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The carbon neutrality policy aiming for net zero carbon emissions has led to a significant increase in the use of renewable energy sources (RES) globally. However, due to their uncertain nature, RES can cause imbalances in power demand. Recently, Power-to-X (P2X) station technology has gained attention as a solution to the uncertainties of RES and as a means to enhance the capacity and efficiency of RES operations. P2X stations can be utilized when power demand imbalances occur due to the uncertain output of RES or when the power system cannot accommodate the power supply from RES due to various stability issues. Specifically, when supply disruptions occur in the power system due to RES uncertainties, P2X stations contribute to preventing RES curtailment by supplying power to electric vehicle (EV) fuel sources, producing heat using electric heat pumps (EHP), or producing hydrogen using electrolyzers (ELZ), thus improving the uncertain financial benefits for independent power producers (IPP). This paper proposes a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) based chance-constrained two-stage stochastic optimization (CCTS) approach to address imbalances in power demand from RES and to enhance the profitability of IPP by finding the optimal planning and operational solutions for P2X stations. The proposed method provides hierarchical level results, demonstrating that economic benefits can increase by up to 60.2% with the application of P2X stations and that curtailed energy from RES can be reduced by up to 76.5%. The proposed methodology is also validated for its superior performance by being compared with both the non-linear stochastic chance constraint method and the stochastic method.

In this paper, an empirical model with the critical number of incidences and deaths for female cancers as adjustable parameters has been developed using life expectancy data from GLOBOCAN world estimates on cancer types. The model was developed based on the cumulative risk and exponential correlation techniques such that the significance of the adjustable parameters ascertains the strength of this research in two ways. First, it indicates indicates the rapid increase in female cancer morbidity with increase in the number of male cancer cases, regardless of incidence or mortality. Second, it suggests that female cancer cases may approach a virtual limiting value as male cancer cases reach extremely high levels. This projection aligns with the global population trends, indicating a proportional increase in cancer cases each year. Additionally, the cumulative risk of cancer incidences of each sex has been modelled separately against the global cumulative risk of cancer incidences of both sexes which revealed regions that have passed their inflection point and those that are yet to reach the inflection point. There was a curvature change, which indicates an inflection point coinciding with the South-Eastern Region and indicating that for the regions beyond the inflection point, the increase of the cumulative risk of cancer incidences of females against that of males is more accentuated compared with the regions before the inflection point. However, when the cumulative risk of cancer mortality of each sex is modelled separately against the global cumulative risk of cancer mortality of both sexes shows a non-linear dependence and the increase is more accentuated for males than for females. This finding indicates that cumulative risk is influenced by factors beyond the male-female population ratio. This study advances cancer studies as it provides a nuanced understanding of gender-specific cancer trends, crucial for developing targeted cancer prevention and treatment strategies. By elucidating the dynamics of cancer incidences and mortalities across different regions and sexes, the findings can inform public health policies and resource allocation to combat cancer more effectively on a global scale.

Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is considered the gold standard technique for flow visualization. However, its cost (at least tens of thousands of dollars) can prove inhibitive in its standard form. This article presents an alternative design, leveraging off-the-shelf and open-source options for each key component involved: camera, laser module, optical components, tracer particles, and analysis software. Flow visualization is a crucial technique to connect theory to practice in teaching and researching fluid mechanics. Despite the ubiquity of this field within engineering curricula, many undergraduate institutions globally forego utilizing such equipment, given the barriers to setting it up. The availability of this low-cost alternative (∼$500) that can be built in-house offers a path forward. Characterization was done by visualizing the rotational flow generated by a magnetic stirrer in a cylindrical beaker. The velocity magnitude around the stirrer bar measured by the low-cost PIV system was compared to expected values calculated analytically. The percent difference was between 1–2% when the flow stayed two-dimensional but increased as the flow began developing into more of a 3-D flow. Repeatability varied no more than 6% between experiments. This platform holds the potential for reliable replication across institutions broadly.

In the ever-changing landscape of education, the integration of technology has become an inevitable force that reshapes the foundations of teaching and learning. Amidst this transformative wave, the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken center stage, promising innovative approaches, and increased efficiency. Within this context, the exploration of preservice teachers' behavioural intention to employ AI in lesson planning has emerged as a critical issue for examination. This study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey design and employed a purposive sampling technique to recruit 783 preservice teachers. By employing a cutting-edge dual-staged partial least squares structural equation modelling-artificial neural network (PLS-SEM-ANN) approach, this study investigated the influence of the following essential variables on preservice teachers' intentions to incorporate AI into their lesson planning endeavours: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, habit, hedonic motivation, social influence, and facilitating conditions. Social influence emerged as the most significant positive predictor of preservice teachers' behavioural intention to use AI in lesson planning. Additionally, habit, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions substantially positively influenced preservice teachers' behavioural intention to use AI in lesson planning. Conversely, hedonic motivation did not significantly affect preservice teachers’ behavioural intention to use AI in lesson planning. This study not only enhances our understanding of technology integration in pedagogy from a theoretical standpoint but also provides practical recommendations for refining educational curricula and instructional strategies that promote effective AI integration.

