Stated Preference Modeling for a Preferred Transportation Mode

This paper contains econometric analysis of commuters’ behaviour with regards to their choice between different transportation modes (car and bus) in traveling to Accra central. Using the data collected from an experimental survey, a binary logit model and its marginal effects was estimated. The magnitude of estimates generally indicates that bus users highly value attributes such as price and habit. However, the level of noise, comfort, and time (morning trips) will result in a disutility of public transport choice. Keywords: Commuters, discrete choice model, mode choice, public transport, stated preferenc

Modeling Mode Choice in Passenger Transport with Discrete Choice Experiment

This article employs a discrete choice experiment technique to assess commuters’ attitude when they have an option of choosing a commercial vehicle from Nkrumah-Circle in Accra. This procedure with the binary probit in STATA permits the identification of the choice alternatives defining the experiment by capturing the choices of a user sample. By using the data collected from an experimental survey, a probit model was calibrated and segmented according to trip purposes; commuting and non-commuting trips. The magnitude of estimates generally indicates that commuters highly value travel safety, travel distance comfort, less waiting time, and commercial vehicles with good appearance. However, generally, an increase in transport fare will result in a disutility of commercial vehicle choice. Keywords: Commercial vehicle, commuters, discrete choice experiment, public transpor

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND VERSUS STATED PREFERENCES

The geographical imbalance of public sector teachers is one of the main challenges facing policy makers in developing countries. This study sought to analyze public sector teachers’ decision in choosing a remote and/or rural area job with reference to their historical background. Discrete choice experiment modeling approach was adopted to estimate consideration sets. The survey focused on 120 teacher trainees. The effects of certain attributes based on the findings from the study revealed that teachers were will to trade off location for benefits such as granting of study leave with pay, provision of housing, and early promotion (after 3 years of work). Teachers with rural living experience tended to prefer rural assignments. The extent to which teachers were will to trade off their initial preferences for salary was limited

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND VERSUS STATED PREFERENCES

The geographical imbalance of public sector teachers is one of the main challenges facing policy makers in developing countries. This study sought to analyze public sector teachers’ decision in choosing a remote and/or rural area job with reference to their historical background. Discrete choice experiment modeling approach was adopted to estimate consideration sets. The survey focused on 120 teacher trainees. The effects of certain attributes based on the findings from the study revealed that teachers were will to trade off location for benefits such as granting of study leave with pay, provision of housing, and early promotion (after 3 years of work). Teachers with rural living experience tended to prefer rural assignments. The extent to which teachers were will to trade off their initial preferences for salary was limited

PREFERENCE HETEROGENEITY IN COMMERCIAL VEHICLE PASSENGER CHOICE: A DISCRETE CHOICE EXPERIMENT

The study sought to identify the knowledge of passengers about the characteristics of commercial vehicles that influence passenger’s choice and makes it attractive to private car users. It therefore presents the preference estimates for various attributes that affect commercial vehicles choice, with reference to students in University of Ghana who patronize commercial vehicles from Circle bus station in Accra to Kumasi with the main objective of understanding more about the factors that influence passenger’s choice of commercial vehicles. A discrete choice experiment was designed to capture the responses for estimating passenger’s commercial vehicles choice for various attributes specific to vehicles in the study area, that are loading passengers simultaneously. The main model was generated using the binary probit in STATA which was further segmented according to gender. The magnitude of estimates fromthe probit model indicated that, generally, passengers prefer commercial vehicles with entertainment, very new and almost full with passengers. This was generally supported by the segmented model by gender. Also, passengers will generally trade the size and brand off for very new and commercial vehicles with reduced loading/waiting period

Design and Fabrication of Metal Key Holders and Cufflinks as Souvenirs for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana

This study explored how to merge creativity in design with the Crest of KNUST to design and fabricate quality metal key holder and cufflink as souvenirs for KNUST. Based on the assumption that the various KNUST souvenirs seem to be limited in design and therefore lack creativity and variety, which limit the option of those purchasing. In executing the study, the philosophical underpinnings of the crest of KNUST was brought to bear. The study employed aesthetics and studio- based research methods under qualitative research approach to design and fabricate quality metal key holder and cufflinks to be used as souvenirs for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. By using the Gestalt theory of design, which is concerned with the relationship between the parts and the whole of a composition, the researchers carefully select parts of the emblem of KNUST to design and fabricate a key holder and a cufflinks. Metal working techniques such as chasing and repoussé, fording and piercing were used to these souvenirs for KNUST.  The researchers made use of the various tools and machinery available at the various studios of Meta T l Product Section of Industrial Art Department, KNUST. These included the milling studio, 4th Year production studio where all the piercing vices, drilling machines, stakes and soldering turntable are made available and finally the forging studio where brass scraps were melted into ingot. Results of the study revealed that by adopting the fundamental processes such as idea development, forming processes, joining processes and finishing processes coupled with the fact that local metal scraps are used, underpin the argument that producing quality and professional metal souvenirs can be done here in Ghana to meet any standard elsewhere. This shows that other metal products could be produced as souvenirs for KNUST. After carefully observing some souvenirs of KNUST and other institutions of higher learning, unique designs based on the emblem of KNUST can be done. Keywords: fabricate, Gestalt, key holder, cufflinks, souvenirs, chasing and repousse. DOI: 10.7176/ADS/83-01 Publication date:July 31st 202

Treatment of Malaria Infection and Drug Resistance

Malaria is a public health challenge that requires prompt treatment for those infected to make a full recovery. Treatment of malaria infection is to be started as soon as a diagnosis is confirmed. Antimalarial medications are administered to prevent and also to treat malaria. The type of medication used and the duration of therapy is dependent on the type of malaria-causing plasmodium species, the severity of the symptoms, geographical area where malaria infection occurred and the medication used to prevent malaria and whether there is pregnancy. Treatment of malaria from public health perspective is to reduce transmission of the infection to others, by reducing the infectious reservoir and to prevent the emergence and spread of resistance to antimalarial medicines. Medications used in the treatment of malaria infection come from the following five groups of chemical compounds: quinolines and aryl amino alcohols, antifolate, artemisinin derivatives, hydroxynaphthoquinones and antibacterial agents. The treatment of malaria is not initiated until the diagnosis has been established through laboratory testing. Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) has been used for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. ACTs are also to enhance treatment and protect against the development of drug resistance. IV artesunate is used in the treatment of severe malaria, regardless of infecting species

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries