Root and Tuber Crops: An Underexploited Source of Pectin and Future Prospects

Starchy root and tuber crops are important global sources of carbohydrates with potentials to lift millions of people out of poverty across developing countries. The billion dollar pectin market which relies heavily on pectin isolated from fruits provides ample opportunities for non-conventional sources from the root and tuber food group. Pectins are abundant in higher plants and poses varying properties that can be used across industries including the food, the health and pharmaceutical sector, and in packaging regimes. We review current research into the isolation, modification, characterization and application of pectin sourced from root and tubers and explore the implications for an under-explored market in Africa. Despite the limited research conducted on root and tuber pectin, Citric acid used in the solvent method has shown to be a promising method of extraction, producing high pectin yields with industrial and pharmaceutical properties

Chromosome evolution and the genetic basis of agronomically important traits in greater yam

The nutrient-rich tubers of the greater yam, Dioscorea alata L., provide food and income security for millions of people around the world. Despite its global importance, however, greater yam remains an orphan crop. Here, we address this resource gap by presenting a highly contiguous chromosome-scale genome assembly of D. alata combined with a dense genetic map derived from African breeding populations. The genome sequence reveals an ancient allotetraploidization in the Dioscorea lineage, followed by extensive genome-wide reorganization. Using the genomic tools, we find quantitative trait loci for resistance to anthracnose, a damaging fungal pathogen of yam, and several tuber quality traits. Genomic analysis of breeding lines reveals both extensive inbreeding as well as regions of extensive heterozygosity that may represent interspecific introgression during domestication. These tools and insights will enable yam breeders to unlock the potential of this staple crop and take full advantage of its adaptability to varied environments

Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Quantity Surveying Consultancy Services in Nigeria

In the growing Sustainable construction business, Building Information Modelling (BIM) represents a new paradigm. This new paradigm shift needs to be embraced by quantity surveyors to remail globally competitive. The construction industry has seen a many advances, including ecosystems, construction software, building information modeling (BIM) and augmented reality among others. As a result of these developments and evolutions, new tools, procedures, and software have been developed to help construction professionals be more productive. For potential integration into the life cycle of construction projects, BIM has advantage, which will enable it to become a reference point for construction projects and, as a result, it will be a vital instrument in project procurement in the future. As a result, major functions of Quantity Surveyors (QS) in BIM-based construction procurement would be significantly different from what they are now. There are concerns that BIM adoption could jeopardize the profession of Quantity Surveying. Understanding the possible expansions of QS positions in BIM-based project delivery is essential. Therefore, this study submits the review of role and responsibility of Quantity Surveyors in the adoption of BIM in Nigeria with a few to outlining the derivate benefits of its adoption

Assessment of Survival Strategies of Quantity Surveying Firms During Economic Turbulence

Financial crises occasioned by economic turbulence and stiff competition in the construction sector have forced Quantity Surveying firms (QSFs) and construction firms into finding innovative ways of surviving and staying above completion in most developing nations. The decline in the Nigerian oil and gas production and export has made it difficult for the government who is the largest client of the construction sector to limit its spending, especially in infrastructure and development projects. QSFs now scramble for effective and efficient strategies to survive the dwindling economic construction. This study assessed the survival strategies of quantity surveying firms (QSFs) during economic turbulence in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The well-structured Quantitative Questionnaire administered using snowball sampling techniques in the study area were adopted in gathering data from the target respondents. With a sample size of 86, the gathered data were analysed using frequency, percentage, and mean item score (MIS). It was found that the most critical Survival strategy adopted by QSFs during economic turbulence are; improved networking systems to increase reach, effective management of knowledge, retaining experienced staff in the company, reduction of service charges, and improved service delivery. This study concludes that the assessed survival strategies have a high level of importance and plays a critical role in ensuring that Quantity Surveying firms survive the economic downturn and the stiff competitive market of the construction sector. It is recommended that the managers of QSFs should focus on those major strategies that will keep them above the competition, in continuous business, sustainable growth, and survival during economic turbulence

Bibliometric Review of Facilities Management and Its Impact on Organizational Effectiveness

