Percentage Ratio Research Articles

The Potential of Bentonite as a Low-cost Adsorbent for the Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Multicomponent Aqueous Systems of the Galvanic Industry

Waste water in the galvanic process contains high concentrations of heavy metals that pose a direct danger to humans and the environment. Conventional methods for their removal are quite expensive and generate a large amount of waste. The development of new and improvement of existing methods for the removal of heavy metals from galvanic wastewater are the subject of many studies. Compared to other purification methods, the adsorption is becoming an increasingly popular method of wastewater purification, especially if the adsorbent is cheap, easily available and does not require any other treatment before use. Therefore, the aim of the work was to investigate the possibility of using natural bentonite for the removal of heavy metal ions from multi-component water systems of the galvanic industry. For this purpose, the physico-chemical characterization of natural bentonite was performed, and then the influence of pH value, time and temperature on the adsorption efficiency was examined. The results of adsorption showed that natural bentonite can be used as an adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from waste galvanic waters, and that at pH 5 it achieves the maximum removal efficiency for Cu(II):Cr(III):Ni(II) ions in the percentage ratio 100 : 99.990 : 99.998. The results showed that the highest removal efficiency for Cu (II) ions was achieved in the first 10 minutes, and 20 minutes for Cr (III) and Ni (II) ions. The maximum efficiency of Cu (II) removal was achieved at all temperatures, while for Cr (III) 99.99% and Ni (II) 100% maximum efficiency was achieved at 35°C, which indicates that the adsorption process is endothermic. The experimental results of the adsorption of Cu (II) metal ions are in good agreement with the Langmuir and Freundlich theoretical models, while for Cr (III) and Ni (II) ions they are in better agreement with the Langmuir adsorption model.

PRODUCTION OF NEEM AND YELLOW OLEANDER SEED OIL BIODIESEL BLENDS AND EVALUATION OF THEIR PERFORMANCES IN A COMPRESSION IGNITION ENGINE

In this study Neem and Yellow oleander biodiesels were blended in some given proportions and characterized. An F165 diesel engine was ran with each blend and its performance parameters evaluated and compared to those obtained when the engine ran on Automotive Gas Oil (AGO). The produced neem oil biodiesel (NOB) and yellow Oleander biodiesel (YOB) were blended together in a percentage ratio of 20:80, 40:60, 60:40 and 50:50 percentages for Neem and Yellow oleander biodiesels respectively. Results show that brake power of the blends is close to that of AGO at lower torques but developed higher power at higher torques (2.69 kWh at 10Nm for N10Y40 and 2.68 kWh for AGO). The blends exhibited close comparison with the AGO in thermal efficiency. The results of the study show a diesel engine perform well with pure biodiesel blends as fuels as it does with fossil AGO, thus new biofuel was produced capable of replacing conventional diesel fuel in the transportation industry.

Biological age assessment method teenage students

To assess the biological age of adolescents, the special literature offers 9 methods for boys and 14 methods for girls. The aim of the article was to determine the more informative methods for boys and girls. Methods: anthropometry, somatometry, somatoscopy, tonometry, spirometry, dynamometry, Hench and Shtange tests, Ruffier and Robinson indices. The interaction of the results of different methods for the assessment of biological age was analysed using factor analysis (principal components method) for groups of subjects of the same gender and age. Boys aged 14-15 (n=102) and girls aged 12-13 (n=101) were studied. The choice of these age groups was explained by the presence of the most significant individual differences in morpho-functional features in the school students of this age. Results: among the methods for assessment of biological age in adolescent school students proposed in the literature, there is not a single one that would be statistically siginificantly related to the other methods. This applies to both boys and girls. The biological age of adolescents can be reliably determined using a set of three components: an assessment of physical development, the heterochronicity index, and the degree of manifestation of secondary sexual characteristics (for boys with a probability of 90.2%, for girls - 92.1%). The percentage ratio of these components has gender peculiarities. Methods for assessing biological age for scientific purposes and quick assessment for use in the practice of physical education and sports are proposed. The indicators in quick assessment technique include body length and the degree of development of the axillary hair. The reliability of the quick assessment technique is 81.4% for boys and 83.2% for girls. Conclusion: the development of adequate physical activity for adolescents of different biological ages will help to improve the physical health of the younger generation.

