ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Mercury and cadmium budgets of the Pra estuary in the Western Region of Ghana

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis was employed for the determination of mercury and cadmium in soil, water and fish samples from eight different sites of the Pra and Ayensu estuaries in Ghana. Mercury and cadmium was identified in ug/g levels and values correlated with the pH's of water column and soil samples. Substrates like the Blue tilapia and the European Green Crab were used as bioaccumulation indicators for the mercury levels in the various samples. A summary of the mean, minimum and maximum soil I water mercury and cadmium concentrations detected for the eight (8) sites, with IOkm geographical distribution; river bank at Beposo showed a maximum of 3.9511g/g of mercury, which is below the Environmental Protection Agency's permissible limit of O.134mg/g(l34.011g/g). Insignificantly low levels of mercury concentrations was analyzed in shoulder soils and water samples over the period of the study. A significantly high levels of concentrations of mercury existed in the riverbed sediments compared to that for the riverbank sediments, water and the shoulder soils. The degree of concentrations of mercury showed that, mercury and cadmium concentrations decreased significantly and gradually as one moved from Beposo to the Shama Beach through Bosomdo and Krobo. The study showed a maximum mercury and Cadmium residue of both the European green Crab and the Blue tilapia. While the maximum mercury and cadmium residue reported for the Tilapia were not consistently as high as those for the Crab. The maximum residue in the European Green Crab in three (3) reporting sites did not exceed the EPA action level (0.134 mg/g). The Crab had a higher body burden of mercury because it is a bottom-dwelling/feeding and predatory species.

Source: UCC
Mercury and other elements in the Pra river basin, Ghana

Total mercury (thg) concentrations m sediment cores (0-10 cm depth), soil profiles (0-6 cm), carnivorous/herbivorous fish tissues, and "Black" samples were determined using Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (CVAAS). The samples were obtained from twenty-one, twenty, seven, and four sites respectively in the Pra River Basin. K0-Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (k0-IN AA) method was used to validate hnoihf/hcl digestion in the determination of thg in the geological samples, and thirty-four elements in soil (0-1 cm) samples. Precision and accuracy for all reference materials were good. Hydrofloric (HF) acid combination was best digestion procedure for thg determination in all geological samples from the basin. The least (2.20-3.23 mg/kg) and highest (I 03-770 mg/kg) thg in the soil from twenty sites were recorded at Twenedurase and Dunkwa-on-Offin sites respectively. Also, the least (0.01-0.02 mg/kg) and highest (0.23-20.8 mg/kg) thg in sediments from twenty-one sites were recorded at Kwahu Praso and Beposo sites respectively. The highest thg (1,673 mg/kg) in ''Black" samples was recorded at Dunkwa-on-Offin I. All carnivorous fish muscle from Nkontinso site had thg (0.376-0.983 µg/g) above 0.3 µg/g and thg (0.014-0.262 µgig) in herbivorous fish muscles were below 0.3 µg/g. The elements, As, Hf, Se, Zr, U, Sb, W and Au in the soil were found to bind thg. Monazite-Ce was found in the 0-1 cm soil from Kibi site. HF acid digestion was the best procedure for thg determination in the geological samples in the river basin. All soils had thg above background levels of 0.07 mg/kg. Dunkwa-on-Offin site is thg "hotspot" in the basin and carnivorous fish from Nkontinso site are not safe for consumption.

