Abstract:

The objective of the study was to assess the floristic composition, structure of a woody plants and local community perception towards the development of payment for ecosystem services for Buska forest, Hamar Wereda, Ethiopia. Systematic sampling method was used to collect the woody plant data from 30 quadrates, each with 20 m X 20 m were laid along line transect. Height and DBH of all woody plants taller than 2 m and greater than 2 cm were measured respectively. Community perception data towards the adoption of payment for ecosystem services scheme for Buska forest was also collected from six purposively selected kebeles. A total of 183 sample households were selected using systematic sampling technique and questionnaire and transect walk was used to collect the community perception data. Thirty three species of woody plants were identified which belong to 27 genera and 18 families. Population structure analysis of Buska forest revealed inverted J-shape distribution patterns. The overall density of a total of 1677 individuals’ woody species of Buska forest was 139.75 stems ha^-1. The result from communities’ perception toward payment for ecosystem services scheme revealed that, the communities have low recognition on payment for ecosystem services. Existence of ecosystem services, good floristic composition and recruitment status, community willingness to produce ecosystem services, willing to change land use practices and individuals’ involvement in community activities institutions are good prospects for the development of payment for ecosystem services schemes in the study area. Therefore, awareness and education on ecosystem service market, strengthening of local community institutions and recommendations for pilot payment for ecosystem services scheme, is made for the potential to be realized PES scheme at Buska forest.

Keywords: Buska Forest; Community Perception; Ecosystem Service; Floristic Composition; Floristic Structure; Payment for Ecosystem Services.

Abstract:

The main objective of this paper was to undertake a review of literature to establish how the projects of antiquity influence today’s project management. It is anchored on the theory of constraints, theory of change and the biblical theory of continuity of life. This paper reviews literature based on the biblical projects of antiquity, thus the Noah’s Ark, Tower of Babel and the crucifixion of Jesus. In the Bible, the Ark was the first major engineering undertaking in the existence of humankind. Indeed, the project turned out to be a major success. However, on the other hand, the Tower of babel was a failed project. The paper looks at activities in the project cycle of the Noah’s Ark, the Tower of Babel and the crucifixion of Jesus and relates the same to the present day projects. Though Noah’s Ark and the Tower of Babel have been extensively written about, little has been know about crucifixion of Jesus as a project. This paper therefore forms the foundation of the study of the crucifixion of Jesus as a project relevant to current day projects. Findings from the paper indicate that just as in Noah’s Ark where there was a project manager and team, problem identification strategy, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and termination. It therefore recommends project managers take key lessons from the Noah’s Ark Project Cycle when undertaking projects.

Keywords: Project management; Projects of antiquity; Biblical perspective to projectsز

Abstract:

The paper presents the case of a patient with dizziness, dyspnea, cardiac arrest and ventricular tachycardia. His 33-year-old brother died suddenly while sleeping. The patient's cardiac function was normal. There was no structural cardiopathy. The ECG showed a 1st degree atrioventricular block, a right bundle branch block, and a prolonged QT-interval, and dynamic electrocardiography detected an abnormal heart rate variability, asystolic phases and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Genetic testing found a mutation in the Kv beta 1.2 gene, which is linked with sinus node dysfunction, the Brugada syndrome, and the long QT syndrome.

The patient’s familial anamnesis, symptoms and arrhythmias are indistinguishable from those of patients with Brugada syndrome, but his ECG abnormalities are non-diagnostic. Given the similarities, the Brugada syndrome and, briefly, the long QT-syndrome are reviewed.

Keywords: Cardiac arrhythmias; Channelopathies; Brugada syndrome.

Abstract:

A new series of Schiff base 1,2,4-triazole compounds, 3Ai-iv and 3Bi-iv, were synthesized from a reaction of piperidinium 4-amino-5-(pyridin-4-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiolate, 2A or piperidinium 4-amino-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiolate, 2B, respectively, with a series of substituted aromatic aldehydes. The characterization using FT-IR, NMR spectroscopy and CHN elemental analysis and cytotoxicity assay of these compounds showed potential function as promising antiproliferative agents especially compound 3A-i (IC₅₀= 68 µM) against human breast tumor cells (MCF-7) while 3A-iii (IC₅₀= 42 µM) and 3B-iii (IC₅₀= 56 µM) against human colorectal tumor cells (HCT 116).

Keywords: 4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiolate, Schiff base, piperidinium salts, in-vitro anticancer activities.

Abstract:

The brick kiln is a highly energy-intensive, carbon-emitting, and produced a huge amount of particulate matter that led to cause air pollution. The study attempted to identify the ambient air pollutants and their impacts on air quality around the kiln areas. The study was conducted at 12 selected brick kiln clusters in Rajshahi and Gazipur Districts. The ambient air quality was recorded using a high volume air sampler and compared with the prescribed national and international standards. The results showed that most of the parameters exceeded the permissible standard for ambient air quality parameters. All of the criteria air pollutants (CO, SO₂, NOx, and PM 2.5, and 10, SPM) except CO exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) limits. The particulate matter concentration in ambient air was found highest among all types of ambient air quality parameters. The concentrations of particulate matter including PM 2.5 and 10, and SPM were ranged from 57 to 2573, 287 to 3875, and 519 to 1950 µg/m³, respectively. Some important parameters of air quality monitoring such as CO₂, ambient temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH), and C₆H₆ were found above the permissible standard, which influenced the entire conditions of the ambient air quality. The gaseous pollutants such as CO, H₂S, C₈H₆, and TVOC were found higher amounts at all locations indicating that the ambient air of the areas was harmful. The presence of the compounds in the ambient air might be responsible for the deterioration of the air quality and acid rain syndrome surrounding the brick kiln areas. The study results indicated that the ambient air quality around the brick kiln areas was found harm to human life and the environment.

Keywords: Ambient air; brick kiln; air pollutants; impact.