Influence of fat content on the quality and shelf life of cured sardines

The paper presents results of studies on the effect of seasonal variations in the fat content on the quality and shelf life of dry cured, pickle cured and smoke cured oil sardines. The merits and defects of each method of curing during different seasons are discussed

Design of a Partial Resonant Inverter for solar photovoltaic applications

This paper presents a solar-powered Partial Resonant Inverter (PRI) interfaced with an asymmetrical cascaded nine-level inverter. The DC input of the proposed system is obtained using Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) panel. The input DC sources fed to the asymmetrical cascaded nine-level inverter are in the ratio of 1:3. The step modulated nine-level inverter works with a precalculated switching angle for a fixed modulation of 0.7. Compared to the conventional 50 Hz inverter and the multi-output transformer design, the proposed system is more compact because of the high-frequency AC link. The PRI ensures Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) and reduces the switching losses. The proposed scheme has been validated in the MATLAB/ SIMULINK environment and an experimental prototype is built in the laboratory. Based on the investigations the Selective Harmonic Elimination (SHE) method gives superior performance when compared to the Optimal Harmonic Stepped Modulation (OHSM) method. From the results and comparative analysis, the proposed system uses fewer switches to obtain the nine-level output, uses the PRI setup with the multioutput transformer to make the design compact and improves the power quality of the system

Teacher and Student Well-being in the Covid-19 pandemic - Full report

This project sought to understand the perspectives of teachers and students in the lower North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand at the time of the first COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in March 2020 and during the following several months. Thirteen teachers from seven schools in the Manawatū-Horowhenua and Greater Wellington area and seven focus groups of Year 4 to 8 students from four of the schools participated in this project. This final report includes the findings from teachers and students’ perspectives of the affordances and challenges of lockdown and subsequent return to school, and their perspectives on helpful strategies in the event of similar situations given the unpredictable times. Analysis of teachers’ perspectives highlighted three interrelated themes –Stepping up Ngāwhiringatanga; Building Resilience and Reflecting and Recalibrating. The lockdown provided teachers time for introspection and have some time for their own personal well-being and growth. Although the challenge of adapting to online teaching sessions was stressful, the increased knowledge of the impact of COVID-19 on families and communities, had a profound impact on ongoing pedagogy of teachers. Teachers were resilient to the challenges and supported the resilience and well-being of students both during lockdown and on their return to school. They were supported by their school systems to ease pressure on academic learning and focus on holistic well-being of students such as spending quality time with their families. The lockdown highlighted the importance of work life balance, with teachers experiencing the benefits of having the time and space to focus on their personal well-being, which is critical for the well- being of their students, enabling them to support their students becoming resilient in the face of adversities caused by the ongoing presence of the pandemic. The students’ on the other hand while feeling isolated from their peers and anxious about the effects of the virus on their near and dear ones, appreciated the quality time that they could spend with their families and pets, and more importantly the flexibility that lockdown offered in terms of their learning. The key inter-related themes from their perspectives were: worry about safety and changes; restrictions and isolation; freedom and autonomy; friendship and connection; and quality family time.fals

DESIGN AND SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL 4-(4-FLUORO-3-METHYLPHENYL)-6-(SUBSTITUTED ARYL)-1,6-DIHYDROPYRIMIDIN-2-OL DERIVATIVES AS POTENT ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND ANALGESIC AGENTS

Objective: Pyrimidine heterocycles possessing hydroxy group has a unique place in medicinal chemistry and also plays a key role in biological processes. In the biological functions at cellular level pyrimidine plays imperative roles which lead the researchers to design a variety of its derivatives. The aim of the present study was to synthesize the novel set of 4-(4-fluoro-3-methylphenyl)-6-(substituted aryl)-1,6-dihydropyrimidin-2-ol derivatives. These compounds were screened for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Methods: A novel series of 4-(4-fluoro-3-methylphenyl)-6-(substituted aryl)-1,6-dihydro pyrimidin-2-ol derivatives were furnished in two steps starting from 4-fluoro-3-methyl acetophenone through chalcone formation. Human red blood cell membrane stabilization method and carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test were performed for screening in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity, respectively. Tail-flick technique was performed for screening analgesic activity. Results: All the synthesized 4-(4-fluoro-3-methylphenyl)-6-(substituted aryl)-1,6-dihydro pyrimidin-2-ol derivatives were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy,1H nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy, and bases of elemental analysis. The result of biological screening revealed that many of the new derivatives were endowed with improved anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Conclusion: Nature of the substituent played a major role in anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. The pyrimidine derivative with chlorophenyl substitution exhibited potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. From the results, it was concluded that 6-(4-chlorophenyl)-4-(4-fluoro-3- methyl phenyl)-1,6-dihydropyrimidin-2-ol was the most active compound

