Fe Saturation Research Articles

High frequency application of ultrafine submicron FeBP amorphous soft magnetic composites

A novel amorphous soft magnetic composites (ASMCs) for hundreds MHz frequency applications have been prepared under the hot-pressing molding by ultrafine submicron FeBP amorphous powders. These ultrafine submicron FeBP amorphous particles were synthesized with the NaBH4 chemical reduction method and the particles size was regulated by the drop rate of the reducing agent. The morphology, microstructure, elemental composition and high-frequency magnetic properties of the amorphous soft magnetic composites was systematically investigated. The particle sizes of FeBP amorphous powders are distributed in 600–900 nm which gradually increase with the decrease of the drop rate of the NaBH4 aqueous solution. Meanwhile, the Fe element content and saturation magnetization strength of the amorphous powder increase and the coercivity gradually decreases. The corresponded ASMCs also appear a commensurate permeability in the range of 6–9 responding to the GHz high frequency range with the lowest loss tangent only 0.20 and 0.44 at 500 MHZ and 1 GHz, respectively. Such ultrafine amorphous soft magnetic composites have enormous potential for high frequency applications in wide band gap semiconductor switching power supplies, RF inductors and chips.

Metal Saturated Cumulates from Siberia — Lunar Basalt Analogues?

Abstract It is not well known which chemical differentiation pathways basaltic melts will take when they are iron metal saturated. Thermodynamically, the pathway seems predictable. So long as Fe metal is a stable liquidus phase and relative oxygen fugacity (fO2) is not subject to major fluctuations, the activity of FeO (aFeOmelt) is buffered by the iron–wüstite (IW) equilibrium 2Femetal + O2 → 2FeOmelt. Metallic Fe also stabilizes olivine through the equilibrium 2Femetal + O2 + SiO2 melt → Fe2SiO4 olivine. That equilibrium tends to suppress the enrichment in bulk SiO2 when Fe saturated basaltic melts differentiate. We document the differentiation history of tholeiitic cumulates from the Siberian craton that carry up to 30 modal % metallic Fe. Our study is complemented by differentiation experiments at two redox states, one set in Fe metal capsules at 1.6 log units below IW (IW-1.6) and a second set in graphite capsules at IW + 1.5. Iron saturated differentiation pathways do not show enrichments in FeO nor in bulk SiO2 because olivine remains stable along the entire liquid line of descent. By contrast, melts equilibrated at IW + 1.5, that is, outside metallic Fe saturation, crystallize pigeonite as first silicate and follow a normal (terrestrial) differentiation pathway involving marked SiO2 enrichment. The Fe-saturated path duplicates in detail the liquid line of descent we derive for the cumulates. Iron-saturated experiments have limited applicability to the Earth because there are so few terrestrial basalts saturated with metallic Fe; however, they might apply to the Moon. Many lunar basalts appear to have been saturated with an Fe-Ni phase during their emplacement on the lunar surface, and potentially during generation within the lunar mantle.

Tetracycline removal enhancement with Fe-saturated nanoporous montmorillonite in a tripartite adsorption/desorption/photo-Fenton degradation process.

The adsorption and photo-Fenton degradation of tetracycline (TC) over Fe-saturated nanoporous montmorillonite was analyzed. The synthesized samples were characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM, and XRF analysis, and the adsorption and desorption of TC onto these samples, as well as the antimicrobial activity of TC during these processes, were analyzed at different pH. Initially, a set of adsorption/desorption experiments was conducted, and surprisingly, up to 50% of TC adsorbed was released from Mt structure. Moreover, the desorbed TC had strong antibacterial activity. Then, an acid treatment (for the creation of nanoporous layers) and Fe saturation of the montmorillonite were applied to improve its adsorption and photocatalytic degradation properties over TC. Surprisingly, the desorption of TC from modified montmorillonite was still high up to 40% of adsorbed TC. However, simultaneous adsorption and photodegradation of TC were detected and almost no antimicrobial activity was detected after 180min of visible light irradiation, which could be due to the photo-Fenton degradation of TC on the modified montmorillonite surface. In the porous structures of modified montmorillonite high, ˙OH radicals were created in the photo-Fenton reaction and were measured using the Coumarin technique. The ˙OH radicals help the degradation of TC as proposed in an oxidation process. Surprisingly, more than 90% of antimicrobial activity of the TC decreased under visible light (after 180min) when desorbed from nanoporous Fe-saturated montmorillonite compared to natural montmorillonite. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that such a high TC desorption rate from an adsorbent with the least residual antimicrobial activity is reported which makes nanoporous Fe-saturated montmorillonite a perfect separation substance of TC from the environment.

