ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
“I always tried to forget about the condition and pretend I was healed”: coping with cervical cancer in rural Ghana

Background: Cervical cancer is a very common disease among women in Ghana and in the world as a whole. However, there is a dearth of information on the mechanisms cervical cancer patients adopt to cope with the condition in Ghana. This study sought to explore the strategies adopted by cervical cancer patients in rural Ghana to cope with the disease. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data from cervical cancer patients in a health facility in the Volta Region of Ghana. Data processing was done using the R software package for Qualitative Data Analysis (RQDA) and a thematic approach was used to analyse and present the results. Results: The results show that cervical cancer patients adopted personal and psychological strategies such as sexual abstinence, personal hygiene, and disease denial to cope with the condition. Respondents also described social, financial and non-material support services they received from family members and the church as critical resources, which helped them to manage the conditions of the disease. Respondents also reported that faith healing, herbal and orthodox medicines helped them to manage the symptoms of the disease. Conclusions: Cervical cancer patients used a variety of coping strategies to manage the disease. Yet, it will be essential for interventions to focus on strengthening knowledge about the disease. his study underscores the need for financial, social and material support as well as an encouragement of the use of health services among cervical cancer patients

Source: UCC
I think therefore I am: linking human exploitation to religious irrationality in Kourouma’s Allah Is Not obliged

Kourouma’s narrative texts bring to the fore misery and desperation, resulting largely from human exploitation connected to ignorance and religious irrationality. Descartes’ all time famous statement “I think therefore I am” grounds the essence of human existence on thinking. Descartes’ assertion has implications for religion when it is postulated as the quest for the ultimate source of meaning in life. Kourouma’s (2000) Allah is Not Obliged establishes a link between human exploitation and unsound practice of religion, revealing his nauseating aversion to and denunciation of irrational religion. From literary and philosophy of religion perspectives, Allah is Not Obliged can be read as a narrative that raises consciousness about the potential of irrational religion becoming a source of exploitation and mental enslavement. Within the framework of such reading, Allah is Not Obliged becomes a plea for an intra-cultural critique of African religiosity

Source: UCC
ICT and Higher Educational System in Nigeria

This paper examines the integration of ICT in higher education in Nigeria. The possibilities and reach of information technologies can tear down territorial boundaries and make available equal information and knowledge of different categories as soon as necessary data are fed on the website. Nevertheless, Nigeria as a nation is yet to take full advantage of the possibilities of ICT-driven education. This paper highlights the challenges of ICT-driven education in Nigeria, the journey so far and the relevance of ICT in the nation’s higher educational system. Recommendations made include adequate funding of ICT-driven initiatives in the education sector and a sound policy environment which encourages investment in ICT.

Source: UCC
ICT integration in student data management in the University of Cape Coast

The study assessed the extent to which University of Cape Coast administrators integrated ICT into student data management and obstacles militating against this process. Using Dinesh Thakur’s Information Management modal, this study focused specifically on ICT utilisation in the collection, analysis, storage, retrieval and dissemination of student data. The sample size for the study was 234, comprising 39 Senior Members in Administration, 181 Senior Staff Administrators, 1 ICT coordinator and 21 Heads of Departments. The cross-sectional descriptive survey was used in the study. Questionnaires and an observational checklist were designed for data collection from respondents who were randomly selected from both academic and administrative departments. Data analysis was done with the SPSS using descriptive statistical tools such as frequencies and percentages. Major findings and conclusions are that, though the administrators appreciated the effectives of ICT in the capturing, storing, analysing, retrieval and disseminating student data, some critical ICT resources were still inadequate. Again, the high cost of ICT resources, unstable electricity supply, interrupted internet services, and the frequent breakdown of resources were reported to be hindering the ICT integration process. Hence for effective student data management, University management need to provide the needed quantities and quality of all ICT resources indicated in its Strategic Plan (2012-2017) in addition to regular staff training to promote usage. Furthermore, the study recommends that an alternative source of electricity should be obtained by all units to guarantee constant supply of power for an efficient ICT use.

Source: UCC
ICT Use in the Teaching of Mathematics: Implications for Professional Development of Pre-Service Teachers in Ghana

Included in the contemporary mathematics curricula in Ghana is the expectation that mathematics teachers will integrate technology in their teaching. However, importance has not been placed on preparing teachers to use ICT in their instruction. This paper reports on a study conducted to explore the feasibility of ICT use in mathematics teaching at senior high school levels in Ghana. Interviews and survey data were used for data collection. Preliminary results showed that mathematics teachers in Ghana do not integrate ICT in their mathematics instruction. Among the major perceived barriers identified were: Lack of knowledge about ways to integrate ICT in lesson and Lack of training opportunities for ICT integration knowledge acquisition. To overcome some of these barriers, opportunities of a professional development arrangement for pre-service mathematics teachers were explored. Findings from the study revealed specific features of a professional development scenario that matters for ICT integration in mathematics teaching in the context of Ghana.

