ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Dental calculus as a useful tool for public health evidence in past populations: The case of two individuals from Begho-Ghana (10th—19th C. AD)

Background. — Numerous studies have demonstrated that dental calculus is a concrete store house of the oral microbiome and micro-remains of dietary and non-dietary origin. Dental calculus analysis allows insight into past populations’ dietary contents and public health con cerns. This study aimed at questioning whether two individuals from Begho (Ghana) were at risk of industrial pollution from their dental calculus samples. Materials and method. — Three calculus samples from the two adult individuals were subjected to X-ray fluorescence analysis using the Rigaku NEX CG X-ray fluorescence machine. After cali bration with a bead of borosilicate, the 3.5 g samples were run for 15—20 minutes along with the Rigaku NEX CG XRF fundamental parameters (FP) double determination approach and a helium gas test flow rate of 0.660 ml/min. Results are semi-quantitative determinations in percent values.Results. — In total, 59 elements and 55 molecular fingerprints were automatically generated. Oxygen and calcium elements were high for all samples, and variations in Fe, Si, and Al ele ments and corresponding oxides were evidenced in the three samples. The dental calculus analysis revealed an expected composition of calcified aluminium silicate, minimal traces of industrial pollutants such as lead, mercury, and chromium, and no trace of arsenic, antimony, and cadmium. Conclusion. — By analyzing dental calculus in direct correlation with alimentation, we assert that the two individuals sampled were not exposed to lead, chromium, mercury, arsenic, anti mony, and cadmium in Begho (10th—19th C. AD). We infer that industrial pollutants did not jeopardize the health of these Begho individuals.

Source: UG
Depletion of trypanosome CTR9 leads to gene expression defects

The Paf complex of Opisthokonts and plants contains at least five subunits: Paf1, Cdc73, Rtf1, Ctr9, and Leo1. Mutations in, or loss of Paf complex subunits have been shown to cause defects in histone modification, mRNA polyadenylation, and transcription by RNA polymerase I and RNA polymerase II. We here investigated trypanosome CTR9, which is essential for trypanosome survival. The results of tandem affinity purification suggested that trypanosome CTR9 associates with homologues of Leo1 and Cdc73; genes encoding homologues of Rtf1 and Paf1 were not found. RNAi targeting CTR9 resulted in at least ten-fold decreases in 131 essential mRNAs: they included several that are required for gene expression and its control, such as those encoding subunits of RNA polymerases, exoribonucleases that target mRNA, RNA helicases and RNA-binding proteins. Simultaneously, some genes from regions subject to chromatin silencing were derepressed, possibly as a secondary effect of the loss of two proteins that are required for silencing, ISWI and NLP1.

Source: UG
Deploying triple artemisinin‑based combination therapy (TACT) for malaria treatment in Africa: ethical and practical considerations

Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa, particularly in children under five years of age. Availability of effective anti-malarial drug treatment is a cornerstone for malaria control and eventual malaria elimination. Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is worldwide the first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria, but the ACT drugs are starting to fail in Southeast Asia because of drug resistance. Resistance to artemisinins and their partner drugs could spread from Southeast Asia to Africa or emerge locally, jeopardizing the progress made in malaria control with the increasing deployment of ACT in Africa. The development of triple artemisinin-based combination therapy (TACT) could contribute to mitigating the risks of artemisinin and partner drug resistance on the African continent. However, there are pertinent ethical and practical issues that ought to be taken into consideration. In this paper, the most important ethical tensions, some implementation practicalities and preliminary thoughts on addressing them are discussed. The discussion draws upon data from randomized clinical studies using TACT combined with ethical principles, published literature and lessons learned from the introduction of artemisinin-based combinations in African markets.

