JMASM42: An Alternative Algorithm and Programming Implementation for Least Absolute Deviation Estimator of the Linear Regression Models (R)

We propose a least absolute deviation estimation method that produced a least absolute deviation estimator of parameter of the linear regression model. The method is as accurate as existing method

An Overview of Thermal and Non-Thermal Food Processing and Preservation Methods

Thermal food processing technology had been in existence since the creation of human but recently industries are beginning to adopt the use of non-thermal food processing technology due to the challenges associated with the former like high energy consumption, degradation of food nutritive contents and high operational cost. Basically, food processing techniques are used to pasteurize, preserve taste, retain or improve nutrient contents and increase shelf life of food on storage. However, there is an increased awareness for the consumption safe and high nutritional food which has led to consumers’ demand for processed food to retain natural flavour, pigment, safe, high nutritive value with an extended shelf life long enough for sales and home storage before consumption.  These demands led to the continuous advancement in food processing industry to design techniques capable of retaining nutritive quality and organoleptic properties of food requiring little or no heat energy to process. In addition to the known novel processing methods like freeging, freeze-drying, ohmic heating and microwave, there is an increasing interest in developing other novel methods to achieve better food sterilization and preservation which includes high hydrostatic pressure process (HHP), pulsed electric field (PEF), cold plasma technology (CP). However, the later can lead to oxidation of lipids and loss of colour and flavour based on time of exposure. Therefore, this short review presents an overview of thermal and non-thermal food processing technologies with the underlining principles, uses and limitations of few of them

Roles of some Innovative Non-Thermal Processing Techniques on Food Quality and Safety

New food processing methodologies have emerged in response to consumers\u27 increasing demand for food products that are not only safe, delicious and minimally processed but also possess an extended shelf-life with consistent quality. The evolving lifestyle trends, characterized by a heightened interest in nutritionally-rich foods, bioactive compounds and overall sensory quality, have presented significant challenges to the food processing industry, driving the need for the development of novel and innovative food processing techniques. Conventional methods like pasteurization and commercial sterilization have long been used in the food industry for their efficacy in preserving foods through the eradication of harmful microorganisms and enzymes. However, the elevated temperatures generated by these methods can often lead to detrimental effects on food constituents, resulting in compromised organoleptic quality and diminished nutritional value. Hence, the need for novel non-thermal food processing techniques which can safeguard the overall quality attribute of food products with an extended shelf-life while ensuring total food safety becomes necessary. These innovative techniques include high-pressure processing, pulsed electric field, cold plasma treatment, ultrasound and hydrodynamic cavitation stand out among others, thus, exerting considerable influence on consumer health and representing major advancements in food processing. This review intends to furnish essential insights into various novel non-thermal food processing techniques, elucidating their preservative mechanisms, efficacy and suitability across diverse food categories and their impact on the food safety

Attitudes and Perceptions of In-Service Teachers to Continuing Education Programmes in Tertiary Institutions: Nigeria and South Africa Experience

In Nigeria, West African Region of Africa and South Africa operates different system of education but the curriculum and modes of operation are partially similar in one way or the other. Teachers in full-time teaching employment are keenly interested in professional development, and acquiring of additional qualifications through continuing education programmes. Most serving teachers are without teaching qualifications hence opted for continuing education programmes in tertiary institutions of higher learning. The paper looks at the mode of lecture delivery, effectiveness and efficiency of the programme from the two Universities in Africa that are involved in the upgrading of teachers qualifications and professional development. The two Universities selected as case study are the University of Zululand (UZ), KwaDlangezwa, South Africa, and Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), Akungba-Akoko, Nigeria. The target population and sample for the paper were the current learners of continuing education programmes of these selected Universities. The study compared the mode of operation of the programme in the two institutions, and questionnaire was designed to collect data on the responses of the target population. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted for the study. Five hundred (500) questionnaires each were administered at the University of Zululand (UZ) and Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU). Three hundred and sixty-five (365) and three hundred and twenty-one (321) were valid for analysis. Results of the study revealed that in-service teachers generally hold a positive perception and attitude towards continuing education programme from tertiary institutions of higher learning. Keywords: Perception, attitudes, continuing education, in-service teachers, universities

