Tanzania Journal of Science最新文献

{"title":"Application of Agile and Simulation Approaches for the Maximal Benefits of Reduced Turnaround Time from the Point of Care Testing","authors":"Yusta W. Simwita, Berit I. Helgheim","doi":"10.4314/tjs.v49i2.17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i2.17","url":null,"abstract":"This paper uses simulation to explore improvement opportunities in the orthopaedic care process. Secondly, this study used a combination of simulation and agile strategies to explore agile operational plans that can be adopted to maximize the benefits of reduced turnaround time. Data used for this study was collected by observing the entire orthopaedic care process. A total of 635 observations were obtained, with 179 out of these observations undergoing the whole care process. The actual collected patient data were compared with the simulation output to validate the developed simulation. Different scenarios were developed to test operational plans for the maximal benefit of reduced turnaround time. Deployment of point-of-care platforms reduced turnaround time for sample tests. Flexibility was introduced as an agile operational plan to ensure the maximal benefit of the reduced turnaround time. The effect of flexibility on the orthopaedic care process was significant. The simulation results showed a significant decrease in patient waiting time by 86%. This study was limited to orthopaedic patients. Studies focusing on other clinical settings are encouraged. This study recommends using agile operations practices to maximize the benefit of reduced turnaround time in healthcare processes.
 Keywords: Point of care, Turnaround time, Agile and simulation","PeriodicalId":22207,"journal":{"name":"Tanzania Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136370137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identifying Factors Contributing to Under-Five Mortality in Nigeria","authors":"Olateju Alao Bamigbala, Ayodeji Oluwatobi Ojetunde","doi":"10.4314/tjs.v49i2.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i2.4","url":null,"abstract":"The under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) is the probability that a child born in a specified year will die before turning 5 years of age. U5MR is still high in Nigeria. Therefore, this study aimed to identify factors contributing to under-5 mortality in Nigeria. The data used in this study were from the 2018 NDHS, encompassing 2013–2018. The methods of analysis used for this study were frequency, percentage, and Zero Inflated Negative Binomial (ZINB) regression. Data were analyzed using R programming v.4.1.2 and p < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The result showed 35.4% under-5 mortality out of the 33,924 infant mortality sample data that were collected. The findings revealed maternal age, regions (North East and North West), maternal education (no education), wealth index (poorest households), and size of child at birth (very small birth size) as significant factors associated with under-5 mortality in Nigeria. The results also showed that the odds of under-5 mortality increase as the age of the mother increases. Therefore, the Nigerian government should understand that poverty is not just an economic problem but also a significant factor in health; as a result, the battle against poverty needs to receive the necessary attention.","PeriodicalId":22207,"journal":{"name":"Tanzania Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136370288","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimal Harvesting of Wildebeest-Lion Interactions in Serengeti Ecosystem with Prey Refuge","authors":"Alfred Kisuda Hugo, Thadei Damas Sagamiko, Isambi Sailon Mbalawata","doi":"10.4314/tjs.v49i2.22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i2.22","url":null,"abstract":"This paper describes an optimal harvesting policy for a wildebeest-lion prey-predator system in the Serengeti ecosystem with prey refuge. A Holling Type II prey-predator model with a nonlinear harvesting aspect was developed. Theoretical and numerical analyses were performed, and the dynamic behaviour of the system was found to be mathematically well-posed. Data on lion population density from the Serengeti ecosystem were used to fit the model using the maximum-likelihood method. The optimal harvesting policy was numerically determined using Pontryagin’s maximum principle. Furthermore, the impact of prey refuge on the predator population was numerically evaluated. The results of this study highlight the importance of managing the lion population in the ecosystem, specifically in terms of harvesting criteria, to ensure that the threshold for wildebeest-lion coexistence is not exceeded. Based on the findings, this paper argues that the lion population should be given special attention in terms of managerial harvesting criteria so that the threshold for the wildebeest-lion coexistence in the ecosystem is not exceeded.&#x0D; Keywords: Prey-predator System, Wildebeest-Lion Harvesting, Serengeti Ecosystem, Prey Refuge.&#x0D;","PeriodicalId":22207,"journal":{"name":"Tanzania Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136370142","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Causal Links between Urbanization, Energy Use and Carbon Emissions: A Case of SADC Region","authors":"Pendo T Kivyiro","doi":"10.4314/tjs.v49i2.20","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i2.20","url":null,"abstract":"The study aimed at examining the causal links between urbanization, energy consumption and carbon emissions in the case of selected SADC countries. The study employed annual time series data spanning from 1988 to 2020 extracted from the World Bank Development indicator Databank. A Pedroni cointegration test was employed to test whether the variables of interest move together in the long run. Granger causality backed with Full Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) was used to detect the direction and the nature of causality among the variables of interest. The results from Pedroni cointegration test revealed that the variables move together in the long run. Granger causality results indicate bidirectional causality among the three variables in the short-run and one way Granger causality running from both energy consumption and urbanization to carbon emission in the long-run. Furthermore, the FMOLS shows the positive contribution of both energy consumption and urbanization to carbon dioxide emissions. The results from the empirical work make some significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge and to the policy makers and urban planners of SADC region. Policies in this region should focus on finding coherent ways of discouraging movements of people from rural areas to urban areas. This can be done by making rural environment conducive enough to motivate people to engage in agricultural activities.&#x0D; Keywords: Urbanization; Energy Consumption; Carbon Emissions, SADC region","PeriodicalId":22207,"journal":{"name":"Tanzania Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136369973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Lipophilic Wood Extractives’ Contamination of Water Bodies in the Vicinity of Pulp and Paper Mill, Southern Tanzania","authors":"Shija Charles, Kessy F. Kilulya, Julius Mbuna","doi":"10.4314/tjs.v49i2.6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i2.6","url":null,"abstract":"This paper reports on the levels of fatty acids and selected sterols in effluents and nearby water bodies at Mufindi Paper Mill (MPM), southern Tanzania. Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) was used for sample extraction, and analysis was performed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS). Fatty acids ranging from C11:0 to C25:0 were detected, with saturated fatty acids (SFA) being more abundant than unsaturated fatty acids (USFA). As for selected sterols, β-sitosterol and stigmastanol were more abundant than campesterol. The mean levels of SFA, USFA, β-sitosterol, stigmastanol, and campesterol (µg/L) were 538.28, 125.94, 1065.44, 1178.01, and 66.76, respectively, for untreated effluents, and 338.10, 139.03, 933.40, 153.92 and 57.82, respectively, for treated effluents. It was further established that the mean levels of SFA, USFA, β-sitosterol, stigmastanol, and campesterol (µg/L) were 321.29, 57.35, 58.37, 50.76, and 49.08, respectively, for effluents at the discharge point and 20.58, 17.72, 8.25, 10.55, and 6.05, respectively, at receiving water. Water bodies are therefore contaminated with lipophilic wood extractives since the mean concentration levels of USFA and sterols were above the lowest concentrations suspected to adversely affect fish (toxic limits (µg/L): USFA (2-8) and sterols (³10)).","PeriodicalId":22207,"journal":{"name":"Tanzania Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136370287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Burden of Gastrointestinal Parasites among University Students at Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Tanzania","authors":"Magreth Fulgence, Ummul-Khair Mustafa, Jared S. Bakuza","doi":"10.4314/tjs.v49i2.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i2.8","url":null,"abstract":"Gastrointestinal parasites cause major health problems in many tropical and sub-tropical countries including Tanzania. However, information on the status of these infections is often scanty, especially among young adults including students in higher learning institutions. During December 2020 to June 2021, a total of 272 faecal samples from university students at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE) were examined for parasites using the Kato Katz technique and analysed for infection levels based on standard guidelines. Detected parasites were identified as Schistosoma mansoni (8.1%), hookworms (1.5%), Trichuris trichiura (0.4%) and Hymenolepis diminuta (0.4%), with an overall prevalence of 10.4%. S. mansoni had the highest mean intensity of 792 eggs per gram (epg) of faeces, while H. diminuta was the least intense parasite (120 epg). While infection levels of most parasites were generally low, S. mansoni intensity was categorized as heavy based on standard criteria. The findings indicated the public importance of parasitic infections among young adults who are often excluded from most intervention programmes. Thus, further studies to elucidate the magnitude of the infections among young adults in higher learning institutions in Tanzania is warranted alongside regular prescriptions of anthelminthics and sanitation and hygiene education to reduce parasite transmissions.","PeriodicalId":22207,"journal":{"name":"Tanzania Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136370290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plant-Based Ice Cream: Processing, Composition and Meltdown Properties Analysis","authors":"Victor Vicent Matabura","doi":"10.4314/tjs.v49i2.15","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i2.15","url":null,"abstract":"Plant-based foods have become a popular option for consumers due to their positive impacts on health and resulting changes in lifestyle. To preserve the quality of non-dairy ice cream during distribution and consumption, it is essential to understand its proximate composition and meltdown properties. In this study, cashews, coconut, and bananas were used as raw materials. Cashew milk and coconut cream were prepared separately and mixed at different ratios to make non-dairy ice cream. The proximate composition of the formulated ice cream was measured using the official standard methods. The meltdown properties, including drip-through (%), height (mm), and temperature (°C) were also assessed. The results indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in the proximate components of the produced ice creams. An increase (p < 0.05) in protein, fibre, fat, and ash content was observed, as the amount of coconut cream increased, while the moisture content decreased, and the carbohydrate content remained unchanged. Furthermore, the meltdown properties of the ice cream changed significantly (p < 0.05) as the amount of coconut cream increased. The quantitative data on proximate composition and meltdown properties presented in this paper are valuable for maintaining ice cream quality and consumer convenience in the frozen food business. They also provide deeper insight into non-dairy desserts.