A Multivariate Analysis of Determinants of Profitability: Evidence from Selected Manufacturing Companies Listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange

This study seeks to examine the determinants of profitability of manufacturing companies in Ghana. The study covered the period 2005- 2015 using data gathered from five selected manufacturing companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE). The Study employed the Multivariate Regression Analysis Technique. Return on Assets, a measure of profitability, was used as the dependent variable whereas leverage, liquidity, firm size, tangibility, GDP, inflation and interest rate were used as the predictor variables. The findings of the study established that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between profitability, liquidity and firm size whereas leverage and interest rate show a statistically significant negative relationship with profitability. The macroeconomic environment in Ghana plays an essential role in the survival and profitability of manufacturing companies in Ghana as evident in the empirical results. Thus, it is vital that managers of the economy keep a close eye on the implications of their policies and their impact on the manufacturing sector in their attempt to grow the economy. Future research should consider the other equally important sectors of the economy. It should also include more variables such as taxation and regulation indicators, exchange rates, management quality and corporate governance to give room for a more robust result and findings

SIRT1 Promotes N-Myc Oncogenesis through a Positive Feedback Loop Involving the Effects of MKP3 and ERK on N-Myc Protein Stability

The N-Myc oncoprotein is a critical factor in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis which requires additional mechanisms converting a low-level to a high-level N-Myc expression. N-Myc protein is stabilized when phosphorylated at Serine 62 by phosphorylated ERK protein. Here we describe a novel positive feedback loop whereby N-Myc directly induced the transcription of the class III histone deacetylase SIRT1, which in turn increased N-Myc protein stability. SIRT1 binds to Myc Box I domain of N-Myc protein to form a novel transcriptional repressor complex at gene promoter of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 3 (MKP3), leading to transcriptional repression of MKP3, ERK protein phosphorylation, N-Myc protein phosphorylation at Serine 62, and N-Myc protein stabilization. Importantly, SIRT1 was up-regulated, MKP3 down-regulated, in pre-cancerous cells, and preventative treatment with the SIRT1 inhibitor Cambinol reduced tumorigenesis in TH-MYCN transgenic mice. Our data demonstrate the important roles of SIRT1 in N-Myc oncogenesis and SIRT1 inhibitors in the prevention and therapy of N-Myc–induced neuroblastoma

Molecular epidemiology and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in Enterococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. in Africa : a systematic review from a One Health perspective

Health perspective is lacking. Here, we report result from a search for English‐language articles on the resistance mechanisms and clonality of Gram‐positive bacteria in Africa between 2007 and 2019 reported in PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and African Journals OnLine; 172 studies from 22 different African countries were identified. Resistance genes, such as mecA, erm(B), erm(C), tet(M), tet(K), tet(L), vanB, vanA, vanC, and tet(O), were found to be common. Staphylococcus spp., Enterococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. were the main species reported by the studies, with clones such as Staphylococcus aureus ST5 (n = 218 isolates), ST8 (n = 127 isolates), ST80 (n = 133 isolates), and ST88 (n = 117 isolates), and mobile genetic elements such as IS16 (n = 28 isolates), IS256 (n = 96), Tn916 (n = 107 isolates), and SCCmec (n = 4437 isolates) identified. SCCmec IV (n = 747 isolates) was predominant, followed by SCCmec III (n = 305 isolates), SCCmec II (n = 163 isolates), SCCmec V (n = 135 isolates), and SCCmec I (n = 79 isolates). Resistance to penicillin (n = 5926 isolates), tetracycline (n = 5300 isolates), erythromycin (n = 5151 isolates), rifampicin (n = 3823 isolates), gentamycin (n = 3494 isolates), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (n = 3089 isolates), and ciprofloxacin (n = 2746 isolates) was common in most reports from 22 countries. Clonal dissemination of resistance across countries and between humans, animals, and the environment was observed. Resistance rates ranged from 1.4% to 100% for 15 of the studies; 10 were One Health–related studies. Strict infection control measures, antimicrobial stewardship, and periodic One Health epidemiological surveillance studies are needed to monitor and contain the threat of increasing antibiotic resistance in Africa.File S1. Raw data and analysis of extracted information from included articles.File S2. List of excluded articles on the basis of only phenotypic (antibiotic sensitivity) tests.File S3. Metadata of strains used for phylogenomic analyses of Figures 5 and 6.Figure S1A–O. Resistance rates of antibiotics per country, source, and species in Africa (2007–2019). Isolates from humans (H), animals (A), and the environment (E) per country and species are shown in the image. The different resistance rates per antibiotic per species, source, and country are depicted by the bars.Table S1. Geographical distribution, species, clones, and resistance mechanisms of antibiotic‐resistant Gram‐positive bacteria isolated from humans in Africa from 2007 to 2019.Table S2. Geographical distribution, species, clones, and resistance mechanisms of antibiotic‐resistant Gram‐positive bacteria isolated from animals in Africa from 2007 to 2019.Table S3. Geographical distribution, species, clones, and resistance mechanisms of antibiotic‐resistant Gram‐positive bacteria isolated from the environment in Africa from 2007 to 2019.Table S4. Antibiotic resistance rates of various Gram‐positive bacteria species isolated from human sources in Africa from 2007 to 2019.Table S5. Antibiotic resistance rates of various Gram‐positive bacteria species isolated from animal sources in Africa from 2007 to 2019.Table S6. Antibiotic resistance rates of various Gram‐positive bacteria species isolated from environmental sources in Africa from 2007 to 2019.PRISMA 2009 Checklisthttps://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/174966322020-10-24hj2020Medical Microbiolog

