Phospha-adamantanes as ligands for palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions

New and robust methodologies have been designed for palladium-catalyzed crosscoupling reactions involving·a novel·class oftertiary phosphine ligand incorporating a phospha-adamantane framework. It has been realized that bulky, electron-rich phosphines, when used as ligands for palladium, allow for cross-coupling reactions involving even the less reactive aryl halide substrates with a variety of coupling partners. In an effort to design new ligands suitable for carrying out cross-coupling transformations, the secondary phosphine, 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-2,4,8-trioxa-6phosphaadamantane was converted into a number of tertiary phosphine derivatives. The ability of these tertiary phosphaadamantanes to act as effective ligands in the palladiumcatalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling was examined. 1,3,5,7-Tetramethyl-6-phenyl-2,4,8trioxa- 6-phosphaadamantane (PA-Ph) used in combination with Pdz(dba)3permitted the reaction of an array of aryl iodides, bromides and chlorides with a variety arylboronic acids to give biaryls in good to excellent yields. Subsequently, palladium complexes of PA-Ph were prepared and isolated in high yields as air stable palladium bisphosphine complexes. Two different kinds of crystals were isolated and upon characterization revealed two complexes, Pd(PA-Ph)z.dba and Pd(PA-Ph)zOz. Preliminary screening for their catalytic activity indicated that the former is more reactive than the latter. Pd(PAPh) z.dba was applied as the catalyst for Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions of aryl iodides and bromides and in the reactions of aryl bromides and chlorides with ketones to give a-arylated ketones at mild temperatures in high yields

Assessing the Training for Certified Peer Support Specialists Who Provide Mental Health and Substance Use Services

The behavioral health system’s peer support workforce must be adequately trained to perform peer support services, but evidence of the adequacy of their training needs to be improved. With survey data from 667 certified peer support specialists (CPSS) from North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, this study used (a) binomial probability test to assess perceptions about the adequacy of the workforce’s training, (b) latent profile analysis to identify patterns and predictors of perceptions about the SAMHSA core competencies covered in their training, and (c) thematic analysis to identify additional training needs. Most respondents identified as White (72%), female (73%), and had some college education (83%). Most of the workforce (> 90%) felt prepared to provide services, regardless of their state. Highly and moderately sufficient coverage emerged as two distinct response patterns regarding coverage of the SAMSHA core competencies, with respondents’ years of experience, state of residence, education level, race, and sense of preparedness predicting the probability of fitting into either profile. Participants desired additional training in trauma-informed practices, motivational interviewing, and new treatment approaches. Peers’ experiences and perspectives were similar across different states. The findings suggest booster training sessions or continuing education opportunities are needed to maintain a robust and well-prepared peer support workforce. States should consider reciprocity agreements to enable the trained workforce to practice across states. A key implication for the training content is the need to incorporate contemporary issues relating to mental health and substance use disorders to better meet behavioral health needs

The Status and Challenges of Online Distance Education Programs in Post-Secondary Institutions in Ghana

The purpose of this study was to identify the status and challenges of online distance education programs in post-secondary institutions in Ghana. This study was a replication of a similar study conducted in Kenya in 2009, at the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University. This present study was conducted with an online survey using Google survey assessment. The survey requested responses from six post-secondary institutions in Ghana. Out of a total of 450 projected student responses, 309 responses were received with a 69% participation rate. A total of 14 responses were received for instructors out of a projected 30 resulting in 47% participation rate. And for administrators, 8 responses were received out of a projected 12 resulting in a 67% participation rate. Overall the study revealed that Ghana post-secondary institutions have established and incorporated online distance education into their programs, offering both online and blended courses. Some of these institutions established regional centers across the country and incorporated foreign instructors into their programs. The survey also revealed that students were satisfied with the overall online distance education program in their institutions which included the level of instruction, feedback and evaluation. However, there were still challenges revealed from the study that included the high cost of education, frequent power outages, school stoppages as a result of instructor strikes and the need to restructure courses to include projects

The sponsorhip of jazz musical concerts by corporate organizations in Ghana: A case of Stanbic Bank Ghana

Thesis submitted to the Department of Business Administration, Ashesi University College, in partial fulfillment of Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, April 2017Sponsorship of musical concerts by corporate organisations has over the years become a common practise used to communicate to a specific target group. This approach has helped corporate organisations present themselves to more clients and improve the perception held of the brand. Ghana has over the years experienced this practise of sponsoring musical concerts growing among its organisations. One of such sponsorships that sparked an interest was Stanbic Bank’s sponsorship of Jazz Musical concerts. The aim of this study is to understand why corporate organisations in the country are sponsoring Jazz musical concerts, further to find out what motivates the attendees of such concerts to do so. The data for the study was obtained through in-depth interviews and questionnaires. The results from the study revealed that the major reason for sponsoring jazz musical concerts was because jazz was is attractive avenue which appeals and attracts the elite in the society. As such, sponsoring such events helps the organisations to improve their image and build a perception of the barnd among the elite. Also, people are motivated to attend jazz musical concerts because they enjoy jazz music and the relaxed atmosphere that accompanies the music. Recommendations for the study include an increase in the advertisement of jazz concerts or bars through newspapers, magazines, and social media.Ashesi University Colleg

