorption via coordination with donor sites on C-PTU. This research presents a viable solution for copper ion contamination in wastewater, illustrating C-PTU as an efficient, environmentally friendly adsorbent, marking progress toward cleaner water resources.This article is published as Aurangzeb, Noshaba, Sonia Zulfiqar, Muhammad Kaleem Khosa, Václav Slovák, Ahmed Abdelhamid Maamoun, Michael Forrester, Muhammad Ilyas Sarwar, and Eric W. Cochran. "Heteroatom decorated polythiourethane sorbent for copper (II) extraction in wastewater treatment." Polymer Engineering & Science (2024). doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.26752. © 2024 The Authors. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Effectiveness of a peer-delivered, psychosocial intervention on maternal depression and child development at 3 years postnatal: a cluster randomised trial in Pakistan

Maternal depression has a recurring course that can influence offspring outcomes. Evidence on how to treat maternal depression to improve longer-term maternal outcomes and reduce intergenerational transmission of psychopathology is scarce, particularly for task-shifted, low-intensity, and scalable psychosocial interventions. We evaluated the effects of a peer-delivered, psychosocial intervention on maternal depression and child development at 3 years postnatal

Effectiveness of a peer-delivered, psychosocial intervention on maternal depression and child development at 3 years of age: a cluster randomized trial in Pakistan

Background Maternal depression has a recurring course that can influence offspring outcomes. Evidence on how to treat maternal depression to improve longer-term maternal outcomes and reduce intergenerational transmission of psychopathology is scarce, particularly for task-shifted, low-intensity, and scalable psychosocial interventions. We evaluated the effects of a peer-delivered, psychosocial intervention on maternal depression and child development at 3 years postnatal. Methods 40 village clusters in Pakistan were randomly allocated using a computerised randomisation sequence to receive a group-based, psychosocial intervention and enhanced usual care for 36 months, or enhanced usual care alone. Pregnant women (≥18 years) were screened for moderate or severe symptoms of depression (patient health questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9] score ≥10) and were recruited into the trial (570 participants), and a cohort without depression (PHQ-9 score <10) was also enrolled (584 participants). Including the non-depressed dyads enabled us to determine how much of the excess risk due to maternal depression exposure the intervention could mitigate. Research teams responsible for identifying, obtaining consent, and recruiting trial participants were blind to the allocation status throughout the duration of the study, and principal investigators, site coordinators, statisticians, and members of the trial steering committee were also blinded to the allocation status until the analysis of 6-month data for the intervention. Primary outcomes were maternal depression symptoms and remission (PHQ-9 score <10) and child socioemotional skills (strengths and difficulties questionnaire [SDQ-TD]) at 36-months postnatal. Analyses were by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02658994. Findings From Oct 15, 2014 to Feb 25, 2016 46 village clusters were assessed for eligibility, of which 40 (including 1910 mothers were enrolled. After exclusions, 288 women were randomly assigned to the enhanced usual care group and 284 to the intervention group, and 1159 women were included in a group without prenatal depression. At 36-months postnatal, complete data were available from 889 mother-child dyads: 206 (72·5%) in the intervention group, 216 (75·3%) in the enhanced usual care group, and 467 (80·0%) women who did not have prenatal-depression. We did not observe significant outcome differences between the intervention group and the enhanced usual care group for the primary outcomes. The standardised mean difference of PHQ-9 total score was −0·13 (95% CI −0·33 to 0·07), relative risk of patient health questionnaire-9 remission was 1·00 (95% CI 0·88 to 1·14), and the SDQ-TD treatment estimate was −0·10 (95% CI −1·39 to 1·19). Interpretation Reduced symptom severity and high remission rates were seen across both the intervention and enhanced usual care groups, possibly masking any effects of the intervention. A multi-year, psychosocial intervention can be task-shifted via peers but might be susceptible to reductions in fidelity and dosage over time (which were not among the outcomes of this trial). Early intervention efforts might need to rely on multiple models (eg, collaborative care), be of greater intensity, and potentially targeted at mothers who are at high risk for depression to reduce the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology from mothers to children. Funding National Institutes of Health

Preeclampsia and COVID-19: results from the INTERCOVID prospective longitudinal study

