Rational sonochemical engineering of Ag2CrO4/g-C3N4 heterojunction for eradicating RhB dye under full broad spectrum.

In this novel research, S-scheme Ag2CrO4/g-C3N4 heterojunctions were generated by sonochemical hybridization of different compositions of Ag2CrO4 nanoparticles [EVB = +2.21 eV] and g-C3N4 sheets [ECB = -1.3 eV] for destructing RhB dye under artificial solar radiation. The as-synthesized nanocomposites were subjected to X-ray diffraction [XRD], diffuse reflectance spectrum [DRS], X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy [XPS], N2-adsorption-desorption isotherm, photoluminescence [PL] and high resolution transmission electron microscope [HRTEM] analysis to explore the interfacial interactions between g-C3N4 sheets and Ag2CrO4 nanoparticles. Spherical Ag2CrO4 nanoparticles deposited homogeneously on the wrinkles points of g-C3N4 sheets at nearly equidistant from each other facilitating the uniform absorption of solar radiations. The absorbability of solar radiations was enhanced by introducing 20 wt % Ag2CrO4 on g-C3N4 sheets. The surface area of g-C3N4 sheets was reduced from 37.5 to 16.4 m2/g and PL signal intensity diminished by 80 % implying the successful interfacial interaction between Ag2CrO4 nanoparticles and g-C3N4 sheets. The photocatalytic performance of heterojunctions containing 20 % Ag2CrO4 and 80 % g-C3N4 destructed 96 % of RhB dye compared with 60 and 33 % removal on the surface of pristine g-C3N4 sheets and Ag2CrO4, respectively. Benzoquinone and ammonium oxalate are strongly scavenged the dye decomposition revealing the strong influence of valence band holes of Ag2CrO4 and superoxide radicals in destructing RhB dye under solar radiations. S-scheme charge transportation mechanism was suggested rather than type II heterojunction on the light of scavenger trapping experiments results and PL spectrum of terephthalic acid. Overall, this research work illustrated the manipulation of novel S-scheme heterojunction with efficient redox power for destructing various organic pollutants persisted in water resources.

Machine learning models using non-linear techniques improve the prediction of resting energy expenditure in individuals receiving hemodialysis.

PURPOSE: Approximately 700,000 people in the USA have chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis. Protein-energy wasting (PEW), a condition of advanced catabolism, contributes to three-year survival rates of 50%. PEW occurs at all levels of Body Mass Index (BMI) but is devastating for those people at the extremes. Treatment for PEW depends on an accurate understanding of energy expenditure. Previous research established that current methods of identifying PEW and assessing adequate treatments are imprecise. This includes disease-specific equations for estimated resting energy expenditure (eREE). In this study, we applied machine learning (ML) modelling techniques to a clinical database of dialysis patients. We assessed the precision of the ML algorithms relative to the best-performing traditional equation, the MHDE. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of the Rutgers Nutrition and Kidney Database. To build the ML models we divided the population into test and validation sets. Eleven ML models were run and optimized, with the best three selected by the lowest root mean squared error (RMSE) from measured REE. Values for eREE were generated for each ML model and for the MHDE. We compared precision using Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Individuals were 41.4% female and 82.0% African American. The mean age was 56.4 ± 11.1 years, and the median BMI was 28.8 (IQR = 24.8 - 34.0) kg/m2. The best ML models were SVR, Linear Regression and Elastic net with RMSE of 103.6 kcal, 119.0 kcal and 121.1 kcal respectively. The SVR demonstrated the greatest precision, with 91.2% of values falling within acceptable limits. This compared to 47.1% for the MHDE. The models using non-linear techniques were precise across extremes of BMI. CONCLUSION: ML improves precision in calculating eREE for dialysis patients, including those most vulnerable for PEW. Further development for clinical use is a priority.

Potentially impacting millions of patients worldwide, our continuing goal is to understand energy expenditure (EE) across the spectrum of CKD (stages 1­5) in adults and children being treated with dialysis or transplantation, with the intent of providing tools for the health professional that will improve the delivery of quality care.In past research, we have identified and focused on disease-specific variables which account for 60% of the variance in predicting EE in individuals receiving dialysis, but many questions remain unanswered.Our hypotheses are that (1) there are determinants of EE specific to CKD and, (2) predicting EE for individuals may be greatly advanced using sophisticated models that combine these determinants. In this study, we applied machine learning (ML) with linear and non-linear techniques to our existing dataset. The best models demonstrated improved precision in predicting EE for all individuals in the validation group.

Enhancing the double-slope solar still performance using simple solar collector and floatable black wicks.

This research aims to investigate the effect of integrating a simple solar collector, floatable black wicks, and orientation as modified double-slope solar still (MDSSS), and to compare its performance with conventional double-slope solar still (CDSSS). Costs of the developed desalination system were estimated, and its performance was compared with the previous literatures. A black hose was coiled and used as simple solar collector for preheating the saline water that is fed to the solar still. The floatable black wicks were used to increase the evaporation surface area and cause a localization of absorbed insolation at the evaporation surface of saline water. The longitudinal axis of solar still was oriented to north-south and east-west, the and productivity from each side was quantified. The northern side of MDSSS has more yield than the southern side by 33.98% for the east-west orientation and preheating. For the east-west orientation, preheating, and floatable black wicks, the total yield of MDSSS exceeded the CDSSS by 45.65%. And at the same conditions, the daily average efficiency of southern and northern sides of MDSSS was 25.33 and 37.25%, while for CDSSS, it was 13.87 and 30.73%, respectively. Estimated costs revealed that cost per liter water was about 0.062 and 0.059 $ for CDSSS and MDSSS, respectively. Solar still can provide a reasonable amount of water for irrigation based on daily production by installing the MDSSS in furrow, but keeping the longitudinal axis to east-west can secure more amount of water. The used modifications improved the solar still productivity and efficiency. Graphical abstract.

Improving the performance of solar still using different heat localization materials.

This work aimed to explore a new technique for improving the performance of solar stills (SSs) through utilizing three different types of a new hybrid structure of heat localization materials (HSHLM) floating on the water surface to increase the evaporation rate as well as water production and minimize heat losses. The three types were exfoliated graphite flakes with wick (type A), carbon foam with wick (type B), and exfoliated graphite flakes with wick and carbon foam (type C). These hybrid structures had good features such as high absorption and hydrophilic capillary forces to interconnected pores for fluid flow through the structure. Two identical SSs were designed, fabricated, and investigated to assess SSs' performance with and without HSHLM (modified and conventional SSs). The obtained results showed that the daily productivity was enhanced by 34.5, 28.6, and 51.8% for type A, type B, and type C, respectively, relative to the conventional one. Moreover, the efficiency of the SS reached about 37.6% for type C; while, it reached about 27% for the conventional SS. Contrary to conventional SSs, the use of HSHLM resulted in increasing the productivity proportional to water depth.

Enhancing computing studies in high schools: A systematic literature review & UAE case study.

Open source software (OSS) is increasingly being integrated into educational institutions, and many countries require the use of OSS in government departments. However, not much focus is placed on integrating it into the educational sector in a strategic and productive manner. This paper examines the existing literature on the use of OSS in terms of the potential enhancements it can provide for computer science studies in high schools in general, and those in the UAE more specifically. It also details a survey conducted among 400 high school teachers after teaching them about multiple types of OSS that might enhance their teaching experience. After examining more than 69 different research papers and taking the survey findings into account, we drafted a roadmap that can be used by any educational institute-especially high schools-to strategically integrate OSS into the educational system.