ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of the Multiple-Layer Hermetic Storage Bag for Biorational Management Of primary Beetle Pests of Stored Maize

This paper reviews the destructive effects of Prostephanus truncatus and Sitophilus zeamais on maize grain and the effectiveness of the triple-layer hermetic bag storage system as a control measure. Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important cereal in Ghana and is the staple food for over 90% of the population. The availability and safety of this important food crop is threatened by insect pests, rodents and fungal attacks due to inappropriate storage methods. Infestation by insect pests accounts for between 20 to 50% of post-harvest losses in maize. Pesticides and other artificial gaseous techniques are no longer acceptable due to food quality and environmental related issues. In the light of the foregoing, the hermetic storage techniques have recently been revisited as a way to control insect pest and other microbial attack in maize grain. The system creates an air tight environment to rapidly exterminate insect development and suppress micro flora activity. A recent development is the invention of the triple layer hermetic bag using biodegradable plastic materials. This is being investigated to determine its efficiency as a storage technique that prevents insect attack and yields product with good food quality and market acceptability. Quantitative figures are needed about the current distribution and losses caused by insect pests especially P. truncatus and S. zeamais. There is also the need to fill the knowledge gaps and provide adequate information needed to inform decisions for the use of the use of hermetic storage technology and its further refinement.

Source: UG
The efficacy of two activity-based interventions in adolescents with Developmental Coordination Disorder

Background Adolescents with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) usually experience psychomotor difficulties that affect their participation in everyday tasks and sports. Without effective intervention, adolescents show persistent motor deficits through adulthood. It is therefore critical to develop interventions to address the specific needs of this population. Studies evaluating the impact of motor interventions among adolescents with DCD are limited. Aim The study evaluated the efficacy of two activity-based motor interventions in female adolescents with DCD. Methods and procedures Forty-three female participants (Mean ± SD: 14.3 ± 1.1 years) were identified as having DCD using the DSM-5 criteria. They were randomly assigned to either Task-oriented Functional Training (TFT) or Wii training. Both groups received 45 min training per week for 14 weeks. Outcome measures included isometric muscular strength, motor proficiency, functional performance and participation in activities of daily living (ADL). Outcomes and results At the conclusion of the intervention, the two groups had significant improvement in muscular strength, motor proficiency, running and agility, predilection for physical activity and generalized self-efficacy. However, there was no difference in outcomes for the two interventions. Conclusions and implications The findings highlight the potential benefits of activity-based motor interventions in reducing impairments, improving functional performance, and enhancing participation. These results support previous findings on the efficacy of task-oriented interventions and demonstrate the value of these approaches at all levels of functioning.

Source: UG
The efficacy of two bio-rational pesticides on insect pests complex of two varieties of white cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) in the coastal savanna region of Ghana

Abstract Insect population count and yield were used to determine the effectiveness of two bio-rational pesti cides -a commercial formulation of Pieris rapae granu losis virus and Bacillus thuriengensis, Bypel 1® (PrGV + Bt) (1.5 g/l w/v) and aqueous neem kernel extract (ANKE) (50 g/l w/v), on the insect pests complex of two cabbage varieties, KK cross and Oxylus for two consecutive cropping seasons of 2016/2017. The exper iment was laid in a split-plot design with three replica tions, with the cabbage varieties as main plots and the bio-rational pesticides as subplots. Cabbage plots treat ed with Bypel 1® and ANKE had the lowest population of Plutella xylostella, Brevicoryne brassicae, Hellula undalis, Bemisia tabaci and Thrips tabaci for both sea sons. The control plot consistently had higher pest population in both seasons. There was no detrimental effect of bio-rational pesticides on natural enemies. The bio rational pesticides-treated plots produced higher yield than control plots. Mean numbers of P. xylostella was higher on KK (0.61, 1.46) compared to Oxylus (0.65, 1.70) in both seasons, respectively. The yield between the cabbage varieties was not significantly different in both seasons, although Bypel 1® and ANKE treated plots generally produced significantly higher yields than the control plot. Yield between both cropping seasons was significantly different (p = 0.039). These findings provide evidence that bio-rational pesticides may offer effective management of the pest complex of cabbage and may be successfully used as an integral part of IPM in Africa as a means to curb the abuse of synthetic insecticides.

Source: UG
Efficacy of two PBO long lasting insecticidal nets against natural populations of Anopheles gambiae s.l. in experimental huts, Kolokopé, Togo

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
Efficacy of Ultrasound-Assisted Lactic Acid Fermentation and Its Effect on the Nutritional and Sensory Quality of Novel Chickpea-Based Beverage

Abstract: Ultrasound-assisted fermentation is a promising approach for improving food products’ nutritional and sensory qualities. This study compared the effects of ultrasound-assisted fermentation on chickpea-based beverages’ nutritive and sensory components. Proximate, phytochemical, and microstructural data were examined to evaluate the effectiveness of the processing techniques. The processed samples demonstrated significantly higher (p < 0.05) nutritional and sensory outcomes compared to the unfermented sample. The unfermented sample had a total phytochemical level of 55.41 g/mL, whereas the fermented and ultrasound-assisted fermented samples had phytochemical contents of 66.71 and 64.51 µg/mL, respectively. With values of 8.37 ± 0.11 and 7.21 ± 0.06, respectively, on a 9-point hedonic scale, the sensory evaluation revealed that the traditionally fermented sample had a greater acceptability rate than the ultrasound-treated sample. The presence of organic acids in the final product was shown to be significantly impacted by fermentation, with propanoic having the highest concentrations of 1.79 ± 3 × 10−5a, 5.56 ± 2 × 10−5b, and 3.50 ± 0.00344c mg/mL for the unfermented, fermented, and ultrasound-assisted fermented beverages, respectively. According to these results, using ultrasound-assisted fermentation with reduced fermentation time can improve chickpea-based beverages’ nutritional and functional benefits.

Source: UG
Efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of two doses of a tetravalent rotavirus vaccine RRV-TV in Ghana with the first dose administered during the neonatal period

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
Efficiency and productivity analysis of pineapple farmers in the Akwapim-South District of Ghana: A distance function approach

he study sought to analyze the efficiency and productivity of pineapple farmers in the Akwapim-South District of Ghana. The paper employs the stochastic translog distance function technique to analyze the influence of inputs on outputs whilst highlighting the technical efficiency and its determinants of the pineapple farmers. A total of 135 respondents were randomly selected using the multi-stage sampling technique. The results reveal that all the input variables (fertilizer, labour, cost of pineapple suckers and intermediate cost) are significant and have a positive influence on the productivity of pineapple production. The shadow share of other crops is estimated to be negative relative to the production of pineapple in the output mix. The mean technical efficiency score is found to be 85%. This implies that pineapple farmers in the Akwapim-South District have the potential to increase their output level by 15% using the current technology available to them. The results further indicate that age, number of extension visits, education and FBO (farmer-based organization) membership significantly and positively affect the technical efficiency of pineapple farmers. The paper recommends that government policies should ensure inputs are available to farmers at subsidized prices. Furthermore, regular education of extension agents and properly structured extension and FBO service delivery systems should be put in place to enhance the productivity of farmers.

Source: UG
Efficiency curves of the Ghana Research reactor-1(GHARR-1) spectrometry system at near and far geometries

The efficiency curves of the HPGe detector at different geometries were measured in a wide energy range of 53.16 to 1408keV. In this study emphasis was laid on the effects of the source energy and the source-to-detector distance. Due to the variation of the activity levels of various samples in gamma-ray spectroscopy, the source-to-detector distance is not fixed at a constant value. This means that the measurements of the absolute detector efficiency must be carried out for each geometrical arrangement used in gamma-ray measurements. The full energy peak efficiency in terms of the gamma-ray energy and the vertical distance from the detector surface has been obtained for an N-type high purity germanium (HPGe) detector using point-like calibrated sources at four different distances from the detector. Comparison of the calculated and the experimentally measured efficiency values for the energy range of 26.345-1408 keV and a source to detector distances of 36, 49, 62, and 75 mm showed that the calculated values agree with that of the experiment within the limits of uncertainty. The standard deviations of the calculated efficiency values from the experimental at the respective source-to-detector height were as follows: 0.05% for 36 mm, 0.08% for 49 mm, 0.03% for 62 mm and 0.01% for 75 mm. © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2011.

