Analysis of the Shelf Life of Soya Bean (Glycine max) Flour

Aim: This work was to investigate the shelf life of fresh and stored soybean flour by isolating resident bacteria and carrying out their proximate analyses. Place and Duration of study: Samples were bought from Roundabout market at Iwo, Osun state, Nigeria. An analysis was carried out within 8 month. Methodology: The bacteria were isolated and identified using standard morphological and biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated bacteria was also carried out using standard methods. Results: Isolated bacteria belonged to genera Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Escherichia and Enterobacter. The number of isolated organisms was higher in all cases in the stored flour sample. The results showed that the percentage of crude protein (37.0 ± 0.12), crude fat (16.4 ± 0.04) and dry matter (91.1 ± 0.06), was highest in the freshly purchased soybean flour. The moisture content of the stored flour was (9.1 0. ± 06), while carbohydrate (35.2%), ash (3.9 ± 0.04) and crude fibre (4.2 ± 0.02) were also higher. Resistance to antibiotics was highest to cloxacillin (100%), amoxicillin (75%) and augmentin (75%). Conclusion: The result of this work showed that long term storage is detrimental to the soybean flour and the presences of antibiotic resistant bacteria have serious public health implications

Residual Stress Measurement of Suspension HVOF-Sprayed Alumina Coating via a Hole-Drilling Method

The nature and magnitude of residual stresses in thermal-sprayed coatings determine their lifetime and failure mechanisms. The residual stresses of suspension high-velocity oxy-fuel (SHVOF) thermal sprayed alumina (Al2O3) coating were measured with hole-drilling and x-ray diffraction. The coating is dense and consists of amorphous and two crystalline phases: alpha and gamma. The residual stresses measured by hole-drilling in the Al2O3 coating was − 162 MPa (compression) in the longitudinal direction and − 104 MPa (compression) in the transverse direction. This is due to the peening stress and the high substrate–coating CTE ratio of ~ 2.1. The nature of the residual stress through the coating is related to the microstructure build-up shown from the cross section and the fracture surfaces of the coating

Neutron diffraction residual stress measurements in suspension HVOF sprayed Al2O3 and YSZ coatings.

Thermally sprayed coatings have residual stresses due to the processing techniques where the particles go through thermal softening/melting, high velocity impact and rapid solidification. The nature and magnitude of residual stresses in these coatings determine the bond strength and failure mechanisms. This investigation thus involves a non-destructive neutron diffraction residual stress evaluation of suspension high-velocity oxy-fuel (S-HVOF) thermal sprayed alumina and YSZ coatings onto 304 stainless steel substrates. SHVOF spray is a high deposition efficiency process to deposit coatings from sub-micron or nanometric feedstock particles. Neutron diffraction measurements were performed at the UK ISIS facility, using ENGIN-X pulsed neutron diffractometer to obtain through thickness residual stress profiles. The Z- scanning method was used to avoid pseudo-strains in the neutron diffraction measurements near the coating surface whereby the incident neutron beam/gauge volume was partially submerged and traversed vertically out of the horizontal coating surface. The residual stress in the alumina coating was compressive across the whole thickness while the stress changed from tensile to compressive in the YSZ coatings. The residual stress measurements were complemented by lab based X-ray diffraction residual stress measurement techniques. Depth sensing indention of the coatings were also performed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the stresses in SHVOF sprayed ceramic coatings

Geochemical Appraisal of Termite-Reworked Clay Soils from Basement Complex Terrain: Implications as Landfill Liners

The geochemical and mineralogical assessment was prompted by the considerable presence of Termitaria overburden on the Basement Complex outcrops in southwest Nigeria with the goal of determining their suitability as landfill liners. The X-Ray Fluorescene (XRF) and X-Ray Diffraction techniques were used to examine ten soil samples. Major oxides and mineralogical values were analysed to determine the effectiveness of soil engineering. Weathering indices and silica/sesquioxide ratios were also measured. The results of the mineralogical investigation showed that kaolinite clay mineral predominated, which is indicative of non-swelling qualities. The outcomes demonstrated that the soil is a true laterite as well as a lateritic soil. Fair carrying capacity was shown by the stability and shear resistance values of 47.15% and 48.11%, respectively. The weathering indices show severe weathering, high clay fraction, strong plasticity, and low hydraulic conductivity with an average of 95% and 0.59 weight percent, respectively. Additionally, the repackaging of the clay soils by termite activity produced greater interlocking and water film resistance. These characteristics make soils an excellent material for landfill liners due to their improved density and bearing capacity, resilience to chemical attack, and reconstructed structure. Keywords: Landfill liners. Termitaria, Kaolinite, Mineralogy and Geochemical Properties DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-8-03 Publication date:October 31st 202

