Diazonium 4-(trifluorovinyloxy) Perfluorobutanesulfonyl Benzenesulfonimide Zwitterionic Monomer Synthesis

3-Diazonium- 4-(trifluorovinyloxy) - perfluorobutanesulfonyl benzenesulfonimide zwitterionic monomer (see figure 1) is proposed to be polymerized and further act as a new electrolyte for Polymer exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). One reason is that, the aromatic trifluorovinyl aryl ether (TFVE) group can easily be homopolymerized to aromatic perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) polymer. Furthermore, the diazonium moiety in the monomer is expected to covalently attach the electrolyte to the carbon electrodes support. The perfluoroalkyl(aryl) sulfonimide (PFSI) pendant provides good chemical and mechanical stability as well as better proton conductivity. Several multi-step synthetic schemes are designed to obtain such monomer from perfluoroalkyl(aryl) sulfonimide (PFSI). Among them, the purified coupling product 4-OCF2CF2Br-3-NO2-PhSO2(M) SO2C4F9 from the first approach was successfully completed. The next stages of the work will involve dehalogenation, reduction, and diazotization to achieve the targeting monomer. All the intermediates were characterized by 1H and 19F NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy

Traditional Medicine: a Blessing or Bane? The Case of Ghana

The study examines the socio-demographic characteristics of Traditional Medical Practitioners in Ghana. Their attitudes towards collaboration with biomedical practitioners, their associations, and regulation is also discussed. Data for the study was obtained from a Survey of Traditional Medical Practitioners in Ghana

Optical characterisation of polarised light beam under different aqueous concentrations

In this study, the optical activity of salt, brown and white sugar solutions of different concentrations is determined. The optical rotation angle as a function of wavelength was studied using different optical color filters. Sodium-D light and laser source of light were used. The optical activity was found to depend on the type of sugar, sugar concentration and the wavelength of the light used. The study revealed that the optical activity was linearly dependent on the concentration of the sugar solution (both white and brown). Cyan light recorded the highest angle of rotation while red light recorded the lowest. It also found that brown sugar has a greater ability to rotate polarized light than white sugar due to the presence of potassium and magnesium components. It is worth noting that the salt solution is optically inactive because it lacks microscopic mirror symmetry. Finally, the findings provide an understanding of the characteristics of polarized light under different solution concentrations and can serve as a guide for conducting further research on high-efficiency polarizers

Optical characterisation of polarised light beam under different aqueous concentrations

In this study, the optical activity of salt, brown and white sugar solutions of different concentrations is determined. The optical rotation angle as a function of wavelength was studied using different optical color filters. Sodium-D light and laser source of light were used. The optical activity was found to depend on the type of sugar, sugar concentration and the wavelength of the light used. The study revealed that the optical activity was linearly dependent on the concentration of the sugar solution (both white and brown). Cyan light recorded the highest angle of rotation while red light recorded the lowest. It also found that brown sugar has a greater ability to rotate polarized light than white sugar due to the presence of potassium and magnesium components. It is worth noting that the salt solution is optically inactive because it lacks microscopic mirror symmetry. Finally, the findings provide an understanding of the characteristics of polarized light under different solution concentrations and can serve as a guide for conducting further research on high-efficiency polarizers

Determinants of Healthcare Facilities and Services Utilisation among the Aged: Evidence from Yamoransa in Ghana

The aged are usually infected with chronic diseases and other health problems, but healthcare services/facilities for them are limited particularly in developing countries. Invariably, they encounter many challenges in their search for treatments, but few gerontological studies about healthcare facilities/services utilisation have been conducted in Ghana. This article assesses the socio-economic and demographic variables associated with the use of healthcare facilities/services among the aged, using Yamoransa in Ghana as the study setting. Andersen’s Behaviour Model of Health Services Use was applied as theoretical guide. Cross-sectional survey involving interview schedules was conducted for all the aged. The findings show significant preference for government healthcare facilities among the aged, because of their perception that services rendered in such health centres are more effective. Slight variations by sex and age were recorded in the use of healthcare services while ethnicity, formal education, and marriage were the main predisposing factors affecting utilisation of healthcare services. Maltreatment of patients by health service providers and ample time spent in healthcare centres discouraged subsequent use of healthcare services while availability of income based on type of occupation and subscription to health insurance also influenced the use of healthcare services among the aged

Prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among under-five children in Egypt

BackgroundEvidence suggests that Egypt, a country in North Africa, has a significant number of children at serious risk of excess body weight. Yet, there is a dearth of studies on overweight and obesity among children under 5 years in the country. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of overweight and obesity among under-five children in Egypt.MethodsData were retrieved from the latest (2008 and 2014) Egypt Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS). A total of 42,568 children under 5 years were included. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was described using proportions whereas the factors associated with the prevalence were examined using logistic regression.ResultsOf the 42,568 children under 5 years, about one in every six (17%) were overweight or obese. Children aged 19–37 months, those with birth weights >4 kg, those given large portions of protein foods (eggs and meat), and those whose mothers were in the rich wealth quintile had significant risks of overweight or obesity.ConclusionOverweight and obesity are highly prevalent among children under 5 years in Egypt. Interventions developed to address these two overnutrition indicators in Egypt need to consider variations in risk factors across age, birth weight, food types and portions, and maternal wealth status

