Advanced Journal of Graduate Research
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Morphometric and Heavy Metals Accumulation in the Muscles of Five Demersal Seafoods Sampled in Nigerian Coastal Waters
Get PDFThis study examined the morphometric and heavy metals accumulated in the muscles of five demersal sea-foods: Parapenaeopsis atlantica, Penaeus monodon, Penaeus notialis, Portunus validus and Cynoglossus browni from Nigerian coastal waters. 506 deep frozen samples (at -200C) each of the five demersal species were taken upon arrival from thirty-one (31) industrial fishing trawler vessels owned by a private fishing company in Lagos, Nigeria. Samples were thawed and morphometric characteristics such as weight, total length, standard length, body depth and carapace length/head length were measured. The heavy metals [Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn), Arsenic (As), Mercury (Hg) and Cadmium (Cd)] were analyzed using 210 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The morphometric characteristics revealed that P. atlantica and P. notialis showed no significant difference in mean values only for their carapace lengths while both species showed statistically different observations for other variables. The order of the heavy metals mean concentration was Zn>Fe>Pb. As and Cd had relatively very low values of <0.01mg/kg while Hg was not detected in all samples. The findings of this study revealed high and increasing values of Zinc in all five demersal species under consideration exceeding maximum limits for FAO/WHO and NIS (Nigerian Industrial Standard). The zinc value of the species appears to be contained in this order; P. notialis > C. browni > P. monodon > P. validus >P. atlantica. However, Iron value for P. atlantica is above the limit of FAO/WHO. Consumption of the species invariably leads to a rise in the Zinc contents in diets and in humans which may cause gastrointestinal disorders, kidney and liver abnormal functioning especially in infants and children while other heavy metals contained in the species do not pose a threat to human health
Effectiveness of Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Extracts as an Inhibitor Against Aspergillosis
Get PDFThe study of the Effectiveness of Coconut (Cocos nucifera) Extract Against Aspergilosis revealed that, the testing of some brown coconut extracts, coconut water, positive control and negative control on Aspergillus sp fungi showed clear zone formed around the agar well, ethanolic extract showed 26.00 mm, 25.33 mm and 20.00 mm, for Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus brasiliensis respectively, donystatin antifungal drug was 22.67 mm, 17.67 mm and 20.83 mm for Aspergillus brasiliensis, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus respectively, methanolic, aqueous, coconut water and distilled water showed no zone of inhibition. The ethanolic extract of brown coconut inhibited the growth/expansion of Aspergillus sp. The best inhibitor was acquired from the administration of ethanolic extract with an average diameter of 26.00 mm diameter of the inhibition zone. The nutritional and health implication of coconut fruit consumption should be encouraged because of its’ potency which can form the basis to exploit Cocos nucifera for therapeutic benefits.
Association of Intrinsic Factors with Non-contact Injury Prevalence of Front Foot Knee Pain Among First Class Fast Bowlers in Colombo Division
Get PDFBackground: Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Sri Lanka. Both intrinsic and extrinsic injury prevention and increase performance are of cardinal importance to a fast bowler to reach optimal performance. Intrinsic prevention methods may protect the fast bowler against too high level of stress experienced during bowling. In this study we aimed to assess the incidence of front foot knee pain and the associated intrinsic risk factors among first class cricket fast bowlers, to come up with recommendations to improve training regimes to prevent non-contact injury.
Method: Descriptive Cross-Sectional study was conducted with 30 fast bowlers with front foot knee pain. Severity of knee pain was measured by using knee evaluation form. Q angle, Hip internal rotation were measured using a modified goniometer. Quadricep and hamstring muscle strength were measured by cuff adapted sphygmomanometer. Ankle dorsiflexion was measured by Lunge Test.