The main thrust of this study was to assess the infrastructure inequality and academic performance nexus. Education statistics (2018) from the Ghana Statistical Service was used for the study. Firstly, ANOVA was used to estimate whether district-level academic performance differed at various infrastructure distribution levels (Infrastructure Quintile levels). The study further assessed the relationship between infrastructure and academic performance based on the System General Methods of Moments technique. It was found that the difference in district-level academic performance is conditioned on the infrastructure inequality. Also, previous academic performance had a significant positive relationship with performance. A U-shaped relationship found to exist between academic performance and class size, The study recommends the pursuit of policies aimed at bridging the education infrastructure gap such as prioritisation of education infrastructure development in deprived communities, so as, to impact academic performance.

Though little research has been done, shea nut oil (Shea Butter), is a promising shea product with great potential for use in industrial shea product manufacture. To assess the oil obtained from the shea nuts for personal, commercial, and industrial use, this study focuses on the extraction process, the optimal solvent for extraction, thermodynamics and kinetic studies, and characterization of the oil. Using different solvents as well as extraction temperatures and times, the oil was extracted using the solvent extraction method. Moreover, models of thermodynamics and kinetics were used in examining the Shea nut oil extraction at different durations and temperatures. At the highest temperature of 333 K (at 130min), the highest oil yields of 70.2 % and 59.9 % for n-hexane and petroleum ether, respectively, were obtained, following first order kinetics. For both petroleum ether and n-hexane, the regression coefficient (R2) was 1. For the extraction with n-hexane and petroleum ether, the mass transfer coefficient (Km), activation energy (Ea), entropy change (ΔS), enthalpy change (ΔH), and Gibb's free energy (ΔG) were, respectively, (0.0098 ± 0.0061 and 0.0123 ± 0.0084) min−1, 74.59 kJ mol−1 and 88.65 kJ mol−1, (−236.15 ± 0.16 and −235.63 ± 0.17) J/mol K, (71.88 ± 0.06 and 85.94 ± 0.06) kJ/mol, and (148.75 ± 1.52 and 162.46 ± 1.52) kJ/mol. These values favor an irreversible, forward, endothermic, and spontaneous process. Gas chromatography analysis was used to identify the principal fatty acids in the oil, which include stearic acid (52 %), oleic acid (30 %), and linoleic acid (3 %), as well as various minor fatty acids. The oil's potential bonds and functional groups were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared analysis, and the physicochemical parameters such as the iodine value, peroxide value, acid and free fatty acid values were found to be within acceptable ranges for use in domestic, commercial, and industrial settings.

The occurrence of pharmaceuticals and xenoestrogen compounds (PXCs) in drinking water presents a dire human health risk challenge. The problem stems from the high anthropogenic pollution load on source water and the inefficiencies of the conventional water treatment plants in treating PXCs. This study assessed the PXCs levels and the consequential health risks of exposure to tap water from selected Ghanaian communities as well as that of raw water samples from the respective treatment plants. Thus the PXCs treatment efficiency of two drinking water treatment plants in the metropolises studied was also assessed. The study also conducted source apportionment of the PXCs in the tap water. Twenty six (26) tap and raw water samples from communities in the Cape Coast and Sekondi-Takoradi metropolises were extracted using SPE cartridges and analysed for PXCs using Ultra-fast-HPLC-UV instrument. Elevated levels of PXCs up to 24.79 and 22.02 μg/L were respectively recorded in raw and tap water samples from the metropolises. Consequently, elevated non-cancer health risk (HI > 1) to residential adults were found for tap water samples from Cape Coast metropolis and also for some samples from Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis. Again, elevated cumulative oral cancer risks >10−5 and dermal cancer risk up to 4 × 10−5 were recorded. The source apportionment revealed three significant sources of PXCs in tap water samples studied. The results revealed the inefficiency of the treatment plants in removing PXCs from the raw water during treatments. The situation thus requires urgent attention to ameliorate it, safeguarding public health. It is recommended that the conventional water treatment process employed be augmented with advanced treatment technologies to improve their efficacy in PXCs treatment.

