Leaf reddening disease of pineapple in Ghana

A disease of pineapple, which threatens production of the exportable Smooth Cayenne pineapple, is reported. The disease has been observed in several commercial plantings in the Akwapim South, Ga and Gomoa districts, respectively, in the Eastern, Greater Accra and Centralregions of Ghana. Reddening of the leaves (often interspersed with diffuse, irregular chlorotic patches), leaf dieback and plastic-like leaf consistency are the major above-ground symptoms. Diseased plants have reduced root systems, but internal browning of the undergroundstem is absent, indicating non-involvement of vascular wilt organisms, which have so far not been isolated from such plants. Mealybugs and ants are sometimes, but not always, associated with diseased plants. Nematodes of the genera Pratylenchus, Aphelenchus andHelicotylenchus have been recovered, though infrequently, from roots and root zone soil of diseased plants. Based on these preliminary results and field observations, it is hypothesized that the new disease ofpineapple in Ghana could be of complex etiology with nematodes perhaps constituting one major group of primary causal agents and stress factors (e.g. soil moisture stress, low soil fertility and weed competition) beingeither primary agents or pre-disposing factors. Ongoing studies seek to conclusively determine the etiology of the disease as well as some factors affecting its epidemiological development. Until this is done, it isproposed that the disease be simply referred to as “red leaf disease” of pineapple after its dominant and most readily recognized symptom. Control measures for the disease are much needed if production of pineapple for export is to be sustained. To the author’s knowledge, thisis the first-published, detailed account of a disease of this nature in Ghana

Production Scheduling and Waste Disposal Planning for Oil Sands Mining Using Goal Programming

In oil sands mining, timely provisions of ore and tailings containment with less environmental footprints are the main drivers of profitability and sustainability. The recent Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board Directive 074 requires oil sands waste disposal planning to be an integral part of mine planning. This requires the development of a well integrated strategy of directional mining and tailings dyke construction for in-pit and ex-pit tailings storage management. The objectives of this paper are to: 1) determine the order and time of extraction of ore, dyke material and waste that maximizes the net present value; 2) determine the destination of dyke material that minimizes construction cost; and 3) minimize deviations from the production goals of the mining operation. We have developed, implemented, and verified a theoretical optimization framework based on mixed integer linear goal programming (MILGP) to address these objectives. This study presents an integration of mixed integer linear programming and goal programming in solving large scale mine planning optimization problems using clustering and pushback techniques. Application of the MILGP model was presented with an oil sands mining case. The MILGP model generated a smooth and uniform mining schedule that generates value and provides a robust framework for effective waste disposal planning. The results show that mining progresses with an ore to waste ratio of 1:1.5 throughout the mine life, generating an overall net present value of $14,237M. This approach improves the sustainable development of oil sands through better waste management

Patterns of Facial Palsy in a tertially Hospital in Ghana

A study to determine the patterns and efficacy of management of facial palsy (FP) was carried out at the ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinic at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).  The procedure adopted included detailed evaluation of signs and symptoms typical of FP, acoustic reflex threshold test and Shirmers test, the use of steroids, physiotherapy and vitamin C.  In all, 86 patients suffering from FP were identified.  The diseases were caused by Bell’s palsy 67, middle ear infections 10, middle ear neoplasms 4, herpes zoster oticus 3, temporal bone fractures 2.  Seventy-six out of the 86 were treated successfully.  None of the patient with herpes zoster and temporal bone fractures survived.  Preponderance of females over males was observed in addition to seasonal incidence of FP.  FP was mainly unilateral and common in younger individuals.

Interventions to Reduce Role Strain of Informal Adult Caregivers of Individuals with Neurocognitive and Mental Disorders

Purpose: This project sought to determine if a combination of stress reduction, self-guided bibliotherapy, and health literacy training is an effective way to reduce stress and role strain of informal caregivers and improve their quality of life. Background: The value of the unpaid labor performed by caregivers is estimated to be at least $306 billion annually that is nearly double the combined costs of$43 billion in home health care and $115 billion in nursing home care. Numerous studies posit caregivers are at risk of developing high levels of physical, emotional, and mental strain, which can negatively impact their role, quality of life, and increase medical costs. Methods: A mix-method design was employed focusing on the role strain and quality of life of relatives and friends assisting individuals with neurocognitive or mental health disorders. A pretest-posttest survey design and an educational intervention was used. Subjects were recruited from family support groups, social media, and different organizations in Georgia. The subjects engaged in weekly online self-guided activities for eight-weeks and responded to survey questions regarding demographics, depression, anxiety, and stress levels. Eligible subjects were English-speaking adults from 18 years and older with or without comorbid conditions who assisted with daily living activities for a relative or friend for more than one month. The intervention included an educational resource kit with information on self-guided bibliotherapy and psychiatric medications for participants who scored high on the depression, anxiety, and stress scales. Results: Four women completed the project. Descriptive statistics and qualitive data from surveys and emails were employed for the data analysis due to the small sample size. A non-parametric test was used given small sample size (Kruskal-Wallis tests for variables with 3 response categories and Mann-Whitney tests for variables with 2 response categories). The non-parametric test showed no statistical significance between the pre and post-test with a p-value of 0.05. We did not identify significant differences in DASS-21 scores based on any of the variables assessed. Conclusion: The project’s findings indicated decreasing caregiver stress may lead to improved quality of life and fewer stress-related health problems. The findings strongly imply interventions to reduce the negative impact of caregiving may be effective if participants fully engage and adhere to the directions given by the researcher. All the participants reported their care recipient\u27s ill-health affected their social lives and ability to engage in self-care activities

