The Design of Packaging Graphics for the expansion of Ghanaian Chocolate products

Ghana is a country well-endowed with various natural resources. Many of these resources are exported to other countries. Cocoa plays an important role in the economy of Ghana. It is the second foreign exchange earner and the lives of many farmers and their families depend on it. Cocoa products like chocolate, pebbles, cocoa powder feature prominently on the menu in many homes, restaurants and hotels. The purpose of this study is to develop an effective packaging design prototype that uses cultural references to communicate Ghana, differentiate the brand from others and attract the consumer through sight sensory, an integral component of the sensory which produce emotions leading to decision making towards purchase. Based on the research-study and analysis of the evaluation matrix on some selected existing chocolate brand packages from five different countries namely: Divine Chocolate (Ghana), Golden Tree Chocolate (Ghana), Milka (German), Hershey chocolate (USA), Villars (Switzerland), Michel Cluizel (France), the prototype design was developed

Challenges in Accessing Agricultural Information Sources and Services by Farmers in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State

Abstract Agriculture play significant role towards sustainability of developing nations’ economy particularly Nigeria by providing abundant raw materials required by the industry, as well as ensures food security and a healthy nation. This study examines the challenges of accessing agricultural information sources and services by farmers in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State. Survey method was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprise of 16066 from which 78 farmers of the study area were selected using stratified random sampling and purposive sampling procedure. From the copies of questionnaires administered only 60 were duly completed and returned. Frequency and percentages were used in analyzing data collected. The findings from the study showed that information needs of farmers among others include application of improve techniques, irrigation management, seeds prices, farm wild fire management and prevention, purchase and use of fertilizer, government blueprint on agriculture, and meteorology information need of farmers in Edu Local Government . The findings further revealed that poor communication system, absence of library and information centre, absence of extension agents, insufficient knowledge on marketing of farm produce , insufficient credit facilities, insufficient information on government policies, insufficient fund were the challenges faced by farmers in accessing agricultural information sources and services. The study recommended among others that central facility providing and disseminating information on agricultural related services should be created in the study area that would be accessible to all farmers in order to meet their information needs. Keywords: Agricultural information, information needs, Farmers, information services, Nigeri

Entrepreneurial Well-Being of Small and Medium Scale Business Owners: Role of Gender and Emotional Strategies

Entrepreneurial well-being has been associated with different emotional strategies but, the exact impact of cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression together with gender difference on entrepreneurial well-being has not been adequately studied among Nigerian small-scale enterprises. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the role of emotional strategies and gender on entrepreneurial well-being among small and medium scale business owners in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. An ex-post facto research design was adopted to collect data from three hundred and ten (310) small and medium scale business owners at Bodija market area of Ibadan, Oyo State. The questionnaire comprised demographic variables and two standardized psychological scales used to assess relevant information from the respondents: emotional strategies scale and entrepreneurial well-being scale. Multiple regression and t-test for independent samples were used to test the three hypotheses formulated in the study. Findings reveal that cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression jointly predicted entrepreneurial well-being among small and medium business owners (R = .458 and a multiple R2 of .210). Further analysis showed that only cognitive reappraisal independently predicted entrepreneurial well-being (β = .405, p<.05). Again, t-test analysis revealed a statistically significant mean difference in entrepreneurial well-being (t(308) = 5.060, p < .05) between high and low emotional strategy. The findings further revealed no gender difference in entrepreneurial well-being of small and medium scale business owners. Therefore, this study concludes that entrepreneurial well-being is largely dependent on the individual level of cognitive reappraisal, while gender difference does not constitute any barrier for both existing and potential entrepreneurs. Based on the findings, it was recommended that entrepreneurs, existing as well as intending, should endeavour to embark on periodical psychologically structured training with focus on emotional management/regulation

Stimulating the Interest of Young Learners in Physics through Storytelling and STEM Activities

