ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Infection with Mansonella perstans Nematodes in Buruli Ulcer Patients, Ghana

During August 2010–December 2012, we conducted a study of patients in Ghana who had Buruli ulcer, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, and found that 23% were coinfected with Mansonella perstans nematodes; 13% of controls also had M. perstans infection. M. perstans co-infection should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment of Buruli ulcer.

Source: KNUST
Infertility in Ghana: review and studies of the morphology of the Endometrium

The normal cyclic changes in the endometrium are closely correlated with those in the ovary and fertility is dependent, at least partly, on the ordered sequence of structural changes in the endometrium which occur during the cycle. Infertility is generally defined as the inability of couples of reproductive age to achieve pregnancy despite active attempts to do so for more than a year previous studies have shown that the incidence of infertility is higher in developing countries than in developed ones. However, there is very little published information on the incidence of infertility in Ghana. The aims of this study, therefore, were to review the background of the infertile patients and to examine the endometriuin by serial ultrasonographic measurement of endometrial thickness and histological study of endometrial biopsy. The average thickness of the endometrium was greater in the secretory phase (infertile patients, 6.50 +/- 1.32mm; fertile patients 7.88 +/-1.55mm) than in the early proliferative phase (infertile patients, 2.16 +/- 0.57mm; fertile patients, 2.50 +/- 1.00mm). The texture of the endometrium varied throughout the stages of the cycle studied. The endometrium was more echogenic in the secretory phase arecho-poor in the proliferative phase. Ninety-three per cent of the endometrial biopsies showed secretory activity and about 7% showed proliferative activity. Further analysis of endometrial specimens in the infertile patients by the traditional histological criteria revealed that 81.35% showed normal endometrial development whereas in a 11.86% endometrial development was retarded. These observations suggest that in the group of infertile women studied, anovulation was not the cause of infertility in large majority of the cases. In about 10% of the Study population1 the development of the endometrium appeared retarded Ultrasonography offered an effective noninvasive method for evaluating the thickness of the endometrium.

Source: KNUST
Infl uenza outbreak among students in Ghana: a report from three time points

Background: Influenza viruses are known to be responsible for a number of respiratory disease outbreaks worldwide. While there exists documented information on influenza which allows for effective strategic preparedness activities in industrialized countries, the same cannot be said of developing and underdeveloped countries. It therefore behoves on developing countries to document information on circulating strains of influenza. Such information will enable prioritization of prevention and more targeted preparedness strategies. In this paper, we report on three different outbreaks of Influenza A among Ghanaian students in December 2017, May 2019 and December 2019 in the Ashanti region of Ghana. Methods: Throat or nasal samples were collected from all students who presented with signs and symptoms of fl u with flocked swabs, stored in RNAlater and transported to the laboratories of Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) at ambient temperature. Following viral RNA extraction, detection of viral nucleic acid of both influenza A and its subtypes including H1N1 and H3N2 was done by real-time reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Results: A total of 112 samples were taken. An overall Influenza A prevalence of 51.8% (95% CI = 42.1-61.3) was recorded during the three outbreak time points. Of these, 11 (19.0%) were confirmed to be H1N1 (pdm09) and 47 (81.0%) were H3N2 strains. All the 11 H1N1 (pdm09) were identified during the first outbreak. The H3N2 strains were identified during the second and third outbreaks in May 2019 and December 2019 respectively. Our results show that influenza A virus activity was higher during the months of November and December compared to May. Age, contact with infected subjects, temperature, fever within the last 24 hours and headaches showed signifi cant variations (p-value <0.01) with respect to influenza A. Wald’s test revealed that subjects presenting with headaches had about 5 times odds (95%CI = 1.4-17.7) for infl enza A infection compared to subjects without headache (p = 0.014). Conclusion: Our study provides epidemiological information to better understand the incidence and burden of influenza to allow for prioritisation of prevention and control strategies. Such information would aid in controlling and preparing for future influenza epidemics.

