Stabilizing Capability of Gum arabic on the Synthesis of Poly(Styrene-Methylmethacrylate-Acrylic Acid) Latex for the Generation of Colloidal Crystal Films

This article describes the generation and characterization of colloidal crystals from particles of gum arabic (GA) and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfate (SDBS) emulsified poly(styrene methylmethacrylate-acrylic acid) (P(St-MMA-AA) latex. The colloidal latex was synthesized using GA and SDBS as the emulsifying agents and then used to generate colloidal crystal films via the vertical deposition technique. Dynamic light scattering analysis placed the average particle diameter, polydispersity and Zeta potential at about 122 nm, 0.014 and –36.20 mV for the as-synthesized GA emulsified terpolymer latex and 213 nm, 0.006, –35.60 mV for the SDBS emulsified terpolymer latex, respectively. Thermo-gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry showed comparable thermal stability for both prepared terpolymer samples. Microscopic analysis showed that the latex particles possess a core-shell morphology which readily assembles into a well ordered hexagonal arrangement of spherical particles with manifold layers. This study, therefore, shows comparable properties of terpolymer prepared using gum arabic as emulsifier with terpolymer synthesized using SDBS which is a conventional emulsifier. Keywords: Gum Arabic; sodium dodecylbenzene sulphate; colloidal crystal films; morphology; emulsifie

Synthesis and Evaluation of Performance Characteristics of Walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) Seed Oil-Modified Alkyd Resin

Abstract: Walnut seed oil (WSO) was extracted from walnut seed and employed in the production of 50% oil length Alkyd Resin (oil modified polyester) using the monoglyceride method. This involved reacting the oil first with glycerol (alcoholysis) and subsequent treatment of the monoglyceride obtained with phthalic anhydride. The walnut oil and it alkyd resins were characterized and performance characteristics evaluated for use in surface coating formulations. Walnut seed oil gave alkyd resins whose coating properties are comparable to those of commercial alkyd, as its film air-dried within a few hours and showed good chemical resistance in various solvent media such as water, brine, and acid. However, the films showed low resistance to alkali which could be due to alkali hydrolysis

A New Trend in the Teaching of Mathematics: The Mathematics Laboratory Method

This paper examined the laboratory method of teaching as a way of improving the teaching of Mathematics in schools. The main thrust of the method is that teaching is based on self-doing by the learners through the use of instructional aids, models and manipulatives, while the teacher only plays the role of a facilitator. Some of the activities in a Mathematics laboratory are encapsulated in this paper. It is suggested that the schools, teachers and other stakeholders should brace up to the challenge of embracing the Mathematics laboratory method as an effective way of improving the teaching of the subject in schools. It is recommended that government should make a deliberate policy for the establishment of Mathematics laboratories in schools

Injection safety practices among nursing staff of mission hospitals in Benin City, Nigeria

Background/Objective of the study: Injection safety has over the years become important in view of the many diseases that are transmitted through unsafe injection practice. The objective was to assess the knowledge and practice of injection safety by nurses in mission hospitals in Benin City, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was the tool for data collection. All the nurses (122) who gave their consent in the mission hospitals were studied. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 32.0 ± 8.9 years. The knowledge of injection safety among the respondents was poor (55.7%) while their practice of it was found to be good (48.4%) and excellent (47.5%). Knowledge was significantly influenced by the age, sex, and years of experience of the nurses. Twenty-eight (23.0%) and 40 (32.8%) respondents recap used needles regularly and sometimes respectively. Majority (71 [58.2%]) of the respondents had sustained needle stick injuries but only 4 (0.6%) respondents had a postexposure prophylaxis. Conclusion: This study showed that the knowledge of injection safety was poor among the nurses in mission hospitals in Benin City but their practice of injection safety was encouraging. There is need for the mission hospitals to organize regular training workshops on injection safety to improve the knowledge and practice of injection safety among their nurses

Injection safety practices among nursing staff of mission hospitals in Benin City, Nigeria

Background/Objective of the study: Injection safety has over the years become important in view of the many diseases that are transmitted through unsafe injection practice. The objective was to assess the knowledge and practice of injection safety by nurses in mission hospitals in Benin City, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was the tool for data collection. All the nurses (122) who gave their consent in the mission hospitals were studied. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 13. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 32.0 \ub1 8.9 years. The knowledge of injection safety among the respondents was poor (55.7%) while their practice of it was found to be good (48.4%) and excellent (47.5%). Knowledge was significantly influenced by the age, sex, and years of experience of the nurses. Twenty-eight (23.0%) and 40 (32.8%) respondents recap used needles regularly and sometimes respectively. Majority (71 [58.2%]) of the respondents had sustained needle stick injuries but only 4 (0.6%) respondents had a postexposure prophylaxis. Conclusion: This study showed that the knowledge of injection safety was poor among the nurses in mission hospitals in Benin City but their practice of injection safety was encouraging. There is need for the mission hospitals to organize regular training workshops on injection safety to improve the knowledge and practice of injection safety among their nurses

Assessment of Knowledge and Perception on the Need for Establishment of Forensic Dna Database in Nigeria

A forensic DNA database is a computer database that contains records of DNA profiles primarily for the purpose of systematic comparison, and matching with a scene of crime sample or individual profile. Large body of reports have continued to emerge, demonstrating the extensive efficiency and effectiveness of the DNA database in assisting criminal investigations around the world. Therefore, the present study sought to assess the knowledge and perception on the need for the establishment of a forensic DNA database in Nigeria. In conducting this research, a total of 150 questionnaires were distributed around Benin City with focus on security agents, Judiciary and University students. The questionnaire comprised of three main categories: Socio-demographic characteristics, Knowledge on the use and application of forensic DNA database, and Information on the need for Forensic DNA Database for Criminal Investigation in Nigeria. In determining the level of awareness, the following responses were obtained. Of the total population: 48.67% were not sure about what forensic DNA is used for, 20.67 had no knowledge about forensic DNA database, and 30.67% demonstrated adequate knowledge on forensic DNA database. On the need for establishment of a forensic DNA, 57.33% were unsure, and 42.67% reported that there is a need for a forensic DNA database in Nigeria. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that there is an inadequate level of awareness on the prominent role of Forensic DNA database in the criminal investigation. Therefore, negatively impacting the perception on the need for the establishment of a forensic DNA database in Nigeria

Even Generals Need Friends

Signals from domestic and international actors have been shown to influence the likelihood of coups. Coups remain difficult to predict and consequently leave policy makers in a reactive stance, but little systematic work assesses how these reactions influence long-term outcomes. We examine how reactions from domestic and international actors influence the duration of coup-born regimes, arguing that negative reactions will shorten leadership duration. We further probe these relationships by considering how signaling consistency, Cold War dynamics, and precoup relationships condition the influence of reactions on leadership duration. Tests use events data to capture domestic and international reactions and newly coded information on leadership to capture leader duration. Results indicate that international responses have a profound influence on leadership tenure, especially those from strong actors. We find tentative support that state reactions have the strongest effect during the Cold War, while international organizations matter the most afterward