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Effect of Amaranthus leaf powder (ALP) addition on the nutritional composition, physical quality and consumer acceptability of instant noodles
Get PDFAbstract: Noodles are a popular starchy food among youth and children. However, they are not nutritionally adequate as a single meal. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Amaranthus leaf powder (ALP) addition on the nutritional composition, physical quality and consumer acceptability of instant noodles. Instant noodle samples were developed by partially substituting wheat flour used in a common noodle recipe with 1, 2 and 3% (w/w) of ALP. The samples were analyzed for nutritional composition using AOAC methods. Physical quality was evaluated in terms of color (CIELAB color values) and texture (g cutting force). Consumer acceptability was evaluated by 60 panelists using a 9-point hedonic scale. Increasing ALP from 0% to 3% had a non-significant effect on the total glycemic carbohydrate, protein, fiber and mineral contents of the noodles. However, the fat content significantly increased (from 1.55% to 4.57%) with the inclusion of ALP, leading to a higher energy value. ALP-fortified noodle samples were significantly softer in texture (271.39 g) than standard noodles (control) (609.08 g), and a significantly greener color was observed with ALP addition. All noodle samples were as acceptable as the control, which suggests that ALP could be used to improve the nutritional value of instant noodles
Traditional decision making versus artificial intelligence aided decision making in management of firms : A narrative overview
No full textAbstract: There has been a lot of talk about possible ways that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will disrupt the workforce by automating some jobs. In the same vein, literature has also indicated that a lot of studies have been conducted on artificial intelligence systems from different perspectives. However, there are still some research opportunities that could be pursued to further knowledge in the area as artificial intelligence continues to evolve with technological advances. Consequently, this conceptual paper aimed at advancing understanding of artificial intelligence aided decision making versus traditional decision making in the management of firms in the era of Big Data. A general overview of the concept of management practices involving decision making was done, followed by traditional decision making styles. Then, this was followed by an overview of artificial intelligence aided decision making processes. The differences between these two decision making processes were highlighted in the discussion. Methodology: Using a desk-review, this study analysed existing data from secondary sources including peer-reviewed journal articles, textbooks and online blogs. In this paper, the role of the literature review was to unravel the components of the decision making process by management in firms. Results: Findings indicated that despite artificial intelligence aided decision making having many merits, some managers did not trust it due to some of its demerits and challenges that go with its adoption. As a result, they were reluctant to employ it. Conclusion/- and Recommendations: The paper recommends further research on how AI could be used in other management practices which are outside decision making
Assessment of electricity industries in SADC region energy diversification and sustainability
Get PDFAbstract: Before the COVID-19 crisis, the Southern African Developing Countries (SADC) had a varied energy mix including renewable energy, fossil fuels, and military energy production. The use of fossil fuels in the energy mix is known to be the source of the growing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. However, there was a reduction in GHG emissions following the pandemic, which reduced travel and trade, and worldwide disruption in economic activities. The priority of priority B in the 2015-2020 Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan, which is Energy, continues. As a result, the availability of affordable and renewable energy is still a priority for south of the equator countries and their growth agenda. This paper is aimed at exploring the sustainability of SADC countries’ electricity sectors by using three sustainability pillars: Social, Environmental and Economic (SEE). SEE offers the main concepts of renewable energy, in a way that is socially, environmentally appropriate and economically viable. Study shows a gap in access rate in SADC countries with only Mauritius and Seychelles reaching 100% access to modern energy services (electricity) for both rural and urban areas. Currently all the member countries have set their RE goals for the year 2030. However, the subsidies by SADC member countries indicate that they are practiced as a way to make electricity affordable, and also to make electricity available to lower income households. In the period 2014-2017, big national budget deficits happened in various Southern African countries because of subsidies. Thus, this paper is of crucial importance to the foundational advancement of sustainable electricity sector growth in the country. The findings of this paper play a crucial role in helping and guiding politicians to better understand the existing and challenges future in the energy market and alternatives to address these problems. Additional research is given on how to arrive at sustainable decisions for the electricity sector in the region
Real time energy storage sharing with load scheduling : a lyapunov-based approach
Get PDFAbstract: This paper studies energy storage sharing in a grid-connected residential microgrid, where a group of households with controllable loads and renewable generations cooperatively shares an energy storage. By exploiting delay tolerance of elastic loads, we develop a joint real time storage sharing and load management system that takes into consideration the operational constraints of the shared energy storage coupled with the time-varying load demands and stochastic renewable generations of all households, with the aim of minimizing the long term time-averaged energy costs of the households without reducing energy consumption. A Lyapunov-based online battery sharing control algorithm is designed to jointly optimize energy consumption, load scheduling and energy charging/discharging actions of individual households only based on current system states. The proposed online sharing algorithm enables the households to optimally utilize the shared battery and reschedule their delay tolerant loads in a distributed but coordinated fashion, while satisfying the time-varying energy consumption preference of each household. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that the low-complexity joint storage sharing and load scheduling algorithm serves the load demands of each household with a lower delay at a relatively low cost while facilitating a fair utilization of the shared energy among the households in terms of their energy contributions
Sonia Ben Slimane, Hatem M’Henni (2021), Entrepreneurship and Development: Realities and Future Prospects, Smart Innovation, London, ISTE/Wiley, 172 p.