The Role of Sensory Experiences and Information on the Willingness to Pay for Organic Wheat Bread

This study examined the size and the determinants of the price premium a sample of Edmonton-area consumers was willing to pay for organic wheat bread. The development of these premiums included consideration of providing information on health or environmental advantages of organic production and consideration of sensory (taste) acceptance. To do this conventional and organic wheat was grown under similar conditions and milled and baked into 60% whole wheat bread under identical conditions. Samples of these breads were presented to consumers for sensory acceptance and a survey of their attitudes, behaviours and characteristics. The survey included a closed-ended contingent valuation question to examine consumers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) premiums for the organic bread. A trained sensory panel was used to quantify differences in the sensory characteristics of the two breads. The results suggest that in the absence of taste information respondents' WTP when environmental information was provided was greater than WTP when health information was given. When sensory taste information was included, however, the WTP estimates under the health information treatment were about twice those under the environmental information. The trained sensory panel observed the two treatments of bread to differ in texture but not in flavor, aroma or colour characteristics. The implications of these findings are that successful marketing of organic foods depends on circumstance - in the absence of sensory experience the environmental benefits of organic production appear to be more appealing than potential health benefits. Health claims are only viewed positively when the product can be tasted. Sensory scientists should use caution in interpreting WTP estimates in that they must take into account the type of information and placement of WTP questions in their study designs. We also found that sensory variables when included in the regression model had statistically significant effects on WTP estimates. The economic significance of including these variables in the logit model was limited, however. Nevertheless we feel that under some circumstances economists may find it advantageous to include sensory information in their models of food demand.Organic foods, price premium, willingness to pay, taste, health, environment, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Q13, Q18,

A REVIEW ON ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF SUBSTITUTED PYRAZOLINE DERIVATIVES SYNTHESISED FROM CHALCONES

The pyrazoline ring is a ubiquitous structural feature of many natural and synthetic compounds with potent anti-inflammatory activity. The creation of novel pyrazoline derivatives and examination of their chemical and biological behaviour have gained additional focus in the current decade. Pyrazolines and its fused heterocyclic derivatives tested with anti-inflammatory activity constitute a significant class of compounds for novel drug evolution. Pyrazoline nucleus when linked with different substituents like alkyl, aromatic, heterocyclic rings and many other groups at different positions on the ring shows considerable to more effective anti-inflammatory activity. This article presents a comprehensive review of the anti-inflammatory activity of some novel derivatives of pyrazoline ring

Recognition and identification of external branch of superior laryngeal nerve and its implication in thyroid surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thyroid surgery is known to its complications post operatively. In recent times these complications are reduced due to expertise in techniques and technologies. Injury to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy is common. Most of the surgeons do not have enough confidence to dissect and expose the nerve. The aim of this study is to analyse the frequency and types of External branch of superior laryngeal nerve coursing through the space of Reeve in relationship to the upper pole of the thyroid and related structures. METHODS: From November 2013 to September 2014 our study has been conducted which includes 30 successive patients undergoing (Hemi/Total) Thyroidectomy procedures and meeting the inclusion criteria in our surgical ward at GRH Madurai. RESULTS : A total of 30 thyroidectomies were done during the study period of which18 were total thyroidectomy and the remaining 10 were hemi thyroidectomy (8 left hemi thyroidectomy and 4 right hemi thyroidectomy). The frequency of the ELN documented crossing the reeve’s avascular space were: TYPE 1 nerve were 12 (24%) TYPE 2A nerve 28 (56%) and TYPE 2B 5 (10%). 5(10%) ELN were not seen despite an extensive search. CONCLUSION: The preservation of the external branch of laryngeal nerve has various technical difficulties should be considered. Exposure and preservation of the nerve would be aided by the recognition of the potential avascular space of Reeve.in order to reduce the morbidity related to the thyroid surgery, every attempt should be made to ensure safe dissection. There is a considerable variation in the anatomical course of the nerve and its relation to various structures and are influenced by various factors. However every attempt should be made to identify the nerve through meticulous dissection by the surgeons in order to avoid the nerve injury

Studies on the Corrosion Performance for Steel Embedded in Fly Ash Blended Concrete

The present investigation it to study the corrosion performance of fly ash blended cement concrete in chloride-contaminated environments by various electrochemical and non-electrochemical techniques. The chloride binding ability at the optimum replacement level of fly ash was also studied