Source: UG
Depression and Coping Strategies among the Students in the University of Ghana

This study examined the prevalence of depression of the students at the University of Ghana, the perceived causes and the coping strategies they use. Three hundred and twelve students were drawn from Legon and Accra City Campuses of the University of Ghana through stratified sampling. A self designed questionnaire and Beck’s Depression Inventory was used to collect the data. Repeated Measures, ANOVA, t-test and Regression Analyses were used to analyze the results which revealed that students had mild depression and their major stressors were related to the academic load. The stressors affected mostly Level 300 students and those on Study leave. The stressors accounted for 43% of the signs of depression in them. Females had more signs of depression whilst level 400 students had the least signs. The commonly used coping strategy was the cognitive. The recommendations centred mainly on addressing academic problems and organizing stress management workshops for them.

Source: UG
Depression and glycaemic control among type 2 diabetes patients: a cross-sectional study in a tertiary healthcare facility in Ghana

Background Diabetes and depression are both chronic debilitating conditions, and their coexistence has been associated with adverse outcomes. In this study, we investigated the association between glycaemic control and depression in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients attending a tertiary healthcare facility in Ghana. Methodology In a cross-sectional study design, Patient Health Questionnare-9 (PHQ-9) was used to assess depression in 400 T2DM, aged 30–65 years. Anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were measured. Venous blood was collected to measure the levels of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Results The prevalence of depression was 31.3% among T2DM patients. Female gender, being unmarried, frequent intake of alcohol, previous smoking status and insulin use were associated with increased odds of depression, whereas being educated above basic school level was associated with a decreased odds of depression. In a multivariable logistic regression model, being unmarried and poor glycaemic control were associated with an increase in odds of depression after adjusting for age, gender, and social factors. The association between depression and glycaemic control was attenuated when clinical factors were introduced into the model. Conclusion In our study population, we found that depression is common among Ghanaians with T2DM, and not associated with poor glycaemic control in a fully multivariable-adjusted model.

Source: UG
Depression, anxiety and quality of life among women living with breast cancer in Ghana: mediating roles of social support and religiosity

Purpose Depression and anxiety are common mental health comorbidities found among women living with breast cancer. The presence of these mental health comorbidities results in decreased quality of life among patients. However, the indirect effects of depression and anxiety on quality of life have not been fully established. This study therefore examined the direct and indirect effects of depression and anxiety on quality of life through social support and religiosity. Methods Using a cross-sectional survey, 205 purposively selected participants were administered measures of depression and anxiety, social support, religiosity and quality of life. The statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) with PROCESS Macro was used for mediation analyses. Results Findings showed that there were significant direct negative effects of depression and anxiety on quality of life. Whereas depression had a significant negative indirect effect on quality of life through social support (b = − 0.247, 95% CI = − 0.482 to − 0.071), anxiety had a significant positive indirect effect on quality of life through social support (b = 0.142, 95%CI = 0.011 to 0.324). However, depression and anxiety did not have any significant indirect effect on quality of life through religiosity. Conclusion These findings suggest that there is the need to examine the mental health of women living with breast cancer as part of the routine healthcare, and social support ties should be strengthened to improve their quality of life.

Source: UG
Depressive symptomatology in adolescents in Ghana: Examination of psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9

Background: The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) has been used extensively in research and clinical settings. However, there is limited information regarding the psychometric properties of the PHQ-9 among adolescents, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: Data were collected from 553 adolescents (girls = 322, 58.1%) using a cross-sectional survey design to investigate the factorial validity, construct validity and internal consistency of the PHQ-9 in Ghana. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and multi-group CFA support a one-factor structure of the PHQ-9 that was invariant across gender. The PHQ-9 correlates significantly with measures of anxiety, depression, mental wellbeing, and suicidal behavior. The internal consistency of the PHQ-9 was 0.71. Limitation: The study did not include a gold standard measure of depression to assess the diagnostic properties (e.g., sensitivity and specificity) of the PHQ-9. Conclusion: The results suggest that major depressive disorder, measured by the PHQ-9, is a homogeneous construct across gender and that the PHQ-9 can be used to screen for depressive symptoms in adolescent boys and girls in Ghana. © 2019 Elsevier B.V.

