The Impact of Small Scale Mining on Irrigation Water Quality in Asante Akim Central Municipality of Ghana

Small scale mining is a major threat to water resources and agricultural activities in most mining communities across Ghana. This study investigated the effect of small scale mining on the quality of water for irrigation from some selected sites along a river and a reservoir which was used as a control. The physical and chemical parameters of the water samples were measured using standard methods for water quality analysis. The samples were acid digested and assayed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The study revealed that several of the physico-chemical parameters (turbidity, pH, conductivity, TDS) and heavy metals such as Pb and Hg were significantly higher (5% level of significance) at the river sites compared to the reservoir. Whilst most of the parameters measured were within range of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) limit for irrigation water quality, Hg, Cd, K and turbidity levels were higher than FAO permissible limits for irrigation water. Hazard assessment based on the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), US Salinity laboratory classification and the Wilcox diagram for irrigation water quality showed the water tobe within acceptable salinity and sodium limits for irrigation. It is inferred from the findings that activities of small scale miners along the river affects the quality of the water. The high turbidity and detection of some level of heavy metals in the water should be a major concern to stakeholders in the Municipality as continuous influx of small scale miners in the area could increase heavy metal concentration beyond the acceptable thresholds

Epidemiological Investigation of Equine Influenza Virus Infection in Peninsular Malaysia

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Peninsular Malaysia with the objectives of determining the serological prevalence, molecular evidence and risk factors of equine influenza virus (EIV) distribution among different geographical regions. A total of 435 serum samples and 172 nasopharyngeal swabs were collected during July 2007-July 2008. Our study showed that the prevalence of antibodies against EIV was recorded in 215 of the 435 sera (49.4%). The prevalence of circulating antibodies against equine influenza virus in relation to states were recorded as; Selangor 127 out of 170 sera (74.7%) from vaccinated horses, and 9 out of 12 sera (75%) from unvaccinated horses, in Kelantan 37 out of 165 sera (22.4%) are unvaccinated horses, in Melaka 11 out of 25 sera (44%) are unvaccinated horses, in Negeri Sembilan 2 out of 23 sera (8.7%) are unvaccinated horses, in Johor 16 out of 17 sera (94.1%) are vaccinated horses, in Kedah 11 out of 14 sera (78.6%) are unvaccinated horses and in Pahang 2 out of 9 sera (22.2%) are vaccinated horses. The viral nucleic acid was detected in 77 of the 172 nasopharyngeal swabs (44.7%). The prevalence of positive nasopharyngeal swabs among vaccination status, were also recorded as, 44 out of 102 (43.1%) from vaccinated horses and 33 out of 70 (47.1 %) nasopharyngeal swabs from non-vaccinated horses. The association between several putative risk factors from vaccinated and unvaccinated groups on the seroconversion of equine influenza virus using binary logistic regression was recorded as; Age factor showed to be not significant factor in vaccinated groups against possible EIV infection as compared to unvaccinated groups which is recorded as 5.5 times chances to seroconverion. Thoroughbred groups showed a significant risk above unity whereas the pony groups breed showed a significant low risks. All others group of horses had non-significant, low risks. Sex did not contribute significantly to the epidemiology of the infection since there were no significant risk differences between sexes. This moderate antibody level detected from horses might indicate exposure of these animals to the virus or evidence of recent infection. The horses that were detected positive for equine influenza might be shedding the virus among naive population, and likely represent an important role in the epidemiology of respiratory disease outbreaks. In conclusion, the data presented in this study revealed that the ElV circulates among vaccinated and non-vaccinated horses in Malaysia and the incidence rate of EIV is relatively high. The periodic movement of sub-clinically infected horses at the international level provides the potential for interaction with susceptible populations and may serve as a crucial factor in transmission of infections among horse population. Absence of mandatory of vaccination program against EIV in Malaysia most probably contributed to the spread of the disease between provinces. Therefore, it is advisable to update equine influenza vaccine regularly

Production of carbon molecular sieves from palm shell through carbon deposition from methane

The possibility of production of carbon molecular sieve (CMS) from palm shell as a waste lignocellulosic biomass was investigated. CMS samples were prepared through heat treatment processes including carbonization, physiochemical activation and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) from methane. Methane was pyrolyzed to deposit fine carbon on the pore mouth of palm shell-based activated carbon to yield CMS. All the deposition experiments were performed at 800 ºC, while the methane flow rate (100, 200, 300 mL min-1 CH4 diluted in 500 mL min-1 N2) and deposition time (30 to 60 min) were the investigated parameters. The textural characteristics of the CMSs were assessed by N2 adsorption. The largest BET surface area (752 m2 g-1), micropore surface area (902.2 m2 g-1) and micropore volume (0.3466 cm3 g-1) was obtained at the CH4 flow rate of 200 mL min-1 and deposition time of 30 min. However, prolonging the deposition time to 45 min yielded in a micropouros CMS with a narrow pore size distribution

