Performance of EcoSan Toilets at Majumbasita in Dar Es Salaam – Tanzania

The performance of Ecological Sanitation (ECOSAN) toilets at Majumbasita-Ukonga in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania was studied in order to assess their feasibility for low cost and effective environmental protection. The studied parameters for urine were pH, TKN, phosphorus , potassium and E-coli and for faecal sludge were temperature, pH, TS, VS, COD , TKN, ammonium, phosphorus, potassium and Ascaris eggs. Results indicated a high pH up to 10.3 in the faecal contents due to addition of ashes. The temperatures were between 270C – 31.70C during the whole study period. The total COD measurements varied from 33 - 74 gCOD/l, while TS and VS were respectively 57– 81 gTS/l and 21 – 46 gVS/l. The results for TKN, ammonium, phosphorus and potassium in faecal sludge were 5045 – 6080mg/L, 5207-5852 mg/L, 29-70mg/L and 105-176 mg/L, respectively. Ascaris eggs were efficiently removed from faecal sludge that were strictly dry and had a pH of more than 10. The results for TKN, ammonium, phosphorus and potassium in urine were 4285-5010 mg/L, 111-195 mg/L and 190-251 mg/L, respectively. E-Coli were present in urine with pH less than 11.5 and were efficiently removed from urine with pH more than 11.5. Presence of pathogens in urine implies the separated urine can be reused in tree growing and not for fertilising food crops consumed raw

Variability Abstraction and Refinement for Game-Based Lifted Model Checking of Full CTL

One of the most promising approaches to fighting the configuration space explosion problem in lifted model checking are variability abstractions. In this work, we define a novel game-based approach for variability-specific abstraction and refinement for lifted model checking of the full CTL, interpreted over 3-valued semantics. We propose a direct algorithm for solving a 3-valued (abstract) lifted model checking game. In case the result of model checking an abstract variability model is indefinite, we suggest a new notion of refinement, which eliminates indefinite results. This provides an iterative incremental variability-specific abstraction and refinement framework, where refinement is applied only where indefinite results exist and definite results from previous iterations are reused. The practicality of this approach is demonstrated on several variability models

BVRI Surface Photometry of Isolated Spiral Galaxies

A release of multicolor broad band (BVRI) photometry for a subsample of 44 isolated spirals drawn from the Catalogue of Isolated Galaxies (CIG) is presented. Total magnitudes and colors at various circular apertures, as well as some global structural/morphological parameters are estimated. Morphology is reevaluated through optical and sharp/filtered R band images, (B-I) color index maps, and archive near-IR JHK images from the Two-Micron Survey. The CAS structural parameters (Concentration, Asymmetry, and Clumpiness) were calculated from the images in each one of the bands. The fraction of galaxies with well identified optical/near-IR bars (SB) is 63%, while a 17% more shows evidence of weak or suspected bars (SAB). The sample average value of the maximum bar ellipticity is 0.4. Half of the galaxies in the sample shows rings. We identify two candidates for isolated galaxies with disturbed morphology. The structural CAS parameters change with the observed band, and the tendencies they follow with the morphological type and global color are more evident in the redder bands. In any band, the major difference between our isolated spirals and a sample of interacting spirals is revealed in the A-S plane. A deep and uniformly observed sample of isolated galaxies is intended for various purposes including (i) comparative studies of environmental effects, (ii) confronting model predictions of galaxy evolution and (iii) evaluating the change of galaxy properties with redshift.Comment: 44 pages, 9 figures and 7 tables included. To appear in The Astronomical Journal. For the 43 appendix figures 4.1-4.43 see http://www.astroscu.unam.mx/~avila/Figs4.1_4.43.tar.gz (7.2 Mb tar.gz file

Effect of dithiocarbamate thiram on Wistar rat growth plate and articular cartilage

Avaliou-se o efeito do tirame, ditiocarbamato largamente utilizado na agricultura como antifúngico e repelente de roedores, na ossificação endocondral de mamíferos, usando, como modelo, ratos Wistar. Não foram observadas lesões na cartilagem articular, nem nas placas de crescimento, o que pode ser atribuído à dose utilizada e à duração do ensaio. A diminuição da altura da placa de crescimento nos animais aos quais foi administrado o tirame parece traduzir o atraso verificado no crescimento em geral, e não um efeito específico na cartilagem, uma vez que as diferentes zonas da placa epifisária mantiveram as proporções dos animais do grupo-controle. Embora não tenham sido verificados, no presente trabalho, os efeitos registrados para outras espécies nos tecidos cartilaginosos, sugere-se a avaliação dos efeitos crónicos do tirame no crescimento e no desenvolvimento dos ossos longos em mamíferos

Plasma adrenomedullin is associated with short-term mortality and vasopressor requirement in patients admitted with sepsis

Introduction: The incidence of death among patients admitted for severe sepsis or septic shock is high. Adrenomedullin (ADM) plays a central role in initiating the hyperdynamic response during the early stages of sepsis. Pilot studies indicate an association of plasma ADM with the severity of the disease. In the present study we utilized a novel sandwich immunoassay of bioactive plasma ADM in patients hospitalized with sepsis in order to assess the clinical utility.Methods: We enrolled 101 consecutive patients admitted to the emergency department with suspected sepsis in this study. Sepsis was defined by fulfillment of at least two systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria plus clinical suspicion of infection. Plasma samples for ADM measurement were obtained on admission and for the next four days. The 28-day mortality rate was recorded.Results: ADM at admission was associated with severity of disease (correlation with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score: r = 0.46; P <0.0001). ADM was also associated with 28-day mortality (ADM median (IQR): survivors: 50 (31 to 77) pg/mL; non-survivors: 84 (48 to 232) pg/mL; P <0.001) and was independent from and additive to APACHE II (P = 0.02). Cox regression analysis revealed an additive value of serial measurement of ADM over baseline assessment for prediction of 28-day mortality (P < 0.01). ADM was negatively correlated with mean arterial pressure (r = -0.39; P <0.0001), and it strongly discriminated those patients requiring vasopressor therapy from the others (ADM median (IQR): no vasopressors 48 (32 to 75) pg/mL; with vasopressors 129 (83 to 264) pg/mL, P <0.0001).Conclusions: In patients admitted with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock plasma ADM is strongly associated with severity of disease, vasopressor requirement and 28-day mortality

Pola Variasi Reguler Medan Magnet Bumi Di Tondano

Data variasi medan magnet bumi komponen horisontal diambil dari komputer akuisisi yang merekam data secara real time. Dibuat grafik data magnet bumi komponen horisontal versus waktu per hari. Dipilih grafik quite days dan dibandingkan dengan quiet days di Lerwick (Inggris). Dihitung nilai rata-rata dari Quiet days yang sama perbulan untuk dijadikan pola variasi reguler bulanan, sehingga dalam satu tahun dapat dibuat dua belas pola variasi reguler medan magnet bumi. Hasilnya menunjukkan bahwa variasi reguler medan magnet bumi polanya teratur, nilai variasi tertinggi berkisar 39308,3– 39409,5 nT pada kisaran waktu 02:39–03:38 Universal Time. Pola variasi reguler medan magnet bumi digunakan sebagai acuan untuk menganalisis variasi harian medan magnet bumi. Pada tahun 2011 tercatat badai besar geomagnet sebanyak 11 kali yang nilai variasinya berkisar 71–20 nT dengan nilai K indeks sama dengan lima.Data variation of the horizontal component of the earth\u27s magnetic field was taken from the acquisition computer which records data in real time. Graphs describing the horizontal component data versus time were created daily. Graphs of quiet days were selected and compared with quiet days in Lerwick (England). Average value the same of quiet days were calculated in order to create monthly regular variation pattern, so that in one year there were twelve regular variation patterns of the earth \u27s magnetic field created. The results showed that the regular variations of the earth \u27s magnetic field is on a regular pattern, the value of the highest variation ranged 39308.3-39409.5 nT at around 2:39 to 3:38 Universal Time. Regular variation patterns of the earth \u27s magnetic field were used as references for analyzing the daily variation of the earth \u27s magnetic field. In 2011, the large geomagnetic storms were recorded 11 times, the value of the variation range 71–20 nT with the K index value equal to five

Marked mitigation of transplant vascular sclerosis in FasL(gld) (CD95L) mutant recipients. I. The role of alloantibodies in the development of chronic rejection

Background. In the acute rejection of allografts, the interaction between Fas (CD95) and its ligand (FasL; CD95L) has been shown to be involved in mediating apoptotic cell death. The role, however, of these molecules in the pathogenesis of transplant vascular sclerosis is as yet undetermined. The present study was therefore designed to address this issue. Material. C3H/HEJ FasL(gld) (FasL-; H2(k)) spontaneously mutant mice were used either as donors or recipients of aortic allografts; wild-type C57BI/6 (B6; H2b) were used as corresponding recipients or donors (n=6/group), respectively. Controls included aortas transplanted across appropriate allogeneic and syngeneic strain combinations. For histopathological evaluations, the grafts were harvested at day 40 after transplantation, at which time, splenocytes and sera were also obtained for mixed leukocyte reaction and complement- mediated microcytotoxicity assays, respectively. Results. Similar to aortas obtained from allogeneic controls, allografts harvested from FasL-→B6 recipients had morphological evidence of chronic rejection characterized by circumferential intimal thickening with partial disruption of the elastic membranes. Correspondingly, heightened antidonor cellular reactivity was also witnessed in these recipients. On the contrary, B6 allografts harvested from the majority of C3H→FasL- recipients exhibited marked preservation of aortic morphology. Although these recipients had diminished antidonor cellular proliferation, the titers of alloantibodies were markedly elevated. Conclusion. The presence of FasL-expressing functional cytotoxic T cells is required for the pathogenesis of transplant vascular sclerosis. The significant reduction and/or absence of chronic rejection with the concomitant retention of antidonor humoral response in C3H FasL- recipients of B6 aortas prompt us to suggest that perhaps posttransplantation vasculopathy is initiated by cell-mediated cytotoxicity with its perpetuation facilitated by alloantibodies

