ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Distance Education Tutors’ Technology Pedagogical Integration during COVID-19 in Ghana: Implications for Development Education and Instructional Design

Disruptions to education by the 2019 Global pandemic has amplified development educationists’ advocacy for sustainable learner-focused curriculum that addresses cross-cutting themes. Teachers’ failure to effectively use digital media for differentiated learning might continue to widen access, gender, and equity gaps in education for distance learners in the Global South. Within development education framework of raising awareness and understanding of impacts of global affairs on education, we argue that teachers’ technology pedagogical integration competencies are likely to impact quality curriculum delivery in a full-online environment. On a pedagogical integration self-efficacy questionnaire, we elicited data from 197 distance education tutors on a Likert-type scale that yielded reliability coefficient of .9 and face validity checked by instructional design experts. Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA were used for the data analysis and the results suggested that distance education tutors were more likely to select video-based digital tools than asynchronous techniques during tutorial sessions. Secondly, Internet access and technology professional development were the leading needs for tutors’ instructional delivery during the pandemic. Finally, tutors’ technology training and years of teaching experience in facilitating distance education courses were not statistically significant in online pedagogical delivery. We conclude that ICT training amongst distance education tutors remains generic in lieu of digital integration literacy. Recommendations for continuing education, curriculum development, and instructional design are made.

Source: UG
Distance measurements and conformational analysis of sn-2- arachidonoylglycerol-membrane sample by 2H-31P REDOR NMR

The purpose of these studies is to determine the intermolecular distances that define the location, orientation, and conformation of 2-AG in palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) lipid bilayers using rotational-echo double-resonance (REDOR) NMR. All five protons on the glycerol backbone of 2-AG were replaced with 2H and the distance between the deuterons and naturally occurring 31P on the POPC lipid headgroup determined with REDOR. To determine the distance from each deuteron to the phosphorus, the POPC headgroup was arranged in a hexagonal array. The 2-AG intercalates between the lipid molecules and the 2H labels, resulting in an average distance of z directly above or below the center of the parallelogram of the four phosphorus atoms P1, P2, P3, and P4. For different z values, the 2H-31P inter-nuclear distances were 7.6-9.1 Å (2H-31P1 and 2H-31P31) and 4.4-6.7 Å ( 2H-31P2 and 2H-31P 4). Each result involved the calculations and summation of 893,101 terms. Based on the curve-fitting parameters, the calculations with z = 0 fits the data the best, which means these methylene 2H atoms are at the same level as the phosphate group of the POPC lipid bilayer. Molecular dynamic simulation data suggested that the 2H atoms at the glycerol backbone of 2-AG are involved in an extended H-bonding network with the phosphorus atoms after 10-ns simulation. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media.

Source: UG
Distance measurements and conformational analysis of sn-2-arachidonoylglycerol-membrane sample by ²H-³¹P REDOR NMR

The purpose of these studies is to determine the intermolecular distances that define the location, orientation, and conformation of 2-AG in palmitoyl-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC) lipid bilayers using rotational-echo double-resonance (REDOR) NMR. All five protons on the glycerol backbone of 2-AG were replaced with ²H and the distance between the deuterons and naturally occurring ³¹P on the POPC lipid headgroup determined with REDOR. To determine the distance from each deuteron to the phosphorus, the POPC headgroup was arranged in a hexagonal array. The 2-AG intercalates between the lipid molecules and the ²H labels, resulting in an average distance of z directly above or below the center of the parallelogram of the four phosphorus atoms P₁, P₂, P₃, and P₄. For different z values, the ²H-³¹P inter-nuclear distances were 7.6-9.1 Å (²H-³¹P₁ and ²H-³¹P₃₁) and 4.4-6.7 Å (²H-³¹P₂ and ²H-³¹P₄). Each result involved the calculations and summation of 893,101 terms. Based on the curve-fitting parameters, the calculations with z = 0 fits the data the best, which means these methylene ²H atoms are at the same level as the phosphate group of the POPC lipid bilayer. Molecular dynamic simulation data suggested that the ²H atoms at the glycerol backbone of 2-AG are involved in an extended H-bonding network with the phosphorus atoms after 10-ns simulation.

