ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Comparing flavor profiles of dark chocolates refined with melanger and conched with Stephan mixer in various alternative chocolate production techniques

The use of alternative equipment for chocolate production is gaining attention in recent times in many countries. This is due to the lower cost of investment and maintenance, multi-functionality, and lower throughput. This study was conducted to investigate the applicability of two of such equipment; melanger and Stephan mixer. In the first set-up, the possibility of refining chocolate with the melanger in comparison with the conventional 3-roll refiner was explored. Whereas in the second set-up, the applicability of the Stephan mixer (aided with a vacuum pump) for a conching-like application was also investigated. From each set-up, 70% dark chocolates produced through various alternative means were then evaluated on the basis of their flavor profiles. Specific groups of volatiles such as aldehydes, ketones, terpenes and terpenoids, showed significant (p < 0.05) differences due to the different refining techniques applied. However, this effect was not reflected in terms of the overall volatile concentrations of these chocolates. For chocolates which were conched with Stephan mixer, the decreasing effect of vacuum duration and its interaction with dry conching temperature on the total volatile concentration also proved significant (p < 0.05). Finally, an agglomerative hierarchical clustering of all chocolates on the basis of their aroma volatiles revealed three distinct clusters. Nonetheless, a 112—member consumer preference testing showed statistically similar (p > 0.05) preference for these representative chocolates from the clusters. These findings stimulate various practical application possibilities for tuning chocolate flavor through alternative processing for both industries and various artisans worldwide.

Source: UG
Comparing growth velocity of HIV exposed and non-exposed infants: An observational study of infants enrolled in a randomized control trial in Zambia

Background Impaired growth among infants remains one of the leading nutrition problems globally. In this study, we aimed to compare the growth trajectory rate and evaluate growth trajectory characteristics among children, who are HIV exposed uninfected (HEU) and HIV unexposed uninfected (HUU), under two years in Zambia. Method Our study used data from the ROVAS II study (PACTR201804003096919), an open-label randomized control trial of two verses three doses of live, attenuated, oral RotarixTM administered 6 &10 weeks or at 6 &10 weeks plus an additional dose at 9 months of age, conducted at George clinic in Lusaka, Zambia. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were collected on all scheduled and unscheduled visits. We defined linear growth velocity as the rate of change in height and estimated linear growth velocity as the first derivative of the mixed effect model with fractional polynomial transformations and, thereafter, used the second derivative test to determine the peak height and age at peak heigh. Results We included 212 infants in this study with median age 6 (IQR: 6–6) weeks of age. Of these 97 (45.3%) were female, 35 (16.4%) were stunted, and 59 (27.6%) were exposed to HIV at baseline. Growth velocity was consistently below the 3rd percentile of the WHO linear growth standard for HEU and HUU children. The peak height and age at peak height among HEU children were 74.7 cm (95% CI = 73.9–75.5) and 15.5 months (95% CI = 14.7–16.3) respectively and those for HUU were 73 cm (95% CI = 72.1–74.0) and 15.6 months (95% CI = 14.5–16.6) respectively. Conclusion We found no difference in growth trajectories between infants who are HEU and HUU. However, the data suggests that poor linear growth is universal and profound in this cohort and may have already occurred in utero.

Source: UG
Comparing influenza positivity rates by real-time RT-PCR, ELISA and viral culture methods in Côte d'ivoire, West Africa, in 2009

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
Comparing knowledge and usage of ICT among male and female distance learners of an endowed and deprived area in a developing country in Africa

Distance learning in developing countries has emerged as a way of widening access to education for tertiary applicants who qualify but could not otherwise gain admission due to the limited space in the existing tertiary institutions. The delivery of the program in Ghana, a developing country in Africa, is predominantly print-based and is supported with regular face-to-face tutorials. In this process students face several challenges that could be supported with information and communication technology (ICT). The study looked at the extent to which, at their personal level, students utilize the few ICT facilities that are available in their localities that could form a basis for making a case for the use of interactive electronic platforms in the distance learning programs. The results revealed that both male and female learners have some access to and utilize ICT facilities. They have moderate knowledge and usage of the Internet. Distance learning institutions in developing countries could, therefore, take opportunity of this and gradually introduce some basic ICT applications such as e-mails, text messages, phone contacts, a website for providing detailed information, application and registration, uploading and downloading supplementary readers and other services to facilitate interaction among learners and the institutions. This way not only will quality be enhanced but also those in the remotest parts of developing countries could be conveniently reached.

