Search

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is known for its higher efficiency compared to the other types of fuel cells. Even so, the application of SOFC is hindered by the operational temperature of 800 °C–1000 °C. Lowering the operational temperature below 1000 °C of SOFC becomes the major concern to allow wider applications as well as to increase the durability of the system. Improving the electrochemical performance for SOFC requires further improvement on the main components of SOFC including the air/oxygen electrode namely, the cathode. The manganite, cobaltite, ferro-cobaltite, and ferrite-based materials are known to be used as SOFC cathode, alongside new candidates such as lithiated-based material. Nonetheless, the key challenges for SOFC cathode are to find a suitable material with high electrocatalytic property at lower operational temperature of 400 °C–800 °C. This review paper provides brief information that covered as-mentioned cathode categories, taking into account the microstructural modifications performed via composite, doping, infiltration technique, and synthesis method. Finally, electrolyte-layer free fuel cell (EFFC) is introduced as a new type of SOFC that use natural resources in the fuel cells as a process to reduce its cost.

Background Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) is a contagious, airborne infection that destroys when M. tuberculosis primarily attacks the lungs. PTB is curable with an early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment. Stigmatization and negative emotions resulting from the illness could result in long term impairment of patients psychological well being which may result in work absenteeism resulting in loss of productivity and reduced monthly income. Methods This was a prospective study which was conducted over a period of one and half year. A total of 198 patients were recruited for the study. Quality Of Life (QOL) was assessed at baseline and at the end of intensive phase. For QOL WHO based QOLBREF was used. Results In the present study patients scored lowest in the baseline physical (8.36 ± 1.60) followed by the psychological domain (10.40 ± 1.72) however at the end of intensive phase both physical (11.98 ± 1.70) and psychological (12.75 ± 1.) domains improved very much and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion We conclude that HRQOL is significantly reduced in patients with PTB, and that it improves rapidly and significantly with DOTS-based intensive phase of treatment. Special focus on reduction of stigmatization should be given in the management of TB to reduce the psychological distress.

In this work, we demonstrated an innovative and cost-effective strategy to produce high- value depolymerized kraft lignin (DKL) from softwood kraft lignin (SKL) and hardwood kraft lignin (HKL). The depolymerization of kraft lignin was successfully achieved by an oxidative approach using nitric acid under ambient conditions (room temperature and pressure). This novel approach has the following features: ambient process conditions, no heat required, absence of catalysts or organic solvents, and no further purification process being required. The obtained DKL products were characterized extensively by gel permeation chromatography with ultraviolet detector (GPC-UV), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), potentiometric titration and elemental analysis. Treatment of SKL or HKL at a KL/nitric acid (HNO3) mass ratio of 1:4 (w/w) at room temperature for 84 h resulted in DKL products with a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 1350 Da, much lower than that of the original lignins. In addition, the DKL products displayed a significant increase in carboxylic acid group content, a high solubility in water at low pH and, significantly lower decomposition temperatures compared to the original lignins. It was confirmed that nitration of the lignin structure occurred during nitric acid-oxidative depolymerization, as evidenced by the presence of 5% nitrogen (N) content in the DKL products.

Tolerance between ethnic groups can be challenged over matters such as autonomy, language rights, education, national symbols and political representation. Cultural diversity has its own ways and regulations for cultural heritage such as minorities’ languages which will echo between varieties of cultural expressions. In the political aspect, attention to cultural diversity is a part of democracy and increases tolerance among different tribes. This paper is part of an ongoing research regarding analyze Iran’s tribal and cultural diversity policies based on the Iran constitution.

Unappreciation and inattention to ethnic and national identity weakens unity,and this is a threat for national integrity and solidarity in culturally diverse societies. For this reason, governments and authorities try to strengthen national integrity through utilizing ethnic and national identity. This study rates ethnic and national identities’ Importance amongst the minorities that settled in Tehran through a questionnaire. The city of Tehran as the capital and largest city in Iran is the main immigrant receiving areas in the country with 31% reception of immigrants. This research validated the results of the questionnaire through in-depth interview with Iranian cultural experts. Evidently, paying attention to ethnic and national identity establishes a tradition which will continue in history for the later generations. Moreover, attention to ethnic and national identity can stimulate people’s patriotism. This paper suggests that majority of Iranian groups shows interest in ethnic and national identities' Importance. The interest of different tribes in their own ethnic and national identity can have tremendously important roles in implementing or not implementing major plans and long-term cultural programs.