Influence of Environmental Factors on Forest Understorey Species in Northern Mexico

Background: Understorey plants are key to maintaining forest structure and functioning. They protect the soil, improve its structure and fertility, reduce water run-off and sustain the below-ground biota, amongst other ecological services. However, little is known about the environmental conditions that regulate the occurrence of these plants. This study focuses on determining how canopy cover influences the occurrence of understorey species and identifying the most important soil properties that affect these species. The study area was a pine-oak forest in the Sierra Madre Occidental, an important source of ecological services for northwestern Mexico. Methods: To assess the conditions influencing the presence of herbaceous and shrub species, 25 soil variables were examined in relation to the species occurring in forest gaps and under the canopy. Sampling was conducted in five plots, each of 100 × 100 m. In each plot, 4 subplots, each of 20 × 20 m, were each subdivided in a grid of 2 × 2 m units, in which the presence-absence of herbaceous and shrub species was recorded (2000 units in total). Soil samples were extracted for analysis from the central point in each subplot. Data were analyzed using a Binomial Logistic Model (BLM) and Random Forest (RF) classification. Results: Understorey species were more strongly affected by soil variables than by their location in gaps or below canopy. The concentrations of Ca, P, K, Fe, Na, C, Zn, Mn, nitrates, organic matter, sand, silt, and percentage water saturation were statistically significantly associated with the presence of some plant species, whilst no significant differences were found in regard to preference for gaps or canopy, although several species were more frequent in open areas. Conclusions: Given the importance of the understorey cover in forest system functioning, we propose that understorey should be considered in integrated management and conservation practices for the temperate forests of northern Mexico.

Analysis of Ferritin Levels, TIBC and Fe Serum In Central Obesity And Non Central Obesity

Ferritin is an inflammatory marker in obesity, TIBC, Fe, and transferrin saturation by examining iron status. Anthropometric parameters of waist circumference are related to visceral fat. This study analyzed the levels of ferritin, TIBC, Fe, and transfer saturation in central and non-central obesity. The observational study (cross-sectional) used 75 subjects for 4 months. Ferritin using ECLIA, TIBC and Fe using immunoturbidimetric and colorimetric methods, transferrin saturation using the comparison method of Fe and TIBC values ​​in percent units. This study showed significant results on TIBC levels, while levels of ferritin, Fe, and transferrin saturation were not significant. The Spearman correlation test showed significant results between ferritin and waist circumference levels while TIBC, Fe, and transferrin saturation were not significant. In conclusion, there are significant differences in TIBC while ferritin, Fe, and transferrin saturation do not have significant differences between central and non-central obesity

Modeling the viscosity of silicate melts containing Fe oxide: Fe saturation condition

Our recently developed model for the viscosity of silicate melts is applied to describe and predict the viscosities of oxide melts containing iron oxide. In the present study, the viscosity experimental data under the reduced atmosphere, which is Fe saturation condition were critically reviewed and three pairs of adjustable model parameters related to ‘FeO’ were optimized to best reproduce all experimental data in the FeO–SiO2–Al2O3–CaO–MgO–Na2O–MnO–Ti2O3–TiO2 system. The viscosities of a wide compositional and temperature range of binary, ternary and multicomponent melts were well reproduced by the present model within the scatter of experimental data.

Catalytic degradation of micropollutant by peroxymonosulfate activation through Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle confined in the nanoscale interlayer of Fe(III)-saturated montmorillonite

Low cost, green, regenerable catalyst for persulfate activation is the popularly concerned topic for the degradation of persistent organic micropollutants in drinking water. In this work, natural montmorillonite (MMT) saturated with Fe(III) ions was used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of atrazine in raw drinking water. Results showed that the adsorption of atrazine was quickly completed within 1 min and the percentage degradation was finally increased up to 94.1% in 60 min. The d001-spacing of MMT was enlarged to 2.91 nm at the most by Fe(III) saturation. Atrazine was adsorbed into the nanoscale interlayer of Fe(III)-saturated montmorillonite (Fe-MMT), where the Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycle was sustainably realized through the accelerated transformation of electrons between Fe(III) and PMS. Meanwhile, the in-situ generated Fe(II) accelerated the decomposition of PMS to further proceed the degradation of atrazine through the oxidation of HO• and SO4•- radicals. This nanoconfined effect of PMS activation by Fe(III) was further confirmed through the degradation of various micropollutants in the backgrounds of river water. The selective catalytic oxidation of micropollutants through PMS activation was attributed to the 2D mesoporous structure of Fe-MMT, inhibiting the interlayer adsorption of larger molecular backgrounds (humic acids etc.). Fe(III)-saturated montmorillonite (Fe-MMT) provided a feasible and scalable method of PMS activation by Fe(III) for the degradation of micropollutants in drinking water.