Source: UCC
Identifcation and QTL mapping of resistance to Turnip yellows virus (TuYV) in oilseed rape, Brassica napus

Turnip yellows virus (TuYV) is transmitted by the peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae) and causes severe yield losses in commercial oilseed rape crops (Brassica napus). There is currently only one genetic resource for resistance to TuYV available in brassica, which was identifed in the re-synthesised B. napus line ‘R54’. In our study, 27 mostly homozygous B. napus accessions, either doubled-haploid (DH) or inbred lines, representing a diverse subset of the B. napus genepool, were screened for TuYV resistance/susceptibility. Partial resistance to TuYV was identifed in the Korean spring oilseed rape, B. napus variety Yudal, whilst the dwarf French winter oilseed rape line Darmor-bzh was susceptible. QTL mapping using the established Darmor-bzh × Yudal DH mapping population (DYDH) revealed one major QTL explaining 36% and 18% of the phenotypic variation in two independent experiments. A DYDH line was crossed to Yudal, and reciprocal backcross (BC1) populations from the F1 with either the susceptible or resistant parent revealed the dominant inheritance of the TuYV resistance. The QTL on ChrA04 was verifed in the segregating BC1 population. A second minor QTL on ChrC05 was identifed in one of the two DYDH experiments, and it was not observed in the BC1 population. The TuYV resistance QTL in ‘R54’ is within the QTL interval on Chr A04 of Yudal; however, the markers co-segregating with the ‘R54’ resistance are not conserved in Yudal, suggesting an independent origin of the TuYV resistances. This is the frst report of the QTL mapping of TuYV resistance in natural B. napus

Source: UCC
Identifcation and validation of a gene causing cross-resistance between insecticide classes in Anopheles ambiae from Ghana

In the last decade there have been marked reductions in malaria incidence in sub-Saharan Africa. Sustaining these reductions will rely upon insecticides to control the mosquito malaria vectors. We report that in the primary African malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae ensu tricto, a single enzyme, CYP6M2, confers resistance to two classes of insecticide. This is unique evidence in a disease vector of cross-resistance associated with a single metabolic gene that simultaneously reduces the efficacy of two of the four classes of insecticide routinely used for malaria control. The gene-expression profile of a highly DDT-resistant population of A. gambiae .s. from Ghana was characterized using a unique whole-genome microarray. A number of genes were significantly overexpressed compared with two susceptible West African colonies, including genes from metabolic families previously linked to insecticide resistance. One of the most significantly overexpressed probe groups (false-discovery rate-adjusted P < 0.0001) belonged to the cytochrome P450 gene CYP6M2. This gene is associated with pyrethroid resistance in wild A. gambiae .s. populations) and can metabolize both type I and type II pyrethroids in recombinant protein assays. Using in vitro assays we show that recombinant CYP6M2 is also capable of metabolizing the organochlorine insecticide DDT in the presence of solubilizing factor sodium cholate

Source: UCC
Identification and Characterization of a Cis-Encoded Antisense RNA Associated with the Replication Process of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi

Antisense RNAs that originate from the complementary strand of protein coding genes are involved in the regulation of gene expression in all domains of life. In bacteria, some of these antisense RNAs are transcriptional noise whiles others play a vital role to adapt the cell to changing environmental conditions. By deep sequencing analysis of transcriptome of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, a partial RNA sequence encoded in-cis to the dnaA gene was revealed. Northern blot and RACE analysis confirmed the transcription of this antisense RNA which was expressed mostly in the stationary phase of the bacterial growth and also under iron limitation and osmotic stress. Pulse expression analysis showed that overexpression of the antisense RNA resulted in a significant increase in the mRNA levels of dnaA, which will ultimately enhance their translation. Our findings have revealed that antisense RNA of dnaA is indeed transcribed not merely as a by-product of the cell’s transcription machinery but plays a vital role as far as stability of dnaA mRNA is concerned.