YAG thermal barrier coatings deposited by suspension and solution precursor thermal spray

Yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) is a promising topcoat material for thermal barrier coatings due to its high temperature stability and better CMAS (calcium-magnesium-alumino-silicate) resistance. YAG topcoats were deposited by suspension and solution precursor high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) thermal spray. The relationships between processing, microstructure and final properties were studied through a range of characterization techniques and thermal cycling tests. The microstructure of the as-sprayed YAG topcoat from stoichiometric solution precursor (SP-YAG) had distributed pores and inter-splat boundaries, while the as-sprayed topcoat produced from suspension (S-YAG) had vertical and branched micro cracks, pores, and inter-splat boundaries. Both as-sprayed coatings were composed of amorphous phase, hexagonal yttrium aluminium perovskite (YAP) and cubic YAG. In thermal cycling tests, 20% of SP-YAG failure was reached after the 10th cycle; whereas, S-YAG reached the failure criteria between the 60th and 70th cycle. The failure of both the SP-YAG and the S-YAG topcoats occurred due to thermal stresses during the thermal cycling

The practice of hepatocellular cancer surveillance in Nigeria

Background: Hepatocellular cancer is a disease of global and public health importance due to the widespread distribution of risk factors and associated high case fatality. Hepatocellular Cancer (HCC) in Sub-Saharan Africa is commonly seen among the younger age groups (<45 years) who present mostly in the terminal stage, when the disease is not amenable to any curative therapy. Hepatocellular Carcinoma surveillance employs the use of simple, cheap and readily available investigations, to detect early curable cancer in individuals with risk factors for HCC.Objectives:The aim of this study is to assess the practice of hepatocellular cancer screening among physicians.Methodolgy:This is a nationwide online survey carried out among physicians who care for patients with HCC. A questionnaire was sent out via a web link to all consenting doctors in Nigeria. The responses were collated in a cloud-based application and data was analysed using Epi-info version 20.Results:Atotal of 218 respondents, 142 were males (65.1 %) with a mean age of 37.6 ± 5.7 years. The modal age group was 31-40 years 153 (69.5%). The main factors considered as a hindrance to surveillance were; the cost of the tests (57.7%), failure of return of patients (50.5%) and not being aware of a surveillance program (45.2 %). The majority of the respondents were Gastroenterologists and Family Physicians. 54% of the gastroenterologists and 64% of the family physicians have never offered HCC surveillance to their patients.Conclusion:This survey highlights a knowledge gap in HCC surveillance among physicians. There is a need to make HCCsurveillance a daily routine among patients at risk by all physicians. Keywords: Surveillance, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, HBV, HCV, Cancer screening

Carbapenem resistance expressed by Gram-negative bacilli isolated from a cohort of Libyan patients

Background and objectives: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and other Gram-negative bacteria are among the most common pathogens responsible for both community and hospital acquired infection. The global spread of cephalosporinases in Enterobacteriaceae has led to the increased use of carbapenems resulting in the emergence and rapid spread of CRE. This has become an alarming public health concern, yet the condition in Libya remains unclear. The aim of this study was to obtain a better understanding of CRE strains prevalent in Libyan patients by investigating their phenotypic characteristics and antibiograms. Methods: Gram-negative bacterial species were collected from Misrata Central Hospital, Misrata Cancer Centre and Privet Pathology Laboratories. Clinical samples and swabs were obtained from hospitalised and non-hospitalised patients and from mechanical ventilation and suction machines. Patients who had received antibiotic therapy for at least three days prior to the study were excluded. The identification and characterization of the isolated species were achieved using the growth characteristics on MacConkey and blood agar, spot tests and API 20E or API 20NE biochemical testing systems. Screening for carbapenem resistance was performed using the disk diffusion method with carbapenem 10 μg and cephalosporin 30 μg disks and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined using the Sensititre Gram-negative Xtra plate format (GNX2F). All strains demonstrating resistance or reduced susceptibility to one of the four carbapenems were subjected to carbapenememase activity detection using the RAPIDEC CARBA NP test, Modified Hodge test and carbapenem inactivation methods. Results: A total of one hundred and forty isolates representing fourteen bacterial species were isolated from 140 non-duplicated specimens. Clinical specimens included urine samples (96/140, 68.57%), sputum (15/140, 10.71%), surgical wound swabs (18/140, 12.85%), foot swabs from diabetes mellitus (DM) patients (6/140, 4.29%), ear swabs (3/140, 2.14%) and wound swabs (2/140, 1.43%). Thirty-four (24.29%) isolates demonstrated resistance to at least one of the four carbapenems with Klebsiella pneumoniae representing 73.53% (25 isolates) of all carbapenem resistant species, followed by 8.82% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3 isolates), 5.88% for both Proteus mirabilis (2 isolates) and Escherichia coli (2 isolates) and 2.94% for both Citrobacter koseri (1 isolate) and Rahnella aquatilis (1 isolate). The other isolates were either susceptible or cephalosporinase producers. Conclusion: This study has revealed the high rate of carbapenem resistance amongst Libyan patients and emphasizes the crucial need for accurate screening, identification and susceptibility testing to prevent further spread of nosocomial and community acquired resistance. This may be achieved through the establishment of antibiotic stewardship programmes along with firm infection control practices.National Research Foundation of South Africa; Libyan GovernmentWeb of Scienc

