ABSTRACT Climate change is having severe impacts on agricultural production and food security, with yields from rain-fed agriculture in developing countries projected to halve by 2020. One crop vulnerable to the effect of climate variability and change is cocoa (Theobroma cacao). Though there are extensive studies on how the cocoa sector can adapt to the adverse effects of climate variability and change, little empirical research has been carried out on the consequences of micro-adaptation me...
ABSTRACT The undesirable impact of female school dropout has attracted attention from governments, stakeholders, national as well as multinational institutions to look at the phenomenon from various perspectives. This study was conducted to gain insight into the causes of basic school dropout behaviour among females in the Narhman community, Accra, within a social capital framework. A cross sectional design with a qualitative approach was used to interview eighteen respondents using the face-...
ABSTRACT Supercritical Cooled-Water Reactor (SCWR) which is planned to be deployed by 2030 derives its concept from Light Water Reactors (Boiling Water Reactor (BWR), Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) and Fossil Fired Coal Plant but with a simpler design. Due to the strong variations of density at supercritical pressure, the SCWR is likely to inherit some of the issues related to the LWR’s in terms of heat transfer (e.g. thermal crisis). This research was undertaken in order to better underst...
ABSTRACT Concrete is used widely in all types of construction. In particular, it is the first choice material for the construction of various industries, due to its affordability, durability, heat resistance, strength, etc. Based on this, understanding the response of concrete structural components for all types of loading is crucial to the development of an overall safe and efficient structure. Various methods have been used to study the response of concrete structural components to various...
ABSTRACT The evaluation of sandstone properties in parts of the Anambra Basin was undertaken to identify the spatial distribution of textural, petrophysical and mineralogical properties of sandstone bodies in the area in order to assess their potentials to host hydrocarbons. Sandstone units from Nkporo Formation, Mamu Formation, Ajali Sandstone and Umuna Sandstone were subjected to textural analysis using sediment granulometry, thin-section petrography and geochemical analysis. Following th...
ABSTRACT The ability of the Larger Grain Borer (LGB), Prostephanus truncatus (Horn ). to bore and survive for several weeks in various wood materials led many pest control specialists to conclude that the quick and early build up of the pest in stores results from residual populations from previous infestation that survived in the wooden store structure. The relative susceptibility to P. truncatus infestation of five wood species: stems of borassus/fan palm (Borassus aethiopium (Warb.)), bam ...
ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to characterised and assess heavy metal contamination in food through milling process and their health implications. Grinding plate made from Ghana, India and Nigeria purchased from the Ghanaian open market were used for this work. Maize from the same farm was milled into flour using the three grinding plates inserted into three different corn milling machines operating on commercial bases. The first grinding was done immediately after the insertion o...
ABSTRACT The study is on the characterization and depositional environment of upper Cretaceous sediments exposed at the Ihube-Ikpankwu Axis, Okigwe. The results of field and laboratory studies on selected samples of the study area show that the sediments in the study area are fine to medium grained, with an average mean size of 1.808Φ. The standard deviation (dispersion sorting) values range from 1.38 – 2.48 i.e. poorly to moderately sorted with an average value of 1.805Φ. The studied s...
ABSTRACT Environmental degradation and the unsustainable exploitation of non-renewable resources continue to increase to satisfy socio-economic demands which call on a National Development Agenda to make use of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as sustainability tools imperative. The use of these tools is to balance environmental and economic sustainability with institutional capacity building, and social cohesion to direct the sustainable man...
ABSTRACT Groundwater resource development in Ghana contributes substantially to the socioeconomic development of Ghana. Utilization of water for domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes for about 80% of the rural – urban population in the Kwabenya Community within the Ga East Municipality are primarily dependent on existing groundwater resources. However, groundwater potential is under serious threat and run a high risk of pollution by agrochemicals, municipal, industrial, and domestic ...
ABSTRACT Hospitals effluent often contain chemical compounds which may have negative impact on the environment and human health if not properly treated. Investigations were conducted to determine the bacteriological and physico-chemical qualities of effluent discharged from University of Ghana hospital into the environment and its effects on agricultural soils and vegetables. Water and soil quality analyses of some physico-chemical and bacteriological variables were carried out on effluent sa...
ABSTRACT “Burkina”, a popular fermented milk beverage containing fermented millet agglomerates, is consumed in West Africa. Consumer behaviour towards “Burkina”, perceptions on its safety and potential for causing food borne illness, affects the distribution and sales of the product. Tiger nut, an underutilized crop in West Africa, with a rich nutty taste and unique mouthfeel has been incorporated into formulations for fermented milk products such as yoghurt, but not “Burkina”. Th...
Abstract The present study is an attempt to elucidate the effect of biodiesel emission particles (BEP) on some antioxidant enzymes of selected tissues of rats. Rats were exposed to emission particles (EP) of biodiesel blended with fuel diesel at 100BD, 75BD, 50BD and 25BD as well as fuel diesel (FD) over a period of ten days. Enzyme assays were conducted for superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the liver, lungs, ...
ABSTRACT This research work was aimed at assessing the quality management system and radiation protection of patients of four mammography facilities in Ethiopia. A questionnaire was designed to collect data to assess the status of the quality management systems at the facilities. Quality control measurements were done to verify whether the mammography machines were performing self- consistently compatible with National and International standards. The status of patient protection was evaluate...
ABSTRACT The two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae is a pest of several plants including vegetables, fruits, ornamentals and field crops. Damage done to the host plant can cause leaf and fruit loss, complete defoliation and death of the host plant. They are mostly managed by the use of acaricides. Acaricides resistance has been reported in several countries, this is due to the fact that T. urticae fully becomes resistant to an insecticide after two to four years of use. The present stud...