Source: UCC
Identification of blood meal of sand flies in a cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic area, Volta Region-Ghana

Background: Vector incrimination is of utmost importance in the transmission of Leishmania species identified in the Volta region of Ghana. The feeding preference of sand flies provides valuable information about the vector-host interactions, including reservoir host. Objective: The main aim of this study was to identify the blood meal in collected sand flies and its source from three villages in a cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic area in the Ho Municipality. Method: Sand flies was collected using CDC light straps and sticky paper traps from Lume Atsiame, Dodome Dogblome and Dodome Awuiasu. They were morphologically identified by taxonomic keys. DNA was extracted from the individual sand flies using the potassium acetate extraction method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of cytochrome b gene (cyt b) fragment was carried out and subsequently DNA sequenced. Results: Of a total of three hundred and sixty-three (363) female sand flies that were analyzed, eighty-four (84) representing 23.14% were positive for blood meal presence with an amplified DNA of the expected size, 359bp. Out of the number that was sequenced, the cyt b sequencing revealed that four (4) blood fed females fed on blood meal from human (Homo sapiens) and house mouse (Mus musculus). Conclusion: The blood meal presence was more predominant in Sergentomyia ghesquierei and least in Sergentomyia schwetzi. This may aid in the development of effective strategies to control cutaneous leishmaniasis in the endemic areas

Source: UCC
Identification of Blood Meal of Sand Flies in a Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Endemic Area, Volta Region-Ghana

Background: Vector incrimination is of utmost importance in the transmission of Leishmania species identified in the Volta region of Ghana. The feeding preference of sand flies provides valuable information about the vector-host interactions, including reservoir host. Objective: The main aim of this study was to identify the blood meal in collected sand flies and its source from three villages in a cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic area in the Ho Municipality. Method: Sand flies was collected using CDC light straps and sticky paper traps from Lume Atsiame, Dodome Dogblome and Dodome Awuiasu. They were morphologically identified by taxonomic keys. DNA was extracted from the individual sand flies using the potassium acetate extraction method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of cytochrome b gene (cyt b) fragment was carried out and subsequently DNA sequenced. Results: Of a total of three hundred and sixty-three (363) female sand flies that were analysed, eighty-four (84) representing 23.14% were positive for blood meal presence with an amplified DNA of the expected size, 359bp. Out of the number that was sequenced, the cyt b sequencing revealed that four (4) blood fed females fed on bloodmeal from human (Homo sapiens) and house mouse (Mus musculus). Conclusion: The blood meal presence was more predominant in Sergentomyia ghesquierei and least in Sergentomyia schwetzi. This may aid in the development of effective strategies to control cutaneous leishmaniasis in the endemic areas.

Source: UCC
Identification of BRCA1/2 p.Ser1613Gly, p.Pro871Leu, p.Lys1183Arg, p.Glu1038Gly, p.Ser1140Gly, p.Ala2466Val, p.His2440Arg variants in women under 45 years old with breast nodules suspected of having breast cancer in Burkina Faso

Breast cancer is the top cause of cancer mortality among women in the world and the second in Africa. The aims of this study were to: i) identify women with breast nodules suspected of having breast cancer ii) sequence the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and iii) screen mutations. From 2015 to 2016, 112 women aged from 35 to 44 years, who had come for consultation in the gynecology/obstetrics and the oncology department of the University Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo, voluntarily agreed to participate to this study. Whole blood was collected from those with mammary nodules. The genomic DNA was extracted using Qiagen kit. FAST KAPA was used for genomic DNA amplification and the purified PCR products were analyzed by direct sequencing using Big Dye v1.1 and ABI 3730 automated sequencer. Nucleotides substitutions were determined. We identified BRCA1 SNPs rs1799966, rs799917, rs16942, rs16941, rs2227945, and BRCA2 SNPs rs169547, rs4986860. These identified variants are found mostly in cases of benign tumors of breast or ovarian cancer with familial history of breast cancer. This study in Burkina-Faso, is the basis for improved and more specific genetic testing, and suggests that additional genes contributing to an increased risk of breast cancer should be analyzed.

Source: UCC
Identification of Eue Phonemes in the Three Major Dialects of Eue

ABSTRACT Discourse on the E3e phonology has provided several studies on the E3e phonemes, some of them include Abadzivor and Dzamesi (2008); Agbedoxor (2014); Amegashie (2011); Ansre (1961); Anyidoho (1990); Atakpa (1997); Duthie (1996); Kpodo (2014) and Nyomi (2017). However, the main issues are that most of them have professed varying number of E3e phonemes and conflicting description of some of the sound segments. Therefore, using the classical phonemic analysis in a phenomenological approach, this study establishes the number of E3e phonemes in the three main E3e dialects through interacting with 20 A`l4, E3eme and T4`u native speakers respectively. The results from the phonemic and articulatory analysis of the data show that all the three main dialects of E3e have 28 consonant phonemes (/b, p, ß, ɸ, m, w, v, f, d, t, z, s, ʤ, ʧ, n, r, l, 2, ɲ, j, g, k, h, x, `, ɰ, gb, kp/) but varied number of vowel phonemes. A`l4 has 14 vowel phonemes (/i, e, ǝ, a, u, o, 4, ĩ́́́́́́́́́́́́́́́́́, 8, ǝ͂, 7, [, 9, -/); E3eme has 12 vowel phonemes (/i, 1, a, u, o, 4, ĩ́́́́́́́́́́́́́́́́́, 0, 7, [, 9, -/) while T4`u has 15 vowel phonemes (/i, e, 1, ǝ, a, u, o, 4, ĩ́́́́́́́́́́́́́́́́́, 8, 0, ǝ͂, 7, [, -/); totalling 42, 40 and 43 phonemes for A`l4, E3eme and T4`u respectively. The study also ascertains the description of [w], [d], [t], [dz], [ts], [r], [l], [2], [ɰ], [kw ], [a] and [7] sound segments and asseverates the plausible reasons for the variations in the earlier studies’ findings. The findings in this research have some implications for scholarship, pedagogy and theory. In that, imparting phonemic awareness and phonic skills, especially in a cosmopolitan E3e class, demands good knowledge of the findings of this study.