Facilities management (FM) has been adjudged to be critical in all industries both at developed and underdeveloped countries. As such, available literatures seem to agree to the fact that the importance of Facility Management to both service organization competitiveness and manufacturing can never be underestimated. But the knowledge of how FM impact on the organizational effectiveness remains unsearched. Till now, few literatures are available that examined what impact does facilities Management has on organizational effectiveness, how does the FM affect the effectiveness of an organization. Recently in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) research, bibliometric is becoming more prominent as a quantitative study that examines many characteristics of literature on a particular topic. It aids in the discovery of new information about a phenomenon under inquiry. The use of bibliometrics approaches in a variety of disciplines has resulted in an explosion of bibliometrics and associated literature. To this end, this paper therefore attempts to examine the impact of Facility Management on organization effectiveness using bibliometric approach. Through co-occurrences analysis, of word, author, journal, institution, and country analysis. A total of 309 bibliographic records from the Scopus core collection databases were selected and analyzed. The findings showed that facility Management facilities management has a significant impact on organizational effectiveness, and effective asset management has a significant impact on organizational growth. Moreover, most publication on facility Management came from UK and US than China, Australia and Norway. This study highlighted trends in contributors to highly-cited Facility management development research

Chromosome evolution and the genetic basis of agronomically important traits in greater yam.

The nutrient-rich tubers of the greater yam, Dioscorea alata L., provide food and income security for millions of people around the world. Despite its global importance, however, greater yam remains an orphan crop. Here, we address this resource gap by presenting a highly contiguous chromosome-scale genome assembly of D. alata combined with a dense genetic map derived from African breeding populations. The genome sequence reveals an ancient allotetraploidization in the Dioscorea lineage, followed by extensive genome-wide reorganization. Using the genomic tools, we find quantitative trait loci for resistance to anthracnose, a damaging fungal pathogen of yam, and several tuber quality traits. Genomic analysis of breeding lines reveals both extensive inbreeding as well as regions of extensive heterozygosity that may represent interspecific introgression during domestication. These tools and insights will enable yam breeders to unlock the potential of this staple crop and take full advantage of its adaptability to varied environments

Evaluation of a quality improvement intervention to reduce anastomotic leak following right colectomy (EAGLE): pragmatic, batched stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial in 64 countries

Background Anastomotic leak affects 8 per cent of patients after right colectomy with a 10-fold increased risk of postoperative death. The EAGLE study aimed to develop and test whether an international, standardized quality improvement intervention could reduce anastomotic leaks. Methods The internationally intended protocol, iteratively co-developed by a multistage Delphi process, comprised an online educational module introducing risk stratification, an intraoperative checklist, and harmonized surgical techniques. Clusters (hospital teams) were randomized to one of three arms with varied sequences of intervention/data collection by a derived stepped-wedge batch design (at least 18 hospital teams per batch). Patients were blinded to the study allocation. Low- and middle-income country enrolment was encouraged. The primary outcome (assessed by intention to treat) was anastomotic leak rate, and subgroup analyses by module completion (at least 80 per cent of surgeons, high engagement; less than 50 per cent, low engagement) were preplanned. Results A total 355 hospital teams registered, with 332 from 64 countries (39.2 per cent low and middle income) included in the final analysis. The online modules were completed by half of the surgeons (2143 of 4411). The primary analysis included 3039 of the 3268 patients recruited (206 patients had no anastomosis and 23 were lost to follow-up), with anastomotic leaks arising before and after the intervention in 10.1 and 9.6 per cent respectively (adjusted OR 0.87, 95 per cent c.i. 0.59 to 1.30; P = 0.498). The proportion of surgeons completing the educational modules was an influence: the leak rate decreased from 12.2 per cent (61 of 500) before intervention to 5.1 per cent (24 of 473) after intervention in high-engagement centres (adjusted OR 0.36, 0.20 to 0.64; P < 0.001), but this was not observed in low-engagement hospitals (8.3 per cent (59 of 714) and 13.8 per cent (61 of 443) respectively; adjusted OR 2.09, 1.31 to 3.31). Conclusion Completion of globally available digital training by engaged teams can alter anastomotic leak rates. Registration number: NCT04270721 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)