Proton Conductance at Elevated Temperature: Formulation and Investigation of Poly(4-Styrenesulfonic Acid)/4-Aminobenzylamine/Phosphoric Acid Membranes

4-aminobenzylamine and phosphoric acid were blended in various proportions with poly (4-styrenesulfonic acid) to form a new group of membranes exhibiting proton conductance under water-free conditions. The 4-aminobenzylamine molecule, possessing an aniline-like and benzylamine-like functional group, can interact both with the phosphoric acid and the poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) via nucleophilic interaction, thereby allowing proton jumping in the structure. Physico-chemical and thermal characteristics of the prepared solid membranes were investigated by IR spectroscopy and thermo-gravimetric analysis, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was employed to investigate their proton-conductance properties. Transparent composite membranes were prepared. However, the membranes are opaque for relatively high content of phosphoric acid. These membranes are thermally stable up to 300°C. The proton conductivity increases with temperature and also with content of phosphoric acid. Values as high as 1.8×10–3 S cm–1 were measured at 190°C in fully anhydrous condition

SITE SELECTION TO HAZARDOUS WASTE LANDFILL OF GILANEGHARB TOWNSHIP IN KERMANSHAH PROVINCE, WESTERN IRAN BY USING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS

Each of them has different effects on site selection of hazardous waste landfill. Some factors cause limits to site selection such as; climatic, topographic, land use, edaphic, quakeable, regions under conservation of environment organization and so on. these factors may be cause unsustainable and move hazardous waste to surface and under ground water and also air pollution according to wind aspect, consequently different contaminations. This study was conducted in Gilanegharb town in Kermanshah province west of Iran in 2012 to find best area of landfill of hazardous wastes. Each of the factors valued and weighted based on experts opinions and then evaluated each of the preperated layers in RS and GIS softwares. In the first evaluation of 19 sites, 6 sites were investigated. The results show that asphalt factory site is the best region and then Shahrdary, Tan Kooshk sites are better to landfill of hazardous waste respectively. The reasons for selecting of this regions were far form surface and ground water resources and as a result avoiding to be defiled of ground water. On the other hand, there is no air pollution and malodorous of Ghilangharb town because of wind blow aspect in the region

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

Burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer in North Africa and Middle East countries, 1990 to 2019: Results from the GBD study 2019

ObjectiveTo provide estimates on the regional and national burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer and its attributable risk factors from 1990 to 2019 in the North Africa and Middle East (NAME) region.Methods and materialsThe Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 data were used. Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), death, incidence, and prevalence rates were categorized by sex and age groups in the NAME region, in 21 countries, from 1990 to 2019. Decomposition analysis was performed to calculate the proportion of responsible factors in the emergence of new cases. Data are presented as point estimates with their 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).ResultsIn the NAME region, TBL cancer caused 15,396 and 57,114 deaths in women and men, respectively, in 2019. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) increased by 0.7% (95% UI -20.6 to 24.1) and reached 16.8 per 100,000 (14.9 to 19.0) in 2019. All the age-standardized indices had a decreasing trend in men and an increasing trend in women from 1990 to 2019. Turkey (34.9 per 100,000 [27.6 to 43.5]) and Sudan (8.0 per 100,000 [5.2 to 12.5]) had the highest and lowest age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPRs) in 2019, respectively. The highest and lowest absolute slopes of change in ASPR, from 1990 to 2019, were seen in Bahrain (-50.0% (-63.6 to -31.7)) and the United Arab Emirates (-1.2% (-34.1 to 53.8)), respectively. The number of deaths attributable to risk factors was 58,816 (51,709 to 67,323) in 2019 and increased by 136.5%. Decomposition analysis showed that population growth and age structure change positively contributed to new incident cases. More than 80% of DALYs could be decreased by controlling risk factors, particularly tobacco use.ConclusionThe incidence, prevalence, and DALY rates of TBL cancer increased, and the death rate remained unchanged from 1990 to 2019. All the indices and contribution of risk factors decreased in men but increased in women. Tobacco is still the leading risk factor. Early diagnosis and tobacco cessation policies should be improved

Global investments in pandemic preparedness and COVID-19: development assistance and domestic spending on health between 1990 and 2026

Background The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in health surveillance systems, disease prevention, and treatment globally. Among the many factors that might have led to these gaps is the issue of the financing of national health systems, especially in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), as well as a robust global system for pandemic preparedness. We aimed to provide a comparative assessment of global health spending at the onset of the pandemic; characterise the amount of development assistance for pandemic preparedness and response disbursed in the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic; and examine expectations for future health spending and put into context the expected need for investment in pandemic preparedness. Methods In this analysis of global health spending between 1990 and 2021, and prediction from 2021 to 2026, we estimated four sources of health spending: development assistance for health (DAH), government spending, out-of-pocket spending, and prepaid private spending across 204 countries and territories. We used the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s Creditor Reporting System (CRS) and the WHO Global Health Expenditure Database (GHED) to estimate spending. We estimated development assistance for general health, COVID-19 response, and pandemic preparedness and response using a keyword search. Health spending estimates were combined with estimates of resources needed for pandemic prevention and preparedness to analyse future health spending patterns, relative to need. Findings In 2019, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, US$9·2 trillion (95$7·3 trillion (95% UI 7·2–7·4) in 2019; 293·7 times the $24·8 billion (95$43·1 billion in development assistance was provided to maintain or improve health. The pandemic led to an unprecedented increase in development assistance targeted towards health; in 2020 and 2021, $1·8 billion in DAH contributions was provided towards pandemic preparedness in LMICs, and$37·8 billion was provided for the health-related COVID-19 response. Although the support for pandemic preparedness is 12·2% of the recommended target by the High-Level Independent Panel (HLIP), the support provided for the health-related COVID-19 response is 252·2% of the recommended target. Additionally, projected spending estimates suggest that between 2022 and 2026, governments in 17 (95% UI 11–21) of the 137 LMICs will observe an increase in national government health spending equivalent to an addition of 1% of GDP, as recommended by the HLIP. Interpretation There was an unprecedented scale-up in DAH in 2020 and 2021. We have a unique opportunity at this time to sustain funding for crucial global health functions, including pandemic preparedness. However, historical patterns of underfunding of pandemic preparedness suggest that deliberate effort must be made to ensure funding is maintained

