Application Of Digital Camera Data For Air Quality Detection.

Air pollution problem becomes increasingly critical in this present-day, whether in the developed or developing countries. Air management is one of the important issues in this 21st century. Malaysia is also affected by this problem

Remote Sensing Of Pm10 From Landsat Tm Imagery.

Air pollution concentration has been estimated over Penang Island from Landsat TM 7. In-situ measurements of the corresponding air pollution parameter (particulate matter less than 10 micron, PM10) were carried out simultaneously with the acquisition of the satellite imagery

Single-atom catalysts: A review of synthesis strategies and their potential for biofuel production

Biofuels have been derived from various feedstocks by using thermochemical or biochemical procedures. In order to synthesise liquid and gas biofuel efficiently, single-atom catalysts (SACs) and single-atom alloys (SAAs) have been used in the reaction to promote it. SACs are made up of single metal atoms that are anchored or confined to a suitable support to keep them stable, while SAAs are materials generated by bi-and multi-metallic complexes, where one of these metals is atomically distributed in such a material. The structure of SACs and SAAs influences their catalytic performance. The challenge to practically using SACs in biofuel production is to design SACs and SAAs that are stable and able to operate efficiently during reaction. Hence, the present study reviews the system and configuration of SACs and SAAs, stabilisation strategies such as mutual metal support interaction and geometric coordination, and the synthesis strategies. This paper aims to provide useful and informative knowledge about the current synthesis strategies of SACs and SAAs for future development in the field of biofuel production

Dissemination of multiple carbapenem-resistant clones of Acinetobacter baumannii in the Eastern District of Saudi Arabia

It has previously been shown that carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii are frequently detected in Saudi Arabia. The present study aimed to identify the epidemiology and distribution of antibiotic resistance determinants in these bacteria. A total of 83 A. baumannii isolates were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and screened by PCR for carbapenemase genes and insertion sequences. Antibiotic sensitivity to imipenem, meropenem, tigecycline, and colistin were determined. Eight different PFGE groups were identified, and were spread across multiple hospitals. Many of the PFGE groups contained isolates belonging to World-wide clone 2. Carbapenem resistance or intermediate resistance was detected in 69% of isolates. The blaVIM gene was detected in 94% of isolates, while blaOXA–23–like genes were detected in 58%. The data demonstrate the co-existence and wide distribution of a number of clones of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii carrying multiple carbapenem-resistance determinants within hospitals in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia

Production of renewable diesel from Jatropha curcas oil via pyrolytic-deoxygenation over various multi-wall carbon nanotube-based catalysts

Jatropha curcas is a highly toxic plant that produces seed containing viscous oil with productivity (2 ton/ha), it grows in tropical and sub-tropical regions and offer greater adaptability to a wide range of climatic and soil conditions. Its oils have been noted as an important alternative to produce green diesel via deoxygenation reaction. This study, deoxygenation of jatropha curcas oil (JCO) was carried out over NiO–Fe2O3 and NiO–ZnO catalysts that supported onto multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). It had found that high Fe and Zn dosages were ineffective in deoxygenation and greatest activity was observed on NiO(20) Fe2O3(5)/MWCNT catalyst. Structure-activity correlations revealed that low metal loading, large density of weak + medium acidic sites and strong basic sites play key role in enhancing the catalytic activities and n-(C15+C17) selectivity. Comparing carbon nanostructures and carbon micron size supported NiO-Fe2O3 revealed that green diesel obtained from NiO–Fe2O3/MWCNT catalysed deoxygenation had the highest heating value and the lowest amounts of oxygen content. Thereby, it confirmed the importance of carbon nanostructure as the catalyst support in improving the diesel quality. Considering the high reusability of NiO-Fe2O3/MWCNT (6 consecutive runs) and superior green diesel properties (flash point, cloud properties and cetane index) demonstrated the NiO–Fe2O3/MWCNT catalyst offers great option in producing excellent properties of green diesel for energy sector

Perception and satisfaction of stakeholders regarding the patient care area pharmacist initiative in a military hospital in Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To explore the perceptions and satisfaction of stakeholders (physicians, nurses, and pharmacists) regarding services provided by the patient care area pharmacist (PCAP) initiative. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC). The questionnaire was hand-delivered to a random sample of stakeholder groups (including physicians, nurses, and pharmacists) in three different areas of the hospital: the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), high dependency unit (HDU), and pediatric nephrology. The questionnaire consisted of three sections. The first section collected demographic information of the participants, and the other sections collected anonymous opinions regarding services provided by the PCAP. Results: Ninety-nine participants, comprising physicians (n = 27; 27.27 %), nurses (n = 55; 55.55%), inpatient pharmacists (n = 13; 13.13%), and PCAPs (n = 4; 4.04%), participated in the survey. A majority of the respondents (92.3 %) were satisfied with the PCAP services, and all respondents recommended expansion of the PCAP service to cover all wards. Conclusion: The findings show that all participants have a positive perception of the PCAP service; PCAPs were seen by the participants as drug experts, and their recommendations were perceived as clinically relevant. All stakeholders sought to continue working with the PCAP. Keywords: Patient care, PCAP, Attitude, Satisfaction, Pharmac

