Archives-December 

This present article highlights the influence of the cutting performed on samples of agricultural products as well as their nature of products on the assessment of their convective drying quality. Sweet potato and taro were used for the study. It emerges that the size of the cut plays an important role in the evaluation of mass transfers during convective drying. At 100 minutes of drying and a temperature of 70°C, cubes with dimensions of 1cm, 1.5cm, 2cm, and 2.5cm reached moisture content levels of 40wt.%, 60wt.%, 78wt.%, and 80wt.% of their initial moisture content, respectively. This trend generalizes: the larger the size, the slower the drying. Similarly, the shape slightly influences the transfer process. Furthermore, the experiments showed that at the same temperature and similar dimensions regardless of the cutting shape, taro exhibits greater resistance to transfers than sweet potato.

The objective of this work is to provide breeders in the pig industry with technical and economic data that can be used for the proper functioning of a piggery. This is an analysis of pig production in the Province of Maniema in general, more precisely in the town of Kindu. The methodology uses surveys (transversal and retrospective) among producers targeting the profile of breeders, their practices, zootechnical and socio-economic performances. The majority of breeders are Catholic Christians, most of whom are employed and practice breeding as a secondary activity. They are 90% men. The pigsties are either semi-modern (6/10) or modern (4/10). The food is based on rice bran and corn flour which are used by all breeders. Fish meal is used by 80% of breeders and cassava by 70%. Large White pigs dominate the different farms. The average herd is 86 pigs. The age at first farrowing varies between 11 to 14 months and the average number of farrowings per year is two. The average numerical productivity per female per farrowing is 10 piglets. The age at weaning varies between 45 and 90 days. The dominant pathologies remain external parasitoses and digestive diseases causing diarrhea. These pathologies are present in all the farms visited. The farms display an average annual gross profit between 40 and 60 pigs/year depending on their size, based on 3600 FC/kg or 2.1 $ dollars per carcass. Once we can estimate that the farm generates a result of 2,400 $ to $3,600 dollars per year or $ 200 to $ 300 dollars per month in income for the family. Young sows are put into breeding at 10 or 12 months when their weight reaches 80 or 100 kg live weight. Litter size is 8-12 piglets born alive and 6-8 piglets are weaned on average. Females are mated on average two to three times during heat, until the sow refuses mating. Future breeders are sold at $ 40 to $ 70 for piglets 2 to 3 months old. Breeders sell their pigs to commission agents who act on their behalf and make group purchases from breeders before proceeding with slaughter. The slaughter and consumption of pigs is also done locally. The animals are purchased at a price of 3,600 FC per kg of carcass. Slaughtering takes place at the slaughterhouse after payment of a tax of 1,500 FC. Once the animals have been slaughtered, skinned and inspected, the carcass is then transported on the back of a cart or on a motorcycle taxi to be sold at the Kindu central market at a price of 4,500 FC to 5,000 FC/kg. The roasters, for their part, offer meat skewers or pieces of cooked pork to consumers at prices ranging from 1000 FC per skewer at the restaurant bar and 1000 FC or 2000 FC per piece of meat. This study shows that pig farming is a very profitable activity as long as it is well managed. The constraints remain linked to management, the quality of production and processing. Improvement strategies should focus on the organization, accountability and supervision of stakeholders for better management of production in the interest of the development of this breeding.

Medieval archaeological bridges located in the region of Adjara (Georgia) have been studied. It is shown that the mineralogic-petrographic composition of the fog is almost uniform. The carbonate part of the mortar equals is 20-25%, and the aluminosilicate part reaches 70-80%. The exception is the bridge of Varjanauli, where the carbonate part is more than 40%. It is recommended to use a high quality cigar to keep the brushes in the rehabilitation and restoration of bridges.

Quality Protein Maize (QPM) is bred for its high protein content compared to conventional varieties. To study the genetic effect of grain yield and other agronomic traits, field experiments were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti and Saint Michael’s Catholic Grammar School Farm, Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State during 2011 cropping season in a complete diallel analysis using eight QPM inbred lines as parents with the objective to determine SCA and GCA among some selected Quality Protein Maize varieties. The mean values were significant with respect to grain yield with an average of 3.64 tha-1 for parents, 5.58 tha-1 for hybrids and 5.25 tha-1 for reciprocals, the hybrids had significantly higher grain yield than the parents. The GCA effects were significant for plant aspect, plant height, ear height, stalk lodge, ear drooping, ear rot, ear aspect and weight of 100seeds.However, the SCA was significant for all the traits. P1 (ACR,94TZECOM5-Y), P2 (OBATANPA/TZLCOM.1), P3 (POP66-SRQPM) and P4 (POP15-SR) are good combiners with P8 (POP66-SR). The crosses between P1 (ACR,94TZECOS5-Y), P2 (OBATASNPA/TZLCOMP.1), P4 (POP15-SR) and P8 (POP66-SR) have the potentials for superior hybrids formation.

Comparative study of levels of mercury in surface soil samples in gold and non-gold mining towns were conducted from Sikakrom of Kenyasi No. 1 and Dadiesoba of Asutsifi District in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. The mercury concentrations of acid digested dried samples were measured by Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. Higher levels of T-Hg concentrations were found in surface soil samples at the sites with extensive small-scale “galamsey” mining activities than at the non small-scale “galamsey” mining sites. Levels of Hg in surface soil samples were in the range of 38.56 µg kg-1 to 93.34 µg kg-1 for the extensive small-scale “galamsey” mining sites at Sikakrom of Kenyasi No.1. The concentration levels of T-Hg in surface soil from all the sampling sites are in excess of the WHO tolerable limit of 0.001 µg/kg for soil. The concentration levels of total mercury at Dadiesoba were lower than the WHO tolerable limit of 0.001µg/kg. The influence of the off-shore sea breeze might have affected this observation. Hg levels obtained in this research were higher than the natural background levels of Hg. Obviously; Hg is a major metal pollutant at Sikakrom of Kenyasi No.1. Recovery and Repeatability test were done to check for the accuracy and reproducibility of the analytical method. Regression analysis on surface soil mercury concentrations showed proportionately less deposits at higher distances in 10 cm soil zone. In general, these findings suggest evidence of severe mercury pollution in Sikakrom of Kenyasi No. 1 in the Asutsifi District of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana.

We have to make comparison among differential transformation method (DTM) and Variation of Parameter method (VOPM). We provide two examples in order to compare our results and find exact solutions also. The numerical examples show that the DTM is a good method compared to the VOPM since it is effective, uses less time in computation, easy to implement and achieve high accuracy. In addition, DTM has many advantages compared to VOPM since the calculation of Adomian polynomial is tedious. From the numerical results, DTM is suitable to apply for nonlinear problems.

In the pediatric population, the incidence of maxillofacial trauma accounts for 1-15%, out of which mandibular fractures ranges from 5% to 50%. Mandibular fractures occur rarely in newborns and infants, as the ramus and condyle are rudimentary in form at this stage and temporomandibular joint is poorly developed. These fractures (ramus and condyle) are common in adults, but not in children, as in young age the space between the developing condyle and the glenoid fossa cushions a blow to the mandible. The leading causes of these fractures are fall from height (64%), motor vehicle collisions (22%), and sports-related injuries (9%). The examination of facial fractures in pediatric patients is challenging both clinically and radiographically, due to extensive soft tissue injury and developing dentition which obscure the fracture lines. In recent years, the use of CT imaging for radiographic examination of pediatric maxillofacial fractures has been quite helpful as it provides detailed assessment and identification of suspected injuries. The management of maxillofacial fractures in children present with unique challenges and complications such as ankylosis, growth restrictions and associated malocclusion may occur. So, a proper treatment algorithm need to be proposed, stratified by dentition stage in order to optimize outcomes for children.

Fudge is a traditional type of confectionary which is usually very sweet and extremely rich, prepared using sugar, butter, milk and flavor. In the present study, the investigator developed cocoa fudge adopting conventional technology and processing techniques involved roasting, grinding and heating. The developed cocoa fudge samples were analyzed for their physicochemical properties and proximate composition and were compared to those of commercially available fudge samples. The results revealed that there was significant difference in the proximate composition between the developed cocoa fudge samples and the standard fudge samples at p?0.05. No significant difference was observed in most of the determined physicochemical properties of the developed sample. Hence the study ascertain that the sensory qualities may be similar as there was no change in the physicochemical characteristic and would be acceptable by everyone. For wider supply and optimum utilization of cocoa, this conventional technology technique can be adopted.Further it may bring great income to the cultivars and in turn add the economy of our country.

Corrosion on SS-304 in brackish environment. Any compound capable of donating free chlorine ions (Cl -) to an aqueous (water-based) solution has the potential for causing failure in stainless steels. The chlorine ion is extremely electronegative, therefore very reactive with certain compounds and elements. This reactivity is part of its usefulness in certain situations, but becomes a double-edged sword where stainless steel is concerned. Experimental corrosion studies on commercial SS - 304 have been carried out. The experiments were carried in brackish environment with a concentration variation, pH variation and contact time variation. The experiments were carried out by weight loss method, gasometry study and open circuit polarization studies. The post corrosion sample’s micro structures were analyzed with the aid of EDS (Energy dispersive spectroscopy) equipped SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) EDS (Energy dispersive spectroscopy) instrument to detect the morphology of corrosion by-products. For further verification x-ray diffraction method was also used to detect any possible emerging corrosion by products on the sample’s surface. Experimental results confirmed that SS-304immersed in brackish environment with a variation of concentration , experience very little corrosion. EDS study and x-ray diffraction results indicate that the possible ensuing corrosion by products are Iron oxides, chrome oxides, iron chloride and nickel hydride oxide

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown an impact on sexually transmitted infections. The research aims to understand an overview of CDC's STI surveillance data for 2020 that can provide a general understanding and a comprehensive review of patternsofChlamydia and Gonorrhea infections among men and women.The study conducted an in-depth qualitative research analysis of the CDC's STI surveillance data for 2020. The studyanalyzes particular research questions.What is the difference between reported cases of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea among men and women? How does sexual orientation affect reported cases of Chlamydia and Gonorrhea? What demographics are associated with Chlamydia and Gonorrhea cases? The research analyzes the number of cases of Chlamydi and Gonorrheain fections among men and women, includingsexualorientation, age, ethnicity, and reported cases in healthcare centers.The results of the CDC's STI surveillance data of 2020 have determined that men have a higher number of cases in both infections, and MSM have a higher number of cases in the sexual orientation category. The result differed based on ethnicity, in which females had a significant increase in chlamydia cases compared to men while men had an increased number of gonorrhea cases. African American men and women have shown the greatest number of cases. Non-Hispanic/Pacific Islanders men have a higher number of chlamydia cases compared to women. Overall, the transmission of gonorrhea is higher in men, while chlamydia is seen most in women.Sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia may present with unseen consequences. Gender, age, and ethnicity play a vital role in our society in improving health conditions. Limitations may occur within the study. The results may show biases based on the lack of data submission due to restrictions. The inconsistency of recording data could occur based on social distancing guidelines, quarantining, and lack of resources available during the pandemic and guidelines that significantly affect the public. Public health officials utilize the data to determine high prevalence areas to improve policies and guidelines that significantly affect the public.