Moisture sorption and thermodynamic properties of cassava starch and soy protein concentrate based edible films

Moisture sorption isotherms and thermodynamic properties of cassava starch and soy protein concentrate–based edible films were investigated. Equilibrium moisture content was determined at various temperatures (10, 20, 30 and 40 °C) and relative humidities (17–83%) using gravimetric method, and the results were analysed using four sorption isotherm models. The equilibrium moisture of edible films (both adsorption and desorption modes) decreased with soy protein concentrate addition and temperature at constant water activity. The monolayer moisture content values of cassava starch–soy protein concentrate edible films decreased with increase in temperature and soy protein level. GAB and Oswin models (%RMS ≤10) best described the isotherms of the biofilms with the monolayer moisture contents, isosteric enthalpy and entropy higher for adsorption with significant kinetic compensations. The moisture sorption and thermodynamic properties of cassava starch–soy protein concentrate edible films showed that they are suitable for packaging applications.     

Beliefs and attitudes of interns at Ibadan General Hospitals concerning ten medical specialties

The authors report on a 62-year-old woman who suffered from partial nuclear oculomotor nerve palsy and the medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) syndrome caused by midbrain infarction. The lesion was confirmed to be in the mesencephalic tegmentum by axial sections acquired by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The lesion was located in the caudal region of the mesencephalic tegmentum by the sagittal MRI sections, and showed low signal intensity in T1-weighted images and high signal intensity in T2-weighted images. The patient exhibited bilateral ptosis due to the disturbance of caudal central nucleus and the supra-oculomotor area on both sides innervating the levator muscles of the upper eyelid. She also showed bilateral limitation of ocular adduction and supraduction; mild infraduction of the left eyeball; left monocular nystagmus; and disturbance of convergence, indicating partial involvement of the lateral somatic cell column innervating the muscles of the eyeball, the rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus (riMLF) and the MLF. Furthermore, transient visual hallucinations similar to hallucinose pédonculaire were confirmed. We are not aware of any reports describing simultaneous occurrence of bilateral ptosis, MLF syndrome, and transient visual hallucinations similar to hallucinose pédonculaire in the same patient.     

Hydrogen related degradation in pipeline steel: A review

To support our increasing energy demand, steel pipelines are deployed in transporting oil and natural gas resources for long distances. However, numerous steel structures experience catastrophic failures due to the evolution of hydrogen from their service environments initiated by corrosion reactions and/or cathodic protection. This process results in deleterious effect on the mechanical strength of these ferrous steel structures and their principal components. The major sources of hydrogen in offshore/subsea pipeline installations are moisture as well as molecular water reduction resulting from cathodic protection. Hydrogen induced cracking comes into effect as a synergy of hydrogen concentration and stress level on susceptible steel materials, leading to severe hydrogen embrittlement (HE) scenarios. This usually manifests in the form of induced-crack episodes, e.g., hydrogen induced cracking (HIC), stress-oriented hydrogen induced cracking (SOHIC) and sulfide stress corrosion cracking (SSCC). In this work, we have outlined sources of hydrogen attack as well as their induced failure mechanisms. Several past and recent studies supporting them have also been highlighted in line with understanding of the effect of hydrogen on pipeline steel failure. Different experimental techniques such as Devanathan–Stachurski method, thermal desorption spectrometry, hydrogen microprint technique, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical noise have proven to be useful in investigating hydrogen damage in pipeline steels. This has also necessitated our coverage of relatively comprehensive assessments of the effect of hydrogen on contemporary high-strength pipeline steel processed by thermomechanical controlled rolling. The effect of HE on cleavage planes and/or grain boundaries has prompted in depth crystallographic texture analysis within this work as a very important parameter influencing the corrosion behavior of pipeline steels. More information regarding microstructure and grain boundary interaction effects have been presented as well as the mechanisms of crack interaction with microstructure. Since hydrogen degradation is accompanied by other corrosion-related causes, this review also addresses key corrosion causes affecting offshore pipeline structures fabricated from steel. We have enlisted and extensively discussed several recent corrosion mitigation trials and performance tests in various media at different thermal and pressure conditions.     