Introduction: In spite of the negative effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the global health system, its long-term impact on the evolution of diabetes is not fully ascertained. The current study was therefore designed to examine the diabetogenic risk of adults who had recovered from COVID-19 compared with their counterparts without any history of the condition in the Cape Coast metropolis of Ghana. Research design and methods: This cross-sectional study involved 110 recovered COVID-19 and 110 COVID-19 unexposed respondents. Weight, height, hip circumference (HC) and waist circumference (WC) were measured for computation of body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and weight-to-height ratio (WtHtR). Also, systolic blood pressure, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), fasting blood glucose (FBS), lipid profile, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (2hr OGTT), total and visceral fat levels were measured. Homeostatic model assessment of beta-cell function (HOMAB) was applied to assess the secretory function of beta cells with insulin resistance determined by the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), and triglyceride-glucose index (TyG). Results: Recovered COVID-19 respondents exhibited higher (P < 0.05) levels of BMI, WC, HC, WtHtR, CRP, FIRI, HOMA-IR, HOMAB and insulin but lower level of QUICKI than their unexposed counterparts. Compared with the recovered COVID-19 respondents, the overweight/obese COVID-19 unexposed group demonstrated higher insulin resistance but lower beta-cell function. Irrespective of COVID-19 background, FBS and insulin remained independent predictors for FIRI, QUICKI and HOMA-IR as TyG was predicted by FBS and selected components of lipid profile. Conclusion: The recovered COVID-19 respondents demonstrated a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus through increased insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction than their uninfected counterparts. Urgent measures are needed to mitigate the identified risk.

Ascertaining the extent of competing risk in survival data that has the capacity to set the basis for selecting appropriate models for analysing and predicting breast cancer mortality rates has been of interest. In this study, the estimates of two cumulative incidence functions were compared with the complement of the Kaplan-Meier to assess the presence of competing events. The results revealed that the complement of the product-limit estimator (1-KM) overestimated the survival probability at periods beyond the 32nd month of follow-up, an indication of competing risk. Older patients (>50 years) were found to be more likely to die from competing events (P

Current economic upheavals and supply chain uncertainty have threatened the profitability and sustainability of business organisations. Procurement has proved to be one of the strategies for enhancing firm performance without necessarily increasing revenue with its attendant increase in costs. However, rather than investigating the complex asymmetric relationship between procurement practices and firm performance (which this study advocates), past research engaged in a symmetric evaluation of the relationship between the phenomena. Accordingly, this study, using complexity theory, employs fsQCA and NCA on a sample of 150 respondents from private universities in Ghana to (a) identify different combinations of procurement practices, namely procurement planning, supplier partnership, contract management, and compliance, that lead to firm performance and (b) explore the necessity of these procurement practices (in kind and degree) for firm performance. Whereas the findings from fsQCA reveal three distinct combinations of procurement practices for high firm performance and further suggest that none of the procurement practices was necessary for firm performance, the NCA results suggest that two out of the four procurement practices investigated are necessary for firm performance and hence must be present in the causal recipes produced by fsQCA to guarantee that they lead to firm performance. The study offers pathways to firm performance through procurement practices and demonstrates how to complement fsQCA with NCA to ensure that causal recipes produced by fsQCA can produce the outcome.

Aim: This study compares levels of insulin resistance and beta-cell function and their relationship with liver enzymes in recovered COVID-19 participants and their uninfected counterparts in a cross-sectional study design in the Tamale metropolis of Ghana. Methods: Biochemical indices for liver function, lipid metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress were assessed under fasting state in 110 recovered COVID-19 and 116 uninfected participants. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) were employed for the assessment of insulin resistance. Results: Recovered COVID-19 participants presented lower (P 0.05) between the study groups. Prevalence of insulin resistance ranged from 61 % (71/116) to 81 % (89/110) for the uninfected and recovered COVID-19 participants respectively. Selected liver enzymes associated with HOMA-IR and TyG. Conclusion: The risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus appears higher in recovered COVID-19 participants than their uninfected counterparts despite the high prevalence of insulin resistance in both groups.

Businesses operate in an increasingly dynamic environment requiring that they strike a delicate, healthy, and equitable balance among the interests of their numerous stakeholders. This study examined how employee orientation and shareholder orientation influence supply chain orientation and how employee orientation, shareholder orientation, and supply chain orientation influence firm performance. The study used a sample of 265 respondents and applied both linear and triangular data analysis techniques in Partial-Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) and Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) to examine how employee orientation, shareholder orientation, and supply chain orientation influence the performance of oil marketing companies (OMCs) in Ghana. The PLS-SEM results revealed that employee orientation and shareholder orientation are significant predictors of supply chain orientation. The NCA results revealed that employee orientation is the most important for supply chain orientation. Also, from the PLS-SEM results, employee orientation and supply chain orientation predict firm performance, but shareholder orientation does not. However, the NCA results suggest that all three orientations are necessary for firm performance and highlight supply chain orientation as the most important for firm performance. This study is the first to examine how employee orientation and shareholder orientation influence supply chain orientation, besides how the three orientations influence firm performance from both sufficiency and necessity theory perspectives. The study also uncovers supply chain orientation as an underlying process through which employee and shareholder orientation enhances firm performance.