The Helicobacter pylori Genome Project : insights into H. pylori population structure from analysis of a worldwide collection of complete genomes

Helicobacter pylori, a dominant member of the gastric microbiota, shares co-evolutionary history with humans. This has led to the development of genetically distinct H. pylori subpopulations associated with the geographic origin of the host and with differential gastric disease risk. Here, we provide insights into H. pylori population structure as a part of the Helicobacter pylori Genome Project (HpGP), a multi-disciplinary initiative aimed at elucidating H. pylori pathogenesis and identifying new therapeutic targets. We collected 1011 well-characterized clinical strains from 50 countries and generated high-quality genome sequences. We analysed core genome diversity and population structure of the HpGP dataset and 255 worldwide reference genomes to outline the ancestral contribution to Eurasian, African, and American populations. We found evidence of substantial contribution of population hpNorthAsia and subpopulation hspUral in Northern European H. pylori. The genomes of H. pylori isolated from northern and southern Indigenous Americans differed in that bacteria isolated in northern Indigenous communities were more similar to North Asian H. pylori while the southern had higher relatedness to hpEastAsia. Notably, we also found a highly clonal yet geographically dispersed North American subpopulation, which is negative for the cag pathogenicity island, and present in 7% of sequenced US genomes. We expect the HpGP dataset and the corresponding strains to become a major asset for H. pylori genomics

Information Technology and Computer Science

Abstract-The high rate at which Africans die of syphilis yearly has been majorly attributed to the uneven ratio of the patients to competent medical practitioners who provide Medicare. This mortality rate has always drawn the attention of researchers and different approaches had been used to bring the rate down. This paper provides a software solution that personifies the expertlike way of providing diagnostic service to patients who suffer this disease. It is capable of making approximate diagnosis based on uncertainties. The system has been structured into five components: user interface, fuzzification, knowledge base, inference engine and defuzzification. The user interface uses a graphic user interface based method of human-computer interaction while the fuzzification component has transformed crisp quantities into fuzzy quantities using both interval-valued and S-curve membership functions. The reasoning has been achieved using root sum square (RSS) method and transformation of fuzzy values to scalar ones was through weighted average method. This system was tested and found effective

Hydrophobically modified chitosan biopolymer connects halloysite nanotubes at the oil-water interface as complementary pair for stabilizing oil droplets

The integration of cationic and hydrophobic functionalities into hydrophobically modified chitosan (HMC) biopolymer facilitates complementary emulsion stabilization with negatively charged halloysite clay nanotubes (HNT). Oil-in-water emulsions with smaller droplet sizes and significantly improved interfacial resistance to droplet coalescence are obtained on complementary emulsion stabilization by HNT and HMC compared to the individual emulsifiers alone. Contact angle measurements shows that the adsorption of the cationic HMC onto the negatively charged HNT modifies the surface wettability of the nanotubes, facilitating the attachment of the nanotubes to the oil–water interface. High resolution cryo-SEM imaging reveals that free HMC chains locks the nanotubes together at the oil–water interface, creating a high barrier to droplet coalescence. The emulsion stability is an order of magnitude higher for conditions in which the aqueous HNT dispersion is stabilized by the HMC compared to conditions where the negatively charged HNT is strongly flocculated by the cationic HMC. The hydrophobic interaction between HMC chains, insertion of HMC hydrophobes into the oil phase and electrostatic interactions between HMC and HNT are proposed as key mechanisms driving the increased emulsion stability. For potential application as a dispersant system for crude oil spill treatment, the nanotubular morphology of HNT was further exploited for the encapsulation of the water-insoluble surfactant, sorbitan monooleate (Span 80). The HMC and HNT sterically strengthens the oil–water interfacial layer while release of the Span 80 surfactant from the HNT lumen lowers the oil–water interfacial tension. The concepts advanced here are relevant in the development of environmentally-benign dispersants for oil spill remediation