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The Role of Repulsive Van der Waals Interactions in the Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections with Antiretroviral Drugs
O. I. Ani,
T. O. Chime,
S. G. Wadzani
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3-1, June 2016
Pages:
1-9
Received:
17 August 2015
Accepted:
18 August 2015
Published:
28 September 2015
DOI:
10.11648/j.si.s.2016040301.11
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Abstract: Van der Waals interactions mechanism was used to determine and explain the interaction processes in HIV-drug coated blood interactions. The methodology involved the serial dilution of the five different antiretroviral drugs (two HAART/FDC and three single drugs) and the subsequent incubation with the blood samples collected from ten HIV infected persons for the absorbance measurement using a digital Ultraviolet Visible MetaSpecAE1405031Pro Spectrophotometer. The digital CD4 count machine (Cytoflowmeter) was used to obtain the CD4 counts of the blood samples. The variables required for the computations with the Lifshiftz formula were derived from the absorbance data. The MATLAB software tools were employed in the mathematical analysis of the very large body of data generated from the experiments. The Hamaker constants A11, A22, A33 and the combined Hamaker coefficients A132 of the various drugs interacting with the blood were obtained using the values of the dielectric constant together with the Lifshiftz equation. The absolute combined Hamaker coefficient, A132abs (a mean of all the values of the various Hamaker coefficients) for each antiretroviral drug on both infected blood samples were also calculated. The absolute values for the combined Hamaker coefficient, A132abs obtained for each of the five antiretroviral drugs interacting with infected blood samples are given thus: D1 = -0.03998×10-21 Joule, D2 = -0.05305×10-21 Joule, D3 = -0.05845×10-21 Joule, D4 = -0.02481×10-21 Joule, and D5 = -0.05844×10-21 Joule. The negative senses of the absolute combined Hamaker coefficient imply net negative van der Waals forces indicating a possible repulsion or blocking of the invading virus by the administered drug which coats the lymphocytes. This, however, confirms a functional cure for HIV infection which had been clinically established by the biological researchers. A thermodynamic criterion for HIV-drug interaction prediction was suggested and found to be a valuable tool in HIV study. The use of the findings of this work by pharmaceutical industries is recommended.
Abstract: Van der Waals interactions mechanism was used to determine and explain the interaction processes in HIV-drug coated blood interactions. The methodology involved the serial dilution of the five different antiretroviral drugs (two HAART/FDC and three single drugs) and the subsequent incubation with the blood samples collected from ten HIV infected pe...
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The Role of Attractive Van der Waals Forces in the Interactions Between the Antiretroviral Drugs and the Blood Components
O. I. Ani,
S. G. Wadzani,
A. J. Ujam,
O. S. Ejiofor,
K. C. Mbanu
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3-1, June 2016
Pages:
10-18
Received:
13 September 2015
Accepted:
13 September 2015
Published:
28 September 2015
DOI:
10.11648/j.si.s.2016040301.12
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Abstract: The mechanism by which antiretroviral drugs can block the HIV virus seems weak and hence it becomes necessary to study the interaction between the HIV and the drug-coated white blood cells. The effect of the Van der Waals forces were studied to determine and understand the interaction processes in the interaction between antiretroviral drugs and the blood components in human. The method adopted involved the serial dilution of the five different antiretroviral drugs (two HAART/FDC and three single drugs) used in this study and the subsequent incubation with the blood samples collected from HIV negative persons for the absorbance measurement using a digital Ultraviolet Visible MetaSpecAE1405031Pro Spectrophotometer. The digital CD4 count machine (Cytoflowmeter) was equally used to obtain the CD4 counts of the blood samples used for this study. The variables required for the computations with the Lifshiftz formula were derived from the absorbance data. The MATLAB algorithm software tools were employed in the mathematical analysis of the very large body of data generated from the experiments. The Hamaker constants A11, A22, A33 and the combined Hamaker coefficients A131 of the various drugs interacting with the blood were obtained using the values of the dielectric constant together with the Lifshiftz equation. The absolute combined Hamaker coefficient A13Iabs (a mean of all the values of the various Hamaker coefficients) for each antiretroviral drug on uninfected blood samples were also calculated. The absolute values for the combined Hamaker coefficient, A131abs obtained for each of the five antiretroviral drugs interacting with uninfected blood samples are given thus: D1 = 0.36760×10-21Joule, D2 = 0.46337×10-21Joule, D3 = 0.53021×10-21Joule, D4 = 0.50971×10-21Joule, and D5 = 0.49599×10-21Joule. The significance of this result are the positive senses of the absolute combined Hamaker coefficient which imply net positive van der Waals forces indicating an attraction between the antiretroviral drugs and the lymphocytes. This in effect suggests effective coating or binding of the lymphocytes with the drugs. An earlier study was conducted on the Role of Repulsive Van der Waals Interactions in the Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infections with Antiretroviral Drugs. This study looks the other way round.
