Comparison of Foiled and Non-Foiled Twisted-Wire Pairs Characteristics due to Coiling Stresses using the Feature Selective Validation Method

This paper presents a technique to evaluate the impact of coiling stresses on foiled and non-foiled twisted pair cables using the Feature Selective Validation Method. The use of twisted pair cables for Internet of Things (IOT) continues to grow due increasing demand for such applications. One of the ways devised by cable designers to minimize electromagnetic interference is the use of foils which comes with additional costs. However, in typical installations, cables could be subjected to repeated coiling and uncoiling stresses which affect performance. There is limited knowledge in literature on the evaluation of the impact of foils on the performance of unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables when subjected to coiling stresses anticipated during installation, hence the need to conduct this research. In this paper, four UTP cables (foiled and non-foiled) were subjected to three rounds of coiling and uncoiling tests to mimic handling stress expected in typical installations. The Feature Selective Validation (FSV) method was used to assess the impact of the coiling stress test on major performance parameters like return loss, crosstalk and impedance of the four twisted pair cables. The result of the assessment shows that the foiled cables gave the highest resilience to the coiling stress tests in all the pairs for crosstalk, while for return loss and impedance it is in two pairs. The approach presented can be used by cable installers and engineers to undertake an evaluation of cables selected for deployment

Alteration in biochemical parameters of albino Rats treated with aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (zobo) supplemented with commercial flavor additive

ABSTRACT Hepatic, renal, non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant parameters were evaluated in rats treated with aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdarifa calyces (Zobo) supplemented with a commercial flavor additive. Thirty two (32) albino rats randomized into eight groups of four (4) rats each were treated with aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa and distilled water supplemented with Joccy ® flavor additive for seven (7) days. Groups B, C and D were treated with aqueous extracts containing 16.67, 33.34 and 50.01mg/kg body weight additive respectively while groups E, F, and G when treated with similar graded concentration of flavor dissolve in distilled water. Groups A and H treated with distilled water and aqueous extract only serve as negative and positive controls respectively. Results showed that serum ALT activity was elevated but not significantly (P>0.05) in the rats treated with zobo and Joccy (50.01mg/kg b.w) compared with the positive and negative controls. AST activity dose dependently decreased in rats treated with zobo and Joccy (16.67, 33.34 and 50.01mg/kg b.w) compared with rats administered water only while plasma urea was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in rats administered with zobo and Joccy (16.67, 33.34 and 50.01mg/kg b.w) compared with rats treated with zobo only. Plasma creatinine and glutathione decreased though not significantly (P>0.05) in the treatment group compared with the controls. Mean plasma vitamin C and β-carotene were elevated though not significantly in rats treated with zobo and Joccy (50.01mg/kg b.w) compared with the controls. Mean plasma Glutathione peroxidase, SOD and catalase activities were decreased though not significantly (P>0.05) in zobo and Joccy groups (16.67, 33.34 and 50.01mg/kg b.w) when compared with the controls. The findings of this study suggest that supplementation of aqueous extracts of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (zobo) with commercial additive Joccy ® potentiates its antioxidant and nephro-protective properties

Adoption of improved cassava varieties by processors is linked to processing characteristics and products biophysical attributes

Published online: 09 Jan 2022Evidence from community cassava processors on product quality traits that influence variety adoption was combined with laboratory methods to identify potential predictors of quality traits of new varieties. The study revealed that high product yield, high starch content, high solubility index (SI), high peak viscosity (PV), low setback viscosity, and delayed root color change (delayed postharvest physiological deterioration) are possible laboratory indicators that could be used as proxies for predicting product quality and variety adoption decisions of cassava processors. Fufu exhibited higher swelling power, SI, and PV than gari from the same varieties. Processors preferred quality characteristics are difficult to measure for several hundreds of new germplasms in the early stages of the breeding cycle. The information presented may be helpful during the breeding of new, improved varieties by using the physical and chemical properties of the roots that predict processors’ preferred quality traits. Practical applications The study identified laboratory parameters that could be used as predictors of processors-preferred traits in new breeding lines with a higher possibility of adoption by processors to make commercial success products

Evaluation of Moringa oleifera as anti-plasmodial agents in the control of malaria