In-situ operando and ex-situ study on light hydrocarbon-like-diesel and catalyst deactivation kinetic and mechanism study during deoxygenation of sludge oil

Deoxygenation is a highly significant means of generating oxygen-free hydrocarbon fuels from liquid biomass. This study will deoxygenate sludge palm oil (FFA % = 42.35%) in an H2-free atmosphere through a series of Mn-Co supported AC catalysts (MnO0.5CoO0.5/AC, Mn0.5Co0.5S/AC and Mn0.5Co0.5P/AC). The XAS in-situ results confirm that the preparation method of formation the catalyst structure was successful. The catalytic results show that by oligomerizing unsaturated fatty acids produced during Diels-Alder reactions or radical additions, the MnO0.5)CoO0.5/AC can largely enhance the production of heavy products. It is a straightforward process to transform these heavy products into coke species, which enables the rapid deactivation of the catalyst. This study additionally showed that AC-supported sulphide and phosphide Mn-Co catalysts are hugely beneficial for steadily and reliably acquiring an above-average yield of diesel-range hydrocarbons at substantially reduced temperatures whilst simultaneously effectively impeding catalyst deactivation during deoxygenation. The deactivation kinetic study conform that the deactivation happens by the coke formation and flow the second order deactivation

Single-step catalytic deoxygenation-cracking of tung oil to bio-jet fuel over CoW/silica-alumina catalysts

Bifunctional Co-W catalysts with variable Co-W dosages on silica-alumina (SA) were prepared and tested for the catalytic deoxygenation-cracking of tung oil (TO) for the production of jet fuel (n-(C10-C16)) fractions. The CoW/SA catalyst appeared to be most active (hydrocarbon yield = 69%, jet fuel selectivity = 60%) and outperformed the monometallic Co and W analogues. Based on the effect of metal dosage, Co– and W-rich catalysts do not provide a workable approach in enhancing deoxygenation-cracking of the TO for jet fuel production, and overly cracking can be successfully controlled at lower metal dosages (5 wt% Co, 10 wt% W). The CoW/SA reusability study showed a consistent deoxygenation-cracking ability for four runs with hydrocarbon yields within the range of 77–84% and 64–77% jet fuel selectivity. GCMS analysis and physicochemical properties of TO oil fuel (TO-gasoline, TO-jet, TO diesel) confirmed that rich aromatic species in TO-diesel negatively affected the quality of the fuels. TO-fuels with a short chain had better combustion properties than those with a longer chain hydrocarbon. The TO-jet qualities are complied with standard Jet A-1 in accordance to ASTM D1655 and DEF STAN 91–91 specification standards. The TO-jet also exhibited excellent cold properties and superior combustion characteristic than Jet A-1

Novel micro-structured carbon-based adsorbents for notorious arsenic removal from wastewater

The contamination of groundwater by arsenic (As) in Bangladesh is the biggest impairing of a population, with a large number of peoples affected. Specifically, groundwater of Gangetic Delta is alarmingly contaminated with arsenic. Similar, perilous circumstances exist in many other countries and consequently, there is a dire need to develop cost-effective decentralized filtration unit utilizing low-cost adsorbents for eliminating arsenic from water. Morphological synthesis of carbon with unique spherical, nanorod, and massive nanostructures were achieved by solvothermal method. Owing to their intrinsic adsorption properties and different nanostructures, these nanostructures were employed as adsorption of arsenic in aqueous solution, with the purpose to better understanding the morphological effect in adsorption. It clearly demonstrated that carbon with nanorods morphology exhibited an excellent adsorption activity of arsenite (about 82%) at pH 3, remarkably superior to the two with solid sphere and massive microstructures, because of its larger specific surface area, enhanced acid strength and improved adsorption capacity. Furthermore, we discovered that iron hydroxide radicals and energy induced contact point formation in nanorods are the responsible for the high adsorption of As in aqueous solution. Thus, our work provides insides into the microstructure-dependent capability of different carbon for As adsorption applications

Advances in physiochemical and biotechnological approaches for sustainable metal recovery from e-waste: A critical review

A large amount of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) has been generated due to the tenacious scientific development and therefore, the improvement of expectations for everyday comforts. The unprecedented acceleration of electronic waste (e-waste) and informal disposal at end-of-life display the adverse impact of digitalization. Recently, home teleworking has increased a wide range of sectors and occupations which may eventually lead to increase the generation of e-waste. Effective management of e-waste is urgently required for protecting environment as well as human well-being’s. In view of the precious metal content and rare earth elements, WPCBs could become a sustainable source of precious metals. Appropriate eco-friendly strategies to recover metals from WPCBs are therefore imperative and crucial for e-waste management. Recent progress in metal recovery through gravity, density, electrostatic and integrated approaches were investigated dependent on previous contribution to provide an overview of present recycling status. The mechanism and factors influencing the metal recovery efficiency in a countercurrent operation were critically reviewed. The application of biotechnological approach for metal recovery was discussed from the theoretical and experimental views. The hazardous impact on human health and environment due to the toxic substances released from e-waste were highlighted. Finally, the limitations and perspectives towards the sustainable process for recovery of metals from e-waste were discussed