Consumer motivation and willingness to pay for “safer” vegetables in Ghana

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of the following article: Iddrisu Yahaya, and Fred A. Yamoah, (2015) "Consumer motivation and willingness to pay for “safer” vegetables in Ghana", British Food Journal, Vol. 117 Issue: 3, pp.1043-1065, the version of record is available online at doi: 10.1108/BFJ-10-2013-0296. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited 2015 Published by Emerald Group Publishing Limited.Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess consumer motivation and willingness to pay (WTP) for “safer” vegetables from the use of non-treatment options of wastewater use in urban/peri-urban vegetable production. Design/methodology/approach – As a theoretical basis, consumer theory of maximizing utility being an indicator of individual preference was examined through choice experiment (CE) method to measure the WTP for value of safety within the context of health reduced risk (pathogen reduction) of illness. WTP was tested empirically using survey data from 650 households in the two largest cities in Ghana (Accra and Kumasi) that are characterized by a number of well-established vegetable producers who use wastewater in their production and a large urban and peri-urban vegetable consumer market. Findings – Experience of vegetable borne diseases drives the need for safer vegetables and income and gender are key demographic factors influencing WTP. It was further found that consumers are willing to pay an average amount of GH¢ 4.7 ($2.40) per month for a technology change that would result in the production of “safer” vegetables. Research limitations/implications – Understanding WTP offers insight into consumer concerns, behaviour and their readiness to pay for safer vegetable options. However, a further consideration of the impact of the combinations of the various non-treatment options on pathogen reduction and the assessment of the financial viability of each option will collectively ensure an efficient and cost-effective implementation of the technologies. Practical implications – WTP insight gained has implications for vegetable production, marketing and public health policy. The understanding from the findings forms a solid basis to canvass for certification system for urban/peri urban vegetables. The information provided also helps to formulate effective public education on the safety of vegetables. Originality/value – Measuring WTP for safer vegetables by Ghanaian urban/peri-urban consumers is novel. The CE approach is robust and the findings can inform vegetable production and marketing decisions as well as public health policy formulation.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

A SURVEY OF THE ORIGIN AND PRACTICE OF THE ISLAMIC ARBITRATION SYSTEM IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

This paper examines the origin and practice of Islamic arbitration system (Ḥākimiyyah) with particular reference to Northern Nigeria. The work traces the origin of arbitration and its application in all works of life particularly in areas where the Shari’ah system is practice in Northern Nigeria. The paper brings into limelight the history and various practices of Hakimiyyah in Islam. It also analyses Hakimiyyah in Northern Nigeria from the pre-colonial era, the Kanem Bornu empire and Sokoto Caliphate especially the role played by the rulers of the various empires in ensuring the Islamic courts plays it role in the arbitration of dispute and other issues among Muslims and non-Muslims. Secondary data approach was adopted in paper where literary materials relevant to the research were utilise. It was concluded in the paper that the early Islamization of the Hausaland and the manner in which Islam was embraced had led to the quick emergence of strong institutions that made Islam to be the major source of social and cultural identity of the people in the area. Islamic legal system as one of those social institutions, was the bedrock upon which the Hausa Muslim states were established, particularly during the reigns of the defunct Kanem Borno Empire and Sokoto Caliphate. These two Muslim empires had produced the unique legal system the like of which had existed only during the early days of Islam

Flat plate solar collectors and applications: a review

In this study, various methods and applications of flat plate solar collectors are discussed and pictorial representations are presented. Low temperature applications of flat plate collectors are identified in solar cooking, solar water heating, space and air heating, industrial heating plants and in agricultural produce drying processes. Basic equations, as presented by many researchers in the performances of flat plate collectors, are also presented. The review discusses the analysis of losses from flat plate collectors towards obtaining the overall heat loss coefficient which indicate the performance of flat plate collectors

An Investigation of the Potentials of 2-[(2-Hydroxyphenyl) Methylidene] Hydrazine-1-Carbothioamide and its Mn(II) and Zn(II) Complexes as Antimicrobial Agents

