Comparative survey data on sociodemographic predictors of diversity tolerance among selected university students in Ghana and South Africa.

This article presents an extensive comparison of survey data on tolerance attitudes of 1758 participants from two public universities in sub-Saharan Africa, the University of Ghana and North-West University. Multi-stage and other sampling procedures were employed to collect the data between 2016 and 2017. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages and cross-tabulations for each institution separately.

Induced abortion in Ghana: prevalence and associated factors.

The termination of unwanted pregnancies is a growing health-related issue around the world. This study used the 2017 Ghana Maternal Health Survey to examine the factors associated with the prevalence of induced abortion in Ghana. The study sample included 18,116 women of reproductive age who had a pregnancy in the 5 years preceding the survey.

Chromeno-carbonitriles as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in acidic solution: electrochemical, surface and computational studies.

Three novel -hydrospiro-chromeno-carbonitriles namely, 2-amino-7,7-dimethyl-1',3',5-trioxo-1',3',5,6,7,8-hexahydrospiro[chromene-4,2'-indene]-3-carbonitrile (INH-1), 3-amino-7,7-dimethyl-2',5-dioxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydrospiro[chromene-4,3'-indoline]-2-carbonitrile (INH-2) and 3'-amino-7',7'-dimethyl-2,5'-dioxo-5',6',7',8'-tetrahydro-2-spiro[acenaphthylene-1,4'-chromene]-2'-carbonitrile (INH-3) were synthesized using the principles of green chemistry and applied as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in acidic medium using computational simulations and experimental methods. Experimental and computational studies revealed that inhibition effectiveness of the INHs followed the sequence: INH-3 (95.32%) > INH-2 (93.

Green and Traditional Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles-Comparative Study.

The current study compared the synthesis, characterization and properties of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO) based on green and traditional chemical methods. The synthesized CuO were confirmed by spectroscopic and morphological characterization such as ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersed X-ray (EDX). Electrochemical behavior of the modified electrodes was done using cyclic voltammetry (CV) in ferricyanide/ferrocyanide ([Fe(CN)]/[Fe(CN)]) redox probe.

Untapped Potentials of Endophytic Fungi: A Review of Novel Bioactive Compounds with Biological Applications.

Over the last century, endophytic fungi have gained tremendous attention due to their ability to produce novel bioactive compounds exhibiting varied biological properties and are, therefore, utilized for medicinal, pharmaceutical, and agricultural applications. Endophytic fungi reside within the plant tissues without showing any disease symptoms, thus supporting the physiological and ecological attributes of the host plant. Ground breaking lead compounds, such as paclitaxel and penicillin, produced by endophytic fungi have paved the way for exploring novel bioactive compounds for commercial usage.

Synthesis and structures of divalent Co, Ni, Zn and Cd complexes of mixed dichalcogen and dipnictogen ligands with corrosion inhibition properties: experimental and computational studies.

The structural and corrosion inhibition properties of four different transition-metal complexes of heteroleptic S-donor atom dithiophosphonate and N-donor atom phenanthroline ligands are reported. Full structural characterization of the Co, Ni, Zn and Cd complexes was achieved with the aid of single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Structural elucidation revealed the formation of a 4-coordinate Zn(ii) complex, and 6-coordinate Ni(ii) and Cd(ii), as well as a novel dithiophosphonato Co(ii) complex.

Carbon-Based Quantum Dots for Electrochemical Detection of Monoamine Neurotransmitters-Review.

Imbalance in the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters have manifested in severe health issues. Electrochemical sensors have been designed for their determination, with good sensitivity recorded. Carbon-based quantum dots have proven to be an important component of electrochemical sensors due to their high conductivity, low cytotoxicity and opto-electronic properties.

Synthesis, Electrochemical Studies, and Antimicrobial Properties of FeO Nanoparticles from Plant Extracts.

Less toxic, environmentally safe green-mediated iron (III) oxide nanoparticles (FeO-NP) synthesized using () leaf (FeO-NPL) and flower (FeO-NPF) extracts is reported in this work for the first time. Total flavonoids and phenols present in the plant extracts were determined. Characterization of the nanoparticles was carried out using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Malvern zeta sizer.

