Nano-crystallite bones of Oreochromis niloticus and Katsuwonus pelamis for the photocatalytic degradation of Congo red dye.

The bones of two fish species, Oreochromis niloticus and Katsuwonus pelamis, were chosen in this research for evaluating their photocatalytic efficacy under solar radiation. The fish bones were isolated and conditioned before analyzing crystallographic parameters. The samples were characterized by using different instrumental techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Field Emission Scanning Electronic Microscopy (FESEM), and optical bandgap. From the XRD data, various types of crystallographic information such as crystallite size, microstrain, lattice parameters, dislocation density, degree of crystallinity, crystallinity index, Hydroxylapatite (HAp), the volume fraction of ß-TCP, ß-Tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) percentage, and specific surface area were evaluated. Different model equations such as the Sahadat-Scherrer model, Linear Straight-line model, Monshi-Scherrer's method, and Williamson-Hall plot were employed to justify the nano-crystallite size. The photocatalytic efficacy of the two types of samples was explored by changing the catalyst concentration, dye concentration, interaction time, pH of the solution, etc. under solar irradiation.

Economic resilience in times of public health shock: The case of the US states.

Does adopting social distancing policies amid a health crisis, e.g., COVID-19, hurt economies? Using a machine learning approach at the intermediate stage, we applied a generalized synthetic control method to answer this question. We utilize state policy response differences. Cross-validation, a machine learning approach, is used to produce the "counterfactual" for adopting states-how they "would have behaved" without lockdown orders. We categorize states with social distancing as the treatment group and those without as the control. We employ the state time-period for fixed effects, adjusting for selection bias and endogeneity. We find significant and intuitively explicable impacts on some states, such as West Virginia, but none at the aggregate level, suggesting that social distancing may not affect the entire economy. Our work implies a resilience index utilizing the magnitude and significance of the social distancing measures to rank the states' resilience. These findings help governments and businesses better prepare for shocks.

Microwave-Assisted Coal-Derived Few-Layer Graphene as an Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

A few-layer graphene (FLG) composite material was synthesized using a rich reservoir and low-cost coal under the microwave-assisted catalytic graphitization process. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to evaluate the properties of the FLG sample. A well-developed microstructure and higher graphitization degree were achieved under microwave heating at 1300 °C using the S5% dual (Fe-Ni) catalyst for 20 min. In addition, the synthesized FLG sample encompassed the Raman spectrum 2D band at 2700 cm-1, which showed the existence of a few-layer graphene structure. The high-resolution TEM (transmission electron microscopy) image investigation of the S5% Fe-Ni sample confirmed that the fabricated FLG material consisted of two to seven graphitic layers, promoting the fast lithium-ion diffusion into the inner surface. The S5% Fe-Ni composite material delivered a high reversible capacity of 287.91 mAhg-1 at 0.1 C with a higher Coulombic efficiency of 99.9%. In contrast, the single catalyst of S10% Fe contained a reversible capacity of 260.13 mAhg-1 at 0.1 C with 97.96% Coulombic efficiency. Furthermore, the dual catalyst-loaded FLG sample demonstrated a high capacity-up to 95% of the initial reversible capacity retention-after 100 cycles. This study revealed the potential feasibility of producing FLG materials from bituminous coal used in a broad range as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).

The degradation of textile industry dyes using the effective bacterial consortium.

The effluents from textile industries without proper treatment contains a remarkable amount of synthetic dyes which are harmful to the environment and a big challenge globally to degrade it with a eco-friendly way. Conventional methods are extremely energy-consuming, non-effective and generate a toxic sludge impacting the environment. Several microorganisms can be utilized to treat these effluents. The research deals with five bacteria isolated from textile effluent and their consortium for the biodegradation ability of Novacron dyes. The isolates were identified through the Biolog™ identification system and molecular technique. Biodegradation was confirmed by measuring optical density (OD) optimizing conditions (pH 7.0, temperature 37 °C, 10 % inoculums and 100 mg/L dye) under static condition. The isolates started decolourization at 24 h whereas, the consortium started decolourization at 18 h and exhibited a maximum after 72 h. The presence of low molecular weight protein as metabolite supported the biodegradation and non hazardous to environment. This study revealed that these bacteria might have degradation potentials, and research results will help to set up dye removal eco-friendly methods to expose the dye effulents to environment in future.

