ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
A new route to sol-gel crystalline wollastonite bioceramic

Artificial bone graft materials formed from wollastonite have been extensively used in bone repair because of their high degree of bioactivity and biocompatibility, thereby justifying the development of a protocol for large-scale production. This work reports a novel route for preparing wollastonite via the sol-gel process using bentonite clay as a cheap silica source. The obtained wollastonite was characterized for morphology, elemental composition, phase composition and bioactivity using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results obtained revealed that wollastonite phase was successfully formed in the material and it showed ability to induce formation of apatite within 0.5 day in biological fluid, an indicator for bone-bonding capability. Overall, the wollastonite prepared from the bentonite clay exhibited properties comparable to that synthesized from commercially obtained sodium metasilicate. Hence, our synthetic route may be useful for commercial-scale preparation of wollastonite. © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group on behalf of The Korean Ceramic Society and The Ceramic Society of Japan

Source: UG
A new sulfonamide-based chemosensor for potential fluorescent detection of Cu2þ and Zn2þ ions

In recent times, there has been an increased demand in the search for probing materials for numerous substances in the environment such as the detection of metals ions. In this study, a new class of pyrazolyl-sulfonamide derivatives of para-nitroaniline were synthesized following a multistep approach. The ligands and complexes were characterized using NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. All the compounds C1eC3 were synthesized in very good yields (85%e92%) and their photo-physical properties measured. All the compounds show fluorescence behaviour with emissions within the UV and far visible range with quantum yields between 7.7% and 25.7%. TD-DFT calculations predictions for the electronic transitions present are in good agreement with experimental observations. Fluorescent probing studies conducted on the compounds show that C1eC3 were analytically sensitive and possessed significant selectivity towards Cu2þ (for C3) and Zn2þ (for C1 and C2) ions with detection limits between 0.011 and 0.103 mg/L for Cu2þ ions and 0.002e0.135 mg/L for Zn2þ ions. Overall, C1 was found to be the most sensitive molecule for the metals studied, having good quantum yield and better selectivity for Zn2þ ion compared to Cu2þ.

Source: UG
A New Voyage to Guinea

THE present Curiosity of the Public for whatsoever may contribute to the rendering the Produce of distant Countries and the Manners of Foreign Nations, fully and certainly known, was what encourage the publication of this Work at this Juncture from a Persuasion that the Merit of the Author would not fail of recommending his Per.; performance to all, who have an Inclination for this Sort of reading, and are competent Judges of a Work of this Kind.

Source: UG
New zircon U–Pb ages for erratic emplacement of 2213–2130 MaPaleoproterozoic calc-alkaline I-type granitoid rocks in the LawraVolcanic Belt of Northwestern Ghana, West Africa

tPaleoproterozoic Birimian granitoid rocks from the Lawra volcanic belt of northwestern Ghana havebeen analyzed for their major, trace, REE concentrations and their zircon U–Pb age. Based on the mineralassemblages, the calc-alkaline, metaluminous to weakly peraluminous I-type granitoids were classifiedas: (1) gneissic biotite granite, (2) hornblende granodiorite, (3) biotite granite, (4) two-mica granite and(5) pyroxene hornblende gneiss. The high LaN/YbN(∼4–146) values of the granitoids, characterized byenriched LREE pattern and flat to depleted HREE pattern ((Dy/Yb)N= 0.95–3.47), is typical of rocks derivedfrom an evolved magma or partial melting of the depleted mantle. Similarly, the slightly negative Sr- andEu-anomalies indicate varying degrees of plagioclase fractionation. Their high but varying SiO2contents(58.1–76.1 wt.%), K2O/Na2O ratios (0.17–1.2) and (FeO + Fe2O3)/MgO ratios (0.98–4.02), and low Ce andTi suggest that they are volcanic arc granites (VAG). The granitoids have zircon U–Pb ages between2130.8 ± 9.5 Ma and 2213 ± 76 Ma, and preclude the contamination of the juvenile Birimian crust bynotable amounts of reworked Archaean crustal material. However, these ages spanning ∼81 Ma wererecorded by all the rock types in the study area, with no distinct age difference among them. Accordingly,the area could be described as an undifferentiated terrain that experienced erratic emplacement of pulsesof granitic magma during the period. Furthermore, the oldest ages of 2211 Ma and 2213 Ma recorded inthis study suggest that the emplacement of Birimian granitoids in Ghana may have commenced muchearlier than previously reported in the literature. The results demonstrate the juvenile character of thegranitoid rocks. We therefore infer that the Birimian granitoids of the Lawra volcanic belt formed fromlarge-scale crustal growth process with large amounts of juvenile crust formed from the depleted mantlein an island arc environment.