Source: UG
Deprivations among children in ghana: Evidence from the 2006 multiple indicator cluster survey

Very little is documented in the literature regarding direct measurement of child poverty and disparity in the Ghanaian context. The present study examines the extent and distribution of severe deprivation and absolute poverty among children in the country using the 2006 Ghana Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey as data source. The findings show that children experience severe and less severe deprivation more in sanitation than any other indicator of child deprivation (38.5 and 29.4%, respectively) followed by education, shelter and information. Almost 30% of children suffer from lack of toilet facilities, the most frequent case of any deprivation in the country. Male and female children are likely to experience at least two severe deprivations than one. The proportion of children experiencing any deprivations is generally high for both boys and girls outstanding disparities also emerge when ethnicity, religion, region and type of place of residence are examined. In all the seven severe deprivations, rural dwellers are worse off than their urban counterparts. This underscores the need for more balanced provision of social amenities between the urban and rural areas. It is important to raise national awareness on poor sanitation and its effects on the health and development of children. © Medwell Journals, 2010.

Source: UG
Depth-based correlation analysis between the density of lineaments in the crystalline basement’s weathered zones and groundwater occurrences within the Voltaian basin, Ghana

Geological structures have been shown by studies to have influence on the occurrence, storage and transportation of groundwater. Understanding the structural network of an area unearths a deep insight into the groundwater dynamics of the area. A geologi cal structural analysis was carried out to reveal the geological structural network of Ghana’s Voltaian basin. Using aeromagnetic data, structural density models were gen erated using the Center for Exploration Targeting grid analysis technique for two depth ranges (that is up to 100 m and 300 m) over the Voltaian basin. The total length of geo logical structures (lineaments) delineated at depths up to 100 m and 300 m were more than 5000 km and more than 8000 km, respectively. Given this, the study area was observed to be structurally dense at each of the aforementioned depths. The structural density models were discretized into five classes (very low, low, moderate, moderately high and very high regions), each of which was evaluated to determine their spatial asso ciation with known locations of groundwater occurrences within the study area using the frequency ratio technique. Frequency ratio results for both structural density models derived at 100 m and 300 m depths show the existence of a strong correlation between high structural density model classes and the known groundwater occurrences. The structural density models were further evaluated using the receiver operating character istics curve. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve scores indicates that, although both structural density models showed very good performance (with receiver operating characteristics scores greater than 0.7), the 300-m depth structural density model performed better than the structural density model generated at a depth of 100 m (with their receiver operating characteristics scores being 0.721 and 0.715, respectively). The obtained results corroborate with literature assertion that groundwater occurrence within the Voltaian basin is mainly associated with structural features. It is expected that the outputs of this study would guide future groundwater exploration programmes within the study area.

Source: UG
Derivation of Time-Activity Data Using Wearable Cameras and Measures of Personal Inhalation Exposure among Workers at an Informal Electronic-Waste Recovery Site in Ghana

