Migration and Rehabilitation: A Case Study of Omdurman Sudan

This study is concerned with rural-urban migration, with the socio-economic problems confronting migrants in Omdurman and the suitability of the solutions of their current situation. Basically, the research aimed to answer two major questions. First, what are the demographic and socio-economic conditions of migrants? Second, what could be done to rehabilitate them? In answering these questions the study utilises both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The former based on questionnaires given to both migrants and professionals. While the latter was confined to case histories and interviews of all those concerned with the problem. The thesis contains 8 chapters. The Introduction was intended to provide essential background information to the economic, political and social problems which have confronted Sudan since independence with special attention to the problem of migration. Chapter 1 explained urbanisation growth in African countries since the 1950's, which was attributed to rapid natural increase and in-migration from the countryside. In addition, imbalance of socio-economic development which was aimed to favour urban centres at the expense of rural areas. Chapter 2 reviewed the policies of rehabilitation in developing countries. These policies have tended to follow one of three types: Demolition and clearance, site and services and upgrading and rural development. The first was most common between 1950-1960. This policy failed to control urban land and aggravated the housing problems rather than solving them. The second started in the 1960's and aimed to provide low density housing and neglected the high rise tenements. The main problems facing this model were its failure to introduce water supply, electricity, transportation, basic infrastructure etc. . Many countries adopted both site and services and upgrading approaches. The third was adopted by some other countries through establishment of agricultural projects, growth centres or rural industries. Overall, this policy could help to disperse population but requires to be integrated with other approaches. Chapter 3 is concerned with the methodology and study framework. Three areas of migrants were selected on the peripheries of the town, that is the Western, Northern and Southern parts. The total number of respondents were 392 in addition to 10 family case histories, five from each type of migrant. The professional sample included 41 informants who represented different government ministries, institutions, research units and university teachers. A descriptive account of migrants was introduced in Chapter 4. The information which was obtained included area of origin; age; household situation, income, housing circumstances and perception of the problems. Chapter 5 examined the remarkable differences between both migrant sub-types. On the objective level the exercise included characteristics of each type, ethnic composition, factors which led to their migration, visits to village of origin, contact with the local community, education, occupation, housing and conditions of household health, amenities and level of modernity. On the subjective assessment, the emphasis was directed to the major differences between both family types. The study utilised the life history method (a biograhpical approach) to present the supplementary cumulative evidence. The adjustment to the new areas was assessed in Chapter 6. The study also combined both structural and cultural approaches. First, the structural account concentrated on two variables: type of migration and length of stay in town. Second, utilising case histories (biographical reconstructions) to evaluate changes in attitudes, values, aspiration, feelings of each family type towards the other and the host population. The interviewing included men, wives and children. The main objective of Chapter 7 is to assess the acceptabllity of the solutions by the migrants and the professionals. The main purpose was to reveal the extent to which the professional's views were based on accurate knowledge, Five solutions, each associated with different options, were suggested. These solutions were: 1. Assimilation of migrants in the city. 2. Rehabilitation on legal plots, outside the city. 3. Repatriation to area of origin. 4. Resettlement in new agricultural schemes. 5. Removal to old agricultural schemes. The conclusion chapter 8 Included a summary of the study findings and discussing them in relation to similar empirical studies and relevant social theories. Also the results of rehabilitation solutions discussed in the light of policies of settlement. The chapter ended by providing a framework of action and recommendations at national, regional and local levels

Removal of Organic Pollutant from Water by Modified Bentonite

2. Materials and methods Materials. Ca 2+-bentonite clay (M48) with cation exchange capacity (CEC) equivalent to 960 mmol (+) kg-1 (= 0.96 meq g-1)[16] was used. The organic salts used are: N-cetylpyridinium bromide (NCP+ Br-) and N-hexadecyl tributylphosphonium bromide (HDTBP+ Br-). The organic pollutant used is Bromoxynil (HPLC grade, 3, 5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile). Those materials were purchased from Sigma Chemical Co., Germany

Adsorption of benzene and naphthalene to modified montmorillonite

This study aims to characterize the adsorption pattern of benzene and naphthalene on montmorillonite modified with hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA), tetramethylammonium (TMA), tetraethylammonium (TEA), tetrabutylammonium (TBA) or benzyltrimethylammonium (BTMA). Adsorption isotherms of benzene and naphthalene from water followed Langmuir and Freundlich models respectively. The Langmuir form of the isotherms suggests that benzene and naphthalene adsorbed to the surfaces as a monolayer. Binding coefficient of naphthalene increased as the molecular weight of the pre-adsorbed surfactant increased. Adsorption of benzene and naphthalene follows the sequence: montmorillonite-benzyltrimethylammonium> montmorillonite-hexadecyltrimethylammonium> montmorillonite-tetrabutylammonium> montmorillonite-tetraethylammonium> montmorillonite-tetramethylammonium. The results indicate that using those complexes can be useful in removing pollutants from water

