ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Multiple insecticide resistance in the major malaria vector Anopheles funestus in southern Ghana: implications for malaria control

Background: Understanding the dynamics of insecticide resistance in African malaria vectors is crucial for successful implementation of resistance management strategies in the continent. his study reports a high and multiple insecticide resistance in Anopheles funestus from southern Ghana which could compromise the Malaria Operational Plan in this country, if not tackled. Adult Anopheles mosquitoes were collected in Obuasi and Adawukwa, in southern Ghana. Plasmodium infection rates, susceptibility to the main insecticides used in public health and the molecular basis of insecticide resistance were established. Results:An. funestus (sensu stricto) (s.s.) was the predominant mosquito species found resting inside the houses in Obuasi, while at Adawukwa it was found together withAn. coluzzii. Parasite rates were high inAn. funestus (s.s.) populations from both localities, withPlasmodium infection rates greater than 12.5 %. Both,An. funestus (s.s.) and An. coluzzii, from the two sites exhibited high resistance to the insecticide from various classes including the pyrethroids, carbamates and DDT, but remained fully susceptible to the organophosphates. A preliminary characterization of the underlying molecular mechanisms of resistance inAn. funestus (s.s.) populations from both sites revealed that CYP6P9a, CYP6P9b,CYP6M7and GSTe2 genes are upregulated, markedly higher in Obuasi (between 3.35 and 1.83 times) than in Adawukwa population. he frequency of L119F-GSTe2 and A296S-RDL resistance markers were also higher in Obuasi (42.5 and 68.95 % higher), compared withAn. funestus (s.s.) populations from Adawukwa. These findings suggest that the similar resistance pattern observed in both An. funestus (s.s.) populations are driven by different mechanisms. Conclusions: Resistance to multiple insecticides in public health use is present in malaria vectors from Ghana with major resistance genes already operating in the field. This should be taken into consideration in the design of resistance management strategies to avoid operational failure

Source: UCC
A Multiple Mediation Analysis of the Effect of Prior Performance on Academic Achievement Through Student Teachers’ Motivational Orientations

The study investigated the mediational effect of student teachers’ motivational orientations on the relationship between prior performance and academic achievement. This cross-sectional correlation study employed a survey approach in the collection of quantitative data. Stratified and Systematic sampling approaches were used in selecting 500 student teachers for the study. The results indicated that students ranked extrinsic motivation, value for task or course materials, and selfefficacy for learning as high motivators for learning. The independent samples t-tests for differences in means of first- and second-year students’ reported motivational orientations showed a statistically significant difference in their use of extrinsic motivation, control of learning beliefs, and task value as learning strategies. First-year students’ reported means were higher than that of the second-year students. The results from the study, taken as a set, indicated that student teachers’ motivational orientations significantly mediated the relationship between prior performance (entry aggregates) and academic achievement (GPA). Approximately 16.7% of the change in the effect of prior performance on academic achievement was due to the presence of the motivation variables. Overall, prior performance plus student teachers motivational orientations explained about 42% of the variations in their academic achievement.

Source: UCC
Multiple-choice construction competencies and items‟ quality: evidence from selected senior high school subject teachers in Kwahu-South District

The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between the multiple-choice test construction competencies of senior high school teachers in the Kwahu-South District and the quality of multiple-choice test items they construct, as well as the effect of years of teaching on such relationship. To examine the relationship among the variables under investigation, the quantitative approach is employed using correlational research design. The total number of teachers that constituted the population for the study was 157. However, with the use of purposive sampling technique, the study covered only 47 participants (n = 47) out of the 157 teachers. Questionnaire and document examination were used as the main data collection instruments. The overall reliability coefficient of the 20-item questionnaire using Cronbach‟s alpha was .75. The data collected was analysed using means and standard deviations, frequency count, percentages, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient. Finding from the study revealed no significant relationship between the teachers‟ test construction competencies and the quality of the multiple-choice test items. This implied that the presence of problem items influenced the quality of the multiple-choice tests in a manner that it showed no significant relationship with the teachers‟ self-reported appreciable or high levels of multiple-choice test construction competencies. Thus, it was recommended that school authorities and classroom teachers pay critical attention to factors that reduce the quality of multiple-choice items and put up measures that will improve the reliability and validity of results obtained from assessments that involve the use of multiple-choice test items.