Objectives: Approximately 2 billion workers globally are employed in informal settings, which are characterized by substantial risk from hazardous exposures and varying job tasks and schedules. Existing methods for identifying occupational hazards must be adapted for unregulated and challenging work environments. We designed and applied a method for objectively deriving time-activity patterns from wearable camera data and matched images with continuous measurements of personal inhalation exposure to size-specific particulate matter (PM) among workers at an informal electronic-waste (e-waste) recovery site. Methods: One hundred and forty-two workers at the Agbogbloshie e-waste site in Accra, Ghana, wore sampling backpacks equipped with wearable cameras and real-time particle monitors during a total of 171 shifts. Self-reported recall of time-activity (30-min resolution) was collected during the end of shift interviews. Images (N = 35,588) and simultaneously measured PM2.5 were collected each minute and processed to identify activities established through worker interviews, observation, and existing literature. Descriptive statistics were generated for activity types, frequencies, and associated PM2.5 exposures. A kappa statistic measured agreement between self-reported and image-based time-activity data.Results: Based on image-based time-activity patterns, workers primarily dismantled, sorted/loaded, burned, and transported e-waste materials for metal recovery with high variability in activity duration. Image-based and self-reported time-activity data had poor agreement (kappa = 0.17). Most measured exposures (90%) exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) 24-h ambient PM2.5 target of 25 μg m−3. The average on-site PM2.5 was 81 μg m−3 (SD: 94). PM2.5 levels were highest during burning, sorting/loading and dismantling (203, 89, 83 μg m−3, respectively). PM2.5 exposure during long periods of non-work-related activities also exceeded the WHO standard in 88% of measured data. Conclusions: In complex, informal work environments, wearable cameras can improve occupational exposure assessments and, in conjunction with monitoring equipment, identify activities associated with high exposures to workplace hazards by providing high-resolution time-activity data.

Source: UG
Deriving a linearised Ozone chemistry scheme to be used in a 3-D chemical transport model of the middle atmosphere.

A simple but computer efficient parameterized ozone chemistry is developed to account for updates in reaction rate recommendations, and also completely assess the contributions of the individual catalytic cycles to the ozone budget in the entire stratosphere. Two conceptual approaches, namely total time approach and rate limiting step approach, have been used to im-prove upon an existing comprehensive stratospheric chemistry model to calculate the coefficient of linearised ozone chemistry scheme. The total time approach is accurate in calculating for the coefficients of the ozone chemistry scheme whiles the rate limiting step approach is effective in assessing the contributions of the individual catalytic cycles to the ozone budget. The catalytic cycle with the rate limiting step of NO2/O is very prominent in altitudes between 15 and 48 km, and peaks at 30 km with ozone loss percentage contribution of about 75%. HO2/O rate limiting step dominates above 40 km and peaks around 58 km with about 90% loss contribution to the ozone budget. Rate limiting steps involving BrO were the least ozone loss reactions in the set at the chosen mid-latitude June condition, and they concentrate at the lower stratosphere.

Source: UG
Dermacozine N, the First Natural Linear Pentacyclic Oxazinophenazine with UV–Vis Absorption Maxima in the Near Infrared Region, along with Dermacozines O and P Isolated from the Mariana Trench Sediment Strain Dermacoccus abyssi MT 1.1

Three dermacozines, dermacozines N–P (1–3), were isolated from the piezotolerant Actinomycete strain Dermacoccus abyssi MT 1.1T , which was isolated from a Mariana Trench sediment in 2006. Herein, we report the elucidation of their structures using a combination of 1D/2D NMR, LCHRESI-MSn , UV–Visible, and IR spectroscopy. Further confirmation of the structures was achieved through the analysis of data from density functional theory (DFT)–UV–Visible spectral calculations and statistical analysis such as two tailed t-test, linear regression-, and multiple linear regression analysis applied to either solely experimental or to experimental and calculated 13C-NMR chemical shift data. Dermacozine N (1) bears a novel linear pentacyclic phenoxazine framework that has never been reported as a natural product. Dermacozine O (2) is a constitutional isomer of the known dermacozine F while dermacozine P (3) is 8-benzoyl-6-carbamoylphenazine-1-carboxylic acid. Dermacozine N (1) is unique among phenoxazines due to its near infrared (NIR) absorption maxima, which would make this compound an excellent candidate for research in biosensing chemistry, photodynamic therapy (PDT), opto-electronic applications, and metabolic mapping at the cellular level. Furthermore, dermacozine N (1) possesses weak cytotoxic activity against melanoma (A2058) and hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) with IC50 values of 51 and 38 µM, respectively.

