K-Step Block Predictor-Corrector Methods for Solving First Order Ordinary Differential Equations

A K-step block Predictor-Corrector Methods for solving first order ordinary differential equations are formulated and applied on non-stiff and mildly stiff problems using variable step size technique. In this method, collocation and interpolation of the power series as the approximate solution is carried out with aim of generating the continuous scheme. The investigation of some selected theoretical properties of the method is analysed as well as determination of the region of absolute stability of the method. In addition, the implementation of the proposed method is done by applying variable step size techniqu

A SECURED EMBEDDED SCHEME BASED ON MULTI-CRYPTOGRAPHIC PROTOCOLS

Transmission of information via unsecured channel requires confidentiality, authorization and authentication as part of major factors that must be put into consideration. This work proposes a scheme that can take care of these major factors at once. The method involves a multi-level approach that comprises of a key exchange protocol, a message authentication code, a key derivation function and a symmetric encryption known as polyalphabetic substitution that makes use of a 94x94 Vigenere table. The four cryptographic techniques are combined to form an encryption protocol, coined MLES for a message to be securely transmitted. In order to test the functionality of MLES scheme, it was implemented using Java 1.8.0 and tested on a text data. The result shows a feasible protocol that can secure a message in steganography

Heat and Mass Transfer for Soret and Dufour’s Effect on Mixed Convection Boundary Layer Flow over a Stretching Vertical Surface in a Porous Medium Filled with a Viscoelastic Fluid in the Presence of Magnetic field

Thermal-diffusion and diffusion-thermo effects on combined heat and mass transfer on mixed convection boundary layer flow over a stretching vertical surface in a porous medium filled with a viscoelastic fluid in the presence of magnetic field is investigated. The partial differential equations governing the problem have been transformed by a similarity transformation into a system of ordinary differential equations which are solved numerically by using the shooting method with sixth-order of Runge-Kutta technique which are compared with Homotopy Adomian’s Decomposition Method (HAM) for special case when magnetic field parameter is zero For fluids of medium molecular weight (H2, air), profiles of the dimensionless velocity, temperature and concentration distributions are shown graphically for various values of parameters embedded in the flow model. Finally, numerical values of physical quantities, such as the local skin friction coefficient, the local Nusselt number and the local Sherwood number are presented in tabular form

Analysis of Physical and Chemical Composition of Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) Peels

Sweet orange is one of the most common fruits in the World. The waste generated from the fruits needs to be put into a beneficial use. In this study some physical and chemical properties of the primary waste of sweet orange was investigated. The result showed sweet orange rinds (peels) as the major waste and contains 45-50% of the total mass of sweet orange fruits. The chemical analysis showed sweet orange rinds to be rich in protein of 7.15% and crude fibre of 12.79% which can be used as ingredients in processed food. These uses will promote sustainable disposal of orange rinds

Effect of Piper guineensees on physicochemical and organoleptic properties of watermelon (Citrulus lanatus) juice stored in refrigerator and ambient

Extracted juice from watermelon containing 0.01gPiper guineensesstored in refrigerator (6±2 oC) and on the shelf (28±1oC) usingpolyethylene bottles was evaluated for physicochemical and organoleptic changes. pH, total soluble sugars, titratable acidity and organolepticevaluation of the juice was carried out till deterioration sets in. Results showed that the sample stored in therefrigerator kept for 7 days while the sample on the shelf lasted for 3 days. pH value decreased from 5.40 to 4.80 and 5.70 for the samplestored in the refrigerator and on the shelf respectively while TSS increased from 0.064%Brix to 0.435% Brix and 0.578%Brix for sample stored in refrigerator and shelf respectively. Titratable acidity decreased from 2.90 % to 0.20% and 0.50% for samples for the juice stored in the refrigerator and on shelf respectively.All these changes were statistically significant (p<0.05).The sample stored on the shelf lost its organoleptic qualities on the third day with an average value less than 2 for taste, smell and colour. However, the juice stored in the fridge lost its organoleptic qualities at the 7th day with an average value of 3.0, 2.90 and 2.80 for taste, smell andcolour respectively.  From the results, juice extracted from water meloncannot be kept at ambient temperature beyond 3 days without proper refrigeration and an additive. This calls for alternative way of extending its shelf life in the absence of electricity supply using local spice like P. guineenses and to make it available during off season

Voltammetric and impedance studies of phenols and Its derivatives at carbon nanotubes/Prussian bluefilms platinum modified electrode

The electrochemical oxidation of phenol (Ph), 4-chlorophenol (4-ClPh) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NPh) at a platinum electrode modified with and without multi-walled carbon nanotubes/Prussian blue nanocomposite in a pH 7.0 phosphate buffer electrolyte was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance measurements. The modified electrodes were characterised using techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron X-ray dispersive spectroscopy (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CVs) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)..