True and Pseudo Cholinesterase levels in short and long-term of pesticides exposures

The present study is aimed to study and analyze the true and pseudo Cholinesterase levels in the subjects exposed to pesticides during short term by intentional or accidental intake and long term exposure due to their occupation were studied at Department of Biochemistry, SVS medical college and hospital mahbubnagar district. Whole blood cholinesterase levels and Pseudo cholinesterase levels were estimated. 150 people were taken as controls who had no medical illness and a total number of 300 cases of pesticide poisoning were selected, aged between 20 to 55 years, which consist of 150 acute poisoning and 150 chronic poisoning subjects in Mahbubnagar district, were taken as case study, the detailed case history and the type of organophosphorus pesticide taken were recorded. Mean and standard deviation (S.D) of all variables were calculated and compared with those of controls. Statistical significance was assessed and P-value <0.05 were considered significant.           During acute poisoning the mean value of Whole blood cholinesterase/True cholinesterase (U / L) in acute poisoning cases on first day was 1.267± 0.612 on 3th day was 1.651±0.647, on 7th day was 2.221±0.684 and at the end of 6 months was 3.970±0.404.The difference between the study group and control group (4.0 ± 0.39) was found to be statistically significant in1st, 3rd, 7th day but not significant at the end of 6 months. The mean value of serum cholinesterase/pseudo cholinesterase (U/L) in acute poisoning cases on first day was 2213.05 ± 1749.81, on 3th day was 2862.3 ± 2025.6, on 7th day was 4008.4 ± 2355.9 and at the end of 6 months was 7708.34 ± 880.72.The difference between the study group and control group (7991.97 ± 1276.5) was found to be statistically significant in1st, 3rd, 7th day but not significant at the end of 6 months. During chronic poisoning (exposure) the mean value of Whole blood cholinesterase (U/L) in controls is 4.0 ± 0.39 as compared to 3.019 ± 0.848 in cases of chronic poisoning. The difference between the study group and control group was found to be statistically significant. The mean value of serum cholinesterase/pseudo cholinesterase (U/L) in controls was 7991.97 ± 1276.5 as compared to 6214 ± 1189 in cases of chronic poisoning. The difference between the study group and control group was found to be statistically significant

True and Pseudo Cholinesterase levels in short and long-term of pesticides exposures

The present study is aimed to study and analyze the true and pseudo Cholinesterase levels in the subjects exposed to pesticides during short term by intentional or accidental intake and long term exposure due to their occupation were studied at Department of Biochemistry, SVS medical college and hospital mahbubnagar district. Whole blood cholinesterase levels and Pseudo cholinesterase levels were estimated. 150 people were taken as controls who had no medical illness and a total number of 300 cases of pesticide poisoning were selected, aged between 20 to 55 years, which consist of 150 acute poisoning and 150 chronic poisoning subjects in Mahbubnagar district, were taken as case study, the detailed case history and the type of organophosphorus pesticide taken were recorded. Mean and standard deviation (S.D) of all variables were calculated and compared with those of controls. Statistical significance was assessed and P-value <0.05 were considered significant.           During acute poisoning the mean value of Whole blood cholinesterase/True cholinesterase (U / L) in acute poisoning cases on first day was 1.267± 0.612 on 3th day was 1.651±0.647, on 7th day was 2.221±0.684 and at the end of 6 months was 3.970±0.404.The difference between the study group and control group (4.0 ± 0.39) was found to be statistically significant in1st, 3rd, 7th day but not significant at the end of 6 months. The mean value of serum cholinesterase/pseudo cholinesterase (U/L) in acute poisoning cases on first day was 2213.05 ± 1749.81, on 3th day was 2862.3 ± 2025.6, on 7th day was 4008.4 ± 2355.9 and at the end of 6 months was 7708.34 ± 880.72.The difference between the study group and control group (7991.97 ± 1276.5) was found to be statistically significant in1st, 3rd, 7th day but not significant at the end of 6 months. During chronic poisoning (exposure) the mean value of Whole blood cholinesterase (U/L) in controls is 4.0 ± 0.39 as compared to 3.019 ± 0.848 in cases of chronic poisoning. The difference between the study group and control group was found to be statistically significant. The mean value of serum cholinesterase/pseudo cholinesterase (U/L) in controls was 7991.97 ± 1276.5 as compared to 6214 ± 1189 in cases of chronic poisoning. The difference between the study group and control group was found to be statistically significant

Perancangan Dan Implementasi Quadcopter Untuk Foto Udara Objek-objek Wisata Di Kota Palembang

