Synthesis and characterization of a novel Ca-alginate-biochar composite as efficient zinc (Zn2+) adsorbent: Thermodynamics,process design,mass transfer and isotherm modeling

In this present work, Ca-alginate-biochar adsorbent has been synthesized, characterized and tested its effectiveness in the removal of aqueous phase Zn²⁺ metal. The removal efficiency was studied under various physicochemical process parameters. External mass transfer model, intraparticle diffusion model and pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models were used to fit the experimental Zn²⁺ adoption kinetic results and to identify the mechanism of adsorption. The desorption studies indicate the possibilities of ion-exchange and physical–chemical adsorption of Zn^2+. The adsorption was best described by Langmuir isotherm model. Thermodynamic parameters suggested that the adsorption process becomes spontaneous, endothermic and irreversible in nature.     

ZnO@Ni foam photoelectrode modified with heteroatom doped graphitic carbon for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting under solar light

In this study, an electrocatalyticaly inactive ZnO@Ni foam photoelectrode was modified with heteroatom doped graphitic carbon to achieve enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting performance. The O, S and N doped graphitic carbon was simultaneously deposited with ZnO on Ni foam substrate under hydrothermal deposition. One dimensional ZnO nanorods with flower-like graphitic carbon on their surface were obtained on the Ni foam substrate, which was directly used as photoelectrode to derive photoelectrochemical water splitting under solar light irradiation. The pristine ZnO@NF exhibit unattractive PEC performance evidenced by the high overpotential required for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) couple of water splitting reaction (398 mV vs. RHE). The carbon modified ZnO–C@NF photoelectrode lowers the overpotential required to 317 mV. This enhancement was attributed to the carbon modification which serves as both active site and photoelectron reservoir; facilitating the sluggish kinetics of OER couple reaction and promoting separation of photogenerated charge carriers.     

Performance Impacts of Web-Enabled Retail Services: An Empirical Study

Prior studies suggest that the growth in online retail is attributed to the effective implementation of media-rich and interactive services and functionalities that help overcome the para-social distance between customers and online retail stores. However, few studies have offered empirical evidence that demonstrates the specific impacts these interactive services and functionalities have on the financial performance of online retailers. Using data on the operations and financial performance of the top 500 online retailers in the U.S., this study investigates the impact that website features and functionalities have on sales performance and other intermediate performance measures. Our findings suggest that website features and functionalities have a significant direct impact on sales as well as an indirect impact through intermediate performance measures. Furthermore, our model identifies the specific performance measures that each website feature targets to improve.     

Electron Holographic Observations at Boundaries Aligned Parallel and Nonparallel to the Incident Beam

The changes in phase profiles across heterointerfaces and the ability to detect intergranular amorphous phases were investigated using off-axis electron holography in a field-emission transmission electron microscope. The boundaries were viewed in the conventional edge-on orientation, and also after tilting so that the boundary was no longer parallel to the incident beam. Reconstructed phase images of W/Si multilayers demonstrate that the boundaries are still apparent even at substantial tilts (up to 6°), and that the shape of the phase profile changes as expected with tilt. Detection of thin (<1nm) glassy phases at grain boundaries in Ti-doped Al₂O₃ with minor silicon impurities was then explored. The amorphous aluminosilicate phase displays a significantly larger phase shift than the adjoining alumina grains, and can be apparent at tilts up to nearly 10°. An undecorated boundary shows very little change in phase at the interface.     

Morphological Evolution and Weak Interface Development within Chemical-Vapor-Deposited Zirconia Coating Deposited on Hi-Nicalon™ Fiber

The phase contents and morphology of a ZrO₂ fiber coating deposited at 1050°C on Hi-Nicalon^TM by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) were examined as a function of deposition time from 5–120 min. The morphological evolution in the ZrO₂ coating was correlated to the development of delamination within the ZrO₂ coating. The delamination appears to occur as a result of: (i) continuous formation of tetragonal ZrO₂ nuclei on the deposition surface; (ii) martensitic transformation of the tetragonal phase to a monoclinic phase on reaching a critical grain size; and (iii) development of significant compressive hoop stresses because of the volume dilation associated with the transformation. Our observations suggest that it will be of critical importance to further understand and eventually control the nucleation and grain growth behavior of CVD ZrO₂ and its phase transformation behavior for its potential applications for composites.     