Feasibility of offering nicotine replacement therapy as a relapse prevention treatment in routine smoking cessation services

Background: National Health Service stop smoking services (NHS SSS) in the UK offer cost- effective smoking cessation services. Despite high abstinence rates after acute cessation treatment, the majority of clients have relapsed by one year. Several interventions have been identified, from trial data, as effective in preventing relapse to smoking. This study investigated uptake, feasibility and acceptability of offering nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) as a relapse prevention intervention (RPI) in NHS SSS. Methods: Eligible smokers who had successfully completed acute cessation treatment using NRT at Nottingham City NHS SSS between April 2010 and January 2011 were offered the RPI and the rate of uptake was monitored. Consenting individuals completed a baseline questionnaire, providing demographic and smoking behaviour data. The RPI consisted of using NRT for a further 12 weeks after initial cessation-orientated treatment had ended. At a six-month review, self-reported smoking status was assessed via telephone. Anonymised demographic data on NHS SSS users who did not agree to participate in the study were retrieved from NHS SSS records and used to determine the presence of any socio-demographic differences between individuals who agreed to participate in the study and those who did not. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with a selection of participants; these were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed to identify participants’ views on the RPI. Results: Of 493 stop smoking service clients who were assessed, 260 were eligible for and offered the RPI and 115 (44%, CI 38%- 50%) accepted. Individuals who accepted NRT were significantly more likely to be older (p < 0.001) and to pay for their prescriptions (p < 0.001). Quitters who had never worked or were unemployed were significantly less likely to accept the offer of relapse prevention compared to those in routine and manual occupations (55% reduction in odds, p = 0.026). Interview findings revealed that clients who accepted extended NRT felt the longer duration of pharmacological and psychological support were both valuable in helping them to remain abstinent. Conclusion: In routine smoking cessation service care, it is feasible to offer clients extended courses of NRT as a RPI. The RPI was acceptable to them as almost half of the eligible clients offered this treatment accepted it. Keywords: Smoking relapse prevention, Nicotine replacement therapy, Feasibility study, Smoking cessation servic

How Effective is the Treatment of Locally Advanced and Metastatic Breast Cancer in Developing Centres?: A Retrospective Review

BACKGROUND: The use of chemotherapy in advanced metastatic breast cancer remains a subject of controversy. The thought of MicKinnon et al (early 1950s) that the course of breast cancer was unaffected by chemotherapy has been refuted by results of treatment in the developed countries. The poor result of treatment in developing centres still compares with prechemotherapy era. Consequently, The McKinnon’s thought may still lurk. We compared the survival of chemotherapy treated with chemotherapy untreated cancer of breast patients.METHOD: Records of breast cancer patients who presented and died between January 2010 and May  2014 were reviewed. The primary outcome was overall survival. Records of patients that received  chemotherapy with or without other tumor directed specific therapy were compared with records of patients who did not receive any tumor directed therapy.RESULT: Thirty-one patients received chemotherapy while 25 patients did not. All were females, more than 90% were of the patients had advanced or metastatic disease. Treatments were not biologically  directed and treatment plans were largely compromised and suboptimal. The overall mean survival was  19.2 ±9.2 months, and the median duration was 17.5 months(range 6-44months). The overall survival  was not statistically different between the two groups (p= 0.230, unequal variance assumed). The  objective of using neoadjuvant chemotherapy for fungating lesions was not achieved.CONCLUSION: In advanced and metastatic breast cancer, outcomes of patients who receive  suboptimal regimen of cytotoxic chemotherapy do not differ from chemotherapy untreated patients.KEYWORDS: breast cancer, suboptimal treatment, untreated, chemotherap

Hall Current and Joule Heating Effects on Flow of Couple Stress Fluid with Entropy Generation

In this work, an analytical study of the effects of Hall current and Joule heating on the entropy generation rate of couple stress fluid is performed. It is assumed that the applied pressure gradient induces fluid motion. At constant velocity, hot fluid is injected at the lower wall and sucked off at the upper wall. The obtained equations governing the flow are transformed to dimensionless form and the resulting nonlinear coupled boundary value problems for velocity and temperature profiles are solved by Adomian decomposition method. Analytical expressions for fluid velocity and temperature are used to obtain the entropy generation and the irreversibility ratio. The effects of Hall current, Joule heating, suction/injection and magnetic field parameters are presented and discussed through graphs. It is found that Hall current enhances both primary and secondary velocities and entropy generation. It is also interesting that Joule heating raises fluid temperature and encourages entropy production. On the other hand Hartman number inhibited fluid motion while increase in suction/injection parameter resulted into a shift in flow symmetry

HERBAL RECIPES USED FOR THE TRADITIONAL MANAGEMENT OF INFANTILE DERMATITIS IN ODEDA, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Background: The period of infancy, spanning through the neonatal stage to two years, is characterized by a series of health challenges for the affected child and concerned parents. This study conducted in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria was aimed at investigating the plants used in the traditional management of infantile dermatitis and other neonatal skin infections with emphasis on the role of SPICES. Methods: Structured questionnaires (and personal interview) were administered to 36 nursing mothers (age range, 15 – 50) and 30 herbsellers (age range, 21 – 60) in the LGA. The herbsellers prescribed recipes used in the management of general skin diseases including abscess, chicken pox, eczema, flaky skin spots, measles, rashes, ringworm, and small pox. Results: The survey yielded 69 plants belonging to 38 families and forming 25 polyherbal and mono-recipes. Fabaceae, Rutaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Annonaceae, Poaceae, Meliaceae, and Amaryllidaceae had high species representation. Trees (40.58%) were the most frequently used plant habit while leaves (40.58%) formed the most frequently used plant part. Decoction and infusion using pure water were the methods of preparation suggested. Administration ranged from drinking extracts (2-3 teaspoonfuls) three times daily, to bathing with warm extracts of the plants and the use of coconut oil as cream. Traditional black soap and Shea butter also featured in the herbal remedy for bath and as cream respectively. Local sponge was preferred for bathing. Conclusion: This study has documented the alternative medical approach in the management of infantile skin diseases. The cultural relevance of plants calls for sustainable use of plant resources. This research finds application in primary health care, microbiology, and in cosmetic industries for the development of new or improved baby skin care products. Further research should be conducted to confirm the claimed ethnomedicinal values as well as evaluate possible harm of crude plant extracts to skin structures of infants