American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences (ASRJETS)

Density Functional Theory Study on the Electrical Properties of α-CsPbX3 (X=I, Cl, Br)

Yuxuan Sun, Haiming Zhang — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 08:44:04 +0000

All-inorganic perovskite solar cells have become more important in the commercialization of the photovoltaic devices. In this study the structural, electronic properties of inorganic metal halide cubic perovskites CsPbX₃ (X = I, Br, Cl) for perovskite solar cells are simulated using first-principles Density Functional Theory (DFT). The newly adjusted parameters make the calculations more accurate. These compounds are semiconductors with direct band gap energy. Results suggest that the α-CsPbX₃ (X=I, Cl, Br) have a wide bandgap adjustment range with potential application in solar cells and other optoelectronic energy devices. On the basis of the electronic properties, one can expect that the α-CsPbI₃ would be a better used to perovskite solar cell. α -CsPbCl₃ and α-CsPbBr₃ better suitable for others photovoltaic device.

Fractional Radon Transform and its Convolution Theorem

Sun, 03 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Fractional Radon transform which is symbolized with the notation , it is different to the classical Radon transform. The shift property of fractional Radon transform is controlled by the fractional order Rotation of the input object at angle will rotate the fractional Radon transform at that angle thus, the fractional Radon transform is rotation invariant. The fractional Fourier transform, with respect to of the fractional Radon transform of an object is the central slice at angle of the -dimensional fractional Fourier transform of this object. In this paper we explain the mathematical formation of fractional Radon transform and established a convolution theorem for the fractional Radon transform.

Correlating Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence and Detection of HIV Viral Loads at Chitipa District Hospital

Sekani C. Mkwala, Felix Dambula — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 07:35:46 +0000

HIV infection remains an epidemic threat around the world mostly prevalent in developing countries especially in sub- Sahara African region where many cultural practices and beliefs aggravate the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Poor Antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence remains a big challenge leading to persistence detection of high HIV viral load results which deteriorate PLHIV health through lowering immunity [1]. This study aimed to determine the correlation of ART adherence with high detection of viral load levels among HIV patients receiving ART at Umoyo ART clinic (Chitipa DHO) in Chitipa district. A retrospective study design using PLHIV records, on HIV viral load results in viral register and ART adherence percentage (based on number of days missed to collect ARV drugs) using Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system between January, 2018 and December, 2018. There were 3890 patients registered alive on ART but 2835 patients had their viral load results in register. Therefore, 351 sample records were extracted using systematic sampling technique and analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20. The findings showed that 37.7% (n=131) of HIV patients in the study had detectable viral load after a duration of over six months on ART and more experienced in 80/200 (42%) of patients with good adherence. However, poor ART adherence (˂95%) more prevalent in men, youths and HIV patients less than five years on ART. Pearson’s Chi square test indicated a statistical significant on correlation between age and ART adherence as well as ART adherence and HIV viral load results (p<0.05). On the other hand, gender and duration on ART were not significant to ART adherence level. Eventually, it is recommended more ART clerks should be recruited so that any HIV individual initiated on ART should intensively counselled on poor ART adherence which may lead to development of HIV drug resistance strains that need expensive second and third line regimen ARV drugs.

Management of Transparency in Outsourcing - A Case of ZCAS

Geoffrey Kapasa Mweshi, Mr Kwesi Sakyi — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 07:50:39 +0000

This paper contributes to the on-going studies on outsourcing, as within the recent past, most of the outsourcing-related studies have focused on process control and the understanding of decision determinants of process control. With respect to outsourcing, this has been an attractive option for management, as its specific objectives impacts on the organisation’s performance and stakeholder value. However, management of transparency in outsourcing still requires more confirmation from research. Whenever researchers look at public and private organisations’ reports with regard to abuses, it bears negatively on economic impact. Much of the evidence that has been found is often based on process-related measures, with little discussion on management of intra-organisational relationship. These reports on outsourcing effects raise some questions that are fundamental for empirical research. Considering the impact of transparency in outsourcing on the organisation’s operational performance measures and perceived value, management’s focus has been on strategic perspective with the tactical role given little attention. This study has been done with a focus towards empirical examination of the impact of management’s role in ensuring transparency in outsourcing of goods and services on the organisations’ performance and value. The results are based on a sample of 299 respondents from ZCAS taken through a survey of the stakeholders for the outsourced services. The reference point of concern requiring transparency and management influence is from the publicly-available auditor’s report showing abuses and other vices. This is to help understand why and what similar management challenges facing departments operating in the public sector and how these challenges affect the institutions with regard to transparency in outsourcing. This research has made a number of contributions to both theory and practice. First, it has provided some insight to the empirical studies by examining the role of management in ensuring transparency in outsourcing and how transparency impacts on firms’ performance for the achievement of perceived value for stakeholders. Secondly, an empirical study on management relations in outsourcing for the stakeholder trust has been covered.

