Anaerobic composting of pyrethrum waste with and without effective microorganisms

This study investigated the use of effective microorganisms (EM) for enhancement of biogas production through composting of solid pyrethrum remains after extraction of pyrethrins (marc). The laboratory scale experiment involved composting of the waste as substrate mixed with EM at different ratios consisting of a control, substrate with EM at of 1:250, 1:500, and 1:1000 v/v. Results show highest production of biogas at EM ratio 1:500 v/v, while biogas produced at EM ratio of 1:250 v/v had thehighest methane yield. It was also found that carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios for all mixtures fall within the optimal range (10:1 to 15:1) as compared to the control, which was out of range. This study was able to establish an optimal mixing ratio of the substrate and EM preferably to be 1:250 v/v at a dilution ratio of 1:4 m/m since it is observed to have the highest methane composition of 69% compared to the other treatments. The composted pyrethrum waste at all ratios can also be used as bio-fertilizer since the final COD of the compost is on an average of 134 g/L, suitable for soil conditioning

Translating a sub-Saharan African countries' experience in human papillomavirus vaccination to a single dose regimen

Background: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that is known to cause different types of cancer including cancer of the cervix. Cancer of cervix is common among women and most of the burden is from SSA countries. Moreover, most of these countries are not yet having HPV vaccination programs while low coverage is seen in some few countries which already had the programs. WHO recommends two doses of the HPV vaccine are effective to prevent girls against the HPV infection. However, there are many studies currently being conducted to prove the effectiveness of a single-dose regimen. Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify the most common lessons learned in the HPV programs in SSA countries and conduct the budget impact analysis of a single dose regimen for HPV vaccination in Tanzania as a way to determine the future cost. Methods: This is mixed-method study with a qualitative part covers a literature review of both published and unpublished documents, and reports of HPV demonstration programs from SSA countries while the quantitative part involves budget impact analysis by using secondary data. Published documents were obtained from PubMedicine while unpublished documents were obtained from the WHO website, HPV Information Centre as well as the websites of the ministry of health of respective countries. Results: 22 key lessons were reported in seven specific focus areas which included national policy and planning, service delivery, workforce, linkage with other interventions, monitoring and evaluation, financial support, and sustainability and scale-up. We also found out that there were similar lessons across eight SSA countries that had finished the HPV demonstration project however, there was a variation of the strength of the lessons. The economic and financial cost for HPV vaccination in Tanzania was determined and it was estimated that country could save about 5,927,820.57 USD per year on an average from the year 2015 to 2020 as an economic cost if single-dose regimen was to be used. Conclusion: SSA countries with no experience in the HPV vaccination program and those with reported low coverage should take advantage of studying best practices from other SSA countries. Also, although still there is no enough evidence for the single-dose regime of HPV vaccination, SSA countries should be prepared to move to a single dose regimen once evidence is gathered as it would reduce the budgetary burden.open석

Atmospheric pollution from the major mobile telecommunication companies in Tanzania

The extent of pollution from five major mobile telephone companies in Tanzania was investigated. These companies are Airtel, tIGO, Zantel, Sasatel and Vodacom. The parameters measured were the noise levels, NOx concentrations, and Particulate matter. The noise levels and exhaust gases were determined at 10 different Base Stations, 2 Base Stations (BSs) for each company. Results show high noise levels, with maximum hourly average of 83dB (Tigo 2 BS) and minimum hourly average of 61.4dB (Vodacom BS) as compared to the permissible 45dB. Moreover, there is an increased noise level of hourly means of 82dB (Zantel BS), 70dB (Sasatel BS) and 72dB (Tigo 1 BS). However, concentrations of gases at the stack exit were low at all sampling points with maximum hourly average of 0.18mg/m3(NO) and 0.135mg/m3(NO2) compared to the permissible 250mg/m3. The applied Gaussian model provided an approximation of the contribution of the BS generators to the atmosphere to range from 0.0006μg/m3 and 0.001 μg/m3 (Vodacom BSs) at 300m from the source to 0.35μg/m3 and 0.014μg/m3at(TIGO BSs) 10m from the source for both NO and NO2 respectively while the measured values ranged from 0μg/m3 (Sasatel BSs) to 10 μg/m3 (Vodacom BSs) for both (NO) and(NO2) at 2.5m from the source. The released levels of the PM2.5 caused a significant rise in PM2.5 level in the ambient air concentration of indoor and outdoor environments with an hourly average increase ranging from 0.04 mg/m3 (Sasatel BSs) to about 0.25mg/m3 (Tigo BSs) above the standard of 0.1mg/m3. It is concluded that there are high noise levels and particulate emissions from these companies at varying degrees. It is recommended that a minimum of 15m distance between the Base stations and nearby residence be kept so as to achieve a permissible noise level of 45dB. © JASEMKeywords: Air, Base stations, Mobile Telephone, Noise, Particulate

Heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils and water in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania

Heavy metals in soil and water were determined at four points along Msimbazi River valley in Dar es Salaam city, which is popular for vegetable farming. Results indicated that the concentration of chromium in water ranged from (1.414±0.922) to 0.01 mg/L. Maximum and minimum lead concentrations of 0.113 and 0.083 mg/L were detected. The concentration of copper was generally low at all sites, ranging from (0.013±0.005) to (0.016±0.005) mg/L. The concentration of lead in water throughout the river exceeds the WHO (2004) drinking water limit of 0.01 mg/L, ranging from (0.113±0.104) to (0.083±0.059) mg/L. Cadmium concentration at all sampling points was below detection limit of 0.01 mg/L. Soil analysis indicated that the concentrations of heavy metals are highest at the top soil and decreased with depth. Lead had the highest concentration of (22.85±1.502) mg/kg; which did not exceed the TZS (2003) maximum limit of 200 mg/kg for soils. Chromium had maximum and minimum concentrations of (502.33±150.991) and (174.707±168.278) mg/kg, respectively, with most of samples exceeding the TZS (2003) permissible limit of 200 mg/kg. The maximum and minimum concentrations of copper were (21.073±2.881) and (4.513±1.713) mg/kg, respectively, lower than the TZS (2003) permissible limit of 100 mg/kg. Cadmium concentrations at all sampling points were lower than the permissible concentration of 100 mg/kg in soils (TZS, 2003). The presence of heavy metals in soil and water indicates the potential for pollution transfer from these media to the food chain, especially since this valley is popular for vegetable cultivation.Key words: Heavy metal, soil, water, pH, dissolved oxygen, Msimbazi River

Mathematical modeling of dissolved oxygen in fish ponds

A mathematical model was developed to predict the effects of wind speed, light, pH, Temperature, dissolved carbon dioxide and chemical oxygen demand (COD) on Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in fish ponds. The effects of organic feeds, aeration and fish activity were added to the model developed by Kayombo et al. for Waste Stabilization Ponds (Ecological Modelling 127(2000): 21 - 31) to reflect the situation in fish ponds. Model calibration and validation was done by use of average DO, pH, temperature, COD, CO2 and algae biomass data measured from RETCO fish ponds in Dar es Salaam; and light intensity data were adopted from Kayombo et al. (2000). Model results showed a linear relationship between simulated DO and measured DO in fish pond (r2 = 0. 87) for model calibration and (r2 = 0.88) for model validation. Simulation results also showed a general decrease of DO with time in 13 days by 28 and 38% for first and second batch, respectively. Thus, the model developed in this study could be used to predict the DO dynamics in fish ponds. Based on the model results, successful cultivation of healthy fish may require that retention time for water in the fish pond be 10 days.Key words: Calibration, light, pH, substrate, temperature, validation

Performance of Solanum incunum Linnaeus as natural coagulant and disinfectant for drinking water

The paper reports the performance of Solanum incunum Linnaeus as coagulant and disinfectant for water purification. The coagulation-flocculation experiment was carried out using a Phipps and Bird PB-700™ Jar Tester. Results show that coagulation depends on Fe(II) content and disinfectant on bioactive natural product compounds from the plant. Turbidity removals were 96, 97 and 75% for raw water with turbidity of 450, 300 and 105 NTU, respectively. Fecal coliform removal increased with coagulant concentration, displayed a maximum removal of 99% at 2.2 × 10-4 g/ml. LD50 ranged from 0.62-2.6 × 10-5 g/ml, which were within the range of optimum coagulation concentration of 2.2 × 10-5 g/ml. Turbidity and SO42- concentrations for the treated water conforms to the Tanzanian Standards and WHO guidelines for drinking water, while fecal coliform counts exceeded the recommended values. The results suggest that S. incunum is promising as coagulant and disinfectant product for water purification.Key words: Coagulant, disinfection, fecal coliform, Solanum, turbidity, water

Characteristics of growth properties, marker expression, and differentiation ability of human adipose-derived stem cells

Elektroniskā versija nesatur pielikumusŠis darbs parādīja, ka no cilvēka taukaudiem iegūtas cilmes šūnas (TCŠ) var viegli un efektīvi pavairot barotnē, kas satur autologo serumu, un šādi kultivēšanas apstākļi neietekmē to īpašības. Šīs šūnas reprezentē ļoti homogēnu šūnu populāciju, vienlaicīgi uzrādot tādu virsmas marķieru kā CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105 ekspresiju un demonstrējot HLA-DR, CD14, CD19, CD34 un CD45 trūkumu. Dažādos stresa apstākļos TCŠ veidoja agregātus. Tās ekspresēja pluripotences marķierus OCT4A un SOX2. NANOG klātbūtne nebija viennozīmīga, bet tika atklāta NANOG pseidogēna 8 ekspresija. TCŠ diferencējās par adipocītiem, osteocītiem un hondrocītiem gan 3. pasāžā, gan 6. pasāžā. To diferenciācija par endodermālas izcelsmes šūnām vai insulīnu producējošām šūnām, izmantojot deviņus dažādus protokolus, nebija veiksmīga. Atslēgas vārdi: no taukaudiem iegūtas cilmes šūnas, autologais serums, virsmas marķieri, pluripotences marķieri, cilmes šūnu diferenciācijaThis study showed that human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) can be easily and effectively propagated in the medium containing autologous serum and such culture conditions does not alter their characteristics. These cells represented highly homogeneous cell population by simultaneously expressing surface markers CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105, but lacking the expression of HLA-DR, CD34, CD14, CD19, CD45. The ASCs formed aggregates under various stress conditions. They expressed pluripotency markers OCT4A and SOX2. The presence of NANOG was inconclusive, but the expression of NANOG pseudogene 8 was discovered. The ASC differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes, and chondrocytes both at passage 3 and passage 6. Their differentiation into cells of endodermal origin or insulin-positive cells, using nine various protocols, was not successful. Key words: adipose-derived stem cells, autologous serum, surface markers, pluripotency markers, stem cell differentiatio

Atmospheric pollution from the major mobile telecommunication companies in Tanzania