Development of Functional Materials For Electrochemical Systems, Particularly Fuel Cells

The main objective of present thesis is to develop novel and inexpensive solid polymeric electrolytes capable of conducting protons at intermediate temperatures and anhydrous conditions. Such materials are interesting in view of potential applications for a variety of emerging electrochemical technologies such as high-temperature-polymer-electrolyte-membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFC). Polymer electrolytes are prepared based on proper acid-base interactions between host polymers and guest molecules as an effective route to distribute modifier within the matrix structure. In anhydrous condition protons hop from site to site in a dense hydrogen bonding network formed among amphoteric jumping sites (Grotthhus mechanism). According to amphoteric nature, these jumping sites can be simply divided into two main categories: amine based- and phosphonic based sites. Solid electrolytes of both categories are prepared. All samples are systematically characterized as to morphological, thermal and structural properties. IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are applied to reveal any considerable structural interactions between functional groups. By means of thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), important information is collected on thermal stabilities and glass transition temperatures (Tg) of composite membranes. Proton conductivity is investigated by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which allows determination of proton conductivity and the activation energy of proton transfer in anhydrous state. An extended investigation is carried out in order to establish a correlation between proton conductivity and the content of modifiers in prepared materials. Additionally, compositional information of material is obtained from solid state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR). Based on preparation and processing conditions, following important values are achieved: I. All composite membranes were thermally stable within intermediate temperature range (100-200 °C), II. Proton conductivities in excess of 0.01 Ω-1 cm-1 at 190 °C and anhydrous condition are obtained, III. For the first time, positive effect of phosphonic condensation reaction on proton conductivity is reported and IV. Phosphonic groups and aromatic amines are recommended as the most efficient proton conductive functional groups for intermediate temperatures applications

Proton conducting membranes in fully anhydrous conditions at elevated temperature: Effect of Nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic acid) incorporation into Nafion- and poly(styrenesulfonic acid)

Nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (NTMPA) was incorporated in various proportions into Nafion and poly(styrenesulfonic acid) (PSSA) to make membranes with proton conductivity under fully anhydrous conditions. NTMPA is anchored to the polymer matrix by ionic bond between the basic nitrogen and the acidic sulfonic group of the polymer. The NTMPA molecule also possesses six phosphonic terminals with relevant hydrogen-bonding activity, enabling proton transport by a hopping mechanism even in the absence of water. Morphological and structural characteristics of these composite membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal stability was assessed by TGA. Proton-conduction up to 190°C was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Moreover, 31P solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was applied to investigate condensation of the phosphonic groups at elevated temperature. The Nafion/NTMPA composites were homogeneous at the molecular level and exhibited excellent thermal stability. These membranes were flexible, robust and translucent. For the PSSA/NTMPA composite a heterogeneous structure was observed with bulk, micrometer-size NTMPA particles dispersed in the polymer matrix. The membranes appeared opaque and fragile, but exhibited fairly good thermal resistance. For both classes of membranes, moderate condensation of the P-OH terminals leading to dimeric phosphonic and mixed sulfonic/phosphonic anhydrides was observed after prolonged thermal treatment at elevated temperature (>170°C) and zero humidity. However, this process is completely reversed by humidification. Both Nafion/NTMPA and PSSA/NTMPA composite membranes displayed good proton conductivity (>10-2Scm-1) under fully anhydrous conditions at elevated temperature. Importantly, the present work demonstrates a general and versatile concept to design water-free proton-conducting membranes rationally and straightforwardly. That is anchoring a compound with proton-solvent characteristics to a suitable matrix. These ideas are applicable utilizing vast classes of polymer matrices and proton conducting fillers

Organic protic ionics based on Nitrilo(trimethylenephosphonic acid) as water-free, proton-conducting materials

We produced two solid protic ionics by stoichiometric acid-base reaction between Nonafluorobutanesulfonic or p-Toluenesulfonic acid with Nitrilotri(methylenephosphonic acid). The latter behaves as a Bronsted base by means of the nucleophilic nitrogen atom which captures the proton from the Nonafluorobutanesulfonic or p-Toluenesulfonic acid. Moreover, the Nitrilotri(methylenephosphonic acid) moiety possesses six POH terminating units. 1H MAS NMR evidenced hydrogen-bonding activity of these units, which enables proton transport through the lattice by a hopping-site mechanism. Homogeneous, transparent and mechanically and thermally robust disks from these materials were obtained by sintering the powders under mild pressure and temperature. We showed, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, that these protic ionics possess good proton conductivity, in excess of 10–2 –1 cm–1, under fully anhydrous conditions at 190 °C. As such, these materials appear potentially attractive for application in high-temperature electrochemical devices, such as polymer electrolyte fuel cells and water electrolyzers operating at elevated temperature, typically above 130 °C and up to 200 °C for fuel cells. The proton-transport mechanism is also discussed in the light of the NMR- and impedance-spectroscopy results