Magnetic properties of EuFeAs2 and the 14 K superconductor EuFe0.97Ni0.03As2

The findings of a 57Fe and 151Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy investigation between 1.8 and 299.5 K of EuFeAs2 and the 14 K superconductor EuFe0.97Ni0.03As2 are reported. In both compounds, the Fe sublattice orders in the antiferromagnetic spin-density-wave fashion with the Néel temperatures and Fe saturation magnetic moments of 106.2(1.9) K, 0.78(1)μB and 56.6(2.2) K, 0.47(1)μB, respectively. The Néel temperatures and the saturation hyperfine magnetic fields of the antiferromagnetically ordered Eu sublattice in both compounds are 44.4(5) K, 294.2(7) kOe and 43.5(1) K, 290.5(1) kOe, respectively. The 3% substitution of Fe by Ni in EuFeAs2 has a dramatic effect on the magnetism of the Fe sublattice and virtually no effect on the magnetism of the Eu sublattice. The presence of Fe and Eu magnetic order in EuFe0.97Ni0.03As2 is direct proof of the coexistence of superconductivity and magnetism. The increase of the magnitude of the main component of the electric field gradient tensor, at both Fe and Eu sites, with decreasing temperature is explained by a T3/2 power-law relation. The Debye temperatures of EuFeAs2, EuFe0.97Ni0.03As2, and the FeAs2 impurity phase are 355(18), 428(14), and 594(25) K, respectively.

Soil attributes and coffee yield in an agroforestry system

Coffee growing in an agroforestry system may provide improvements in soil chemical and physical attributes, increase crop yield and diversify production. However, there are few studies on coffee growing intercropped with high quality wood-producing species such as African mahogany, teak and Australian cedar. The objective of this study was to evaluate, in an agroforestry system, the effect of coffee intercropping with tree species and the density of these species on chemical and physical soil attributes and on coffee yield. The experiment was carried out in Santo Antonio do Amparo, MG, and ‘Catucai’ coffee was used in a 3.4x0.7m spacing. A randomized block design with split plots was used, with one additional treatment and 4 replications. The treatments consisted, in the plot, of three tree forest species: Australian cedar, teak and African mahogany, used intercropped with coffee; and, in the subplots, two densities of these forest species: 82 plants ha-1 (13.6 m between rows and 9 m between plants) and 41 plants ha-1 (13.6 m between rows and 18 m between plants). The additional treatment consisted of conventional coffee growing under full sun. 64 months after the experiment was set, when the forest species were still under development, soil samples were taken at a depth of 0 to 0.1 m to determine the following chemical attributes: pH in H2O, potential acidity, organic matter content, P-Mehlich, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and base saturation (V%); and physical soil attributes: bulk density, macroporosity, microporosity, total porosity. Soil temperature at 0.05 m depth and coffee yield were also evaluated. Chemical and physical attributes, besides soil temperature, are similarly influenced with the cultivation of Australian cedar, teak and African mahogany, intercropped with coffee, in both densities, 82 and 41 plants ha-1, after 5 years of implementation of the agroforestry system. Coffee cultivation in agroforestry system with Australian cedar, teak and African mahogany increases the organic matter and P content of the soil, but acidifies the soil and does not influence its physical attributes. The agroforestry system with teak and African mahogany increases coffee yield. Key words: Coffea arabica; Intercropping; Shading; Soil fertility.

