Climate Change Increasing Threats on Non-Conserved Mangroves Forests of Micheweni, Zanzibar–Tanzania

Overutilization of mangroves has been reported as the factor for mangrove declining across the globe. However, currently, the global climate change has been claimed to pose significant threats to the survival of mangroves. This study analysed the impacts of climatic variability (sea level rise, temperature and precipitation) to the mangroves of Micheweni (non reserve) and Ngezi-Vumawimbi (nature forest reserve). Multi-disciplinary approach was employed to collect information on community perceptions. Secondary time series data of up to 30 years for temperature, rainfall and sea level rise were collected and analysed. Inquiry results on how local communities perceived climate change showed that over 88% of the respondents agreed that there have been changes in climate in their areas, with 64% showing that there are severe impacts to the mangrove ecosystems. The respondents further claimed that there have been frequent saltwater intrusions affecting their agricultural crops and water table. Analysis of climate change parameters showed gradual sea level rise in the past 10 years and significant increase in temperatures in the past 30 years coupled with slight decrease in overall rainfall patterns. These observations could have serious effects on mangroves, particularly those of Micheweni, since the region is notable with high temperature coupled with minimum amount of rainfall per year, and being freely accessible unlike Ngezi. To reduce vulnerability to climate change, it is recommended to establish buffer zones in particular to the non-reserve mangrove forest of Micheweni. Also there is a need for community sensitization on climate change and resource management.Keywords: Climate change; Mangroves; Sea level rise; Temperature; Precipitation

Development And Evaluation Of A Matrix Controlled Release Implant System For Testosterone

Sistem implan yang dibuat daripada hidroksipropril metilselulosa (HPMC K100) dan kanji dengan nisbah 9:1 adalah licin serta mempunyai bentuk yang seragam dan kekerasan yang mencukupi. Implant systems fabricated using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC KIOO) and starch at a ratio of 9: 1 were smooth and uniform in shape with adequate hardness

An Integrated GIS Method – The Influence of Human Activities on Shoreline Change in Western Indian Small Island States: A Two Centuries Analysis of Urban West Unguja - Zanzibar Shoreline

Urban areas have a high impact of shoreline changes that are influenced by human activities rather than natural factors together with hard structural mitigation and management which are more practiced compared to other areas The shoreline of Urban West of Unguja Island in Zanzibar has been undergone changes in different stages due to human activities either like reclamation of Darajani creek port expansion at Malindi Mtoni beach nourishment sewer and stormwater channeling at Kilimani construction of walls groins and jetties etc however the area experience more accretion rather than retreat integrated analysis and projections of the overall accretion and retreat for 174 years is 1 527 693 85 m2 1 53 km2 and -936 135 48 m2 -0 94 km receptively The average accretion of land from 1846 to 2020 is 8 779 85m2 yr 0 0088 km2 yr and retreat is -5 380 09m2 yr - 0 0054 km2 yr A major accretion was observed and detected during the early 1900s to late 1987 where major land transformation with other minor development activities between 2010 to 2020 Sea walls groins beach nourishment mangroves barrier islands and islets are major management practices of the shoreline which shows positive impact Integrated methods were used to analyze and detect changes using a sketch topographic map and images which were carefully georeferenced with latitude and longitudes digitized using ArcGIS and demarcated along the study area supported with ground truth observatio

Prevalence of Obesity among Jordanian School-aged Adolescents in Greater Amman

The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of obesity among Jordanian school female adolescents in greater Amman.  A representative random sample of 501 female adolescents school children, 10 to 17 years of age was recruited from 3 schools from greater Amman. The anthropometric data for adolescents (10-17 years old) were entered and compared to the growth reference curves/charts developed in 2006/2007 by the World Health Organization (WHO) using WHO 2009 AnthroPlus software. After sorting and cleaning of the data, descriptive analysis was conducted to obtain prevalence of obesity, overweight, and thinness. Malnourished children were defined as those with overweight, obese, or thinness. The overall average prevalences of thinness, normal weight, overweight, and obesity were 7.2% , 46.8%, 36.2% and 9.9 %, respectively. Among the thinness category (WAZ <-2 SD)  , the highest percentage (16.7%)  is for 16-17 age group followed by 14-15 age group (6.7%) while it is 5.3% in 10-11 age group. An overall prevalence of malnutrition characterized by overweight and obesity together among all age groups is 46.1%.  As a conclusion, the study showed that more than half (53.3%) of Jordanian school adolescents in greater Amman are malnourished, with a prevalence of overweight, obesity and thinness at the same time, requiring different strategies to control either type. Further research about the dietary habits and lifestyle behaviors of Jordanian adolescents is recommended. Keywords: Prevalence, Obesity, School-aged children, Adolescents, Greater Amman, Jorda