Benchtop MRI for pharmacokinetic evaluation of two aqueous-based nano-scaled formulations of oleic acid stabilized magnetite nanocrystals

Background: The interplay between numerous factors, including the size, shape, coating, surface charge and composition of particles is known to affect the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIOs). This makes understanding the role of each factor independently quite challenging.

Methods: In the present study, the in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), biodistribution and hepatic clearance evaluations of two SPIOs Formulations A and B developed from ～13.5?nm hydrophobic oleic acid stabilized monodisperse magnetite nanocrystals core and lipid-based amphiphilic stabilizers were performed using a prototype benchtop MR imager (22?MHz) and pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system (20?MHz), respectively. Formulation A was composed of mPEG-2000-DSPE and Formulation B was composed of Phospholipon-100H, sucrose ester M-1695 and Cremophor RH-40.

Results: The in vivo MRI investigations showed that both formulations were safe and effective as potential liver MR contrast agents with sustained liver contrast for at least seven days. In addition, ex vivo relaxometric investigations revealed that the formulations predominantly distribute to the liver and spleen following I.V. injection. The hepatic clearance kinetics determined based on the relaxometric quantification method indicated that both formulations exhibited a biphasic clearance process with a slow terminal clearance half-life of 11.5 and 12.7 days, respectively, for Formulations A and B.

Conclusions: The results of this study showed the potential biomedical applications of the investigated magnetopharmaceutical formulations as MRI contrast agents.     

Highly efficient and durable phosphine reduced iron-doped tungsten oxide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for the hydrogen evolution reaction

The design and development of inexpensive and highly efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen production from water splitting are highly crucial for green energy and the hydrogen economy. Herein, we report phosphine reduced an iron-doped tungsten oxide nanoplate/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite (Fe-WOxP/rGO) as an excellent electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction. This electrocatalyst was synthesized using a hydrothermal method, followed by reduction with phosphine (PH₃), which was generated from sodium hypophosphite. The catalyst onset potential, Tafel slope, and stability were investigated. Accordingly, Fe-WOxP/rGO exhibited impressively high electrocatalytic activity with a low overpotential of 54.60 mV, which is required to achieve a current density of 10 mAcm^?2. The Tafel slope of 41.99 mV dec^?1and the linear sweep voltammetry curve is almost the same as 2000 cycles and electrolysis under static overpotential (54.60 mV) is remain for more than 24 h in 0.5 M H₂SO₄. The catalytic activity and conductivity of Fe-WOxP/rGO were higher than WO_XP, Fe-WOxP and WOxP/rGO. Such an outstanding performance of the Fe-WOxP/rGO nanocomposite is attributed to the coupled synergic effect between high oxygen vacancies formation on tungsten oxide in the nanoplate-like structure of Fe-WOxP and rGO nanosheet, making it as an excellent electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction.     

A PhD in information systems for emerging economies: the Addis Ababa University model

Information systems (IS) provides a critical skill set for all economies, yet many of the emerging economies find that when they send the best minds overseas for a PhD in IS, many of them do not return. As a result, many poor countries are unable to create the intellectual infrastructure that they need to improve internal efficiency and participate in the world outsourcing market. Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia has developed a PhD in IS based on the willingness of overseas IS faculty to conduct intensive PhD seminars on a yearly basis. Now in its third year, the program is a model that other countries or regions might consider emulating.     

Anisotropic Grain Growth in α-Al2O3 with SiO2 and TiO2 Additions

Microstructural changes caused by doping α-Al₂O₃ with small amounts of SiO₂ and TiO₂ added singly or together were investigated. When they were sintered at 1450°C for 120 min, singly doped samples developed equiaxed microstructures, but codoped material developed an anisotropic microstructure that contained platelike grains with an average aspect ratio of 3.4. The development of anisotropy thus resulted from a cooperative effect of silicon and titanium. Amorphous material was present at most grain boundaries in the silicon-doped sample. In the codoped sample, only boundaries that exhibited a basal facet were penetrated by amorphous material. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis showed strong titanium enrichment at the edges of platelets. Additional experiments demonstrated that the volume fraction of highly anisotropic platelike grains interspersed with equiaxed grains could be adjusted by using varying amounts of titanium with a constant amount of silicon content. The fracture toughnesses of such materials increased as the structure became more anisotropic.