Background: This study assessed the potential cost-effectiveness of high (80–100%) vs low (21–35%) fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) at preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) after abdominal surgery in Nigeria, India, and South Africa. Methods: Decision-analytic models were constructed using best available evidence sourced from unbundled data of an ongoing pilot trial assessing the effectiveness of high FiO2, published literature, and a cost survey in Nigeria, India, and South Africa. Effectiveness was measured as percentage of SSIs at 30 days after surgery, a healthcare perspective was adopted, and costs were reported in US dollars ($). Results: High FiO2 may be cost-effective (cheaper and effective). In Nigeria, the average cost for high FiO2 was $216 compared with $222 for low FiO2 leading to a −$6 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −$13 to −$1) difference in costs. In India, the average cost for high FiO2 was $184 compared with $195 for low FiO2 leading to a −$11 (95% CI: −$15 to −$6) difference in costs. In South Africa, the average cost for high FiO2 was $1164 compared with $1257 for low FiO2 leading to a −$93 (95% CI: −$132 to −$65) difference in costs. The high FiO2 arm had few SSIs, 7.33% compared with 8.38% for low FiO2, leading to a −1.05 (95% CI: −1.14 to −0.90) percentage point reduction in SSIs. Conclusion: High FiO2 could be cost-effective at preventing SSIs in the three countries but further data from large clinical trials are required to confirm this.

This study describes the occurrence and profile of eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fresh and cooked processed cowhide (wele) singed with different fuels. It also assessed the health risks associated with the consumption of this popular delicacy. The 8PAHs were all detected in the wele samples singed with scrap tires, whereas 5 and 3 carcinogenic PAHs were detected in the firewood and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) singed wele, respectively. For each of the specific PAH detected, the contents in the wele samples were generally ranked as scrap tires > firewood > LPG. The average concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene for cooked wele samples were 2.75 ng g−1(firewood) and 22.85 ng g−1(scrap tires); exceeding the 2.0 ng g−1 European Commission regulation maximum levels (MLs) for smoked products. For the carcinogenic risk exposure assessment, the dietary intake based on benzo[a]pyrene equivalents was estimated as 777.06 ng g−1 day (scrap tires), 101.52 ng g−1 day (firewood) and 9.45 ng g−1 day (LPG). The probable cancer risk estimated considering the consumption frequency and quantity of wele for an average adult consumer was highest in the population exposed to wele singed with scrap tires (3.11×10−5).

This study identified factors influencing consumer desirability for a concept beverage from tiger nut milk and cocoa pulp using qualitative focus groups with four demographic groups: mothers, young adults, adults, and middle-aged adults. Specifically, Ghanaian consumers’ knowledge of plant-based beverages (PBB), sensory attributes driving preferences and selection, and willingness to purchase were investigated. Focus group discussions were thematically analyzed by Attride-Stirling's method using ATLAS.ti.7 software. Most consumers were knowledgeable of PBB. Health and nutrition were main drivers of consumption while taste, cost, availability, and culture were barriers to consumption. Drivers of consumer preference of PBB differed across demographic groups. Environmentally conscious consumers (mothers, adults, and middle-aged) preferred paper packaging while young adults preferred plastic packaging for convenience. Middle-aged adults preferred unsweetened versions for health reasons and mothers preferred unflavoured PBB for their children. Consumers expressed willingness to purchase the concept beverage, citing innovation, taste, and health benefits as main drivers. Industrial Relevance: Increased consumer awareness of the relationship between diet and disease and the importance of consuming healthful foods has informed a switch to more plant-based diets. Our results provide valuable insights to facilitate the development of an acceptable plant-based beverage for Ghanaian consumers.

This study examined the relationship between a validated measure of socioeconomic deprivation, such as the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), and morbid obesity. We used cross-sectional data on adult patients (≥18 years) in the Houston Methodist Cardiovascular Disease Health System Learning Registry (located in Houston, Texas, USA) between June 2016 and July 2021. Each patient was grouped by quintiles of ADI, with higher quintiles signaling greater deprivation. BMI was calculated using measured height and weight with morbid obesity defined as ≥ 40 kg/m2. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between ADI and morbid obesity adjusting for demographic (age, sex, and race/ethnicity) factors. Out of the 751,174 adults with an ADI ranking included in the analysis, 6.9 % had morbid obesity (n = 51,609). Patients in the highest ADI quintile had a higher age-adjusted prevalence (10.9 % vs 3.3 %), and about 4-fold odds (aOR, 3.8; 95 % CI = 3.6, 3.9) of morbid obesity compared to the lowest ADI quintile. We tested for and found interaction effects between ADI and each demographic factor, with stronger ADI-morbid obesity association observed for patients that were female, Hispanic, non-Hispanic White and 40–65 years old. The highest ADI quintile also had a high prevalence (44 %) of any obesity (aOR, 2.2; 95 % CI = 2.1, 2.2). In geospatial mapping, areas with higher ADI were more likely to have higher proportion of patients with morbid obesity. Census-based measures, like the ADI, may be informative for area-level obesity reduction strategies as it can help identify neighborhoods at high odds of having patients with morbid obesity.

