ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Colorimetric Detection of Plasmodium vivax in Urine Using MSP10 Oligonucleotidesand Gold Nanoparticles

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
Colour Atlas of Children’s Diseases

A distillation of clinical experience starting off as “what you should know” about a disease condition and then differential diagnosis for a disease state. It is written in a straightforward, easy-to-digest format. It covers virtually every clinical condition a student is likely to meet during training and subsequent years. The Atlas is targeted at medical students and early trainees in the field of Paediatrics who wish to improve their knowledge in the shortest possible time. Nurses and other allied Health Professionals may find the atlas useful as they try to understand the varied cases that may present to them on the wards. It is recommended that standard textbooks in Paediatrics are consulted for more information on the images shown.A distillation of clinical experience starting off as “what you should know” about a disease condition and then differential diagnosis for a disease state. It is written in a straightforward, easy-to-digest format. It covers virtually every clinical condition a student is likely to meet during training and subsequent years. The Atlas is targeted at medical students and early trainees in the field of Paediatrics who wish to improve their knowledge in the shortest possible time. Nurses and other allied Health Professionals may find the atlas useful as they try to understand the varied cases that may present to them on the wards. It is recommended that standard textbooks in Paediatrics are consulted for more information on the images shown.

Source: UG
Coloured Random Graphs, Simple Random Allocation of Coloured Balls into Coloured Bins

Simple coloured random allocation model is obtained when coloured balls are sequentially inserted at random into coloured bins. The empirical occupancy measure of the simple coloured random allocation model counts the number of bins of a given colour with a given number of balls of each colour. In this paper we show that, given the colours, both the empirical occupancy measure of simple coloured random allocation models and the empirical neighbourhood distribution of sparse coloured random graph models converge weakly to the product of independent Poisson distributions.

Source: UG
Combating ‘Galamsey’ in Ghana and Its Implications for Ghana-China Relations: An Assessment

This study was an assessment of Government of Ghana’s anti-galamsey activities on Ghana-China diplomatic relations. The focus of the study was to determine whether anti-galamsey activities of the government have had any strain on the diplomatic relations between the two countries. The study relied on both primary and secondary sources of data for analysis. Widespread damage to Ghana’s environment, water bodies, farmlands and wildlife due to “galamsey”, a local referent for illegal mining, had become a grave concern. While those involved in “galamsey” includes both Ghanaians and foreigners, the introduction of sophisticated equipment and use of dangerous chemicals by Chinese migrants in the extraction of Gold through illegal means had resulted into a “galamsey” narrative directed heavily at the Chinese. With widespread media reportage on the issue mostly highlighting damages to the environment, water bodies, conflicts and deaths, the government was forced to act, hence the decision to combat “galamsey” of which the majority of foreigners involved are Chinese migrants. While this decision was welcomed by many, other experts feared the consequences of this decision on Ghana-China diplomatic relations due to the latter’s economic contribution to the development of Ghana. Findings from the study revealed that Ghana-China diplomatic relations have not been significantly impacted by Government of Ghana’s ‘anti-galamsey’ activities and that these activities have no current or future negative implications on the diplomatic exchanges between Ghana and China and that the current state of Sino-Ghana relations remains friendly.

Source: UG
Combating fake news, disinformation, and misinformation: Experimental evidence for media literacy education

This study investigated the effect of media and information literacy (MIL) on the ability to identify fake news, disinformation and misinformation, and sharing inten tions. The experimental approach was selected to study both the control group and experimental group made up of a total of 187 respondents. Comparative analysis of the two groups revealed that although more respondents in the experimental group were able to identify the inauthenticity of information presented to them, some of the respondents in the control group were also able to do the same, even though they did not receive MIL training. Conversely, some respondents in the experimental group, even though they were trained in MIL, could not determine the inauthenticity of information, possibly because the one-off training given to them did not allow them to assimilate all the information in one sitting. Nonetheless, the results of the bivariate correlation com putation showed that MIL trained respondents were more likely to determine authenti city or otherwise of information and less likely to share inaccurate stories. This means that when MIL increases, sharing of fake news decreases. This is yet another evidence that MIenables information consumers to make informed judgments about quality information. It is recommended that MIL is incorporated into mainstream educational modules and consistently revised to reflect the demands of the times. MIL programs must also consider how to effectively reach those without formal education. Actors within the infor mation, communications, and media ecology must contribute to their quota in making information consumers more discerning with the right MIL sensitisation.

