Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: A review of reviews

Objective: To synthesise reviews investigating physical activity and depression, anxiety, self-esteem and cognitive functioning in children and adolescents and to assess the association between sedentary behaviour and mental health by performing a brief review. Methods: Searches were performed in 2010. Inclusion criteria specifi ed review articles reporting chronic physical activity and at least one mental health outcome that included depression, anxiety/stress, self-esteem and cognitive functioning in children or adolescents. Results: Four review articles reported evidence concerning depression, four for anxiety, three for self-esteem and seven for cognitive functioning. Nine primary studies assessed associations between sedentary behaviour and mental health. Physical activity has potentially benefi cial effects for reduced depression, but the evidence base is limited. Intervention designs are low in quality, and many reviews include cross-sectional studies. Physical activity interventions have been shown to have a small benefi cial effect for reduced anxiety, but the evidence base is limited. Physical activity can lead to improvements in self-esteem, at least in the short term. However, there is a paucity of good quality research. Reviews on physical activity and cognitive functioning have provided evidence that routine physical activity can be associated with improved cognitive performance and academic achievement, but these associations are usually small and inconsistent. Primary studies showed consistent negative associations between mental health and sedentary behaviour. Conclusion:s: Association between physical activity and mental health in young people is evident, but research designs are often weak and effects are small to moderate. Evidence shows small but consistent associations between sedentary screen time and poorer mental health

Geospatial Assessment of Vegetation Changes around the Odublasi Quarry in Ghana

This study examined drivers of vegetation cover changes around the Odublasi quarry, analyzed trends of the change, and areas around the quarry prone to these drivers. Stakeholders were interviewed to identify drivers of vegetation cover change, while satellite imagery of the area from 2007, 2012, 2013, and 2014 were used for trend analysis. Field mapping of trees in the area was undertaken to acquire baseline data of vegetation for use in future studies and restoration projects. Identified drivers were; the construction of a new access road; switch in livelihoods of the local community members from small-scale quarrying to extracting biological resources around the quarry site; unsustainable farming and wood logging practices around the quarry; social exclusion; and afforestation programme around the quarry. A rising and falling trend in vegetation cover was observed in satellite images of the quarry site from 2007 to 2014. Activities around the quarry like shifting cultivation farming was a key driver of this undulating trend. Habitats along the access road to the quarry were identified to be vulnerable to the drivers of vegetation cover change and needed critical attention in any environmental restoration efforts

Assessment of the Potability of Underground Water from a Small Scale Underground Mine: A Case Study

This study sought to investigate the potability of underground water from the Mohammed and Brothers Small Scale Underground Mine in Tarkwa by analysing two samples of the underground water to determine the water’s physico-chemical parameters and the metals concentrations and coliforms in it. The physico-chemical parameters were analysed using Oyster series multi-meter (341350A) and Hydro test HT 1000 photometer. The result showed that the parameters were within the recommended World Health Organisation (WHO) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limits except for salinity and apparent colour. Analyses for metals and arsenic were conducted using the Varian Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Varian ASS 240 FS). All the metals analysed were within the standards set by WHO and USEPA but the level of arsenic was above limit. The level of total coliforms and faecal coliforms were determined at the Intertek Service Limited, Tarkwa. The result showed that the levels were within the standards set by WHO and USEPA. The Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated using the analysed water parameters. High levels of arsenic and salinity in the water renders it unsafe for drinking. Treatment of the water to reduce the arsenic and salinity levels to the standards set by WHO and USEPA will make it suitable for drinking and other domestic purposes. Keywords: Underground Water, Small Scale Underground Mining, Water Quality, Heavy Metals, Gol

Causality Analysis of the Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on GDP in Nigeria

