Empirical Distribution Models for Slenderness and Aspect Ratios of Core Particles of Particulate Wood Composites

Particle geometry was characterized for particleboard furnish prepared through hydrolysis of finished commercial particleboard procured from six Canadian plants. Particles samples were screened into seven particle size classes. Particles retained on 0.5-mm mesh were considered core particles and further partitioned into core-fine, medium, and coarse. Individual particles were then randomly selected for geometrical characterization and distribution fitting. About 80% of all screened particles by mass were between mesh sizes of 0.5 and 2 mm. There were significant differences in percentage screen masses of all particle sizes between plants. Masses of particle size greater than 1 mm of panels from two plants were significantly higher than the rest (0.05 α-level), whereas another plant had the highest mass of particle sizes retained on the 2-mm mesh. Particles retained on the 1-mm mesh showed the largest percentage mass variation among all plants. It was found that aspect ratio was a better geometrical indicator for predicting screw withdrawal resistance than any of the absolute dimensions, and increase in core-fine particles increases internal bond strength. Based on maximum likelihood and Akaike's Information Criterion, a log normal distribution was the best fit for all geometrical descriptors of most particle types; gamma and two-parameter Weibull were better fits for length and aspect ratio for most medium particles with gamma being the better of the two

Modelling Age at First Marriage among Ghanaians in Urban Southern Ghana

The paper obtains models for determining age at first marriage (AFM) among Ghanaians in urban southern Ghana. Logistic regression models are developed for determining marriage under various circumstances and socio-economic changes that are necessitated by marriage. It also determines distributions that fit AFM and intended age of marriage (IAM) among various sub-populations in the study area. Generally, the distribution fit of AFM for males and females are Frechet and Cauchy, respectively, with corresponding expected ages of 30.8 and 28.0. Distributions have also been determined for IAM for males and females. It is found that both sexes have almost the same average IAM of about 27.5 years but with different distributions. Thus, respondents generally experience delayed marriages. The results show that in all models, one’s religion is an overriding predictor of marrying under various circumstances. Other variables that are influential regarding issues of marriage are gender, level of extended responsibility, and level of education. One may therefore be guided in these variables in order to achieve the desired AFM. Keywords: Age at First Marriage, Intended Age of Marriag

Effect of Processing Conditions on Nutrient Disappearance of Cold-pressed and Hexane-extracted Camelina and Carinata Meals in vitro

Camelina and carinata are oilseed crops that have recently gained increasing attention as biofuel sources. The meals remaining after oil extraction contain relatively high concentration of protein and, because of this, there is interest in using them in livestock diets. However, the nutritional qualities of these meals are not well defined and may vary with processing conditions. In our experiment, we evaluated meals from cold-pressed and solvent-extracted camelina and carinata meals manufactured using 6 different processing conditions. Estimates of total in vitro OM and CP disappearance of each meal were determined according to a modified 2-phase procedure of Tilley and Terry (1963). We detected no differences in CP disappearance of camelina meal manufactured under cold-pressed extraction. In contrast, we noted differences in OM disappearance of camelina and carinata meals which had undergone different cold-press processing conditions. Differences were also observed in OM and CP disappearance of oilseed meals under varied hexane extraction conditions. Our data suggests that hexane extraction produced, on average, meals with greater OM disappearance than cold-pressing, but there were interactions by oilseed type. Hexane extraction performed under a temperature of 80°C for 90 min resulted in camelina meals with the greatest CP disappearance, whereas a temperature of 120°C for 65 min resulted in meals with the lowest CP disappearance

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance pattern of coagulase negative Staphylococci isolated from pigs and in-contact humans in Jos Metropolis, Nigeria

The nasal carriage and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of coagulase negative  staphylococci (CoNS) isolates from healthy pigs and in-contact humans were  investigated in 300 pigs and 101 in-contact humans from pig farms and abattoir. The results indicate that 13.2% (53/401) of the isolates were CoNS species based on confirmatory test with Microgen biochemical kit and were further subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. Nine CoNS species were identified; S. haemolyticus (n = 10), S. simulans (n =5), S. chromogen (n = 9), S. warneri (n =5), S. xylosus (12), S. epidermidis (n = 5), S. schleiferi (n = 5) and S. hominis (n = 2). Overall, resistance to beta-lactams was the most observed; 79.2% of the isolates were resistant to penicillin while 11.3% and 7.5% were respectively resistant to oxacillin and cefoxitin, respectively.  Resistance to 2 or more antimicrobial agents was observed in 39.6% (21/53) of the CoNS isolates. All the isolates were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent except for gentamicin. Multidrug resistant CoNS are common colonizers of apparently healthy pigs and in-contact humans in the study area with S. xylosus and S. haemolyticus being the major species detected.Key words: Antibiotics, CoNS, pigs, humans