Source: UG
Combating fake news, disinformation, and misinformation: Experimental evidence for media literacy education

This study investigated the effect of media and information literacy (MIL) on the ability to identify fake news, disinformation and misinformation, and sharing intentions. The experimental approach was selected to study both the control group and experimental group made up of a total of 187 respondents. Comparative analysis of the two groups revealed that although more respondents in the experimental group were able to identify the inauthenticity of information presented to them, some of the respondents in the control group were also able to do the same, even though they did not receive MIL training. Conversely, some respondents in the experimental group, even though they were trained in MIL, could not determine the inauthenticity of information, possibly because the one-off training given to them did not allow them to assimilate all the information in one sitting. Nonetheless, the results of the bivariate correlation computation showed that MIL trained respondents were more likely to determine authenticity or otherwise of information and less likely to share inaccurate stories. This means that when MIL increases, sharing of fake news decreases. This is yet another evidence that MIL enables information consumers to make informed judgments about quality information. It is recommended that MIL is incorporated into mainstream educational modules and consistently revised to reflect the demands of the times. MIL programs must also consider how to effectively reach those without formal education. Actors within the information, communications, and media ecology must contribute to their quota in making information consumers more discerning with the right MIL sensitisation.

Source: UG
Combatting Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease: What do we know?

Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease (CSSVD) is one of the major factors limiting cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) productivity in West Africa. The only cure for CSSVD is to cut out visibly infected trees and the official eradication campaign in Ghana has cut out more than 200 million trees since 1946. 80 years of research on preventive control measures have mainly focused on resistance breeding, mild strain cross-protection (inoculation of cocoa seedlings with a mild strain of the virus to protect against the severe strain) and control of mealybug vectors. Meanwhile, diversification measures such as agroforestry (for shading) or barrier (strip) cropping have received less attention. Despite promising results, CSSVD is more prevalent in the field than ever before. The large body of knowledge on preventive control measures for CSSVD is fragmented and many publications are not easily accessible. Furthermore, the literature has never been systematically evaluated and quantitatively assessed. Hence, we consolidated this knowledge with an extensive literature review followed by meta-analysis to identify the pertinent research gaps. Out of 423 publications on CSSVD-related issues, we selected 34 studies, which contained 52 datasets on seven different preventive control measures. Results showed that resistance breeding and mild strain cross-protection may reduce CSSVD infection by 30 percent, while the potential of diversification measures (shading/agroforestry and barrier (strip) cropping) seems to be considerably higher (40 and 85 percent, respectively). However, there is a lack of evidence because of a low number of studies about diversification measures, indicating that our results have to be interpreted with care and calling for more research in this area. Future testing is needed to evaluate the efficacy of barrier (strip) cropping to reduce CSSVD, and address the effect of shade on CSSVD symptom severity. Furthermore, the practical relevance of different preventive control measures for farmers needs to be assessed, and shade should be considered in current breeding programs for CSSVD resistance. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd

Source: UG
Combatting corruption with public deliberation

Building on Seumas Millers concept of corruption leads me to conclude that the question of disposition is central to the concept of corruption, which prompts me to consider punishment theories with regard to deterring dispositions to corruption. However, problems with punishment as a stand-alone approach lead me to consider institutional reform recommendations. Although institutional reforms have the weakness of merely engaging corrupt disposition in a hide-and-seek game, I seek to reconcile institutional approaches and moral individualism by suggesting that the former is intended to aid the latter, in the sense that resisting corruption is a question of cost, and the onus is to determine how to reduce this cost. In this regard, prevailing proposals are inept without an enabling environment: public deliberation (comprising publicity and deliberation) is a necessary (though not sufficient) condition for combating corruption, because it (1) compels reason to function at its best, (2) demands rational accountability, and therefore account-giving, (3) increases common-good thinking, (4) facilitates the recruitment of responsible institutional role-occupants, and (5) is a self-correcting instrument. © South African Journal of Philosophy.