The Physics is Fun Project is an initiative funded by Purdue’s Office of Engagement and aims to promote an interest in physics among young learners aged 5 to 12. The project’s unique approach blends instructional design and motivational design to create an engaging and relevant learning experience. Development of the project was guided by the analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate (ADDIE) framework and Keller’s attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction (ARCS) theory and utilized storytelling and hands-on learning strategies to bring physics to life through the story of a young physics enthusiast who is passionate about building a dream car. Basic physics concepts such as force, motion, and energy were presented using age-appropriate language and large infographics with relatable examples. Learners each received a STEM packet to construct their own dream car, therefore providing an authentic learning experience as they assembled their own car with the physics concepts. The first outreach was held in collaboration with Imagination Station in Lafayette and reached over 30 young physics inquirers with minimal scaffolding to support their learning

Mammal Richness and Diversity in Tropical Ecosystem: The Role of Protected Area in Conserving Vertebrate Fauna, Oban Hill’s Region

Documenting the diversity and distribution of vertebrates is crucial to achieving sustainability and assists in planning for the protection and conservation strategy. We conducted a line transect via stratified distance sampling techniques to estimate the densities and diversity of forest mammal in tropical ecosystem landscape of Oban Hills Region, Cross River Park National (CRNP), Nigeria. A detection function was estimated individually for each land use types by pooling all the animal data from the transects. For fauna species, all sighting records of the two out of four land use types (core and buffer) were used because both accounted for the high significant percentage 36% core and 30% buffer of the species composition encountered in the land use types respectively. In total, core, buffer, farmfallow and plantation recorded 868, 519, 136, and 48 individuals respectively. Their individual density was estimated at 69.8km2, 64.8km2, 25.7km2 and 8.3km2 for all the land use types respectively. Core of the park accounted for the highest fauna species richness (D=4.138) and plantation recorded the least of (D=2.583). Analysis of Fauna species evenness and species diversity revealed that, farm fallow had the highest values (J´= 0.7536) and (H’= 2.55) respectively. The density in our study area are among the highest in the tropical rainforest. Our results indicate that Oban hills habour highest diversity of fauna in the region and also gives an updated account of fauna composition present in the region. Our finding conclude that core of the park is of the highest conservation value and priority should be given for its protection. The study also provides baseline data for future managing and planning of vertebrate population in the Oban region. We recommend that a biomonitoring study of mammals be initiated to help determine population trends, update species status in this biodiversity hotspot

Integrated risk mapping and landscape characterisation of lymphatic filariasis and loiasis in South West Nigeria

Nigeria has the heaviest burden of lymphatic filariasis (LF) in sub-Saharan Africa, which is caused by the parasite Wuchereria bancrofti and transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. LF is targeted for elimination and the national programme is scaling up mass drug administration (MDA) across the country to interrupt transmission. However, in some regions the co-endemicity of the filarial parasite Loa loa (loiasis) is an impediment due to the risk of severe adverse events (SAEs) associated with the drug ivermectin. To better understand factors influencing LF elimination in loiasis areas, this study conducted a cross-sectional survey on the prevalence and co-distribution of the two infections, and the potential demographic, landscape, human movement, and intervention-related risk factors at a micro-level in the South West zone of Nigeria. In total, 870 participants from 10 communities on the fringe of a meso-endemic loiasis area of Osun State were selected. LF prevalence was measured by clinical assessment and using the rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT) to detect W. bancrofti antigen. Overall LF prevalence was low with ICT positivity ranging from 0 to 4.7%, with only 1 hydrocoele case identified. Males had significantly higher ICT positivity than females (3.2% vs 0.8%). Participants who did not sleep under a bed net had higher ICT positivity (4.0%) than those who did (1.3%). ICT positivity was also higher in communities with less tree coverage/canopy height (2.5–2.8%) than more forested areas with greater tree coverage/canopy height (0.9–1.0%). In comparison, loiasis was determined using the rapid assessment procedure for loiasis (RAPLOA), and found in all 10 communities with prevalence ranging from 1.4% to 11.2%. No significant difference was found by participants' age or sex. However, communities with predominately shrub land (10.4%) or forested land cover (6.2%) had higher prevalence than those with mosaic vegetation/croplands (2.5%). Satellite imagery showed denser forested areas in higher loiasis prevalence communities, and where low or no ICT positivity was found. Only one individual was found to be co-infected. GPS tracking of loiasis positive cases and controls also highlighted denser forested areas within higher loiasis risk communities and the sparser land cover in lower-risk communities. Mapping LF-loiasis distributions against landscape characteristics helped to highlight the micro-heterogeneity, identify potential SAE hotspots, and determine the safest and most appropriate treatment strategy