THE ECOLOGY OF ANOPHELES ARABIENSIS AND INSECTICIDE RESISTANCE/ SUSCEPTIBILITY STATUS IN KASSALA AREA, EASTERN SUDAN

Objectives: The study was carried out to investigate the ecology of A. arabiensis and their susceptibility to insecticides in Kassala area, eastern Sudan. Methods: Both adult anopheline mosquitoes and immature stages were sampled monthly following the standard WHO procedures during the period November 2000 through January 2002. The susceptibility of A. arabiensis to insecticides was conducted using the WHO standard technique. Results: A. arabiensis was the main malaria vector; its density fluctuated throughout the year with  bimodal peaks during the rainy (6.1 females/room and 56.1 larvae/dip) and the cool dry seasons (4.8 females/room and 47.5 larvae/dip). The difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). An indication of partial aestivation of A. arabiensis to adapt the harsh environmental conditions of the dry season was confirmed in the area. Adult populations like to cluster around breeding sites in an area of less than 200 m. The susceptibility to DDT and fenitrothion was 88.3% and 100% respectively. Conclusion: A. arabiensis is the sole malaria vector in Kassala area and it was highly susceptible to the insecticides tested and these should be considered for malaria vector control in the area

Bioremediation of diuron in soil environment: influence of cyanobacterial mat

Diuron is a herbicide widely used in the Middle East; its field application creates many environmental problems. This study investigated the bioremediation of Diuron in soil environment by Cyanobacterial mats collected from Gaza Wadi. Various concentrations of Diuron were injected in water saturated soil samples pre-treated with Cyanobacterial mat for several periods. Percent growth of Jews mallow as a test plant was taken as indicator of biodegradation of Diuron. Results showed that Diuron was degraded in soil and degradation was more pronounced when Diuron was incubated with Cyanobacterial in the irrigation water. Larger applied rate of Cyanobacterial mat did not affect the biodegradation of Diuron. These encouraging results suggest that application of Cyanobacterial mat could be a suitable method to remediate soil pollution

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil ofSatureja myrtifolia(Boiss. & Hohen.) from Lebanon

Satureja myrtifolia (Boiss. & Hohen.) Greuter & Burdeta medicinal plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family was collected from south of Lebanon and hydro-distilled by Clevenger method. Essential oil composition from aerial parts was analyzed by GC-MS technique. The odor of essential oil is characteristic, and clear yellow liquid oil was obtained after hydro-distillation. The yield of the essential oil was 1.25±0.02 % of dry matter (w/w). Thirty nine volatile components were identified in the Satureja myrtifolia oil, which shows a high amount of hydrocarbons class (57.82±0.1 %). Other classes were also identified such assesquiterpene hydrocarbons (12.96±0.1 %), oxygenated sesquiterpenes (10.65±0.2 %), phenolic compounds (10.32±0.1 %), acids (5.53±0.1 %), and monoterpenes hydrocarbons (2.21±0.1 %).In addition, a comparison with the unique study performed on Satureja myrtifolia was also carried out

Acute flaccid paralysis incidence rate and epidemiology in children in Lebanon: a rise in numbers in the post-vaccination and refugee crisis era

Background: Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is a clinical syndrome characterized by the acute onset of weakness and paralysis with reduced muscle tone. This study explored the incidence and different aspects of AFP in Lebanese children between 2009 and 2019. Methods: AFP data were collected from the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. Incidence rate according to year, age groups, clinical data, follow-up, diagnosis, and vaccination status was analyzed in the 11-years period. Results: AFP incidence rates increased importantly from 0.63 per 100,000 in 2009 till 4.96 per 100,000 in 2019. Most of the patients were children under ten years of age, 40.6% of all cases were under five years old, and 37.9% were between 5 and 9 years old. Follow-up revealed that approximately two out of five patients experienced residual weakness. As for the final diagnosis, around 30% of cases were diagnosed as Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). Most cases were children having received between 3 and 5 doses of polio vaccine. Conclusions: The rise in cases coincided with the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon and the progressively deteriorating economy in the country; yet, incidence rates were in the lower margin compared with other countries. Keywords: Acute flaccid paralysis; Epidemiology; Guillain-Barré Syndrome; Lebanon; Pediatrics

Modified Chitosan Immobilized on Modified Sand for Industrial Wastewater Treatment in Multicomponent Sorption: Shrimp Biowaste Processing

In this paper, modified chitosan immobilized on modified sand (MCs/MS) was synthesized and characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). MCs/MS composite was used to remove Reactive Red 23 (RR23), Reactive Blue 19 (RB19) and Iron III (Fe3+) in three single-component and three binary, RR23+RB19, RR23+Fe3+ and RB19+Fe3+. Batch experiments were carried out for adsorption kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamics. Operational parameters studied were pH, contact time, temperature, adsorbate and adsorbent concentrations. Adsorption kinetics in single and binary systems of components followed pseudo- second-order kinetics model. The isotherm data in single and binary systems followed Freundlich isotherm model. Thermodynamic parameters have disclosed that the adsorption is exothermic and not spontaneous with a physical adsorption for both single and binary systems. The results showed that MCs/MS composite was an effective adsorbent to remove hazardous pollutants with a removal rate between 80% and 99.6%, the optimal contact time was between 120 and 180 min for all components in single and multicomponent system. Keywords : Modified chitosan immobilized on modified sand, Multicomponent system, Reactive Red 23, Reactive Blue 19, Iron III, Hydrothermo-Chemical method

Diabetes mellitus and COVID-19: factors associated with bad prognosis

Diabetes is a risk factor for bad prognosis of COVID-19. Many mechanisms can explain the bad prognosis of COVID-19 in diabetics, but they remain hypothetical. The high prevalence of diabetes on the African continent, particularly in North Africa (12.2%), constitutes a threat of increased morbidity and mortality linked to COVID-19. We must pay particular attention to this fragile population, with more time and resources, especially for the elderly, obese or those with chronic complications of diabetes who have a high risk of developing severe forms