ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Case Report: The Use of WISC-IV in Assessing Intellectual Functioning

The purpose of this paper is to provide detailed description of clinical assessment of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) that can be used by clinicians to assess the level of intelligence of children and adolescents. The WISC-IV is a standardized intelligence test provides essential information and critical clinical insights into a child’s cognitive functioning. Literature review and analysis of how to interpret the WISC-IV are described. A psychological report of a 15 year African girl with the use of WISC-IV is reported and clinical impression is given. Information from several sources including interviews with parents, test scores and behavioral observations were used to develop a hypothesis about the child’s skills. Her Full Scale IQ of 125 is classified in the superior or higher range of intelligence. Recommendations about how to address problem areas are discussed.

Source: UCC
A Case Study of Gender Bias in Students' Handwriting in the Tamale Metropolis

This study investigates gender bias in students' handwriting evaluation in the Tamale Metropolis in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study employed purposive, convenience, and simple random sampling for selecting students, as well as examiners. One-way ANOVA was used to examine the impact of different script levels on the identification of students’ gender based on their handwriting. The t-test was used to assess the impact of examiners’ level of experience in the identification of students’ gender based on their handwriting. Students’ gender was modelled using a binary logistic regression model. The study employed a test of proportion to estimate a cut-off for significant identification of gender by examiners. The study found that gender identification through handwriting becomes easier as students progress from basic through to tertiary education levels, with upper primary and tertiary level scripts being the least and most identified respectively. It was also revealed that only a few examiners demonstrate the ability to correctly identify students' gender based on their handwriting with a significant cut-off point of 65%. The study also found that the identification of students’ gender based on handwriting is influenced by the examiner's experience and script level. Finally, the binary logistic regression model showed that the estimated probability of accurate gender identification by examiners increases with the examiner's experience level. Further studies must use larger and more diverse handwriting samples, explore additional factors such as specific writing tasks and handwriting characteristics, and replicate the study in different contexts to enhance the generalizability of the study finding findings.

Source: UCC
A case study of status and potential of small hydro-power plants in southern African development community

The Southern African development community is having a major challenge in connection with desires for energy in the region. There is the need to increase energy security and admittance to modern energy services immediately, particularly in the rural areas as well as addressing the challenges posed by the current energy systems on human health and the environmental. The rapid growth of renewable energy capacity in the region contains all the potentials that can answer to quite a lot of problems for instance: rapidly increasing electricity saturation, including remote areas detached from the grid infrastructure. Old resources need to be replaced as well as producing new once to adequately generate to meet the growing demand. Renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies in addition to services are an essential part of the new energy dynamic in the region. To meet these demands, the region needs to, rapidly develop and connect existing renewable energy resources and embrace energy efficiency, as a matter of priority. The existing potential sites in the region are mentioned and Small-scale hydropower is one of the most cost-effective energy technologies to be considered for electrification in the countries since it has low environmental impacts and can have a significant benefit if implemented in rural areas for electricity production. There is therefore the need for all development community, policy makers and regulators, local and global investors, developers and project promoters to support by providing funds, making good policies to protect the energy sector in other to solve the problem.

Source: UCC
A case study of trainee teachers’ mental models of history teaching before and after an initial history teaching professional development course

The study compares 28 third-year University of Cape Coast trainee teachers’ perceptions and mental models of history teaching before and after an initial history teaching professional development course – the Methods of Teaching History Course – to prepare them to teach history. The History Course was an intervention strategy built around episodic memory theory. The research questions were: Do trainees’ perceptions (mental models) of history teaching remain the same or change during the History Course? If they change, how and why? Research involved all 28 trainees before and after they took the course through the use of a questionnaire and vignettes, plus a post-course interview of 12 of the trainees. The researcher used a deductive approach to analyse data about three aspects of the trainees’ history teaching mental models: pedagogy, teaching styles as illustrated through classroom organization, and how students learn history. Findings revealed a marked difference between the trainees’ pre- and post-course mental models of what school history is and how it should be taught. The trainees’ pre-course mental models changed as a result of the knowledge and understanding they acquired during the History Course. A major finding was that such professional development courses need fully to take account of trainees' pre-course conceptions that shape their mental models of history teaching.