Source: UG
Comparing media framings of climate change in developed, rapid growth and developing countries: Findings from Norway, China and Ghana

This article undertakes a systematic study of press articles on climate change in the rich West (Norway), the emerging East (China) and the developing South (Ghana) to explore the cognitive basis for collective climate policy action. Newspapers depict Ghana moving out of a climate-victimhood towards a more active climate policy for development; China figures as spearheading energy efficiency and clean technologies for growth; while Norway is described as exporting its climate action. Our analysis finds little common ground for climate mitigation through binding climate emission limits and carbon pricing. A pluralistic ‘green growth’ strategy would have greater chances of success. The article also highlights differences in sources and story types: Norway features much enterprising journalism, and academics are the dominant source. In China and Ghana most articles are routinized, with politicians and public officials dominating in China, whilst the press makes heavy use of international sources in Ghana.

Source: UG
Comparing patient safety culture in primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals in Ghana

Objective: This study compared patient safety culture among health professionals in tertiary, secondary and primary hospitals. Design: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among thirteen primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals in Ghana. A structured questionnaire was administered to 1,656 health professionals. Data were analysed using descriptive statis tics and One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Setting: This study was conducted in the Greater Accra, Bono and Upper East regions, representing the southern, middle and northern ecological zones, respectively. Participants: Health professionals Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was patient safety culture. Results: Five patient safety culture dimensions were rated moderate positive response, while five were rated high positive response. We found a statistically significant difference in patient safety culture across primary, secondary and tertiary hospitals (p < 0.05). For instance, the mean difference between tertiary and secondary hospitals was sta tistically significant (p < 0.05). Additionally, the mean difference between tertiary and primary hospitals was statisti cally significant (p < 0.05). There was also a significant difference in the means between secondary and primary hospitals (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated a variation in patient safety culture across Ghana’s tertiary, secondary and primary hospitals. Therefore, healthcare managers and professionals should prioritise patient safety.

Source: UG
Comparing the reasons for suicide from attempt survivors and their families in Ghana

Background Family members are key in detecting early suicide warning signs. This study compared the reasons for suicidality as reported by attempt survivors with their family folks in Ghana. Methods A qualitative design was used to select a sample size of 20 (10 family members and 10 suicide attempt survivors). Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results Analysis of the data showed two major themes: 1) Similar Reasons (where both families and attempt survivors consistently reported similar reasons for suicidality and 2) Different Reasons (where there were sharp divergences). Conclusions Findings from this study help to understand the readiness of attempt survivor family members to intervene early during suicidal crisis.

Source: UG
A Comparison of “Well Endowed” and “Deprived” Districts in Education Delivery in Ghana

The Pilot Programmatic Scheme (PPS) of the World Bank was brought on board by the Government of Ghana and the Ministry of Education to provide assistance to deprived districts to enable them fast track the achievement of performance indicators in education delivery. Using the analysis of variance technique, the growth rate performance in primary gross enrolment rates of schools located in deprived and endowed districts that were randomly sampled were compared. Results revealed that both deprived and endowed districts experienced similar average growth rates in primary gross enrolment. The analysis of variance showed that, performance over the period 2007 – 2010 between deprived and endowed districts considered were not significantly different. Results imply that the PPS has worked for selected areas. It is recommended for more support and widespread capacity strengthening for all District Education Directorates to enable Ghana meet the International Commitments in the MDGs enshrined in the Education Strategic Plan and Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Source: UG
Comparison of a new visual isothermal nucleic acid amplification test with PCR and skin snip analysis for diagnosis of onchocerciasis in humans

Most research activities involve the use of molecular methods such as regular PCR (PCR), quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), genomic sequence and analysis using different software, genetic engineering, probe hybridization techniques, biological and molecular cloning, evaluation of immune markers for laboratory diagnosis of infections, serological assays involving the use of rapid tests, ELISA-based evaluations and immunofluorescent assay techniques.

Source: UG
Comparison of AIK-C measles vaccine in infants at 6 months with schwarz vaccine at 9 months: A randomized controlled trial in Ghana

