The use of castor oil as a flame retardant in polyurethane foam

Thirteen polyurethane foam samples were prepared with varying quantity of castor oil as a reactant with polyisocyanate and their flammability test was carried out using various flame test procedures. Physical properties of the foam samples were found to increase with the increasing in the quantity of castor oil. Results of flammability test shows that the flame propagation rate and the after-glow time are relatively reduced with the corresponding increase in the quantity of castor oil. The add-on test and the ignition time increases with increase in the quantity of castor oil as flame retardant. Foam with 8cm3 and 10cm3 quantity of castor oil as flame retardant seems to be perfect and required for good quality and quantity of polyurethane foam.Keywords: Castor oil, Polyurethane forms, Flame retardant. Polyol, Polyisocyanat

In vitro comparative activity of ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin against clinical isolates from chickens in Benue State, Nigeria

This study compares the in vitro activities of enrofloxacin and its main metabolite ciprofloxacin against clinical Escherichia coli and non-lactose fermenting enterobacteria isolates from chickens. Ten (10) Escherichia coli and 8 non lactose fermenting enterobacteriaceae species isolated from a pool of clinical cases at the Microbiology Laboratory of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Agriculture Makurdi were used in this study. Ten-fold serial dilution of 10 varying concentrations (0.1-50μg/mL) of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were tested against the isolates in vitro by Bauer’s disc-diffusion method to determine and compare their antimicrobial activities against the isolates. The 18 isolates tested were susceptible to both enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, and their mean values in the susceptibility of Escherichia coli and non-lactose fermenters were significantly different (p < 0.01). The study concluded that the clinical isolates are susceptible to both enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin though ciprofloxacin exhibit higher activity. Comparatively, ciprofloxacin was found to be more potent than enrofloxacin and the difference statistically significant. Ciprofloxacin was recommended as a better choice in the treatment of bacterial infections of chicken in this area compared to enrofloxacin. It was also recommended that proper steps should be taken in the administration of antimicrobials so as to reduce the incidences of bacterial resistance.Keywords:  Escherichia coli, Non-lactose fermenter, Antimicrobials, Ciprofloxacin. Enrofloxacin, Chicke

Acute effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces on postprandial blood pressure, vascular function, blood lipids, biomarkers of insulin resistance and inflammation in humans

The acute impact of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (HSC) extract on postprandial vascular function and other cardiometabolic risk factors have not been studied previously. This study investigated the acute impact of HSC extract consumption on blood pressure (BP), vascular function and other cardiometabolic risk markers. Twenty-five men with 1% to 10% cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (determined by QRISK 2) were randomised to consume either 250 mL of the aqueous extract of HSC or water with breakfast in a randomised, controlled, single-blinded, 2-meal cross-over study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NTC02165553) with a two weeks washout period between study days. BP was measured at baseline and hourly for 4 h. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of the branchial artery was measured at baseline, 2 and 4 h post intervention drink consumption. Acute consumption of aqueous extract of HSC caused a significant increase in % FMD ( < 0.001), a non-significant decrease in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP); non-significant increase in urinary and plasma nitric oxide (NOx) and reduced response of serum glucose, plasma insulin, serum triacylglycerol and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels; significant ( = 0.026) improvement in the area under systemic antioxidant response curve (0 to 2 h); no significant changes in arterial stiffness following the acute consumption of the extract of HSC. Gallic acid, 4-O-methylgallic acid, 3-O-methylgallic acid and hippuric acid reached a maximum plasma concentration at 1 to 2 h post consumption of the extract of HSC. The extract of HSC improved postprandial vascular function and may be a useful dietary strategy to reduce endothelial dysfunction and CVD risk, although this requires confirmation

Preparation and Application of Polyvinyl Alcohol Based UV Curable Flexographic Printing Ink

Polyvinyl alcohol was utilized as a single sole binder in the formulation of water based UV curable flexographic printing inks. Six different formulation composition containing 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 8% and 10% polyvinyl alcohol were prepared using 1-(4-nitrophenyl)azo-2-naphthol as pigment and potassium dichromate as a cross linking agent. The formulations prepared were characterized for viscosity and FT-IR before being printed on different substrates. The integrity and pigment particle distribution of the ink film formed were assessed by optical microscopy, the print quality and fastness properties were found to meet most requirements in colour printing chemistry and technology applications

TimeSets for uncertainty visualisation

TimeSets consist of a timeline showing sequence of events displayed across a visualisation, while makings sense of sets relation among events in the timeline [NXWW15]. This study looked into extending TimeSets to accommodate Visualisation of trust and uncertainty as parts of its variables for events displayed across the timeline. The aim of the challenge is to build tools in the context of big data analytics that can be used to aid military operations through intelligence analytics and decision-making

Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Calyxes) water extract on the in vitro availability of lisinopril

Background: The concurrent use of herbs and drugs for the treatment of various ailments is a common practice amongst patients; a practice that could result in drug-herb interaction.Objectives: This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa on in vitro availability of lisinopril.Method: The availability of lisinopril alone and in presence of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyxes water extract was determined using dissolution apparatus (BP, 2013) set at 50 rpm and 37 °C in 900 mL of three different dissolution media [0.1 M HCl (simulated gastric pH), phosphate buffers pH 6.8 (simulated intestinal pH) and phosphate buffers pH 7.4 (simulated blood pH)]. Samples (5 mL) were withdrawn from the media at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, and 60 min and replaced immediately with the same medium. Each sample was analysed for the lisinopril content released using UV spectrophotometry at 215, 210 and 215 nm in 0.1 M HCl, phosphate buffers pH 6.8 and phosphate buffers pH 7.4 respectively.Results: Results showed that the media has no effect on the dissolution profile of lisinopril alone, however, it was observed that 89.40 (lisinopril alone) and 92.62 % (lisinopril in the presence of Hibiscus sabdariffa) was released in simulated gastric pH. The corresponding contents of lisinopril observed in simulated intestinal pH were 89.40 and 92.51 %, while in simulated blood pH 89.40 and 91.95 % of lisinopril was released. The presence of Hibiscus sabdariffa significantly (p &lt; 0.05) increased the in vitro availability of lisinopril in all the media.Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that coadministration of lisinopril with Hibiscus sabdariffa could enhance its in vitro availability consequent to the increased dissolution of lisinopril in simulated gastric, intestinal and blood pH.Keywords: Lisinopril, Interaction, Hibiscus sabdariffa, dissolutio

Haematologic tolerance of a rumen fistulation protocol in Udaramsata Tertiary Institution Livestock Teaching and Research Farm, Kaduna State, Nigeria

ABSTRACTThis experiment was conducted at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma Livestock Teaching and Research Farm in Dutsin-Ma Local Government area of Katsina State, Nigeria. The study was aimed at studying haematological tolerance level of Uda rams to a rumen fistulation protocol involving incision of skin and muscles separation along the direction of muscle fibers by divulsion. Blood samples were collected and evaluated at the intervals of 0, 24 and 48hours to assess blood line response to the protocol. A total of 3 rams were used and assigned T1, T2 and T3 in a completely randomized technique. A significant (P&lt; 0.05) continuum of decreased packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration was observed from 0hrs through to 48hours connoting anaemia condition associated with the rumen fistulation protocol. However, significant (P &lt; 0.01) tolerance levels were observed with the cell mediated immune response as evident in the increased lymphocyte counts (lymphocytosis) and an initial acute increase in neutrophils (neutrophilia). This technique was able to demonstrate good tolerance level to rumen fistulation by Uda rams making this breed a good candidate for nutritional and physiological studies requiring rumen fistulation

Analysis of the distribution of heavy metals in the soils of Bagega mining area Zamfara state, Nigeria

Uncontrolled exploitation and degradation in the environment over the past few decades as the result of urbanization and poverty has caused a serious damage to lives and properties. The study analysed the spatial distribution of heavy metal (Fe, Cu and Zn) in Bagega, Zamfara state. Three mapping units were identified and samples were collected from the top soil (0-15cm) horizon using stratified random sampling techniques. These include the Mining Processing Environment (MPE), Residential exterior (RE) and Surrounding Farmlands (SF). In each mapping units, twelve (12) samples were collected randomly. Coordinates of all samples points were recorded using GPS. The soil sample were analyse for heavy metals using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and the result were recorded in Microsoft excel and later transformed into GIS environment in the Arc GIS 10.1 version. Krigging model was used for mapping the spatial distribution of the heavy metals in the study area. The result shows that there are more concentrations of heavy metals (Fe and Cu) in the Residential exterior (RE) and streams sites. The level of heavy metal in the soils of the area were below the acceptable toxic level of and this can be attributed to the number of years quarry activities in the study area have been in operation. The study concluded that Fe and Zn are more concentrated to the mining and river sites areas, while Cu is highly concentrated at the farmlands areas. The study recommends for continuous monitoring and mining should be avoided especially closer to the residential areas.Keywords: Spatial distribution, Mapping, Heavy metals, Bageg