Background: It is unclear whether the suggested link between COVID-19 during pregnancy and preeclampsia is an independent association or if these are caused by common risk factors. Objective: This study aimed to quantify any independent association between COVID-19 during pregnancy and preeclampsia and to determine the effect of these variables on maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Study Design: This was a large, longitudinal, prospective, unmatched diagnosed and not-diagnosed observational study assessing the effect of COVID-19 during pregnancy on mothers and neonates. Two consecutive not-diagnosed women were concomitantly enrolled immediately after each diagnosed woman was identified, at any stage during pregnancy or delivery, and at the same level of care to minimize bias. Women and neonates were followed until hospital discharge using the standardized INTERGROWTH-21st protocols and electronic data management system. A total of 43 institutions in 18 countries contributed to the study sample. The independent association between the 2 entities was quantified with the risk factors known to be associated with preeclampsia analyzed in each group. The outcomes were compared among women with COVID-19 alone, preeclampsia alone, both conditions, and those without either of the 2 conditions. Results: We enrolled 2184 pregnant women; of these, 725 (33.2%) were enrolled in the COVID-19 diagnosed and 1459 (66.8%) in the COVID-19 not-diagnosed groups. Of these women, 123 had preeclampsia of which 59 of 725 (8.1%) were in the COVID-19 diagnosed group and 64 of 1459 (4.4%) were in the not-diagnosed group (risk ratio, 1.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.32–2.61). After adjustment for sociodemographic factors and conditions associated with both COVID-19 and preeclampsia, the risk ratio for preeclampsia remained significant among all women (risk ratio, 1.77; 95% confidence interval, 1.25–2.52) and nulliparous women specifically (risk ratio, 1.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.17–3.05). There was a trend but no statistical significance among parous women (risk ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–2.73). The risk ratio for preterm birth for all women diagnosed with COVID-19 and preeclampsia was 4.05 (95% confidence interval, 2.99–5.49) and 6.26 (95% confidence interval, 4.35–9.00) for nulliparous women. Compared with women with neither condition diagnosed, the composite adverse perinatal outcome showed a stepwise increase in the risk ratio for COVID-19 without preeclampsia, preeclampsia without COVID-19, and COVID-19 with preeclampsia (risk ratio, 2.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.63–2.86; risk ratio, 2.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.44–4.45; and risk ratio, 2.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.67–4.82, respectively). Similar findings were found for the composite adverse maternal outcome with risk ratios of 1.76 (95% confidence interval, 1.32–2.35), 2.07 (95% confidence interval, 1.20–3.57), and 2.77 (95% confidence interval, 1.66–4.63). The association between COVID-19 and gestational hypertension and the direction of the effects on preterm birth and adverse perinatal and maternal outcomes, were similar to preeclampsia, but confined to nulliparous women with lower risk ratios. Conclusion: COVID-19 during pregnancy is strongly associated with preeclampsia, especially among nulliparous women. This association is independent of any risk factors and preexisting conditions. COVID-19 severity does not seem to be a factor in this association. Both conditions are associated independently of and in an additive fashion with preterm birth, severe perinatal morbidity and mortality, and adverse maternal outcomes. Women with preeclampsia should be considered a particularly vulnerable group with regard to the risks posed by COVID-19

Quantifying risks and interventions that have affected the burden of lower respiratory infections among children younger than 5 years : an analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Despite large reductions in under-5 lower respiratory infection (LRI) mortality in many locations, the pace of progress for LRIs has generally lagged behind that of other childhood infectious diseases. To better inform programmes and policies focused on preventing and treating LRIs, we assessed the contributions and patterns of risk factor attribution, intervention coverage, and sociodemographic development in 195 countries and territories by drawing from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2017 (GBD 2017) LRI estimates. Methods We used four strategies to model LRI burden: the mortality due to LRIs was modelled using vital registration data, demographic surveillance data, and verbal autopsy data in a predictive ensemble modelling tool; the incidence of LRIs was modelled using population representative surveys, health-care utilisation data, and scientific literature in a compartmental meta-regression tool; the attribution of risk factors for LRI mortality was modelled in a counterfactual framework; and trends in LRI mortality were analysed applying changes in exposure to risk factors over time. In GBD, infectious disease mortality, including that due to LRI, is among HIV-negative individuals. We categorised locations based on their burden in 1990 to make comparisons in the changing burden between 1990 and 2017 and evaluate the relative percent change in mortality rate, incidence, and risk factor exposure to explain differences in the health loss associated with LRIs among children younger than 5 years. Findings In 2017, LRIs caused 808 920 deaths (95% uncertainty interval 747 286-873 591) in children younger than 5 years. Since 1990, there has been a substantial decrease in the number of deaths (from 2 337 538 to 808 920 deaths; 65.4% decrease, 61.5-68.5) and in mortality rate (from 362.7 deaths [3304-392.0] per 100 000 children to 118.9 deaths [109.8-128.3] per 100 000 children; 67.2% decrease, 63.5-70.1). LRI incidence dedined globally (32.4% decrease, 27.2-37.5). The percent change in under-5 mortality rate and incidence has varied across locations. Among the risk factors assessed in this study, those responsible for the greatest decrease in under-5 LRI mortality between 1990 and 2017 were increased coverage of vaccination against Haemophilus influenza type b (11.4% decrease, 0.0-24.5), increased pneumococcal vaccine coverage (6.3% decrease, 6.1-6.3), and reductions in household air pollution (8.4%, 6 8-9.2). Interpretation Our findings show that there have been substantial but uneven declines in LRI mortality among countries between 1990 and 2017. Although improvements in indicators of sociodemographic development could explain some of these trends, changes in exposure to modifiable risk factors are related to the rates of decline in LRI mortality. No single intervention would universally accelerate reductions in health loss associated with LRIs in all settings, but emphasising the most dominant risk factors, particularly in countries with high case fatality, can contribute to the reduction of preventable deaths

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2—to end preventable child deaths by 2030—we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000–2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations

Burden of injury along the development spectrum : associations between the Socio-demographic Index and disability-adjusted life year estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background The epidemiological transition of non-communicable diseases replacing infectious diseases as the main contributors to disease burden has been well documented in global health literature. Less focus, however, has been given to the relationship between sociodemographic changes and injury. The aim of this study was to examine the association between disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from injury for 195 countries and territories at different levels along the development spectrum between 1990 and 2017 based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2017 estimates. Methods Injury mortality was estimated using the GBD mortality database, corrections for garbage coding and CODEm-the cause of death ensemble modelling tool. Morbidity estimation was based on surveys and inpatient and outpatient data sets for 30 cause-of-injury with 47 nature-of-injury categories each. The Socio-demographic Index (SDI) is a composite indicator that includes lagged income per capita, average educational attainment over age 15 years and total fertility rate. Results For many causes of injury, age-standardised DALY rates declined with increasing SDI, although road injury, interpersonal violence and self-harm did not follow this pattern. Particularly for self-harm opposing patterns were observed in regions with similar SDI levels. For road injuries, this effect was less pronounced. Conclusions The overall global pattern is that of declining injury burden with increasing SDI. However, not all injuries follow this pattern, which suggests multiple underlying mechanisms influencing injury DALYs. There is a need for a detailed understanding of these patterns to help to inform national and global efforts to address injury-related health outcomes across the development spectrum.Peer reviewe