Green Wastes Mediated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Electrochemical Studies.

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were prepared using a simple green synthesis approach in an alkaline medium, from three different extracts of citrus peels waste. The synthesized nano-crystalline materials were characterized by using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), x-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV-vis analysis of the nanoparticles showed broad peaks around 360 nm for the ZnO NPs (Zinc oxide nanoparticles) from three citrus peels' extracts.

Inequalities in morbidity in South Africa: A family perspective.

South Africa is struggling to achieve sustainable development targets as the country faces a quadruple burden of diseases. Concerted efforts to realise good health for all people require evidence-based targeted interventions. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between living arrangements and self-reported ill-health among adults aged 15 years and older in South Africa.

A spatiotemporal analysis of water quality characteristics in the Klip river catchment, South Africa.

Understanding the spatial and temporal patterns of water quality is central to its management as it provides information essential to the restoration as well as protection of water resources. The main objectives of this study were (i) to analyze the spatial and temporal trends of water quality and (ii) to identify the critical sources of pollution in the Klip River catchment (KRC). Water samples were collected at 12 sampling points along the Klip River, monthly from February 2016 to January 2017 and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and spectrophotometry for heavy metals and nutrients, respectively.

Morphological variations in BiS nanoparticles synthesized by using a single source precursor.

A simple solvothermal decomposition of bismuth dithiocarbamate complex in oleylamine, oleic acid, and hexadecylamine at 180 °C, yielded bismuth sulphide nanomaterials of different morphologies represented as BiS(OAm), BiS(OAc) and BiS(HDA) respectively. The bismuth complex, used as the single source precursor, was synthesized and characterised by elemental analysis, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopic techniques. The spectroscopic and micro analysis confirmed the proposed compound, while the as-prepared nanoparticles were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS).

Protein packaging in ionic liquid mixtures: an ecofriendly approach towards the improved stability of β-lactoglobulin in cholinium-based mixed ionic liquids.

Ionic liquid (IL)-protein interaction studies are well documented; nonetheless, some families of ILs possess high toxicity which leads to the perturbation of biomolecules. However, ILs can be suitably designed by tweaking the constituent ions and also by amalgamating the mixture that stabilises the protein against the denaturing effect of another IL. To address this, the present study has explored the role of IL mixtures in imparting structural stability to protein β-lactoglobulin (β-LG).

Survey data on gender in relation to youth political discussion and involvement at a Public University in Ghana.

This article presents extensive description of survey data on the political participation of 913 male and female undergraduate students at the University of Ghana. Multi-stage and other sampling procedures were employed to collect the data that took place between 2016 and 2017. Data were analysed using frequencies, percentages and cross-tabulations for each gender separately.

Data on influence of different nitrogen fertilizer rates and plant density on grain yield and yield components of Water Efficient Maize (WEMA) variety.

Plant density and applications of nitrogen fertilizer have been recognized as the main crop management techniques to improve maize yield. The data showed effect of different nitrogen fertilizer rates and plant density on grain yield and yield components of water efficient maize. A Field experiment was conducted during the 2015/16 and 2016/17 planting seasons in two (Taung and Mafikeng) localities of North-West Province, South Africa to evaluate the influence of N fertilizer rates and plant density on grain yield and yield components of Water Efficient Maize (WEMA) variety.

Data on root system architecture of water efficient maize as affected by different nitrogen fertilizer rates and plant density.

Root system architecture is a resource with untapped potential for agricultural improvements. The presented data describes the root system architecture of water efficient maize lines to different nitrogen fertilizer rates and plant density at two locations in North West Province of South Africa. The experiment was carried out during the 2015/16 and 2016/17 planting seasons.

Genotypic and Phenotypic Evaluation of Biofilm Production and Antimicrobial Resistance in Isolated from Milk, North West Province, South Africa.

: Biofilm formation in may reduce the rate of penetration of antibiotics, thereby complicating treatment of infections caused by these bacteria. The aim of this study was to correlate biofilm-forming potentials, antimicrobial resistance, and genes in isolates. : A total of 64 milk samples were analysed, and 77 were isolated.

8-Hydroxyquinoline based chitosan derived carbohydrate polymer as biodegradable and sustainable acid corrosion inhibitor for mild steel: Experimental and computational analyses.

The present study reports the synthesis, characterization and corrosion inhibition effects of chitosan (CH) and its 5-chloromethyl-8-hydroxyquinoline derivative (CH-HQ) for mild steel in acidic medium. The synthesized CH-HQ was characterized using H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopic methods. Corrosion inhibition efficiencies of CH and CH-HQ were measured using electrochemical and chemical techniques.

Effect of Roasting on the Phytochemical Properties of Three Varieties of Marble Vine () Using Response Surface Methodology.

This study assessed the optimum roasting conditions on the phytochemical properties of three varieties of seeds using response surface methodology. Roasting conditions were varied using temperature (110°C~200°C) and time (10~40 min). Phytochemical components (phenolics, tannin, flavonoids, cardiac glycoside, and steroids) of the seeds were screened and estimated.

The family life of young people in South Africa from survey data: The case of North-West University.

This article presents a comprehensive description of student survey data on family life that was collected at the North-West University, South Africa between 2015 and 2016. Responses were obtained from 835 students in the three campuses of the university with the use of multi-stage sampling (stratified and systematic sampling techniques). Data analysis was carried out using tables, frequencies and percentages.

Socio-demographic changes in age at first marriage in Malawi: evidence from Malawi Demographic and Health Survey data, 1992-2016.

This study aimed to identify the social and demographic correlates of the trend in age at first marriage among women in Malawi, using Malawi Demographic and Health Survey data collected between 1992 and 2016. Employing Cox Proportional Hazard modelling, the results showed that the mean age at first marriage during the 18-year period remained constant at 17.4 years.

Dataset on cocoa farmers' agrochemical handling practices and safety compliance in Ahafo Ano North district, Ashanti region, Ghana.

Agrochemicals are essential but hazardous inputs being utilized at different stages in cocoa production. Safeguarding the health of workers handling these chemicals is therefore of utmost importance. Although Ghanaian government implemented mass spraying of cocoa with every essential occupational safety being followed, non-workability of the programme in many parts of the cocoa producing areas necessitates supplementary application of agrochemicals by many farmers.

Under-5 Mortality Rates in G7 Countries: Analysis of Fractional Persistence, Structural Breaks and Nonlinear Time Trends.

This paper deals with the analysis of the under-5 mortality rate series in the G7 countries by using fractional integration techniques, including structural breaks and potential nonlinearities in the data. Several features were detected in the results: Firstly, we observed that for the neonatal data, the order of integration is equal to or higher than one in all cases, contrary to what happens for the remaining cases (< 1- < 5 years) where mean reversion is found in many cases, especially as we increase the age of death. Thus, shocks affecting the neonatal (< 1 month from delivery) mortality rates will have permanent effects requiring special attention to recover the original trends.

Bioactive Compound Produced by Endophytic Fungi Isolated From Against Selected Bacteria of Clinical Importance.

Endophytic fungi have the ability to live inside the host plant tissues without causing neither symptoms of diseases/or harm. Opportunistic infections are accountable for majority of the outbreaks, thereby putting a burden on the health system. To investigate and characterize the bioactive compounds for the control of bacteria of clinical importance, extracts from endophytic fungi were isolated from indigenous South African medicinal plants.

Anticancer activity, apoptosis and a structure-activity analysis of a series of 1,4-naphthoquinone-2,3-bis-sulfides.

We have previously reported on the synthesis of 1,4-naphthoquinone-sulfides and in this investigation we report on their anticancer activity against 6 human cancer cell lines to evaluate their cytostatic effects. The 1,4-naphthoquinone-2,3-bis-sulfides were most effective against melanoma (UACC62) (GI = 6.5-10 μM) and prostate (PC3) (GI = 5.