Recommender-based bone tumour classification with radiographs—a link to the past

ObjectivesTo develop an algorithm to link undiagnosed patients to previous patient histories based on radiographs, and simultaneous classification of multiple bone tumours to enable early and specific diagnosis.Materials and methodsFor this retrospective study, data from 2000 to 2021 were curated from our database by two orthopaedic surgeons, a radiologist and a data scientist. Patients with complete clinical and pre-therapy radiographic data were eligible. To ensure feasibility, the ten most frequent primary tumour entities, confirmed histologically or by tumour board decision, were included. We implemented a ResNet and transformer model to establish baseline results. Our method extracts image features using deep learning and then clusters the k most similar images to the target image using a hash-based nearest-neighbour recommender approach that performs simultaneous classification by majority voting. The results were evaluated with precision-at-k, accuracy, precision and recall. Discrete parameters were described by incidence and percentage ratios. For continuous parameters, based on a normality test, respective statistical measures were calculated.ResultsIncluded were data from 809 patients (1792 radiographs; mean age 33.73 ± 18.65, range 3–89 years; 443 men), with Osteochondroma (28.31%) and Ewing sarcoma (1.11%) as the most and least common entities, respectively. The dataset was split into training (80%) and test subsets (20%). For k = 3, our model achieved the highest mean accuracy, precision and recall (92.86%, 92.86% and 34.08%), significantly outperforming state-of-the-art models (54.10%, 55.57%, 19.85% and 62.80%, 61.33%, 23.05%).ConclusionOur novel approach surpasses current models in tumour classification and links to past patient data, leveraging expert insights.Clinical relevance statementThe proposed algorithm could serve as a vital support tool for clinicians and general practitioners with limited experience in bone tumour classification by identifying similar cases and classifying bone tumour entities.Key Points• Addressed accurate bone tumour classification using radiographic features.• Model achieved 92.86%, 92.86% and 34.08% mean accuracy, precision and recall, respectively, significantly surpassing state-of-the-art models.• Enhanced diagnosis by integrating prior expert patient assessments.Graphical abstract

Design, synthesis, structure elucidation, antimicrobial, molecular docking, and SAR studies of novel urea derivatives bearing tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon rings.

The targeted compounds were prepared using both (9H-fluoren-9-ylidene)hydrazine (1) and 10H-phenothiazine (2) as starting materials. The treatment of 1 or 2 with different isocyanates afforded the title compounds 7a-d, 8a, and 8b in excellent yield. All compounds were characterized and ascertained by infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and elemental analyses as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The antimicrobial efficiency of all was tested in vitro, and a noticeable inhibition activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans was obtained by compounds 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b. Moreover, the biofilm mechanism activity was strongly inhibited by compounds 7b and 8b for all bacterial pathogens, with a percentage ratio of more than 55%. The findings from the molecular docking simulation revealed that compounds 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b exhibited favorable binding energies and interacted effectively with the active sites of sterol 14-demethylase, dihydropteroate synthase, gyrase B, LasR (major transcriptional activator of P. aeruginosa), and carbapenemase for C. albicans, S. aureus, B. subtills, K. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa, respectively. These results suggest that the compounds have the potential to inhibit the activity of these enzymes and demonstrate promising antimicrobial properties. Moreover, the in silico evaluation of drug likeness andabsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity(ADMET) profiles for compounds 7a, 7b, 8a, and 8b demonstrated their compatibility with Lipinski's, Ghose's, Veber's, Muegge's, and Egan's rules. These findings suggest that these compounds possess favorable physicochemical properties, making them promising candidates for continued drug development efforts.

