Health benefits of Green and Black Tea: A Review

Tea, (Camellia sinensis) is grown in about thirty countries and next to water, is the most widely consumed beverage in theworld. Based on the type of the processing, three tea types can be identified as Green, Black and Oolong tea. Drinking tea has beenconsidered a health-promoting habit since ancient times. The modern medicinal research isproviding a scientific basis for this belief. Various studies have suggested the health promoting effects of green and black tea is due to its polyphenolic compounds mainly catechins. Unlike green tea, health benefits of consuming black tea are not extensively discussed. This review is mainly focused on the health benefits of consuming green and black tea

Conditional Complexity of Compression for Authorship Attribution

We introduce new stylometry tools based on the sliced conditional compression complexity of literary texts which are inspired by the nearly optimal application of the incomputable Kolmogorov conditional complexity (and presumably approximates it). Whereas other stylometry tools can occasionally be very close for different authors, our statistic is apparently strictly minimal for the true author, if the query and training texts are sufficiently large, compressor is sufficiently good and sampling bias is avoided (as in the poll samplings). We tune it and test its performance on attributing the Federalist papers (Madison vs. Hamilton). Our results confirm the previous attribution of Federalist papers by Mosteller and Wallace (1964) to Madison using the Naive Bayes classifier and the same attribution based on alternative classifiers such as SVM, and the second order Markov model of language. Then we apply our method for studying the attribution of the early poems from the Shakespeare Canon and the continuation of Marlowe’s poem ‘Hero and Leander’ ascribed to G. Chapman.compression complexity, authorship attribution.

Development of Syzygium caryophyllatum Fruit Pulp Incorporated Rice Flakes

Nutritional quality of rice flakes was enhanced by incorporating Syzygium caryophyllatum fruit pulp while binding it with rice flour by Neolitsea cassia mucilage. Four rice flakes formulations were prepared by altering two variables namely adding with and without leavening agent (Sodium bicarbonate) into the dough and extruded dough flaxes subjected to with and without roller milling manually. According to the results, physical properties, sensorial properties and texture profile analysis of rice flakes prepared from four treatment combinations were significantly difference to each other (p<0.05) except nutritional and antioxidant activities. SC fruit pulp added rice flakes with the leavening agent and subjected to roller milling (F4) was selected as the best rice flake formulation in terms of physical, sensorial and textural properties. Further, TPC, DPPH radical scavenging activity % and FRAP value of this (F4) formulation were 7.86 GAE/100 g, 37.21 and 36.32 TE/100 g respectively.Keywords: antioxidant activity, Neolitsea cassia mucilage, rice flakes, Syzygium caryophyllatum fruit pulp, textural improvement

Identification of Important Physical Properties and Amylose Content in Commercially Available Improved and Traditional Rice Varieties in Sri Lanka

Commercially available, fourteen different rice varieties (improved and traditional) in Sri Lanka were subjected to determine amylose content and important physical properties. Under physical properties, milling parameters (such as brown rice content, husk content and total milling recovery), hardness and dimensions (length, width & thickness) including water absorption capacity (by dipping at 70°C for four hours) were measured. Amylose content of each rice variety was determined by measuring the optical density of amylose-iodine complex using spectrophotometer, while amylopectin content was obtained using the relationship equation. Results revealed, brown rice content, husk content, total milling recovery, hardness and water absorption capacities of these rice varieties were within the range of 76-78%, 20-23%, 69-72% & 28-30% respectively. Statistical analysis also indicated, those physical properties of fourteen rice varieties were significantly different to each other (p0.05)

Real-time Inpatients Risk Profiling in Acute Care: A Comparative Study of Falls and Pressure Injuries Vulnerabilities

To effectively manage patients of different vulnerabilities to falls and pressure injury entails understanding the risk drivers and predicting risk profiles in real-time, thus, we determined the core drivers of patients’ proneness to these risks while developing a machine learning strategy for their real-time prediction in acute care hospital. By implementing a multivariate logistic analysis, the risk drivers and injury risk probabilities were obtained while establishing a comparative machine learning technique for patients’ risk-profiling. We observed Multi sclerosis & motor neuron disease (MSN) and Fall during current admission (FDA) as pronounced risk drivers, and Extra Tree Classifier (ETC) and Random Forest (RF) as the best algorithms with prediction accuracy of 90.6% - 99.8%. With a cost saving of 2.3% - 38.89%, our framework will provide an efficient technique for cost-effective management of inpatients susceptible to falls and pressure injury risks on admission

