Bidirectional Synchronization of Two Identical Jerk Oscillators with Memristor

In this paper, the case of introducing memristor as a coupling component when synchronizing two identical simple chaotic oscillator (3-D Jerk equations) were observed. Also, the numerical simulation of the phase portraits are in good agreement with the MultiSIM and experimental simulations. Due to the complex chaotic dynamics of this oscillator, the realization of the electronic circuit involving two identical Jerk oscillator with memristor as coupling component were synchronized via bidirectional coupling and further applied to secure communication

Some Physical Characteristics of Microcrystalline Cellulose Obtained from Raw Cotton of Cochlospermum planchonii

Purpose: The microcrystalline cellulose is an important ingredient in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and other industries. This study aimed at evaluating the physical characteristics of microcrystalline cellulose (CP-MCC), obtained from the raw cotton of Cochlospermum planchonii. Methods: CP-MCC was obtained from the raw cotton by a two-stage sodium hydroxide treatment process followed by sodium hypochlorite bleaching and acid hydrolysis. It was examined for its physicochemical and powder properties. The powder properties of CP-MCC were compared to those of the well-known commercial microcrystalline cellulose grade, Avicel PH 101. Results: The extraction yield of CP-MCC was approximately 21%. The cellulose material was composed of irregularly shaped fibrous cellulose particles with a moisture content of 7.2% and total ash of 0.12%. The true density was 1.38. The flow indices showed that CP-MCC has poor flow. The hydration, swelling and moisture sorption capacities were 4.7, 83.3 and 22%, respectively. Conclusion: The cellulose product, CP-MCC, obtained from the raw cotton of Cochlospermum planchonii conformed to the official specifications in the British Pharmacopoeia (2004). The flow properties of a powder are critical in direct compression tableting; consequently, for the materials to be used for this purpose, it would require the addition of a glidant. Furthermore, the swelling parameters indicate that CP-MCC would be a better disintegrant than Avicel PH 101. Keywords: Cochlospermum planchonii, microcrystalline cellulose, physical characteristics, pharmacopoeial requirements> Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 4 (2) 2005: pp. 501-50

Multi-Dimensional Approach To Crisis Management In The Church

The church, like every other society, encounters internal crisis. Theological Seminaries and Universities are well-positioned to help the church in its search for methods of coping with the problem. But because the studies of religion and other disciplines in many Universities are academic, supposedly objective, and comparative, products of the research findings from Universities with interest in religion and social sciences can contribute to the search for multidimensional management of church crisis. Eclectic theory of civil conflict resolution of Keih as modified for religious conflict management by Israel Akanji was applied to the data collected for this work

A Comparative Evaluation of the Flow and Compaction Characteristics of a-Cellulose obtained from Waste Paper

Purpose: Alpha-cellulose obtained as pulp from fibrous plant materials has found use in the pharmaceutical industry as a disintegrant and direct compression diluent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of α-cellulose obtained from waste paper as a direct compression excipient. Method: The flow and compaction characteristics of α-cellulose (ACP) obtained from waste paper, in comparison with Avicel PH 101, using the Kawakita and Heckel models were evaluated. Result: The results indicate that the flow properties of these materials could not be predicted accurately using the Kawakita model. A comparison of compression behaviour and compactibility of the two powders showed Avicel PH 101 to be a slightly better binder. Conclusion: It was concluded that ACP material could find use as a potential dry binder and direct compression diluent in tableting as the binding properties were comparable to those of Avicel PH 101. . Keywords: Alpha-cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, flow and compaction characteristics, direct compression diluent. > Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 645-65

Phosphoric Acid-Mediated Depolymerization and Decrystallization of α-Cellulose Obtained from Corn Cob: Preparation of Low Crystallinity Cellulose and Some Physicochemical Properties

Purpose: Low crystallinity celluloses (LCC) are materials that have a substantially reduced degree of crystallinity, typically ranging between 15 and 45%. It is useful as an excipient in preparation of tablets and confectionery products. The aim of this work was to obtain from α-cellulose content of corn cob, a low crystallinity cellulose (LCC-CC), and study its physical properties as well as evaluation of its potential as tablet excipient. Methods: α- cellulose (AC-CC) obtained from corn cob by a delignification process, was depolymerized with 85% phosphoric acid to yield LCC-CC product, whose physical properties were compared with those of AC-CC. Results: The yield of AC-CC and LCC-CC were 14 and 11 %, respectively. The physical properties indicated a good level of purity of the cellulose materials as they conform to British Pharmacopoeia specifications. The flow indices, however, showed that these materials flowed poorly. Conclusion: It was concluded that LCC-CC is a potential disintegrant and filler-diluent, in pharmaceutical tableting. Keywords: Low crystallinity cellulose, α-cellulose, physical properties, corn cob. > Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 4 (2) 2005: pp. 509-51

An Innovative Pick and Place Robotic Arm System Using an Atmega328 Microcontroller with Escalating Stability