Beyond sustainable buildings: eco-efficiency to eco-effectiveness through cradle-to-cradle design

Sustainable building development focuses on achieving buildings that meet performance and functionality requirements with minimum adverse impact on the environment. Such eco-efficiency strategies are however not feasible for achieving long-term economic and environmental objectives as they only result in damage reduction without addressing design flaws of contemporary industry. The cradle-to-cradle (C2C) design philosophy which has been described as a paradigm changing innovative platform for achieving ecologically intelligent and environmentally restorative buildings appears to offer an alternative vision which, if embraced, could lead to eco-effectiveness and the achievement of long-term environmental objectives. Adoption of C2C principles in the built environment has however been hindered by several factors especially in a sector where change has always been a very slow process. From a review of extant literature, it is argued that the promotion of current sustainable and/or gree n building strategies - which in themselves are not coherent enough due to their pluralistic meanings and sometimes differing solutions - are a major barrier to the promotion of C2C principles in the built environment. To overcome this barrier to C2C implementation, it is recommended that research should focus on developing clearly defined and measurable C2C targets that can be incorporated into project briefs from the inception of development projects. These targets could enable control, monitoring and comparison of C2C design outcomes with eco-efficient measures as well as serve as a guide for project stakeholders to achieve eco-effective “nutrient” management from the project conceptualization phase to the end of life of the building

Perception of Fishermen on Heavy Metal Pollution of the Fosu Lagoon in Cape Coast, Ghana

Many lagoons around the globe including those in Ghana are perceived to have been polluted in one way or another. The Fosu lagoon located in Cape Coast in the Central region of Ghana is among the much known ones. The importance of the Fosu lagoon includes tourist attraction, religious and economic value, of particular importance to fishermen who fish various aquatic animals, is blackchin tilapia, referred to locally as mpatoa with zoological name saratherodon melanotheron specie of the chiclid family. However the lagoon appears to be polluted in several ways and this is contributing to the drying of the lagoon and subsequently reducing its economic value. This study however looks at the perception of fishermen who fish in the lagoon for their livelihood to find out as to whether the lagoon is polluted with heavy metals. Sixty fishermen were sampled among an estimated 131 using the purposive and snowball sampling technique. Both open- and closed-ended questions in a questionnaire were employed to collect the data. Descriptive method of analysis was utilized in analyzing the data using SPSS software. The study identified ignorance, illiteracy, economic, and cultural factors as the reasons for fishermen’s perception. This calls for the need to educate fishermen on translocation of heavy metals through plants to fishes in the lagoon. The author recommends that radio, vernacular, health and medical practitioners be used as the media of communication to educate fishermen on pollution of the lagoon and its effects. Keywords: perception, pollution, heavy metals, leachates

A study of amateur groups’ re-interpretation of traditional dances in Ghana: Role on continuity and safeguarding

The amateur dance category in Ghana has been a vibrant force in the performance of traditional Ghanaian dancing for over 20 years. Fluid in ideologies, they have been able to affect the paradigms of traditional dancing in Ghana so much that their activities cannot be overlooked. Even though they are mostly taunted as the ‘destroyers’ of traditional forms by some schools of thought, this category’s input is especially important as they have a direct influence on dance structures in Ghana through their re-interpretations of traditional dance forms. This paper seeks to identify some distinctive re-interpretative styles/patterns this category exerts on traditional dances and their effects on preservation of traditional dances in Ghana

The State of a ‘Choked’ Lagoon: A Two-decade Overview of the Fosu Lagoon in Cape Coast, Ghana

Environmental researchers all over the world are concerned with the rate at which lagoons are being negatively modified beyond critical threshold capacities to the detriment of future generations. The Fosu lagoon located in the Cape Coast Metropolis in the Central Region of Ghana is no exception. The lagoon was identified as polluted by the close of 1993. Various strategies to prevent, if not curtail, pollution and its effects on the lagoon, since then, have been suggested. Though the privatization of waste collection management in the metropolis was introduced during the 2000’s, this has not been enough to save the lagoon from the effects of pollution.  Using content analysis as research technique the study looked at various works of researchers in relation to the lagoon from 1993 to 2013. Secondary data was basically employed using texts, essays, book chapters, journal and non-journal articles, historical documents, theses and dissertations. Informed interviews and observations were also employed. The paper contends that various stakeholders have failed to heed to suggestions made by researchers. It attributes the inadequacy of efforts to save the lagoon to myopic leadership, bribery and corruption, lack of shared visionary leadership among political parties and traditional councils, discontinuity of local government leadership and general institutional failure. The study sought to provide recommendations to stake-holders ways by which the lagoon could be salvaged from complete demise. It identified the central government, lands commission, metropolitan assembly, traditional council, town and country planning, the Environmental Protection Agency and educational institutions as the major stake holders in this regard. Keywords: aquatic; landfills; food chain; nitrates; solid waste