This study used a Cointegration VAR model to study the Contemporaneous Long – run dynamics of the impact of foreign direct Investment (FDI) on Growth Domestics Products (GDP) with other four macroeconomic variables in the Nigerian Economy for the period of January 1970 to December 2004. The Unit Root Test suggests that all the variables are integrated of order 1. The VAR (3) model were appropriately Identified using AIC information criteria and the VECM (2) model with cointegration relation of exactly one .The study further investigate the causal relationship using the Granger Causality analysis of VECM which indicates a uni–directional causal relationship between GDP and FPI at 5% as in inline with other studies of Basu et al.(2003). The results of Granger Causality Analysis also show that some of the variables are Granger Causal of one another, at 5% level of significance. Having established the fact that foreign direct investment has positive impact on growth domestic product, government should strategize policies that would enhance foreign direct investment in Nigeria

Modeling of Sokoto Daily Average Temperature: A Fractional Integration Approach

Autoregressive fractional integrated moving average modeling strategy was used to model the daily average temperature (DAT) series of Sokoto metropolis for the period of 01/01/2003 to 03/04/2007. The time plot suggests that there is persistence dependence in the series. The order of fractional integration was found to be 0.6238841. The correct model for the daily average temperature data (DAT) of Sokoto metropolis was built. Two models were found to be more adequate for describing, explaining and forecasting the temperature, ARFIMA (3, 0.6238841, 1) and ARFIMA (1, 0.6238841, 3). But by checking the forecastability, ARFIMA (3, 0.6238841, 1) model was found to be the best optimal model that will best forecast Sokoto metropolis temperature. The fitted model should be used for future forecast of temperature of Sokoto metropolis. Forecasting temperature is important to Agriculturist, Geographers and Hydrologist. Air temperature determines the rate of evapotranspiration

Effect of Cleopatra mandarin rootstock age on bud ‘take’ of Late Valencia sweet orange

Cleopatra mandarin is preferred to rough lemon as rootstock material for budding because of the susceptibility of the latter to major citrus diseases such as gummosis and phytophtora infections. However, Cleopatra mandarin rootstocks have poor bud ‘take’. The experiment was conducted at CSIR-Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Bunso to determine the effect of Cleopatra mandarin rootstock age on bud ‘take’ of Late Valencia sweet orange variety. Cleopatra mandarin rootstocks of ages 9 months, 10 months, 11 months and 12 months were budded with Late Valencia sweet orange variety using the chip budding technique in a randomised complete block design. There were 25 budded seedlings for each age group and replicated four times. Results obtained indicated that younger Cleopatra mandarin rootstock favoured bud ‘take’more than older ones. Higher bud ‘take’ was recorded in the 9-month old rootstocks followed by the 10-month old ones. Bud ‘take’, however, decreased with age of the rootstock. Differences in bud ‘take’between younger rootstocks (9 and 10 months old) were insignificant. There were, however, significant differences between bud‘take’ of younger rootstocks and older rootstocks (11 and 12 months old)

Product Marking and Conformity Assessment of Portland Cements on the Ghanaian Market

Cement bound concrete materials and complementary fittings are requisite ingredients for all civil engineering works. In all these, Portland cement, a basic binding ingredient for the concrete work is the dominant binder. In Ghana, there are various brands of cement on the market. Five major brand products currently in circulation include the Ghana Cement (GHACEM), Western DIAMOND Cement (DIAMOND), CIMAF Cement, DANGOTE Cement and SUPACEM Cement. Increased infrastructural development has placed high demand on cement consumption. Consequently, new products keep emerging in the market. Indeed, a standard measure to provide product marking and evaluations of conformity to standard Class thresholds are required for the desired specification, properties and the performance quality of the cement products. This research therefore sets to ascertain the strength quality of the five cement brands on the Ghanaian market by checking their conformity to C-30 and C-40 standard compressive tests, using their 32.5-R and 42.5-R flagship brands. To achieve this, concrete cubes were moulded with fixed mix ratio of 1:1⅟2:3 and 1:1:2 for C-30 and C-40 respectively. To achieve the desired strength conformity, the slump as well as the coarse and fine aggregate constituents were standardised. The results indicated that the cement brands despite parading same strength thresholds in the market, do not exhibit same strength build-up. There are significant variations in growth of compressive strength over time. It was observed also that conformance threshold within 28 days was not attained for a number of the brands. Indeed, not until 56 days or more some of the brands could not achieve their desired compressive strength thresholds

