Statistical approach to optimization of the transesterification reaction from sorrel (hibiscus sabdariffa) oil

In an effort to optimize the reaction conditions of biodiesel production from Sorrel seed oil, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied and the effects of reaction temperature, catalyst amount, reaction time and methanol/oil molar ratio, and their reciprocal interactions were ascertained. A total of 30 experimental runs were designed by Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) and carried out. A quadratic polynomial was obtained for predicting the Transesterification process and the ANOVA test showed the model to be significant (p<0.05). The validity of the predicted model was confirmed by carrying out three independent replicates experiments. The actual maximum biodiesel yield obtained was 99.23% (w/w) at methanol/oil molar ratio 6.21, catalyst amount 1.03 (% wt.), reaction temperature 51 oC, and reaction time 63 min. The fuel properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa methylester (HSME) produced were found to be within the ASTM D6751 and DIN EN 14214 biodiesel standards. The fatty acid profile of the HSME revealed that the dominant fatty acids were oleic (58.34%), arachidic (1.55%), palmitic (18.28%) and linoleic (21.19%). Emission assessment revealed 70% reduction of CO at B80, 80% reduction of NO concentration at B40

THE CONTENT AND PREDICTIVE VALIDITY OF PNEUMA ENGINEERING APTITUDE TEST

It is apparent that engineering is applied science. It can also be argued that knowledge that is not applied is virtually wasted knowledge. The real essence of education is learning to accumulate and apply knowledge for solving life’s problems and so make the world a better place to live. Engineering is one of the formidable fields fulfilling this role. However, admitting students into tertiary institutions without professionally screening them for aptitude in requisite engineering skills is apt to frustrate the achievement of this laudable aspiration. Engineering Aptitude tests are promising assessment tools designed for this purpose. However, psychological tools are of little value, and could even prove fatal, if un-validated. This study, therefore, made an attempt at validating the Pneuma Engineering Aptitude Test [PEAT] for admitting students into tertiary institutions using Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro in Nigeria as case study. For the Ordinary National Diploma [OND] students, PEAT’s predictive power was 51% [R = .507 and r = .507 at p = .001]. For the Higher National Diploma [HND] students, however, PEAT’s predictive power was 18% [R = .181 and r = .181 at p = .271]. This suggests that the predictive validity of PEAT tends to wan with passage of time in tertiary institutions. The implication of this finding was discussed and recommendation for further studies was made in the light of limited data

THE CONTENT AND PREDICTIVE VALIDITY OF PNEUMA ENGINEERING APTITUDE TEST

It is apparent that engineering is applied science. It can also be argued that knowledge that is not applied is virtually wasted knowledge. The real essence of education is learning to accumulate and apply knowledge for solving life’s problems and so make the world a better place to live. Engineering is one of the formidable fields fulfilling this role. However, admitting students into tertiary institutions without professionally screening them for aptitude in requisite engineering skills is apt to frustrate the achievement of this laudable aspiration. Engineering Aptitude tests are promising assessment tools designed for this purpose. However, psychological tools are of little value, and could even prove fatal, if un-validated. This study, therefore, made an attempt at validating the Pneuma Engineering Aptitude Test [PEAT] for admitting students into tertiary institutions using Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro in Nigeria as case study. For the Ordinary National Diploma [OND] students, PEAT’s predictive power was 51% [R = .507 and r = .507 at p = .001]. For the Higher National Diploma [HND] students, however, PEAT’s predictive power was 18% [R = .181 and r = .181 at p = .271]. This suggests that the predictive validity of PEAT tends to wan with passage of time in tertiary institutions. The implication of this finding was discussed and recommendation for further studies was made in the light of limited data

Growth of seashore paspalum, ( Paspalum vaginatum L) in soil contaminated with crude petroleum oil

