Advice on beans: Farmerline's Mergdata farm-advice service in Ghana ICTs

Farmerline provides users with farm advice, weather forecasts, market information messages on mobile phones in local languages. The same software allows organizations to conduct surveys of farms and farmers. A series of training courses taught users how it works

ガーナ，アシャンティ火山帯南部に分布する古原生代変火山岩類のSr-Nd 同位体組成

Neodymium (Nd) and strontium (Sr) isotopic data are presented for Paleoproterozoic metavolcanic rocks in the southern part of the Ashanti volcanic belt of Ghana. The metavolcanic rocks are predominantly basalts/basaltic andesites and andesites with minor dacites. Two types of basalts/basaltic andesites (B/A), Type I and Type II, have been identified. The Type I B/A are stratigraphically overlain by the Type II B/A, followed by the andesites and the dacites. The analyzed volcanic rocks commonly have low initial (87)Sr/(86)Sr ratios consistent with previous studies on Paleoproterozoic rocks from the West African craton. The LREE-depleted, tholeiitic Type I B/A exhibit back-arc basin geochemical signatures and show high positive epsilon Nd (i.e., ε(Nd) (2.1 Ga) = +3.89 to +7.21), which suggest a long term depleted source and also indicate that they were produced in an entirely oceanic environment devoid of influence of continental crust. The isotope signatures are thus consistent with the previously published trace element data of the Type I basalts/basaltic andesites in suggesting that their parent magma was generated from a depleted mantle. The Type I B/A have Nd model ages (T(DM2)) of 1.83–2.09 Ga similar to their formation ages, suggesting that they were juvenile at their time of formation. The andesites and the Type II B/A andesites show LREE-enriched patterns and exhibit characteristics of subduction zone-related magmas, and show initial ε(Nd) (2.1Ga) values of –1.15 to + 1.35 and Nd model ages (T(DM2)) of 2.32–2.58 Ga. The LREE-enriched dacitic porphyry also exhibits characteristics of subduction zone-related magmas, and have initial ε(Nd) (2.1Ga) value of –2.24 and Nd model ages (T(DM2)) of 2.64 Ga. The Nd isotopic data confirms the juvenile character of the Birimian crust, but also suggests some contributions of a pre-Birimian crustal material (or Archean?) in the genesis of some of the metavolcanic rocks. Our isotopic result is consistent with the island arc complex model which views Paleoproteozoic terranes of West Africa in the context of subduction–accretion processes

Epidemiology of cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) among a cohort of HIV-infected and uninfected Ghanaian women.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data in Ghana on the epidemiology of HPV and cervical neoplasia and their associations with HIV. This study aimed to compare among HIV-1 seropositive and HIV-seronegative Ghanaian women: (1) the prevalence, genotype distribution and risk factors associated with cervical HPV infection; and (2) the prevalence and risk factors associated with abnormal cervical cytology. METHODS: A comparative frequency-matched study was conducted in a systematic sample of women aged ≥18 years attending HIV and general outpatient clinics in Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Participants were interviewed and cervical samples collected for HPV genotyping (Seegene Anyplex-II HPV28) and cytological testing. RESULTS: Overall, 333 women were recruited, 163 HIV-1 seropositive and 170 HIV-seronegative women of mean age 43.8 years (SD ±9.4)) and 44.3 years (SD ±12.8), respectively. The prevalence of 14 high-risk (hr) HPV genotypes was higher among HIV-1 seropositive women (65.6% vs. 30.2%, P < 0.0001), as was proportion with multiple hr.-HPV infections (60.6% vs. 21.3%, P < 0.0001). HPV35 was the most prevalent hr.-HPV genotype in both groups (11.9% and 5.3%). The main factors associated with hr.-HPV infection were age for HIV-positive women and circumcision status of main sexual partner for both HIV-negative and positive women. Abnormal cervical cytology prevalence was higher among HIV-1 seropositive women (any SIL: 14.1% vs. 1.2%, P < 0.0001; low-grade SIL [LSIL]: 4.9% vs. 0.6%, P = 0.02; high-grade SIL: 1.8% vs. 0%, P = 0.07). Among HIV-1 seropositive women, number of pregnancies and CD4+ cell count were associated with LSIL+ cytology. There was strong association between LSIL+ abnormalities and HPV35 (aOR = 4.7, 95%CI: 1.3-17.7, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: HIV-1 infected women bear significant burden of HPV infection and related disease. Prevention and screening programmes should be specifically deployed for this population in Ghana

Developing a modified low-density lipoprotein (M-LDL-C) Friedewald’s equation as a substitute for direct LDL-C measure in a Ghanaian population: a comparative study

