Thermoelectric Amplification of Phonons in Graphene

Amplification of acoustic phonons due to an external temperature gredient ($\nabla T$) in Graphene was studied theoretically. The threshold temperature gradient $(\nabla T)_0^{g}$ at which absorption switches over to amplification in Graphene was evaluated at various frequencies $\omega_q$ and temperatures $T$. For $T = 77K$ and frequency $\omega_q = 12THz$, $(\nabla T)_0^{g} = 0.37Km^{-1}$. The calculation was done in the regime at $ql >> 1$. The dependence of the normalized ($\Gamma/\Gamma_0$) on the frequency $\omega_q$ and the temperature gradient $(\nabla T/T)$ are evaluated numerically and presented graphically. The calculated $(\nabla T)_0^{g}$ for Graphene is lower than that obtained for homogeneous semiconductors ($n-InSb$) $(\nabla T)_0^{hom} \approx 10^3Kcm^{-1}$, Superlattices $(\nabla T)_0^{SL} = 384Kcm^{-1}$, Cylindrical Quantum Wire $(\nabla T)_0^{cqw} \approx 10^2Kcm^{-1}$. This makes Graphene a much better material for thermoelectric phonon amplifier.Comment: 12 Pages, 6 figure

Bridging the Gap between Rural Water Supply and Demand using Harvestable Rainwater: A Case Study of Adansi-Fumso

Rainwater harvesting has several benefits including providing a valuable alternative source of water for households, reduction in flood flow to storm drains and settlement erosion as well as health benefits. The research aimed at assessing and confirming the available renewal water sources, determining the cost of developing a rainwater harvesting system and assessing the potential of rainwater as a supplement to water supply at Fumso. Using a systematic random sampling technique and a sample size of 100 respondents, it was discovered that rainwater harvesting in Adansi Fumso has the potential to conserve on-site potable water use, protect water quality and reduce the risk of flooding within the community. Rainwater was preferred by the community due to its easy accessibility, nature (clean, pure, healthier and tastier), cost and quality. An examination of the rainfall records at AngloGold Ashanti weather station at Obuasi revealed an average annual rainfall of 1449.2 mm with the drier months (November, December, January and February) receiving only a quarter of the average monthly rainfall. The relatively high rainfall means that rainwater harvesting system designs need to be taken as a priority in addressing the water shortage situation in the community. Geometrically uniform building shapes and the local hydrology can provide sufficient rainwater to serve buildings in the community. The cost of the proposed rainwater harvesting system is GH ¢ 389.00 ($256.00). Reasons have been given for the need for this project and recommendations made for its implementation at Adansi Fumso as the best alternative source of water to the fewer boreholes in the community

Edible Vaccines: Problems and Prospects

Edible vaccine is an innovation in drug discovery, its relation and importance to the human immune system. This review presents the definition of edible vaccines, its emergence, the mechanism of action and administration of these vaccines, prospects and the problems associated to edible vaccines

A comprehensive review of contemporary literature for epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer and their toxicity

© 2020 Lee et al. Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are common amongst those with non-small cell lung cancer and represent a major factor in treatment decisions, most notably in the advanced stages. Small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that target the EGFR, such as erlotinib, gefitinib, icotinib, afatinib, dacomitinib and osimertinib, have all shown to be effective in this setting. Osimertinib, a third-generation EGFR TKI, is a favorable option, but almost all patients develop resistance at some time point. There are no effective treatment options for patients who progress on osimertinib, but ongoing trials will hopefully address this unmet need. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive review of the data with EGFR TKIs, management of the toxicities and the ongoing trials with this class of agents

Evaluation of some basic traits of a promising coconut hybrid: Sri Lankan green dwarf crossed to Vanuatu tall (sgd x vtt)

The Lethal Yellowing Disease locally referred to as the “Cape St Paul Wilt Disease” is the single most important disease that has devastated several hectares of coconut plantations in Ghana. Two decades of coconut screening for tolerant planting material has identified the Sri LankanGreen Dwarf crossed Vanuatu Tall (SGD x VTT) coconut hybrid as the most promising planting material in the context of disease. To provide farmers with planting material that has high disease tolerance and also good agronomic characteristics, the study compared some basic traits ofthe coconut hybrid with other important coconut varieties with the objective of determining the suitability of the SGD x VTT as alternative planting material to revamp the coconut industry in Ghana. Mean sample size of 25 palms per coconut variety under the study was analyzed using two sample t-test procedure. The study indicated that the yield performance of the SGD x VTT coconut hybrid was better than the tall coconut types including the local West African Tall (WAT) and compared favourably with the Malayan Yellow Dwarf crossed Vanuatu Tall (MYD x VTT) coconut hybrid. The good agronomic characteristics of the SGD x VTT coupled with itshigh resistance to the CSPWD proved its suitability as alternative planting material to revamp the coconut industry in Ghana

Breast lesions and cancer: histopathology and molecular classification in a referral hospital in Ghana

