Exploring Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide Adsorption on (5,5) Aluminum Nitride Nanotubes for Enhanced Sensor Applications: A DFT Study

This study examined the sensitivity of single-walled (5,5) aluminium nitride nanotubes ((5,5) AlNNTs) to carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gas molecules by performing DFT calculations using a hybrid functional, specifically, B3LYP (Becke's three-parameter, Lee-Yang-Parr) exchange-correlation functional at a 6-31G* basis set. This research investigates the adsorption behavior of CO2 and CO molecules on pristine and silicon-doped aluminum nitride nanotubes (AlNNTs) and examines their implications for sensor applications. The study assesses each system's adsorption energy, sensing potential, and recovery time to gain insights into their binding strength and practical viability. For CO2 adsorption on (5,5) AlNNT, significant adsorption energy of -24.36 kcal/mol was observed, indicating a strong binding to the nanotube surface, with a sensing potential of 8.95%. However, the slow recovery time of approximately 4.964 days may limit its real-time application. Si-(5,5) AlNNT exhibited a CO2 adsorption energy of -19.69 kcal/mol, a sensing potential of 5.40%, and a relatively short recovery time of approximately 2.978 min, making it a promising candidate for CO2 sensing. CO adsorption on (5,5) AlNNT showed an adsorption energy of -25.20 kcal/mol, a sensing potential of 9.095%, but a longer recovery time of approximately 20.130 days. Si-(5,5) AlNNT displayed a high CO adsorption energy of -20.78 kcal/mol, a sensing potential of 4.29%, and a recovery time of approximately 18.320 min. These findings provide insights into the adsorption characteristics of carbon molecules on AlNNTs, highlighting their potential for CO2 and CO sensing applications.

Volarization of valuable compound from watermelon by-product using ultrasound-assisted extraction

The aim of this study was to develop an efficient, reliable, and sustainable technology for the recovery of value-added compounds from by-product, in this case, is watermelon rinds. The properties of the watermelon rinds obtained from innovative ultrasoundassisted extraction (UAE) were evaluated. In regard to this, the pectin content, degree of esterification, and galacturonic acid content of the watermelon rind extracts were determined in order to verify the efficiency of the UAE. Initially, the UAE were conducted using two types of acid: citric and hydrochloric. The highest pectin content was obtained using citric acid. Additional UAE was then performed with citric acid at 50, 60, or 70°C for 10, 20, or 30 mins. Both UAE temperature and time significantly influenced the pectin extracts and galacturonic acid. The best findings for a high galacturonic acid content (47.41%) when the watermelon rinds were extracts at 70°C for 20 mins. According to the findings, the extraction process lasted 10 or 20 mins at all temperatures was mainly high-methoxyl pectin, which can form gels under acidic conditions. This suggests that pectins derived from watermelon rinds using UAE may be especially useful as an additive in some confectionery products.

Physicochemical properties and sensory evaluation of yogurt nutritionally enriched with papaya

Yogurts are one of the most consumed dairy products, especially in Western and Middle East countries. Papaya is an abundant tropical fruit that contains much higher levels of vitamins and minerals than other tropical fruits. The aim of this work was to develop a protein-rich papaya-flavored yogurt as an inexpensive, nutritionally balanced, healthy snack. The influenced of adding papaya puree at different percentages (5, 10, 15, 20, 25%) on physicochemical and rheological have been explored. This work also investigated consumer preferences in relation to these yogurts, using ratings made by thirty Malaysian participants on a five-point hedonic scale. The addition of papaya to the pure yogurt (up to 25% by weight) increased the product’s crude protein content by up to 46% and reduced its fat content by up to 27%. Nevertheless, the addition of 20% of papaya puree to the yogurt was the most preferred according to sensory evaluation. On most of the attributes tested, participants gave higher ratings for the yogurt nutritionally enriched with papaya than for the pure yogurt. The enrichment of natural yogurt with papaya puree showed to be effective with higher nutritional characteristics.

