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Investigations on the Cytotoxicity, Neurotoxicity and Dyeing Performances of Natural Dye Extracted from Caulerpa lentillifera and Sargassum sp. Seaweeds
Muhammad Ismail Ab Kadir,
Mohd Rozi Ahmad,
Asmida Ismail,
Habibah Abdul Jabbar
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, December 2016
Pages:
46-52
Received:
17 September 2016
Accepted:
28 September 2016
Published:
7 November 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.aas.20160103.11
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Abstract: Nowadays, the demand for natural dyes is increasing due to the fact that they are less toxic and more environmental friendly. In this study, natural dyes from C. lentillifera and Sargassum sp. seaweeds were extracted using boiling water extraction methods. Exhaustion dyeing was then performed on silk fabrics at 85°C for 60 minutes with simultaneous addition of mordant and dye in the dyebath. The dyed samples were then measured using spectrophotometer to analyse the L*a*b* values and K/S values of the shades obtained. The ability to withstand washing, perspiration, rubbing/crocking and light of the dyed fabric was compared. Cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity tests were performed on the natural dyes in the form of liquid and dyed silk fabrics. Primary cells from mouse embryonic cells and cell line from SH-SY5Y were used to investigate the cytotoxicity test. Neuro-like cells obtained from retinoic acid treated SH-SY5Y was used to conduct neurotoxicity test. MTS assay method was carried out to the entire cells to evaluate the toxicity of the dye. The results showed that the extracted dye is toxic free and the fastness properties of the dyed silk fabric gave ratings from good to excellent except light fastness which was rated as poor.
Abstract: Nowadays, the demand for natural dyes is increasing due to the fact that they are less toxic and more environmental friendly. In this study, natural dyes from C. lentillifera and Sargassum sp. seaweeds were extracted using boiling water extraction methods. Exhaustion dyeing was then performed on silk fabrics at 85°C for 60 minutes with simultaneous...
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On-site Inspection of PV Panels, Aided by Infrared Thermography
Elias Roumpakias,
Fotis Bouroutzikas,
Anastassios Stamatelos
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, December 2016
Pages:
53-62
Received:
4 October 2016
Accepted:
14 October 2016
Published:
7 November 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.aas.20160103.12
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Abstract: Greece ranks 5th worldwide in per capita installed PV capacity and Photovoltaics covered about 7% of the country's electricity demand in 2014. Since the majority of installed Photovoltaic parks in Greece are 3 to 5 years old, their inspection and maintenance needs are increasing fast. Thus, it becomes necessary to systematically characterize and classify the types of defects and correlate to possible causes. This paper attempts a systematic compilation of defects along with a simple procedure to spot them by means of optical and infrared inspection as well as electrical inspection. Furthermore, an attempt is made to initiate the development of a complete methodology and guide for on-site PV inspection that may also be employed for a pre-check of newly installed PV panels on site.
Abstract: Greece ranks 5th worldwide in per capita installed PV capacity and Photovoltaics covered about 7% of the country's electricity demand in 2014. Since the majority of installed Photovoltaic parks in Greece are 3 to 5 years old, their inspection and maintenance needs are increasing fast. Thus, it becomes necessary to systematically characterize and cl...
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Interest Rate Risk - The Impact of the Yield Curve on Treasury Bill Returns
Abonongo John,
Luguterah Albert,
Anuwoje Ida Logubayom
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, December 2016
Pages:
63-68
Received:
14 September 2016
Accepted:
13 October 2016
Published:
14 November 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.aas.20160103.13
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Abstract: Interest rate risk involves the risk to earnings or capital arising from movement of interest rates. It arises from differences between the timing of rate changes and the timing of cash flows (re-pricing risk); changing rate relationships among yield curves that affect bank activities (basic risk); from changing rate relationships across the spectrum of maturities (yield curve risk); and from interest-rate-related options entrenched in bank products (option risk). This paper assessed the impact of the level, slope and curvature components of the yield curve on treasury bill returns using secondary data to draw quarterly yield curves for the various maturity periods. This approach was extended to capture the sensitivity to changes in the level, slope, and curvature of the term structure using the parameters of the dynamic [14] model to fit the term structure. The results revealed that, the shorter the yield to maturity the stable and better the returns or yield. Applying dynamic factor models, it was seen that, the slope factor representing the short term component had better returns compared to the medium term and the long term components. Also, the results revealed that, the 91 day T-bill which represents the short term component produced better and much stable returns compared with the 182 day T- bill and 1 year note representing the medium and long term components respectively.