Thirdly, this study is aimed at influencing management to take a leading role in ensuring transparency in outsourcing in order to obtain value. The papers conclusion is based on management assumptions on the inadequate communication with employees concerning rationale for outsourcing decisions.

Detection of Epileptic Seizure Based on Phase Space Reconstruction and Support Vector Machine

Ayad Baziyad — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 07:56:14 +0000

Electroencephalogram (EEG) is an important brain signal for disease diagnosis. Automated detection of epilepsy is still an open field for research. In this study, a simulation of epilepsy detection approach is achieved by a combination of feature extraction and classification algorithms. The features were extracted using phase space reconstruction, and classified by support vector machine. The performance evaluation was tested using dataset available by University of Bonn. The results of our experiments showed excellent classification accuracy (100%), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (99%).

Histological Analysis of the Mandible in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for Implant-Prosthetic Rehabilitation. A Pilot Case-Control Study

Daniela Popa, Raluca Iulia Juncar, Mihai Juncar — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 05:31:09 +0000

Diabetes mellitus has a major impact on the metabolic activity of a significant number of tissues. Its impact on the jaw bones cannot be neglected, especially if rehabilitation using prosthetic restorations supported on dental implants is intended. The aim of this study is to comparatively analyze vascularization, the degree of mineralization and the cellular component of the mandible in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients undergoing dental implant placement. For this study, eight patients assigned to two groups were selected. The study group included four patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in whom dental implants were placed, and the control group comprised 4 patients without systemic pathology. The bone debris obtained after dental implant placement were collected and analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin and PAS–Alcian Blue staining. The results obtained indicated the presence of diabetic angiopathy in the mandible, a higher cellular density in the diabetic bone, and a lower degree of mineralization in the bone taken from patients of the study group. In conclusion, histological changes can be detected in the mandible of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to those without systemic disease, but their effect on bone healing cannot be quantified.

Language Games and Acquisition of Speaking Skills among Students of Junior High School in Hohoe Municipality, Ghana

Dr. James Odhiambo Oringo, James Odhiambo Oringo — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 08:25:34 +0000

Speaking is one of the basic language skills that students should master in order to communicate effectively and interact with others. Speaking skills are necessary for the social as well as academic life of a person by becoming responsive as well as receptive to information thus forming a favorable impression of oneself. Internationally, there is a debate that several high school graduates cannot properly speak English language and even the bright learners who get high scores in written tests cannot express themselves verbally, despite English being the official language of instruction in these schools Language learning is a hard task and it requires extraordinary efforts to realize the desirable outcomes. Language games are techniques and procedures that may be used by instructors to improve the speaking skills. Accordingly, the main objective of this study was to establish the effect of language games on acquisition of speaking skills among students of Junior High School in Hohoe Municipality in Ghana. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effect of role plays, problem-solving, puzzles, and board race games on acquisition of speaking skills among students of Junior High School in Hohoe Municipality in Ghana. The research was an empirical analysis and thus adopted an empirical research design and content analysis was used in the analysis of the qualitative data. The study revealed that language games significantly influence the acquisition of the speaking skills of the students. The study further found that using language games in teaching enhances the students’ achievement and results of speaking skills.

Students enjoyed their lesson and got more motivation, interest, and confidence when learning is based on the use of language games. Hence, language games should be used as designed activities in teaching speaking skills. The study findings were generalized to students of Junior High School in Hohoe Municipality in Ghana, who like many other students in Ghana, require proficiency in speaking and writing skills, specifically in English which is used in Ghanain schools to teach subjects such as mathematics, science, social studies, art, and information and communication technology. Yet, English language is a second language to many Ghanaian students irrespective of their level in the education ladder. The outcomes of this study can be useful to Ghanian schools, researchers, scholars and the Government of Ghana.