Indicative Value Research Articles

Evaluation of the Physicochemical Quality of Irrigation Water from the Wells of Laya Doula, CR of Nialia, Prefecture of Faranah, Republic of Guinea

This research aims to evaluate the physicochemical quality of well irrigation water, used by market gardening groups in the District of Laya Doula, CR Nialia, Faranah prefecture, Republic of Guinea. Direct observation and analyses are carried out, direct observation consists of taking stock of the situation and identifying sampling points. The pH, temperature, turbidity, nitrite and nitrate are determined according to standard standards. A mapping of water sources is carried out. Water samples were taken from four (4) wells. The results show that the pH of the wells (PLD1, PLD2, PLD3 and PLD4) comply with WHO standards, and the temperatures are well below 35°C as the upper indicative limit value for water intended for irrigation according to BELGYTI (2009). From the point of view of turbidity, three wells (PLD1, PLD3 and PLD4) out of four are turbid because their turbidity exceeds the limit value defined by the WHO which is (5 NTU). The water samples are not polluted with Nitrite and Nitrate. In short, the results of analyses of the water samples showed that the majority of the physicochemical parameters meet the WHO standards. Keywords: Physicochemical parameters, water, wells, irrigation, Guinea.

Advancing Oncology through Imaging: Evaluating FDG-PET's Role in Cancer Diagnosis and Staging

Purpose: Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) represents a valuable functional molecular imaging technique. Through non-invasive means, 18F-FDG PET allows for the assessment of glucose metabolic activity in living biological systems. Its utility in oncology is well established, with applications in tumor diagnosis, staging, and treatment monitoring. The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review assessing the indicative value and effect on the clinical management of 18F-FDG PET/CT for various cancer types based on the current literature. Materials and Methods: An inclusive search of the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases was performed to identify relevant studies published from 2022 to the present. Records were screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. A full-text review of the eligible studies was independently conducted by two reviewers. Results: Twenty-one primary research articles met the inclusion criteria and encompassed several cancer types. Evidence demonstrates superior detection, characterization, and staging compared with anatomical imaging alone. Advantages have been substantiated for head/neck, lung, and brain cancers, as well as lymphomas. The significant associations between 18F-FDG uptake and clinical features validated the molecular profiling capacity. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET provides crucial metabolic tumor information, augmenting conventional approaches. Specific diagnostic values have been established for diverse oncological applications. While technical refinements are ongoing, 18F-FDG PET plays an expanding role in multimodal cancer algorithms according to guidelines. Continued investigation aims to further optimize these techniques and clarify their comparative effectiveness.

Modern Approaches to Integrated Assessment of Public Health in Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan

Public health management plays an important role in Russian healthcare system. However, the task is impossible without an integrated assessment. In order to understand modern approaches to integral assessment of public health as well as to develop effective methods for its determination, it is necessary to systematize the existing research data. Countries of vast geographical extent, such as Kazakhstan, are of particular interest, as their regional peculiarities do not allow to elaborate a unified approach aimed at improving public health. The purpose was to analyze the scientific research findings on integrated assessment of public health in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan. Material and methods. A keyword search of scientific data available in eLibrary.RU, PubMed, Google Scholar scientometric databases, subsequent study and analysis were carried out. As a result, 35 articles were included in the review for further analysis. Results. In the scientific literature, there is ambiguity in the choice of criteria for an integrated assessment of public health. The use of different approaches and public health indicators reveals the complexity and multilevel nature of the phenomenon. The revealed weight contributions of various public health indicators, as well as the change in their role in different regions, age groups and other cohort groups indicate the need to adapt unified and standardized approaches using correction factors taking into account the above factors. The existing scientific groundwork on integrated assessment of public health in Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan allows us to predict an upcoming appearance of scientific research that will contain the results of the most accurate and adequate integrated assessment of public health. Conclusion. A comprehensive assessment of public health is a complex multi-level system that should be measured by integral indicators. In this regard, in order to improve these indicators, it is necessary to clarify the criteria characterizing the high indicative value and coverage of various aspects that determine the level of public health.