In a randomized controlled trial in a measles endemic area, standard-dose (4.0 log10pfu) AIK-C measles vaccine administered at 6 months of age was compared to standard-dose Schwarz vaccine (3.7log10pfu) given at 9 months. Seroconversion rates at 3 and 6 months after immunization in the two groups were comparable and similar. The geometric mean titres achieved were, however, significantly higher in the Schwarz group (P < 0.05). No immediate serious side-effects were observed with either vaccine. We conclude that standard-dose AIK-C measles vaccine can be recommended for measles immunization in children below 9 months of age, especially in highly endemic and high-risk areas in developing countries. PIP: The seroresponse of standard-dose heat-stable AIK-C measles vaccine administered to infants at 6 months of age was compared to that of standard-dose Schwarz vaccine administered at 9 months of age in a measles-endemic area in West Africa. The study was conducted in Asamankese, the capital town of Ghana's East Akim District. Infants 24-27 weeks of age who had been attending the Asamankese maternal-child health clinic regularly and had received all the required immunizations were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive the AIK-C (n = 184) or the Schwarz (n = 193) vaccine. No severe adverse reactions were reported during the 10-day follow-up period in either vaccine group. In the AIK-C group, 96.9% of infants who were seronegative at preimmunization and 79.4% of those with preexisting antibodies had seroconverted by 3 months after immunization; at 6 months after immunization, these rates were 97.3% and 100%, respectively. In the Schwarz group, 98.2% of infants seronegative at immunization and 100% of those with preexisting antibodies seroconverted by 3 months after immunization; at 6 months, these rates were 99.1% and 80%, respectively. Although the geometric mean titres achieved were significantly higher in the Schwarz vaccine group, these titres were above the protective level of 200 mIU in the AIK-C group. Administration of measles vaccine at a younger age may be more easily incorporated into current Expanded Program on Immunization schedules.

Source: UG
Comparison of chloroquine with artesunate in the treatment of cerebral malaria in Ghanaian children

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Comparison of chloroquine with quinimax in the treatment of cerebral malaria in Ghanaian children

Despite earlier reports of R2 and R3 resistance of Plasmodium,1 falciparum to chloroquine. it remained the drug of choice for the treatment of cerebra1 malaria in Ghana. The World Health Organization, however, recommends the use of parenteral quinine salts in such circumstances. In order to guide local treatment policies, an open randomized trial comparing the effect of enteral chloroquine and intravenous followed by oral Quinimax. a quinine preparation approved by the World Health Organization was conducted in 70 children with cerebral malaria. The primary endpoints were mortality, prevalence of residual neurologic sequalae and treatment failure (clinical and parasitological). Thirty-three patients received chloroquine and 37 received Quinimax"'. There was no significant difference in mortality rates (chlorO(IUine. 12.1 %; Quinimax 10.8%; p= 1.00) and neurologic sequelae on day 7 (chloroquine. 12.1%; Quinimax ·, 8.1%; p: O.70) . There was a significantly higher prevalence of early treatment failure in the chloroqU111e group (chloroquine, 12.1 %; Quinimax®. 0%; 1)-"-0.045). Significantly more patients on chloroquine were parasitaemia on day 3 (chloroquine, 21.8%; Qumimax ~. 2.7%; p 0.022) but times to parasite clearance. fever clearance and recovery of full consciousness were similar. We conclude that treatment failure is more likely when chloroquine is used to treat cerebral malaria th'111 when Quinimax® is used. We therefore recommend that quinine salts, or other antimalarial 110 drugs of equal efficacy be used to treat cerebral malaria in Ghanaian children instead of chloroquine.

Source: UG
Comparison of Crop Water Productivity by Rice Ecologies (In Japanese with English abstract)

The experiments are carried out in a rainy season in 2008 to compare the differences of crop water productivity by three rice cultivation methods, which are rainfed upland, rainfed lowland and irrigated rice. Three study sites, Ashaiman, Nyankpala and Kpong are selected from three different agricultural climate zones in Ghana. The following findings are obtained from the experiments. 1) The water productivity of rice was shown as 0.02-0.40kg/m3 in rainfed upland, 0.28-0.53 kg/m3 in rainfed lowland and 0.24-0.66 kg/m3 in irrigated rice. There was a significant difference on water productivity due to differences of rainfall in upland rice. On the other hand water productivity of rainfed lowland indicated that it does not compare favorably even irrigated rice. 2) Although water productivity was higher with increasing water input, it has shown the peak in 650mm of water input and it tended to be lower with increasing of water input in this experiment.

Source: UG
Comparison of cytotoxicities and antiallergic effects of topical ocular dual-action anti-allergic agents

Background: To investigate the cytotoxicities of the topical ocular dual-action anti-allergic agents (alcaftadine 0.25%, bepotastine besilate 1.5%, and olopatadine HCL 0.1%) on human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and their anti-allergic effects on cultured conjunctival epithelial cells. Methods: A Methylthiazolyltetrazolium(MTT)-based calorimetric assay was used to assess cytotoxicities using HCECs at concentrations of 10, 20 or 30% for exposure durations of 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 12 h or 24 h. Cellular morphologies were evaluated by inverted phase-contrast and electron microscopy. Wound widths were measured 2 h, 18 h, or 24 h after confluent HCECs monolayers were scratched. Realtime PCR was used to quantify anti-allergic effects on cultured human conjunctival cells, in which allergic reactions were induced by treating them with Aspergillus antigen. Results: Cell viabilities decreased in time- and concentration-dependent manners. Cells were detached from dishes and showed microvilli loss, cytoplasmic vacuoles, and nuclear condensation when exposed to antiallergic agents; alcaftadine was found to be least cytotoxic. Alcaftadine treated HCECs monolayers showed the best wound healing followed by bepotastine and olopatadine (p < 0.0001). All agents significantly reduced the gene expressions of allergic cytokines (IL-5, IL-25, eotaxin, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin) and alcaftadine had the greatest effect (p < 0.0001 in all cases). Conclusions: Alcaftadine seems to have less side effects and better therapeutic effects than the other two antiallergic agents tested. It may be more beneficial to use less toxic agents for patients with ocular surface risk factors or presumed symptoms of toxicity.

Source: UG
A comparison of DIF detection and effect size measures among Mantel-Haenzel, SIBTEST, and Logistic regression using a science test data

The Differential item functioning (DIF) occurs when individuals of the same a bility level from separate groups have different probability of answering an item correctly. This study was conducted in two parts: in the first part a real science test data was analyzed and the consistencies among the three DIF detection procedures were examined and in the second part, simulated data for a short test was used in comparing the consistencies among the procedures. In the first part, students’ response data from a large-scale science achievement test were analyzed for gender DIF. A sample of 2600 (1500 males and 1100 females) was randomly selected for this study. The Science test consisted of 49 items. DIF statistical analyses were conducted on the data using MH, SIBTEST, and LR. All test statistics were interpreted at an alpha-level of 0.05. For SIBTEST, the guideline developed by Roussos and Stout (1996) was employed. The study suggests that the different procedures provided consistent estimates on the magnitude and direction of DIF and thus supports the recommendation that multiple DIF detec tion procedures should be used in real testing situation to reduce the uncertainty associated with the analysis interpretation of empirical testing data.

Source: UG
A comparison of DNA extraction procedures for the detection of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent of Buruli ulcer, in clinical and environmental specimens

The Bacteriology Department aims to improve the quality of life first for Ghanaians and the world at large by conducting research into bacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana and globally. In addition to working on enteric pathogens and sexually transmitted diseases, the department’s current main focus is on the two most important mycobacterial diseases of public health importance to Ghana, namely Buruli ulcer (BU) and tuberculosis (TB).

Source: UG
Comparison of early growth and survivability in indigenous guinea fowls from Northern Ghana

Three guinea fowl populations from Northern Ghana were compared in terms of their body weight, growth rates, and survivability during the first 11 weeks of life. Keets (n = 865) were hatched from eggs collected from 32 sampling areas divided into eleven subpopulations within three populations in Northern Ghana. Together with an experimental flock maintained at Animal Research Institute (ARI flock), these birds were raised and appraised for weekly body weights, weekly growth rates, and survivability. Weekly body weights did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) among the three populations, although ARI flock were significantly heavier (p ˂ 0.05) compared to the main populations until the fourth week. In contrast, among the subpopulations, significant differences emerged in body weights from the second week and were more pronounced from the sixth week. Growth rates measured as weekly weight gains also differed significantly among subpopulations beyond the second week, although differences in growth rates were not significantly different among whole populations. The mean values for total feed intake, daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) did not vary significantly (p > 0.05) between the populations. Therefore, although the variations in body weight and growth rates were limited among the populations, there existed significant variations among subpopulations, creating opportunities to establish genetically divergent populations for growth rate and to improve early growth rates and body weights in local guinea fowls by selection. High survivability observed in the ARI flock compared to keets from the three populations of Northern Ghana was likely due to good breeder stock management practices despite their common ancestry.

Source: UG
Comparison of ergonomic risk factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dismantler and burners of electronic waste in Agbogbloshie, Accra Ghana

Rudimentary methods for electronic waste (e-waste) recycling employed in developing countries are a source of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). Summarized comparison of WRMSDs and preliminary exposure assessment among e-waste dismantlers (D) and burners (B) in Agbogbloshie, Ghana is presented. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate WRMSDs and associated risk factors using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire and a newly developed ergonomic assessment tool. Results indicated higher WRMSD prevalence in the lower back (68% D vs. 52% B; p = 0.172), shoulder (41% D vs. 29% B; p = 0.279), and upper arm (33% D vs 5% B; p = 0.010). Moderate to severe trunk flexion, high force exertion, repetition, and vibration were prevalent risk factors among workers and were significantly higher in dismantlers than burners (p 0.001). Detailed ergonomic studies investigating the relationship between physical exposures and WRMSDs is needed to provide a deeper understanding of WRMSD causation in e-waste workers and more particularly in unstructured, unregulated work.

Source: UG