Synergistic photovoltaic-thermoelectric effect in a nanostructured CdTe/Bi2Te3 heterojunction for hybrid energy harvesting

Recent advances in the photovoltaic and thermoelectric material synthesis and characterization have engendered significant interest in their solar energy harvesting. However, examples of energy harvesting by the two effects in one single cell are relatively rare, and at present there are no known examples to solve the heat problem in a conventional solar cell. Here we show that a synergistic photovoltaic and thermoelectric effect takes place in a single heterojunction solar cell that consists a p-type CdTe nanorod array and n-type Bi2Te3 nanostructures. This novel cell is capable of converting light and heat into electricity via combined photovoltaic and thermoelectric processes, providing a simple and elegant material structure for development of high efficiency solar cells which can harvest solar energy over a wider solar spectrum. In addition, this discovery may provide a viable solution to the heat problems in conventional solar cells. Based on the synergistic photovoltaic and thermoelectric effect, the cell of FTO/CdS/CdTe/Bi2Te3 has been prepared and an efficiency (η) increase of 23.3% is achieved after 1 min illuminatio

Effects of cooking temperature in repetitive cooking-chilling cycles on resistant starch content and quality characteristics of fish crackers

This work describes the effects of different cooking temperatures in repetitive cooking-chilling (RCC) process on resistant starch (RS) content in fish crackers prepared in a ratio of 1:1 fish to sago starch formulation. In this work, three sets of four RCC cycles were performed on fish crackers, in which each set was cooked at fixed temperatures of 100, 115 and 121°C, respectively. The chilling temperature was fixed at 4°C in all cases. Subjecting the fish crackers to a higher cooking temperature for up to 4 cycles of RCC can increase the RS content. However, quality degradation was observed in the characteristics of the fish crackers. During the first RCC cycle, cooking at a higher temperature had caused the crackers to crack and burst. Besides, defragmentation to the shape of the fish cracker gels was also observed during the first RCC cycle, coupled with softer texture and high moisture content. When the products were subjected to frying, their linear expansion decreased, the texture became harder and the colour turned darker. This work demonstrated that the application of higher cooking temperature up to 4 RCC cycles was able to enhance the RS content in the fish crackers, but it was less able to attain the product’s perfect shape. On the contrary, fish crackers that were exposed to lower cooking temperatures contained lower RS but with less shape damage

El aprendizaje de la literatura inglesa en Malasia: una revisión de la literatura

Literature has been a core component in English education. By learning literature, learners can learn English without having to understand the grammatical rules directly. With literature, learners can learn both the language and the other elements of it such as culture, moral values, life lessons and relatable situations. Such is the importance of literature; the Ministry of Education Malaysia has integrated it as part of the English curriculum to help increase the level of English proficiency among Malaysian students. However, this has created divisive opinions from various parties due to many challenges and issues faced by teachers and students. This paper aims to investigate the current issues and challenges faced by secondary school teachers and students in learning and teaching English literature. Through this paper, the researchers have highlighted the brief history of the introduction of literature in the English education and how the role of literature has developed throughout the years. Next, a closer look at the challenges and issues faced by teachers and students from previous studies and research have been highlighted for future researchers to take into consideration. By looking at previous studies, it has been discovered that motivation and attitudes towards learning English literature could be major factors that future researchers can further look into.La literatura ha sido un componente central en la educación del inglés. Al aprender literatura, los alumnos pueden aprender inglés sin tener que entender las reglas gramaticales directamente. Con la literatura, los alumnos pueden aprender tanto el idioma como otros elementos del mismo, como la cultura, los valores morales, las lecciones de vida y las situaciones relacionadas. Tal es la importancia de la literatura; El Ministerio de Educación de Malasia lo ha integrado como parte del plan de estudios de inglés para ayudar a aumentar el nivel de dominio del inglés entre los estudiantes de Malasia. Sin embargo, esto ha creado opiniones divisivas de varias partes debido a muchos desafíos y problemas que enfrentan los maestros y estudiantes. Este documento tiene como objetivo investigar los problemas y desafíos actuales que enfrentan los maestros y estudiantes de secundaria en el aprendizaje y la enseñanza de la literatura inglesa. A través de este documento, los investigadores han destacado la breve historia de la introducción de la literatura en la educación en inglés y cómo se ha desarrollado el papel de la literatura a lo largo de los años. A continuación, se destacó una mirada más cercana a los desafíos y problemas que enfrentan los maestros y estudiantes de estudios e investigaciones anteriores para que los futuros investigadores los tengan en cuenta. Al observar estudios anteriores, se descubrió que la motivación y las actitudes hacia el aprendizaje de la literatura inglesa podrían ser factores importantes que los futuros investigadores pueden investigar más a fondo

Impact blockchain technology on traditional electronic payment system

Every moment there is a new idea and a new project that creates new technologies to make life easier and faster and to invest resources better. In this research, talk about a new technology that is considered a revolution in the age of the Internet, which in turn is the offspring of the new generation of the internet (5G), which is the blockchain technology, which began to be completed and appear to us from 2017, and it is not like other technologies, but in essence depends on changing many of the concepts that we are accustomed to in Communication, exchange and sharing via the Internet, it will change it in the same way as open-source software and in the same way as the Linux system, which, when it appeared, became the main focus for programmers and the development of software technologies, and this is the case with blockchain technology, this technology depends on the user and the customer only. There is no third party or responsible party. The user is responsible here

