Passivative Effect of Polyethyleneglycol and Carboxylmethly Cellulose as Capping Agents on Particle Size of ZnS Nanoparticles

ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized using wet chemical co-precipitation method. During synthesis, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and carboxylmethly cellulose (CMC) molecule were used as capping agents. The effect of the capping materials was analyzed for their effectiveness in limiting the growth of  ZnS nanoparticles. The prepared ZnS nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-rays (EDX). The estimated crystal sizes from XRD are 3.92 nm and 3.89 nm for ZnS/PEG and ZnS/CMC nanosize semiconductors respectively. The effect of capping agent on the energy band gap of the capped ZnS nanoparticles were blue shifted at 0.16 eV and 0.28 eV for ZnS/PEG and ZnS/CMC respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirms the interaction of the capping agents with ZnS. Key words: ZnS nanoparticles, capping agent, polyethylene glycol, precipitation and sodium carboxymethyl cellulos

Possibility of cost effective and energy efficient high-quality natural white light sources with new nanophosphor

In this paper, we present results authors published initially on the white light emission with broad band (330-465 nm) excitation of the specially prepared nano-phosphor: Eu3+: ZnS which is capped with sodium methyl carboxylate and on pure red-light emission from the nano-phosphor when capped with alpha methyl acrylic acid and prepared in a different method. Then we discuss possible methods of future improvement of the white light emission from the nano-phosphor.We then present the cost effective and energy efficient method of obtaining highest quality natural white light sources using such nano-phosphor and blue or near UV blue light emitting diodes. The latter discussion includes the driving circuit for the white LED and powering the LED by concentrated solar photovoltaics for both lighting and waste heat energy storage for completely clean energy natural white lighting sources

Length-Weight Relationship And Condition Of Freshwater Shrimps Atya gabonensis And Macrobrachium felicinium From The Mu River, Makurdi, Nigeria

Length-weight parameters (a and b) of the equation: W = aLb were estimated for two freshwater shrimp species Atya gabonensis and Macrobrachium felicinium caught bimonthly from October 2001 to March 2002 using brush traps in the Mu river. The mean b values were 2.989 ± 0.328 and 3.003 ± 0.318 for A gabonensis and M. felicinium respectively. The values did not differ significantly (P < 0.05) from 3, showing that theirgrowths were isometric M. felicinium where in better condition than A. gabonensis. Keywords: Length-weight, Relationship, Condition factor, Atya gabonensis, Macrobrachium felicinium, Mu river Animal Research International Vol. 1 (3) 2004 pp. 153-15

Prevalence of malaria parasites and Hepatitis-B virus in patients attending two hospitals in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Malaria and Hepatitis-B virus (HBV) remain a threat to human health in many developing nations. Many regions with high malaria prevalence are also endemic for other infectious diseases which may predispose them to more of the malaria infection. Using thin and thick film preparations, malaria parasites were detected, identified and the intensity determined. Also by the use of the HBsAg rapid test strip, HBV surface antigen in sera obtained from consented and willing patients attending two hospitals in Jos were tested. Seven hundred and fifty (750) blood samples were examined, 61.10% were &lt;15 years old while 38.19% were older (&gt;15 years old). Three hundred and ninety nine (53.20%) were found infected with malaria, 11.6% with HBV and 6.19 had co-infection. There was significant difference in prevalence of malaria at p&gt;0.05 being 74.69% in &lt;15 years old and 25.31% in the &gt;15 years old. For Hepatitis-B, there was also significant difference in the older (87.64%) as against the younger (12.36%) age-group. For co-infection, it was significantly higher at (p&gt;0.05) in the older (91.20%) than in the younger (8.70%) age-group. No significant difference was observed for HBV between males and females but for malaria and co-infection it was higher in the males. The intensity of malaria parasites revealed +51.13%, ++46.12% and +++ in 2.76% of the infected. The survey showed that prevalence of malaria and HBV were high and pose serious health threats. Therefore government agencies NGO’s cooperate organization and individuals, should put in more efforts in advocacy towards behavioural changes that expose people to infections, campaign for immunization for all ages and making drugs more readily available towards the control of these diseases.Keywords: malaria, Hepatitis-B virus, co-infection, prevalence, intensit