Anomalous viscosity of vortex hall states in graphene

We study temperature effect on anomalous viscosity of Graphene Hall fluid within quantum many-vortex hydrodynamics. The commonly observed filling fractions, $\nu$ in the range $0 < \nu < 2$ is considered. An expression for anomalous viscosity dependent on a geometric parameter-Hall expansion coefficient, is obtained at finite temperatures. It arises from strained induced pseudo-magnetic field in addition to an anomalous term in vortex velocity, which is responsible for re-normalization of vortex-vortex interactions. We observed that both terms greatly modify the anomalous viscosity as well as an enhancement of weakly observed v fractions. Finite values of the expansion coefficient produce a constant and an infinite viscosity at varying temperatures. The infinities are identified as energy gaps and suggest temperatures at which new stable quantum hall filling fractions could be seen. This phenomenon is used to estimate energy gaps of already measured fractional quantum Hall states in Graphene.Comment: 7 pages, 3 fihure

Cu2+ removal from aqueous solution by Platanus orientalis leaf powders

An investigation steeredto ascertain the adsorption potential of fallen Platanus orientalis leaf powder (FPOLP) ascost-effective adsorbentto removeCu2+from an aqueous solution. The FPOLP was physically activated in two different forms (oxidation) and (N2) flowconditions. Batch operations for Cu2+ adsorption were performed to ascertain adsorption characteristics of FPOLP and activated samples. The results indicated that the optimum activation temperature and time were 500 oC and 180 min, respectively, while the best Cu2+ removal was achieved when the solution was controlled at pH 3 and the adsorbent dosage at 3 g/L.Additionally, an evaluation of the mechanism of adsorption fitted very well intopseudo-second-order. FTIR, scanning electron microscopy and BETmeasurements suggested that the new functional groups and the increased surface area related to the porous structure played a critical role in Cu2+ removal by the activated leaf powder. FPOLP has a great potential to remove Cu2+ in an aqueous solution

Climate change and its health implications at Bongo District of Upper East Region of Ghana

Changes in climate features such as rainfall and temperature have impacts on health and the understanding of the climate changes has the ability to mitigate many of the climate-related diseases. Climate in the Upper East Region is changing and has been validated by appraising rainfall and temperature data for the region from 1954-2014, including the Bongo District and relationship of health data were compared with the climate data. There was relatively steady increase in temperature from 1954-1982 with sharp temperature variations between minimum and peak temperature ranges from 1983-2014. Rainfall amounts showed drastic variations for peak months instead of a same month showing maximum amount of rains irrespective of the year. Using the regression analysis to determine trends showed some diseases to relate to some climate features. The study found diarrhea, skin diseases, malaria, and upper respiratory diseases to increase and relate to climate. It also identified malnutrition to decrease, which may have indirect relationship with changing climate. Causes of some health issues in the district has been recognized to have links of the changing climate of which knowledge of it will help in public health sensitization to mitigate the occurrence and recurrence of the climate-related diseases. Keywords: Climate change, Health, Malaria, Temperature anomaly, Diarrhea, Bong

Major flaws in conflict prevention policies towards Africa : the conceptual deficits of international actors’ approaches and how to overcome them

Current thinking on African conflicts suffers from misinterpretations oversimplification, lack of focus, lack of conceptual clarity, state-centrism and lack of vision). The paper analyses a variety of the dominant explanations of major international actors and donors, showing how these frequently do not distinguish with sufficient clarity between the ‘root causes’ of a conflict, its aggravating factors and its triggers. Specifically, a correct assessment of conflict prolonging (or sustaining) factors is of vital importance in Africa’s lingering confrontations. Broader approaches (e.g. “structural stability”) offer a better analytical framework than familiar one-dimensional explanations. Moreover, for explaining and dealing with violent conflicts a shift of attention from the nation-state towards the local and sub-regional level is needed.Aktuelle Analysen afrikanischer Gewaltkonflikte sind häufig voller Fehlinterpretationen (Mangel an Differenzierung, Genauigkeit und konzeptioneller Klarheit, Staatszentriertheit, fehlende mittelfristige Zielvorstellungen). Breitere Ansätze (z. B. das Modell der Strukturellen Stabilität) könnten die Grundlage für bessere Analyseraster und Politiken sein als eindimensionale Erklärungen. häufig differenzieren Erklärungsansätze nicht mit ausreichender Klarheit zwischen Ursachen, verschärfenden und auslösenden Faktoren. Insbesondere die richtige Einordnung konfliktverlängernder Faktoren ist in den jahrzehntelangen gewaltsamen Auseinandersetzungen in Afrika von zentraler Bedeutung. Das Diskussionspapier stellt die große Variationsbreite dominanter Erklärungsmuster der wichtigsten internationalen Geber und Akteure gegenüber und fordert einen Perspektivenwechsel zum Einbezug der lokalen und der subregionalen Ebene für die Erklärung und Bearbeitung gewaltsamer Konflikte

