Electrochemical strategy for grown ZnO nanoparticles deposited onto HY zeolite with enhanced photodecolorization of methylene blue: Effect of the formation of Si O Zn bonds

Nanoparticles of electrogenerated zinc-supported HY zeolite (EGZnO/HY) catalyst were prepared by a simple electrochemical method. The interaction between zinc species and HY support during the electrolysis was found to affect the EGZnO/HY structure. In addition to the formation of EGZnO nanoparticles (<30 nm in size) that distributed on the surface of HY support, an isomorphous substitution of Al with Zn also occurred in the aluminosilicate framework to result in a Si O Zn bonds. The photoactivity of EGZnO/HY was tested on the decolorization of methylene blue (MB). An amount of 0.375 g L−1 of 1 wt% EGZnO/HY was found to be the optimum dosage for 10 mg L−1 MB, which resulted in 80% of maximum decolorization after 6 h of contact time at pH 3 under fluorescent light (420 nm). Increasing the EGZnO loading led to additional formation of Si O Zn bonds and lessened the number of EGZnO nanoparticles, which then reduced the photodecolorization percentage of MB.The photocatalytic reaction was follows the first-order Langmuir–Hinshelwood model, and gives partially mineralization. The photocatalyst was still stable after five cycling runs with no Zn leaching

Hydrogen production from plastic waste: A comprehensive simulation and machine learning study

Gasification, a highly efficient method, is under extensive investigation due to its potential to convert biomass and plastic waste into eco-friendly energy sources and valuable fuels. Nevertheless, there exists a gap in comprehension regarding the integrated thermochemical process of polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP) and its capability to produce hydrogen (H2) fuel. In this study a comprehensive process simulation using a quasi-equilibrium approach based on minimizing Gibbs free energy has been introduced. To enhance H2 content, a water-gas shift (WGS) reactor and a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit were integrated for effective H2 separation, increasing H2 production to 27.81 kg/h. To investigate the operating conditions on the process the effects of three key variables in a gasification reactor namely gasification temperature, feedstock flow rate and gasification pressure have been explored using sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, several machine learning models have been utilized to discover and optimize maximum capacity of the process for H2 production. The sensitivity analysis reveals that elevating the gasification temperature from 500 °C to 1200 °C results in higher production of H2 up to 23 % and carbon monoxide (CO). However, generating H2 above 900 °C does not lead to a significant upturn in process capacity. Conversely, an increase in pressure within the gasification reactor is shown to decrease the system capacity for generating both H2 and CO. Moreover, increasing the mass flow rate of the gasifying agent to 250 kg/h in the gasification reactor has shown to be merely productive in process capacity for H2 generation, almost a 5 % increase. Regarding pressure, the hydrogen yield decreases from 22.64 % to 17.4 % with an increase in pressure from 1 to 10 bar. It has been also revealed that gasification temperature has more predominant effect on Cold gas efficiency (CGE) compared to gasification pressure and Highest CGE Has been shown by PP at 1200 °C. Among the various machine learning models, Random Forest (RF) model demonstrates robust performance, achieving R2 values exceeding 0.99

Properties-activity correlation of Nickel supported on fibrous Zeolite-Y for dry reforming of methane

Nickel-supported Fibrous zeolite-Y (Ni/FHY) was successfully synthesized via the microemulsion method using HY as seed, followed by catalytic evaluation in dry reforming of methane (DRM) for hydrogen production. Ni/FHY possessed good NiO distribution, improved metal-support interface, and strong basicity, accredited to the fibrous structure of FHY. This unique morphology led to the enrichment in the amount of accessible Ni active sites, thus resulting in the superior activity of Ni/FHY (XCH=95.1%,XCO=91.1%,H2/CO=0.89) compared to Ni/HY (XCH=92.7%,XCO=89.8%,H2/CO=0.78). Meanwhile, the inferior performance of Ni/HY could be caused by the poor distribution of Ni with large particles, thus contributing to high carbon deposition and Ni sintering. The unique physicochemical properties and superior catalytic activity confirmed its viability in the DRM

Study on viral nervouse necrosis (isolation, characterisation and pathogenesis) in golden grey mullet in the Caspian Sea and study of pathogenecity and possibility of transmission to the other fish species (Sturgeon fishes, Rutilus frisii kutum and reared Rainbow trout and Carp)