&#x0D; Keywords: Plant-Based Food; Ice Cream; Proximate Composition; Meltdown Properties","PeriodicalId":22207,"journal":{"name":"Tanzania Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136370134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Presence of Unusual Foramina in the Femoral Intercondylar and Trochanteric Fossae on Skeletonized Individuals from Tanzania","authors":"Wilson Jilala, David Ngassapa, Ali Hamad","doi":"10.4314/tjs.v49i2.2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i2.2","url":null,"abstract":"According to the standard nomenclature, skeletal land marks are all identified by their given names in the world of human skeletal anatomy. But it is also clear that the discovery of new anatomical features continues because human beings have so many anatomical variations caused by genetics, functions, geographical adaptations, and diseases; they are all described and given names. Therefore, an anatomical feature that is rare and undescribed is certainly a discovery and it deserves to be recorded. The discovery of anatomical features on the epiphyseial ends of the femur reported here adds two new names, namely the intercondylar fossa foramen and the trochanteric fossa foramen in that long list of human skeletal anatomical structures. The intercondylar fossa foramen is an outlet found in the intercondylar fossa of the distal femur. It passes through the diaphysis of the femur and emerges in the trochanteric fossa of the femoral neck; and vice versa is the trochanteric fossa foramen. This feature was first observed on one skeletonized archaeological individual and later on five cadaveric remains. There seems to be a presence of this anatomical variation within the Tanzanian population. Only a small percentage of people have this unusual anatomical feature of the intercondylar fossa foramen, which might be a developmental ossification failure or a particular genetic-based trait. These features were assessed in the laboratory of the Anatomy Department at the Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) using a Dino-lite digital microscope and X-ray images.","PeriodicalId":22207,"journal":{"name":"Tanzania Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136370141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determination of Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) and Antibacterial Activities of Commercially Available Tanzanian Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)","authors":"Raphael J Shedafa, Joseph Sempombe, Eliangiringa Kaale, Mary Temu, Peter Imming","doi":"10.4314/tjs.v49i2.12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i2.12","url":null,"abstract":"This paper presents the results of the antibacterial activity of green tea extract (Camellia sinensis) against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 708903). Quantitative and qualitative measurements of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have also been reported. The analysis by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) revealed the presence of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in the green tea extracts ranging from 13.16 to 18.64 mg/g. Crude extracts GT 01–GT 03 inhibited a greater number of microorganisms and presented the lowest values of MIC against Staphylococcus aureus (0.625 mg/mL), Escherichia coli (0.625 mg/mL), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (1.25 mg/mL). Crude extract GT 04 presented the highest values of MIC against Staphylococcus aureus (1.25 mg/mL), Escherichia coli (1.25 mg/mL), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.5 mg/mL). This study demonstrates that the popular use of green tea can be an effective and sustainable alternative for the prevention and treatment of various bacterial infections.&#x0D; Keywords: Camellia sinensis, Antibacterial, Epigallocatechin gallate, HPTLC","PeriodicalId":22207,"journal":{"name":"Tanzania Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136370131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Properties of Mixed-Ligand Complexes of Some Metal(II) Ions with Barbituric Acid and 1,10-Phenanthroline Ligands","authors":"Kayode Taiwo Ishola, Oluwabiyi James Olaoye, Mary Adelaide Oladipo, Omobola Ajibike Odedokun, Oyebanji Oluseun Aboyeji","doi":"10.4314/tjs.v49i2.19","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4314/tjs.v49i2.19","url":null,"abstract":"Many pathogenic organisms have developed resistance to many antibiotics, which leads to an increase in the spread of many microbial infections. There is an urgent need to find more effective drugs to curb widespread transmission. Hence, this study synthesized and evaluated the antimicrobial activities of mixed-ligand complexes of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), and Zn(II) ions with barbituric acid and 1,10 phenanthroline ligands in effort to find more effective antibiotics. The complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, metal analysis, melting points, solubility tests, and spectroscopic analyses (IR and UV-visible). The antimicrobial activities of the complexes were evaluated against two gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus), two gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Clostridium spp.), and four pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The biological activities of the metal complexes were compared to the activities of some conventional antibiotics. The molecular formulas for the complexes in 1:1:1 (L-M-L) were established based on the results of the elemental and metal analyses. The IR spectroscopic data results showed the coordination of 1,10-phenanthroline to the metal ions through the nitrogen donor atom, while barbituric acid coordinated with the metal ions through nitrogen and oxygen atoms. The formation of the complexes was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopic data. Many of the mixed-ligand metal complexes demonstrated higher biological activities than the standard drugs and also succeeded where the conventional antibiotics failed. Therefore, the metal complexes could be considered as more efficacious antibiotics that could be added to the arsenal of effective antibiotics for the prevention of the intrinsic problems of multidrug resistance.&#x0D; Keywords: Bacteria, Fungi, Ligands, Metal complexes, Multidrug resistance, Barbituric acid","PeriodicalId":22207,"journal":{"name":"Tanzania Journal of Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136370136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}