Thermodynamics analysis of recovering heat for refrigeration system of a fishing vessel

With the huge quantum of energy that is often wasted from the diesel engine exhaust of a typical fishing vessel, this research was conducted. It focuses on the potential of harnessing the exhaust heat from the engine in vapour absorption refrigeration system (VARS) of the vessel. The VARS considered here employs ammonia as refrigerant with water as the absorbent which are environmentally-friendly. The system was considered integral to a diesel engine which provides the heat energy needed. The system was analyzed theoretically by calculating the performance using thermodynamics analysis developed and applied to the various components of the VARS. The results show that with 349.69 kW heat energy from the exhaust gas, 314.50 kW accounting for about 90 % was utilized to vapourize the ammonia from its solution. Also, with a generator temperature of 1300C the coefficient of performance (COP) was obtained as 29.67 % which is low when compared to the COPs of vapour compression refrigeration system (VCRS). However, the work shows that the twin benefits of environmental pollution reduction as well as waste energy utilization were achieved.Keywords: Diesel Engine, Heat Energy, VARS, Refrigerant, VCRS, CO

Colour and Architecture: An Empirical Study of a New Paradigm of Painting of Residential Buildings and Ownership in Kumasi

Colours have been classically used to inspire taste in architecture from antiquity. Colours provide ‘joie de vivre’ (joy of life). However, a cursory observation reveals a noticeable trend in Ghana where residential buildings are receiving paints and colour notations of multinational companies. This paper presents empirical research on colour through multiple methodological approaches and tactics. The research findings presented in this paper used Kumasi, the Capital of the Ashanti Region of Ghana as main case study area. The data analysis of findings revealed that about seventy-five percent of the houses painted in multinational companies’ colours along major arterial roads in Kumasi were approached for advertisement purposes. In addition, the owners of the sampled houses chose to paint with a particular colour for a mark of distinction and monetary reasons. This paper concludes that the companies’ objectives were adhoc and were not guided by any planned scheme as required to enhance the sensibility and aesthetic appeals through the use of colour for buildings and their genus loci in an urban environment. The paper recommends revisions to the current Ghana National Building Regulations of 1996 – The Legislative Instruments 1630 to recognize the importance of colour aesthetics in city environments. Keywords: Company colour and paint, Architecture, Incentivization, Building regulations, Kumasi-Ashant

Fighting HIV/AIDS: Reconfiguring the State?

The author wishes to thank the anonymous reviewers of the article and the ESRC for funding part of this research

Developing Novel Prognostic Biomarkers for Multivariate Fracture Risk Prediction Algorithms

Multivariate prediction algorithms such as FRAX® and QFracture Scores provide an opportunity for new prognostic biomarkers to be developed and incorporated, potentially leading to better fracture prediction. As more research is conducted into these novel biomarkers, a number of factors need to be considered for their successful development for inclusion in these algorithms. In this review, we describe two well-known multivariate prediction algorithms for osteoporosis fracture risk applicable to the UK population, FRAX and QFracture Scores, and comment on the current prognostic tools available for fracture risk; dual X-ray assessment, quantitative ultrasonography, and genomic/biochemical markers. We also highlight the factors that need to be considered in the development of new biomarkers. These factors include the requirement for prospective data, collected in new cohort studies or using archived samples; the need for adequate stability data to be provided; and the need for appropriate storage methods to be used when retrospective data are required. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve measures have been found to have limited utility in assessing the impact of the addition of new risk factors on the predictive performance of multivariate algorithms. New performance evaluation measures, such as net reclassification index and integrated discrimination improvement, are increasingly important in the evaluation of the impact of the addition of new markers to multivariate algorithms, and these are also discussed. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012

Spatiotemporal co-existence of two Mycobacterium ulcerans clonal complexes in the Offin River Valley of Ghana

