Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Nano-adsorbent Materials in the Sorption of Pb(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Li(I) from Aqueous Solution

In this study, nano-adsorbent materials were synthesized from two different precursors by thermal activation technique. The first was the synthesizing of nano-zinc silicate from chemical reagents of zinc oxide and commercial silica gel. The second was the preparation of nano-pore size activated carbon from different biomass. The synthesized nano-adsorbent materials were characterized by different techniques; Surface Area, FTIR, XRD and SEM. The prepared nano-adsorbent materials were applied in the sorption and separation of some heavy metals from aqueous solution. These metals includes; Pb (II), Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Li(I). Some factors affecting on the sorption process (e.g. contact time and pH) were investigated. It was found that: the nano-zinc silicate (of ratio 1:1 thermally treated at 700 0C) and nano-pores activated carbon (prepared from saw dust impregnated with 70% H3PO4 overnight, then heated to 500 0C in presence of steam for 80 min.) were the best samples for sorption and separation of concerned heavy metals

Decontamination of Uranium-Polluted Groundwater by Chemically-Enhanced, Sawdust-Activated Carbon

The preparation of highly efficient and low-cost activated carbon from sawdust was achieved for the treatment of uranium-contaminated groundwater. The adsorption properties of the synthesized activated carbon, as well as their ability to be reused, were assessed. The obtained results demonstrated that sawdust activated carbon (SDAC) and its amine form (SDACA) had high affinity towards uranium ions at pH values of 4.5 and 5 for SDAC and SDACA, respectively. The experimental results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of uranium was 57.34 and 76.7 mg/g for SDAC and SDACA, respectively. A maximum removal efficiency of 89.72% by SDAC and 99.55% by SDACA were obtained at a solid/liquid ratio of 8 mg/mL. The removal mechanism of uranium by SDAC and SDACA was suggested due to interaction with the amine and carboxylic groups. The validation of the method was verified through uranium separation from synthetic as well as from groundwater collected from water wells in the Wadi Naseib area, Southwestern Sinai, Egypt

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Correction: Epidemiology and outcomes of early-onset AKI in COVID-19-related ARDS in comparison with non-COVID-19-related ARDS: insights from two prospective global cohort studies (Critical Care, (2023), 27, 1, (3), 10.1186/s13054-022-04294-5)

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors identified that the collaborating authors part of the collaborating author group CCCC Consortium was missing. The collaborating author group is available and included as Additional file 1 in this article