The use of wavelength-dispersive x-ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectroscopy and multivariate techniques for the assessment of illegal dyes in spices

Dissertação de mestrado Erasmus Mundus para obtenção do grau de mestre em Técnicas Laboratoriais ForensesSudan dyes are synthetic azo and diazo compounds that are banned for use in food worldwide including the European Community due to their potential toxicity to humans. The ability of WDXRF spectroscopic technique to predict the levels of adulteration of paprika and sweet pepper suspected to be adulterated with Sudan I-IV, Para Red and Sunset Yellow FCF dyes was investigated in this study. Logistic regression and discriminant analysis classification models were developed to predict the type of adulteration using WDXRF spectral features such as the Compton and Rayleigh scatter intensities and the Compton and Rayleigh ratios. Prediction of the levels of adulteration was assessed by using multiple regression analysis. 83% of the 210 adulterated samples were correctly classified by the logistic regression with 90% sensitivity, 75%specificity with a prediction power of 92% into respective adulteration groups. 86% and 90% correct prediction were obtained for discriminant analysis models with 94% sensitivity and 74% specificity. Three multiple regression models were performed for each data set. Models based on the Compton and Rayleigh ratios, Compton and Rayleigh scatter intensities as well as a full model based on both ratios and scatter intensities were developed and compared with each other. The full model revealed to be the best model to predict the levels of adulteration with an adjusted R2 between 95.1 to 99.0% with the errors of estimate between 1.6 to 3.7%.To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first time such methodological approach was used for the purposes of screening illegal dyes in food matrices. Moreover, WDXRF technique may represent a promising tool for the screening of Sudan dyes-adulterated spices and can be used as an alternative to classical methods for determining Sudan dyes present in food

Trending Technologies: A Corpus-based Genre Analysis of Abstracts on ChatGPT

Genre studies have dominated academic contexts, with a particular focus on research article abstracts. Such studies have focused on single and cross-discipline discourse practices, rather than how different disciplines address a common subject based on its communicative purpose. Against this backdrop, this study conducted a corpus-based genre analysis of RA abstracts on ChatGPT. Synergising ESP textual analysis, and corpus-based analysis, the study analysed 72 abstracts. The analyses revealed the ‘Product’ and ‘Purpose’ moves were the most frequent in the abstracts. The ‘Product’ move was afforded much textual space. Concerning the lexicogrammatical features, chatgpt was typified in all the abstracts, occurring frequently at the ‘Introduction’ and ‘Purpose’ moves. Furthermore, the potential and use of ChatGPT, as well as its educational implications, were themes developed from the lexicogrammatical characteristics. Based on these findings, the study provides recommendations for practice and further research

A Genre Analysis of Research Article Abstracts in Forensic Linguistics

As a key genre in the academic discourse community, research articles (RA) have enjoyed great popularity over the years. A key component of the RA is the RA abstract. Its essence is seen in its objective of giving an overview of the study. Given the dearth of genre analysis in the Forensic Linguistics discipline, the study aimed at exploring the move structure and lexico-grammatical features of RA abstracts published in Forensic Linguistics. Adopting Hyland’s five-move model for analysing abstracts, the study randomly sampled ninety (90) RA abstracts from three different Forensic Linguistics journals. Guided by Hüttner’s classification model, the study identified the Purpose move as an obligatory move with 100%. It was revealed that the abstracts follow the semi-linear move sequence, i.e., M1>M2>M3>M4, which was the preferred pattern. The highest textual space was allocated to the Introduction move, and the average number of words in the abstract was 264. With the linguistic realisation of the moves, the present verb tense was preferred, occurring frequently in the Introduction, Purpose, Product and Conclusion moves. Adjunct adverbials were found to dominate the Introduction move, while disjunct adverbials never occurred in any of the moves. The study has insightful implications for language pedagogy, knowledge in the field of Forensic linguistics, and further research

Understanding of Entrepreneurship in the Emergency of High Technology Firms: the Impact of the Longitudinal Case Study within a Construction Industry Context.

Entrepreneurs create companies, employment and are often in the vanguard and view technology developments and applications- they are the Schumpeterian agents of ‘creative destructive’. This is widely recognized reality which underpins national and regional policies to create the conditions necessary to encourage and sustain entrepreneurial start-up companies. It is therefore surprising there is a dearth of research in to entrepreneurship within a construction industry context-given the high company formation rate in most within a construction sectors. This deficiency is further accentuated by the lack of understanding of entrepreneurship in high technology domains in an era when we seek new technologies to improve the environmental and whole lifecycle performance of buildings. This paper reportson an ongoing Construction Knowledge Exchange funded project which is tracking time, real time, the start- up and growth of a company which developing and introducing a range of leading edge light emitting diode technologies. Interim results will be presented on the interplay between business environment conditions and the complex emergence of the company: from the original motivation of the founders of the firm, to its growth strategy and organizational design and its business development and marketing strategy. Key words: entrepreneurship, high technology, light emitting diode, Context,Industr

Effect Of The Application Of Different Cooking Periods On The Physicochemical Properties And Microbial Safety Of Hot Pepper Sauce

