ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Neutrophils dominate in opsonic phagocytosis of P. falciparum blood-stage merozoites and protect against febrile malaria

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
New 2D Structural Materials: Carbon–Gallium Nitride (CC–GaN) and Boron–Gallium Nitride (BN–GaN) Heterostructures—Materials Design Through Density Functional Theory

New class of ternary nanohetrostructures have been proposed by mixing 2D gallium nitride (GaN) with graphene and 2D hexagonal boron nitride (BN) with an aim towards desgining innovative 2D materials for applications in electronics and other industries. The structural stability and electronic properties of these nanoheterostructures have been analyzed using first-principles based calculations done in the framework of density functional theory. Different structure patterns have been analyzed to identify the most stable structures. It is found to be more energetically favorable that the carbon atoms occupy the positions of the nitrogen atoms in a clustered pattern in CC-GaN heterostructures, whereas boron doping is preferred in the reverse order, where isolated BN and GaN layered configurations are preferred in BN-GaN heterostructures. These 2D nanoheterostructures are energetically favored materials with direct band gap and have potential application in nanoscale semiconducting and nanoscale optoelectronic devices.

Source: UG
The new age of the Nagoya Protocol

The entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol of the Convention on Biological Diversity will lead to new legislation and regulations that could change international collaborative research in biology. This article suggests a new approach that researchers can use in negotiating international Access and Benefit Sharing agreements under the Protocol. Research on medicinal plants is used as a case study because it is a domain with many competing stakeholders involving non-commercial and commercial research, as well as national and international commercial markets. We propose a decision-based framework to aid all participants as they negotiate ABS agreements for non-commercial biodiversity research. Our proposed approach promotes transparency and builds trust, reflects the principles in the Convention on Biological Diversity, and respects and protects the interests of biodiversity rich developing countries. This approach is an alternative to often-used adversarial approaches. Copyright David E. Schindel et al.

Source: UG
New anti-trypanosomal active tetracyclic iridoid isolated from Morinda lucida Benth.

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
The ‘new approach’ to public sector reforms in Ghana: a case of politics as usual or a genuine attempt at reforms?

Public sector reforms continue to preoccupy governments all over the world, compelled by the need to ‘get the state right’ through better policy development and implementation. Developing countries see this as the path to a developmental state. This article examines Ghana's quest to build such a state through its new public sector reforms, originally hailed in hyperbolic terms. We argue that the rejection of a top‐down and bottom‐up synergy in favour of an exclusively top‐down approach dooms this effort to failure.

Source: UG
A new dimeric imidazole alkaloid plasmid conjugation inhibitor from Lepidium sativum

Phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract of Lepidium sativum seeds led to the isolation of a new compound, named 2-(3-(3-((1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl)-5-methoxyphenoxy)benzyl)-1H-imidazole and given the trivial name Lepidine AK (1), along with three known compounds; Lepidine E (2), Lepidine B (3) and 2-(3-(2-((1H-imidazol-2-yl)methyl)-6-methoxyphenoxy)benzyl)-1H-imidazole (4). The structures were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopy, UV, IR and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The isolated compounds were tested for bacterial conjugation inhibition. Lepidine AK (1, 100 μg/mL) reduced the conjugal transfer of the IncI2 plasmid TP114 to 44.7 ± 3.5% but interestingly promoted the conjugation of the IncN plasmid pKM101 to greater than 120%. © 2018

Source: UG
New directions in earth system governance research

The Earth System Governance project is a global research alliance that explores novel, effective gover nance mechanisms to cope with the current transitions in the biogeochemical systems of the planet. A decade after its inception, this article offers an overview of the project's new research framework (which is built upon a review of existing earth system governance research), the goal of which is to continue to stimulate a pluralistic, vibrant and relevant research community. This framework is composed of contextual conditions (transformations, inequality, Anthropocene and diversity), which capture what is being observed empirically, and five sets of research lenses (architecture and agency, democracy and power, justice and allocation, anticipation and imagination, and adaptiveness and reflexivity). Ultimately the goal is to guide and inspire the systematic study of how societies prepare for accelerated climate change and wider earth system change, as well as policy responses