Taylor-newton homotopy method for computing the depth of flow rate for a channel

Homotopy approximation methods (HAM) can be considered as one of the new methods belong to the general classification of the computational methods which can be used to find the numerical solution of many types of the problems in science and engineering. The general problem relates to the flow and the depth of water in open channels such as rivers and canals is a nonlinear algebraic equation which is known as continuity equation. The solution of this equation is the depth of the water. This paper represents attempt to solve the equation of depth and flow using Newton homotopy based on Taylor series. Numerical example is given to show the effectiveness of the purposed method using MATLAB language

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) approach for mapping the aboriginal children malnutrition growth : a case in Kemar, Perak / Haslina Hashim ... [et al.]

Geographical Information System (GIS) has been widely used nowadays in health monitoring process throughout the whole nation. GIS also has been used to map population infectious diseases such as Dengue, Malaria and AIDS. This system has the ability to organize, manipulate, analyze and visually display spatial data and provide an efficient result thus can help the decision maker in solving the health problem. The use of GIS to map the aboriginal children malnutrition growth is thus appropriate. Children malnutrition is a multi current dimensional problem which involves with food security, education, and access to clean water, sanitation and health services. An aboriginal child is identify to be under the high risk of unhealthy growth nowadays. The factors that contribute to this issues is the living environment and sufficient of healthy food and clean water. GIS technologies have the potential to be used in mapping the children malnutrition growth and study the significance of the environment which relate to the cases. GIS has the ability to update information and visualize the result for further analysis to be taken by the bodies of interest. The objectives of this study is to identify the group of aboriginal children and their locations using global positioning systems (GPS) that need of assistance and help in health interventions, this study also provide up to date information for decision making and raise precaution awareness towards the Aboriginal Children malnutrition’s problems. These malnutrition children growth results will be displayed by GIS to visualize the percentage growth. Once the result is obtained therefore further analysis can be done to monitor the aboriginal children growth with the support of healthy malnutrition program in future

Ultrasonic study and physical properties of borotellurite glasses

A series of glasses (TeO2)x (B2O3)1-x with x = 0.6, 0.63, 0.65, 0.70, 0.73, 0.75, 0.78 and 0.80 were synthesized by rapid quenching. Longitudinal and shear ultrasonic velocity were measured at room temperature and at 5 MHz frequency. Elastic properties, Poisson’s ratio and micro hardness have been calculated from the measured density and ultrasonic velocity at room temperature. Estimated parameters based on Makishima-Mackenzie theory and bond compression model were calculated in order to analyze the experimental elastic moduli. Comparison between the experimental elastic moduli data obtained in the study and the calculated theoretically by other models has been discussed

MECHANISMS ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF IRAQI STOCK EXCHANGE

This paper examines the financial impact of the mechanisms of internal corporate governance in the context of the Iraqi Stock Exchange (ISX). A quantitative research design was selected to answer the research questions and five hypotheses. Sixty items were used to measure the effects of the internal corporate governance mechanisms on the financial performance of the ISX. A sample  consisting of  Iraqi Stock Exchange branches was  chosen  using  the  standardized  random  sample  technique.  The  data analysis using SPSS version 25 and SmartPLS  3.28  showed the positive impact of the internal corporate governance mechanisms on the financial performance of the ISX. This result  showed  the  significance of  Board  Committees  in  improving  financial performance ( beta0.137; t4.343;  p0.001). Likewise, the  result  also  showed  the significant impact of Board of Directors on financial performance (beta0.217; t7.771; p0.000). Financial  Statements  &  Auditors  also  pose  a  major  significant  impact  on financial performance ( beta0.296; t6.508; p0.000), as does Ownership Structure  (beta0.209; t4.607; p0.000). Lastly, Stock-Based Compensation was also shown to pose  an impact  on  financial  performance ( beta0.167; t3.389;  p0.001).  This study\u27s practical contribution is in addressing  the weak financial performance of  Iraqi commercial companies  and  urging  the  adoption  of  internal  governance  elements  to solve the problems between management and shareholders, which helps reduce risks and corporate collapse as well as boost financial performance. &nbsp

Biodegradation of carbamazepine using fungi and bacteria

Carbamazepine is an anti-epileptic pharmaceuticalcompound which is frequently detected in wastewater. However, this compound is hardly degraded naturally due to its persistency. Thus, carbamazepine presents in water stream and household water supply as well as wastewater treatment plant. This paper focuses on various species of fungi and bacteria used in carbamazepine biodegradation and the carbamazepine degrading-enzymes involved in the degradation pathways. Selected research papers on carbamazepine biodegradation using fungi and bacteria were reviewed. The efficiency and approaches in term of methodologies and technologies used were highlighted in this paper. Such study sheds light on gaps of study and future research direction on carbamazepine biodegradation.Keywords: biodegradation; carbamazepine; method; pharmaceuticals