Bio-activities of Powders four plants against Prostephanus truncatus Horn. (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and Tribolium Castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The effect of the dry powders of the roots and leaves of Ocimum canum, Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides, Moringa oleifera and Securidaca  longipedunculata on the survival of Prostephanus truncatus (Horn)  (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera:  Tenebrionidae) was determined in the laboratory. Generally, all the plant  materials exhibited various levels of bio efficacies, with Z. xanthoxyloides and S. longipedunculata exhibiting the highest potency. Percentage survivorship of 35% and 40% were recorded for the roots and leaves, respectively, of Z.  xanthoxyloides against T. casteeneum while 20% and 30% were recorded for roots and leaves of S. longipedunculata, respectively, against P.tuncatus

Distribution characteristics of mineral elements in tree Species from two contrasting secondary forests in Ghana

Tree species in two contrasting forests were evaluated on three plots of 0-19 ha (0.57 ha) in each secondary forest. Tree species populations were 44 in Akyaakrom (AS), 29 in Dopiri (DS), and families were 18 in AS and 16 in DS. Tree densities were 121 and 99 in AS and DS, respectively, in 0.57 ha. In terms of tree species population, diversity and density, AS was superior to DS. The distribution of major mineral elements in the leaves showed mean concentrations in decreasing order of K > Ca > Mg > P > N in AS and Ca > K > Mg > P > N for DS. The bark samples showed concentrations in decreasing order of Ca > K > Mg > N > P in both forests. Generally, concentrations of Ca in the tree species bark samples of both forests were about three times higher than they were in the leaves. Soil nutrients showed that Ca, Mg and N concentrations were higher in the DS than in AS within 0-60 cm soil depths. However, at 30-45 cm depth, Ca, Mg, K and N concentrations were higher in AS than in DS. The nutrient element concentrations were high at 0-15 cm than further down the soil depths for the two forests. The land quality indexes of the principal nutrients N, P, K, Ca and Mg were higher in AS than in DS. Thus, eight tree families in AS and five in DS, and tree species numbers 23 and 12 were peculiar to each site. This may suggest the higher tree population and diversity recorded for AS than for DS

Nutrient cycling in primary, secondary forests and cocoa plantation in the Ashanti Region, Ghana

Primary forest (reserved area), secondary forest and cocoa plantation land uses characterize uplands of Dwinyama watershed in Ghana within the dry semi-deciduous forest zone. The nutrients recycled in the land uses were studied through leaf litter fall, nutrient release, nutrient fluxes estimation and topsoil nutrient contents leading to the identification of appropriate land use in upland regions that may potentially influence lowland farming. Mean annual leaf litter produced by the primary and secondary forests was both 7.9 t ha-1 and that for cocoa plantation was 6.9 t ha-1. The primary forest leaf litter showed rapid decomposition than the secondary forest and the cocoa leaf litter. Nutrients released from the decomposing leaf litters were fast for N, P, K, Ca and Mg for the primary and secondary forests. Less leaf litter production and high rainfall regimes in South America and southeast Asia probably contributed to the lower annual nutrient fluxes recorded than that of the dry semi-deciduous tropical forest in Ghana. The soil under cocoa plantation was higher in Ca than in the secondary and primary forests soils. The primary forest recorded higher contents of top soil N, P. K, and Mg nutrients due to non-frequent removal of the vegetation, presence of organic matter that increases soil carbon content and cation exchange capacity. Generally, trends of nutrients released and the quantities of nutrient fluxes estimate in the land uses in Ghana suggested that nutrient cycling was better in the primary forest followed by the secondary forest and cocoa plantation. The trend in the land uses was primary > secondary > cocoa, suggesting that forests in uplands will protect watersheds, and, through leaching and erosion, nutrients may be transported to the lowlands for continuous and sustainable cropping with little or no inorganic fertilizer application

Regional Climate Services for Agriculture Project Presentation, and Demonstration and Discussion of Agricultural Maprooms: Launch Events at 44th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum

A joint collaborative initiative between ICPAC, CCAFS and IRI was launched publically through a series of presentations and side sessions at the 44th Greater Horn of Africa Climate Outlook Forum (GHACOF44) in Kampala, Uganda, on 30 August 2016. This initiative is part of the Climate Services for Africa Project, a three-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The project is being implemented at ICPAC and is intended to roll out climate services in support of Agriculture and Food Security to ICPAC member states (all IGAD and EAC countries) with technical support from CCAFS and IRI. The overall goal of this initiative is to strengthen the capacity of ICPAC and that of ICPAC member countries to develop effective climate products and services for agriculture and food security, for the benefit of smallholder farmers

Pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time and sub-acute toxicity studies of Trichilia monadelpha aqueous extract

