The Geographical Distribution of the Student Body at a Number of Eastern and Western Universities and Eastern Colleges

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Leaching of Cyanogens and Mycotoxins from Cultivated Cassava into Agricultural Soil: Effects on Groundwater Quality

Cyanogens and mycotoxins are vital in protecting flora against predation. Nevertheless, their increased concentrations and by-products in agricultural soil could result in produce contamination and decreased crop yield and soil productivity. When exposed to unsuitable weather conditions, agricultural produce such as cassava is susceptible to bacterial and fungal attack, culminating in spoilage, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, and contributing to cyanogen and mycotoxins loading of the arable land. The movement of cyanogen including mycotoxins in such soil can result in sub-surface and/or groundwater contamination, thus deteriorating the soil’s environmental health and negatively affecting wildlife and humans. Persistent cyanogen and mycotoxins loading into agricultural soil changes its physico-chemical characteristics and biotic parameters. These contaminants and their biodegradation by-products can be dispersed from soil’s surface and sub-surface to groundwater systems by permeation and percolation through the upper soil layer into underground water reservoirs, which can result in their exposure to humans and wildlife. Thus, an assessment and monitoring of cyanogen and mycotoxins loading impacts on arable land and groundwater in communities with minimal resources should be done. Overall, these toxicants impacts on agricultural soil’s biotic community, affect soil’s aggregates, functionality and lead to the soil’s low productivity, cross-contamination of fresh agricultural produce

Facteurs de contrôle sur le fonctionnement du système turbiditique du Rhône depuis le dernier maximum glaciaire

Turbidite systems are active when they are fed by sediments transported from the shelf to the basin floor. This sediment transfer is mainly controlled by climate and sea level. Fluctuations of these control factors since the Last Glacial Maximum are recorded within turbiditic systems by periods of high deposition separated by condensed intervals. In addition, morphological control and sedimentary processes are internals factors explaining the spatial variability of the sedimentary record along the turbidite system. The Rhone turbidite system is classified among Mud-rich systems; it is the largest sediment body in the Gulf of Lions (Western Mediterranean). It results mainly from the accumulation of sediments supplied by the Rhone River. It is presently inactive because the head of the Petit Rhone canyon is situated at about 70 km from the river mouth. Through analyses of 21 sediment cores collected along this system, we characterized, (1) the turbiditic activity during the last 25 kyr, (2) the role of climatic and sea-level controls on the turbiditic activity, (3) the role of internal factors such as the morphology on the spatial variability of the turbiditic deposition. Our study is based on (1) the realization of a chronostragraphical framework based on oxygen isotope (δ18O) fluctuations, Ca/Fe ratio and 14C AMS dating, (2) the characterization of lithofacies. The results show that: (1) sea-level is the main control factor on the connection between the Rhone canyon head and Rhone River mouth. The Rhone turbidite system is definitely a “low-stand dominant system” in the terminology of Covault et al. (2010). (2) the rapid and short sea-level rise at about 19 ka (19-ka meltwater pulse) is recorded by a shift from hyperpycnal flows to lower-concentration turbidites. (3) The presence of hyperpycnites demonstrates a direct connection between the Petit-Rhone canyon head and the Rhone River mouth favoured by sea-level low-stand conditions from 24 to 19 ka. They also demonstrate the competence of the Rhone River to generate hyperpycnal flows during flood episodes. (4) the morphology of the Rhone turbidite system controls the confinement of the turbidity currents and results in various arrangements of lithofacies.Le fonctionnement des systèmes turbiditiques est directement lié au transfert de sédiment par les fleuves du continent vers le domaine marin. Ce transfert est contrôlé par le climat et le niveau marin. Les fluctuations de ces facteurs de contrôle depuis le dernier maximum glaciaire s’enregistrent ainsi dans les systèmes turbiditiques par des périodes d’activité et d’inactivité des systèmes turbiditiques. À l’échelle du système, l’enregistrement sédimentaire est également contrôlé par la morphologie et les processus sédimentaires. Le système turbiditique du Rhône classé parmi les systèmes turbiditiques argilo-silteux, est le plus grand dépôt sédimentaire du Golfe du Lion (Méditerranée Occidentale). Principalement alimenté par les apports du Rhône, il est actuellement inactif dû à l’éloignement du canyon avec la source sédimentaire (~70 km). L’objectif du travail réalisé est d’y déterminer, à partir de 21 carottes sédimentaires, (1) l’activité turbiditique au cours des derniers 25 ka, (2) le rôle des fluctuations climatiques et eustatiques sur le fonctionnement, (3) le rôle de la morphologie sur la variabilité spatiale et temporelle des dépôts turbiditiques. Le travail se base sur (1) la réalisation d’un cadre chronostratigraphique basé sur les fluctuations du rapport isotopique de l’oxygène (δ18O), les fluctuations du rapport Ca/Fe et sur des datations radiocarbones, (2) la caractérisation des lithofaciès. Les résultats obtenus montrent que (1) le niveau marin est le principal facteur de contrôle qui détermine la position de l’embouchure du fleuve Rhône et sa connexion avec le canyon du Petit-Rhône. (2) la remontée rapide et brève du niveau marin vers 19 ka (19-ka meltwater pulse) est enregistrée par un changement des processus turbiditiques, (3) lors du maximum de bas niveau marin, entre 24 ka et 19 ka BP, la présence des hyperpycnites démontrent la connexion directe entre le fleuve et la tête de canyon ainsi que la capacité du Rhône à produire des courants hyperpycnaux, (4) la morphologie du système turbiditique exerce un contrôle sur les lithofaciès turbiditiques essentiellement par le degré de confinement des courants de turbidité

Contribution à l’étude de dose due à la radioactivité gamma du sol sur la rive de la baie des Français, Antsiranana, Madagascar

Le but de ce travail est d’étudier la radioactivité gamma des sols sur la rive de la baie des français et de déterminer l’impact dosimétrique sur la population locale dans les localités d’Ankorikihely, de betahitry et de Lazaret-Nord. Des échantillons du sol ont été prélevés et analysés pour identifier les activités spécifiques du potassium-40, des familles de l’Uranium-238 et du Thorium-232. Ces échantillons ont été analysés sur une chaine de spectrométrie gamma, muni d’un détecteur NaI(Tl) et du logiciel Scinti-vision. Le traitement des spectres a été réalisé en utilisant la méthode de Rybach. Après mesures, les résultats suivants ont été obtenus : les activités spécifiques du potassium-40 varient de 112 ± 34 Bq.kg-1 à 565 ± 50Bq.kg-1, avec une moyenne de 313 Bq.kg-1. Cette dernière est inferieure à la valeur moyenne mondiale, qui est 400 Bq.kg-1.Les activités spécifiques de la famille de l’uranium-238 varient de 87 ± 32 Bq.kg-1 à 190 ± 46Bq.kg-1, avec une moyenne de 139 Bq.kg-1. Cette valeur moyenne est quatre fois supérieure à la valeur moyenne mondiale, qui est de 35 Bq.kg-1. Les activités spécifiques de la famille du thorium-232 varient de 81 ± 20 Bq.kg-1 à 161 ± 23 Bq.kg-1, avec une moyenne de 126 Bq.kg-1. Cette valeur moyenne est quatre fois plus que la valeur moyenne mondiale, qui est de 30 Bq.kg-1. Les débits de dose absorbée à 1m au-dessus de la surface de sol varient entre 89 ± 14 nGy.h-1 et 209± 29 nGy.h-1 avec une moyenne de 153 nGy.h-1. Les doses efficaces annuelles sont comprises entre 0,14 ± 0,02 mSv.a-1 et 0,25 ± 0,03 mSv.a-1. Ces valeurs annuelles sont bien en-dessous de la valeur limite acceptable pour le public qui est de 1 mSv.a-1.Mots-clés: radioactivite, spectrométrie gamma, dose absorbée, dose efficace annuelle. Study of the dosimetric impact due to the gamma radioactivity of the soil in the border of the “baie des français”, Antsiranana, MadagascarThe aim of this work is to study gamma radioactivity of the soil in the border of the “baie des français” and then to determine the dosimetric impact to the local population of Ankorikihely, betahitry and Lazaret-Nord. Samples have been collected to identify the specific activities of the potassium-40, Uranium-238 series and Thorium-232.series. These samples have been analyzed by gamma spectrometry system, with NaI(Tl) detector using ScintiVision software. The spectrum processing has been done by using the method developed by Rybach. The results show that:The potassium-40 activity ranges are from 112 ± 34 Bq.kg-1 to 565 ± 50 Bq.kg-1, with an average of 313Bq.kg-1. This latter is below the work average value of 400 Bq.kg-1. The uranium-238 activity varies between 87 ± 32 Bq.kg-1 and 190 ± 46Bq.kg-1, with an average of 139 Bq.kg-1. This average value is 4 times higher than the world average value of 35 Bq.kg-1. The thorium-232 activity varies from 81 ± 20 Bq.kg-1 to (161 ± 23) Bq.kg-1, with an average of 126 Bq.kg-1. This average value is 4 times higher than the world average value of 30 Bq.kg-1. The absorbed dose rate at 1m above soil surface varies between 89 ± 14nGy.h-1and 209± 29 nGy.h-1, with an average of 153nGy.h-1. The annual effective dose ranges from 0.14 ± 0.02mSv.y-1to 0.25 ± 0.03mSv.y-1. The estimated annual effective doses are below 1mSv.y-1, the limit value for the public.Keywords: radioactivity, gamma spectrometry, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose

Photovoltaic System Implementation in Baltra and Puerto Ayora Islands

In the research, an analysis of the impact of the photovoltaic systems installed in two islands of the Galápagos archipelago is made. In this sense, a series of calculations has been used to find the significant values that have allowed us to choose the specific devices for this project. A modeling study was analyzed to quantify the total energy of the system, the number of possible modules to be installed, the amount of energy to be stored according to the type of batteries and the ampere-hour (Ah) that the regulation set must support of the electric current. The socio-economic and environmental impact of the system on Baltra Island was assessed with an example and estimations to make it explicit, the results of the surveys used are shown through which the most significant results were exposed, exposing that the photovoltaic systems in stage of implantation do not affect the environment, flora and fauna, its greatest impact is in the use of land

Reasons women terminate their pregnancies legally and their contraceptive practices at Soshanguve 3 Community Health Centre, Tshwane district, South Africa

BACKGROUND : Various reasons have been cited in studies conducted in South Africa on why women legally terminate their pregnancies. We sought to determine the reasons for women to terminate their pregnancies legally and their contraceptive practices. This study was conducted at Soshanguve 3 Community Health Centre (CHC), located in a semi-rural zone in the north-west of Pretoria, Gauteng province of South Africa. METHOD : A cross-sectional study design was adopted in this study. RESULTS : Of the 250 respondents, high participation (23.2%) was noted amongst women aged 18–20 years. Eighty-three (33.2%) respondents did not have children, 108 (43.2%) had completed their secondary school education and 226 (90.4%) were Christian. Of the participants, 80% were single and 62.8% were unemployed. About 85.6% (214) of respondents had not had a previous abortion. A total of 24% of respondents requested abortion because they wanted to focus on their education, while 23.1% were not ready to be parents and 21.7% experienced financial difficulties. With regard to practice, all respondents had already used contraception and the most used contraceptive was the male condom (43.5%), followed by an injectable contraceptive (7.1%). CONCLUSION : While academic reasons, not being ready to be a parent and financial difficulties were named as the main reasons for terminating a pregnancy legally, the selected pregnant women at Soshanguve 3 CHC demonstrated an unsatisfactory practice of contraceptive measures.http://www.safpj.co.za/index.php/safpjam2021Family Medicin

Photovoltaic System Implementation in Baltra and Puerto Ayora Islands

In the research, an analysis of the impact of the photovoltaic systems installed in two islands of the Galápagos archipelago is made. In this sense, a series of calculations has been used to find the significant values that have allowed us to choose the specific devices for this project. A modeling study was analyzed to quantify the total energy of the system, the number of possible modules to be installed, the amount of energy to be stored according to the type of batteries and the ampere-hour (Ah) that the regulation set must support of the electric current. The socio-economic and environmental impact of the system on Baltra Island was assessed with an example and estimations to make it explicit, the results of the surveys used are shown through which the most significant results were exposed, exposing that the photovoltaic systems in stage of implantation do not affect the environment, flora and fauna, its greatest impact is in the use of land

A primary care approach to abdominal pain in adults

Abdominal pain is a common presenting problem with multiple aetiologies that often pose diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas for primary care practitioners. The vague symptomatology and difficult correlation to specific organ pathology obscures clinical findings leading to incorrect diagnoses. Although most presentations of abdominal pain are benign, a significant number of patients have life-threatening conditions that require a meticulous approach to management in order to prevent morbidity and mortality. The skill in assessing patients presenting with abdominal pain is fundamental for all primary care doctors. This review will discuss an approach to the assessment and diagnosis of abdominal pain in the primary care setting.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpjFamily Medicin

Reflections on the Implementation of Tidal Energy in Ecuador

Renewable energy is a topic frequently discussed due to the need to change the forms of generation, from the centralized to the distributed form and take advantage of the potentials that are scattered in the territory and use local resources and thereby diversify the schemes of distributed generation that allows the man in his daily work to pass from consumption of energy to generator, in this way the environmental impacts are reduced that today accelerate the change of temperature in the planet, noticing in recent years the oil and its derivatives are responsible for this phenomenon. The objective of the research is to reflect on tidal energy, knowing that the province of Manabí, is the one that has the largest coastal area and where there is a potential that can be studied for future use