Probabilistic Durability Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Members with Corroded Reinforcing Steel

The reliability of the structural performance of any given structure is affected by both in-service loading and material deterioration due to environmental attack. In this paper, probabilistic assessment of reinforced concrete members exposed to chlorine ingress was undertaken. A simply supported reinforced concrete slab was specifically used for the investigation. The mathematical models of capacity loss of reinforcing steel under corrosion, developed elsewhere, were incorporated in the analysis. The uncertainties in structural resistance and the applied loading were fully accommodated using probabilistic method. Limit state function for the flexural capacity of the slab was developed and evaluated using first order reliability method (FORM). The entire process was implemented through a developed program using MATLAB

Decoration of carbon nanotubes with gold nanopeprintss by electroless deposition process using ethylenediamine as a cross linker

Herein, we present a method for decorating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using ethylenediamine (en) as a linker between MWCNTs and AuNPs. The amine group in en is as growth points for synthesis of AuNPs through electrostatic attraction between the amine groups and anion while sodium citrate act as reducing agent. The influence of HAuCl4 concentration on the size and distribution of AuNPs in the structure of the Au-decorated nanotubes were investigated. Morphology of the decorated nanotubes was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy while the elemental composition of the decorated tubes and crystallography were investigated by energy dispersive x-ray, x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared techniques. Cyclic voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis revealed that the Au-decorated nanotubes have increased the electro-active surface area and conductivity of electrochemical substrate

The Use of Foramen Magnum in The Determination of Sex Using Computed Tomography (CT) Scan Images of Sampled Population Attending National Ear Care Centre Kaduna State, Nigeria

Determination of sex is an important element of human identification which becomes challenging when only only fragments of body parts are available for investigation by forensic experts. This study was aimed at assessing the utility of foramen magnum parameters in the determination of sex among the Nigerian population. A retrospective study was conducted on patients attending National Ear Care Center Kaduna between the years 2017-2019. A total of 399 normal Multislice CT images of skulls (236 males and 163 females) of the age of 18 – 95 years were randomly picked from the archives of the Hospital in the computer database of the Radiology Department. The foramen magnum and occipital condyles parameters were measured by an experienced radiologist. Males tend to have a significantly higher mean value of foramen magnum width, Foramen Magnum Index, the length of the right occipital condyle, and the length of left occipital condyles as well as the width of the right occipital condyle at a p-value ≤ 0.05. The width of right occipital condyles was the only variable that got a significant (p ≤ 0.05) impact on our sex estimation following multiple logistic regression. However, by applying discriminate function analysis the length of the left occipital condyle and width of the right occipital condyle were the only discriminatory variables chosen for this study population. In conclusion, this study indicated that five variables of foramen magnum out of ten were statistically significantly different with males having higher mean values than females. Moreover, the only significant discriminatory variables to determine sex in this study population were the length of the left occipital condyle and the width of the right occipital condyle respectively

Achieving financial stability of Islamic banks through a Bespoke Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF)

Definition: Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) —various ways firms keep check on their risks to harness opportunities and attain institutional objectives. ERM Framework (ERMF) —a document aim to set general guidelines for managing risk of events or actions that could result in adverse outcomes for the institution (COSO, 2004) > ERMF: increases probability and quantum of success and reduces the probability and quantum of failure in the pursuit of organisational objectives. > ERMF: aids IBs to achieve their objectives (risk-adjusted returns) within the risky real-world business environment Key objectives of ERMF: To provide the IB with an awareness of key risks within its Islamic Banking business model To establish common risk culture amongst staff and management, facilitating communication and goal congruence in line with Shari’ah principles. To provide the IB with Shari'ah-compliant instruments To stipulate the risk governance structure in the IB with attendant roles and responsibilities of constituent organs

Construction of an electrochemical sensor based on carbon nanotubes/gold nanoparticles for trace determination of amoxicillin in bovine milk

