EXTRACTS OF EUPHOBIA HIRTA LINN AND PHYSALIS ANGULATA L. AND THEIR AMALGAMATION DEMONSTRATE POTENCY AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Objective: The goal was to investigate the antibacterial activity of the extracts of Euphobia hirta and Pysalis angulata from Ghana on clinical bacteria isolate found to associate with wound and skin infections.Methods: The aqueous and crude ethanolic extracts and extract-PEG ointment formulation as well as the combination of the extracts of P. angulata and E. hirta were tested against Psedomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus. aureus, using the agar diffusion bioassay. Antibacterial activities were indicated by the diameters of zones of inhibition of bacterial growth for both the test extracts as well the extract-PEG ointment formulations.Results: Ethanolic crude extract of E. hirta inhibited P. aeruginosa at inhibition zones ranging from 24±0.08 mm at 50 µg/ml to 21.00±0.40 mm at 250 µg/ml, whilst the aqueous crude extracts showed potency against P. aeruginosa at varying inhibition zones ranging from 20±0.60 mm at 250 µg/ml to 4.00±0.20 mm at 50 µg/ml. Ethanolic E. hirta crude extracts exhibited potency against S. aureus and was dose dependent, with a decrease in inhibition as concentration increased, recording a minimum zone of inhibition at 13.00±0.30 mm at 250 µg/ml and maximum zone of inhibition of 16.00±0.20 mm at 50 µg/ml. Only one concentration of 100 µg/ml at 20±0.60 mm zone for the aqueous extract of E. hirta was potent against S. aureus. Ethanolic crude extract of P. angulata inhibited P. aeruginosa at zones ranging from 23±0.30 mm at 100 µg/ml to 13.00±0.20 mm at 50 µg/ml, whereas the aqueous crude extracts showed potency against P. aeruginosa at dose dependent concentrations ranging from 10±0.30 mm at 50 µg/ml to 13.00±0.30 mm at 250 µg/ml. Here, inhibition zone increased as concentration was increased. Ethanolic P. angulata crude extracts exhibited potency against S. aureus, recording a minimum zone of inhibition at 12.00±0.40 mm at 50 µg/ml and maximum zone of inhibition of 21.00±0.30 mm at 250 µg/ml. At lower concentration of 50 µg/ml, the combination of ethanolic E. hirta and P. angulata inhibited S. aureus at a zone of inhibition of 2 mm for the combination of the crude aqueous extracts; P. aeruginosa was inhibited at the zone of 1.0 mm with extract concentration of 50 µg/ml. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) of the above values compared with the activity of Ciprofloxacin (positive control) indicated significant inhibitory activity by the unformulated P angulata and E hirta ethanolic crude extracts.Conclusion: The study indicates that crude extracts of E. hirta and P. angulate are possible sources of natural antibacterial agents against both skin and wound infections caused by S. aureus and P. aeruginosa.Keywords: Inhibition, Amalgamation, Gram-negative, PEG-ointmen

Prevalence of anaemia and immunological markers among Ghanaian HAART-naïve HIV-patients and those on HAART

Background: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has been generally accepted as the gold standard for the management of HIV patients but conflicting reports about the ability of HAART to improve upon the quality of life of HIV patients has cast doubts over the efficacy and the need for therapy.Objective: This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and ability of HAART to resolve immunological and haematological abnormalities in HIV infected patients, existent sex variations in immunological and haematological parameters and CD4 predictive ability of the study parameters.Methods: A total of 442 PLWHA consisting of 166 patients on HAART (28 males and 138 females) and 276 HAARTnaive patients (76 males and 200 females) were recruited for this study. Complete haemogram, immunological analysis (CD4 & CD3) and weight were measured for all the patients.Results: HAART patients were older and heavier than their naive counterparts. The incidence of anaemia (Hb less or equal to 10.5 (63%) and PCV < 30% (37.6%)) and lymphopoenia (16.7%) in HAART-naive patients was significantly higher compared to their counterparts on HAART (46%, 15.2% and 5.3%) respectively. 70% of HAART-naive females hadanaemia in comparison to 44% in HAART-naive males (P = 0.0001). The likelihood of developing microcytic hypochromic anaemia in HAART-naive patients was 5 times more compared to those on HAART (P = 0.0002). Total lymphocyte count, haemoglobin, lymphocyte count and weight were significant predictors of CD4 counts and TLC values between 1.0 . 2.0k ƒÊL-1 was a significant predictor of CD

CRYSTALLIZATION FOULING BEHAVIOUR OF URANIUM OXIDE AND ALUMNOSILICATE SCALE IN HIGH LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE MEDIUM

