Development of 3-dimensional Co3O4 catalysts with various morphologies for activation of Oxone to degrade 5-sulfosalicylic acid in water.

Since 5-sulfosalicylic acid (SFA) has been increasingly released to the environment, SO4--based oxidation processes using Oxone have been considered as useful methods to eliminate SFA. As Co3O4 has been a promising material for OX activation, the four 3D Co3O4 catalysts with distinct morphologies, including Co3O4-C (with cubes), Co3O4-P (with plates), Co3O4-N (with needles) and Co3O4-F (with floral structures), are fabricated for activating OX to degrade SFA. In particular, Co3O4-F not only exhibits the highest surface area but also possesses the abundant Co2+ and more reactive surface, making Co3O4-F the most advantageous 3D Co3O4 catalyst for OX activation to degrade SFA. The mechanism of SFA by this 3D Co3O4/OX is also investigated and the corresponding SFA degradation pathway has been elucidated. The catalytic activities of Co3O4 catalysts can be correlated to physical and chemical properties which were associated with particular morphologies to provide insights into design of 3D Co3O4-based catalysts for OX-based technology to degrade emerging contaminants, such as SFA.

Prussian Blue Analogue-derived co/fe bimetallic nanoparticles immobilized on S/N-doped carbon sheet as a magnetic heterogeneous catalyst for activating peroxymonosulfate in water.

While Co is the most effective metal for activating PMS, extensive efforts are made to develop Co/Fe species (CF) (e.g., CoFe2O4) for imparting magnetic properties and facilitating recovery of catalysts. When carbon substrates are doped with heteroatoms (e.g., S and N) and CF is embedded within the heteroatom-doped carbon matrix, synergies can occur to boost catalytic activities. This study proposes an alternative CF-bearing carbonaceous composite, a cobalt-containing Prussian Blue Analogue (PBA) (Co3[Fe(CN)6]2) is employed as a precursor for preparing CF species embedded in N-doped carbon matrix and immobilized on S/N-co-doped carbon (SNC). Specifically, PBA in-situ grows on SNC by a heat treatment of trithiocyanuric acid to form PBA@SNC, which is then carbonized into CF species@SNC (CF@SNC). By adopting Amaranth degradation as a model reaction, CF@SNC shows a higher catalytic activity (kapp = 0.230 min-1) than CF (kapp = 0.152 min-1) and SNC (kapp = 0.016 min-1) for activating PMS. In comparison with Co3O4, CF@SNC exhibits a higher catalytic activity for PMS activation. CF@SNC renders a relatively low Ea value (53 kJ/mol) for Amaranth degradation in comparison to other reported catalysts. These comparisons demonstrate the advantageous features of CF@SNC as a magnetic and efficient catalyst for PMS activation.

LabPush: a pilot study of providing remote clinics with laboratory results via short message service (SMS) in Swaziland, Africa - a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Developing countries are confronting a steady growth in the prevalence of the infectious diseases. Mobile technologies are widely available and can play an important role in health care at the regional, community, and individual levels. Although labs usually able to accomplish the requested blood test and produce the results within two days after receiving the samples, but the time for the results to be delivered back to clinics is quite variable depending on how often the motorbike transport makes trips between the clinic and the lab. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we seek to assess factors facilitating as well as factors hindering the adoption of mobile devices in the Swazi healthcare through evaluating the end-users of the LabPush system. METHODS: A qualitative study with semi-structured and in-depth one on one interviews were conducted over two month period July-August 2012. Purposive sampling was used; participants were those operating and using the LabPush system at the remote clinics, at the national laboratory and the supervisors of users at Swaziland. Interview questions were focused on perceived of ease of use and usefulness of the system. All interviews were recorded and then transcribed. RESULTS: This study had aimed its primary focus on reducing TAT, prompt patient care, reducing bouncing of patients and defaulting of patients which were challenges that the clinicians have always had. Therefore, the results revealed several barriers and facilitators to the adoption of mobile device by healthcare providers in the Swaziland. The themes Shortens TAT, Technical support, Patient-centered care, Mindset, Improved communication, Missing Reports, Workload, Workflow, Security of smart phone, Human error and Ownership are sorted by facilitators to barriers. CONCLUSION: Thus the end-users perspective, prompt patient care, reduced bouncing of patients, technical support, better communication, willing participant and social influence were facilitators of the adoption m-health in the Swazi healthcare.