Archives-February 2014

This study is focused on the fatty acid and amino acid compositions of the larva of oil palm weevil (Rhyncophorous ferrugineus). The fatty acid composition of the oil showed the presence of twelve fatty acids comprising of six known fatty acids (lauric acid 0.05%, myristic acid 0.41%, palmitic acid 35.80%, stearic acid 7.82%, oleic acid 50.04% and linoleic acid 4.28%) and six unknown fatty acids. The oil is composed of more of unsaturated fatty acids with a total value of 54.32%, predominantly oleic acid; 50.04%.The iodine value (41.67 + 0.26) and saponification number (191.64 + 0.33) compared favorably with values reported as standard values for tallow. The free fatty acid value of the oil (7.01 + 0.114 %) was very high when compared to reported values of 0.65% for lard or 1.25% for edible tallow. The specific gravity of the oil (0.7981) was lower than the values reported as standards for edible animal fats, such as lard, pork and tallow. The larva of the oil palm weevil (Rhyncophorous ferrugineus) protein showed a total of 17 amino acids (excluding tryptophan) and with glutamic acid (12.68g/100g) as the predominant amino acid. The amino acids have a total value of 77.53 g/100g protein. The essential amino acids, including arginine and histidine, make up 35.89 g/100g of the total amino acids. This value represents 46.29% of the total amino acids. The larva of the oil palm weevil has high values of phenylalanine (4.14g/100g), leucine (7.52g/100g) and arginine (6.47g/100g) but low value of lysine (4.51g/100g).The fatty acid composition of the larva of oil palm weevil oil indicated that the consumption of the larva of oil palm weevil would have no adverse health implications. The essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine+tyrosine had higher values than the FAO reference standard values. Methionine+cystine and threonine had reasonable values. Thus, the larva of oil palm weevil can serve as a substitute for beef meat and fish in the supply of fatty acids and essential amino acids necessary for good health.

The proximate, mineral, vitamins and phytochemical compositions of a sample of pili fruit kernel have been investigated. The result revealed low values of ether extract (12.77±0.3%), crude fibre (4.72 ±0.2 %) and a very low crude protein value of 3.94 ±0.002.. It has a high value of carbohydrate (65.91±0.7%). The calculated metabolizable energy value (1659.94KJ/100g) shows that pili fruit kernel flour is a good source of energy. The pili fruit kernel has high values of the essential mineral elements: sodium (158 mg/100g), potassium (513 mg/100g), calcium (230 mg/100g), magnesium (365 mg/100g) and phosphorus (131 mg/100g) as well as the trace elements: iron (229.75 mg/kg), zinc (72.01 mg/kg), copper (121.75 mg/kg) and manganese (156.25 mg/kg).These values indicate that pili fruit kernel is a very rich (good) source of dietary minerals. The Ca/P (1.75) and Na/K (0.308) ratios have favorable health implications. The pili fruit kernel sample has high values of vitamin A (455.1mg/kg), niacin (8.50mg/kg), riboflavin (5.50 mg/kg) but low values of thiamin (1.25 mg/kg), vitamin C (8.60 mg/100g) and vitamin E (8.98mg/100g). The pili fruit kernel sample has high values of alkaloid (3.94±0.008%), flavonoid (4.82±0.003%) but low values of saponin (0.62±0.05%) , tannin (0.28 ±0.001 mg/100g), cyanogenic glycoside as HCN (0.52±0.002mg/kg) , phytate (0.02±0.0007%) and trace amount of trypsin inhibitor.

Socio-cultural factors are the facts and experiences that influence an individual's personality, attitudes and lifestyle. In some societies, women’s participation in tree growing can be hampered by traditions, beliefs, norms and taboos. The main objective of this study was determination of the socio-cultural factors that influence women’s participation in tree growing in Siaya County, Kenya. A cross - sectional survey design was used with 120 household respondents, 40 key informants, 4 women groups and the Luo council of Elders. Instruments used were; structured questionnaire, interview schedule and interview guide. Data was analysed using both descriptive and coefficient of multiple correlations at 0.05 confidence level. 95% of title deeds are in the names of males, 1.8% of females (all of them were widows) and 3.2% had the names. R2 is 4%, standardized beta coefficient of the same indicates -0.201 and p-value significance is 0.028. On traditions, 48.3% either disagreed or strongly disagreed, 50% of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed, 1.7% could not decide. Key informants, women groups and Luo Council of elders agree that traditions and beliefs influence. R2 is 3.6%, standardized beta coefficient, -0.191 and p-value is 0.037. In conclusion, land tenure, traditions/customs and beliefs/norms are socio-cultural factors influencing participation of women. More efforts should be put to sensitize the community members the need to have attitudinal change as regards women in tree growing for increased land cover.

