Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO Nanopowders and ZnO-CNT Nanocomposites Prepared by Chemical Precipitation Route

The aims of this work are synthesis of ZnO nanopowders and producing nanocomposites by mixing with carbon nanotubes. ZnO nanopowders have been synthesized by chemical precipitation route. Dierent amount of collected nanosized Zn-based precipitates and chemically oxidized carbon nanotubes powder have been mix together and annealed at 400 • C. Characterization of produced nanopowders and nanocomposites have been carried out by X-ray diractometer and scanning electron microscope

Clinical evaluation of diaphyseal femoral fractures operated in lateral decubitus position with interlocking nail

Background: The diaphyseal fractures of femur in adults are conventionally treated in supine position on traction table, which carries risk of compartment syndrome, pudendal nerve palsy, whereas in lateral decubitus position these complications can be avoided with additional advantage of easy access to greater trochanter particularly in obese patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate outcomes of femur diaphyseal fractures treated with intramedullary interlocking nail in lateral decubitus position.Methods: In this study 40 patients with femur diaphysea fractures were treated with intramedullary interlocking nail in lateral decubitus position, were studied for a period of 9 months from September 2019 to May 2020.Results: At the end of our study of 40 patients, outcome is graded according Thoresen’s criteria where 22 (55%) patients had excellent results with full, pain-free, function of the extremity and 11 (27.5%) patients had good result; 10 patients had range of motion 1200 and shortening of femur by 1.5 was observed in 1 patient. There were 6 (15%) patients with fair result; with range of motion 900 and 1 poor result (2.5%) had non-union with range of motion <900.Conclusions: Fixation of femur diaphyseal fracture in lateral decubitus position leads to easy access to the proximal femur making it easy to establish an entry point for an intramedullary device and it significantly eliminates the complications caused by other conventionally used methods

Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence and Probable Risk Factors in a Sample of Kurdish Women

Objectives: The most common manifestation of pelvic floor dysfunction is urinary incontinence (UI) which affects 15–50% of adult women depending on the age and risk factors of the population studied. The aim of this study was to determine the probable risk factors associated with UI; the characteristics of women with UI; describe the types of UI, and determine its prevalence. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between February and August 2011, in the Maternity Teaching Hospital of the Erbil Governorate, Kurdistan Region, northern Iraq. It included 1,107 women who were accompanying patients admitted to the hospital. A questionnaire designed by the researchers was used for data collection. A chi-square test was used to test the significance of the association between UI and different risk factors. Binary logistic regression was used, considering UI as the dependent variable. Results: The overall prevalence of UI was 51.7%. The prevalence of stress, urgency, and mixed UI was 5.4%, 13.3% and 33%, respectively. There was a significant positive association between UI and menopause, multiparity, diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic cough, constipation, and a history of gynaecological surgery, while a significant negative association was detected between UI and a history of delivery by both vaginal delivery and Caesarean section. Conclusion: A high prevalence of UI was detected in the studied sample, and the most probable risk factors were multiparity, menopausal status, constipation, chronic cough, and DM

The effect of different feeding frequency on growth indices, survival and body composition of Oriental River Prawn Macrobrachium nipponense (De Haan, 1849)

This research was carried out in order to identify the effects of different feeding frequency on growth indices, feed conversion ratio, survival and body composition of oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense) during 56 days. 180 oriental river prawns, with mean (±SE) weight 1.40±0.11g were counted and distributed randomly in twelve 70-liter glass tanks with 60 l water in 4 treatments each with 3 replicates cultured in same conditions (dietary feeding, dissolved oxygen, photoperiod, density, 2% feeding rate). Feeding were done 3, 4, 5 and 6 times/day with a constant commercial diet (50% protein, 13% fat, 12% ash, moisture 10-12 %). At the end of experiment, growth indices, feed conversion ratio, body composition ratio were measured for each treatment. Mean final weight, weight gain and specific growth rate in the treatment feeding 5 times/day was higher than the other treatments (p0.05).The lowest feed conversion ratio was obtained in 5 times/day feeding and feeding 4 and 5 times/day treatments (68.80±1.8 and 77.60±2.5 %, respectively) had the highest survival rate. The highest body protein content (12.86±0.07 %) and fat content (3.46±0.02%) were obtained from the 5 times/day feeding. Results indicate that 5 times/day feeding has a significant difference in the increase of growth indices, survival rate, reduced feed conversion ratio, increased carcass protein and fat content, with other treatments (p<0.05)