The effect of crude oil contaminated soil on the growth of seashore Paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum ) seedlings was investigated. Plants were grown in soil containing different concentrations: 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3% (w/w) of Abura crude petroleum oil. Growth parameter such as shoot number, shoot length, leaf area and biomass accumulation were evaluated. The results showed that crude oil imposed physiological stress in the seedlings. There was a dose response decline in all the growth attributes examined. There was also a significant difference in plant growth with respect to time of crude oil application. At the highest applied concentration(3 % [w/w]), plants grown in soil previously contaminated with petroleum oil showed about 50 % reduction in biomass accumulation when compared with the uncontaminated control whereas established plants post -treated with crude petroleum oil showed a 30% reduction. There was no mortality at any of the crude oil concentrations to which to plant was exposed. The experiment demonstrated the potential of using Paspalum vaginatum for phytoremediation

VARIATION IN FLOWERING PHENOLOGY OF CASSIA FISTULA LINN. POPULATION IN OTA, OGUN STATE. NIGERIA

Flowering phenology in the population of Cassia fistula Linn. at Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria was investigated for three years to determine if there was variation in the phenology and the patterns were compared with some environmental factors to determine if there was any correlation. The number of plants flowering each month was monitored for three years. Data for mean monthly maximum and minimum temperatures, mean monthly rainfall and number of days with rain per month were obtained from Meteorological Institute, Oshodi, Lagos- Nigeria. In each year, there was synchronous flowering showing early and late flowering plants but the start and end of flowering vary between years. The peak months of flowering vary from year to year so also the period of flowering. Statistical analysis showed significant difference in flowering pattern between two of the years and from month to month. All these show clear variation in the flowering phenology of the species. Commencement of flowering was correlated with the rainfall and temperature in July and August while the end was correlated with the amount of rainfall and number of rainy days. With the overlap of flowering between the years, flowering is continuous in contrast to annual flowering in its country of origin; a phenomenon that has not been reported for the species before. The ecological implication was discusse

‘It’s almost superstition: If I don’t think about it, it won’t happen’. Public knowledge and attitudes towards advance care planning:A sequential mixed methods study

BACKGROUND: Internationally, participation in advance care planning is low. Whilst a community action approach is advocated, what the public know and understand about advance care planning is unknown. AIM: To assess public awareness, knowledge and attitudes towards advance care planning and identify strategies to raise awareness within a public health framework. DESIGN: Sequential mixed methods comprising a cross-sectional survey and focus group/interviews. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: A random representative sample of adults from one region of the United Kingdom (n = 1201; response rate 56%) completed a face-to-face survey. Twenty-five participants consented to an additional focus group/interview held in a secure accessible location or via telephone. RESULTS: Most participants (78.7%) acknowledged the benefits of advance care planning conversations, however, two thirds did not want to think about advance care planning or find out more at present. Respondents were reluctant to broach advance care planning as it was linked to end of life care and funeral plans, and they did not wish to cause distress to their loved one. Respondents trusted their family to respect their wishes and they considered having an advance care plan in place would be of assistance in the future. Top-down leadership, normalisation, and increased education were identified as potential approaches to overcome barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Advance care planning was recognised as important despite limited awareness, lack of knowledge and misperceptions. Whilst a community action approach to enhance understanding and engagement was supported, a ‘one size fits all’ approach will not work; rather bespoke targeting is required with educational and media messaging aligned

International palliative care research priorities: A systematic review

© 2020 The Author(s). Background: There has been increasing evidence and debate on palliative care research priorities and the international research agenda. To date, however, there is a lack of synthesis of this evidence, examining commonalities, differences, and gaps. To identify and synthesize literature on international palliative care research priorities originating from Western countries mapped to a quality assessment framework. Methods: A systematic review of several academic and grey databases were searched from January 2008-June 2019 for studies eliciting research priorities in palliative care in English. Two researchers independently reviewed, critically appraised, and conducted data extraction and synthesis. Results: The search yielded 10,235 articles (academic databases, n = 4108; grey literature, n = 6127), of which ten were included for appraisal and review. Priority areas were identified: service models; continuity of care; training and education; inequality; communication; living well and independently; and recognising family/carer needs and the importance of families. Methodological approaches and process of reporting varied. There was little representation of patient and caregiver driven agendas. The priorities were mapped to the Donabedian framework for assessing quality reflecting structure, process and outcomes and key priority areas. Conclusions: Limited evidence exists pertaining to research priorities across palliative care. Whilst a broad range of topics were elicited, approaches and samples varied questioning the credibility of findings. The voice of the care provider dominated, calling for more inclusive means to capture the patient and family voice. The findings of this study may serve as a template to understand the commonalities of research, identify gaps, and extend the palliative care research agenda

