AEO7 Surfactant as an Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel in HCl solution

The impact of AEO7 surfactant on the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel (C-steel) in 0.5 M HCl solution at temperatures between 20 °C and 50 °C was elucidated using weight loss and different electrochemical techniques. The kinetics and thermodynamic parameters of the corrosion and inhibition processes were reported. The corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE%) improved as the concentration of AEO7 increased. In addition, a synergistic effect was observed when a concentration of 1 × 10 −3 mol L −1 or higher of potassium iodide (KI) was added to 40 µmol L −1 of the AEO7 inhibitor where the corrosion IE% increased from 87.4% to 99.2%. Also, it was found that the adsorption of AEO7 surfactant on C-steel surface followed the Freundlich isotherm. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization measurements indicated that AEO7 was physically adsorbed on the steel surface. The surface topography was examined using an optical profilometer, an atomic force microscope (AFM), and a scanning electron-microscope (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersion X-ray (EDX) unit. Quantum chemical calculations based on the density functional theory were performed to understand the relationship between the corrosion IE% and the molecular structure of the AEO7 molecule. © 2019, The Author(s).This publication was supported by Qatar University Internal Grant N° GCC-2017-012. The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The authors gratefully thank the Center for Advanced Materials at Qatar University and the Chemistry Department at Cairo University for their support. The permanent address of Dr. Mohamed F. Shibl is Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt.Scopu

The Cholecystectomy As A Day Case (CAAD) Score: A Validated Score of Preoperative Predictors of Successful Day-Case Cholecystectomy Using the CholeS Data Set

Background Day-case surgery is associated with significant patient and cost benefits. However, only 43% of cholecystectomy patients are discharged home the same day. One hypothesis is day-case cholecystectomy rates, defined as patients discharged the same day as their operation, may be improved by better assessment of patients using standard preoperative variables. Methods Data were extracted from a prospectively collected data set of cholecystectomy patients from 166 UK and Irish hospitals (CholeS). Cholecystectomies performed as elective procedures were divided into main (75%) and validation (25%) data sets. Preoperative predictors were identified, and a risk score of failed day case was devised using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to validate the score in the validation data set. Results Of the 7426 elective cholecystectomies performed, 49% of these were discharged home the same day. Same-day discharge following cholecystectomy was less likely with older patients (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), higher ASA scores (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), complicated cholelithiasis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.48), male gender (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74), previous acute gallstone-related admissions (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.48–0.60) and preoperative endoscopic intervention (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.34–0.47). The CAAD score was developed using these variables. When applied to the validation subgroup, a CAAD score of ≤5 was associated with 80.8% successful day-case cholecystectomy compared with 19.2% associated with a CAAD score >5 (p < 0.001). Conclusions The CAAD score which utilises data readily available from clinic letters and electronic sources can predict same-day discharges following cholecystectomy

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Comparison between the Simplified AUSTROADS Sublayering Approach and the Exact Nonlinear Solutions for the Unbound Flexible Pavements

In the mechanistic pavement design, it is common practice that the coarse and fine grained materials are modelled as linear elastic materials. The main reason for this is to use a simple set of parameters to represent each layer which in this case are the elastic modulus and Poisson ratio. However, it is well known that the unbound coarse granular materials and the fine grained subgrade materials behave nonlinearly under the traffic loading. The Australian mechanistic empirical design method (AUSTROADS) uses a simplified approach to account for the nonlinear behaviour of the unbound coarse and fine grained materials. In this paper the Austroads quasi-linear analysis is compared with the exact nonlinear analysis to examine the validity of this approach. The Austroads quasi-linear analysis provided better solutions than the linear elastic analysis without sublayering, however, it needs some adjustment to provide better match with the exact nonlinear analysis solution

Dye removal with magnetic graphene nanocomposite through micro reactors

Contaminated waste water treatment and clean water scarcity are current challenges acutely in the Asian and African continents. This paper bestows applied co-precipitation technique for the fabrication of Magnetic Graphene Nano-Composites (MGNCs) for water treatment purposes. In this paper, characterization procedures were applied to delineate numerous physical and chemical properties of the synthetic MGNCs and mixing performance for several designed microreactors were determined using the Dushman’s method in comparison to two parallel reactions. The mixing timings for different microreactors at flow rates between 100 and 300 ml/hr were determined. MCNCs were utilised to remove an Acid Blue 25 dye as a pollutant from water at diverse types of microreactors. The comparison between the various microreactors’ performance and mixing time was accomplished. The maximum instantaneous removal capacity of graphene-based nanomaterial was recorded using K.M micro mixer about 68% for 10 ppm dye concentration