Structure of Coal-Derived Metal-Supported Few-Layer Graphene Composite Materials Synthesized Using a Microwave-Assisted Catalytic Graphitization Process.

Metal-supported few-layer graphene (FLG) was synthesized via microwave-assisted catalytic graphitization owing to the increasing demand for it and its wide applications. In this study, we quickly converted earth-abundant and low-cost bituminous coal to FLG over Fe catalysts at a temperature of 1300 °C. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption-desorption experiments were performed to analyze the fabricated metal-supported FLG. The results indicated that the microwave-irradiation temperature at a set holding-time played a critical role in the synthesis of metal-supported FLG. The highest degree of graphitization and a well-developed pore structure were fabricated at 1300 °C using a S10% Fe catalyst for 20 min. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed that the metal-supported FLG fabricated via microwave-assisted catalytic graphitization consisted of 3-6 layers of graphene nanosheets. In addition, the 2D band at 2700 cm-1 in the Raman spectrum of the fabricated metal-supported FLG samples were observed, which indicated the presence of few-layer graphene structure. Furthermore, a mechanism was proposed for the microwave-assisted catalytic graphitization of bituminous coal. Here, we developed a cost-effective and environmental friendly metal-supported FLG method using a coal-based carbonaceous material.

Structural Investigation of the Synthesized Few-Layer Graphene from Coal under Microwave.

This study focused on the structural investigation of few-layer graphene (FLG) synthesis from bituminous coal through a catalytic process under microwave heat treatment (MW). The produced FLG has been examined by Raman spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, and AFM. Coal was activated using the potassium hydroxide activation process. The FLG synthesis processing duration was much faster requiring only 20 min under the microwave radiation. To analyse few-layer graphene samples, we considered the three bands, i.e., D, G, and 2D, of Raman spectra. At 1300 °C, the P10% Fe sample resulted in fewer defects than the other catalyst percentages sample. The catalyst percentages affected the structural change of the FLG composite materials. In addition, the Raman mapping showed that the catalyst loaded sample was homogeneously distributed and indicated a few-layer graphene sheet. In addition, the AFM technique measured the FLG thickness around 4.5 nm. Furthermore, the HRTEM images of the P10% Fe sample contained a unique morphology with 2-7 graphitic layers of graphene thin sheets. This research reported the structural revolution with latent feasibility of FLG synthesis from bituminous coal in a wide range.

Randomized controlled trial of levamisole hydrochloride as adjunctive therapy in severe falciparum malaria with high parasitemia.

BACKGROUND: Cytoadherence and sequestration of erythrocytes containing mature stages of Plasmodium falciparum are central to the pathogenesis of severe malaria. The oral anthelminthic drug levamisole inhibits cytoadherence in vitro and reduces sequestration of late-stage parasites in uncomplicated falciparum malaria treated with quinine. METHODS: Fifty-six adult patients with severe malaria and high parasitemia admitted to a referral hospital in Bangladesh were randomized to receive a single dose of levamisole hydrochloride (150 mg) or no adjuvant to antimalarial treatment with intravenous artesunate. RESULTS: Circulating late-stage parasites measured as the median area under the parasite clearance curves were 2150 (interquartile range [IQR], 0-28 025) parasites/µL × hour in patients treated with levamisole and 5489 (IQR, 192-25 848) parasites/µL × hour in controls (P = .25). The "sequestration ratios" at 6 and 12 hours for all parasite stages and changes in microvascular blood flow did not differ between treatment groups (all P > .40). The median time to normalization of plasma lactate (<2 mmol/L) was 24 (IQR, 12-30) hours with levamisole vs 28 (IQR, 12-36) hours without levamisole (P = .15). CONCLUSIONS: There was no benefit of a single-dose of levamisole hydrochloride as adjuvant to intravenous artesunate in the treatment of adults with severe falciparum malaria. Rapid parasite killing by intravenous artesunate might obscure the effects of levamisole.

Prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in an urban hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL)-producing organisms in an urban hospital in Dhaka City was assessed over a 10-month period. A double disk test was performed to detect ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. 43.2% and 39.5% of E. coli and K. pneumoniae had ESBL phenotypes, respectively. The combination of augmentin with ceftazidime detected the most ESBL-producing E. coli (39.5%) while augmentin with ceftriaxone was the best combination for the detection of ESBL (31.6%) in K. pneumoniae.