The influence of water-conservation messages on reducing household water use

As water crises become severe, the desire to explore alternative strategies that focus on the demand-side of water-conservation increase. Changing behaviour through persuasion (message framing) can be an integral part of providing water demand solutions. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of messages related to household water use on water scarcity and intentions to act. We tested whether relationships between communication and water conservation were mediated via increasing capability, opportunity, and motivation behaviour (COM-B dimensions). We applied two message types related to concern about severe water scarcity and conservation strategies to the behaviour change conditions in two combinations: (1) severe water scarcity and water-saving tips/strategies, and (2) severe water scarcity and no water-saving tips/strategies. There was broad support for the hypothesis that COM-B dimensions would mediate the effect of message type on water scarcity concern and intentions to act in conservation activities. Households that received the message framed in terms of water-saving tips/strategies expressed greater water scarcity concern and higher intention to act than those that received the no water-saving tips/strategies message. Mediation analyses showed that the message framed in terms of specific water-saving tips/strategies was mediated by increasing households' capacity (self-efficacy), opportunity and/or motivation in water-conservation actions. Thus, specific water-conservation strategies made available to households have a stronger impact on water-conservation behaviour because these messages appeal to behavioural change conditions

Protocol for a scoping review of the use of information and communication technology platforms for the delivery and utilisation of transgender healthcare

Introduction In recent years, there has been strong interest in making digital health and social tools more accessible, particularly among vulnerable and stigmatised groups such as transgender people. While transgender people experience unique physical, mental and sexual health needs, not much is currently known about the extent to which they use information and communication technologies such as short messaging service and videoconferencing to access health services. In this paper, we discuss our protocol for a scoping review of the literature about the delivery and utilisation of digitally mediated health services for transgender populations. Methods and analysis This scoping review of the provision and experience of telemedicine among transgender people will follow the methodological framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley. The search will be conducted using three online databases, namely PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus, with additional literature explored using Google Scholar to identify grey literature. Relevant English-language studies will be shortlisted after completing a title and abstract review based on defined inclusion criteria. Following that, a final list of included studies will be compiled after a full-text review of the shortlisted articles has been completed. To enable the screening process, a team of researchers will be assigned refereed publications explicitly referring to the provision and experience of transgender healthcare through telemedicine. Screening performed independently will then collaboratively be reviewed to maintain consistency. Ethics and dissemination The research is exempt from ethics approval since our analysis is based on extant research into the use of digital technologies in providing healthcare to transgender people. The results of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed academic publications and presentations. Our analysis will guide the design of further research and practice relating to the use of digital communication technologies to deliver healthcare services to transgender people

IMPROVEMENT OF SENIOR HIGH STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN HEAT TRANSFER USING PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES IN EFFUTU MUNICIPAL, GHANA

This study investigated the integration of practical activities with theoretical lessons to improve students’ academic performance in the concept of heat transfer at A. M. E. Zion Girls’ Senior High School, Winneba, in the Central Region of Ghana. A sample of 50 female home economics students in SHS two was purposefully selected for the study. Questionnaires and test items were the main instruments used to collect data for the study. Students completed pre-intervention and post-intervention tests after using an interactive and hands-on instructional approach as an intervention. A descriptive statistical analysis was used to measure the trends in teaching and learning methods. Statistical differences between students' performance before and after the study were examined using the mean, standard deviation; t-test, mean gain, and effect size analysis to analyse the research questions. Student responses to the questionnaire revealed that 86% of the students understood the concept of heat transfer after the intervention and 94% of the study sample indicated that they would like to see physics lessons integrated with theory and hands-on activities. The average gain between pre- and post-intervention test scores was 3.74, with a p-value of 0.000** demonstrating the success of the intervention process. This study supports the use of instructional tools in the physics classroom and recommends the use of interactive hands-on activities to improve the student's academic performance.  Article visualizations

Information and communication technology-based health interventions for transgender people: A scoping review

In the recent past, there has been a strong interest in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to deliver healthcare to ‘hard-to-reach’ populations. This scoping review aims to explore the types of ICT-based health interventions for transgender people, and the concerns on using these interventions and ways to address these concerns. Guided by the scoping review frameworks offered by Arksey & O’Malley and the PRISMA-ScR checklist, literature search was conducted in May 2021 and January 2022 in three databases (PubMed, CINAHL and Scopus). The two searches yielded a total of 889 non-duplicated articles, with 47 of them meeting the inclusion criteria. The 47 articles described 39 unique health projects/programs, covering 8 types of ICT-based interventions: videoconferencing, smartphone applications, messaging, e-coaching, self-learning platforms, telephone, social media, and e-consultation platforms. Over 80% of the health projects identified were conducted in North America, and 62% focused on HIV/sexual health. The findings of this review suggest that transgender people had often been regarded as a small subsample in ICT-based health projects that target other population groups (such as ‘men who have sex with men’ or ‘sexual minority’). Many projects did not indicate whether transgender people were included in the development or evaluation of the project. Relatively little is known about the implementation of ICT-based trans health interventions outside the context of HIV/sexual health, in resource limiting settings, and among transgender people of Asian, Indigenous or other non-White/Black/Hispanic backgrounds. While the range of interventions identified demonstrate the huge potentials of ICT to improve healthcare access for transgender people, the current body of literature is still far from adequate for making comprehensive recommendations on the best practice of ICT-based interventions for transgender people. Future ICT-based interventions need to be more inclusive and specified, in order to ensure the interventions are safe, accessible and effective for transgender people