Preparing and Studying Structural and Optical Properties of Pb1-xCdxS Nanoparticles of Solar Cells Applications

تم تحضير الجسيمات النانوية لـ Pb1-xCdxS ضمن تركيبة x≤1≤0 من تفاعل المحلول المائي لأسيتات الكادميوم ، أسيتات الرصاص ، ثيوريا ، و NaOH بواسطة الترسيب الكيميائي المشترك. تميزت العينات التي تم تحضيرها بواسطة التحليل الطيفي للأشعة فوق البنفسجية (في نطاق 300-1100 نانومتر) لدراسة الخواص الضوئية و AFM و SEM للتحقق من و Pb0.75 Cd0.25 و Pb0.5Cd0.5S و Pb0.25Cd0 75S ، و CdS على التوالي ، ونقاء المرحلة. تشير النتائج إلى أن البنية البلورية لجميع العينات المحضرة هي مكعبة باستثناء CdS التي تظهر بنية سداسية شكل السطح (متوسط الخشونة والشكل) وحجم الجسيمات. تم استخدام تقنية XRD لتحديد البنية البلورية ، ومتوسط الحجم البلوري للجسيمات النانوية والتي هي 20.7 و 15.48 و 11.9 و 11.8 و 13.65 نانومتر لـ PbS ومكعبة ، وكان حجم الجسيمات (النطاق بين 64.81 إلى 91.14 نانومتر) في المدى النانوي ، ولها درجة نقاء عالية.Nanoparticles of Pb1-xCdxS within the composition of 0≤x≤1 were prepared from the reaction of aqueous solution of cadmium acetate, lead acetate, thiourea, and NaOH by chemical co-precipitation. The prepared samples were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy(in the range 300-1100nm) to study the optical properties, AFM and SEM to check the surface morphology(Roughness average and shape) and the particle size. XRD technique was used to determine the crystalline structure, XRD technique was used to determine the purity of the phase and the crystalline structure, The crystalline size average of the nanoparticles have been found to be 20.7, 15.48, 11.9, 11.8, and 13.65 nm for PbS, Pb0.75Cd0.25S, Pb0.5Cd0.5S, Pb0.25Cd0.75S, and CdS respectively. The results indicate that crystalline structure of all prepared samples is cubic except CdS which shows hexagonal and cubic structure. The particle size was found within the range of (64.81 to 91.14) nm, with a high purity

Nurses' Knowledge Concerning Early Interventions for Patients with Ventricular Tachycardia at Baghdad Teaching Hospitals

Abstract:Objectives: The study aims to assess nurses’ knowledge regarding early intervention for patient with ventricular tachycardia and finds out association with their demographic characteristics.Methodology:Descriptive design has been conducted on 50 samples of nurses. The study was carried out to identify nurses’ knowledge concerning early intervention for patients with ventricular tachycardia at Baghdad teaching hospitals.In order to obtain comprehensive data a specifically a questionnaire is constructed by the researchers according to reviewing literatures related to the topic of the study. It is consist of two parts the first part consists of socio-demographic characteristic consist of (9) items, and second Part two consists of (23) items to measures nurses knowledge concerning early intervention for patient with ventricular tachycardia.In order to determine the face validity, copies of the questionnaire was presented to panel of experts and reliability of the questionnaire was obtained through measuring internal consistency of questionnaire items which are (23 items) where result was (0.803) by Cronbach s' Coefficient alpha. A non- probability (purposive) sample of 50 nurse taken from above –mentioned hospitals. Statistical Analysis has been applied through using statistical package for social sciences (spss version 20) by utilizing descriptive and inferential analysis.Results:The overall assessment of the studied sample’s knowledge was low. There were statistically significant association between studied sample’s knowledge and marital status, age groups, and Experience years at nursing profession.Conclusion: the overall assessment of samples knowledge was lowRecommendations: the study recommends to encourage nurses to participate in sessions inside or outside the country to improve their knowledge and In addition to Place an Educational posters in the critical care units include an outline concerning early interventions or treatment for this disorder may be more beneficial for nursesKeyword: Nurses, Knowledge, Early Intervention, Patients, Ventricular Tachycardi