Source: UG
New Kid on the Old Block: The Research Commons

The advent and use of technology in all human endeavours including academic libraries has brought in its wake the need for libraries to redefine their services to meet the needs of patrons. The application of technology to generate, store, retrieve, disseminate and use information has led to the argument and suggestions that the academic library is fast becoming irrelevant since the students and faculty do not need the physical structures and the traditional sources of information (printed materials) provided by the traditional library to satisfy their information needs. Though the argument that libraries are no longer relevant in the current technological dispensation may sound unrealistic, there is the need for academic libraries to respond to the changing needs and expectations of its patrons and thus cannot continue to adopt a ‘business as usual’ attitude. These libraries therefore have to transit from the traditional ways of doing things and adopt pragmatic measures to meet the challenges of technological changes and to respond to the preferences of its users. It has been observed that the modern day student has been exposed to the use of technology and is more inclined to use technology to access and use information than doing so in the traditional ways. They take advantage of the ability to communicate with one another, connect to the Internet, and access information at all times through laptops and cell phones. Short message service (SMS) and instant messaging enable them maintain constant contact with peers. The Research Commons (RC) is therefore an effective way for the academic library to respond to the changes in the environment. The paper defines the Research Commons, gives a brief background to the RC and shows the basic features of the RC. It highlights the purpose of the Commons; services rendered by the RC and indicate the calibre of staff needed in the Commons. Finally, suggestions on how to develop and maintain the RC are provided and conclude with a word of encouragement that establishing an RC is possible and within the reach of academic libraries in Ghana.

Source: UG
The New Legon Observer

Another 6th March has come and gone. As to be expected, the celebration of independence this year was not as elegant as it was last year. Last year's marked a significant milestone as the Golden Jubilee Year, and so there was no reason to expect the two celebrations to be done on a similar scale. The New Legon Observer would nevertheless like to congratulate the government and people of Ghana for another year of nationhood. Anniversaries are always important, even for individuals. In the case of nations, they are even more important as they provide opportunities for soul-searching and self-assessment for many people who can influence future directions.

Source: UG
The New Legon Observer

On 18 June 2007, Tullow Oil, a UK firm announced that it had found 600 million barrels of oil off the shores of Ghana, more than the 250 million barrels that they had estimated earlier. They were indeed very optimistic about the future as the Tullow Oil Chief Executive Aidan Heavey assured the world that "based on evidence to date, ultimate reserves are likely to be materially in excess of previous estimates, with some high potential zones still to be drilled."

Source: UG
The New Legon Observer

There has never been any doubt about the importance of football to most Ghanaians. In 1978 when Ghana hosted the African Cup of Nations tournament for the first time, it was in a period when the economy was in a shambles and the people were completely frustrated. At that time many Ghanaian professionals were on their way to Nigeria and other places in search of the proverbial greener pastures. Despite the difficult times, the government and the people of Ghana managed to put on a fairly decent show which saw Ghana win the tournament. Many were those who momentarily forgot about their economic problems when Ghana beat Uganda in the finals on a hot March afternoon, courtesy of two goals from Opoku-Afriyie. The people rejoiced but they were not a very happy people. The competition was not that stiff in 1978, and the people had many other worries. This was clearly reflected by the fact that the stadium was nowhere near full when Ghana played in the finals at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Source: UG
The New Legon Observer

Ghanaians have spent a large part of this year in a celebratory mood. Indeed for many the celebrations began when the Black Stars did well at the last FIFA World Cup tournament held in Germany_ The better-than-expected performance was seen as a sign of good things to come as the country prepared for its 50th birthday_ The main celebrations, held in March this year, were the high point for the Government, the people and our guests. Some people grumbled about not having been made to feel a part of the public celebrations, but as Ghanaians, we have managed to put all of that behind us.

Source: UG
The New Legon Observer

In the last couple of years, one issue that has consistently engaged the attention of many African economists and a number of development NGOs has been the issue of whether African countries should enter into Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the European Union (EU) or not. Charles Ackah's article in this issue of the New Legan Observer at page 8 explains very clearly how EPAs are constructed and what they are intended to achieve. In very simple terms, the European Union would like to agree with blocs of countries to provide duty-free access to each other's markets for a wide range of goods and services over a period of time. This is what they refer to as reciprocity. The EU argues that it is the most assured way of bringing economic development to Africa, as it provides an opportunity for countnes to trade their way out of poverty faster.

