Challenges to global control and/or elimination of NTDs: threats of animal reservoirs of human infections

Successes achieved in the fight to eliminate guinea worm infections and advances in diagnostics and donation of safe and reliable medicines have led to optimism that some of the parasitic diseases grouped as the neglected tropical diseases (NTD) could be eliminated.These NTDs particularly those amenable to preventive chemotherapy (PC-NTDs) have been targeted for either elimination as a public health problem or elimination of transmission by the Year 2020.These are lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil transmitted helminthiasis and trachoma. Various challenges are being posited as hurdles that could derail the attainment of the targets set. These are mostly related to the distribution of medicines (geographical and therapeutic coverages), the presence of systematic non-compliant individuals in the endemic populations and appropriate diagnosis to determine infection levels after years of drug administration

Durability and strength assessment of copper slag concrete

The results of laboratory studies conducted to evaluate the characteristics strength and durability properties of concrete made with pulverized copper slag as partial replacement for Portland cement (PC) is presented. Concrete cube specimens were made with basic material proportions ranging from 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 15% by weight of PC. For cement paste, test conducted were the initial and final setting times and the total heat of dissipation up to 60 hours of hydration. Fresh concrete mix was assessed for workability whiles, the compressive strength development of the pulverised copper slag admixed concrete was determined using three curing methods namely, ambient air, solar chamber and water curing. Moreover, for durability properties, oxygen permeability, water sorptivity, chloride conductivity and sulphate attack were performed to assess the long term performances of the concrete in harsh environmental conditions. The experimental results indicate a significant drop in the compressive strength as the copper slag content increases for all curing methods. Moreover, for the control samples, the percentage decrease in the compressive strength for the 3-day curing for water cured sample, compared to the solar chamber and ambient air were respectively 31% and 28%. However, beyond 28 up to 90 days of curing, the water cured samples yielded a higher compressive strength, followed by the solar chamber and ambient air. This trend was similar for all percentage replacement of cement with the pulverized copper slag. For all percentage replacement of Portland cement with copper slag, the concrete disc samples generally performed better in all the three durability tests. The resistance of copper slag concrete to sulphate attack was better compared to the control

Analysis, Development And Design For Early Fault Detection And Fire Safety In Lithium-Ion Battery Technology

Energy storage technologies in its natural form play a key role in the electrical infrastructure, renewable and mobility industry. This form includes the material nomenclature for cell. technology, battery module design, Battery enclosure system design, control, and communication strategy, chemistry profile of various cell technologies, formation and formfactors of cell structure, electrical and mechanical properties of a lithium-ion cell, behavior of the cell under high voltage, low voltage, elevated temperature and lower temperature, multiple charging of a lithium-ion batteries. Energy storage industry is growing rapidly, and the industry is experiencing an unprecedented safety concern and issues in terms of fire and explosion at cell and system level. There has been. other research conducted with proposed theories and recommendations to resolve these issues. The failure modes for energy storage systems can be derived using different methodologies such as failure mode effects analysis (FMEA). Early detection mode and strategies in lithium-ion batteries to overcome the failure modes can be caused by endothermic reaction in the cell, further protection. devices, fire inhibition and ventilation. Endothermic safety involves modifications of materials in anode, cathode, and electrolyte. Chemical components added to the battery electrolyte improve the characteristics helping in the improvement of solid-electrolyte interphase and stability. Traditional energy storage system protection device fuse at the cell level, and contactors at the rack level and circuit breakers, current interrupt devices, and positive temperature coefficient devices at the system level. This research will employ classical experimental methods to explore, review and evaluate all the five main energy technologies and narrow down to electrochemical energy storage technologies. with the two main market ready lithium-ion battery technology (LiFePO4/ G and NMC/G) technology cells and why are they valuable in the energy storage and E-mobility space. Also, will focus on the electrical, mechanical design, testing of the battery module into a rack system, advancements in battery chemistries, relevant modes, mechanisms of potential failures, and early detection strategies to overcome these failures. Finally, how the problems of fires, safety concerns and difficulty in transporting already fully assembled energy storage systems can be resolved and be demystified in lithium-ion technology. Keywords Control strategy, Energy storage system, electrolyte, failure mode, early detection, Lithium-Ion cell technology, Battey system