Osteoid osteoma is a benign osseous tumor of unknown origin, which affects preferentially the long bones. The localization in the phalanx is unusual and difficult to diagnose. We present a case of a twenty-year-old student, presenting with a painful swelling of the first phalanx of the right second finger of six months duration, not responding to anti-inflammatory drugs. The lesion was excised, and the histology confirmed the diagnosis of osteoid osteoma. Through our observation and after a review of the literature, we analyze the clinical and paraclinical appearance of this uncommon localization, the differential diagnosis, and finally the therapeutic possibilities.

Research and Realization of a Web Information Extraction based on Xpath expansion. This algorithm marks importance weight of semantic blocks and obtains a model of block importance. This information extraction method based on Xpath expansion forms extraction rule corresponding to web site. Lastly, this algorithm extracts the text information blocks of theme-based web pages. It uses a case to confirm that this algorithm can accurately complete the extraction task of text information blocks in the theme-based web pages.

Lead is a heavy metal which has been termed as a harmful, poisonous metal. Lead toxicity is a common cause in Man and also animals especially cattle. Neurological diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, anaemia or male infertility are few examples of the harm that lead can do. In India, use of lead in toothpaste is regulated by Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS). Permissible level of lead in both fluoridated and non-fluoridated toothpaste is 20 ppm (0.002%) according to BIS and 5 ppm (0.0005%) under the British Standard. In this study, fifteen toothpastes available on the Indian market were analysed for lead content which includes six brands namely Close up, Colgate, Dabur, Himalaya, Pepsodent and Sensodyne. Sensodyne was found to have a level above the proposed limits set by BIS and the British Standard.

Offshore wind and tidal current are of the most common energy resources for generating electricity in the near future because of the oil problems (crises and pollution). The dynamic model of the offshore wind and tidal current are very important topic for dealing with these renewable energies. This paper describes the overall dynamic models of tidal current turbine using three different types of generators (doubly fed induction generator (DFIG), squirrel cage induction generator (SCIG) and direct drive permanent magnet synchronous generator (DDPMSG)). The state space for all types of the generators of these two types of turbines are concluded. All models are validated using a common property of the generator for the validation.

Corrosion is the primary means by which metals deteriorate. Most metals corrode in contact with water and also moisture in the air, acids, bases, salts, aggressive metal polishes and other corrosive solids and liquid chemicals. A suitable, effective and economical method has to be adopted depending upon the metal and its environment. Mild steel is of high industrial value. Metals, when subjected to surface treatment such as painting, enameling etc. should have clean surface, free from rust or oxide scales. For removing these rusts and scales, metals are immersed in acid solutions known as acid pickling bath. Generally hydrochloric acid is used in pickling bath. However, now- a- days sulphuric acid has replaced hydrochloric acid as pickling solution due to its economic advantage.

Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANET) have been highly vulnerable to attacks due to the dynamic nature of its network infrastructure. Among these attacks, routing attacks have received considerable attention since it could cause the most devastating damage to MANET. Even though there exist several intrusion response techniques to mitigate such critical attacks, existing solutions typically attempt to isolate malicious nodes based on binary or na?ve fuzzy response decisions. However, binary responses may result in the unexpected network partition, causing additional damages to the network infrastructure, and na?ve fuzzy responses could lead to uncertainty in countering routing attacks in MANET. In this paper, we propose a risk-aware response mechanism to systematically cope with the identified routing attacks. Our risk-aware approach is based on an extended Dempster-Shafer mathematical theory of evidence introducing a notion of importance factors. In addition, our experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach with the consideration of several performance metrics.

To evaluate the effectiveness of modulated frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on relieving pain after abdominal surgery. The study population was those who underwent abdominal surgery. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups (treated with frequency modulated TENS and placebo TENS). Both the groups were treated with the usual analgesic routine. The subjects received the treatments for 30 minutes at every time and each subject will be assessed 5 consecutive days. Per day the subject received treatment twice daily after 4 and 8 hours of post surgery. Pain was evaluated using a standard 11-point visual analog scale (VAS) before the application of TENS and after application of TENS (24, 48, 72, 96, and 120) post operative hours. The study population comprised of 60 subjects aged between 25 to 50 years. To evaluate the effectiveness of modulated frequency VAS was measured five times and compared between the experimental and control group. There was a difference in median pain score over a period of time (P < 0.001) between the groups expect at base line (P = 0.854). This study revealed that there was a relief in pain between the subjects over a short span of time. Hence the TENS after abdominal surgery is beneficial for the subjects with abdominal surgery incision. Since, the treatment has no observable side effects, and the pain-reducing effect persisted for 5 days, it is advisable for the subjects.