Synthesis of microcrystalline cellulose from banana pseudo-stem for adsorption of organics from aqueous solution

In this study, we proposed and tested a green method for producing microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with high quality from waste banana pseudo-stem (BPS) after fruit harvesting. The MCC was synthesized by treating BPS with sulfuric acid, sodium hydroxide, and H2O2solution.The produced MCC material was then characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis to explore its properties. The removal of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution was conducted by batch adsorption method to evaluate the applicability of MCC for wastewater treatment. The results showed that the adsorption using MCC reached equilibrium after 15 min. The highest MB adsorption capacity of MCC reached 16.6mg/g at pH 6. The adsorption kinetics data were best described by the pseudo second order rate equation. Equilibrium isotherm data of adsorption were well fitted to the linear Langmuir isotherm model. Affecting factors such as adsorbent dosage, initial concentration of MB, and temperature were also investigated. These results suggest a great potential use of MCC for advanced wastewater treatment

Enhancing the Activity and Stability of CuO/OMS-2 Catalyst for CO Oxidation at Low Temperature by Modification with Metal Oxides

In this study, mixed oxides of Mn-Cu and Fe-Cu on OMS-2 support having an octahedral structure were synthesized by the refluxing and impregnation methods. The characteristics of the materials were analyzed by XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, and H2-TPR. In the CO oxidation test, CuFeOx/OMS-2 had slightly higher catalytic activity but is significantly more stable than CuMnOx/OMS-2 and CuO/OMS-2. Due to its lower reduction temperature in H2-TPR analysis, the Mars-Van-Krevelen mechanism for CuFeOx/OMS-2 (Cu2+–O–Fe3+ ↔ Cu+–□–Fe2+) could take place more energetically than CuO/OMS-2 and CuMnOx/OMS-2 (Cu2+–O2−–Mn4+ ↔ Cu+–□–Mn3+). In addition, the interaction between Fe and Cu in the catalyst could improve the durability of the surface oxides structure in comparison with that between Mn and Cu. With the high specific rate and TOF of 28.6 mmol/h.g and 0.508, respectively, CuFeOx/OMS-2 has a great potential as an effective catalyst for low-temperature oxidation application in CO and possible VOCs removal

Acceptance and User Experiences of a Wearable Device for the Management of Hospitalized Patients in COVID-19–Designated Wards in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Action Learning Project

BackgroundWearable devices have been used extensively both inside and outside of the hospital setting. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in some contexts, there was an increased need to remotely monitor pulse and saturated oxygen for patients due to the lack of staff and bedside monitors. ObjectiveA prototype of a remote monitoring system using wearable pulse oximeter devices was implemented at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August to December 2021. The aim of this work was to support the ongoing implementation of the remote monitoring system. MethodsWe used an action learning approach with rapid pragmatic methods, including informal discussions and observations as well as a feedback survey form designed based on the technology acceptance model to assess the use and acceptability of the system. Based on these results, we facilitated a meeting using user-centered design principles to explore user needs and ideas about its development in more detail. ResultsIn total, 21 users filled in the feedback form. The mean technology acceptance model scores ranged from 3.5 (for perceived ease of use) to 4.4 (for attitude) with behavioral intention (3.8) and perceived usefulness (4.2) scoring in between. Those working as nurses scored higher on perceived usefulness, attitude, and behavioral intention than did physicians. Based on informal discussions, we realized there was a mismatch between how we (ie, the research team) and the ward teams perceived the use and wider purpose of the technology. ConclusionsDesigning and implementing the devices to be more nurse-centric from their introduction could have helped to increase their efficiency and use during the complex pandemic period

Behavior of hospitalized severe influenza cases according to the outcome variable in Catalonia, Spain, during the 2017-2018 season

Altres ajuts: Programme of Prevention, Surveillance and Control of Transmissible Diseases (PREVICET); CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP).Influenza is an important cause of severe illness and death among patients with underlying medical conditions and in the elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with ICU admission and death in patients hospitalized with severe laboratory-confirmed influenza during the 2017-2018 season in Catalonia. An observational epidemiological case-to-case study was carried out. Reported cases of severe laboratory-confirmed influenza requiring hospitalization in 2017-2018 influenza season were included. Mixed-effects regression analysis was used to estimate the factors associated with ICU admission and death. A total of 1306 cases of hospitalized severe influenza cases were included, of whom 175 (13.4%) died and 217 (16.6%) were ICU admitted. Age 65-74 years and ≥ 75 years and having ≥ 2 comorbidities were positively associated with death (aOR 3.19; 95%CI 1.19-8.50, aOR 6.95, 95%CI 2.76-1.80 and aOR 1.99; 95%CI 1.12-3.52, respectively). Neuraminidase inhibitor treatment and pneumonia were negatively associated with death. The 65-74 years and ≥ 75 years age groups were negatively associated with ICU admission (aOR 0.41; 95%CI 0.23-0.74 and aOR 0.30; 95%CI 0.17-0.53, respectively). A factor positively associated with ICU admission was neuraminidase inhibitor treatment. Our results support the need to investigate the worst outcomes of hospitalized severe cases, distinguishing between death and ICU admission