Source: UG
The New Legon Observer

One major problem that all contemporary democracies face is the problem of financing political parties and election campaigns or, to put it more colloquially, the problem of 'money in politics'. It is Impossible to overstate the depth, complexity or importance of this problem for democracies. After all, free and fair elections are the foundation of contemporary democracies and the role of political parties in both democratic elections and governance is pivotal. Political parties organise the electorate to participate in elections in their numbers. They help to Simplify for the electorate the important issues at stake in the elections. They select and provide support for the rival candidates that the electorate will choose from, to form the government and opposition. They organise continuous support for both government and opposition, and provide an important link between the people and their political leaders. Contemporary democracies are indeed synonymous with party politics and party government.

Source: UG
New Lineage of Lassa Virus, Togo, 2016

Most research activities involve the use of molecular methods such as regular PCR (PCR), quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), genomic sequence and analysis using different software, genetic engineering, probe hybridization techniques, biological and molecular cloning, evaluation of immune markers for laboratory diagnosis of infections, serological assays involving the use of rapid tests, ELISA-based evaluations and immunofluorescent assay techniques.

Source: UG
A new methodology for assessing health policy and systems research and analysis capacity in African universities

Background: The importance of health policy and systems research and analysis (HPSR + A) has been increasingly recognised, but it is still unclear how most effectively to strengthen the capacity of the different organisations involved in this field. Universities are particularly crucial but the expansive literature on capacity development has little to offer the unique needs of HPSR + A activity within universities, and often overlooks the pivotal contribution of capacity assessments to capacity strengthening. Methods: The Consortium for Health Policy and Systems Analysis in Africa 2011-2015 designed and implemented a new framework for capacity assessment for HPSR + A within universities. The methodology is reported in detail. Results: Our reflections on developing and conducting the assessment generated four lessons for colleagues in the field. Notably, there are currently no published capacity assessment methodologies for HPSR + A that focus solely on universities - we report a first for the field to initiate the dialogue and exchange of experiences with others. Second, in HPSR + A, the unit of assessment can be a challenge, because HPSR + A groups within universities tend to overlap between academic departments and are embedded in different networks. Third, capacity assessment experience can itself be capacity strengthening, even when taking into account that doing such assessments require capacity. Conclusions: From our experience, we propose that future systematic assessments of HPSR + A capacity need to focus on both capacity assets and needs and assess capacity at individual, organisational, and systems levels, whilst taking into account the networked nature of HPSR + A activity. A genuine partnership process between evaluators and those participating in an assessment can improve the quality of assessment and uptake of results in capacity strengthening. ï¿½ 2014 Lï¿½ et al.

Source: UG
A new model for efficient, need‐driven progress in generating primary biodiversity information resources

Premise The field of biodiversity informatics has developed rapidly in recent years, with broad availability of large‐scale information resources. However, online biodiversity information is biased spatially as a result of slow and uneven capture and digitization of existing data resources. The West African Plants Initiative approach to data capture is a prototype of a novel solution to the problems of the traditional model, in which the institutional “owner” of the specimens is responsible for digital capture of associated data. Methods We developed customized workflows for data capture in formats directly and permanently useful to the “owner” herbarium, and digitized significant numbers of new biodiversity records, adding to the information available for the plants of the region. Results In all, 190,953 records of species in 1965 genera and 331 families were captured by mid‐2018. These data records covered 16 West African countries, with most of the records (10,000–99,999) from Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, and Cameroon, and the fewest data records from Mauritania (<100 records). The West African Plants Initiative has increased available digital accessible knowledge records for West African plants by about 54%. Several of the project institutions have put initial project data online as part of their Global Biodiversity Information Facility data contributions. The average cost of data capture ranged from US$0.50−1.00 per herbarium sheet. Discussion Data capture has been cost‐effective because it is much less expensive than de novo field collections, allows for development of information resources even for regions in which political situations make contemporary field sampling impossible, and provides a historical baseline against which to compare newer data as they become available. This new paradigm in specimen digitization has considerable promise to accelerate and improve the process of generating high‐quality biodiversity information, and can be replicated and applied in many biodiversity‐rich, information‐poor regions to remedy the present massive gaps in information availability.

