SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Design and Implementation f a Smart Low Energy Ram Pump Solar - Powered Arduino Aquaponics (Slersopaa)

2024-02-01T00:00:00Z

Design and Implementation f a Smart Low Energy Ram Pump Solar - Powered Arduino Aquaponics (Slersopaa) Kayil, Barnabas Aquaponics is a system of farming that combines both fish and crops within a closed-loop ecosystem. However, high setup costs (HSC), high operational costs (HOC), and high energy demands (HED) pose significant challenges, particularly in regions with limited access to electricity. In this thesis, Smart Low Energy Ram Pump Solar-Powered Arduino Aquaponics (SLERSOPAA) was designed. This innovative approach aims to reduce HSC, HOC, and HED of aquaponics by integrating bamboo grow beds, solar-powered Arduino automation (SPAA), and hydraulic ram pump (HRP), also known as ram pump (RP), into the system. The integration of HRP and SPAA results in a remarkable reduction of HED by 70.25%, while using of bamboo reduces the HSC by 80%. The effect of the reduced HED on water quality parameters in SLERSOPAA within the six months is: a potential hydrogen (pH) range of 7.22–8.05, dissolved oxygen (DO) range of 4.00–5.71 mg/L, electrical conductivity (EC) range of 1.30–1.81 mS/cm, and total dissolved solids (TDS) range of 0.986–1.160 g/L. Besides that, the results of growth rates for the following vegetables, such as hot pepper, tomato, cabbage, and cucumber, in just four weeks were reported. The growth rate of catfish was monitored closely. The obtained average mass of 209.3 g and length of 11.3 cm were recorded within three months. Aside from the bamboo reducing the HSC, it also provides the following antioxidant compounds, such as phenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, and E, which are natural alternatives for the developing functional foods and nutraceuticals within the system for vegetable growth. The SLERSOPAA offers a promising solution to food shortages, promotes clean energy usage, reduces household vulnerabilities, creates employment opportunities, and enhances resilience in sub-Saharan Africa. xviii, 115p:, ill.

Global Stability of a Predator-Prey Fishery Model With Non-Selective Harvesting: A Study of Linear Optimal Control

2024-03-01T00:00:00Z

Global Stability of a Predator-Prey Fishery Model With Non-Selective Harvesting: A Study of Linear Optimal Control Suka, Cephas Tay A proposed two-dimensional modified Lotka-Volterra fishery model in terms of predator-prey aims to explore the effect of non-selective harvesting on the predator and the prey populations. The study delves into various essential aspects of the dynamical system, comprising positivity, uniform boundedness and persistence. Points of equilibrium are identified. The system’s local and global stability are thoroughly examined and discussed. Moreover, the research explores the concept of bionomic equilibrium, a scenario where economic rent is entirely dissipated. Extending the bioeconomic model, the study investigates a linear optimal control problem to determine the most effective harvesting strategy. Utilising Pontryagin’s maximum principle, the optimal control is characterised. The findings indicate that maximum allowable effort should be exerted whenever the net revenue per unit effort surpasses the total net marginal revenue of predator and prey stocks. Numerical simulations, with data on the marine artisanal fishery in Ghana, are conducted to validate the theoretical discoveries. The outcomes reveal that the fishery can support sustainable harvesting of both predator (tuna) and prey (sardinella) populations, so far as the optimal harvesting effort is set at 100,000 fishing trips annually. xii, 68p:, ill.

Solution of Inverse Eigenvalue Problem for Singular Symmetric and Hermitian Matrices of Ranks Five and Six

2023-12-01T00:00:00Z

Solution of Inverse Eigenvalue Problem for Singular Symmetric and Hermitian Matrices of Ranks Five and Six Kumordzi, Michael In this work, the inverse eigenvalue problem is studied in the context of singular symmetric and Hermitian matrices, with a particular emphasis on ranks five and six. We looked into ways to solve singular symmetric and Hermitian matrices’ Inverse Eigenvalue Problem (IEP). We devised a method to reconstruct such matrices from their eigenvalues, based on a solvability lemma. Through innovative methodologies, we aim to provide effective solutions for determining the original matrices from their eigenvalues, shedding light on challenges posed by singularity and higher rank. In the case of n × n matrix, the number of independent matrix elements would reduced xi 75p:, ill

Health Risk Assessment of Urinary-Pahs and their Metabolites Among Artisanal Auto-Mechanical Workers from Selected Workshops in Siwdu, Cape Coast

2024-05-01T00:00:00Z

Health Risk Assessment of Urinary-Pahs and their Metabolites Among Artisanal Auto-Mechanical Workers from Selected Workshops in Siwdu, Cape Coast Oppong, Elvis Occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their metabolites have been linked to increased risk for a suite of negative health outcomes such as lung, skin, bladder, kidney, and liver cancers and other diseases. This study sought to conduct a health risk assessment of urinary-PAHs and their metabolites among artisanal auto-mechanical workers from the Siwdu auto-mechanical workshops in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. A total of 59 urine samples from three different artisanal groups namely: auto-mechanics, auto-sprayers, and plastic welders, were extracted in replicates (n = 3) for PAHs and its metabolites using solid phase extraction (SPE) protocol followed by HPLC-UV/RF instrumental analysis. The mean total metabolites and parent PAHs ranged between 490759.50 - 1869.00 ng/L, 129819.00 - 1752.00 ng/L, and 45613.50 - 2020.00 ng/L and 71916.36 -1382.73 ng/L, 12268.80 - 1703.04 ng/L, and 62936.82 -3862.41 ng/L for AM, AS and PW artisans respectively. About 80% of the samples had elevated levels of mean total PAHs (> 200.00 ng/L) set by NIOSH. Statistically, there were significant difference among the artisan group samples analysed with respect to analyte levels (p < 0. 05). The cumulative non-cancer risk and cancer risk upon exposure ranged between 4.0 × 10-6 - 6.0 × 10-4 and 4.0 × 10-7 - 1.0 × 10-4 for PAH metabolites and 2.0 × 10-6 - 2.0 × 10-5 and 1.0 × 10-6 - 2.0 × 10-5 for parent PAHs for AM, AS and PW artisans respectively. About 70% of the samples had both elevated non-cancer and cancer risk (> 10-6). The study showed that the artisanal auto-mechanical workers were exposed to elevated levels of PAHs due to poor safety culture, which may pose health risks to them. xv, 125p:, ill.