598 Physicians Fail to Utilize Iron Supplementation After Discharge in Gastrointestinal Intestinal Bleeding

INTRODUCTION: A common cause of iron (Fe) deficiency anemia (IDA) is gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). While treatment is aimed at the underlying cause of IDA, it is also targeted at replenishing Fe stores to reduce anemia progression and end organ damage. Our objective was to assess whether patients hospitalized with IDA secondary to GIB received appropriate Fe supplementation upon discharge and the effect of this therapy post-discharge. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients hospitalized with GIB between 1/2017 and 12/2017. Patients eligible for Fe on discharge had one or more of the following: ferritin ≤30, Fe saturation ≤10%, and/or ≥2-gram decrease from the patient's baseline hemoglobin (hgb) with a final hgb of <10.0 due to GIB. We excluded patients with active malignancy, prior abdominal surgery, hematologic disorders, hgb > 10 on discharge, or died during hospitalization. We recorded the hgb on admission, nadir, and discharge and whether blood transfusions and Fe supplementation were given. In addition, use of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents prior to admission was recorded. A post-discharge period of 180 days was used to assess outpatient hgb levels and hospital readmission. A regression analysis was performed to identify significant variables associated with receiving appropriate Fe supplementation on discharge. RESULTS: From 992 records, 228 patients met inclusion criteria. There were 115 M, 113 F, with a mean age of 62.6y. Overall, 106 (46.5%) patients received Fe on discharge. In regression analysis, adjusted for multiple confounders, having received Fe (PO or IV) while inpatient was strongly predictive of receiving Fe on discharge aOR= 13.5 (CI 6.8-26.8). In addition, if admission hgb was <8.0, the aOR of receiving Fe on discharge was 2.21 (CI 1.10 – 4.45). Nadir and discharge hemoglobin were not associated with Fe supplementation. There was no statistical reduction in readmission rates for those discharged on Fe although a Type 2 error could not be excluded. CONCLUSION: Physicians fail to provide Fe supplementation on discharge to over 50% of patients eligible after a GIB. Fe supplementation during a patient's hospitalization is the strongest predictor of receiving Fe upon discharge. This may be due to the medication reconciliation performed by the EMR at time of discharge. The other predictor variable was admission hgb but not nadir or discharge hgb. Automated reminders built into the EMR may help reduce this widespread problem.

Beneficial effects of intravenous iron therapy in a rat model of heart failure with preserved systemic iron status but depleted intracellular cardiac stores

Iron deficiency (ID) commonly occurs in chronic heart failure (HF) and is associated with poor prognosis. Neither its causes nor pathophysiological significance are clearly understood. We aimed to assess iron status and the effect of iron supplementation in the rat model of post-myocardial infarction (MI) HF. Four weeks after induction of MI to induce HF or sham surgery, rats received intravenous iron (ferric carboxymaltose) or saline, 4 doses in 1-week intervals. HF alone did not cause anemia, systemic or myocardial ID, but reduced myocardial ferritin, suggesting depleted cardiomyocyte iron stores. Iron therapy increased serum Fe, ferritin and transferrin saturation as well as cardiac and hepatic iron content in HF rats, but did not increase myocardial ferritin. This was accompanied by: (1) better preservation of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and smaller LV dilation, (2) preservation of function of Ca2+ handling proteins in LV cardiomyocytes and (3) reduced level of inflammatory marker, CRP. Furthermore, iron supplementation did not potentiate oxidative stress or have toxic effects on cardiomyocyte function, but increased activity of antioxidant defenses (cardiac superoxide dismutase). Despite lack of systemic or myocardial ID we found evidence of depleted cardiomyocyte iron stores in the rat model of HF. Furthermore we observed positive effect of iron supplementation and confirmed safety of iron supplementation in this setting.

Hepatic Sarcoidosis Suspected for Liver Cirrhosis - A Case Report of Diagnosing Subclinical Disease

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease with systematic involvement and unknown etiology. The pathologic hallmark is non-caseasting granulomas in involved tissues. The majority of patients have pulmonary manifestations, however, up to 30% present with extrathoracic disease. Symptomatic liver involvement is estimated to occur in 5 to 15 percent of patients with sarcoidosis, while much higher rates of subclinical involvement are suspected to go undiagnosed. We describe a 53-year-old white male who presented for evaluation prior to renal transplant. His past medical history was significant for sarcoidosis, ESRD secondary to IgA nephropathy, hypertension, morbid obesity, history of heavy alcohol use and suspected liver cirrhosis based on CT scan of 3-year duration. On review of systems, he denied fever, night sweats, unintentional weight loss, lymphadenopathy, hematemesis, melena, abdominal distension and history of confusion. Physical examination was unremarkable with no evidence of icterus, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, or abdominal masses. He denied family history of liver disease and denied history of cigarette smoking and IV drug use. On laboratory testing, he is EBV positive, whereas viral hepatitis panel, CMV and ANA were negative. He had a normal complete blood count, basic metabolic panel and liver panel including AST, ALT, Alkaline phosphatase, PT/INR and platelet count. Ferritin, serum iron, TIBC, Fe saturation, UIBC were within normal limit. He had a negative TB quantiferon. Abdominal CT scan without contrast showed morphologic features of liver cirrhosis with small upper abdominal collaterals and mild splenomegaly, calcified porta hepatis and portacaval lymph nodes, with small notable retroperitoneal lymph nodes. A Liver core biopsy was done revealing reveal non-caseating granulomas consistent with clinical history of sarcoidosis, no evidence of cirrhosis, and unremarkable PAS stain with and without diastase, reticulin stain, trichrome stain, and iron stains. In sarcoidosis, liver involvement is common reaching 50 to 65 percent of patients, however, only 5 to 15 percent of patients have symptoms and many remain undiagnosed. Therefore, accurate history, laboratory testing and imaging are important in identifying those patients to determine monitoring and treatment plans. Sarcoidosis is an important differential for hepatic lesions and should be highly suspected especially in patients with pre-existing sarcoidosis, even with normal laboratory testing.