Get PDFAbstract: Please refer to full text to view abstract
An information systems sub-framework for the governance of projects
No full textAbstract: Most information systems projects fail. Very little progress hasbeen made to turn the tide. A lack of effective project governance has beensuggested as a major reason for project failure. Through an analysis ofgovernance practices in literature from various project managementstandards, methodologies and guidelines, various project governancepractices are identified. A quantitative approach is followed to obtain datafrom IS project practitioners to descriptively analyse and perform exploratoryfactor analysis. The purpose is to determine what governance practices inthe project lifecycle are considered important and to what extent these areimplemented. The results indicate that here is a fundamental disconnectbetween the perceived importance of governance practices and the extent oftheir implementation. In all cases, project governance practices areimplemented to a lesser extent than the importance attached to them.Underlying structures revealed there are some overlapping factors betweenthe desired state of project governance and current state. These overlapsindicate that certain governance practices be enhanced. Practices currentlyimplemented that are not considered as important are identified to bemaintained. Practices considered to be part of the desired state but that donot form part of the current state are to be prioritised to be implemented.This provides the basis for establishing a framework for the governance of ISprojects
Effect of Facebook learning environment on the learning process among AEC University students during Covid-19 Pandemic: the mediating role of psychological capital
Get PDFAbstract: The outbreak of COVID-19 has adversely affected university students' learning process, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. Consequently, many academic institutions have adopted online platforms, some being social learning networks and others not. Therefore, the current study aimed at assessing the mediation effect of psychological capital on the Facebook learning environment influencing the learning process among university Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) students during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria. The study is quantitative in design, and data were collected from the students of AEC-related courses using a structured questionnaire. The Baron and Kenny's causal steps were adopted to assess the mediation effect of psychological capital (PsyCap) on Facebook learning environment factors influencing AEC University students learning process. A total of 385 samples were collected and analyzed using Warp 7.0 PLS-SEM software. The study results indicated a small effect size between the Facebook learning environment and AEC students' learning process, thus implying that the frequency of using the Facebook learning environment tended to affect AEC university students learning process in Nigeria, and PsyCap mediates the relationship between the Facebook learning environment and students' learning process. This implies that students with high PsyCap learn more and thus improve their learning process. The study concluded that PsyCap minimizes the effects of Facebook learning environments on the AEC students' learning process. The study is limited to students in the AEC-related courses in Nigerian universities. Therefore, the study recommended further studies on the other social media learning platforms that affect the learning process and the study's extension to other universities offering AEC courses for more comprehensive results
Creating and leading a learning environment in diverse Foundation Phase classrooms in a South African school
Get PDFAbstract: Leaders and teachers are exploring ways to organise their learning spaces as well as their methods of teaching and learning. We aim to explore leaders and teachers' experiences of an invitational learning environment in culturally diverse Foundation Phase classrooms in the South African context. In this study, the Invitational Learning Theory was used as a theoretical framework. An interpretivist research paradigm was used to portray the lived experiences and personal responses of the participants. Interviews were undertaken with Foundation Phase teachers and School Management Team to elicit in-depth information on their experiences on the creation of a conducive learning environment. Additionally, observation and visual data formed the data collection instruments. Data were coded, examined and emerging themes identified. Findings highlighted the need to improve the ‘5Ps” as advocated by Novak and Purkey. The learning environment is a qualitative determiner for success. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure leadership for learning is conducive to teaching and learning
Cultural components of sex differences in color preference
Get PDFAbstract: Preferences for pink and blue were tested in children aged 4–11 years in three small‐scale societies: Shipibo villages in the Peruvian Amazon, kastom villages in the highlands of Tanna Island, Vanuatu, and BaYaka foragers in the northern Republic of Congo; and compared to children from an Australian global city (total N = 232). No sex differences were found in preference for pink in any of the three societies not influenced by global culture (ds − 0.31–0.23), in contrast to a female preference for pink in the global city (d = 1.24). Results suggest that the pairing of female and pink is a cultural phenomenon and is not driven by an essential preference for pink in girls
A narrative review of plastic waste pyrolysis : Challenges and opportunities
Get PDFAbstract: Plastic waste management (PWM) in South Africa entails mechanical recycling and landfilling. The objectives of this review study are to explore the possibility of using pyrolysis in PWM. The key findings are that most plastic types will result in high oil yield although PET and PVC may not be suitable candidates for pyrolysis due to the corrosive benzoic acid and HCl generated during their pyrolysis respectively and the calorific value (CV) of the produced oil which is also impacted negatively
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