Collaborative active learning activities promote deep learning in a chemistry-biochemistry course

Currently in higher education, there is a move towards providing more student-centred learning experiences, where students are actively involved in the learning process. To promote learner engagement and communication between peers, many educators utilise collaborative active learning activities. This study aimed to demonstrate that an active learning curriculum developed for a Chemistry-Biochemistry unit, allowed students to gain a deep understanding of the content, while developing key academic skills. In each face-to-face session of the Chemistry-Biochemistry unit, students participated in collaborative active learning activities including Participation+ and a variety of Padlet activities. The students were also challenged to develop their written communication skills, by taking part in a formative In-Class Writing Task. Survey results indicated that the active learning curriculum provided an engaging, interactive environment that was conducive to the students developing an understanding of the course’s underlying concepts and developing key academic skills. The students communicated their deep understanding of the content verbally during active learning activities and in writing during the In-Class Writing Task, written assignment and final exam. Students who consistently communicated deep knowledge of the content during the In-Class Writing Task achieved high marks on the summative written assignment, final exam and unit total. This study clearly demonstrates that the active learning curriculum employed in the Chemistry-Biochemistry unit provided a collaborative and engaging learning environment, where many students developed a deep understanding of the content and acquired the skills to communicate their knowledge both orally and through written communication

Determinants of e-learning adoption among students of developing countries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the determinants of e-learning adoption (ELA) among students in the University of Ghana.Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative research approach comprising of a survey of 337 students was adopted. Data were collected using questionnaires designed in conjunction with 13 factors (computer self-efficacy (CSE), perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU) and attitude towards use (ATTU)) in the conceptual model of the study. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling.Findings – The result revealed that PU and ATTU had a direct effect on ELA whilst, PU and PEOU also had a direct relationship on ATTU. Other variables such as CSE and PEOU had an indirect relationship on ELA though they were found to have an insignificant direct relationship on ELA.Practical implications – The level of significance of each construct identified in the study provide practical guidance to school administrators and instructors as to which factors to pay close attention to when implementing e-learning projects within their respective institutions.Originality/value – This study provides insight into ELA from the students’ perspective, through an extension of the TAM model in a developing country context given the existence of cultural differences and societal idiosyncrasies which exist in different contexts, particularly in Africa

ASSESSING THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE FLORICULTURAL INDUSTRY IN GHANA

This study determines the financial viability of the floricultural industry in Ghana using both discounting and non-discounting investment appraisal methods. The feasibility analysis suggests that large-scale floricultural firms are more profitable particularly with the production of cut flowers. However, investors with limited capital can venture into small-scale production specifically cut flowers. The conclusion is that the floriculture industry is financially viable therefore investors are encouraged to expend their resources in the industry. We recommend that the government and stakeholders need to create institutional support to enable the already established firms to further develop and attract new investors in the sector