Improving Core Bond Strength of Particleboard Through Particle Size Redistribution

Novel particleboard furnish mixtures were formulated to improve the core-bonding and screw-holding of industrial particleboard without increasing resin content or board density. Single-layer (uniform vertical density with core furnish only) and conventional 3-layer particleboards were manufactured at two density levels from four novel mixes plus control (unscreened industrial core furnish). Board mean and core density, internal bond strength, edge screw withdrawal resistance, and moduli of rupture and elasticity were measured.The core of commercial furniture-grade particleboard appears to contain too many fine particulates and insufficient coarser particles. Uniform density profile single-layer boards containing novel mixes with higher-coarse (>2 mm) and lower-fines

Secondary analysis of snake bite data in the Western Region of Ghana: 2006- 2010

Background: A snake bite is an injury caused by a bite from a snake, often resulting in puncture wounds, amputations and sometimes envenomation. Envenoming resulting from snake bite is a particularly important public health problem in rural areas of tropical and sub-tropical countries in Africa. This paper reports the incidence of snake bites and its associated mortality in the Western Region of Ghana.Method: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional review of 2006 - 2010 snake bite secondary data generated by the Western Regional Health Information Office in Ghana. Data was extracted from the District Health Information Management System (DHIMS) database. Data was managed and analyzed using SPSS Version 16.0. Univariate analyses were expressed as percentages and graphs.Results: The year 2009 recorded the highest incidence of Snake bites in the Western Region with Juabeso district recording the highest incidence of snake bites over the study period. Over the period about 55% of the incidence was between 50 – 100 per 100,000 population. The total number of snake bites recorded in the region for the period was 7,275, of which 52% (3,776) were males. About 60% of the patients were of the age group 15-49 years. A total of 12 reported snake bite deaths were recorded, of which 67% were men. This study recommends to the Districts Health Directorates in the Western Region to regularly organize community education on snake bite and the use of protective clothing by the farmers.Funding: None declaredKeywords: Snake bite, Envenomation, Incidence, District Health Information Management System, Western Region, Ghan

Synthesis, characterization and ab initio study of WO3 nanocubes with peculiar electrochemical properties

Simple sol–gel method has been exploited to deposit Sn-doped TiO2 thin flms on glass substrates. The resultant coatings were characterized by X-ray difraction (XRD), UV–visible techniques (UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and photoluminescence analysis (PL). The XRD pattern reveals an increase in crystallite size of the prepared samples with the increasing doping concentration. A decrease in doping concentrating resulted in the decrease in bandgap values. The diferent chemical bonds on these flms were identifed from their FTIR spectra. The photoluminescence analysis shows an increase in the emission peak intensity with increasing dopant concentration, and this can be attributed to the efect created due to surface states. The prepared samples were tested as antibacterial agent toward both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria like S.aureus (Staphylococcus aureus) and E.coli (Escherichia coli), respectively. The size of the inhibition zones indicates that the sample shows maximum inhibitory property toward E.coli when compared to S.aureus

Hematološke i biokemijske promjene u serumu nazimica pokusno invadiranih protozoonom Trypanosoma brucei

The aim of this experiment was to study the hematological and serum biochemical changes in domestic cross breed female gilts infected with Trypanosoma brucei parasites. Twelve gilts were purchased from piggeries in Zaria Nigeria and housed in clean, fl y proof pens in two groups of six infected and six controls. The gilts in the infected group were inoculated with approximately 1.8 × 106 Trypanosoma brucei parasites. All the inoculated gilts developed clinical trypanosomosis after a prepatent period of three (3) days. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the mean values of Packed Cell Volume (PCV), total white blood cells and differential leukocytes count, serum proteins, aspartate amino transferase, creatine kinase, potassium, inorganic phosphates and calcium between the infected gilts and the controls. The implication of these findings in the pathology of trypanosomosis in this species is discussed.Cilj je bio istražiti hematološke i biokemijske promjene u serumu križanih nazimica invadiranih nametnikom Trypanosoma brucei. U istraživanje je bilo uključeno 12 nazimica nabavljenih na svinjogojstvima u Zariji u Nigeriji. Nazimice su bile podijeljene u pokusnu i kontrolnu skupinu te smještene u nastambe potpuno zaštićene od krilatih kukaca. U pokusnoj skupini bile su invadirane s približno 1,8 ×106 parazita Trypanosoma brucei. U svih invadiranih nazimica očitovali su se klinički znakovi tripanosomoze nakon prepatentnog perioda od tri dana. Značajne razlike (P<0,05) bile su primijećene u srednjim vrijednostima hematokrita, leukocita, diferencijalne krvne slike, serumskih proteina, aspartat aminotransferaze, kreatin kinaze, kalija, anorganskih fosfata i kalcija. U radu je raspravljeno značenje tih nalaza u patologiji tripanosomoze u svinja