Using fractal voids to understand Mode I compressive fracture in brittle materials – A two-dimensional analysis

Unlike cases of direct or indirect tensile loading, analysis of Mode I fracture in cases of compressive loading must necessarily consider two-dimensional flaw geometries. The consequent analytical complications have resulted in little theoretical evolution towards understanding Mode I fracture in compressive loading. Researchers have recently observed that the linear elastic (LE) stress fields surrounding two-dimensional flaws in compression appear to have indicative value regarding Mode I fracture, but no rational framework has yet been proposed for their interpretation. Herein it is demonstrated that by idealizing void surfaces as fractal, and using what will be called the “small flaw assumption,” LE stress fields can be interpreted to obtain significant insight regarding brittle Mode I compressive fracture. Using fractal voids, a rational and consistent explanation for the satisfaction of the stress and energy criteria at the surface of two-dimensional flaws is presented. The discussion resolves many typical theoretical issues in the literature in a manner consistent with fundamental Griffith theory, and accounts for size and shape effects. The framework further enables the computationally efficient prediction of peak KI values associated with the propagation of line cracks from two-dimensional flaws from a brittle medium subject to macroscopic uniaxial compression via LE stress fields.

Introducing Green, Eco-Friendly Practices and Circular Economy Principles in Vocational Education Through a Novel Analysis-Synthesis Method: Design, Implementation and Evaluation

Purpose: A novel, Project- and Collaborative Learning-based educational method is proposed, implemented and evaluated in this paper. The aim is to exploit hands-on laboratory modules in Vocational Education in order to experientially introduce students to green, eco-friendly practices and the principles of sustainability and circular economy. Besides their apparent individual and social benefits, such knowledge and skills are also expected to raise qualifications and employability of Vocational Education graduates. Methods: The proposed method is tested through a quasi-experimental methodology, via an educational intervention with a class of Vocational Lyceum students, in the field of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. The learning content focuses on the reclaiming and reuse of operational components from damaged electrical/electronic equipment at end-of-life stage. Through repeated Analysis and Synthesis phases, students learn to extract, measure, classify and reuse operational components either to repair similar equipment or to design and construct novel devices. Results: Evaluation is carried out via closed and open type activities as well as by observation sheets of the teacher. Learning outcomes are evaluated through knowledge post-tests of the closed type while social/emotional outcomes are evaluated through questionnaires. Evaluation results indicate that the proposed method does produce cognitive and social/emotional skills gains for the students. The development of metacognitive skills and the stimulation of imagination and innovative thinking in the students is also observed by the teacher, but not formally evaluated due to practical constraints. Conclusions: The proposed method is implemented and pilot-tested with positive results both as to the cognitive and as to the social/emotional domain – yet, these results are of an indicative value, due to the limited scale of the educational intervention. Future research is necessary in order to evaluate the proposed method in extent and possibly compare results across education grades or engineering fields, as the method is generic enough to be easily adaptable for different ages/grades and engineering/technical fields of study.

Synergistic control potential of flue gas pollutants under Ultra-Low emission standards in waste incineration plants

As the dominant waste disposal process, incineration is regarded as the main incentive for the “not-in-my-backyard” syndrome, and faces an inescapable pressures of ultra-low emissions (ULE). Establishing precise response relationships between emission factors (EFs) and full-process influencing factors can provide guidance for the synergistic mitigation of flue gas pollutants (FGPs). In this work, the multi-dimensional EFs of FGPs were identified by initially integrating FGPs concentration monitoring data of existing 1,226 processing lines in China, technologies applied and operational experience (OE), local economic and political characteristics. Significant regional imbalance performance was observed, which EFs in the coastal regions were 3.55–92.39 % lower than those of the inland areas. NOx, SO2, HCl were identified as critical components requiring further reduction under the ULE standards, with exceedance rates recorded at 73.07 %, 38.90 %, and 56.69 %, respectively. An indicative value of 20 mg/m3 for PM is recommended for the control of heavy metals of Cd + Tl and Sb + As + Pb + Cr + Co + Cu + Mn + Ni based on the correlation coefficients of r = 0.28 (p < 0.001) and r = 0.20 (p = 0.002), respectively. Waste composition and OE were quantified as the main contributors of EFs’ disparities by the tree-branching controlled variable approach established in this study. Predictive models for FGPs control process and corresponding EFs were constructed. EFs of nine FGPs in 2030 would decrease by 0.97–65.42 %, due to more complex purification processes employed to meet ULE’s limitations, such as the application of five-stage processes growing from 45.60 % to 58.28 %. While regional imbalance in EFs-SO2 and EFs-HCl were extended with increases from 25.83 % to 33.07 % and 9.91 % to 32.32 %, respectively, due to the consistent disparities of OE and growing heterogeneity of control policies. Enhancing interregional empirical exchanges, reducing the regional market monopolies, and formulating technical guidelines would be beneficial to synergize the reduction of FGPs emissions and alleviate regional imbalance.

