A combined experimental and computational fluid dynamics analysis of the dynamics of drop formation

This article presents a complementary experimental and computational investigation of the effect of viscosity and flowrate on the dynamics of drop formation in the dripping mode. In contrast to previous studies, numerical simulations are performed with two popular commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) packages, CFX and FLOW-3D, both of which employ the volume of fluid (VOF) method. Comparison with previously published experimental and computational data and new experimental results reported here highlight the capabilities and limitations of the aforementioned packages

Establishing Sexual Dimorphism in Diameter of Carotid Arteries among Normotensive Adult Nigerians

Background: The Doppler scan serves as an early and non-invasive diagnostic tool for carotid artery disease due to its location, which is significant for cerebrovascular accidents. The carotid diameter has been associated with hypertension just as a sexual variation in hypertensives is documented. However, the difference among healthy individuals with normal pressure and body weight with relation to the diameter of the carotid is not proven among healthy Nigerians. Objective: The objective of the study is to identify a sexual dimorphism in the diameter of the carotid artery and its association with body mass index and blood pressure among normotensive Nigerians. Materials and Methods: Atotal of 104 were sampled with the average age of 28 years comprising 62 males and 42 females. Doppler ultrasound scans of common, internal, and external carotid arteries were made by an experienced radiologist using a linear transducer with a frequency of 7.0 Mhz. Diameter measurements were taken in end-diastolic alongside blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, and neck and waist circumference. Results: The total diameter measurements of the common carotid artery for male and female were 0.62 ± 0.09 and 0.60 ± 0.07 cm, respectively, internal carotid artery were 0.60 ± 0.08 and 0.61 ± 0.08 cm, respectively, and external carotid artery were 0.48 ± 0.11 and 0.50 ± 0.08 cm, respectively. Although the differences were not statistically significant, their associations with the measured biophysical and clinical parameters showed significant differences in both sexes. Conclusion: we opine that sexual dimorphism should not be ruled out by the mere absence of significant difference in the descriptive analysis but also in the associations with other parameters. Keywords: Carotid artery diameter, sexual dimorphism, ultrasound sca

Metformin mitigates dementia risk among individuals with type 2 diabetes

This mini-narrative review explores the relationship between diabetes and dementia, focusing on the potential mitigating role of metformin in reducing cognitive decline among individuals with type 2 diabetes. The interplay of factors such as glycemic control, diabetic complications, and lifestyle influences characterises diabetes-related dementia. This review emphasises the significance of comprehensive diabetes management in addressing the heightened risk of dementia in this population. Methodologically, the review synthesises evidence from 23 studies retrieved through searches on PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Current evidence suggests a predominantly positive association between metformin use and a reduced risk of dementia in individuals with diabetes. However, the review shows the complex nature of these outcomes, revealing variations in results in some studies. These discrepancies show the importance of exploring dose–response relationships, long-term effects, and demographic diversity to unravel the complexities of metformin's impact on cognitive health. Limitations in the existing body of research, including methodological disparities and confounding variables, necessitate refined approaches in future studies. Large-scale prospective longitudinal studies and randomised controlled trials focusing specifically on cognitive effects are recommended. Propensity score matching and exploration of molecular mechanisms can enhance the validity of findings in clinical practice. From a clinical perspective, metformin can serve as a potential adjunctive therapy for individuals with diabetes at risk of cognitive decline

Bioassay of herbal mosquito repellant formulated from the essential oil of plants

ABSTRACT Malaria, Dengue fever and Filariasis, are serious public health problem in tropical regions, especially in Africa and Asia and are transmitted through mosquito bites. For effective control of these diseases, therefore, there is need to prevent individual from mosquito bites. The effective and safe method is the use of mosquito repellent naturally obtained from medicinal plants instead of commonly available synthetic insecticides and repellents such as Organo Phosphorus Carbamate, N, N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), and Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloroethane (DDT) which are carcinogenic and non eco-friendly. In this study, the repellency activities of four formulated herbal mosquito repellents from the essential oils of some selected MAPPs of Nigeria were evaluated. The essential oils were extracted by hyrodistillation method at 50°C using all glass Clevenger apparatus. These were then stored at 4 o c in the refrigerator pending further studies.Graded concentrations (6%, 8%, 10% and 12%) of the essential oils in a complex solution of polyethylene glycol, ethanol and water were prepared and their mosquito repellency activities was carried out in the laboratory against Standard Kisumu Strains of Anopheles gambiae. The result showed that both 8% and 10% formulations have the most promising activity exhibiting 68-95% repellency activities lasting for 2hours. The standard (odomos ® mosquito repellent cream) exhibited 75-100% repellency activities which also lasted for 2hours as compared to 8% and 10% formulations. The present study demonstrates the potential for using essential oils from medicinal plants as mosquito repellent

