DON’T FALL BY THE WAYSIDE: HELPING ADOLESCENT AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES VALUE EDUCATION THROUGH MENTORING IN A THREATENING ERA

The greatest and most persistent lag in academic achievement in the United States is between African American males and all other groups of students. This study was designed to investigate one possible approach to ameliorating the gap: a school-based mentoring program that helps African American males internalize a positive racial-ethnic identity regarding their academic-self competency and possible future-selves. This study 1) examined the quality of 6th grade African American young males experience in a school-based mentoring program, 2) examined the impact of the program in terms of participants’ racial-ethnic identities in their grade point averages, academic achievement, behavior, academic self-efficacy, and possible future selves. Qualitative findings showed the mentees enjoyed the mentoring program as it allowed for meaningful interactions with guest speakers and co-learning with classmates. Academic self-efficacy findings revealed the mentees grew in their understanding that academic work may be rigorous, but persistence is key. For possible future-selves, the mentees were motivated to pursue different career-paths, believed that more things were possible in life, along with being prompted to take school more seriously. Quantitative results showed there were positive increases in the mentees’ perception of their racial ethnic-identity and grade point average. There was also statistically significant data in the academic self-efficacy and possible future-selves. The results of an ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference in the mentees’ academic self-efficacy. The results of an ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference in the mentees possible future-selves. Additionally, the mentees’ possible future-selves Cohen’s d test showed a large effect size.Educational Leadershi

Barriers to Completing Colonoscopy Screenings

Background: - Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States and the third leading cause of cancer death in Vermont. - Colon cancer progression may be prevented by removing precancerous polyps found on colonoscopy screening. -Vermont ranks among the states with the best colon cancer screening rates, but there is room for improvement. In 2006, 55.5% of Vermonters over 50 years of age had undergone a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy within the last 5 years. Vermont’s public health goal is to raise this percentage of screened individuals to 65% by 2010. - Vermont medical institutions have the resources to perform screening colonoscopies on all Vermonters over 50 years of age. - Although primary care physician (PCP) recommendations increase the likelihood of a patient completing a colonoscopy screening, a substantial number of patients referred for screening colonoscopies do not complete their appointments.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1004/thumbnail.jp

Engineering and proximate properties of miracle berry fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum L.) essential for its processing equipment design

This research was carried out to determine some physical, mechanical, mineral and proximate properties of miracle berry fruits (Synsepalum dulcificum L.) in the moisture range of 6.45− 9.73% (db). Physical properties including bulk density and terminal velocity were determined using standard methods. Mechanical properties including stiffness and deformation were determined using quasi-static compression analysis. Proximate and mineral compositions of the fruit including crude protein and calcium contents were determined using standard analytical methods. Results showed that the terminal velocity, stiffness, crude protein, calcium contents decreased generally with an increase in the moisture content (p < 0.05). The average values of the terminal velocity, stiffness, crude protein, calcium contents of the fruit at 9.73% (db) were 10.45 mm/s, 1.99 N/mm, 9.66% and 72.17 mg/100g, respectively. This finding can therefore be used in the design of processing equipment for the fruit

Isothermal adsorption modelling of Pupuru flour

The amount of moisture adsorbed by stored food products usually varies with temperature and relative humidity at a constant pressure. This research was carried out to determine the sorption isotherm behaviour of pupuru flour in the temperature and water activity (aw) ranges of 10−50 oC and 0.10−0.93 using gravimetric method. The Guggenheim-Anderson-De Boer (GAB), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Oswin and Smith sorption equations, formulated for the sorption characterization of starchy foods, were used to constitute the models. The results show that the sorption isotherm curve is similar to a Type II classification typical of starchy foods. Also, the sorption parameters (Mo, C and K) were generally higher for the products stored at 10 oC and 0.10 aw. The parameter K decreases with an increase in the temperature for the GAB and the Smith models, but remains inconsistent for the Oswin model. The Mo increases with an increase in the temperature for the GAB and Smith models. The GAB, Oswin and Smith models were generally adequate and valid with an MSE 90%). This indicates their ability to predict the sorption isortherm characteristics of the pupuru flour within its range of the aw and the storage temperature

Women Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Economic Development: Evidence from Nigeria

