Determination and comparison of ascorbic acid contents in selected fruits and vegetables obtained from Ilorin Metropolis

The ascorbic acid contents of eight different fruits and four vegetable types were determined by iodometric titration method using standardized sodium thiosulphate against ascorbic acid in the fruit and vegetable extracts. A blank titration was first carried out on the thiosulphate only followed by titration with the extracts. From the blank titre, the total amount of water-soluble iodine produced in the reaction was calculated while the amount of water-soluble iodine that reacted with the sample was obtained from the test titre. The quantity of ascorbic acid in milligrams, present in each fruit and vegetable sample was obtained by calculations. The results showed that the amount of ascorbic acid in the selected fruits was in the order of Orange > Tangerine > Water melon > Pineapple > Grape > Apple > Lemon > Lime and the vegetables, in the order of Pumpkin > Bitter leaf > Water leaf > Amaranth leaf.Keywords: Ascorbic acid, Fruits, Iodometry, Vegetables, Water-soluble Iodin

Comparison between the use of uniform and non-uniform light absorption profiles in modelling organic photovoltaics

To avoid complexity, a uniform light absorption profile is usually used when modelling organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs). However, the actual light absorption profile is not uniform. It is found that a uniform light absorption profile can be used as a replacement for the actual non-uniform light absorption profile in modelling an OPV provided that the actual light absorption profile inside the OPV has a peak absorption value that is roughly less than twice its average absorption value. Nevertheless, the use of a uniform light absorption profile in investigating the effect of a certain parameter (e.g. the active layer thickness) on the performance of OPVs should still be used with care if variations in the value of the said parameter lead to different light absorption profiles

Psychological climacteric symptoms and attitudes toward menopause among Emirati women

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Menopause is an inevitable developmental event that women encounter at an age of 42–54 years. The drop of estrogen levels that accompanies cessation of menstruation is associated with multiple vasomotor, physical, neuropsychological, and sexual symptoms, which may hamper quality of life. This study aimed to examine the severity of psychological symptoms and their correlates among peri-and postmenopausal Emirati women (N = 60, mean age = 54.88 ± 6 years). Participants were interviewed using the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) and attitudes toward menopause scale (ATMS). In four path analysis models, vasomotor symptoms, weight gain, and fatigue had significant direct effects on symptoms of anxiety, depression (only weight gain and fatigue), and psychological distress. Fatigue significantly mediated the effects of vasomotor symptoms and weight gain on symptoms of anxiety, depression (only vasomotor symptoms), psychological distress, and memory problems. These models explained 47.6%, 44.5%, 56.6%, and 29.1% of the variances in anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and memory problems, respectively. Participants with more severe menopausal symptoms expressed more negative attitudes toward menopause though regression analysis revealed that only vasomotor symptoms could significantly contribute to ATMS scores. In conclusion, psychological distress is widespread among menopausal women, and it is associated with vasomotor symptoms, fatigue, and change of body composition (obesity). Psychological symptoms, along with vasomotor symptoms, express a key link to negative attitudes toward menopause. Therefore, interventional strategies that target psychological distress may promote coping with midlife transition and improve mental health among menopausal women

Influence of drought stress on pollen viability and fertility

Pollen viability is important in fertilization. Drought is one of the greatest stresses that affects food security (Wilhite et al, 1985). Yield loss vulnerability is closely correlated to pollen viability, with a significant reduction in pollen viability having a major impact on seed set. Genes involved in this process still are largely unknown. In Arabidopsis thaliana the expression of thirty genes, before and after pollen mitosis I associated with drought stress were examined using qRT-PCR under severe drought stress. Some genes showed specific expression patterns and regulation to drought at specific stage of pollen development. A subset of seven genes that showed altered expression in the anther during drought stress were studied by modifying their expression by knock out and overexpression lines, the candidate genes have the following locus identifiers: AT1G52570, AT4G36600, AT3G28980, AT2G24450, AT3G20220, AT3G23770 and AT1G63060. The overexpression lines of AT3G20220 displayed pleiotropic phenotype such as extreme dwarf, short stamen filament, low number of pollen grains, stem architecture and internode defects, changes in the inflorescence branch angles. AT1G52570 displayed an early flowering phenotype. AT3G23770 has a role in callose wall degradation and exhibited pleiotropic phenotype such as early anther dehiscence, internode defects, siliques and inflorescence pattern defect. Other lines showed impacts on flowering time and male fertility. Selected T-DNA insertion/knock out lines exhibited short siliques and inviable pollen (AT3G20220, AT2G24450 and AT4G36600). Fluorescent protein reporter lines that monitor Ca+2, pH and auxin facilitating their subcellular localisation and signalling were studied during drought stress. In summary, the candidate genes play a role in pollen maturation and anther dehiscence. However, their role at the cellular level and regulatory pathway associated with drought requires further investigation

