Durability prediction of an ultra-large mining truck tire using an enhanced finite element method

Ultra-class mining trucks used for material haulage in rugged surface mining terrains experience premature tire fatigue failure in operation. Typical failures include belt edge separation, ply turn-up separation, and tread base and sidewall cracking. The use of reinforcing fillers and processing aids in tire compounds result in the formation of microstructural in-homogeneities in the compounds. This article presents an application of the critical plane analysis technique for predicting the fatigue life of the belt package of an ultra-large mining truck (CAT 795F) tire of size 56/80R63 in a surface coal mine. Experimental data obtained from extracted specimens (sidewall, tread, and belt edge region) of the tire are used to characterize the stress—strain and fatigue behavior of the modeled tire. The tire\u27s duty cycle stresses and strains were obtained from finite element analysis of the rolling tire in Abaqus. Fatigue life calculations were performed in the rubber fatigue solver Endurica CL. Effects of inflation pressure, tire speed, and axle load on the fatigue life of the belt package under strain-crystallizing and non-crystallizing conditions of the belt compound are discussed. Specifically, the results show the belt edges to be critical regarding crack nucleation

The integrated disease surveillance and response system in northern Ghana: challenges to the core and support functions

Background: The integrated disease surveillance and response (IDSR) strategy was adopted in Ghana over a decade ago, yet gaps still remain in its proper functioning. The objective of this study was to assess the core and support functions of the IDSR system at the periphery level of the health system in northern Ghana. Methods: A qualitative study has been conducted among 18 key informants in two districts of Upper East Region. The respondents were from 9 health facilities considered representative of the health system (public, private and mission). A semi-structured questionnaire with focus on core and support functions (e.g. case detection, confirmation, reporting, analysis, investigation, response, training, supervision and resources) of the IDSR system was administered to the respondents. The responses were recorded according to specific themes. Results: The majority (7/9) of health facilities had designated disease surveillance officers. Some informants were of the opinion that the core and support functions of the IDSR system had improved over time. In particular, mobile phone reporting was mentioned to have made IDSR report submission easier. However, none of the health facilities had copies of the IDSR Technical Guidelines for standard case definitions, laboratories were ill-equipped, supervision was largely absent and feedback occurred rather irregular. Informants also reported, that the community perceived diagnostic testing at the health facilities to be unreliable (e.g. tuberculosis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus). In addition, disease surveillance activities were of low priority for nurses, doctors, administrators and laboratory workers. Conclusions: Although the IDSR system was associated with some benefits to the system such as reporting and accessibility of surveillance reports, there remain major challenges to the functioning and the quality of IDSR in Ghana. Disease surveillance needs to be much strengthened in West Africa to cope with outbreaks such as the recent Ebola epidemic

Thermomechanical fatigue life investigation of an ultra-large mining dump truck tire

The cost benefits associated with the use of heavy mining machinery in the surface mining industry has led to a surge in the production of ultra-large radial tires with rim diameters in excess of 35 in. These tires experience fatigue failures in operation. The use of reinforcing fillers and processing aids in tire compounds results in the formation of microstructural inhomogeneity in the compounds and may serve as sources of crack initiation in the tire. Abrasive material cutting is another source of cracks in tires used in mining applications. It suffices, then, to assume that every material plane in the tire consists of a crack precursor of some known size likely to nucleate under the tire\u27s duty cycle loads. This assumption eliminates the need for prior knowledge of the location and geometry of crack features to be explicitly included in a tire finite element model, overcoming the key limitations of previous approaches. In this study, a rainflow counting algorithm is used to consistently count strain reversals present in the complex multiaxial variable amplitude duty-cycle loads of the tire to assess fatigue damage on its material planes. A critical plane analysis method is then used to account for the non-proportional loading on the tire material planes in order to identify the plane with the highest fatigue damage. The size of the investigated tire is 56/80R63, and it is typically fitted to ultra-class trucks with payload capacities in excess of 325 tonne (360 short ton). Experimental data obtained from extracted specimens of the tire were used to characterize the stress-strain and fatigue behavior of the tire finite element model in ABAQUS. A sequentially coupled thermomechanical rolling analysis of the tire provided stress, strains, and temperature data for the computation of the tire\u27s component fatigue performance in the rubber fatigue solver ENDURICA CL. The belt endings (tire shoulder), lower sidewall, and tread lug corners are susceptible to crack initiation and subsequent failure due to high stresses. This pioneering research effort contributes to the body of knowledge in tire durability issues in relation to mining applications. In addition, it provides a basis for off-road tire compounders and developers to design durable tires to minimize tire operating costs in the mining industry --Abstract, page iii

Customer- Care: Is it really impactful on Service Organizations?

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of customer care on the profitability of service firms in the Banking Sector in Ghana.Design/Methodology: The study adopted a mixed method approach to establish whether or not customer care program has had any impact on the operations of service organizations; where the moment of truth encounter is highly evident. An interview guide and a questionnaire were used to interview the bank manager and the customer relationship officer of Bongo Rural Bank Ltd and administered the questions on two hundred and fifty (250) customers including eight (8) employees of the bank. The books of the bank were also examined to assess the number of people who had benefited from the bank’s loan scheme.Findings: The study found that the bank was doing an excellent work since almost all the customers were satisfied with the services of the bank; and the attitudes of its employees. The satisfied customers recommended the bank to others and hence increased the customer base and profitability.Research Limitation: The research was limited to Bongo Rural Bank Ltd. Though the study was limited to the bank, the findings are applicable to all service financial institutions and non financial institutions in Ghana since the needs of the bank’s customers and the customers of other banks are homogeneous.Practical Implications: The employees and other important stakeholders of banks think that customer care is the sole responsibility of the marketing department rather than all members of the entire organization. The present study encourages all organizational members to systematically think of the customer in their respective area of service since customers can call on anyone of the firm at anytime.Originality/Value: The current empirical study makes an original contribution to the extant literature by adding knowledge of customer care in the context of service organizations, where the moment of truth is highly evident

Generative AI and Digital Neocolonialism in Global Education: Towards an Equitable Framework

This paper critically discusses how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) might impose Western ideologies on non-Western societies, perpetuating digital neocolonialism in education through its inherent biases. It further suggests strategies for local and global stakeholders to mitigate these effects. Our discussions demonstrated that GenAI can foster cultural imperialism by generating content that primarily incorporates cultural references and examples relevant to Western students, thereby alienating students from non-Western backgrounds. Also, the predominant use of Western languages by GenAI can marginalize non-dominant languages, making educational content less accessible to speakers of indigenous languages and potentially impacting their ability to learn in their first language. Additionally, GenAI often generates content and curricula that reflect the perspectives of technologically dominant countries, overshadowing marginalized indigenous knowledge and practices. Moreover, the cost of access to GenAI intensifies educational inequality and the control of GenAI data could lead to commercial exploitation without benefiting local students and their communities. We propose human-centric reforms to prioritize cultural diversity and equity in GenAI development; a liberatory design to empower educators and students to identify and dismantle the oppressive structures within GenAI applications; foresight by design to create an adjustable GenAI system to meet future educational needs; and finally, effective prompting skills to reduce the retrieval of neocolonial outputs

Assessment of Training College Students’ Acceptability of the Use of Technology to Learn Science

Technology is rapidly changing the way education is being delivered to students. Schools are encouraged to adopt technology that will enable teachers and students to interact effectively, especially the use of online learning platforms. For these reasons, this study examined college students’ acceptance and use of technology to learn science. A quantitative approach, descriptive design and a structural equation modelling approach were used to guide the data collection and analysis process. The study used a questionnaire to collect data on a sample of 346 students from the Bagabaga Training College, Tamale Training College and Gbewaa College of Education, with a total population of 3200 students using Krejcie and Morgan (1970). The results showed that the students were willing to use online technology to learn science. Their behaviour was the most significant factor in determining their use of technology. Also, facilitating conditions and habit significantly improved the student’s behaviour towards the use of science

Perceptions on the Impact of METASIP on Food Security in Ghana

The study assessed perceptions relating to the impact of Medium Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan (METASIP) on food security in Ghana. Specifically, the study monitored perceptions about how far the first pillar of FASDEP II which addresses food security and emergency preparedness has actually contributed to food security in Ghana. Seven indicators were identified and perceptions about these were monitored. They are improved productivity, agriculture mechanization, irrigation and water management, food storage and distribution, improved nutrition, off-farm activities and early warning systems. Findings indicated that, METASIP must do more to guide and sustain its success. More efforts must be put in for improved production, mechanization, irrigation and water management and enhanced off-farm activities by actively engaging communities, households and all stakeholders in the agricultural value chain. This meant adopting a holistic approach in public investment, stakeholder participation and commitment from policy makers

Assessing the determinants and challenges of external auditors’ reliance on internal audit work in Ghana