Median filter is one of the predominant filters that are used to suppress impulse noise. Its simplicity and ability to maintain edges has led to an extensive application in the domain of image processing and computer vision. However, challenges such as moderate to high running time of the standard median filter algorithm and relatively poorer performance when the image is highly corrupted with impulse noise, have led to the design of several variations of the algorithm. One set of variation of the algorithm concentrates on generating quality outputs, while the other set focuses on reducing running time. Among the set targeting the reduction of the running time of the median filter is the DP approximated median filter. However, DP performs poorly when images are corrupted with moderate to high levels of noise. This paper therefore proposes an Improved Approximation Median Filtering Algorithms (IAMFA-I & IAMFA-II) based on DP to generate a better output. The introduction of Mid-Value-Decision-Median in DP reduces the chances of selecting corrupted pixel for denoised image. Experimental results indicate that the IAMFA-II has better running time and equivalent output compared with DP, while IAMFA-I generates better output and has equivalent running time when compared with DP.

Objective: We conducted a cross-sectional study in the five administrative regions of Northern Ghana to determine the diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) sub/lineages and their susceptibility to isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF). Methods: Sputum specimens were collected and cultured from 566 pulmonary tuberculosis patients reporting to 17 health facilities from 2015 to 2019. Mycobacterial isolates obtained from solid cultures were confirmed as members of the MTBC by PCR amplification of IS6110 and rpoß and assigned lineages and sub-lineages using spoligotyping. Results: Of 294 mycobacterial isolates recovered, MTBC species identified were: M. tuberculosis sensu stricto (Mtbss) 241 (82.0%), M. africanum 41 (13.9%) and M. bovis four (1.4%) with eight (2.7%) unidentified. The human-adapted lineages (L) identified (N=279) were L1 (8/279, 2.9%), L2 (15/279, 5.4%), L3 (7/279, 2.5%), L4 (208/279, 74.5%), L5 (13/279, 4.7%) and L6 (28/279, 10.0%) with three unidentified lineages. Among the 208 L4, the dominant sub-lineages in the region were the Cameroon 120/208 (57.7%) and Ghana 50/208 (24.0%). We found 4.4% (13/294) and 0.7% (2/294) of the patients infected with MTBC isolates resistant to INH only and RIF only, respectively, with 2.4% (7/294) being infected with MDR strains. Whereas L6 was associated with the elderly, we identified that the Ghana sub-lineage of L4 was associated with both INH and MDR (p

Background and purpose: This paper reports on results from the foremost national survey on external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) treatment practice at the three radiotherapy (RT) facilities in Ghana. It is to survey the current EBRT treatment protocols and its resources available in the country for breast cancer treatment. Results are intended to form the foundation for future clinical research into developing standardized institutional and/or National breast cancer treatment planning guidelines. This will introduce uniformity into EBRT protocols across the three facilities in the country for their breast cancer patients. Materials and methods: The survey was conducted with two online-based questionnaires; a general questionnaire that targeted radiation oncology professionals working in the three RT facilities in Ghana and a follow-up specifically for the radiation oncologists. The first survey was rolled out from 21st August 2020 to 31st December 2020. The second survey was conducted from 15th February 2021 to 31st March 2021 after the initial analysis of the responses from the first survey. The first questionnaire had 54 general EBRT breast cancer treatment questions. The second questionnaire had 14 questions focusing on dose fractionation regimens, definition of treatment targets and organs at risk (OAR) delineation. Results: The Google web-based questionnaires had in total 11 responses from the targeted radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and radiation therapists working in the three radiotherapy facilities in the country. The facility response rate was 100% for the survey as there were participation from all three RT facilities. CT-based breast planning was considered standard and used in all three facilities. Reference markers to aid patient positioning and target delineations were employed during simulations. Majority of the relevant OAR associated with breast EBRT were very well defined. 3 dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) planning with forward-planning field-in-field (FP-FIF) technique has become the preferred planning of choice. From this survey, there were three medical linear accelerators (Linacs) and two Cobalt-60 (Co-60) treatment units used in treating an average of 750 breast cancer patients annually. Conclusion: Results from the survey gave an in-depth overview of the current state of EBRT resources available in the treatment and management of breast cancer in Ghana. Minor protocol variations amongst the facilities were observed. However, there were strong consensus amongst the facilities regarding majority of their current existing protocols and possible future techniques/technology implementation.