Tulis ini menjelaskan rancang bangun sistem kendali quadcopter dengan muatan kamera foto yang digunakan untuk pengambilan objek wisata di kota Palembang. Quadcopter dapat digunakan untuk pengambilan foto di udara disebabkan bentuk quadcopter yang sederhana, kecil, dan mempunyai kemampuan terbang tinggi mencapai 200 meter. Selain itu biaya operasional quadcopter ini cukup murah, karena sumber penggeraknya menggunakan baterai yang bisa bertahan hingga 30 menit di udara. Jika dibandingkan menyewa pesawat terbang atau helikopter dengan biaya mencapai puluhan juta rupiah, maka quadcopter merupakan alternatif solusi yang efisien. Studi ini difokuskan pada desain dan pembuatan sistem kendali quadcopter yang akan membawa kamera foto. Kestabilan terbang quadcopter dalam melakukan pengambilan foto di udara yang menjadi permasalahan, yaitu bagaimana merancang quadcopter sehingga mampu melakukan penyesuaian di udara terhadap lingkungan disekitarnya. Hasil yang diperoleh adalah sebuah prototype quadcopter dilengkapi dengan kamera foto yang dapat menggambil foto udara objek wisata di kota Palembang dan menghasilkan kualitas gambar yang baik, sehingga foto yang diperoleh diharapkan dapat digunakan untuk mempromosikan objek wisata yang ada di kota Palembang

Pengaruh Variasi Pengurangan Air dalam Campuran Beton Fc' 25 Mpa pada Pembuatan Beton Scc dengan Penambahan1% Sikament Ln

Dalam pembuatan benda uji metode yang digunakan yaitu Metode SNI, dengan kuat tekan rencana 25 MPa. Semen yang digunakan adalah semen PCC. Benda uji yang dibuat berbentuk silinder dengan Æ 15 cm, dan tinggi 30 cm. Terdapat lima variasi sampel beton yaitu beton +sikament ln 1% -air 0%, beton +sikament ln 1% -air 5%, beton +sikament ln 1% -air 10%, beton +sikament ln 1% -air 15%, dan beton +sikament ln 1% -air 20%. Pengujian/pengetesan benda uji meliputi uji kuat tekan, uji tarik belah, dan uji modulus elastisitas. Dari hasil penelitian nilai kuat tekan karakteristik beton normal dan beton +sikament ln 1% -air 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, dan 20% pada umur 28 hari, masing-masing menghasilkan kuat tekan karakteristik beton 33,19 MPa, 31,32 MPa, 26,97 MPa, 28,04 MPa, 37,30 MPa, dan 40,05 MPa. Kuat tarik belah rata-rata beton normal danbeton +sikament ln 1% -air 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, dan 20% adalah 3,28 MPa, 4,05 MPa, 4,15 MPa, 4,41 MPa, 3,93 MPa, 4,19 MPa. Modulus Elastisitas rata-rata beton normal dan beton +sikament ln 1% -air 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, dan 20% adalah 21715,142 MPa, 24199,677 MPa, 23506,673 MPa, 21680,005 MPa, 20626,130 MPa, 28326,195 MPa. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa pengurangan air pada penggunaan sikament ln dapat meningkatkan kuat tekan karakteristik beton

ANALYZING TURN-TAKING STRATEGIES AMONG ADULT LEARNERS IN ESL CLASS DISCUSSION

Small group discussions have been used in many ESL classrooms to encourage learners to use the target language in natural settings. Teachers of English will agree that there are many advantages of group in the classroom. Group discussions offer learners opportunities to practice “real-world language by debating over issues. Furthermore, class discussions enable learners to accept responsibility over their use of the target language. This may put some students at a disadvantage. They do not participate in the discussion not because they have nothing to say, but because they do not use proper turn-taking strategies to join in the discussion. Some learners are better at using their turn –taking strategies while others may end up staying silent. This quantitative study looks into the turn taking strategies employed learners in group discussions. Using a questionnaire as the instruments, findings of this research revealed that female adult learners are more prone to show agreement in class discussions and that different ESL learners use different strategies for different functions in their discussions

“OnLaing” a distance learning management information system platform with heutagogy approach in Industrial Revolution 4.0: A Design

The purpose of this study was to design distance learning platform using heutagogy approach. This study is expected to help to improve the quality of student learning outcomes and to motivate students to learn. This type of research is the development of research, known as research and development (R&D). The design of this study adapting by the SDLC model. The aim of this study is to design an online platform in Industrial Revolution 4.0 using Heutagogy Approach. The design will use the website programming namely PHP and MySQL as databases. Result of this study: the design and development of distance learning platform using heutagogy approach can improve the effectiveness of the learning process and the use of online learning will be a new method/approach of learning systems in the industrial revolution 4.0. Acceptance of distance learning is also important because this acceptance can provide benefits for the development of education. This is supported by the result of questionnaire which states that \u3e75% of users are interested in using this system