In-situ electro-generation and activation of hydrogen peroxide using a CuFeNLDH-CNTs modified graphite cathode for degradation of cefazolin

The modified multifunctional electrodes for electro-Fenton (EF) process are suggested to be promising cathodes for in situ electro-generation and activation of H2O2 to produce hydroxyl radicals ((OH)-O-center dot). However, heterogeneous EF process still faces the challenges of limited catalytic activity and releasing of massive amounts of transition metals to the solution after removal of organic pollutants. The main aim of the present investigation was to prepare a cathode containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and CuFe nano-layered double hydroxide (NLDH) for degradation and mineralization of cefazolin antibiotic through electro-Fenton process. Structural and electrochemical analyses demonstrated that CuFeNLDH-CNTs nanocomposite was successfully incorporated on the surface of graphite cathode. Due to the increased formation of (OH)-O-center dot in the reactor, the incorporation of CNTs into NLDH matrix with a catalyst loading of 0.1 g substantially improved the degradation efficiency of cefazolin (89.9%) in comparison with CNTs-coated (28.7%) and bare graphite cathode (22.8%) within 100 mM. In the presence of 15 mM of ethanol, the degradation efficiency of cefazolin was remarkably decreased to 43.7% by the process, indicating the major role of (OH)-O-center dot in the destruction of target molecules. Acidic conditions favored the degradation efficiency of cefazolin by the modified EF process. Mineralization efficiency of the bio-refractory compound was obtained to be 70.1% in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) analysis after 300 min. The gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis was also implemented to identify the intermediate byproducts generated during the degradation of cefazolin in the CuFeNLDH-CNTs/EF reactor.Peer reviewe

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Implementation of new IT system in a large organization : Opportunities and problems from a user perspective

Denna studie är baserad på en organisationsförändring inom Länsförsäkringsgruppen. Länsförsäkringar består av 23 lokala och självständiga försäkringsbolag som är verksamma under samma varumärke. Genom att införa ett gemensamt arbetssätt på samtliga länsförsäkringsbolagen för reglering av byggskador som är kopplat till stödsystemet Meps 2.0 avsågs att öka kundnöjdheten. Det övergripande syftet med studien är att undersöka vad som kan läras och förstås av användarnas perspektiv, i detta fall skadereglerarna, om möjligheter och hinder för lärande av nya arbetssätt i samband med implementering av nytt IT-system. Att förstå på vilka sätt personalens erfarenheter kan komma till användning för utveckling av ett gemensamt arbetssätt i en organisation är ett ytterligare syfte med undersökningen. I denna undersökning genomförs en enkätundersökning som bildar underlag för fallstudier på två utvalda länsförsäkringsbolag. Fallstudier består av individuella intervjuer med en gruppchef och tre medarbetare på länsförsäkringsbolagen samt observationer av informanterna. Insamlad data bearbetas och analyseras med koppling till litteratur och genom tematisk analys som metod. Resultaten visar att strukturer tillsammans med relationella och sociala aspekter har en väsentlig roll för att genomföra en lyckad förändring inom en organisation. Vikten av människors aktiva delaktighet i förändringsarbeten understryks och det hittas nödvändigt att de involverade människorna är med på vad en viss förändring innebär och varför den behövs. Vidare visar de uppnådda resultaten att Communities of practice med fördel kan tillämpas inom en organisation för att dra nytta av kollektivets styrka i olika områden och för att kunna utveckla nya kulturella resurser som nya sätt arbeta på i en organisation.This study is based on an organizational change within the Länsförsäkringar group. Länsförsäkringar consists of 23 local and independent insurance companies operating under the same brand. By introducing a joint work method for settlement of building damages which is related to the support system Meps 2.0 to all insurance companies inside the group, it was intended to increase customer satisfaction. The overall aim of the study is to investigate what can be learned and understood from the users' perspectives, in this case the claims adjusters, about opportunities and obstacles for learning new ways of working in connection with the implementation of a new IT system. Understanding the ways in which staff experiences can be used to develop a common way of working in an organization is a further purpose of the study. In this study, a survey is conducted which forms the basis for case studies on two selected companies inside Länsförsäkringar group. Case studies consist of individual interviews with a group manager and three employees at each company as well as observations of the informants. Empirical data is processed and analyzed regarding literature and through thematic analysis as a method. The results show that structures together with relational and social aspects play an important role in implementing successful change in an organization. The importance of people's active involvement in a change is emphasized and it is found necessary that the people involved understand what a certain change means and why it is needed. Furthermore, the results achieved show that Communities of Practice can be used in an organization to benefit from the strengths of the community in different areas and to develop new cultural resources like new ways of working in an organization