During high level nuclear waste (HLNW) liquor processing in evaporators operating in the temperature range 30 - 140 °C, dissolved silica, alumina, sodium hydroxide, uranium-235 and transuranic species (e.g. plutonium-238) invariably become concentrated. As the liquor evaporation proceeds, the sodium aluminosilicate (SAS) and radionuclides may exceed their solubility limits and co-precipitate, fouling the tubes and walls of the evaporator. If the fouling process is not effectively controlled or mitigated, radionuclide scale accumulation exceeding the critical mass necessary for self-sustaining nuclear fission reaction may proceed at an alarming rate, posing a serious criticality concern. To probe the mechanisms underpinning uranium oxide-sodium aluminosilicate co-crystallization fouling, fundamental studies simulating the process were undertaken. New knowledge and greater understanding gleaned from the present work comprise crystallo-chemical structure characteristics, solubility and the fouling mechanisms involved in the mixed oxides scale deposition. The implications of the findings with regards to uraniumbased scale formation in HLNW plants are highlighted

Understanding Lateritic Ore Agglomeration Behaviour as a Precursor to Enhanced Heap Leaching

Although nickel (Ni) laterite ores constitute the majority of Ni mineralization resource world-wide, in contrast to Ni sulphides, their processing via conventional beneficiation (e.g. multi-gravity and flotation) and hydrometallurgical routes is intractable as they are predominantly low grade and complex, both mineralogically and chemically. Due to their physico-chemical character-istics, low grade lateritic ores require more aggressive but costly chemical and hydrometallurgical techniques (e.g., leaching in high pressurized tanks) for value metal (Ni and Co) extraction. Processing such ores through cost-competitive heap (4-10 m high) leaching as an alternative, requires successful agglomeration of the feed into robust and porous granules. To date, produc-ing of granules with desirable attributes poses a major geotechnical challenge to industry. In the present work, we investigate agglomeration behaviour of siliceous goethite Ni laterite ore and selected oxides and clay minerals (hematite, quartz and kao-linite) which constitute the predominant host gangue phases of typical low grade Ni laterite ores. Fundamental knowledge and understanding of the agglomeration mechanisms and kinetics which are essential for producing robust real ore granules, and pivotal to the subsequent heap leaching process, are gleaned. Isothermal, batch agglomeration tests involving 30 and 44 % w/w sulphuric acid solution as a binder indicated that 5 – 40 mm granules of differing roughness and morphologies were produced in 8-14 min. The results showed feed characteristics (e.g., mineralogy and particle size distribution) and binder content (15-25 wt.%) dependent agglomeration behaviour. Slow agglomerate nucleation and growth were displayed by the kaolinite clay min-eral whilst the oxides exhibited faster agglomeration kinetics. Siliceous goethite feed ore fine/coarse ratio, H2SO4 binder dosage and acid content, product drying temperature and aging conditions, all showed significant impact on agglomeration mecha-nisms (e.g., particle wetting, nucleation and growth processes) and granule attributes (e.g., size and strength). Agglomerates strength increased with increasing fine/coarse particle ratio

Sodium Aluminosilicate Solid Phase Specific Fouling Behaviour

Process heat transfer equipment fouling due to sodium aluminosilicate precipitation is a serious problem that confronts high-level nuclear waste liquor and Bayer process alumina processing plants. The fouling of 316 stainless steel substrate by thermodynamically stable and unstable sodium aluminosilicate polytypes: amorphous solid, zeolite A, sodalite and cancrinite crystals, been has studied in an isothermal, batch precipitation system at 65 °C. Fouling invariably occurred via heterogeneous nucleation, crystal growth and particulate adsorption processes, accompanied by solution-mediated, phase transformation and morphological changes. For the thermodynamically stable cancrinite fouling, the amount of scale deposited increased systematically with increasing crystallization time before levelling off as a result of depleted supersaturation. Where the deposited scale involved a less stable phase (e.g., amorphous, zeolite A), transformation to a more stable phases (e.g., sodalite/cancrinite) occurred. The scale layer coverage/growth characteristically increased and then decreased in a periodic manner. The periodicity of this unusual behaviour appeared to be directly and kinetically related to polytypic phase transformation of amorphous to zeolite A, zeolite A to sodalite and sodalite to cancrinite

Understanding the Mechanism of Arsenic Mobilisation and Behaviour in Tailings Dams

