Efficient treatment of veterinary pharmaceutical industrial wastewater by catalytic ozonation process: degradation of enrofloxacin via molecular ozone reactions.

The study focused on the efficacious performance of bimetallic Fe-Zn loaded 3A zeolite in catalytic ozonation for the degradation of highly toxic veterinary antibiotic enrofloxacin in wastewater of the pharmaceutical industry. Batch experiments were conducted in a glass reactor containing a submerged pump holding catalyst pellets at suction. The submerged pump provided the agitation and recirculation across the solution for effective contact with the catalyst.

Synergistic effect of plasma power and temperature on the cracking of toluene in the N based product gas.

In this research, a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor is used to study the cracking of the toluene into C-C hydrocarbons. The combined effect of parameters such as temperature (20-400 °C) and plasma power (10-40 W) was investigated to evaluate the DBD reactor performance. The main gaseous products from the decomposition of toluene include lower hydrocarbon (C-C).

A Comprehensive Review on Zeolite Chemistry for Catalytic Conversion of Biomass/Waste into Green Fuels.

Numerous attempts have been made to produce new materials and technology for renewable energy and environmental improvements in response to global sustainable solutions stemming from fast industrial expansion and population growth. Zeolites are a group of crystalline materials having molecularly ordered micropore arrangements. Over the past few years, progress in zeolites has been observed in transforming biomass and waste into fuels.

Application of poly aluminum chloride and alum as catalyst in catalytic ozonation process after coagulation for the treatment of textile wastewater.

Textile wastewater is ranked highly contaminated among all industrial waste. During textile processing, the consumption of dyes and complex chemicals at various stages makes textile industrial wastewater highly challenging. Therefore, conventional processes based on single-unit treatment may not be sufficient to comply with the environmental quality discharge standards and more stringent guidelines for zero discharge of hazardous chemicals (ZDHC).

Application of Fe-RGO for the removal of dyes by catalytic ozonation process.

Due to continuous industrialization, the discharge of hazardous dyes has enormously disrupted the ecosystem causing environmental problems. Due to the stable recalcitrant nature of dyes, advanced catalytic ozonation processes with the latest catalyst are under investigation. Fe-RGO is an effective oxidation catalyst, and the metal loaded platform provides enhanced catalytic performance.

Food insufficiency and Twitter emotions during a pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic initially caused worldwide concerns about food insecurity. Tweets analyzed in real-time may help food assistance providers target food supplies to where they are most urgently needed. In this exploratory study, we use natural language processing to extract sentiments and emotions expressed in food security-related tweets early in the pandemic in U.

Efficient Cr(vi) photoreduction under natural solar irradiation using a novel step-scheme ZnS/SnInS nanoheterostructured photocatalysts.

Removal of heavy metal pollutants from water is a challenge to water security and the environment. Therefore, in this work, multinary chalcogenide based nanoheterostructures such as ZnS/SnInS nanoheterostructure with different loading amounts were prepared. The prepared nanoheterostructures were utilized as photocatalysts for chromium (Cr(vi)) photoreduction.

Consumer choice of health facility among the lowest socioeconomic group in newly established demand-side health-financing scheme in Pakistan.

Background: The Social Health Protection Initiative (SHPI) was introduced initially in Pakistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. The initiative aimed to provide the lowest socioeconomic group of the population with in-patient healthcare services, which otherwise would be financially hard to obtain. It is one of the flagship projects of the Provincial Government to contribute towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and universal health coverage.

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using polyaniline-based silver-doped zinc sulfide (PANI-Ag/ZnS) composites.

This study set out to determine the photocatalytic degradation potential of polyaniline-based silver-doped zinc sulfide composite (PANI-Ag/ZnS) for effective degradation of methylene blue. The heterogeneous photocatalytic experiments were carried out by irradiating aqueous dye solutions with ultraviolet light (UV-254 nm). The catalysts (ZnS, Ag/ZnS, PANI-ZnS, and PANI-Ag/ZnS) were prepared successfully and characterized by Fourier Transforms Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction (EDX).

Subcritical and supercritical water oxidation for dye decomposition.

The total annual output of synthetic dyes exceeds 7 × 10 tons. About 1,000 tons of non-biodegradable synthetic dyes are released every year into the natural streams and water sources from textile wastes. The release of these colored wastewater exerts negative impact on aquatic ecology and human beings because of the poisonous and carcinogenic repercussions of dyes involved in coloration production.

UV-Accelerated Photocatalytic Degradation of Pesticide over Magnetite and Cobalt Ferrite Decorated Graphene Oxide Composite.

Pesticides are one of the main organic pollutants as they are highly toxic and extensively used worldwide. The reclamation of wastewater containing pesticides is of utmost importance. For this purpose, GO-doped metal ferrites (GO-FeO and GO-CoFeO) were prepared and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic techniques.

Treatment of leachate through constructed wetlands using in combination with catalytic ozonation on Fe-zeolite A.