The anti-plasmodia activity of crude methanol extract and column fractions of methanol extract of Moringa oleifera leaves were evaluated in this study. Seventy-two Swiss albino mice randomized into eighteen groups were inoculated with chloroquine sensitive NK65 strain of Plasmodium berghei. Animals in Group 1 (negative control) were treated with physiological saline while Group 2 (positive control) were treated with 5mg/kg chloroquine. The remaining sixteen groups were treated with crude methanol extracts and seven column fractions of the crude extract of Moringa oleifera leaves at 50 and 100mg/kg for four days. Anti-malarial activity was determined by taking blood smears from the tail on day-four. Results showed that low doses of fractions F2 and F5 had a higher  activity than the high dose of the crude extract statistically significant (p<0.05) in F5 but not in F2 (p>0.05). The mean percentage parasite suppression in the positive control group was higher than that of F5 fraction but not significantly (p>0.05). Alanine aminotransferase activity was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in animals treated with crude extract when compared with those treated with F2 and F5 and negative control while Aspartate aminotransferase activity was elevated in negative and positive controls but significantly reduced (p<0.05) in F2 and F5 groups. The findings of this study confirm the presence of anti-plasmodial compounds in the leaves of Moringa oleifera.Keywords: anti-plasmodial, Moringa oleifera, Plasmodium berghei

Responding to experienced and anticipated discrimination (READ): anti -stigma training for medical students towards patients with mental illness - study protocol for an international multisite non-randomised controlled study

BackgroundStigma and discrimination are a significant public health concern and cause great distress to people with mental illness. Healthcare professionals have been identified as one source of this discrimination. In this article we describe the protocol of an international, multisite controlled study, evaluating the effectiveness of READ, an anti-stigma training for medical students towards patients with mental illness. READ aims to improve students' ability to minimise perceived discriminatory behaviours and increase opportunities for patients, therefore developing the ability of future doctors to address and challenge mental illness related discrimination. READ includes components that medical education research has shown to be effective at improving attitudes, beliefs and understanding.Methods/designREAD training was developed using evidence based components associated with changes in stigma related outcomes. The study will take place in multiple international medical schools across high, middle and low income countries forming part of the INDIGO group network, with 25 sites in total. Students will be invited to participate via email from the lead researcher at each site during their psychiatry placement, and will be allocated to an intervention or a control arm according to their local teaching group at each site. READ training will be delivered solely to the intervention arm. Standardised measures will be used to assess students' knowledge, attitudes and skills regarding discrimination in both the intervention and control groups, at baseline and at follow up immediately after the intervention. Statistical analyses of individual-level data will be conducted using random effects models accounting for clustering within sites to investigate changes in mean or percentages of each outcome, at baseline and immediately after the intervention.DiscussionThis is the first international study across high, middle and low income countries, which will evaluate the effectiveness of training for medical students to respond effectively to patients' experiences and anticipation of discrimination. The results will promote implementation of manualised training that will help future doctors to reduce the impact of mental illness related discrimination on their patients. Limitations of the study are also discussed

Anti-stigma training and positive changes in mental illness stigma outcomes in medical students in ten countries: a mediation analysis on pathways via empathy development and anxiety reduction

Purpose: Studies of mental illness stigma reduction interventions have been criticised for failing to evaluate behavioural outcomes and mechanisms of action. This project evaluates training for medical students entitled 'Responding to Experienced and Anticipated Discrimination' (READ), developed to focus on skills in addition to attitudes and knowledge. We aimed to (i) evaluate the effectiveness of READ with respect to knowledge, attitudes, and clinical communication skills in responding to mental illness-related discrimination, and (ii) investigate whether its potential effectiveness was mediated via empathy or/and intergroup anxiety. Methods: This is an international multisite non-randomised pre- vs post-controlled study. Eligible medical students were currently undertaking their rotational training in psychiatry. Thirteen sites across ten countries (n = 570) were included in the final analysis. Results: READ was associated with positive changes in knowledge (mean difference 1.35; 95% CI 0.87 to 1.82), attitudes (mean difference - 2.50; 95% CI - 3.54 to - 1.46), skills (odds ratio 2.98; 95% CI 1.90 to 4.67), and simulated patient perceived empathy (mean difference 3.05; 95% CI 1.90 to 4.21). The associations of READ with knowledge, attitudes, and communication skills but not with simulated patient perceived empathy were partly mediated through student reported empathy and intergroup anxiety. Conclusion: This is the first study to identify mediating effects of reduced intergroup anxiety and increased empathy in an evaluation of anti-stigma training that includes behavioural measures in the form of communication skills and perceived empathy. It shows the importance of both mediators for all of knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and hence of targeting both in future interventions