Graphics Evolutionary Computations in Higher Order Parametric Bezier Curves

This work demonstrates in practical terms the evolutionary concepts and computational applications of Parametric Curves. Specific cases were drawn from higher order parametric Bezier curves of degrees 2 and above. Bezier curves find real life applications in diverse areas of Engineering and Computer Science, such as computer graphics, robotics, animations, virtual reality, among others. Some of the evolutionary issues explored in this work are in the areas of parametric equations derivations, proof of related theorems, first and second order calculus related computations, among others. A Practical case is demonstrated using a graphical design, physical hand sketching, and programmatic implementation of two opposite-faced handless cups, all evolved using quadratic Bezier curves. The actual drawing was realized using web graphics canvas programming based on HTML 5 and JavaScript. This work will no doubt find relevance in computational researches in the areas of graphics, web programming, automated theorem proofs, robotic motions, among others.     

Biocontrol of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644 on fresh-cut tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) using nisin combined with organic acids

Food Science and Biotechnology - The biocontrol of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut tomato using nisin and organic acids was investigated. Fresh-cut samples inoculated with 108 CFU/mL of L....     

Risk assessment in the maintenance of offshore caisson operations

Undertaking maintenance of offshore caissons is a pervasive challenge that involves an array of risks and uncertainties. Despite the adoption of standardised and routine maintenance procedures that are subject to on-going improvements, the rate of failure in offshore caissons remains relatively high. To manage the effect of risk and uncertainties associated with the maintenance of offshore caissons, expert judgment can be drawn upon to better understand and capture the issues that contribute to their failure. Using a case study of an offshore hydrocarbon discharge caisson in the North Sea of the United Kingdom, expert judgements from industry practitioners are obtained using the Delphi Interview and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique to rank 14 possible recovery options. Sensitivity analysis is used to ascertain the suitability of each of the options. Results reveal that the Delphi technique employed provided a robust means to garner invaluable insights from experts about the issues associated with caisson failure. The corollary is the development of a framework that serves as a point of reference to identify and assess the risks in offshore caisson maintenance operations. This framework can also be used in conjunction with existing probabilistic methods to improve the effectiveness of decision-making during operations and maintenance.     

Protective Effect of Tulbaghia violacea Harv. on Aortic Pathology, Tissue Antioxidant Enzymes and Liver Damage in Diet-Induced Atherosclerotic Rats

The protective effect Tulbaghia violacea rhizomes (TVR) against derangements in serum lipid profile, tissue antioxidant enzyme depletion, endothelium dysfunction and histopathological changes in the aorta and liver of rats fed with an atherosclerogenic (Ath) diet (4% cholesterol, 1% cholic acid and 0.5% thiouracil) was investigated in this study. Co-treatment with the TVR extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight for two weeks significantly (p < 0.05) protected against elevated serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and decreased HDL-cholesterol in a dosedependent manner when compared with the atherogenic control. The extracts also reduced (p < 0.05) elevated thiobabutric reacting substance (TBARS) and reversed endothelial dysfunction parameters (fibrinogen and total NO levels) and tissue antioxidant enzyme activities to near normal. The protective ability of the extract was confirmed by the significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the activities of serum markers of liver (LDH, AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin) and kidney damage (creatinine and bilirubin) in extract-treated groups compared with the atherogenic control group. Also, histopathology evaluations of aorta sections revealed that the extracts protected against the development of fatty streak plaques (aorta) and fatty changes in hepatocytes. The observed activities of the extracts compared favorably with standard drug atorvastatin. Our study thus showed that the methanolic extract of TVR could protect against the early onset of atherosclerosis.     

The role of nutraceutical fruit drink on neurodegenerative diseases: a review

A changing lifestyle in food consumption due to the frequent taking of junk drinks based on the fast-food and ready-to-eat concept has brought about overloaded oxidative stress, thus weakening the body's defence mechanism to scavenge free oxygen radicals by destroying antioxidants. Oxidative stress occurs as a result of an imbalance between pro and antioxidant levels in favour of pro-oxidants resulting in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Though researches on the probable cure for neurodegenerative diseases are ongoing, fruits have been found to play an important dietetic role in preventing neurodegenerative diseases and other physiological disorders. Most fruits have their own valuable, unique active ingredients, having tremendous nutraceutical potentials and therapeutic implications. Therefore, people are required to make rational choices on the correct type of food for consumption to engender proper growth and development. The role of fruits or fruit juice in ameliorating neurodegenerative diseases has created a reawakening in nutrition and human health research.     

Exposure assessment and environmental consequence evaluation of accidental chlorine release in an industrial area

Simulated accidental releases of chlorine from the premises of a major household products manufacturing company in Nigeria were investigated, with Threat Zones (TZs). The Aerial Location of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA) software was used for the TZ Identification. The Acute Exposure Guidelines (AEGLs) and the Emergency Response Planning Guidelines (ERPGs) were used for TZs determination. All the AEGL values employed in this analysis are for exposure durations of 60 min, which are expected to be sufficient for appropriate mitigating steps to take place during an emergency. Chlorine was not detected in the ambient environment of the factory premises during the study and was thus taken to be within limits. AEGLs TZs following an accidental release of chlorine from 1 cm hole on a chlorine tonner in the factory were 2000 – 2500 m, 966 – 1300 m and 289 – 382 m for AEGL-1, AEGL-2 and AEGL-3, respectively. ERPGs TZs created by the accidental release of chlorine from 1 cm hole on the chlorine tonner stored in the factory were 478 – 630 m, 274 – 362 m and 106 – 139 m for ERPG-1, ERPG-2, and ERPG-3, respectively. Adequate emergency response plan should be put in place to manage accidental chlorine release in the factory     

Object Tracking-Based “Follow-Me” Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) System

The applications of information technology (IT) tools and techniques have, over the years, simplified complex problem solving procedures. But the power of automation is inhibited by the technicality in manning advanced equipment. To this end, tools deliberately combating this inhibition and advancing technological growth are the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). UAVs are rapidly taking over major industries such as logistics, security, and cinematography. Among others, this is a very efficient way of carrying out missions unconventional to humans. An application area of this technology is the local film industry which is not producing quality movies primarily due to the lack of technical know-how in utilizing these systems. This study therefore aim to devise an autonomous object tracking UAV system that would eliminate the complex procedure involved in stabilizing an aerial camera (aerial bot) midair and promote the creation of quality aerial video shooting. The study adopted Unified Modeling Language (UML) tools in modeling the system’s functionality. The traditional Server-Client model architecture was adopted. The OpenCV library employed proved highly efficient in aiding the tracking procedure. The system provided a usable web controller which provides easy interaction between the pilot and the drone. Conclusively, investments in UAVs would enhance creation of quality graphic contents.