Recent Articles

The emergent threat of terrorism activities has caused an urgent need of improved forensic explosive analysis. Complex matrices, limited samples, and confusing interpretations serve as challenges for a forensic chemist in order to link the evidence to the perpetrator of the crime.

This study investigates proximate composition and characterization of Moringa oleifera seed-oil using four methods of extraction (Cold pressing (CP), Enzyme assisted cold pressing (EACP), Enzyme assisted aqueous extraction (EAAE) and solvent extraction (SE)) and compared with olive oil. The results of proximate analysis of the kernel reveals (7.20 moisture content, 43.12 protein, 33.16 fat, 3.51 Ash, and 6.81 Carbohydrate by difference) %, while the oil yield obtained for CP, EACP, EAAE and SE were (7.75, 12.08, 23.25 and 33.16)%. The fatty acids composition and bioactive compounds were determined through GC-MS analysis. Melting and crystallization temperature ranges: -15.86 to 3.21 and 8.30 to -13.63 °C, respectively. There is a significant difference in term of oil yield, with cold pressing method having the lowest oil yield of 7.8 %. However, the quality of CP extracted Moringa oleifera oil was compared with virgin olive oil; it revealed its potentials as a good source of oleic acid making it to be a good substitute for virgin olive oil.

Most important studies about plant-parasitic nematode have been performed especially for major crops, such as soybean, rice, corn, and wheat. However, the damage caused by these pathogens in general horticulture should have more attention. Nowadays, horticulture yield results have been relevant, allowing to show its worldwide power in economies and food. In addition, human hunger and diets changes have highlighted the current horticulture scenario and increased efforts towards solutions in diseases and losses caused by phytopathogens. Nematode infection has been the cause of important yield losses in horticulture and the genus Meloidogyne and Pratylenchus are reported to be the most important threats. In addition, as horticulture is associated with a wide number of products, the compilation of information regarding damages, symptoms, resistance, novel solutions and other concepts for phynematode management allows for the better comprehension of the whole situation. Herein, we integrated information about the damage and losses caused by these pathogens in horticulture. Resistant genotypes seem to be the best alternative and, due to wide horticulture aspect, the focus is especially for life sustaining horticultural, such as banana, cassava, potato, and sugar beet. In addition, it was also provided evidence regarding how studies have been conducted on new strategies for resistance and control, such as the elucidation of effector’s functions. Nematode effectors studies, focus on the development of new resistant plant genotypes, is an auspicious strategy against this parasites.

Over 90% of children with stunted growth are situated in Africa and Asia. Nearly 45% of deaths among under-fives in low and middle income countries are associated with under nutrition.

Cuong’s picture fuzzy set (PFS) has more capability to grip the uncertainties in real-life decision-making problems as compare to intuitionistic fuzzy set. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new Grey approach in which the attribute values takes from the picture fuzzy numbers, attribute weights information is unknown and develop a multi criteria decision making approach to study the interaction between the input argument under the picture fuzzy environment. The main advantage of the proposed technique is that, it can deal with the situations of the positive interaction, negative interaction or non-interaction among the criteria, during decision-making process. Finally, a numerical approach is demonstrated for implementation of proposed technique and show that how proposed technique is reliable and effective is illustrated.

In Nigeria, indices predictive of adolescent central adiposity are lacking. This study aimed to develop age- and gender- specific cut-offs for WC and WHtR for Nigerian adolescents

Treating childhood obesity is time-consuming and inconclusive exercise; children suffering dominantly in later years are more likely to grow up to be obese adults.

Obesity is a multisystemic disease. It is a coronary risk factor, that promotes or is associated with other components such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, etc.

Childhood obesity is a growing problem facing the developed world. This manuscript reports user experiences of the TreCLifeStyle mHealth app to bring about behavioural change.

Laminin β2 (LAMB2) gene mutation typically causes a rare autosomal recessive inherited disorder called Pierson syndrome (PS) that present in the neonatal period and progressively affecting renal and ocular functions in the form of congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) combined with bilateral microcoria.

With the growth and development of the industry, the problem of pollution remains the most important subject of many scientists, since it affects several vital sectors.

Multiple myeloma is the second most common onco-hematologic neoplasm, accounting for 1% of malignant neoplasms. It is an underdiagnosed condition, as well as herpetic encephalitis.

The rise in cesarean delivery has higher maternal risks for the current and subsequent pregnancies. It is associated with short and long term complication as any surgical procedure. As prevalence of Cesarean section increased beyond reminded range without concomitant decrease in maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity rates significant concern that C/S is over used once women has had one birth by Ceserean section.

When high energy electron beam falls on a high Z target it generates bremsstrahlung photons which can be used to produce 99Mo from 100Mo using photo-neutron (γ, n) reaction. Two different approaches are studied to carry out photo-neutron reaction. First, a converter target approach in which photons are generated in a high Z target of tungsten using (e,γ) reaction and then (γ, n) reaction in 100Mo for 99Mo production. Second, a direct target approach wherein 30 MeV electrons hit directly onto 100Mo target to carry out both (e, γ) and (γ, n) reactions in the 100Mo target itself. GEANT4 simulation gives photons and neutrons fluxes and their angular distributions from both the approaches, which are then used to calculate activity of 99Mo. The study shows that for very thin 100Mo target of about 0.1 radiation length converter target shows better activity whereas, for any thickness beyond it the direct target approach is found to be more efficient. For 30 MeV and 10 kW beam falling on 100Mo target with 1.4 radiation length, direct target approach is found to be more efficient. Therefore, after improvising the geometry of 100Mo target in the case of direct target method an increased specific activity is obtained through GEANT4 simulation.

A set of Mutually Orthogonal Latin Squares (MOLS) of order 7 gives rise to series of incomplete block designs, such as; balanced incomplete block designs (BIBD), and partially balanced incomplete block designs of two, three, four, five and six associate classes, that is PBIBD(k) with k =2,3,4,5 and 6. Two distinct Near-Resolvable BIBDs that are symmetric are equally obtained. All the aforementioned designs are constructed via orderly combinations of off-diagonal elements of a complete set of mutually orthogonal Latin squares (MOLS).

Intra- or inter-chain dipole–dipole interactions between opposite charges cause collapse of the structure in polyampholyte hydrogels formed by using ionic monomers with different charges. Furthermore, these interactions are unavoidable as in the case of clamped polymer chains.

The population of orphaned children is increasing at devastating levels especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

Fish protein concentrated of Silver carp minced, was obtained in three steps using solvent (Isopropanol), drying and pressing using dry temperature (60 °C), and this concentrate had 93% protein, which according to Aquatic protein sources have a high nutritional value and are used to enrich other food products.

Palmyrah spongy haustorium is delicious and nutritive product from palmyrah seed nut at sprouting stage. It is also known as Spongy endosperm and Thavan.

2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) is readily available online as an unapproved weight loss supplement. Severe systemic toxicity and death have been reported following DNP use.