Microbial dynamics during various activities in residential areas of Lahore, Pakistan

Bioaerosols are ubiquitous in the atmosphere with their levels affected by a variety of environmental factors as well as type of activities being carried out at any specific time. The present study investigated how indoor activities influence bioaerosol concentrations in five residential houses of Lahore. Agar coated petri plates were exposed face upwards for twenty minutes in kitchens and living rooms during activity and non-activity periods. The temperature and relative humidity levels were noted as well. The bioaerosol concentrations in kitchens during the activity time ranged between 1022 to 4481 cfu/m3 and in living rooms from 1179 to 3183 cfu/m3 . Lower values were observed during non-activity periods. A paired-t test revealed a significant difference in bacterial loads during activity and non-activity times in both micro-environments (p = 0.038 in kitchen and p = 0.021 in living room). The predominant species identified were Micrococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. which are a common constituent of the indoor environment and are known to be opportunistic pathogens as well

Measurement of NO2 indoor and outdoor concentrations in selected public schools of Lahore using passive sampler

Higher levels of NO2 are a danger to human health especially for children. A seven day study was carried to find out the ambient concentrations of NO2in 27 schools of Lahore with the help of passive samplers. In each school three sites were selected, viz: laboratory, corridor and outdoors. After 7 days exposure the tubes were subjected to spectrophotometric analysis. Results showed that the maximum values measured in laboratory, outdoor and corridors were 376µg/m3 , 222µg/m3 and 77µg/m3 . Minimum values for laboratory, outdoor and corridors were 10µg/m3 , 20µg/m3 and 8µg/m3 . Factors affecting these values were laboratory activities and proximity to main roads. These values were significantly higher than the standard values defined by EPA. Therefore children in schools were at risk of developing health complications

Exposure to NO2 in occupational built environments in urban centre in Lahore

Increased economic growth, urbanisation and substantial rise in automobile vehicles has contributed towards the elevated levels of air pollution in major cities in Pakistan. Aone week study was conducted by using passive samplers to assess NO2 concentration in occupational built environments at two most congested and populated sites of Lahore. Both sites were locatedon the busy roads of Lahore. At Site-I the highest concentration was in outdoors followed by corridor and indoor. While at Site II all the sampling location wereindoors and level were comparable to that of outdoor levelsat Site I. The results suggest the likely contribution of ambient sources in exposure to indoor NO2 in educational and other occupational built environments in urban centres

Hubungan Panjang Berat dan Faktor Kondisi Ikan Betutu (Oxyeleotris Marmorata) di Sungai Ulim Kabupaten Pidie Jaya, Provinsi Aceh, Indonesia

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the length weight relationship of the marble goby (Oxyeleotris marmorata) in Ulim River, Pidie Jaya District, Aceh Province, Indonesia. The sampling was conducted at three sampling locations during February to May 2016. The Linear Allometric Model (LAM) and Relative weight condition factors were performed in this study. The study b value ranged between 2.70 to 2.74 indicate a negative allometric growth pattern. The relative weight condition factor was tended to 100. It means that the Ulim Rivers is still in good condition.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan panjang berat dan factor kondisi ikan betutu (Oxyeleotris marmorata) di Sungai Ulim Kabupaten Pidie Jaya. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode survey eksploratif pada tiga lokasi sampling selama Februari 2016 sampai Mei 2016 sebanyak 12 kali sampling. Model yang digunakan adalah Linear Allometric dan Faktor kondisi berat relative. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa rerata nilai b berkisar 2,70 sampai 2.74 memunjukkan pola pertumbuhan allometric negative dan factor kondisi berat relatif mendekai 100, bermakna kondisi perairan masih dalam kondisi yang seimbang

Assessment of airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) in university classrooms of varying occupancy

Air pollution is a major concern in Pakistan. Levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) in educational built environments, have not yet been studied comprehensively in Pakistan. This study was conducted to assess relationships between indoor and outdoor particulate matter in classrooms of the University of the Punjab, Lahore, using a DUSTTRAK Aerosol Monitor (TSI Model 8520). Sampling for PM2.5concentrations was carried out simultaneously outdoors and indoors in different classrooms on the campus. According to the level of occupancy three classrooms were selected i.e. Classroom I: low occupancy, Classroom II: medium occupancy and Classroom III: high occupancy. Simultaneous outdoor measurements were carried out at rooftop of each classroom. A tracer method was used to measure the air change per hour in each classroom. The 24 hour average concentrations of PM2.5 in Classrooms I, II and III were observed to be 282 .g/m³, 75 .g/m³ and 673 .g/m³ whereas 24 hour average outdoor levels were 324 .g/m³, 121 .g/m³ and 998.g/m³ respectively. Results showed a significant impact of ambient air and occupancy level on PM2.5 levels inside classrooms and all observed values exceeded the WHO limit