Study on Viral Nervouse necrosis (isolation, characterisation and pathogenesis) in Golden grey mullet in the Caspian Sea and study of pathogenecity and possibility of transmission to the other fish species (Sturgeon fishes, Rutilus frisii kutum and reared Rainbow trout and Carp) Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN) is a worldwide disease affecting several species of cultured marine fish. For the past two decades, betanodavirus infections that cause Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN) have emerged as major constraints on the culture and sea ranching of marine fish in almost all parts of the world. More than forty species mainly of marine origin have been so far affected and this number is likely to rise in future following the introduction of new species and the increase of aquaculture trade. Unknown acute mortality occurred in wild golden grey mullet Lisa auratus and Liza saliens in Iranian waters of Caspian Sea in recent years. In order to isolation and confirmation of causative agents of golden grey mullet mortality in the Caspian Sea, a complementary research investigation project was designed in 2005 and approved immediately in Iranian Fisheries Research Organization (IFRO). Many diagnostic aspects such as Virology (Cell culture and Elctereone Microscopy), Hemathology, Bacteriology, Histopathology, Molecular biology (NestedRT-PCR), Heavy metals measuerment and Serology (IFAT and IHC) were employed in mentioned multidiciplinary project. About 322 moribund fish samples which revealed skin darkening, erratic swimming behavior such as spiral and belly-up at rest and high distention of swimming bladder. Suspected samples were collected from coastal capture sites in iranian north proviences in 2006 till 2009. Targets tissue such as brain and eye were removed in strile condition and then kept in -80oC frezzer for cell culture and Nested-RT-PCR. Other tissue samples from liver, kidney, intestine, stomach, gill, skin and muscle, gall bladder and gonads were taken and fixed in 10% buffer formalin and same parts fixed in glutaraldehyde 3% for histopathology, IHC and EM respectively. Cytopathic effect (CPE) was observed in those cell cultures just six days after inoculation with the dilutions of the tested 312 homogenate supernatants. CPE in monolayers of cells cultured (SSN-1 cell line) was characterised by thin or rounded, refractile, granular cells with vacuoles. Nine samples were positive in virology assay. Nested- RT-PCR was done on suspected tissue samples and supernatant of CPE positive samples and 21 tissue samples and all CPE positive samples were positive. IFAT was selected as a confirmatory method for identifying viral strains replicating on cell cultures and carried out with rabbit anti-betanodavirus serum on suspected tissue samples and some smears of CPE positive samples. Some bright points approved betanodavirus antigen and confirmed cell culture and Nested-RT-PCR findings. In fixed tissue samples widespread and massive vacuolation were observed in brain, spinal cord, retina and optical nerve. In order to confirmation of diagnostic findings , IHC was done with monoclonal antibody antibetanodavirus and some red-brown points were observed. Theses findings revealed expected viral antigens and confirmed previous results. Moreover, virus particles with 25-30 nm in diameter were visualized in infected brain and retina using positive staining in TEM. Also pathogenicity test was employed to confirm the obtained results. So Guppy fish Poecilia reticulata and sturgeon fry were used instead of the experimental host due to ease of handling and susceptibility. After 15 days post infection, guppy bathed in VNN-infected tissue culture with 104 TCID50 showed clinical signs similar to naturally infected Golden grey mullet, and the mortality rate reached up to 100% in 75 dpi. When target organs were examined by cell culture isolation, serology, and histopathology, all revealed the presence of virus in the Guppy. Suspected supernatant injected to sturgeon fry through intravitreous injection and widespread vacuolation were observed in brain and spinal cord buy IHC and Real time PCR were negative. In conclusion, with attntion to obtained results in this investigation such as ecological factors, clinical signs, histopathological, virological and bacteriological results, molecular analysis, (IHC, IFAT, PCR), TEM demonstration, serological and hematological findings, it could be confirmed that VNNV was the main causative agent for disease outbreak in Golden grey mullet in Southern coastline of Caspian Sea

A survey on health status of coldwater rearing and hatcheries fish farms in Iran (Mazandarn, Gilan, Ardebil, West Azerbaiejan, East Azerbaiejan and Kordestan provinces)

