Comparison of the electrochemical performances of MCDCFC using hand and ball milled biomass carbon fuels

The electrochemical performances of a single cell molten carbonate electrolyte direct carbon fuel cell (MCDCFC) using miscanthus and switchgrass biomass carbon fuels subjected to hand and ball milling treatments are presented in this paper. Conventional direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) uses carbon derived from coal, a fossil fuel with adverse consequences on the environment. This paper explores a more benign carbon fuel source which is the biomass to power the DCFC. The performances of the hand milled (HM) carbon fuels were slightly higher than those of the ball milled (BM) carbon fuels. At 800oC for the open circuit voltage, miscanthus fuel (1.03 V) has higher values for the HM and switchgrass fuel (0.77 V) for the BM. Higher peak power densities were observed for switchgrass fuel (21.60 and 12.32 mW/cm2) for both the HM and BM. Switchgrass fuel (74 mA/cm2) gave the maximum current density for both the HM and BM. Miscanthus fuel (0.72 V) show higher voltage at peak power generation for the HM and switchgrass fuel (0.39 V) for the BM. The peak power efficiency evaluated show that miscanthus fuel (70%) gave higher values for the hand milled and equal values for both carbon fuels (51%) for the ball milled

COMPARISON OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL PERFORMANCES OF MCDCFC USING HAND AND BALL MILLED BIOMASS CARBON FUELS

The electrochemical performances of a single cell molten carbonate electrolyte direct carbon fuel cell (MCDCFC) using miscanthus and switchgrass biomass carbon fuels subjected to hand and ball milling treatments are presented in this paper. Conventional direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) uses carbon derived from coal, a fossil fuel with adverse consequences on the environment. This paper explores a more benign carbon fuel source which is the biomass to power the DCFC. The performances of the hand milled (HM) carbon fuels were slightly higher than those of the ball milled (BM) carbon fuels. At 800oC for the open circuit voltage, miscanthus fuel (1.03 V) has higher values for the HM and switchgrass fuel (0.77 V) for the BM. Higher peak power densities were observed for switchgrass fuel (21.60 and 12.32 mW/cm2) for both the HM and BM. Switchgrass fuel (74 mA/cm2) gave the maximum current density for both the HM and BM. Miscanthus fuel (0.72 V) show higher voltage at peak power generation for the HM and switchgrass fuel (0.39 V) for the BM. The peak power efficiency evaluated show that miscanthus fuel (70%) gave higher values for the hand milled and equal values for both carbon fuels (51%) for the ball milled

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Towards Preventive Strategies Against COVID-19 Pandemic Among Nigerian Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts have been aimed at promoting preventive measures towards curtailing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The effectiveness of measures put in place by the government are mostly determined by the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) of the citizenry. We sought to determine the KAP of young Nigerian adults towards preventive strategies against COVID-19. Methods: An online survey was prepared using an 18-question questionnaire to assess the KAP of each participant that satisfied predefined criteria. Data obtained were screened for error and analyzed with SPSS version 23. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results: A total of 925 valid responses were received with a 96.25% response rate. Females made up 52.4% of the respondents, 62.4% were aged between 21-24, and 88.4% were from South-western Nigeria. The mean knowledge score was 9.02 (SD 1.18) with a maximum possible knowledge score of 13. Most of the participants (91.7%) agreed that COVID-19 will eventually be successfully controlled. Only 31.1% however had been wearing masks when leaving home. The confidence of winning the battle against COVID-19 differed significantly across the ethnic groups (p<0.01). Ages between 15 and 24 were more likely to visit crowded places (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study revealed a good knowledge level and an optimistic attitude towards the control of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, much more work is needed by government and health officials to translate these to better practices towards prevention and control as the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic continues

Clinical and Echocardiographic Predictors of Arrhythmias Detected With 24-Hour Holter Electrocardiography Among Hypertensive Heart Failure Patients in Nigeria

Background: Hypertensive heart failure (HHF) is the commonest form of heart failure in Nigeria. There is paucity of data in Nigeria on 24-hour Holter electrocardiography (24-HHECG) and important predictors of arrhythmias among HHF patients. Objectives: To determine the 24-HHECG characteristics among HHF patients. To determine the clinical and echocardiographic predictors of arrhythmias detected using 24-HHECG among HHF patients. Methods: A total of 100 HHF patients as well as 50 age-matched and sex-matched apparently healthy controls were prospectively recruited over a period of 1 year. They all had baseline laboratory tests, echocardiography, and 24-HHECG. Results: Hypertensive heart failure patients had significantly higher counts of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) than the controls ( P  ≤ .001). Ventricular tachycardia (VT) was recorded in 29% of HHF patients as compared with controls who had no VT on 24-HHECG. The standard deviation of all normal to normal sinus RR intervals over 24 hours (SDNN) was abnormally reduced among HHF patients when compared with controls ( P  = .046). There was positive correlation between atrial fibrillation (AF) and the following parameters: PVCs ( r  = .229, P  = .015), New York Heart Association (NYHA) ( r  = .196, P  = .033), and VT ( r  = .223, P  = .018). Following multiple linear regression, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ( P  ≤ .001) and serum urea ( P  = .037) were predictors of PVCs among HHF patients. Serum creatinine ( P  ≤ .001), elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) ( P  = .005), and PVCs ( P  ≤ .001) were important predictors of VT among HHF patients. Conclusions: Renal dysfunction and reduced LVEF were important predictors of ventricular arrhythmias. High counts of PVCs and elevated SBP were predictive of the occurrence of VT among HHF patients. The NYHA class and ventricular arrhythmias have a significant positive correlation with AF. The SDNN is reduced in HHF patients

Enabling the genomic revolution in Africa

H3Africa is developing capacity for health-related genomics research in Afric

Research capacity. Enabling the genomic revolution in Africa.

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