Source: UG
Describing brown as green: an examination of the relationship between greenwashing and consumer negative emotive outcomes

As the demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly products continues to rise, consumers have become more discerning in their brand choices. This has resulted in many companies resorting to greenwashing to appear environmentally friendly. While previous studies have explored different dimensions of greenwashing, its effects on consumer emotive outcomes have not been given much scholarly attention. Therefore, this study sought to examine the relationship between greenwashing and consumer negative emotive outcomes. Additionally, the study examined the potential moderating effect of brand loyalty on the relationship between greenwashing and these negative emotive outcomes. A cross-sectional survey involving a total of 490 respondents with usage experience of green household electronic appliances was utilized. Data were analyzed using the partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach. The results of the analysis revealed a positive correlation between greenwashing and all four negative emotive outcomes examined. Furthermore, the findings demonstrated that brand loyalty plays a positive moderating role in the relationship between greenwashing and negative emotive outcomes. The study thus, strongly recommends that brands engaged in greenwashing discontinue the practice. The consequences of the negative outcomes associated with greenwashing extend beyond a decline in sales performance. It could potentially inflict significant damage on the corporate brand image and reputation. Therefore, brands should prioritize genuine environmental responsibility to mitigate these adverse effects and maintain a positive brand image among consumers.

Source: UG
Description Nautique Des Cotes De L'afrioue Occidentale, Comprises Entre Le Senegal ET L'equateur

Appete au commandement de la station navale des cotes occidentales d' Afrique, au moment Oil il se disposait a publier cette nouvelle edition de la Description nautique des cutes de l'Afrique occidentale comprise entre le Senegal et l'Equateur, M. Ic capitaine de vaisseau E. Bouet- Willaumez n'a pu en surveiller l'impression; aussi, nous bornerons-nous a dire que cette edition est augmentee de plusieurs documents recueillis par l'auteur pendant une nouvelle eroisiere sur les cotes d' Afrique en 1.846. Le chapitre II est entierement neuf. Ce chapitre, qui donne la description de la cote des Bissagos, comprise entre Ie cap Roxo et les iles de Los, n'avait ete redige que sur des materiaux incomplets ; mais nne longue navigation de M. Ch.-Philippe de Kerhallet dans ces parages a permis a cet offlcier de reunir de nombreuses donnees pour le rcfairc entierement. Outre la description de l'archi pel des Bissagos, on trouvera dans ce chapitre des details sur Ie Bio-Ceha, le Rio-Cacheo et Ie Rio-Nunez, ainsi que sur les ressources qu'offrent les tles de Los aux navigateurs. Voici J'Avertissement dont 1\'l. de Kerhallet a fait preceder son

Source: UG
A Description of Physical Activity Levels and Overweight among Senior High School Children in the Accra Metropolis

Physical activity is fundamental to energy balance and weight control. Globally, about 23 per cent of adults and 81 per cent of school-going adolescents are not active enough (WHO). Physical inactivity and the prevalence of overweight are rising at an alarming rate worldwide. It is considered the 4th risk factor for non-communicable diseases and specifically responsible for the increases in overweight among adolescents and adults. There is little evidence on physical activity and overweight among the adolescents in Ghana. This presentation focuses on overweight, obesity, physical activity and inactivity levels among adolescents in the Accra Metropolis. 500 students between the ages of 15 and 19 completed a structured questionnaire. Results indicated that there is a greater risk of overweight among the less physically active. The study recommended that mechanisms must bekk put in place to increase physical activity levels to reduce overweight and non-communicable diseases

Source: UG
A Description of the Coasts of North and South-Guinea; and 0f Ethiopia Inferior, Vulgarly Angola

A Geographical, Political, and Natural History of the Kingdoms, Provinces, Common-Wealth, Territories, and islands belonging to it. Their Product, Inhabitants, Manners, Languages, Trade, Wars, Policy and Religion. With a full Account of all the Eur0pean Settlements; their Rife; Progress, and Present Condition; their Commerce, and Measures for improving the several Branches of the Guinea and Angola Trade.

Source: UG