The national research plan with title of "Study on health status of Iran Coldwater hatchery and rearing farms" was done in order to identification and tracking of main causative agents of recent mortality in Iran Coldwater hatchery and rearing farms and recognize of infected zones and design of landscape distribution of Epizootic Coldwater fish diseases in the country. This plan was conducted parallel and in same time in some polar provinces of Coldwater fish production such as Mazandaran, Gilan, Ardebil, West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan and Kurdistan in three years from 2006-2008. In this regard, about 23,21 and 20 farms in Mazandaran province, 30 farms in West and East Azerbaijan and Kurdistan provinces and 19 farms in Gilan and Ardebil were selected as randomly and tracking were done yearly from 2006-2008. This research was conducted according to regular planning consists of farms visit that was done according to statistical plan and completion of Questionnaires and sampling. The findings in Mazandaran province revealed that fish infections background and infectious diseases were increased in period of 2006-2008. In fact, 56% of all fish farms in 2006, 71% in 2007 and 85% in 2008 were recorded as infected farms. In other side, average weight of fish final products was more 500gr in consume market. So, regarding to long period of fish culture in mentioned fish occurrence of more morbidity could be expected. The streptococcus infections were most important fish bacterial diseases that have more incidence and pathogenicity in collected questionnaires. Also it revealed more occurrences in summer season in above 15oC temperature in affected fish farms. Also, Enteric Redmouth Disease (ERM) and Saprolegniasis were reported as second and third degree in examined farms. Meanwhile, findings of control, prevention and treatment of our survey revealed that using of antibiotics and detergent materials were increased in mentioned province. Indeed, 34.7% of all fish farms in 2006, 71.4% in 2007 and 75% in 2008 have applied treatment operation and using of detergent materials in affected farms. In other side, frequent using of Erythromycin antibiotic was reported several times in 2008 so fish farmer faced to Bacterial resistance and should be using from Florfenicol as alternative antibacterial. Also, in feed sampling from all fish farms about 3 fish farms in 2006 and 5 fish farms in 2008 were faced with food poisoning that originated from high TVN and peroxidase in fish food consumed. These farms revealed mass mortality that stopped after change feeding regime. In conclusion absence of fish health management could be considered as main agent of mentioned mortality in Mazandaran province. The findings of our survey in West and East Azerbaijan and Kurdistan revealed that absence of sufficient experiences in fish farmers and their neglect from water quality concepts, farm cleanness, using of suitable detergent materials for fish ponds and instruments and disability in continuous monitoring of physic-chemical factors of consumed water could be considered as most important problems. So, fish morbidity and mortality, growth decrement and low production rate were expected. Unfortunately, despite the occurrence of infectious and non- infectious diseases in examined fish farms, there were no documents and information about diseases history, clinical signs in dead fish, feeding regime, fish mortality (rate of daily mortality, age and weight of moribund fish), treatment operation, drugs usage, growth rate, physico-chemical factors and fish density. So planning for control and prevention of mentioned diseases were unsuccessful in affected fish farms. Also, occurrence of some epizootic fish viral diseases such as VHS, IPN and IHN were observed frequently with mass mortality about 40100% in some examined fish farms that produced some tragic economic lost in the mentioned provinces. Similarly, some bacterial, fungal and parasitic diseases were observed repeatedly in some inspected farms such as Flavobacterium, streptococcus infections. Also, some unknown causative agents in parasitic diseases were observed several times such as Dactylogyrus, Gyrodactylus, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina, Chilodonella, Diplostomum and fungal diseases such as Saprolegniasis. In conclusion it seems that absence of fish health management, inadequate rate of hygienic technical services, absence of quarantine programs for transfer of new eyed-eggs, juvenile and live broodstocks packages without health certificates from authorized organizations, uncontrolled entry of foreign eyed-eggs (France, Denmark, Australia and Armenia) and neglect in using of suitable detergent materials for fish ponds, instruments, consumed water and infected eggs, not screening of broodstocks in hatcheries could be considered as most important causative agents in occurrence of infectious diseases and main problems in affected farms in mentioned provinces. Similarly, our findings in Gilan and Ardebil provinces revealed that their problems were similar to other provinces. In fact, neglect in establish of necessary Infrastructures in fish farms and dereliction in health management concepts could be considered as main reasons of occurrence of fish infectious and non-infectious diseases in studied fish farms in mentioned provinces. In fact, often fish farms visited hadn't suitable structures without control and prevention approach. There were not observed detergent using, quarantine programs and prevention methods. Entrance of unknown persons, birds and wild animals were ordinary in mentioned farms. Unfortunately level of farmer’s knowledge was low and no training courses and extension programs were planned by authorized organizations. Meanwhile, food storages were unsuitable and food packages were stored in inappropriate situation so poisoning conditions were increased in examined farms. In conclusion it could be finalized that Coldwater fish farms in Gilan and Ardebil provinces situated in insufficient position and correction of current situation are needed urgently. In final elicitation, it would be mentioned that lack of basic infrastructures could be introduced as most important reasonfor spread of diseases, mortality and related economic losses in studied provinces. Therefore, attention to environmental affairs and access to Sustainable Development are recommended. Also consideration of biosecurity regulations and health management concepts would be important requirements for modification and reformation of Coldwater fish farms in examined provinces towards A Better Tomorrow