Source: UG
Distinct isotopic signatures reveal effect of ecoregion on small mammals of Ghana

Species reside in dynamic environments, simultaneously experiencing variations in climatic conditions, habitat availability and quality, interspecific interactions, and anthropogenic pressures. We investigated variation in foraging ecology of the small mammal community between land-use classifications (i.e., protected national parks and unprotected lands abutting them) in Mole National Park (MNP) and Digya National Park (DNP), representing distinct ecoregions of Ghana. In 5,064 trap nights, we sampled 153 individuals of 23 species within the 2 national parks and adjacent lands outside protected boundaries to describe variation in community composition. We also used δ¹³ C and δ15 N isotopic ratios from fresh feces to determine main effects and interactions between land use and ecoregion on trophic structure in species and communities of small mammals. Small mammals exhibited distinct community assemblages between ecoregions (i.e., national parks): Gerbilliscus guineae, Hybomys trivirgatus, Malacomys edwardsi, Lemniscomys bellieri, L. zebra, and Taterillus gracilis were only captured in the dry savanna ecoregion of MNP. Additionally, isotopic signatures for nitrogen were significantly lower in MNP (2.83 ± 0.17‰) compared to DNP (4.97 ± 0.33‰), indicating that small mammals occupied different trophic levels between ecoregions. The most common species, Praomys daltoni exhibited variation in isotopic signatures between ecoregions and land use, with higher δ15 N found within MNP boundaries. We found no distinction in δ¹³ C at the community or species level within or across protected areas. Ultimately, understanding shifts in the ecology of species can inform predictions about community structure and ecosystem function under future environmental and anthropogenic scenarios.

Source: UG
Distinct patterns of blood-stage parasite antigens detected by plasma IgG subclasses from individuals with different level of exposure to Plasmodium falciparum infections

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
Distinct patterns of blood-stage parasite antigens detected by plasma IgG subclasses from individuals with different level of exposure to Plasmodium falciparum infections

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
Distinct patterns of cytokine regulation in discrete clinical forms of plasmodium falciparum malaria.

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
Distinctive policy diffusion patterns, processes and actors: drawing implications from the case of sport in international development

This article examines the diffusion of “Sport for Development and Peace” (SDP) across sub-Saharan Africa following global policy impetus provided by international organizations, including the United Nations, since the start of the twenty-first century. In so doing, the article centres on a geographical region that has been unconsidered in the policy diffusion literature and, particularly, responds to calls for research into the effects of policy characteristics on diffusion mechanisms and patterns. This rationale beget methods that differed from the predominant use of quantitative, dichotomous indicators of policy diffusion, instead integrating data from global, international and national policy documents, from a review of SDP literature, and from stakeholder interviews in Ghana and Tanzania. Patterns of increasing governmental engagement with, but limited implementation of, SDP policies contrasted with the significant expansion of SDP provision by diverse NGOs. In turn, these patterns represented the varying influence of different diffusion mechanisms on state and non-state actors. Compared with the diffusion of other types of policies, these findings indicated the effects of an instrumental, malleable but complex global policy model for SDP diffusion. There is, therefore, significant value in further research that examines how policy diffusion may depend on the configuration of particular policy characteristics, mechanisms and actors.

Source: UG
Distinguishing between Silicate and Carbonatite Mantle Metasomatism by Using Lithium and its Isotopes

To investigate the effects of silicate and carbonatite metasomatism on mantle heterogeneity, we report lithium (Li) concentrations and isotopic compositions for olivine (Ol), orthopyroxene (Opx) and clinopyroxene (Cpx) fromtwo suites ofmantle xenoliths (Hannuoba, the North China Craton, and Haoti, theWestern Qinling Orogen). The Hannuoba xenoliths range fromlherzolite to pyroxenite andwere affected by silicate metasomatism,whereas the Haoti xenoliths vary from harzburgite to wehrlite and were affected by carbonatite metasomatism. Lithium concentrations and isotopic compositions display a dichotomy between Hannuoba and Haoti xenoliths, and the overall variation exceeds what was previously reported. The minerals from Haoti xenoliths are more enriched in Li (Ol: 1.23–13.2 ppm; Opx: 3.00–82.8 ppm; Cpx: 1.39–112 ppm) than those from Hannuoba samples (Ol: 1.34–5.52 ppm; Opx: 0.23–16.1 ppm; Cpx: 1.18–79.8 ppm). Lithium isotopic compositions of these samples are highly variable in both suites of samples. δ7Li ranges from +3.0‰ to +41.9‰ in Ol, from −21.0‰ to +20.2 ‰ in Opx and from −17.4 ‰ to +18.9 ‰ in Cpx for Hannuoba samples. Haoti minerals display a similar degree of variation with δ7Li ranging from −29.1 ‰ to +19.9 ‰ in Ol, −16.9 ‰ to +18.0 ‰ in Opx and −45.1 ‰ to +19.6‰ in Cpx. On average, Li isotopic compositions of minerals from Hannuoba xenoliths follow the sequence of δ7LiOl > δ7LiOpx > δ7LiCpx, whereas those from Haoti xenoliths are characterized by the opposite sequence of δ7LiCpx > δ7LiOpx > δ7LiOl; in particular there is considerable difference in δ7Li values of Ol. The Li elemental and isotopic data suggest that mantle metasomatism by distinct agents is an important process for generating the large heterogeneity of Li abundances and isotopic distribution in the lithospheric mantle. The distinct geochemical characteristics of Li isotopes in silicate and carbonatite metasomatism are closely related to the preferential incorporation of Li into minerals from distinct melts. These findings further demonstrate that the Li isotopic systematics may in turn help to discriminate between silicate and carbonatite metasomatism.