Examining the Integration of ICT into Teaching and Learning: A Study of Colleges of Education in the Volta Region

The provision of education to citizens is a requirement for economic and social development, and globalization and the transition to a knowledge-based economy require that existing educational institutions produce individuals who can convert information into knowledge and apply that knowledge in a dynamic, cross-cultural setting. The successful integration of ICT into the learning environment requires instructors to be able to design learning in creative ways, integrate technology with a pedagogy successfully, develop socially engaged learning settings, and encourage cooperative involvement. Students and student teachers frequently have more knowledge and experience with ICT than instructors and teacher educators, and for many people, this demands a different set of abilities than those they now possess. The desire for online learning to satisfy the needs of Ghana's universities' expanding student population remains a worry despite the ongoing discussions and difficulties that higher education faces. Many Ghanaian stakeholders now have a keen interest in the country's level of science and technology. This study's goal was to look at how ICT was used in teaching and learning, with a particular emphasis on the College of Education in the Volta Region. The specific goals of the study were to find out how much ICT was used in teaching and learning in colleges of education in the Volta Region, to find out what factors affected ICT use in teaching and learning in colleges of education in the Volta Region, and to find out what stopped ICT from being used in those institutions.  Two theories, notably the Social Constructivist Theory and the Diffusion of Innovation Theory, served as the foundation for the study. The paper employed a desk study review methodology to examine pertinent empirical literature and identify key themes. The results showed that ICT can be utilized as a tool to support transformative, learner-centered faculty development; nevertheless, researchers caution that this approach may be challenging because teachers must contend with both the new technology problems and the learner-centered paradigm. According to the study's findings, ICT can match the current educational system with the knowledge-based, information-rich society by giving it access to high-end tools, approaches, and methodologies. To use ICT in the process of teaching and learning, the study thus advises colleges in the Volta area to build strategies to identify strengths and weaknesses of various technology resources with the aim of adopting ICT in the process of teaching and learning

Does Revenue Diversification Predict Financial Vulnerability Among Non-governmental Organizations in sub-Saharan Africa?

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) experience financial challenges that hinder efforts to promote social change and development. Revenue diversification is one adaptive response to these challenges, yet there is a lack of evidence concerning the relationship between revenue diversification and financial vulnerability among NGOs in SSA. Using data from an online survey of NGOs (N = 170), we hypothesized that a greater number of revenue sources is associated with lower probability of financial vulnerability, while a greater level of dependence on international funding is associated with higher probability of financial vulnerability. Results from probit regression models controlling for organizational characteristics indicated partial support for hypotheses. Having four or more types of revenue was associated with 87% lower probability of financial vulnerability compared to having one type of revenue (p < 0.001). Also, NGOs with up to half of their budgets covered by international sources had 17% lower probability of financial vulnerability compared to NGOs with no international funding (p < 0.05). Implications for future research to further explore these relationships are discussed

Predictors of Capacity-Building Needs Among Nongovernmental Organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) play important roles in social development in the Global South. However, little evidence exists concerning NGOs’ capacity-building needs. We sought to understand organizational and network factors that explain capacity-building needs. Using an online survey of 282 NGOs in Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, we found high levels of capacity-building need, particularly concerning resource development. Using multivariate analyses, we found greater staff size predicted less overall capacity-building need based on a 15-item index (α =.88). Examining individual capacities, receiving at least half of funding from international sources and prior capacity-building assistance were consistent predictors of lower odds of capacity-building need

Factors contributing to spatial inequality in academic achievement in Ghana: Analysis of district-level factors using geographically weighted regression

Like most Sub-Saharan African countries, Ghana's basic educational system continues to undergo reform,receiving substantial investment to ensure all citizens have access to quality educational opportunitiesregardless of where they live. Although the reforms have markedly improved access to education at thejunior high school level, the overall level of academic achievement among Ghana's population remainslow, especially in deprived areas of the country. The low rate of achievement warrants examinationbecause the lack of education hampers social mobility and constrains the ability of pupils from deprivedcommunities to progress up the academic ladder. This study uses spatial modeling tools and district-leveldata to examine spatial variability in rates of academic achievement among districts in Ghana, and toinvestigate the differential effects of macro-level factors on academic achievement. Analysis reveals twokey findings: (a) the existing pattern of spatial inequality primarily favors academic achievement ofstudents in the Middle and Southern Belt regions of Ghana; and (b) factors contributing to academicachievement vary spatially, with the significance level, magnitude, and direction of relationship varyingfrom one district to another. The study demonstrates the quintessence of an approach to educationaldevelopment that emphasizes decentralization, thereby allowing educational investments and interventionsto be tailored to local needs