This study investigates the determinants and challenges of external auditors’ reliance on internal audit work in Ghana, using Agency Theory and Resource Dependence Theory as theoretical frameworks. A quantitative research design was adopted, employing a descriptive survey approach to collect data from 127 respondents drawn from the Ghana Audit Service, internal audit units of Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and other public institutions within the Savanna Region. The target population comprised staff directly involved in internal and external audit processes, and the sample size was determined using a formula for finite populations, with simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques employed. Data collection was conducted through structured questionnaires divided into demographic information and Likert-scale items measuring the degree of external auditors’ reliance, influencing factors, and associated challenges. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages), correlation analysis, and hypothesis testing through regression and t-tests, all performed using SPSS. The findings reveal a strong positive relationship between the performance of internal auditors, particularly in their roles as systems consultants, and the extent to which external auditors rely on their work. Organizational status was found to be less significant as a barrier compared to other challenges faced by external auditors. The study concludes that the collaboration between internal and external auditors can be significantly enhanced by improving the skills and performance of internal auditors, particularly in areas related to modern auditing systems and value-added consulting roles. Challenges such as inadequate resources and limited training opportunities remain barriers to effective reliance. It is recommended that organizations invest in continuous professional development for internal auditors, particularly in contemporary computerized auditing systems, and adopt policies that promote effective collaboration between internal and external audit teams. Future research should explore the role of emerging technologies in reshaping the relationship between internal and external auditors

Climate crisis and carbon accounting in West Africa: Institutional and financial dimensions

Background: Climate change poses pressing challenges for developing regions, yet its impact on carbon accounting remains underexplored in West Africa. This study examines the effect of the climate crisis on carbon accounting practices across 14 West African countries, with attention to the mediating role of institutional capacity and the moderating role of financial sector depth. Method: Using a quantitative design, the study draws on panel data from the World Development Indicators (WDI) and Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) for 2005–2020. Carbon accounting practices were proxied by carbon dioxide damage as a percentage of Gross National Income (GNI), while climate crisis was measured by CO₂ emissions per capita. Estimation employed Fixed Effects regression models, with mediation and moderation tested through the Baron and Kenny (1986) framework and interaction term analysis in STATA. Findings: Results reveal that the climate crisis significantly promotes carbon accounting practices. Institutional capacity partially mediates this relationship, as regulatory frameworks improve under climate stress but are weakened by systemic reporting flaws. Financial sector depth independently enhances carbon accounting yet dampens the direct influence of climate pressures, confirming a moderating effect. Conclusion: The findings suggest that climate-induced pressures alone are insufficient without strong institutions and financial systems that prioritize environmental concerns. Policymakers should therefore strengthen regulatory capacity, enforcement mechanisms, and institutional independence to ensure environmental regulations yield meaningful accounting reforms. The study is limited by reliance on secondary data and proxy measures, which may not capture qualitative institutional nuances. The exclusion of The Gambia also constrains generalizability. Future research should explore firm-level practices and assess the effects of green finance and environmental taxation on disclosure. Novelty/ originality of this article: The study introduces an integrative framework linking institutional and financial dynamics to climate–accounting interactions, offering both conceptual and methodological contributions in a West African context

Overweight and obesity among women of reproductive age in Mali: what are the determinants?

Background Existing evidence suggests that there has been a surge of overweight and obesity in low- and middle-income countries around the world. In this study we investigated the prevalence and factors associated with overweight and obesity among women in Mali. Methods We conducted the study among 5198 women using the 2018 Mali Demographic and Health Survey data. We used binary logistic regression for the analysis and pegged statistical significance at p<0.05. Results The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 26.9%. The likelihood of overweight and obesity was high among women 40–44 y of age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 5.94 [confidence interval {CI} 4.10 to 8.60]), those who were widowed/divorced/separated (AOR 1.59 [CI 1.04 to 2.43]), those with secondary education (AOR 1.41 [CI 1.13 to 1.75]), richest women (AOR 3.61 [CI 2.63 to 4.95]), those who watched television at least once a week (AOR 1.28 [CI 1.07 to 1.52]) and those who lived in the Kidal region (AOR 10.71 [CI 7.05 to 16.25]). Conversely, the likelihood of overweight and obesity was low among women who belonged to other religions compared with Muslims (AOR 0.63 [CI 0.43 to 0.92]). Conclusions This study found a predominance of overweight and obesity among women in Mali. The study showed that age, marital status, education, religion, region of residence, wealth status and frequency of watching television are associated with overweight and obesity among women in Mali. It is therefore critical for public health promotion programs in Mali to sensitize people to the negative effects associated with overweight and obesity. This implies that policies aimed at controlling overweight and obesity in Mali must take these factors into consideration