ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast-Derived Extracellular Matrix Induces Chondrogenic Differentiation in Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells in Vitro

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) represent an area being intensively researched for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. MSCs may provide the opportunity to treat diseases and injuries that currently have limited therapeutic options, as well as enhance present strategies for tissue repair. The cellular environment has a significant role in cellular development and differentiation through cell–matrix interactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the behavior of adipose-derived MSCs (ad-MSCs) in the context of a cell-derived matrix so as to model the in vivo physiological microenvironment. The fibroblast-derived extracellular matrix (fd-ECM) did not affect ad-MSC morphology, but reduced ad-MSC proliferation. Ad-MSCs cultured on fd-ECM displayed decreased expression of integrins α2 and β1 and subsequently lost their multipotency over time, as shown by the decrease in CD44, Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), SOX2, and NANOG gene expression. The fd-ECM induced chondrogenic differentiation in ad-MSCs compared to control ad-MSCs. Loss of function studies, through the use of siRNA and a mutant Notch1 construct, revealed that ECM-mediated ad-MSCs chondrogenesis requires Notch1 and β-catenin signaling. The fd-ECM also showed anti-senescence effects on ad-MSCs. The fd-ECM is a promising approach for inducing chondrogenesis in ad-MSCs and chondrogenic differentiated ad-MSCs could be used in stem cell therapy procedures.

Source: UCC
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: a case report

Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva is a rare debilitating disorder of the musculoskeletal system affecting one in two million individuals. It is characterized by progressive extraskeletal ossification of soft tissues resulting in the original skeleton being encased in unyielding new bone leading to disability and ultimately death from cardiorespiratory failure. The present case brings to light the delays and potential pitfalls in diagnosis as a result of the rarity of the condition

Source: UCC
Fidelity approach to curriculum implementation: A case of transacting the Core English curriculum in senior secondary schools in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

The purpose of the study is to find out the extent to which teachers faithfully commit themselves to the fidelity approach to curriculum implementation in transacting the Core English curriculum. The main design used in the study was descriptive survey. The study covered all the seven public senior secondary schools in Sunyani District in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. The sample comprised 150 students and all the 31 teachers of English. The number of students selected from each school (SSS 3 students) was a proportion of the total number of students drawn for the study. The researcher used a questionnaire as the main instrument for data collection. This main instrument was triangulated with a classroom observation. The findings show that the teachers had the requisite qualification to have faithfully implemented the Core English programme with a high degree of fidelity. The fmdings, however, indicate that the teachers did not faithfully commit themselves to the fidelity approach to curriculum implementation in transacting the core English curriculum. The study therefore reveals a very minimal degree of teachers' commitment to the fidelity model in the implementation process. Teachers' non-commitment to the fidelity model of implementation could be attributed to a number of factors. Among these factors are teachers' non-involvement in core English programmes that could enhance delivery and learning, lack of clarity about certain aspects of the curriculum and inavailability of curricular materials - teacher's manual- that could help transact the curriculum.

Source: UCC
Fidelity Approach to Implementing Basic Nursing Curriculum in Selected Nursing and Midwifery Training Colleges in Northern Ghana

Basic Nursing is the course that equips every professional nursing trainee with the basic essential skills to function during and after training. As a course built around the acquisition of competences, it is largely made of step-by-step activities or procedures and therefore expected to be taught to the trainees as dictated by the regulator of training and practice. However, the reports of poor standard of nursing care across various health facilities in Ghana makes one want to find out if the course is taught as prescribed. This study was therefore conducted to examine if Nursing Tutors are implementing the Basic Nursing course as prescribed and to what degree. A cross-sectional survey design was employed. Nine colleges were sampled using simple random method and 204 tutors were censused, and 310 students were selected from the nine colleges using systematic random sampling to respond to the structured questionnaire. Data obtained from the study was analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The results showed that majority of Nursing Tutors possess at least an academic Bachelor’s degree, and RGN professional certificate without professional teaching certificate. The most frequently reported teaching mothods used were lecture and discussion methods out of the 20 methods prescribed. Non-projected materials, still-projected materials and printed materials were the most frequently used TLMs. Majority of tutors also expressed negative beliefs about the Basic Nursing curriculum which all culminated in the degree of fidelity of the curriculum being low. These findings call for the need for HTIs to encourage tutors to read post graduate education programmes, organize in-service training on the use of teaching methods and TLMs, and also for the HTIS to establish curriculum units in the various colleges.

