Inhibition effect of Vernonia amygdalina extract on the corrosion of mild steel reinforcement in concrete in 0.2 M H2SO4 Environment

Inhibition effect of Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) extract on the corrosion behaviour of embedded mild steel rebar in concrete immersed in 0.2% H2SO4 solution was investigated by potential measurement, pH and gravimetric methods using the extracts concentrations of 25, 50, 75, and 100%. The results were further analysed using the two-factor ANOVA test. Potential measurement was performed using a digital voltmeter and a copper/copper sulphate reference electrode. Compressive strength of each block sample was determined after the experiments. Weight loss values were obtained from the gravimetric method, and the inhibitor efficiency was computed from the corrosion rate of each of the tested samples. Results showed that varied concentration of V. amygdalina and the test exposure time significantly affect both the corrosion potential of embedded steel rebar in concrete and the pH of the medium. The extracts gave appreciable corrosion inhibition performance of the embedded steel rebar at 25 and 50% concentrations with the weight loss of 500 (0.5 g) and 400 mg (0.4 g) and corrosion rates values of 0.000240 and 0.000180 mm/ yr, respectively. The highest inhibition efficiency (60.68%) was achieved at 50 and 39.94% at 25% concentrations, respectively. The 100 and 75% concentrations gave negative inhibitor values of �51.52 and �20.11%. The ANOVA test confirmed the results at 95% confidence, and further showed that concentration of V. amygdalina had greater effect on potential and pH measurement

Pattern of electrolyte profile among admitted children (1-18 years) at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

Background: Electrolyte imbalances among children, if not well managed, have deleterious effects that can lead to increased mortality and morbidity. This study takes into consideration the pattern and profile of electrolyte imbalance among children aged 1-18 years that were admitted for various ailments over a six month period at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Southern Nigeria. Method: This observational study was done at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH). Children aged 1-18 years who were admitted for more than 24hours for various ailments were investigated for electrolytes over a 6-month period. All patients on electrolyte therapy were excluded from the study. Also, patients with congenital or acquired electrolyte abnormalities were excluded from the study. Results were obtained daily for each patient after collecting blood into the appropriate sample bottles. Various values of electrolyte obtained were compared with the reference intervals to ascertain the level of deviation from the expected normal for age. Results: A total of 227 children participated in the study which was made up of 108(47.6%) males and 119(52.4%) females in the ratio 0.9:1.Children aged 1-5 years made up of a bulk of the study population accounting for 55.9%. The study showed that the commonest electrolyte abnormality detected by the studied population was a low level of bicarbonate accounting for 52.9% of all the children. Children aged 1-5 years accounted for 34.8% of children with low bicarbonate levels. Children aged 6-12 years were 11.9%, and those aged 13-18years were 6.2%. Hyponatremia was the next commonest type of electrolyte abnormality in the children, accounting for 39.6% of all sodium abnormalities in the study population.54.6% had normal sodium level and 3.1% had mildly elevated sodium levels. Again, the children aged 1-5 years old had the higher prevalence of hyponatremia (22.9%). Thus, the group of children aged 1-5 year had both the commonest electrolyte abnormalities for both low bicarbonate levels and low hyponatremia. In relation to other age groups, the difference was statistically significant at p value of 0.017. Conclusion: Just like in adults, electrolyte imbalances are common clinico –laboratory presentations with varied manifestations. Therefore, adequate attention should be drawn to these clinical features to properly manage the patients with such presentations

Evaluation of sesamum gum as an excipient in matrix tablets

In developing countries modern medicines are often beyond the affordability of the majority of the population. This is due to the reliance on expensive imported raw materials despite the abundance of natural resources which could provide an equivalent or even an improved function. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of sesamum gum (SG) extracted from the leaves of Sesamum radiatum (readily cultivated in sub-Saharan Africa) as a matrix former. Directly compressed matrix tablets were prepared from the extract and compared with similar matrices of HPMC (K4M) using theophylline as a model water soluble drug. The compaction, swelling, erosion and drug release from the matrices were studied in deionized water, 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2) and phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) using USP apparatus II. The data from the swelling, erosion and drug release studies were also fitted into the respective mathematical models. Results showed that the matrices underwent a combination of swelling and erosion, with the swelling action being controlled by the rate of hydration in the medium. SG also controlled the release of theophylline similar to the HPMC and therefore may have use as an alternative excipient in regions where Sesamum radiatum can be easily cultivated

Nanoscale Visualization of Elastic Inhomogeneities at TiN Coatings Using Ultrasonic Force Microscopy

Ultrasonic force microscopy has been applied to the characterization of titanium nitride coatings deposited by physical vapor deposition dc magnetron sputtering on stainless steel substrates. The titanium nitride layers exhibit a rich variety of elastic contrast in the ultrasonic force microscopy images. Nanoscale inhomogeneities in stiffness on the titanium nitride films have been attributed to softer substoichiometric titanium nitride species and/or trapped subsurface gas. The results show that increasing the sputtering power at the Ti cathode increases the elastic homogeneity of the titanium nitride layers on the nanometer scale. Ultrasonic force microscopy elastic mapping on titanium nitride layers demonstrates the capability of the technique to provide information of high value for the engineering of improved coatings

Drivers of diversification and pluriactivity among smallholder farmers—evidence from Nigeria

Diversification and pluriactivity have become a norm among farm business owners (FBOs) due to persistent low farm income. This study applies the resource-based theory to examine drivers of diversification and livelihood income-oriented towards a sustainable livelihood. Our framework develops hypotheses about the impact of internal and external resources on livelihood choices at the household level. We use a survey of 480 rural Nigerian farmers (agripreneurs), applying a Multivariate Tobit to test our framework. We find that education plays the most significant role in all types of employment options. The more FBOs are educated, the more the likelihood that they will choose non-farm or wage employment. This study revealed that while the agriculture sector’s share of rural employment is declining, non-farm is on the increase. More so, there is a decline in farming among the young generation, marital status bias and gender influence in resource allocation. The socioeconomic (income and food security) and socio-cultural (employment and rural-urban migration) implications of rural sustainability linked to UN Development Goals have been highlighted and analysed in this article

ABOLITION OF SCHOOL FEES IN GHANAIAN BASIC SCHOOLS: QUALITY ISSUES AT POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION LEVEL

This study deals primarily with the subject of quality education at the basic level. It sets out to find out how the Ministry of Education in Ghana conceives quality education and policies and measures put in place in the Education Strategic Plan (ESP) to make sure that quality education is achieved following the abolition of school fees which led to increases in enrolment figures in basic schools. Two schools were selected in the Dangme West District (DWD) for the study. The methodological paradigm used in this study is qualitative whiles case study is used as the research design. Interviews and relevant documents serve as methods of data collection. Purposive and convenient sampling were used to select participants of interest to this study who are MoE official, DEO official, teachers and pupils of two basic schools in the DWD in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. A thematic analysis of findings reveals a gap between policy and practice where most of the policies meant to ensure quality education are not being properly implemented. Based on the findings, some recommendations are made for policy and practice and for further research

Engaging Sankofa Mentorship to Create Liberatory Practices for Black Graduate Students at Historically White Institutions

Historically white institutions (HWIs) subject Black graduate students to anti-Black racism and isolation that necessitates a supportive community and mentorship for survival. This research seeks to broaden formal practices to Sankofa mentoring as beneficial in creating a mechanism of circulative mentorship that enriches current and future Black academics. The authors leave affirmations for Black graduate students to adopt within their tenure at their institutions.</jats:p