Wildlife Species as Potential Sources of Human Exposure to Parasitic Pathogens in Accra, Ghana

Handling and consumption of wildlife species pose risks of exposure to the infective stages of parasitic pathogens and disease transmission. This study assessed protozoan and helminth infections in some wildlife species commonly consumed as meat in Accra, Ghana. Using Zinc Sulphate centrifugal flotation and microscopic techniques, seven protozoan species (Entamoeba sp., Giardia sp., Iodamoeba sp., Cryptosporidium sp., Balantidium sp., Endolimax sp. and Eimeria sp.) and 11 genera of intestinal helminths including Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Ascaris, Monieza, Schistosoma and Trichuris were identified. Kruskal-Wallis tests showed significant difference in intensity of protozoan [χ2(3) = 11.59; p = 0.009] and helminth [χ2(3) = 31.41; p < 0.0001] infections among the four groups of wildlife species. For protozoans, the differences were observed between the mean cyst and oocyst (Cryptosporidium sp.) intensities of Maxwell’s Duiker and Bushbuck (U = 5, p = 0.006) as well as Grasscutter and Bushbuck (U = 3, p = 0.004). However, the differences in mean helminth egg intensities were observed between Grasscutter and Maxwell’s Duiker (U = 6, p < 0.0001), Grasscutter and Bushbuck (U = 16, p < 0.0001) as well as Grasscutter and Royal Antelope (U = 4, p < 0.0001). The results highlight the need for awareness of the risks of parasitic diseases as a prerequisite for their effective prevention

Assessing Georgia Consumer Attitudes and Beliefs about Locally or Regionally Produced Livestock and Products

Abstract Interest in local and regional food production has been growing in the last few years. The study, therefore, assessed consumer attitudes and beliefs regarding local or regional livestock products. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of 384 participants from several counties of Georgia, and were analyzed by descriptive statistics, including chi-square tests. A majority of respondents thought using chemicals and additives in locally or regionally produced beef or goat meat was a serious or somewhat serious hazard. Consequently, many were willing to pay more for meat certified as locally or regionally produced. Furthermore, a majority agreed or strongly agreed with statements on meat attributes, such as affordability and quality. Chi-square tests showed that race/ethnicity and education had significant relationships with willingness to pay more for meat certified as locally or regionally produced. Additionally, safety, availability, quality, desirability, and hygiene had significant relationships with willingness to pay more for meat certified as locally or regionally produced. Keywords: Consumers, Attitudes and Beliefs, Local or Regional, Willingness to Pay, Livestock Product

A Comparative Analysis of Selected Producer Characteristics and Production Practices of Small Livestock Producers in Three Southeastern States of The US

It is germane to know the characteristics and practices of small livestock producers in order to assist them; however, there are a paucity of investigations on the subject in the Southeastern US. Thus, this study assessed selected producer characteristics and production practices of small livestock producers in three Southeastern States. The data were collected from three samples of producers in several counties of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that, a majority of producers practiced rotational grazing, had parasite problems, quarantined newly acquired animals, and used veterinary services. Additionally, a majority sold their animals live, and many kept records manually or on a computer. The findings indicate commonalities across the three states, in terms of rotational grazing, parasite problems, quarantine, how animals are sold, and record keeping. There is a need to assist small producers in certain aspects of production practices and in value-added processe

Adatoms and clusters of 3d transition metals on graphene: Electronic and magnetic configurations

We investigate the electronic and magnetic properties of single Fe, Co, and Ni atoms and clusters on monolayer graphene (MLG) on SiC(0001) by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), x-ray absorption spectroscopy, x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD), and ab initio calculations. STM reveals different adsorption sites for Ni and Co adatoms. XMCD proves Fe and Co adatoms to be paramagnetic and to exhibit an out-of-plane easy axis in agreement with theory. In contrast, we experimentally find a nonmagnetic ground state for Ni monomers while an increasing cluster size leads to sizeable magnetic moments. These observations are well reproduced by our calculations and reveal the importance of hybridization effects and intra-atomic charge transfer for the properties of adatoms and clusters on MLG.Comment: 8 pages (supplementary included), 4 figures, (supplementary included

Energy conservation in citrus processing. Final project report

Alternative energy conserving systems for use in citrus processing plants were synthesized and evaluated in terms of energy savings and economic return. The energy intensive operations that are carried out in citrus processing plants include conveying and extraction, concentration, peel drying, refrigeration, and pasteurization. The alternative energy conserving systems are synthesized from components and subsystems that are arranged to make use of energy cascading and thermodynamic regeneration to reduce the overall energy usage. System requirements such as air pollution rules and plant processing load cycles, a characterization of major operations, description of alternative system concepts, and the evaluation of alternative systems in terms of economic parameters and energy usage are identified

