Microstructural evolution and characterization of super-induced MgO composite on zinc-rich coatings

The effect of Zn-MgO deposition prepared through direct electrolytic co-deposition on mild steel was studied.The experiment was conducted at current density between 0.5 and 1 A/cm−2. The morphologies of the coated surfaces were characterized using Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), high resolution Nikon Optical Microscope (OPM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy attached with Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM/EDX). The corrosion behavior was studied using linear potentiodynamic polarization method in 3.5% simulated environment. The phase change was evaluated using X-ray Diffractogram (XRD). The microhardness characteristics of the obtained deposits were analyzed with dura scan hardness tester. The stability of the ceramic composite was determined using heat-treatment processes at 200 oC for 4 h. The results show that the structural behavior and corrosion resistance of the coating is dependent on the composite induced particulate and applied current density. It is found that increasing MgO contents beyond optimum level does not cause increase in microhardness progression. A decrease in applied current maximally influences the deposit adhesion characteristics. The enhanced thermal stability of 236.4 HVN for Zn- 20MgO at 0.5 A/cm2 alloy and increase corrosion behavior was thus attributed to its chemical composition, phase content and the synergistic effect of Zn and MgO on the carbon steel

Performance Evaluation Effect of Nb2O5 Particulate on the Microstructural, Wear and Anti-corrosion Resistance of Zn–Nb2O5 Coatings on Mild Steel for Marine Application

In this study, we developed Zn–Nb2O5 composite coatings from sulfate bath for wear and corrosion performance on mild steel by electrodeposition technique. The effect of Nb2O5 particulate on the Zn–Nb2O5 properties was investigated. The particle volume fraction was varied within between 10 and 20 wt%. The structural properties of the composite coatings were characterized using scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive spectrometer. The hardness and wear of the composite coating were measured with diamond base microhardness indenter tester and sliding CETR reciprocating wear testers, respectively. The corrosion properties were examined in 3.65% NaCl using AUTOLAB 101 Metrohm potentiostat–galvanostat with linear polarization technique. The results showed that average hardness value of 192.6 and 200.6 HV and passivation potential of 4.39E?08 and 5.30E?08(X) were obtained for the 10–20 wt% Nb2O5 particulate on the Zn–Nb2O5 coatings. The wear performance improves by 63.4% as against the control sample. In all, this study established that up to 20 wt% of Nb2O5 in Zn–Nb2O5 composite coating significant corrosion, wear and microhardness propagation resistance of mild steel was attained

WOMEN IN CONFLICTUAL SITUATIONS IN THE WAR-TORN DARFUR,SUDAN: AN EXPLOSITION

Women in Africa increasingly bear greater burden of conflicts in which they rarely contribute to the outbreak. Historically, the Geneva Convention of 1949 and their Additional Protocol of 1977 acknowledge women as the most vulnerable members of the population and explicitly contain special measures to protect women during armed conflicts. Rape and sexual violence continue at an alarming rate in the ongoing genocide in Darfur. Rapes and other forms of sexual violence are being used as weapons of war to humiliate, punish, control, inflict fear, and displace women and their communities. These acts constitute grave violations of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, including war crimes against humanity. It should be noted that African women face shelling, famine, epidemics, forced displacement, detention, torture and execution like other civilians caught up in the maelstrom of war. Mass rapes in Darfur effectively terrorize women, break their will, and destroy the fabric of the society. Rape also has serious economic and social consequences in Darfurian society by making the victims ineligible for marriage and ostracized by the community and the family members. The economic and political implications of war are also noticeable in the way women that are internally displaced ( I D Ps) and refugees are being forced to exchange sexual favors in desperation for goods and services by the Sudanese security forces, including police deployed to protect them. It is pertinent to note that documented cases of rape or sexual violence in war time only represent the tip of the iceberg. In war and also during peace time. the stigma associated with rape and the victim's self-blame mean that the vast majority of cases go unreported. Therefore , sympathetic care and counseling for victims are essential to regain their self-esteem, dignity, and to facilitate their reintegration into society and family life. There should be greater recognition of the scourge of sexual violence, as well as public condemnation, with strict enforcement of existing national and international laws

Collaborative Strategies Used to Reduce Billing Administrative Cost

Billing inefficiencies represent 80% of wasteful healthcare administrative costs that are projected to reach $45 billion by 2018. Potentially, a reduced billing administrative cost is estimated to yield an annual savings of$60 billion that could fund other societal needs such as jobs, wage increases, and education. Through the conceptual framework of iceberg change management model, this single case study explored collaborative strategies 3 healthcare billing managers in Dallas, Texas successfully used to reduce billing administrative costs. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and the review of company documents. Using Yin\u27s procedure of examining, comparing, categorizing, and coding data, the thematic analysis exposed 5 themes: task coordination, communication, stakeholder involvement, relationship management, and performance indicators. The findings indicated that collaborative strategies might serve as a guideline for billing managers to identify and manage behaviors, attitudes, and processes that hinders the reduction of wasteful billing administrative costs. The implication for positive social change is the potential to reduce the number of individuals who forgo care due to medical billing complexities and disputes. The study may also contribute to social change by providing other billing managers and administrators with strategies for reducing healthcare billing administrative costs. Potential cost savings derived from improved billing administrative costs could fund healthcare for the uninsured and underinsured. The implementation of these collaborative strategies may improve fragmented billing processes, resulting in reduction of wasteful healthcare spending

Effect of water-soluble chitosan on the electrochemical corrosion behaviour of mild steel

This article outlines the role of chitosan as a potent inhibitor on mild steel in 3.65% NaCl. The protective ability of chitosan was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization (PP) mea- surements in 36.5% sodium chloride medium. The outcome of the experiment shows that mild steel in sodium chloride solution containing chitosan nanoparticles exhibit better cor- rosion protection than mild steel in NaCl solution alone because the anodic and cathodic site of the steel were blocked by chitosan nanoparticles, thereby minimising the incursion of the salt solution by forming a thin film on the mild steel surface. The inhibitive effi- ciency of chitosan nanoparticles was also studied using weight loss. The weight loss by mild steel in NaCl solution was found to be higher than those immersed in NaCl-chitosan nanoparticulate solutions. The loss in weight reduces as the concentration of chitosan nanoparticles increases, indicating the fortifying ability of chitosan nanoparticles. Results obtained show that chitosan could offer inhibition efficiency above 90%. The mixed inhibi- tion characteristic of chitosan was demonstrated by the Tafel curve. The Langmuir isotherm possesses an R 2 value of 0.9957 indicating the effectiveness of chitosan as an inhibito