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Potassium doped TiO2 nanotube electrodes of different phases were synthesized by electrochemical anodization followed by doping, adopting two different strategies. The K-doped mixed-phase electrodes, prepared by an innovative ‘water-bath temperature-controlled electrochemical anodization and doping method, exhibited specific capacitance values four to six times higher than those of the K-doped anatase electrodes prepared by the conventional electrochemical anodization, doping, and annealing. A maximum specific capacitance of 429 mF cm−2 (714 F g−1) at a current density of 0.75 mA cm−2 in a 1.23 V potential was obtained for the K-doped mixed-phase electrode, while the K-doped anatase yielded a specific capacitance of only 96 mF cm−2 (172 F g−1) at 3.8 mA cm−2. The former showed consistent performance in a wider potential window of 1.5 V, manifesting enhanced values of specific capacitance 639 mF cm−2 (1065 F g−1) at 3.3 mA cm−2. The mixed-phase electrode manifested excellent cyclic stability retaining 84
Interlayer expanded tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanostructures are synthesized by modulating reaction temperature in the hydrothermal process, without adding any surfactants/intercalating agents. An expanded spacing of 0.933 nm is achieved, which is 1.5 times the intrinsic layer spacing of WS2. The expanded WS2 offers faster HER kinetics with an overpotential of -0.176 V, a Tafel slope of 50 mV/decade, and an exchange current density of 3.9 & times; 10-3 mA/cm2. The availability of a large number of exposed active sites during layer expansion facilitates rapid charge transfer, thereby improving conductivity and boosting catalytic activity. The superior properties of expanded WS2 reveal its potential applications as an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
Rising environmental pollution and the severe health risks caused by toxic and flammable gases necessitate the development of highly sensitive, selective, and reliable gas sensors. Zinc gallate (ZnGa2O4, ZGO), a wide-bandgap spinel oxide semiconductor, is a promising material for advanced gas sensing due to its excellent chemical stability, tunable surface characteristics and high sensitivity at relatively low operating temperatures. This review provides a focused and dedicated overview of ZGO-based gas sensors systematically compiling the diverse experimental and theoretical studies reported to date, and critically discussing synthesis strategies, structural and morphological optimization, and their impact on sensing performance. It addresses the detection of key hazardous gases, including carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ammonia (NH3) and flammable gases like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), highlighting their environmental and health impacts, underscoring the need for real-time monitoring. Moreover, sensitivity, selectivity and operating temperatures of ZGO-based gas sensors have been compared with other metal oxide-based sensors' (i. e., ZnO, SnO2, or In2O3) performances in detecting NO2, H2S and LPG. Additionally, challenges such as device miniaturization, humidity interference, and selectivity are discussed alongside innovative strategies involving nanostructuring, doping, and composite materials. Also, chemiresistive ZGO-based gas sensors dominate existing literature, while photoluminescence-based sensing remains largely unexplored, presenting a gap to be addressed. Future efforts should focus on leveraging luminescent properties of this spinel oxide, for advanced gas detection and integrating it into smart and wearable sensor platforms. Investigations on reducing gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) should also be prioritized, as there is scope for improvement.
This study reports the isolation, identification and characterisation of plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria in Eclipta prostrata (L.)L. A total of seven morphologically and biochemically distinct bacterial endophytes, such as Cytobacillus firmus, Bacillus aquimaris, Bacillus cereus, Priestia megaterium, Bacillus thuringensis, Bacillus marsielle and Bacillus oceanisediminis were isolated and identified using 16S rDNA sequencing from the mature, healthy plants of Eclipta prostrata (L.)L. The 16S rDNA sequence data was submitted to the NCBI sequence submission portal with the accession numbers ON406226, ON406240, ON740903, ON406242, ON740903, ON413728 and ON413729 respectively. All the isolates produced IAA, ammonia, siderophore and solubilized phosphate. Three of them except Cytobacillus firmus, Bacillus aquimaris, Bacillus marsielle and Bacillus oceanisediminis were HCN producers. All endophytes were non-producers of ACC deaminase and did not solubilize potassium. The plant growth-promotion activity of the isolates was successfully tested in the seedlings of Vigna radiata and E. prostrata. The whole metagenomic sequencing by Illumina HiSeq followed by functional annotation of genes using KEGG, eggNOGG, nr and CAZY databases generated valid data on genes involved in metabolic pathways like nitrogen assimilation, IAA production, siderophore production, and phosphate solubilisation.
This study examined the relationships among professional burnout, perceived patient care quality, and patient safety practices among 150 staff nurses at a Level 3 government hospital in Southern Metro Manila. Using a descriptive-correlational quantitative design, data were collected through a researcher-developed and validated questionnaire. Findings revealed that overall professional burnout was low (mean = 2.23), although emotional exhaustion was the most frequently experienced burnout dimension. Perceived patient care quality (mean = 4.40) and patient safety practices (mean = 4.65) were rated very high. Pearson correlation analysis showed significant negative relationships between professional burnout and perceived patient care quality (r = -0.406, p<0.001) and between professional burnout and patient safety practices (r = -0.315, p<0.001). These findings indicate that higher levels of burnout are associated with lower perceptions of care quality and safety practices. The study highlights the importance of organizational support, wellness initiatives, and workload management strategies in promoting nurse well-being and sustaining safe, high-quality patient care. These findings provide evidence for the development of a targeted wellness program in government hospital settings.
