Effect of water yam (Dioscorea alata) flour fortified with distillers spent grain on nutritional, chemical, and functional properties

It was envisaged that the inclusion of treated distiller ’ s spent grain ( DSG ) to yam fl our might increase its nutritional value, with the aim of reducing nutritional diseases in communities consuming yam as a staple. Hence, yam fl our was fortifi ed with DSG at 5–35%. The effects of this fortifi cation on the nutritional, chemical, and functional properties of yam fl our were investigated. The result showed a signifi cant increase ( P 0.001) in fat, ash, protein, total amino acids, total dietary fi ber, and insoluble dietary fi ber contents of the blends as DSG increased except for starch and soluble dietary fi ber contents, which decreased. The functional properties showed a signifi cant ( P 0.001) reduction with DSG inclusion. The inclusion of DSG increased both the tryptophan and methionine contents of the blends. Therefore, the DSG fortifi ed yam fl our could contribute to quality protein intake in populations consuming yam as a staple, due to its indispensible amino acid content

Strengthening retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatment services in Nigeria: a case study of activities, challenges and outcomes 2017-2020.

OBJECTIVES: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) will become a major cause of blindness in Nigerian children unless screening and treatment services expand. This article aims to describe the collaborative activities undertaken to improve services for ROP between 2017 and 2020 as well as the outcome of these activities in Nigeria. DESIGN: Descriptive case study. SETTING: Neonatal intensive care units in Nigeria. PARTICIPANTS: Staff providing services for ROP, and 723 preterm infants screened for ROP who fulfilled screening criteria (gestational age <34 weeks or birth weight ≤2000 g, or sickness criteria). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A WhatsApp group was initiated for Nigerian ophthalmologists and neonatologists in 2018. Members participated in a range of capacity-building, national and international collaborative activities between 2017 and 2018. A national protocol for ROP was developed for Nigeria and adopted in 2018; 1 year screening outcome data were collected and analysed. In 2019, an esurvey was used to collect service data from WhatsApp group members for 2017-2018 and to assess challenges in service provision. RESULTS: In 2017 only six of the 84 public neonatal units in Nigeria provided ROP services; this number had increased to 20 by 2018. Of the 723 babies screened in 10 units over a year, 127 (17.6%) developed any ROP; and 29 (22.8%) developed type 1 ROP. Only 13 (44.8%) babies were treated, most by intravitreal bevacizumab. The screening criteria were revised in 2020. Challenges included lack of equipment to regulate oxygen and to document and treat ROP, and lack of data systems. CONCLUSION: ROP screening coverage and quality improved after national and international collaborative efforts. To scale up and improve services, equipment for neonatal care and ROP treatment is urgently needed, as well as systems to monitor data. Ongoing advocacy is also essential

Effects of Selected Assistive Devices on Normal Distance Gait Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of selected assistive devices on normal standards of gait. The gait characteristics of stride length, step length, step width, and foot angle were analyzed for 24 right-dominant, healthy men under four conditions: right ankle-foot orthosis (AFO), right hemiplegic arm sling (HAS), both devices (AFO+HAS), and no devices. The dependent variables were measured by a standard method from ink traces left by subjects walking on newsprint. Order of conditions was controlled, and cadence remained consistent across all four conditions for each subject. The AFO and AFO+HAS conditions produced statistically significant changes from normal gait characteristics. The HAS alone did not produce significant changes. Data from the study may be used as a basis for goal setting and as a guideline for the optimal level of function possible for a person wearing these devices. The extent of the patient\u27s orthopedic and neurologic involvement should of course be considered

Dynamics of pomegranate fruit weight loss during precooling and ambient storage: a spatial and temporal analysis

In this paper the spatiotemporal profile of weight loss of pomegranate fruit (cv. Wonderful) was investigated during precooling and simulated shelf conditions. The effects of relative humidity (RH) inside the cold room, polyliner inside the packaging and stack orientation on fruit weight loss were studied. Weight loss during the precooling operation ranged from 0.17 to 0.25% of the initial fruit weight and was highest during precooling of stack without liner and inside non-humidified room (0.25%). It was observed that fruit weight loss in liner-based packaging was almost equivalent to room humidification. Results of the shelf life study demonstrated the importance of room humidification to preserve fruit quality. Storing fruit in a room at 95% RH minimised weight loss and best maintained fruit colour, firmness, size and chemical quality attributes of pomegranates. On the other hand, fruit stored at ambient condition (65% RH) up to 30 days had excessive weight loss (up that 29.13±1.49%), which led to shrivel, deformed appearance and considerably reduced overall visual quality

DYNAMICS OF POMEGRANATE FRUIT WEIGHT LOSS DURING PRECOOLING AND AMBIENT STORAGE: A SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL ANALYSIS

