ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer in Africa

Purpose: Although radiation therapy is an effective treatment for breast cancer, it has a low rate of use in African countries. A systematic review was undertaken to investigate studies that used radiation therapy as a treatment modality for patients with breast cancer in Africa, focusing on survival outcomes, adverse effects, radiation therapy techniques, fractionation schedules, and effectiveness of radiation therapy. Methods and Materials: We conducted a comprehensive literature search for studies that treated breast cancer with radiation therapy, using different electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCOhost) up to February 2023. The output was exported to a reference management system for analyses. Results: The literature search primarily identified 3804 records from Scopus (2427), PubMed (982), and EBSCOhost (395). Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 articles were finally included in this systematic review. Most of the studies published were conducted in North Africa (63%), followed by West Africa (21%) and Southeast Africa (16%). Most centers employed external beam radiation therapy to deliver radiation therapy to patients with breast cancer with the standard fractionation size of 50 Gy in 25 fractions. The long-term outcomes with regards to adverse effect suggests that radiation therapy was fairly tolerated among patients with breast cancer. Conclusions: The reports provide substantial evidence that there are limited number of published studies on the use of radiation therapy for breast cancer treatment in Africa, as well as lower overall survival rate compared with developed countries. To improve breast cancer survivorship, it is necessary for government and other health care planners to provide more radiation therapy resources and implement training programs for personnels.

Source: KNUST
Radon gas measurement in deep gold mines

Measurements of radon gas concentration in the two western region gold mines in Ghana have been carried out. The measurements were made from the alpha-track density on CR-39 solid state nuclear track detector, using the closed can technique during 1992 and 1993. Average values of 37.5Bqm-3 and 48.6Bqm-3 were recorded in the offices for Tarkwa and Prestea Goldfields respectively. There were large variations in the underground results which range from 56.4Bqm-3 to 268.3Bqma-3 for Tarkwa Goldfieids and from 42.6Bqm-3 to 877.7Bqm-3 for Prestea Goldfields. These were observed to be caused by the different rock formation and the ventilation at the sites of the measurements. Radon exposure units in Working Level (WL) and the Working Level Month (WLM) were also calculated for the mines. These results show that the radon concentrations at, the offices at Tarkwa and Prestea are below the maximum safe of 110Bqm-3 as recommended by National Radiological Protection Board, (NRPB) UK. However, sixteen (16) out of the twenty five (25) underground locations monitored in the two gold mines have radon concentrations above the recommended limit.

Source: KNUST
Radon-222 Toxicity Profile Of Air, Water And Soil: A Case Study Of Ayeduase Township

Assessment of radon levels in buildings (indoor atmosphere), water and soil were carried out at Ayeduase Township. The study was carried out by dividing the area into five zones for the data collection. Air samples were analyzed using a continuous sampling method and, water and soil samples analyzed using the grab sampling method. From the result, the air radon concentration was determined to be in the range of 8.510 ± 0.05607 Bq/m3 to11.100 ± 0.6379 Bq/m3. The UNSCEAR, 2008 recommends a value of 40 Bq/m3 whilst the ICRP Publication 126 recommends a reference level of 100 Bq/m3 for indoor radon concentration level. The average radon concentration of water was found to be in the range of 38.946277 ± 7.147588 Bq/m3 to 56.397960 ± 14.322008 Bq/m3. The UNSCEAR, 2008 recommends a value of 40000 Bq/m3 and the European Commission also recommends a value of 100000 Bq/m3. The soil average radon concentrations was in the range of 3016.277 ± 384.5452 Bq/m3 to 4694.264 ± 1748.0840 Bq/m3. United States of America EPA approves a standard of 7400 Bq/m3 as the acceptable standard for soil level radon concentration level. The manually calculated effective annual dose rate for indoor air for the various age groups for radon were determined to be within 0.1631 mSv/year to 0.2127 mSv/year for infants, 0.0621 mSv/year to 0.0810 mSv/year for children and 0.0745 mSv/year to 0.0972 mSv/year for adults. The calculated effective annual dose rate from radon in water was found in the range of 0.7461 mSv/year to 1.0867 mSv/year for infants, 0.2842 mSv/year to 0.4140 mSv/year for children and 0.3411 mSv/year to 0.4968 mSv/year for adults. The comparative results from the Mondal 3 software gave effective annual dose rate for indoor air for the various age groups to be within 0.32 mSv/year to 0.37 mSv/year with an average of 0.36 mSv/year for infants, 0.11 mSv/year to 0.14 mSv/year with an average of 0.12 mSv/year for children and 0.084 mSv/year to 0.097 mSv/year with an average of 0.94 mSv/year for adults. The effective annual dose rate in water for the various age groups was found to be within 180 mSv/year to 0.0250 mSv/year with an average of 0.0210 mSv/year for infants, 0.0017 mSv/year to 0.0024 mSv/year with an average of 0.0020 mSv/year for children and 0.00035 mSv/year to 0.0005 mSv/year with an average of 0.00041 mSv/year for adults.