Knowledge, attitude, practice and satisfaction of patients using analgesic patches in Jordan

Purpose: To investigate the knowledge, attitude, practice (KAP) and satisfaction of Jordanian patients using analgesic patches. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in four urban centers in Jordan (Amman (capital), Irbid (northern Jordan), Zarqa (central Jordan), and Karak (southern of Jordan)) using a validated closed and open-ended questionnaire. The questionnaire was delivered by hand to a target sample of 250 patients. Results: A total of 178 patients were recruited with a response rate of 71.2 %. Only 40 % of patients had previously been prescribed or recommended to take analgesic patches by a physician or pharmacist. The overall proportion of patients who were aware of the correct use of patch was only of 31 %. Conclusion: The use of patches in Jordan is limited due to lack of patients’ knowledge about the proper use of patches. Further studies should be carried out to evaluate healthcare providers’ perceptions and knowledge towards the use of patches

N-[4-(p-Toluenesulfonamido)phen­ylsulfon­yl]acetamide

In the title compound, C15H16N2O5S2, the dihedral between the two aromatic rings is 81.33 (6)°. In the crystal, pairs of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into centrosymmetric dimers, which are further connected via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a chain running along [01]

N′-(4-Bromo­phenyl­sulfon­yl)isonicotino­hydrazide

The title compound, C12H10BrN3O3S, crystallizes with two crystallographically independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. The dihedral angles between the two six-membered rings in the mol­ecules are 34.1 (3) and 45.1 (2)°. In the crystal structure, mol­ecules are connected via N—H⋯O and N—H⋯N hydrogen bonding

Optimization of Cobalt Nanoparticles for Biogas Enhancement from Green Algae Using Response Surface Methodology

Organic matter may be converted to energy through various methods, but the most preferable one is the Anaerobic Digestion (AD), specifically for biogas production. In sustainable bioenergy production, it can undoubtedly be called one of the most widely used methods from the various feedstock. Over the past years, algae waste has become an increasingly acute environmental problem but luckily it can be used as feedstock to produce bioenergy. In order to improve the energy productivity of green algae, this study is focused on the introduction of cobalt (Co) nanoparticles (NPs) in the AD process. The concentration of Co NPs was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Mesophilic temperature range (25–45 °C), initial pH (5–9) and Co NPs dosage (0.5–2 mg/L) were selected as the independent variables for RSM. The results indicated that at optimized values (Co NPs concentration = 1 mg/L, initial pH = 7, and digestion temperature = 35 °C) produced the highest biogas yield of 298 ml. An experiment was carried out at optimized conditions to explore the effect on biogas production. The results showed that Co NPs had a positive influence on biogas yield. The low concentrations achieved higher biogas production as compared to higher ones. A maximum biogas yield of 678 mL is achieved by Co NPs (1 mg/L). AD performance was further evaluated by the modified Gompertz model. Different kinetic parameters were calculated. The values of the performance indicators confirmed that the mathematical model fitted well with experimental data

Evaluation of immunomodulatory effects of lamotrigine in BALB/c mice

Modulation of the immune system has recently been shown to be involved in the pharmacological effects of old antiepileptic drugs and in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Therefore, the most recent guidelines for immunotoxicological evaluation of drugs were consulted to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of lamotrigine, a newer antiepileptic drug, in BALB/c mice. These included the in vivo effects of lamotrigine on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) antigens, hemagglutination titer assays and hematological changes. In vitro effects of lamotrigine on ConA-induced splenocyte proliferation and cytokine secretion were assessed. The results showed that lamotrigine treatment significantly increased the DTH response to SRBC in the mouse model of this study. This was accompanied by a significant increase in relative monocyte and neutrophil counts and in spleen cellularity. Lamotrigine significantly inhibited ConA-induced splenocyte proliferation in vitro and it significantly inhibited IL-2 and TNF-α secretion in ConA-stimulated splenocytes. In conclusion, the results demonstrated significant immunomodulatory effects of lamotrigine in BALB/c mice. These data could expand the understanding of lamotrigine-induced adverse reactions and its role in modulating the immune system in epilepsy