Process Analysis and Modelling of Operator Performance in Classical and Digitalized Assembly Workstations

Strong competition in the automotive industry has required manufacturers to implement lean production, both with methods and techniques specific to Industry 4.0. At the same time, universities must provide graduates with specific skills for applying these new production methods and techniques. In this context, a lean learning factory was developed in the Pitesti University Center that allows students to learn about, experiment with, and research new lean manufacturing methods and techniques as well as Industry 4.0 in an environment similar to that of enterprises. The research presented in this study aimed to identify the minimum number of repetitions necessary to train operators to perform the same assembly operation while working at two differently organized workstations: one classic and the other including digital techniques. Several indicators were considered in our analysis, such as the number of errors, the number of stops, the effective duration of the work cycle, and the percentage ratio between the standard duration of cyclical activities and the effective duration of the work cycle. The evolution of these indicators was mathematically modelled by regression functions, using the least squares method. The obtained results also highlight the usefulness of applying the DOJO method as a lean-manufacturing-specific learning technique and the efficiency of implementing digital techniques in work organization.

Toward the boosted loading of cisplatin drug into liposome nanocarriers

Current challenges in oncology are largely associated with the need to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment and to reduce drug’s side effects. An effective strategy to cope with these challenges is behind designing and developing drug delivery systems based on smart nanomaterials and approved anticancer drugs. The present study offers a novel and straightforward approach to efficiently load the cisplatin drug into the newly constructed liposome-based nanosystems as well a reliable technique for monitoring this process based on capillary electrophoresis hyphenated with inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry. The proposed drug-loading methodology comprises liposome formation via a simple ethanol-injection method and propels increased drug encapsulation using tailor-made freeze-thawing or lyophilization-hydration procedures. To optimize liposome generation and drug encapsulation, the effects of dilution medium and liposome composition (types of phospholipids and their percentage ratio) have been investigated in detail. It was shown that modest alterations of the composition of three-component phospholipid liposomes and parameters of the freeze-thawing procedure have a strong impact on the formation of cisplatin–liposome systems. The obtained cisplatin–liposome formulation features a remarkable degree of drug encapsulation, over 100 mg L–1, and holds promise for further preclinical development as a potent drug-delivery platform.

Physicochemical, in vitro antidiabetic and sensory characteristics of leavened functional bread made with Lasia spinosa and Nelumbo nucifera rhizome flours composited with wheat flour

Bread is considered one of the most popular bakery products consumed in several world regions including Sri Lanka. The potential of utilization of two rhizome flours (Lasia spinosa and Nelumbo nucifera) was evaluated in bread formulation with four different substitution levels (20, 40, 60, and 80%). After the incorporation of L. spinosa and N. nucifera flours, the alterations in compositional, functional, in vitro anti diabetic activity, in vitro starch digestibility and sensory attributes were observed. The results revealed that the total dietary fiber, resistant starch and ash contents were higher while protein, fat and starch contents were lower in the rhizome flour incorporated breads. The functional properties showed that the water absorption index and water solubility increased with increasing of rhizome or proportion. The results showed that 20% rhizome flour incorporated bread had the highest sensory score compared to other percentage ratios and contained a higher level of dietary fiber, resistant starch, antidiabetic activity, and low rate of starch digestibility compared to control bread. The mixture of Lasia spinosa and Nelumbo nucifera rhizome flours could be incorporated up to 20% substitution level with wheat flour to formulate functional bread with more nutritious and functional along with sensory acceptability.Graphical

Effect of Mo/Nb ratio variations on the microstructure and cryogenic impact toughness of NiCrMo deposited metals

Effects of varying the Mo/Nb (in weight percent) ratio in ENiCrMo-6-deposited metals on the microstructure and cryogenic impact toughness of the metals were investigated. When the Mo/Nb ratio decreased from 6.09 to 3.28, the Nb-rich phase on the grain boundaries was transformed from un-continuous precipitation to continuous precipitation, the area fraction and average size of the precipitates within the grains were significantly increased, and a eutectic-type Laves phase appeared. Although the austenitic matrix of the deposited metals indicated a ductile fracture mode, the precipitates significantly deteriorated the cryogenic impact toughness. As the average size and area fraction of the precipitates increased, the cryogenic impact value decreased significantly.