Source: UCC
Identification of Individuals for Directorship Roles: Evaluation of a University’s Succession Management

Identification of potential individuals for leadership roles is a critical aspect of a succession management programme, as other aspects of the programme depend on an effective identification. This study evaluates how the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana identifies potential non-academic senior members for directorship roles. We collected qualitative data through in-depth interviewing of nine directors at the university. We analysed the data using constant comparison analysis by developing three themes, under each of which we presented similar categories of data. We found that the criteria for identification of potential directors include seniority; both internal and external sources; and familiarity with the culture, the legal framework, and the higher educational system. We conclude that UCC does not operate a structured, formal succession management but fills leadership vacancies through the traditional recruitment and selection method, an all-inclusive approach which we argue is not suitable for identifying and developing potential individuals for leadership positions. Keywords: Succession Management, University of Cape Coast, Identification of Potentials, Ghana, Constant Comparison Analysis

Source: UCC
Identification of outstanding performances in senior high school examination

The study looks at identification of outstanding and abysmal performances of students in examinations involving seven common subjects taken in the first year at Ghana Senior High School in Koforidua. The scores of the students, who were grouped into six different program classes, in the seven subjects constituted the data for the study. In order to achieve the objective of the study using this high dimensional data set, a multivariate data analysis technique (the Principal Components Analysis) was used as the main statistical tool to examine the variance-covariance structure of the performance in the seven subjects. The study reveals that the first principal component is a weighted sum of all the subjects offered by the students. As a result, the first component is found to be the most appropriate index in determining the general performances of the students. Core Mathematics and French are observed to be the two most influential subjects in the formation of the first component. Thus, in the determination of general performance of students, Core Mathematics and French are the most influential of all the seven subjects. Using the scores of the first principal component, it is discovered that the three best students are all members of the General Arts class. The worst scores are recorded by a Science student; the second worst scores are obtained by a student of Home Economics class; and the third worst student was from the Science class. The study also reveals that in general, the Visual Arts class is the strongest class whilst the Agric class is the weakest among the six classes. The performances of Business, General Arts and the Science classes are quite normal.

Source: UCC
Identification of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein-specific CD8+ T cell epitopes in a malaria exposed population

Background Sterile protection against malaria, most likely mediated by parasite-specific CD8+ T cells, has been achieved by attenuated sporozoite vaccination of animals as well as malaria-naïve and malaria-exposed subjects. The circumsporozoite protein (CSP)-based vaccine, RTS,S, shows low efficacy partly due to limited CD8+ T cell induction, and inclusion of such epitopes could improve RTS,S. This study assessed 8-10mer CSP peptide epitopes, present in predicted or previously positive P. falciparum 3D7 CSP 15mer overlapping peptide pools, for their ability to induce CD8+ T cell IFN-γ responses in natural malaria-exposed subjects. Methods Cryopreserved PBMCs from nine HLA-typed subjects were stimulated with 23 8-10mer CSP peptides from the 3D7 parasite in IFN-γ ELISpot assays. The CD8+ T cell specificity of IFN-γ responses was confirmed in ELISpot assays using CD8+ T cell-enriched PBMC fractions after CD4+ cell depletion. Results Ten of 23 peptide epitopes elicited responses in whole PBMCs from five of the nine subjects. Four peptides tested positive in CD8+ T cell-enriched PBMCs from two previously positive responders and one new subject. All four immunodominant peptides are restricted by globally common HLA supertypes (A02, A03, B07) and mapped to regions of the CSP antigen with limited or no reported polymorphism. Association of these peptide-specific responses with anti-malarial protection remains to be confirmed. Conclusions The relatively conserved nature of the four identified epitopes and their binding to globally common HLA supertypes makes them good candidates for inclusion in potential multi-epitope malaria vaccines.

Source: UCC