Source: UCC
Fidelity Approach to Implementing the Senior High School French Curriculum among Selected Schools in the Takoradi Metropolis

This study used the mixed method approach to examine the fidelity implementation of the SHS French curriculum among public SHSs in the Takoradi Metropolis. The study sought also to find out the relationship between certain teacher-factors and how those factors affected fidelity implementation of teachers. In so doing, 21 teachers and 129 students were surveyed and three teachers were also observed to ascertain the approach and the degree to which they implemented the curriculum with fidelity. The findings revealed a discrepancy between intentions of curriculum designers and teachers’ implementation in that teachers were only able to implement the curriculum with moderate fidelity though they had the required qualification. Teachers also had negative beliefs and perceptions about the French programme since they complained about not being consulted in national curriculum programmes. Again, teachers’ acquaintance with the contents of the syllabus was a significant predictor of teachers’ fidelity implementation and thus a sine-qua-non for better students’ outcomes. Teachers’ participation in professional development programmes was however inversely related to fidelity implementation. Finally, the study showed no statistical difference between gender and fidelity implementation of teachers. Based on these findings, some recommendations were made to school heads, teachers and policy-makers. One of them was that teachers should ‘study’ the syllabuses they teach so as to

Source: UCC
The fidelity approach to the teaching of core English language in Bompeh Senior High school – a case study

The study examines the approach used by teachers of Core English language to teach the core English language curriculum in Bompeh Senior High School, in the Western Region of Ghana. Specifically, the study focused on the academic qualifications teachers of the Core English language curriculum possessed, how topics were arranged in the syllabus, the method used by these teachers to teach, the teaching and learning materials they used during the teaching and learning process. A case study which employed both the quantitative and qualitative methods, enabled cross-validation of the data and ensured consistency and authentication. The population was made up of one head teacher,one circuit supervisor, eight teachers (six females and two males) and 135 student-participants who were randomly selected. Data was collected through documentation, questionnaires, interviews and observation of classroom lessons.The outcome of the study revealed that majority of teachers were degree holders of English language. The results also revealed that the most prominent method for teaching English language was the lecture method, which was sometimes combined with demonstrations. The study concluded that the teachers have the skills, knowledge and competencies required to support the implementation of the core English Language curriculum. However, on-going inservice training should be given to teachers in curriculum implementation so that they would be able to implement the curriculum effectively to reflect on ideas expressed in the developed curriculum.

Source: UCC
The fidelity approach to the teaching of core English language in Bompeh senior high school – A case study

The study examines the approach used by teachers of Core English language to teach the core English language curriculum in Bompeh Senior High School, in the Western Region of Ghana. Specifically, the study focused on the academic qualifications teachers of the Core English language curriculum possessed, how topics were arranged in the syllabus, the method used by these teachers to teach, the teaching and learning materials they used during the teaching and learning process. A case study which employed both the quantitative and qualitative methods, enabled cross-validation of the data and ensured consistency and authentication. The population was made up of one head teacher, one circuit supervisor, eight teachers (six females and two males) and 135 student-participants who were randomly selected. Data was collected through documentation, questionnaires, interviews and observation of classroom lessons. The outcome of the study revealed that majority of teachers were degree holders of English language. The results also revealed that the most prominent method for teaching English language was the lecture method, which was sometimes combined with demonstrations. The study concluded that the teachers have the skills, knowledge and competencies required to support the implementation of the core English Language curriculum. However, on-going in-service training should be given to teachers in curriculum implementation so that they would be able to implement the curriculum effectively to reflect on ideas expressed in the developed curriculum.