Knowledge of the floristic composition, structure and conservation status of tropical forests is essential for their sustainable management and conservation, although this remains poorly documented in some tropical countries. Here, we investigated the plant species diversity, distribution and conservation status of the Ankasa Resource Reserve, Ghana, to inform management and conservation efforts. A total of 150 plots (20 m × 20 m each) were demarcated across six recognizable sites, namely; Lophira Tree (LT), Bucket Trail (BT), Big Tree Area (BGA), Bamboo Cathedral (BC), Elubo Camp (EC) and “Dadwen” (DW) for enumeration of trees. Smaller nested plots were used for saplings (5 m × 5 m) and seedlings (1 m × 1 m). Patterns in composition and structure were assessed using various diversity and abundance metrics, whereas the global conservation status of species were determined from the IUCN Red List. In all, 7521 individuals, belonging to 239 species and 65 families, were recorded in the study. The LT was the most diverse of the six habitats (richness = 113, Shannon = 4.32) whereas the BC (62, 3.63) was the least. Hill numbers and rarefaction curves confirmed these variations. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed three distinct compositional units or community types in the reserve. Across all sites, Dacryodes klaineana, Picrilima nitida, Drypetes gilgiana and Gluema ivorensis dominated the tree layer, with IVI (%) of 6.71, 5.69, 5.00, 3.88, respectively. Leguminosae, Apocynaceae and Euphorbiaceae were the most dominant families. Of the 239 species identified, 15.9% are classified as near threatened to threatened with extinction, 62.3% of least concern, and 20% not been evaluated. The DW and EC have the highest conservation values while BGA and BC have the least. The results confirm the high floristic richness and conservation status of the Ankasa reserve, and suggest the need for priority conservation actions to maintain its biodiversity.

Background: Middle Eastern (ME) immigrants are one of the fastest-growing groups in the US. Although ME countries have a high burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the cardiovascular health status among ME immigrants in the US has not been studied in detail. This study aims to characterize the cardiovascular health status (CVD risk factors and ASCVD burden) among ME immigrants in the US. Methods: We used 2012–2018 data from the National Health Interview Survey, a US nationally representative survey. ME origin, CVD risk factors, and ASCVD status were self-reported. We compared these to US-born non-Hispanic white (NHW) individuals in the US. Results: Among 139,778 adults included, 886 (representing 1.3 million individuals, mean age 46.8) were of ME origin, and 138,892 were US-born NHWs (representing 150 million US adults, mean age 49.3). ME participants were more likely to have higher education, lower income and be uninsured. The age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension (22.4% vs 27.4%) and obesity (21.4% vs 31.4%) were significantly lower in ME vs NHW participants, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups in the age-adjusted prevalence of ASCVD, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and smoking. Only insufficient physical activity was higher among ME individuals. ME immigrants living in the US for 10 years or more reported higher age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and ASCVD. Conclusions: ME immigrants in the US have lower odds of hypertension and obesity, and of having a suboptimal CRF profile compared to US-born NHWs. Further studies are needed to determine whether these findings are related to lower risk, selection of a healthier ME subgroup in NHIS, or possible under-detection of cardiovascular risk factors in ME immigrants living in the US.

Objectives: To evaluate the association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and whether this association is modified by age or sex. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data from the 2015–2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The exposure of interest was self-reported IBD. The outcome of interest was prevalent ASCVD, which included a history of angina, myocardial infarction or stroke. We used survey-specific descriptive statistics to obtain weighted national estimates for IBD and ASCVD prevalence. Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between IBD and ASCVD, progressively adjusting for demographics and traditional risk factors. Effect modification by age and sex was evaluated. Results: Among participants with IBD, the age-adjusted prevalence of ASCVD was 12.0% compared to 6.9% among those without IBD (p

This study investigated the properties of films or bioplastics fabricated using a wet processing method from yellow pea protein isolate (YPI) and protein concentrate (YPC) for potential application in food packaging. The wet processing method included mixing the protein with water and glycerol followed by casting and drying the films in a humidity- and temperature-controlled chamber. Whey protein isolate (WPI) and a film from a blend of equal amounts of YPI and WPI, labelled as YPI + WPI, were also studied. Fourier transform-infra red analysis revealed that films from YPI, YPC, WPI and YPI + WPI were formed by protein polymerisation with the plasticiser, glycerol, via hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions. The protein films had contact angles of YPC > YPI + WPI > YPI, whereas the mechanical and thermal resilience of films formulated from YPI, YPC and the protein blend were comparable to the properties of WPI-based films. The findings demonstrate that yellow pea proteins can be used as biomaterials to develop protein and protein-blend films or bioplastics for food packaging and edible applications.