Results of research on the morphological composition of solid municipal waste in residential buildings in southern regions of Russia

The relevance of the work is determined by the extensive coverage of the «waste reform» in public sources, mass media, and scientific publications. The article provides references to sources confirming the constant changes in the morphological composition of solid municipal waste and its differences based on the source type. The paper presents the results of research on the morphological composition of solid municipal waste in residential buildings in the central regions of the Russian Federation, based on studies conducted from 2016 to 2022. The research was carried out in the Republic of Mordovia, the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Yaroslavl region, and the Tula region at 105 accumulation sites, located in 25 municipalities (urban district, urban or rural settlement). The research results show differences in the composition of solid municipal waste from apartment buildings and individual residential houses in the central regions of Russia. The author draws conclusions about the composition of solid municipal waste for apartment buildings and individual residential houses in the central regions of the Russian Federation. It is determined that the main component of this type of waste is food waste regardless of the type of housing conditions. The main difference in the composition of solid municipal waste from apartment buildings and individual residential houses is the different percentage ratio of the «paper, cardboard» components. Changes in the composition of these waste materials are identified by seasons. It is shown that seven main components of solid municipal waste: food waste, paper, cardboard, garden and park waste, glass, screenings (small fraction, sweepings), miscellaneous, and polymers constitute about 90 % of their total mass.

СОВРЕМЕННЫЙ ФАРМАЦЕВТИЧЕСКИЙ РЫНОК АНТИБАКТЕРИАЛЬНЫХ ПРЕПАРАТОВ ДЛЯ ЛЕЧЕНИЯ ИНФЕКЦИЙ В АМБУЛАТОРНЫХ УСЛОВИЯХ

The article presents the results of the analysis of systemic antibacterial drugs registered in the State Register of Medicines [4] and available medicines in pharmacy organizations in Voronezh. Antibiotics and synthetic antibacterial agents are one of the most important groups of medicines, since many of them are included in the list of Vital and essential medicines [5]. Despite the overall improvement in the quality of life, infectious diseases have been and remain a serious health problem worldwide. The growth of antibiotic resistance pushes scientists to search and develop new drugs with the necessary spectrum of action and resistance [1]. This, in turn, obliges pharmaceutical and medical professionals to study the ever-expanding range of medicines in pharmacy organizations to prescribe effective treatment [2]. At the same time, specialists need to take into account external and internal factors affecting the pharmaceutical market in the Russian Federation in order to prescribe to patients not only high-quality and effective, but also affordable drugs. Thus, it was revealed that at the time of the study, 38% of all registered antibacterial drugs were located in Voronezh. Some International nonproprietary names (INN), including in the list of Vital and essential medicines, are completely absent in pharmacies (polymyxin b and daptomycin). In general, there is an active growth in the rate of registration of new drugs in the pharmaceutical market of the Russian Federation. In this article, using mathematical analysis methods, the percentage ratio of ATС groups [3,6] in the assortment of antibacterial drugs of systemic action is determined, the most common drugs and dosage forms in pharmacy organizations, as well as their manufacturers, were identified.

Theoretical Evaluation of YSZ and Alumina-YSZ Thermal Barrier Coatings in a Hydrogen Enriched Combustion Environment

Abstract Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ((ZrO2)0.93(Y2O3)0.07) and alumina-yttria-stabilized zirconia ((Al2O3)0.853 + (ZrO2)0.93(Y2O3)0.07) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) were modeled in the presence of hydrogen-enriched combustion product gases to evaluate phase composition and thermal expansivity (coefficient of thermal expansion). Thermal equilibrium simulations for various equivalence ratios (0.5–0.75) and hydrogen enrichment percentages (0−50%) were conducted to determine the product gas composition for various combustor operating conditions. The obtained product gases were then used in a second thermal equilibrium simulation to demonstrate their effect on the defined thermal barrier coatings. The modeling predictions showed that hydrogen enrichment percentage and equivalence ratio were positively correlated to thermal expansivity for both the thermal barrier coatings examined. The alumina-YSZ composite coating exhibited a higher CTE, more closely matching the CTE of a metallic bond coat, for the studied conditions. This closer match of thermal expansivity results in less significant thermal stresses than the YSZ thermal barrier coating. An increase in hydrogen enrichment percentage and equivalence ratio yielded increased percentages of phase transitions from tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO2) to cubic zirconia (c-ZrO2). The YSZ thermal barrier coating had a larger percentage of phase transitions throughout the operating range examined, which renders concerns for potential failure from thermal cycling and creep. Theoretical examination of the phase composition and thermal expansivity provided further insights into the fate and behavior of the thermal barrier coatings.

