Ladoke Akintola University of Technology

About: Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is a education organization based out in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 2786 authors who have published 3066 publications receiving 36850 citations. The organization is also known as: Oyo State University of Technology & LAUTECH.

Techno-economic and uncertainty analyses of heat- and ultrasound-assisted extraction technologies for the production of crude anthocyanins powder from Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx

Abstract: This study designed, techno-economically analyzed and compared the heat-assisted extraction (HAE)- and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE)-technology-based processes (HAE-tBP and UAE-tBP) for the ...

Learning-based approach to underwater image dehazing using CycleGAN

Abstract: In this paper, we have proposed a novel deep learning-based underwater image dehazing method. The images taken under water are affected by light transportation properties like refraction, reflection, scattering, and absorption. Deep learning techniques give great results in the removal of haze in underwater degraded images. But the major challenge we are facing is the need of many images from the same location to train the model. The proposed system addressed this challenge by using CycleGAN, capable of producing synthetic underwater images from RGB in-air images, and is validated using images taken from different locations and with different characteristics. Qualitative evaluation has been done based upon visual analysis. Quantitative analysis is based upon the calculation of various parameters such as MSE, RMSE, and Euclidean distance. In addition, SSIM Loss has also been evaluated and compared. The model is tested for underwater images taken under various circumstances, and the quantitative and qualitative results obtained for these images are quite satisfactory.

Moringa oleifera seed oil partially abrogates 2,3-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate (Dichlorvos)-induced cardiac injury in rats: evidence for the role of oxidative stress.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES Cardiovascular diseases are major causes of non-infectious diseases globally. The use of pesticides has been linked with the high global burden of non-communicable diseases. Despite the indiscriminate exposure to dichlorvos (DDVP) by inhalation, no report exists on its possible cardiotoxic effect. This study investigated the cardiotoxicity of DDVP exposure by inhalation and the possible role of Moringa oleifera seed oil. METHODS Twenty-one male rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups. Group A (control) received only standard rat diet and water ad' libitum, group B (DDVP) was exposed to DDVP via inhalation for 15 min daily in addition to rat diet and water, and group C (DDVP + M. oleifera seed oil) received treatment as group B as well as 300 mg/kg of M. oleifera seed oil p.o for 28 days. RESULTS Significant reductions in body weight gain and cardiac weight were observed in DDVP-exposed animals (p<0.05). Similarly, 28 days of exposure to DDVP led to a significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase and troponin (p<0.05). DDVP-exposed rats also showed a significant increase in malondialdehyde, and a significant decline in superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (p<0.05). However, catalase was comparable in DDVP-exposed and control rats. Histopathological observations of the cardiac tissue revealed that DDVP caused marked fat degeneration and necrosis of the myocardial layer. The changes in DDVP-exposed rats were significantly, though not completely, restored by M. oleifera seed oil administration. CONCLUSIONS This study provides novel mechanistic information on the cardiotoxicity of DDVP inhalation, and the antioxidant potential of M. oleifera seed oil.

Effect of Pretreatments on Drying Characteristics and Energy Requirements of Plantain (Musa AAB)

Abstract: The drying behavior of plantain (Musa AAB) in a convective hot-air dryer at drying temperatures of 50, 60 and 70C (with blanching and soaking in salt solution as forms of pretreatment) was studied. The drying time reduced with increase in drying temperature and presence of pretreatment. The Page model gave a better fit when compared with the exponential, generalized exponential, logarithmic, Midilli–Kucuk and parabolic model. Effective moisture diffusivity values (Deff) varied from 2.86 to 5.4 × 10−8 m2/s with the blanched samples having higher values. The lowest and highest activation energy (Ea) values were for blanched samples and untreated samples, respectively. The lowest and highest values for the total energy needed for each dryer condition and the energy required for drying 1 kg of plantain was from water blanched plantain dried at 70C and from untreated plantain dried at 50C, respectively. Practical Application Plantain is a seasonal and highly perishable crop indicating why stable and storable products, usually in the form of dried composite flour and chips, are made from the plantain fruit immediately after harvest to reduce postharvest losses. Plantain flour is considered to be a very important component of weaning foods in tropical developing countries. Drying, an integral part of its production, has been reported to have a significant effect on drying kinetics and quality of the dried product. Thus for efficient hot-air drying of plantain, part of the primary requirements is to understand the phenomena involved in the drying process, in order to be able to predict drying times and determine the influence of the use of pretreatments on the dehydration characteristics. The knowledge of the dehydration characteristics of plantain was then used in selection of an appropriate thin layer drying model.