Trace Elements Assessments using Pollution Load Index and Spatial Maps Towards the Development of Environmental Policies Against the Impacts of the Natural Environment on Primary Health, Nadowli District-NW Ghana

Distributions and concentrations of trace elements at the surface environments are controlled by the natural environment and landuse. To identify the hazardous trace element areas in the study areas pollution load index (PLI) and spatial maps were used in the trace elements distributions and concentrations. Both the PLI and spatial maps used as assessment techniques both employ the contamination factors (CF) of the analysed trace elements at a sample station differently in establishing the degrees of pollution and contaminations. Twenty nine stations were sampled for trace elements contents. The PLI evaluation technique identified extreme arsenic (As) pollution of 5.39E+20 at the artisan mine and 5.62 fold-As pollution at the farmland areas. The spatial maps developed from the CF values recognized As, Co, Cr, Pb and Se to be contaminated at both artisan mine and farmland areas.  Mercury (Hg) contaminations were found at some sampling stations at the artisan mine areas whilst Mo contaminations were recognized at some localities at the farmland areas. The source of Hg contaminations may be the use of Hg as a regent in extracting gold from the mine ore and Mo enrichment may be an attribute of fertilizers use to boost crop yields (particularly the use of ammonium molybdate fertilizer for crop growth). The combined assessment technique was effective in determining the overall polluted environments and also portrayed geographical contaminated areas for an environmental concern against public health. Keywords: Artisan, farmland, trace elements, contamination, pollution

The Contributions of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises to Economic Growth: A Cross-Sectional study of Zebilla in the Bawku West District of Northern Ghana.

The mainstay of developing economies is the informal sector. In Ghana, most employment opportunities are largely hinged on the private sector. The contribution of this sector to Ghana’s economic growth through job creation cannot be underestimated. Globally, SMEs are noted for empowering citizens and economic growth of countries in Asia, Europe and North America. Though successive Ghanaian governments after independence in 1957 have made strenuous efforts towards reducing poverty and accelerating economic growth through formulating policies that favor SMEs, there is still a lag in knowledge regarding the presence of SMEs and level of development in rural settings in Northern Ghana.  The study sought to find out if the presence of SMEs could be linked to rapid infrastructural development, whether significant number of people is gainfully employed in the sector, and if SMEs have attracted the needed financial institutions through increased in credit facilities. By extension we also explored inherent challenges confronting SMEs and provided recommendations for entrepreneurs and policy makers to improve the sector in Ghana. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design and data was collected between April and August, 2013. Simple random sampling was used to select One hundred and sixty (160) SMEs respondents at 92% confidence interval (C.I) at 0.08 error margin. To achieve the set objective, the study employed both primary (questionnaires and observation) and secondary (documented evidence, internets materials etc) data collection techniques. The study revealed that SMEs do not play significant role in employing youth in the District though most SMEs rely on free family labour to minimize cost. Some infrastructural development like roads constructions could not be associated with the presence of SMEs. 15% of respondents attributed SMEs presence to housing and electricity extension to selected areas. Onion cultivation dominated other crops production in the area and generated appreciable profits. Limited access to credit, Infrastructural development deficits such as decent roads, Onions storage facilities and irrigation dams for all year round cultivation were among key challenges outline as hindering SMEs development in the area.  It is recommended that, entrepreneurs should be encouraged to form cooperatives to enable them access bank credits since most financial institutions hold the view that, group lending minimizes the risk of loan default. Also, occasional capacity training sessions should be organized for SMEs on basic records keeping and entrepreneurial management skills. Keywords: SMEs contribution, Onion cultivation, Dawadawa / Shea butter extraction, Zebilla, Bawku