Physical,proximate, functional and pasting properties of four non‐ and γ‐irradiated bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean) cultivars

Effect of γ‐irradiation (2–30 kGy) on physical, proximate, functional and pasting properties of four bambara groundnut cultivars was investigated. Packed (0.74–0.75 g mL^?1) and loose (0.71–0.76 g mL^?1) density varied significantly among cultivars. Generally, CIE L and hue angle decreased, while CIE a, b, deltachroma and colour intensity increased with increased dose. Protein (21.23–23.77 g/100 g), fat (6.38–7.69 g/100 g), crude fibre (1.28–3.54 g/100 g), ash (1.50–4.50 g/100 g) and moisture (10.67–12.92 g/100 g) of non‐ and γ‐irradiated bambara varied with cultivars and dose. Loose (0.41–0.49 g mL^?1) and packed (0.54–0.74 g mL^?1) densities, water absorption (1.62–2.38 g/g) and swelling (10.50–18.00 g/g) increased marginally, while oil absorption (1.93–2.82 g/g), alkaline water retention (0.66–1.23 g/g), emulsion capacity (40.31–58.23%) and stability (31.67–46.49%) decreased with increased dose. Foam capacity (6.85–22.37%) and stability (1.80–22.37%) of γ‐irradiated flours were higher than their nonirradiated (2.03–18.26%) counterparts. Nonirradiated flours showed significantly higher viscosities than their γ‐irradiated counterparts. Flours showed slightly shear‐thinning behaviours.     

Stabilization of nigeria natural (havea) rubber with bound antioxidant added as masterbatch

Nigeria natural rubber concentrates in a newly synthesized antioxidant were added as conventional additives for normal natural rubber. The natural weathering, thermal and photooxidative protective performance of the adduct were examined by measurement of the carbonyl index and induction periods. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the addition of this new antioxidant in the form of masterbatch appears to be a better practical way of incorporating it into natural rubber simply by dilution of natural rubber. The bound stabilizers were found to be resistant to leaching.     

Ventilation of spaces in a warm, humid climate—Case study of some housing types

The design of windows in modern buildings in a warm, humid climate can be influenced either by their use to provide physiological and psychological comfort or by using them to provide aesthetically appealing fenestration. In the past few years in Nigeria, emphasis has been laid on the latter, while the former, which is the primary objective of building design, has been relegated to the background. This paper examines the factors contributing to the effective ventilation of spaces in a warm, humid climate using buildings in Government residential areas as a case study. It concludes that most spaces in modern buildings are not adequately ventilated and recommends that effort should be directed towards the use of windows to achieve physiological comfort.     

Survey of roasted street-vended nuts in Sierra Leone for toxic metabolites of fungal origin

Consumption of mycotoxin contaminated foodstuffs is common in regions where foods are not adequately controlled and routinely monitored, and this could have adverse effects on the health of consumers. In this study, 100 samples of roasted nuts (50 cashew nuts and 50 peanuts) vended within two cities of Sierra Leone were analysed for mycotoxins and other microbial metabolites by a LC-MS/MS method. The peanut samples contained detectable levels of 17 microbial metabolites, including aflatoxins B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂ and alternariol, while none of these metabolites were found in the cashew samples. Aflatoxins (max: 5,729 μg/kg; mean: 487.8 μg/kg) and alternariol (3 μg/kg) were found in 24% and 2% of the peanut samples, respectively. One-third of the aflatoxin-contaminated peanut samples contained aflatoxins at levels exceeding the total aflatoxin limit of 4 μg/kg set by the European Union. Aflatoxin contamination of Sierra Leonean peanuts is high and requires urgent intervention to reduce consequent exposure.     

Physical,functional and pasting properties of different maize (Zea mays) cultivars as modified by an increase in γ‐irradiation doses

Physical, functional and pasting properties of six maize (Zea mays) cultivars as modified by an increase in γ‐irradiation doses were investigated. From the L*, a* and b* measured, deltachroma, colour intensity and hue angle were calculated. Functional and physicochemical properties of maize flours were determined using standard methods and Rapid Visco Analyser, respectively. Often, the effect of γ‐irradiation on L*, a* and b* values within each cultivar was almost never significant but pronounced between the yellow and white cultivars. Generally, deltachroma, colour intensity and hue angle decreased with increased γ‐irradiation dose. Mean seed bulk density and 100 kernel weight varied from 0.73–0.77 g cm^?3 and 23.13–35.42 g, respectively. Loose and packed bulk densities, and water (WAC) and oil absorption capacities of the maize flours were not significantly affected by γ‐irradiation. WAC of nonirradiated and γ‐irradiated maize flours ranged from 1.54–1.62 and 1.09–1.70 g g^?1, respectively. Peak, trough, breakdown, final and setback viscosities decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increased γ‐irradiation dose.     

Achieving high rates of consent for genetic testing among African American smokers.

Genetic factors play an important role in smoking behavior. Although African Americans are at disproportionately increased risk for tobacco-related morbidity and mortality, limited attention has been given to genetic investigation of tobacco use in this population. The present study examined consent for genetic testing among African American smokers enrolled in a smoking cessation clinical trial. African American light smokers (相似文献   

Foam-Mat Drying of Plantain and Cooking Banana (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa</Emphasis> spp.)

