A Comparative Investigation on Petroleum Demulsification Techniques (Centrifuge and Green Chemicals Versus Conventional Chemicals)

The breaking (demulsification) of 50-50% w/o petroleum emulsions of two oils (A and B) by Green (chemical and centrifuge) methods were studied in comparison to conventional (chemical) method. The green methods consisted of silicon based chemical demulsifiers and high-speed centrifuge operated at 12,000 RPM, while the conventional method consisted of Amine group based demulsifiers. In chemical method, the concentrations were varied (0.5%, 1.5% and 3%), while in centrifuge method, the processing time was varied (10 and 30 minutes). The efficiency of these methods was determined by measuring the amount of water separated from the emulsion after being treated. The maximum separation efficiencies for Silicon demulsifiers were 93 and 88% for oils A and B respectively, and that of Amine group demulsifiers were 72 and 86% for oils A and B respectively, While centrifuge demulsification gave maximum separations of 39 and 24% for oils A and B respectively. Based on these results, Silicon based demulsifiers are very effective and reliable method to treat emulsions for different types of oils with different composition, and have the potential to be used as an alternative method in the demulsification or breaking of water-in-crude oil emulsions

Dynamique d’offre de fourrages relative a l’environnement : Facteurs explicatifs sur les marches du Benin et du Burkina Faso

Les changements climatiques accentuent la pression sur les ressources naturelles et interrogent le potentiel fourrager disponible en zones pastorales pour l’alimentation des ruminants, en particulier celle des bovins et ovins. La présente étude a examiné les facteurs qui influencent l’offre de fourrages, en relation avec l’environnement, sur les marchés du Bénin et du Burkina-Faso. Au total, 272 vendeurs de fourrages ont été enquêtés de façon aléatoire et et en boule de neige dans l’ensemble de la zone d’étude. Le modèle de régression linéaire multiple estimé par les Moindres Carrés Ordinaires a permis d’identifier les facteurs qui affectent l’offre de fourrages dans la zone d’étude. En effet, les zones agro-écologiques, la distance de recherche de fourrages, le prix du fourrage, les caractéristiques des vendeurs et le coût du transport sont les facteurs décisifs qui influencent significativement le niveau d’offre de fourrages dans l’ensemble de la zone d’étude. Toutefois, la zone agro-écologique nord-soudanienne et l’expérience du vendeur dans la collecte du fourrage affectent significativement et positivement la quantité de fourrage offerte au Burkina Faso tandis que la zone agro-écologique I et la distance de recherche de fourrages ont un effet positif et significatif sur l’offre de fourrages au Bénin. La prise en compte de ces facteurs dans les politiques agricoles et actions de développement permettrait d’améliorer l’offre de fourrages et par ricochet la production animale.Mots clés : Déterminants, disparités environnementales, MCO, offre fourragère, Bénin et BurkinaFaso Dynamics of feedstuff’s supply under environmental dimension: determinant factors on Benin and Burkina Faso markets (West Africa)The present study analyses the factors influencing the feedstuff’s supply on the markets of Bénin and Burkina Faso, in relation with environnemental disparity. A sample of 272 feedstuff’s selters was randomly and by snowball selected for a survey. The regression model estimated by OLS allowed to identify the factors that affect the supply of feedstuffs in the study area.As results, the agro-ecological zones, the feedstuffs search distance, feedstuff’s price, the characteristics of the sellers and the cost of transport are the decisive factors that significantly influence the level of forage supply in the study area. However, the North-Sudanese agro-ecological zone and the sellor’s experience in fodder collection significantly and positively affect the level of feedstuffs offered in Burkina Faso while the agroecological zone I and feedstuffs search distance have a positive and significant effect on the supply of feedstuffsin Benin. Considering these factors in agricultural policies and development actions, will lead to improving feedstuffs supply and indirectly the animal production.Keywords: Determinants, environmental disparities, OLS, feedstuffs supply, Benin and Burkina Faso