Predictive Value of High Mobility Group Box-1 and miR-146b in Septic Shock Patients

In the face of the elevated incidence and mortality rate of septic shock in the ICU, this retrospective study seeks to investigate the indicative and predictive value of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and miR-146b in patients with septic shock. Quantitative RT-PCR was employed in this study to quantify the HMGB1 and miR-146b levels in plasma samples obtained from the patient group and healthy controls. The investigation involved the comparison between the two groups and tracking changes in the patient group over time. The finding revealed that upon admission, the patient group exhibited markedly elevated relative expression levels of HMGB1, which subsequently decreased over time. Conversely, the patient group displayed significantly reduced relative expression levels of miR-146b upon admission, which subsequently increased over time compared to the control group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed good predictive value for HMGB1 and miR-146b. The experimental results suggest that HMGB1 and miR-146b serve as valuable and convenient biomarkers for evaluating the severity of septic shock and predicting mortality. Additionally, it is proposed that serum miR-146b may be inducible and potentially exerts a negative regulatory effect on the expression of HMGB1.

Bodyweight Exercise of Lower and Upper Extremities for Female Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Timed Up-and-Go Test.

At our hospital, orthopedic surgeons and physical and occupational therapists have developed bodyweight exercises for the lower and upper extremities (BELU) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, including walking [Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test and figure-of-eight walking) and weight exercises. We aimed to clarify the effect of bodyweight exercise and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) cut-off value for a TUG test result of 12 s (or longer) as a risk factor for a fall. All patients underwent BELU twice weekly at home for 6 weeks. We assessed the HAQ score, TUG time, and the strengths of quadriceps femoris, biceps brachii, handgrip, side pinch, and pulp pinch before and after the intervention. We analyzed the data of 42 participants. The mean age was 67.0 ± 12.1 years. The mean Disease Activity Score-28 for rheumatoid arthritis with erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 2.91 ± 0.91. The mean HAQ score was 0.69 ± 0.62. The dominant quadriceps femoris, biceps brachii, pulp pinch, and side pinch strengths were significantly strengthened. TUG time was improved from 9.0 ± 3.0 s to 8.6 ± 3.2 s (P=0.009). The receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed the cut-off value of HAQ for a TUG time of 12 s (or longer) was 1.0 (AUC 0.903, 95% confidence interval 0.792-1.0). Bodyweight exercises strengthened the muscles in female patients with RA, resulting in improved TUG test results. An indicative HAQ cut-off value of 1.0 (or greater) was identified for a TUG test result of 12 s or longer.

Evaluation of selective clay minerals and biochar as materials for sewage sludge stabilization