Source: UCC
The Fidelity Approach To The Teaching Of English Language In Junior High Schools In Ada East District

Access to quality education largely depends on the extent of English Language usage. Despite the use of English Language as the medium of instruction in Ghana, the performance of students in the Basic Education Certification (BECE) Examination is still worrying. The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which English Language teachers faithfully commit themselves to fidelity approach to curriculum implementation at Junior High Schools in Ada East District. Curriculum fidelity can be defined as the degree to which teachers or stakeholders abide by a curriculum‟s original design when implementing it. The descriptive survey design was employed for the study. The target population of the study included all the Junior High School classroom teachers who have English language background in the study area. The study employed the cluster sampling technique in selecting a total sample size of 113. Two distinct instruments were employed for the study. These were questionnaire and interview guide. The findings show that most of the respondents who teach English Language have professional qualification needed to effectively teach the English Language. It was found out that English Language teachers do not possess much knowledge on fidelity approach to the teaching of the English Language. It was also realised that the English Language syllabus was overly wide and loaded with content. Some of the content of the English Language curriculum were complex, and lacked alignment between English curriculum and requirements of examination bodies in Ghana. Teachers taught the English Language using the lecture method. Other methods were rarely used in the classroom, and when they were, they were not handled well. Finally, the results found out that resources available to the English Language teachers for their teaching were textbooks and white marker boards.

Source: UCC
Field-caught permethrin-resistant anopheles ambiae overexpress cyp6p3, a p450 that metabolises Pyrethroids

Insects exposed to pesticides undergo strong natural selection and have developed various adaptive mechanisms to survive. Resistance to pyrethroid insecticides in the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae is receiving increasing attention because it threatens the sustainability of malaria vector control programs in sub-Saharan Africa. An understanding of the molecular mechanisms conferring pyrethroid resistance gives insight into the processes of evolution of adaptive traits and facilitates the development of simple monitoring tools and novel strategies to restore the efficacy of insecticides. For this purpose, it is essential to understand which mechanisms are important in wild mosquitoes. Here, our aim was to identify enzymes that may be important in metabolic resistance to pyrethroids by measuring gene expression for over 250 genes potentially involved in metabolic resistance in phenotyped individuals from a highly resistant, wild A. gambiae population from Ghana. A cytochrome P450, CYP6P3, was significantly overexpressed in the survivors, and we show that the translated enzyme metabolizes both alpha-cyano and non–alpha-cyano pyrethroids. This is the first study to demonstrate the capacity of a P450 identified in wild A. gambiae to metabolise insecticides. The findings add to the understanding of the genetic basis of insecticide resistance in wild mosquito populations.

Source: UCC
Fighting robbery in Ghana: Rethinking the Policies and Strategies

Hardly a day passes without cases of robbery being reported in both the print and the electronic media. It is against this backdrop that the study: Fighting Robbery in Ghana: Rethinking the Policies and the Strategies was conducted to analyse the kind of policies and strategies that have informed robbery control in Ghana from 1993 to 2017. The study adopted the mixed method research design, using content analysis, interviews and survey methods. The study is predominantly qualitative in that no hard quantitative methods were applied. Firstly, back editions of newspapers such as Daily Graphic and the Ghanaian Times were analysed to find out the crime control strategies that were reported by the print media. The views of a cross-section of participants/respondents were solicited for the study. In addition, a survey was conducted among the general public to ascertain some aspects of the study, especially the general views on the subject. The study found that over period, the police service has applied a number of strategies including the use of criminal justice institutions, informants-led policing and the get-tough or zero tolerance approach and more. However, these strategies have not worked very well as robbery numbers or rates keep increasing. The study recommends rethinking of these methods of fighting robbery by introducing more proactive policing methods such as community policing and intelligence-led policing strategies. A four-pronged approach to crime control is proposed as a more viable option than the usual reactive policing strategies.

