Carbon Xerogels Hydrothermally Doped with Bimetal Oxides for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

A total of two carbon xerogels doped with cobalt and nickel were prepared by the sol–gel method. The obtained carbon xerogels underwent further surface modification with three binary metal oxides namely: nickel cobaltite, nickel ferrite, and cobalt ferrite through the hydrothermal method. The mesopore volumes of these materials ranged between 0.24 and 0.40 cm3/g. Moreover, there was a morphology transformation for the carbon xerogels doped with nickel cobaltite, which is in the form of nano-needles after the hydrothermal process. Whereas the carbon xerogels doped with nickel ferrite and cobalt ferrite maintained the normal carbon xerogel structure after the hydrothermal process. The prepared materials were tested as electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction using 0.1 M KOH. Among the prepared carbon xerogels cobalt-doped carbon xerogel had better electrocatalytic performance than the nickel-doped ones. Moreover, the carbon xerogels doped with nickel cobaltite showed excellent activity for oxygen reduction reaction due to mesoporosity development. NiCo2O4/Co-CX showed to be the best electrocatalyst of all the prepared electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction application, exhibiting the highest electrocatalytic activity, lowest onset potential Eonset of -0.06 V, and the lowest equivalent series resistance (ESR) of 2.74 W.This research was funded by science and technology development fund [STDF] grant number [STF-25402] and from the project P12-RNM-2892 (Junta de Andalucía)

Management Of Subtrochanteric Femoral Fractures Using Proximal Femoral Nail

Background: Fractures of the proximal femur are a big challenge in traumatology. Rapid strides in implant and instrumentations in quest of ideal fixation of subtrochanteric femoral fractures have made various options available. Objective: The present study aims to study the role of standard proximal femoral nail (PFN) in the management of these fractures. This study aimed to evaluate the results of treatment of subtrochanteric femoral fractures using PFN. Patients and methods: This prospective study conducted at Orthopedic Department, Zagazig University Hospital, from November 2020 to July 2021. It included 24 patients, complaining of closed subtrochanteric fractures treated with PFN (Gamma intramedullary nail). The age ranged from 23 to 87 years (with mean 54.21 years), 13 of them were males and 11 females. Road traffic accident (RTA) represented the most common mechanism of injury in 10 patients (41.7%) while fall down represented (37.5%) in 9 patients, and fall from height in 5 patients (20.8%). Results: there was statistically significant difference in HHS among patients with different age groups, mechanism of injury and presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) as associated condition. Statistically there was significant correlation between type of reduction and diabetes mellitus with Harris hip score. Conclusion: This study concluded that the Gamma nail is an excellent choice in treatment of subtrochanteric fractures as it has many advantages as allowing for early functional exercise and full weight-bearing of the affected limb, shortening the duration of operation, high rotation stability, small wounds and minimizing blood loss along with risk of infectio

Seismic Microzonation of Central Khartoum, Sudan

A preliminary seismic microzonation of Central Khartoum, Sudan is proposed. Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, is located at the confluence of White and Blue Niles. The city is heavily populated. The Central Khartoum with its high rise buildings is the center of governmental and business activities and is located on strip adjacent to the Blue Nile. Geological and geotechnical data indicated that the subsoil conditions at Central Khartoum are characterized by alluvial deposits underlain by Nubian Sandstone below a depth of 20 m. The alluvial deposits locally known as Gezira formations, consist of clays grading into silt and sand with depth. Macro seismic zonation of Sudan and its vicinities, developed by the authors, gave the ground acceleration at the bed rock surface. The effect of alluvial deposits at Central Khartoum on propagation of seismic motion parameters to the ground surface is investigated in this study. Correlations are proposed for pertinent cyclic soil properties such as shear modulus, damping, and shear wave velocity. The classical shear beam model developed by Idriss and Seed is used to study the effect of local soil conditions on ground motion parameters. In absence of strong motion records, artificial time histories of ground motion parameters are used. Plots showing the time histories of ground motion parameters at the ground surface are obtained. The results indicated amplification of ground acceleration of up to 1.15. Because of the presence of saturated loose to medium dense sand at some locations within Central Khartoum, the risk of earthquake-induced liquefaction is evaluated. The susceplity of subsoils in Central Khartoum to liguefaction is evaluated probabilistically by modifying the classical method developed by Seed and Idriss. The risk of earthquake-induced liquefaction is computed by combining the seismic hazard and the conditional probability of liquefaction. The study showed that the risk of liquefaction is low

Evaluation of serum Manganese and Zinc in non-cancerous thyroid disorders in Khartoum State-Sudan

Background: The thyroid gland is responsible for the production of two hormones. Those are regulating body metabolism, neurologic development, and numerous other body functions. So this study aimed to determine the level of serum Zinc and Manganese in Sudanese patient with non-cancerous thyroid disorders in Khartoum state. Material and Methods: This study was designed as case control, which includes 100 blood samples, a 60 from these samples were collected from patient with non-cancerous thyroid disorders and 40 samples were collected from health individual as control group. A total of 60 blood samples from the patients the males is 32 sample 53% and females is 28 sample 47%. Carried out in different Hospital in Khartoum state and the sample is collected by using sterile disposable syringes and separated by centrifuge, during period from March to June 2018. And the serum levels of zinc and manganese determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (OPERATOR’S MANUAL January 2003 VER 3.94 C), and the obtained results were analyzed by SPSS. Results: The study showed that there was significant different because the mean of serum Zn was 0.285 in test group and 0.720 in control group with p.value of 0.001 in serum level of Zn and Mn in patient compared to control subject, significant decrease in the serum levels of Zn and increase in Mn. Mean of Mn in test group was 0.428 and 0.406 control group with p.value of 0.006. Also the study showed the age, gender of the patient and duration of the disease have no effect on the serum level of Zn and Mn. Conclusion: This study conclude that the serum level of Zn is decrease and Mn is increase in patients with non-cancerous thyroid disorders and the age, gender of the patient and duration of the disease have no effect on the serum level of Zn and Mn. Keywords: Thyroid disorders, Zinc, Manganese, Sudanes