Despite the availability of several homogenous LDL-C assays, calculated Friedewald\u27s LDL-C equation remains the widely used formula in clinical practice. Several novel formulas developed in different populations have been reported to outperform the Friedewald formula. This study validated the existing LDL-C formulas and derived a modified LDL-C formula specific to a Ghanaian population. In this comparative study, we recruited 1518 participants, derived a new modified Friedewald\u27s LDL-C (M-LDL-C) equation, evaluated LDL-C by Friedewald\u27s formula (F-LDL-C), Martin\u27s formula (N-LDL-C), Anandaraja\u27s formula (A-LDL-C), and compared them to direct measurement of LDL-C (D-LDL-C). The mean D-LDL-C (2.47±0.71 mmol/L) was significantly lower compared to F-LDL-C (2.76±1.05 mmol/L), N-LDL-C (2.74±1.04 mmol/L), A-LDL-C (2.99±1.02 mmol/L), and M-LDL-C (2.97±1.08 mmol/L) p \u3c 0.001. There was a significantly positive correlation between D-LDL-C and A-LDL-C (r=0.658, p\u3c0.0001), N-LDL-C (r=0.693, p\u3c0.0001), and M-LDL-C (r=0.693, p\u3c0.0001). M-LDL-c yielded a better diagnostic performance [(area under the curve (AUC)=0.81; sensitivity (SE) (60%) and specificity (SP) (88%)] followed by N-LDL-C [(AUC=0.81; SE (63%) and SP (85%)], F-LDL-C [(AUC=0.80; SE (63%) and SP (84%)], and A-LDL-C (AUC=0.77; SE (68%) and SP (78%)] using D-LDL-C as gold standard. Bland-Altman plots showed a definite agreement between means and differences of D-LDL-C and the calculated formulas with 95% of values lying within ±0.50 SD limits. The modified LDL-C (M-LDL-C) formula derived by this study yielded a better diagnostic accuracy compared to A-LDL-C and F-LDL-C equations and thus could serve as a substitute for D-LDL-C and F-LDL-C equations in the Ghanaian population

Paleomagnetism of the ~860 Ma Manso dyke swarm, West Africa: implications for the assembly of Rodinia

The West African Craton (WAC) is one of the major cratons in the Rodinia jigsaw puzzle (~1000?750Ma). In the Rodinian models, the position of West Africa is mainly constrained by the assumptionthat it had been a partner of Amazonia since the Paleoproterozoic. Unfortunately, nopaleomagnetic data are available for these cratons when the Rodina supercontinent is consideredtectonically stable (~1000-750 Ma). Thus, every new reliable paleomagnetic pole for the WestAfrican Craton during the Neoproterozoic times is of paramount importance to constrain itsposition and testing the Rodinia models. In this study we present a combined paleomagnetic andgeochronological investigation for the Manso dyke swarm in the Leo-Man Shield, southern WestAfrica (Ghana). The ~860 Ma emplacement age for the NNW-trending Manso dykes is thus wellconstrainedby two new U-Pb apatite ages of 857.2 ± 8.5 Ma and 855 ± 16 Ma, in agreement withbaddeleyite data. Remanence of these coarse-to-fine grained dolerite dykes is carried by stablesingle to pseudo-single domain (SD-PSD) magnetite. A positive baked-contact test, associated to apositive reversal test (Class-C), support the primary remanence obtained for these dykes (13 sites).Moreover, our new paleomagnetic dataset satisfy all the seven R-criteria (R=7). The ~860 MaManso pole can thus be considered as the first key Tonian paleomagnetic pole for West Africa. Wepropose that the West Africa-Baltica-Amazonia-Congo-São Francisco were associated in a longlivedWABAMGO juxtaposition (~1100?800 Ma).Fil: Antonio, Paul Yves Jean. National Research Institute of Science and Technology. Centre de Montpellier; FranciaFil: Baratoux, Lenka. Université Paul Sabatier; FranciaFil: Ferreira Trindade, Ricardo Ivan. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Rousse, Sonia. Université Paul Sabatier; FranciaFil: Ayite, Anani. University Of Ghana; GhanaFil: Lana, Cristiano. Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; BrasilFil: Macouin, Melina. Université Paul Sabatier; FranciaFil: Kobby Adu, Emmanuel Williams. University Of Ghana; GhanaFil: Sanchez, Caroline. Université Paul Sabatier; FranciaFil: Silva, Marco. Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto; BrasilFil: Firmin, Anne Sophie. Université Paul Sabatier; FranciaFil: Martínez Dopico, Carmen Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica; ArgentinaFil: Proietti, Arnaud. Centre de Microcaractérisation Raimond Castaing; FranciaFil: Amponsah, Prince Ofori. University Of Ghana; GhanaFil: Asamoah Sakyi, Patrick. University Of Ghana; GhanaEGU General Assembly 2021ViennaAustriaEuropean Geosciences Unio

