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Preparation of TiO2 Sols with High Solid Contents by Sol Gel Method
Ming-Hsien Lu,
Yu-Wen Chen
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 2, December 2021
Pages:
26-33
Received:
16 June 2021
Accepted:
14 July 2021
Published:
22 July 2021
Abstract: Titanium oxide has been extensively used as a photocatalytic material because of its excellent UV light-responsive effect, high refractive index, and high chemical stability. TiO2 in anatase phase for applications in optical or electronic devices and photocatalysis has generally been used in the form of a thin film. The aim of this study was to prepare a stable TiO2 sol with high solid content. Therefore one can use less coating time to have a mono layer of TiO2 film on the substrate. In this study, TiCl4 was slowly added to the distilled water in an ice bath. Aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide was added to adjust the pH of the solution to between 8 and 12 to form titanium hydroxide gel. After aging for a period of time, the Ti(OH)4 gel was filtered and sufficiently washed. The filtered cake was repulped in water. Hydrochloric acid, as a catalyst for polycondensation, was slowly added to the solution with stirring. After poly-condensation reaction and crystallization, a transparent suspended TiO2 sol was formed. XRD results show that the crystalline phase was anatase. The suspended TiO2 particles were rhombus primary particles with the major axis ca. 20 nm and the minor axis ca. 5 nm. The sample prepared at pH 8 had the largest BET surface area of 141 cm3/g among all samples. The best preparation condition to have the smallest TiO2 particles are Ti: H = 1: 1 (atomic ratio), 10% solid content of TiO2, and hydroxypropyl cellulose with viscosity of 150-400 cps as a surfactant. The thin film was obtained by dip-coating the glass in TiO2 sol. Since the sol had high solid content, the coating time became less. The dip-coating on glass was less than three times to have one monolayer TiO2. The transparent TiO2 thin film had super-hydrophilicity after illumination by UV light.
Abstract: Titanium oxide has been extensively used as a photocatalytic material because of its excellent UV light-responsive effect, high refractive index, and high chemical stability. TiO2 in anatase phase for applications in optical or electronic devices and photocatalysis has generally been used in the form of a thin film. The aim of this study was to pre...
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Study Levels of PDL-1, IL-10 and TGF-β in Patients with Toxoplasmosis
Baneen Adill Mohammed Ali,
Dhamiaa Makii Hamza,
Dhamiaa Makii Hamza
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 2, December 2021
Pages:
34-41
Received:
21 June 2021
Accepted:
13 August 2021
Published:
5 October 2021
Abstract: Toxoplasma.gondii is a protozoan eukaryotic parasite that can enter the body host as an obligate intracellular parasite and causes toxoplasmosis infection, it has the ability to cause latent infection in the host tissue such as cardiac muscle, skeletal muscles, or the central nervous system Aim of study: Determine the relationship between the parasitic infection of T. gondii and Programmed cell death-1 (PD-1), TGF- ß and IL-10 during abortion. Materials/Methods: One hundred consecutive samples after abortion were collected. The placental tissue samples were put in formalin for immunohistochemistry technique. Result the result of this study reveals that Residence did not have a relation with the presence or absence of Toxoplasmosis (P>0.05), age was significantly different between Toxoplasmosis groups (P<0.05), Number of abortions was not significantly different between the Toxoplasmosis group (P>0.05), PDL-1, IL-10, and TGF-β levels and their relationship during infection is significant (P<0.05). Conclusion the PDL-1, IL-10, and TGF-β levels could be a candidate as a biomarker for the pathological effect of Toxoplasma.gondiin during pregnancy.
Abstract: Toxoplasma.gondii is a protozoan eukaryotic parasite that can enter the body host as an obligate intracellular parasite and causes toxoplasmosis infection, it has the ability to cause latent infection in the host tissue such as cardiac muscle, skeletal muscles, or the central nervous system Aim of study: Determine the relationship between the paras...
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Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Use on Soil Ecosystem Integrity in the Greater Port Harcourt Region, Nigeria
Wanjala Muyoma Paul,
Odokuma Lucky,
Etela Ibisime,
Ramkat Rose,
Blessing Adanta Odogwu,
Boadu Kwasi Opoku,
Koranteng-Addo Epton Joseph
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 2, December 2021
Pages:
42-51
Received:
17 June 2021
Accepted:
29 June 2021
Published:
5 October 2021
Abstract: Fertilizers are used to increase crop yields in agriculture but can affect the integrity of soil ecosystems if misused. The present study was conducted to observe the impact of inorganic fertilizers in selected soils in Greater Port Harcourt Area on soil microbial population, in addition, the association between soil microbial population and Lethal Concentration 50 (LC50) was observed. Microbial communities and LC50 values were determined using normal analytical procedures. The study showed various fertilizer types that altered soil microbial population and LC50 values. For agricultural areas the maximum NPKB mean value was 0.70±0.76 ppm which was higher than the mean value of the control location of 0.23±0.00 ppm. Urea tolerant fungi’s (UREAF's) LC50 mean value was 0.43±0.09 ppm in the agricultural area as compared to the control with a mean value of 0.46±0.00 ppm. Industrial and urban areas had significantly different mean values of 0.29 ± 0.19 ppm and 0.18±0.01 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.06 ppm and 0.23 ± 0.060.17 ± 0.010.17 ± 0.010.17 ± 0.01 ppm respectively (p = 0.001). This research concluded that the application of UREA and NPK fertilizers in study area soils lowered the pH of soils in A1, A2 and A3 agricultural sites. Application of UREA and NPK fertilizers in soils of the study areas increased the population of microorganisms in threshold concentrations but was detrimental for NPK and UREA fertilizers at concentrations of 1.50% or above. Further findings showed that microorganisms were more tolerant of NPK and UREA fertilizers in agricultural areas compared to urban and industrial areas which showed higher LC50 values. This research concludes that fertilizers used in the study areas were related to soil microorganisms developing tolerance to NPK and UREA. Farmers should observe application of the recommended professional quantities of fertilizers to ensure the sustenance of the soil ecosystem integrity.