It is well known that the pick and place mechanism can take the role of human arms, particularly in industrial settings, and that it is more accurate and faster at performing jobs. The mechanism created in this study is an inexpensive device controlled by sensors that can propel items swiftly. The proposed system simulates the behavior of a human in accomplishing a specific industrial job with increased stability than the existing designs. Ultrasonic sensors were used to sense anything for picking and positioning in industries, together with servo motors, an Atmega328 Arduino microprocessor, and light steel iron for the frames. The system's stability as derived from the theoretical equations is verified using Matlab software. The elevated stability was achieved utilizing a step input signal that is a type zero system.  The observability, controllability, polar plot, and bode were also established. The phase difference for the bode plot is 173 degrees, and the system rise time is 1.01 seconds. The findings demonstrate the device's escalated stability and dependability, which will increase productivity and lower production costs when used by the industry. The device can be usefully utilized in an environment that is life-threatening to human beings. The limitation of the proposed system is that it is stationary and can be used only to move an object along a conveyor belt; it is not mobile. Nevertheless, it outperforms current ones economically. It is more affordable, exceedingly dependable, repeatable, and steady

Eliminating Discrimination and Enhancing Equality: A Case for Inclusive Basic Education Rights of Children with Albinism in Africa

Background: Various international treaties have acknowledged the rights of children to education; however, for millions of children, this right is just a dream, especially with a vulnerable group of children with physical challenges and other disabilities. Reports by the UN gives an estimate of a significantly large number of children who are yet to take advantage of good quality education. This article examines the plight of children with albinism who suffer discrimination both at the special and regular schools largely because the nature of their disability is not physical. Children with albinism have their right to education and in education limited by the difficulty to understand their impairment both at school and at home leading to entrenched discrimination and inequality, which ultimately erodes their human dignity. Methodology: This article adopts the desk research argues that the proper application of the concept of inclusive basic education of children with albinism will help eliminate discrimination and enhance equality of education of children with albinism. Conclusion: The article concludes that the existing legal framework abound, but proper implementation of article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will enhance the desired equality. Keywords: Albinism, children, inclusive education, persons with disabilities, righ

Target Output, Extended Output and Site Productivity: Tales of the Expected

Target output, extended output and moderate output are compared for selected construction projects in some selected sites in Nigeria. The objective of this study is to examine the attributes of extended and moderate output, setting of benchmarks for purpose of analysis of worker productivity, determination of derivable benefits, with a view to identifying if the effects are the same for both methods. The study procures the primary data used in this study through the use of questionnaires designed in Likert scale 1 to 5, which are sent to clients, builders and consultants. In all, 120 questionnaires were sent to these respondents who recently completed their housing projects based on the two methods. Results of the study indicate that there is significant difference between both methods in terms of risks of value for money, guaranteed sense of self accomplishment, while a significant difference exists between both methods in job burnt- out effect, timely completion of project, and exhaustion, Moderate target output method demonstrates less risk of timely completion of project than the extended target output. This study concludes that there are various types of risks inherent in use of both methods in housing projects. The study displays characteristics of early completion of project and prospects of getting good value for money. Recommendations of the study are that clients, contractors and consultants should use Moderate target output for execution of their future housing projects job allocations, and also they are at liberty to use any of the two methods as they best satisfy their requirements. Implications of this study to policy makers and other stakeholders in the construction industry is that Moderate labour output method should be explored for use in large and complex projects as considerable cost savings can be achieved, timely delivery of project and good value for money are equally derivable benefits of the method. The outcome of this study serves as a watershed to other peculiar issues inn site productivity and job beats’ allocations

Re-Engineering Technical Vocational Education And Training (TVET) Towards Safety Practice Skill Needs Of Sawmill Workers Against Workplace Hazards In Nigeria.

The study was carried out to identify safety practice skill needs of sawmill workers against workplace hazards in Nigeria. Survey research design was used for study. Three research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The population of 96 comprised 54 sawmill workers and 42 woodwork teachers. The instrument was face validated by three experts in University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Cronbach Alpha was used to establish the reliability which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.88. The data collected were analyzed using mean to answer the research questions and t-test to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. It was found that all the safety practice skills identified are needed by the sawmill workers for effective and functional operations against workplace hazards. It was recommended that the safety practice skills identified be put to use by sawmill workers through enforcement by Forestry Services Department in Nigeria. The safety practice skills should be integrated into the curriculum of woodwork in Technical Colleges. KEYWORDS: Safety, Skill, Sawmill, Workplace Hazards, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Re-engineering

Electronic Simulation and Hardware Implementation of Two Coupled Periodically Forced Duffing and Van der Pol oscillators and its Application to Secure Communication

Confirmation of the existence of complex behavior and synchronization of non-identical chaotic systems as reported in literature attracts much interest in secure communication, but practical implementation is still challenging. In this work, the dynamics of coupled non-identical circuits comprising periodically forced Duffing and Van der Pol oscillators is investigated via electronic simulation using Multism software and hardware implementation on electronic circuits board. After complete synchronization is achieved between the Duffing (Transmitter) and Van der Pol (receiver) circuits through the variation of the coupling resistor of the controller, its application to secure communication is therefore demonstrated experimentally and via multism. The results from the electronic simulation and hardware implementation on bread board using analog components are in good agreement with the numerical results in literature