African Journal of Applied Research最新文献

{"title":"The Study of Flood Effects on The Environment and Livelihoods in Ghana","authors":"W. K. Agbosu, S. K. Adanu, M. K. Boakye, K. F. Nkansah","doi":"10.26437/ajar.v9i2.560","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26437/ajar.v9i2.560","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: This study investigates the repercussions of flooding on the environment and the livelihoods within the Haatso community and its immediate surroundings, situated in the Ga East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana.
 Design/ Methodology/ Approach: We employed purposive sampling to conduct household-based interviews with 61 individuals across five residential areas. We used semi-structured questionnaires to collect their perspectives on the 2022 flooding situation within the Haatso communities. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze disaggregated data such as demographic characteristics and other relevant themes directly bearing on flooding and flood vulnerability.
 Findings: The Haatso community and its immediate environs would continue to experience floods recurring annually due mainly to drain-related and unplanned infrastructure issues. Hence, the detrimental consequences of floods on infrastructure and businesses, resulting in hardships in the community are expected to persist.
 Research Limitation/Implication: The approach utilized in this study can be adapted for similar endeavours aimed at mitigating the effects of flooding on both the environment and livelihoods within various communities and their immediate environs.
 Practical Implication: The causes, rate of occurrence, and adaptive and coping mechanisms of floods ought to be known to provide additional knowledge on combatting floods.
 Social Implication: Providing early warning alerts increases survival schemes and hence decreases the direct and indirect losses caused by annual floods on communities.
 Originality/Value: This research submits a more pragmatic, holistic, and realistic survival strategy for the Haatso community and its immediate environs as compared to generalized studies, which did not consider directly local settings.","PeriodicalId":481645,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Applied Research","volume":"17 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135930030","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":"Investigation of Amended Sandy Soil's Water Retention Characteristics","authors":"E.K. Amewode, B. Sefa-Ntiri, A. Owusu, M. K. Vowotor, S. S. Sackey, F. Kumi, C. L. Y Amuah","doi":"10.26437/ajar.v9i2.563","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26437/ajar.v9i2.563","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: Soil water retention studies are important for evaluating soil quality and water movement in soils. This study assesses the water content capacity and changes in the retention curve of sandy soil after using zeolite X, activated charcoal, and rice husk ash as amendments. Design/Methodology/Approach: Sandy soil samples were collected from the study area, Keta District of Ghana, and a core borer and a pot experiment were used to determine the pressure head and water content of the soil. One-way analysis of variance (One-way ANOVA) was used to analyze the data. Water retention curve analyses were conducted using COMSOL multi-physics simulation and experimental work. Research Limitation/Implication: The amendments used were restricted to zeolite X, activated charcoal, and rice husk ash. Practical Implications: The study contributes to the field of sustainable agriculture and land management by exploring amendments that can potentially reduce water usage in irrigation, mitigate soil erosion, and enhance soil fertility. This aligns with global efforts to promote sustainable and efficient resource use. Social Implications: These findings can be implemented for cases of poor yield by farming communities by applying zeolite X, activated charcoal, and rice husk ash to improve crop productivity.","PeriodicalId":481645,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Applied Research","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135928978","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":"Impact of Electric-Arc Welding on The Mechanical Properties of AISI 1055 Medium Carbon Steel with Varied Gauge Diameters","authors":"J. Y. Afrifa, E. A. Duodu, N. J. Amoanab, K. Dubik, C. Akasika, F. Dery","doi":"10.26437/ajar.v9i2.559","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26437/ajar.v9i2.559","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: This paper investigated through experimentation, the impact of electric-arc welding processes on the mechanical properties of AISI 1055 steel medium carbon steel material with varied gauge diameters. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used experimental and analytical methods to investigate the impact of electric arc welding on the mechanical properties of AISI 1055 Medium Carbon Steel. The test samples were prepared based on the standards of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), with varied gauge diameters. Standard tensile tests were performed on the samples before welding and after welding, using a computer-interfaced Universal Tensile Testing Machine. Data obtained from the study was analyzed using graphs, tables and charts. Finally, the sets of results for both welded and unwelded specimens were compared to determine the impact that welding has on welded medium carbon steel components and structures. Findings: The data recorded by the computer-interfaced tensile test machine was used to plot and display, the stress-stain graphs for the various sets of samples. The results showed that the welding processes adversely affected the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS), Yield Strength, Elastic Modulus and Impact Strength of the samples studied; since all the samples studied had their initial values dropped after undergoing welding and testing.   However, the strain of the samples increased after welding. Research Limitation/Implication: Although there are other methods and techniques of welding metals, this study adopted electric arc welding to weld the samples used for the study due to resource constraints. Practical Implication: The findings of this study also bring to the fore, the need for industry regulators to promulgate standards to regulate the welding of medium carbon steel and by extension, other industrial materials to preserve the natural properties of the materials. Originality/Value: This study introduced an important perspective to the testing of engineering materials by varying the gauge diameters (a key determinant of the dimensional specifications of the specimen), to obtain a comprehensive insight into the impact of electric-arc welding on the mechanical properties of the material.","PeriodicalId":481645,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Applied Research","volume":"19 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135929272","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":"Optimisation of Process Parameters on Compressive Strength of 3D-Printed Polylactic Acid Parts","authors":"M. K. Akpakpavi, S.M. Sackey, M. K. Asante-Afrifa","doi":"10.26437/ajar.v9i2.558","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26437/ajar.v9i2.558","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The purpose of this work is to optimise the influence of 3D printing processing parameters on the ultimate compressive strength of 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) parts. The objective is to develop the predictive models to help predict and attain optimized compressive strength integrity of 3D printed parts.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: In the present study, 3D printed PLA samples were modelled and fabricated using carefully selected processing parameters-processing speed, processing temperature and nozzle diameter. Compressive tests were performed by ASTM D695-15 standard. Two characteristics response optimisation models based on the Taguchi Technique and multi-linear regression models were developed to optimize the process parameters and the ultimate compressive strength of the 3D printed samples.
 Findings: Results of this study reveal that ultimate compressive strength is significantly affected by the Nozzle diameter. The ultimate compressive strength of the 3D-printed PLA sample was found to be significantly higher than the strength of the original PLA filament printed.
 Research Implications/Limitations: In this study, only three critical 3D printing processing parameters including, processing speed; processing temperature and nozzle diameter were implemented concurrently.
 Practical implication: By optimising process parameters, such as layer thickness, infill density, printing speed, and processing temperature, manufacturers can produce 3D-printed PLA parts with higher compressive strength. This leads to higher product quality and reliability.
 Social implication: It can empower local communities and small businesses to manufacture parts and products that meet their specific needs. This can reduce dependence on centralized manufacturing and promote economic self-sufficiency.
 Originality / Value: In this work, Nozzle diameter, which is a not too much studied 3D printing processing parameter, is implemented simultaneously with processing speed, and processing temperature to 3D print PLA filament to achieve an ultimate compressive strength value significantly higher than the strength of the original filament.","PeriodicalId":481645,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Applied Research","volume":"42 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135928222","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 Implications of The Tanzania New Mining Legislation in Enhancing Revenue: A Case of Geita Gold Mine.","authors":"T. R. Mwesiga, A. L. Kaswamila, A. E. Mwakipesile","doi":"10.26437/ajar.v9i2.555","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.26437/ajar.v9i2.555","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the implications of these reforms from a revenue collection perspective in Geita District using Geita Gold Mine Limited (GGML) as a case study.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: This study utilizes a mixed-method approach, by using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study population consisted of individuals from sampled households in six wards around GGML with a sample size of 384 respondents. The study used both stratified and simple random sampling methods in selecting respondents. The qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussion and documentary analysis while the quantitative data were collected through the survey method. Qualitative data were analysed using content analysis and quantitative data from households were analysed using descriptive statistics.
 Research Implications/Limitations: This study is limited to GGML and Geita District only, which may not fully capture the diverse range of other mining companies operating outside the district within Tanzania.
 Findings: Study findings indicated that the mining legislation helped to improve the quality of institutions as well as resource governance. For instance, due to improvements in resource governance such as the increase in royalty and mining supervision the revenue from mining activities almost tripled to a total of TZS 664 billion as compared to TZS 196 billion that was collected four years back from 2017.
 Practical Implications: The findings are expected to have a significant on improving the traceability of gold production and reporting their activities more transparently. Additionally, reforms can lead to more efficient and effective collection of royalties, taxes, and fees related to gold mining operations, resulting in increased government revenue
 Social Implications: The social implications of this research are essential, as the increase in mining revenue through taxes, royalties, service levies and other fees can help to improve social services such as education and health services. The mining sector can also contribute to the provision of employment to host communities which has a direct impact on improving social welfare.
 Originality/Value: The novelty of this research lies in its holistic and sector-specific examination of revenue collection reforms in the gold mining industry, considering economic, environmental, social, and governance dimensions. It offers a comprehensive understanding of how reforms in this critical sector can impact both individual nations and the global resource landscape.","PeriodicalId":481645,"journal":{"name":"African Journal of Applied Research","volume":"67 2","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136157092","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}