SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF NANOCRYSTALLINE BI-TE BASED THERMOELECTRIC MATERIALS FOR ENERGY APPLICATION

Thermoelectric phenomenon is the science associated with converting thermal energy into electricity based on the Seebeck effect. Bismuth telluride Bi2Te3 is currently considered to be the state-of-the art thermoelectric material with high efficiency for low temperature applications and is therefore attractive for energy harvesting processes. Nanostructures thermoelectric materials provide a novel way to enhance thermoelectric properties and are considered to be the efficient building blocks for thermoelectric devices. In this work, n- and p-type bulk nanocrystalline Bismuth telluride thermoelectric materials were prepared by mechanical alloying / ball milling technique. The produced nano-crystalline powder were then consolidated using hot compaction under inert atmosphere. The novel processing of these materials maintained the nanostructure in both n- and p-type. Structural properties of the n- and p-types were characterized using X ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscope. These techniques proved that the average grian size of the milled thermoelectric materials was about 20 nm. Accordingly, a Significant improvement in the figure of merit (ZT) is achieved through significant lattice thermal conductivity reduction and Seebeck coefficient improvement. The maximum ZT value for the n-type nanocrystalline thermoelectric was 1.67 at 373 K while the maximum ZT value for the p-type was 1.78 at the same temperature. These values are considered to be the highest values reported for similar materials. Evaluation of the mechanical properties was also performed through microhardness measurement using Vickers micro-hardness test, which shows an enhancement in mechanical properties for the produced materials

Fully Stable Banach Algebra Module

The object of this paper is to introducea class of module which is a fully stable Banach Algebra module.

Nurses’ Knowledge and Practices about Administration of Medications via Nasogastric Tube among Critically Ill Patients

Administering medication via enteral tube is predominantly a nursing responsibility across countries. It is important to identify what nurses actually know and do when giving enteral medication for critically ill patients to ensure patient's safety and prevent complications. The aim of this study is to assess the nurses’ knowledge and practices about administration of medications via nasogastric tube (NGT) among critically ill patients at Cairo University Hospitals. Sample consists of sixty bedside male and female nurses who are working in the different Critical and Intensive Care Units. Descriptive/exploratory research design was utilized in the current study. This study was conducted at the different Critical and Intensive Care Units at El-Manial Specialty Hospitals affiliated to Cairo University. Three tools were utilized to collect data pertinent to the study; Nasogastric medication administration nurses' knowledge questionnaire schedule, Nurses' opinionaire sheet and Nasogastric medication administration observational checklist. The nurses were interviewed for answering the knowledge questionnaire schedule and opinionaire sheet then each nurse was observed during administration of medication via NGT for three different times using nurses' observational check list. The mean of the three observations was calculated. Findings of this study shows that the majority of the studied sample were females, married and having diploma qualification as well, more than two third of them their age ranged between 26 – 45 years. More than half of them had more than 10 years of experience. All of them were having an unsatisfactory level of knowledge and practices. Results of the present study indicated that there is a gap between nurses' knowledge and practices as compared to the standard guidelines about medication administration via nasogastric tube. The study recommended that enrichment of the Critical Care nurses at El-Manial Specialty Hospital knowledge and practices related to administration of medications via nasogastric tube according to the standard guidelines will be helpful to ensure patient safety and provide cost effective care. Also replication of this study on larger probability sample at the different geographical location at Egypt is highly recommended. Keywords: Nasogastric tube – administration of medication via nasogastric tube – critically ill patient – nurses' knowledge – nurses practices

Doubly connected pitchfork domination and it’s inverse in graphs

Let G be a finite, simple, undirected graph and without isolated vertices. A subset D of V is a pitchfork dominating set if every vertex v ∈ D dominates at least j and at most k vertices of V − D, for any j and k integers. A subset Dˉ¹ of V − D is an inverse pitchfork dominating set if Dˉ¹ is a dominating set. The domination number of G, denoted by γpf (G) is a minimum cardinality over all pitchfork dominating sets in G. The inverse domination number of G, denoted by γˉ¹ pf (G) is a minimum cardinality over all inverse pitchfork dominating sets in G. In this paper, a special modified pitchfork dominations called doubly connected pitchfork domination and it’s inverse are introduced when j = 1 and k = 2. Some properties and bounds are studied with respect to the order and the size of the graph. These modified dominations are applied and evaluated for several well known and complement graphs.Publisher's Versio

Sweet Solution Analgesia

Mammals’ first tasting experience is usually sweet solution. Whether it is milk (breast or formula), sugar water as in some cultures or even dates as advocated by Prophet Mohammed to his followers. Thus, it is no wonder the soothing, calming and even pain relieving effects of oral sweet solutions. Nevertheless, using sweet solution purposely for its pain-relieving effects for infants in the clinical setting is relatively recent; however, the discussion concerning sweet solution effectiveness, mechanism of actions and adverse long-term effects are still ongoing. In this chapter, we present an account of studies on both humans and animals that explored and examined the use of several sweet solutions for analgesia

Effect of Nursing Exercise Protocol on Hemodynamics and Functional Capacity among Patients after Cardiac Surgery

Context: Exercise interventions are the cornerstone of cardiac rehabilitation. The exercise program consists of respiratory physiotherapy, neck and shoulder exercises, walking, and cycling. The purpose is to prevent respiratory complications, neck and shoulder pain and increase the physical functional level.Aim: This study evaluates the effect of applying nursing exercise protocol on hemodynamics and functional capacity among post-cardiac surgery patients. Methods: Quasi-experimental research design utilized in the current study. A purposive sample, including 60 male and female patients, was classified equally into two equal groups; study group (n= 30) and control group (n= 30), collected through 14 months. This study was carried out in the inpatient cardiac surgery department and the outpatient cardiac clinic of Cardiothoracic Surgery Hospital in New Minia City. Four tools were utilized in collecting data; named Health Assessment Record; Six Minute Walk Distance Test; Modified Medical Research Council Scale (MMRC) for measuring dyspnea; and Nursing Educational Protocol Checklist. Results: Current study findings displayed an improvement of total distance walked among study groups compared to the control group. It also showed highly statistically significant differences between the groups related to total distance walked after 12th-week post-discharge documented by p-value (0.000).Conclusion: The current study findings concluded that the nursing educational protocol in the form of deep breathing, incentive spirometer; coughing, and early ambulation induces a significant improvement in hemodynamic variables and six-minute walk distance, recommending that hospitals should implement the nursing educational protocol as a routine hospital policy among all cardiac surgical patients in all age groups

Antioxidant Categories and Mode of Action

Oxidative stress has received a considerable scientific attention as a mediator in the etiology of many human diseases. Oxidative stress is the result of an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. Cells can be damaged by free radicals that are considered to play a main role in the aging process and diseases development. Antioxidants are the first line of defense against the detrimental effects of free radical damage, and it is essential to maintain optimal health via different mechanisms of action. Types of antioxidants range from those generated endogenously by the body cells, to exogenous agents such as dietary supplements. Antioxidant insufficiency can be developed as a result of decreased antioxidant intake, synthesis of endogenous enzymes, or increased antioxidant utilization. To maintain optimal body function, antioxidant supplementation has become an increasingly popular practice through improving free radical protection. In this chapter, we first elucidate the oxidative stress, and then define the antioxidant and its categories. Finally, introduce the antioxidants mode of actions for cell protection from free radicals