Pemetaan Akuifer Air Tanah Di Sekitar Candi Prambanan Kabupaten Sleman Daerah Istimewa YOGYAKARTA Dengan Menggunakan Metode Geolistrik Tahanan Jenis

Telah dilakukan penelitian yang bertujuan untuk memetakan keberadaan akuifer air tanah di sekitar Candi Prambanan Kabupaten Sleman Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta berdasarkan resistivitas batuan bawah permukaan hasil eksplorasi geofisika dengan metode geolistrik tahanan jenis. Penelitian dilakukan terhadap 31 titik sounding yang terbagi menjadi 6 lintasan. Setiap lintasan dibuat model struktur lapisan tanah di bawah permukaan. Air tanah yang tersimpan dalam akuifer dapat dieksplorasi dengan studi geofisika menggunakan metode geolistrik. Hasil eksplorasi diolah menggunakan software IP2WIN,menghasilkan model perlapisan bawah permukaan Bumi berdasarkan nilai resistivitasnya (2D) yang kemudian dioalah dengan software Surfer 8 untuk menghasilkan gambar tiga dimensi. Berdasarkan model struktur lapisan tanah di bawah permukaan ini diperoleh: a) lapisan akuifer air tanah dangkal dengan kedalaman antara ( 1 – 5 meter ) yang tersebar di Kecamatan Prambanan : Desa Bugisan (titik sounding 7) Desa Taji (titik sounding 14, 15, 23, 24, dan 31). b) lapisan akuifer air tanah dalam dengan kedalaman ( 25 – 100 meter ) yang tersebar di Kecamatan Prambanan : Desa Bugisan (titik sounding 1, 2, 3, 4, dan 5), Desa Tlogo (titik sounding 12, 16, dan 25). Di Kecamatan Kalasan : Desa Taman Martani (titik sounding 8, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29, dan 30

Pengaruh Angin Dan Kelembapan Atmosfer Lapisan Atas Terhadap Lapisan Permukaan Di Manado

Penelitian ini mengkaji lebih dalam kondisi angin dan kelembapan udara pada saat musim hujan dan musim kemarau di Manado dengan menggunakan data di lapisan permukaan dan data udara atas dari Stasiun Meteorologi Sam Ratulangi Manado. Tujuan utama dari penelitian ini adalah mendapatkan hubungan antara kondisi angin dan kelembapan lapisan atas terhadap lapisan permukaan, sehingga dapat memprakirakan kondisi angin dan kelembapan lapisan permukaan dengan berdasarkan keadaan lapisan atas. Metode yang digunakan adalah mengkomponenkan angin dalam arah utara-selatan dan timur-barat, selanjutnya mencari keterkaitan dengan menggunakan teknik korelasi. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan pada saat musim hujan angin pada lapisan 1500 m dan angin di lapisan permukaan memiliki arah yang sama dan saling menguatkan untuk komponen timur-barat (zonal) dengan koefisien korelasi r=0,56, sedangkan pada saat musim kemarau angin pada lapisan 1500 m dan angin di lapisan permukaan memiliki arah yang sama dan saling menguatkan untuk komponen utara-selatan (meridional) dengan koefisien korelasi r=0,45. Keterkaitan yang cukup kuat antara angin dengan kelembapan terjadi pada komponen V (meridional) yaitu, pada saat musim hujan, semakin besar kecepatan angin komponen negatif (utara) semakin besar pula kelembapan udara di lapisan permukaan, dengan koefisien korelasi benilai positif r=0.40. Pada saat musim kemarau, semakin besar kecepatan angin komponen positif (selatan) semakin kecil kelembapan udara di lapisan permukaan, dengan koefisien korelasi bernilai negatif r=— 0,48.This study examined the wind and humidity condition in the rainy season and dry season in Manado by using the data in surface layer and upper air data from the Sam Ratulangi Meteorological Station. The primary objective of this study was to find the relationship between wind condition and upper layer humidity to surface layer, using correlation technique, in order to predict wind condition and humidity of the surface layer based on the condition of the upper layer. The results showed that, during the rainy season, the wind at layer 1500 m and surface layer had the same direction and mutually reinforced for the east-west component (zonal) with correlation coefficient r=0.56, whereas during the dry season, wind at layer 1500 m and at surface layer had the same direction and mutually reinforced for the north-south component (meridional) with correlation coefficient r=0.45. A relationship between wind and humidity was found at V component (meridional), which was, at rainy season, the higher the wind speed of negative component (north) the higher the humidity at surface layer with positive correlation coefficient r=0.40. At dry season, the higher the wind speed of positive component (south), the lower the humidity at the surface layer, with negative correlation coefficient r=—0.48