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Item Efficacy of In Ovo Delivered Prebiotics on Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Gut Health of Kuroiler Chickens in the Face of a Natural Coccidiosis Challenge(MDPI journal of Nutrients, 2019-10-28) Angwech, Harriet; Tavaniello, Siria; Ongwech, Acaye; Kaaya, Archileo N.; and Maiorano, GiuseppeA study was carried out to assess the efficacy of prebiotic delivered in ovo on performance, carcass traits, meat quality and gut health in the face of a natural coccidiosis infection in Kuroiler chickens. On d 12 of incubation, 150 fertile eggs were divided into a prebiotic group injected with trans-galactooligosaccharides (Bi2 tos) and a control group uninjected. Hatched chicks from each group were further divided: One group received antibiotic chick formula while the other was left untreated, giving rise to 4 groups—Control (C), Antibiotic (A), Bi2 tos (B), and Bi2 tos + Antibiotic (AB). Prebiotic improved growth performance at six weeks of age, AB birds were the heaviest at the end of the rearing period. The highest intestinal lesion scores and oocyst counts were recorded in C birds. B group had a slightly higher carcass weight and cuts yields tended to be higher in treated groups compared to C. Meat from B group displayed a higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to C and a positively lower n-6/n-3 ratio compared to C and A. In conclusion, prebiotics with or without antibiotics reduced severity of intestinal lesions and oocyst excretion induced by natural infection with Eimeria, with positive effects on Kuroiler chicken productive traits.Item PFAS: Ecological Implications, Remedial Actions and Ethical Considerations(Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment, 2023-08-31) Awolesi, Oluwafemi; Oni, Peter; Oshinowo, Abiodun; Olubusoye, Boluwatife S.; Owusu, Faustina; Pama, Simeon Sunday; Osobamiro, Temitope; Ongwech, Acaye; Awolesi, Omotoyosi; Arwenyo, BeatriceThe C-F bond is one of the strongest in organic chemistry. It is responsible for the great stability of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as “PFAS”, a group of man-made chemicals that include perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Thermal stability, surface activity, dielectric characteristics, chemical resistance, and inertness are just a few of the technical advantages that this group has over hydrocarbons, and since the 1950s, these chemicals have been largely utilized in a variety of domestic and industrial endeavors. The hydrophilic and lipophilic nature of this class of chemicals accounts for its uniqueness. Up until today, the chemistry and ecotoxicology of these chemicals continue to emerge. Issues concerning the destructive power of ignorance expedited by an ineffective regulatory institution continue to show that manufacturing chemicals are insufficient without giving serious thought to issues of openness and humanity’s awareness of its own safety. When discussing the nature of humanity and how it can be defined or redefined, it is important to allude to the significance of integrating business with ethics in its various forms. This paper highlights the importance of holding polluters accountable for PFAS contamination cleanup costs while emphasizing the need for chemical manufacturers to test and disclose the health and environmental effects of PFAS compounds. In addition, the sources, types, properties, applications, distribution, toxicological implications, regulations, and analytical methods associated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are explored. The effectiveness of the remedial methods described in this paper needs to be progressively tested while exploring other sustainable approaches.Item The impact of septic systems density and nearness to spring water points, on water quality(African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2017-01-18) Arwenyo, B.; Wasswa, J.; Nyeko, M.; Kasozi, G. N.Worldwide, 1.1 billion people do not have access to clean water and as a result, 2 million children die annually due to preventable waterborne diseases. In Uganda, 440 Children die every week of waterborne diseases. High prevalence of this death is reported in the peri urban areas. It is still unclear however the causes of water pollution in the peri-urban areas. The improper use of onsite sanitation facilities such as latrines and septic systems may lead to groundwater contamination. It is true that drain field of septic system located too close to water point, and or over population of the septic systems in a small area can lead to pollution of groundwater. Our study investigated the impact of septic systems density and nearness to water points on spring water quality. Samples from 15 spring wells were analysed for pH, nitrate and faecal coliform contamination. Locations and distances of spring from septic systems were determined using global positioning system (GPS) device and ArcGIS software, respectively. Water samples from all the