We report the syntheses of ternary nanoparticles (NPs) of Fex@(PtRu)(1-x)/2 (x = 0.0, 0.30, 0.34, 0.38, and 0.44) with Fe cores and PtRu alloy shells, which exhibit greatly improved electrocatalytic properties for methanol oxidation reaction (MOR). The syntheses were achieved by one-step sonochemical treatments of Pt(acac)2, Ru(acac)3, and Fe(acac)3 in ethylene glycol. The NPs are characterized by X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and inductively couple plasma-adsorption emission spectroscopy for the particle size, morphology, and composition, respectively. The formation of core-shell NPs has been proven by scanning TEM-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and the electronic structures of the elements have been investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray adsorption near edge spectroscopy. The ternary NPs show enhanced MOR electrocatalytic activity from that of commercial PtRu-alloy (PtRu) by a factor of up to 2.5 based on the forward current density data. More importantly, the ternary NPs show complete suppression of COpoisoning. Chronoamperometry data for MOR on the ternary NPs show improved stability over Pt/C and PtRu references.

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Aim:This study was conducted for determination of the prevalence of colibacillosis in chicken in poultry farms in Mymensingh and Tangail districts. Isolation, identification, and antibiogram profile of Escherichia coli were also performed.Materials and Methods:A total of 25 chickens manifested clinical signs of colibacillosis were collected from five different poultry farms during natural outbreaks.Results:In broiler, the prevalence of colibacillosis was 0.84%, and in layer, prevalence was 0.80%. The prevalence of colibacillosis was 1.0% and 0.5% in 25-30 days old and 31-35 days old broiler, respectively. In case of layer birds, the prevalence was 0.6% in 40-45 days old bird and 1% in 46-50 days old bird. Identity of the E. coli isolate of chicken was confirmed by sugar fermentation, biochemical tests, and polymerase chain reaction assay. Antibiogram profile of E. coli isolate of chicken revealed that it was multidrug resistant (resistant against two antibiotics, such as ampicillin and cefalexin).Conclusion:Data of this study suggest that colibacillosis is prevalent in the study areas which underscore the need of implementation of prevention and control measure against this disease.