Source: UCC
A case–control study of prevalence of anemia among patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: Anemia is defined as a reduction in the hemoglobin concentration of blood, which consequently reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells such that they are unable to meet the body’s physiological needs. Several reports have indicated that anemia mostly occurs in patients with diabetes with renal insufficiency while limited studies have reported the incidence of anemia in people with diabetes prior to evidence of renal impairment. Other studies have also identified anemia as a risk factor for the need for renal replacement therapy in diabetes. Understanding the pathogenesis of anemia associated with diabetes may lead to the development of interventions to optimize outcomes in these patients. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the prevalence of anemia among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Source: UCC
A case–control study of prevalence of anemia among patients with type 2 diabetes

Background: Anemia is defined as a reduction in the hemoglobin concentration of blood, which consequently reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells such that they are unable to meet the body’s physiological needs. Several reports have indicated that anemia mostly occurs in patients with diabetes with renal insufficiency while limited studies have reported the incidence of anemia in people with diabetes prior to evidence of renal impairment. Other studies have also identified anemia as a risk factor for the need for renal replacement therapy in diabetes. Understanding the pathogenesis of anemia associated with diabetes may lead to the development of interventions to optimize outcomes in these patients. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the prevalence of anemia among patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A total of 100 (50 with type 2 diabetes and 50 controls) participants were recruited for our study. Participants’ blood samples were analyzed for fasting blood glucose, full blood count and renal function tests among others. The prevalence of anemia was then determined statistically. Results: A high incidence of anemia was observed in the cases. Of the patients with diabetes, 84.8 % had a hemoglobin concentration that was significantly less (males 11.16±1.83 and females 10.41±1.49) than the controls (males 14.25±1.78 and females 12.53±1.14). Renal insufficiency determined by serum creatinine level of >1.5 mg/dL, estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/minute/1.73 m2, and erythropoietin levels was also observed to be high in the cases (54.0 %; with mean creatinine concentration of 3.43±1.73 and erythropoietin 6.35±1.28 mIU/mL). A significantly increased fasting blood glucose, urea, sodium, potassium, and calcium ions were observed in the cases (7.99±1.30, 5.19±1.99, 140.90±6.98, 4.86±0.53 and 1.47±0.31 respectively) as compared to the controls (4.66±0.54, 3.56±2.11, 135.51±6.84, 4.40±0.58 and 1.28±0.26 respectively). Finally, a significant association between hemoglobin concentration and fasting blood glucose was also observed in the cases. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a high incidence of anemia is likely to occur in patients with poorly controlled diabetes and in patients with diabetes and renal insufficiency.

Source: UCC
Cassava farmers’ perceived impact of the West Africa agricultural productivity programme on their livelihood systems in Brong-Ahafo region, Ghana

Low productivity is one of the constraints identified by stakeholders as affecting the production of cassava in Ghana. The West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) aimed at supporting farmers to increase productivity, providing inputs and extension services to a group of farmers during the first phase of the programme. The study assessed the perceived impact of the WAAPP on the livelihood systems of the beneficiary cassava farmers in the Brong-Ahafo Region of Ghana. Descriptive-correlational survey design was used to explore relationships and predict best predictors of impact. A census was used to elicit views from 106 cassava farmers who participated in the WAAPP. Results from the study showed that more females (64.2%) than males (35.8%) benefited from the programme. They were in the active age bracket (48yrs) and mostly of low formal educational background. Most of them (51.9%) had household sizes between six and ten, and average farming experience of 16 years. They were mainly small scale farmers. Generally, the WAAPP’s components were perceived as “effective” by the respondents. The farmer groups were also very useful. There was also “positive” impact of WAAPP on all aspects of the farmers’ livelihood capitals. Results of stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that the best predictors of impact were: group members’ access to improved technology, WAAPP’s provision of training and provision of inputs support. The study recommended that the women cassava farmers should request stakeholders to support them to procure processing machines at the districts to promote value addition of the fresh cassava roots before selling.