Implementation of new IT system in a large organization : Opportunities and problems from a user perspective

Denna studie är baserad på en organisationsförändring inom Länsförsäkringsgruppen. Länsförsäkringar består av 23 lokala och självständiga försäkringsbolag som är verksamma under samma varumärke. Genom att införa ett gemensamt arbetssätt på samtliga länsförsäkringsbolagen för reglering av byggskador som är kopplat till stödsystemet Meps 2.0 avsågs att öka kundnöjdheten. Det övergripande syftet med studien är att undersöka vad som kan läras och förstås av användarnas perspektiv, i detta fall skadereglerarna, om möjligheter och hinder för lärande av nya arbetssätt i samband med implementering av nytt IT-system. Att förstå på vilka sätt personalens erfarenheter kan komma till användning för utveckling av ett gemensamt arbetssätt i en organisation är ett ytterligare syfte med undersökningen. I denna undersökning genomförs en enkätundersökning som bildar underlag för fallstudier på två utvalda länsförsäkringsbolag. Fallstudier består av individuella intervjuer med en gruppchef och tre medarbetare på länsförsäkringsbolagen samt observationer av informanterna. Insamlad data bearbetas och analyseras med koppling till litteratur och genom tematisk analys som metod. Resultaten visar att strukturer tillsammans med relationella och sociala aspekter har en väsentlig roll för att genomföra en lyckad förändring inom en organisation. Vikten av människors aktiva delaktighet i förändringsarbeten understryks och det hittas nödvändigt att de involverade människorna är med på vad en viss förändring innebär och varför den behövs. Vidare visar de uppnådda resultaten att Communities of practice med fördel kan tillämpas inom en organisation för att dra nytta av kollektivets styrka i olika områden och för att kunna utveckla nya kulturella resurser som nya sätt arbeta på i en organisation.This study is based on an organizational change within the Länsförsäkringar group. Länsförsäkringar consists of 23 local and independent insurance companies operating under the same brand. By introducing a joint work method for settlement of building damages which is related to the support system Meps 2.0 to all insurance companies inside the group, it was intended to increase customer satisfaction. The overall aim of the study is to investigate what can be learned and understood from the users' perspectives, in this case the claims adjusters, about opportunities and obstacles for learning new ways of working in connection with the implementation of a new IT system. Understanding the ways in which staff experiences can be used to develop a common way of working in an organization is a further purpose of the study. In this study, a survey is conducted which forms the basis for case studies on two selected companies inside Länsförsäkringar group. Case studies consist of individual interviews with a group manager and three employees at each company as well as observations of the informants. Empirical data is processed and analyzed regarding literature and through thematic analysis as a method. The results show that structures together with relational and social aspects play an important role in implementing successful change in an organization. The importance of people's active involvement in a change is emphasized and it is found necessary that the people involved understand what a certain change means and why it is needed. Furthermore, the results achieved show that Communities of Practice can be used in an organization to benefit from the strengths of the community in different areas and to develop new cultural resources like new ways of working in an organization

Implementation of new IT system in a large organization : Opportunities and problems from a user perspective