spring wells had pH value less than 6.5, 66.7% had faecal coliform and 53% had nitrate above 2 mg L-1. While sample from one of the springs had nitrate concentration above the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) standard of 10 mg L- 1. It was also noted that coliform counts and nitrate concentrations increases with increase in number of septic systems surrounding the spring well. In addition, increase in distance between spring wells and septic systems indicated decrease in both coliform counts and nitrate concentration. It is therefore concluded that improper use of septic systems is one of the causes of groundwater pollution in the peri urban areas. The study recommends treatments of water from groundwater sources, regular monitoring of groundwater sources and proper design and siting of septic systems using more robust methodologies.Item Immunisation-notification adoption model: strategies for implementing mobile electronic notification of mothers in Uganda(Inderscience Enterprises Ltd., 2017) Abandu, J. and; Kivunike, F.N.Mobile e-health systems play a significant role in information delivery by enhancing efficiency, cost effectiveness and mobility. In Uganda, mobile e-health has been predominantly adopted to facilitate information sharing between Ministry of Health and district health offices despite the availability of mobile phones in the community. This study sought to develop an immunisation-notification adoption model to support the use of mobile technology for creating citizen awareness. It focused on the adoption of mobile technology for notifying and reminding mothers of immunisation schedules. The objective was achieved by extending technology acceptance model to predict user satisfaction with the new system. Descriptive survey design was employed using questionnaire for data collection. The study implemented in Northern Uganda targeted 51 health workers and mothers in Gulu referral and Gulu independent hospitals. The model has the dimensions of knowledge, accessibility, support, content, trust, funding, awareness, knowledge sharing, skills and ease of use. Perceived usefulness was considered the key driver for the system adoption.Item Uptake of Phosphorus from Modified P-Enriched Douglas Fir Biochar and Its Effects on Crop Growth and P Use Efficiency(Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 2022-09-29) Arwenyo, Beatrice; Varco, Jac J.; Dygert, Andrew; Berry, Jaime; Mills, Julianna; Mohan, Dinesh; Pittman, Charles U.; Mlsna, ToddThe potential use of biochar as a sustainable soil amendment has recently gained global recognition. The use of biochar as a soil additive is attributed to its ability to improve soil chemical, physical and biological properties. Studies have shown that biochar amendments can enhance soil nutrient retention and availability, pH, water holding capacity, microbial activity and sequester car bon. In this study using corn (Zea mays L.) as an experimental crop, the in fluence of P availability from modified P enriched Douglas fir biochar (PEB), triple super phosphate fertilizer (SPF), and modified Douglas fir biochar (MB) on plant growth and P Use Efficiency (PUE) were compared. The rate of P applied (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg·ha−1 ) was calculated based on % P content of each soil additive. Except for MB treatments, P recovery, crop growth and P Use Efficiency increased with application rates. The maximum above ground dry matter yields corresponding to PEB, SPF and MB treatments were esti mated at 3488 kg·ha−1 , 2449 kg·ha−1 and 639 kg·ha−1 , while their respective agronomic P use efficiency (AGE) rates were 32 kg·kg−1 , 17 kg·kg−1 , 0.5 kg·kg−1 . Also, recovery of K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, Cu, B and Mn improved in both PEB (p value < 0.0003, r2 > 0.9) and SPF (p value < 0.0058, r2 > 0.9) treatments. More studies at field scale are needed to demonstrate the practicability of using modified P enriched Douglas fir biochar for soil amendments.Item Kinetics and Thermodynamic Studies: Adsorption of Pb, Cr and Ni Ions from Spent Lubrication Oil (SLO) Using Acid Modified Clay(American Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 2021-12) Sughnen Atsar, Felix; Kukwa, Donald; Ahule Wuana, Raymond; Arwenyo, BeatriceAdsorption of Pb, Cr, and Ni ions from spent lubrication oil (SLO) by sulphuric acid modified clay (SAMC) was investigated considering the effect of contact time and temperature of the adsorption system. The removal percentage of the heavy metals was found to be temperature and contact time-dependent. Adsorption of the heavy metals increases with an increase in temperature and contact time with 95.0% - 100% adsorption recorded at the temperature of 331 K with the equilibration time of 12 hours. The thermodynamic and kinetics investigation of the adsorption process showed that the adsorption of these metals by the modified adsorbent is a spontaneous and endothermic physical adsorption process that followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model.Item Application of biochar for the removal of actinides and lanthanides from aqueous solutions.