Source: UG
Efficiency of agricultural commodity systems under policy reforms in Ghana

The central theme of this paper is to illustrate the relevance of policy reforms on the macroeconomic environment and international commodity market in the efficiency and competitiveness of domestic agricultural commodity systems. It is pertinent for policy makers to know the linkage between macroeconomic policies and their impact at the farm and other levels of production, processing and marketing. This paper seeks to establish these linkages between policies and impacts for the principal agricultural commodity systems, and simulating likely changes in agricultural productivity that might arise from assumed policy changes. The Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) approach, which is basically an application of social cost-benefit analysis and the basic concepts of trade theory, is the methodology used in this study as it generates basic indicators of efficiency and competitiveness of commodity systems. With respect to resource use, the study shows that labour claims the largest cost share in the production of most crops at the farm level with the notable exception of irrigated rice and oil palm. At the post farm level, cost shares tend to be quite different. Imported capital equipment and intermediate inputs become more important than labour. The study concludes that with the exception of pineapple, all the other commodities studied are socially profitable. Despite the recent increases in the export of pineapples, the commodity has no comparative advantage and is also privately unprofitable and therefore uncompetitive and inefficient, given the current state of the arts being employed in its production.

Source: UG
Efficiency of household electricity consumption in Ghana

One explanation that can be associated with the inadequate focus on demand-side management of household electricity consumption is the poor knowledge on consumption inefficiency. This study estimates the efficiency of Ghanaian households’ electricity consumption and factors influencing inefficiency using the energy demand frontier model and data from the seventh round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey. The results indicate that income is inelastic to electricity demand while price elasticity to demand is inversely related. Appliance ownership, number of rooms, location and ecological zones significantly affected electricity demand. The mean efficiency score is 63.0% for the entire sample and, 69.9% and 66.3% for rural and urban households respectively, suggesting the existence of an immense potential for implementation of energy efficiency measures. Factors that negatively influence efficiency included education, ageing and power outages. Households living in bungalows and apartments are less efficient compared to those in compound houses possibly because of selfmonitoring behaviour. Compared to very poor households, poor and non-poor households are less efficient in electricity consumption while public sector employees are less energy efficient compared to the unemployed. Policy choices should focus on standardization of appliances, education on energy efficiency and development of the rural appliance markets through incentives.

Source: UG
Efficiency of private and public primary health facilities accredited by the National Health Insurance Authority in Ghana

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements in a number of health outcome indicators partly due to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Ghana is unlikely to attain all its health-related millennium development goals before the end of 2015. Inefficient use of available limited resources has been cited as a contributory factor for this predicament. This study sought to explore efficiency levels of NHIS-accredited private and public health facilities; ascertain factors that account for differences in efficiency and determine the association between quality care and efficiency levels. METHODS: The study is a cross-sectional survey of NHIS-accredited primary health facilities (n = 64) in two regions in southern Ghana. Data Envelopment Analysis was used to estimate technical efficiency of sampled health facilities while Tobit regression was employed to predict factors associated with efficiency levels. Spearman correlation test was performed to determine the association between quality care and efficiency. RESULTS: Overall, 20 out of the 64 health facilities (31 %) were optimally efficient relative to their peers. Out of the 20 efficient facilities, 10 (50 %) were Public/government owned facilities; 8 (40 %) were Private-for-profit facilities and 2 (10 %) were Private-not-for-profit/Mission facilities. Mission (Coef. = 52.1; p = 0.000) and Public (Coef. = 42.9; p = 0.002) facilities located in the Western region (predominantly rural) had higher odds of attaining the 100 % technical efficiency benchmark than those located in the Greater Accra region (largely urban). No significant association was found between technical efficiency scores of health facilities and many technical quality care proxies, except in overall quality score per the NHIS accreditation data (Coef. = -0.3158; p < 0.05) and SafeCare Essentials quality score on environmental safety for staff and patients (Coef. = -0.2764; p < 0.05) where the association was negative. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest some level of wastage of health resources in many healthcare facilities, especially those located in urban areas. The Ministry of Health and relevant stakeholders should undertake more effective need analysis to inform resource allocation, distribution and capacity building to promote efficient utilization of limited resources without compromising quality care standards.