In recent years, comparative genome sequence analysis of African Mycobacterium ulcerans strains isolated from Buruli ulcer (BU) lesion specimen has revealed a very limited genetic diversity of closely related isolates and a striking association between genotype and geographical origin of the patients. Here, we compared whole genome sequences of five M. ulcerans strains isolated in 2004 or 2013 from BU lesions of four residents of the Offin river valley with 48 strains isolated between 2002 and 2005 from BU lesions of individuals residing in the Densu river valley of Ghana. While all M. ulcerans isolates from the Densu river valley belonged to the same clonal complex, members of two distinct clonal complexes were found in the Offin river valley over space and time. The Offin strains were closely related to genotypes from either the Densu region or from the Asante Akim North district of Ghana. These results point towards an occasional involvement of a mobile reservoir in the transmission of M. ulcerans, enabling the spread of bacteria across different regions

Diorama Art – A Potential Medium For Museum Educationm

The study recognizes the traditional role diorama plays as an effective medium for museum education and employed both descriptive and experimental methods to produce a diorama to popularize it for the Ghanaian populace. It explored the use of non-traditional modelling material (corn shucks and cobs) in the preparation of diorama. The results of the study  indicate that corn shucks and cobs which have less use in our environment as raw materials can be used as modelling medium to produce sculpture. As such other unconventional materials could be explored for modelling in order to open more avenues to sculptors. Besides, diorama could be a minimuseum, a potent tool to keep proper records, document valuable cultural and historic information to inspire and educate the public; as well as a way of building museums on school campuses to expand classroom teaching and learning.Keywords: Diorama, Museum, Education, Aperture, Assemblage

Clinical Risk Factors for Osteoporosis in Ireland and the UK: A Comparison of FRAX and QFractureScores

Recently two algorithms have become available to estimate the 10-year probability of fracture in patients suspected to have osteoporosis on the basis of clinical risk factors: the FRAX algorithm and QFractureScores algorithm (QFracture). The aim of this study was to compare the performance of these algorithms in a study of fracture patients and controls recruited from six centers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. A total of 246 postmenopausal women aged 50-85 years who had recently suffered a low-trauma fracture were enrolled and their characteristics were compared with 338 female controls who had never suffered a fracture. Femoral bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and fracture risk was calculated using the FRAX and QFracture algorithms. The FRAX algorithm yielded higher scores for fracture risk than the QFracture algorithm. Accordingly, the risk of major fracture in the overall study group was 9.5% for QFracture compared with 15.2% for FRAX. For hip fracture risk the values were 2.9% and 4.7%, respectively. The correlation between FRAX and QFracture was R = 0.803 for major fracture and R = 0.857 for hip fracture (P ≤ 0.0001). Both algorithms yielded high specificity but poor sensitivity for prediction of osteoporosis. We conclude that the FRAX and QFracture algorithms yield similar results in the estimation of fracture risk. Both of these tools could be of value in primary care to identify patients in the community at risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures for further investigation and therapeutic intervention. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

Management of secondary poor response to botulinum toxin in cervical dystonia: a multicentre audit

Background: Botulinum toxin A (BoNT‐A) is an effective treatment for cervical dystonia. Nevertheless, up to 30‐40% patients discontinue treatment, often due to poor response. The British Neurotoxin Network (BNN) recently published guidelines on the management of poor response to BoNT‐A in cervical dystonia, but adherence to these has not yet been assessed. Objectives: To assess adherence to and usefulness of BNN guidelines in clinical practice. Methods: We undertook a retrospective medical notes audit of adherence to the BNN guidelines in three U.K. tertiary neurosciences centres. Results: Out of 76 patients identified with poor response, 42 (55%) had a suboptimal response and, following BNN recommendations, 25 of them (60%) responded to adjustments in BoNT dose, muscle selection or injection technique. Of the remaining 34 (45%) patients with no BoNT response, 20 (59%) were tested for immune resistance, 8 [40%] of whom showed resistance. 14 (18%) of all patients were switched to BoNT‐B, and 27 (36%) were referred for deep brain stimulation surgery. In those not immune to BoNT‐A, clinical improvement was seen in 5 (41%) after adjusting their dose and injection technique. Conclusion: Our audit shows that optimizing BoNT dose or injection strategy largely led to improvements in those with suboptimal response and in those reporting no response without resistance. It would be helpful to standardize investigations of potential resistance in those with no therapeutic response