Food quality profile of pounded yam and implications for yam breeding

Open Access ArticleBACKGROUND Assessment of the key preferred quality traits in pounded yam, a popularly consumed yam food product in West Africa, is often done through sensory evaluation. Such assessment is time-consuming and results may be biased. Therefore, there is a need to develop objective, high-throughput methods to predict the quality of consumer-preferred traits in pounded yam. This study focused on how key quality traits in pounded yam proposed to yam breeders were determined, measured by biophysical and biochemical methods, in order to shorten the breeding selection cycle through adoption of these methods by breeders. RESULTS Consumer tests and sensory quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) validated that preferred priority quality traits in pounded yam were related to textural quality (smooth, stretchable, moldable, slightly sticky and moderately hard) and color (white, cream or light yellow). There were significant correlations between sensory textural quality attributes cohesiveness/moldability, hardness, and adhesiveness/stickiness, with textural quality measurements from instrumental texture profile analysis (TPA). Color measurement parameters (L*, a*, and b*) with chromameter agreed with that of sensory evaluation and can replace the sensory panel approach. The smoothness (R2 = 1.00), stickiness (R2 = 1.00), stretchability (R2 = 1.00), hardness (R2 = 0.99), and moldability (R2 = 0.53) of pounded yam samples can be predicted by the starch, amylose, and protein contents of yam tubers estimated by near-infrared spectroscopy. CONCLUSION TPA and Hunter colorimeter can be used as medium-high throughput methods to evaluate the textural quality and color of pounded yam in place of the sensory panelists

Determinants of serum levels of vitamin D: a study of life-style, menopausal status, dietary intake, serum calcium, and PTH

Background: Low blood levels of vitamin D (25-hydroxy D3, 25OHD3) in women have been associated with an increased risk of several diseases. A large part of the population may have suboptimal 25OHD3 levels but high-risk groups are not well known. The aim of the present study was to identify determinants for serum levels of 25OHD3 in women, i.e. factors such as lifestyle, menopausal status, diet and selected biochemical variables. Methods: The study was based on women from the Malmo Diet and Cancer Study (MDCS), a prospective, population-based cohort study in Malmo, Sweden. In a previous case-control study on breast cancer, 25OHD3 concentrations had been measured in 727 women. In these, quartiles of serum 25OHD3 were compared with regard to age at baseline, BMI (Body Max Index), menopausal status, use of oral contraceptives or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), life-style (e. g. smoking and alcohol consumption), socio-demographic factors, season, biochemical variables (i.e. calcium, PTH, albumin, creatinine, and phosphate), and dietary intake of vitamin D and calcium. In order to test differences in mean vitamin D concentrations between different categories of the studied factors, an ANOVA test was used followed by a t-test. The relation between different factors and 25OHD3 was further investigated using multiple linear regression analysis and a logistic regression analysis. Results: We found a positive association between serum levels of 25OHD3 and age, oral contraceptive use, moderate alcohol consumption, blood collection during summer/autumn, creatinine, phosphate, calcium, and a high intake of vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels were associated with obesity, being born outside Sweden and high PTH levels. Conclusions: The present population-based study found a positive association between serum levels of 25OHD3 and to several socio-demographic, life-style and biochemical factors. The study may have implications e. g. for dietary recommendations. However, the analysis is a cross-sectional and it is difficult to suggest Lifestyle changes as cause-effect relationships are difficult to assess

Evaluation of the Normal Limit of the Congruence (Q) Angle of the Patela In Nigeria Adult Cadavers

OBJECTIVE: To establish the normal limit of the congruence 9Q) Angle of the patella in Nigeria and therefore establish a reference value for orthopaedic surgeons. DESIGN: Measurement of Q angle in 104 freshly obtained cadavers from three centers in Port Harcourt and one center in Nnewi all in eastern part of Nigeria. SETTING: Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt RESULT: For the left lower limb, the mean Q angle for females in 13.25+ 3.26o for males. The mean values of Q angle is found to be significantly higher in female limbs when compared to males (

Reference luminal diameters of the carotid arteries among healthy Nigerian adults

Background: The carotid arteries serve as major blood supply to the head and neck region of the body. Understanding their structure and function in the pathogenesis of stroke and in interventional neuroradiology due to luminal stenosis, atherosclerosis and wall stiffness is paramount. Doppler ultrasound scan plays key role in the early diagnosis of the pathologies of the arteries as it is an affordable, accessible, reliable and non-invasive clinical tool. Knowing normal average diameter of the carotid arteries among healthy individuals is important in making correct clinical diagnosis in any population. The aim of the study was to determine mean diameters of the carotid arteries among healthy adult Nigerians for reference. Materials and methods: Prospectively studied 104 healthy Nigerians within the ages of 18 and 65 years by taking doppler scans of their carotid arteries (common, internal and external) on both sides and measured each diameter. Using a 95% confident level, P-value of < 0.05 was significant. Results: Of the studied population, 62 were males and 42 were females, and the average age of the subjects was 28.32 ± 9.09 years. From this study, the average luminal diameter of the common carotid artery = 0.61 ± 0.08 cm, internal carotid artery = 0.60 ± 0.08 cm and external carotid artery = 0.49 ± 0.10 cm. The results showed that although, there are differences in measurements between the two sexes (males slightly higher than females in CCA) and between right and left sides (with right side slightly higher), they are not statistically significant. Conclusions: This sonographic study on healthy Nigerian adults has given us normal reference values of the luminal diameters of the carotid arteries among Nigerians, which clinicians can make reference to, when assessing carotid artery diameters of patients in Nigeria

A combined experimental and computational fluid dynamics analysis of the dynamics

of drop formatio