The effect of avocado puree as fat replacer on the physical quality of muffin

Avocado (Persea americana) is a medium energy dense fruit with buttery puree texture. Avocado is high in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), which can promote healthy blood lipid profiles and regulates blood glucose levels. This study was performed to study the effect of avocado puree as a fat replacer on the physical quality of fat-reduced muffins. During the muffin-making, butter was replaced with avocado puree at a level of 25% (M1), 50% (M2), 75% (M3) and 100% (M4) whilst muffins with 0% addition of avocado puree were used as a control (M0). The effect of butter replacement on the muffin volume, moisture content, muffin texture profile analysis (TPA) and crumb colour were measured. The results showed that addition of the avocado puree has no significant difference (p>0.05) on the weight and height of the M1, M2, M3 and M4 compared to M0. 100% avocado-replacement produced significantly (p<0.05) springy muffin while the hardness, cohesiveness and chewiness of M1, M2, M3 and M4 showed no significant difference (p>0.05) compared to M0. Muffinadded avocado (M1, M2, M3 and M4) also showed to have darker colour of muffin crumb compared to the control muffins. In conclusion, utilization of avocado puree as a fat replacer in reduced-fat muffins production had not significantly (p>0.05) affected the physical properties of muffin. Therefore, avocado can be a natural ingredient for butter replacer in bakery products

SnO2–TiO2 Hybrid Nanofibers for Efficient Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Pristine SnO2 nanostructures typically result in low open circuit voltage (VOC) <500 mV due to the lower Fermi energy (EF) when employed as a photoanode materials in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). On the other hand, the most successful photoanode material, i.e., TiO2 nanoparticle although provides a high VOC ⩾ 800 mV result in poor charge collection owing to their inferior electron mobility (μn). Herein, we employ nanofiber–nanoparticle composite of SnO2–TiO2 which showed similar VOC and short circuit current density (JSC) to a reference TiO2 based DSSCs. The nanocomposite developed here involves multi-porous SnO2 nanofibers characterized by a lower EF; however, with higher μn and TiO2 nanoparticles of higher EF and lower μn. The TiO2 particles in the pores of SnO2 nanofibers were developed by TiCl4 treatment, whose concentration is optimized for the saturated JSC and VOC. The best performing DSSCs fabricated using the composite electrodes deliver power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ≈7.9% (VOC ≈ 717 mV; JSC ≈ 21 mA cm−2), which is significantly higher than pure SnO2 photoanode with PCE ≈ 3.0% (JSC ≈ 14.0 mA cm−2 and VOC ≈ 481 mV) at similar experimental conditions

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

The Deficiency of CH3NH3PbI3 Solar Cells Performance Under High Relative Humidity

With the consideration of humidity effect, the deficiency of CH3NH3PbI3 solar cells performance under high relative humidity is predicted. The efficiency limitation was studied in order to enhance the perovskite solar cell (CH3NH3PbI3) performance. To understand this convincing prediction, perovskite solar cells were synthesis, fabricated and characterized in high humidity condition. The role of humidity in degradation and then decline the perovskite solar cell performance are also clarified due to the humidity sensitive nature of these perovskite, their thin films are often prepared in-situ which may hinder their mass production

Nuts consumption pattern among Malaysian adults: a socio- demographic and dietary behaviour perspective

Abstract: The nuts consumption pattern of Malaysian adults were assessed by a set of food frequency questionnaire collected from June to December 2008 from 364 adults (129 men and 235 women) which were selected by stratified random sampling from five areas of Penang state. Average total nuts consumption of 0.77 g/day among Penang adults was found to be no gender-specific difference but was significantly different (P&lt;0.05) among ethnic groups with the highest among Indians (0.94 g/day). Kuih pau kacang was the most consumed product with a median of 0.81 g/day. Average monthly nuts expenses were only 0.4% from the household income. Majority of the adult population purchased nuts and their products twice a month (56.3%) from supermarket (34.7%). For the good benefits of nuts, authority should encourage higher nuts intake in Malaysia while enforce a more stringent regulation to protect the consumers from any health effect caused by aflatoxins in nuts and nut products

Needs Analysis Study on the Development of Multicultural Counseling Gamification Modules for Counselors in Training

Gamification in higher education is a new way in the learning environment for the 21st century. It has become an effective pedagogical tool to increase students' involvement through immediate feedback on learning activities that allow them to reflect on what they are learning. The use of games as a pedagogical strategy is the basis for student-centered pedagogy as they help promote a flexible teaching and learning environment that is in line with the curriculum stated in counselor education. To date, little research has been carried out that incorporates games in multicultural counseling pedagogy; hence, research needs to be conducted pertaining to this aspect. The article will highlight the development of a multicultural counseling gamification module known as “Immerse” based on the Gamified E-learning Design Process Model proposed by Malas and Hamtini. The Gamified E-learning design process consists of five stages; Planning, Design, Development, Deployment, and Review. The article highlights the first stage of the development of a multicultural gamification module which involves the survey on the needs analysis for constructing the criteria and elements of the module. The findings indicated that there was positive feedback in terms of respondents' needs for gaming platform to enhance their multicultural counseling competencies. Additionally, the implications of the study that help plan and design the multicultural counseling competency module will also be discussed

Polyacrylonitrile grafted cassava starch and its chemical modification with hydroxylamine hydrochloride

The graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) onto cassava starch (CS) with sodium bisulphite and potassium persulphate (KPS) as initiators was prepared. AN was grafted with gelatinized cassava at 70°C via redox method. The monomer ratios and reaction temperature were varied to obtain the maximum grafting efficiency and high grafted yield. The maximum grafting efficiency (91%) and grafted yield (93%) were attained at 50°C with ratio AN:CS 3:1 in 3 h. Poly(AN-grafted (g)-CS) was then modified with hydroxylamine hydrochloride (NH2OH.HCl) to convert the nitrile group into absorbing characteristic properties. The poly(AN-g-CS) and amidoxime-modified poly(AN-g-CS) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Brauner-Emmet-Teller. The IR spectra proved that the grafting of AN onto CS was successful and the poly(AN-g-CS) was successfully modified with NH2OH.HCl. It was shown that the specific surface area, pore volume and average pore diameter of CS were increased from 54.75 m2.g–1, 245.39 m2.g–1,0.336cm3.g–1 to 0.843 cm3.g–1 and 3.95 nm to 13.02 nm, respectively. TGA analysis proved that poly(AN-g-CS) and amidoxime-modified poly(AN-g-CS) are thermally more stable compared to CS