Synthesis and characterisation of Ni–B/Ni–P–CeO2 duplex composite coatings

Abstract: Binary (Ni–B, Ni–P) and duplex coatings (Ni–B/Ni–P, Ni–B/Ni–P–CeO2) with an inner Ni–B layer were electrodeposited on mild steel substrates. A comparison of the structural, surface, mechanical, and electrochemical properties of the coatings is presented to demonstrate the mechanical behaviour and corrosion protection performance. Scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope images showed that Ni–B/Ni–P–CeO2 duplex coatings had a well-defined nodular structure compared to Ni–P coatings, and fewer surface defects compared to Ni–B and Ni–B/Ni–P duplex coatings. However, these coatings had high surface roughness owing to the presence of CeO2 ceramic particles. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that Ni–B coatings were crystalline but Ni–P and Ni–B/Ni–P–CeO2 coatings exhibited an amorphous structure. Ni–B/Ni–P–CeO2 coatings exhibited superior hardness (15%) compared to Ni–P and Ni–B/Ni–P duplex coatings. Potentiodynamic polarisation results confirmed that Ni–B/Ni–P–CeO2 duplex coatings had superior corrosion protection efficiency (91%) compared to Ni–B (30%) and duplex Ni–B/Ni–P coatings (77%). The novel Ni–B/Ni–P–CeO2 duplex coatings demonstrated superior mechanical and promising anti-corrosion properties, which render them attractive for various applications. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media B.V., part of Springer Nature.Acknowledgements This publication was made possible by NPRP Grant # 9-080-2-039 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation). Statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. M.F. Montemor acknowledges Fundaç?o para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) for the funding under the contract UID/QUI/00100/2013.Scopu

Novel Ni based duplex coatings for anticorrosion applications

Ni-B/Ni-P-CeO2 duplex coatings containing inner Ni-B layer were synthesized on mild steel substrate through the electrodeposition process. The structural, surface and electrochemical properties of the duplex coatings in their as synthesized condition were compared with Ni-P, Ni-B and binary Ni-B/Ni-P duplex coatings to demonstrate the improved performance of Ni-B/Ni-P-CeO2 duplex coatings. The structural analysis (XRD) indicates that the developed coatings exhibit amorphous behavior. The SEM and AFM studies indicate that Ni-B/Ni-P-CeO2 duplex coatings have less surface defects and more defined nodular structure compared to Ni-P, Ni-B and NiB/Ni-P duplex coatings. However, these coatings show an increase in surface roughness which may be attributed to the incorporation of CeO2 ceramic particles used as reinforcement. The Ni-B/Ni-P-CeO2 duplex coatings present superior anticorrosion properties compared to Ni-B and duplex Ni-B/Ni-P coatings. Owing to tempting properties, Ni-B/Ni-P-CeO2 duplex coatings may be considered as potential candidate for oil and gas industry.This research work was supported by the Director Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.Scopu

MRI in cystic pancreatic lesions, is it of value?

Introduction: Cystic pancreatic lesions are currently discovered at higher rate, hence adequate characterization of these lesions by the radiologist is important in guiding management. Aim of the work: Was to identify the role of MRI in characterization of cystic pancreatic lesions. Patients and methods: Thirty patients with suspected cystic lesions of the pancreas were examined by MRI using 1.5 T machines including conventional MRI sequences, dynamic contrast enhanced imaging, DWI and IP/OP sequence. Results: The study included 30 patients (12 males and 18 females) with their age ranging from 16 to 88 years (mean age 55 years), MRI analysis of the cyst contents and communication with ductal system were used to characterize different cyst types, among these patients we found serous cystadenoma in five patients, mucinous cystadenoma in seven patients, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in one patient, branch type Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) in seven patients, Mixed IPMN in two patients. Cystic neuroendocrine tumors (CNET) in three patients. Solid cystic pancreatic neoplasm (SPN) in two patients. Pseudocyst in one patient and walled off necrosis (WON) in two patients. Pathological assessment of the lesions was done whenever indicated. Conclusions: MRI with its superior soft tissue resolution is of value in characterization of different cystic pancreatic lesions helping to reach the correct diagnosis

Multifunctional self-healing polymeric nanocomposite coatings for corrosion inhibition of steel

The present work focuses on the self-healing and corrosion behavior of novel epoxy based coatings containing epoxy monomer (EM) and dodecylamine (DDA) as self-healing and corrosion inhibitor, respectively. The coating self-healing ability and the corrosion inhibition effect have been combined, together, in one single coated layer providing autonomous corrosion protection. Towards this goal, the as-synthesized titania nanotubes (TNTs), with an average size of 20 nm were impregnated with DDA and EM and were thoroughly dispersed into the epoxy used as the matrix and applied on steel. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirms the presence of DDA loaded nanotubes and the loading of inhibitor was estimated by thermogravimetric analysis. Additionally, the amount of the released corrosion inhibitor was identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), analysis shows the polymer healing of the prepared coatings when damaged. The electrochemical studies indicate that the corrosion rate of the steel samples coated with the epoxy modified with the healing additives decreases after 5 days of immersion in saline water.This publication was made possible by Grant # NPRP 9–080-2-039 from Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation). Statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. R. A. Shakoor also acknowledges “QU internal grant-QUCGCAM-2018/2019-3” for this research work. M.F. Montemor would like to acknowledge Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia for the CQE project UID/QUI/00100/2013.Scopu