ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Studies of Spectrophotometric Reagents in Some Transition Metal and Lead Ion-selective Electrodes

The general performance of ten spectrophotometric reagents, namely salicylaldoxime, 22'-dipyridyl, dimedone, 8-hydroxyquinoline, dithiooxamide, cupferron, nioxime, 4-methylnioxime, 1,lO phenanthroline hydrate and a-benzoin oxime, as active sensors for Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Fe3+ and Pb2+ ions in a poly(viny1 chloride) membrane electrode system has been assessed using dioctyl phenyl phosphonate as plasticizing solvent mediator. Of the ten ionophores studied, four, namely salicylaldoxime, 2,2'-dipyridyl, dimedone and 8-hydroxyquinoline, showed good response to Pb2+ ions with the working concentration range from 1 x 10-6 to 1 x 10-1 mol dm-3. The best response to Cu2+ ions was shown by electrodes based on 2,2'-dipyridyl, dithiooxamide and cupferron. Although the electrode with 8-hydroxyquinoline as the active sensor responded very well to Fe3+, the complex formed leached into solution. The most promising of the ionophores for the fabrication of Ni2+ ion-selective electrodes were found to be salicylaldoxime and cupferron with linear slopes of 32.9 and 22.5 mV per decade, respectively, from 1 x 10-4 to 3.2 x 10-2 mol dm-3

Source: UCC
Studies of storage insect pests of maize (Zea Mays L.) in southern Ghana

A market survey was carried out between October 2001 and April 2002 to determine insect pests associated with maize sold in the market and the knowledge base of local maize traders on these pests. The persistence of the pests from the field through storage (in cribs) to the markets was also investigated. Two Quality Protein Maize (QPM) and two local maize varieties were used in a further study to determine varietal susceptibilities, under field and laboratory conditions, and moisture content preferences of various SIP. Effort was also made to identify common wild plant seeds that could serve as alternative hosts. Traders purchase and store small quantities for short periods due to lack of capital, fear of destruction by pests and mould growth. Sitophilus sp. was the commonest pest identified by traders and was ranked as the most destructive. The susceptibility of improved maize varieties, as claimed by traders was confirmed by results of common susceptibility parameters conducted with Sitophilus sp. as the test insect. The varieties were however similar in other susceptibility parameters. Most insect pests infested maize from the field but a few persisted through storage to the markets as moisture content fell to 12%. These pests included Ahasverus sp., Catharlus sp., Sitophilus sp., Tribolium sp., Mussidia sp. and Cryptophlebia sp. Seeds of five out of twenty wild plants were found to serve as alternative hosts to only one SIP, Araecerus sp.

Source: UCC
Studies of Technically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radionuclides and Trace Metals From Oil and Gas Activities in Some Communities Along the Tano Basin of Ghana

ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to determine the background data for the levels of gamma radiation in soil, groundwater sources and food in the communities along the Tano Basin, an oil field in Ghana. The mean activity concentrations measured for 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil samples are 8.65 Bq/kg, 12.51 Bq/kg and 214.11 Bq/kg respectively. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 228Ra, and 40K in the water obtained were in the range of 0.14±0.01 to 1.38±0.22 Bq/L, 0.18±0.01 to 1.41±0.18 Bq/L and 0.46±0.02 to 5.92±0.10 Bq/L respectively. The total annual effective dose to the public was estimated to be 35.34 μSv per year. Absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, hazard indices (Hex and Hin) were calculated. The absorbed dose rates and annual effective dose were determined and found to be in the range of 7.79 to 37.79 nGyh-1 and 9.56 x100 to 4.64 x101 μSvy-1 respectively. The total annual effective dose were lower than allowable limit set by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 1mSvy-1. Hazard indices (Hex and Hin) were 0.04 to 0.22 and 0.05 to 0.25 respectively whilst excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were calculated to be in the range 3.35 x 10-5 to 1.62 x10-4 and found to be within internationally recommended values. The concentration of metals in soil were in the order Fe > Zn > Cd > Mn > Pb > Ni. The estimated carcinogenic risk to the public from exposure to the metals in soil varies from 3.9 x10-9 for Ni to 1.04 x10-6 for Cd. The average activity concentrations are 0.70, 52 and 25.63 Bq/kq respectively for 238U, 232Th and 40K in cassava samples. The estimated transfer factors for 238U, 232Th, and 40K are in the range 0.017 – 0.553, 0.003 – 0.078 and 0.019 – 0.057 respectively. The mean transfer factors (TF) are 0.271 (238U), 0.028 (232Th) and 0.033 (40K).

Source: UCC
Studies of tomato yellow leaf curl viral disease in some districts in the Central region of Ghana

Tomato yellow leaf curl viral disease (TYLCV) is a destructive disease of tomato in Ghana. The study was conducted during the 2013 minor and 2014 major cropping seasons to determine the knowledge of farmers and their agronomic practices they carry out to manage TYLCV disease in three districts in the Central region, screening of thirty six tomato genotypes against TYLCV disease for a possible tolerant variety and phenotypic and molecular evaluation of selected tolerant genotypes at coastal and forest agro ecological zones. Three tomato producing centres (Effutu municipality, Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA), and Mfantseman district) were selected. Ten farmers were interviewed for awareness. Their farms were assessed for their disease incidence and severity in each of the districts. The highest incidence and severity mean scores of TYLCV disease were recorded at KEEA (52.9±2.7, 26.89±1.2), followed by Effutu (49.5±1.19, 25.29±0.9), and Mfantseman (42.1±2.7, 21.41±0.8) respectively. The awareness of farmers of the presence of the disease was very high (92.6%). About 55.6% of the farmers managed the disease by using synthetic insecticide. Out of the 36 genotypes tested only three (K213, K005 and K100) showed mild symptoms whereas the others showed moderate to severe symptoms. Yield correlated negatively but significantly with incidence and severity of the disease (-0.07 ≥ r ≤ -0.47; P < 0.05). Though PCR revealed the presence of TYLCV DNA in K005 and K100, they consistently showed mild symptoms and gave high yields (>8 t ha-1) at both agro ecological zones. There was no complete resistance following molecular screening.Tomato yellow leaf curl viral disease was prevalent at the study area though less severe, and genotypes K213, K005 and K100 were highly tolerant to TYLCV infection.

Source: UCC
Studies on aspects of the biology of clarias gariepinus and heterobranchus longifilis from river Offin: Towards their culture development in Ghana.

This study examined some aspects of the biology of Clarias gariepinus and Heterobranchus longifilis as a contribution towards their culture development in Ghana. Samples of the two fish species were obtained monthly from September 2017 to August 2018 from River Offin at Dunkwa-on-Offin. Physico-chemical parameters of their habitat were measured. Morphometric characteristics, sex, gonads and stomach contents of the fishes were examined in the laboratory. Data were analysed using Minitab 16 and Microsoft Excel 2016. Average temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and turbidity of the water were recorded as 28.02±1.04 ℃, 2.55±1.52 mg/L, 7.39±0.38 and 715.11±159.09 NTU respectively. C. gariepinus were more abundant and bigger in size than H. longifilis. The two species were below average condition (< 1), however, H. longifilis had a better condition factor of 0.96 relative to 0.75 for C. gariepinus. Length-weight analysis revealed negative allometric growth in both species. Both species explored similar food items with plants dominating their diets. Sex ratio of C. gariepinus was found to be 1:1 and 1.5:1 for H. longifilis. The two species exhibited variable fecundity but C. gariepinus was more fecund (1,750 - 88,930) than H. longifilis (39,170 - 53,891). Fecundity increased with fish size and gonad weight in C. gariepinus but these relationships could not be determined for H. longifilis due to insufficient samples. The rainy season, from April to July marked the major spawning period for C. gariepinus but could extend to August. This is suspected to be same for H. longifilis. Females consistently have higher GSI values than males. H. longifilis should thus be considered for aquaculture in addition to C. gariepinus