The objectives of this study were to evaluate sewage sludge’s stabilization with untested until now materials, such as selective clay minerals or biochar in comparison with liming, for enhancing sludge’s fertilization capacity. Dewatered sewage sludge was mixed with bentonite, vermiculite, zeolite, biochar or lime at rates of 0, 15 and 30%, air-dried and analyzed for pathogens and chemical properties. Almost all fecal indicators of treated sludge with 15% bentonite, vermiculite or biochar were reduced by at least one-logarithmic unit (log10) (indicative value of sludge’s stabilization), whereas those of limed sludge were undetectable. Electrical conductivity of all treatments significantly increased, and the highest values were obtained for untreated (6.1 dS m−1) and limed sludge (above 7.0 dS m−1 for both addition rates). The untreated sludge had the significantly highest water-soluble ammonium-nitrogen (2817 mg kg−1) and phosphorus (263 mg kg−1) concentrations followed by sludge treated with bentonite, vermiculite or biochar, whereas limed sludge had the lowest content. Boron concentration of the untreated sludge was similar to the treated sludge. Total concentrations of heavy metals were far below the legislative permissible levels for sludge’s agronomic use. Nutrients’ total content of treated sludge ranged at levels of similar magnitude to the untreated sludge, except for certain cases where they were increased because of the materials’ composition. Consequently, sewage sludge treated with 15% bentonite, vermiculite or biochar seems to be stabilized, retain bioavailable nitrogen and serve as a fertilizer of macro- and micronutrients. However, potential risks of agronomic use, i.e., soil salinization and boron phytotoxicity, should be considered.

Indicative Value of Donkey Allegories in Hermeneutic Narratives

Bu makalede sözlü, yazılı ve görsel kültür ürünlerinde imge, sembol ve gösterge olarak karşımıza çıkan eşek figürlerinden yola çıkılarak alegorik anlatım biçimlerinin sanatsal bağlamda değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Antikiteden günümüze değin uzun tarihsel süreçte karşımıza çıkan eşek alegorileri, insanın varoluşsal sosyo-kültürel eylemlerinden anlam oluşturma, oluşturulmuş anlamı yorumlama, yorumları anlatı düzlemine taşıma pratiklerine iyi birer örnek olmuştur. Dini mitolojilerde, felsefede, edebiyatta, sosyal yaşamda ve politikada tekrarlanan eşek sembolizminin, ait olduğu temsil düzenine özgü, değişimi arzulayan, gelişen ve dönüşen insanın kişileştirmelerine karşılık geldiği anlaşılmıştır.Yaşantı dolayımıyla edinilmiş dikkate değer bilgi eşek sembolizmi ile görünürlük kazanırken, eşek alegorileri, aynı anda anlamayı ve yorumlamayı mümkün kılan, bilme, bilinç ve zihni bir araya getiren bir işlevselliğe sahip olmuştur.Eşek alegorilerinin süreklilik arz eden göstergesel niteliği, geçmiş örneklerle aralarındaki benzer ve farklı özelliklerin zaman ve mekân bağlamı sayesinde üretilecek anlamı özerk kılmıştır. Böylelikle temsiliyet alanının genişliği ölçüsünde etki alanını genişleten eşek alegorileri, kültürel bir olgu düzeyine yükselmiştir. Dünyanın en güzel gözlü ve en çirkin sesli hayvanı kabul edilen eşekle birlikte yaşam ve eşeğin görünürlük kazandırdığı anlayış, entelektüel bir geleneği temsil eden hermenötik bakış açısıyla ele alınmıştır. Eşek alegorileri aracılığıyla iletilen yada iletilmek istenmiş mesajların değişen zaman ve mekan bağlamı içinde hangi coğrafyaları katettiği hakkında kültürlerarası/ metinlerarası/ disiplinlerarası ardışık sonuçlar elde edilmiştir.

Method of evaluation of pavement bitumen adhesion

The durability of an asphalt concrete pavement largely depends on the quality of the bitumen binder and the strength (or degree) of its interaction with the surface of aggregates (adhesion). The method is based on the finding of bitumen adhesion with a reference substrate, which is taken to be glass. The article presents the results of obtaining the adhesion to the glass surface: bitumen of different grades; bitumen modified with various additives; bitumen modified with adhesive additives and hardened by various methods. The results of comparing the adhesion of bitumen to the glass surface with the results of the Rolling Bottle Test are presented. It has been proved that, with a certain assumption, the value of adhesion to the glass surface can be taken as indicative value for the adhesion of unmodified bitumen to the surface of granite stone materials, obtained after 6 h of testing by the Rolling Bottle Test.