Background: Histological diagnosis is crucial to the management of breast diseases. It determines the kind of disease, the treatment modalities, and the outcome of management. Our department receives breast biopsies from the northern sector of Ghana constituting over 50% of the Ghanaian population. This study aimed at elucidating the pattern of disease and associated traditional prognostic indices of breast cases in our department over a period of 9 years.Methods: Information on the demographic characteristics and the histological diagnoses made on all breast cases received and processed in the department were accessed and entered into an Excel spreadsheet. Slides were reviewed and IHC was done on suitable cases. Descriptive statistics were generated using IMB-SPSS version 23.Results: A total of 4276 breast cases were received by the department within the study period, with 97.6% being female. Age ranged (female/male) from 10 to 98/13 to 102 years, with mean ages of 38.2 years (SD ± 16.7) and 41.15 years (SD ± 21.6), respectively. Cases were evenly distributed in both left and right breasts and 4.3% were bilateral. Inflammatory conditions were seen in 7.5% of cases. The most diagnosed benign tumor was fibroadenoma (54%), followed by fibrocystic change (8.1%). Gynecomastia was diagnosed in 66.3% of males. Malignant cases were 38.6%, with invasive carcinoma NST being the most frequent (87.5%). Histological grades were I = 9.4%, II = 41.6%, and III = 49%. Molecular subtypes were luminal A (19.8%), luminal B (9.9%), Her2 (16%), and TNBC (54.3%).Conclusion: Our findings show an increase in breast cancer cases compared to previous studies in our center, suggesting increased awareness and improved diagnosis. However, this increase is consistent with most studies in sub-Saharan Africa

Group Pregnancy Care for refugee background women: a codesigned, multimethod evaluation protocol applying a community engagement framework and an interrupted time series design.

IntroductionPregnancy and early parenthood are key opportunities for interaction with health services and connecting to other families at the same life stage. Public antenatal care should be accessible to all, however barriers persist for families from refugee communities to access, navigate and optimise healthcare during pregnancy. Group Pregnancy Care is an innovative model of care codesigned with a community from a refugee background and other key stakeholders in Melbourne, Australia. Group Pregnancy Care aims to provide a culturally safe and supportive environment for women to participate in antenatal care in a language they understand, to improve health literacy and promote social connections and inclusion. This paper outlines Froup Pregnancy Care and provides details of the evaluation framework.Methods and analysisThe evaluation uses community-based participatory research methods to engage stakeholders in codesign of evaluation methods. The study is being conducted across multiple sites and involves multiple phases, use of quantitative and qualitative methods, and an interrupted time series design. Process and cost-effectiveness measures will be incorporated into quality improvement cycles. Evaluation measures will be developed using codesign and participatory principles informed by community and stakeholder engagement and will be piloted prior to implementation.Ethics and disseminationEthics approvals have been provided by all six relevant authorities. Study findings will be shared with communities and stakeholders via agreed pathways including community forums, partnership meetings, conferences, policy and practice briefs and journal articles. Dissemination activities will be developed using codesign and participatory principles

Multi-locational assessment of some physicochemical attributes and amylase activity of sweetpotato varieties and elite materials in Ghana.

As part of the breeding objectives to select sweetpotato materials with acceptable quality attributes for adaptation and subsequent utilisation in Ghana, the total amylase activity and physicochemical attributes (flesh colour, Beta-carotene, dry matter, starch and sugars) of 13 sweetpotato genotypes across five locations were evaluated. Near Infrared Reflectance Spectrometry (NIRS), was mainly employed in the study. The flesh colour of the materials ranged from white to deep orange while thedry matter content ranged from 20% to 44%. Starch, fructose, glucose and sucrose contents were 46– 74, 0.3 - 5, 2 – 8 and 9 – 22% respectively. Apomuden, a deep orange type, recorded the highesttotal sugar content of 36% and the lowest dry matter and starch content of 20% and 46% respectively. Hi-starch variety had the highest dry matter (45%), starch (74%) and the lowest sugar (11%). Dry matter content correlated positively with starch content whilst orange colour intensity was inversely proportional to dry matter content. The outcome of the study supports the fact that sweet potato contains high extractable amylases. Amylase activity of the materials was fairly stable across locations. Okomkum, Faara, Santom Pona, Kemb, and Cemsa 74-228 recorded the highest activity while Hi-starch, Apomuden, Mohc, and 199062.1 were low. There was no correlation between raw sugars and amylase activity. The potential of individual cultivars for food industry will be discussed in relation to starch content and extractable amylases

“We now have a patient and not a criminal” : An exploratory study of judges and lawyers’ views on suicide attempters and the law in Ghana

This study explored the views of judges and lawyers of the superior courts of Ghana on the law criminalizing attempted suicide. Qualitative data were collected from 12 experienced legal practitioners of the superior courts (five judges and seven lawyers) using a semi-structured interview schedule. Thematic analysis of the data yielded three main perspectives: In defence of the Law, Advocating a Repeal, and Pro-Health Orientation. Although exploratory, the findings of this study offer cues for stepping up suicide literacy and advocacy programmes toward either a repeal of the law or a reform