The Potential of High Oryzanol Rice Bran Oil as an Antioxidant in Whole Milk Powder.

Lipid autoxidation of whole milk powder (WMP) during storage lowers its organoleptic quality and causes accumulation of oxidation products. This study evaluated the effectiveness of high-oryzanol (2.5%) rice bran oil (RBO) as an antioxidant in WMP. The powder was fortified with 0.1% and 0.2% RBO and its oxidation studied during accelerated storage at 45°C and 0.31 water activity for 40 days. Free radicals were determined by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Oxidation was estimated by determining thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and cholesterol oxidation products using gas chromatography. The effect of RBO on flavor and consumer preference of freshly manufactured milk powder was also evaluated. The oryzanol content of the WMP was 0.00 mug/g, 49.16 mug/g and 180.11 mug/g for 0.0%, 0.1% and 0.2% RBO fortified samples respectively. The alpha-tocopherol content was 0.00, 3.72 and 7.54 mug/g for 0.0%, 0.1% and 0.2% RBO fortified samples respectively. Addition of RBO significantly affected the color of the powder. The fortified powders had darker, more yellow color than control samples. Consumer tests showed that 0.2% RBO caused a detectable flavor change in milk powder, but at 0.1%, it had no significant effectonflavor. The RBO at 0.1% and 0.2% caused a significant reduction in free radicals during manufacture and after 10 days storage. High-heat powder had higher concentrations of free radicals than low-heat powder. Lipid oxidation was not significantly affected by RBO immediately after manufacture, but was significantly reduced by 0.1% and 0.2% RBO after storage for 10 or more days. The TBARS for all powder samples increased up to 30 days storage but reduced on further storage, probably due to their reaction with proteins. Rice bran oil did not have a significant effect on the accumulation of COP. The data on COP however was not conclusive, due to wide variability that may have resulted from thermal degradation of COP in the GC column during analysis. Results indicated that RBO reduced oxidation of WMP. Further work is necessary to determine the optimum application rate and method for process optimization

The Effect of demographic transition on the equity risk premium in Kenya

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor of Business Science in Finance at Strathmore UniversityWhile a multitude of research has focused on the effects of demographics on asset prices and returns in developed countries, the same lacks in frontier and emerging countries. The findings and conclusions of such results however cannot be replicated across developing countries since their demographic characteristics are different. In developed countries, the fertility rates are lower than in their counterparts leading therefore to a lower middle-old ratio. Such demographic characteristics affect asset prices and returns differently. Where researchers have considered demographics in developing countries, only output and the impact of macroeconomic variables is considered (see for instance Thuku, Gachanja, & Obere, 201 3). Additionally, over time the only demographic variable under consideration, on its effect on the economy, has been population growth. While population growth is a key variable in analyzing the effect of demographics, there are other variables pertaining to demographics that are occasionally overlooked. Such variables include life expectancy, age structure, dependency ratios and fertility rates. There therefore exists a gap in that, the investigation of the effect of demographics on financial markets in emerging and frontier markets is scarce. This study is an attempt to fill this gap by particularly looking at the effect of demographic variables on the equity risk premium in an emerging market

The Nexus between traditional food beliefs and nutritional status of children below two years A case study of the Giriama in Kilifi county Kenya

No Abstract

Early mathematical skill profiles of prematurely and full-term born children

Preterm birth is associated with low mathematical skills in children. This study on five-year-old Finnish children investigated whether mathematical skill profiles would differ between prematurely and full-term born children and how such profiles and other cognitive skills would be related. Mathematical skills included digit knowledge, spontaneous focusing on numerosity, arithmetic, counting and geometric skills. The investigated cognitive skills were phonological processing, working memory, instruction comprehension, speeded naming, inhibition and visuomotor skills. The participants were 119 preterm children with birth weight <1501 g and 100 full-term born children with normal birth weight. The results of latent profile analyses showed that preterm and full term born children differed in both number and shape of latent mathematical skill profiles,indicating quantitative and qualitative disparities. After controlling for birth weight or gestational age, maternal education, and other cognitive skills phonological processing, visuospatial working memory and speeded naming were uniquely associated with prematurely born children's five mathematical profiles. In full-term born children, only verbal working memory was related to their four mathematical profiles. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Research and comparative analysis of methods linear interpolation trajectory of the working tool of a two-tier mechanism

In this paper the comparative analysis of the interpolation methods (Bresenham’s method and the least distance method) of the linear interpolation trajectory of the working tool of a two-tier mechanism is performed and its error is examined. The kinematic diagram of the two-tier mechanism is studied; the direct and inverse kinematics are determined. To perform the comparative analysis, the method of the mechanism’s interpolation grid construction is studied

Quercetin prevents progression of disease in elastase/LPS-exposed mice by negatively regulating MMP expression

Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic bronchitis, emphysema and irreversible airflow limitation. These changes are thought to be due to oxidative stress and an imbalance of proteases and antiproteases. Quercetin, a plant flavonoid, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. We hypothesized that quercetin reduces lung inflammation and improves lung function in elastase/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed mice which show typical features of COPD, including airways inflammation, goblet cell metaplasia, and emphysema. Methods Mice treated with elastase and LPS once a week for 4 weeks were subsequently administered 0.5 mg of quercetin dihydrate or 50% propylene glycol (vehicle) by gavage for 10 days. Lungs were examined for elastance, oxidative stress, inflammation, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Effects of quercetin on MMP transcription and activity were examined in LPS-exposed murine macrophages. Results Quercetin-treated, elastase/LPS-exposed mice showed improved elastic recoil and decreased alveolar chord length compared to vehicle-treated controls. Quercetin-treated mice showed decreased levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, a measure of lipid peroxidation caused by oxidative stress. Quercetin also reduced lung inflammation, goblet cell metaplasia, and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and muc5AC. Quercetin treatment decreased the expression and activity of MMP9 and MMP12 in vivo and in vitro, while increasing expression of the histone deacetylase Sirt-1 and suppressing MMP promoter H4 acetylation. Finally, co-treatment with the Sirt-1 inhibitor sirtinol blocked the effects of quercetin on the lung phenotype. Conclusions Quercetin prevents progression of emphysema in elastase/LPS-treated mice by reducing oxidative stress, lung inflammation and expression of MMP9 and MMP12.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78260/1/1465-9921-11-131.xmlhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/78260/2/1465-9921-11-131.pdfPeer Reviewe

Effect of mastitis on raw milk compositional quality

In this study, we investigated the impact of mastitis infection on the quality of milk composition in small-scale dairy bovine herds. The purpose of this study was to find a milk quality somatic cell count (SCC) standard that could be used as an integral component of a control program. In all, 396 quarter milk samples from lactating cross-bred cows (Holstein & Zebu) were analyzed; 56% of these quarters were experiencing intramammary infection, with an overall mean SCC of 5.46 × 105 ± 2.30 × 104cells/ml. Infected quarters had significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean SCC levels (6.19 × 105± 4.40 × 104cells/ml) compared to healthy quarters (2.65 × 105 ± 2.40 × 104cells/ml). In high SCC milk and infected quarters, the concentrations of non-casein fractions, sodium, chloride, and free fatty acid were higher (p < 0.05), while the casein content, lactose, casein-to-total protein, potassium, and calcium were lower (p < 0.05) compared to normal quarters. These findings suggest a mean SCC threshold limit of 5.46 × 105 cells/ml for the region. It was concluded that the results could be used to propose a milk quality SCC standard that can be used as an integral component of a control program

Pathogenic mechanisms and clinical implications of congenital neutropenia syndromes

Purpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to summarize pathogenic mechanisms and clinical implications of the most illustrative genetic entities of congenital neutropenia syndromes.Recent findingsCongenital neutropenia comprise monogenetic entities with or without additional immunologic and extrahaematopoietic syndromatic features. Continuous careful explorations of known entities such as ELANE, GFI1, HAX1, G6PC3 deficiency and XLN help to define principles controlling differentiation and function of neutrophil granulocytes. Furthermore, the identification of novel genetic defects associated with congenital neutropenia, such as VPS45 deficiency, broadens our understanding of neutrophil biology. Pathogenic mechanisms imply protein and vesicle mistrafficking, endoplasmic reticulum stress, the unfolded protein response, destabilization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, disturbed energy metabolism, dysglycosylation and deregulated actin polymerization.SummaryAdvanced genetic and biochemical techniques have helped to expand our knowledge of congenital neutropenia syndromes. Known and novel genetic entities shed light on fundamental biological processes important for the homeostatis and functioning not only of the neutrophil granulocyte but as well of the entire haematopoietic system. Furthermore, treatment decisions become more tailored and might pave the road towards personalized molecular medicine

Computer Integrated Design and Systems Approach To Manufacturing

52

Circuit modeling for signal integrity in advanced VLSI technologies.

Signal integrity analysis is one of the crucial analysis steps in designing a high performance microprocessor. Crosstalk can induce a logical failure or cause excessive signal delay resulting in performance degradation. Typical parts of signal integrity analysis are: circuit modeling and interconnect modeling. This dissertation examines the deficiencies in modeling of the receiver circuits for SOI and bulk CMOS nanometer technologies. The receiver circuit noise immunity determines if a particular interconnect violates the signal integrity requirements. Inadequate modeling of receiver circuit noise immunity therefore has direct bearing on the number of false violations reported and the number of true violations filtered. We propose a wave-fitting crosstalk modeling technique suitable for nanometer designs which improves the receiver characterization used in crosstalk analysis. We propose modifications to current crosstalk analysis techniques to account for multiple noise events at the receiver inputs which can lead to lowering of receiver noise immunity. We demonstrate that PD-SOI is more crosstalk sensitive than comparable bulk CMOS technologies and propose analysis techniques that account for the floating body terminal in PD-SOI receiver circuits. We also investigate crosstalk susceptibility in sub-threshold circuit operation as low power applications increasingly utilize sub-threshold operation to reduce power. We propose empirical models for off-state power and leakage current in PD-SOI which accounts for input switching history. The off-state power can be 2.4x the expected power due to the floating body terminal in PD-SOI. We demonstrate the practicality of all our proposed receiver models and crosstalk analysis techniques by using industrial microprocessor core designs in nanometer technology as test cases.Ph.D.Applied SciencesElectrical engineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/126783/2/3276252.pd