Denna studie är baserad på en organisationsförändring inom Länsförsäkringsgruppen. Länsförsäkringar består av 23 lokala och självständiga försäkringsbolag som är verksamma under samma varumärke. Genom att införa ett gemensamt arbetssätt på samtliga länsförsäkringsbolagen för reglering av byggskador som är kopplat till stödsystemet Meps 2.0 avsågs att öka kundnöjdheten. Det övergripande syftet med studien är att undersöka vad som kan läras och förstås av användarnas perspektiv, i detta fall skadereglerarna, om möjligheter och hinder för lärande av nya arbetssätt i samband med implementering av nytt IT-system. Att förstå på vilka sätt personalens erfarenheter kan komma till användning för utveckling av ett gemensamt arbetssätt i en organisation är ett ytterligare syfte med undersökningen. I denna undersökning genomförs en enkätundersökning som bildar underlag för fallstudier på två utvalda länsförsäkringsbolag. Fallstudier består av individuella intervjuer med en gruppchef och tre medarbetare på länsförsäkringsbolagen samt observationer av informanterna. Insamlad data bearbetas och analyseras med koppling till litteratur och genom tematisk analys som metod. Resultaten visar att strukturer tillsammans med relationella och sociala aspekter har en väsentlig roll för att genomföra en lyckad förändring inom en organisation. Vikten av människors aktiva delaktighet i förändringsarbeten understryks och det hittas nödvändigt att de involverade människorna är med på vad en viss förändring innebär och varför den behövs. Vidare visar de uppnådda resultaten att Communities of practice med fördel kan tillämpas inom en organisation för att dra nytta av kollektivets styrka i olika områden och för att kunna utveckla nya kulturella resurser som nya sätt arbeta på i en organisation.This study is based on an organizational change within the Länsförsäkringar group. Länsförsäkringar consists of 23 local and independent insurance companies operating under the same brand. By introducing a joint work method for settlement of building damages which is related to the support system Meps 2.0 to all insurance companies inside the group, it was intended to increase customer satisfaction. The overall aim of the study is to investigate what can be learned and understood from the users' perspectives, in this case the claims adjusters, about opportunities and obstacles for learning new ways of working in connection with the implementation of a new IT system. Understanding the ways in which staff experiences can be used to develop a common way of working in an organization is a further purpose of the study. In this study, a survey is conducted which forms the basis for case studies on two selected companies inside Länsförsäkringar group. Case studies consist of individual interviews with a group manager and three employees at each company as well as observations of the informants. Empirical data is processed and analyzed regarding literature and through thematic analysis as a method. The results show that structures together with relational and social aspects play an important role in implementing successful change in an organization. The importance of people's active involvement in a change is emphasized and it is found necessary that the people involved understand what a certain change means and why it is needed. Furthermore, the results achieved show that Communities of Practice can be used in an organization to benefit from the strengths of the community in different areas and to develop new cultural resources like new ways of working in an organization

Waste to catalyst: Role of agricultural waste in water and wastewater treatment

Presently, owing to the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization activities, a huge quantity of wastewater is generated that contain toxic chemical and heavy metals, imposing higher environmental jeopardies and affecting the life of living well-being and the economy of the counties, if not treated appropriately. Subsequently, the advancement in sustainable cost-effective wastewater treatment technology has attracted more attention from policymakers, legislators, and scientific communities. Therefore, the current review intends to highlight the recent development and applications of biochars and/or green nanoparticles (NPs) produced from agricultural waste via green routes in removing the refractory pollutants from water and wastewater. This review also highlights the contemporary application and mechanism of biochar-supported advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for the removal of organic pollutants in water and wastewater. Although, the fabrication and application of agriculture waste-derived biochar and NPs are considered a greener approach, nevertheless, before scaling up production and application, its toxicological and life-cycle challenges must be taken into account. Furthermore, future efforts should be carried out towards process engineering to enhance the performance of green catalysts to improve the economy of the process. © 2022 Elsevier B.V

Development of High Accuracy Classifier for the Speaker Recognition System

Speech signal is enriched with plenty of features used for biometrical recognition and other applications like gender and emotional recognition. Channel conditions manifested by background noise and reverberation are the main challenges causing feature shifts in the test and training data. In this paper, a hybrid speaker identification model for consistent speech features and high recognition accuracy is made. Features using Mel frequency spectrum coefficients (MFCC) have been improved by incorporating a pitch frequency coefficient from speech time domain analysis. In order to enhance noise immunity, we proposed a single hidden layer feed-forward neural network (FFNN) tuned by an optimized particle swarm optimization (OPSO) algorithm. The proposed model is tested using 10-fold cross-validation over different levels of Adaptive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) (0-50 dB). A recognition accuracy of 97.83% was obtained from the proposed model in clean voice environments. However, a noisy channel is realized with lesser impact on the proposed model as compared with other baseline classifiers such as plain-FFNN, random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbour (KNN), and support vector machine (SVM)