Foaming, reconstitution, and sensory attributes of foam-mat-dried plantain and cooking banana were investigated. Plantain and cooking banana pastes mixed with different concentrations (0.005%, 0.01%, 0.015%, and 0.02%) of glyceryl monostearate (GMS) were whipped, and the resulting foams were air dried at 60°C, 70°C, and 80°C. Physical, chemical, and sensory properties of fresh and reconstituted paste from plantain and cooking bananas were determined. Higher GMS concentration and longer whipping time resulted in lower foam densities. Generally, cooking banana foams showed lower foam density compared to plantain foam. Lower drying temperatures and concentration of GMS resulted in longer drying time. pH (4.41–4.80), titratable acidity (0.06–0.08), and water absorption capacity (56.75–64.02%) of the reconstituted pastes varied with commodity, drying temperature, and %GMS concentration. Fresh and reconstituted pastes showed comparable physical and chemical attributes, while the taste and sensory attributes of fresh plantain and cooking banana pastes were significantly (p < 0.05) better than those of reconstituted pastes.     

Extraction and characterization of antioxidants from Aframomum melegueta and Xylopia aethiopica

Extracts of the spices, Aframomum melegueta (family, Zingiberaceae) and Xylopia aethiopica (family, Anonaceae) exhibited antioxidant effects on lard and groundnut oil with A. melegueta having an antioxidant effectiveness (AE) of 57.0% in lard and 54.3% in groundnut oil at 300 ppm. AE was obtained from: % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaafeart1ev1aaatCvAUfKttLearuavTnhis1MBaeXatLxBI9gBae % bbnrfifHhDYfgasaacH8YjY-vipgYlH8Gipec8Eeeu0xXdbba9frFj % 0-OqFfea0dXdd9vqai-hGuQ8kuc9pgc9q8qqaq-dir-f0-yqaiVgFr % 0xfr-xfr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaaeaabaWaaaGcbaWaaSaa % aeaacqGGqbaucqGGLbqzcqGGYbGCcqGGVbWBcqGG4baEcqGGPbqAcq % GGKbazcqGGLbqzcaaMe8UaeiODayNaeiyyaeMaeiiBaWMaeiyDauNa % eiyzauMaaGjbVlabcIcaOiabccfaqjabcAfawjabcMcaPiaaysW7cq % GGVbWBcqGGMbGzcaaMe8Uaei4yamMaei4Ba8MaeiOBa4MaeiiDaqNa % eiOCaiNaei4Ba8MaeiiBaWMaeiyla0IaeiiuaaLaeiOvayLaaGjbVl % abc+gaVjabcAgaMjaaysW7cqGG0baDcqGGLbqzcqGGZbWCcqGG0baD % aeaacqGGqbaucqGGwbGvcaaMe8Uaei4Ba8MaeiOzayMaaGjbVlabco % gaJjabc+gaVjabc6gaUjabcsha0jabckhaYjabc+gaVjabcYgaSbaa % cqGHxdaTcqGGXaqmcqGGWaamcqGGWaamcqGGLaqjaaa!7753! [(Peroxide  value  (PV)  of  control - PV  of  test)/(PV  of  control)] ×100%{{Peroxide\;value\;(PV)\;of\;control - PV\;of\;test} \over {PV\;of\;control}} \times 100\% The AE of X. aethiopica for lard at 300 ppm was 29.6%. The antioxidant extracts from both A. melegueta and X. aethiopica inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus. The antioxidant extracts from X. aethiopica and A. melegueta were tentatively identified as phenolic compounds with X. aethiopica having a trihydroxyl phenolic component with reducing properties.     

Preliminary results from the multishot opening switch and barrel testing at ARDC

The General Electric (GE) Multishot Switch and Barrel have been designed and assembled, and preliminary testing has been carried out at the Armament Research and Development Center (ARDC) at Dover, NJ. The Electromagnetic Launcher System incorporates an existing homopolar generator, storage inductor, and range tank with the GE switch and barrel into a Multishot Facility capable of three 500 kA shots at a rate of 4 Hz. Preliminary low current (∼250 kA) single shot tests of the system indicate that the Multishot injector, data acquisition and control systems, and shot timing meet design objectives and that the switch does commutate effectively into a moving armature at an arc voltage of 335 volts. Five single shot tests have been performed on the system. In these tests the switch brush has experienced difficulty in carrying full charge current (>300 kA) in the opening segment of the switch. Static measurement of contact voltage on the stationary brush at 60 Hz, 450 kA has eliminated contact resistance runaway as a possible cause of this difficulty. Deflection measurement in situ at ARDC, using 300 kA in a short circuit test and 3-D finite element analysis of the magnetic force on the brush suggest a possible loss of contact between brush fingers and switch rail surfaces, particularly in the periphery of the input bus. Increased compliance is being built into the brush and the switch assembly is being widened to accommodate the wider brush. Full power switch testing is underway to evaluate the effectiveness of these design changes, and Multishot testing is scheduled to resume when the ARDC facility again becomes available. The Multishot Electromaqnetic Gun Program was developed under Air force Armament Laboratory sponsorship.