Effet des composantes de la technologie microdose sur la performance \ue9conomique et financi\ue8re des exploitations agricoles du Kouritenga et du Zondoma au Burkina Faso

Natural processes and anthropogenic actions have consequences for the decline of agricultural land productivity. Farmers in affected communities implement a variety of land management technologies to improve productivity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Microdose technology components on the economic and financial performance of farms in the Kouritenga and Zondoma localities in Burkina Faso. A survey was conducted among a sample of 360 farm households applying at least one component of the technology for a minimum of 0.5 ha. Data on socio-economic parameters, quantities and prices of inputs and outputs involved in the components of technology were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. Economic and financial performance indicators were evaluated and compared by component, followed by simultaneous equation regression to determine factors influencing economic performance. The results showed that \u2018Microdose (MD) with Grass Strips (BE) with Compost (CO)\u2019 showed better performance in terms of net margin, internal rate of return and benefit-cost ratio. The adoption of microdose has a positive and significant effect on the economic performance of production while the technology \u2018Microdose (MD) with Stonecord (CP) + Compost (CO) has negative and significantly influenced on the economic performance of farms. These results could be used to define lines of research and intervention strategies for the farmers benefit.Les processus naturels et de l\u2019action anthropique ont des cons\ue9quences sur la baisse de la productivit\ue9 des terres agricoles. C\u2019est ainsi que les agriculteurs dans les localit\ue9s qui sont affect\ue9es, mettent en \u153uvre diverses technologies de gestion des terres en vue d\u2019am\ue9liorer la productivit\ue9. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait d\u2019\ue9valuer l\u2019effet des composantes de la technologie \u2018Microdose\u2019 sur la performance \ue9conomique et financi\ue8re des exploitations agricoles dans les localit\ue9s de Kouritenga et Zondoma au Burkina Faso. Une enqu\ueate a \ue9t\ue9 conduite aupr\ue8s d\u2019un \ue9chantillon de 360 m\ue9nages agricoles appliquant au moins une composante de la technologie sur un minimum de 0,5 ha. Les donn\ue9es sur les param\ue8tres socio-\ue9conomiques, les quantit\ue9s et prix des intrants et des produits mis en jeu dans les composantes de la technologie, ont \ue9t\ue9 collect\ue9es \ue0 travers un questionnaire semi structur\ue9. Les indicateurs de rentabilit\ue9 \ue9conomique et financi\ue8re ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9valu\ue9s et compar\ue9s selon les composantes, suivie d\u2019une r\ue9gression \ue0 \ue9quations simultan\ue9es pour d\ue9terminer les facteurs influen\ue7ant la performance \ue9conomique. Les r\ue9sultats ont montr\ue9 que la technologie \u2018Microdose (MD) avec Bandes enherb\ue9es (BE) avec Compost\ua0(CO)\u2019 pr\ue9sentait une meilleure performance du point de vue de la marge nette, du taux interne de rentabilit\ue9 et du ratio b\ue9n\ue9fice-co\ufbt. Cependant, l\u2019adoption de la microdose a un effet positif et significatif sur la performance \ue9conomique de production tandis que la technologie \u2018Microdose (MD) avec Cordon pierreux (CP)+Compost (CO) a influenc\ue9 n\ue9gativement et significativement la performance \ue9conomique des exploitations. Ces r\ue9sultats obtenus pourraient servir \ue0 d\ue9finir des axes de recherche et des strat\ue9gies d\u2019intervention au profit des exploitants agricoles

Uncertain pasts and risk-sensitive futures in sub-Saharan urban transformation

This chapter explores the status and the scope for transition of risk- sensitive and transformative urban development in diverse cities of sub-Saharan Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa is important because of its large proportions of urban populations with high vulnerability and growing exposure to risks. High rates of urban growth pose increasing risks as we go into the future, yet there is also opportunity to reduce risk through integrating risk management into development. However, this opportunity space is often constrained by limited capacities to plan and manage the rapid urbanisation process, particularly in informal settlements. Limited capacities to prevent processes of risk accumulation pose threats to poverty reduction and sustainable development. In this context, there is an increasingly urgent need for squarely recognising and addressing the underlying vulnerabilities of urban populations and their root causes. Transitioning towards such sustainable urban pathways will require the strengthening of capacities and accountability of city authorities and broader governance systems, both formal and informal