Role of the Subunits Interactions in the Conformational Transitions in Adult Human Hemoglobin: an Explicit Solvent Molecular Dynamics Study

Hemoglobin exhibits allosteric structural changes upon ligand binding due to the dynamic interactions between the ligand binding sites, the amino acids residues and some other solutes present under physiological conditions. In the present study, the dynamical and quaternary structural changes occurring in two unligated (deoxy-) T structures, and two fully ligated (oxy-) R, R2 structures of adult human hemoglobin were investigated with molecular dynamics. It is shown that, in the sub-microsecond time scale, there is no marked difference in the global dynamics of the amino acids residues in both the oxy- and the deoxy- forms of the individual structures. In addition, the R, R2 are relatively stable and do not present quaternary conformational changes within the time scale of our simulations while the T structure is dynamically more flexible and exhibited the T\rightarrow R quaternary conformational transition, which is propagated by the relative rotation of the residues at the {\alpha}1{\beta}2 and {\alpha}2{\beta}1 interface.Comment: Reprinted (adapted) with permission from J. Phys. Chem. B DOI:10.1021/jp3022908. Copyright (2012) American Chemical Societ

A Survey of Computerization of Selected Community Pharmacies in Southwestern Nigeria

Background: The use of computers has had impact in all professions including pharmacy. Computers have found lots of application in the management of inventories, electronic prescribing and counting machines for tablets and capsules.Objective: This research was designed to identify the types of technology devices and programs in use by community pharmacies, capabilities of software in use, as well as to identify the challenges faced by community pharmacists in the use of computerized systems in their premises.Method: A cross-sectional survey of 217 community pharmacies in 6 Southwestern Nigerian states was done using a set of questionnaires. Data gathered was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 17.Results: Some community pharmacies in Southwestern Nigeria used inventory management software (47.0%). The reported capabilities of the software packages in use included sales processing (99.0%), account processing (88.2%) and POS link (62.7%). The reasons why some community pharmacies have not computerized their outlets were erratic power supply (56.2%), high cost of the devices (48.4%) and low turnover (35.9%). The major challenges faced by community pharmacists in the use of computer devices in their premises included erratic power supply (90.2%) and high cost of fuel (83.3%).Conclusion: The level of computerization of community pharmacies in Southwestern Nigeria was observed to be generally low. Erratic power supply and cost of device were major challenges to the computerization of community pharmacies in Southwestern Nigeria. Keywords: Community Pharmacy, Software, Computerizatio

Effect of drying on the bioactive compounds, antioxidant, antibacterial and antityrosinase activities of pomegranate peel