Metabolic, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the nitric oxide variation of hemodialysis subjects.

Oxidative stress markers such as nitric oxide (NO) have been investigated in hemodialysis (HD). Evaluate the association of NO variation with adiposity indicators, metabolic, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in individuals to HD. Cross-sectional study with 85 subjects on HD treatment (≥ 18 years). The clinical-nutritional status was evaluated through subjective global assessment modified (SGAm), anthropometric measurements and body composition. Dietary intake was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire. Metabolic markers were obtained from medical records. Inflammatory markers (IL-6 and IL-10) and oxidative stress, (TACs), (SOD), (GST), (MDA) and NO were determined using standardized protocols. Those individuals with a high concentration of NO (> 4.32 μmol/L) had lower values for SGAm score (p = 0.012) and higher iron values (p = 0.050), Fe saturation (p = 0.037) and triacylglycerol (p = 0.003). The same subjects still had lower consumption of copper (p = 0.026), manganese (p = 0.035), vitamin E (p = 0.050), ω3 (p = 0.021) and ω6 (p = 0.020). In a multiple regression model, concentrations of ferritin, triacylglycerol, IL6 and SOD contributed to a 54.8% increase in NO concentrations, whereas triacylglycerol and SOD concentrations were independent factors for NO variation (p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and nutritional status as well as intake of nutrients with antioxidant properties (Cu, Zn, Mn, vitamin C and ω3) appears to modulate the variation of NO in this population.

Critical evaluation and thermodynamic optimization of the Na2O–FeO–Fe2O3–Al2O3–SiO2 system

A critical assessment and thermodynamic optimization of phase diagrams and thermodynamic properties of the entire Na2O–FeO–Fe2O3–Al2O3–SiO2 system were carried out at 1atm total pressure. A set of optimized model parameters obtained for all phases present in this system reproduces available and reliable thermodynamic property and phase equilibrium data within experimental error limits from 298K to above liquidus temperatures for all compositions and oxygen partial pressures from metallic Fe saturation to 1atm. The Gibbs energy of liquid solution was described based on the Modified Quasichemical Model considering the possible formation of NaAlO2 and NaFeO2 associates in the liquid state. The solid solutions wüstite, spinel, feldspar, nepheline, carnegieite, mullite, corundum, clino-pyroxene, meta-oxides and Na-β″-alumina were treated within the framework of Compound Energy Formalism. The database of model parameters can be used to calculate any thermodynamic property and phase diagram section of the present system.

A Structural Molar Volume Model for Oxide Melts Part III: Fe Oxide-Containing Melts

As part III of this series, the model is extended to iron oxide-containing melts. All available experimental data in the FeO-Fe2O3-Na2O-K2O-MgO-CaO-MnO-Al2O3-SiO2 system were critically evaluated based on the experimental condition. The variations of FeO and Fe2O3 in the melts were taken into account by using FactSage to calculate the Fe2+/Fe3+ distribution. The molar volume model with unary and binary model parameters can be used to predict the molar volume of the molten oxide of the Li2O-Na2O-K2O-MgO-CaO-MnO-PbO-FeO-Fe2O3-Al2O3-SiO2 system in the entire range of compositions, temperatures, and oxygen partial pressures from Fe saturation to 1 atm pressure.