Sensory Profile, Nutritional and Shelf-Life Analysis of Cassava Par-Fried Frozen Slices Developed with Raw Cassava Roots

Cassava (Manihot esculanta Crantz) is nutritionally strategic famine reserve crop in areas of unreliable rainfall, poor soil or unfavourable climate. Presence of toxic compounds and high perishability has limited the consumption of cassava roots. An experiment was carried out to develop par-fried frozen slices of cassava in order to increase the consumption of cassava roots. Mature undamaged fresh cassava roots of cultivar ‘MU 51’ were cleaned, peeled and cut in to longitudinal cubes (0.8×0.8×10 cm). The cubes were blanched, partial fried and stored, deep freeze and stored in freezer after packing in 300 gauge LDPE pouches. The experiment revealed that extended hot water blanching for 10 minutes and initial freezing for 12 hours, increase the sensory qualities of frozen fries significantly. Moisture content, carbohydrate content, mineral content, fat content, protein content and crude fibre contents of the sample were 56.71±0.80%, 32.18±0.19%, 0.42±0.02%, 9.13±0.05%, 1.18±0.06% and 0.20±0.03% respectively. Cyanide content of the cassava frozen fries sample was 1.42±0.12 ppm. According to the microbiological and chemical testing results, cassava frozen fries were safe for consumption up to 3 months at freezer storage.Keywords: Cassava, freezing, sensory attributes, frozen fries, shelf life analysi

Comparative Study on Sugar Content of Under-Utilized Sargassum spp.

Seaweeds contain high amount of carbohydrates approximating to 10% of the total nutritional composition. Detailed analysis of brown algae has exposed complex combinations of monosaccharides. Such found sugars are components of galactose, glucose, mannose, fructose, fucose and xylose. Glucose content found in the analyzed varieties were from 65% to 20%. However, in Sri Lankan context, Sargassum spp. is considered as under exploited and therefore this study is focused on to analyze the total sugar content of four Sargassum species available in Sri Lanka. Live specimens were collected from Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka (Latitude: 6.1313, Longitude: 80.1007) and the cleaned samples were oven dried and grounded into powder. Samples were hydrolyzed, and the sugar concentration was obtained by measuring the absorbance at 490 nm. Results were calculated against the standard curve drawn for D-Glucose. It was observed that the Sargassum spp. 01 has the highest sugar content (11.9%±3.5), while Sargassum Spp. 03 followed closely (11.6%±0.74). Slightly less concentration was found in Spp. 02 (10.2% ±0.09), while spp. 04 was observed to have the lowest sugar content (7.2%±2) from the analysed varieties. To establish the received sugar content, a sensory analysis was performed by using seaweed inclusive cookies with 10% from all 4 varieties. From the results obtained, it was seen that there is no significant difference at p<0.05 significance level for high sugar varieties of species 01 (p=1) and low sugar varieties (p=0.5). However, the score obtained for species 01 and 03 were higher than 02 and 04 therefore confirms that the analytical variation of sugar content if justified by the sensory profiling context as well.Keywords: Sargassum spp, Sugar, Dubois, Sensory, Seaweed

Development of Beta (β) Carotene Enriched Drinking Yoghurt by Incorporating Carrot (Daucus carota) Pulp and Orange (Citrus sinensis) Juice

Beta (β) carotene is a natural antioxidant which is omnipresent in yellow, green vegetables and fruits. The main objective of this study was to develop a β carotene enriched drinking yoghurt by incorporating carrot pulp and orange juice. The mixing ratio of carrot pulp, orange juice and yoghurt base was selected by analyzing the data gathered from a preliminary sensory trial with respect to appearance, colour, taste, mouth feel, and overall acceptability of drinking yoghurt samples. The product was developed according to the selected best formula and was subjected to analysis of chemical composition and shelf life evaluation. The sample containing 10% carrot pulp, 10% orange juice and 80% yoghurt base was selected as the best formula. Coliform, yeast and mold were absent after 35 days. The β-carotene content, antioxidant capacity and pH of the developed product were 0.495±0.001 mg/100 g, 55.245±0.008% and 4.416±0.005 respectively. Collectively these results suggest that, the developed drinking yoghurt has 35 days of shelf life with high nutritional value including pro-vitamin A which is a natural antioxidant.Keywords: β-carotene, vitamin A, natural antioxidant, drinking yoghurt, carrot pul