(Elsevier Inc., 2022) Bursztyn, Amalia L. Fuentesa; Arwenyo, Beatrice; Nanney, Andie L.M.; Ramirez, Arissa; Jamison, Hailey; Venson, Beverly; Mohan, Dinesh; Mlsna, Todd E.; Navarathna, ChanakaActinides and lanthanides are elements with unfilled f orbitals and are collectively labeled as the inner transition elements (ITEs). The actinide series includes 15 radioactive metallic ele ments with atomic numbers 89–103 (Cooper, 2000). The actinide elements are classified as light (Ac, Th, Pa, U, Np, Pu, Am) or heavy (Cm, Bk, Cf, Es, Fm, Md, No, Lr) based on their atomic numbers. The actinides fill their 5f sublevels progressively and exhibit char acteristics of both the d-block and the f-block elements. Elements of the actinide series can have oxidation states from +2 to plus +7. In addition to being radioactive, all actinides are paramagnetic and pyrophoric. Except for actinium with one oxidation state of +3, the other actinides are known to show variable oxidation states and more than one crystalline phase. To date, only the first four elements in the actinide series have been found to occur naturally.Item Stannate (IV) and Antimonate (V) Hexahydroxy-anion complexes with Di- and Polyhydric Phenols(Research Journal of Chemical Sciences, 2011-05-02) Mbabazi, Jolocam; Ntale, M.; Kwetegyeka, J.; Mulongo, G.; Twinomuhwezi, H.; Nnamuyomba, PAn identification has been achieved of only 1:1 and 1:2 chelates of hexahydroxystannate (IV) anions with ortho (i.e., 1,2)-diphenols, using potentiometric and conductimetric techniques. Lack of evidence for organo-richer complexes in aqueous media is in contrast to antimonite (V) hexahydroxy anions and tellurate (VI), which are each able to form a tris (catecholate).Item Recovery of fruit-feeding butterfly communities in Budongo Forest Reserve after anthropogenic disturbance(Forest Ecology and Management, 2021-04-07) Oloya, Joseph; Malinga, Geoffrey M.; Nyafwono, Margaret; Akite, Perpetra; Nakadai, Ryosuke; Holm, Sille; Valtonen, AnuUnderstanding of how biodiversity can recover after anthropogenic disturbances, such as selective logging, is important for planning conservation strategies for tropical forests and for more sustainable timber harvest re gimes. However, the knowledge of insect community compositions in regenerating logged forests is still limited, especially in the Afrotropics. Here, we evaluated the recovery patterns of fruit-feeding butterfly communities in four different-aged secondary forest compartments and one primary forest compartment in the Budongo Central Forest Reserve, Uganda. In each compartment, butterflies were sampled monthly for five consecutive months in 2017 using traps baited with fermented bananas. A total of 3,778 individuals, representing 82 species (78 identified at the species level and four morphogroups) were recorded. The fruit-feeding butterfly community composition differed among forest compartments and study months. Fruit-feeding butterfly communities of the oldest 72-year-old secondary forest compartment were similar to the primary forest compartment. In the younger secondary forest compartments the seasonal variation was large; especially the communities of the “core” rainy season months were distinct from the communities in primary and oldest secondary forest. The majority of individuals captured from both primary and secondary forests represented forest-dependent species. Primary forests are irreplaceable for preserving the diversity of tropical forests in the long-term. Nevertheless, our study demonstrates that selective logging can allow fruit-feeding butterfly community composition to recover if enough time (>70 years) is allowed for recovery.Item Sorption of Phosphate on Douglas Fir Biochar Treated with Magnesium Chloride and Potassium Hydroxide for Soil Amendments(MDPI Processes, 2023-01-19) Arwenyo, Beatrice; Navarathna, Chanaka; Krishna, Naba Das; Hitt, Addie; Mlsna, ToddWith increasing climate variability, a sustainable crop production approach remains an indispensable concern across the globe. In this study, P retention/availability of MgCl2.6H2O/KOH modified Douglas fir biochar was assessed. The MgCl2·6H2O/KOH treated Douglas fir biochar was prepared by sequentially treating Douglas fir biochar with magnesium chloride and potassium hy droxide solutions. The biochar’s surface area, pore volume, morphology, and elemental composi tions were determined using BET, SEM, SEM/EDS, and powder X-ray analyzes. Both surface area and pore volume were reduced by more than 97% following modification. Similarly, the morphol ogy and elemental compositions changed after modification. The maximum P adsorbed correspond ing to Langmuir–Freundlich model was 41.18 mg g−1 . P sorption on biochar soil mixture was pH dependent. More studies are required to establish the field applicability of P-laden MgCl2 ·6H2O/KOH-modified Douglas fir biochar as a soil additive.