Source: KNUST
Rainfall Prediction Using Machine Learning Algorithms for the Various Ecological Zones of Ghana

Accurate rainfall prediction has become very complicated in recent times due to climate change and variability. The efficiency of classification algorithms in rainfall prediction has flourished. The study contributes to using various classification algorithms for rainfall prediction in the different ecological zones of Ghana. The classification algorithms include Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) and K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN). The dataset, consisting of various climatic attributes, was sourced from the Ghana Meteorological Agency spanning 1980 – 2019. The performance of the classification algorithms was examined based on precision, recall, f1-score, accuracy and execution time with various training and testing data ratios. On all three training and testing ratios: 70:30, 80:20 and 90:10, RF, XGB and MLP performed well, whereas KNN performed least across all zones. In terms of the execution time of the models, Decision Tree is consistently portrayed as the fastest, whereas MLP used the most run time.

Source: KNUST
Rainfall and temperature projections and the implications on streamflow and evapotranspiration in the near future at the Tano River Basin of Ghana

Climate change is projected to negatively affect water security which is already a chal lenge in many areas of Ghana including the Tano river basin (TRB). This study assessed the projections of rainfall and temperature and its impact on streamflow and actual evap otranspiration (ET) in the TRB of Ghana for 2021-2050 relative to the period 1986-2015. The impact assessment focused on how climate change under Representative Concentra tion Pathways (RCP 4.5 and RCP8.5) based on an ensemble mean of two regional climate models (RCMs) would affect streamflow and ET using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. Trend analysis and quantification for the streamflow and ET were analyzed using the Mann-Kendall’s and Sen’s slope estimators. The results show that the mean annual rainfall of 1401.9 mm would increase slightly by 0.5 % with a decreasing trend (1.22mm/yr) under the RCP4.5 scenario, but would decrease by 3.2% with a decreasing trend (0.3m mm/yr) under the RCP8.5 scenario. The mean annual temperature showed an increase (2.1 °C and 2.6 °C) with a statistically significant increasing trend of 0.07 and 0.09 °C/yr under RCP 4.5 and RCP8.5 respectively. An increase in ET with a non-significant increasing trend at a rate of 0.74 and 1.07 mm/year under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios respectively is also projected. The mean annual streamflow is projected to decrease, with the decrease been more pronounced under the RCP8.5 (37.5%) scenario compared to the RCP4.5 scenario (19.9%). In general, the outcome of this study presents a useful perspective

Source: KNUST
Ralstonia mannitolilytica sepsis: a case report

Background: Ralstonia mannitolilytica is an emerging opportunistic pathogen that is associated with severe disease, including septic shock, meningitis, and renal transplant infections. Reports on this pathogen are limited, however, especially on the African continent. Case presentation: A 2-year-old Akan child was presented to a hospital in the northeastern part of Ghana with a 1-week history of fever and chills. We identified Ralstonia mannitolilytica in her blood culture using both conventional and 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) techniques. The patient’s condition improved clinically upon treatment with cefuroxime. Conclusion: Our report highlights the potential of Ralstonia mannitolilytica to cause sepsis and thus emphasizes the need for improved laboratory diagnosis and evidence for use of appropriate antibiotics in rural settings of Africa, where presumptive treatment using antimicrobial agents is rife.

Source: KNUST
Randomised trial to compare clarithromycin (extended release)- rifampicin and streptomycin-rifampicin for early, limited lesions of M. ulcerans infection

Background Buruli ulcer (Mycobacterium ulcerans infection) is a Neglected Tropical Disease characterised by severe subcutaneous necrosis, with occasional bone involvement. Being reported from 33 countries, it is most prevalent in West and Central Africa, and Australia. In Africa, the major burden is borne by poor rural children. If left untreated, Buruli ulcer may progress to cause severe suffering and ultimately stigmatising disability resulting in school drop-out and loss of income. Standard antimicrobial treatment with oral rifampicin 10 mg/kg and intramuscular streptomycin 15 mg/kg for eight weeks (RS8) is highly effective but streptomycin injections are painful and may cause hearing loss. Methods Between January 2013 and December 2017, we conducted an open label randomised multicentre phase III clinical trial with noninferiority design comparing fully oral treatment with rifampicin and clarithromycin 15 mg/kg extended release (RC8) with RS8. A sample size of 332 participants was calculated to detect inferiority of CR8 by a margin of 12%.