This study was carried out on leaching of tailings at 30 ᵒC and 40 ᵒC. The mineralogical and chemical composition of the tailings material were determined by Quantitative X-Ray Diffractometry (QXRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDAX). The study revealed that the tailings contain sulphides (arsenopyrite and pyrite) which can leach to produce arsenic (As) and other ions in solution. The acid released during leaching depends on the temperature of leaching. More acid was produced at higher temperature (40 ᵒC) than lower temperature (30 ᵒC). It was established that arsenic precipitation from solution was higher at higher temperature (40 ᵒC) than lower temperature (30 ᵒC). Mimicking the study in a typical tailings environment, it could be proposed that As mobilisation will be enhanced at lower temperature (30 ᵒC) than at higher temperature (40 ᵒC). Keywords: Tailings, Leaching, Arsenopyrite, Heavy metals and Temperatur

An African Christian Perspective on the Veneration of the Saints or the Ancestors

Almost all religions believe in life after death. Christians believe that their deceased relatives and Church members who were baptised before they died would rise to new life in Christ after death. However, some Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians find it difficult to accept the fact that our deceased brothers and sisters (who are called by different names, saints or ancestors) are alive and deserve honour or recognition from the living. Africans venerate their deceased brothers and sisters who lived impeccable and irreproachable lives while they lived on this earth. In the same way some Christians, especially Catholics, Anglicans and others in public ceremonies canonize their deceased brothers and sisters who lived lives worthy of emulation and call them saints. They set aside some days in the year when they are publicly venerated in their liturgies and celebrate their entrance into eternity with God. In this article the writer argues that both Catholics and Africans are doing nothing wrong when they venerate their brothers and sisters as heroes in this way. They are only giving them honour like we do to our national heroes and ask for their intercession in prayer. Although Christians and Africans call their deceased members who lived exemplary lives by different names (Saints and Ancestors respectively), they venerate them in similar ways and the Saints or Ancestors play similar roles in the lives of their living members, notwithstanding some dissimilarities. Keywords: Veneration, Worship, Saints, Ancestors. DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/45-02 Publication date:October 31st 201

Perspectives and Perception on the Sacred Seeds of Virtue and Value: A Journey into the Effectiveness of Religious and Moral Education in Ghanaian Basic Schools

This study investigated the effectiveness of religious and moral education (RME) programs in Ghanaian basic schools, prompted by concerns that an emphasis on STEM education may contribute to rising immoral behaviour among students. Recognizing schools as crucial venues for academic and moral development, the research aimed to evaluate how effectively these institutions instill virtues and values in students. Employing a descriptive survey design, data was gathered from 104 participants in the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality. The findings indicate a gap between the intended RME curriculum and its practical implementation, with students needing more comprehensive integration across subjects. While some students appreciate varied teaching methods, others criticize the predominant reliance on the Bible, potentially alienating those from diverse religious backgrounds. Parents expressed concern over the declining emphasis on Ghanaian cultural values and norms within the curriculum, as well as a reduction in parental involvement and essential resources. Teachers highlighted challenges such as disciplinary constraints and resource shortages, yet reaffirmed their commitment to imparting moral values through engaging methods. The study recommends enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to effectively fulfill their roles in RME, promoting a more inclusive and culturally relevant approach. Despite existing challenges, the research concludes with a positive outlook on the potential of schools to impart values, moral education, and virtues. This study contributes to scholarship by emphasizing the importance of holistic development and cultural preservation in Ghanaian education and offering insights relevant to the fields of education, sociology, and religion

The Hidden Influence and Catalysts of Religious and Moral Education in Ghanaian Basic Schools: Co-Curricular Activities in Perspective

This study investigates the hidden influences and catalysts of Religious and Moral Education (RME) within co-curricular activities in Ghanaian basic schools. The importance of RME in Ghana’s educational system is undeniable, yet the issues of immoral behaviour among students persist, raising concerns about the efficacy of current educational methods. While formal classroom instruction is crucial, the impact of co-curricular activities on moral and religious development is less understood. This study uses a descriptive survey design to explore the practical factors that influence RME through co-curricular activities. Data were collected from 104 participants, including parents, teachers, and students from the Sefwi Wiawso Municipality. Findings indicate that co-curricular activities, such as community service, sports, debates, and cultural events, are essential for moral and religious growth. The study highlights the benefits of co-curricular activities, including the development of empathy, tolerance, leadership skills, and ethical decision-making. Despite these benefits, challenges such as limited resources, inadequate logistic support, and stakeholder disinterest hinder effective implementation. Parents feel excluded and desire more involvement and communication from schools. Teachers emphasize the value of these activities for reinforcing social and cultural values. The study concludes that integrating co-curricular activities into the curriculum is essential for fostering moral and religious development. These insights aim to guide policymakers and educators in improving RME programmes in Ghanaian basic schools, holistic growth of students. This study contributes to scholarship by highlighting the significant role of co-curricular activities in moral and religious education and suggesting practical improvements for educational policy and practice