Alat Penangkapan Ikan yang Ramah Lingkungan Berbasis Code Of Conduct For Responsible Fisheries di Kota Banda Aceh

. This study aims to (1) know the fishing gear that has the highest level of environmental friendliness (2) aspects of the code of conduct for responsible fisheries CCRF is often violated and (3) determine the level of concern for fishermen to use fish-friendly tool arrests lingkungannelaya Banda Aceh. The study was conducted in March through May 2014 in Fishing Port Beach (PPP) Lampulo and Fish Landing Places (TPI) Alue Naga. Descriptive method with the number of samples used in this study divided 175 people fishing the Purse Seine fishing, Tramell Net, and Gill Net Fishermen. Collecting data using a questionnaire and analysed using descriptive analysis of the results of the research described in graphic form, frequency and percentage (persen). The results of the study (1) a means of catching the highest level of environmental friendliness is a gill net (2) Aspects of CCRF most often violated by fishermen is the aspect of fishing gear selectivity and fishing aspects of the Act are protected and (3) the highest awareness level of fishing gears environmentally friendly fishing is done by using the capture tool Gill Net

Air quality(particulate matter) at heavy traffic sites in Lahore, Pakistan

The transport sector is a major contributor towards air pollution, particularly in the urban areas. Air quality at two major heavy traffic roads of Lahore, Pakistan was evaluated. Particulate matter (PM) was monitored for twenty four hours at each sampling sites. The total number of vehicles passing was also noted and correlated with the PM levels. The vehicular congestion as well as meteorological factors had a positive association with the PM levels. PM concentrations were significantly higher than the WHO recommended levels. It is necessary to control emissions from vehicular exhaust to reduce the level of pollutants in the ambient air in urban areas

Pengembangan Modul Pembelajaran Simulasi Virtual Phet pada Materi Listrik Dinamis

This research is aims to generate a learning module using virtual PhET simulationson the material of dynamic electric to be valid and proper for students to use as a self-learning materials. This research type using Research and Development (R&D) method with a model of the development are Four-D Model. The module was developed through four phases accordingto the development model being used, such as Define, Design, Develop and Dessiminates phase. The research data was obtained from the results of validation by three experts as validators. Instrument validation using content validity to assessment module by Badan Standar Nasional Pendidikan (BSNP) which consists of four feasibility aspects's modules with 56 indicators assessment module. Validation was done through two phaseswhich is validation in first phase and validation in second phase. The results of the validation first phase, modules got an average value of 3.54 so the quality ofmodules at the validation phase one was “Good”. The results of the validation second phase obtained an average value of 4.01 so that the quality of modules at the validation second phase was“Good”. Feasibility of contents's module obtained an average value of 3.8in the category “Good”, the feasibility of presentation's module obtained an average value of 3.9 tocategory“Good”, feasibility of language's modules obtained an average value of 3.9 to“Good”categoriy and feasibility of graphical's modules scored an average of 4.01 in the “Good” category. Based on the results of feasibility aspect's module, the module has fulfilled the criteria of Self Instructional, Self Contained, Stand Alone, Adaptive and User Friendly. Based on the results of the validation, it can be concluded that learning module using virtual PhET simulations on the material dynamic electricwas valid and proper to use as a self-learning materials for students

Photocatalytic Z-Scheme Overall Water Splitting: Recent Advances in Theory and Experiments

Photocatalytic water splitting is considered one of the most important and appealing approaches for the production of green H2 to address the global energy demand. The utmost possible form of artificial photosynthesis is a two-step photoexcitation known as “Z-scheme”, which mimics the natural photosystem. This process solely relies on the effective coupling and suitable band positions of semiconductors (SCs) and redox mediators for the purpose to catalyze the surface chemical reactions and significantly deter the backward reaction. In recent years, the Z-scheme strategies and their key role have been studied progressively through experimental approaches. In addition, theoretical studies based on density functional theory have provided detailed insight into the mechanistic aspects of some breathtakingly complex problems associated with hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction. In this context, this critical review gives an overview of the fundamentals of Z-scheme photocatalysis, including both theoretical and experimental advancements in the field of photocatalytic water splitting, and suggests future perspectives