Source: UG
Combatting IUU Fishing in Ghana

Globally, Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing has created large declines in commercially important fish populations and is thus recognized as a major threat, with the potential to cause an irreversible change in marine ecosystems. It has been estimated that IUU fishing accounts for about 20% of world catches, representing a global loss of between US$10 billion and US$23.5 billion annually. In West Africa alone, IUU fishing costs the region $7.15b, equivalent of 2.9m tons of illegally harvested fish. Such losses are detrimental to socio-economic development of the region, where over 3 million people, directly or indirectly are employed by the fisheries sector; per capita consumption of fish as animal protein exceeds global average; and up to 30% of GDP in some countries comes from fishery export revenues. The difficulty in combatting IUU fishing stems from inadequate human and infrastructural capacity to enforce fishery regulation, problem of internal conflict and political strife, and priorities other than fishery management requiring governmental attention. It goes without saying that dependence on foreign aid to balance national budget has also encouraged legal fishing fleets to overfish the resource in the region. Furthermore, inability to police the extent of the EEZ makes it possible for large factory ships from industrialized countries, stationed within the high seas, to carry out indiscriminate poaching. Notwithstanding these challenges, the ECOWAS Commission and its two Sub-Regional Fisheries Bodies, have put in place some measures to address IUU fishing in the region. The interventions include harmonization of fisheries legislation, setting up of national fishing registers, deployment of vessel monitoring systems (VMS), and cross-border patrols. The use of Earth Observation (EO) data coupled with technological advancement is playing a key role in maritime sensing in many developed countries. Hence, the ECOWAS Commission has set up a Regional Marine Centre in the University of Ghana as part of the Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa initiative. The focus is to utilize EO data and innovative technologies for environment and resource management. This presentation will showcase how the Centre is helping to fight IUU fishing among others. Fourteen countries, from Mauritania to Sao Tome e Principe, receive daily intelligence on activities of all manner of vessels within their exclusive economic zones. Through a collaboration with exactEarth of Canada, a pilot programme to monitor inshore vessels in Ghana has resulted in deployment of transponders on all inshore fishing vessels in Ghana by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. The results from the one-year pilot will be presented in the context of fighting IUU fishing.

Source: UG
Combatting IUU Fishing in West Africa

Globally, Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing has created large declines in commercially important fish populations and is thus recognized as a major threat, with the potential to cause an irreversible change in marine ecosystems. It has been estimated that IUU fishing accounts for about 20% of world catches, representing a global loss of between US$10 billion and US$23.5 billion annually. In West Africa alone, IUU fishing costs the region $7.15b, equivalent of 2.9m tons of illegally harvested fish. Such losses are detrimental to socio-economic development of the region, where over 3 million people, directly or indirectly are employed by the fisheries sector; per capita consumption of fish as animal protein exceeds global average; and up to 30% of GDP in some countries comes from fishery export revenues. The difficulty in combatting IUU fishing stems from inadequate human and infrastructural capacity to enforce fishery regulation, problem of internal conflict and political strife, and priorities other than fishery management requiring governmental attention. It goes without saying that dependence on foreign aid to balance national budget has also encouraged legal fishing fleets to overfish the resource in the region. Furthermore, inability to police the extent of the EEZ makes it possible for large factory ships from industrialized countries, stationed within the high seas, to carry out indiscriminate poaching. Notwithstanding these challenges, the ECOWAS Commission and its two Sub-Regional Fisheries Bodies, have put in place some measures to address IUU fishing in the region. The interventions include harmonization of fisheries legislation, setting up of national fishing registers, deployment of vessel monitoring systems (VMS), and cross-border patrols. The use of Earth Observation (EO) data coupled with technological advancement is playing a key role in maritime sensing in many developed countries. Hence, the ECOWAS Commission has set up a Regional Marine Centre in the University of Ghana as part of the Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa initiative. The focus is to utilize EO data and innovative technologies for environment and resource management. This presentation will showcase how the Centre is helping to fight IUU fishing among others. Fourteen countries, from Mauritania to Sao Tome e Principe, receive daily intelligence on activities of all manner of vessels within their exclusive economic zones. Through a collaboration with exactEarth of Canada, a pilot programme to monitor inshore vessels in Ghana has resulted in deployment of transponders on all inshore fishing vessels in Ghana by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development. The results from the one-year pilot will be presented in the context of fighting IUU fishing.

Source: UG
Combination chemotherapy in abdominal Burkitt's lymphoma.

