ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Improving Waste Logistics in Kumasi Metropolitan Area

In the light of recent discussions about cost and environmental effectiveness of waste managementstructures, the cost involved in the management of municipal solid waste in Kumasi at present is vey huge due to uncontrolled urbanization. Large quantities of waste are generated daily in Kumasi, and this exerts much pressure on an-over strained solid waste management system. Therefore waste logistics models are needed to describe the influences and complex interactions within the entire waste managementchain. This study looked at waste collection and disposal systems using four different models in the city of Kumasi. The study was conducted on the four waste collection models using structured questionnaires and personal interviews. In all, a total of 180 households were randomly sampled and interviewed in the Kumasi metropolis to understand how waste is collected, transported and disposed off. Another set of questionnaires were administered to interview all the stakeholders that were involved in the collection, transportation and disposal of waste in the metropolis. Each model was identified by city authorities and each of these models was traced in two sub metropolis. The geographical locations of all the collection points, transportation routes and the disposal points were identified using the global positioning system (GPS) to develop the logistics map of Kumasi. The results of the collection points were plotted in the digital map of Kumasi using GIS to develop the waste logistics map of Kumasi. The results of the study showed that, only households registered under the house to house collection system were provided with collection materials but the residents did not like the collection system because its mode of waste collection was not frequent. The households under the KNUST waste collection system were very satisfied with the collection system because the collection was done every day. The results also revealed that, all the waste collected by waste collection companies are transported to the landfill for disposal. The only recyclables picked by rag pickers at the landfills are plastics and metals. The rag pickers collect these materials and sell them to middlemen who then transport these materials to Tema for processing. The study also revealed that Kumasi metropolis had no recycling centre and nutrient and energy recovery centre where these waste can be utilized.

Source: KNUST
In Ghana causes of poor-quality projects: Ways to incorporate total quality management in the construction industry

The construction industry in Ghana is mainly privately led and is made up of foreign and local companies. The local indigenous Ghanaian owned companies are the ones facing the poor-quality delivery largely, while the foreign companies are financially established. The latter enjoys tax holidays, import duty exemption on raw material imported and also follow the basic project management principles to a large extent. However, the local construction companies are mostly small to medium size companies and do not have the capacity to undertake the large GOG projects on their own unless they pool their resources together. The construction industry is faced with varied competing problems which include inability to secure adequate working capital, poor workmanship and insufficient engineering capacity, low productivity and lack of managerial skills, lack of means and opportunities for providing the training. Clients and other project stakeholders today place much emphasis on attaining quality on their projects, within stipulated time and budget. Total Quality Management (TQM) is counted as an advanced system in the field of quality, making it needful for construction companies to implement this system in order to attain quality on their projects. It is against this background that these specific objectives were set to investigate the implementation of TQM by identifying quality management practices that improve stakeholder‟s satisfaction, its implementation benefits from stakeholders‟ perspectives in the Ghanaian construction industry. Analysis of the data revealed that the implementation of Total Quality Management had not taken full effect in Ghana, nonetheless the quality management practices identified that improve stakeholders‟ satisfaction comprise employing specialists to carry out key aspects of the project, ensuring the use of quality standards, offering a beneficial and safe working environment, ensuring the construction activities meet the required standards and employing on site testing procedures for materials. However, the implementation will require top management commitment, employee involvement and the organizations ability to adapt the TQM change

Source: KNUST
In vitro anthelminthic and anti-inflammatory activities, and GC-MS analysis of methanol and acetone extracts of Mareya micrantha leaves