Source: KNUST
Rapid detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans with isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification assay

Access to an accurate diagnostic test for Buruli ulcer (BU) is a research priority according to the World Health Organization. Nucleic acid amplification of insertion sequence IS2404 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most sensitive and specific method to detect Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans), the causative agent of BU. However, PCR is not always available in endemic communities in Africa due to its cost and technological sophistication. Isothermal DNA amplification systems such as the recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) have emerged as a molecular diagnostic tool with similar accuracy to PCR but having the advantage of amplifying a template DNA at a constant lower temperature in a shorter time. The aim of this study was to develop RPA for the detection of M. ulcerans and evaluate its use in Buruli ulcer disease.

Source: KNUST
Rapid Extraction Method of Mycobacterium ulcerans DNA from Clinical Samples of Suspected Buruli Ulcer Patients

Isothermal amplification techniques such as recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for diagnosing Buruli ulcer, a necrotic skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, have renewed hope for the molecular diagnosis of clinically suspected Buruli ulcer cases in endemic districts. If these techniques are applied at district-level hospitals or clinics, they will help facilitate early case detection with prompt treatment, thereby reducing disability and associated costs of disease management. The accuracy as well as the application of these molecular techniques at point of need is dependent on simple and fast DNA extraction. We have modified and tested a rapid extraction protocol for use with an already developed recombinase polymerase amplification assay. The entire procedure from “sample in, extraction and DNA amplification” was conducted in a mobile suitcase laboratory within 40 min. The DNA extraction procedure was performed within 15 min, with only two manipulation/pipetting steps needed. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of this extraction protocol together with M. ulcerans RPA in comparison with standard DNA extraction with real-time PCR was 87% (n = 26) and 100% (n = 13), respectively. We have established a simple, fast and e cient protocol for the extraction and detection of M. ulcerans DNA in clinical samples that is adaptable to field conditions.

Source: KNUST
Rank-based adaptive method of estimating beta

Traditional methods of estimation and testing, such as the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method, are efficient if the normality assumption of the error distribution and other assumptions about a liner model are not violated. Adaptive tests are found to be efficient and increases the power irrespective of the condition of the observed data. In particular, stock market data comes along with some skewness, tail weights, outliers and unknown distributions that violates some underlying assumptions for which the estimates from OLS is efficient. The degree to which a security is affected by a systematic risk as compared to the effect on the market as a whole is measured by the security’s beta. Beta estimates of a security on the stock market are obtained from the OLS estimates of the parameters of a linear model. In practice, however, the error distribution of the market model is not known and conclusions made solely using traditional methods may lead to invalid conclusions. Consequently, fund managers, actuaries and investment risk managers may mislead their clients based on financial decisions made based on these beta measures. This study sought to extend robust adaptive methods that considered tail weight, skewness and selector statistics, in estimating security beta with some specified lags. Further comparisons were made between the adaptive procedure and the OLS method. In line with these objectives, monthly data of three companies listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE), from January 2000 to June 2014, were used. Market models were formulated with some specific lags and estimation of model were done for both traditional and adaptive methods. The study showed that rank-based methods (Wilcoxon and Adaptive) were more robust in estimation when the distribution of the error term of the dataset was non-normal and also in the presence of outlying observations,whiles the LS method was very non-robust. Results indicated that 5% outlier-contamination was enough to cause some instability in the estimates.

Source: KNUST
Rapid multiplication of bamboo (bamb usa lietero- st;1ciiya): the effect of culm age and length of cuttings on sprouting

The effect of age am/ length of bamboo clIlIIIS on sprouting of culm cuttings W{(S studied in {( field experiment at the Oil Palm Research Institute (OPRI), Kusi. The study was conducted as {( factorial combination of fOllr age groups «6 months, 6 months to 1 year, 1 year to 2 years and 2 years to 3 years) and three lengths (I node, 2 nodes and 3 nodes) ofculm cuttings. 11w 12 treat­ ment combinations were laid out in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. The cuttings made from 1~2 years old culms bearing triple nodes produced significantly (P<0.05) more number of shoot (146) than all the other age group - length of CII/1I1 combina­ tions. The J-2'yeal's old cultns were found to be superior to the other age grollps am/ produced 69 shoots while 0, 29 and 20 shoots were produced by the less than 6 months old, 6 months to J year old and 2 to 3 years old culms, respectively. Whereas only 6 ami 24 shoots emerged from the cuttings with single ami double nodes, cuttings with triple nodes produced as many as 58 shoots. The study recommends the lise of cultns cuttings with' triple nodes made from /-2 years old culms for rapid multiplication of bamboo stock.