In this work, a novel electrochemical sensor was fabricated for determination of amoxicillin in bovine milk samples by decoration of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using ethylenediamine (en) as a cross linker (AuNPs/en-MWCNTs). The constructed nanocomposite was homogenized in dimethylformamide and drop casted on screen printed electrode. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the synthesized nanocomposites. The results show that the synthesized nanocomposites induced a remarkable synergetic effect for the oxidation of amoxicillin. Effect of some parameters, including pH, buffer, scan rate, accumulation potential, accumulation time and amount of casted nanocomposites, on the sensitivity of fabricated sensor were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, there was two linear calibration ranges from 0.2–10 µM and 10–30 µM with equations of Ipa (µA) = 2.88C (µM) + 1.2017; r = 0.9939 and Ipa (µA) = 0.88C (µM) + 22.97; r = 0.9973, respectively. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were calculated as 0.015 µM and 0.149 µM, respectively. The fabricated electrochemical sensor was successfully applied for determination of Amoxicillin in bovine milk samples and all results compared with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) standard method

Sexual Dimorphism and Estimation of Height from Body Length Anthropometric Parameters among the Hausa Ethnic Group of Nigeria

The study was carried out to investigate the sexual dimorphism in length and other anthropometric parameters. To also generate formulae for height estimation using anthropometric measurements of some length parameters among Hausa ethnic group of Kaduna State, Nigeria. A cross sectional study was conducted and a total of 500 subjects participated in this study which was mainly secondary school students between the age ranges of 16-27 years, anthropometric measurements were obtained using standard protocols. It was observed that there was significant sexual dimorphism in all the parameters except for body mass index. In all the parameters males tend to have significantly (P < 0.05) higher mean values except biaxillary distances. Height showed positive and strongest correlations with demispan length, followed by knee height, thigh length, sitting height, hand length, foot length, humeral length, forearm length and weight respectively. There were weak and positive correlations between height and neck length as well as biaxillary length. The demi span length showed the strongest correlation coefficient and low standard error of estimate indicating the strong estimation ability than other parameters. The combination of two parameters tends to give better estimations and low standard error of estimates, so also combining the three parameters gives better estimations with a lower standard error of estimates. The better correlation coefficient was also observed with the double and triple parameters respectively. Male Hausa tend to have larger body proportion compared to female. Height showed positive and strongest correlations with demispan length. Body length anthropometric proved to be useful in estimation of stature among Hausa ethnic group of Kaduna state Nigeria

Benzoic Acid Based Beverages: Health Implications

Soft drinks nowadays are becoming an important part of the modern diet consumed in many communities worldwide and are available in the market virtually in the same form almost anywhere around the globe. Additives such as antioxidants and preservatives are usually added to soft drinks to increase their shelf life. Several acids such as benzoic and ascorbic acid are used in beverages to prevent oxidation and degradation of matrix.&nbsp; Literature documented that combination of these preservatives in soft drinks results in benzene formation. Moreover, benzene has long been reported to inflict many public health problems. This review elucidated different health consequences such as hematological, neurological, reproductive and carcinogenic effects of exposure to benzene. Liver and kidney derangements were also reported from different epidemiological and experimental studies. Therefore, we suggest that combination of ascorbic acid and benzoic acid in beverages should be avoided by small scale and industrial manufactures. A closer monitoring of these preservatives in beverages by regulatory agencies is highly needed

A screen printed carbon electrode modified with carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles as a sensitive electrochemical sensor for determination of thiamphenicol residue in milk

Antibiotic residues in milk are of great concern for health regulatory agencies, milk consumers, and dairy farmers due to their destructive effects, ranging from allergic reactions, antibiotic resistance and the ability to interfere with the production of fermented products (i.e. cheese and yogurt). Therefore, a reliable, fast, and simple method needs to be developed to monitor antibiotic residues in milk samples before distribution to consumers. In this study, the first sensitive electrochemical sensor is presented for the determination of thiamphenicol (TAP), a broad-spectrum antibiotic in bovine milk. In the fabrication process, a screen printed electrode (SPE) was modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using ethylenediamine (en) as a cross linker. Cyclic voltammetry studies showed an adsorptive control process for the electro-oxidation of TAP at-0.1 V on the modified electrode of SPE/CNT/en/AuNPs. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was applied for the quantitative determination of TAP under optimized conditions (0.1 M citrate buffer, pH 6.0, accumulation potential-0.7 V, and accumulation time 150 s). A DPV study for TAP shows a wide linear calibration range of 0.1-30 μM with the detection limit of 0.003 μM. Furthermore, the developed sensor displays high sensitivity, reproducibility, repeatability, and good stability for the detection of TAP. The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of spiked TAP in bovine milk with satisfactory results