The effects of forest destruction on the abundance, species richness and diversity of butterflies in the Bosomkese Forest Reserve, Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana

Objectives: Despite the substantial loss of natural forest in the Bosomkese Forest Reserve, little is known on the effects of the massive habitat loss and degradation on forest biota. The study therefore assessed the effects of anthropogenic activities on butterfly species composition and abundance in the Bosomkese Forest reserve in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. Methodology and Results: The effects of anthropogenic activities on butterflies were studied in three forest types identified in the forest reserve namely, disturbed canopy (DC) slightly disturbed canopy (SDC) and undisturbed canopy (UC), which was the control. The data on the butterflies were collected using fruit – baiting traps on a 1 kilometer line transect selected in each of the study areas. Species richness and diversity were analyzed using Simpson’s Diversity Index. Five butterfly families were identified during the study. These were: Numphalidae, Hesperiidae, Pieridae, Lycaenidae and Papilionidae. Nymphalidae recorded the largest number of species whilst Papilionidae was the least abundant. The undisturbed canopy recorded the largest number of butterflies whilst the disturbed canopy recorded the least number of butterflies. In terms of diversity, the undisturbed canopy showed the greatest diversity whilst the disturbed canopy showed the least diversity. Conclusion and application of findings: Strict enforcement of forest laws by the law enforcement agencies and creating alternative source of livelihood for the people living in and around the forest reserve will help reduce the dependence on the forest as a source of livelihood

Levels of infestation on three different portions of the maize cob by the weevil Sitophilus zeamais (motschulsky)

The maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais is a major storage pest of maize that causes significant quantitative and qualitative losses to the farmer. The extent of damage caused by S. zeamais to stored maize depends on the initial level of infestation on the field before harvest. The levels ofinfestations on three different portions of maize cob were studied. Maize was planted during the minor planting season (September-December) of 2008. Maize seeds were sown on 9 plots each measuring 7.0 m x 1.5 m. Matured maize cobs were harvested 110 days after emergence. Tencobs were randomly selected from each of the plots, dehusked and cut into three portions: top, middle and bottom and stored separately in sealed plastic containers for 5 weeks. Weevils were counted weekly during the storage period. Percent damaged seeds and numbers of holes on damaged grains were counted for each portion. Percent weight loss due to S. zeamais infestation was calculated for the different maize portions. Weevil infestations were recorded on all the portions 1 week after storage. Large numbers of S. zeamais were recorded on all the portions at the endof the storage period. The middle portion recorded significantly more S. zeamais than the top and bottom portions. Percent damaged seeds; percent weight loss and mean number of holes on damaged seeds did not differ significantly

Oxidative cyclization of prodigiosin by an alkylglycerol monooxygenase-like enzyme

Prodiginines, which are tripyrrole alkaloids displaying a wide array of bioactivities, occur as linear and cyclic congeners. Identification of an unclustered biosynthetic gene led to the discovery of the enzyme responsible for catalyzing the regiospecific C-H activation and cyclization of prodigiosin to cycloprodigiosin in Pseudoalteromonas rubra. This enzyme is related to alkylglycerol monooxygenase and unrelated to RedG, the Rieske oxygenase that produces cyclized prodiginines in Streptomyces, implying convergent evolution

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

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

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

Non-standard errors

In statistics, samples are drawn from a population in a data-generating process (DGP). Standard errors measure the uncertainty in estimates of population parameters. In science, evidence is generated to test hypotheses in an evidence generating process (EGP). We claim that EGP variation across researchers adds uncertainty: Non-standard errors (NSEs). We study NSEs by letting 164 teams test the same hypotheses on the same data. NSEs turn out to be sizable, but smaller for better reproducible or higher rated research. Adding peer-review stages reduces NSEs. We further find that this type of uncertainty is underestimated by participants

Susceptibility Of Five Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Varieties To Attack By Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) [Coleoptera: Bruchidae]

Cowpea is a rich source of protein and carbohydrates in the diets of many people in developing countries. The seed, however, suffers considerable damage during storage through infestation by the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.). Five improved varieties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) namely Asontem (IT82D-32), Bengpla (IT83S-818), Soronko (TVX2724-01F), Asetenapa (IT81D-1951) and Adom (CR-06-07) released by the Crops Research Institute of the CSIR for cultivation in Ghana were screened for susceptibility to the cowpea beetle, C. maculatus, in storage for a period of 30 days in the laboratory at an ambient temperature of 27.5 ± 0.9oC and relative humidity of 64.6 ± 2%. Each variety was placed in a plastic bag and kept in a freezer at -5oC for 24 hours to eliminate C. maculatus infestations coming from the field. Two hundred grammes of each cowpea variety was placed in a glass container and each infested with a male and female C. maculatus that were reared in the laboratory. The set up was left in the laboratory until 30 days after infestation. The total number of weevils that emerged and the developmental period were recorded. The susceptibility index was determined for each variety based on the total number of F1 adults that emerged and their developmental periods. Susceptibility indices were 17.58 ± 1.16, 16.75 ± 1.81, 15.81 ± 2.08, 14.02 ± 0.62, 12.84 ± 0.53 for Bengpla, Asontem, Soronko, Asetenapa and Adom respectively. Mean developmental period was highest in Adom (26.70 ± 0.49), followed by Asontem (26.30 ± 1.20), Asetenapa, (25.5 ± 0.89), Bengpla (23.90 ± 0.40) and Soronko (23.50 ± 0.00). To reduce post-harvest losses of cowpea, it is recommended that the cultivation of Adom which was the least susceptible amongst the five varieties be encouraged. Journal of the Ghana Science Association Vol. 10 (2) 2008: pp. 85-9