Source: UCC
Multiscale Galerkin approximation scheme for a system of quasilinear parabolic equations

We discuss a multiscale Galerkin approximation scheme for a system of coupled quasilinear parabolic equations. These equations arise from the upscaling of a pore scale filtration combustion model under the assumptions of large Damkh¨ler number and small P´clet number. The upscaled model consists of a heat difusion equation and a mass diffusion equation in the bulk of a macroscopic domain. The associated difusion tensors are bivariate functions of temperature and concentration and provide the necessary coupling conditions to elliptic-type cell problems. These cell problems are characterized by a reaction-difusion phenomenon with nonlinear reactions of Arrhenius type at a gas-solid interface. We discuss the wellposedness of the quasilinear system and establish uniform estimates for the fnite dimensional approximations. Based on these estimates, the convergence of the approximating sequence is proved. The results of numerical simulations demonstrate, in suitable temperature regimes, the potential of solutions of the upscaled model to mimic those from porous media combustion. Moreover, distinctions are made between the efects of the microscopic reaction-difusion processes on the macroscopic system of equations and a purely diffusion system

Source: UCC
Multiscale homogenization of a class of nonlinear equations with applications in lubrication theory and applications

We prove a homogenization result for monotone operators by using the method of multiscale convergence. More precisely, we study the asymptoticbehavior as ε → 0 of the solutions uε of the nonlinear equation div aε(x, ∇uε) = div bε, where both aε and bε oscillate rapidly on several microscopic scales and aε satisfies certain continuity, monotonicity and boundedness conditions. This kind of problem has applications in hydrodynamic thin flm lubrication where the bounding surfaces have roughness on several length scales. The homogenization result is obtained by extending the multiscale convergence method to the setting of Sobolev spaces W1,p 0 (Ω), where 1 <p<∞. In particular we give new proofs of some fundamental theorems concerning this convergence that were frst obtained by Allaire and Briane for the case p = 2

Source: UCC
Multispectral imaging in combination with multivariate analysis discriminates selenite induced cataractous lenses from healthy lenses of sprague-dawley rats

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Current methods for discriminating cataractous lenses from healthy lenses of Sprague-Dawley rats during preclinical studies are based on either histopathological or clinical assessments which are weakened by subjectivity. In this work, both cataractous and healthy lens tissues of Sprague-Dawley rats were studied using multispectral imaging technique in combination with multivariate analysis. Multispectral images were captured in transmission, reflection and scattering modes. In all, five spectral bands were found to be markers for discriminating cataractous lenses from healthy lenses; 470 nm and 625 nm discriminated in reflection mode whereas 435 nm, 590 nm and 700 nm discriminated in transmission mode. With Fisher’s Linear discriminant analysis, the midpoints for classifying cataractous from healthy lenses were found to be14.718 × 10−14 and 3.2374 × 10 −14 for the two spectra bands in the reflection mode and the three spectral bands in the transmission mode respectively. Images in scattering mode did not show significant discrimination. These spectral bands in reflection and transmission modes may offer potential diagnostic markers for discriminating cataractous lenses from healthy lenses thereby promising multispectral imaging applications for characterizing cataractous and healthy lenses

Source: UCC
Multispectral imaging of plasmodium falciparum infected and uninfected sickle disease and sickle trait red blood cells

In this work, multispectral imaging technique was used to discriminate between Plasmodium falciparum infected sickle red blood cells (SIRBCs) (sickle cell trait (AS) (AS-IRBCs) and sickle cell disease (SS) (SS-IRBCs)) and their respective uninfected sickle red blood cells (SURBCs) (AS-URBCs, SS-URBCs)). Giemsa stained blood smear slides were prepared from cultured samples of AS-IRBCs, AS-URBCs, SS-IRBCs and SS-URBCs that have been kept for one (D1) and six days (D6). Optical characteristics of SIRBCs and SURBCs in transmission mode showed a general increase in transmitted light intensities for SIRBCs and decreased in transmitted light intensities for URBCs for most of the thirteen (13) excitation wavelengths employed. Principal component analysis revealed 700 nm wavelength as a standard marker for discriminating between SIRBCs and SURBCs for both AS and SS. Other wavelengths (435 nm, 700 nm, and 810 nm) were common markers for AS-IRBCs-D1 and AS-IRBCs-D6 with the 750 nm being a unique marker for AS-IRBCsD6. Whereas 590 nm, 700 nm and 750 nm were found as markers for discriminating between SIRBCs and SURBCs of SS- IRBCs-D1 and SS- IRBCs-D6, 435 nm and 810 nm were unique markers for SS- IRBCs D6 only. This multispectral imaging technique can be envisioned as a tool for diagnosing sickle cell anaemia patients infected with malaria.