Examining public knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards palliative care: a mixed method sequential study

Background: Palliative care is recognised as a public health issue with the need for earlier integration in the wider healthcare system. However, research indicates that it continues to be accessed late in the course of an illness, public understanding of palliative care is limited, and common misconceptions prevail. Strategies to address this are needed in order to reduce barriers to palliative care delivery and improve access. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed methods study, comprising a cross-sectional survey and interviews was undertaken. Sociodemographic characteristics, public awareness, knowledge and perceptions of palliative care were examined and strategies to raise awareness and overcome barriers within a public health framework were identified. Survey data were analysed using SPSS v25 with factor analysis and non-parametric statistics and qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: A total of 1201 participants completed the survey (58.3% female, mean age 61 years) and 25 took part in interviews. A fifth of participants (20.1%) had previously heard about palliative care and had an accurate understanding of the term. Being female, higher educated, married, and older, increased respondents’ levels of awareness. The three most commonly held misconceptions included: Palliative care is exclusively for people who are in the last 6 months of life (55.4% answered incorrectly); A goal of palliative care is to address any psychological issues brought up by serious illness (42.2% answered incorrectly); and a goal of palliative care is to improve a person’s ability to participate in daily activities (39.6% answered incorrectly). Talking about palliative and end of life care was advocated but societal taboos restricted this occurring with exposure limited to personal experience. Conclusions: Current knowledge gaps and misconceptions derived from limited ad hoc personal experiences and fear of engaging in taboo conversations may deter people from accessing integrated palliative care services early in a disease trajectory. The results indicate the need for public education programmes that move beyond merely raising awareness but provide key messages within a public health approach, which may change attitudes to palliative care thus ultimately improving end of life outcomes

Meta-analysis uncovers genome-wide significant variants for rapid kidney function decline

Rapid decline of glomerular filtration rate estimated from creatinine (eGFRcrea) is associated with severe clinical endpoints. In contrast to cross-sectionally assessed eGFRcrea, the genetic basis for rapid eGFRcrea decline is largely unknown. To help define this, we meta-analyzed 42 genome-wide association studies from the Chronic Kidney Diseases Genetics Consortium and United Kingdom Biobank to identify genetic loci for rapid eGFRcrea decline. Two definitions of eGFRcrea decline were used: 3 mL/min/1.73m(2)/year or more ("Rapid3"; encompassing 34,874 cases, 107,090 controls) and eGFRcrea decline 25% or more and eGFRcrea under 60 mL/min/1.73m(2) at follow-up among those with eGFRcrea 60 mL/min/1.73m(2) or more at baseline ("CKDi25"; encompassing 19,901 cases, 175,244 controls). Seven independent variants were identified across six loci for Rapid3 and/or CKDi25: consisting of five variants at four loci with genome-wide significance (near UMOD-PDILT (2), PRKAG2, WDR72, OR2S2) and two variants among 265 known eGFRcrea variants (near GATM, LARP4B). All these loci were novel for Rapid3 and/or CKDi25 and our bioinformatic follow-up prioritized variants and genes underneath these loci. The OR2S2 locus is novel for any eGFRcrea trait including interesting candidates. For the five genome-wide significant lead variants, we found supporting effects for annual change in blood urea nitrogen or cystatin-based eGFR, but not for GATM or (LARP4B). Individuals at high compared to those at low genetic risk (8-14 vs. 0-5 adverse alleles) had a 1.20-fold increased risk of acute kidney injury (95% confidence interval 1.08-1.33). Thus, our identified loci for rapid kidney function decline may help prioritize therapeutic targets and identify mechanisms and individuals at risk for sustained deterioration of kidney function