Source: KNUST
Rate and time of phosphorus application on growth, n-fixation, seed yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and residue fertility on maize production

Two experiments were conducted at the Plantation Section of the Crop and Soil Sciences Department of the Faculty of Agriculture KNUST, during the major and minor seasons of 2014. The main objective was to determine the effect of rate and time of phosphorus application on growth, N-Fixation, seed yield of groundnut and residue fertility for maize production. The factorial experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The factors were time and rate of phosphorus application. The fertilizer rates investigated were 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg/ha P and the time of application were fertilizer applied at planting time, one week after planting, two weeks after planting and three weeks after planting. The first experiment was conducted on the 15th May, 2014 and terminated on the 3rd September 2014. After harvesting the groundnut, all the haulms were put in their respective plots to fertilize the succeeding maize. The second experiment was conductedted on the 8th September, 2014 and crops harvested on the 4th December, 2014. The results in the first experiment showed that phosphorus fertilization significantly (P< 0.05) increased growth parameters, N-fixation, yield and its components of groundnuts. Phosphorus applied at the rate of 40 kg/ha resulted in greater seed yield of groundnuts. The control treatment effect was significantly (P< 0.05) lower than all other P-applied treatments. The study also showed that phosphorus applied treatments resulted in increase in haulm nitrogen. In the second experiment, the haulm incoporated treatments produced greater maize grain yield than the control treatment. Additionally, maize yield from the residue-incoporated treatments were comparable to yields obtainable by farmers when they apply inorganic fertilizer at the recommended rate. The results indicated that if farmers would incoporate all their legume haulms into the soil, application of inorganic fertilizer may not be necessary.

Source: KNUST
The rate of stillbirth at Asunafo North District of Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

The study was undertaken to assess the rate of stillbirth in the Asunafo North District of the Brong Ahafo Region. Among the devastating consequences of stillbirth has been its prevalence in the developing world. Stillbirth is the death of an infant in utero and past twenty (20) completed gestational weeks. It is simply the death of the unborn babies. Some of the stillbirths are macerated and others are fresh which means the death occurred just before labour or in the course of delivery. For the purpose of the study seventy eight victims; that is women who have passed through the ordeal, and nine selected Health Personnel from all the five sub - districts were randomly selected and an in-depth study done to assess the causes of stillbirth in the district in order to find ways to reduce the incidence of the (RH) menace. Data were obtained from both primary and secondary source through the use of questionnaires, interviews and discussions with stakeholders and the review of existing literature. Data collected were processed and analyzed using STATA software. Results from the study indicated multi-factorial causes of the rate of stillbirth in the district under review. Forty —five out of seventy-eight representing 58% of women interviewed had a lower level of education. The income level of the women was below two hundred cedis (¢200,000.00) per month making it difficult for them to fend for themselves during pregnancy. The means of transport compounded the problem. Thirteen out of the forty-four representing 30% indicated that they were diagnosed to have jaundice leading to stillbirth. Nevertheless, delay in deciding to access the health facility by mothers contributed mostly to the rate of stillbirth in the district. It is recommended that the incidence of stillbirth could be reduced when a sub-committee of the District Assembly is constituted to report periodically to the Assembly for the provision of infrastructure like the improvement of the road network in the district. Effective advocacy on family planning related activities should be instituted to involve as many communities as possible and the awareness of the importance of antenatal health care should be improved.

Source: KNUST
Rate of timber production in Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai District in the Western Region over a period of eleven years (2002-2012) and its implication on sustainable forest management

Timber production data are very essential for sustainable management of forest resources. In Ghana and most developing countries the rate of timber harvesting is increasing alarmingly, leading to depletion and degradation of forest resources. In a bid to investigate the rate of depletion of timbers in Ghana, the rate of timber harvesting in the On and Off reserve areas in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Forest District of the Western Region, was evaluated over the period 2002 to 2012. Sampling in the On and Off reserves was conducted during an eight months period in 2013. A total of 57 different indigenous hardwood species in 22 families were identified to be harvested from both On and Off reserve areas. The data obtained from the Forest Services Division official records (monthly and annual report files) were on the species, volume and number of different economic timber species exploited on monthly basis from 2002 to 2012. The number and volume of timber species harvested from the forest reserves (On reserve) was higher and significantly different (p<0.05) than those harvested from the Off reserve areas over the period of eleven years. The total number of stems (trunk) exploited from the forest ecosystem of the district during the period of eleven years was 18,885 with an estimated volume of 211,719.215m3. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in timber logging between the years 2002 to 2012. In the Off-reserves, 22 species out of 57 sampled were harvested whilst in the On reserve 56 species were harvested. The age of the timber trees harvested ranged from 4 to 190 years. The trend revealed that economic timber species were disappearing from the forest. Celtis zenkeri, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Celtis mildbreadii and Ceiba pentandra were the most exploited species. The New National Forest Plantation Development Program has not been able to meet its intended target, introduced to bridge the gap between rates of extraction and planting. Only 1163.77 hectares were planted out of the total target of 2164.80 hectares during the period 2010 - 2013. The principles for achieving the goals of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and urgent conservation measures must be monitored to mitigate the consequences of forest degradation in Ghana.

Source: KNUST