Transesterification Process of Biodiesel with Potassium Glycerolate Catalyst

The synthesis of potassium glycerolate catalyst from DES (Deep Eutectic Solvent – K2CO3-glycerol) catalyst was carried out by heating process with various temperatures. The resulting catalyst product was analyzed and the characteristics of the best potassium glycerolate catalyst had conductivity 4482 µS/cm, density 1.4858 g/cm3 , Viscosity 121.574 cP, Freezing Point -8 ℃ and pH 14. The best temperature in the manufacture of potassium glycerolate catalyst was at 150 ℃. Alkaline pH is the main requirement to be a catalyst in the transesterification reaction. The trial results for the conversion of RBDPO to biodiesel with the optimum weight percent ratio of potassium glycerolate catalyst to RBDPO were 3.5%w, methanol 30%w, reaction temperature 65 oC, reaction time 4 hours resulted in total glycerol content in biodiesel 0.2285%, acid value 0.15%, density 0.8705 gr/cm3 , viscosity 5.22 Cst, conversion 96.77% and 97.81% methyl ester content and all of these parameters all meet the biodiesel standards set by SNI-7182: 2015

Women decision making on use of modern family planning methods and associated factors, evidence from PMA Ethiopia.

Family planning decision making is defined as women´s ability to determine the family planning methods that she wanted to use through the process of informed decision making. Despite the availability and accessibility of family planning methods, the utilization rate is not more than 41% in Ethiopia. Evidence and experts have consistently show that women decisions making ability on family planning method they desired to use is one of the possible reasons for this slow rate of family planning use increment. In consideration of this and further motives family planning use decision making has become one of the top sexual and reproductive health related sustainable development agendas. Hence, this study aimed at determining the level, trend and spatial distribution of family planning use decision making among married women and identify factors affecting it. This study was based on Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) 2020 cross sectional national survey data. Married women who are currently using or recently used family planning method were included in this study. Frequency was computed to describe the study participants while chi-square statistics was computed to examine the overall association of independent variable with family planning use decision making. To identify predictors of family planning use decision making multinomial logistics regression was employed. Results were presented in the form of percentage and relative risk ratio with 95% CI. Candidate variables were selected using p value of 0.25. Significance was declared at p value 0.05. This study revealed that one in two women (51.2%; 95% CI: 48.8%-53.6%) decide their family planning use by themselves while 37% (36.8%; 95% CI: 34.5%-39.2%) decide jointly with their husband and/or partner. Women alone family planning use decision making increased significantly 32.8% (95% CI: 29.4%, 36.4%) in 2014 to 51.2% (95% CI: 48.8%, 53.6%) in 2020. It also shows variation across regions from scanty in Afar and Somali to 63.6% in Amhara region and 61.5 Addis Ababa. Obtaining desired family planning method was found significantly to improve women alone and joint family planning use decision making. Women who have perceive control and feeling if they get pregnant now were found to be positively associated with women alone family planning use decision making. Discussion with husband, his feeling towards family planning were found positively to influence family planning use joint decision making. Moreover, women religion, was found reducing the likelihood of both women alone and joint family planning use decision making while experiencing side effect reduces the likelihood of joint family planning use decision making. Half of the women independently decide their family planning use which calls up on further improvement. Family planning use decision making ability is expected to be improved by efforts targeted on husbands' approval on wife's family planning use, discussion on family planning use with husband/partner, improving women psychosociological readiness and trust on her own to decide her desired family planning method; informing the possible side effects and what to do when they encountered during their family planning use visit. In addition, influencing women on the use of family planning via religious leader will help much in this regard. Monitoring and evaluating reproductive health policy 2021 to2025 and addressing bottlenecks which hinder women decision making health service use is hoped to improve women family planning use decision making. Further qualitative study to identify and address factors that contribute for the variation across regions also help much.

