Synthesis and characterization of sodium alginate/polyvinyl alcohol/zinc oxide/iron oxide nanocomposites for electrochemical applications

Polymer nanocomposites films, based on sodium alginate (NaAlg) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) complexed with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and iron oxide nanorods (Fe3O4 NRs) as nanofiller, were prepared by solution casting technique. Different techniques were used to describe the prepared films. XRD and FTIR were used to pinpoint the complexation of the nanofiller with the polymer mixture. The XRD investigation verified the existence of the crystalline peaks of ZnO/Fe3O4 NPs in the polymeric matrices. The average particle size of nanocomposite was 23 nm. TEM image of the ZnO nanopowder confirming the spherical form of nanoparticles with average size 30 nm. The TEM image of Fe3O4 NRs reveals the free nanorods are around 9–23 nm in diameter and 130–350 nm in length. Peak positions and intensity variations in the FTIR absorption spectra are observed when the concentration increases from 2 to 8 wt% of ZnO NPs/Fe3O4 NRs. AC conductivity showed that the NaAlg/PVA-(8 wt%) ZnO/Fe3O4 NPs nanocomposites have higher electrical conductivity than NaAlg/PVA blend. For samples of 8% ZnO/Fe3O4, the (Formula presented.) of nanocomposites reached 3.66 × 10−8 S cm−1. ZnO/Fe3O4 nanoparticles considerably improved the nanocomposites' ability to conduct electricity. For the development of functional composite materials for the manufacture of electrical devices, sensors, and high-energy storage capacitors, the enhanced characteristics of synthesized NaAlg/PVA-ZnO/Fe3O4 nanocomposites can be helpful

Preparation, structural characterization, optical, photoluminescence, AC electrical conductivity and broadband dielectric properties of WO3 reinforced PEG/CS blend for futuristic optoelectronic and energy storage devices

Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) composed of biopolymers and metallic oxides are important classes of materials. In addition to the environmental and economic considerations, these materials became the best candidates for various industrial fields. In the current study, solution cast procedure is used to prepare polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) based on polyethylene glycol (PEG)/chitosan (CS) blend and varying concentrations of tungsten trioxide nanoparticles (WO3 NPs), as a nanofiller. TEM micrograph shows that WO3 NPs have particle sizes of 5–32 nm their shapes are cubic and spherical. The XRD results reveal the semicrystalline of PEG/CS blend through showing three distinct diffraction peaks at 2θ = 7.42°, 19.47° and 23.62° and the degree of crystallinity is decreased after the incorporation of WO3 NPs due to the formation of polymer-nanoparticle interactions as indicated by FTIR spectra. The values of optical energy bandgap (direct and indirect) reduce while the Urbach energy increases with raising the concentration of WO3 NPs in the PEG/CS matrix. The PEG/CS-WO3 films' PL spectra show a photoemission peak at about 387 nm, where this peak loses intensity and becomes broader due to the induced defects and increase of disordering within the nanocomposite films. Additionally, the results of the dielectric investigation show an increase in the dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and AC electrical conductivity, which may be a sign of an increase of charge carriers and the content of amorphous regions that assists the movement of charge carriers. The DC electrical conductivity and conduction mechanism are also reported. Argand plot shows a half semicircle implying the Debye-type relaxation mechanism. The experimental results suggest the use of PEG/CS-WO3 nanocomposites as a possible contender for futuristic energy storage and optoelectronic applications

Privatization of Medical Services and Revenue Development Project: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Staff Perceptions at the University of Jeddah Medical Center

This study aimed to assess the perceptions of staff working at the University of Jeddah (UJ) Medical Center on the possibility of finding new financing methods for the administration and privatization of the primary and specialized medical care services it provides. A questionnaire link was sent online targeting all staff at the UJ Medical Center (n = 141). The questionnaire comprised 17 items under the following sections: demographic information, staff perceptions about the current status of the services provided by the UJ Medical Center and the possibility of finding new financing methods and additional sources of revenue for the administration. Of the 101 questionnaires returned, the majority were filled by males (n = 71; 70.3%). One-third of the participants (n = 39; 38.6%) have between 5 and 9 years of working experience in Medical Administration, and most of them (n = 42; 41.6%) reported that they have a background in the concept of revenue development/privatization/self-resources/paid treatment. Most were satisfied with the current status of the services provided (average rating = 3.39/5). However, most participants (n = 72; 71.3%) reported that the UJ Medical Center is not ready for the Revenue Development Project of privatization. The survey respondents demonstrated satisfaction with the medical services provided by the UJ Medical Center and the potential application of the Revenue Development Project. However, streamlining the privatization process according to the governmental structures is crucial for it to be implemented properly at the UJ Medical Center

Synthesis, characterization, DNA binding, DFT, anticancer, antibacterial, and the effect of gamma irradiation of novel Co(II), Ag (I), and Cd (II) complexes with hydrazone derivatives

Three new Co (II), Ag (I), and Cd (II) ion complexes were created from the ligand, 2-(phenylglycyl)-N-(p-tolyl)hydrazine-1-carbothioamide (H2LB). The structural makeup of the new compounds was clarified using analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Then, using the Gaussian09 software, geometry optimization was done for each synthesis. Furthermore, the compound's antibacterial and anticancer properties were evaluated against different types of bacteria and the HepG2 cell line using non-irradiated and irradiated complexes, where the complex (A1) is higher than them. It was proposed that only an intercalation or replacement technique was used when the ligand and complexes [Co(H2L)(NO3)2]H2O (B1, A1) interacted with CT-DNA. Calculations were made for the intrinsic binding constant Kb. According to a molecular docking study, the ligands and complexes revealed fascinating interactions with the amino acids in the ribosyltransferase active site. (Code: 3GEY)

Cyclophosphazene Intrinsically Derived Heteroatom (S, N, P, O)-Doped Carbon Nanoplates for Ultrasensitive Monitoring of Dopamine from Chicken Samples

A novel, metal-free electrode based on heteroatom (S, N, P, O)-doped carbon nanoplates (SNPO-CPL) modifying lead pencil graphite (LPG) has been synthesized by carbonizing a unique heteroatom (S, N, P, O)-containing novel polymer, poly(cyclcotriphosphazene-co-2,5-dioxy-1,4-dithiane) (PCD), for precise screening of dopamine (DA). The designed electrode, SNPO-CPL-800, with optimized percentage of S, N, P, O doping through the sp2-carbon chain, and a large number of surface defects (thus leading to a maximum exposition number of catalytic active sites) led to fast molecular diffusion through the micro-porous structure and facilitated strong binding interaction with the targeted molecules in the interactive signaling transducer at the electrode–electrolyte interface. The designed SNPO-CPL-800 electrode exhibited a sensitive and selective response towards DA monitoring, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.01 nM. We also monitored DA levels in commercially available chicken samples using the SNPO-CPL-800 electrode even in the presence of interfering species, thus proving the effectiveness of the designed electrode for the precise monitoring of DA in real samples. This research shows there is a strong potential for opening new windows for ultrasensitive DA monitoring with metal-free electrodes