Source: UCC
Mercury and other Elements in the Pra River Basin, Ghana

Total mercury (THg) concentrations in sediment cores (0-10 cm depth), soil profiles (0-6 cm), camivorous/herbivorous fish tissues, and “Black” samples were determined using Cold Vapour Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (CVAAS). The samples were obtained from twenty-one, twenty, seven, and four sites respectively in the Pra River Basin. K0-Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (k0-INAA) method was used to validate HNO3/HF/HCI digestion in the determination of THg in the geological samples, and thirty-four elements in soil (0-1 cm) samples. Precision and accuracy for all reference materials were good. Hydrofloric (HF) acid combination was best digestion procedure for THg determination in all geological samples from the basin. The least (2.20-3.23 mg/kg) and highest (103-770 mg/kg) THg in the soil from twenty sites were recorded at Twenedurase and Dunkwa-on-Offin sites respectively. Also, the least (0.01- 0.02 mg/kg) and highest (0.23-20.8 mg/kg) THg in sediments from twenty-one sites were recorded at Kwahu Praso and Beposo sites respectively. The highest THg (1,673 mg/kg) in “Black” samples was recorded at Dunkwa-on-Offin 1. All carnivorous fish muscle from Nkontinso site had THg (0.376-0.983 pg/g) above 0.3 pg/g and THg (0.014-0.262 pg/g) in herbivorous fish muscles were below 0.3 pg/g. The elements, As, Hf, Se, Zr, U, Sb, W and Au in the soil were found to bind THg. Monazite-Ce was found in the 0-1 cm soil from Kibi site. HF acid digestion was the best procedure for THg determination in the geological samples in the river basin. All soils had THg above background levels of 0.07 mg/kg. Dunkwa-on-Offin site is THg “hotspot” in the basin and carnivorous fish from Nkontinso site are not safe for consumption.

Source: UCC
Mesh grading in isogeometric analysis

This paper is concerned with the construction of graded meshes for approximating so-called singular solutions of elliptic boundary value problems by means of multipatch discontinuous Galerkin Isogeometric Analysis schemes. Such solutions appear, for instance, in domains with re-entrant corners on the boundary of the computational domain, in problems with changing boundary conditions, in interface problems, or in problems with singular source terms. Making use of the analytic behavior of the solution, we construct the graded meshes in the neighborhoods of such singular points following a multipatch approach. We prove that appropriately graded meshes lead to the same convergence rates asin the case of smooth solutions with approximately the same number of degrees of freedom. Representative numerical examples are studied in order to confirm the theoretical convergence rates and to demonstrate the efficiency of the mesh grading technology in Isogeometric Analysis

Source: UCC
Mesozooplankton Abundance, Composition and Response to Global Climate Change in the Volta Estuarine System

Projections suggest that global climate change is warming and changing the salinity of brackish waters (e.g., lagoons, estuaries), with impacts on nursery and feeding habitats for fish and other organisms. This study evaluated the response of mesozooplankton - responsible for energy transfer to higher trophic levels - to the combination of these climate change factors. It was conducted using samples from the Volta estuary. A field study on transects indicated that, in terms of species composition, mesozooplankton of the area were dominated by copepods (68%) followed by decapods (25%), cladocerans (4.5%) and rotifers (0.5%); these were related to chlorophyll-a concentration, temperature and dissolved oxygen of the estuary. Combined impacts of warming and changes in salinity were assessed on two cosmopolitan mesozooplankton - Temora Stylifera and Paracalanus parvus - using microcosm experiments involving different levels of salinity (22, 21, 25, 29 and 30 ppt) and warming (+0, +2 and +4 °C). Combination of these factors could explain ≈74% of the variations in egg production rate (EPR) by Temora; EPR of the copepod decreased (70%) with each degree of warming. In contrast, only feacal pellet production (FPP) by Paracalanus could be related to the combination of the two climate change factors; FPP decreased by ≈56% when the copepod was exposed to increasing temperature and salinity. It can therefore be said that different species of estuarine mesozooplankton respond differently to the combined impacts of surface warming and salinity changes expected under global climate change

Source: UCC
Metabolic characteristics of Africans with normal glucose tolerance and elevated 1-hour glucose: insight from the Africans in America study

Risk of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, diabetes and cardiac death is increased in Asians and Europeans with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 1-hour glucose ≥8.6 mmol/L. As African descent populations often have insulin resistance but a normal lipid profile, the implications for Africans with NGT and glucose ≥8.6 mmol/L (NGT-1-hour- high) are unknown. We performed oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) in 434 African born-blacks living in Washington, DC (male: 66%, age 38±10 years (mean±SD)) and determined in the NGT group if either glucometabolic or lipid profiles varied according to a 1-hour- glucose threshold of 8.6 mmol/L. Glucose tolerance category was defined by OGTT criteria. NGT was subdivided into NGT-1-hour- high (glucose ≥8.6 mmol/L) and NGT-1-hour- normal (glucose <8.6 mmol/L). Second OGTT were performed in 27% (119/434) of participants 10±7 days after the first. Matsuda Index and Oral Disposition Index measured insulin resistance and beta-cell function, respectively. Lipid profiles were obtained. Comparisons were by one-way analysis of variance with Bonferonni corrections for multiple comparisons. Duplicate tests were assessed by к-statistic. One-hour- glucose ≥8.6 mmol/L occurred in 17% (47/272) with NGT, 72% (97/134) with pre-diabetes and in 96% (27/28) with diabetes. Both insulin resistance and beta-cell function were worse in NGT-1-hour- high than in NGT-1-hour- normal. Dyslipidemia occurred in both the diabetes and pre-diabetes groups but not in either NGT group. One-hour glucose concentration ≥8.6 mmol/L showed substantial agreement for the two OGTTs (к=0.628). Although dyslipidemia did not occur in either NGT group, insulin resistance and beta-cell compromise were worse in NGT-1 hour-high. Subdividing the NGT group at a 1-hour glucose threshold of 8.6 mmol/L may stratify risk for diabetes in Africans.

Source: UCC
Metabolic syndrome among Ghanaian patients presenting with chronic kidney disease

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a general risk factor for cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Western populations. This study assessed the relationship between MetS and its compo- nents in Ghanaian patients presenting with CKD. The study population comprised of 146 non- dialysed individuals with CKD with mean age of 50.2±1.1 years. Eighty (80) age and sex matched healthy participants without kidney pathology were used as controls. Estimated GFR (eGFR) was calculated using the 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (4v-MDRD) and CKD was defined as eGFR<60 ml/min/1.73m2. MetS was defined as the presence of three or more of the following risk factors according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) criteria: elevated blood pressure (BP), low high density lipoprotein cho- lesterol (HDL-C), high triglycerides (TG), elevated plasma glucose and abdominal obesity. The prevalence of MetS in this study was 30.1% and a significant relationship was observed between the number of MetS components and the presence CKD. The CKD group are about 3 times at risk of developing MetS as compared to the control group (95% CI=0.9-8.8). Female participants with CKD are 9 fold at risk of developing MetS as compared to the male counterparts (95% CI=1.7-47.9). The CKD patients were about 2 fold at risk of developing hypertension (95% CI=1.7-3.3) and dia- betes (95% CI=1.2-2.6), about 3 times at risk of developing hypertriglyceridaemia (95% CI=1.1-5.5) and approximately 4 times at risk of developing proteinuria (95% CI=2.7-7.0). Increased WC, TG and SBP are components of the metabolic syndrome which contribute to the initiation and pro- gression of CKD.

Source: UCC
Metal-ligand stability constants of Co (II), Ni (II) and Cu (II) metal ion complexes with N-(5-methyl-2-hydroxyacetophenone)-N’-(2- hydroxyacetophenone) ethylenediamine at 0.1 M ionic strength pH metrically

The interaction of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal ions with N-(5-methyl-2-hydroxyacetophenone)-N’-(2- hydroxyacetophenone) ethylenediamine have been studied at 0.1M ionic strength in 70% Dioxane-water mixture by Bjerrum method as adopted by Calvin and Wilson. It is observed that Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) metal ions form 1:1 complexes with ligand (L). The data obtained were used to estimate and compare the values of proton-ligand stability constant (pK) and metal-ligand stability constant (logK), from estimated data (pK and log K),

Source: UCC
Method development for arsenic analysis by modification in spectrophotometric technique

Arsenic is a non-metallic constituent, resent naturally in groundwater due to some minerals and rocks. Arsenic is not geologically uncommon and occurs in natural water as arsenate and arsenite. Additionally, arsenic may occur from industrial discharges or insecticide application. World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority have recommended a permissible limit of 10 pb for arsenic in drinking water. Arsenic at lower concentrations can e determined in water y using high tech instruments like the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (hydride generation). Because arsenic concentration at low limits of 1 pb cannot be determined easily with simple spectrophotometric technique, the spectrophoto metric technique using silver diethyldithiocarbamate was modified to achieve better results, up to the extent of 1 pb arsenic concentration

Source: UCC
Micro credit scheme as a poverty reduction strategy of the Ghanaian Danish community programme in the Tolon-Kumbugu district

The study set out to assess the effects of the Ghanaian Danish Community Programme (GDCP) micro credit scheme on the lives of rural women and their dependants. Access to credit to the rural poor, particularly women, to engage in income generating activities was identified as a problem in the Tolon Kumbungu district from a baseline study by the GDCP. The survey was conducted on 264 women in the study area using interview schedules, questionnaires and focus group discussions to collect data from the field, which were coded and analyzed using the SPSS package to derive tables and graphs to present the data. The major finding of the study was that access to micro credit improved the quality of lives of women beneficiaries and their dependants. Most of the women were able to improve on their processing skills that led to increased income and subsequently improved feeding, shelter, and increased school enrolment. The main problems identified with the operations of the scheme were unstable marketing for produce and inaccessibility to productive resources. In addition, most of the women who were weaned off by the GDCP lacked adequate capital to continue with their income generating activities. The study recommended the GDCP to assist women to organize trade fairs to open up marketing avenues as well as expand the scheme to cover men in order to break the socio-cultural problems. Additional loans should be provided to the women groups to enable them purchase more raw materials and processing equipment to improve on production

Source: UCC
A Micro Level Analysis of the Market Orientation – Small Business Financial Performance Nexus

The critical role small enterprises play in economic growth of developing economies has been recognised. Policy makers have therefore initiated policies and programmes to promote their growth and sustainability. Despite the important roles they play in the Ghanaian economy their financial performance has not been impressive due to the orientation of their marketing strategies. The paper seeks to explore the influence of market orientation on financial performance of small businesses. Simple random sampling was used to select three hundred and thirty-two owner/managers of small firms in the Takoradi metropolis. In addition, factor analysis, correlation coefficient and regression analysis were used to examine the data collected. It was found that there is a positive relationship between marketing orientation and its constituents and financial performance of small businesses. It is recommended that owner/managers adopt the culture of market orientation since it can impact on their financial performance. Also, policymakers and business development services providers should emphasise on the marketing orientation strategy as part of their advisory services.

Source: UCC
Micro Pension Saving and Retirement Income of Informal Economy Workers in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

The study investigated micro pension saving (MPS) in shaping retirement income of informal economy workers with respect to enrolment mechanisms, motives for enrolling and the attitude towards pension saving. The study design used was cross-sectional survey. The sample was made up of 321 contributors of MPS, 334 non-contributors of MPS and ten key informants. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected using interview schedule and interview guide. Using principal component analysis, multiple regression analysis and thematic analysis, the study concluded that more access provision, incentives and security result in increased informal economy workers’ participation in MPS. The dominant saving motive was found to be the bequest motive which inspires less pension savings. The study further found that computational capability and personal competence attitudes were significant in predicting the likelihood of informal economy workers contributing to pension saving. In addition, the study established that non-contributors of MPS have higher income compared to contributors of MPS. However, contributors of MPS were found to have higher perceived retirement income adequacy compared to non-contributors, even though no correlation existed between pension savings and income earned by contributors. Consequently, it is recommended for corporate pension trustees to take interest in the financial education of informal economy workers in order to shape their attitude and to create institutional structures to promote the culture of pension saving. Specific pension education on the need to save for old age income security through the media would reach out to thousands of informal economy workers who may be at risk of old age poverty if they have not saved yet for retirement.

Source: UCC
Micro-punching process based on spallation delamination induced by laser driven-flyer

In this article, we proposed a micro-punching process for microstructure on films based on laser driven flyer induced spallation delamination phenomenon at the interface between a film and its substrate. To validate such a micro-punching process, a series of experiments were carried out for fabrication of microstructures on Au films coated on K9 glass substrates and polyimide substrate. Results show that through such a punching process, the microstructure on Au films can be fabricated efficiently and the spatial resolution is able to reach micron level. Moreover, we found that this method was more suitable for films coated on soft substrates rather than that coated on brittle substrates due to the additional destruction ofthe brittle substrate. This micro-punching process has a wide range of potential application in microfluidic devices, biodevices and other MEMS devices

Source: UCC
Microbial and Nutritional Evaluation of Food Packaged in Banana (Musa Sapientum) and Plantain (Musa Paradisiaca) Leaves

The availability of varied packaging materials for global food services has accounted for ready-to-eat foods in wrappings of plant leaves, of which the Ghanaian food industry is not an exception. This study evaluated the microbial and nutritive status of food packaged in both Musa sapientum and Musa paradisiaca in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis. Standard methods were used in conducting the experiments. Qualitative data and quantitative data obtained were analyzed and the results were expressed in frequencies, percentages, means and graphs. The study revealed that majority of the food service operators who packaged food in M. sapientum and M. parasidiaca leaves where mainly food vendors who engaged in kenkey selling. Consumer preferences were geared towards presumed health and safetiness, medicinal properties and availability. In this study, the proximate analysis showed that M. sapientum and M. parasidiaca leaves add important nutrients to the wrapped food compared to food wrapped in Cellophane. The study also revealed appreciably high contents of phosphorus, potassium, and β-Carotene in oblongo, which had been wrapped in M. sapientum and M. parasidiaca fresh leaves, while copper and zinc were noticeable in the oblongo wrapped in dry leaves. At the same time, traceable amounts of bacteria count, coliforms, yeast, and mold and antioxidants were identified on both fresh and dry leaves collected across the three locations. Alternatively, there were no detectable traces of microbes on the Cellophane and the oblongo packaged in leaves under hygienic conditions. It is recommended that consumers and food service operators who patronize M. sapientum and M. sparadisiaca leaves, but to ensure high food hygiene to control and/ or avoid bacterial contamination and infection.

Source: UCC
Microbial Contamination Associated with “Wagashi-Cheese” Production in Sissala East District- Ghana

The purpose of the study was to identify the possible sources of microbial contamination in the production of Wagashi-Cheese in the Sissala East District, Upper West Region of Ghana. Also, the hygienic practices involvedwere examined. A survey, observation and experiment were used to collect data. Eighty (40 raw cow milk producers and 40 Wagashi-Cheese producers) were randomly selected for the survey. Six (3 milk producers and 3 Wagashi –Cheese producers) were purposively sampled for the experimental part. Microbial analysis of the milk and Wagashi-Cheese were carried out using the ISO and NMKL Analytical Standard procedures. Findings from the study revealed that milk and Wagashi-Cheese producers do not practice optimal personal, food and environmental hygiene. Coliform, fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, Total mesophilic (PCA), yeast and mould were identified in both the milk and Wagashi-Cheese. Dirty cow teat, unclean containers for receiving milk and improper handling of milk while transporting to Wagashi-Cheese centers were identified as Critical Control Points along the production line of Wagash-Cheese. Post interventions showed significant (p≤ 0.05) reduction in microbial levels in the samples analyzed. In conclusion, the application of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) improved the quality of the final product. HACCP education and training for milk and Wagashi-Cheese producers is highly recommended. In conclusion, there is a significant difference (P≥0.05) in the microbial load of wagashi from the selected producers and thus the alternate hypothesis that there is no significant difference in the microbial loads of wagashi from different producers.

Source: UCC