Invagination Intestinale Aiguë De L’adulte: Aspects Diagnostiqsues, Thérapeutiques Et Étiologiques

Introduction: Acute intussusception is a rare clinical entity in adults where it accounts for only 1-2% of intestinal obstructions. The authors wanted to report cases of acute intussusception in adult patients, their diagnostic aspects, their management, and their etiologies. Patients and Methods: This study is a retrospective study of the medical files of patients of both sexes. They include adults over 15 years of age, operated between January 2010 and December 2014, who were diagnosed with obstruction due to acute intestinal intussusception. Results: Six cases of adult intestinal intussusception were collected. The average age was 26.5 years. The sex ratio was 1 and there were so many men as women. Five out of six patients were unstable on admission. The diagnosis was made preoperative in two cases out of six, 33.3%. Ultrasound revealed a target sign in two cases. The ileo-ileal form was the most frequent (5 cases out of 6) or 83.3%. Also, there were two cases of intestinal necrosis out of six. Intestinal resection was performed in five cases or 83.33%. The cause of intussusception was found in four cases out of six or 66.7%. Here, a tumor was the cause in half of the cases. Immediate surgical follow-up was uncomplicated in all patients. Conclusion: Acute intestinal intussusception of the adult is a very rare condition. The preoperative diagnosis of acute intussusception of the adult remains delicate. The ileo-ileal form is more frequent than the ileo-colic form in adults. Treatment is always surgical in adults

EVALUATION OF THE GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN A CLOSED INDUSTRIAL LANDFILL

The study parameters: pH, conductivity, salinity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Turbidity, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of groundwater in a closed industrial landfill, subject to the waste discharges of city of Bacau (East Romania), shows that the water quality of the different sampling points is variable. This difference is noted at the level of conductivity, TDS, turbidity, TSS and COD. These differences, however parameters are substantially higher compared the value of the legislation in groundwater Romania. Salinity remains relatively high at the point of sample P1 (0.7). The pH values are comprising in the range of reference values (6.5 to 7.4). The results also showed very strong correlations (r> 0.8) between Conductivity-Salinity, Conductivity -TDS, Salinity, TDS, Turbidity.-TSS, COD and TSS-Turbidity-COD. The strong correlation (0.5 0.8) were noted between Turbidity- Conductivity, Turbidity-Salinity, Turbidity, TDS, TSS conductivity, TSS-Salinity, TSS, TDS, COD, conductivity, salinity, COD, COD-TDS. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) also highlighted groundwater mineralization events of this landfill and possible pollution by organic matter

EVALUATION OF THE GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN A CLOSED INDUSTRIAL LANDFILL

The study parameters: pH, conductivity, salinity, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Turbidity, Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of groundwater in a closed industrial landfill, subject to the waste discharges of city of Bacau (East Romania), shows that the water quality of the different sampling points is variable. This difference is noted at the level of conductivity, TDS, turbidity, TSS and COD. These differences, however parameters are substantially higher compared the value of the legislation in groundwater Romania. Salinity remains relatively high at the point of sample P1 (0.7). The pH values are comprising in the range of reference values (6.5 to 7.4). The results also showed very strong correlations (r> 0.8) between Conductivity-Salinity, Conductivity -TDS, Salinity, TDS, Turbidity.-TSS, COD and TSS-Turbidity-COD. The strong correlation (0.5 0.8) were noted between Turbidity- Conductivity, Turbidity-Salinity, Turbidity, TDS, TSS conductivity, TSS-Salinity, TSS, TDS, COD, conductivity, salinity, COD, COD-TDS. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) also highlighted groundwater mineralization events of this landfill and possible pollution by organic matter