Interplay between foetal haemoglobin, micronutrients and oxidative stress biomarkers in sickle cell anaemia children

Foetal haemoglobin (HbF) has been speculated to have an impact on the quantity of micronutrients and the latter also have a role to play in oxidative stress (OS) in sickle cell anaemia (SCA). No previous study in Ghana has examined the interplay of these factors together among SCA children. This study compared the levels of OS biomarkers (8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine [8-OHdG] total antioxidant capacity [TAC]) and micronutrients (zinc and copper), and their relationship with HbF in SCA and sickle cell negative, apparently healthy children. This case-control study recruited 58 SCA (out-patients [n = 42] and in-patients [n = 16]) children aged 1–14 years as cases and 62 sickle cell negative children as controls from the Sickle Cell Unit at the Eastern Regional Hospital, Ghana. The micronutrients were measured using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) whereas OS biomarkers and HbF were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). SCA out-patients had a significantly higher level of HbF compared to HbA patients (p = 0.035). SCA in-patients had significantly increased levels of zinc, but a reduced 8-OHdG than SCA out-patients compared to control group (p \u3c 0.05). HbF correlated significantly (r = 0.318, p \u3c 0.038) with zinc in SCA out-patients. Micronutrients are essential in maintaining the redox status in SCA out-patients and HbF can influence some micronutrients

Comparative Analysis of Rankine Cycle Linear Fresnel Reflector and Solar Tower Plant Technologies: Techno-Economic Analysis for Ethiopia

The need to meet the world’s growing demand for energy in an environmentally sustainable manner has led to the exploration of various renewable energy (RE) resources for power gen-eration. The objective of this study is to examine the techno-economic potential of concentrated solar power plants (i.e., linear Fresnel reflector (LFR) and central receiver system (CRS) for electricity generation in Eastern African countries with a case study on Ethiopia. The study was conducted using the System Advisor Model (SAM). In order to estimate the economics of the two power plants, the Levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and the net present value (NPV) metrics were used. According to results obtained from the simulations, the LFR produced annual energy of 528 TWh at a capacity factor (CF) of 60.3%. The CRS also produced a total of 540 TWh at a CF of 61.9%. The LCOE (real) for the CRS is found to be 9.44 cent/kWh against 10.35 cent/kWh for the LFR. The NPV for both technologies is found to be positive for inflation rates of 2% and below. An inflation rate above 2% renders the two power plants financially impracticable. A real discount rate above 9% also renders both projects economically unviable. Based on the obtained results, the CRS system is identified as the best technology for electricity generation under the Jijiga climatic condition in Ethiopia. © 2022 by the authors. Li-censee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Taif University Researchers Supporting Project Number (TURSP-2020/61), Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia

Synergism of sulfur availability and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency

Nutrient management strategies that exploit nutrient elements’ synergistic interaction to enhance nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) are needed for economic and environmental reasons. A field study was carried out during the 2020–2022 growing seasons at six locations in three countries: two each in the United States, Ghana, and Mali using three sulfur (S) sources with different bioavailability levels (micronized elemental S, untreated elemental S, and ammonium sulfate); applied at five S application rates: site-specific recommended S rate (SR), 25%, 50%, 75%, and 125% of SR; and a single nitrogen (N) application rate (site-specific recommended N rate) to comprehensively investigate the influence of S availability on NUE. Specific objectives were to evaluate the impact of S availability on corn (Zea mays L.) yield, N uptake, and NUE. Regardless of the S source and experimental site, the aboveground S and N uptake were strongly and positively correlated (r > 0.88). Increases in apparent N recovery efficiency and agronomic NUE occurred with corresponding increases in S application rate, irrespective of the site and S source. The combined data showed that the agronomic efficiency of applied N fertilizer sources could be enhanced significantly by increasing S availability in soils. With the rising N fertilizer costs in recent times, N losses from the applied fertilizer are a drain on farmers’ income and of environmental concern. Thus, increasing NUE is a needed strategy to safeguard against excessive N application, increase farm profits, and minimize N losses to the environment that could disrupt the ecosystem function

A look at the consumption behaviours along Ghana’s slave routes.

This study examines the consumption behaviours of four types of visitors to sites associated with the Transatlantic Slave Trade in Ghana. A questionnaire was used to elicit information regarding sites they intended or actually visited, perceived differences regarding site experiences and impressions of the heritage product itself. The results show that visitors were highly selective in their consumption patterns, although the sites in the country’s south were the major attractions and generators for all purposes. There is evidence that trip motive and connection to slavery influence consumption behaviour, as some visitors are willing to invest effort, expense and time to consume truly unique learning experiences. The findings were interpreted as evidence that site managers may need to design strategies using visitor profile and consumption patterns to deliver a coordinated and integrated appeal to the target visitor group