Source: UCC
Studies on levels of mercury, znic and cadmium in some crops in the mining communities of Tarkwa, Prestea, Bankyim and Agona in the south western part of Ghana

This research was conducted to detennine the levels of mercury, cadmium and zinc in the leaves of Xanthosoma sagittifoliwn (kotombre), Marlihot esclIlenta(cassava leaves) and the conn of Colecasia esclIlenta (taro conn) growing in the mining communities of Tarkwa, Prestea, Bankyim and Agona Junction. The Random sampling method was used to collect the samples and the wet digestion method was used to digest the samples for AAS analysis. A statistical analysis of the results of the research reveals that the concentrations of Hg, Zn and Cd in samples from mining communities were higher than samples from non mining communities and that there is a significant difference in the means at 95% confidence level. When the results obtained were compared with WHO and EPA permissible values, zinc and cadmium concentrations in the samples were within the nonnal concentration found in plant leaves and conns. The levels of mercury in the samples were however in the phytotoxic concentratio'n range. There is therefore a cause for concern regarding the levels of Hg, in the selected vegetable crops from the mining district ofTarkwa because heavy metals can bioaccumulate as they move up the food chain.

Source: UCC
Studies On Plankton Assemblage, Diet Selectivity And Larval Rearing Of Mangrove Oyster Crassostrea Tulipa Towards Its Sustainable Production In Ghana

Studies on plankton assemblage, diet selectivity and larval rearing of Crassostrea tulipa were carried out. Physicochemical parameters, plankton and oyster specimen were sampled from Narkwa and Benya lagoons, both located in the Central Region of Ghana, for one hydrological cycle. Three local microalgae isolates were tested as feed for oyster larvae in laboratory-rearing experiment. Physicochemical factors of both lagoons were generally within the acceptable range, except phosphate and nitrate which were above optimum limits. Annual mean DO, pH and turbidity were significantly higher in Narkwa, while salinity, nutrients and chlorophyll-a were notably higher in Benya. Higher number of plankton genera were recorded in Narkwa, but Benya recorded a higher annual mean density than Narkwa. Diatoms constituted ≈ 61 % of the plankton recorded in Benya, while dinoflagellates (majority of which were potentially toxic) were ≈70 % in Narkwa, with observed temporal variabilities in plankton compositions. Nutrients and pH were the significant predictors of diatoms and dinoflagellates, and these two plankton groups predominated oyster diet compositions, but diet selectivity analysis indicated a preferential selection for the less abundant groups. Prorocentrum spp were the dominant potentially toxic phytoplankton, with all year-round occurrence in the water and diet of oysters. Comparatively, Narkwa oysters were in better ecophysiological conditions. The individual local microalgal isolates supported growth and survival of oyster larvae at different scales, but a combination of all three promoted superior growth and survival of C. tulipa larvae. This scientific information is essential for the sustainable management of wild exploitation and aquaculture development of C. tulipa in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Studies on the behaviour of peridomestic and endophagic M form Anopheles gambiae from a rice growing area of Ghana

The ‘paddy paradox’, the occurrence of large populations of vectors but low amounts of malaria transmission where irrigated rice is grown, was investigated in a village in Ghana where M form Anopheles ambiae are common. Peridomestic and indoor host-seeking mosquitoes were collected in tent traps and light traps over 21 consecutive nights at the start of the rainy season in June 2009 when the population increased exponentially from less than 100 per night to over 1000. Infection rates in the overall mosquito population were 0.3% and in the estimated parous population were 1.9%. Numbers of An. ambiae in the tent trap peaked between midnight and 02:40 am. The majority of insects were taking their first lood meal, as virgins or shortly after mating. More than expected were collected in the light trap during a rainstorm at the start of the rains but overall numbers were not affected. Fewer than expected were collected after a subsequent storm. Recruitment to the adult population decreased over the following days. It is hypothesised that the ‘paddy paradox’ is due to young pre-gravid insects dispersing more widely than gravid ones, not necessarily to low survival in the mosquito

Source: UCC
Studies on the Mediation of Cyanide and Heavy Metals in Effluent and Tailings in a Mining Environment in Obuasi, Ghana

Mining is one of the main anthropogenic sources of metal contamination in water and soil. Soil pollution with arsenic and lead due to industrial activities is a major environmental problem. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the heavy metal- and cyanide-mediation techniques for treated effluent and soil adopted by AngloGold Ashanti, Obuasi mine. The concentrations of heavy metals and cyanide in detoxified effluent and amended capped tailings were assessed, using the completely randomized design. The bioavailability of heavy metals in mediated tailings was also determined using Lactuca sativa L. as a test crop. The concentrations of As, determined using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Bacterial degradation resulted in a reduction of cyanide in treated effluent. The concentrations of As and Pb in treated effluent were above the maximum permissible limit (MPL). The capping of tailings led to As concentrations that were above the MPL. Zeolite and beringite were the most effective in the mediation of Pb and As and resulted in decreases of the water soluble fraction in uncapped tailings. The bioavailability of As in beringiteamended uncapped tailings was higher than the MPL. The Pb contents of Lactuca sativa L. after amendment of uncapped tailings with biochar and zeolite were also above the MPL. Bacterial degradation was probably the most efficient cyanide detoxification process. It is recommended that long term studies be conducted to evaluate the most efficient techniques of mediating effluent and tailings.

Source: UCC
Studies on the physicochemical characteristics, microbial load and storage stability of oil from indian almond nut (terminalia catappa l.)

Oils constitute one of the essential components of balanced diet as good source of energy, as well as complementing the energy needs of the society in the form of biodiesel. The chemical and physical properties of oils are amongst the most important properties that determine the quality and help to describe the present condition of oils. The physicochemical characteristics, microbial load and storage stability of Indian almond (Terminalia catappa) seed oil collected in Cape Coast, Ghana were investigated and compared with that of frytol vegetable oil manufactured by a leading manufacturing industry in Ghana. The seed recorded a good yield of 52.11% oil. The mean physicochemical parameters of the almond nut oil were:- specific gravity (0.923), refractive index (1.465), moisture content (0.550%), insoluble impurities (0.133%), free fatty acid (0.38%), and peroxide, iodine, acid and saponification values were (4.073 meq/kg), (121.19 wijs), (0.78 mgKOH/g), (168.27 mgKOH/g) respectively. All the physicochemical parameters determined were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those determined for frytol. Storage stability of both oils under room temperature showed faster deterioration of oils when exposed to daylight than when stored in darkness. The mean free fatty acid values (oleic acid) obtained for both oils when exposed to light and darkness respectively throughout the period of study (2 months) were 0.585% and 0.490% for almond and 0.585% and 0.260% for frytol. Similarly, the mean peroxide values were 25.670 and 19.15meq/Kg for almond and 15.115 and 12.95meq/Kg. There were no detections for Salmonella in both oil samples. However, there were detections for fungi in both oils with mean counts of 1.4 x 10 3 cfu/ml for almond and 1.3 x 10 3 cfu/ml for frytol. The mean mesophilic counts for almond and frytol were 4.0 x 10 3 cfu/ml and 4.8 x 10 3 cfu/ml respectively. The physicochemical properties of the almond seed oil indicated that it is edible, drying and suggested its suitability for industrial purposes as well as the nutritional potentials of the nut, which could serve as an alternative food ingredient for unsaturated vegetable oil

Source: UCC
Studies on the physicochemical characteristics, microbial load and storage stability of oil from indian almond nut (terminalia catappa l.)

Oils constitute one of the essential components of balanced diet as good source of energy, as well as complementing the energy needs of the society in the form of biodiesel. The chemical and physical properties of oils are amongst the most important properties that determine the quality and help to describe the present condition of oils. The physicochemical characteristics, microbial load and storage stability of Indian almond (Terminalia catappa) seed oil collected in Cape Coast, Ghana were investigated and compared with that of frytol vegetable oil manufactured by a leading manufacturing industry in Ghana. The seed recorded a good yield of 52.11% oil. The mean physicochemical parameters of the almond nut oil were:- specific gravity (0.923), refractive index (1.465), moisture content (0.550%), insoluble impurities (0.133%), free fatty acid (0.38%), and peroxide, iodine, acid and saponification values were (4.073 meq/kg), (121.19 wijs), (0.78 mgKOH/g), (168.27 mgKOH/g) respectively. All the physicochemical parameters determined were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those determined for frytol. Storage stability of both oils under room temperature showed faster deterioration of oils when exposed to daylight than when stored in darkness. The mean free fatty acid values (oleic acid) obtained for both oils when exposed to light and darknessrespectively throughout the period of study (2 months) were 0.585% and 0.490% for almond and 0.585% and 0.260% for frytol. Similarly, the mean peroxide values were 25.670 and 19.15meq/Kg for almond and 15.115 and12.95meq/Kg. There were no detections for Salmonella in both oil samples. However, there were detections for fungiin both oils with mean counts of 1.4 x 103cfu/ml for almond and 1.3 x 103cfu/ml for frytol. The mean mesophiliccounts for almond and frytol were 4.0 x 103cfu/ml and 4.8 x 103cfu/ml respectively. The physicochemical properties of the almond seed oil indicated that it is edible, drying and suggested its suitability for industrial purposes as well as the nutritional potentials of the nut, which could serve as an alternative food ingredient for unsaturated vegetable oil

Source: UCC
Study Habits and Test Anxiety as Correlates of Senior High School Students’ Academic Achievement in the Ekumfi District

The study aimed at investigating study habits and test anxiety as correlates of the Senior High School students’ academic achievement in the Ekumfi District in the Central Region of Ghana. Quantitative approach was employed using descriptive survey design. The five Senior High Schools in the district were purposively selected. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used to obtain the sample size for each school. The simple random sampling (lottery method) was used to select the three hundred and six participants for the study. Questionnaire was used as main data collection instrument. The overall reliability coefficient of the 68-items was 0.76 and 0.89 for study habits and test anxiety respectively. The data collected was analysed using percentages and frequencies, mean and standard deviations, independent sample t-test and multivariate multiple linear regression. The findings from study revealed that the students practiced a combination of all the study habit domains which include: time management, concentration, homework and assignment, time allocation, reading and note taking. The study showed that generally, the students experienced high test anxiety. Again, it was discovered that concentration-related study habits contribute significantly to students’ academic achievement. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the Guidance and Counseling Coordinators of the Senior High Schools should be equipped to tackle challenge of high test anxiety among the students in order to boost their academic achievement.

Source: UCC
Study Habits and Test Anxiety as Correlates of Senior High School Students’ Academic Achievement in the Ekumfi District

The study aimed at investigating study habits and test anxiety as correlates of the Senior High School students’ academic achievement in the Ekumfi District in the Central Region of Ghana. Quantitative approach was employed using descriptive survey design. The five Senior High Schools in the district were purposively selected. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used to obtain the sample size for each school. The simple random sampling (lottery method) was used to select the three hundred and six participants for the study. Questionnaire was used as main data collection instrument. The overall reliability coefficient of the 68-items was 0.76 and 0.89 for study habits and test anxiety respectively. The data collected was analysed using percentages and frequencies, mean and standard deviations, independent sample t-test and multivariate multiple linear regression. The findings from study revealed that the students practiced a combination of all the study habit domains which include: time management, concentration, homework and assignment, time allocation, reading and note taking. The study showed that generally, the students experienced high test anxiety. Again, it was discovered that concentration-related study habits contribute significantly to students’ academic achievement. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the Guidance and Counseling Coordinators of the Senior High Schools should be equipped to tackle challenge of high-test anxiety among the students in order to boost their academic achievement.

Source: UCC