In this paper the spatiotemporal profile of weight loss of pomegranate fruit (cv. Wonderful) was investigated during precooling and simulated shelf conditions. The effects of relative humidity (RH) inside the cold room, polyliner inside the packaging and stack orientation on fruit weight loss were studied. Weight loss during the precooling operation ranged from 0.17 to 0.25% of the initial fruit weight and was highest during precooling of stack without liner and inside non-humidified room (0.25%). It was observed that fruit weight loss in liner-based packaging was almost equivalent to room humidification. Results of the shelf life study demonstrated the importance of room humidification to preserve fruit quality. Storing fruit in a room at 95% RH minimised weight loss and best maintained fruit colour, firmness, size and chemical quality attributes of pomegranates. On the other hand, fruit stored at ambient condition (65% RH) up to 30 days had excessive weight loss (up that 29.13±1.49%), which led to shrivel, deformed appearance and considerably reduced overall visual quality

THE ROLE OF HORTICULTURAL PACKAGE VENT HOLE DESIGN ON STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE

Globally, ventilated paperboard packaging has been widely utilised particularly in the horticultural industry to protect packed produce against damage to satisfy consumer needs. During postharvest activities, the packages are exposed to cold environment and mechanical hazards. The mechanical hazards may result from different loadings such as drop, impact, vibration, compression or a combination of all. Designing ventilated packages should be such that they can provide uniform air distribution to cool the packed produce and protect the produce against mechanical damage. However, the presence of vent holes causes material loss of the package, thereby reducing the stacking strength of the packages and consequently resulting in produce damage. The strength of the package is crucial for preserving the produce and therefore optimising the package is essential to save time, money and resources. This research was aimed at evaluating the structural behaviour of ventilated packages. Finite element analysis was used to create models to study the buckling of three ventilated package designs when subjected to compression load. Packages with different vent area and paperboard grades were studied. Experiments were used to quantify box compression strength. Results of mechanical strength evaluation showed a negative linear relationship between carton strength and vent area. Board thickness increased the compression strength of the packages. At 2% and 4% vent areas, packages with C flute board reduced in strength by as high as 46% when compared with the strength of the packages with B flute board. Numerical results and experimental results were in good agreement, within 12%. This study suggests the need for alternative package designs, considering the mechanical strength while still providing proper and adequate ventilation to the packed produce

The role of horticultural package vent hole design on structural performance

Globally, ventilated paperboard packaging has been widely utilised particularly in the horticultural industry to protect packed produce against damage to satisfy consumer needs. During postharvest activities, the packages are exposed to cold environment and mechanical hazards. The mechanical hazards may result from different loadings such as drop, impact, vibration, compression or a combination of all. Designing ventilated packages should be such that they can provide uniform air distribution to cool the packed produce and protect the produce against mechanical damage. However, the presence of vent holes causes material loss of the package, thereby reducing the stacking strength of the packages and consequently resulting in produce damage. The strength of the package is crucial for preserving the produce and therefore optimising the package is essential to save time, money and resources. This research was aimed at evaluating the structural behaviour of ventilated packages. Finite element analysis was used to create models to study the buckling of three ventilated package designs when subjected to compression load. Packages with different vent area and paperboard grades were studied. Experiments were used to quantify box compression strength. Results of mechanical strength evaluation showed a negative linear relationship between carton strength and vent area. Board thickness increased the compression strength of the packages. At 2% and 4% vent areas, packages with C flute board reduced in strength by as high as 46% when compared with the strength of the packages with B flute board. Numerical results and experimental results were in good agreement, within 12%. This study suggests the need for alternative package designs, considering the mechanical strength while still providing proper and adequate ventilation to the packed produce

The Effects of Multilateral Trade Liberalization on Agriculture: The Case of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries

This study assessed the trade and welfare impacts of agricultural trade liberalization within the context of both unilateral and WTO multilateral trade liberalization in the GCC countries. The analysis focused on the specific effects of the agricultural sector as well as on the economy-wide effects, which were reflected in the exchange rate, balance of payment and changes in economic welfare. The assessment was undertaken using the World Trade Simulation Model (WTSM) to solve for the equilibrium prices and values of trade. Results showed that under all the trade liberalization scenarios considered, the economic effects on the GCC region in terms of trade and economic welfare will be positive. However, multilateral trade liberalization covering all the goods offered the greatest benefit to the GCC economies. Also, the study showed that changes in economic welfare were much higher under liberalization process covering all the sectors rather than liberalization covering only the agricultural sector. The effects of multi-lateral trade liberalization on domestic prices will depend on the type of commodity, the world price change and the initial level of protection

Quantifying the effects of fruit position in the canopy on physical and biochemical properties and predicting susceptibility to rind breakdown disorder of ?Nules Clementine? mandarin (<I>Citrus reticulate </I>Blanco) using Vis/NIR spectroscopy

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