Growing Tungsten Nanophases on Carbon Spheres Doped with Nitrogen. Behaviour as Electro-Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

This research was funded by the Junta de Andalucia [grant numbers RNM172 and P18-RTJ-2974].This work shows the preparation of carbon nanospheres with a high superficial nitrogen content (7 wt.%), obtained by a simple hydrothermal method, from pyrocatechol and formaldehyde, around which tungsten nanophases have been formed. One of these nanophases is tungsten carbide, whose electro-catalytic behavior in the ORR has been evaluated together with the presence of nitrogen surface groups. Both current and potential kinetic density values improve considerably with the presence of tungsten, despite the significant nitrogen loss detected during the carbonization treatment. However, the synergetic effect that the WC has with other electro-catalytic metals in this reaction cannot be easily evaluated with the nitrogen in these materials, since both contents vary in opposite ways. Nevertheless, all the prepared materials carried out oxygen electro-reduction by a mixed pathway of two and four electrons, showing remarkable electro-catalytic behavior.Junta de Andalucia RNM172 P18-RTJ-297

Tumescent Local Infiltration Anesthesia for Mini Abdominoplasty with Liposuction

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of mini abdominoplasty with liposuction under local tumescent anaesthesia (LA) as the sole anaesthetic modality. METHODS: The study included 60 female patients with a mean age of 33.3 ± 5.6 years. Local infiltration using a mixture of 1:1000 epinephrine (1 ml), 2% lidocaine (100 ml) and 0.5% Levobupivacaine (50 ml) in 2500 ml saline was started with Local infiltration started with the abdomen, outer thigh, hips, back, inner thighs and knees. After Mini Abdominoplasty with supplemental liposuction was conducted and application of suction drains wound closure was performed, and the tight bandage was applied. Pain during injection, incision and surgical manipulations was determined. Duration of postoperative analgesia, till oral intake and return home, patients and surgeon satisfaction scores were determined. RESULTS: All surgeries were conducted completely without conversion to general anaesthesia. Injection pain was mild in 46 patients, moderate in 10 and hardly tolerated in 4 patients. Incision pain was mild in 16 patients, while 44 patients reported no sensation. During the surgical procedure, 6 patients required an additional dose of LA. Meantime till resumption of oral intake was 1.6 ± 0.9 hours. Meantime till home return was 5.6 ± 2.4 hours. Twelve patients were highly satisfied, 18 patients were satisfied, and these 42 patients were willing to repeat the trial if required. Eight patients found the trial is good and only one patient refused to repeat the trial and was dissatisfied, for a mean total satisfaction score of 3.1 ± 0.9. CONCLUSION: Mini Abdominoplasty with liposuction could be conducted safely under tumescent LA with mostly pain-free intraoperative and PO courses and allowed such surgical procedure to be managed as an office procedure. The applied anaesthetic procedure provided patients’ satisfaction with varying degrees in about 97% of studied patients

Electrodes Based on Carbon Aerogels Partially Graphitized by Doping with Transition Metals for Oxygen Reduction Reaction

A series of carbon aerogels doped with iron, cobalt and nickel have been prepared. Metal nanoparticles very well dispersed into the carbon matrix catalyze the formation of graphitic clusters around them. Samples with different Ni content are obtained to test the influence of the metal loading. All aerogels have been characterized to analyze their textural properties, surface chemistry and crystal structures. These metal-doped aerogels have a very well-developed porosity, making their mesoporosity remarkable. Ni-doped aerogels are the ones with the largest surface area and the smallest graphitization. They also present larger mesopore volumes than Co- and Fe-doped aerogels. These materials are tested as electro-catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction. Results show a clear and strong influence of the carbonaceous structure on the whole electro-catalytic behavior of the aerogels. Regarding the type of metal doping, aerogel doped with Co is the most active one, followed by Ni- and Fe-doped aerogels, respectively. As the Ni content is larger, the kinetic current densities increase. Comparatively, among the different doping metals, the results obtained with Ni are especially remarkable.This research is supported by the FEDER and Spanish projects CTQ2013-44789-R (MINECO) and P12-RNM-2892 (Junta de Andalucía). A.A. is grateful to the European Union for his Erasmus Mundus fellowship, Program ELEMENT. J. C.-Q. is grateful to the Junta de Andalucía for her research contract (P12-RNM-2892). We thank the “Unidad de Excelencia Química Aplicada a Biomedicina y Medioambiente” (UGR) for its technical assistance

Modified Gravity and Cosmology

In this review we present a thoroughly comprehensive survey of recent work on modified theories of gravity and their cosmological consequences. Amongst other things, we cover General Relativity, Scalar-Tensor, Einstein-Aether, and Bimetric theories, as well as TeVeS, f(R), general higher-order theories, Horava-Lifschitz gravity, Galileons, Ghost Condensates, and models of extra dimensions including Kaluza-Klein, Randall-Sundrum, DGP, and higher co-dimension braneworlds. We also review attempts to construct a Parameterised Post-Friedmannian formalism, that can be used to constrain deviations from General Relativity in cosmology, and that is suitable for comparison with data on the largest scales. These subjects have been intensively studied over the past decade, largely motivated by rapid progress in the field of observational cosmology that now allows, for the first time, precision tests of fundamental physics on the scale of the observable Universe. The purpose of this review is to provide a reference tool for researchers and students in cosmology and gravitational physics, as well as a self-contained, comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the subject as a whole.Comment: 312 pages, 15 figure

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely