Archives-September 2018

This study presents a novel natural convection process. A prototype of an indirect solar dryer, with its collector made of hemispherical concentrators had been realized and studied with the idea of obtaining higher temperature in the drying chamber, and this with a steady non tracking collector. The patented collector is based on the hot-spot theory. Measurements had been conducted for all critical period of the year. The result seemed conclusive with temperature improvement in steady non tracking collectors, and suggests further investigation of the hot-spot theory, by conceiving a mathematical model and by deepening the experiment outcomes for a best thermodynamic study.

Much concentration was directed towards different types of adsorbents used in adsorbing heavy metals from the industrial waste water by using the availables chemical, physical and biological techniques. The present study is designed to use less-cost and more available adsorbents to eliminate heavy metals in the industrial waste water.An alcoholic essence from the natural material Rhatany is used in this research (with concentrations 100,200, 300, 400, 500, 600 milligram/liter) as a primary material with adsorbing Cadmium, Cobalt , Chrome, and Copper, from the lab prepared mixture.The research investigated a number of variables as the acid pointer pH, time of mixing, primary concentration, lightening, temperature, and their various effects on the absorbing process to define the ideal circumstances to get the best adsorbing of materials by using this material.Equilibrium Isotherm experiences were conducted and the findings were analyzed by using Freundlich model and Langmuir model. It is found that Langmuir model is the better mathematical model to represent the results of adsorbing all the ions than Freundlich model where Langmuir constant factor was (0.967,0.962,0.976 ,and 0.965 milligram/gram )for Cadmium, Cobalt , Chrome, and Copper.(Kinetic) experiments were conducted where the findings were used to analyze the effect of the stratum surrounds the particles of the adsorbing material. There was good harmony between the practical and theoretical findings taken from the absorbing model in Kinetic experiments when mobile interaction model of the second degree Pseudo Second Order Kinetic is used where more than 95% of Cadmium, Cobalt , Chrome, and Copper, were adsorbed.The findings showed the possibility of eliminating Cd(II), with 100% , Co(II), with 100%, Cr(VI), with 100%, Cu(II), with 100% with a capacity of adsorption of Cadmium, Cobalt , Chrome, and Copper, with 25 milligram for each gram from the roots of Rhatany.Comparisons between the findings of the present study and other studies showed the high efficiency of this cheap type of these adsorbed and available materials to eliminate the pollution of Cadmium, Cobalt , Chrome, and Copper , (as heavy poisonous metals) from industrial water before releasing it to sewage water.

Staphylococcus aureus was recognized as a major cause of nosocomial infections worldwide and a variety of skin infections which require therapeutic approaches. During the last five decades, Staphylococcus aureus clones that resist methicillin (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA) disseminated and caused medical and public health problem worldwide 250 clinical isolates collected from Omdurman, Khartoum and Soba hospitals from different sources (blood, urine, pus, diabetic sepsis swab and tip of the catheter), cultured and isolated in pure culture and subjected to microscopical examination by the Gram reaction and biochemical tests to identify them as pure Staphylococcus aureus, then subjected to sensitivity tests by disc diffusion method against commonly used antibiotics in order to determine the sensitivity and resistance patterns against penicillin, co-amoxyclav, oxacillin, fusidic acid ,cefuroxime,vancomycin, cotrimoxazole, rifampicin, gentamicin, clindamycin, meropenem and chloramphenicol. 110 of the pure clinical isolates were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which were mannitol non-fermenters and resistant to number of antibiotics and the prevalence of it may increase the emergence of glycopeptide (vancomycin and teicoplanin) resistant strains. The study revealed there were many antibiotics effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and can be used by the clinicians as therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of infections caused by these strains.

The usage of alternative fine aggregate like silica sand is a natural step in solving a part of depletion of river sand. The research on alternative material for concrete making commenced earlier than half a century. Concrete made from silica sand as fine aggregate was studied for workability, compressive strength. Silica sand is made from crushing of quartz stone. Similarly, observe of its durability will make sure more dependability in its utilization. So here on this assignment, silica sand were used as substitute of fine aggregate for making concrete of M-20, with w/c ratio 0.45. The proportion substitute could be 100% with natural fine aggregates. For making M20 concrete opc-53 grade cement is used. Cubes has been casted and tested compressive strength.

Reduction of maternal and newborn mortality is still a global public health challenge. The other challenge is redefining the roles of traditional birth attendants with a view of integrating them into the formal health system. To this end, the Linda Afya ya Mama na Mtoto Project implemented in Kakamega county re-oriented 345 former traditional birth attendants into the new role of birth companions. It was therefore fitting to establish perceptions of stakeholders on this new roleTo establish perceptions of stakeholders on the birth companion role of former traditional birth companions. A cross-sectional qualitative design was applied in this study. Eighteen (18) in-depth interviews were conducted with health service providers, health managers, programme officers, and policy makers based on similar interview schedules. Ten focus group discussions were conducted with pregnant and lactating women, male spouses and community health workers. Raw data was transcribed and analyzed using Atlas Ti software. The following six themes emerged: the policy environment; perceived benefits, acceptability, challenges, the issue of integration into the formal health system and sustainability. The policy environment was not conducive for integration into the formal health system. However, across the board, the new role was highly acceptable linked to numerous perceived benefits; remuneration and travel difficulties were considered major bottlenecks to sustainability. The new birth companion role of former TBAs is widely acceptable and can be feasibly sustained and scale-up. Birth companionship is both a health system and client-centred high impact intervention. Governments should institutionalize new birth companion role of former TBAs as a way of incorporating them into the formal health system given the evidence on benefits to the client and health system. Conduct studies on cost-effectiveness of various sustainability and incentivizing mechanisms

