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Magnetic Nanorings for Biomedical Applications
Get PDFIn this work we investigate the characteristics and feasibility of a new class of magnetic particles that are optimized for possible biological applications as magnetic hyperthermia. These new nanostructures have the nanoring shape, being composed of iron oxides (magnetite or hematite). Such morphology gives the nanoparticles a peculiar magnetic behavior due to their magnetic vortex state. The iron oxide nanorings were obtained using hydrothermal synthesis. X-ray Diffraction confirmed the existence of the desired crystal structure and Scanning Electron Microscopy shows that the magnetite particles had nanometric dimensions with annular morphology (diameter ~250 nm). The nanorings also show intensified magnetic properties and a transition to a vortex state. This study showed that it is possible to obtain magnetic nanorings with properties that can be used in nanotechnological applications (mainly biotechnological ones aimed at the treatment and diagnosis of cancer), in large quantities in a simple synthesis route
A Critical Analysis of the Performance of Local Governments in Zimbabwe under the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFThis paper examines the responses of urban local authorities in Zimbabwe to the COVID-19 pandemic because in the midst of a pandemic, local authorities are rightly positioned to minimise human cost, provide relief to communities and supply day to day service delivery. Specifically this study sought to undertake a critical analysis of the performance of local governments in Zimbabwe under the COVID-19 pandemic. The article reviews available literature and examples are drawn from three urban areas in Zimbabwe. The article notes that COVID-19 exacerbated a crisis that was already playing out in Zimbabwe and reveals that the local authorities were ill-prepared and ill-equipped to handle the pandemic and cannot handle a crisis, endemic or any catastrophic disaster. The paper further delves to looks at the lacklustre performance of urban local authorities and a major finding is that the central government policies have had a huge impact on the decline and free fall of urban local authorities’ service delivery. The key findings may be used to inform ongoing policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and improve future resilience
The Prevalence of PTSD Among an Online Sample of US Familial Dementia Caregivers
Get PDFThe increased prevalence of dementia has increased the number of caregivers. Familial caregivers can suffer emotionally as a result of caregiving. Despite caregiver organizations campaigning for awareness of caregiver trauma, more research examining PTSD among US familial dementia caregivers is needed. The present study surveyed an online sample of US familial dementia caregivers to gather a prevalence rate of PTSD. We hypothesized that these caregivers experience an equal or greater prevalence of PTSD compared to the general US population, nurses, emergency medical responders, and veterans. An online survey containing the PTSD-Civilian Checklist (PCL-C) was administered to familial dementia caregivers across the US. Data (n = 23) revealed that 26.1% of participants surveyed screened positive for PTSD criteria. Consistent with our hypothesis, this percentage is greater than the prevalence rates for the general US population and is similar to the prevalence rates for emergency first responders, nurses, and even US military veterans. These findings can greatly benefit US dementia caregivers by spreading awareness and helping allocate resources to assist those struggling with PTSD
A Systematic Review of Garlic and Ginger as Medicinal Spices against Viral Infections
Get PDFGarlic (Allium sativum) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) are globally utilized herbal medicinal spices. This systematic review discussed available evidence on the direct and indirect antiviral activities of garlic and ginger. Studies investigating the antiviral activities of garlic and ginger were searched and retrieved from four databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science direct, and MEDLINE. Data search and retrieval were done up to 15 October 2021. A total of 28 studies were included in this systematic review (garlic = 18 studies; ginger = 10 studies). Fresh garlic aqueous extract and fresh ginger hot water extract were the most investigated forms of garlic and ginger, respectively. There was minimal evidence on the prophylactic antiviral effect of garlic and ginger, moderate evidence on the therapeutic and prophylactic/therapeutic antiviral effects, and minimal evidence on the enhancement of the immune system against viral infections. The low-moderate quality evidence on the direct and indirect antiviral effects of garlic and ginger has provided the necessary background to instigate further high-quality investigations to validate the current information, address the grey areas, and provide valuable insights into the possible utility of garlic and ginger as raw materials in drug development against viral infections
Comparative Study on the Mechanical Properties of Weft Knitted and Warp Fabric Reinforced Composites
Get PDFKnitted fabric composites occupy a special interest in the field of engineering and materials science because of their easy to form complex component and high impact energy absorption. Mechanical tests were carried out in the course, wale and slanting directions of the knitted fabric reinforced composites. The stress-strain curves and failure modes of warp and weft knitted fabrics were investigated and compared. The test results revealed from the composite structure fabricated from warp knitted fabric shown better mechanical properties than weft knitted fabric because of the warp knitted fabric distinct by the process of overlap between the stitches that gave better resistance
Medical Waste Management Practices at Healthcare Facilities in Cape Coast Metropolis
Get PDFObjectives: This study examined the level of knowledge of health hazards associated with medical waste management, among healthcare workers and management staff of healthcare facilities in the Cape Coast Metropolis.
Methods: Three hundred and twenty (320) healthcare workers were surveyed from two public hospitals in the Metropolis and 7 management staff were purposefully selected and interviewed. The participants include nurses, orderlies, administrators, and environmental health officers. Frequency, percentages and linear regression analyses were performed on the data.