Source: KNUST
Inflation Forecasting in Ghana - Artificial Neural Network Model Approach

Price stability is the primary objective of monetary policy in Ghana. To achieve this mandate, the Bank of Ghana has adopted inflation targeting as its monetary policy framework. Indeed, inflation targeting requires good forecasting ability for the monetary authorities. Two approaches i.e. econometric and artificial neural network (ANN) models have been used by some central banks and researchers to forecast inflation. However, the Bank of Ghana and researchers in Ghana have used only econometric models to forecast inflation. This thesis uses both the econometric and ANN methods to predict inflation in Ghana. The econometric models (AR and VAR) and the ANN models (NAR and NARX) were applied to the monthly year-on-year inflation data from Jan. 1991 to Dec. 2011. The models were estimated using the data from Jan. 1991 to Dec. 2010 so as to forecast for the period Jan. 2011 to Dec. 2011. It was found that the forecast errors of the ANN models were lower than those of the econometric models; thus, the ANN predicts inflation better than the econometric models. The policy implication is for the Bank of Ghana and researchers in Ghana to use the ANN model in addition to the econometric models to forecast macroeconomic variables such as the inflation.

Source: KNUST
Inflation targeting, inflation and economic growth in Ghana (1980-2013): an empirical investigation

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) adopted inflation targeting as a nominal anchor in 2007 to address macroeconomic stability. Given Ghana’s chequered history of high volatile inflation and the recent adoption of inflation targeting as an important monetary policy instrument, it is significant to investigate the effect of inflation targeting and inflation on economic growth in Ghana. However, the only known study that investigated the effect of inflation targeting and inflation on economic growth in Ghana did not take inflation volatility into account. This study examines the impact of inflation targeting, inflation level and inflation volatility on economic growth in Ghana. The study used Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to analyze time series data on inflation and real per capita GDP from 1980 – 2013. The results indicate that inflation targeting has a positive and statistically significant impact on economic growth in the long-run, inflation level has a weak negative and significant impact on economic growth in the short-run and inflation volatility has a negative and significant impact on economic growth in both short-term and long-term. Therefore, it is recommended that BoG should strengthen inflation targeting by ensuring a stable financial environment as well as monetary policy accountability and credibility. Also, Ghana needs a comprehensive mix of macroeconomic reforms. Thus the BoG and Ministry of Finance (MoF) should implement interest rate and tax policies that induce investment efficiency in the economy

Source: KNUST
Influence by ph and dissolved oxygen on faecal coliform removal in algal and macrophyte based wastewater treatment systems’

Macrophyte based wastewater treatment systems are gaining recognition worldwide because of economic gains. In the traditional algal based ponds harsh environmental conditions of high and fluctuating DO and pH are triggered by sunlight which destroys pathogens. The presence of a macrophyte will prevent direct light penetration. An experiment was therefore conducted to determine the conditions that will occur under macrophyte-based systems and their effect on pathogen removal. Two experiments were conducted to address this problem. The first was the determination of environmental conditions within a bench scale continuous flow system using Pistia, Duckweed and Algae, and the efficiency of faecal coliform removal within the treatment systems. Results obtained indicated acidic (pH = 4.4), neutral (pH = 6.7) and alkaline (pH = 9) in Pistia, Duckweed and Algae respectively. Pistia and Duckweed systems did not show any significant fluctuations in pH during the day. The algal based system rather showed higher values in the afternoon due to photosynthesis. Dissolved oxygen increased in the afternoons in the algal and pistia based systems whiles values decreased at the same time in the duckweed-based ponds. In the second experiment, the effect of pH on faecal coliforms was determined in the treatment systems. The results showed that pH 4 and greater than or equal to 9 are lethal to faecal coliforms. It indicated in effect that environmental conditions created in the macrophyte-based ponds are not as harsh as those created in the algal based ponds. They may therefore not be able to remove pathogens efficiently.

Source: KNUST
Inflation targeting, inflation and economic growth in Ghana (1980-2013): an empirical investigation

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) adopted inflation targeting as a nominal anchor in 2007 to address macroeconomic stability. Given Ghana’s chequered history of high volatile inflation and the recent adoption of inflation targeting as an important monetary policy instrument, it is significant to investigate the effect of inflation targeting and inflation on economic growth in Ghana. However, the only known study that investigated the effect of inflation targeting and inflation on economic growth in Ghana did not take inflation volatility into account. This study examines the impact of inflation targeting, inflation level and inflation volatility on economic growth in Ghana. The study used Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to analyze time series data on inflation and real per capita GDP from 1980 – 2013. The results indicate that inflation targeting has a positive and statistically significant impact on economic growth in the long-run, inflation level has a weak negative and significant impact on economic growth in the short-run and inflation volatility has a negative and significant impact on economic growth in both short-term and long-term. Therefore, it is recommended that BoG should strengthen inflation targeting by ensuring a stable financial environment as well as monetary policy accountability and credibility. Also, Ghana needs a comprehensive mix of macroeconomic reforms. Thus the BoG and Ministry of Finance (MoF) should implement interest rate and tax policies that induce investment efficiency in the economy.