Source: UG
Distribution and abundance of small mammals in different habitat types in the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary, Ghana.

Information on the small mammal communities of the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary is virtually non-existent despite their role in forest ecosystems. A total of 1,500 trap-nights yielded 121 individuals of rodents and shrews, comprising five species: Praomys tullbergi, Lophuromys sikapusi, Hybomys trivirgatus, Malacomys edwardsi and Crocidura buettikoferi, captured in Sherman traps using 20 × 20 m grids. P. tullbergi was the most common small mammal species in all the four habitat types surveyed, comprising 63.6% of the total number of individual small mammals captured. The Cassia-Triplochiton forest had 61.2% of the entire small mammal individuals captured, and was the only habitat type that harboured higher abundances of the rare small mammal species in the sanctuary (H. trivirgatus and M. edwardsi). It also showed dissimilarity in small mammal species richness and abundance by recording a Sǿrenson’s similarity index of less than half in comparison with the other three habitat types. Management strategies for the sanctuary should therefore be structured to have minimal impact in terms of development and encroachment on the Cassia-Triplochiton forest area in order to conserve the rare species and biodiversity of the Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary.

Source: UG
Distribution and abundance of forest birds in Ghana

Forest reserves within the Ghanaian rain forest have been classified into categories (Condition I-VI) on the basis of their botanical importance and status of the vegetation. We present data on the distribution and abundance of avifauna of 28 Condition II and III forest reserves in southern Ghana based on line transect counts and mist-net captures. A total of 227 species were recorded for all the sites; species records for individual sites ranged from 78–119. The dominant groups in the overall survey were Muscicapidae (represented by 40 species), Pcynonotidae (21) and Cuculidae (12). The most abundant bird species in the Ghanaian forests were Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Green Hylia, Green Pigeon and Olive Sunbird. Species encounter rates ranged from 16.7 to 50.7 species per km with individual bird encounter rates of 27.9 to 172.0 birds per km. Capture rates in mist-nets ranged from 1.2 to 3.9 birds per 100 metre net-hr (mnh). A total of 183 species were recorded in Condition II forest as compared with 167 in Condition III forests. The effects of forest condition and vegetation types on the total number of species recorded were, however, not statistically significant. The Similarity Index for bird communities within Condition II and III forests was 0.72. Bird species composition in the two forest types also differed: e.g., seven primary forest species, as well as 40% of the species associated with primary and matured secondary forest which were recorded in Condition II forests, were absent from Condition III forests. Bird communities of Moist Evergreen, Upland Evergreen and Moist semi-Deciduous were more similar than communities in the Wet Evergreen forest type. The implication of the results for conservation of the Ghana’s forests is discussed. © 2000, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
The Distribution and Abundance of the Stem-Galling Fly, Cecidochares connexa (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a Biological Control Agent of Chromolaena odorata (L.) (Asteraceae), in Ghana

Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M. King and H. Robinson (Asteraceae: Eupatorieae) is one of the worst invasive weeds in West Africa, and a serious biotic threat to food security. The stem-galling fly, Cecidochares connexa (Macquart) (Diptera: Tephritidae), a biological control agent for C. odorata, was released in the Ivory Coast in 2003 and first detected in Ghana in 2014. The spatiotemporal distribution and abundance of C. connexa in Ghana was determined by country-wide surveys from 2015 to 2016. Galls were found in varying densities across Ghana but gall densities were consistently low east of Lake Volta. A limited survey conducted in the extreme west of Togo in 2016, found the gall fly also in low numbers. There was a significant correlation between C. connexa gall densities and the distance from the release sites in the Ivory Coast. The distribution and abundance of the gall fly in Ghana could be explained by its spread from the original release sites over time and/or the much drier conditions east of Lake Volta. Cecidochares connexa has dispersed a distance of about 1000 km over a 10-year period and, while there is some evidence that the gall fly is still dispersing towards the east, its range and population size could be limited by the dry climatic conditions in the east of Ghana and in Togo. Actively redistributing the agent over this dry corridor to the more humid and higher rainfall areas of Nigeria, may result in the spread of this agent through the rest of West and Central Africa, thereby aiding the control of C. odorata in the region.

Source: UG
Distribution and enrichment of trace metals in marine sediments from the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic, off the Coast of Ghana in the Gulf of Guinea

We present results of a preliminary geochemical assessment of Cd, Pb, V, As, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mg, Al, K, Ca, and Fe in marine sediments from the Eastern Equatorial Atlantic, off the Coast of Ghana. Samples were taken along 4 regions G1, G2, G3 and G4 at approximately 25 m, 100 m, and 250 m, 500 m and 1000 m depths. Elemental compositions were assessed through the estimation of Al-normalized enrichment factors and geochemical accumulation indices, and the concentrations determined to produce any potential toxic effects to biota. Significant enrichment of the bottom sediments with Cd, Ni and As were observed at some locations with sediments showing signs of heavy pollution with As at region G4. Apart from Ni, V and As which were beyond threshold effects levels at most regions, all other metals were below probable effect levels. Both natural and anthropogenic processes controlled trace metal accumulation and distribution in the Ghanaian coastal environment.

Source: UG
Distribution and genetic diversity among Aspergillus flavus isolates across three agro-ecologies essential for maize cultivation in Ghana

Fungal mycotoxins are important contaminants of agricultural commodities that pose serious concerns to producers, consumers and exporters. Aflatoxin is a carcinogenic metabolite produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. These fungi and other mould species living in the soil contaminate several crops including maize. This study was undertaken with the following objectives: (i) to assess the presence of A. flavus and other moulds in Ghanaian soil; (ii) to determine the distribution and density of A. flavus under three agro-ecologies noted for major maize production; and (iii) to assess the effect of percentage of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and soil pH on A. flavus population densities and diversity in the isolates found across the agro-ecologies. The data showed seven moulds that were common across the agro-ecologies. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the A. flavus density and distribution within and across these agro-ecologies. Fumesua soils recorded the highest levels of A. flavus (1.185 9 103 cfu g 1) while Akomadan recorded the least (9.76 9 102 cfu g 1). Percentage available C, N and soil pH did not significantly influence A. flavus density. The A. flavus isolates identified in this study varied in genetic sequence within the aflatoxin gene cluster, but these differences were not distinguishable by origin

Source: UG
Distribution and potential source evaluation of heavy metals in prominent soils of Accra Plains, Ghana

Environmental contamination by heavy metals remains a major threat to health and agricultural productivity, particularly in developing countries. This study evaluated the distribution, controlling variables, and potential sources of heavy metals in the soils of the Legon hill catena, prominent soils of Accra Plains, Ghana, West Africa. Soil samples were collected from the profiles of five dominant soil series, comprising four Alfisols and one Vertisol, developed on different physiographic positions. Samples were characterized for various soil properties including total elemental analysis. Variations in major physical and chemical characteristics among the soils were chiefly attributed to physiographic position and parent materials. Dominant heavy metals and concentration ranges observed were Co (22.0-260 mg kg- 1), Cu (9.80-72.9 mg kg- 1), Ni (22.8-201 mg kg-1), Pb (9.30-45.0 mg kg- 1), and Zn (5.80-69.8 mg kg- 1), with averages of 76.8, 35.5, 66.3, 26.0, and 44.0 mg kg- 1, respectively. Except in a few occasions, the concentrations of these metals generally increased with depth. All the soils were dominated by SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3. Copper and Zn were positively correlated with Fe2O3 (R2 ≥ 0.67, P &lt; 0.001), but negatively correlated with SiO2 (R2 ≥ 0.71, P &lt; 0.001). Principal component and correlation analyses suggested that Cu, Pb, and Zn contents of this region could be of similar lithogenic origin, while Co and Ni were attributed to a different geogenic source. Evidence gathered from this study further suggested that the metal contents of these soils were generally below the maximum allowable limits set by most countries.

Source: UG
Distribution of and association between the larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in maize stores

Interspecific interactions between the larger grain borer Prostephanus truncatus and the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais were studied during two storage seasons in maize stores, in Bénin. Maize ears, randomly sampled from farmers' grain stores, were 'reared out', i.e., kept for 4 weeks under controlled conditions for F1 to emerge, and periodically sampled, in order to examine colonisation patterns of P. truncatus and S. zeamais. For both storage seasons, P. truncatus and S. zeamais populations were sparsely aggregated and not associated with each other. The degree and strength of association increased with each monthly sampling occasion with the Ochiai, Jaccard and Dice indices of association. By the fourth sampling occasion, P. truncatus was found on most ears and on some ears in very high numbers (&gt;300 insects). Almost all ears with P. truncatus contained at least a few S. zeamais individuals, but many ears with S. zeamais contained no P. truncatus. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Source: UG