Source: UG
Efficiency, equity and feasibility of strategies to identify the poor: An application to premium exemptions under National Health Insurance in Ghana

Objectives: This paper outlines the potential strategies to identify the poor, and assesses their feasibility, efficiency and equity. Analyses are illustrated for the case of premium exemptions under National Health Insurance (NHI) in Ghana. Methods: A literature search in Medline search was performed to identify strategies to identify the poor. Models were developed including information on demography and poverty, and costs and errors of in- and exclusion of these strategies in two regions in Ghana. Results: Proxy means testing (PMT), participatory welfare ranking (PWR), and geographic targeting (GT) are potentially useful strategies to identify the poor, and vary in terms of their efficiency, equity and feasibility. Costs to exempt one poor individual range between US$11.63 and US$66.67, and strategies may exclude up to 25% of the poor. Feasibility of strategies is dependent on their aptness in rural/urban settings, and administrative capacity to implement. A decision framework summarizes the above information to guide policy making. Conclusions: We recommend PMT as an optimal strategy in relative low poverty incidence urbanized settings, PWR as an optimal strategy in relative low poverty incidence rural settings, and GT as an optimal strategy in high incidence poverty settings. This paper holds important lessons not only for NHI in Ghana but also for other countries implementing exemption policies. © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Source: UG
Efficient method development for atrazine determination in soil samples

Atrazine is a worldwide herbicide used to control pre- and post-emergence broadleaf and grassy weeds in major crops. Being both effective and inexpensive, it is well-suited to production systems with very narrow profit margins, asis often the case with maize. However, due to atrazineís ground water contamination potential and its association with birth defects and menstrual problems when consumed by humans at concentrations even below governmentstandards; environmental media monitoring for atrazine are inevitable. The objective of this study was to investigate a proposed ìsafe, cheap and relatively fastî analytical technique for the routine monitoring of atrazine in soil samples by high performance liquid chromatography equipped with ultra-violet detector and/or gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The method uses acetonitrile as the extracting solvent, and a self-packed activated silica gel for clean-up of extract. The proposed method exhibited good sensitivity and recovery, and allowed for rapid analysis. For soil analysis, a single chemist could prepare test solutions from 15 corresponding homogenized samples within 4 hours.

Source: UG
Efficient method developmentfor atrazine determination in soilsamples

Atrazine is a worldwide herbicide used to control pre- and post-emergence broadleaf and grassy weeds in major crops. Being both effective and inexpensive, it is well-suited to production systems with very narrow profit margins, asis often the case with maize. However, due to atrazineís ground water contamination potential and its association with birth defects and menstrual problems when consumed by humans at concentrations even below governmentstandards; environmental media monitoring for atrazine are inevitable. The objective of this study was to investigate a proposed ìsafe, cheap and relatively fastî analytical technique for the routine monitoring of atrazine in soil samples by high performance liquid chromatography equipped with ultra-violet detector and/or gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The method uses acetonitrile as the extracting solvent, and a self-packed activated silica gel for clean-up of extract. The proposed method exhibited good sensitivity and recovery, and allowed for rapid analysis. For soil analysis, a single chemist could prepare test solutions from 15 corresponding homogenized samples within 4 hours

Source: UG
Efficient piecewise trees for the generalized skew vasicek model with discontinuous drift

In this paper, we explore two new tree lattice methods, the piecewise binomial tree and the piecewise trinomial tree for both the bond prices and European/American bond option prices assuming that the short rate is given by a generalized skew Vasicek model with discontinuous drift coefficient. These methods build nonuniform jump size piecewise binomial/trinomial tree based on a tractable piecewise process, which is derived from the original process according to a transform. Numerical experiments of bonds and European/American bond options show that our approaches are efficient as well as reveal several price features of our model. © 2017 World Scientific Publishing Company.

Source: UG
'Efie' or the meanings of 'home' among female and male Ghanaian migrants in Toronto, Canada and returned migrants to Ghana

Review books or articles provide a critical and constructive analysis of existing published literature in a field, through summary, analysis, and comparison, often identifying specific gaps or problems and providing recommendations for future research. These are considered as secondary literature since they generally do not present new data from the author's experimental work. Review articles can be of three types, broadly speaking: literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. It also the researcher to stay abreast of new literature in the field.

Source: UG