An Empirical Study on Ambient Conditions and Learning Effectiveness of State Universities in Sri Lanka: A Case Study in Selected Faculties of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura

This study examined the relationship between the ambient conditions and the learning effectiveness of undergraduates at state universities in Sri Lanka based on a case study conducted at University of Sri Jayewardenepura. A The general objective of this research is to identify the relationship between ambient conditions in the physical environment to enhance the learning effectiveness of state university undergraduates. Ambient conditions: temperature, Lighting, Seat Arrangements, Ambient Intelligence, and Color were the independent variables of the research whereas Learning effectiveness was the dependent variable. A hundred undergraduates from two faculties of the university were selected through a random sampling method and collected data through a structured questionnaire. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were utilized in the analysis. The correlation analysis has been employed to identify the relationship between ambient conditions and learning effectiveness. Ten hypotheses were tested using the Pearson correlation test and all the hypotheses were rejected. Further, the study employed another four tests named Mean analysis, Demographic profile, Existing facilities, and Ambient preferences. As per the findings of the study all the tested ambient conditions create a positive relationship with the learning effectiveness of the undergraduates in both faculties. However, due to the multiple regression results, only the Temperature and Lighting create an impact on learning effectiveness. Most of the architects and educational administers were faced with difficulties in creating comfortable environments to develop learning effectiveness. Therefore, these findings can suggest the best solutions for a better learning environment. Moreover, developers can add some features to the learning environment based on student’s feedback.   © 2022 The Authors. Published by Department of Estate Management and Valuation, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Keywords: Learning Effectiveness, Undergraduates, Education, Ambient Condition

Obesity dialogues – fostering policy options in Western Balkans and Central Asia

Introduction: Obesity has been identified as a serious public health challenge globally and a major determinant of premature death and disability in the WHO European Region. More than 50% of adults and one in three children around the Region are living with overweight or obesity, with prevalence close to 70% in several countries. In 2022, The WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD office) organized two policy dialogues with the objectives to highlight the obesity situation, present possible interventions and prioritize policy actions to tackle this public health issue in the regions of Western Balkans and Central Asia. Methods: Two key professionals and decision makers per country/territory were invited to discuss the current state as well as challenges and opportunities related to prevention and management of obesity in Skopje, North Macedonia (MKD) for the Western Balkans countries/territory and in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (KGZ) for the Central Asian countries. Dialogues were kindly supported by the Ministries of Health of the host countries with personal presence of the Ministers of Health and in MKD with the presence of the First Lady of the country. Results: WHO’s representatives presented on the burden of obesity in the countries of the Region by providing comprehensive data collected by the NCD Office through regular surveillance, as well as a summary of possible multisectoral actions listed in the recently published WHO European Obesity Report and other documents like the “Best Buys” to tackle NCDs. Country experiences were shared on implementing policies to reduce obesity burden like the public health tax in Hungary and the SSB tax and food marketing regulation in Portugal and also double duty actions to address the burden of both undernutrition and obesity, particularly important in the Central Asian countries. Participating countries, as final exercise of the one-day event, were asked to prioritize actions, according to the national context, and to assess the feasibility of its implementation over the short, medium, and long term. Conclusions: Participating countries at both events found that this activity was a novelty in their national approaches to tackle obesity in Western Balkans and the double burden of obesity and malnutrition in Central Asia and increased their knowledge on a whole-of government multicomponent approach to address obesity. Both the representatives of the European Region of the WHO and the participating countries concluded that dialogues among stakeholders at national level, as initiated at these meetings, should be stimulated, and executed if any success in tackling rising trends of obesity should be expected. Follow up on countries’ priorities should be performed to assess the progress and to support experts and policy makers in evidence-informed decision making for obesity.This study has been produced with financial assistance of the Government of the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of NCDs. The funders played no role in the design, conduct or reporting.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio