Robust active heave compensated winch-driven overhead crane system for load transfer in marine operation

Active heave compensation (AHC) is important for load transfer in marine operation using the overhead crane system (OCS). The control of marine OCS aims to continuously regulate the displacement of the cart and the payload sway angle, whilst at the same time, maintaining the gap between the payload and the vessel main deck at a desirable and safe distance. As the marine OHC system is to be operated in a continuously changing environment, with plenty inevitable disturbances and undesirable loads, a robust controller, i.e., active force control (AFC) is thus greatly needed to promote accuracy and robustness features into the controllability of OCS in rough working environment. This paper highlights a novel method for controlling the payload in an OCS based on the combination of both AFC and AHC. Results from the simulation study clearly indicate that the performance of OCS can be greatly improved by the proposed robust AFC controller, as compared with the classical PID controller scheme

Letter to Editor COVID-19 outbreak and medical waste: Challenge in hand

The ongoing pandemic of  novel coronavirus disease, COVID19, which first reported in Wuhan, China, inDecember 2019, [1] and caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV2) has resulted to more than 6,881,352 confirmed cases in the world, and 399,895 global deaths, as reported in 8:36am CEST, 8 June 2020. [2] It has been reported that the primary spread of COVID-19 via human transmission is during close contact, most often through small droplets spread by coughing, sneezing, and talking. [3] Researchers and health experts have discovered that wearing of appropriate face masks can significantly reduce the transmission up to the 75%

Synthesis and Characterization of Starch-Graft-Acrylamide Hydrogel for Oral Drug Delivery

In this research, starch was extracted from fresh sweet potato and was used to prepare starch-g-acrylamide hydrogel using free radical polymerization method with potassium per sulphate and N’N-Methylene bisacrylamide as initiator and cross-linker, respectively. The swelling capacity and pH sensitivity of the synthesized hydrogel were investigated in solutions of various pH (1-12). The drug loading and release experiment was also carried out using promethazine (PMZ) as the model drug at 25oC and 37oC, respectively while the release study was carried out in an enzyme-free simulated gastric intestinal fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). The result showed a 905% swelling at pH 11, suggesting increased swelling capacity at higher pH values. Drug loading result indicated 99% of the drug was entrapped by the hydrogel as confirmed by UV-visible spectrophotometry. SIF and SGF Simulation indicated a 24% and 9% drug release for the first ten hours. At the end of 48 hours the release was 96% and 89%, respectively indicating the hydrogel released more promethazine in SIF than in SGF. The results obtained in this work suggest that starch-graft-acrylamide hydrogel is a potential vehicle for oral drug delivery. Keywords: Starch, Acrylamide, Hydrogel, Drug delivery

Factors that Influence Research Output of Academic Librarians in Niger State

The survey was carried out to determine the factors that influence research output of academic librarians in Niger state. It was aimed at providing the reality of the opinion on research output of academic librarians who are working in Niger state. Questionnaire were designed and distributed to (65) sixty five of the (85) eighty five academic librarians in Niger states and fifty two (80%) of the distributed questionnaire were completed and returned. The results were analyzed and presented using means, percentages and tables. A highest score of response in every item as bench-mark to  consider as positive or otherwise opinion for responses on percentagescale. The results of the survey revealed that majority of the academic librarians have published their publications dated beyond the last ten years (36.8%). And the publications are mostly in the local journals (39.5%). most academic librarians depend on internet connectivity for research publication is very high; this is based on (86.5%). There is the need for provision of affordable and efficient internet connectivity both in working places and residences of the academic librarians

Synthesis and characteristic of water-soluble initiator for atom transfer radical polymerisation

A water-soluble Atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) initiator (1,2-dihydroxypropane-3-oxy-2-bromo-2-methyl propionyl) has been synthesised by a two step reaction which involved esterification of the starting material and hydrolysis of the intermediate product. 1H NMR of both the intermediate and final products has confirmed the structure of the targeted products and also the reactions produce high yield and sufficient purity. This initiator will be very useful in the polymerisation of water-soluble monomers in order to produce polymers with controlled molecular weight and narrow polydispersity. Keywords: Atom transfer, ATRP, Initiator, Polymerisatio

On being uniquely human in the world: a reflection on the contributions of J. Wentzel van Huyssteen

This article recognises the suspicion and tension between theology and modern science as two distinct areas of discipline. In this instance, the contributions of J. Wentzel van Huyssteen are taken seriously, in order to illustrate how a bridge has been constructed instead of a separating wall between these disiplines. Van Huyssteen spent his life in the pursuit of the love of life and the uniqueness of being human in the world. He used an interdisciplinary approach to stimulate the interface between theology and modern science. Van Huyssteen’s life and work have revolutionised the discussion on human life, the originof religion, the quest for religion, and the constructive sense of rationality and spirituality as important ways of understanding the meaning and function of human uniqueness in terms of the reality of the image of God (imago Dei) in human beings. This article was initially meant to celebrate Prof. van Huyssteen’s 80th birthday on 29 April 2022. Now it remains a token of appreciation in memory of his admirable life and lasting legacy

Peningkatan Hasil Belajar Matematika melalui Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Tipe Make A-Match pada Murid Kelas V

. This study aims to determine the improvement of student learning outcomes in mathematics learning through cooperative learning model type make-match in fifth grade students of SD Negeri 3 Wettee, Panca Lautang District, Sidenreng Rappang District. The approach used in this study is qualitative with the Classroom Action Research (Classrom Actioan Research) design. This research was carried out using two variables; that is; Cooperative Learning Model Make A-Match Type and learning outcomes. The subjects in this study were teachers and fifth grade students of SD Negeri 3 Wettee as many as 15 students consisting of 11 male students and 4 female students. Data collection techniques used in this study were observation, tests, and documentation. The data obtained through observations will be analyzed qualitatively. While the learning outcomes obtained by students will be analyzed quantitatively then described systematically so that a conclusion can be obtained. The results showed that the use of the type of cooperative learning model make a-match can improve the mathematics learning outcomes of fifth grade students at SD Negeri 3 Wettee. In addition, the use of the make-a-match cooperative learning model can also increase the activity of students in taking mathematics lessons through collaborative activities in groups