A Study on Profitability Analysis of WIPRO Limited

Business managers can measure the profitability, operational efficiency, financial position and liquidity of the business through financial analysis. by finding out the weaknesses of the business, necessary policies can be formulated for its smooth operation. Managers obtain such information from analysis by which the efficiency and earning power of the business can be measured and prudent decisions can be taken for the smooth operation of the business. To analyze the profitability statement were Simple Percentage Analysis and Ratios are used in the present study. The main objective of this study is to determine the financial performance of Wipro Limited. Various tools like ratio analysis were used for the study, that can be helpful in finding the growth aspects of the firm. The suggestions reveal that the company should take necessary steps to increase the profit to improve their profitability performance. Finally, the study reveals that the liquidity position of the company was excellent although there was gradual rise and fall in the growth of the company during the study period

Translocation of tropical peat surface to deeper soil horizons under compaction controls carbon emissions in the absence of groundwater

Compaction is recognized as an effective method for mitigating the risk of fires by enhancing soil moisture levels. This technique involves restricting peat pore spaces through compaction, facilitating improved capillary action for water retention and rehydration. The compaction of tropical peatlands, while beneficial for fire prevention, has the potential to influence biogeochemical processes and subsequent carbon emissions. The magnitude of compaction and groundwater level are strongly coupled in such environments, making it difficult to distinguish the control of physicochemical properties. Therefore, this study seeks to understand how peat compaction affects its properties, carbon emissions, and their relationship, with a focus on geophysical processes. Intact peat samples were collected from a secondary peat swamp forest and an oil palm plantation in Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. Compaction treatments were applied to achieve three levels of volume reduction. CO2 and CH4 emissions were measured using an automated gas analyzer, and the physicochemical properties of the peat were determined. The results revealed that mechanical compaction significantly altered the physicochemical properties of the secondary forest peat, displaying an opposite pattern to the oil palm plantation, particularly regarding total nitrogen and sulfur. Moreover, the average reduction percentage ratio of CO2 emissions (from 275.4 to 182.0 mg m-2 hr-1; 33.9%) to CH4 uptakes (from -17.8 to -5.2 µg m-2 hr-1; 70.1%) (~1:2) indicated distinct stages of decomposition and translocation of less decomposed peat to deeper layers due to compaction, predominantly in secondary peat swamp forest samples. The oil palm plantation samples were unaffected by compaction in terms of physicochemical properties and carbon emissions, indicating the ineffectiveness of this approach for reducing fire risk in already drained systems. This study underscores the necessity of understanding the effects of compaction in the absence of groundwater to accurately evaluate the widespread application of this technique.

Studies of the Properties of New Electrospun Based on PVA-PEG Polymer Systems Electrolytes for Energy Storage Devices

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) have been considerably investigated due to various electrochemical device applications. Most of the SPEs comprise polymer as a host material to provide strength and good mechanical stability and salt that transfers charge carriers to cause conductivity. Nanocomposite solid polymer electrolyte membranes based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blend complexed with LiClO4 and nanofillers Al2O3 at different weight percent ratios have been obtained by using electrospinning method. The conductivity and structural properties of the different systems have been characterized by using various experimental approaches such as X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectroscopy. The ionic conductivity of the systems has been measured by using an LCR meter in a temperature ranging from 298 to 353 K. Maximum ionic conductivity of 1.58 × 10-4 S cm-1 at room temperature has been observed for the system of PVA-PEG-LiClO4-Al2O3 (50-25-15-10) with 15 wt% weight percent of LiClO4 salt in PVA-PEG blend matrix. The ac conductivity report indicates that the ionic conductivity of the PVA-PEG-LiClO4-Al2O3 complex is influenced by the concentration of LiClO4. The effect of temperature on the ionic conductivity of polymer electrolyte complexes has been estimated by changing the temperature ranging from 298 to 353 K. However, the conductivity of the nanofiber polymer electrolyte systems increases with the rise of temperature, and the maximum conductivity of 1.58 × 10-2 S cm-1 has been recorded at 353 K. The temperature-dependent conductivity follows the Arrhenius behavior.

Hagenia abyssinica-Biomediated Synthesis of a Magnetic Fe3O4/NiO Nanoadsorbent for Adsorption of Lead from Wastewater.

