2647 research outputs found
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Removal of lamivudine from synthetic solution using jamun seed (Syzygium cumini) biochar adsorbent
Get PDFThis research article was published by Emerging Contaminants in 2023Antiviral drugs such as lamivudine have been globally identified in the environment and marked as emerging pollutants of concern due to their bioactive extremity. Following therapeutic uses, approximately 70% of the oral dose of lamivudine is eliminated renally as the parent drug. Concerns has been raised for neighbouring aquatic bodies due to effluent produced from production plants containing high concentrations of antiviral drugs. Antiviral drugs, such as lamivudine, are extremely bioactive, prompting interest in their urgent removal from the environment. The purpose of the present study was to optimize the removal of lamivudine from the synthetic solution using jamun seed (JS) (Syzygium cumini) biochar. The influence of sorption parameters such as pH, lamivudine concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and calcination temperatures on the removal of lamivudine was investigated and optimized using a response surface methodology (SRM) based on optimal design. The results indicated that, a quadratic model best fits data with a model regression coefficient R2, adjusted R2, and predicted R2 of 0.9934, 0.9761 and 0.8340, respectively. The JS biochar calcined at 750 °C, at pH 8, initial lamivudine concentration of 10 ppm and contact time of 30 min indicated a maximum experimental removal efficiency of 84.9%. The residual standard error (RSE) value was 3.5% implying that the model was reliable. Isotherm data for the adsorption of lamivudine on JS biochar followed the Freundlich isotherm, with an R2 value of 0.9977 while R2 for the modified Langmuir model was 0.9852. These findings indicated that JS biochar is potentially useful for removal of lamivudine, and other organics from contaminated water and wastewater effluents. Therefore, this study presents an environmentally friendly remedy against lamivudine for a healthier ecology
IOT based-system for telecom tower fire detection and aviation obstruction light monitoring
Get PDFA Project Report Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Science in Embedded and Mobile Systems of the Nelson Mandela African
Institution of Science and TechnologyTelecommunication towers are radio masts, typically tall structures designed to support
antennas for telecommunications and broadcasting. Many telecommunication towers in Habari
Node are installed in remote locations, on top of tall buildings, and sometimes on hilltop areas
that are not easily accessible. These make them prone to natural hazards, equipment, fuel and
battery theft, and electricity faults. In some cases, these issues can cause the malfunction of the
aviation obstruction light and fire outbreaks. This challenge affects prompt mitigations during
breakdown and the challenges of aviation obstruction light and fire outbreaks. However,
technological inputs have been developed to tackle these challenges. However, many of these
technologies are associated with low performance due to lack of real-time interventions and
auto-report to the systems' concerns, awareness, and inadequate information. Hence, the study
used qualitative methods of data collection which led to develop a cost-effective, versatile
system that can detect, extinguish, and send early alerts about fire, aviation obstruction light,
and electricity power issues. The proposed system was developed to monitor and control the
telecommunication tower using ESP32 WROOM-32D as a microcontroller, fire sensor, buzzer,
BH1750 ambient light, LDR darkness sensor, relays, Pzem-004t, ThingSpeak cloud, and the
global service message module (GSM) to alert all tower’s technicians and firefighters. The
results revealed the prompt performance of the system in detecting and extinguishing fire. Also,
the it can monitor aviation light for tower safety and turn on the automatic voltage and current
regulator (AVCR) during overcurrent or overvoltage. Furthermore, the designed system has
the capacity to initiate and send short message service (SMS) and call as an alert to check
through mobile and web-based applicatio
The Effect of Field Margin Plants with Pesticide Properties on Growth and Yield of Lablab
Get PDFA research article was published by International Journal of Environmental Science Volume 8, 2023Lablab crop is an essential pulse, cum vegetable, and is more adapted to different environmental conditions than
any other legume. Like other crops, it is infested by insect pests. The specific objective was to assess the effect of field
margin plants with pesticide properties on growth and yield of lablab. Lablab seeds, tephrosia vogelii powders and field
margin plants (Ocimum, Hyptis and Sphaeranthus) were used in this study. The experimental field was tilled, then the plots
of 10m x 10m were established at the distance of 20m apart and randomized complete block design (CRBD) with three
replications was used to assign treatment in each plot. The growth components plant heights (H) and the number of leaves
per plant were measured on the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks after germination while the yields was measured after harvest and
threshing. The study findings demonstrated effectiveness of field margin plants with pesticide properties at the edge in
reducing pest incidents by attracting more natural enemies on 4th week found 3 spiders and no insect pest compared to
other treatments, and reduce severity of foliage damage as well as increasing lablab yields (129.84kg/ha) compared to those
with no field margin pesticidal plants which yielded 115.49kg/ha, hence higher yields on plots with field margin pesticidal
plants in combination with application of fish bean [Tephrosia vogelii] which yielded 222.70kg/ha. Hence, the use of field
margins with desired pesticide properties offer a sustainable way to increase yield
The Volterra–Lyapunov matrix theory for global stability analysis of alcohol-related health risks model
Get PDFThis Research Article was published by the Results in Physics Volume 44, January 2023This paper studies the global stability analysis of a modified framework proposed by Mayengo et al. on alcohol-related health risks model. We first present the global stability analysis of risk-free equilibrium (RFE). Later, the global stability of the risk endemic equilibrium is studied. This goal was achieved by appropriate utilization of the symmetrical properties in the structure of Volterra–Lyapunov matrices. The analysis and results presented in this paper make building blocks towards a comprehensive study and deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanism in alcohol-related health risks and similar models. The numerical examples are simulated to validate the theoretical model results presented
Assessment of public awareness on the effects of exposure to non-ionizing radiation sources in Tanzania
Get PDFThis research article was published Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences Volume 17, Issue 1, 2023Devices, equipment and facilities producing Non-Ionizing Radiation (NIR) are all around human environment.
Exposure to NIR has effects to humans. Humans need to be aware of such effects as they are working with NIR
sources and are working and living close to them. The objective of this research was to study public awareness on
possible effects of exposure to NIR. The research was conducted in Mwanza, Dodoma and Dar es salaam regions
in Tanzania. Through survey, respondents were approached and voluntarily requested to complete a structured
questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was employed in data analysis and frequencies were computed to determine
the counts and their percentages, and Chi-Square test of independence determined the existence of significant
relationship between awareness statements and demographic variables. The research involved 600 respondents
(314 (52.3%) males, 286 (47.7%) females). Results show that most respondents were aware of the effects of
exposure to NIR and females were more aware than males. Awareness did not differ across education levels and
respondents with no/low education showed the same level of awareness as those with higher education. Based on
age, respondents of all age groups demonstrated awareness of NIR effects. However, some practices like mobile
phone use, watching TVs, conducting activities or living near NIR sources, are exposing people to NIR. To make
people more aware of NIR exposure effects, it is recommended awareness campaigns and training be provided to
the public; to minimize NIR exposure, policies, regulations and guidelines be enforced by regulatory bodies and
be observed by organs owning sources producing NIR. The essence is to ensure cases of effects due to NIR
exposure are minimized
129 Transparency in the Application of Theoretical Frameworks to the Advancement of Knowledge in Selected Library and Information Science Journals: A Systematic Review1
Get PDFThis research article was published by African Journal of Library, Archival & Information ScienceThe purpose of this systematic review was to determine the extent of theoretical transparency in library
and information science (LIS) scholarship. Many studies have looked at theorising and the use of theory
in LIS. Unlike previous studies this research provides insights into transparency in the use of theoretical
frameworks in the LIS field. Transparency is essential because different researchers employ the terms
theory, theoretical framework, and conceptual framework in various ways.The transparent use of theory
and the resultant theoretical framework enables other researchers to assess whether the theory is
appropriate, consistent, and coherent with the empirical evidence. This systematic search followed
Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for
reporting on systematic reviews supported by ADIMA®. A total number of 138 out of 2029 articles
from 12 LIS-focused journals were analysed in March 2023. Most of the articles (88.6%) specified the
framework they used. There was a high level of transparency in relation to the suitability of the theory
to address the research problem. The degree of openness about the aim to utilise a theoretical or
conceptual framework was moderate to high. The articles had a low or minimal level of transparency
when it came to justifying why a certain theory was chosen for the study. Theory dropping was not
apparent in the articles. The results from the articles demonstrate that LIS scholars appreciate that a
theoretical framework or conceptual framework must be used in research. To ensure that readers
understand the rationale behind the theories chosen for a study, it is necessary to be open about the
reasons behind the selection of a particular theory. The explanation of how the theory contributed to
explaining the phenomenon of interest is also essential. This article might help scholars get beyond
theoretical obstacles related to the transparent use of a theoretical framework and produce theoretically
sound research. It also opens discourse on “best practice” in the use of analytical tools forresearchin the
advancement of knowledg
The histomorphological and stereological assessment of rat dorsal root ganglion tissues after various types of sciatic nerve injury
No full textThis Research article was published by Research Squire, 2023Peripheral nerve injuries lead to significant changes in the dorsal root ganglia, where the cell bodies of the
damaged axons are located. The sensory neurons and the surrounding satellite cells rearrange the
composition of the intracellular organelles to enhance their plasticity for adaptation to changing
conditions and responding to injury. Meanwhile, satellite cells acquire phagocytic properties and work
with macrophages to eliminate degenerated neurons. These structural and functional changes are not
identical in all injury types. Understanding the cellular response, which varies according to the type of
injury involved, is essential in determining the optimal method of treatment. In this research, we
investigated the numerical and morphological changes in primary sensory neurons and satellite cells in
the dorsal root ganglion 30 days following chronic compression, crush and transection injuries using
stereology, high-resolution light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and behavioral analysis techniques.
Electron microscopic methods were employed to evaluate ne structural alterations in cells. Stereological
evaluations revealed no statistically signicant difference in terms of mean sensory neuron numbers (p >
0.05), although a signicant decrease was observed in sensory neuron volumes in the transection and
crush injury groups (p < 0.05). Active caspase-3 immunopositivity increased in the injury groups
compared to the sham group (p < 0.05). While crush injury led to desensitization, chronic compression
injury caused thermal hyperalgesia. Electromyography parameters exhibited a significant decrease in the
compression and crush injury groups compared to the sham group (p < 0.05). Macrophage infiltration
were observed in all injury types. Electron microscopic results revealed that the chromatolysis response
was triggered in the sensory neuron bodies from the transection injury group. An increase in organelle
density was observed in the perikaryon of sensory neurons after crush-type injury. This indicates the
presence of a more active regeneration process in crush-type injury than in other types. The effect of
chronic compression injury is more devastating than that of crush-type injury, and the edema caused by
compression significantly inhibits the regeneration process
Development of a remote road traffic accidents tracking and reporting system for Kayoola buses
Get PDFA Project Report Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master of Science in Embedded and Mobile Systems of the Nelson Mandela African
Institution of Science and TechnologyMotor vehicles continue to improve in safety each year, resulting in a decline in fatality rates.
However, car crashes remain a significant concern for the automotive industry as the goal is to
eliminate accidents altogether. Unfortunately, effective strategies for managing road traffic
accidents are not frequently implemented by transport companies. The use of digital or paper
forms for manual accident reporting leads to the loss or inaccurate and untimely reporting of
valuable information regarding these accidents. To address this issue, this project proposed to
develop a remote road traffic accidents tracking and reporting system catered to the transport
industry. By integrating various components such as a gyroscope for tilt detection, a load cell
for impact force measurement, a web application serving as a centralized reporting platform, a
GSM module enabling SMS alerts, an SD card for report backup, and an Arduino Nano 33 IoT
for overall system control, a comprehensive solution has been achieved. This system enables
real-time accident detection, and immediate transmission of alerts. Ultimately, the project
endeavors to enhance the safety and efficiency of the transport industry by delivering a reliable
and highly effective road traffic accidents tracking and reporting system for informed decision
making
Recovery of precious metals from processed wastewater: conventional techniques nexus advanced and pragmatic alternatives
Get PDFThis Research Article was published by the Water Reuse,2024The loss of highly sought-after metals such as gold, silver, and platinum during extraction processes not only constitutes a significant waste of valuable resources but also contributes to alarming environmental pollution. The ever-growing adverse impacts of these highly valued metals significantly increase the contamination of water bodies on discharge, while reducing the reusability potential of their corresponding processed wastewater. It is, therefore, of great interest to identify pragmatic solutions for the recovery of precious materials from processed water. In this review, pollution from targeted precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, palladium, iridium, ruthenium, and rhodium was reviewed and analyzed. Also, the hazardous effects are elicited, and detection techniques are enumerated. An insightful approach to more recent treatment techniques was also discussed. The study reveals nano- and bio-sorption techniques as adoptable pragmatic alternatives, among other techniques, especially for industrial applications with merits of cost, time, waste management, and eco-friendliness. The results indicate that gold (46.2%), palladium (23.1%), platinum (19.2%), and silver (11.5%) are of utmost interest when considering recent recovery techniques. High yield and cost analysis reduction are reasons for the observed preference of this recovery process when considering groups of precious metals. The challenges and prospects of nanomaterials are highlighted
Development of an implementation framework and social media analytics tool for Tanzania's tourism small and medium-sized enterprises
Get PDFA Thesis Submitted in Patial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of
Philosophy in Information and Communication Science and Engineering of the Nelson
Mandela African Institution of Science and TechnologyTourism is among the sectors that contribute greatly to the economic development of many
countries. The industry contributes the growth of countries' economies and employment in
2019 it contributed 10.3% of the global gross domestic product and 330 million jobs.
Majority of organisations in the tourism sector operate as small and medium enterprises
(SMEs). Tourism SMEs prominently use ICT services including social media in their daily
business activities. Performing social media analytics has the potential to bring maximum
advantage to social media business users as it can provide insights of social media data for
added business competitiveness. Tourism SMEs are conducting SMA in their business
activities even though there is no framework to govern the process. There is a need for these
tourism SMEs to have an implementation framework that governs the implementation and
management of the SMA process.
This study aims to develop a social media analytics implementation framework and a social
media analytics tool for tourism SMEs in Tanzania. The study used questionnaires to survey
tourism SMEs in the Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions to determine their social media
analytics practices. The study found that majority of tourism SMEs 73% have not adopted the
use of social media analytics tools and technologies. The 27% of SMEs that have adopted the
use of social media analytics tools perform simple analytics using built-in tools from social
media platforms, and don’t have guidelines or procedures to aid the implementation of social
media analytics.
The study is unique in that, it proposes a social media analytics implementation framework to
assist tourism managers in implementing social media analytics in their social media
platforms and the social media analytics tool. The framework was evaluated by tourism
SMEs and the majority 86.66% agreed that it is appropriate for their usage. The study also
introduces the social media analytics tool which will provide insight into the social media
data of tourism SMEs. This research contributes knowledge and information about social
media analytics to tourism SMEs managers and owners and provides the implementation
framework and the social media analytics tool to tourism managers