Source: KNUST
Influence of age and Cultivar on Yield and Quality of Starch/Flour Extracted from Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

The work aimed at evaluating the effects of age at harvest and cultivar on the yield and physico-chemical properties of cassava starch and flour. Ten cassava cultivars (Ampong, Sika bankye, Ahwengyanka, Nkabom, Sisipe 290, Bankye hemaa, Bensere, Tuaka, Doku-duade and Nyamebekyere) were used. Agronomic data were collected on plant height, canopy width, and height at branching at 4, 6, 8 and 10 Months After Planting (MAP). Data were also collected on Root yield, Harvest index, Starch content, Starch and Flour yields at 8 and 11 MAP. Physico-chemical analysis was carried out on Solubility, Swelling power and Water-binding capacity of flour and starch. The results showed that starch yield ranged from 2.52 – 5.99 at 8 MAP and 6.29 – 8.56 t/ha 11 MAP. Flour yield also ranged from 5.70 – 9.46 t/ha at 8 MAP, and from 10.82 – 12.53 t/ha at 11 MAP. Swelling power of flour ranged from 10.00 – 15.84 g/g at 8 MAP and 12.04 – 18.31 g/g at 11 MAP. Swelling power of starch also ranged from 7.20 – 12.69 g/g at 8 MAP and from 7.78 – 11.97 g/g at 11 MAP. Water-binding capacity was high and the range was 176.3 – 244.0 % at 8 MAP and 183.1 – 215.7 % at 11 MAP for flour whiles that of starch ranged from 68.01 – 77.70 % at 8 MAP and 62.61 – 76.01 % at 11 MAP. Solubility was also high for both starch and flour and the values ranged from 66.44 – 78.26 % at 8 MAP and 45.08 – 72.78 % at 11 MAP for flour whereas the values for starch were 37.68 – 76.31 % at 8 MAP and 53.04 – 74.06 % at 11 MAP. From the results obtained it was inferred that age at harvest significantly (p < 0.05) affected starch and flour yields, but not solubility, swelling power and water-binding capacity. Cultivar effect was however not significantly different.

Source: KNUST
The influence of applied nitrogen on nitrogen fixation and Bradyrhizobiuaz interstrain competition in intercropping systems

Sole cropping of cereals has been viewed as contributing to a rapid decline in soil fertility. The incorporation of legumes in such farming systems, apart from offering food security, has the potential to improve soil fertility, through dinitrogen fixation. Such benefits are influenced by available soil nitrogen and indigenous rhizobial populations. The study was designed to determine (i) the starter nitrogen requirement of some cowpea and peanut cultivation (ii) Bradyrhizobium inter-strain competition and (iii) quantify the amount of dinitrogen fixed in such cropping systems using the 15N-dilution technique. To achieve the above objectives greenhouse and field studies were conducted. The pot experiment evaluated the influence of starter nitrogen application (0 5, 10 and 35 mgkg‾1 soil), legumes-cereal cultivar combinations on dinitrogen fixation in a soil of high indigenous rhizobia population. Selected legume-cereal combinations were put on a field trial at higher nitrogen fertilization rate (5, 50 and 300 g ha‾1) and also evaluated dinitrogen fixation. Both pot and field experiments were split-split plot deigns with four replicates In the starter nitrogen experiment, there was espouse to inoculation for measured parameters for both legumes an component cereals. The starter nitrogen application of 10 an 35 mg N kg‾1 was found to be suitable for both cowpea and peanut. Mixed cropped legume components fixed significantly more dinitrogen than the sole crops. Aburotia and Local -29 were found to be suitable reference crops for Soronko and sinkarzei respectively. In the field, the rate of 50kgNha‾1 enhanced growth parameters compared with 5 and 300kgNha‾1. 300 kg ha‾1 of nitrogen application suppressed nodule formation and development and consequently dinitrogen fixation. Nodule occupancy was highest with TAL 209 (61.27%) compared with TAL 658 and TAL 169 which occupied 48,47% and 30.86% respectively of nodules. With peanut strains TAL 169 was a better competitor occupying 56.15% of nodules followed by TAL 1371 (45.10%) and TAL 1000 (31.30%) was the least. The results indicate that (i) a good selection of compatible cultivars of legumes and cereals for use in field experiments is a pre-requisite for increased yield and dinitrogen fixation in intercropping systems (ii) Response to inoculation can be achieved provided the strains are effective and more competitive than the native rhizobia populations and may not be influenced by these populations. (iii) Though nitrogen is required for increased yield production, nitrogen application as high as 300 gNha‾1 inhibited nodulation and dinitrogen fixation and (iv) Interspecific competition among intercropped components is much more antagonistic to the legume than the cereal.