Antibiotic resistance as a result of misuse, overuse or abuse of drugs is an issue of serious concern world over. The quest for more active and robust antimicrobial agents remains a scientific challenge and requires multimillion-dollar investment in the area of drug design and development. Here in, we report the synthesis and characterisation of a tridentate thiosemicarbazone (2-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)methylidene]hydrazine-1-carbothioamide) (HL) from salicylaldehyde and thiosemicarbazide. Its complexes with Mn(II) and Zn(II) were prepared following similar technique and characterised by melting point, FT-IR, UV –visible spectrophotometry, and elemental analysis. The Mn(II) complex showed paramagnetism with a magnetic moment value of 5.80 BM while the Zn(II) complex was diamagnetic. Both complexes were nonelectrolyte with molar conductivities below 2 ohm–1cm2mol–1. The potentials of the compounds as antibacterial and antifungal agents were investigated against three bacterial: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi, and two fungal: Aspergillus flavus and Mucor indicus isolates. Interestingly, all the compounds showed medium to high activities against the tested isolates (except for the Mucor indicus which resisted all the compounds) and hence their potential as antimicrobial agents.Keywords:    Thiosemicarbazone; Mn(II) and Zn(II) Complexes; Antibacterial; Antifungal; Antibiotic resistanc

Evaluation of risk factors of animal trypanosomosis in Ghana, and the monitoring of the impact of disease and vector eradication intervention in the Upper West Region of Ghana

African animal trypanosomosis (AAT) is a major constraint to viable and sustainable livestock production systems in Ghana. Under the umbrella of the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC), Ghana is collaborating with Burkina Faso in a sub-regional initiative aiming at creating tsetse-free areas across their common borders. The objective of this thesis was to conduct research to guide project implementation and specifically seeks to i) determine the pre-intervention vector and disease situation of the intervention area, ii) determine tsetse population structuring and the consequences on sustainable tsetse control efforts, iii) evaluate SAT for the control of riverine tsetse species in Ghana and iv) evaluate the environmental risk of the intervention programmes. Results of a baseline survey conducted in the Upper West Region (study area) indicated a wide-spread prevalence of Glossina tachinoides but Glossina palpalis gambiensis was limited to the southern edge of the study area. Average parasitological prevalence in cattle was estimated at 2.5% (95% CI: 1.06–5.77) and serological prevalence measured at 19% (95% CI: 14.03–25.35). The mean Index of Apparent Abundance (IAA) of tsetse was 8.7, 1.9 and 1.3 for samples taken along the Black Volta, Kulpawn and Sissili Rivers, respectively. Investigations of the G. tachinoides populations confirmed significant strucring within and between the three main river-basins of the study area, and indicated a local density of 0.048-0.061 flies/m² and dispersal distance that approximated 11 m per generation [CI 9 - 17]. No significant sex-biased dispersal was detected. However, the observed dispersal was deemed sufficient for a G. tachinoides-cleared area to be reinvaded from neighbouring populations in adjacent river basins The potential of Sequential Aerosol Technique (SAT) to eliminate riverine tsetse species in a challenging subsection (dense tree canopy and high tsetse densities) and the subsequent efficacy of an integrated strategy, one year after the SAT operations, were also investigated. Results indicated failure to achieve elimination, attributed to insufficient penetration of insecticide aerosols in thick riverine forest galleries. However the overall reduction rate due to SAT was important (98%) and the subsequent integrated strategy maintained high levels of tsetse suppression. Finally an environmental impact assessment revealed no significant impact of deltamethrin aerosols on non-targeted aquatic and terrestrial arthropods. (Résumé d'auteur

Poor Kidney Function and the risk of Prostate Cancer among Aged Men in Kogi East, Kogi State, Nigeria

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein that is produced by cells in the male prostate gland. An increase in PSA levels is associated with prostate inflammation, prostate cancer, and benign prostatic hypertrophy. This work provides information on the values of Kidney function indices and PSA in apparently normal ageing men residing within the Eastern zone of Kogi State, Nigeria. The subjects were divided into different groups based on their age range. There was a gradual increased in PSA and serum urea as the age increases. Keyword: Kidney, Prostate cancer, Prostate Specific Antigen, Blood Urea Nitrogen and Creatinin

Liver Function and Lipid Profile in adult Men in Eastern Zone of Kogi State, Nigeria

