Anthropogenic activities are responsible for nearly half of the total CO emissions in the US. A significant amount of CO is emitted by the transportation sector. Three-way catalytic converters are...

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The utilization of H2 to catalytically treat NO emissions under leanburn engine exhaust conditions was studied on Pt-and Pd-containing catalysts supported on CeO2 and MgO. The catalytic performance was examined using a fixed-bed reactor whose dry effluent gas stream was analyzed by an online FTIR analyzer. The catalysts NO conversion and N2 selectivity were measured in the range of 125-300⁰C with a feed gas composition of 0.05%NO/1%H2/10%O2/N2. The CeO2-based catalysts exhibited higher NO conversion, and the most effective catalyst was Pd/CeO2, with a conversion of 67% and selectivity of 70% near 230⁰C. The prepared solids were characterized using different techniques (BET, ICP-OES, CO pulse chemisorption, STEM, EELS and EDS) to correlate the structural and morphological properties of the metallic phase and the support with the catalytic activity. CeO2 is a more effective support as it yields higher metal dispersion and better facilitates the reduction of the Pt and Pd catalysts.

Sciatica is a chronic condition causing crippling low back pain radiating down to the sciatic nerve innervation area, which is the posterior thigh. It remains a major public health problem worldwide with significant socio-economic, physical, and psychological impacts. Studies suggested different diagnostic methods due to the lack of consensus on diagnostic and treatment guidelines. When it comes to the management and treatment, there is ambiguous evidence about the use of painkillers, surgical interventions, and alternative options and their effectiveness, with most studies contrasting one another in addition to the lack of high-quality trials. This review presents the available data on the current understanding of sciatica covering clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment modalities, prognosis, and complications since a disagreement is observed in the scientific community regarding sciatica, starting with a definition of sciatica, its epidemiological characteristics, to the management and treatment. Our review would help raise knowledge and awareness about sciatica in the health professional community and the general public since the prevalence of low back pain is high in most parts of the world and there is insufficient knowledge of sciatica in the literature.

Background Diabetes is one of the most prevalent diseases in Saudi Arabia to the extent that the country is ranked 4th in terms of incidence rate. Diabetes poses multiple health threats not only to patients but also to society and the healthcare system. Thus, numerous measures have been adapted to contain diabetes risk. One of these is the recommendation of vaccination sets for diabetic patients. This study aims to measure the coverage of hepatitis B virus (HBV), influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines in diabetic patients. Methods Using a retrospective chart review, data were collected from 385 diabetic patients. An approved data collection sheet was used. Phone calls were utilized for subjective-based questions. The sample size was calculated via Raosoft@. Descriptive or inferential statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Results Type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients represented 44.2% and 55.8%, respectively. Only 15.2% of patients received influenza vaccination in the last 12 months. Approximately 14.2% of diabetic patients received the pneumococcal vaccine, while the HBV vaccination rate was 12.9%. Hospital admission within the last 12 months of influenza-vaccinated patients was 22.8%, while the unvaccinated patients recorded 77.8%. Diabetic patients reported that physicians' recommendation rates of vaccines were 25.8% for influenza vaccine, 15.5% for pneumococcal vaccine, and 10.8% for HBV vaccine. Conclusions Measuring vaccination rates of 12.9%, 14.2% and 15.2%, respectively, concludes that compliance with the medical recommendations of vaccinating diabetic patients is suboptimal. Healthcare institutions must collaborate with primary care physicians to integrate more efficient and adherent vaccination programs.