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Darier disease: a case report

Darier disease, also known as keratosis follicularis, dyskeratosis follicularis, and benign dyskeratosis, is a rare disorder of keratinisation that primarily affects the skin and, to a lesser extent, the oral mucosa. It was described independently by both Darier and White in 1889. It has a prevalence of 1:100,000 of the population and is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.1 The age of onset is childhood or adolescence. Patients usually present with multiple small firm reddish-brown papules on the forehead, scalp, neck, shoulders, chest, and limbs. Other cutaneous signs include punctate keratotic pits of the palms and soles and dystrophy of the nails, which is characterised by a red and white sandwich of streaks associated with a V-shaped notch. The oral lesions are usually asymptomatic and are seen as multiple, normal-coloured or white flat-topped papules that predominantly affect the palate

Design of electrostatic actuators for suppressing vertical disturbances of CMOS-MEMS capacitive force sensors in bio applications

The objective of this work is to design electrostatic actuators for a CMOS-MEMS nano-newton capacitive force sensor to suppress vertical vibrations disturbances. Electrostatic actuators are selected because the movable part of this force sensor is anchored to the fixed parts. In the first step, we propose a framework for simulation of the force sensor based on finite element method. The proposed model is modified utilizing comparison between the simulation and experimental models to improve the performance of the model. Then, 14 pairs of electrostatic actuators are designed for applying the control algorithm and their pull-in voltage is calculated. In next step, Modal Analysis is applied to find dominant natural frequencies and mode shape vectors. In addition, an observer is proposed to estimate the velocity of the modal coordinate. Finally, an optimal controller is designed employing state-space approach to suppress vertical vibration due to undesired out-of-plane excitations generated by environment during manipulation. Simulation results illustrate that employing optimum LQR control approach, the maximum out-of-plane disturbance input is suppressed less than 0.4 s with acceptable range of voltage less than pull-in voltage

Transesterification of moringa oleifera oil to biodiesel using potassium flouride loaded eggshell as catalyst

In recent years, biodiesel has received great attention in the production of engine fuel. Biodiesel can be produced by esterification reaction, transesterification reaction or both esterification and transesterification reactions of non-edible oil. However, high production cost of biodiesel is a remaining problem. Therefore, a low-cost andreliable feedstocks for biodiesel production such as moringa oleifera as non-edible plant oils could be a potential of alternative fuel. In addition, waste egg shell can be a good candidate as a low-cost catalyst for the reaction. In this study, potassium fluoride (KF) loaded on calcium oxide (CaO) and eggshell were prepared. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform In frared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis. The biodiesel productions (fatty acid methyl esters, FAME) were carried out in a batch reactor with different parameters such as temperature (50&deg;C-60&deg;C), molar ratio of methanol to oil (4-6), reaction time (1-3 hours) and KF loading (1wt%-25wt%) on eggshell. Maximum FAME yield of 94.2% is observed on KF/eggshell with 5% of catalyst amount, 6:1 molar ratio of methanol to oil, 50&deg;C reaction temperature, 1 hour reaction time and 1% of KF loading is observed to be optimum for better conversions. Therefore, the KF/eggshell catalyst has been proven to be a promising catalyst for biodiesel production which is simple, economical and efficient.</p