Lignin Hydrothermal Liquefaction into Bifunctional Chemicals: A Concise Review

Lignin, the second largest biomass after cellulose is underutilized. Yet, it remains the only natural source of aromatic, and phenolic compounds. It is imperative to, amidst the expanding interest on biomass conversion, to accord the necessary attention towards lignin degradation into value added chemicals. Specifically, its phenyl, guaiacyl, and syringyl derivatives. Understanding lignin degradation chemistry, goes a long way in its selective valorization into fuels and chemicals via thermochemical routes such as hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL). Therefore, development of technologies targeting value addition of products and by-products from lignin, would undoubtedly give way to emerging markets in the industry. Previous review papers focused on the general HTL of biomass, food waste, algae, and their model compounds. However, review on HTL of lignin is scarcely available. This paper presents the detailed literature analyses of the current trend in lignin degradation via HTL. Effect of HTL conditions including temperature, heating rate and catalyst has been reviewed. In-depth discussion on use of ionic liquids as catalyst for HTL of lignin has also been compiled. Other lignin degradation techniques such as pyrolysis and hydrolysis were also discussed. This is aimed at bringing together an up-to-date information on lignin degradation into selected chemical intermediates

Patronage Factors of Motor Vehicle Takaful in Kano State, Nigeria

The Nigerian insurance industry has been associated with low patronage, thus contributing less than 1% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The marketing and distribution segment of the Nigerian oil and Gas industry is facing multiple challenges including difficulty in transporting product through pipelines which necessitate the use of alternative means of transportation by road (Trucks). The main objective of this study is to empirically examine the determinants of patronage of motor vehicle Takaful by members of National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO-PTD) Kano State. The population of the study is 320 registered members of NARTO-PTD. Using Taro Yamane sample size formula, the study arrives at a sample of 178 respondents who were selected using simple Random Sampling Techniques. Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) method was employed to test the hypotheses of the study. The result reveals that while awareness is insignificant but perception and religiosity significantly affect patronage of motor vehicle takaful by members of NARTO-PTD in Kano State. The study recommends Takaful Companies to develop policies that will further encourage those highly religious and attract those that are not highly religious through organizing educative programs in masjids and other religious avenues and places of worship. Lastly, the study recommends developing policies that will strengthening the perception (NARTO-PTD) members toward Takaful

Perceived Effects of Rainfall and Temperature Variability on Yields of Cereal Crops in the Mion District of Northern Ghana

 Climate variability has been a major threat to achieving sustainable food production in many countries, including Ghana. This is attributable to insufficient and erratic rainfall coupled with increasing temperature. This study examined the perceived effects of rainfall and temperature variability on yields of cereal crops in the Mion District of the Northern Region. The study reveals that farmers in the Mion District have experienced changes in climatic conditions evident in high temperatures and low rainfall. The study also reveals that rainfall and temperature variability adversely affect the yields of cereal crops such as rice, maize, and millet. The effect could manifest in either yield reduction or total crop failure of cereals. The study also showed that factors that enable farmers to respond to impacts of rainfall and temperature variability are Agric extension services, application of fertilizer, irrigation farming, use of improved seeds, and favourable government policies such as subsidies and credit facilities.   The study, therefore, concludes that yields of cereal crops are adversely affected by rainfall and temperature variability. However, farmers resort to Agric extension services, application of fertilizer, irrigation farming, use of improved variety of seeds, and favourable government policies in response to the impacts of rainfall and temperature variability. The study recommends that government should employ more extension agents and construct more irrigation facilities in the Mion District to reduce the adverse effects of climate variability on yields of cereal crops

Analysis of Factors that affect the use of Microfinance for Microbusiness Development in Ghana

This chapter examined the factors that affect the use of microfinance for microbusiness development in Ghana. The study employed semi-structured survey questionnaire to determine whether an entrepreneur’s personal attributes impede or facilitate microbusiness development in Ghana. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the effects of entrepreneur’s personal attributes on the monthly sales, number of employees, business assets and capital stock of microbusinesses that received credit from a microfinance provider in the northern region of Ghana. The findings of the study suggest that the micro-entrepreneurs prior work experience, occupation and prior income facilitate the use of microfinance for microbusiness development. These findings have policy implications for the government of Ghana and other agencies that are interested in using microfinance as a catalyst for economic growth in deprived communities in the country

Patronage Factors of Motor Vehicle Takaful in Kano State, Nigeria

The Nigerian insurance industry has been associated with low patronage, thus contributing less than 1% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The marketing and distribution segment of the Nigerian oil and Gas industry is facing multiple challenges including difficulty in transporting product through pipelines which necessitate the use of alternative means of transportation by road (Trucks). The main objective of this study is to empirically examine the determinants of patronage of motor vehicle Takaful by members of National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO-PTD) Kano State. The population of the study is 320 registered members of NARTO-PTD. Using Taro Yamane sample size formula, the study arrives at a sample of 178 respondents who were selected using simple Random Sampling Techniques. Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) method was employed to test the hypotheses of the study. The result reveals that while awareness is insignificant but perception and religiosity significantly affect patronage of motor vehicle takaful by members of NARTO-PTD in Kano State. The study recommends Takaful Companies to develop policies that will further encourage those highly religious and attract those that are not highly religious through organizing educative programs in masjids and other religious avenues and places of worship. Lastly, the study recommends developing policies that will strengthening the perception (NARTO-PTD) members toward Takaful