Brain age Prediction and the Challenge of Biological Concepts of Aging

Brain age prediction is a relatively new tool in neuro-medicine and the neurosciences. In research and clinical practice, it finds multiple use as a marker for biological age, for general health status of the brain and as an indicator for several brain-based disorders. Its utility in all these tasks depends on detecting outliers and thus failing to correctly predict chronological age. The indicative value of brain age prediction is generated by the gap between a brain’s chronological age and the predicted age, the brain age gap (BAG). This article shows how the clinical and research use of brain age prediction tacitly pathologizes the states that it is sensitive to. It will be argued that the tacit character of this transformation conceals the need for its explicit justification.

Multilevel meta-analysis and dose-response analysis for bisphenol A (BPA) exposure on metabolic and neurobehavioral effects

Evidence suggests that oral exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) may result in adverse metabolic and neurobehavioral effects. The aim of the present meta-analysis is to examine this association based on systematically selected laboratory rodent studies published from 2012 to 2021 and sourced from Scopus, Web of Science, EmBase, and PubMed. Articles satisfying eligibility and inclusion criteria were included for the calculation of the summary standardised mean difference (SMD). Subgroup analysis and subsequent dose-response analysis were conducted if applicable. In total, 32 studies were analysed for 6 metabolic endpoints (cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, glucose, leptin, and adiponectin) and 6 neurobehavioral endpoints (locomotor activity, exploratory, anxiety, depression, spatial learning and memory, non-spatial learning and memory). Summary SMDs implied that no significant effects were observed in endpoints considered. The dose was not determined as a significant moderator with regards to medium or high heterogeneity; however, there was significant impairment of spatial learning and memory at health-based guidance value (‘HBGV’) (0.05–9 mg (kg bw)−1 day−1) and ‘High’ (>9 mg (kg bw)−1 day−1) dose group. As a result, an indicative toxicological reference dose value of 0.034 mg (kg bw)−1 day−1 was proposed due to large variability. Potential harm to spatial learning and memory from BPA exposure requires further investigation. This study has provided some additional information on potential adverse metabolic and neurobehavioral effects of BPA from the perspective of meta-analysis which can inform the public, regulatory authorities, and policymakers.

Natural radionuclides behaviour in drinking groundwaters from Castilla y León (Spain); radiological implications

Since the coming into force of the European Council Directive 51/2013 EURATOM and its transposition into the Spanish legislation, the presence of radioactive substances in drinking waters must be kept under surveillance to ensure that the health protection requirements are met. Driven by this regulatory framework, in an attempt to know the starting point from which to design surveillance plans, the groundwaters intended for human consumption of Castilla y León (Spain) have been radiologically characterised by using both low-level γ-ray and α-particle spectrometry to determine the activity concentration of the natural radionuclides needed to account for the indicative dose estimation. This extensive research has comprised the radiological characterisation of more than 400 drinking water samples from one of the European Union's largest regions. Furthermore, the gross α and gross β activities have been analysed. Results showed a high geographical variability that can be related to the hydrogeological formations where the groundwaters come from. The uranium isotopes, 234U and 238U, are the main radionuclides present in the analysed drinking waters reaching values up to 2000 mBq/L, in the southwestern and western of Castilla y León, where U-rich minerals are part of the host rock. High 210Pb and 226,228Ra occurrences are found in the low permeability igneous and metasedimentary hydrogeological formations of Salamanca province. From a public health protection point of view, 4.4% of the total drinking water samples from intakes exceeded the Indicative Dose parametric value of 0.1 mSv, which is a not negligible number of samples, being very likely related to granitic and metamorphosed host rock under specific local conditions. This fact highlights the need for research and consideration of special surveillance of the groundwaters from these areas.

Macrocyclic Peptides Closed by a Thioether-Bipyridyl Unit That Grants Cell Membrane Permeability.