Maternal mycotoxin exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review

Mycotoxin exposure from food occurs globally but is more common in hot humid environments, especially in low-income settings, and might affect pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to synthesize the evidence from epidemiological studies on the relationship between maternal or fetal exposure to different mycotoxins and the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Multiple databases were systematically searched up to December 2018 to identify studies that assessed the association between mycotoxin exposure in pregnant women or fetuses and at least one pregnancy outcome. Studies were appraised and results were synthesized using standard methods for conducting systematic reviews. This review identified and included 17 relevant studies. There is some evidence to suggest that exposure to various Aspergillus mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxin) during pregnancy may impair intrauterine fetal growth and promote neonatal jaundice. Findings were inconclusive concerning the influence of aflatoxin exposure on perinatal death and preterm birth. Only two studies assessed effects of maternal exposure to Fusarium mycotoxins (e.g., fumonisin) on adverse pregnancy outcomes. These studies found that maternal fumonisin exposure may be associated with hypertensive emergencies in pregnancy and with neural tube defects. Studies using grain farming and weather conditions as a proxy measure for mycotoxin exposure found that such exposure was associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and late-term miscarriage. In conclusion, there is already some evidence to suggest that exposure to mycotoxins during pregnancy may have detrimental effects on pregnancy outcomes. However, given the limited number of studies, especially on effects of Fusarium mycotoxins, more studies are needed for a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of different mycotoxins on maternal and fetal health and to guide public health policies and interventions. © 2020, The Author(s)

Real Estate Management and Value Adding in Corporate Institutions in Ghana

Real estate is a delicate item for most corporations as it account for about 35% of the total asset on their balance sheet. This notwithstanding, very little attention is paid to it by most corporations. Top management view real estate and facilities services as a cost centre, despite the immense ways it adds value to corporations. Corporate real estate management contributions are often submerged in that of the entire corporations’ and it is often very difficult to quantify its total added value.  This paper adopts the value adding model by Lindholm et al. (2006) to ascertain its value adding strategies in the Ghanaian context. The paper also identifies new value adding strategies of corporate real estate in view of the dynamic business world.  Using convenience sampling, two corporations were selected for the study. The value adding model fits the study corporations, but for a few peculiarities. From the study cost reduction and increasing value of asset were the key strategies. Site selection, workplace design and the provision of the needed facilities are the major factors that influence marketing and sales, employee satisfaction and productivity. Increasing innovations was the least value adding strategy. Space rationalization and the use of a sound data base as value adding   strategies were peculiar findings not indicated by the model. The neglect of the real estate department in strategic corporate planning is a drawback to its value adding strategies. The study suggests that real estate must not be treated as a residual function. Real estate value adding strategies must also be linked to corporate strategy. Keywords - Corporate Real Estate Management, Value Adding, Strategy, Ghana

Studies of Anopheles gambiae s.l (Diptera: Culicidae) exhibiting different vectorial capacities in lymphatic filariasis transmission in the Gomoa district, Ghana

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Two lymphatic filariasis endemic communities Mampong and Hwida in Ghana have been regularly monitored for impact on transmission after annual mass drug administration (MDA) with albendazole and ivermectin. After six MDAs even though the ABR for Mampong was 55883/person/year and that of Hwida was 2494/person/year, they both had ATPs of 15.21 infective larvae/person/year. Interestingly the human microfilaraemia levels had reduced significantly from 14% to 0% at Mampong and 12% to 3% at Hwida. In an attempt to understand this anomaly, we collected mosquitoes over a 5-month period using human landing catches to determine the species composition, the number of cibarial teeth, the lengths and widths of the cibarium and the cibarial dome of the vector populations.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 2553 mosquitoes caught at Mampong, 42.6% were <it>An. gambiae </it>s.l. All 280 identified further by PCR were <it>An. gambiae </it>s.s (275 M and 5 S molecular forms). At Hwida, 112 mosquitoes were obtained; 67 (59.8%) were <it>An. gambiae </it>s.l, comprised of 40 (59.7%) <it>An. melas</it>, 24 (35.8%) <it>An. gambiae </it>s.s (17 and 5 M and S molecular forms respectively) and 3 (4.5%) unidentified. The mean number of teeth for <it>An. melas </it>was 14.1 (median = 14, range = 12-15), <it>An. gambiae </it>s.s., 15.7 (median = 15, range = 13-19) M form 15.5 (median = 15 range = 13-19) and S form 16 (median = 16, range 15-17). The observed differences in teeth numbers were significantly different between <it>An. melas </it>and <it>An. gambiae </it>s.s (p = 0.004), and the M form (p = 0.032) and the S form (p = 0.002).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study, <it>An. gambiae </it>s.s was the main vector at Mampong and was found to possess significantly more cibarial teeth than <it>An. melas</it>, the principal vector at Hwida. We postulate that the different impact observed after 6 MDAs may be due to <it>An. gambiae </it>s.s exhibiting 'facilitation' at Mampong and at Hwida <it>An. melas </it>the main vector exhibits 'limitation'. Thus it may be necessary to compliment MDA with vector control to achieve interruption of transmission in areas where <it>An. melas </it>may exhibit limitation.</p