Comparative study of psychiatric morbidity among workers at a paint factory in Nigeria

A fetal lamb model was developed to investigate the capacity of fetal articular cartilage for repair after the creation of a superficial defect. Superficial defects, 100 micrometers deep, were made in the articular cartilage of the trochlear groove in the distal aspect of the femur in eighteen fetal lambs that were halfway through the 145-day gestational period; the contralateral limb was used as a sham control. The wounds were allowed to heal in utero for three, seven, fourteen, twenty-one, or twenty-eight days. Seven days after the injury, the defects were filled with a hypocellular matrix, which stained lightly with safranin O. At twenty-eight days, the staining of the matrix was similar to that of the sham controls and the chondrocyte density and the architectural arrangement of the cell layers had been restored. An inflammatory response was not elicited, and no fibrous scar tissue was observed.     

Psychosocial concerns of Nigerian women with breast and cervical cancer

Many studies have demonstrated that the management of pain after surgery was unsatisfactory. New pain management techniques have been developed in recent years (patient-controlled analgesia, epidural analgesia). To extend the number of patients who may benefit from these recent techniques and/or to obtain the best efficacy from existing methods of pain relief, re-organisation should take place on surgical wards. For example, protocols describing pain management strategies should be written. Surveys and audits should be carried out regularly to check their efficacy. Moreover, patients should be fully informed of the range of treatments available and their adverse effects. Finally, all staff involved in providing acute pain relief should undergo training.     

Effect of Microstructure and Texture Evolution on the Electrochemical Corrosion Behavior of Warm-Rolled API 5L X70 Pipeline Steel

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - Thermomechanical treatments were used to improve the corrosion resistance of API 5L X70 pipeline steel materials. Successive warm rolling was performed...     

Physicochemical properties,anti-nutritional and bioactive constituents,in vitro digestibility,and techno-functional properties of bioprocessed whole wheat flour

This study investigated the impact of bioprocessing techniques (germination, solid-state fermentation, the combination of germination, and solid-state fermentation) on the physicochemical properties, anti-nutritional and bioactive constituents, in vitro digestibility, and techno-functional properties of whole wheat grains were investigated. Bioprocessed whole wheat flour (WWF) samples and the raw flour (control) were prepared using standard procedures. Proximate, anti-nutritional, mineral and amino acid (AA) compositions, protein digestibility, antioxidant activities, starch characteristics, and techno-functional properties were studied using standard methods. The bioprocessing methods increased (p ≤ 0.05) the protein (13.37–16.84 g/100 g), total dietary fiber, mineral constituents, resistant starch (7.19–9.87 g/100 g), slowly digestible starch, phenolic content, antioxidant activities (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity), most AAs, and protein digestibility. Also observed were decreases (p ≤ 0.05) in rapidly digestible starch, phytic acid, tannin, and trypsin inhibitor activity. The adopted bioprocessing techniques modified the thermal, functional, color, and pasting properties of the WWF and resulted in molecular interactions in some functional groups, as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, compared to the raw flour. The combination of germination and fermentation improved the physicochemical (titratable acidity = 4.93%), protein (16.84/100 g) and starch digestibility (resistant starch = 9.87%), antioxidant (FRAP = 78.90 mg/GAE/100 g), and mineral contents (calcium = 195.28 mg/100 g), modified the pasting (peak viscosity = 90.34 RVU), thermal (peak temperature = 64.82°C), and color properties of WWF with reduced anti-nutritional factors. The combination of these processing techniques could serve as a natural and low-cost technique for the modification of whole wheat functionality and subsequently as an improved functional ingredient during food product development.     

Development and characterization of cassava starch and soy protein concentrate based edible films

The sensory attributes, mechanical, water vapour permeability (WVP) and solubility properties of cassava starch and soy protein concentrate (SPC)‐based edible films of varying levels of glycerol were studied. Addition of SPC and glycerol up to 30% and 20%, respectively, reduced stickiness and improved colour and appearance of the films. Tensile strength (TS), elastic modulus (EM) and elongation at break (EAB) of films increased, while film solubility (FS) and WVP decreased with SPC and glycerol up to 50% and 20% level, respectively, ranging from 20.33 to 26.94 MPa (TS), 41.33 to 72.76 MPa (EM), 7.90 to 12.28 MPa (EAB), 15.07 to 31.90% (FS) and 2.62 to 4.13 g H₂O mm m^?2 day kPa (WVP). The TS, EAB and WVP were higher for the biofilms than for low‐density polyethylene and cellophane films.