The extent of pollution from five major mobile telephone companies in Tanzania was investigated. These companies are Airtel, tIGO, Zantel, Sasatel and Vodacom. The parameters measured were the noise levels, NOx concentrations, and Particulate matter. The noise levels and exhaust gases were determined at 10 different Base Stations, 2 Base Stations (BSs) for each company. Results show high noise levels, with maximum hourly average of 83dB (Tigo 2 BS) and minimum hourly average of 61.4dB (Vodacom BS) as compared to the permissible 45dB. Moreover, there is an increased noise level of hourly means of 82dB (Zantel BS), 70dB (Sasatel BS) and 72dB (Tigo 1 BS). However, concentrations of gases at the stack exit were low at all sampling points with maximum hourly average of 0.18mg/m3(NO) and 0.135mg/m3(NO2) compared to the permissible 250mg/m3. The applied Gaussian model provided an approximation of the contribution of the BS generators to the atmosphere to range from 0.0006\u3bcg/m3 and 0.001 \u3bcg/m3 (Vodacom BSs) at 300m from the source to 0.35\u3bcg/m3 and 0.014\u3bcg/m3 at (TIGO BSs) 10m from the source for both NO and NO2 respectively while the measured values ranged from 0\u3bcg/m3 (Sasatel BSs) to 10 \u3bcg/m3 (Vodacom BSs) for both (NO) and(NO2) at 2.5m from the source. The released levels of the PM2.5 caused a significant rise in PM2.5 level in the ambient air concentration of indoor and outdoor environments with an hourly average increase ranging from 0.04 mg/m3 (Sasatel BSs) to about 0.25mg/m3 (Tigo BSs) above the standard of 0.1mg/m3. It is concluded that there are high noise levels and particulate emissions from these companies at varying degrees. It is recommended that a minimum of 15m distance between the Base stations and nearby residence be kept so as to achieve a permissible noise level of 45dB. \ua9 JASE

Heavy Metal Pollution And Urban Agriculture In Msimbazi River Valley: Health Risk And Public Awareness. Ijpaes.

ABSTRACT : Awareness of the urban population on the potential environmental and human health risks resulting from and consuming vegetables polluted with heavy metals from Msimbazi river, Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania was investigated. Results show that more than 71% of the 35 respondents use Msimbazi river as a major source of water for vegetable irrigation. High levels of chromium, lead and copper have been observed in four most popular vegetables namely Amaranthus blitum, Amaranthus gangeticus, Cucurbita maxima, Ipomea batata and Brasica oleracea. The survey indicated further that about 69% of respondents are not aware on industrial pollution in the Msimbazi River. 63% of respondents do not know the potential human health effects attributed to the current irrigation practice. Vegetables grown along the Msimbazi river valley feeds most of markets in the City. The study also established the risk value as well as population at risk through oral exposure to vegetables grown in Msimbazi River valley. Results on vegetable consumption shows that 95.6% of adults, 30.7% of children aged 6-12 years and 12.5% of children aged 2-6 years are at risk of getting lead carcinogenic effects. Additionally, children aged 2-6 years (5%) followed by children aged 6-12 years (2.8%) and adults (1.2%) are at risk from carcinogenic cadmium effects. For non carcinogenic effects, 0.7% adults, 1.18% children aged 6-12 years, and 0.122% children aged 2-6 years are dermal exposed to copper in vegetables

Geochemical Distribution of Trace Elements in Groundwater from the North Mara Large-Scale Gold Mining Area of Tanzania

Research Article published by Ground Water Monitoring and RemediationThe infl uence of large-scale mining operations on groundwater quality was investigated in this study. Trace element concentrations in groundwater samples from the North Mara mining area of northern Tanzania were analyzed. Statistical analyses for relationships between elemental concentrations in the samples and distance of a sampling site from the mine tailings dam were also conducted. Eleven trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) were determined, and averages of Fe and Al concentrations were higher than levels accepted by the Tanzanian drinking water guideline. Levels of Pb in three samples were higher than the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and United States Environmental Protection Agency ( USEPA ) drinking water guidelines of 10 and 15 µg/L, respectively. One sample contained a higher As level than the WHO and USEPA guideline of 10 µg/L. The correlation between element concentrations and distance from the mine tailings dam was examined using the hierarchical agglomeration cluster analysis method. A signifi cant difference in the elemental concentration existed depending on the distance from the mine tailings dam. Mann–Whitney U -test post hoc analysis confi rmed a relationship between element concentration and distance of a sampling site from the mine tailings dam. This relationship raises concerns about the increased risks of trace elements to people and ecosystem health. A metal pollution index also suggested a relationship between elemental concentrations in the groundwater and the sampling sites’ proximity from the mine tailings dam