A national quality assurance programme for point-of- care testing in Malawi

No abstract available

Dimensions of Vaccination Attitudes in Nigeria: A Study of the Impacts of COVID-19 Vaccine Risk Perception and Acceptance

Nigeria has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and vaccination is a key strategy. However, the country faces vaccination hesitancy, poor risk perception, and low acceptance. This study aimed to assess the direct and interactive impacts of COVID-19 vaccine risk perception and acceptability on COVID-19 vaccination attitudes in the general Nigerian population. In a cross-sectional approach, participants completed a structured questionnaire including demographics, COVID-19 vaccine risk perception, acceptance, and vaccination attitude from April 2-30, 2021. The sample included 1,026 participants from different ethnicities across four regions (Southwest, South, Southeast, and North Central) in Nigeria, which were selected using the convenience sampling method. Multivariate analysis of variance results showed that the COVID-19 vaccine’s risk perception and acceptability have separate and interactive effects on overall vaccination attitudes. Interactively, individuals with high-risk perceptions and low acceptance expressed more skepticism about its benefits, were concerned about its long-term body effects, believed more in its commercialization, and preferred natural immunity. Nigerians’ apprehension about COVID-19 vaccination is impacted by their high-risk perception and low vaccine uptake

Epidemiological and Entomological Evaluations after Six Years or More of Mass Drug Administration for Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination in Nigeria

The current strategy for interrupting transmission of lymphatic filariasis (LF) is annual mass drug administration (MDA), at good coverage, for 6 or more years. We describe our programmatic experience delivering the MDA combination of ivermectin and albendazole in Plateau and Nasarawa states in central Nigeria, where LF is caused by anopheline transmitted Wuchereria bancrofti. Baseline LF mapping using rapid blood antigen detection tests showed mean local government area (LGA) prevalence of 23% (range 4–62%). MDA was launched in 2000 and by 2003 had been scaled up to full geographic coverage in all 30 LGAs in the two states; over 26 million cumulative directly observed treatments were provided by community drug distributors over the intervention period. Reported treatment coverage for each round was ≥85% of the treatment eligible population of 3.7 million, although a population-based coverage survey in 2003 showed lower coverage (72.2%; 95% CI 65.5–79.0%). To determine impact on transmission, we monitored three LF infection parameters (microfilaremia, antigenemia, and mosquito infection) in 10 sentinel villages (SVs) serially. The last monitoring was done in 2009, when SVs had been treated for 7–10 years. Microfilaremia in 2009 decreased by 83% from baseline (from 4.9% to 0.8%); antigenemia by 67% (from 21.6% to 7.2%); mosquito infection rate (all larval stages) by 86% (from 3.1% to 0.4%); and mosquito infectivity rate (L3 stages) by 76% (from 1.3% to 0.3%). All changes were statistically significant. Results suggest that LF transmission has been interrupted in 5 of the 10 SVs, based on 2009 finding of microfilaremia ≥1% and/or L3 stages in mosquitoes. Four of the five SVs where transmission persists had baseline antigenemia prevalence of >25%. Longer or additional interventions (e.g., more frequent MDA treatments, insecticidal bed nets) should be considered for ‘hot spots’ where transmission is ongoing