2647 research outputs found
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Pattern and composition of wildlife roadkill across urban-rural gradient in an African expanding city
Full text linkThis research article was published by European Journal of Wildlife Research Volume 70, 2024Urban roads are known to affect wildlife fauna but most assessments of the impacts of roads have been done in cities of the developed world with comparable studies still lacking from sprawling cities of the developing countries. This gap precludes the ability of the city management authorities in designing the appropriate mitigation and conservation measures especially during this era where the road networks in African cities is expanding steadily. We surveyed 48 km of roads transcending an urban-rural gradient in Morogoro city, Tanzania to understand the patterns of road kills, taxonomic composition and used the Generalized linear modeling to determine the ecological and environmental factors mostly influencing the road kill abundances. We also assessed the conservation status of the road kills to propose measures to improve biodiversity conservation in this urban landscape bordering a global biodiversity hotspot. We found 929 killed animals belonging to 62 families and 23 orders and 5 taxa (classes) with the majority kills being insects. There was a significant difference on road kill abundance between taxa but no significant difference in kill abundance across the urban-rural gradient. Furthermore, we found that designated road speed limit was significantly positively associated with increased road kills with the insect taxon occurring most abundant in the kill. Additionally, we found three species involved in the animal-vehicle collision threatened with extinction and over 50% of the recorded road kills lacking information on their conservation status on the red list at all. These data may be useful in improving the strategies to reducing the animal-vehicle collisions and to inform the potential biodiversity monitoring in the study area and elsewhere in Africa’s cities faced with similar urbanization challenges
Livestock abortion surveillance in Tanzania reveals disease priorities and importance of timely collection of vaginal swab samples for attribution
Full text linkThis research article was published by Epidemiology and Global Health | Microbiology and Infectious Disease, 2024Lack of data on the aetiology of livestock diseases constrains effective interventions to improve livelihoods, food security and public health. Livestock abortion is an important disease syndrome affecting productivity and public health. Several pathogens are associated with livestock abortions but across Africa surveillance data rarely include information from abortions, little is known about aetiology and impacts, and data are not available to inform interventions. This paper describes outcomes from a surveillance platform established in Tanzania spanning pastoral, agropastoral and smallholder systems to investigate causes and impacts of livestock abortion. Abortion events were reported by farmers to livestock field officers (LFO) and on to investigation teams. Events were included if the research team or LFO could attend within 72 hr. If so, samples and questionnaire data were collected to investigate (a) determinants of attribution; (b) patterns of events, including species and breed, previous abortion history, and seasonality; (c) determinants of reporting, investigation and attribution; (d) cases involving zoonotic pathogens. Between 2017–2019, 215 events in cattle (n=71), sheep (n=44), and goats (n=100) were investigated. Attribution, achieved for 19.5% of cases, was significantly affected by delays in obtaining samples. Histopathology proved less useful than PCR due to rapid deterioration of samples. Vaginal swabs provided practical and sensitive material for pathogen detection. Livestock abortion surveillance, even at a small scale, can generate valuable information on causes of disease outbreaks, reproductive losses and can identify pathogens not easily captured through other forms of livestock disease surveillance. This study demonstrated the feasibility of establishing a surveillance system, achieved through engagement of community-based field officers, establishment of practical sample collection and application of molecular diagnostic platforms
Design and performance analysis of portable solar powered cooler for vaccine storage
Full text linkThis research article was published by Energy Science & Engineering, Volume12, November 2024The efficacy of vaccine storage is significantly impacted by temperature fluc-
tuations within the cooler, often exacerbated by using phase change materials
in existing cooler designs for remote areas. These materials can undergo
uneven melting and phase separation, leading to temperature instability and
vaccine potency loss. In response to this challenge, the present study intro-
duces a novel design of a portable, locally‐made solar‐powered cooler opti-
mized for longer storage periods. The cooler's performance in terms of tem-
perature distribution, airflow dynamics, and the coefficient of performance
(COP) is meticulously examined through computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
simulations. The simulated results were validated using experimental data
from the open literature, ensuring accuracy and reliability. The findings
indicate that the developed cooler achieves significant improvements over
traditional models. For instance, the current model reaches a temperature of
+12°C in just 84 min, compared to 208 min, as reported in the literature
results. Moreover, the current model reaches a temperature of −12°C in
195 min and it has energy efficient with a COP of 4.5. Statistical analysis
further confirms the reliability of the simulation results, with root mean
square and mean absolute percentage errors of 6.587 and 24.2%, respectively.
Additionally, a comparative study of five insulative materials highlights
polyurethane (Po) as the top performer, with a heat transfer performance of
14.3%, followed by feather fiber (Fe) (18.7%), fly ash (Fl) (19.8%), fiberglass (Fi)
(21.9%), and coconut fiber (Co) (25.9%). Notably, net present value (NPV) of
448.01 was obtained for economic analysis of the current model
over the existing model, showing the feasibility of the study. Hence, the
cooler's effectiveness in storing vaccines in isolated regions exceeds that of
conventional models, providing a hopeful solution to tackle vital challenges in
vaccine distribution and preservation
Value of academic libraries in improving higher education institutions' knowledge management practices
Full text linkThis research article was published by Regional Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, Vol. 9, No. 1, 2024Rationale of Study – Academic libraries are widely recognised globally as necessary for improving knowledge management (KM) practices in higher learning institutions (HLIs). This study investigated the value of academic libraries in improving KM practices in HLIs.
Methodology – A quantitative cross-sectional research design was conducted across academic libraries in selected HLIs in Tanzania. A systematic sampling technique was used to recruit librarians from academic libraries as study participants. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics® 29.0.2 statistical software.
Findings – Findings revealed a low level of KM practices and a lack of KM training among respondents. Knowledge retrieval and access, along with knowledge capture and creation, were mentioned among the critical KM practices performed in academic libraries to enhance KM practices within HLIs. Furthermore, enhancing teaching, learning, research, and innovation were identified as notable benefits resulting from improved KM practices in HLIs. Respondents highlighted a scarcity of KM skills and competencies as the main challenge that limits academic libraries to improve KM practices in HLIs.
Implications – The study will lead to a deeper understanding of the value of academic libraries in supporting KM practices in higher education. Policies will be formulated to implement the identified need. For instance, various policies need to be developed regarding the types of knowledge to be captured and preserved, the duration of preservation, and the methods of processing it.
Originality – This study's uniqueness lies in the fact that limited research has been conducted by academic libraries in the country, and the findings indicate minimal efforts to embrace KM practices in HLIs
Mask R-CNN Model for Banana Diseases Segmentation
Full text linkThis research article was published by Artificial Intelligence Tools and Applications in Embedded and Mobile Systems 2024Early detection of banana diseases is necessary for developing an effective control plan and minimizing quality and financial losses. Fusarium Wilt Race 1 and Black Sigatoka diseases are among the most harmful banana diseases globally. In this study, we propose a model based on the Mask R-CNN architecture to effectively segment the damage of these two banana diseases. We also include a CNN model for classifying these diseases. We used an image dataset of 6000 banana leaves and stalks collected in the field. In our experiment, Mask R-CNN achieved a mean average precision of 0.04529, while the CNN model achieved an accuracy of 96.75%. The Mask R-CNN model was able to accurately segment areas where the banana leaves and stalk were affected by Black Sigatoka and Fusarium Wilt Race 1 diseases in the image dataset. This model can assist farmers to take the required measures for early control and minimize the harmful effects of these diseases and rescue their yields
Spatial-temporal seasonal and annual rainfall trends and variability assessment in the Pangani Basin, East Africa
Full text linkThis research article was published by Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C Volume 136, December 2024Although in situ rainfall data remains the most accurate, the gauge network density in East Africa is sparse. It lacks continuity, thus making it inadequate to assess the spatial and long-term rainfall trend and variability accurately. As such, rainfall remote sensing data are normally used instead of ground station data. This study evaluates the capabilities and limitations of remote sensing data compared with ground-based observations in Tanzania's Pangani Basin in assessing the seasonal and annual rainfall trends and variability. Data from the Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) and twenty-three ground stations were analyzed, comprising a time series from 1990 to 2022. Trend analysis was conducted using the Mann-Kendall test, while the spatial distribution of precipitation was determined using Sen's slope method. CHIRPS annual rainfall showed good agreement with station rainfall data, with NSE, R2, slope, Pbias, MAE, and RMSE values of 0.84, 0.92, 0.92, 7.55%, 297.4, and 397.1, respectively. The coefficient of variation from station data indicated extreme variability, exceeding 30% for annual rainfall, while CHIRPS data showed moderate variability, ranging from 20% to 30%. Both station data and remote sensing data showed an increasing trend for annual and seasonal rainfall at least 10 stations. However, stations like Maji Moshi, Kiungu Primary School, Segera C. Tank, and Kibong'oto exhibited an increasing trend for vuli rainfall with CHIRPS data, while station data indicated a significant decreasing trend.The study highlights the necessity for calibration and validation to avert misinterpretations in climate trend analyses, especially at the basin level
Application of sustainability indicators for the evaluation and selection of robust organic-rich wastewater treatment technology for resource recovery
Full text linkThis research article was published by AIMS Bio engineering volume 11 2024A comparative study was conducted to compare the performance of waste stabilization
ponds (WSPs) with an upflow operation type advanced facultative pond integrated with constructed
wetland (AFP-CW) technologies. Our aim was to address gaps in economic, environmental, and social
aspects identified in traditional WSPs. Economic, environmental, and social sustainability indicators
were used in a mathematical model to select a sustainable technology for organic-rich wastewater
treatment for resource recovery. The results showed that for the AFP-CW, economic, environmental,
and social indicators were weighted at 10.18%, 51.11%, and 38.71%, respectively, while for WSPs,
the percentages were 14.55, 48.39, and 37.06, respectively. The composite sustainability indicator (CSI)
for AFP-CW was 42.14% and for WSPs was 39.27%, with the global sustainability indicator (GSi)
reaching 21.54% for AFP-CW and 18.88% for WSPs. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the
maximum global sustainability indicator was 22.34% for AFP-CW and 19.54% for WSPs. Overall, the
AFP-CW was considered a more sustainable technology for wastewater treatment, with lower
economic but higher environmental and social sustainability indicators compared to WSPs, which
showed higher economic but lower environmental and social sustainability indicators. The
sustainability of AFP-CW is supported by its small construction area, nutrient recovery in sludge,
biogas recovery, reduced global warming impact, as well as nutrient and water recycling for irrigation
Prevalence of aflatoxigenic fungi and contamination in soils and maize grains from aflatoxin-hot spot areas in Tanzania
No full textThis research article was published by Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, Volume 135, November 2024Maize is a major food security crop contributing over 50 % of total food requirement in Tanzania. However, number of factors limit its production and quality. Aflatoxins contamination mostly produced by two Aspergillus species, A. flavus and A. parasticus compromise food safety, public health and economic concern globally. Despite its harmful effects little is documented on the aflatoxin- producing fungi on prevalence’s and contamination levels in soils and maize. The present study investigated Aflatoxigenic occurrence and aflatoxins contamination extents in seven districts. A total of 126 soil and 126 maize samples were collected and analyzed for presence, dominance, and levels of aflatoxin contaminations. Serial dilution and direct plating techniques were used for fungal isolation from soil and maize respectively and macro morphology characterization were used for identification. Aflatoxin levels were detected by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. A. flavus (38.1 %), A. parasiticus (22.2 %) and A. niger (16.7 %) were found to be the most dominant linked to aflatoxins B1 contamination. Total Aflatoxins were detected in Bahi (72.2 %, with mean of 87.9 μg/kg), Chemba (61.2 %, 74.2 μg/kg), and Babati (56.3 %, 65.8 μg/kg) indicating these were more prone to aflatoxins and higher aflatoxigenic prevalence. Aflatoxin B1 was detected most in Bahi (22.4 %, 402.4 μg/kg), Chemba (13.4 %, 241 μg/kg), and Babati (11.1 %, 199.2 μg/kg). Fungal counts ranged 3.4 ×105 to 6.9 ×107 CFU/g for contaminated samples. Aflatoxigenic species varied significantly (P<0.001) between cropping systems and the locations. Aflatoxigenic occurrence and levels were shown to be influenced by the cropping systems, as evidenced by the soils exhibiting a higher frequency than maize grains. Compared to mixed cropping, the mono-cropping system exhibited the greatest levels of aflatoxigenic population and aflatoxin contamination, indicating that farming practices affect contaminations and the need for improved cropping system practices
In vivo anti-schistosomal activity of the methanol extracts from Searsia longipes and Lannea schimperi
No full textThis research article was published by Parasite Epidemiology and Control, Volume 27, November 2024Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by the flat worms under the genus Schistosoma. The disease is prominent in tropical and sub tropical countries and it is manifested in two forms; the acute and the chronic form. Treatment and control of the schistosomiasis is constrained with various factors including immerging worm resistance and selective efficacy of the current recommended drug of choice. This therefore calls for the search of new approaches to offset the problems. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the methanolic extract from Searsia longipes and Lannea schimperi against Schistosoma mansoni by using animal model. Swiss albino mice were used for the efficacy testing, whereby, for each extract, 5 groups of mice were used, and each contained 5 mice. Three different doses were administered to three groups, whereas the remaining two groups were used as negative and positive control arms. Efficacies were assessed based on the reduction of the worm eggs in the faeces and organs, body weight gain, loss of liver weight, as well as reduction of worm burden. Both extracts demonstrated significant egg and worm reduction, which was directly proportional to the dose increment. At the highest dose used, Searsia longipes expressed the higher percentage egg reduction (73.33 %), whereas Lannea schimperi demonstrated the higher worm burden reduction (68.53 %). The present study provides strong evidence of the anti-schistosomal activity of the extracts from both S. longipes and L. schimperi. These findings are a significant step forward, suggesting that these plants could be a promising alternative medicine for the treatment of schistosomiasis. However, further investigations are warranted to isolate the compound responsible for this activity and to assess the sub-acute toxicity of the plant extracts. This next phase of research is crucial for advancing our understanding and potential use of these plant extracts
The Legal Complexities of the Relief in Division of Matrimonial Real Property upon Divorce in Mainland Tanzania: Lessons from Kenya
No full textThIS Journal article was publishe by African Journal of Law and Practice, December 2024, Vol 1, No 1, 93-126The Law of Marriage Act, 2019 provides two main reliefs on the division
of matrimonial property to spouses during divorce: The division of the
property or the sale of property and distribution of proceeds. Division or
sale of the property and the distribution of proceeds of the sale affects
divorcing and non-divorcing spouses in polygamous marriages. Non-
divorcing spouses can prevent the execution of a valid decree since their
contribution or interest in the property was not considered during divorce
proceedings. Courts are restricted to these reliefs since the Law of
Marriage Act lacks other reliefs which take into consideration the
convolutions of polygamous marriage and the intricacies of real property
in the division. This article examines the legal complexities of reliefs in
the division of matrimonial real property in polygamous marriages. The
article uses doctrinal and comparative methodologies, exploring Kenya's
reliefs during the division of matrimonial property to inform potential
reforms in Mainland Tanzania’s legal framework. The article asserts that
the reliefs in section 114 of the Law of Marriage Act are insufficient to
address the challenges of property division in polygamous divorce. The
Article advocates for comprehensive legal reforms on reliefs to address
the unique dynamics of polygamous marriages