Source: UG
Newborn thermal care practices in two urban slums in southern Ghana: evidence from a concurrent mixed methods study

Background In Ghana, neonatal deaths account for over 60% of infant deaths. While there are several studies examining the determinants of neonatal mortality and thermal care practices, few studies have focused on thermal care practices in urban slums. This paper examined newborn thermal care practices in two large urban slums in the southern part of Ghana. Methods The data used for this paper comes from a concurrent mixed methods cross sectional study that was conducted in two large urban slums (Ashaiman and Sodom and Gomorrah) in Accra. The quantitative survey was conducted among 279 randomly sampled mothers aged 15–49 years with live neonates 0–28 days old. Focus group discussions (14) and 13 in-depth interviews were conducted with women of reproductive age with live newborns aged 0–28 days, slum based traditional birth attendants, care givers, community leaders and public health managers who were purposively selected. Descriptive analyses was conducted to describe newborn cord care practices in the slums. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with cord care practices at a 95% confidence level. Qualitative interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed, coded and analysed thematically. Results Prevalence of appropriate thermal care practices was 24.7%. Less than half of the neonates were dried or wiped before delivery of the placenta; 35% were wrapped, while majority of the newborns were bathed immediately or within 23 h after birth contrary to WHO recommendations. Several common newborn illnesses were reported including diarrhoea, fever, cough, acute respiratory infections, neonatal jaundice, and rashes. Mothers of newborns aged 25–34 years and those aged 35–44 years were more likely than those aged less than 25 years to provide appropriate thermal care to their newborns. The adjusted odds of receiving appropriate thermal care were higher among mothers who had skilled delivery compared to those who delivered without skilled birth attendants. Additionally, mothers of newborns residing less than 1–2 km away from the nearest health facility were more likely than those residing 3–5 km away from the nearest health facility and beyond 5 km away from the nearest health facility to provide appropriate thermal care for their newborns. Conclusion Appropriate thermal care practices in Ghana’s urban slums is low. A combination of demographic, socio economic and behavioural factors (i.e. age, marital status, education, adequate utilization of antenatal care (ANC) and skilled delivery) determine whether appropriate thermal care is provided to newborn babies. Improving thermal care practices in Ghana’s urban slums requires addressing these modifiable socio-economic and behavioural variables including strengthening ANC services, and access to routine pre- and immediate post-natal counselling for mothers. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Source: UG
The Newmont and AngloGold mining projects

Review books or articles provide a critical and constructive analysis of existing published literature in a field, through summary, analysis, and comparison, often identifying specific gaps or problems and providing recommendations for future research. These are considered as secondary literature since they generally do not present new data from the author's experimental work. Review articles can be of three types, broadly speaking: literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. It also the researcher to stay abreast of new literature in the field.

Source: UG
News Editors’ Views about Suicide and Suicide Stories in Ghana

Media reporting of suicide has attracted attention globally because it has the potential to trigger copycat suicides. The absence of a national policy on suicide prevention in Ghana has left the media landscape with uncensored publication of suicide stories. The aim of this study was to examine the views of media editors on suicide and the considerations that guide them in publishing suicide stories in the country. Fourteen media reporters and editors (10 males, 4 females) from three major media houses in Accra, the capital, between the ages of 26–48 participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis of the results showed that considerations for publishing suicide stories included deterrence, didacticism, celebritism, and ethics. These considerations generally reflect the doubled-edged role of the media in suicide prevention: on the one hand, the media is a partner in public health education; but on the other hand, the media’s activities can be deleterious to all preventive efforts in public health education on suicide. Implications for gatekeeper training for media personnel in suicide prevention in Ghana are addressed.

Source: UG
‘Next time stay in your war room and pray for your boys’ or return to your kitchen: Sexist discourses in Ghana’s 2019 National Science and Math Quiz

This paper examines the representations of women in the discourses on the 2019 edition of Ghana’s National Science and Math Quiz. With data from online news articles and three social media outlets, the study examines stereotypical views about gender and Science/Math while exploring the relationship between language, gender, and culture. We focus on how the authors use memes, images and some linguistic strategies to instantiate certain (Ghanaian) gender norms and practices. Findings suggest that women who pursue (academic) excellence, especially in male dominated fields like Science and Math, are usurpers who need to be kept where they ‘belong’. They are thus presented in particular stereotypical ways – homemakers, supporters, objects of sex and beauty, ‘unfit’ for science/math. Using Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis, which makes room for uncovering, contesting and reinterpreting the ‘hidden agendas’ of discourse, we also analyze nuances of the representations, some of which we (re)interpret as representations of women’s power.