Source: UCC
Cassava price volatility: evidence from Ghana

Recent years have witnessed a sharp increase in many commodity prices in general. This study is focused on examining cassava price and its volatility in the Volta region of Ghana. Secondary data was collected on cassava price and key variables that determine price volatility. Our results show that cassava price averagely increases significantly by 46% annually with the volatility level of 30.8% annually and 177.8% over the period (1970-2012). Furthermore, Inflation and exchange rate were positive and significant determinants of the price of cassava whilst cassava yield, inflation and exchange rate had significant positive relationship with the volatility of cassava price. Based on the finding of the study, it is recommended that policies stabilizing inflation, exchange rate, establishment of price controls, designing output risk insurance and training farmers in value addition will help address the challenge of a volatile cassava price

Source: UCC
Catalase activity of cassava (Manihot esculenta) plant under African cassava mosaic virus infection in Cape Coast, Ghana

African cassava mosaic virus has caused an immersed low yield of the cassava crop. The virus impacts stress on the cellular metabolism of the plant producing a lot of reactive oxygen species and increases the expression of the antioxidant enzymes. The activity of catalase as a response to oxidative stress was investigated in this research. Cassava leaf extract infected with the African cassava mosaic virus and uninfected were prepared and used as crude catalase extract. The total protein was determined by Biuret method and activity of the crude catalase was compared using hydrogen peroxide as substrate. Infected leaf extract had 141.02 ± 3.536 mg/mL protein, apparent Michealis constant (Kmapp) of 26.7 µM and maximum rate of reaction (Vmax) of 54.50 µM/min compared to the uninfected leaf extract with 75.04 ± 0.560 mg/mL protein, Kmapp of 39.61 µM and Vmax of 143.06 µM/min. The activation energy of the infected extract was 0.1578 J/mol compared to 0.2181 J/mol obtained for the uninfected extract. Activity of the crude catalase in the viral infected leaf extract from the study was higher than that in the uninfected one and confirms the response to the stressful condition imposed by the viral infection

Source: UCC
Catalytic Infrared Drying Effect on Tomato Slices Properties

thickness on drying time, non-enzymatic browning, brightness, the ratio of redness to yellowness, ascorbic acid content, and lycopene content of the dried tomato slices was investigated. Three levels of distance (38 to 50 cm), sample thickness (7 to 11 mm) were used for the experiment. The desirability index technique was used to determine the ideal drying conditions that yield minimum drying time and non-enzymatic browning and maximum brightness color, redness to yellowness ratio, lycopene content, and ascorbic acid of drying of tomato slices. At the best conditions of 40.29 cm distance and 9.04 mm sample thickness, the drying time was 108 ± 4 minutes; the non-enzymatic browning index was 0.338 ± 0.12 Abs unit; the brightness was 40.43 ± 2.29; the ratio of redness to yellowness was 0.92 ± 0.13; the ascorbic acid content was 3.76 ± 0.27 mg/g dry matter; and the lycopene content was 72.34 ± 19.87 mg/100 g dry matter. These results demonstrate that FIR should be considered as an efficient drying method for tomato with respect to colour and ascorbic acid preservation, minimization of brown pigment formation and increment in lycopene content

Source: UCC
Catch per unit effort (CPUE) and water level variations in the lower reaches of the White Volta River (Yapei), Ghana

Catch per unit effort (CPUE) and water level variations in the lower reaches of the White Volta River were studied at three landing sites namely, Pataplapei (upstream), Porturto (midstream), and Aglassipei (downstream) from October 2011 to March 2012 to provide relevant information for further and future studies. The water depths were measured monthly with speedtech hand eco sounder. Fishing effort was measured as the number of fishermen per day whereas catch per unit effort (CPUE) was defined in this study as kilogram of fish per canoe per day (kg/canoe/day). Post flood season (October to December) had increasing CPUE associated with decreasing water levels. The dry season (January to March) however, had both fluctuating CPUE against the decreasing waters and decreasing CPUE associated with the decreasing water levels particularly in Pataplapei (upstream). Overall, the mean CPUE during the dry season was slightly higher (1.03 kg/canoe/day higher) than the post flood season whereas the fishing effort was higher in the post flood season than the dry season. Aglassipei (downstream) had mostly the highest mean CPUEs, followed by Pataplapei (upstream). Porturto (midstream) had mostly the lowest mean CPUEs due to the high fishing pressure at that site. Moreover, total catches declined as the water levels drew down. The post flood season (October-December) had more catches than the dry season (January-March).