Source: KNUST
The influence of applied nitrogen on nitrogen fixation and Bradyrhizobium interstrain competition in intercropping systems

Sole cropping of cereals has been viewed as contributing to a rapid decline in soil fertility. The incorporation of legumes in such farming systems, apart from offering food security, has the potential to improve soil fertility, through dinitrogen fixation. Such benefits are influenced by available soil nitrogen and indigenous rhizobial populations. The study was designed to determine (1) the starter nitrogen requirement of some cowpea and peanut cultivars (ii) Bradyrhizobiuin inter-strain competition and (iii) quantify the amount of dinitrogen, fixed in such cropping systems using the 15N-dilution technique. To achieve the above objectives, greenhouse and field studies were conducted. The pot experiment evaluated the influence of starter nitrogen application (0, 5, 10, and 35 mgkg-1 soil), legumes-cereal cultivar combinations on dinitrogen fixation in a soil of high indigenous rhizobia population. Selected legume-cereal combinations were put on a field trial at higher nitrogen fertilization rate (5, 50 and 300 g ha-1) and also evaluated dinitrogen fixation. Both pot and field experiments were split-split plot designs with four replicates. In the starter nitrogen experiment, there was response to inoculation for measured parameters for both legumes and component cereals. The starter nitrogen application of 10 and 35 mg N kg-1 was found to be suitable for both cowpea and peanut. Mixed cropped legume components fixed significantly more dinitrogen than the sole crops. Aburotia and Local-29 were found to be suitable reference crops for Soronko an Sinkarzej respectively. In the field, the rate of 50kgNha-1 enhanced growth parameters compared with 5 and 300kgNha-1. 300 kg ha-1 of nitrogen application suppressed nodule formation and development and consequently dinitrogen fixation. Nodule occupancy was highest with TAL 209 (61.27%) compared with TAL 658 and TAL 169 which occupied 48.47% and 30.86% respectively of nodules. With peanut strains TAL 169 was a better competitor occupying 56.15% of nodules followed by TAL 1371 (45.10%) and TAL 1000 (31.30%) was the least. The results indicate that (i) •a good selection of compatible cultivars of legumes and cereals for use in field experiments is a pre-requisite for increased yield and dinitrogen fixation in intercropping systems (ii) Response to inoculation can be achieved provided the strains are effective and more competitive than the native rhizobia populations and may not be influenced by these populations. (iii) Though nitrogen is required for increased yield production, nitrogen application as high as 300 gNha-1 inhibited nodulation and dinitrogen fixation and (iv) Interspecific competition among intercropped components is much more antagonistic to the legume than the cereal.

