Muni Repository (MR)
This repository contains open access publications of Muni University Library.
Objectives:
- To digitally collect, preserve and provide electronic access to scholarly works and research output of Muni University.
- Increase the visibility and impact of our research, making it easy for researchers, students, policymakers and journalists to reference, replicate, and re-use the work.
- Issue permanent, unique and trustworthy identifiers when creating URLs to access the resource without concern that the location of the resource may change.
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- Contact the library through email: libsupport@muni.ac.ug
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Recent Submissions
Evaluation of corrosion performance of LDX 2101 and UNS S32205 in flexible pipeline applications: A comparative study
(Journal of Engineering Research and Reports, 2024-09-24) Gumoshabe, Michael; Opio, Innocent M.; Makanga, Jackson; Kule, Saimon; Ongom, Douglas
Lean duplex stainless steel (LDSS) has been used in various applications, including flexible pipelines in offshore and other industrial settings. In recent years, LDSS has become the preferred choice over standard duplex stainless steel (DSS) for flexible pipeline applications due to its lower costs, achieved by reducing nickel and molybdenum content, while still providing comparable corrosion resistance and mechanical strength properties to DSS. However, there is still limited reporting on the corrosion effects of reducing these alloys on the behaviour of lean duplex stainless steel in flexible pipelines. This comparative study investigates the corrosion resistance of lean duplex stainless steel, LDX 2101 and duplex stainless steel, UNS S32205 in flexible pipeline applications using linear polarization resistance (LPR). The research focuses on assessing material performance in environments containing CO2 and H2S, commonly found in oil and gas production, by conducting short-term and long-term tests to evaluate pitting and selective corrosion. The samples, LDX 2101 and UNS S32205 were immersed in a 3.5M NaCl solution, and corrosion measurements were performed using the Metrohm Autolab potentiostat. The results indicate that both materials exhibit good corrosion resistance, but there are differences in their performance under specific conditions. While lean duplex stainless steel, LDX 2101, can be used as a substitute for duplex stainless steel UNS S32205, its corrosion resistance and mechanical properties gradually decrease over time due to the reduced nickel and molybdenum content. As a result, it would not be as effective as duplex stainless steel UNS S32205 in withstanding corrosion in aggressive conditions over a prolonged period.
Next generation sequencing and genetic analyses reveal factors driving evolution of sweetpotato viruses in Uganda
(MDPI, 2024-09-26) Adero, Joanne; Wokorach, Godfrey; Stomeo, Francesca; Yao, Nasser; Machuk, Eunice; Njuguna, Joyce; Byarugaba, Denis K.; Kreuze, Jan; Yencho, G. Craig; Otema, Milton A.; Yad, Benard; Kitavi, Mercy
Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is an essential food crop globally, especially for farmers facing resource limitations. Like other crops, sweetpotato cultivation faces significant production challenges due to viral infections. This study aimed to identify and characterize viruses affecting sweetpotato crops in Uganda, mostly those associated with sweetpotato virus disease (SPVD). Infected leaf samples were collected from farmers’ fields in multiple districts spanning three regions in Uganda. MiSeq, a next-generation sequencing platform, was used to generate reads from the viral nucleic acid. The results revealed nine viruses infecting sweetpotato crops in Uganda, with most plants infected by multiple viral species. Sweet potato pakakuy and sweet potato symptomless virus_1 are reported in Uganda for the first time. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that some viruses have evolved to form new phylogroups, likely due to high mutations and recombination, particularly in the coat protein, P1 protein, cylindrical inclusion, and helper component proteinase regions of the potyvirus. The sweet potato virus C carried more codons under positive diversifying selection than the closely related sweet potato feathery mottle virus, particularly in the P1 gene. This study provides valuable insights into the viral species infecting sweetpotato crops, infection severity, and the evolution of sweet potato viruses in Uganda.
Structural equation model for a relationship between family support systems and alcohol addiction recovery: mediation effect of continuing care services.
(Journal of Advanced Psychology, 2024-08-09) Kyazze, Richard; Natuhamya, Charles; Mwebesa, Edson; Kiyingi, Frank; Musoke, Miph; Tumwesigye, Nazarius Mbona
Purpose: Alcohol use disorder continues to be a public health concern, and even after treatment, the relapse rate is still high. The family support systems are closely related to alcohol addiction recovery. However, studies on psychological mechanisms between the two are rare. Therefore, we aimed to explore the mediating role of continuing care services in the pathway between family support systems and alcohol addiction recovery among individuals with alcohol use disorder.
Methods: A total of 196 participants from 5 treatment centers (Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital, Serenity Centre, Recovery Solutions, National Care Centre, and Hope and Beyond) were selected from a target population of 400 individuals. The structural equation modeling approach was used to assess the study objective.
Results: The average alcohol addiction recovery status score was 3.03 (SD = 0.95). The mediation analysis indicated that continuing care services mediated the pathway between family support systems and alcohol addiction recovery.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Motivational enhancement therapy, mutual health support, and cognitive behavioral therapy are key factors in the relationship between family support systems and alcohol addiction recovery.
Knowledge, attitudes and barriers of breast self-examination among women in Nyio Ward, Arua City
(University of Warwick, 2024-09-11) Nabirye, Halima
Breast self-examination (BSE) is an effective, inexpensive and simple screening technique for examiningbreasts monthly to detect breast cancer. Among women diagnosed with breast cancer in Uganda, 89 per centof them present with stage III or IV, which has a poor prognosis. This study was conducted to assessknowledge, attitudes and barriers regarding BSE among women in Nyio ward, Arua City, Uganda.A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 354 women selected by cluster sampling andrandom walk method. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel, coded and analysed using the SPSS version 23.Knowledge of BSE among the participants was low. Less than half of the respondents (47.5 per cent) had everheard about BSE as means of early detection of breast cancer and only 23.2 per cent knew how to performBSE. The majority (95.8 per cent) had a positive attitude towards BSE practice, 85.7 per cent believed BSE iscrucial in detecting breast cancer early, and most (83.3 per cent) agreed early detection increases the chancesof long-term survival. The most common barrier towards BSE was lack of awareness.A multidisciplinary approach, including the use of mass media, is required to create awareness about BSEand to reach a broader community.
A Comparative study of photon radiation-shielding properties of different glass types for use in health facilities
(University of Warwick and Monash University, 2024-09-11) Nyangoma, Judith; Oryema, Bosco
The usage of X-ray generating devices and gamma-ray sources such as 60Co and 137Cs for medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications has increased globally. However, exposure to radiation from these sources can cause detrimental effects on biological tissues. Thus, to optimise radiation safety, effective radiation shields are required. This study used the photon shielding and dosimetry (PSD) software to simulate and compare the photon shielding properties of phosphate, bismuthate, tellurite, silicate and borate glass for use in medical facilities. The parameters investigated included mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half-value layer (HVL), mean-free path (MFP), and effective atomic number (Zeff). The results showed that bismuthate glass had the highest MAC and LAC values followed by tellurite, silicate, phosphate and borate glass respectively. It was also found that bismuthate glass had the lowest HVL and MFP values followed by tellurite, silicate, phosphate and borate glass. Since materials with high MAC and LAC and low HVL and MFP are associated with higher photon stoppage powers, bismuthate glass are better photon shielding materials compared to the rest of the glass examined in this study. Conversely, borate glass presented the least shielding potential compared to phosphate, silicate and tellurite glass.