Source: UG
A new modification of the sample introduction system for Os isotope ratio measurements

Here we present a new modification of the sample introduction system aimed at precisely measuring Os isotope ratios. A small glass connector was used to transfer OsO4 vapor from a Carius tube into a nebulizer. After dissolution of sample in a Carius tube, Os isotopes in the sample were determined simultaneously through in situ distillation without any prior separation procedure. The analytical precision at intermediate precision conditions of measurement was improved through the simultaneous introduction of Os via sparging and the aspiration of a solution containing Ir for mass bias correction. The present method, which involves the passage of Os vapor directly into the ICP-MS torch, thus solves the problems encountered previously when optimizing an instrument. The dating results of reference materials (RMs) HLP and JDC by the modified method are 221.8 ± 0.70 Ma (0.31%, 2s, n = 7) and 140.0 ± 0.44 Ma (0.31%, 2s, n = 9) respectively, which are consistent with their certified values of 221.4 ± 5.6 Ma and 139.6 ± 3.8 Ma respectively. Also reported in this study are dating results of several unknown molybdenite samples by the new method. © 2011 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Source: UG
New oligonucleotide primers for P-typing of rotavirus strains: Strategies for typing previously untypeable strains

The main research focus of the Electron Microscopy and Histopathology Department in the past 20 years has been in the areas of enteric diarrhoeas with special emphasis on rotavirus. Through its diarrhoea surveillance studies, the Department has helped to firmly establish rotaviruses as a major cause of diarrhoea in children, and document the circulation of unusual rotavirus genotypes in Ghana. The Department has also recently expanded its diagnostic repertoire to include the identification and characterization of noroviruses, astroviruses, and other enteric viruses.

Source: UG
A New Politics of Development Cooperation? Chinese and Brazilian engagements in African agriculture

This paper introduces a Special Section on Chinese and Brazilian engagements in African agriculture. The paper asks if a new paradigm for development cooperation is emerging, and argues that we must move beyond the simplistic narratives of either ‘‘South–South” collaboration or ‘‘neo-imperial” expansion of ‘‘rising powers” to look at the dynamic and contested politics of engagement, as new forms of capital and technology enter African contexts. Historical experiences in Brazil and China, as well as domestic political and economic debates, affect how interventions are framed, and by whom, and so influence what technologies are chosen, which investments are funded, and who gets trained. There are both political and economic drivers at the heart of these choices, but these are not uniform or uncontested, either in Brazil and China or in Africa. The Special Section argues for a focus on the encounters on the ground, moving beyond the broader rhetoric and generic policy statements. A key feature of Brazilian and Chinese engagements in African agriculture is the role of state–business relations in shaping and steering development, suggesting new forms of developmentalism. The paper concludes that there is a growing opportunity for learning from the Brazilian and Chinese experience, as this will be a long-run feature of African agricultural development.

Source: UG
New regional stratigraphic insights from a 3D geological model of the Nasia sub-basin, Ghana, developed for hydrogeological purposes and based on reprocessed B-field data originally collected for mineral exploration

Reprocessing of regional-scale airborne electromagnetic data is used to build a 3D geological model of the Nasia sub-basin, northern Ghana. The resulting 3D geological model consistently integrates all the prior pieces of information brought by electromagnetic data, lithologic logs, ground-based geophysical surveys, and geological knowledge of the terrain. The geo-modeling process is aimed at defining the lithostratigraphy of the area, chiefly to improve the stratigraphic definition of the area, and for hydrogeological purposes. The airborne electromagnetic measurements, consisting of GEOTEM B-field data, were originally collected for mineral exploration purposes. Thus, those B-field data had to be (re)processed and properly inverted as the original survey and data handling were designed for the detection of potential mineral targets and not for detailed geological mapping. These new geophysical inversion results, compared with the original conductivity–depth images, provided a significantly different picture of the subsurface. The new geophysical model led to new interpretations of the geological settings and to the construction of a comprehensive 3D geo-model of the basin. In this respect, the evidence of a hitherto unexposed system of paleovalleys could be inferred from the airborne data. The stratigraphic position of these paleovalleys suggests a distinctly different glaciation history from the known Marinoan events, commonly associated with the Kodjari formation of the Voltaian sedimentary basin. Indeed, the presence of the paleovalleys within the Panabako may be correlated with mountain glaciation within the Sturtian age, though no unequivocal glaciogenic strata have yet been identified. Pre-Marinoan glaciation is recorded in rocks of the Wassangara group of the Taoudéni Basin. The combination of the Marinoan and, possibly, Sturtian glaciation episodes, both of the Cryogenian period, can be an indication of a Neoproterozoic Snowball Earth. Hence, the occurrence of those geological features not only has important socioeconomic consequences – as the paleovalleys can act as reservoirs for groundwater – but also from a scientific point of view, they could be extremely relevant as their presence would require a revision of the present stratigraphy of the area.

Source: UG