Fluoride removal performance of phosphoric acid treated lime: Breakthrough analysis and point-of-use system performance

Fluoride in drinking water above permissible levels is responsible for dental and skeletal fluorosis. In this study, removal of fluoride ions from water using phosphoric acid treated lime was investigated in continuous and point-of-use system operations. In the continuous column operations, fluoride removal performance was investigated as a function of the fluoride concentration, flow rate and amount of adsorbent mass. Early saturation and lower fluoride removal were observed at higher flow rate and initial concentration, and at lower mass. Two domestic defluoridation point-of-use systems operated intermittently to process 20 ..day.1 of water were used. High fluoride uptake capacity (FUC) from groundwater was observed depicting the suitability of the new media in defluoridation. However, further research is required to optimise the point-ofuse systems performances

An Investigation into the Factors Influencing Music Piracy in Kenya

A Project Report Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Business Administration (MBA)The purpose of this study was to determine the major factors that influence music piracy in Kenya. The study was guided by the following research questions: (i) what advancements in technology have led to an increase in music piracy in Kenya? (ii) What is the influence of ICT policies on music piracy in Kenya? And (iii) what ethical and other factors have influenced music piracy in Kenya? The research methodology used was descriptive and focused on a sample from a population of people who are most likely to be involved in piracy of music and also those who listen to music most often. The target population was aged between 18 and 30 and were largely university students. The main method used when collecting data was questionnaires containing questions developed by the researcher. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in analysis of data so as to establish the relationship among the various variables. The data was analyzed in order to establish the correlation and covariance of various variables. A regression analysis was carried out so that the relationship among various variables can be established. The study established that increased storage capacity in devices such as computers as well as portable devices has led to an increase in the levels of music piracy. Availability of multiple music formats has also made it easier to download and store pirated music. The study also established that online file sharing applications are the main source of pirated music followed by file sharing among friends through flash disks. The availability of fast, cheap and easily available internet has also fueled the rise and spread of music piracy. The study revealed that the best way to handle music piracy is by enforcing strict legal measures to deal with offenders who use corruption to buy their way out of trouble. Reducing corruption in the police force and judiciary would also help to reduce music piracy. Failure to enforce copyright laws and lack of coordination when it comes to enforcement also reduces the effectiveness of the legal systems. Similarly, slow processes in the justice system have also hindered effective enforcement of copyright laws. Enforcement of steeper penalties would be the most effective way of reducing music piracy in the country. The study also established that majority of those who pirate music do so because legal music is too expensive hence they cannot afford to buy all the music they would like to listen to. The main reason as to why music is download illegally is because it is free when pirated. However, majority of respondents stated that they would be willing to legally purchase music if it was made affordable. Another finding of the study was that majority of the respondents agreed that music piracy is wrong and that their ethical beliefs affect downloading intentions. Influence from friends was established as one of the primary causes of people engaging in music piracy. The study recommends that there is need for development of new technology in all aspects of ICT in order to ensure that there are enough measures in place to help curb piracy. Implementation of technological applications that can help in dealing with the menace of music piracy in Kenya as well as active involvement by ISPs can greatly reduce the level of music piracy in Kenya. The study also recommends the need for the government to ensure that it is actively involved in the fight against piracy by providing proper legislation so as to ensure that the legal system is able to effectively deal with music piracy. Additionally there is need for additional enforcement so as to enhance monitoring of music piracy in Kenya. This enforcement should be provided in terms of funding antipiracy organizations and providing the necessary equipment and manpower needed. The study recommends the need for society to change the way they perceive music piracy. In this regard, it is important for the regulatory authorities to carry out massive campaigns to ensure that they educate the public on the importance of avoiding music piracy and the negative effects it has on the various stakeholders

Detection of microbial surface contamination and antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli on beef carcasses in Arusha, Tanzania

Research Article published by African Journal of Microbiology ResearFood serves as an important fomite for transmission of disease-causing and antibiotic resistant bacteria to humans. Because this may be an especially challenging problem in low-income countries, the level of microbial surface contamination and abundance of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli on beef carcasses were estimated. Out of 125 surface swab samples (plated on MacConkey agar), 70 to 100% were positive to Gram-negative bacteria and E. coli, respectively. More than 50% of individual carcasses had bacterial loads below the maximum threshold recommended by the FAO. For carcasses in small- and medium-scale facilities, the average load of bacteria ranged between 0.8 and 1.5 log cfu/cm2, while carcasses in the large slaughter facility had an average loads of between 1.77 and 1.42 log cfu/cm2. Of the 1,272 E. coli isolates tested, 49.4% were resistant to at least one antibiotic. Isolates were frequently resistant to tetracycline (21.7%) and ampicillin (19.2%) while the frequency of resistance to the remaining nine antibiotics was <3%. In addition, 5.3% of isolates were multidrug resistant with 18 different phenotypes. The combination of resistance to ampicillin and tetracycline was the most common. Although, poor sanitation practices were observed, results reflect lower bacterial counts and limited prevalence of antibiotic resistant E. coli relative to other reports in the literature

Recovery and prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella from fresh goat meat in Arusha, Tanzania

Research Article published by African Journal of Microbiology Research Vol. 10 (32)Meat products are clearly associated with foodborne pathogens including, antibiotic-resistant strains. Population growth and growing consumer demand facilitate the transmission of foodborne pathogens, particularly in developing countries. To determine the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella in goat meat, a study was done in Tanzania (June to July, 2015). Overall 120 goat meat samples were collected from five large and five small slaughter facilities (n = 60, respectively). Pre-enrichment for Salmonella isolation was done in Tryptic Soy Broth followed by selective enrichment in Modified Semisolid Rappaport-Vassiliadis agar. Isolation of Salmonella was done in xylose-Lysine-Deoxycholate agar followed by biochemical confirmation in triple sugar iron agar. The average prevalence of Salmonella was 60 and 63% in large and small facilities, respectively. Breakpoint assays indicated an overall low prevalence of resistance (2 to 4%; n = 219 isolates) to ampicillin, amoxicillin, streptomycin, sulphamethoxazole and trimethoprim with complete susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime and cefotaxime. No significant difference (p > 0.05) in the prevalence of resistance between large and small facilities was observed. High probability of Salmonella contamination of goat meat from Arusha area of Tanzania can pose risks to consumers. Antibiotic resistance appears minimal in this population. Improved hygienic slaughter and meat-handling practices are encouraged to reduce the burden of Salmonella-positive meat products