JBAS Articles
Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences - Volume 8 Number 2
Poisson Regression Models for Count Data: Use in the Number of Deaths in the Santo Angelo (Brazil)
Suzana Russo, Diego Flender and Gabriel Francisco da Silva
http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.01
Abstract: When speaking about data, presuppose good quality to these. Otherwise would be affected the accuracy of the information, which would lead to false interpretations. In Health Statistics data are obtained through surveys, presented in its simplest expression, taking advantage of existing records, making an inquiry, or by means of experiments. The rational organization of the data allows characterizing what are the priority issues and thus establishing health programs. To analyze the mortality data it is necessary to be considered the mortality in certain age groups, so we can find data that show the incidence of major groups of deaths. From the analysis of data is followed by subsequent formulation of the Poisson regression models, where each group in question, by age group is represented by a number of counting time. The Poisson regression model is a specific type of Generalized Linear Models (GLM) and non-linear. As [1], its main features are: a) provides, in general, a satisfactory description of experimental data whose variance is proportional to the mean, b) can be deduced theoretically from first principles with a minimum of restrictions; c) If events occur independently and randomly in time with constant average rate of occurrence, the model determines the number of time specified. At the end of this study could be seen that through the analysis of the data could be found that the age group from 70 to 79 years old is the highest incidence of deaths with 21.1%, then comes the range of 60 to 69 years old with 20%, and was also recorded for time worked, in January 2000 to December 2004, the death rate was 52.27, and variance equal to 102.43, the city of Santo Angelo (Brazil). It was further found that the data are analyzed overdispersion, variance greater than average, then it was necessary to remove the overdispersion to find the appropriate template. With the pattern found was made short-term forecasts.
Keywords: Deaths, Poisson regression models, Overdispersion
Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences - Volume 8 Number 2
Radiolysis of Commercial Dyes in Aqueous Solutions to Produce Dosimeters for Gamma Dosimetry
Taqmeem Hussain, Muhammad Yousuf Hussain, Muhammad Shahbaz, Inam-ul-Haq, Hashim Farooq and Shaukat Ali
http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.10
Abstract: The usability of aqueous solutions of SR C4BLN and SGY CRL dyes; as secondary dosimeter was confirmed. All samples were irradiated by Co60 γ-source in the range 0-105Gy. Absorbance of solutions was noted at λmax for pre and post irradiation stages. The λmax of Red and Yellow dyes were 545nm and 448nm respectively. The absorbance% and the %discoloration of each dye were determined. Sample solutions showed a gradual decrease in Absorbance% and increase in %age discoloration versus absorbed doses.
Keywords: Chemical dosimeters, SR C4BLN, SGY CRL, dosimetry, Absorbance%, %age discoloration
Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences - Volume 8 Number 2
Sustainable Agricultural Practices as Perceived by Farmers in Sindh Province of Pakistan
Muhammad Ismail Kumbhar, Saghir Ahmed Sheikh, Aijaz Hussain Soomro and Aijaz A. Khooharo
http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.12
Abstract: The study was conducted in Sindh Province of Pakistan. 180 respondents were selected from six district namely Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sanghar Khairpur, Larkana and Jacobabad. From each district 30 respondents were selected by using simple random sampling techniques. This study used a descriptive research design and the target population was farmers. A representative sample of 180 farmers was proposed from six districts of Sindh, namely, 1. Larkana 2. Naushehro Feroze 3. Shaheed Benazirabad 4. Sanghar 5. Mirpurkhas 6. Badin representing the agro-ecological zones of Sindh province producing Cotton, Wheat, Rice, Vegetables, Orchards and Sugar Cane crops. Multistage plan was used to collect the data. A survey questionnaire was designed to collect data for this study. A likert type scale ranging from (1) not familiar (2) to somewhat (3) for very much. This scale was used to asses the level of perceptions of the respondents. The respondents were interviewed personally by well structured and pre-tested direct interview schedule. Questionnaire items were coded and entered into the SPSS computer program. Suitable statistical techniques such as percentage analysis, mean and standard deviation were used to analyze and interpreted the data. The results revealed that out of total growers, majority (54.44%) had medium socio-economic status, whereas 28.89 percent and 16.67 percent had low and high socio-economic status respectively. Extent of knowledge of farmers: Majority of the respondents (52%) were observed in medium category of knowledge followed by high (26.67%) and low (20.56%) levels of knowledge, respectively. It was observed that the farmers were familiar to some what, familiar with sustainable agriculture practices selection of pure seed variety, maintenance and Integrated Soil Fertility, Integrated Weed Management and efficient Use of irrigation water. However the majority of farmers were not familiar with the use of genetically modified Crop, Fish farming, Mulch Technology, EM Technology and IPNMS. However, none of the farmers were found in high category of adoption levels. The respondents suggested adoption of sustainable agriculture practices should be promoted through extension services.