Effect of different curing methods on the compressive strength development of pulverized copper slag concrete

The results of laboratory studies conducted to evaluate the effects of different curing conditions on the compressive strength development of concrete made with pulverized copper slag as partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is presented. Concrete cube specimens were made with copper slag replacing cement in the following proportions; 2.5, 5, 10 and 15% compared to the control (0%) specimen under normal laboratory conditions and cured in three different conditions, namely; water, solar chamber and ambient air up 90 days. Test performed included X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and sieve analysis respectively for the chemical oxide composition and fineness for both the pulverized copper slag and ordinary Portland cement. Specimens were tested for compressive strength up to 90 days of curing, with the temperature and humidity of the surrounding curing environment recorded for each of the three curing method used. The experimental results indicate a significant drop in the compressive strength as the copper slag content increases for all curing methods. Moreover, for the control samples, the percentage decrease in the compressive strength for the 3-day curing for water cured sample, compared to the solar chamber and ambient air were respectively 31% and 28%. However, beyond 28 up to 90 days of curing, the water cured samples yielded a higher compressive strength, followed by the solar chamber and ambient air. The percentage increase in the compressive strength up to 90 days of curing for water cured specimen, compared to the solar chamber and ambient air were respectively 8.5% and 12%. This trend was similar for all percentage replacement of cement with the pulverized copper sla

Associations between type of bariatric surgery and obstructive sleep apnoea, employment outcomes, and body image satisfaction:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Bariatric surgery has been shown to provide significant patient benefits in terms of weight loss and mitigation of obesity linked co-morbidities, as well as providing improvements in occupational productivity and patient quality of life. However, the choice of which bariatric surgery procedure provides the most patient benefit in each of these cases is still in question. In this review we provide a systematic review, with the objective of evaluating associations between different bariatric surgery procedures and mitigation of obesity linked co-morbidities, improvement in occupational productivity, and patient quality of life, concentrating on three areas: obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), employment prospects and body image. Methods: The CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Science, and CENTRAL databases were searched for eligible studies. Summary risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using random-effects models. Thirty-three studies were included in this review, including 29 cohort studies and 4 randomised clinical trials (RCTs). Results: Pooled analysis of the observational studies showed significantly lower OSA remission in sleeve gastrectomy (SG) compared to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) across both short-term (1-2 years) and longer-term (3+ years) follow-up periods, (RR=0.91, 95% CI = 0.84–0.99, p=0.02 and RR=0.88, 95% CI = 0.65–0.99, p=0.03 respectively). In contrast, a metanalysis of the RCT studies found no difference in OSA remission between SG and RYGB (RR=1.01, 95% CI = 0.81–1.25, p=0.93). An analysis of four studies showed significantly higher OSA remission for SG versus Adjustable Gastric Band (RR=1.83, 95% CI = 1.57–2.14, p&lt;0.001). No significant difference was observed regarding improvement in employment status between SG and RYGB (RR=0.77, 95% CI = 0.32–1.87, p = 0.57). A narrative synthesis of studies on body image reported no significant differences between body image scores and surgery types. Conclusion: This review found significantly lower OSA remission in SG as compared to RYGB across different follow up periods, while no significant statistical difference was observed in RCTs studies. Further studies are recommended to assess the effectiveness of the various bariatric surgeries in relation to improving employment status and body image, where primary studies are lacking.<br/