Nano Fe3O4-activated carbon composites for aqueous supercapacitors

In this study, a symmetric supercapacitor has been fabricated by adopting the nanostructured iron oxide (Fe3O4)-activated carbon (AC) composite as the core electrode materials. The composite electrodes were prepared via a facile mechanical mixing process and PTFE polymeric solution has been used as the electrode material binder. Structural analysis of the nanocomposite electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. The electrochemical performances of the prepared supercapacitor were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 1.0 M Na2SO3 and 1.0 M Na2SO4 aqueous solutions, respectively. The experimental results showed that the highest specific capacitance of 43 F/g is achieved with a fairly low Fe3O4 nanomaterials loading (4 wt. %) in 1 M Na2SO3. It is clear that the low concentration of nanostructured Fe3O4 has improved the capacitive performance of the composite via pseudocapacitance charge storage mechanism as well as the enhancement on the specific surface areas of the electrode. However, further increasing of the Fe3O4 content in the electrode is found to distort the capacitive performance and deteriorate the specific surface area of the electrode, mainly due to the aggregation of the Fe3O4 particles within the composite. Additionally, the CV results showed that the Fe3O4/AC nanocomposite electrode in Na2SO3 electrolyte exhibits a better charge storage performance if compared with Na2SO4 solution. It is believed that Fe3O4 nanoparticles can provide favourable surface adsorption sites for sulphite (SO32-) anions which act as catalysts for subsequent redox and intercalation reactions

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Physical properties of cuprous oxide thin films grown on n-Si substrate by Sol-Gel spin coating

Cu2O films were grown on n-Si substrates via the sol-gel spin-coating method. The films were annealed under 5% H2 + 95% N2 atmosphere at 350°C, 450°C and 550°C. Diffractogram obtained by the grazing angle x-ray diffractometry showed that the crystallinity of the films increased with increasing annealing temperature. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed that the Cu2O films contain grains of irregular size indicating that the film growth followed the Volmer-Weber growth mode. The micrographs showed the size evolved from irregular shapes with average size of 100 nm at 350°C into rectangular shapes with average size of 200 nm at 550°C. Optical reflectance for 450°C and 550°C film increased gradually at wavelength 480 nm. Higher reflectance for the 450°C film might be due to better coverage of the film. It also showed that optical absorption occured at wavelength below 480 nm

Effect of Phytase and Carbohydrase on Utilization of Parboiled Rice Polish for the Growth of Broilers

A total of 192 d-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were fed ad libitum up to 42 d of 16 isonitrogeneous and isocaloric diets of different combination levels of phytase (0, 750, 1000 and 1250FYT/kg) (FYT=Feed Grade Yield Treatment Unit) and carbohydrase (0, 80, 100 and 120ppm/kg) for a better utilization of parboiled rice polish (PRP) in broiler diet. The growth rate, feed conversion efficiency, survivability, meat yield and profitability increased almost linearly by using increased levels of mixed enzymes in PRP based diets. Therefore, it was concluded that it is feasible to reduce grain by using abundant PRP in ration with the supplementation of phytase and carbohydrase, and this treatment may be an efficient and economic way to improve performance of broiler as well as profitability

Rate-dependent responses of electroless plated and sputtered copper layer during nanoindentation loading

A thin copper layer is an integral part of a Through-Silicon via (TSV) structure. The copper layer experiences mechanical stressing through the temperature excursion, thus raising reliability concern of the component. Such reliability assessment calls for the determination of the mechanical properties of the thin layer. In this respect, this paper discusses the experimental study to establish the loading rate-dependent behavior of the Cu layer deposited on SiO2-coated Si substrate. A series of nanoindentation tests are performed on sputtered and electroless plated copper layer. The tests cover a range of probe displacement rates from 80-400 nm/s and indentation depths up to 400 nm. Load-displacement (depth) data pairs are recorded for each test. Results show that an indentation depth of 3% of the Cu layer thickness is sufficient to eliminate the effect of surface morphology on the indentation load-displacement response. The load-displacement response of the electroless plated copper layer significantly decreases with the test speed, while a minor increase in similar effect is observed for the sputtered layer

ZnO nanonails: Organometallic synthesis, self-assembly and enhanced hydrogen gas production

We report the rational synthesis and characterizations of defect-rich zinc oxide (ZnO) nanonails that were prepared by organometallic approach and their implementation as an efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen (H2) generation. The ZnO nanonails were prepared from zinc stearate in n-octadecene that serves as non-coordinating solvent without the presence of any capping agent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies reveal that the individual triangular prismatic nanonail has an average edge length of 50–70 nm and it appears to have preferred growth orientation along [0001] crystal axis. Intriguingly, this nanonails show oriented-attachment along the flat-basal edge and self-assembled into twinned structure. Such structure is interconnected via a narrow-gap to form symmetrical twinned-like nanonails with truncated tips at both ends. In comparison to ZnO commercial nanopowder, ZnO nanonails show significant enhancement in photocatalytic H2 gas generation rate of 53.33% under UV light for 5 h. These results demonstrate ZnO nanonails to be a substantial potential photocatalyst for efficient photocatalytic applications

Synthesis of Iron Oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic nanocrystals by green chemistry approach

In the present study, we report the size distribution study on the iron oxide (Fe3O4) magnetic nanocrystals (NCs), which have been synthesized by using green chemistry approach with palm-oil based carboxylic compound (oleic acid) as capping ligands. The Fe3O4 NCs were prepared by one pot reaction under non-hydrolytic approach. With the assistance of oleic acid that plays the role as effective capping-ligands, we showed that the Fe3O4 NCs that are highly monodispersed in size and shape can be synthesized by scrupulously controlling the reaction time. The diameter of Fe3O4 NCs can be tuned within the range of 4.0-18.0 nm and exhibit very uniform morphology, which are spherical in shape. Current synthetic approach offers a cheap, environmentally benign and excellent repeatability route in large-scale production of high-quality magnetic Fe3O4 NCs if compared to the preceding reports

High p53 protein expression in therapy-related myeloid neoplasms is associated with adverse karyotype and poor outcome

Molecular tumour pathology - and tumour genetic

A narrative review of the impact of forest rehabilitation programs on soil quality in Peninsular Malaysia

The rehabilitation of forest areas is not new to Malaysia as forest replanting activities have been carried out throughout the country for years to meet the demand for woody and non-woody products as well as to nurture degraded forestland. Thus it is important for a soil to be evaluated to ascertain the degree to which rehabilitation activities have succeeded in restoring forest health, particularly in sustaining soil quality in rehabilitated forests. This review article aims to provide a corpus of information for forest managers and related agencies who work closely with forestry. The aim is to provide an overview on the importance of soil quality in measuring the success of forest rehabilitation programs. Research articles on the evaluation of soil properties at selected rehabilitated forests in Peninsular Malaysia were included in the review. The impact of forest rehabilitation in relation to soil properties comprising soil compaction, moisture, acidity, macronutrients, cation exchange capacity, microbial count, microbial enzymatic activity, and microbial biomass is discussed. Natural forest is used as a benchmark to see the effect of forest rehabilitation programs. Our review indicates that rehabilitated forests that were established earlier and have gone through a longer period of time have better soil quality compared to the soil of forests established later. This shows that rehabilitated forests are able to restore their soil quality and achieve fertility on par with natural forests, if given longer periods of time for recovery. Soil quality analyses should be done regularly to measure the extent of success in rehabilitation programs