Source: KNUST
Influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus on early growth and nodulation of indigenous albizia species

This study was conducted to determine the response of four (4) species of arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus clarum, Glomus iritraradices, Glomus etunicatum, Gigaspora rosea) on early growth and nodulation of Albizia species (A. adianthifolia, A. ferruginea, and A. zygia), and to evaluate the interaction of phosphorus-fertilizer in the form of tripple superphosphate (TSP) with arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungus (Glomus clarum). Albizia seedlings were grown in pots under nursery conditions and treatments applied to both sterilised and unsterilised soil conditions. Arbuscular- mycorrhizal fungi differed in their effectiveness in enhancing early growth, dry matter accumulation, nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) uptake and root colonization in all the three Albizia species. Glomus intraradices was the most preferred fungus in A. adianthifolia, Glomus clarum in A. ferruginea and Glomus etunicatum in A. zygia. In general, Glomus clarum proved to be the most efficient fungus in almost all the parameters considered. Moreover, A. ferruginea gave the most promising initial growth characteristics as well as nutrient uptake and root colonization. However, sterilised uninoculated soil treatment showed superiority in almost all the three Albizia species in terms of the growth measurements taken which was contrary to earlier reports made by some authors but recorded significantly low root colonization. -Phosphorus addition in the form of TSP markedly stimulated nodulation (nodule number and nodule dry weight), increased plant growth, nutrient uptake and mycorrhizal infection in both uninoculated and inoculated seedlings of A. ferruginea but more pronounced in the inoculated seedlings. Phosphorus fertilizer application at 50kg/ha (l00mgTSP) gave significantly higher plant growth and arbuscular- mycorrhizal fungal infection whilst these parameters declined above l00kg/ha(200mgTSP). The outcome of this study indicates that arbuscular- mycorrhizal fungi differ in their effectiveness on indigenous Albizia species. In P-deficient soils it is possible to reduce the phosphorus fertilizer application with AM fungal inoculation and still maintain high productivity. Therefore in most tropical soils AM fungi strains may help plant growth and establishment on degraded soil or plants that cannot adequately meet their nutrient requirements.

Source: KNUST
Influence of Catalyst Type on Biodiesel Production Using Seed Oil of Jatropha Curcas

The use of biodiesel has grown dramatically during the last few years and is becoming a key component in the motor diesel pool because of its attractive features. In the present thesis, a comparison is made of catalysts (homogeneous basic - sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide; homogeneous acidic catalyst – sulphuric acid and heterogeneous catalyst – calcium oxide, magnesium oxide and zeolite) for methanolysis of indigenous Jatropha curcas seed oil. The variables studied were temperature, the types and the catalyst concentration by weight of jatropha curcas seed oil, the reaction time and the methanol: vegetable oil molar ratio, while the response was biodiesel yield. In addition, the Jatropha curcas seed oil as well as the biodiesels produced were evaluated for quality characteristics. These were conducted using standard analytical methods. The physicochemical properties recorded for the Jatropha curcas seed oil were: saponification value 195.3mg/g, iodine value 104.13mg/g, acid value 3.86mgKOH/g, density 918kg/m3 @ 28oC, kinematic viscosity 42.6mm2/s, refractive index 1.465 and % free fatty acids 1.92%. Nearly 80% yields were obtained for the basic homogeneous base catalyst – NaOH, KOH and NaOH/KOH mixture (78%) when the reaction was conducted at 60oC, 6:1 methanol-oil molar ratio and 2%w/w catalyst concentration for 30minutes. The maximum biodiesel yield of nearly 30% were achieved for the heterogeneous catalyst – CaO, MgO and zeolite at 60oC, 25: 1 methanol-oil molar ratio and 0.5%w/w catalyst concentration for 48hrs. The homogeneous acidic catalyst produced a 25.2% biodiesel yield at 60oC, 35:1 methanol-oil molar ratio and 1% w/w catalyst concentration for 48hrs. The fuel properties of the biodiesel produced from the indigenous Jatropha curcas seed oil were density 881.4 - 886kg/m3, total sulphur 0.02-0.05ppm, kinematic viscosity 4.2 - 6.5mm2/s, pour point -3 to 2oC, carbon residue 0.11 - 0.0.2%wt, total acid 0.14 - 0.37mmKOH/g, total ash 0.001 - 0.023%wt, cetane index 54.55 - 56.30, basic water and sediment 0.10%vol and sodium metal content 0.78 – 6.33ppm. From the results it was found that the biodiesel fuel produced, whether by homogeneous basic catalyst or homogeneous acid catalyst, was within the recommended standards of biodiesel fuel except for the kinematic viscosity of 6.5mm2/s, density of 886kg/m3 and sodium metal content of 6.33ppm which deviated marginally from the ASTM recommended limits.

Source: KNUST