Palladium nanoparticles supported on fluorine-doped tin oxide as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki coupling and 4-nitrophenol reduction

Immobilization of palladium nanoparticles onto the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) as support Pd/FTO, resulted in a highly active heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions and 4-nitrophenol reduction. The Pd/FTO catalyst has been synthesized by immobilization of palladium nanoparticles onto FTO via a simple impregnation method. ICP-MS analysis confirmed that there is 0.11 mmol/g of palladium was loaded successfully on FTO support. The crystallinity, morphologies, compositions and surface properties of Pd/FTO were fully characterized by various techniques. It was further examined for its catalytic activity and robustness in Suzuki coupling reaction with different aryl halides and solvents. The yields obtained from Suzuki coupling reactions were basically over 80%. The prepared catalyst was also tested on mild reaction such as reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP). Pd/FTO catalyst exhibited high catalytic activity towards 4-NP reduction with a rate constant of 1.776 min(-1) and turnover frequency (TOF) value of 29.1 hr(-1). The findings revealed that Pd/FTO also maintained its high stability for five consecutive runs in Suzuki reactions and 4-NP reductions. The catalyst showed excellent catalytic activities by using a small amount of Pd/FTO for the Suzuki coupling reaction and 4-NP reduction

A New Approach to Synthesis of Free-Standing ZnO/MWCNT Nanocomposites by Vacuum Infiltration

In this study, free-standing zincoxide/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposite was synthesized by a multistep technique. Buckypapers having controlled porosity were prepared by vacuum filtration from oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Zinc acetate dihydrate (ZnAc) ($Zn(CH_3COO)_2$ ·$2H_2O$) was used as zinc source and ethanol used as solvent. An appropriate amount of monoethanolamine was added to sol to change acid-base media. The solution was vacuum filtered through buckypaper and annealed at 350C in air. It was found that the zinc oxide grows around the multiwalled carbon nanotubes to form a uniform composite. Morphology of zine oxide/multiwalled carbon nanotube was also studied in detail. Nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy

Nanostructured ZnO Photoelectrode Synthesis for Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

The main aims of this work were to produce and examine the characteristics of nanostructured ZnO in dye-sensitized solar cells. Parameters which are affected by the efficiency such as precursor materials, morphology were investigated. The Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate transformation from bulk material to solution. General morphologies and detailed structural characterizations were obtained using field emission scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffractometer has been used to determine preferred crystal orientation and particle size of the ZnO nanostructures

The Superior Surface Discharge Capacity of Core-Shell Tinoxide/Multi Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries

In this study, tin/tinoxide/multiwalled carbon nanotube (Sn/$SnO_2$/MWCNT) nanocomposites were produced as anode materials for Li-ion batteries by a two-step process. Metallic tin was evaporated onto free-standing MWCNT buckypapers having controlled porosity and subsequently rf plasma oxidized in Ar:$O_2$ (1:1) gas mixture. Besides, Sn/$SnO_2$ nanocomposites were produced in the same conditions onto stainless steel substrates to make a comparison. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the structure and morphology of the obtained nanocomposites. The discharge/charge tests, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were carried out to characterize the electrochemical properties of these composites. Promising results were obtained in the tin based MWCNT nanocomposites for next-generation micro battery applications because of the high active surface area of the $SnO_2$/MWCNT core-shell structures

Production of Sn/SnO2/MWCNT composites by plasma oxidation after thermal evaporation from pure Sn targets onto buckypapers

PMID = 2344795

Graphene supported heterogeneous catalysts for Li-O-2 batteries

In this study production and characterization of free-standing and flexible (i) graphene, (ii) alpha-MnO2/graphene, (iii) Pt/graphene (iv) alpha-MnO2/Pt/graphene composite cathodes for Li-air batteries were reported. Graphene supported heterogeneous catalysts were produced by a facile method. In order to prevent aggregation of graphene sheets and increase not only interlayer distance but also surface area, a trace amount multi-wall carbon nano tube (MWCNT) was introduced to the composite structure. The obtained composite catalysts were characterized by SEM, X-ray diffraction, N-2 adsorption-desorption analyze and Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical characterization tests including galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement of catalyst were carried out by using an ECC-Air test cell. These highly active graphene supported heterogeneous composite catalysts provide competitive properties relative to other catalyst materials for Li-air batteries. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved