ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Aggression and Its Justification among Senior High School Soccer Players in Ghana

The dual purposes of this study were to find out if any differences exist in the types of aggression endorsed by senior high school boys’ and girls’ soccer players, and if they differ in the justifications for their use. Two hundred and forty-four (N = 244) senior high school boys’ and girls’ soccer players responded to the Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire and the Mintah-Huddleston Aggression Justification Inventory (MHAJI). Boys’ soccer players differed from the girls on both MHAJI hostile and instrumental subscales, and on the Buss and Perry verbal aggression subscale. Overall, boys and girls senior high school soccer players in Ghana did not consider physical aggression, anger and hostility as appropriate.

Source: UCC
Agogo Presbyterian College of Education under the missionaries and after take-over by the government (1931-2013): a comparative study

The study analysed the Agogo Presbyterian College of Education (1930-1971) and when it was taken over by the Government (1972-2013). This became relevant in the wake of the recent plea by the churches that the Government should hand over Mission Schools to the churches. The study therefore examines the state of management and leadership and infrastructural development both under the regime of the Missionaries and the Government. It also sought to assess academic standard of the students, and the discipline of the College, qualification of the teachers, supervision, students’ patronage of library and entry grade of students to the College with the view of establishing the progression or retrogression over the period. In doing this, a comparative study was undertaken and data were derived from archival materials of the Agogo Presbyterian College of Education, and direct interviews with past Principals and Administrators of the College. The results revealed that despite an increase in student-intake (210 students in 1942 to 750 students in 2014) with a corresponding increase of teachers (from 5 missionary teachers with lower academic degrees in 1931 to 28 teachers with masters qualifications), inadequate infrastructural development; lack of discipline and competitions among students have characterised APCE since it was managed by the Government as compared to the Missionaries. The study recommends that the Government would complete the construction of the students’ hall complex, and also put up large auditorium and classroom blocks to accommodate the high student’s intake in the College to enhance education delivery

Source: UCC
Agricultural Land Use Change and Emerging Pattern of Livelihoods In Peri-Urban Wa, Ghana

Fertile agricultural lands are disappearing in peri-urban areas due to encroachment from urban dwellers. This study, therefore, considered agricultural land use change and emerging patterns of livelihoods in the peri-urban areas in Wa, Ghana. The mixed research approach was deployed in the study. Specifically, the sequential explanatory mixed research constituted the study design. A sample of 408 household heads participated in the study. An interview schedule, observation guide, an interview guide and a group discussion guide were utilised in the collection of data. Quantitative data analysis entailed the use of change detection analysis, descriptive statistics, chi-square test of independence, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, factor analysis, and binary logistic regression, while thematic analysis was applied to the qualitative data. The study found that between 1986 and 2019, Wa township had expanded beyond its initial official boundaries and this manifested in the increase in the number of residential housing. Most households have had their farmlands reduced and, in some cases, some have lost it completely. It also emerged that expected economic returns and the availability of buyers motivated the selling of peri-urban lands. Besides, construction-related activities and petty trading resulted as new livelihood strategies. The study concluded that increased population and migration, largely exert pressure on peri-urban agricultural land in Wa. It is recommended that the Physical Planning Department should collaborate with local landowners to develop local plans for areas that are earmarked for sale to ensure that areas without local plans are not sold out, while traditional households should begin to adopt more non-farm income generating activities to enable them to step out of poverty.

Source: UCC
Agronomic biofortification of selected underutilised solanaceae vegetables for improved dietary intake of potassium (K) in Ghana

Agronomic biofortification is the deliberate use of mineral fertilizers to increase the concentration of a target mineral in edible portions of crops to increase dietary intake of the target mineral. Globally, increased dietary intake of potassium (K) is becoming a part of the strategy to address hidden hunger and related noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension and cardiac disorders. This study aimed at demonstrating the efficacy of increasing the concentration of K in the edible portions of three commonly consumed but underutilized solanacea vegetables (Solanum aethiopicum, S. macrocarpon and S. torvum) in Ghana. The effects of different types and rates of K fertilizer application on the leaf- and fruit-K contents of the vegetables, as well as the K loss between the raw and cooked fruits were investigated. Five levels of each of three types of K fertilizer (liquid drench of potassium chloride, granular Muriate of potash and Sulphate of potash) were applied to each of the three field-grown vegetables. Yield data were collected and the fruits and leaves were analysed for the content of K, N, P, Ca, Fe, Zn and Cu. The results showed the rate of fertilizer application had significant effect on the yields of S. aethiopicum and macrocarpon but the yield of S. torvum was significantly affected by type, rate and interactive effect of type and rate of fertilizer application. Fruit K concentrations were greatest for S. aethiopicum (2130 mg K kg1 DW) and S. torvum (1883 mg K kg1 DW) with liquid KCl but with Sulphate of Potash for S. macrocarpon (1801 mg K kg1 DW). There were higher K concentrations in leaves than in fruits of all the vegetables. Household cooking of the fruits resulted in the retention of over 70% of the K content in the raw fruits. Potassium fertilization increased the Ca, Fe, and Zn contents of S. aethiopicum and S. torvum. It is concluded that agronomic biofortification may be a useful strategy to increase K intakes and other important elements (e.g. Fe and Zn) in the vegetables studied

Source: UCC
Agronomic effects of biochar and wastewater irrigation in urban crop production of Tamale, northern Ghana

Agricultural production needs to increase, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, many rural people are undernourished, and the urban population is growing rapidly. It is worrisome that on many West African soils with low cation exchange capacity and soil organic carbon content, mineral fertilization is rather inefﬁcient. Under these conditions, wherever available untreated wastewater is used for irrigation despite the potential health risks to producers and consumers. For intensively cultivated soils with high mineralization rates, biochar application has been advocated as a promising management option. However, the agronomic beneﬁts of wastewater reuse in agriculture and its interaction with biochar have received only limited attention. This study therefore investigated the effects of mineral fertilizer application and biochar amendment at two water quality and quantity levels on soil moisture, plant nutrition and biomass production on a Petroplinthic Cambisol over 2 years. Rice husk biochar applied at 20 t ha-1 signiﬁcantly increased fresh matter yields in the ﬁrst ﬁve cropping cycles by 15%, and by 9% by the end of 2 years. Compared with clean water, wastewater irrigation increased yields 10–20-fold on unfertilized plots during the dry seasons, while a fourfold increment was observed in the wet seasons. This seasonal difference is likely a result of the high sequence of irrigation events during the dry season. In this study, fertigation with wastewater contributed signiﬁcantly to plant nutrition and nutrient recovery while yield increasing biochar effects disappeared over time. Soil moisture was enhanced by up to 9% due to biochar amendments under unfertilized conditions

Source: UCC
Al-Zarnūjī’s concept of knowledge (‘Ilm)

Education is important for every Muslim society as the Prophet made it incumbent on all Muslims. However, the issue of what category of knowledge is permitted for Muslims, the method for imparting this knowledge, and what to impart (content) are arguably the main challenges in Islamic education. Many Muslim scholars have looked at the concept of knowledge from various perspectives. In his monumental work, Ta‘līm Al-Muta‘allim, the classical Muslim scholar, Al-Zarnūjī, expounds the basic principles of education in Islam, which, indeed, have been used as the teaching methodology by many scholars throughout the Muslim world. Using content analysis, this article evaluates the concept of knowledge and its imperatives in Islam from the perspective of Al-Zarnūjī. It was found that Al-Zarnūjī classified knowledge into two main categories. One is perceived as the core of society’s survival and is thus seen as binding on the entire society. This is known as fard.u kifāyah. The other is individually required and is called fard.u ‘ayn. He argues that both should be guided by the Islamic religious values. Therefore, Al-Zarnūjī considers knowledge as a means for advancement and the perfection of the individual and the society both in this world and the hereafter. This makes his concept of knowledge inseparable from the Islamic ethical values. Al Zarnuji’s contribution to knowledge lies in the packaging and dissemination of the Islamic academic heritage, particularly, the methodology for teaching and learning which is relevant to all the levels of the education ladder

Source: UCC
Alcohol use by school-going adolescents in Ghana: Prevalence and correlates

The main objective of the study was to examine the types of bullying that were taking place in the senior high schools in Ghana. A multi-stage sampling procedure, comprising purposive, simple random and snowball sampling technique, was used in the selection of the sample. A total of 354 respondents were drawn six schools in Ashanti, Central and Northern Regions. The interview schedule was administered to three categories of respondents, these were bullies, victims of bullies and bystanders in bullying. The various types of bullying which were going on in the schools were; physical, social, verbal, cyber and psychological. Accordingly the study revealed that physical and verbal bullying were rampant in the various schools in the country. The study recommends the need for the schools to set up a system which will identify the various types and also stop the bullying in the schools. Students should be counselled and made aware of the harmful effects of bullying in the schools

Source: UCC
Algae from the Rhynie Chert

New material collected from the Rhynie Chert Bed (Siegenian age) has revealed new filamentous and unicellular algae. Two of the filamentous forms and one palmelloid form are described. Filamentous and unicellular algae are particularly common in a white kind of chert not previously reported and which is interpreted as having been formed by the in situ silicification of a silicate‐rich pond. Some rhizoid‐nodes of Palaeonitella cranii (Kidston & Lang) Pia and a possible rhizoid‐borne pro‐embryo are also described and compared with similar structures in living Charophyta. Copyright © 1983, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved

Source: UCC
Algebra Teaching Knowledge of Basic School Mathematics Teachers

This study is situated on the fact that, teachers’ knowledge of algebra for teaching affects students’ algebra knowledge, hence their general performance in mathematics. In view of this, the algebra teaching knowledge level of basic school mathematics teachers should be monitored to positively affect pupils’ mathematics performance. The study focused on basic school mathematics teachers who obtained their teaching certificates through Distance Education Programmes and those who had theirs from Colleges of Education. The re-conceptualized KAT framework was used to bring to light the algebra teaching knowledge levels of basic school mathematics teachers and also checked if their algebra teaching knowledge improve as their years of teaching experience increases. The study employed an explanatory sequential mixed method research design and used 203 basic school mathematics teachers. The study brought to view that, basic school mathematics teachers from the two groups have fairly satisfactory algebra knowledge for teaching mathematics and needs to be improved. It also revealed that, although they all have fairly satisfactory algebra knowledge for teaching, that of those who obtained their teaching certificates from Colleges of Education is relatively higher than those from Distance Education programmes. The study finally brought to view that, the algebra teaching knowledge of the two groups do not improve significantly as their years of teaching experience increases. In reference to the outcome of the study, it is recommended that, there should be in-service training for basic school mathematics teachers within the study area to enable them improve on their algebra teaching knowledge as their years of teaching experiences increase.

Source: UCC
All Markets are not Created Equal - Evidence from the Ghana Stock Exchange

We investigated the model fit for volatility of returns from the Ghana Stock Exchange All Share Index for the Bayesian versions of GARCH(1,1) with student-t innovations and stochastic volatility. We found evidence in favour of the GARCH(1,1) with student-t innovations against the recommendation from the developed equity markets of preference for stochastic volatility models. We are of the view that model fit has to do with the development stage of a particular market. Issues like thin and asynchronous trading influence the data generating process; hence, we view financial econometric models as suitable to data depending on whether the market is developed, emerging or frontier.

Source: UCC
Allan Basuglo Dudimaheffects of Stress on Performance of Health Care Employees at the Sissala East Municipal Hospital

The reason for undertaking this study was to find out the impact of work-related stress on the employee performance of health care workers at the Sissala East Municipal Hospital. The study specifically investigates the causes of stress of health care employees; examine the relations between stress and the performance of health care employee; examine the effect of stress on the performance of employee; and examine the strategies used by nurses to manage stress at the Sissala East Municipal Hospital. The study used quantitative approach, used descriptive research survey designs and Questionnaires were used to gather data. Eighty-two respondents were selected for the study. The mean, standard deviation and multiple regression were used to analyze the data. The findings showed the causes of stress were role conflict, heavy workload, and lack of management support, long working hours, inadequate staff, role ambiguity and poor working conditions. The finding further revealed that nurses at Sissala East Municipal Hospital go through some level of stress. The study recommends that management of Sissala East Municipal hospital should clearly state and clarify the roles of the employee to reduce stress. Management must also organise training through workshop for employees to equip them with the knowledge on stress coping strategies to deal with stress and create a conducive working environment. Management of Sissala East Municipal Hospital should pay urgent attention to stressors and the negative effect on employee performance.

Source: UCC
Allergic Airway-Induced Hypersensitivity Is Attenuated by Bergapten in Murine Models of Inflammation

Bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen, 5-MOP) is a plant-derived furocoumarin with demonstrated anti-inflammatory action. *e present study investigated its effects on allergic inflammation in two related pathways of mast cell degranulation. Compound 48/ 80 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used to activate the IgE-independent pathway while bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as allergen for the IgE-dependent pathway. *e modulatory effect of bergapten on mast cell degranulation, neutrophil extravasation, protein concentration, lung histopathology, and oxidative stress was assessed. Bergapten at 10, 30, and 100 μg/ml for 15 min stabilized mast cells in rat mesenteric tissue from disruption in vitro and when administered in vivo at 3, 10, and 30 mg kg-1 for 1 h protected mice from fatal anaphylaxis induced by compound 48/80. Similarly, treatment of LPS-challenged mice with bergapten (3, 10, and 30 mg kg-1) for 24 h significantly decreased neutrophil infiltration into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, mean protein concentration, and inflammatory cell infiltration of pulmonary tissues when compared to the saline-treated LPS-challenged control. In addition, lung histology of the bergapten-treated LPS-challenged mice showed significantly less oedema, congestion, and alveolar septa thickening when compared to the saline-treated LPS-challenged disease control. LPS-induced oxidative stress was significantly reduced through increased tissue activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase and reduced malondialdehyde levels on treatment with bergapten. In the triple antigen-induced active anaphylaxis, daily administration of bergapten at 3, 10, and 30 mg kg-1 for 10 days, respectively, protected previously sensitized and challenged mice against anaphylactic shock. Overall, our study demonstrates the ability of bergapten to attenuate allergic airway-induced hypersensitivity in murine models of inflammation, suggesting its possible therapeutic benefit in this condition.

Source: UCC
Altered Bioavailability of Nitric Oxide and L-Arginine Is a Key Determinant of Endothelial Dysfunction in Preeclampsia

Background. Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence indicates that endothelial dysfunction is central to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. This study assessed the level of the components of the arginine-nitric oxide pathway to evaluate endothelial dysfunction in normotensive pregnancies and pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia. Methods. This case-control study was conducted among pregnant women who visited Comboni Hospital from January 2017 to May 2018. A total of 180 pregnant women comprising 88 preeclamptic women (PE) and 92 healthy normotensive pregnant women (NP) were recruited. Sociodemographic, clinical, and obstetric data were obtained using validated questionnaires. Blood pressure and anthropometrics were measured, and blood samples were collected for the estimation of nitric oxide (NO∙), L-arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and 3-nitrotyrosine using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results. The mean NO∙ (p = 0:010) and L-arginine/ADMA ratio (p < 0:0001) was signiﬁcantly lower in PE compared to NP while mean L-arginine (p = 0:034), ADMA (p < 0:0001), and 3-nitrotyrosine (p < 0:0001) were signiﬁcantly higher in PE than NP. ADMA showed a signiﬁcant positive association with systolic blood pressure (β = 0:454, p = 0:036) in severe PE. Women with PE had signiﬁcant intrauterine growth restriction (p < 0:0001) and low birth weight infants (p < 0:0001) when compared to NP. Conclusion. Preeclampsia is associated with reduced NO∙ bioavailability, L-arginine/ADMA ratio, and elevated levels of ADMA and 3-nitrotyrosine. Measurements of the levels of these parameters can help in the early prediction of endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia. Exogenous therapeutic supplementation with L-arginine during pregnancy to increase the L-arginine/ADMA ratio should be considered to improve endothelial function in preeclampsia and pregnant women at risk of developing preeclampsia.

Source: UCC
Altered Immunoglobulins (A and G) in Ghanaian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Objectives: Elevated immunoglobulin levels have been strongly linked to the development and progression of inflammatory disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. This study aimed to evaluate circulating immunoglobulin levels and to identify other metabolic factors that influence humoral immune response among Ghanaian subjects with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study conducted at the National Diabetes Management and Research Center, Accra. Eighty persons with type 2 diabetes were age-matched with 78 controls. Immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M; interleukin 6; fasting blood glucose; glycated hemoglobin; and lipid parameter concentrations were measured. Blood pressure, anthropometry and body composition indices were also assessed. Results: Median immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G (g/L) levels were higher in the case group compared with controls (0.89 vs 0.74, p = 0.043; 7.58 vs 7.29, p < 0.001). Immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A and interleukin 6 levels in the case cohort, respectively, associated weakly with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.252, p = 0.001; r = 0.170, p = 0.031; r = 0.296, p = 0.001). There were positive correlations within the control group for immunoglobulin A versus interleukin 6 (r = 0.366, p = 0.001) and within the case group for glycated hemoglobin versus interleukin 6 (r = 0.190, p = 0.020). Conclusion: Our data suggest that humoral immune response is altered in subjects with type 2 diabetes and that serum immunoglobulin levels could serve as useful biomarkers in the investigation and management of diabetes mellitus.

Source: UCC
Alternative approaches to technical efficiency estimation in the stochastic frontier model

Estimating the stochastic frontier model and calculating technical efficiency of decision making units are of great importance in applied production economic works. This paper estimates technical efficiency from the stochastic frontier model using Jondrow, and Battese and Coelli approaches. Simulated data is employed to compare the alternative methods. Empirical results show a strong correlation between the alternative methods regardless of the differences in the actual values of the efficiency estimates. Mean technical efficiency is sensitive to the choice of estimation method. Analysis of variance and Tukey’s test suggest difference in means between the efficiency scores from different methods. Battese and Coelli’s approach produces more homogenous estimates of technical efficiency when compared with the Jondrow’s mean or mode approach. Our results suggest that differences in conclusion are possible when the alternative methods of measuring technical efficiency are applied

Source: UCC