The dissolution and solid-state behaviours of coground ibuprofen–glucosamine HCl

The cogrinding technique is one of most effective methods for improving the dissolution of poorly water-soluble drugs and it is superior to other approaches from an economical as well as an environmental standpoint, as the technique does not require any toxic organic solvents. Present work explores the role of d-glucosamine HCl (GL) as a potential excipient to improve dissolution of a low melting point drug, ibuprofen (Ibu), using physical mixtures and coground formulations. The dissolution of the poorly soluble drug has been improved by changing the ratio of Ibu:GL and also grinding time. The results also showed that although GL can enhance the solubility of Ibu, it also reduces pH around the Ibu particles which led to poor dissolution performance when the concentration of GL is high. The effect of GL on the solubility of Ibu could be misleading if the pH of the final solution was not measured. Grinding reduced the particle size of GL significantly but in case of Ibu it was less effective. Solid state analysis (XRPD, DSC, and FT-IR) showed that ibuprofen is stable under grinding conditions, but the presence of high concentration of GL in samples subjected to high grinding times caused changes in FT-IR spectrum of Ibu which could be due to intermolecular hydrogen bond or esterification between the carboxylic acid group in the ibuprofen and hydroxyl group in the GL

Building the case for biofortification: measuring and maximizing impact in the HarvestPlus program

This paper describes the research and related activities that HarvestPlus undertook at each stage of the research process—discovery, proof of concept, delivery at scale—to establish and continuously strengthen the evidence base for program impact. Structured around the program’s theory of change, the evidence base includes estimates of the magnitude of potential impacts on key development outcomes as well as support for key assumptions that underlie outcomes along the impact pathway from release of biofortified varieties through adoption by farmers, consumption by consumers, and ultimately, to improved nutritional status. The HarvestPlus experience has important lessons for research for development (R4D) programs, many of which struggle to demonstrate progress towards outcomes and impacts throughout the research process.Keywords: Research for Development (R4D), Impact Assessment, Theory of Change, Micronutrient Deficiencies, Crop Varietal Improvemen

Assessment of Groundwater Quality and its Suitability for Domestic and Agricultural Purposes in parts of the Central Region, Ghana

Groundwater in parts of the Central Region of Ghana was assessed to determine its suitability for domestic use and irrigation activities. Stiff and Piper diagrams show that the predominant water type in the area is Na-Cl, which is characterized by relatively high salinities. This water type occurs in aquifers underlying six coastal districts, namely; Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AA), Mfantseman (MF), Gomoa East (GE), Awutu Senya (AwS), Effutu (EF) and Cape Coast (CC). Other water types are Ca-HCO3, Ca-SO4 and Ca-Cl, that occur in districts located further away from the coast. Silicate weathering and ion exchange are identified as the geochemical processes responsible for the various ions in the groundwater. Possible processes that could be responsible for the source of Na+ and Cl- are sea water intrusion and dissolution of minerals. The results also show that the groundwater is mainly supersaturated with respect to both calcite and gypsum, indicating high concentrations of both bicarbonate and sulfate ions in solution. This is associated with considerable enrichment of the groundwater with sulfate, bicarbonate, and calcium ions. On a Wilcox diagram, the groundwater samples, mainly from the districts coded as AA, TLD, AS and AN, which are located away from the coast, plot within the “excellent to good” category, suggesting that water from the area is of acceptable quality for irrigation purposes. Similarly, Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) and conductivity values for the groundwater in the AA, TLD, AS and AN districts indicate low SAR and low to medium salinity respectively. Groundwater in aquifers underlying these districts is therefore suitable for irrigation. Generally, groundwater samples from locations along the coast have high salinity and are not suitable for domestic and irrigation purposes. However, about 72% of the water samples predominantly in districts located away from the sea is suitable for the purposes stated