ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Ethnopragmatics of “Amanneb” in Akan

Among the Akan, one of the parameters for assessing a person’s communicative competence is to see how much s/he is conversant with giving an account of his/her mission anytime he/she plays the role as a guest, a host, or a spokesperson. The aim of this paper is to discuss the Akan narrative concept called amanneb. The paper defines the concept called amanneb and what it entails in Akan sociocultural norms and values, and goes on to discuss amanneb under the frameworks of narratives and politeness. The paper further analyses the language and pragmatics of amanneb and highlights the major literary devices used including euphemisms, proverbs, idioms, personification and the use of titles and address forms. It also considers the structure of amanneb and the major sociocultural contexts in which it is used. We will consider data from (1) durbar of chiefs, (2) naming and marriage encounters (3) funerals and (4) funeral donations. The paper finally discusses the sociocultural functions of amanneb and provides findings and recommendations for its sustenance in contemporary Akan.

Source: UG
The Ethnopragmatics of Akan Advice

This paper discusses Akan Advice under ethnopragmatics. It adopts persuasion, speech acts of directives and expressives, and Akan proverbs to discuss advice with the insight from Akan culture. The adviser expresses some feelings and emotions and directs the advisee to act and behave towards the benefits of the individual, the group or society. The paper taps data from participant observations and audio taped recordings at arbitrations, marriage and naming ceremonies. There is another data from Adi’s (1973) Akan literature book, Brako that covers pieces of advice on travelling, settlement and occupation. The Akan texts are translated into English and analysed. The analysis covers semantics, pragmatics, stylistic devices, and proverbs.

Source: UG
The Ethnopragmatics of Akan Compliments

The paper addresses compliments in Akan from an ethnopragmatic point of view. The paper analyses Akan compliments within the framework of politeness. We will consider the ethnographic situations within the Akan society where compliments are employed. The areas where my data was collected include Akan adverts, Akan football commentary, classrooms, praise poetry for chiefs, public speeches, folksongs, dance and hunting. The paper looks at types of compliments, namely, (1) appearance, (2) character and comportment, (3) performance and (4) possession, and also the structure and language of compliments, response to compliments, and functions of compliments.

Source: UG
The Ethnopragmatics of Akan Palace Language

The paper deals with formal language at the palaces of the Akan people of Ghana. The Akan is spoken in six regions in the southern parts of Ghana. The Akan areas are inhabited by native Akans and other Ghanaian immigrants from the other ethnic groups. The approaches used in this study are formality (Irvine 2001) and register as outlined by Agha (2007). The paper looks at Akan palace language from the point of view of the norms and values of Akan culture and shows the ethnographic effects of the use of language in sociocultural communicative events at the Akan palace. I focus on the following questions (a) How different is royal oratory from ordinary language? (b) What is the place of formality and politeness in palace language? (c) How do children acquire competence in palace language? (d) What is required of participants? (e) What are the functions of palace language? (f) What is the current state of palace language? (g) Are there any drastic changes in palace language due to urbanisation, modernisation, western cultures and religion?

Source: UG
The Etiology of Placental Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria in African Women

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Etiology of severe acute watery diarrhea in children in the global rotavirus surveillance network using quantitative polymerase chain reaction

The Epidemiology Department contributes to the mission of the institute through basic and applied epidemiological research on, but not limited to, malaria and other diseases of public health importance. It is also home to the Social Science Unit of the Institute, including the Health Support Centre for HIV/AIDS and other communicable and noncommunicable health problems.

Source: UG
Étude comparative des constructions à verbe support en français et en éwé

The main purpose of this article is to undertake a comparative study of support verbs in French and Ewe to discover the features which are common to them and those which are different. The comparative study shows that support verb constructions in French share the features of the reduction of the support verb and its reconstructibility even though the reduction is manifested differently depending on the language. One of the differences observed is the fact that the determination of the noun plays an important role in support verb constructions in French while it is not a pertinent feature in these constructions in Ewe. Other differences observed include the differences in the interdependency relations of elements in the constructions studied in the two languages.

Source: UG
Étude Écocritique De En Compagnie Des Hommes De Veronique Tadjo

Nature and environment are two major entities which influence human lives, but the import of their influence depend on the relationship men establish between themselves and their constituent elements such as earth, trees, animals and water bodies. As a result, literary critics develop ecocriticism in order to establish a legitimate relationship between men and their environment. In In the Company of Men, Véronicque Tadjo tries to establish the relationship that exists between Africans and nature and the repercussions of their activities on the environment. Human activities 109 ISBN : 978-2- 493659- 04- 0 COLLECTION RECHERCHES & REGARDS D’AFRIQUE VOL 2 N 0 4 / JUIN 2023 provokes characters like the Baobab, Bat and Ebola to lament about African’s behaviour toward the environment. Our study therefore aims at studying, by means of ecocriticism, the relationship between human being and nature, the connection between men and the environment, the causes of lamentation by natural entities about men and their reciprocal reactions against mankind.

Source: UG
Eudesmane-Type Sesquiterpenes from Curcuma phaeocaulis and Their Inhibitory Activities on Nitric Oxide Production in RAW 264.7 Cells

Eight eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes - phaeusmanes A-H (1-8) - isolated for the first time in this work, and four others (9-12) isolated for the first time from plants in this work, together with fourteen known eudesmane derivatives, were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma phaeocaulis. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR and CD spectroscopy and HRMS. Compound 8 is the first example of a nitrogen-containing eudesmane-type sesquiterpene isolated from the genus Curcuma. Furthermore, inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds on NO production in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages were evaluated. Compounds 1, 6, 10, 19, 22, and 24 showed strong inhibitory activities on NO production with IC50 values of 3.2, 4.8, 1.2, 0.8, 3.8, and 0.8 μM, respectively. Preliminary structure-activity relationships for these compounds are proposed. A possible biogenetic pathway for nitrogen-containing eudesmane-type sesquiterpene 8 is postulated. Eight new sesquiterpenes (phaeusmanes A-H), together with eighteen known analogues, were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma phaeocaulis. Their complete structures were elucidated by NMR, MS, and CD spectroscopy. The NO inhibitory effects of the isolates are presented. A possible biogenetic pathway for N-containing eudesmane-type sesquiterpene 8 is postulated. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Source: UG
European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP): the path towards a true partnership

The Clinical Pathology Department conducts research that contributes to intervention strategies and safeguards of public health in Ghana. In view of this the Department carries out research into plant medicine development, drug interactions and regulation, bio-monitoring and prevention of poisoning from environmental toxicants (e.g. mycotoxins specifically aflatoxins and toxic heavy metals). The Department also provides specialized laboratory services in support of public health programmes.

Source: UG
European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP): the path towards a true partnership

European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) was founded in 2003 by the European Parliament and Council. It is a partnership of 14 European Union (EU) member states, Norway, Switzerland, and Developing Countries, formed to fund acceleration of new clinical trial interventions to fight the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), malaria and tuberculosis (TB) in the sub-Saharan African region. EDCTP seeks to be synergistic with other funding bodies supporting research on these diseases.

Source: UG
European Beginnings in West Africa 1454-1578 A Survey of the First Century of White Enterprise in West Africa, With Special Emphasis Upon The Rivalry of the Great Powers

This book does not claim to be in any sense a comprehensive survey of the first century of white enterprise in West Africa. It is little more than an introduction to a vast subject, which so far has been practically ignored by most English students. One reason for so remarkable an omission in English colonial studies is undoubtedly the fact that material for the early story of West Africa is scarce, and one may search far and wide with little result. For one thing, a mass of valuable records was destroyed, when in I755 a serious earthquake shook Lisbon. Yet those, who combine patience with a genuine interest in the more elusive problems of the past, will find that the Portuguese empire in West Africa during the sixteenth century provides a study as enigmatic as it is fascinating. My own investigations incline me to believe that much relevant evidence, untouched and unknown, does exist, scattered and hidden in various European archives, and anyone, who cares to ransack the Torre do Tombo at Lisbon, will soon be handsomely rewarded. The story of white enterprise in Guinea, as presented here, has been reconstructed mainly from printed sources of information. Except for the Portuguese collections of documents, these are generally of only limited value. But I have used many MSS. in the British Museum and the Public Record Office, and of those. which I have examined. the records of the High Court of Admiralty have proved most fruitful. Perhaps I should say that. since writing this little monograph. the Admiralty records have Yield d me many new secrets, particularly about the organisation of the Portuguese empire in Guinea during the Sixteenth century. and the nature and surprising scope of Enghsh traffic La Guinea between IS 0 and 16I<;. 1 cannot let this book go to press without paying tribute to my teachers. It is difficult for me to express my debt to Dr. A.P Newton. Rhodes Professor in the University of London, who, after piloting me safely through undergraduate shoals, directed my attention to West Africa as a verdant field for research. His erudition and unfailing enthusiasm have been my constant supports. I am also under a deep obligation to Professor Edgar Prestage, who has generously assisted my investigation of Portuguese colonial enterprise; to Professor J. E. Todd, of Queen's University, Belfast, my present chief, who has given me both encouragement and opportunity in my research, and who read the Introduction; to Professor 1. G. Llubera, of Queen's University, Belfast, who read portions of the book; to Mr. F. H. Kingsland, B.Sc., who kindly drew the map for me; to the officials of the British Museum and of the Public Record Office ; and to all those, who in various ways have assisted me. Lastly, I am truly grateful to the Unjversity of London and to the Imperial Studies Committee, whose generous grants have alone enabled me to produce this work.

Source: UG
European Beginnings in West Africa 1454-I578

This book does not claim to be any sense comprehensive Survey of the first century of white enterprises in West Africa. It is little more than an introduction to a vast subject, which so far has been practically ignored by most English students. One reason for so remarkable an omission in English colonial studies is, undoubtedly the fact that material for the early story of West Africa is scarce, and one may search far and wide with little result. For one thing, a mass of valuable records was destroyed. When in 1755 a serious earthquake shook Lisbon. Yet those. Who combine patience with a genuine interest in the more elusive problems of the past will find that the Portuguese empire in West Africa during the sixteenth century provides a study as enigmatic as it is fascinating. My own investigations incline me to believe that much relevant evidence untouched and unknown does exist scattered and hidden in various European archives. And anyone. Who cares to ransack the Torre do Tombo at Lisbon will soon be handsomely rewarded The story of white enterprise in Guinea as presented here has been reconstructed mainly from printed sources of information Except (or the Portuguese collections of documents those are generally of only limited value But I have used many MSS. in the British Museum and the Public Record Office, and of those, which I have examined. The records of the High Court of Admiralty have proved most fruitful. Perhaps I should say that. Since writing this little monograph. The Admiralty records have yielded me many new secrets particularly about the organisation of the Portuguese empire in Guinea during the Sixteenth century. And the nature and surprising scope of English traffic to Guinea between 1580 and 1618.

Source: UG
European Colonies, in Various Parts of the World, Viewed in Their Social, Moral, and Physical Condition

Difficulty of describing the aborigines of India, page 1.First impressions of a foreigner on arriving in that country, 2. -Sir W. Jones's researches, 5.-Hindoa character depreciated by Europeans, 6. - Prejudiced notions, 8. - Antiquity of the Hindoos as a civilized nation, 10. - Their unparalleled national permanence, 12.-Their institutions, 13.- Empire of Hindostan, 14.-wronderful and unexampled spectacle, 15.Principal causes which appear to have operated in keeping united the various parts of so vast a social structure, 15.Institution of castes, 16. - Aversion of the Hindoos to foreigners, 24. - Unlimited toleration of religious sectarianism, 27. - Religion of the Hindoos, 29.-Brahmanical corruptions of it, 31.-Pagan fables, 32.-Penitential austerities, 34.-Religi. OU8 code of the Hindoos, 37.-Indifference to religion in the civilized states of Europe, 38. - Theocratic system, 41.-Its results, 42.-Personal appearance of the people of Hindostan, 45. -Little known of their private life and opinions, 47.-Hindoo literature and science, 49.-Fondness of the inhabitants for music, 49.-Art of painting not in esteem in India, 50.-Metaphysical disputations, 52.-Doctrine of metempsychosis, 55.Monotonous character of domestic life amongst the Hindoos, 56.-Festivals and holydays, 56.-Popular prejudice respecting the wealth of the inhabitants, 58.-Their indifference to riches, 59.-Causes of this, 60.-Their prodigal expenditure in marriage ceremonies, 61.- works of public charity, 62.-Harmonious life of the Hindoas, 64.-Curse of polygamy, 65 _ Filial affection, 66.-Pious act of penance, 61.-IndiffercDce to pain, 67.-Unconqueruble attachment to their national manners and religion, GB.- Unprincipled avarice of Europeans, 69.-Conversation between an Englishman and a Brahman, 70.-Dislike of innovation by the Hindoos, 71. - Their distrust of our institutions, 72. - Ulisuccessful attempts to convert the natives of India to Christianity, 73.-Cureer of a missionary in India, 75. - lmpolicy of forcing the Hindoos to conform to our institutions,77.

Source: UG
European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020

The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007 and 2012. The core objective of the EPOS2020 guideline is to provide revised, up-to-date and clear evidence-based recommendations and integrated care pathways in ARS and CRS. EPOS2020 provides an update on the literature published and studies undertaken in the eight years since the EPOS2012 position paper was published and addresses areas not extensively covered in EPOS2012 such as paediatric CRS and sinus surgery. EPOS2020 also involves new stakeholders, including pharmacists and patients, and addresses new target users who have become more involved in the management and treatment of rhinosinusitis since the publication of the last EPOS document, including pharmacists, nurses, specialised care givers and indeed patients themselves, who employ increasing self-management of their condition using over the counter treatments. The document provides suggestions for future research in this area and offers updated guidance for definitions and outcome measurements in research in different settings. EPOS2020 contains chapters on definitions and classification where we have defined a large number of terms and indicated preferred terms. A new classification of CRS into primary and secondary CRS and further division into localized and diffuse disease, based on anatomic distribution is proposed. There are extensive chapters on epidemiology and predisposing factors, inflammatory mechanisms, (differential) diagnosis of facial pain, allergic rhinitis, genetics, cystic fibrosis, aspirin exacerbated respiratory disease, immunodeficiencies, allergic fungal rhinosinusitis and the relationship between upper and lower airways. The chapters on paediatric acute and chronic rhinosinusitis are totally rewritten. All available evidence for the management of acute rhinosinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps in adults and children is systematically reviewed and integrated care pathways based on the evidence are proposed. Despite considerable increases in the amount of quality publications in recent years, a large number of practical clinical questions remain. It was agreed that the best way to address these was to conduct a Delphi exercise . The results have been integrated into the respective sections. Last but not least, advice for patients and pharmacists and a new list of research needs are included

Source: UG
Euthymia in Diabetes: Clinical Evidence and Practice-Based Opinion from an International Expert Group

To develop an evidence-based expert group opinion on various types of euthymia associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and its management. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic syndrome characterized by diverse biomedical and psychosocial features. Emotional health disturbances may lead to psychological and psychiatric dysfunction and may negatively influence glycemic control. Patients with DM may experience diabetes distress (DD) associated with burden of self-care, interpersonal issues, and emotional worries regarding the ability to cope with the illness. Euthymia or a state of positive mental health and psychological well-being should be considered a key outcome of diabetes care. Therefore, to achieve optimal outcomes, the consideration and measurement of psychological and psychiatric aspects along with glycemic levels are very important. A group of multidisciplinary clinical experts came together in an international meeting held in India to develop a workable concept for euthymia in diabetes care. A multidisciplinary approach was suggested to enhance the clinical outcomes and facilitate patient-centered care. During the meeting emphasis was given to the concept of a euthymia model in diabetes care. This model focuses on enhancement of self-care skills in diabetic patients and preventative health awareness among diabetes care providers. Euthymia also encompasses patient–provider communication to aid enhancement of coping skills. After due discussions and extensive deliberations, the expert group provided several recommendations on implementing the concept of euthymia in DM care. Introduction of the concept of euthymia in routine clinical practice is important to improve the quality of life and coping skills in patients with DM. A timely clinical assessment of psychological and psychiatric aspects along with patient-reported outcomes of diabetes contributes to overall health and well-being of affected individuals. Sanofi India.

Source: UG
Evaluating 18s‑rRNA LAMP and selective whole genome amplification (sWGA) assay in detecting asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections in blood donors

Background: Undesirable consequences of donor Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia on stored donor blood have been reported. Therefore, it is imperative that all prospective blood donors are screened for P. falciparum infections using sensitive techniques. In this study, the sensitivities of microscopy, rapid diagnostic test (RDT), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay and selective whole genome amplification (sWGA) technique in detecting P. falciparum infections in blood donors was assessed. Methods: Randomly selected blood donors from 5 districts in Greater Accra Region of Ghana were screened for asymptomatic P. falciparum infections. Each donor sample was screened with SD Bioline RDT kit for P. falciparum histidine rich protein 2 and Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase antigens, sWGA and 18s-rRNA LAMP. Crude DNA LAMP (crDNA-LAMP) was compared to purified DNA LAMP (pDNA-LAMP). Results: A total of 771 blood donors were screened. The respective overall prevalence of P. falciparum in Ghana by microscopy, RDT, crDNA-LAMP, pDNA-LAMP and sWGA was 7.4%, 11.8%, 16.9%, 17.5% and 18.0%. Using sWGA as the reference test, the sensitivities of microscopy, RDT, crDNA-LAMP and pDNA-LAMP were 41.0% (95% CI 32.7–49.7), 65.5% (95% CI 56.9–73.3), 82.6% (95% CI 75.8–88.3) and 95.7% (95% CI 90.1–98.4), respectively. There was near perfect agreement between LAMP and sWGA (sWGA vs. crDNA-LAMP, κ = 0.87; sWGA vs. pDNA-LAMP, κ = 0.96), while crDNALAMP and pDNA-LAMP agreed perfectly (κ = 0.91). Goodness of fit test indicated non-significant difference between the performance of LAMP and sWGA (crDNA-LAMP vs. sWGA: x2 = 0.71, p = 0.399 and pDNA-LAMP vs. sWGA: x2 = 0.14, p = 0.707). Finally, compared to sWGA, the performance of LAMP did not differ in detecting sub-microscopic parasitaemia (sWGA vs. crDNA-LAMP: x2 = 1.12, p = 0.290 and sWGA vs. pDNA-LAMP: x2 = 0.22, p = 0.638). Conclusions: LAMP assay agreed near perfectly with sWGA with non-significant differences in their ability to detect asymptomatic P. falciparum parasitaemia in blood donors. Therefore, it is recommended that LAMP based assays are employed to detect P. falciparum infections in blood donors due to its high sensitivity, simplicity, cost-effectiveness and user-friendliness.

Source: UG