Source: UCC
Multivariate analysis of food prices in Ghana

This study is concerned with the evaluation of the price levels of food items in various markets across Ghana. The objective was to determine the main dimensions along which to identify specific markets in which items are high-priced and those that are low-priced. To this end, data on prices in 2008 of fifteen food items in 100 selected markets from all the regions of the country were obtained from the Statistical, Research and Information Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The data thus obtained were multivariate in structure since prices of 15 food items were recorded from each of 100 markets. Principal Component Analysis, which is a procedure for data reduction and summarization, is considered appropriate for analyzing this high dimensional data set. Initial exploration of the data, using zero-order and partial correlation analysis and eigen-analysis among others further informed the choice of the technique. It was found that there are two important dimensions along which the levels of prices can be determined. These are the weighted sum of all the food items and the weighted sum of only food items that are considered as the main constituent of a typical local diet. A cluster analysis of the first component scores revealed that only a single market, Tepa in the Ashanti Region, was generally the lowest-priced market in the country. However, markets that are predominantly located in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions are generally high-priced specifically the Bongo market in the Upper East region. There are, however, not much extreme-priced markets on the second component. The study shows that it will be economically beneficial to be mindful of the location and the size of the market from which one intends to make purchases of certain categories of food items.

Source: UCC
Multivariate statistical and spatial assessment of groundwater quality in the Tolon-Kumbungu District, Ghana

The study was conducted to assess the quality of groundwater in 47 boreholes in the Tolon Kumbungu District of Ghana, using multivariate statistical and spatial techniques. The results indicate that physicochemical parameters exhibit wide variability. About 8.5% of the samples recorded pH outside World Health Organization recommended limit of 6.5-8.5. Approximately 43% of samples recorded conductivity levels higher than 1000 :S/cm, while close to 19% of boreholes recorded total iron concentrations above 0.3 mg/L. Approximately 3.4% of boreholes recorded arsenic concentrations above 0.01 mg/L. Alkalinity ranged from 28 to 766 mg/L CaCO 3 ; and groundwater in the area can be considered to have relatively high buffering capacity. Turbidity was associated with mineral matter suspension (Fe). Principal component analysis indicates that the data is a three-component system explaining 65% of the total variance. The first two components account for more than 50% of the total variance. Cluster analysis categorized the sampling locations into three spatially dissimilar groups. The natural hydrochemistry of the groundwater system appears to explain much of the variability of the data. However, a groundwater monitoring programme is recommended to characterize the variability of the parameters over longer temporal scales

Source: UCC
Multivariate Time Series Modelling of Ex-Pump Prices of Petroleum Products in Ghana

The purpose of the study is to obtain a suitable model for the ex-pump prices of petroleum products in Ghana. It examines how changes in the prices of one product cause changes in the price of others in both the short and long terms. Data spanning January 2007 to June 2015 are obtained from the National Petroleum Authority of Ghana, covering four petroleum products; Premium Gasoline, Gas Oil, Kerosene, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas. The analysis is carried out using the technique of Vector Error Corrected (VEC) modelling. This technique is found suitable as the data obtained constitutes a time series that is multivariate in nature, and that the components are found to exhibit long-run relationships. The study reveals that there exists a general upward trend in the ex-pump prices of the products over the period. It also shows that changes in prices of some of the products influence others in the short run, but in the medium to long terms, stability is attained, with Premium Gasoline and Gas Oil prices accounting for most of the variations in changes in prices of the four products. A VEC model of order 1 is found suitable for the data and appears to perform better than the VAR model with the least R-squared of 90.3% for Gasoline prices and the highest of 96% for Gasoil prices. The results reflect the competitive usage of the two products that could serve as substitutes. Thus, to ensure economic prices in petroleum products, in general, it would be expedient to ensure effective management of price changes in these two products.

Source: UCC
Municipal solid waste disposal practices in the Wa Municipality

Rapid urbanization in Ghana has resulted in poor environmental conditions in most urban settlements in the country. Household solid waste disposal by residents, in particular, has become an overwhelming problem in the Wa municipality. The study analysed the underlying factors affecting effective solid waste disposal and ultimately household solid waste management in the municipality and suggested possible measures to resolve the problem. The study used data collected from household residents in Wa municipal, and data from Wa Municipal Assembly, and the office of Zoom lion waste management company. The study gathered data from two main sources namely: secondary and primary sources. Three main techniques were employed in gathering the primary data: preliminary field investigation, interview schedule survey and face-to-face interview. The results of the study show that there is no adequate supply of storage facilities, household residents used inappropriate solid waste disposal methods, there is irregular collection of solid waste in the municipality, and there are inadequate resources for waste management institutions to effectively carryout their mandate. In the light of these problems enumerated above, the study recommended these among others, adequate supply of skips, regular collection of waste, pragmatic sanitary health education, and proper disposal of solid waste by residents and adequate resourcing of the waste management institutions.

Source: UCC
Music and emotion: A study of the relationship between musical preference and emotional intelligence

The concept of emotion is one that is deeply connected to both Musical Preferences (MP) and Emotional Intelligence (EI) inter alia. In fact, many people identify different emotions in their day-to-day engagements with different musical types. Identification of emotions in stimuli such as in sounds, faces and pictures has also been established ipso facto by scholars as an important aspect of EI. It thus appears axiomatic that aspects of music and emotional intelligence should be significantly related. However, the empirical evidence to support this claim is still wanting. Employing a mixed-methods design with a sample of 100 undergraduate students, I explored the relationship between MP and EI. The Short Test of Musical Preferences and the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test were used to collect data on MP and EI respectively. Inferential and descriptive statistical tools were used to test the hypotheses of relationships between the two variables. Qualitative analytical tools, such as thematic analysis, were also used to aid the explanations of the emergent quantitative outcomes. The findings revealed that the Upbeat and Conventional, and the Intense and Rebellious music dimensions were positively and negatively correlated respectively, with the overall EI scores of participants. Whereas Soundtracks/Theme songs correlated positively with participant’s EI scores, Rock music correlated negatively. Thus, there was ample evidence to believe that MP and EI are related.

Source: UCC
Music and wellbeing in everyday life: An exploratory study of music experience in Ghana

In this paper we highlight the experience of music in everyday contexts in Ghana. Using the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) and semi-structured interviews, we examined how people experience and use music in everyday life in potentially beneficial ways to enhance subjective wellbeing. In contrast to previous research where music’s self-regulatory role has been highlighted primarily in the context of solitary music listening, for the participants in our study music also played a crucial role as a form of social and participatory performance practice. This was particularly evident in the strong connection between music, religion, and social dance

Source: UCC
Music Performance and Brain Responses: The Case of Music and Dance Students of University of Cape Coast

This study was about investigating music performance and brain responses among undergraduate students of the Music department of University of Cape Coast. The purpose of the study was to investigate the following: possible statistically significant differences in brain response to reading of song lyrics and singing of song as well as brain response among student with long exposure and limited exposure to music. Further, the study sought to investigate possible statistically significant differences in responses to singing by the four lobes of the brain; frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital. Census method was used with a total of fifty respondents (N=50). Data for the study was collected using Electroencephalogram (EEG) machine. The data was computed and analysed using quantitative techniques. Two statistical tools were employed in testing the hypothesis formulated; the t-test for hypothesis one and two while the two-way ANOVA was used to analysed hypothesis three. Within subject dependent variables, a Repeated Measures ANOVA with a Greenhouse-Geisser correction, Wilks' Lambda statistical tests were observed during computation of data. Result show that there was no statistically significant evidence of difference in the brain responses when respondents read or sing lyrics of a song (p>0.873). Also, there was no evidence of statistical difference in the brain responses to singing and reading by students with long period of exposure or limited exposure to lyrics of a song (p>0.394). Finally, there were statistically significant differences in responses of the four brain lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes) to singing among the study participants (p<0.025).

Source: UCC
Music, sound, or noise? Sonic culture in Ghana and its public health implications

The sonic culture of any place is always locally specific. Yet, beyond cultural differences, there are more general health implications of sound production and exposure, particularly where high sound levels with potentially damaging effects to the inner ear are concerned. The purpose of this study was to investigate further into the socio-cultural, psychological, and physiological dimensions of sound production, exposure and perception in a Ghanaian context. Specifically, we aimed to examine how people who regularly deal with electronic sound equipment evaluate sound stimuli in different contexts. We used three different instruments: first, we measured ambient noise levels at live music events and during band rehearsals; we then conducted air conduction threshold tests to assess participants’ status of hearing; and, as a complementary instrument, we used a structured questionnaire to assess levels of sound exposure as well as participants’ evaluation of environmental noise. Our results revealed that amateur and professional musicians are indeed a high risk group with regard to potential hearing damage. We therefore concluded that awareness campaigns and counter-measures with regard to sound/noise pollution need to be designed more specifically for different target groups to address their respective needs.

Source: UCC