Environmental Tax, SME Financing Constraint and Innovation. Evidence from OECD Countries

This paper examines the impact of environmental tax on SME innovation and how SME financing constraint moderates this relationship. Given the paucity of research on the implications of financing constraints on SMEs’ green innovative activities, the study adopts cross-country panel data to investigate the impact of environmental tax on SME’s innovative activities across 24 OECD countries for the period 2000-2019. Results from our study indicate that an increase in environmental tax leads to a decrease in SME innovation. Further, we also find that financing constraint positively moderates the relationship between environmental tax and SME innovation. Our findings shed new light on the theoretical and practical implications of financing constraints on SMEs’ green innovative activities

Candida albicans interdigital foot infection: a case report highlighting the importance of antifungal susceptibility testing

Candida species are opportunistic fungal pathogens which are often isolated from immunocompromised individuals. Candida albicans is the most frequently isolated species in both superficial and invasive candidiasis. Non-albicans species are equally striving in their pathogenic ability, but it is noticed that C. albicans continues to exert its relevance as the leading cause of candidiasis. This is confirmed by this case report finding, from the traditional laboratory culture-based phenotypic methods to molecular diagnostic methods and finally DNA sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility pattern was performed using E-test strip to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of eight antifungal agents from the three main classes against C. albicans isolate. The MIC results were read at 24 and 48 h incubation according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. The results indicate susceptibility of C. albicans to amphotericin B with MIC value of 0.47 µg/mL, anidulafungin with MIC of 0.32 µg/mL; micafungin with MIC of 0.94 µg/mL and caspofungin with MIC of 0.125 µg/mL. The isolate was found to be resistant to all the four azole derivatives tested: fluconazole MIC ≥256 µg/mL; itraconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole with MIC values ≥32 µg/mL, indicating that the isolate may be azole resistant strain. Determination of the susceptibility pattern of this isolate is paramount for effective management of the case. Use of any echinocandins derivatives may be of help in the treatment of such fluconazole resistant strain. Here, we report a case of interdigital space infection (between 4th and 5th digits) due to C. albicans in a 41 year old African man

Corrupt Regulatory Institutions and Microfinance Development in Developing Economies: Contextualising Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone

This chapter is based on the role corrupt institutions, specifically, microfinance institutions play in making microfinance not accessible for business development in Africa: Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The chapter essentially uses the contexts of Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Ghana to shed light on the challenges and opportunities for small businesses in a culture of corruption in these countries and associated challenges for small business owners and entrepreneurs as well as microbusiness development. In many developing countries with a high level of corruption, there is potentially a high incidence of institutional void that triggers hindrance and challenges for businesses to thrive. Microbusiness development relies largely on effective institutions to develop, and in situations where institutions are corrupt, these challenges are rather redoubled thus posing a threat to entrepreneurship development. Thus, these contexts will enable the interrogation of the challenges beleaguering microbusiness development, where corrupt microfinance institutions exist, as well as business opportunities if these corrupt institutions were not present. Consequently, this chapter contends that for businesses to thrive enabling and effective institutional mechanisms are crucial, which will facilitate opportunities for microbusiness development

Health system barriers influencing timely breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among women in low and middle-income Asian countries: evidence from a mixed-methods systematic review.

Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer type and the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in developing countries. A high prevalence of late breast cancer diagnosis and treatment has been reported predominantly in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), including those in Asia. Thus, this study utilized a mixed-methods systematic review to synthesize the health system barriers influencing timely breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among women in Asian countries. We systematically searched five electronic databases for studies published in English from 2012 to 2022 on health system barriers that influence timely breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among women in Asian countries. The review was conducted per the methodology for systematic reviews and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, while health system barriers were extracted and classified based on the World Health Organization (WHO)'s Health Systems Framework. The mixed-methods appraisal tool was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Twenty-six studies were included in this review. Fifteen studies were quantitative, nine studies were qualitative, and two studies used a mixed-methods approach. These studies were conducted across ten countries in Asia. This review identified health systems barriers that influence timely breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. The factors were categorized under the following: (1) delivery of health services (2) health workforce (3) financing for health (4) health information system and (5) essential medicines and technology. Delivery of health care (low quality of health care) was the most occurring barrier followed by the health workforce (unavailability of physicians), whilst health information systems were identified as the least barrier. This study concluded that health system factors such as geographical accessibility to treatment, misdiagnosis, and long waiting times at health facilities were major barriers to early breast cancer diagnosis and treatment among Asian women in LMICs. Eliminating these barriers will require deliberate health system strengthening, such as improving training for the health workforce and establishing more healthcare facilities. [Abstract copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).