Reassessing the relationship between the financial sector and economic growth: Dynamic panel evidence

Historically, the development of the financial sector has been an indispensable driver of economic growth. In the aftermath of the Great Recession, there is a pressing need to reassess the role of the financial sector in the determination of economic growth. Using a dynamic panel framework, our analysis covers 34 European and Commonwealth of Independent States economies for the period 1998–2014 and controls for the role of macroeconomic and institutional variables. Our evidence suggests that the potential benefits of the financial sector finance may have dramatically reversed in recent years, resulting in “un-creative destruction.” The results suggest, tentatively, that there has been a severance of the link between the financial sector and the real economy. The results, however, vary according to the level of economic development across the European and Commonwealth of Independent States economies. In the case of developing market economies, the financial intermediation proxies are not significant in explaining economic growth. The effect of changes in investment expenditure, the money supply, wages, unit labour costs, and trade openness is found to be strong and in line with a priori expectations across all country samples. Notably, government consumption is also found to be a significant driver of economic growth, except in the developing market economies in the period following the Great Recession. In line with the growing consensus in other research areas, we provide evidence of a robust role for the institutional framework proxied by the quality of governance in determining economic development

Editorial: Sustainability in the Extractive Industries

International audienceAs the world shifts away from fossil fuels, we will need to produce materials for vast arrays of wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles, batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen and more. Demand for the raw materials, from aggregates to metals, needed to build these and other components of the infrastructure required for decarbonisation will skyrocket (Hund et al., 2020). Securing access to these raw materials is essential for building a sustainable low-carbon economy, but how can this be carried out responsibly and fairly? Improving the sustainability of all aspects of the extractive industries is vital, otherwise the looming supply shortage in the coming decades will lead to a range of geopolitical, economic, and environmental issues (Lee et al., 2020). This Special Issue on "Sustainability in the Extractive Industries" puts a spotlight on the important and varied role that Earth Science plays in the raw materials economy. The published papers within this special issue tackle the issues related to the sustainability of the extractive industry to ensure economic growth as well as social and environmental protection: Renn et al. shed some light on the conundrum between society's need for exploring and extracting the metals and the unsustainable perception of mining. This article reviews how the sustainability criteria can be applied to the extractive sector. This encompasses environmental, economic, and social sustainability aspects whose policies need to be homogenized worldwide. They highlight three key aspects to ensure sustainability in political instruments and investment policies in order to achieve the desired results. The article emphasizes the need for transparent and inclusive stakeholder participation as well as a holistic understanding of the impact of extractives activities. The authors propose that investors providing capital for companies operating in the extractive industries should place sustainability indicators into their decisionmaking with the aim of improving governance of the extractive industry for increased economic prosperity and environmental protection. Lawley et al. show that integrating biodiversity variables in prospectivity models is essential to ensure a responsible supply of battery metals. This article suggests that a quantitative approach bringing together machine learning tools and models with geological and ecological databases is efficient in tackling the conundrum our society faces, helping to balance areas that can be exploited and those needing to be preserved. The authors recommended the application of artificial intelligence aimed at lowering the ecological and environmental risks of the natural resources sector. Troll and Arndt focus on the European case which is characterized by an almost complete dependency on importation for critical raw materials, thus delocalizing the negative environmental impact of the extractive industry. The authors highlight that Europe has a moral responsibility to change that paradigm and regain sovereignty by initiating

Assessing the Physicochemical Parameters of Water Sources in the Fiapre Vicinity, a Suburb of Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

This study was carried out to assess the water quality of all the available sources of water – stream (Attadie Stream), wells, boreholes and potable pipe-borne water supplied by the Ghana Water Company by treatment of water from the Tano River in the Fiapre vicinity for a period of three months, from February to April, 2018. Results from the survey were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards to ascertain whether these waters are safe for drinking or not. A total of 11 samples were taken from all the sources of water in Fiapre. These samples were taken from 4 boreholes, 4 wells, and 1 sample each of upstream and downstream with 1 sample taken from water supplied by the Ghana Water Company. These samples were analyzed for their physicochemical parameters comprising pH, temperature, conductivity, total alkalinity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride, biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand. From the study it was observed that the pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chloride and total hardness of all the samples were within the World Health Organization standards. The samples, W 2 and GWC had their other parameters within the WHO standards while the rest had one or more of the other parameters way above the WHO standards