Abstract: The mechanism by which antiretroviral drugs can block the HIV virus seems weak and hence it becomes necessary to study the interaction between the HIV and the drug-coated white blood cells. The effect of the Van der Waals forces were studied to determine and understand the interaction processes in the interaction between antiretroviral drugs and th...
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Torrefaction of Nigerian Palm Kernel Shell into Solid Fuel
Onyeagba Basil Obinna,
Eze Somtochukwu Kingsley,
Madu Okwuchukwu
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3-1, June 2016
Pages:
19-23
Received:
29 October 2015
Accepted:
30 October 2015
Published:
27 January 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.si.s.2016040301.13
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Abstract: Palm kernel shell (PKS) which is a waste from oil palm tree was torrefied to improve its properties as a solid fuel. The study on Palm kernel shell torrefaction was performed under various temperature and time of 200ºC, 220ºC, 240ºC, 260ºC, 280ºC, 300ºC and 40, 80, 120 minutes respectively using a horizontal tubular type reactor made of stainless steel. The electric furnace surrounding the reactor was used to regulate its temperature. An elemental (CHNS) analyzer was also used to get the carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen & sulphur contents. The calorific value was measured using a bomb calorimeter. The mass yield, energy yield, ash content, moisture content, volatile matter content and fixed carbon content were calculated. The results of the study indicate that increase in torrefaction temperature decreased the mass & energy yield of Palm kernel shell. The carbon content of Palm kernel shell increased while hydrogen and oxygen content decreased after torrefaction which resulted in higher heating value of 5 to 20%. Ash content and fixed carbon content of palm kernel shell were observed to have increased with reduction in the moisture and volatile matter therein. It therefore follows that Palm kernel shell possess valuable potentials to supplement the energy supply of Nigeria through sustainable renewable energy technologies.
Abstract: Palm kernel shell (PKS) which is a waste from oil palm tree was torrefied to improve its properties as a solid fuel. The study on Palm kernel shell torrefaction was performed under various temperature and time of 200ºC, 220ºC, 240ºC, 260ºC, 280ºC, 300ºC and 40, 80, 120 minutes respectively using a horizontal tubular type reactor made of stainless s...
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Computer Aided Design of a Multi-Component Distillation Column-Using the Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland Short-Cut Method
Samuel Wadzani Gadzama,
Emmanuel Chinwendu Ufomba,
Chimezie A. Okeugo,
Okwudiba Ifeanyi Nwachukwu,
Agu-Bruno Christina,
Ogochukwu Stella Ugwueze,
Roland Imoh Uchechi
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 3-1, June 2016
Pages:
24-33
Received:
14 January 2016
Accepted:
15 January 2016
Published:
19 March 2016
DOI:
10.11648/j.si.s.2016040301.14
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Abstract: Most design calculations in multi-component distillation column are tedious and time consuming, thus the need for the Engineer to embrace the applications of computer for the design of multi-component distillation columns design. At the same time the need for accurate design in engineering cannot be over emphasize, meaning that the safety of lives and property so much depend on the accuracy of design calculation, thus, the need for computer packages that will aid the design of multi-component distillation columns to avoid such errors. The objective of this work is to develop a module that uses Fenske-Underwood-Gilliland (FUG) shortcut method in the design of a multi-component distillation column. The FUG shortcut method for multi-component distillation column design uses the Fenske equations for minimum number stages, the Underwood equations for minimum reflux and the Gilliland correlation for the number of stages for a given reflux. The scope of this design is basically development of software that could be used for the calculations involved in the design of multi-component distillation columns. The package developed however utilizes only the FUG shortcut method. The package is built on the Visual Basic 6++ programming language, which is a user friendly and object oriented program.
Abstract: Most design calculations in multi-component distillation column are tedious and time consuming, thus the need for the Engineer to embrace the applications of computer for the design of multi-component distillation columns design. At the same time the need for accurate design in engineering cannot be over emphasize, meaning that the safety of lives ...
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