Objectives Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) occurs when preterm infants fail to achieve expected intrauterine growth rates. EUGR is classified as static (body weight < 10th percentile at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA) or longitudinal (weight z-score decline > 1 standard deviation from birth to 36 weeks PMA). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of each type and identify associated factors. Methods This retrospective cohort study included very low birth weight (VLBW) infants admitted to a tertiary-level NICU between January 2020 and December 2023. Infants who died, were transferred before 36 weeks PMA, or had chromosomal or major anomalies were excluded. Results Of 107 infants, 55 (51.4%) had static EUGR and 35 (32.7%) had longitudinal EUGR. Multivariable analysis identified SGA as the only significant factor associated with static EUGR (aOR 9.01, 95% CI 2.08–39.08, p = 0.003). Delayed achievement of 120 mL/kg/day after day of life 10 showed a positive association with static EUGR but did not reach significance (aOR 2.57, 95% CI 0.93–7.13, p = 0.069). In contrast, delayed full enteral feeding was the only significant factor associated with longitudinal EUGR (aOR 3.98, 95% CI 1.48–10.68, p = 0.006). Agreement between definitions was weak (κ = 0.186, p = 0.019). Conclusion Static EUGR was strongly associated with SGA status at birth, whereas longitudinal EUGR identified a partially distinct subgroup of infants. Delayed achievement of full enteral feeding was significantly associated with longitudinal EUGR. This finding warrants cautious interpretation, as delayed enteral feeding may serve as a marker of illness severity rather than a direct causal factor.
In this work, a MnFe2O4/ZnO/rGO nanocomposite was successfully synthesized and explored for dual applications in photocatalytic degradation and colorimetric detection of tetracycline (TC) antibiotics. The structural, optical, and morphological analyses confirmed the formation of well-integrated heterostructures, featuring enhanced interfacial interactions and efficient electron-transfer properties. The MnFe2O4/ZnO/rGO nano-composites exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance, achieving a degradation efficiency of 95.65% towards TC antibiotics under light irradiation, attributed to efficient charge separation and enhanced generation of ROS species. Additionally, the MnFe2O4/ZnO/rGO nanocomposites demonstrated strong peroxidase-like activity, enabling sensitive colorimetric detection of TC antibiotics via inhibition of TMB oxidation, with a linear response in the range of 10-90 mu M and a low detection limit (LOD) of 0.21 mu M. The MnFe2O4/ZnO/rGO nanocomposite system also showed high selectivity against interfering species and good reproducibility in real sample analysis, with recoveries ranging from 92.59 to 101.69%. Furthermore, a smartphone-based RGB analysis provided a simple, portable, and cost-effective detection strategy. This work highlights the potential of MnFe2O4/ZnO/rGO nanocomposites as a multifunctional platform for environmental monitoring and water remediation applications.
Peanut shells, a byproduct of peanut processing, generate much waste annually. In this study, peanut shells were used as a carbon source for synthesizing reduced graphene oxide (rGO-PS) via a modified Hummer's method. A nickel sulfide-reduced graphene oxide (rGO-PS/NiS) composite was hydrothermally synthesized to create a 3D composite network. The rGO-PS/NiS composite was mixed with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and coated on FTO glass using a doctor blade and employed as a counter electrode (CE) in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The prepared composite was characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy to study the chemical composition and surface configuration of CEs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed for morphological determination. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and Tafel analyses indicated a decrease in charge transfer resistance and increased catalytic activity in the CE. A DSSC based on an rGO-PS/NiS CE achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.45% for a champion cell, which is higher than that of a conventional platinum-based CE (8.02%). These results demonstrate the potential of metal sulfide composites with biomass-derived rGO-like carbon (natural carbon) for efficient, low-cost DSSCs. They offer a sustainable pathway for converting agricultural waste into high-performance CE materials.
Barium hexaferrite (BaFe12O19 or BaF) is a hard ferrite with high coercivity and strong magnetization. In this work, flexible magnetic rubber composites were developed by incorporating waste-derived BaFe12O19 (W-BaF) filler, synthesized from steel industry waste, into natural rubber (NR) at loadings of 0–60 phr. The vulcanization characteristics, mechanical behaviors, and magnetic properties of the NR composites were evaluated and compared with those of NR composites containing commercial BaFe12O19 (C-BaF) filler. It was found that both W-BaF and C-BaF powders showed a plate-like hexagonal morphology. However, differences in particle size and morphology between W-BaF and C-BaF powders resulted in distinct dispersion behaviors of the fillers within the NR matrix. Consequently, the NR/BaF composites containing W-BaF filler exhibited differences in vulcanization characteristics, mechanical behavior, and magnetic properties compared with those containing C-BaF filler. Although the addition of W-BaF filler enhanced the magnetic properties of NR, its effect was less pronounced than that of the C-BaF filler. This finding suggests that a higher loading of W-BaF filler may be necessary to achieve the desired magnetic performance in flexible magnetic rubber composites for practical applications. Notably, this work found that the NR composites containing W-BaF exhibited better retention of tensile properties during thermal aging than those containing C-BaF. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of upcycling locally available steel industry waste into BaFe12O19 filler through local synthesis and processing, providing a waste valorization strategy for developing magnetic NR composites with potential applications as bonded permanent magnets in refrigerator gaskets and small motors.
Emerging market financial institutions, in common with companies across the world, are grappling with how to adopt digital strategy and thereby facilitate the transfer of emerging digital technologies into their operations. In line with upper echelon theory predictions, evidence is emerging that, as is the case for technology adoption in general, top management teams (TMTs) are decisive in digital strategy adoption. However, less is known about which specific members of the TMT are primarily responsible for digital strategy adoption decisions, what their role is in these adoption processes, and which executive characteristics are conducive to adopting digital strategy. We conducted semi-structured interviews with key informants who were knowledgeable about the financial sector in emerging economies, an area which has recently seen a sharp increase in digital strategy adoption. We find that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is viewed as the primary initiator of digital strategy adoption. In our interviewees’ experience, CEOs play the role of idea generator, advocate and decision-maker, whereas other parties either stimulate or restrict the CEOs’ role. In addition, IT knowledge, specialist as well as overseas education and experience, digital training and mindset are identified as strong influences on the adoption of digital strategy. These results imply that companies seeking to more rapidly adopt digital strategy should seek to appoint CEOs who possess this mix of CEO characteristics whilst policy makers can support such moves by incentivizing both overseas education of executives as well as the return of diaspora talent back to the home financial sector.