Source: UG
Next-generation sequencing of a human-animal reassortant G6P[14] rotavirus A strain from a child hospitalized with diarrhoea

The main research focus of the Electron Microscopy and Histopathology Department in the past 20 years has been in the areas of enteric diarrhoeas with special emphasis on rotavirus. Through its diarrhoea surveillance studies, the Department has helped to firmly establish rotaviruses as a major cause of diarrhoea in children, and document the circulation of unusual rotavirus genotypes in Ghana. The Department has also recently expanded its diagnostic repertoire to include the identification and characterization of noroviruses, astroviruses, and other enteric viruses.

Source: UG
NextGen Voices: Science-inspired sustainable behavior.

There are more than 20,000 unique proteins in our body, but even a small change to one of them can be lethal. The environment, like our bodies, is a complex network of systems, and even seemingly small alterations can lead to drastic consequences. I take this message to heart by using public transportation instead of driving into work. It is challenging to schedule experiments within the transit schedule. However, through careful planning I'm still able to work effectively. Also, transit gives me a dedicated time to read literature, analyze data, and write responses to NextGen Voices surveys.

Source: UG
The nexus amongst financial literacy, financial behaviour and financial well-being of professional footballers in Ghana

Purpose: This paper examines the financial literacy, financial behaviour, and financial well-being of professional footballers in Ghana, and the interrelationships amongst these constructs. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using 300 professional footballers from the Ghana Premiere League and the hypothesized relationships were tested using the partial least squares, structural equation modelling technique. Findings: The results indicate low levels of financial literacy, and poor financial behaviour among footballers. The results suggest that to promote responsible financial behaviour amongst footballers, enhancing their financial literacy is key. We find very strong support for the argument that responsible financial behaviour, proxied in this study by savings and investment behaviour, is key to attaining financial wellness in life. Practical Implications: The findings suggest that targeted policy initiatives aimed at enhancing the financial well-being of footballers should begin with investing in training programmes to make them financially literate. In addition, practical financial guidance should be given to footballers to help shape their financial behaviour. Contribution: Prior studies on financial literacy, financial behaviour, and financial well-being have focused predominantly on professionals with industrial jobs. This paper extends knowledge in the field with some new insights from professional footballers

Source: UG
The nexus between corporate governance and records management in private and public hospitals in Ghana

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate governance and records management in private and public hospitals in Ghana, with the aim of finding out how the effective and efficient management of a hospital’s records can facilitate its governance obligations, which includes but not limited to accountability, transparency and information security. Design/methodology/approach – The study was informed by the triangulation of the Stakeholders’ and Records Continuum Theories. Data used for analysis were drawn from 90 respondents from four hospitals with the use of questionnaires and personal observations. A total of 82 questionaries’ were returned in their complete forms and used for the analysis. Linear regressions were performed to establish the relationship between corporate governance and records management. Findings – The key finding of the study was that, the hospitals generated different types of records in the course of their business activities but existing records management standards, practices and systems were inadequate and undermined the contribution records could make in support of the governance function in the hospitals. Results of a linear regression also revealed that positive and significant relationships exist between corporate governance and records management. Furthermore, all variables used as predictors of corporate governance had positive and significant relationships with records management except information security. Research limitations/implications – Participants were from four hospitals in only one Region in Ghana, and as such the results could not be generalised to the whole country. Practical implications – The study has established the recognition of the essential but often ignored conditions necessary for an effective and efficient governance system for hospitals. Originality/value – The study has demonstrated that the effective management of hospital records is a critical factor in providing capacity for hospitals’ efficiency, accountability, transparency, information security and indeed good governance. This research has also contributed towards bridging the theoretical gap identified in the study.

Source: UG
The nexus between digitization, preservation and access in the context of selection of materials for archives

Records of enduring value are archived for the purpose of long-term preservation and for easy retrieval and access for future use. Archival materials are generated by an individual, establishment or family and this may be private or public. Archival materials have enduring value and due to this, they are preserved and used as evidence of the affairs or responsibilities of the agent which created them, especially certain records maintained using the principles of original order, collective control and the principle of provenance (ISO 16175-1:2010; ICA, 2012). Some of these records deteriorate after a period of time due toexternal causes likepoor handling or storage, theft or vandalism, fire and flood, pests, pollution, light, incorrect temperature and relative humidity. Preventive measures should be taken in order to considerably extend the lifespan of collections (Eden, 1998).Previous studies (Conway, 2010; McKay, 2003; Bishoff, 2007; Hedstrom, 2001) have shown that advanced countries likeUK, USA, Canada, AustraliaandNew Zealand among others have invested in digitization and digital preservation of archival materials. Webb and Jones (1998) cited in Woodyard (2000: 1) also supports this by pointing outthat “Australia has been seriously examining digital preservation issues since at least 1994”. To a large extent, the progress made in preserving digital resources in Australia has been achieved in the Archival and Library sectors. The reason being that these sectors have firm background in preserving traditional documentary records on a long-term basis, which is responsible for providing a strong foundation for continuing work with digital resources(Singh, 2008: 119). According to the findings of athreeyear study conducted by the World Bank and the International Records Management Trust (IRMT) on legal and judicial records in Singapore, digitization of records management facilities for legal and judicial purposes helped toreform and simplifycriminal and civil procedures (IRMT, 2002).This proves that countries that have completely digitized their records management procedures are reaping the enormous benefits from records in terms of the storage, retrieval of information, accessibility, among other actions taken on records on a daily basis.

Source: UG
The nexus between tourism and urban risk: Towards inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable outdoor tourism in African cities

Sub-Saharan Africa is set to increase its tourism sector in urban areas. However, its cities are also settings for numerous struggles over future developments coupled with excess urban risks. The nexus created by the relationship between urbanization, urban growth, urban governance, poverty and inequality, and ecological degradation is altering the sustainability of urban tourism in Sub-Saharan African cities. Inspired by the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 11; making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, this study critically analyses the linkages between risk, justice, inclusion, trust and power relations in urban spaces with the aim to strengthen tourism governance in Sub-Saharan African urban settings. Document analysis is adopted to draw evidence and critically analyse the sustainability of tourism in the three Sub-Saharan cities: Accra, Ghana; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Harare, Zimbabwe. The study reveals that tourism development in Africa is dominantly underpinned by neoliberal development strategies which threaten the sustainability of tourism in African cities. It, therefore, argues for good governance through strong sustainability institutions which strengthen the regulative mechanisms, processes and organizational culture which empowers local communities. Sustainable tourism approaches that are resilient centred have a potential to promote urban tourism in Sub-Saharan African cities.

Source: UG
The nexus of economic growth and environmental degradation in Ethiopia: time series analysis

Economic growth and environmental degradation are like two sides of a coin implying that these two variables are interdependent. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between economic growth and environmental quality. Moreover, this study attempted to identify the relationships between the environmental quality, population growth, and economic growth using a time series data from 1981 to 2012. The result showed that the Vector Error correction model was appropriate to show both short-run and long-run relationships between variables. The results also indicated that the long-run economic growth helps to improve the environmental quality and/or reduce environmental degradation, while population growth worsens the environmental degradation. This study concluded that a major cause of bio-diversity loss is the degradation of vegetation in order to expand agriculture production for a rapidly growing population. Therefore, the country should formulate an appropriate policy for monitoring population growth

Source: UG
NGO grassroots participatory approaches to promoting sustainable agriculture: reality or Myth in Ghana's Upper-West Region?

Many NGOs pride themselves with their ability to use grassroots participatory approaches when working with economically disadvantaged farmers. I asked whether current participatory approaches could be relied on to promote sustainable agriculture among subsistence farmers in Ghana's Upper-West Region. To ascertain this, I employed Arnstein's (2015) ladder of citizen participation as a theoretical basis. A two-phase exploratory sequential mixed method design was also used. Phase one consisted of a qualitative comparative analysis of the various participatory approaches of two purposively sampled NGOs using FGDs and in-depth interviews. In phase two, themes from phase one guided the formulation of a structured questionnaire, which ascertained the differences in grassroots participatory approaches between the two identified NGOs and how these differences influenced the likelihood of their respective beneficiary farmers adopting sustainable agronomic practices using chi-square and logistic regression. Findings show statistically significant associations between grassroots participation and farmers’ adoption of sustainable agronomic practices. The findings suggest that farmers who were engaged in higher levels of Arnstein's (2015) typology of participation were more likely to adopt sustainable agronomic practices than those who minimally participated. This suggests that development interventions can be most beneficial to the grassroots when intended beneficiaries fully participate in them. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018

Source: UG