Results: The results showed that 95.9% (n = 307) of health professionals recorded good knowledge about management of medical waste in their facilities. However, arrangement for managing medical waste was inadequate at the facilities (Mean = 1.47, SD = 0.221, CV = 15.03%). The finding revealed that compliance with occupational health and safety guidelines was high (Mean=3.99, SD=0.39, CV=9.82%). Moreover, regression analysis indicated that training is a strong predictor of medical waste practices (0.357) even though educational level, working experiences, and age of the workers were also predictors (-0.356; -0.103; 0.010).
Conclusion: Level of knowledge of hospital workers on medical waste health hazards is high, but arrangements for managing such waste are inadequate or weak. Compliance to Ministry of Health’s occupational health and safety guidelines is high. Meanwhile, training of healthcare workers would increase their medical waste management practices. A well-structured training with appropriate storage facility and good supervision at the point of waste generation should be prioritized to assist workers to practice safer and proper waste segregation
Ontology of Nigerian Local Governments: A Functional Approach towards the Global Pattern
Get PDFFrom a functionalist perspective, every human society is made up of different social rankings, groups, units and organisations crafted to serve different purposes. The functional approach to the ontological perspective on local government is not about the call for absolute autonomy of local government. Thus, the main problem of this paper is to investigate the ontology of Nigerian local government from a functionalist approach. Using qualitative data, the paper reviewed the: true ontology of an ideal local government from a global parallax; factors affecting the ontology of Nigerian local governments; and practicable ways of making Nigerian local governments align with the global pattern of local governance. Godfatherism; corruption; bias, favouritism and nepotism; bad governance; inefficient service delivery; and electioneering problems were highlighted as the major factors affecting the ontology of Nigerian local governments. The paper submits that we must arise from slumber and as such, no room for excuses. Other revelations were thrown up as regards the true ontology of local government and the practicable ways of making Nigerian local government conform to global pattern. The paper concluded that, Nigeria local government is a failed public bureaucracy asking for the masses’ collective attention in form of revitalization. This attention if given will cause a paradigm shift and reasonably refurbish the local government system/structure to fit into the ontological shape of a modern day local government that is compliant with international best practices. This study has its implication on future research and practice
The Vital Role of Research Methodology in Addressing the Research Questions
Get PDFResearch methodology is an essential component of the research process. It provides a structured approach to conducting research, ensures the reliability and validity of research findings, facilitates communication and collaboration, and helps to advance knowledge in a particular field. As such, it is important for researchers to carefully consider the research methodology and select the most appropriate method to ensure that the study yields meaningful and accurate results
Nature-inspired Material – A Step Ahead in Dental Materials
Get PDFGlass-ionomer is first choice widely used biomaterial in caries disease. The evolution of dental material science includes insertion of new components into conventional material. A literature-based review outline of biomaterials for dental restorations development was presented in nature-inspired context. This article is a tribute to the entire research community, for all listed and unlisted, involved throughout the ages in the science of dental materials with the key inventions and milestones for humanity well-being on Earth. Results. Since the Neolithic, the human mind has been seeking for a matter to replace missing tooth tissue imitating/mimicking natural organ in appearance and function, what we call biomimetic/biomimicry approach. However, this restoring philosophy does not refer to the natural composition of hard tooth tissues. Possibly, there is another one concept of drawing inspiration from nature for the design of future dental materials. Nature-inspired synthesis goes beyond aesthetic/and anatomical similarities, and delves into the mechanistic, physico-chemical features or structure-phase of natural systems. In this context, pure glass-ionomer might be taken into consideration as a starting material. However, the search for synthetic nature-inspired mesomaterial with a structural-phase composition analogous to enamel/dentine/cementum, transforming into the original host hard tissues, should focus on elongated hydroxyapatite dipole control for creating and organizing into enamel prisms, and the interwoven alignment of perpendicular clusters/bunches in a picket-fence resembling three-dimensional order. The results of previous studies confirming the possibility of the formation of apatite-enamel-like tissue in glass-ionomer are promising. The concept of inclusion of calcium phosphate nanocrystals/substitution of glass filler seems to be forward-looking. The future role of polyelectrolyte organic matrix based on synthetic tooth polypeptides crosslinked with modified analogues of natural adhesives is still undiscovered
Maximum Entropy Closure Relation for Higher Order Alignment and Orientation Tensors Compared to Quadratic and Hybrid Closure
Get PDFA closure relation expresses the fourth order orientation tensor as a function of the second order one. Two well-known closure relations, the hybrid closure and the maximum entropy closure, are compared in the case of a rotation symmetric orientation distribution function. The maximum entropy closure predicts a positive fourth order parameter in the whole range of the second order parameter, whereas the hybrid closure results in negative fourth order parameters for small values of the second order one. For the maximum entropy closure quadratic fit polynomials are presented. For a general distribution without rotation symmetry, the expression for the entropy is exploited to derive an explicit form for the maximum entropy distribution. Lowest order approximation of this distribution function leads to simple closure forms for the fourth order alignment tensor and also for higher order alignment tensors