Membrane permeability is an important factor that determines the virtue of peptides targeting intracellular molecules. By introducing a membrane penetration motif, some peptides exhibit better membrane permeabilities. Previous choices for such motifs have usually been polycationic sequences, but their protease vulnerabilities and modest endosome escapability remain challenging. Here, we report a strategy for macrocyclization of peptides closed by a hydrophobic bipyridyl (BPy) unit, which grants an improvement of their membrane permeability and proteolytic stability compared with the conventional polycationic peptides. We chemically prepared model macrocyclic peptides closed by a thioether-BPy unit and determined their cell membrane permeability, giving 200 nM CP50 (an indicative value of membrane permeability), which is 40-fold better than that of the ordinary thioether macrocycle consisting of the same sequence composition. To discover potent target binders consisting of the BPy unit, we reprogrammed the initiator with chloromethyl-BPy (ClMeBPy) for the peptide library synthesis with a downstream Cys residue(s) and executed RaPID (Random nonstandard Peptide Integrated Discovery) against the bromodomains of BRD4. One of the obtained sequences exhibited a single-digit nanomolar dissociation constant against BRD4 in vitro and showed approximately 2-fold and 10-fold better membrane permeability than positive controls, R9 and Tat peptides, respectively. Moreover, we observed an intracellular activity of the BPy macrocycle tagged with a proteasome target peptide motif (RRRG), resulting in modest but detectable degradation of BRD4. The present demonstration indicates that the combination of the RaPID system with an appropriate hydrophobic unit, such as BPy, would provide a potential approach for devising cell penetrating macrocycles targeting various intracellular proteins.

MagLIF: Dynamics and energetics of liner and fuel

Pinch-based fusion reactors require multi-MA currents delivered to mm-radii at high fusion fuel densities, leading to necessity of a metallic liner for the current path. One possible solution is MagLIF, magnetized liner inertial fusion. The drive current typically rises to tens of MA in 100 ns. The fuel is magnetized, initially at 20 T, preheated at 80 ns to 0.3 keV. This paper describes a model that computes the dynamics and compressions of D-T fuel and beryllium liner, incorporating alpha heating, bremsstrahlung and conduction losses. At 70 MA, liner deformation causes fuel density to peak 0.3 ns before stagnation. Fuel pressure continues rising due to temperature enhancement by alpha capture. Beyond stagnation, the liner provides containment of the fuel until breakup. Fusion reactions occur 0.5 ns before, and increase through stagnation, until final disintegration 0.3 ns later. Breakeven engineering gain is found at an indicative value of 26 MA.

Modulation of Cutaneous Carotenoid Content via Ozone Exposure

Ozone (O3) is a harmful air pollutant to which we are constantly exposed. Given its strong oxidizing effects and pervasiveness in the air we breathe, O3 is especially damaging to target organs in the respiratory system (e.g., lungs) and the integumentary apparatus (e.g., skin). Both of these systems act as a barrier and are able to limit the penetration of atmospheric pollutants into the body. In this regard, skin—the largest and main barrier against atmospheric intrusions—offers continuous protection against environmental intrusions. The skin is equipped with several defensive molecules that act as protective intracellular antioxidants against oxidative intrusions, including O3. Among these antioxidants are carotenoids, a family of lipophilic phytonutrients that are abundant in fruits and vegetables. It is well established that carotenoids accumulate in the epidermis layer of the skin, where they confer protection against oxidative intrusions and modulate inflammation, and that there is a direct correlation between skin and serum carotenoids level. The present study aimed to evaluate the variations in carotenoid content present in human skin prior to and after O3 exposure in 141 human subjects. Carotenoids were measured non-invasively using a resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS)-based photonic device (Pharmanex BioPhotonic Scanner (BPS) Nu Skin Enterprises). In each volunteer, RRS skin carotenoids were determined at baseline and after 15 and 30 min of exposure to O3 0.8 ppm. The data obtained have an indicative value for individual variations in the cutaneous carotenoids, which have been shown to correlate with plasmatic contents. After the first 15 min of O3 exposure, there was a modulation of skin carotenoids, confirming their importance in the maintenance of cutaneous redox homeostasis.