The Titanium and Mixed Titanium Carbon Nanoparticles Supported on Silica for Cyclohexene Conversion and of Dyes Removal

The two samples of  nanoparticles  sulfated titania over silica ST/SiO2 and sulfated titania active carbon over silica  STAC /SiO2 were  synthesized by sol- gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction XRD , BET , thermal analysis and TEM spectroscopy . The TEM demonstrated that the average particle size of two samples were found to be in the range of (15-50 nm).The ST/SiO2 and STAC/SiO2 have been used as an effective catalyst for cyclohexene disproportionation which STAC/SiO2 catalyst  show much higher selectivity for benzene formation at temperature ranging from 200-280°C. Series of kinetic studies had been conducted for  the removal of acid and basic dyes. The STAC/SiO2 has a considerable potential as an adsorbent for the removal of acidic dye (eosin) than the basic dye (saffranin). Keywords: ST/SiO2 and STAC/SiO2 nanocatalyst, Sol- Gel method ,cyclohexene and dyes

Authenticated Diagnosing of COVID-19 using Deep Learning-based CT Image Encryption Approach

Researchers are motivated to use artificial intelligence in biometrics, medical imaging encryption, as well as cybersecurity due to its rapid progress. An encryption method for CT scans—which are used to diagnose COVID-19 disease—is proposed in this study. The suggested encryption method creates a connection among an individual\u27s face picture and CT image to increase confidentiality. The simple CT picture is first enhanced with a host image. An encryption key is multiplied by the final result. This key is produced by applying a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to recognize characteristics from people\u27s face photographs. Additionally, a straightforward CNN with three convolutional groups is suggested. Rectified Linear Unit (ReLU) , batch normalization layer , and convolutional layer make up each group. Finally, Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) is applied on the product of deep facial features and the image resulted from adding the CT image and the host image. Decryption is performed in the reverse order to obtain the original CT image. Furthermore, we examine and assess the effectiveness of the suggested method against three distinct forms of attacks: rotation, Speckle noise, and Salt & Pepper noise. Three scenarios are covered in the studies where decryption is carried out: using the right key, using the right key with a little modification, and using the incorrect key. Metrics including MSE, PSNR, Entropy, CC, histogram analysis, and elapsed time are used to gauge how well the suggested method performs. A maximum of 0.4361 seconds have elapsed

Recovery of silver from used X-ray film using alkaline protease from Bacillus subtilis sub sp. subtilis

Silver is an important industrial metal used in several areas such as photographic and x-ray films, jewelries, silver wares and electronic objects. Silver is used for photographic film/x-ray film because of its matchless quality as a light-sensitive material for making a photographic image. Silver is not destroyed in the photographic process and it can be reused and recovered. Results have proven that, bacterial alkaline protease can be used to extract silver in 30 min, but its activity decreases with increasing incubation period. Gelatin hydrolysis was monitored by measuring the increase in turbidity of the hydrolysate, which was accompanied by release of protein and hydroxyproline. The protease of the culture filtrate used was 97 U/ml after 30 min, but it decreased to 86.5U/ml after 60 min. After 90 min, it reached 85 U/ml. A great inactivation was recorded after 120 min; it got to 39.5 and 36.5% (U/ml) after 180 min. Gelatin layer was stripped completely within 30 min with 97 U ml-1 protease at 50°C and pH 8. At the end of the treatment, gelatin layer was completely removed and the polyester film was left clean. In addition, silver was recovered in the hydrolysate, both of which can be reused.Keywords: Silver recovery, x-ray films, gelatin, alkaline protease, Bacillus subtili

Efecto de dos técnicas diferentes de terapia manual para el tratamiento de la postura de la cabeza adelantada: Un estudio comparativo