Critical Evaluation and Thermodynamic Optimization of the Na2O-FeO-Fe2O3 System

A complete literature review, critical evaluation, and thermodynamic optimization of phase diagrams and thermodynamic properties of the Na2O-FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2 system were performed at 1 atm total pressure. A set of optimized model parameters obtained for all phases present in this system reproduces available and reliable thermodynamic properties and phase equilibria within experimental error limits from 298 K (25 °C) to above liquidus temperatures for all compositions and oxygen partial pressures from metallic Fe saturation to 1 atm. The liquid phase was modeled based on the Modified Quasichemical Model considering the possible formation of NaFeO2 associate in the liquid state. The NaFeO2 metaoxide solid solutions containing the excess SiO2 were described within the framework of Compound Energy Formalism. Based on the thermodynamic models and model parameters, unexplored thermodynamic properties and phase diagrams of the Na2O-FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2 system were predicted.

Critical Evaluation and Thermodynamic Optimization of the Na2O-FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2 System

A complete literature review, critical evaluation, and thermodynamic optimization of phase diagrams and thermodynamic properties of the Na2O-FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2 system were performed at 1 atm total pressure. A set of optimized model parameters obtained for all phases present in this system reproduces available and reliable thermodynamic properties and phase equilibria within experimental error limits from 298 K (25 °C) to above liquidus temperatures for all compositions and oxygen partial pressures from metallic Fe saturation to 1 atm. The liquid phase was modeled based on the Modified Quasichemical Model considering the possible formation of NaFeO2 associate in the liquid state. The NaFeO2 metaoxide solid solutions containing the excess SiO2 were described within the framework of Compound Energy Formalism. Based on the thermodynamic models and model parameters, unexplored thermodynamic properties and phase diagrams of the Na2O-FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2 system were predicted.

Coupled Experimental and Thermodynamic Optimization of the Na2O–FeO–Fe2O3–Al2O3 System: Part 1. Phase Diagram Experiments

As part of the complete thermodynamic modeling of the Na2O–FeO–Fe2O3–Al2O3 system, the Na2O–FeO–Fe2O3–Al2O3 phase diagrams in air (1583 and 1698 K) and at Fe saturation (1573 and 1673 K) were investigated using the quenching method followed by Electron Probe Micro‐Analyzer (EPMA) and X‐ray Diffraction (XRD) phase analysis. General features of the phase diagrams in this system were well revealed for the first time. A complete meta‐oxide solid solution between NaAlO2 and NaFeO2 was observed. An extensive solid solution of Na2(Al,Fe)12O19 Na‐βˮ‐alumina was found and the existence of a miscibility gap in this solution was confirmed. Several compatibility triangles of three‐phase assemblages were also identified in air and at Fe saturation.

학령 전 아동의 철 결핍성 빈혈 영양 상태 판정에 관한 연구

Abstract The objective of this study was to identify the nutritional risk factors by blood analysis, in 1,083 preschool children of age 3 to 6 years. The frequency of anemic children was 7.3% with Hb 400 μg/dL. Serum ferritin concentration was 20 ng/mL in the normal children. Thirty two percent of the children had anemia with Hb 15%. The serum ferritin concentration showed low correlations with Hb, Fe, transferrin Fe saturation, and MCV. The transferrin Fe saturation, higher Hb concentration, MCV, and Hct values were increased significantly. Consequently, iron-deficiency anaemia was thus defined as having Hb concentration <12 g/dL accompanied by ferritin concentration <20 ng/mL or Hct <33%. Key words: preschool children, hemoglobin, ferritin, hematocrit, iron

High pressure synthesis of FePt nanoparticles with controlled morphology and Fe content

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are intensively researched due to their high potential in biomedicine, catalysis, and high density information storage. FePt NPs could be an alternative for commonly used magnetite NPs and the synthesis of FePt NPs is an active area of research. The challenge is to increase the Fe content and saturation magnetisation of FePt NPs so that they can be used in many practical applications. Fine tuning of synthetic methods is required in order to achieve the enhanced magnetic properties of FePt nanoparticles and novel methods are being sought. Herein, use of an autoclave is shown to increase the Fe content, crystallinity and the subsequent magnetic properties of FePt pseudo cube nanoparticles compared to those synthesised under atmospheric pressure. Decreasing the amount of oleic acid is also shown to increase the iron content and can lead to elongated FePt nanoparticles under normal pressure. Further application of nanoparticles synthesised in organic media often requires functionalisation or exchange of stabiliser chemicals. Greater demand for control over such functionalisation requires more information about nanoparticle–stabiliser chemical interactions. Infra-red studies indicate mono and bidentate coordination with oleic acid, however shifts of spectra show that the strength of the bidentate interactions weaken with increasing oleic acid amount.