Harla Journal of Applied Science and Materials

Temperature dependent upper critical magnetic field in CePt3Si superconductor

Habtamu Anagaw, Gebregziabher Kahsay, Tamiru Negussie — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Potential of Underutilized Garden Cress (Lepidium Sativum L.) Seeds for Fortification of Teff Injera for Improving Nutritional Security and Human Health in Ethiopia:

Legesse Tadesse — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

The demand for gluten-free foods is certainly increasing. Teff (Eragrostis tef [Zucc.] Trotter) is one of gluten-free cereal crops. The interest in teff has been increasing noticeably due to its very attractive nutritional profile and gluten-free nature of the grain, making it a suitable substitute for sorghum, maize, and other cereals in their food applications. The possible value-addition and food fortification of teff injera using neglected and underutilized seed crops such as garden cress among Ethiopian communities now started to be used at the household level. Of course, there is scanty and very limited empirical evidence on the use of garden cress in food fortification of teff at the household level. This is largely because of a negligence of local micronutrient provision initiatives at the household level. Very few initiatives are in place to promote localized fortification options among rural and urban communities. This review paper consolidated existing indigenous knowledge on potential food fortification, value addition of small grains in general, and neglected garden cress crops in particular. The review explores the fortification potential of garden cress for nutrition enhancement. Such study recommends the promotion of traditional medicinal crops particularly garden cress crop production, their value addition, and their use in the fortification of cereal food products to complement proteins, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. This will significantly contribute in alleviating malnutrition and healing power for different diseases.

Comparative study of Radiation Doses Patients Received during X-ray Examinations in Dire Dawa Hospitals

Bikila Merga Deresa, Endris Taju Seid — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Assessing and evaluating the exposed radiation dose absorbed by the patients during x-ray examinations is demanding. The aim of this study was to assess and examine comparatively the patient doses in the most common radiographic X-ray examinations in selected hospitals in Dire Dawa city, Ethiopia. Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dosimetry (OSLD) device was used in the laboratory to measure the x-ray tube output and its calibration. Moreover, a cross-sectional study design with quantitative and qualitative data was used to evaluate the obtained results.Examination parameters of 133 radiographs were exploited to evaluate the entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) of patients undergoing chest posterioanterior (PA), abdomen anterioposterior (AP), and lumbar spine anterioposterior (AP) in seven health facilities. Tube values of kV, mAs, and FFD used ranged from 54-119 kVp, 0.5-120 mAs, and 100-150 cm, respectively. Analyses were performed on measurements throughout the seven health facility radiological centers. Hospital means of ESAKs were estimated in a range from 0.13 – 1.540 mGy for chest PA, 0.470–4.538 mGy for Lumbar Spine AP, and 0.405- 4.905 mGy for Abdomen AP. In all hospitals, ESAK for chest exams is higher than the recommended values from International and national Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRL) except in two private health facilities, Yemariam Work Higher Clinic (YHC) and Bilal Hospital (BH). For the other examinations, the values were within the recommended values. In conclusion, The results of this study will be helpful to avoid unnecessary x-ray exposure hence preventing unwanted radiation associated complications and for the formulation of national reference levels as recommended. Due to relatively high tube output in all except two hospitals YHC and BH in chest PA x-ray examinations, it is recommended to increase in the filtration of exposures in these hospitals. In addition quality control of the darkroom is highly demanding in these hospitals. It is also concluded that radiographers adhere to guidelines for quality radiographs for standardizing their practice.

Applications of Monte Carlo Methods in Environmental Impact Assessment and Radioactive Waste Management

Alemu Bekele Belayneh, Belay Sitotaw Goshu — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Radioactive waste management and environmental impact assessments (EIA) require robust modeling to predict radionuclide transport and radiation doses, ensuring public and worker safety. Monte Carlo and deterministic methods offer complementary approaches, but their performance and limitations in waste management and EIA need comparative analysis to optimize safety protocols.This study compares Monte Carlo and deterministic methods to highlight their performance, advantages, and challenges in modeling radionuclide transport and dose assessment for EIA and radioactive waste management, drawing on Kalos & Whitlock (2008).

Methods: A Python simulation was used to model radionuclide movement, applying the advection-dispersion equation (ADE) deterministically and Monte Carlo methods stochastically. The deterministic approach solved the ADE over a 100-meter domain for 50 days, while Monte Carlo simulated 1,000 runs with stochastic parameters (e.g., source activity, distance, shielding). Visualizations (contour maps, histograms) and statistical metrics (mean, standard deviation, exceedance probabilities) compared outcomes, referencing regulatory limits (20 mSv/year for worker, one mSv/year for the public).

Findings: Deterministic results showed a mean concentration of 0.0471, a maximum of 0.9798, and a 100.00-day barrier reach. Monte Carlo yielded a mean dose of 0.022822 Sv, a standard deviation of 0.143987 Sv, 18.60% worker exceedance, and 81.60% public exceedance, revealing higher uncertainty but capturing rare events.

Conclusion: Monte Carlo excels in uncertainty quantification, while deterministic methods provide precise baselines, necessitating hybrid approaches for comprehensive risk assessment. Recommendation: Integrate Monte Carlo and deterministic models, refine parameters (e.g., lower activity, longer distances), and validate with field data to align with safety standards.

Synthesis and characterization of BiVO4, BiPO4, and BiV0.5P0.5O4 nanomaterials prepared by solution combustion method

Nkomo Q, Yimamu A.U, Werta S.Z, Tshabalala K.G, Motloung S.J — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO₄), Bismuth phosphate (BiPO₄), and Bismuth vanadate phosphate (BiV_0.5P_0.5O₄) powder nanomaterials were successfully synthesized via the solution combustion method. Crystal structure, surface morphology, elemental composition, and stretching vibrations of the prepared powder nanoparticles were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRPD patterns confirmed the formation of the crystalline monoclinic phase. SEM images revealed agglomerated spherical-like nanoparticle morphology in all samples. The presence of the carbon (C), oxygen (O), bismuth (Bi), vanadium (V), and phosphorus (P) chemical elements was confirmed by EDS. BiV_0.5P_0.5O₄ was also verified by infrared stretching frequencies between 706 and 1068 cm^-1. The obtained results indicate that BiV_0.5P_0.5O₄ can be a potential material for photocatalysis applications.