Structural and properties of Zn-Al2O3-SiC nano-composite coatings by direct electrolytic process

In this paper, Zn-SiC and Zn-Al2O3-SiC composite coating were fabricated by electrodeposition technique from sulfates bath. The resulting composite coating was carried out by adding Al2O3/SiC particulate to a zinc-containing bath. The properties of the composite coating were investigated by SEM equipped with EDS, XRD, and AFM. The electrochemical behavior of the coating alloy was evaluated in 3.65 % NaCl with linear polarization technique and mechanically examined by durascan microhardness tester. The morphology of the thermal treated coatings at 400 °C in 6 h was viewed with high optical microscope (OPM). The results show hardness, thermal stability, and anti-corrosion properties of Zn-Al2O3-SiC were improved significantly as against Zn- SiC coating matrixes. This was attributed to dispersive strengthening effect and grain induced effort of Al2O3/SiC particulate. The decrease in corrosion and thermal stability at 15 g/L of SiC concentration may be as a result of agglomeration and the superimposed particle in the plating bath

Multifaceted incorporation of Zn-Al2O3/Cr2O3/SiO2 nanocomposite coatings: anti-corrosion, tribological, and thermal stability

Nano-sized particle incorporation into metal matrix has gained worldwide acceptance. Al2O3, Cr2O3, and SiO2 nanoparticles have been co-deposited with Zn using electrodeposition process to produce advanced alloy. The coatings were characterized using SEM/EDX and XRD. The mechanical properties of the coatings were studied using microhardness indenter and dry abrasive wear tester. Zn-10 g/L Cr2O3 nanocomposite exhibited the highest microhardness of 228 HVN; Zn-5 g/L Al2O3 nanocomposite possessed the highest corrosion resistance and lowest wear loss. Zn-5 g/L SiO2 nanocomposite showed good stability against other composite coatings. The incorporation of the Al2O3, Cr2O3, and SiO2 shows grain refinement and modify orientation on Zn matrix

Antibiotic resistance in community-acquired pneumonia. A romanian perspective

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common communicable diseases with a high mortality rate worldwide. Treatment is administered empirically based on clinical symptoms and the most commonly incriminated microorganisms in lower respiratory infections responsible for CAP. This study aimed to identify microorganisms responsible for CAP in patients hospitalized in an Emergency Hospital in Bucharest, Romania; to assess the impact of patients’ comorbidities and age on the survival level and to establish the degree of antimicrobial resistance of the most important isolated species. A total of 170 patients diagnosed with CAP from December 2017 through December 2018 were studied. Statistical analyses were performed considering the following data: survival rate, comorbidities, initiated pharmacotherapy, antibiogram results in case of refractory treatments. The overall survival rate was 36% among patients. Cardiovascular disease was incriminated as the highest risk factor. Concerning refractory antibiotic treatment, the microbiological results revealed that the most common bacterial strains detected were Klebsiella sp., Acinetobacter baumanii, S. aureus, E. coli and Pseudomonas, with high multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index. The results point out a real concern for patients with refractory CAP due to high antimicrobial resistance to the administered antibiotics in Romania. © 2020, Romanian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences. All rights reserved