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are enzymes found mainly in the liver. When the liver is diseased or damaged, additional aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase are released into the blood stream, causing the levels of the enzymes to rise. Therefore, the amount of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in the blood is directly related to the extent of the tissue damage. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in mammals is found mainly in the liver. Increase in serum alkaline phosphatase level is associated with malignant biliary obstruction, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, hepatic lymphoma and sarcoidosis. Cholesterol is component of plasma membranes. Triglycerides are found in adipose tissue, some triglycerides are stored in the blood to provide fuel for the muscles. This work was aimed at providing information on the values of liver function indices and lipid profile in apparently healthy ageing men residing within Kogi Eastern zone of Nigeria. This is as a result of the curiosity to know and make comparison between their parameters with those of the standard/reference or normal laboratory values. The subjects were divided into different groups 25 – 75 years and the mean and standard deviation of each parameter was calculated. Test for Liver function and lipid profile were carried out to determine the level of alkaline phosphatase, AST, ALT, TG, LDL, HDL and VLDL. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the alkaline phosphatase of group 6 (75 years and above) when compared to the standard while the AST and ALT showed no significant difference. The lipid profile showed no significant difference as they were in tandem with the reference values. Keywords: Low Density Lipoprotein, High Density Lipoprotein, Triacylglycerides, Very Low Density Lipoprotein, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Alanine Aminotransferas

Formulation of laundry soap using locally made Palm Kernel Oil in Nigeria

Soap is one of the most important thing used for human daily life activities in cleansing and skin care purposes. Palm Kernel Oil is an edible oil that has many advantages in soap making, shampoo, and other skin care products. It also has so many medicinal properties like removal of toxins from the body. Palm Kernel Oil locally produced in Anyigba (Nigeria) was used to prepare the soap with lye aqueous solution using both Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) and other additives using cold process. The pH- value, Solubility and foam height were checked. The pH-values of the soap samples was found to be 9.88 – 10.00 and was within the limit set by standard organization of Nigeria. The prepared soap with the pH-values above does not irritate the skin and has good cleaning and foaming property

Insulinotropic activity of standardized methanolic extracts of Ficus deltoidea from seven varities

Ficus deltoidea is a traditional medicinal plant that has been proven to show antidiabetic effects. This study focus is to assess the insulin secretion activity of Ficus deltoidea standardized methanolic extracts from seven independent varieties and mechanisms that underlie the insulin secretion action of the extracts. The cytotoxicity of Ficus deltoidea extracts was tested using viability assay. The insulin secretion assay was carried out by treating clonal BRIN BD11 cell line with standardized methanolic Ficus deltoidea extracts or glybenclamide. The clonal BRIN BD11 cell was also treated with insulin agonist and antagonist to elucidate the insulin secretion mechanism. Only the viability percentage for Ficus deltoidea var. kunstleri and intermedia was identified to be toxic at 500 and 1000 μg/ml (P<0.001). The insulin secretion for Ficus deltoidea var. deltoidea, angustifolia, and motleyana was dose-dependent; further evaluation suggested that Ficus deltoidea var. trengganuensis was involved in K ᴬᵀᴾ -independent pathway. This study suggests that standardized methanolic extracts of Ficus deltoidea varieties have an insulinotropic effect on clonal BRIN BD11 cell line and can be utilized as a modern candidate of antidiabetic agents targeting the escalation for insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells

Impact of Malaria Parasitemia on Some Liver Enzymes among Adults Patients Attending University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State-Nigeria

Nearly half of the world's population is susceptible to malaria, a potentially fatal disease. When the parasite infection is left untreated or treated incorrectly, it can lead to catastrophic side effects such as chronic renal disease, liver illness, and even death. The goal of this study was to examine the blood and liver enzymes of UMTH, Maiduguri's malaria patients. The ALP, AST, and ALT of the malaria parasite were measured using conventional techniques. In this study, 125 malaria patients at the UMTH were divided into groups according to their sex, age, gender, and malaria density. Their ALP, AST, and ALT blood liver enzyme levels were examined and compared to those of 125 control patients. The research found that the majority of malaria patients Thirty-eight (30.4%) of the malaria patients, or (58.4 percent) of the total population, were males and were between the ages of 25 and 31. They predominantly have low malaria densities (+). The mean ALP, AST, and ALT values for malaria patients were 5.801, 12.760, and 20.470, respectively. This difference was extremely significant (P 0.05). Our research revealed 2.995, 2.056, and 3.594 as very significant differences in liver enzymes. The average levels of ALP, AST, and ALT in malaria patients with (+) were 7.178, 1.854, and 7.345, respectively. indicated a significant statistical difference when compared to patients with malaria who had (++) (p 0.05/0.01). In comparison to age groups 18-24 years, 25-31 years, 32-38 years, and 39-45 years, the value of liver enzymes in malaria patients showed no significant changes at 0.621U/L, 0.120U/L, and 0.496U/L, respectively. However, as previously mentioned writers have noted, that more work must be done to implement control strategies and eradicate malaria infection in this area