Abstract: Interest rate risk involves the risk to earnings or capital arising from movement of interest rates. It arises from differences between the timing of rate changes and the timing of cash flows (re-pricing risk); changing rate relationships among yield curves that affect bank activities (basic risk); from changing rate relationships across the spectr...
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Effect of Salt Enrichment on Electricity Generation and Waste Water Treatment in a Microbial Fuel Using Oxygen as Electron Acceptors
Akujob Campbell Onyeka,
Odu Ngozi Nma,
Okorondu Sylvester Ifunanya
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, December 2016
Pages:
69-77
Received:
29 August 2016
Accepted:
21 October 2016
Published:
14 November 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.aas.20160103.14
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Abstract: One way to reduce treatment cost while producing useful products from wastewater is the microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology. It provides a means of treating wastewater with simultaneous production of energy. In the present study, the H-type MFC was used to study the effect of salt enrichment on electricity generation using carbon and copper electrodes with oxygen as electron acceptor. Wastewater from septic tank was used as substrate, one set of which was enriched with 1M NaCl. The voltage and current generated were monitored using a multimeter which was connected to the anode and cathode by a copper wire. Oxygen was used as electron acceptor at the cathode chamber. Voltage and current readings were taken per hour per day for 15days. Wastewater treatability was determined by comparing the biological oxygen demand (BOD), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total dissolved solid (TDS) of the wastewaters before and after treatment. The results show that the fuel cells generated voltages and currents that varied according to the electrode used. Salt enrichment enhanced the efficiency of both current and voltage generation in the MFCs. Carbon electrode MFC performed better than copper electrode MFC. Both the enriched and the un-enriched MFCs had very high percentage removal of BOD, DO, COD and TDS in both carbon and copper electrode MFCs. Do and BOD percentage removals were at least 60% in all the MFCs while the CODs removals were at least 50% in all the treatments. The least percentage wastewater parameter removal was observed in TDS of salt-enriched copper electrode MFC. The study proved that wastewater can be conveniently treated using MFC. The best option would be to use salt-enrichment in a carbon-electrode microbial fuel cell.
Abstract: One way to reduce treatment cost while producing useful products from wastewater is the microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology. It provides a means of treating wastewater with simultaneous production of energy. In the present study, the H-type MFC was used to study the effect of salt enrichment on electricity generation using carbon and copper electr...
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Isolation and Characterization of Yeast Inhabiting Alcohol Processing Environment in Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Gidado Rose Suniso Maxwell,
Olatiilu Olukemi Anna,
Etuk-Udo Godwin Akpan,
Onyenekwe Paul Chidozie,
Isu Rosemary Nennaya,
Habu Josiah
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, December 2016
Pages:
78-85
Received:
26 September 2016
Accepted:
29 October 2016
Published:
19 November 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.aas.20160103.15
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Abstract: Distillation environments represents a rich resource of microbial diversity, some of which are of high value to industry. This study was undertaken to isolate, screen and identify naturally evolved indigenous yeast with ethanol tolerant capabilities. Data obtained revealed that using 0.2% Chloramphenicol supplemented potato dextrose media, yeast isolates were attainable from soil samples obtained from a local distillery in Bayelsa state, Nigeria. The obtained colonies were capable of fermenting glucose, sucrose, fructose and galactose giving off distinct yellow colour using phenol red broth method. Morphological examination revealed that the isolates obtained were white, round shaped, smooth textured and flat elevation with transparent opacity. A dip in its growth curve was observed in broth cultures consisting of yeast extract, peptone, malt extract, glucose containing 10-20% (v/v) absolute ethanol between 24-48 hours of incubation at 30°C. In this broth cultures, a progressive growth curve was observed between 48-120 hours at the same parameters for incubation. The isolate also demonstrated good growth in ethanol supplemented medium with pH ranging from 5.2-6.6 at 30°C. Growth measurements were determined by measuring optical density of the cells in broth using spectrophotometer at 570nm. The basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) of the genetic sequence obtained revealed a 98% similarity to Meyerozyma guilliermondii. The results obtained suggested that non-Saccharomyces species possess ethanol tolerant ability, particularly those obtained from alcohol rich environments. Such yeast species could be applied towards the fermentation of ethanol for industrial uses.
