Neem as a cost-effective and potent biopesticide against the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and the cabbage webworm Hellula undalis F. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Cabbage is an important cash crop to the resource-poor farmers in sub-Saharan Africa and offers a good source of vitamins and minerals. The diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella L. and the cabbage webworm, Hellula undalis F. are major pests causing significant losses to brassica crops worldwide. During the major and minor seasons of 2015, an experiment was carried out at the University of Ghana Soil and Irrigation Research Centre (SIREC), Kpong to determine the effect of some pesticides (synthetic insecticides-chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin, botanicals - hot pepper fruit extract, aqueous neem seed extract, local insecticidal soap - ‘alata samina’ and water as control) in controlling the diamondback moth and the cabbage webworm on cabbage. Cabbage seedlings were transplanted onto 3m x 3m plots, and plots were labelled by randomly assigning treatments to them. The experiment was laid out in a complete randomised block design, consisting of six treatments in three replications. Treatments were applied weekly, two weeks after transplanting and data on the population of the diamondback moth and the cabbage webworm, multiple head formation were collected weekly. At the end of each season the resulting yield was assessed for marketability, and cost benefit analysis carried out to determine the cost: benefit ratio. The results revealed that the highest population of the diamondback moth was recorded in the plots sprayed with chlorpyrifos and lambda-cyhalothrin, with neem recording the least number of diamondback moth and cabbage webworm populations. The highest marketable yield of 13.82t/ha and 28.36t/ha was recorded for the neem sprayed plots with a cost: benefit ratio of 1:48.6 and 1:137.1 for both seasons, respectively, followed by pepper extract (3.92t/ha, 1:10.5) for the major season and ‘alata samina’ (8.86t/ha, 1:36.4) for the minor season. The aqueous neem seed extract can be used by resource-poor farmers in Ghana as the most cost-effective biopesticide against the diamondback moth and the webworm on cabbage

On farm evaluation of the contribution of three green manures to maize yield in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana

Low soil fertility is one of the major factors responsible for low crop yields on small-scale farms in Africa. The use of Chromolaena odorata, Crotalaria juncea and Panicum maximum and their combination with NPK for improving soil fertility and maize yield was investigated in the semideciduous forest zone of Ghana. Each plant material was applied at two application rates, 1 and 3 t ha-1. The field design was a randomized complete block with three replications. The plant materials caused an initial immobilization of nutrients which negatively affected maize grain yield in the major season. The plant materials plus N45P30K60 however, was able to provide nutrients that were sufficient to increase maize yields by over 85% relative to the control for the two consecutive seasons. N90P60K60 application alone produced the highest grain yield of 4.65 t ha-1 in the major season but less so in the minor season. Maize grain yield was not influenced by the quantity of plant materials application but was higher during the minor season than in the major season. The results of the study provide soil fertility management options for sustainable food production in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana. Key words: Fertilizer, maize, organic residues, soil fertility

Effect of site characteristics on the productivity and economic returns from cassava legume intercropping in Ghana

In a 2-year field study, cassava was intercropped with four legumes (cowpea, pigeon pea, soyabean and Stylosanthes at three locations with different soil and environmental conditions, to determine the effect of site characteristics on the agronomic and economic advantage of the intercrop. The trial was a factorial experiment in a split plot design with three replications. A cost benefit analysis was conducted for the trial on the different crop arrangements. Root yield of cassava in the mixed cassava legume treatment across location during the first year was significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to the stripped treatment. Root yield of cassava cowpea mixed intercrop for example ranged from 38 to 88 t/ha. In the second year however, considerable variations were observed among the treatments with NPK treatment giving the highest yield of 84 t/ha. This influenced the overall economic net benefits and showed that the intercrop advantage depended on the interaction of component crops, the growth environment and to some extent agronomic manipulations, suggesting that the best combination of crops under a particular system of management in one environment with a particular set of climate and soil conditions may not necessarily be suitable in another environment

A case repot of Merkel cell carcinoma on chronic lymphocytic leukemia: differential diagnosis of coexisting lymphadenopathy and indications for early aggressive treatment

BACKGROUND: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a monoclonal disorder, characterized by a progressive proliferation of functionally incompetent B lymphocytes. There is increased evidence of association between CLL and skin cancers, including the uncommon Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). CASE PRESENTATION: A case report of an 84-year old male, who presented with an aggressively recurrent form of MCC on the lower lip, on the background of an 8-year history of untreated CLL. During the recurrences of MCC, coexisting regional lymphadenopathy, posed a problem in the differential diagnosis and treatment of lymph node involvement. Histopathology and immunoistochemistry showed that submandibular lymphadenopathy coexisting with the second recurrence of MCC, was due to B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma. The subsequent and more aggressive recurrence of the skin tumor had involved the superficial and deep cervical lymph nodes. Surgical excision followed by involved field radiation therapy has been proven effective for both malignancies. CONCLUSION: MCC has a high incidence of regional lymphadenopathy at presentation (12–45%) and even when it arises on the background of chronic leucemia, lymphadenopathy at presentation should be managed agressively with elective lymph node dissection. We overview the postulated correlation between Merkel tumor and CCL, the differential diagnosis of regional lymphadenopathy during the recurrences of the skin tumor and the strategies of treatmen

Estimation of Ligament Loading and Anterior Tibial Translation in Healthy and ACL-Deficient Knees During Gait and the Influence of Increasing Tibial Slope Using EMG-Driven Approach

