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Recent Submissions
Quantitative Risk Assessment for Aflatoxin and Fumonisin from Maize Consumption in Northern Tanzania
(Internation Journal of Innovative Research & Development, 2018-09-13) Nyangi, Chacha Joseph; Sasamalo, Mahamudu Mohamed; Runyogote, Joseph
The study was on Quantitative risk assessment for population exposure to aflatoxin and fumonisin consuming maize in Northern Tanzania. This kind of assessment allow modelling maize consumption data (kg/kg body weight (bw)/day) using an estimated average weight of an adult of 60 Kg with previously collected data for total Aflatoxin (AF) and Fumonisin (FUM) contamination (µg/kg) maize samples from harvested, sorted, unsorted and maize flour from 2013/14 survey. Consumption was estimated by using national daily maize intake of 365 g/Kg BW/day and the exposure assessment was performed with the @RISK analysis software. Results from this assessment showed aflatoxin exposure was increasing from a mean value of 8.64, 8.96, 10.28 and 8.06 ng/kg BW/day for harvested, sorted, unsorted and maize flour respectively at the lower bound (LB). Maize flour had low exposure followed by sorted maize compared to unsorted and harvested maize. Fumonisin exposure was found to decrease from harvested, sorted, unsorted and maize flour with a mean value of 13.51, 6.87, 3.31 and 1.77 ng/kg BW/day respectively. Margin of Exposure (MoE) from this study were all below 10,000 for all scenarios for both AF and FUM and this is of public health concern. Even though all samples had aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination below maximum tolerable limit (MTL) of 10 µg/kg and 2 mg/kg respectively for East Africa standards, there is still a serious long-term health implication due to high levels of maize consumption in the study region. Meeting MTL will not by itself guarantee food safety, but using the data collected and available on various health effects from AF, FUM and other mycotoxins, it is important to incorporate them into a risk assessment and show how excessive consumption of foods meeting MTLs can still carry significant health risks.
Evaluating the hydraulic performance and sustainability of the Simike–Nzovwe roadside drainage system in Mbeya City, Tanzania, using the hydrologic engineering centre’s river analysis system modeling
(ACCSCIENCE, 2025-07-21) Abdul Mohamed; Zacharia Katambara
This study addresses the hydraulic inefficiencies and maintenance challenges associated with the roadside
drainage system along a 1.85 km stretch of the TANZAM Highway between Simike and the Nzovwe River, which
includes five circular culverts. The objective was to evaluate the system’s hydraulic performance under rainfall
events using the Hydrologic Engineering Centre’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) one-dimensional hydraulic
model. Specifically, the study focused on analyzing flow regimes, specific energy transitions, and sediment transport
dynamics to identify critical points of inefficiency. The methodology involved simulating steady flow conditions,
assessing the influence of channel and culvert geometry, and performing a sensitivity analysis on key hydraulic
parameters, including Manning’s roughness coefficient, channel slope, and culvert dimensions. The model results
revealed that subcritical flow conditions (Froude number, Fr <1) upstream of culverts lead to sediment accumulation,
while steeper channel sections with supercritical flow (Fr >1) pose erosion risks. Pronounced hydraulic jumps were
observed near culvert outlets, resulting in significant turbulence, abrupt energy dissipation, and localized erosion.
Flow velocities decreased sharply from over 7 m/s to below 1 m/s across these transition zones. This study provides
an integrated evaluation of hydraulic and sediment transport interactions in a real-world drainage system using
HEC-RAS, supported by targeted design optimization strategies. Key recommendations include modifying side
slope geometry, increasing longitudinal gradients, and enlarging culvert dimensions to enhance flow capacity and
reduce sediment deposition. In addition, the application of riprap in high-velocity zones, vegetative lining in low
velocity areas, and the inclusion of sediment traps are proposed to control erosion and minimize maintenance.
THE IMPACT OF LAND COVER AND LAND USE ON THE HYDROLOGIC RESPONSE IN THE OLIFANTS
(University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2006) Ncube, Mthokozisi
Water availability in Southern Africa is highly variable both in time and space, thereby
exposing the region to high risks in water availability. This is further compounded by
numerous human activities which have significant impact on water resources. The
brunt of the risks associated with water scarcity is particularly heaviest on resource-
constrained farmers who depend largely on rain-fed agriculture for subsistence. With
continuously increasing demands on the water resources, the need for a better
understanding of the hydrological systems becomes crucial as it forms the gateway for
providing reliable information for managing water resources.
It is also increasingly becoming more important to address land and water linkages
because land use decisions are water use decisions. Operational hydrology provides an
insight into the effects of man-made changes, the foreseeable hydrological
characteristics at a given site, and the long-term prediction of the future hydrological
effects of human activities. This provides for a more holistic approach in managing
land and water resources as well as the impact of land use on partitioning rainfall into
streamflow.