CITATION: Mphahlele, R. R., et al. 2016. Effect of drying on the bioactive compounds, antioxidant, antibacterial and antityrosinase activities of pomegranate peel. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 16(1): 143, doi: 10.1186/s12906-016-1132-y.The original publication is available at http://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.comPublication of this article was funded by the Stellenbosch University Open Access Fund.The use of pomegranate peel is highly associated with its rich phenolic concentration. Series of drying methods are recommended since bioactive compounds are highly sensitive to thermal degradation. The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of drying on the bioactive compounds, antioxidant as well as antibacterial and antityrosinase activities of pomegranate peel. Methods Dried pomegranate peels with the initial moisture content of 70.30 % wet basis were prepared by freeze and oven drying at 40, 50 and 60 °C. Difference in CIE-LAB, chroma (C*) and hue angle (h°) were determined using colorimeter. Individual polyphenol retention was determined using LC-MS and LC-MSE while total phenolics concentration (TPC), total flavonoid concentration (TFC), total tannins concentration (TTC) and vitamin C concentration were measured using colorimetric methods. The antioxidant activity was measured by radical scavenging activity (RSA) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Furthermore, the antibacterial activity of methanolic peel extracts were tested on Gram negative (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia) and Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) using the in vitro microdilution assays. Tyrosinase enzyme inhibition was investigated against monophenolase (tyrosine) and diphenolase (DOPA), with arbutin as positive controls. Results Oven drying at 60 °C resulted in high punicalin concentration (888.04 ± 141.03 mg CE/kg dried matter) along with poor red coloration (high hue angle). Freeze dried peel contained higher catechin concentration (674.51 mg/kg drying matter) + catechin and –epicatechin (70.56 mg/kg drying matter) compared to oven dried peel. Furthermore, freeze dried peel had the highest total phenolic, tannin and flavonoid concentrations compared to oven dried peel over the temperature range studied. High concentration of vitamin C (31.19 μg AAE/g dried matter) was observed in the oven dried (40 °C) pomegranate peel. Drying at 50 °C showed the highest inhibitory activity with the MIC values of 0.10 mg/ml against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtili. Likewise, the extracts dried at 50 °C showed potent inhibitory activity concentration (22.95 mg/ml) against monophenolase. Principal component analysis showed that the peel colour characteristics and bioactive compounds isolated the investigated drying method. Conclusions The freeze and oven dried peel extracts exhibited a significant antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The freeze drying method had higher total phenolic, tannin and flavonoid concentration therefore can be explored as a feasible method for processing pomegranate peel to ensure retention of the maximum amount of their naturally occurring bioactive compounds.http://bmccomplementalternmed.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-016-1132-yPublisher's versio

Operationalising One Health in Nigeria: Reflections From a High-Level Expert Panel Discussion Commemorating the 2020 World Antibiotics Awareness Week.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses an important One Health challenge for all countries of the world. As human, animal and environmental health are closely linked, it is essential that interventions targeted at reducing the spread of AMR and those promoting antimicrobial stewardship are conducted with all sectors in mind. Tackling this global slow-moving pandemic (AMR) also requires action and strong commitment from all countries of the world. Nigeria, like many other countries, have made considerable progress in implementing the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. The accomplishments and ongoing work led by the National Technical Working Group on AMR is commendable. However, gaps still exist in terms of operationalising One Health interventions for AMR, especially regarding rational antimicrobial use and antimicrobial stewardship. The 2020 World Antimicrobial Awareness Week presented an opportunity to convene a multi-sectoral expert panel from national government agencies, research, academia and the World Health Organisation across the Nigerian One Health space. The panel discussion analysed the progress made so far and identified the barriers and the opportunities for operationalising One Health interventions on AMR. The discussion highlighted poor awareness and the fear phenomenon, driven by technical and socio-economic factors, as a common cross-sectoral denominator at the heart of inappropriate antibiotic use within the country. At the system level, suboptimal use of antimicrobials fuelled by the ease of purchase, poor regulations and insufficient enforcement of prescription-only access to antimicrobials, and limited infection prevention and biosecurity measures resonated as drivers of AMR across One Health sectors in Nigeria. Looking forward, the panel discussion identified substantial investment in the governance of the existing One Health component structures, inclusive bottom-up institutional antimicrobial stewardship that fosters community participation and multi-level cross-sectoral collaborations as the next level strategic imperatives. In this respect is the need for a strengthened One Health infrastructure, including an operational workforce, educational strategies to elevate AMR and rational antimicrobial use into public consciousness, and the use of improved data systems as countermeasures to the challenge of AMR

Enhanced Staphylococcus aureus protection by uncoupling of the α-toxin-ADAM10 interaction during murine neonatal vaccination

Staphylococcus aureus remains a leading global cause of bacterial infection-associated mortality and has eluded prior vaccine development efforts. S. aureus α-toxin (Hla) is an essential virulence factor in disease, impairing the T cell response to infection. The anti-Hla antibody response is a correlate of human protective immunity. Here we observe that this response is limited early in human life and design a vaccine strategy to elicit immune protection against Hla in a neonatal mice. By targeted disruption of the interaction of Hla with its receptor ADAM10, we identify a vaccine antigen (Hl