Background: Trichilia monadelpha is used either alone or in combination with other plants to treat many diseases in West Africa. Earlier, the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-parasitic effects of the plant have been investigated to confirm its folkloric use. The current study is aimed at investigating the sub-acute toxicity profile as well as hypno-sedative effect of the Trichilia monadelpha aqueous extract (TAE).Methods: For the pentobarbitone-induced sleeping test, rats (150-200 g, n=5) were pre-treated with TAE (100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) or distilled water (control group) 30 minutes before they were challenged with Pentobarbitone Sodium (50 mg/kg body weight, i.p). Sleeping time of each animal was recorded and analysed. In the sub-acute toxicity test, rats were treated daily either TAE (30, 100 and 1000 mg/kg) or water (control group) for two weeks after which the animals were sacrificed. Blood samples were collected for haematological and biochemical analyses. Specific organs were then removed and weighed immediately.Results: The pentobarbitone-induced sleeping test resulted in a significant and dose-dependent increase in the duration of sleep of the rats. There were however no significant changes in the relative weight of vital organs of the control and TAE treated groups. Similarly, there were no significant differences in haematological and biochemical parameters between control and TAE treated groups.Conclusions: TAE significantly and dose-dependently increased the duration of pentobarbitone-induced sleeping time in rats. TAE showed no significant changes in the relative weight of the vital organs, haematological and biochemical parameters

Thermoelectric prospects of nanomaterials with spin-orbit surface bands

Nanostructured composites and nanowire arrays of traditional thermoelectrics like Bi, Bi(1-x)Sb(x) and Bi(2)Te(3) have metallic Rashba surface spin-orbit bands featuring high mobilities rivaling that of the bulk for which topological insulator behavior has been proposed. Nearly pure surface electronic transport has been observed at low temperatures in Bi nanowires with diameter around the critical diameter, 50 nm, for the semimetal-to semiconductor transition. The surface contributes strongly to the thermopower, actually dominating for temperatures T < 100 K in these nanowires. The surface thermopower was found to be -1 T microvolt/(K^2), a value that is consistent with theory. We show that surface electronic transport together with boundary phonon scattering leads to enhanced thermoelectric performance at low temperatures of Bi nanowire arrays. We compare with bulk n-BiSb alloys, optimized CsBi(4)Te(6) and optimized Bi(2)Te(3). Surface dominated electronic transport can be expected in nanomaterials of the other traditional thermoelectrics.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figure

The contribution of Ghanaian pharmacists to mental healthcare: current practice and barriers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is scant knowledge of the involvement of developing country pharmacists in mental healthcare. The objectives of this study were: to examine the existing role of Ghanaian community and hospital pharmacists in the management of mental illness, and to determine the barriers that hinder pharmacists' involvement in mental healthcare in Ghana.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>A respondent self-completion questionnaire was randomly distributed to 120 superintendent community pharmacists out of an estimated 240 pharmacists in Kumasi, Ashanti Region of Ghana. A purposive sampling method was utilized in selecting two public psychiatric hospital pharmacists in Accra, the capital city of Ghana for a face-to-face interview. A semi-structured interview guide was employed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A 91.7% response rate was obtained for the community pharmacists' questionnaire survey. Approximately 65% of community pharmacists were not involved in mental health provision. Of the 35% who were, 57% counseled psychiatric patients and 44% of these dispensed medicines for mental illness. Perceived barriers that hindered community pharmacists' involvement in the management of mental health included inadequate education in mental health (cited by 81% of respondents) and a low level of encounter with patients (72%). The psychiatric hospital pharmacists were mostly involved in the dispensing of medicines from the hospital pharmacy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Both community and hospital pharmacists in Ghana were marginally involved in the provision of mental healthcare. The greatest barrier cited was inadequate knowledge in mental health.</p

Short run causal relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and infrastructure development

Purpose – Foreign direct investment (FDI) flows for infrastructure development have grown in volume to become more widely dispersed among home (outward investor) and host (recipient) countries. This paper aims to explore the short-run causal relationship between FDI and infrastructure development in the developing country of Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – A two-stage least squares estimation method was adopted where FDI was endogenized, and all variables were in constant prices. Stationarity tests were performed on the annualized log difference of variables using augmented Dickey–Fuller test(ADF). Findings – Results reveal a positive and significant relationship between FDI and infrastructure but a negative and significant relationship between FDI and GDP and FDI and openness. GDP growth also has a long-run negative relationship with FDI inflows. Originality/value – The paper’s contribution to knowledge is two-fold. First, it examines the short run effect of FDI upon the Ghanaian economy and how market shocks to FDI and infrastructure development can be ameliorated. Second, it illustrates that government policymakers should prioritize development that requires FDI and ensure that the local market is not excessively open to foreign exploitation. Future work is required to further investigate international capital flow and its impact upon other developing nations

Pathogenicity and fungicide sensitivity of the causal agent of postharvest stem end rot disease of mango in Ghana

ABSTRACTStudies were carried out on the stem end rot disease of mango in Ghana. The incidence and severity of the disease were evaluated on mango fruits collected from major mango growing areas of Ghana. The causal agent was isolated on media and identified. The pathogenicity of the fungus and its cross-infection potential were determined on mango, avocado, papaya and banana fruits. The sensitivity of the pathogen to fungicides was determined by assessing radial mycelial growth on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with nine different fungicides (Bendazim, Funguran, Ivory, Topsin, Asuoku master, Kocide, Mirage, Sulphur 80 and Copper oxychloride). Stem end rot disease was prevalent in the major mango growing areas of Ghana. Two pathogens, Lasiodiplodia theobromae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were isolated from the disease lesions. However, only the former was able to cause stem end rot disease symptoms on the artificially inoculated fruits, confirming it as the causal agent of the disease. It was also found to be highly susceptible to Bendazim, Ivory, Topsin, Asuoku master and Mirage, whilst it was resistant to Funguran, Kocide, Sulphur 80 and Copper oxychloride.Original sciencitic paper. Received 30 Apr 15; revised 17 Oct 14