Thyroid Cancer in Saudi Arabia: A Histopathological and Outcome Study

Most data on differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) came from the Western world. We describe its salient characteristics and outcome from a Middle Eastern country. Patients and Methods. We studied all cases of TC seen during a 2-year period (2004-2005) seen at our institution. Results. A total of 600 consecutive cases of DTC with a median age at diagnosis of 39 years (5–85) and the female : male ratio of 459 : 141 (76.5% : 23.5%). The cases included classical papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in 77%, follicular variant PTC in 13.3%, follicular thyroid cancer in 3.2%, and other rare subtypes 6.5%. Total or near-total thyroidectomy was performed in 93%, central and/or lateral neck dissection in 64.5% of cases, and radioactive iodine ablation in 82% of cases. Additional therapies were administered to 154 patients (25.7%). At a median follow-up period of 7.63 years (0.22–13.1), 318 patients (53.3%) were in excellent response, 147 (24.5%) having an indeterminate response, 55 (9.2%) biochemically incomplete, 33 (5.5%) structurally incomplete, and 27 (4.5%) unclassifiable. Twenty cases died secondary to DTC (disease-specific mortality 3.3%). Conclusions. In Saudi Arabia, DTC is common and occurs at young age and predominantly in females. Although remission is common, persistent disease is also common but disease-specific mortality is low

The Effect of Electrospinning Parameters on Morphological and Mechanical Properties of PAN-based Nanofibers Membrane

The electrospun nanofibers membranes (ENMs) have gained great attention due to their superior performance. However, the low mechanical strength of ENMs, such as the rigidity and low strength, limits their applications in many aspects which need adequate strength, such as water filtration. This work investigates the impact of electrospinning parameters on the properties of ENMs fabricated from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solved in N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF). The studied electrospinning parameters were polymer concentration, solution flow rate, collector rotating speed, and the distance between the needle and collector. The fabricated ENMs were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand the surface morphology and estimate the average fiber sizes. The membrane porosity percentage was measured using the dry-wet weight method. Also, a dynamic mechanical analyzer was used to determine the mechanical strength properties (tensile strength and Young's modulus) (DMA). The obtained results revealed that the polymer concentration and flow rate mainly affect the porosity and fiber size in ENMs. Increasing the polymer concentration improves the strength and flexibility, while the flow rate did not show a clear effect on the mechanical strength of ENMs. Both fibers collecting speed and spinning distance did not clearly impact the membrane morphology. ENMs flexibility significantly increased with increasing the collector speed and decreasing the spinning distance. Strong and flexible ENMs with small fibers can be fabricated using 10% PAN/DMF at a flow rate of 1 mL/h, collector speed of 140 rpm, and spinning distance of 13 cm

Exploiting the synergistic catalytic effects of CoPi nanostructures on Zr-doped highly ordered TiO2 nanotubes for efficient solar water oxidation

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) catalysis offers promising strategies for sustainable development. This study demonstrated the synergistic catalytic behavior of ZrO2 and a cobalt phosphate on anodized TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs), which significantly enhanced the PEC performance for visible-light-driven water splitting reactions. The sequential addition of ZrO2/CoPi-decorated TNTs was performed via electrodeposition and photoassisted electrodeposition. The substitution of Zr4+ by Ti4 can lead to the creation of oxygen vacancies, enabling electron trapping, reducing charge recombination, and thereby enhancing the charge transfer efficiency. Further, in the case of TNTs/ZrO2/CoPi photoanode, the CoPi WOC functioned as a hole-transfer relay to promote the water-splitting reaction. Specifically, incorporating ZrO2/CoPi rushes the surface reaction kinetics of TNTs and considerably improves charge transfer efficiency (ηCT = 90%), photocurrent density (0.86 mA/cm2 at 1.23 VRHE) and durability were obtained. Further, the mechanistic examination by impedance measurements showed the enhanced charge transfer, and surface conductivity for prepared materials. The proposed method can be widely used to develop electrodes made of other materials to produce solar fuels

Investigation of Adding Microscopic Slide Glass Nano Particles on the Metallurgical Characterization and Mechanical Properties of Cast Aluminum 7075 Composites

Abstract. Metal Matrix Composite (MCC) exhibits significantly better properties, like hardness, high tensile strength, low density, and good wear resistance compared to alloy or any other metals. In the present study, the effect of using different proportions (2, 4, 8 and 10 wt.%) of microscopic slide glass nano particles (MSGNP) on the properties of Al-7075 alloy was investigated. The results of the experimental investigation of the metallurgical characterization and mechanical properties of aluminum MMC that formed by stir casting were obtained. Stir casting is the process of introducing a reinforcing material into a molten metal by stirring it in. The results of the aluminum MMC were compared with those for the base alloy material. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), and X-Ray Diffraction study (XRD) were carried out to analyze the microstructure and the dispersion of the (MSGNP) into the composite alloy specimens. Regarding the mechanical properties, the Rockwell hardness gradually increased when the addition of MSGNP was raised from 0 to 10wt.%. Also, there was an increase in the ultimate tensile strength, peaking at the incorporation rate of 4wt.% MSGNP and thereafter, this strength deteriorated. Therefore, the addition of microscopic slide glass nano particles to the Al-7075 is good for enhancing the alloy properties for engineering application