The purpose of this study was to develop a biomechanical model to estimate anterior tibial translation (ATT), anterior shear forces, and ligament loading in the healthy and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knee joint during gait. This model used electromyography (EMG), joint position, and force plate data as inputs to calculate ligament loading during stance phase. First, an EMG-driven model was used to calculate forces for the major muscles crossing the knee joint. The calculated muscle forces were used as inputs to a knee model that incorporated a knee–ligament model in order to solve for ATT and ligament forces. The model took advantage of using EMGs as inputs, and could account for the abnormal muscle activation patterns of ACL-deficient gait. We validated our model by comparing the calculated results with previous in vitro, in vivo, and numerical studies of healthy and ACL-deficient knees, and this gave us confidence on the accuracy of our model calculations. Our model predicted that ATT increased throughout stance phase for the ACL-deficient knee compared with the healthy knee. The medial collateral ligament functioned as the main passive restraint to anterior shear force in the ACL-deficient knee. Although strong co-contraction of knee flexors was found to help restrain ATT in the ACL-deficient knee, it did not counteract the effect of ACL rupture. Posterior inclination angle of the tibial plateau was found to be a crucial parameter in determining knee mechanics, and increasing the tibial slope inclination in our model would increase the resulting ATT and ligament forces in both healthy and ACL-deficient knees

Competing models of quality management and financial performance improvement.

Six competing models of quality management and financial performance improvement are hypothesized and statistically tested, using data from a survey of general managers of 288 four- and five-star hotels in Egypt and structural equation modeling. The comparative analysis of the conceptually and structurally different models suggests that financial performance can be improved when quality management is viewed holistically as a commonality of its interconnected practices (top management leadership; employee management; customer focus; supplier management; process management; quality data and reporting). Managers must therefore integrate stakeholders into design and implementation of effective quality management systems. This study: advances knowledge of the roles of alternative models of quality management in improving financial performance; deepens our understanding of the main features of a quality management system capable of enhancing organizational performance; and contributes to ongoing debates in quality and service management literature on factors that impact financial performance

Exploring the art of screen printing asphaltum for etching on medals and trophies for the indigenous metal art industry

Etching remains a primeval craft used to produce interesting images on metal surfaces. The mode of applying resists onto these surfaces presents a challenge for metalsmiths in the indigenous metal art industry to achieve accuracy, precision and details. Recent studies have outlined improved resist application methods developed in the industrial sector as compared to the indigenous metal art industry. This studio practice research explores screen printing as an alternative method to print asphaltum onto metal surfaces for etching. Experimentation at the studio and chemistry laboratory aided in achieving the preparatory stages or variables like ideal consistency of the resist, ratio of acid to water for etching, the mesh count for screen printing the resist and the best squeegee type to use.&nbsp;Relevant results from the studio experiments proved the possibility of screen printing asphaltum which match the viscosity of toothpaste onto the surface of a metal for etching

Dynamics of Student Internship System in Faculty of Art of KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana: Exploring Perceptions, Values, Access and Development Outcomes

An internship programme is a great way to connect what is learnt in class with actual work experience. Existing research has underscored the positive contribution of internship to the educational process and career outcomes among students. The internship programme for students of Faculty of Art, KNUST is a requirement or considered as a compulsory 15 credit hour course for the award of undergraduate degree. As such it is a vital component of the curriculum. Nonetheless, empirical literature on the dynamics of the internship programme at the university is sparse. Without insight into these dynamics however, there will be lack of information that could inform policy and continuous improvement of the programme. To bridge this gap, this paper seeks to analyze the internship experiences of students to determine what factors seem to create the greatest perceived value. The study employed the descriptive exploratory study design approach. Data was obtained from a total of 376 students of the Faculty of Art through the use of questionnaire designed in open and close ended patterns and focus discussions. The statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) computer package was used for data analysis, while descriptive statistical tools such as frequency and percentage were used to analyze the facts sought from the questionnaire. The students described a variety of skills learned during the internship including mastering the use of some equipment, software, and report writing. About 80% of the participants indicated that the internship programme was important and linked the classroom work to real work environment. All the students regardless of their experiences indicated they had value for the internship which they believe will play a role in their future career objectives. On the other hand, some of the students had some unfavourable experiences including inadequate work space, provision of inadequate PPEs, boring and difficult tasks. Others were engaged in other duties that were not related to their field of studies, all of which could potentially influence the perception of students

The dark side of Galamsey: Portraying the effects of Galamsey on the environment using metal sculpture

Illegal small-scale mining popularly referred to in Ghana as ‘Galamsey’ has been a serious menace to the society and the environment. Since gold is one of the most valuable natural mineral resources in the country, and legal mining is accompanied by a lot of rules and regulations, a lot of individuals in a bid to get rich quick find dubious means to dig for it. The media houses have stressed the effects of galamsey on the environment. However, it has not made much impact. This paper focused on constructing a metal sculpture to depict the negative effect of galamsey on the environment. It, therefore, adopts the arc welding technique by using metals and scraps to create a conceptual metal sculpture to educate the public about the effects of Galamsey on the environment. Studio-based research method was used for the study. The project was successful and the results were analyzed under the social, philosophical, artistic and intellectual contexts. The finished work was titled “Ɛnkum yƐn wiasi”, an Akan expression which means “Don’t kill Our World