AIJR Journals
Not a member yet
475 research outputs found
Sort by
Fabrication Method of Carbon-based Materials in CH4/N2 Plasma by RF-PECVD and Annealing Treatment for Laser Diodes
Get PDFThe present research addresses the synthesis of carbon materials thin films by RF-PECVD in N2/CH4 gas mixture. Carbon materials film was formed at 40/48 sccm of CH4/N2 of the total gas flow rate ratio CH4/CH4+N2 = 0.45 and 200/100 W HF/LF power at a deposition temperature of 350 oC and 1000 mTorr pressure. Then, post-annealing of carbon materials film took place at 400 oC by means of RTA under N2 flow. The formation of carbon nanostructures was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy, respectively. AFM shows that the films consisted of nanocrystalline grains. The surface morphology and structural characteristics of materials were studied as a gas flow function and substrate temperature. EDX results indicated the carbon presence, and Raman spectroscopy analysis revealed two broad bands: D-band 1381.64 cm−1 and G-band 1589.42 cm−1. The temperature-dependent post-annealing of carbon materials plays a key role in the graphite crystallites growth at high substrate temperatures. Our results indicate carbon materials incorporation for laser diode applications
The Efficiency of Hard Wood Industry in Ondo State, Nigeria
Get PDFWood furniture industry is an important manufacturing sector in Nigeria for its significant contributions to the growth of national economy and industrialization as well as livelihood of the furniture makers. Therefore, evaluating efficiency of hard wood industry is important to provide useful information about the business to the furniture makers and to assist the policy makers to design appropriate policies in supporting furniture production in Nigeria. The specific objectives of this research were to describe socio-economic characteristics of furniture makers, estimate efficiency of furniture makers, determine the profitability of furniture production, identify factors influencing efficiency of furniture making and examine the problems associated with furniture makings in the study area. The study adopted a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected from seventy furniture makers through a well-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, budgetary analysis, Cobb Douglas stochastic frontier production function, inefficiency model and relative importance index were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that 75.7% of the respondents obtained some levels of formal education; 4.3% of the furniture makers were single; 71.4% had no access to credit facility; and 7.1% exported their products beyond the boundary of Nigeria. The estimated gross margin and net profit of #7,041,255.09 (US 16,959.52) and #4,261,542.89 (US 10,264.33) respectively revealed that furniture production is profitable. The efficiency results showed that 27% of furniture makers were most technically efficient; 5.7% of them were most allocative efficient; and 10% of them were most economically efficient. Stochastic frontier production function analysis showed that firm size, labour and fixed assets had a positively significant influence on furniture production. The only identified socio-economic characteristics of furniture makers that had significant influence on efficiency of furniture production were educational level, operating experience and reinforcement training in the study area. The two critical constraints facing furniture making in the ranking scale were fluctuation of wood price and inadequacy of funds.
A Path to Protein Quantitation: PBMCs to Western Blot
Get PDFProteins are biopolymers made up of one or more long chains of amino acid residues. These proteins mediate thousands of metabolic pathways that determine how an organism functions. When proteins are thoroughly investigated, they can provide information about health and disease. A variety of methods have been developed to quantify both complex protein mixtures for total protein content as well as a single type of protein. This manuscript covers the methodologies standardized in our lab based on previously published protocols, beginning with the isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from human blood samples, cell viability testing, cell counting, total protein extraction methods, and protein quantification and estimation techniques, which enable a researcher to find the protocol from PBMCs to Western blot in a single manuscript
Popcorn Polymers in Butadiene Extraction Units
Get PDFSeveral aspects disturb operation of industrial facilities which can cause severe impact on their efficiency and productivity. In some cases, the impact can expose industrial facilities to serious safety concerns. Therefore, Industrial facilities should always plan to invest in reliability and sustainability of their daily operation. Polymerization is one of the unavoidable risks that can be unpredictable and cause several issues to operating facilities. On the other hand, effective proactive plans can be addressed to minimize and eliminate polymerization risks. This article provides introductory information about polymerization of butadiene “Popcorn polymers”, formation mechanism, associated hazard, control and mitigation methodologies
Physicochemical and Performance Assessment of Clay Based Refractory Bricks for Incinerator Application
Get PDFRefractories bricks’ excellent thermomechanical and chemical resistant features makes it invaluable materials in modular incinerator ˃ 1000 °C applications. In this research, suitable physicochemical and performance evaluation were employed using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), dimensional property assessment, linear shrinkage and water absorption analysis. The samples were sourced from Auchi (ARB1), Afowa (ARB2), Ayogwiri (ARB3), Aviele (ARB4) and Agbede (ARB5) clay minerals deposit in Edo North, Edo State, Nigeria. Then green compact samples were fired into dense phase. The result from the XRF study revealed a generally established composition of ARB1 clay mineral of SiO2: 44.34%, Al2O3: 36.36% and others. ARB2 clay mineral of SiO2: 41.78%, Al2O3: 39.62% and others. ARB3 clay mineral of SiO2: 45.04%, Al2O3: 34.01% and others. ARB4 clay mineral of SiO2: 40.12%, Al2O3: 38.96% and others. ARB5 clay mineral of SiO2: 47.03%, Al2O3: 34.52% and others. The elemental composition of ARB1-5 revealed a similar trend of alumina and silica content to high-Al2O3 bricks (SiO2: 45.0 – 56.0%, Al2O3: 39.0 – 48.0% and others) and commercial clay bricks (SiO2: 48.0%, Al2O3: 36.96% and others) respectively. An average lower percentage error ERL, ERW, and ERH of ARB1 samples 0.148, 0.248 and 0.28% were recorded respectively. The average linear shrinkage and water absorption analysis of 9.91 and 4.71% demonstrated a potential for high elasticity of modulus. The overall data from this research shows that ARB1-5 bricks can find use in incinerator and high temperature applications
Scattering of Free Electrons with Hydrogen Atoms in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell System
Get PDFThe objective of this work is to study the Klein-Nishina (KN) cross section during the collision of free electrons and atoms (H-atom and Pt-atom) near the cathode of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFCs). The developed KN cross section was computed using MATLAB shows KN cross section decrease with an increase with the temperature. The maximum KN cross section recorded for single scattering is about -70.2m2 and -66m2 in natural log terms during the collision of free electrons with H-atom and Pt-atom, respectively. The maximum KN cross section recorded for 1ml flow of hydrogen is about -26.6m2 and -22.25m2 in natural log term during the collision of free electrons with H-atom and Pt-atom, respectively
Therapeutic Application of Honey Against Ige-Mediated Type 1 Hypersensitivity Reactions: A Systematic Review
Get PDFIn contemporary times, the use of traditional remedies is still evident. One of the primary items foremost emphasized today is honey. Aside from its natural sweetener capacity, modern science highlights its potential therapeutic capabilities, including anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties in different Type I Hypersensitivity conditions. This systematic review analyzed nine credible experimental studies to objectify different types of honey and its application and effect in different Type I Hypersensitivity clinical manifestations. The abundance of evidence granting IgE mediated disorders which includes Allergic Asthma, Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis, Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis, and Atopic Dermatitis in both preclinical and clinical analysis revealed honey to be a contributing factor in suppressing different clinical manifestations of the associated conditions. The systematic review can evaluate and categorize the potential therapeutic capabilities of honey in different IgE-mediated Type I Hypersensitivity Reactions, thus, enabling a comprehended integration towards assisting the application within the clinical setting
COVID-Related Mental Health and Smoking in Sexual Minority Women
Get PDFSexual minority women face a range of health disparities, including high rates of mental health issues, alcohol and tobacco use, obesity, stroke, and general poorer health compared to heterosexual women. The minority stress model describes how members of a minority group, including sexual minorities, face unique stressors related to a stigmatized social status. Research has shown that sexual minorities who face increased discrimination, as described in the minority stress model, tend to have increased smoking rates. The present study sought to examine how increased mental health-related stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the smoking behaviors of sexual minority women. Data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were used to build OLS regression and mediation models determining how female sexual minority status moderated the relation between COVID-19-related impacts on mental health and smoking. Results found that sexual minority women with the highest levels of negative impacts on mental health as a result of COVID-19 smoked the fewest cigarettes as compared to heterosexual women. The finding that high levels of mental health distress are related to a reduction in smoking among sexual minority women warrants further research to examine if this effect is COVID-19-specific, or a more generalized pattern of stress and mental health impacts on smoking behavior
Analysis of miRNAs: Biomarkers for HER2-Targeted Breast Cancer Therapy
Get PDFBreast cancer remains a leading lethal cancer in women globally, with the HER2+ positive subtype associated with a higher chance of therapeutic resistance. Treatments tailored specifically to this subtype, such as targeted therapies, have significantly developed over the past decade. However, the issue of drug resistance to targeted drugs underlines the necessity of better treatment approaches. Recent studies have focused on microRNAs (miRNAs), single-stranded non-coding RNAs, as critical regulators in drug resistance mechanisms. These miRNAs, capable of influencing various cellular processes, have emerged as critical modulators in numerous diseases, including different cancer types, particularly breast cancer. This article reviews current methodologies in the study of miRNAs within the context of HER2-positive breast cancer, from the selection of study models and sample extraction to comprehensive analysis methods. Our objective is to highlight the potential that miRNAs hold as biomarkers capable of regulating drug resistance in this specific cancer subtype. Moreover, we also discuss the importance of integrating advanced study models alongside the latest bioinformatics tools to enrich this research domain. Furthermore, this article evaluates the use of clinical samples and cell line models for studying miRNAs in this field, outlining the advantages and limitations of each method and proposing a refined approach to research design. The main contribution of this work is the establishment of a detailed taxonomy of research strategies that address current challenges while also outlining promising future directions, particularly focused on elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs in therapeutic resistance in breast cancer. In addition, by underscoring the necessity of employing a diverse array of study models and capitalizing on bioinformatics advancements, this article seeks to uncover the complex interactions between miRNAs and drug resistance mechanisms in breast cancer. Ultimately, our goal is to pave the way toward overcoming therapeutic resistance, thereby improving the prognosis for patients afflicted with HER2-positive breast cancer
Experimental Investigation on Behaviour of Folded Plate
Get PDFPersistence of research was towards the behaviour of folded plate. In this project, we used GGBS blended ferrocement concrete to cover a folded plate 600 mm x 1800 mm x 150 mm. Ferro cement is a building material that is emerging as an alternative for traditional RCC. According to prior research, folded plates are the most cost-effective and visually acceptable option for longer span roofs. First, we built the folded plate model in ANSYS and investigated its behaviour in terms of load versus deflection. Later, for experimental purposes, we cast a folded plate coated with GGBS mixed ferrocement concrete. The results of the experimental inquiry demonstrate that there was an improvement in flexural behaviour when compared to the traditional model. The same was verified using ANSYS findings. ANSYS analysis aids in comparing and summarising experimental data. Both the analytical and experimental inquiry results show that ferro cement structures are a good alternative to RCC since they are less costly and lighter. Because folded plates retain their effectiveness for a longer length of time when Ferro cement is utilised. Ferro cement has made the components smaller to support the load because ferro cement parts are high in stress when reinforcement is spread