Abstract: Distillation environments represents a rich resource of microbial diversity, some of which are of high value to industry. This study was undertaken to isolate, screen and identify naturally evolved indigenous yeast with ethanol tolerant capabilities. Data obtained revealed that using 0.2% Chloramphenicol supplemented potato dextrose media, yeast is...
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Multi-Hull Small-Sized Missile Ships: Solution Tree
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, December 2016
Pages:
86-90
Received:
15 December 2016
Accepted:
30 December 2016
Published:
26 January 2017
DOI:
10.11648/j.aas.20160103.16
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Abstract: Multi-hull ships, especially – ships with small water-plane area, are very effective as small-sized, especially fast, “capacity-carriers” i.e. vessels, which are designed for needed area of decks or inner volume, [1], for example – contemporary battle ships. Selection of type of small-sized missile ship is described in the dependence on pre-design conditions and technical solutions, including the corresponded solution tree. Two examples of examined alternatives are described more detail, including the ship with doubled achievable speed.
Abstract: Multi-hull ships, especially – ships with small water-plane area, are very effective as small-sized, especially fast, “capacity-carriers” i.e. vessels, which are designed for needed area of decks or inner volume, [1], for example – contemporary battle ships. Selection of type of small-sized missile ship is described in the dependence on pre-design ...
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Design, Construction and Testing of a Dragon Wave Energy Converter
Mohammad Yaghoub Abdollahzadeh Jamalabadi,
Eisa Ahmadi
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, December 2016
Pages:
91-99
Received:
26 December 2016
Accepted:
4 January 2017
Published:
27 January 2017
DOI:
10.11648/j.aas.20160103.17
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Abstract: Current global concerns on environmental protection and sustainable development for clean energy have led to the creation of new engineering devices. These technologies reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, global warming and reduce dependence on fossil fuels to produce energy. Many countries are now moving towards strategies to achieve maximum power available from the factory to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are concentrated. Wave energy is an emerging technology that is currently under research and development is considerable. Wave energy is essentially an indirect form of solar energy. There is a long maritime border in the south and north of the country, Iran's potential to absorb the energy of the sea talk show. In this thesis, the energy in waves of Iranian ports to use wave energy absorber is investigated, and an experimental model of wave energy converter designed, manufactured and tested in regular waves and it has been analyzed.
Abstract: Current global concerns on environmental protection and sustainable development for clean energy have led to the creation of new engineering devices. These technologies reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, global warming and reduce dependence on fossil fuels to produce energy. Many countries are now moving towards strategies t...
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The Role of Warehouse Design and Layout: In Order Fulfilling Process Improvement
Syed Abdul Rehman Khan,
Dong Qian Li,
Zhang Yu
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 3, December 2016
Pages:
100-103
Received:
1 January 2017
Accepted:
10 January 2017
Published:
30 January 2017
DOI:
10.11648/j.aas.20160103.18
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Abstract: In todays’ world, every company is striving to build competitive edge over other companies in the market. Time to complete the all order cycle activities is the main part of customer service and companies are emphasizing a lot from last couple of decades. Accurate and fast order processing is a symbol of high service quality. As per the researchers [1-3], the process of order filling is composed to the physical activities required to acquire material, items through stock retrieval, pack to the products for shipment, make schedule for the product/ shipment delivery and finally, prepare preparation of shipping documents. There is no doubt; order fulfillment process plays a vital role in the quality customer service. But the role of warehouse design and layout also cannot ignore. This research paper will mainly focus over order fulfilling process; and it will also illustrate the importance of warehouse layout & design in the process of order fulfillment.
Abstract: In todays’ world, every company is striving to build competitive edge over other companies in the market. Time to complete the all order cycle activities is the main part of customer service and companies are emphasizing a lot from last couple of decades. Accurate and fast order processing is a symbol of high service quality. As per the researchers...
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