[Odontoid fracture: Long-term subarachnoid hemorrhage after anterior screw fixation. Case report and literature review]

Odontoid fractures have been classified by Anderson and D'Alonzo into three main categories. The most unstable injuries, type II fractures involve the base of the odontoid peg at the junction with the C2 body. Due to the proximity of vital neural structures, fracture of the odontoid process may result in instability and fatal neurological damage. Treatment aims to re-establish stability of the atlanto-axial complex by restoring the odontoid process. This may be achieved by conservative or surgical treatment. Anterior screw fixation of the odontoid peg is an interresting alternative surgical option but this technique has a significant complication rate. However, vascular injury is very rare with three case reported in the literature: one case of an intracranial vertebral artery (VA) injury, one case of a cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) injury and one case of anterior pseudoaneurysm of the spinal artery branch. We report a new case of long term vascular injury after screw fixation revealed by a subarachnoid hemorrhage. We discuss the incidence, the mechanisms of injury and the conditions necessary for the occurrence of this complication.

Prevention of central venous catheter-related infections by using maximal sterile barrier precautions during insertion

OBJECTIVE

In many hospitals, the only sterile precautions used during the insertion of a nontunneled central venous catheter are sterile gloves and small sterile drapes. We investigated whether the use of maximal sterile barrier (consisting of mask, cap, sterile gloves, gown, and large drape) would lower the risk of acquiring catheter-related infections.

DESIGN

Prospective randomized trial.

SETTING

A 500-bed cancer referral center.

METHODS

We randomized patients to have their nontunneled central catheter inserted under maximal sterile barrier precautions or control precautions (sterile gloves and small drape only). All patients were followed for 3 months postinsertion or until the catheter was removed, whichever came first. Catheter-related infections were diagnosed by quantitative catheter cultures and/or simultaneous quantitative blood cultures.

RESULTS

The 176 patients whose catheters were inserted by using maximal sterile barrier precautions were comparable to the 167 control patients in underlying disease, degree of immuno-suppression, therapeutic interventions, and catheter risk factors for infections (duration and site of catheterization, number of catheter lumen, catheter insertion difficulty, reason for catheter removal). There were a total of four catheter infections in the test group and 12 in the control group (P = 0.03, chi-square test). The catheter-related septicemia rate was 6.3 times higher in the control group (P = 0.06, Fisher's exact test). Most (67%) of the catheter infections in the control group occurred during the first 2 months after insertion, whereas 25% of the catheter infections in the maximal sterile precautions group occurred during the same period (P < 0.01, Fisher's exact test). Cost-benefit analysis showed the use of such precautions to be highly cost-effective.

CONCLUSION

Maximal sterile barrier precautions during the insertion of nontunneled catheters reduce the risk of catheter infection. This practice is cost-effective and is consistent with the practice of universal precautions during an invasive procedure.

Assessment of heavy metals in chicken feeds available in Sokoto, Nigeria

In the present work six metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, Mn and Ni) were analyzed for, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in three main feed brands commonly used in Sokoto (2 commercial feed and 1 locally compounded chicken feed). Initially, the samples were digested with concentrated nitric acid and perchloric acid at about 3700C to 4500C heat in a digestion block. The concentration in ìg/ml of the six metals analyzed for in the feed samples ranged between 0.04 and 1.21 for Cu, 0.01 and 0.55 for Pb, 1.43 and 11.65 for Zn, 0.10 and 0.12 Cd, 0.94 and 3.12 for Mn and 0.004 and 0.25 for Ni. In most of the analyzed samples, the concentration of Cu, Zn, Mn and Ni was found to be lower than the nutritional requirement of broiler chicken at a level which could be harmful for the poultry. Also the study showed the presence of heavy metals (Pb and Cd) in all the feed samples analyzed, but none exceeded permissible levels as set by European Union and National Research Council.Keywords: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry, Chicken feeds, Contamination, Heavy metals, Sokoto, Toxicity