Antecedentes: La postura de la cabeza hacia adelante (FHP, por sus siglas en inglés) es una desalineación de la cabeza sobre el tronco que prolonga el momento externo al desplazar el centro gravitacional frente al eje que soporta la carga, causando estrés en los músculos suboccipitales con limitaciones de movimiento funcional y formación de puntos gatillo miofasciales (PGM). Objetivos: Comparar entre la técnica de inhibición del músculo suboccipital (SMIT) y la técnica de liberación progresiva de presión (PPRT) en el ángulo craneovertebral (CVA) y el rango de movimiento del cuello (ROM) en individuos con FHP y PGM suboccipitales activos. Métodos: Cuarenta y cinco sujetos fueron asignados aleatoriamente en tres grupos. El grupo A recibió ejercicio de corrección postural, el grupo B recibió SMIT y ejercicio de corrección postural, y el grupo C recibió PPRT suboccipital y ejercicio de corrección postural. Resultados: Se encontró significación estadística dentro y entre los grupos con respecto al ROM en todas las direcciones (P <0,05) excepto para la flexión del lado derecho e izquierdo entre los grupos A y B, que fue P = 0,54 y P = 0,67, respectivamente. CVA había mostrado resultados significativos dentro y entre los grupos (P <0,05), excepto para el grupo A versus el grupo B (P = 0,41). Conclusión: Ambas técnicas funcionan para aumentar el CVA y mejorar el ROM en individuos con FHP. Sin embargo, la PPRT suboccipital ha demostrado ser más eficaz.Background: Forward head posture (FHP) is a misalignment of the head on trunk that makes the external moment longer by shifting the gravitational center in front of the load bearing axis causing stress on the suboccipital muscles with functional movement limitationsand formation of myofascial trigger points (MTrPs).Objectives:To compare between suboccipital muscle inhibition technique (SMIT) and progressive pressure release technique (PPRT) on craniovertebral angle (CVA) and neck range of motion (ROM) in individuals with FHP and active suboccipital MTrPs.Methods: Forty-five subjects were randomly assigned in three groups. Group A was given postural correction exercise, group B received SMIT and postural correction exercise,and group C received suboccipital PPRT and postural correction exercise. Results: Statistical significance was found within and between groups in respect to ROM in all directions (P < 0.05)except for right and left side bending between groups A and B, which was P = 0.54 and P = 0.67, respectively. CVA had shown significant results for within and between groups (P < 0.05)except for group A versus group B(P = 0.41). Conclusion: Both techniques work to increase CVA and improve ROM in individuals with FHP. However, suboccipitalPPRT has shown to be more effective

The involvement level of extension agent in activities based on rice check technology at IADA Pekan Pahang, Malaysia

Rice is a staple food for Malaysian and productivity must be focus upon in order to meet the increasing demand as the country growing population increases. Government had to produce a new and good variety of paddy which is MR219 and also to provide the Technology of Rice check as a manual and guideline to the extension agents to meet the needs of the farmers. However, the current yield at IADA Pekan is only 2.6 mt/ha which is not even up to the half of the potential yield of 10 mt/ha. Therefore, this study aimed to measure the involvement level and work performance of extension agents in objective setting, planning, implementing, and monitoring activities in transfer of technology based on Rice Check in IADA Pekan. The study was conducted in Pekan, Pahang and 137 respondents were considered for the 3 schemes which are Pahang Tua, Ganchong and Pulau Jawa. Questionnaire was used to elicit response from the respondents and the data was analyzed using SPSS. Based on the result obtained, the respondents at IADA Pekan has moderate level of practice toward rice check technology and the relationship between management function and work performance is also moderate

Impact of Air-Conditioning Filters on Microbial Growth and Indoor Air Pollution

Contemporary lifestyles dictate that people spend between 60 and 90% of their daily lives indoors. For those living in warm climates, air conditioning is thus considered a necessity. Air conditioners function by removing hot and humid air from building interior and replacing it with cooler air. Microorganisms are considered among the most important sources of poor quality of indoor air, and contamination of this air by microbial pollutants is being increasingly recognized as a public health problem and a probable cause of the so-called sick building syndrome. In this regard, microfiber glass panel filters are considered to provide an effective solution for air filtration and have been demonstrated to improve air quality in many applications. However, recent research has demonstrated that certain microorganisms are able to colonize panel filter surfaces. Studies on selected microbes isolated from the most commonly used filters have revealed that the bacterial and fungal moist masses carried on sponge-type filters are greater than those carried on polyester and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. Moreover, microbial moist mass has been found to increase with increasing incubation time. In addition, recent research has shown that certain microorganisms, particularly fungi, can colonize the materials used in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems (HVAC)