Leachate control and management is a major challenge faced during solid waste management as it may pollute surface and groundwaters. In the current research, constructed wetlands (CWs) vegetated with plant in combination with catalytic ozonation by ferrous (Fe)-coated zeolite A was studied for the treatment of leachate. The CWs treatment with 9 days detention reduced the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) up to 75.

Enhanced High-Temperature (600 °C) NO Response of ZnFeO Nanoparticle-Based Exhaust Gas Sensors.

Fabrication of gas sensors to monitor toxic exhaust gases at high working temperatures is a challenging task due to the low sensitivity and narrow long-term stability of the devices under harsh conditions. Herein, the fabrication of a chemiresistor-type gas sensor is reported for the detection of NO gas at 600 °C. The sensing element consists of ZnFeO nanoparticles prepared via a high-energy ball milling and annealed at different temperatures (600-1000 °C).

Assessment of birth preparedness and complication readiness among pregnant women attending the Obs/Gynae wards in two teaching hospitals in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Objective: To assess the knowledge of pregnant women receiving antenatal care at the study sites about birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) and their knowledge about warning signs during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to April 2019 in two teaching hospitals in Peshawar, Pakistan. Pregnant women aged 15-49 years were recruited after consent.

Dengue Outbreak Response and Control in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: A Mixed Methods Study.

Background: Since 2008, dengue fever outbreaks had occurred repeatedly in various districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Most importantly the outbreak of 2017 caused 70 deaths, about 121,083 suspected and 24,938 confirmed cases in 23 districts of KP. In 2018, an abrupt decline in suspected and confirmed dengue cases was observed and 2018 was declared as dengue outbreak free.

Hand washing behavior change effect of community-based hygiene and sanitation intervention in low resource setting.

Background: Lack of hygiene and sanitation causes significant disease, disability and death. Majority of diarrheal diseases are related to hygiene and drinking water. Hand washing with soap after toilet use and before eating reduces these risks significantly.

Catalytic Oxidation Process for the Degradation of Synthetic Dyes: An Overview.

Dyes are used in various industries as coloring agents. The discharge of dyes, specifically synthetic dyes, in wastewater represents a serious environmental problem and causes public health concerns. The implementation of regulations for wastewater discharge has forced research towards either the development of new processes or the improvement of available techniques to attain efficient degradation of dyes.

Informed consent practice for obstetric and gynaecologic procedures: A patients' perspective from a developing country.

Objectives: To assess the surgical informed consent (SIC) practices for obstetric and gynaecological (OB-GYN) procedures at different hospitals in Pakistan.

Methods: Study was conducted in five hospitals (three public and two private) of Peshawar, Pakistan. A pretested structured tablet-based questionnaire was administered from October 2016 through January 2017 among post-op OB-GYN patients.

Public health education and health system needs in Pakistan: a mixed methods study.

Background: Pakistan has recently observed a significant growth in public health education programmes. Little is known about the structure of these programmes nor whether they are adequately responsive to national health system needs.

Aims: We reviewed existing public health degree programmes in Pakistan along with an exploration of the national public health market and health system needs.

Practice and enforcement of national Hospital Waste Management 2005 rules in Pakistan.

Background: Hospital waste management (HWM) rules in Pakistan were issued in 2005. Despite a decade of enactment, adherence to HWM 2005 rules has been inconsistent and systematic assessment of adherence using a World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended questionnaire has not been done in all teaching hospitals of Peshawar District.

Aims: This study assessed the adherence to HWM 2005 rules by tertiary care teaching hospitals of Peshawar District with respect to HWM personnel, policy and practices.

Intrinsic peroxidase-like activity and enhanced photo-Fenton reactivity of iron-substituted polyoxometallate nanostructures.

Heteropolyacids (HPAs) are a class of polyoxometallates (POMs) with oxygen-rich surfaces. Herein, we have developed an Fe-containing heteropolyacid by cation-exchange and employed KFePW12O40 nanostructures for Fenton, photo-Fenton and enzyme-mimetic reactions. The as-prepared KFePW12O40 catalyst exhibits efficient degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) via the photo-Fenton reaction.

Compliance to timely vaccination in an Expanded Program on Immunization center of Pakistan.

The importance of childhood immunization in prevention of highly fatal diseases and disability cannot be overemphasized. Pakistan has a national Expanded Program on Immunization but the compliance is far below the international benchmark for achieving a herd immunity. Monitoring the compliance to timely receipt of vaccinations is crucial to establishing and preventing disease and disability associated risk in children.

Highly dispersed ultra-small Pd nanoparticles on gadolinium hydroxide nanorods for efficient hydrogenation reactions.

Heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation reactions are of great importance to the petrochemical industry and fine chemical synthesis. Herein, we present the first example of gadolinium hydroxide (Gd(OH)) nanorods as a support for loading ultra-small Pd nanoparticles for hydrogenation reactions. Gd(OH) possesses a large number of hydroxyl groups on the surface, which act as an ideal support for good dispersion of Pd nanoparticles.