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
Combined ciprofloxacin and amikacin prophylaxis in the prevention of septicemia after transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate

Purpose: A steady increase in the incidence of septicemia after prostate biopsy in our unit between 2001 and 2005 prompted us to review our prophylactic antibiotic regimen. We compared the incidence of septicemia in patients undergoing prostate biopsy between 2001 and 2005 when only oral ciprofloxacin was used prophylactically (group 1) to the incidence among patients undergoing biopsy between 2006 and 2010 when a single dose of intravenous amikacin was added to ciprofloxacin (group 2). Materials and Methods: In group 1 the 300 patients were given 500 mg oral ciprofloxacin twice daily 1 day before and for 2 days after the biopsy while in group 2 the 897 patients, in addition to the ciprofloxacin previously mentioned, received 500 mg intravenous amikacin 30 minutes before the biopsy. Patients admitted to the hospital with septicemia after prostate biopsy had urine and blood culture and sensitivity tests. The number of patients in whom septicemia developed in each group after prostate biopsy and the microorganisms isolated from the urine and blood of such patients were compared using the chi-square test. Results: Septicemia was seen in 24 of 300 (8%) and 15 of 897 (1.7%) patients in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p <0.001). In group 1 the rate of septicemia after prostate biopsy was 2.1% and 13% in 2001 and 2005, respectively (p <0.001). In group 2 the rate of septicemia was 1.5% in 2006 and 1.6% in 2010 (p <0.25). Escherichia coli resistant to quinolones was responsible for 33 of 39 (84.6%) septicemic cases. Conclusions: The addition of amikacin to ciprofloxacin prophylaxis significantly reduces the incidence of septicemia after prostate biopsy.

Source: UG
The combined effect of termite bioturbation and water erosion on soil nutrient stocks along a tropical forest catena in Ghana

In the tropical moist semi-deciduous forests of West Africa, soil catenas with extremely gravel-rich soil horizons at the summits and upper slopes and largely gravel-free profiles at the lower slope are common. Previous investigations have suggested that these gravel layers are the result of macro-invertebrates mining of fine-grained soil material from the subsoil leaving behind the gravel, to build galleries at the surface subsequently exposing it to water erosion transport downslope. We examined the indirect effect of this process on the distribution along a soil catena of crucial base cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+) and plant available phosphorous (P), which is often growth-limiting in these tropical ecosystems. We found that the export of fine-grained soil material at the top of the catena reduces the soil stocks (to 1 m) of these elements by up to 60%, while the soil fertility downslope did not change significantly. This important long-term (100–1000 yr scale) reduction in soil fertility at the top of slopes resulting from bioturbation and water erosion is overlooked in contemporary literature, which primarily focus on the beneficial impact termites and ants have on ecosystem functioning in more level savannah landscapes. As the type of catena studied is widespread across tropical environments, this effect is likely ecologically substantial. Future research should aim at understanding such long-term consequences of bioturbation on landscape ecology as well as soil heterogeneity and fertility, so we do not overlook potential negative ecosystem effects.

Source: UG
Combined effects of shade and drought on physiology, growth, and yield of mature cocoa trees

Climate models predict decreasing precipitation and increasing air temperature, causing concern for the future of cocoa in the major producing regions worldwide. It has been suggested that shade could alleviate stress by reducing radiation intensity and conserving soil moisture, but few on-farm cocoa studies are testing this hy pothesis. Here, for 33 months, we subjected twelve-year cocoa plants in Ghana to three levels of rainwater suppression (full rainwater, 1/3 rainwater suppression and 2/3 rainwater suppression) under full sun or 40 % uniform shade in a split plot design, monitoring soil moisture, physiological parameters, growth, and yield. Volumetric soil moisture (ϴw) contents in the treatments ranged between 0.20 and 0.45 m3 m− 3 and increased under shade. Rainwater suppression decreased leaf water potentials (ѱw), reaching − 1.5 MPa in full sun con ditions indicating severe drought. Stomatal conductance (gs) was decreased under the full sun but was not affected by rainwater suppression, illustrating the limited control of water loss in cocoa plants. Although pre dawn chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) indicated photoinhibition, rates of photosynthesis (Pn) were highest in full sun. On the other hand, litter fall was highest in the full sun and under water stress, while diameter growth and carbon accumulation increased in the shade but was negatively affected by rainwater suppression. Abortion of fruits and damage to pods were high under shade, but dry bean yield was higher compared to under the full sun. The absence of interactions between shade treatments and rainwater suppression suggests that shade may improve the performance of cocoa, but not sufficiently to counteract the negative effects of water stress under field conditions.

Source: UG