Electronic waste (e-waste) disposal and recycling activities such as burning and smelting can emit particulate matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and other pollutants that expose workers and nearby communities. At informal e-waste recycling facilities, both emission controls and protective measures for workers are absent. This study characterizes personal exposures (breathing zone) of PM and PAHs of e-waste workers at the large Agbogbloshie e-waste site in Accra, Ghana. We collected gravimetric and optical measurements of PM2.5 and PM10 using shift samples for workers and for an age- and gender-matched reference population. PM2.5 filters were analyzed for 26 PAHs using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Among e-waste workers, PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were 99 ± 56 and 218 ± 158 µg/m3 (median ± interquartile range, optical measurements), respectively; these levels were 78 and 57% higher, respectively, than levels measured at a fixed site that was centrally located at the waste site. In the reference community, breathing zone PM2.5 and PM10 levels were lower, 49 ± 20 and 131 ± 108 µg/m3, respectively, and the fraction of coarse PM was larger. We detected all 26 target PAHs, of which naphthalene and phenanthrene were the most abundant. PAH concentrations were weakly correlated to PM levels, but PAH abundances, representing the fraction of PAH mass to the total PM2.5 mass collected, were strongly and inversely correlated to PM levels, suggesting multiple and different sources of PAHs and PM that affected exposures. Both PM and PAH levels were elevated for workers performing burning and dismantling, and both exceeded standards or risk-based guidelines, e.g., lifetime excess cancer risks for several PAHs were in the 10−4 to 10−6 range, indicating the need to reduce emissions as well as provide respiratory protection. The study emphasizes the importance of using personal and shift samples to accurately characterize worker exposure.

Abstract: Pulmonary and systemic vasculopathies are significant risk factors for early morbidity and death in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). An underlying mechanism of SCD vasculopathy is vascular smooth muscle (VSM) nitric oxide (NO) resistance, which is mediated by NO scavenging reactions with plasma hemoglobin (Hb) and reactive oxygen species that can oxidize soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), the NO receptor. Prior studies show that cytochrome b5 reductase 3 (CYB5R3), known as methemoglobin reductase in erythrocytes, functions in VSM as an sGC heme iron reductase critical for reducing and sensitizing sGC to NO and generating cyclic guanosine monophosphate for vasodilation. Therefore, we hypothesized that VSM CYB5R3 deficiency accelerates development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in SCD. Bone marrow transplant was used to create SCD chimeric mice with background smooth muscle cell (SMC)–specific tamoxifen-inducible Cyb5r3 knockout (SMC R3 KO) and wild-type (WT) control. Three weeks after completing tamoxifen treatment, we observed 60% knockdown of pulmonary arterial SMC CYB5R3, 5 to 6 mm Hg elevated right-ventricular (RV) maximum systolic pressure (RVmaxSP) and biventricular hypertrophy in SS chimeras with SMC R3 KO (SS/R3KD) relative to WT (SS/R3WT). RV contractility, heart rate, hematological parameters, and cell-free Hb were similar between groups. When identically generated SS/R3 chimeras were studied 12 weeks after completing tamoxifen treatment, RVmaxSP in SS/R3KD had not increased further, but RV hypertrophy relative to SS/R3WT persisted. These are the first studies to establish involvement of SMC CYB5R3 in SCD-associated development of PH, which can exist in mice by 5 weeks of SMC CYB5R3 protein deficiency.

Background and aims: Chronic inflammation is associated with premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We studied the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) amongst individuals with IBD who have not developed ASCVD. Methods: Our study population was derived from the 2015 – 2016 National Health Interview Survey. Those with ASCVD (defined as myocardial infarction, angina or stroke) were excluded. The prevalence of CRFs among individuals with IBD was compared with those without IBD. The odds CRFs among adults with IBD was assessed using logistic regression models. Results: In our study population of 60,155 individuals, 786 (1.3%) had IBD. IBD was associated with increased odds hypertension (odds ratio [OR] 1.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39–2.09), diabetes (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.22–2.32), hypercholesterolemia (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.32–2.99) and insufficient physical activity (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.16–1.66). Conclusion: IBD is associated with higher prevalence of CRFs. Early screening and risk mitigation strategies are warranted.

Benefits assessment of investments in research projects is increasingly becoming important to funding agencies and stakeholders in order to demonstrate the effectiveness and benefits of funded projects and to provide guidance for future project appraisal and selection. This paper describes the development of a multi-criteria benefits assessment framework that is based on systems approach and developed using empirical data from rural road improvement projects funded by the UKAid. The framework is a scoring system where the outputs are presented as a report card or scorecard with scores and ratings assigned to the various subsystems. The scores represent the levels of benefits derived from conducting the research and implementation of products generated thereof. The framework is flexible enough to estimate the benefits for each subsystem independent of the other subsystems. The system can also be used as a decision support tool, providing quantitative information to validate funding and management decisions.