Mainstreaming Sustainable Development Goals In Ghana’s Energy Sector Within The Framework Of Public-private Partnerships: Challenges, Opportunities And Strategies

Purpose- This paper is anchored in a premise of a universal call to action by all United Nations member states in 2015 to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030 within the blueprint of the sustainable development goals. the purpose of this research is to explore exploration of challenges, opportunities and strategies for mainstreaming sustainable development goals in Ghana’s energy sector within the framework of public-private partnerships Design/methodology/approach- Literature review was carried out to explore concepts, theories, and frameworks for initiating Public-Private-Partnerships. Best local and international practices in the implementation of PPP projects; challenges and opportunities in the implementation of PPP projects, strategies for mainstreaming the sustainable development goals in Ghana’s energy sector, and assess business action in the implementation of the sustainable development goals in Ghana’s energy sector. The study is situated within the social constructionist philosophical tradition. The qualitative research strategy was adopted as the main methodological choice. Interview guides were used to collect data from respondents in the Accra metropolis. Eighteen (18) questionnaires were distributed and ten (10) retrieved out of the number representing a response rate of 56 percent. A thematic analysis technique was adopted to analyze the data. Findings- The lack of a PPP policy and law in Ghana, issues of conflict of interest in PPP projects, excessive government control over projects, cumbersome licensing and legal regime, and the general economic stability of the country were the most significant challenges identified to PPPs. However, opportunities identified were technology transfer, efficiency gains, and mobilization of additional resources for development on the government side whereas the opportunities for the private sector lie in creating new niches for themselves, becoming market leaders, and enhancing their brand reputation as well as profits. Awareness creation and education for companies, making business models inclusive, linking CSR with SDGs, exploring business opportunities in SDGs such as carbon trading, etc., aligning national policies with SDGs, establishing a sustainability unit in energy companies and forming effective partnerships with relevant bodies were the strategies proposed for mainstreaming the SDGs in Ghana’s energy sector. Research limitation- It was established from this study that indeed PPPs have a major role to play in unleashing all available forces and prospects towards achieving the SDGs. The findings of this research will serve as a guide to policymakers, the private sector, and development partners helping them identify the most effective strategies and avenues for implementing the SDGs especially in the context of the energy sector. This paper is constrained to the energy industry in Ghana. It provides a theory-based direction on how companies in the energy sector can contribute to social and economic interventions through a framework of PPP framework within the SGDs. Future research may explore how companies in other sectors may contribute to the sustainability discourse. Practical Implication- This will ultimately lead to additional funding to support government efforts in the implementation of SDGs, honing of sustainable (inclusive) business models, creating an enabling environment for PPPs towards inclusive growth and national development leaving no one behind. It recommended that there should be a national policy and law on PPPs and the private sector should be incentivized to engage government in PPPs implementation for the SDGs. Theoretically, this research contributes to the policy analysis discourse and scaling-up literature on the SDGs. Originality/value- This research explores the challenges associated with mainstreaming the SGDs in the energy sector from a public-private business perspective. It also offers a new policy, economic, and legal regulatory framework that contributes to emerging trends. The outcome of the analyses advocates for clear business strategies for implementation of the SDG apart from corporate social responsibilities (CSR)

Coagulation factors and natural anticoagulants as surrogate markers of preeclampsia and its subtypes: A case-control study in a Ghanaian population

Preeclampsia (PE) is associated with endothelial injury and hemostatic abnormalities. However, the diagnostic role of coagulation parameters and natural anticoagulants in predicting PE has not been explored in Ghana. This study assessed plasma levels of these factors as surrogate markers of PE and its subtypes. This case-control study included 90 women with PE (cases) and 90 normotensive pregnant women (controls). Blood samples were drawn for the estimation of complete blood count and coagulation tests. The prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and the calculation of the international normalized ratio (INR) were determined by an ACL elite coagulometer while the levels of protein C (PC), protein S (PS), antithrombin III (ATIII), and D-dimers were also measured using the solid-phase sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. All statistical analyses were performed using the R Language for Statistical Computing. Results showed significantly (p \u3c .05) shortened APTT (28.25 s) and higher D-dimer levels (1219.00 ng/mL) among PE women, as well as low levels of PC (1.02 g/mL), PS (6.58 g/mL), and ATIII (3.99 ng/mL). No significant difference was found in terms of PT and INR. From the receiver operating characteristic analysis, PC, PS, and ATIII could significantly predict PE and its subtypes at certain cutoffs with high accuracies (area under the curve [AUC] ≥ 0.70). Most women with PE are in a hypercoagulable state with lower natural anticoagulants. PC, PS, and ATIII are good predictive and diagnostic markers of PE and its subtypes (early-onset PE [EO-PE] and late-onset PE [LO-PE]) and should be explored in future studies