Hot pepper sauce is a frequently used product in most Ghanaian homes, schools, and restaurants, which occasionally serves as condiments. The cooking period during the production process of hot pepper sauce results in physicochemical changes, which affect the quality and safety of the sauce. The study seeks to determine the effect of the application of different cooking times on the physicochemical properties and microbial safety of hot pepper sauce. The cooking periods were 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, and 1 hour for samples A, B, C, and D. Standard physicochemical and microbiological techniques were employed in the various analysis. Sample D (1 hour cooked) recorded the least moisture and ash content, insoluble acid ash, and a statistically significant acid value (

Senior Citizen Technology Accessibility Assessment

Final Project for INST490: Integrated Capstone for Information Science (Spring 2021). University of Maryland, College Park.The Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation runs numerous programs to serve senior citizens. This includes programs ranging from intellectual and physical engagement to social services and healthcare-related programs. Due to the pandemic and enforcement of social distancing protocols, the county has moved most of its services online. The Department of Parks and Recreation is eager to ensure that the senior community is engaged with the online services and they can leverage online access and services to use the entire catalog of senior-focused events and services. Currently, many in the senior community find it challenging to navigate the Parks and Recreation website and access its resources. This situation is limiting the engagement of the senior community with the online services. A new education curriculum is necessary to help teach those who find the online registration system challenging to access and interact with the services. This document explores various problems senior users encounter when working with technology in general and in navigating the Parks and Recreation’s website in particular. It proposes website improvements and recommendations to increase senior citizen participation in Parks and Recreation programs in a virtual environment.Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreatio

Phytochemistry, nutritional composition and pharmacological potential of Moringa oleifera: A comprehensive review

Moringa oleifera is a medicinally important plant of the family Moringaceae, which is highly valued because of its enormous nutritional and therapeutic potential. Each part of M. oleifera is said to contain medicinal properties, which contributes to its diversity and value as a medicinal herb. Literature has revealed that the plant possesses anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antifertility, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, and other important pharmacological attributes. Most of these biological activities of the plant are due to its high content of phytochemicals, including flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, terpenes, glucosides, glucosinolates, anthocyanins, and steroids. Aside from the plant’s exceptional phytochemicals and therapeutic potentials, it is also rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, beta-carotene, fiber, and fatty acids. This systematic review aims at providing updated and categorized scientific data on phytochemicals, nutritional composition, and pharmacological potentials of M. oleifera. The information compiled in this present review would be crucial for developing novel therapeutic medicines and pharmaceutical formulations, which are more effective with great curative actions

Knowledge into the Practice against COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study from Ghana

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected populations globally, including Ghana. Knowledge of the COVID-19 disease, and the application of preventive public health interventions are pivotal to its control. Besides a lockdown, measures taken against the spread of the virus include the wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular hand washing with soap and, more recently, vaccination against the virus. In order to establish a possible link between the knowledge of the disease and compliance with preventive measures, including vaccination, a cross-sectional study employing an interview-structured questionnaire was conducted in six regions of Ghana (n = 1560). An adequate level of knowledge of COVID-19 (69.9%) was reported. The linear multiple regression analysis further explicated the differences in the knowledge of COVID-19 among the respondents by their knowledge of cholera and influenza (adjusted R-Square = 0.643). Despite this profound knowledge of the illness, two thirds of the respondents were unwilling to follow basic preventive measures and only 35.3% were willing to be vaccinated. Amazingly, neither knowledge of COVID-19 nor the socio demographic characteristics had any meaningful influence on the practice of preventive measures. Personal attitude leading to efficient public compliance with preventive measures, therefore, is a critical issue demanding special attention and effective interventions by the government and locals with authority to curb the spread of the pandemic which surpasses the traditional channels of public health communication. This includes a roll-out of persuasion, possibly including public figures and influencers, and in any case, a balanced and open discussion addressing the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in order to avoid new variants and comparable problems currently facing many countries of Western Europe. Indeed, a profound hesitancy against vaccination may turn African countries such as Ghana for many years into hotspots of new viral variants

COVID-19 in Ghana: Knowledge, perception and practice among health trainees

Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, perceptions and practices among health trainees in Ghana regarding COVID-19. Understanding the knowledge, perception and practices among health trainees can provide important information for policy formulations and proper planning.Method: The survey was conducted through a Google form link shared on students’ social media networks mainly through Facebook, and WhatsApp platforms. Responses received were imported to SPSS version 24 for cleaning and analysis. Output measures were demonstrated in simple frequency and percentages, using tables and charts. Fisher’s exact test was used to assess the effect of potential covariate on practice of preventive measures with their corresponding p-values.  Results: Twenty-five percent (25%) of respondents had good knowledge, 69% had moderate knowledge and 6% had poor knowledge on COVID-19. Regarding perception of health students on COVID-19, 8.47% indicated that drinking alcohol could protect them from the virus. More than 90% of participants’ practice the general preventive measures. Gender and level of program of study was found to be significantly associated with practice of preventive measure. Male students (54.64%) were engaged in good preventive practices compared to female students (43.75%).Conclusion: Majority of the health trainees had basic information and proactive practice towards COVID-19. Most trainees had good perception on the disease, however, a few still believe that drinking alcohol will prevent them from being infected with the disease. Gender and level of trainees are significant predictors of proactive practices towards COVID-19

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century