Cardiovascular disease in chronic kidney disease – a review of risk factors

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), such that the risk of cardiovascular mortality is greater than the risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease. Despite the increased prevalence of traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors, patients with kidney disease have been mostly under-represented in previous cardiovascular outcome studies, thereby resulting in a paucity of data on the evidence-based management of CVD in CKD. In this review, we explore the evidence on the burden of CVD and its risk factors in patients with CKD, highlight various inflammatory biomarkers for predicting CVD and provide an overview on novel biomarkers for CVD

Volume - 2 Research Trends IN CHEMICAL SCIENCES CHAPTER THREE: CORROISON CONTROL

Corrosion, if not properly controlled, can result to high cost of maintenance, loss of life or in some cases shut down of industries. Corrosion control is a method of combating degradation challenges on metals in industries. The major forms of corrosion control include: Cathodic protection, Linings and Coatings,selection of materials and the use of inhibitors. Research on inhibitors has over the years been tailored to green technology via the use of plant extracts because they are cheap, readily available and also environmentally friendly. It can be concluded thatinhibitors have been confirmed to be one of the most effective methods for corrosion contro

Influence of temperature and thickness on thin layer drying characteristics of onion (Allium cepa L.) varieties and rehydration capacity

Nonlinear regression analysis was conducted for thin layer drying characteristics of two onion varieties (white and red) and some quality characteristics were also examined. The experimental data obtained at drying temperatures of 40, 50, and 60 oC and thicknesses of 2, 4 and 6 mm, was subsequently fitted into four commonly used models (Henderson and Pabis, Lewis, Page, and logarithmic). Moisture diffusivity and activation energy ranged from 8.9 × 10-10 to 8.4 × 10-9 m2/s and 55.98 to 65.68 KJ/mol, respectively. Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in the colour profile and rehydration ratio. The optimum desirable colour was obtained at 50 oC with 2 mm thick onion slices and the observed higher rehydration ratio indicates good quality of dried onions. Among the four selected drying models, the Page model predicted optimally (R2 > 0.9) and was found to be better in describing dried onion varieties, while the Lewis model provided the least fit

Optimizing Hydroelectric Power Generation: The Case of Shiroro Dam

Abstract—Hydroelectric power, one of the most important sources of mass generation of electric power, is a renewable source of energy. The amount of electricity that can be produced by a hydro-electricity generating system depends on systemic variables viz; plant efficiency, volumetric water flow through the turbine and the head of the water from the water surface to the turbine. The availability of the Water in the reservoir is a function of some hydrological variables principal among which are rainfall, reservoir inflows and evaporation. Understanding the dynamics of these variables, and the correlation between them are core to proper planning and management of a hydroelectric power station. In this Study, simple mathematical methods that include linear programming and statistical analysis based on simulation techniques were used to evaluate vital parameters based on the hydrologic data obtained from the Hydrologic Units of the Shiroro Power Stations in Nigeria. The overall aim of the study is to idealize power generation at Shiroro dam in and out of rain season so as to ensure optimum generation of electricity all year round in order to achieve energy sufficiency in Nigeria

Computational Analysis of a Lecture Room Ventilation System

The level of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has become a big topic of research, and improving it using passive ventilation methods is imperative due to the cost saving potentials. Designing lecture buildings to use less energy or Zero Energy (ZE) has become more important, and analysing buildings before construction can save money in design changes. This research analyses the performance (thermal comfort [TC]) of a lecture room, investigate the use of passive ventilation methods and determine the energy-saving potential of the proposed passive ventilation method using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Results obtained showed that air change per hour at a wind velocity of 0.05 m/s was 3.10, which was below standards. Therefore, the lecture hall needs external passive ventilation systems (Solar Chimney [SC]) for improved indoor air quality at minimum cost. Also, it was observed that the proposed passive ventilation (SC) system with the size between 1 and 100 m3, made an improvement upon the natural ventilation in the room. There was a 66.69% increase after 10 years in the saving of energy and cost using Solar Chimney as compared to Fans, which depicts that truly energy and cost were saved using passive ventilation systems rather than mechanical ventilation systems

Optimization of the Mixing Ratio for Particleboard Production from Groundnut Shell and Rice Husk

The aim of this work is to optimize the mixing ratio for production of particleboard (PB) from groundnut shell and rice husk. This research is focused on optimization approach for turning the agricultural waste into quality value-added composite PB for sustainable development. Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the effect of three process variables: groundnut husk (0–100 g); rice husk (0–100 g) and resin (1.5–2.5 g). The best process levels for PB production predicted by the software were validated. The PB samples produced were analysed using scanning electron microscope. The best results were obtained at levels: groundnut husk – 50 g; rice husk –100 g; resin – 3.50 g with rupture modulus of 3.50 N·mm−2 and elasticity modulus of 932.4 N·mm−2, the predicted optimal levels of 65.99 g; 86.34 g and 1.69 g were validated. The validation results gave rupture modulus of 3.49 N·mm−2, and elasticity modulus of 932.10 N·mm−2. It can be concluded that PB produced at the optimized conditions satisfied the American National Standard ANSI/A208.1-999 specification for general purpose particleboards for sustainable development

Formaldehyde free particleboards from wood chip wastes using glutaraldehyde modified cassava starch as binder

The study determined some physical and mechanical properties of particleboards produced from wood chip wastes and modified cassava starch (MCS). The native cassava starch was modified with 25% glutardialdehyde solution. Density, water absorption (WA), thickness swelling (TS), modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were evaluated based on Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were utilised to conduct the microstructural and elemental analyses of the particleboards. Density ranged from 0.21 to 0.54 g/cm3 , WA ranged from 32.7 to 168.9% after 2 and 24 h immersion while TS ranged from 1.8 to 67.9% after 2 and 24 h immersion. Peak values at 3232.0 N/mm2 and 35.7 N/mm2 for MOE and MOR were recorded for the MCS bonded boards. SEM showed well-dispersed MCS granules on the surface of the particleboards while FTIR indicated the occurrence of aldehyde and ester forms attributed to MCS binder. The modified cassava starch bonded boards showed good prospects for utilization in non-load applications having displayed a better performance than the unmodified particleboards

Optimization of the Mixing Ratio for Particleboard Production from Groundnut Shell and Rice Husk

The aim of this work is to optimize the mixing ratio for production of particleboard (PB) from groundnut shell and rice husk. This research is focused on optimization approach for turning the agricultural waste into quality value-added composite PB for sustainable development. Box-Behnken design was used to optimize the effect of three process variables: groundnut husk (0–100 g); rice husk (0–100 g) and resin (1.5–2.5 g). The best process levels for PB production predicted by the software were validated. The PB samples produced were analysed using scanning electron microscope. The best results were obtained at levels: groundnut husk – 50 g; rice husk –100 g; resin – 3.50 g with rupture modulus of 3.50 N·mm−2 and elasticity modulus of 932.4 N·mm−2, the predicted optimal levels of 65.99 g; 86.34 g and 1.69 g were validated. The validation results gave rupture modulus of 3.49 N·mm−2, and elasticity modulus of 932.10 N·mm−2. It can be concluded that PB produced at the optimized conditions satisfied the American National Standard ANSI/A208.1-999 specification for general purpose particleboards for sustainable development

Mechanical and Structural Characteristics of Cement Mortars Blended with Locust Bean Pod Ash

This study looks at the effect of cement replacement with locust bean pod ash (LBPA) as a supplementary cementitious material on compressive strength of mortars. The fresh properties (workability, initial and final setting times), compressive strength at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days and microstructural analysis (SEM, EDS and XRD) were evaluated. LBPA were considered at replacement levels of 0, 10, 15, 20 and 30% of cement mass for preparation of the mortar samples. Workability of the cement mortars reduced as the content of LBPA increases while initial and final setting times increased in relation to increase in LBPA content in the matrix. An increase of about 79% in compressive strength at 7 days, 100% at 14 days, 147% at 21 days and 136% at 28 days were recorded with LBPA content of 15% LBPA being the optimum level when compared to control mix. Maximum compressive strength ranged between 38.3 and 65MPa after 7 to 28 days curing. Microstructural analysis revealed less voids and pores, and the presence of dense CSH gels which helped to maintain the optimum compressive strength at 15% LBPA cement replacement level of the mortar

Efficacy of expanded polystyrene as fine aggregate in cement mortars modified with latex paint as an alternative to polymer admixture

In this present study, the effectiveness of expanded polystyrene (EPS) waste used as 20, 40 and 60% fine sand replacement in development of lightweight cement composite was evaluated. The cement mortar was strengthened by 10% low cost latex paint emulsion as an alternative to the more expensive polymer admixtures. Six different mix designs were produced and tested for compressive and split tensile strength according to BS EN standards. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was also conducted to analysis the micrograph of the samples. It was observed that as the EPS content, latex paint polymer admixture and curing days were increased, marginal increment in compressive strength was obtained. However, EPS fines were most effective in improving the split strength while latex paint admixture had comparatively less part to play in the strength development. The micrograph images showed that the EPS fines were uniformly distributed within the microstructure and the latex paint developed polymer films. These mechanisms coupled with the cement hydrate products were responsible for the enhanced strength observed in the samples