Abstract: Fertilizers are used to increase crop yields in agriculture but can affect the integrity of soil ecosystems if misused. The present study was conducted to observe the impact of inorganic fertilizers in selected soils in Greater Port Harcourt Area on soil microbial population, in addition, the association between soil microbial population and Lethal...
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Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity of Velvet Bush Willow (Combretum molle) Crude Bark Extracts on Selected Bacteria Species
Mohamed Hamed Sango Ally,
Frida Richard Mgonja
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 2, December 2021
Pages:
52-55
Received:
4 February 2021
Accepted:
7 April 2021
Published:
12 October 2021
Abstract: Treatment and control of infectious diseases in humans and animals play a vital role in prevention of illness and death. Conventional drugs treatment has been providing effective therapy for treatment of infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms; However, some do not respond to conventional therapy. Conventional therapy are expensive and have more adverse side effects. Plant based medicinal productshas been used as an alternative curative for infections caused by resistant pathogenic microorganisms, moreover, plant medicinal products have less adverse side effects. This study was conducted to assess thecrude Combretummolle bark extracts antimicrobial activityagainst three selected bacteria species. Three solvents, distilled water; ethanol and acetone were used for crude combretum molle bark extraction. The agar well diffusion method was used to assess antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. A minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of the most active extracts was determined by the broth dilution technique. Extracts from three solvents tested demonstrated antimicrobial activity with zone of inhibition diameters ranging from 14 to 24 mm. Acetone extract was the most potent with its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 1.25 to 2.50 mg/ml. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in the potency of the three extracts and standard antibiotic ciprofloxacin on the bacteria species tested. The study showed that the crude bark extract of C. molle has antimicrobial activity against all the test microorganisms.
Abstract: Treatment and control of infectious diseases in humans and animals play a vital role in prevention of illness and death. Conventional drugs treatment has been providing effective therapy for treatment of infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms; However, some do not respond to conventional therapy. Conventional therapy are expensive and have ...
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Physical Attributes in Three Abattoirs Wastewater in Kaduna Metropolis
Joseph Meliga Ocheje,
Ibrahim Basira,
Saidu Abdulkadir,
Zaky Suzy,
Auta Ishaya Kato
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 2, December 2021
Pages:
56-60
Received:
8 July 2021
Accepted:
19 July 2021
Published:
12 October 2021
Abstract: Effluents discharged into water bodies have high health implications to human and his livestock. The study was carried out in Kakuri, Sabo and Kawo abattoirs located in Kaduna south, Chikun and Kaduna north local government area of Kaduna State, covering major part of Kaduna metropolis, this cover about 1,039,578 population. Kaduna metropolis is the administrative capital of Kaduna State, Nigeria. It is located between latitudes 90°E 3′ and 11°32′ North of the equator and longitudes 6°05′ and 8°38′ East of the Greenwich meridian [1]. Samples were taken for a period of seven months from February to September 2019, Three hundred water samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters using the different APHA techniques. The result obtained are lower values of chlorine at means value of 15.20mg/L; calcium means of 62.23mg/L; magnesium mean of 11.80mg/L; sulphate means of 12.90mg/L and poor electrical conductivities means of 250us/cm in the three sites of collection. While higher value of Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Chemical Oxidation Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Biochemical Oxidation Demand (BOD), turbidity, and nitrate showed high concentration means of 300mg/L at each level of the site collected samples. The water sample obtained from the three abattoirs were observed to have high threat to both terrestrials and aquatic organisms as well as to human being in general due to the concentration value. Wastewater should be treated before discharging into the floating water, because this effluence content a lot of harmful component.
Abstract: Effluents discharged into water bodies have high health implications to human and his livestock. The study was carried out in Kakuri, Sabo and Kawo abattoirs located in Kaduna south, Chikun and Kaduna north local government area of Kaduna State, covering major part of Kaduna metropolis, this cover about 1,039,578 population. Kaduna metropolis is th...
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