Source: UCC
Financial Accounting Practices and Business Growth: Evidence from Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in the Cape Coast Metropolis

In the last two decades, significant emphasis was paid to the economic importance of SMEs for Ghana's development and prosperity. Numerous studies have focused on the sustainability and development of Ghana's small and medium-sized businesses. Record keeping and accounting procedures are one area that has been found to have an effect on the development of SMEs. While academics believe that accounting practices are poor among SMEs in Ghana, there is little data from the viewpoint of SMEs that use good accounting and how this impacts their company development. This research, using the record continuum theory, aimed to close this gap by examining the impact of financial accounting procedures on the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana's Cape Coast Metropolis. The research delivered 123 questionnaires to the owners, managers, and account officers of SMEs using an explanatory design and a purposive sample method. According to the findings of this research, financial accounting procedures have a favourable and substantial impact on the development of sales, profitability, and liquidity of SMEs. As a result of the study's findings, the National Board for Small Scale Industry advises that the National Board for Small Scale Industry develop training and rules to guarantee financial accounting procedures compliance.

Source: UCC
Financial Administration practices in public secondary schools in the Accra metropolis

The study was aimed at finding out the practices of financial administration in public secondary schools in the Accra Metropolis. Data were gathered using a questionnaire with an internal reliability co-efficient of 0.7147. The data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The findings revealed that whilst all the participating bursars had pursued diverse courses in financial administration before they were appointed, majority of heads who participated in the study had never pursued any course in financial administration prior to their appointment. The study further revealed that many of the participating schools were not able to generate enough funds to finance their work programmes. Another significant finding was that the schools could not readily spend money on capital items. They could however, readily spend money on non-capital expenditure items. Also, heads were not able to supervise the work of the bursars and other accounting staff effectively. The study therefore, recommends that prospective school heads should be encourage and supported by the Ghana Education Service to pursue courses in financial administration and management before they are substantively appointed. Moreover, schools heads should educate parents and publish the names of debtors regularly on the notice board to remind students and parents to settle debts they owe promptly to generate enough funds for the schools.

Source: UCC
Financial challenges and coping strategies of students of the university of cape coast

The study assessed the financial challenges and coping strategies adopted by students in financing tertiary education. It specifically investigated among others the sources of funds available to the students, the nature of financial challenges and their coping strategies. Participation in the study was restricted to only Levels 300 and 400 students of the University of Cape Coast from all eight schools and faculties in the University. A case study design was adopted, and questionnaire and an interview guide were administered. The questionnaire had a reliability coefficient of .815. In all, 639 student respondents were randomly selected for this study. Statistical tools like percentages, frequencies, means, standard deviation, Chi-square test, ttest and effect size were used. It emerged that the main sources of funding available to the students wereparental support, personal savings/investments, siblings and relative support, and the Students’ Loan Trust Fund. Students generally had problems with the cost of internet access, photocopying and printing of educational materials, feeding and accommodations. The study also identified borrowing from close relatives and friends and taking part-time jobs as coping strategies adopted by the students. The study recommended that government should continue pursuing funding of university education through “cost sharing principle” as this would also exert seriousness in students. Additionally, the University Management and Students’ Representative Council should regularly organise seminars for the students on financial management skills.

Source: UCC
Financial constraint of small and medium enterprises in Ghana

This study was set out to examine the factors that influence financial constraint among borrowers in Ghana, using SMEs as test case. The study used the 2013 World Bank Enterprise Survey data set on Ghana to investigate the problem. Specifically, the aim was to analyze sources of financial constraint faced by borrowers. The study employed logistic and ordered logistic regression models to estimate access to finance and extent of credit constraint faced by SMEs in Ghana. The rationale being that access to finance alone is not enough to model SMEs financial constraint. Hence, the need to estimate access to finance in levels resulting in ordered logit analysis. The study revealed that firm‟s location, age, size, ownership, and loan history and corruption perception significantly influence access to finance and financial constraint among SMEs in Ghana. Younger firms are more likely to be credit constraint compared to older firms. There is the need for government to create the enabling environment for SMEs to function effectively and efficiently by improving SME access to financing Individual firms of related business objectives can merge to increase their assets based and size and hence improve their access to finance from formal financial institutions in Ghana.

Source: UCC