Beekeeping is among the livelihood diversification strategies likely affected by climate variability. The variation in temperature and rainfall influence forage phenology impacting on honey production in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in Kenya. The study focused on the relationship between rainfall variability on honey production among the pastoral communities. Rainfall variability was exhibited in the study area in some circumstances drought was experienced annually. On average, 19 plant species were recorded that the bees prefer in the study area. Rainfall variability has significant positive correlation (r=0.423;p=0.00) on the effect on plant phenology thus altering flowering periods of many of the forage plants, changing the foraging behaviour of bees resulting to decrease in honey production. The findings of this study indicate that variation in rainfall has had an adverse effect on honey production and therefore there is need to incorporate land management strategies that will improve honey production in ASALs for sustainable livelihoods among pastoral communities in the context of climate variability.

Citrullus lanatus, Cucumeropsis edulis and Lagenaria siceraria are three species of squash widely cultivated and used in food in Benin. The aim of this study is to determinate the physicochemical characteristic and antimicrobial activities of their seeds oil. Oils were obtained by Soxhlet extraction; their quality index were evaluated according to the methods listed in the ‘’AFNOR’’. The oil yield of the seeds of the three cucurbits ranged from 36.23 to 42.28%, the moisture contents of the seeds oils ranged from 0.47 and 0.98%. In terms of quality index, the values are between: 5.04-14.58 mg/g for acid value, 31.70 - 31.86 % for iodine, 1.65 - 8.42 meqO2/Kg-oil for peroxide value, 50.49 - 75.73 mg KOH/g-oil saponification and for ester 40.39 - 70.68%. Their calculated calorific value varies between 44611.05 and 45717.65 Kj /Kg-oil). AAS revealed that these oils had low content of Iron, Manganese and Potassium and do not contain Sodium at all. HPLC showed that the three oils are good sources of fat-soluble vitamins (A, E and K1) with 6.18 mg/100g vitamin E in Citrullus lanatus seeds oil and K1 (0.83 mg / 100g). They were all bacteriostatic and fungistatic on the strains explored but Citrullus lanatus and Cucumeropsis edulis oils had an antibiotic power on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Migration of fishermen is common in the Kenyan waters of Lake Victoria. It affects the way people use and manage this natural resource. But little attempt has been made to relate migratory behavior of fishermen and the impacts of migration on fisheries conservation and management. This paper observes that fisheries related migration has some triggers. The paper therefore analyses the causes as well as demographic characteristics of fishermen using neoclassical economic theory and Logit model. Results show that fishermen have fishing as a primary source of income and are likely to be less literate. It is also shown that migration among fishermen is male dominated and has a clear gender-labour division. Further investigation revealed that migration reduces the positive attitude towards management of the common property. It is always assumed that population is the main driving force behind migration. But this paper further reveals that age, income and educational level, experience and family size are the main determining factors towards long/ permanent fisheries related migration. In relation to educational level, it is noted that those who have been for long and still in fishing is because they are illiterate and have been involved in fishing from their childhood and therefore lack other skills. It is concluded that there is a significant relationship between migration variables of fishermen and the reduced efforts towards conservation in Lake Victoria fishery. It is thus recommended that, since there is no clear sign to halt fishermen’s migration in Lake Victoria, there is therefore a need to create public awareness to improve knowledge of the dangers of migration to fisheries conservation and management.

The economies of many countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are largely oil based. Steep declines in oil and gas prices in 2014 by 50% or more led some governments in MENA region to decrease healthcare budgets by more than 30%. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore the marketing strategies that managers of international pharmaceutical companies have successfully implemented in the MENA region to sustain profitability despite the decreases in the healthcare budgets, consequent to the 2014 declines in oil and gas prices. The study involved data collection using semistructured interviews of 6 middle and executive managers working in 2 international pharmaceutical companies located in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. The strategic flexibility theory underpinned the study in furthering the exploration of challenges associated with implementing marketing strategies by international pharmaceutical companies in the MENA region. Study participants selected to partake in this research had a minimum of 5 years of experience in planning and implementing marketing strategies in the region. The findings from the data analysis led to the identification of major marketing strategies, which have helped to maintain business sustainability of pharmaceutical companies, despite difficulties with the reduction in healthcare budgets in the MENA region. The important themes emerging from this study included: (a) product launch strategy and operating model, (b) transformation of leaders by vision and guidance. The results of the study may contribute to positive social change as pharmaceutical and healthcare knowledge benefits human health and may also serve to influence positive job creation and enrichment of the economies of the region.

System Dynamics Modeling quality of work life at academic sector,” includes all aspect of employee’s life, specially his work and work environment. Quality of work life programs encourage employees, make balance between professional, personal & social life and ultimately enhances employee job satisfaction. Factor that are favorable for quality of work life are job satisfaction, working environment, career and professional growth, motivation and rewards, fare salary and compensation, communication and job security. Workload, occupational stress and un-fair compensation are factors that affect the quality of work life.