This report discusses the application of the SWAT model to the B72E - F quaternary
catchments in the Olifants Water Management Area to assess streamflow generation
and the effects of human-environment interactions on the hydrology. Results show an
expected correlation between land cover and the hydrologic response where an
increase in land cover corresponds to a reduction in the streamflow. Range grass shows
a higher reduction in the streamflow followed by forestry with arid land giving the
highest increase in streamflow. Prediction in the similar neighbouring and ungauged
B72A catchment gives a MAR of 68mm.
Additionally, a rigorous analysis of the concepts of a local hydrological model, HDAM,
is done with respect to rainfall which is the main driver of the model. Modifications of
some of the relationships used in the model are suggested with the potential of
streamlining the model and making it more applicable in the region.
Strategy to Overcome Barriers of Rainwater Harvesting, Case Study Tanzania
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2016-09-12) Burton, Mwamila Tulinave; Young, Han Moo; Katambara, Zacharia
There are Socio-Technological Challenges Towards Extension of The Application of
Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) Practicesin Developing Countries. an Attempt to Ad-
Dress this was Done Using the Mnyundo Primary School, Tanzania, as A Study Area For
Evaluating the Technical, Economic, and Social Challenges of RWH Practices. A Sto-
Rage Water Level Monitoring Gauge was Used so as to Simplify Rainwater Quantity Con-
Trol and Utilization Strategy. Basic Quality Control Components Such as First Flush Tank
Were Incorporated so as to Reduce the Particle Load Flowing Into The Storage. Cost Re-
Duction Strategies Such As The One (1) Company One (1) Community Campaign Were
Applied To Address The Cost Implication. To Enhance Ownership, Participatory Ap-
Proach Of The Beneficiaries In All Stages Including Planning, Designing And Imple-
Mentation Was Adopted. In Order To Ensure Project Sustainability, Training On How To
Operate And Maintain Were Provided As Well As A Maintenance Manual To Impart A
Sense Of Ownership. For The Challenges Of Imparting RWH Practices In Tanzania, 19
Solutions Have Been Identified And They Include Provision Of RWH Manuals, Guide-
Lines And Regulations, Government Incentives, And Promotion Of Self-Financing Initia-
Tives. For Developing Countries, The Study Proposes The Following Strategies: Estab-
Lishing Relevant Regulations And Research Centers, Enhancing Individual And Commu-
Nity Financial Stability, Conducting Demonstration Projects, And Increased Investment
By Government On Promotion.
Private
Determinants of Students’ Performance in Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Mbeya University of Science and Technology, Tanzania
(G-Card, 2025) Katambara, Zacharia
The Electrical and Electronics Engineering Program Requires a Balance Between Theoretical
Knowledge and Practical Application, Making Students’ Performance Optimization Essential in Meeting
Industry Demands. this Study Utilized Descriptive Statistics, Pearson Correlation Analysis, and Principal
Component Analysis (PCA) to Evaluate Academic Performance in the EEE Program at Mbeya University of
Science and Technology (MUST). by Examining 16 Core Courses, the Study Identified Key Determinants of
Students’ Success, Course Interdependencies and Areas for Curriculum Enhancement. Descriptive Statistics
Revealed Significant Variability in Performance, with EE 8401 (Industrial Practical Training 3) Recording the
Highest Mean (79.98) and EE 8402 (Phase AC Synchronous Machines) the Lowest (48.11), Highlighting
Disparities in Instructional Effectiveness. Pearson Correlation Analysis Shows Strong Correlations Among
Theoretically Aligned Courses, Moderate Correlations Among Related Subjects, and Weak or Negative
Correlations in Distinct Learning Domains, Emphasizing the Need for Targeted Interventions and Curriculum
Adjustments. PCA Findings Confirmed that Three Principal Components Explained 58.85% of the Variance,
Representing Theoretical Foundations, Applied Project-Based Learning and Specialized Hands-on Training. Scree
Plot and Eigenvalue Analysis Validated Dimensionality Reduction, Enhancing Data Interpretation. Principal
Component Loadings Highlight Academic Constructs, With PC1 Reflecting Analytical Competencies, PC2
Capturing Project-Based Courses and PC3 Representing Specialized Training. This Study Recommends Aligning
Theoretical Courses with Standardized Assessments, Integrating Industry Collaborations in Project-Based
Learning and Refining Assessment Models for Specialized Training. Future Research should Explore Longitudinal
Trends in Principal Components, External Influences on High-Uniqueness Courses and Students’ Feedback
Integration. by Implementing Data-Driven Strategies, Institutions can Refine Engineering Curricula, Bridge
Performance Gaps and Enhance Student Success Outcomes.