Results: An insignificant, positive correlation in Ankle dorsiflexion (p=0.780, r=0.053), hip internal rotation (p=0.194, r=0.244), and quadriceps hamstring muscle strength ratio (p=0.952, r=0.012) of the fast bowlers with front foot knee pain was observed. Also, there was an insignificant negative correlation between quadriceps angle (p=0.827, r=-0.042) and front foot knee pain
Preparation and Evaluation the Efficacy of Combined Mixture of Finger Root and Robusta Coffee Extracts on Antioxidative Activity
Get PDFFinger Root (FR) and Robusta Coffee (RC) are natural substances known to be beneficial for human health and used as a traditional medicine in various parts of the world. The efficacy of two commonly used extraction techniques [Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) and maceration with stirring (MR)] and four different extraction solvents (50% ethanol, 80% ethanol, 100% ethanol and acetone) on antioxidant activity and the Total Phenolic Content (TPC) in both herbs were investigated. The antioxidant potentials of the samples were determined by reducing capacity with Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, while the radical scavenging activity using 1,1-Diphenyl2-Picryl Hydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothia zoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. FR and RC extracts from UAE and using 80% and 50% ethanol as an extraction solvent, respectively, showed the highest antioxidant capacity compared to the other extraction processes. The combined mixtures of FR and RC (CFR) in the weight ratios of 1:1 was prepared and evaluated the antioxidant activity. The CFR extract showed a significant increase of TPC and resulted in its strong radical scavenging activity, quite the same level in comparison to the model antioxidant substance, ascorbic acid, compared to when they were assayed independently. Stability results indicated that the TPC of CFR extract was slightly decreased, by around 8.7% and the IC50 values of CFR extract showed slightly increased from 7.13 to 9.06 µg/mL in DPPH assay and from 725.72 to 858.65 µg/mL ABTS assay after storage at room temperature over 1 month. Findings suggested that the extraction methods and different solvent polarity significantly affect polyphenol recovery. The combined mixture of FR and RC extracts, which is quite stable and enhances radical scavenging activity, is interesting to increase economic value and utilization in cosmetic industry
Phytochemical Screening of Selected Botanicals and their Effectiveness Against Maize Weevil (Sitophilus Zeamais Motsch.) at Paklihawa, Rupandehi, Nepal
Get PDFLaboratory experiment was done to perform the phytochemical screening of six locally available botanicals (Azadirachta indica Juss, Artemisia dubia Wall, Lantana camara L, Parthenium hysterophorus L, Justicia adhatoda Linn. and Moringa oleifera L.) and their effectiveness to control the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch.) at Agriecology lab of Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Paklihawa Campus, Rupandehi, Nepal. Seven treatments (leaf extract of A. indica, A. dubia, L. camara, P. hysterophorus. J. adhatoda and M. oleifera and distilled water as control) applied at 3 different doses (0.5, 1 & 2g/50g seeds) were arranged in CRD design with 3 replications. Result of mortality test of maize weevil revealed that, at highest concentration of L. camara powder (T17- 2g/50 gm seeds) mortality of maize weevil was observed up to 85% at 45 DAT. Whereas number of damaged grain was lowest in T17 (L. camara powder- 2g/50 gm seeds). The effectiveness of botanicals was found to increase with increasing the concentration. Besides that, Justicia adhatoda (2g/50g seeds) and Artemisia dubia (1g/50g seeds) were also found as good candidates to use for the control of Sitophilus zeamais. Qualitative tests done for the presence of various phytochemicals showed that Azadirachta indica Juss and Artemisia dubia Wall. were found to contain most of the tested metabolites among all botanicals. Most of those phytochemicals were extracted by the aqueous solution rather than other 3 menstrums used (acetone, methanol and petroleum ether). Similarly, quantitative test revealed that percentage of alkaloid was found 18.01%, 17.78%, 17.75%, 11.58%, 8.20%, 6.78% and flavonoid15.32%, 13.63%, 12.86%, 11.36%, 7. 51% 2.85% respectively in L. camara L. P. hysterophorus L., J. adhatoda Linn., M. oleifera L., A. indica Juss. and A. dubia Wall. Leaf extract of L. camera found to contain highest percentage of alkaloid (18.01%) as well as flavonoid (15.32%). So, it was concluded that locally available botanicals extract reach in alkaloid and flavonoid may have insecticidal property and could be use as grain protectant against the maize weevil in cost effective and eco-friendly manner.
However, application at proper dose is necessary to maintain the efficacy at higher level
Impacts of COVID-19 on Global Healthcare Management and Research
Get PDFThe Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected most nations at all levels of functioning, individual to governmental. Therefore, it is imperative to evaluate the effects the virus has had on one of the most important socioeconomic global sectors, healthcare. This literature review explores key, recent research and management strategies that have been undertaken in healthcare systems around the world in order to make meaningful attempts at identifying the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease, and combating the spread of this deadly virus. Healthcare facilities have implemented a variety of changes, all geared towards reducing non-emergency patient visits and preventing transmission of the infection; this includes shifting appointments to online modality via telecommunication use, altering remedial options and procedures, and developing more effective personal protective equipment (PPE). Efforts have also been made to define appropriate treatment methods as well as a potential cure for COVID-19; many vaccines and antiviral drugs have been designed or are continuing to undergo clinical testing, and symptom management approaches are being employed along with careful evaluation or recommendation of already available medications to counter the disease. Our comprehensive analysis provides insights into prominent consequences as well as implications of COVID-19 in contemporary global healthcare research and management, and would help this crucial sector be better prepared for pandemics in the future.