Efficacy of chloroquine, amodiaquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria: revisiting molecular markers in an area of emerging AQ and SP resistance in Mali

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To update the National Malaria Control Programme of Mali on the efficacy of chloroquine, amodiaquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in the treatment of uncomplicated <it>falciparum </it>malaria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>During the malaria transmission seasons of 2002 and 2003, 455 children – between six and 59 months of age, with uncomplicated malaria in Kolle, Mali, were randomly assigned to one of three treatment arms. <it>In vivo </it>outcomes were assessed using WHO standard protocols. Genotyping of <it>msp1</it>, <it>msp2 </it>and CA1 polymorphisms were used to distinguish reinfection from recrudescent parasites (molecular correction).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Day 28 adequate clinical and parasitological responses (ACPR) were 14.1%, 62.3% and 88.9% in 2002 and 18.2%, 60% and 85.2% in 2003 for chloroquine, amodiaquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine, respectively. After molecular correction, ACPRs (cACPR) were 63.2%, 88.5% and 98.0% in 2002 and 75.5%, 85.2% and 96.6% in 2003 for CQ, AQ and SP, respectively. Amodiaquine was the most effective on fever. Amodiaquine therapy selected molecular markers for chloroquine resistance, while in the sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine arm the level of <it>dhfr </it>triple mutant and <it>dhfr</it>/<it>dhps </it>quadruple mutant increased from 31.5% and 3.8% in 2002 to 42.9% and 8.9% in 2003, respectively. No infection with <it>dhps </it>540E was found.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this study, treatment with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine emerged as the most efficacious on uncomplicated falciparum malaria followed by amodiaquine. The study demonstrated that sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine and amodiaquine were appropriate partner drugs that could be associated with artemisinin derivatives in an artemisinin-based combination therapy.</p

Non-Apical Membrane Antigen 1 (AMA1) IgGs from Malian Children Interfere with Functional Activity of AMA1 IgGs as Judged by Growth Inhibition Assay

BACKGROUND: Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) is one of the best-studied blood-stage malaria vaccine candidates. When an AMA1 vaccine was tested in a malaria naïve population, it induced functionally active antibodies judged by Growth Inhibition Assay (GIA). However, the same vaccine failed to induce higher growth-inhibitory activity in adults living in a malaria endemic area. Vaccination did induce functionally active antibodies in malaria-exposed children with less than 20% inhibition in GIA at baseline, but not in children with more than that level of baseline inhibition. METHODS: Total IgGs were purified from plasmas collected from the pediatric trial before and after immunization and pools of total IgGs were made. Another set of total IgGs was purified from U.S. adults immunized with AMA1 (US-total IgG). From these total IgGs, AMA1-specific and non-AMA1 IgGs were affinity purified and the functional activity of these IgGs was evaluated by GIA. Competition ELISA was performed with the U.S.-total IgG and non-AMA1 IgGs from malaria-exposed children. RESULTS: AMA1-specific IgGs from malaria-exposed children and U.S. vaccinees showed similar growth-inhibitory activity at the same concentrations. When mixed with U.S.-total IgG, non-AMA1 IgGs from children showed an interference effect in GIA. Interestingly, the interference effect was higher with non-AMA1 IgGs from higher titer pools. The non-AMA1 IgGs did not compete with anti-AMA1 antibody in U.S.-total IgG in the competition ELISA. CONCLUSION: Children living in a malaria endemic area have a fraction of IgGs that interferes with the biological activity of anti-AMA1 antibody as judged by GIA. While the mechanism of interference is not resolved in this study, these results suggest it is not caused by direct competition between non-AMA1 IgG and AMA1 protein. This study indicates that anti-malaria IgGs induced by natural exposure may interfere with the biological effect of antibody induced by an AMA1-based vaccine in the target population