Objective: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are among the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and economic burden in the United States (US). While previous reports have shown that an optimal cardiovascular risk factor (CRF) profile is associated with improved outcomes among COPD patients, the impact of ASCVD and CRF on healthcare costs and resource utilization is not well described. Methods: The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) database was used from 2011 to 2016 to study healthcare expenditure for COPD patients with and without ASCVD and across CRF profiles in a nationally representative population of adults in the United States. Results: The study population consisted of 14,807 adults with COPD, representing 28 million cases annually. Presence of ASCVD was associated with higher reported expenditure across the spectrum of CRF profiles among those with COPD. On average, after adjusting for confounders, presence of ASCVD represented a mean difference per capita of $5438 (95% CI $4121 - $6754; p ​

Background: Staphylococcus aureus associated nosocomial infection is an important health challenge as isolates may involve multidrug resistant strains. Sources of S.aureus infection in healthcare settings include colonized healthcare workers, inpatients, and caretakers. This study investigates S. aureus carriage rate and associated antimicrobial resistance among healthcare workers, inpatients, and caretakers in the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH), Ghana. Methods: Nasal swabs and demographic data were collected from a cross-section of healthcare workers, inpatients, and caretakers. The swabs were culture and S. aureus isolates subjected to antibiotic susceptibility assay. Results: Results: S. aureus nasal carriage rate was 25.5% (27/106) while MRSA and non-MRSA prevalence were 8.5% (9/106) and 17.0% (18/106) respectively. The proportion of S. aureus carriage distribution was highest among neonates 42.1% (8/19), follow by participant in the age group 11–20 years, 36.8% (7/19). Inpatients, healthcare workers, and caretakers recorded S. aureus carriage rate of 30.0% (15/50), 27.8% (10/36), and 10% (2/20), respectively. Healthcare workers had the highest proportion of MRSA 40% (4/10) and inpatients recorded a rate of 33.3% (5/15), while no case of MRSA was recorded among caretakers. Antibiotic resistance pattern of the isolates was generally higher in MRSA compared to non-MRSA. Conclusions: There exist relatively high rate of S. aureus nasal carriage among healthcare workers, inpatients, and caretakers in the wards/units of the TTH. However, MRSA were only isolated from healthcare workers and inpatients but not caretakers.

Bioavailability of bioactive peptides (BAPs) represents the amount of peptides absorbed through normal pathways, after oral intake, and distributed in target tissues to exhibit bioactive properties. The small intestine is the primary location of the gastrointestinal tract where peptide absorption mainly occurs. BAPs are beneficial to health upon reaching their physiological sites of action without structural changes. Despite the rapid and dynamic evolvement of research into food peptides, there is still a knowledge gap regarding their bioaccessibility and bioavailability for systemic circulation to targeted organs. Beside the digestive actions of endogenous proteases and peptidases, chemical and nutritional compositions of the food matrix and their physical forms (e.g., liquid, puree, gel, solid) are also critical factors that can influence the interactions, digestibility, bioaccessibility and bioavailability of BAPs. Detailed understanding of such food matrix factors can be explored for enhancing the bioavailability of BAPs and achieving their positive health effects.

Background: The incidence of many chronic diseases is high among people who are obese. Therefore, identifying the association of obesity indices and cardiovascular risk factors among nurses can be useful in the advancement of public health policy and ensuring quality of life for frontline healthcare workers. Objective: The present study examines the association of obesity indices and cardiovascular disease risk factors among nurses in Trinidad and Tobago. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses attending the Excellence in Nursing Practice Workshop in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in June 2017. Trained nurses collected data about age, body mass index, waist circumference, conicity index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose. The associations between obesity indices and cardiovascular risk factors were explored with Pearson’s correlation coefficient and One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Participants included 99 female nurses recruited by a convenient sampling method. Body mass index was positively and significantly related to systolic blood pressure. Waist circumference was positively and significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Conicity index was positively and significantly associated with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose. Age, weight and systolic blood pressure were correlated with conicity index quartiles. There was association between conicity index quartiles and waist circumference. Conclusion: The observed associations between obesity indices and cardiovascular disease risk factors suggest the importance of prevention and control of these causes of morbidity and mortality.

Background: To investigate effects of falciparum malaria on circulating levels of leptin and adiponectin in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-diabetic controls in relation to measures of adiposity. Methods: Levels of leptin and adiponectin were measured in 100 type 2 diabetics and 100 age-matched controls before and during falciparum malaria in a 2-year prospective study. Also, waist circumference (WC), weight, height and hip circumference were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were computed. Results: At baseline, diabetics had significantly (p  0.05) between diabetics and controls. However, compared to baseline levels, significant (pÂ