A Comparative Analysis of Expert Opinions on Artificial Intelligence: Evolution, Applications, and Its Future
Get PDFArtificial Intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science that primarily focuses on automating tasks that explicitly require human intelligence. The mechanics of AI technology majorly revolves around central affairs including knowledge representation, learning, problem-solving, reasoning, etc. Additionally, each discipline of AI focuses on a particular component to efficiently train the machines. Every branch of AI technology exploits knowledge in machines using diversified practices but with a clear idea of achieving the desired output. AI has evolved drastically over the past two decades and is considered the most in-demand technology at present times in varied fields including healthcare, education, forecasting, security, etc. This paper provides an extensive survey on artificial intelligence and related work going on in this field, how it differs from human intelligence, various subfields of AI and their importance, various issues related to AI and possible solutions along with and future trends related to this technology depicting people’s reliability on it and various possible concerns
Analysing Road Traffic Situation in Lilongwe: An Agent Based Modelling (ABM) Approach
Get PDFA 15, 451 km road network forms the main mode of transport for Malawi with 26 % paved. With increasing number of vehicles and elongated travel times during rush hour the study analysed the traffic situation on the M1 road between Mchinji and Area 18 roundabouts in Lilongwe City using an agent-based model (ABM). The methodology used game theory’s traffic grip model to analyse traffic flow by controlling traffic variables such as lights, speed limits and the number of vehicles. Each intersection was treated as non-cooperative game where each agent tried to minimize its queue resulting into Q−Nash’s equilibrium as the solution. The ABM tested the empirical relationships of traffic flow parameters in terms of density, flow, acceleration, deceleration, speed, time lost in traffic congestion and fuel consumption. The model was calibrated using traffic data collected through observing 1,312 vehicles sampled against 24,977. The observation results from the road junctions reveal that on average, a vehicle takes 20 mins 18 seconds, 37 minutes 6 seconds, 44 minutes 21 seconds and 58 minutes 53 seconds to exit Chitukuko, Bwandilo, Chilambula roads and Area 18 roundabout respectively upon entering the M1 at Mchinji roundabout. This data was then used to calibrate the business-as-usual model for the peak hour scenario for the road junctions. The model results show that a selected vehicle entering Chitukuko junction travels at an average speed of 22.60 km/hr, until it exits that junction. On average the selected motorists spend 2.52 l/km with a traffic density of 72 v/km. If dualized average speeds improved to 41.54 km/hr while the traffic density declined to 54.42 v/km, saving motorists MK 3,921,624.00 annually. The predictive model of the dual carriage informed that by 2021, commuters will spend MK 5,187,168 on fuel more than single-lane business as usual scenario of 2019
CNN Based Approach for Traffic Sign Recognition System
Get PDFMachine Learning (ML) involves making a machine able to learn and take decisions on real-life problems by working with an efficient set of algorithms. The generated ML models find application in different areas of research and management. One such field, automotive technology, employs ML enabled commercialized advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) which include traffic sign recognition as a part. With the increasing demand for the intelligence of vehicles, and the advent of self-driving cars, it is extremely necessary to detect and recognize traffic signs automatically through computer technology. For this, neural networks can be applied for analyzing images of traffic signs for cognitive decision making by autonomous vehicles. Neural networks are the computing systems which act as a means of performing ML. In this work, a convolutional neural network (CNN) based ML model is built for recognition of traffic signs accurately for decision making, when installed in driverless vehicles
A Review on Various Analytical Methodologies for Etoricoxib
Get PDFEtoricoxib belongs to the class of highly selective COX-2 inhibitor NSAIDs. It is mostly used for the treatment of pain, arthritic conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The current study focuses primarily on analytical and bioanalytical method development methodologies, as well as numerous methods established for the estimation of etoricoxib, whether in pharmaceutical dose form or in bulk. Analytical procedures are critical for determining compositions, as they allow us to obtain both qualitative and quantitative results utilising advanced analytical tools. The analytical method for Etoricoxib may be chromatographic, electrochemical, spectral or hyphenated. These methods aid in the comprehension of critical process parameters as well as the minimization of their impact on precision and accuracy. Analytical method development is required to sustain high commercial product quality standards and to meet regulatory requirements. Following the reference, regulatory organisations in several nations have established standards and procedures for providing approval, authentication, and registration. Bioanalytical methods are designed to quantify the concentration of drug, metabolite, or typical biomarkers from various biological fluids including serum, urine, saliva and tissue extracts