Data integrity within the biopharmaceutical sector in the era of Industry 4.0

Data Integrity (DI) in the highly regulated biopharmaceutical sector is of paramount importance to ensure decisions on meeting product specifications are accurate and hence assure patient safety and product quality. The challenge of ensuring DI within this sector is becoming more complex with the growing amount of data generated given increasing adoption of process analytical technology (PAT), advanced automation, high throughput microscale studies, and managing data models created by machine learning (ML) tools. This paper aims to identify DI risks and mitigation strategies in biopharmaceutical manufacturing facilities as the sector moves towards Industry 4.0. To achieve this, the paper examines common DI violations and links them to the ALCOA+ principles used across the FDA, EMA, and MHRA. The relevant DI guidelines from the ISPE's GAMP5 and ISA-95 standards are also discussed with a focus on the role of validated computerised and automated manufacturing systems to avoid DI risks and generate compliant data. The paper also highlights the importance of DI whilst using data analytics to ensure the developed models meet the required regulatory standards for process monitoring and control. This includes a discussion on possible mitigation strategies and methodologies to ensure data integrity is maintained for smart manufacturing operations such as the use of cloud platforms to facilitate the storage and transfer of manufacturing data, and migrate away from paper-based records

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy: A progressive consequence of chronic low-grade inflammation in type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders

Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is one of the earliest complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D), presenting a silent cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent research relates the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease in T2D to an ensuing chronic, low-grade proinflammatory and pro-oxidative environment, being the hallmark of the metabolic syndrome. Metabolic inflammation emerges as adipose tissue inflammatory changes extending systemically, on the advent of hyperglycemia, to reach central regions of the brain. In light of changes in glucose and insulin homeostasis, dysbiosis or alteration of the gut microbiome (GM) emerges, further contributing to inflammatory processes through increased gut and blood–brain barrier permeability. Interestingly, studies reveal that the determinants of oxidative stress and inflammation progression exist at the crossroad of CAN manifestations, dictating their evolution along the natural course of T2D development. Indeed, sympathetic and parasympathetic deterioration was shown to correlate with markers of adipose, vascular, and systemic inflammation. Additionally, evidence points out that dysbiosis could promote a sympatho-excitatory state through differentially affecting the secretion of hormones and neuromodulators, such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and γ-aminobutyric acid, and acting along the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone axis. Emerging neuronal inflammation and concomitant autophagic defects in brainstem nuclei were described as possible underlying mechanisms of CAN in experimental models of metabolic syndrome and T2D. Drugs with anti-inflammatory characteristics provide potential avenues for targeting pathways involved in CAN initiation and progression. The aim of this review is to delineate the etiology of CAN in the context of a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated oxidative and inflammatory load.Funding: This work was funded by the Faculty of Medicine at the American University of Beirut, Medical Practice Plan, grant #320148 to A.F.E. and UAEU Program for Advanced Research, grant number 31S398-UPAR to Y.A.-D.Scopu

Increased insulin resistance due to long COVID is associated with depressive symptoms and partly predicted by the inflammatory response during acute infection

Objective: Some months after the remission of acute COVID-19, some individuals show depressive symptoms, which are predicted by increased peak body temperature (PBT) and decreased blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). The present study aimed to examine data on whether long COVID is associated with increased insulin resistance (IR) in association with neuroimmune and oxidative (NIO) processes during the acute infectious and long COVID phases. Methods: This case-control, retrospective cohort study used the Homeostasis Model Assessment 2 (HOMA2) calculator© to compute β-cell function (HOMA2%B) and insulin sensitivity (HOMA2%S) and resistance (HOMA2-IR) and administered the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) to 86 patients with long COVID and 39 controls. Results: Long COVID (3-4 months after the acute infection) is accompanied by increased HOMA2-IR, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and insulin levels; 33.7% of the patients vs. 0% of the controls had HOMA2-IR values > 1.8, suggesting IR. Increased IR was predicted by PBT during acute infection and associated with depressive symptoms above and beyond the effects of NIO pathways (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 [NLRP3] inflammasome, myeloperoxidase [MPO], protein oxidation). There were no significant associations between increased IR and the activated NIO pathways during long COVID. Conclusion: Long COVID is associated with new-onset IR, which may contribute to onset of depressive symptoms due to long COVID by enhancing overall neurotoxicity