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

Abstract 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

Textile supercapacitors-based on MnO2/SWNT/conducting polymer ternary composites

This paper describes a simple and fast process for the fabrication of flexible and textile-based supercapacitors. Symmetric electrodes made up of binder-free ternary composites of manganese oxide (MnO2) nanoparticles, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) and a conducting polymer (either polyaniline (PANI) or poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly( styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS)) were layer-by-layer deposited onto cotton substrates by dip coating method. Solid-state supercapacitor devices were assembled using a gel electrolyte. Specific capacitances of 294 F/g and 246 F/g were obtained for MnO2/SWNT/PANI and MnO2/SWNT/PEDOT:PSS ternary nanocomposite supercapacitors, respectively. Power densities for these supercapacitors were 746.5W/kg and 640.5W/kg for MnO2/SWNT/PANI and MnO2/SWNT/PEDOT: PSS, respectively. Good capacity retention (more than 70%) upon cycling over 1000 times was achieved for both electrode compositions. Supercapacitors demonstrated in this work would be well suited as disposable power sources for wearable and intelligent textiles. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Coaxial silver nanowire network core molybdenum oxide shell supercapacitor electrodes

We present a new hybrid material composed of molybdenum (IV) oxide (MoO2) shell on highly conducting silver nanowire (Ag NW) core in the network form for the realization of coaxial Ag NW/MoO2 nanocomposite supercapacitor electrodes. Ag NWs were simply spray coated onto glass substrates to form conductive networks and conformal MoO2 layer was electrodeposited onto the Ag NW network to create binder-free coaxial supercapacitor electrodes. Combination of Ag NWs and pseudocapacitive MoO2 generated an enhanced electrochemical energy storage capacity and a specific capacitance of 500.7 F/g was obtained at a current density of 0.25 A/g. Fabricated supercapacitor electrodes showed excellent capacity retention after 5000 cycles. The methods and the design investigated herein open a wide range of opportunities for nanowire based coaxial supercapacitors

Using the Remote Sensing and GIS Technology for Erosion Risk Mapping of Kartalkaya Dam Watershed in Kahramanmaras, Turkey

The soil erosion is the most serious environmental problem in watershed areas in Turkey. The main factors affecting the amount of soil erosion include vegetation cover, topography, soil, and climate. In order to describe the areas with high soil erosion risks and to develop adequate erosion prevention measures in the watersheds of dams, erosion risk maps should be generated considering these factors. Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies were used for erosion risk mapping in Kartalkaya Dam Watershed of Kahramanmaras, Turkey, based on the methodology implemented in COoRdination of INformation on the Environment (CORINE) model. ASTER imagery was used to generate a land use/cover classification in ERDAS Imagine. The digital maps of the other factors (topography, soil types, and climate) were generated in ArcGIS v9.2, and were then integrated as CORINE input files to produce erosion risk maps. The results indicate that 33.82%, 35.44%, and 30.74% of the study area were under low, moderate, and high actual erosion risks, respectively. The CORINE model integrated with RS and GIS technologies has great potential for producing accurate and inexpensive erosion risk maps in Turkey

Ternary nanocomposite SWNT/WO3/PANI thin film electrodes for supercapacitors

We describe a simple and fast process for the fabrication of ternary nanocomposite supercapacitor electrodes. In this work, thin film supercapacitor electrodes made up of binder-free single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) thin films were deposited onto glass substrates by vacuum filtration followed by stamping method. Next, tungsten oxide (WO3) and polyaniline (PANI) were electrodeposited on the SWNT thin films. Combination of SWNTs and pseudocapacitive WO3 and PANI created a synergistic and complementary effect, which enhanced the electrochemical energy storage capacity. A specific capacitance of 28.5 mF/cm(2) was obtained at a current density of 0.13 mA/cm(2). Ternary nanocomposite thin film supercapacitor electrodes showed good capacity retention (76%), limited by the PANI stability, after 2000 cycles

Cobalt Oxide Nanoflakes on Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Thin Films for Supercapacitor Electrodes

We demonstrate a simple and cost-effective approach for the fabrication of cobalt oxide (Co3O4) nanoflakes on single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) thin films for supercapacitor electrodes. SWNT thin films are prepared by vacuum filtration and consecutive stamping method onto which cobalt hydroxide (Co(OH)(2)) nanoflakes are electrodeposited and annealed to obtain Co3O4. A gravimetric capacitance of 313.9 F.g(-1), corresponding to an areal specific capacitance of 70.5 mF.cm(-2) is obtained from the fabricated electrodes at a scan rate of 1 mV/s. A capacity retention of up to 80% following 3000 cycles is obtained for the fabricated nanocomposite electrodes, while morphological evolution of the electrodes was monitored through high resolution transmission microscopy during cycling. Co3O4 nanoflakes show excellent structural stability through cycling with promising capacity retention, suggesting the potential of Co3O4 nanoflakes on SWNT thin films as supercapacitor electrodes

Content Analysis of Research Trends in Instructional Design Models: 1999-2014

WOS: 000396577300008This study examines studies on instructional design models by applying content analysis. It covers 113 papers published in 44 international Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) and Science Citation Index (SCI) journals. Studies on instructional design models are explored in terms of journal of publication, preferred model, country where the study was conducted, research method, data collection tool, data analysis method, sampling interval, and field in which the model was applied. Studies are also examined in terms of variables, focusing on connections with model used, relevant results, and orientation of the model (e.g., system-oriented, class-oriented, or product-oriented). Results identified the most preferred models as ADDIE, ARCS, Gagne and Briggs, 4C-ID, and Dick and Carey. System-based instructional design models were most common. These results show recent trends in instructional design models and will contribute to both researchers and instructional designers

Metal-Organic Framework Integrated Anodes for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Zinc-based batteries have a high capacity and are safe, cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, and capable of scalable production. However, dendrite formation and poor reversibility hinder their performance. Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based Zn anodes are made by wet chemistry to address these issues. These MOF-based anodes exhibit high efficiency during Zn plating-stripping and prevent dendrite formation, as shown by ex situ SEM analysis. The practicality of the MOF-based anodes is demonstrated in aqueous Zn ion batteries, which show improved performance including specific capacity, cycle life, and safety relative to the pristine Zn anode due to their hydrophilic and porous surface. These results, along with the easy scalability of the process, demonstrate the high potential of MOF-modified Zn anodes for use in dendrite-free, higher-performance, Zn-based energy storage systems