The emerging field of entrepreneurship in 20th century has made women entrepreneurs to be creative and innovative. However, in Africa especially Nigeria, women have historically been disadvantaged in accessing not only material resources, but also have been deprived of resources like finance, market information and modern technology. This study examined the influence of women entrepreneurs on sustainable economic development in Nigeria. Other specific objectives were to  assess the perceived contributions of women entrepreneurs to economic sustainability in Nigeria; ascertain the ways in which women entrepreneurs have been empowered; determine the factors motivating women into entrepreneurship  and to identify the major challenges facing women towards entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. This research work was carried out among the three thousand one hundred and fifty (3,150) women entrepreneurs registered with ministry of commerce and industry in the South-Western geo-political zones of Nigeria. A total of six hundred and eighty (680) participants were selected as sample size for the study. The data collection instruments for the study were structured questionnaire and personal interview. Data analysis was performed with the aid of simple percentage, mean, chi-square and linear Regression. Results revealed that involvement of women in entrepreneurship (β = 0.310, t = 17.175, P<.001) have positive and significant influence on sustainable economic development. Results also indicated that majority of women have been empowered by voting in elections, have access to education, and they have benefited from empowerment training. Furthermore, result indicated that involvement of women in entrepreneurial activities accounted for 30.3% of the variation which was explained by the model while extraneous variables accounted for about 69.7%.  Results so revealed that lack of access to finance, work/home conflict and lack of moral support from family members are major challenges facing women entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Study concluded that involvement of women in entrepreneurship is a catalyst to the sustainable economic development. The study recommended the establishment of Women Entrepreneurship Development Centre (WEDC) by the federal/state government in collaboration with private sector to provide financial assistance, business advice, mentorship and other practicable support in order to empower the Nigerian women towards realization of the self-employment aspirations. Research paper Keywords: Women Entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship, Sustainable Economic Development, Challenges Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Sajuyigbe, A. S., & Fadeyibi, I. O. (2017). Women Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Economic Development: Evidence from South Western Nigeria, Journal of Entrepreneurship, Business and Economics, 5(2), 19–46

Quality Retention and Inhibition of Thermophiles in Milk Using a Novel 3-Stage Recyclable Batch Pasteurizer

Milk quality decline and proliferation of microorganism can be prevented by heat-treatment. This however can denature the nutrients under excessive processing condition. There is therefore a need to selectively apply and evaluate this technology for milk pasteurization. In this research, the performance of a novel 3-stage recyclable batch milk pasteurizer operating at varying temperature (63– 71 °C), stirring speed (15 – 25 rpm) and holding time (15 sec – 30 min) was determined. The equipment has a hot water storage, pasteurization, and cooling tanks, which maintain the temperature of the pasteurized milk sample to 3–5oC. The nutritional quality and the thermophile loads, including Streptococcus, Clostridium, Micrococcus, and Lactobacillus in the sample were determined as performance indices. The results show no significant trace of the thermophiles (p < 0.05) and a high value of the nutritional composition at 63°C, 25 rpm stirring speed and 15 min holding time. The quality of the product decreased progressively with an increase (p < 0.05) in the temperature and speed for all holding time. Thus, the equipment can be used for milk pasteurization with a reduced nutrient denaturation and thermophiles proliferation

Effects of period and temperature on quality and shelf-life of cucumber and garden-eggs packaged using cassava starch-zinc nanocomposite film

Nanocomposite film can be used to prolong the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables. This research was undertaken to investigate the effects of packaging period and temperature on the quality and self-lives of cucumber and garden-eggs packaged using cassava starch-zinc nanocomposite film. Hundred grams each of cucumber and garden-eggs were wrapped in a 200× 350 mm size nanocomposite film and low density polyethylene (LDPE) of 2.240± 1.076 × 10-10 gm-1Pa-1s-1 water vapor and 1.568± 0.084× 10-10 gm-1Pa-1s-1 oxygen gas permeability. The products were stored at 10−27oC temperatures and 0−9 day periods, and their quality attributes including β-carotene and ascorbic acid were determined. The results showed a high positive correlation for β-carotene and ascorbic acid contents of the cucumber and the garden eggs packaged in the nanocomposite film and the LDPE (p\u3c 0.05). Also, the percentage increase in shelf-life of the packaged products in the cassava starch-zinc nanocomposite films was higher than those packaged in the LDPE materials. This indicates a small quality loss in the products packaged using the nanocomposite film compared with that packaged using the conventional LDPE. Hence, cassava starch-zinc nanocomposite film can be used to extend the shelf-life of the products