Mareya micrantha, a medicinal plant, is used to treat pains, wounds, worm infestations and gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of this research was to investigate the anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory properties of the methanol and acetone extracts of Mareya micrantha leaves. Phytochemical screening was performed using standard methods with GC-MS used for the identification of the phytochemicals. Egg albumen denaturation was used for the determination of the anti-inflammatory (in vitro) activities of the extracts. Anthelmintic activity (in vitro) of the extracts was investigated against Millsonia ghanensis. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of phenols, terpenoids, polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, saponins, and glycosides. Twenty phytochemicals, most of which have known bioactivities, were identified for each extract with five being common to them, and they are n-hexadecanoic acid, Tributyl acetyl citrate, hexadecanoic acid methyl ester, 3, 7, 11, 15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol, and 2, 2, 4-trimethyl-3-(3, 8, 12, 16-tetramethyl-heptadeca-3, 7, 11, 15-tetraethyl)-cyclohexanol. The extracts had anti-inflammatory activity. The anthelmintic activity of the extracts was significantly higher than mebendazole-treated helminths. The outcome of this study points to the fact that Mareya micrantha could be exploited as a source of potential drug candidates against helminthic and microbial infection as well as inflammation and oxidative stress.

Source: KNUST
In vitro antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-helminthic activities and GC-MS analysis of fractions of the leaves of Aspilia silphioides

The leaves of Aspilia silphioides are effective for wound healing, stomach aches, headaches, worm infestations, and birth control. The purpose of this study was to determine the phytochemical components of the bulked fractions of A. silphioides and evaluate the antimicrobial, anti-helminthic, and antioxidant activities of various solvent fractions. Standard methods were employed for the phytochemical screening. The methanol extract was fractionated and bulked to obtain bulked fractions A, B, C and D. The bulked fractions contained phytoconstituents including tannins, flavonoids, phenolics, steroids, polyphenols, phytosterols, and terpenoids. GC-MS analysis of the fractions revealed various compounds including 9-octadecenamide, O-methyl- (+)-a-tocopherol, and a-Amyrin as being present in the bulked fractions. The IC50 of the fractions B, C, D and the reference drug with regards to the DPPH scavenging activity were 15.47±0.61 μg/mL, 28.16 ±0.61 μg/mL, 19.62 ±0.61 μg/mL, and 40.29±0.62 μg/mL respectively. At 20 μg/mL, the paralysis and death time for both fraction C and Mebendazole drug were 19.45±0.15 min, 31.60±18 min, and 52.06±2.89min, 82.03±47.37min respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of fractions A, C, and D against the tested organisms were 25±0.01-50±0.01 mg/mL, 6.25±0.02-25±0.01 mg/mL, and 12.5±0.01-25±0.01 mg/mL respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentrations of fractions A, C, and D against the tested organisms were 25±0.01-50±0.01 mg/mL, 6.25±0.01-25±0.01 mg/mL, and 12.5±0.01-50±0.02 mg/mL respectively. The bulked fractions of the methanol extracts of Aspilia silphioides possess antioxidant, anti-helminthic, and antimicrobial activities.

Source: KNUST
In vitro assessment of selected Ghanaian medicinal plants’ extracts’ activity against plasmodium falciparum

Previous reports of the existence of chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains and in recent times, the increasing reports on the emergence of artemisinin-resistant strains of the malaria parasites call for continuous search for new anti-malarial medicines. The purpose of this study was therefore to screen some selected Ghanaian medicinal plants’ extracts for anti-P. falciparumactivity. Processed extracts of 50 medicinal plants obtained from the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR), Akuapim-Mampong, and stored at the Department of Parasitology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), were used. In vitro screening of the crude extracts for anti-P. falciparumactivity were performed using Plasmodium falciparum(3D7 strains) cultures and FACS analysis. Guava MitoPotential(R) was used to determine the apoptosis induction properties of active plant extracts. Two active extracts were derived from Mangifera indicaand Alcornea corifolia, respectively, with IC50values of 10 µg/mL and 14 µg/mL, were found out of 50 screened extracts. These extracts induced some level of apoptosis in Plasmodium falciparum. The active extracts are potential candidates that can be investigated further for their anti-P. falciparumactivity in vitroand in vivo, and enhances the prospects of development of a new anti-malarial medicine

Source: KNUST
In Vitro Killing of Mycobacterium ulcerans by Acidified Nitrite

Mycobacterium ulcerans, which causes Buruli ulcer, was exposed to acidified nitrite or to acid alone for 10 or 20 min. Killing was rapid, and viable counts were reduced below detectable limits within 10 min of exposure to 40 mM acidified nitrite. M. ulcerans is highly susceptible to acidified nitrite in vitro.

Source: KNUST
In vitro dissolution of sustained-release Nifedipine brands marketed in the Kumasi Metropolis

With the advent pattern of generic prescribing and substitution in developing countries like Ghana, there has been an influx of a wide variety of antihypertensive drug brands on the market. The study was aimed at establishing the most prescribed sustained-release (SR) antihypertensive drug in the Kumasi Metropolis and evaluation of the quality of selected brands of this drug by in vitro dissolution studies and to establish whether the selected brands were interchangeable based on analysis of the dissolution patterns. The survey was conducted for 66 doctors in 50 hospitals and 150 patients within the Kumasi metropolis, based on hypertension management. Information gathered from the survey was edited, coded and analyzed using the version 16 of Statistical Package for Social Science, SPSS software. The drug Nifedipine SR ranked first on the list as the most stocked and used SR antihypertensive drug. Twelve brands of Nifedipine SR comprising 20 mg (8 brands) and 30 mg (4 brands) were purchased from randomly selected pharmacies within the Kumasi metropolis and coded as brands A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K and L. On the subject of SR brands interchangeability, 60% of prescribers and 41% of patients were of the opinion that all brands of SR nifedipine brands were indeed interchangeable. Patients’ perception on interchangeability might have been influenced by their experience in the use of the drugs whereas doctors’ perception might have been influenced by their knowledge of drug contents and general experience in practice. The twelve coated tablet brands were analyzed for weight uniformity and content. All the twelve brands passed the BP weight uniformity test and 9 passed the USP test for Assay. Dissolution testing was conducted using the USP dissolution test 2, paddle method at 18 time points to obtain their dissolution profiles which were subjected to analysis involving model-independent methods and model dependent methods. For the in vitro USP dissolution test conducted, 7 out of the 12 brands passed all the 3 time-points specified (3hours, 6hours and 12 hours). Further analysis by fit factors showed that brands B, C and D (30 mg) were interchangeable. However, the pairs of 20 mg brands considered similar included brands E &K, E & L, G&H, G&I, and G &J. Based on the analysis of the release profiles in the light of distinct kinetic models, brands A, B, C, D, E, I and K were considered similar because their drug release kinetic followed Higuchi’s model. Brands H and J were considered similar because their drug release kinetics followed Hixson-Crowell kinetic model. Therefore, few SR nifedipine brands were similar and could be interchanged, whereas majority of the selected brands could not.

Source: KNUST
An In Vitro Model of Endemic Burkitt’s Lymphoma (eBL) Pathogenesis; Cooperation of Plasmodium Falciparum and Epstein Barr Virus in DNA Damage Mediated Via Activation Induced Cytidine Deaminase.

Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections are contributors in the pathogenesis of endemic Burkitt’s lymphoma (eBL), although the precise mechanism of their synergy remains elusive. Reports suggest that the role of P. falciparum is indirect, creating a permissive environment for the outgrowth of EBV. EBV on the other hand invades and immortalizes lymphocytes in vitro and upregulates activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), a DNA repair enzyme responsible for diversifying the antibody repertoire and a potent mutagen capable of inducing the genetic damage characteristic of eBL. It is yet to be shown how exposure to P. falciparum affects the expression of AID in lymphocytes. The aim of this work was to investigate the possible direct role of P. falciparum in eBL lymphomagenesis by exploring parasite-lymphocyte interactions and AID expression after exposure to P. falciparum and/or EBV. Malaria positive slides were examined for parasite-lymphocyte interactions and primary tonsillar mononuclear cells (MNCs) were co-cultured with RBCs infected with up to 5% parasitemia of the 3D7 strain of P. falciparum. Geimsa stained thin smears were made from these co-cultures and examined for parasite-MNC interactions over a five day period. No direct parasite-MNC interaction was observed from all slides examined. The levels of AID mRNA in MNCs was measured by qPCR after in vitro exposure to P. falciparum and/or EBV, and in the presence or absence of 2µg/ml cyclosporine. P. falciparum induced up to a 6-fold increase in AID over unstimulated controls, EBV induced a 13-fold maximum increase, and both pathogens together induced up to a 22-fold increase in AID. With cyclosporine, AID mRNA levels in the P. falciparum stimulated cultures remained unchanged. EBV alone induced a 22- fold increase in AID and both pathogens together induced a 42-fold increase in AID. DNA damage was estimated by Comet Assay and quantified with an algorithm from the Comet Assay Project Lab (CASP). DNA comets revealed that P. falciparum induced moderate DNA damage in MNCs with up to 5.6% and 10% DNA in tails of comets with and without cyclosporine respectively. Cultures stimulated with EBV recorded DNA damage of up to 16% and 13% DNA in tails of comets with and without cyclosporine respectively; and both pathogens induced DNA damage with up to 11% and 16% DNA in tails of comets with and without cyclosporine respectively. The levels of DNA damage in these cells correlated with AID levels and demonstrate that P. falciparum plays a direct role in eBL pathogenesis, by inducing AID expression to levels similar to that expressed in BL cells and cooperating with EBV to induce abnormally high levels of AID and DNA damage.

Source: KNUST
In vitro screening of extracts from selected medicinal plants in Ghana for anti-leishmania properties

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by protozoans of the Leishmania spp. It is a chronic infection that is associated with global morbidity and mortality. The main form of control, chemotherapy, is hampered by high toxicity of available drugs and emergence of resistant parasite strains. This study was aimed at screening some Ghanaian medicinal plants for anti-Leishmania activity. Plant extracts were prepared with ethanol and their anti-Leishmania activity tested at a concentration range of 1-100 µg/ml using the alamar Blue® assay (Invitrogen, USA). Out of 96 ethanolic plant extracts screened, 32 were found to have varying degrees of activity. The eight (8) extracts with the highest activity obtained from seven (7) plants, (Cassia alata [045L], Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides [064R], Cola cordifolia [032L], Annona senegalensis [035L], Clausena anisata [036R], Bridellia ferruginea [038L] and Parkia clappertoniana [050SBL and 050L]) were selected and tested for their apoptosis inducing properties and effect on parasite morphology using FACS analysis and immunohistochemistry. None of the eight (8) extracts had induced apoptosis in Leishmania parasites but had varying effects on the parasites’ morphology. Extracts 035L caused kinetoplast disintegration while 032L, 038L, 050SBL and 050L caused nuclear fragmentation. Extract 045L, on the other hand, did not affect nuclear or kinetoplast division but rather inhibited cytokinesis. Five out of 7 plants whose extracts showed high activity were tested for the first time in this study. Data obtained from this study are useful as an initial database for Ghanaian medicinal plants with anti-Leishmania activity. This study recommends further analysis on the eight active extracts, for their potential as anti-Leishmania drug candidates.

Source: KNUST
In-patient perspective of quality institutional care: a case of Atua Government Hospital

The Ministry of Health of Ghana aimed at improving health status of Ghanaians through provision of Quality Health Services; that is accessible and affordable and delivered by well-motivated staff. To achieve this is to provide better quality of care in all health facilities among others. The main objective of the study was to assess the extent to which the inpatient perspective of quality of care featured in quality assurance program being implemented at Atua Government Hospital and to make appropriate recommendations that would make the quality assurance program more successful. The study was a cross-sectional type using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The sampling was purposive. The main techniques used for data collection were: review of documents, individual interviews with management and in-patients and a focus group discussion with caretakers. An observation was carried out at the wards of the hospital. The main findings were that some aspect of in-patient expectation coincided with that of providers. The quality assurance program has not been totally internalized in the providers. Not all the health workers have had the basic minimum training for the implementation of the program. Inpatients expected health workers to be patient and courteous to them. All prescribed drugs should be available. They expected to be given necessary treatment that would lead to their cure. They expected that complete and accurate information concerning their treatment would be given to them. They expected to be provided with quality services promptly. The study recommends that regular in-service training should be organised for all the health workers. All health workers should be encouraged to internalize the concept of ‘do the right things right’.

Source: KNUST
In-service condition of selected utility poles in Ghana and efficacy of their residual CCA retention against a brown rot fungus (Gloeophylum striatum)

CCA treated woods have been used for a long time in Ghana, even before the 1940s. In recent times, there have been some problems with these preserved woods which are being used as utility poles in both the electricity and telecommunication industries. The efficacy of residual CCA wood preservative remaining in utility poles in service after a period of time ranging from 10 years to 38 years was investigated from eight different locations namely, Akosombo, Akropong-Akwapim and Doyumu in the Eastern Region, Barekese, Asokore Effiduase, Kaasi Industrial Area and U.S.T. Campus in the Ashanti Region, and finally Golokwati in the Volta Region. Observation of the external surface of poles showed that areas in Golokwati, Akosombo and Effiduase are the worst affected with decay depth of 6-12cm, 6-12cm and 4-10cm with Kaasi having no decay. Internal decay in poles showed Kaasi poles to have the highest sound portion of 68.5 percent and no advanced decay while areas in Effiduase and Golokwati had advanced decay percentage of 46.1 and 59.8. Cores from these inspected poles were extracted from the groundline region of the pole and assessed visually for the extent of external decay of the pole. Residual retention was determined by x-ray fluorescent analysis. Zone of inhibition (ZOI) and weight loss due to decay on the extracted cores were also determined. Residual retention for the 8 different locations indicated that only Kaasi Industrial Area high voltage poles had 1 9.7kg/m3 of preservative and is considered adequate enough to continue to sustain them in service for about 10 years to 15 years before remedial treatment may be offered. All the other locations had low retention levels ranging from 5.1kg/m3 at Golokwati to11.3 kg/m3 at Akropong-Akwapim. Zone of inhibition values also showed that by the seventh day, Akosombo, Kaasi and Akropong-Akwapim poles had high levels of 7mm, 6mm and 7mm respectively while U.S.T. showed an anomaly with the treated sample being overgrown and the untreated being 2mm from the fungi. Weight loss test also indicated a very low weight loss of 3.6% for Kaasi meaning higher resistance to decay fungi with U.S.T. Effiduase and Golokwati having high values of 37.5%, 376% and 36.0% respectively indicating a high susceptibility to decay fungi. Relating residual retention, zone of inhibition and weight loss values, it can be concluded that Kaasi Industrial Area poles are sound enough to remain in service while poles in U.S.T., Golokwati and Effiduase had serious decay and needed replacement. Poles in Akosombo even though they showed moderate levels of residual retention and weight loss with high levels of Zone of Inhibition (ZOl) needed replacement because of their external conditions which showed 6 to 12cm depth of decay while Akropong-Akwapim, Barekese and Doyumu posts can be offered remedial treatment upon inspection.

Source: KNUST
In-Vitro Performance Of The Adsorption Of Acrylamide Using Alumino-Silica Complexes

Acrylamide is a contaminant formed in food when preparation of food uses above 120 oC of temperature and low moisture content of food. Several methods have been used in the mitigation of acrylamide in foods due to the health risk it poses to people especially children. In this study, the mitigation method used was a binder (alumino- silica complexes -ASC) which adsorbed acrylamide content based on response surface design for the analysis. The binder which had previously been synthesized, required factors such as heating time of 0 to 4 h of the complex, heating temperature of 0 to 1400 oC and alumina component running from 20% to 60% and that of silica running from 40 % to 80 %. The highest percentage reduction of acrylamide as quantified by HPLC, was 88.75% and the least was 53.33%. According to the predicted optimization conditions, the complex; alumina: silica ratio of 60: 40, obtained at a heating time of 3.6 h, with a heating temperature of 1400 oC and agitation time of 4 h, gave the best adsorbed acrylamide content.

Source: KNUST