Optimization, Validation and Application of Quantitative Method for the Determination of Acrylamide in Potato Chips Samples in Yemen Using GC-NPD

Over the last two decades, numerous analytical methods for determining acrylamide concentration in a wide range of food products have been developed. Some studies focused on the methods of extracting acrylamide from complex food matrices. In the present study, solid Phase Extraction (SPE) and Gas Chromatography-Nitrogen Phosphorus Detector (GC-NPD) analysis were employed to develop a simple and cost-effective acrylamide determination method. Method validation and optimization steps were carried out and used to determine acrylamide concentrations in potato chips purchased from Yemeni markets. In the concentration range of 0.1- 5 ppm, the validated method demonstrated good sensitivity within a 0.012 ppm limit of detection (LOD) and an excellent linearity of 0.996 correlation coefficient. Eighteen samples of potato chips purchased from local markets in Sana'a, Yemen, were analyzed using this method. Three of the 18 samples of interest contained various acrylamide concentration levels of 879.4, 795.6, and 754.7 ppb. These were higher than the EU Commission's indicative value for the acrylamide in potato chips (750 ppb). As a result, the optimized GC-NPD protocol proved to be useful for the acrylamide analysis, paving the way for the development of an acrylamide quantification prescreening tool in the food industry.

Evaluation of the sensory properties and antioxidant activity of clean rosemary extracts for an effective replacement of EDTA in Mayonnaise

A comparative study on the antioxidant effect of clean rosemary extract (CL) and Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) on lipid oxidation and colour stabilisation of high fat mayonnaise is demonstrated. A real time and accelerated shelf-life evaluation was conducted. The peroxide value (POV) of the mayonnaise containing 0.0075% w/w EDTA was 12.7 ± 0.5mEq Kg−1 after 120 days of storage, whereas the mayonnaise containing 0.19% w/w CL displayed a POV of 9.56±0.2mEq Kg−1. Mayonnaise with 0.0075% w/w EDTA exhibited 90.00±0.9 mg kg−1 hexanal, while mayonnaise with 0.19% w/w CL had a hexanal level of 21.40±0.21 mg kg−1 at the 150-day analysis in the accelerated study on hexanal content analysis. Colour change in mayonnaise was analysed by colour brightness indicative value. The values were 87.37 for mayonnaise containing CL and 83.92 for mayonnaise based on EDTA. Unlike conventional rosemary extract, the CL was not interfering the identity and sensitivity of the mayonnaise and upon shelf storage, the product showed higher overall acceptance compared to EDTA. Comparing the concentration of Clean Rosemary Extract, 0.19% dosage has given best results comparing 0.4% and 0.06% in analysing the peroxide value of the mayonnaise products at regular intervals during its storage duration of 120 days.

Multilevel analysis of women’s education in Ethiopia

BackgroundWomen’s education is the base for faster economic growth, longer life expectancy, lower population growth, improved quality of life, and a high rate of investment return in developing countries. Historically, girls were denied opportunities for schooling in most of the regions and societies of Ethiopia. So this study targeted a multilevel analysis of women’s education in Ethiopia using the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data.MethodsSecondary data on women’s data sets were obtained from the 2016 Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey. A population-based cross-sectional study design was used for the survey. The sampling technique used for the survey was the two-stage sampling technique, which is stratified in the first stage and equal probability systematic selection technique in the second stage. The multi-level ordinal logistic regression model was fitted to identify the determinants of women’s education in Ethiopia.ResultsAmong the random sample of 17137 women, the majority, 65.6 percent were rural residents. Somali regional state (75.3 percent) and the capital city Addis Ababa (8.6 percent) had the highest and lowest percentages of women illiteracy respectively than the remaining administrative units of Ethiopia. The minimum values for the fit statistics and the indicative value of the intra-class correlation (68.3%) of the multilevel model showed its appropriateness to the data. Among the predictors in the final multilevel ordinal logistic regression analysis, women’s age at first marriage, residence, and family’s wealth index were significant predictors of women’s education in Ethiopia. Moreover, the estimates from the random effect result revealed that there is more variation in women’s education between the enumeration areas than within the enumeration areas.ConclusionA multi-level ordinal logistic regression analysis has determined higher-level differences in women's education that could not be addressed by a single-level approach. So, the application of standard models by ignoring this variation ought to embrace spurious results, then for such hierarchical data, multilevel modeling is recommended.