Testicular Biopsies of Azoospermic Men at The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the histological findings from testicular biopsies in azoospermic men seen at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja - Lagos, Nigeria.Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of testicular biopsies of azoospermic men who presented to our institution from 2005 to 2006 was performed. The patient’s age, type of infertility and histopathological diagnosis were evaluted. All biopsies were preserved in 10% formaldehydesolution.Results: Of the 51 azoospermic men (mean age 30 years, range 25 – 46 years) 25 (49.0%) had primary infertility, 11 (21.6%) had secondary infertility and 15 (29.0%) were not specified. Five (9.8%) patients had normal spermatogenesis. Abnormal histological parameters occurred in 46 (90.2%) patients: testicular atrophy in 30 (58.8%), maturation arrest in 14 (27.5%) and hypospermatogenesis in 2 (3.9%) patients.Conclusion: The presence of normal spermatogenesis in azoospermic men, which would suggest an obstructive lesion, is not common in our practice, in contrast to previous studies from our country. This may indicate a changing pattern in the aetiology of male infertility in our environment. Identification of the possible causes of testicular damage resulting in non-obstructive azoospermia in our environment may help to prevent male infertility.Key Words: Azoospermia, etiology, diagnosis, testicular biopsies, histopathology, infertility, environmen

Severe idiosyncratic drug reaction (Lyells syndrome) after ingesting dihydroartemisinin

Lyells syndrome also called Toxic epidermal necrolysis is the extreme formof idiosyncratic drug reaction that is called Steven Johnsons Syndrome. The condition results in an extensive loss of the skin with mucous membrane involvement. Lyells syndrome has been induced by many agents. The commonest agent in the literature being sulphonamides. However, in our search of the medical literature there was no report of dihydroarthemisinin as a cause ofLyells syndrome.We report three patients seen at two tertiary health institutionswith Lyells syndrome after treatment formalaria with dihydroarthemisinin. This resulted from administration of dihydroarthemisinin with chloroquine in twopatients and dihydroarthemisinin withAmodiaquine in one patient. The first patientwas a seven year old child who developed90%cutaneous involvement and died fromhemorrhagic shock.The secondwas a 28 old female that developed a 76% body surface involvement and died from septicemia. The third patient was a pregnant 37year old woman that developed 52% body involvement and died from septic shock. In these patients the earliest symptomswere not recognized and therewas considerable delay before referral. In view of the recent WHO recommendation of Arthemisinin Combination Treatment (ACT) for malaria, we expect more cases of Steven Johnson Syndrome and Lyells syndrome from ACT treatment. The aim of this report is to raise the awareness of clinicians to this potentially fatal complication

Nano-Rheological Behaviour of Cassava Starch-Zinc Nanocomposite Film under Dynamic Loading for High Speed Transportation of Packaged Food

This research was undertaken to determine the nano–rheological behaviours of cassava starch–zinc–nanocomposite films under dynamic loading for assessing their suitability as food packaging materials in high speed transportation. The films, with thickness ranging between 15 ± 0.22–17 ± 0.13 µm, were prepared by casting mixtures of 24 g cassava starch, 45–55% (w/w) glycerol and 0–2% (w/w) zinc nanoparticles in plastic moulds of 8–12 mm depths. The effects of the nanoparticles, thickness and glycerol on the rheological properties of the films, including the Young’s modulus, creep, hardness and plasticity index were determined using nanoindentation technique. The results show that the Young’s modulus and hardness of the films varied inconsistently with glycerol concentration and nanoparticles due probably to their isotropic nature and sensitivity to slight change in load. The plasticity index was lower for 15 µm film, which absorbed 40 pNm and dissipated 0.5 pNm during loading and unloading stages, respectively. The response of the 15 µm film to creep was higher than 16 µm and 17 µm films, and this may be consequence of lower wear at higher loads. This implies that the nanocomposite film might be suitable for high speed transportation of packaged food