Magnetic nanocomposite adsorbents are cost-effective, environmentally friendly, easy to use, and highly efficient at removing metals from large volumes of wastewater in a short time by using an external magnetic field. In this study, an Fe3O4/NiO composite nanoadsorbent was prepared by varying the mass percent ratios of NiO (50, 40, 30, 20%), which are denoted Fe3O4/50%NiO, Fe3O4/40%NiO, Fe3O4/30%NiO, and Fe3O4/20%NiO, respectively, using Hagenia abyssinica plant extract as the template/capping agent and a simple mechanical grinding technique. The nanocomposites were characterized using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption, and ζ-potential measurements. The adsorption performance of the nanoadsorbent was assessed for the removal of lead (Pb2+) ions from aqueous solutions. Among the composite adsorbents, Fe3O4/50%NiO demonstrated the best Pb(II) removal efficiency (96.65%) from aqueous solutions within 80 min at pH 8, at a 100 mg/L lead concentration and 0.09 g of adsorbent dose. However, with the same parameter, only 62.8% of Pb(II) was removed using Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs). The adsorptive performance indicated that the optimum amount of porous material (NiO) in the preparation of the Fe3O4/NiO composite nanoadsorbent, with the aid of H. abyssinica plant extract, enhances the removal of toxic heavy metals from aqueous solutions. Multiple isotherm and kinetic models were used to analyze the equilibrium data. Adsorption isotherm and kinetic studies were found to follow the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics, respectively.

Synthesis and characterization of PANI-CZF nanocomposites for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding

The Zn0.5Cu0.5Fe2O4 nano ferrites were prepared by the solution combustion method using aloe vera gel. The polyaniline-Zn0.5Cu0.5Fe2O4 nano ferrite composites were prepared by Ex-situ polymerization method with different weight percentage ratio. The prepared samples were examined by X-Ray diffraction, SEM, EDAX, BET, TEM, VSM and Impedance analyser to investigate their structural, morphological, elemental analysis, average pore size and the porosity, magnetic, and dielectric properties, respectively. The cubic spinel structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction patterns. Addition of PANI to zinc-copper nano ferrite exhibits shift in crystalline peaks towards larger angle. The existence of spherical and clumped particles was revealed by SEM examination. The retentivity and coercivity are determined and the magnetic moment values were decreases with increase in PANI to the ferrite nanocomposites. The ac conductivity constant at lower frequency and there is a sudden increase and decrease in its value as a function of frequency shows resonance behaviour. The CZF-1 (CZF 30%) composite shows highest ac conductivity and dielectric constant. The electromagnetic shielding interference studies were conducted for S-band frequency. The CZF-1 (CZF 30%) nano composite shows highest shielding effectiveness as compared to other composite in the frequency range 2 to 3 GHz. The experimental result showed that these materials are used for applications in electromagnetic interference shielding.

Depression is associated with discoordination between heart rate variability and physical acceleration in older women.

It is well known that depression is closely associated with the autonomic nervous system and physical acceleration (PA), which may cause functional time-deviance between these two parameters. Exploring this relationship is important in sustaining the mental and physical health of older adults in daily life. However, few studies have assessed the relationship between depression and the coordination of parasympathetic nervous activity (PSNA) and PA. The present study was designed to investigate whether the coordination between PSNA and PA is associated with the mental state of healthy volunteers in normal daily lives and the underlying mechanism. In total, 95 adult women were divided into non-older and older groups comprising 50 (aged 20-59 years) and 45 (aged 60-85 years) women, respectively. PSNA and PA data were simultaneously obtained every minute for 24 h during the free-moving day using the ActiveTracer accelerometer. Lag time was determined as the time difference between PSNA and PA, and it was introduced as a parameter of %lag0, which is the percent ratio of the lag = 0 min between PSNA and PA in 1 h. The General Health Questionnaire 28 (GHQ28) was used to evaluate the effects of psychological distress, including depression. In the hour before sleep, %lag0 was significantly lower in older women (38.7 ± 6.4) who had higher GHQ28 values (subscale D = 0, n = 12) compared with that in older women (19.4 ± 10.5) with lower values (subscale D ≧ 1, n = 33) (p < 0.05). Impairments in coordination between PSNA and PA are significantly associated with depression in older women, particularly in the hour before sleep on free-moving days.