Keywords: Sustainable Agriculture, Farmers Perception, Technology
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Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences - Volume 8 Number 2
Effects of Carburizing Process Variables on Mechanical and Chemical Properties of Carburized Mild Steel
A. Oyetunji and S.O. Adeosun
http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.11
Abstract: This work evaluates the suitability of using palm kernel shell, animal bone (mammalian bones from cattle) and sea shell (oyster shell) materials as carburizers for case hardening of 0.078%C mild steel. The mild steel sample used in this study sourced from universal steel company, Ikeja Lagos Nigeria was cut into suitable sizes using hacksaw machine for tensile and hardness tests. The carburizing media used were milled into fine powder while Barium trioxo (iv) carbonate (VI) (BaCO3) was used as an energizer in the carburizing process. Three rectangular stainless steel plate boxes were fabricated to accommodate each of the steel samples and carburized. A calculated amount of each carburizer was weighed into each of the stainless steel boxes and 20 wt % of BaC03 was mixed with each of them. Mild steel samples were covered completely in each of the boxes with the mixture of the carburizer and energizer placed in the furnace chamber. The carburizing temperatures varied between 700 - 1100oC while the holding time varied between 1-5 hrs. The boxes and its contents were allowed to cool down to room temperature in the furnace after carburization. All samples were heated to 850oC after been soaked for 30 minutes at this temperature and oil quenched. This was to increase the hardness of the case. Fifteen (15) of these samples were further tempered at 350oC for 2hrs to relieve the stress built up during quenching. Hardness test, tensile strength tests and chemical analysis were carried out on the samples. It was observed that the hardness values of the untempered samples are superior to the tempered ones at carburizing temperatures of 7000C, 8000C and 9000C. On the other hand, the tensile strengths of the tempered samples are higher relative to the untempered samples at carburizing temperatures of 7000C, 10000C and 11000C. The results of the carbon analysis show that palm kernel shell and animal bone are potentially suitable to be used as a carburizing media than the sea shell at high temperatures (above 10000C) with holding time above 1 hr.
Keywords: Carburizers, hardness, tensile, carburizing time and temperature, pack carburizing, quenching and tempering properties.
Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences - Volume 8 Number 2
Effect of Hot Water Treatment on the Chemical, Sensorial Properties and Ripening Quality of Chaunsa Mango (Mangifera indica L.)
Muhammad Shahnawaz, Saghir Ahmed Sheikh, Aasia Akbar Panwar, Shahzor Gul Khaskheli and Fahad Ahmed Awan
http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2012.08.02.13
Abstract: The study was carried out to investigate the effects of hot water treatment on the chemical, sensorial properties and ripening quality of Chaunsa mango during the year 2010-11. Results showed that mangoes treated with hot water of 55oC and stored at room temperature (38+ 4oC) were ripened in 3 days, whereas mangoes treated with hot water treatment of 45oC ripened in 4 days, without hot water treatment were ripened in 5 days. Chemical properties like total acidity, vitamin C content, TSS, total sugars, reducing sugar, non reducing sugar were determined in mangoes treated with hot water at 55oC for 20 minutes and stored at room temperature, followed by hot water treatment of 45oC at 30 minutes. Early ripening of mangoes and best sensorial properties were also observed as peel color, fruit softness, pulp color, taste/flavor, texture and aroma. The study revealed that mangoes treated in hot water were ripened in better quality than control. Furthermore, the sensorial properties of the treated mangoes were scored higher and quality wise better than control.
Keywords: Chaunsa mango, hot water treatment, chemical compositions.