Source: UCC
Categorial function and lexico-grammatical meaning as new theories in Indonesian linguistics

This research, entitled “Categorial Function and Lexico-grammatical Meaning as New Theories in Indonesian Linguistics,” aims at introducing and applying new concepts/theories to Indonesian Linguistics. Using qualitative method, it collects data from Indonesian online newspaper published in 2013, Tata Bahasa Baku Bahasa Indonesia, Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, and personal compositions. The research finds that affixes attached to base morphemes are either inflective or derivative—changing word categories). In relation to that, derivative affixes are called categorical function affixes for they can be used to verbalize, nominalize, adjectivalize, numeralize, and adverbialize. Affixes attached to base morphemes of which categories are verbs and non-verbs will result in varying lexico-grammatical meanings due to their verb inherent aspectuality and sub-categorial lexical meaning of each non-verb category

Source: UCC
Categories of Stress Among Librarians in Public Universities: The Causes and Effects

The study aimed at investigating the causes and effects of stress encountered by library staff of University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and University of Cape Coast and the various categories of stress. Using the purposive, simple random and convenience sampling techniques, the researcher sampled 153 respondents from UG, KNUST and UCC to respond to the questionnaire and interview questions. Descriptive statistics (Means and Standard Deviation), inferential statistics (Multiple Regression and ANOVA) were used for the quantitative analysis while content thematic analysis was used for the qualitative analysis. The study among other things found that poor administrative support, lack of support systems, lack of in-service training and inadequate resources, anxiety and frustration, staff conflict, ill-health and smoking and drinking were the major causes of stress among public university library staff in Ghana. However, it was revealed that library staff also adopt numerous coping strategies such as taking time off work and leave, positive thinking, building strong human relationship and going for counselling in an attempt to manage their stress. It was recommended that universities institute proactive guidance and counselling measures, strong social support systems and compensation for additional work.

Source: UCC
Cathodic stripping determination of water in organic solvents

A cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) method has been developed to determine water content in organic solvents based on electrooxidation of a gold electrode in the presence of water to form gold oxides upon anodic polarizations. Following cathodic potential scan, a sharp reductive stripping peak of gold oxides is generated and the magnitude of the peak current is related to the water content in the organic solvents. The method has been applied for determination of water in four commonly used water miscible organic solvents, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran, acetone and glacial acetic acid, with limits of detection of 60, 10, 40 and 10 ppm, respectively

Source: UCC
Causal relationships between African mahoganies exports and deforestation in Ghana: policy implications

When exploiting forest resources, the resource use must be sustainable if its use is to support its function in the natural ecosystem. The African mahogany, a prized timber species, is widely exploited, raising policy concerns about the management of forest resources to meet the social, economic, and ecological needs of present and future generations. This paper explores, for the purpose of policy implication, the relationship between the exportation and deforestation of African mahoganies. The analysis employed a Granger causality test within the error correction model to evaluate the direction of causality between African mahoganies exports and deforestation in Ghana. The results suggested that in the short run, there was significant (P\ 0.01) unidirectional causality from African mahoganies exports to deforestation. However, there was no directional causality from deforestation to mahogany exports. Thus, mahogany extraction and logging in general are among the major factors contributing to deforestation in Ghana. The general assessment of historical trends in the extraction levels of the two main genera of African mahoganies revealed that Entandrophragma cylindricum and Khaya ivorensis have been the most exploited species over the years. Improvements in, and the enforcement of, existing forest institutions and incentives, as well as related policies, could minimise the rate of deforestation not only of the African mahogany but also in timber logging, thus stemming forest degradation and deforestation in the country

Source: UCC
Causal shoot and root system traits to variability and plasticity in juvenile cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) plants in response to reduced soil moisture

Cassava is an important source of food security and livelihoods for millions of consumers daily. Water deficit conditions are one of the major factors that affect the development of root system architecture (RSA) and consequently, crop productivity, and yet, due to its long maturity periods and bulky storage root systems, RSA studies in cassava are uncommon. The objective of this study was to identify traits that are responsible for the variability and plastic responses of cassava in response to drought at the juvenile stage of growth. Eight cassava genotypes were grown in soil-filled pots under well-watered and droughted conditions for up to 45 days and multivariate analyses employed to determine the major contributory traits to variability and the relative distance plasticity index (RDPI) was computed to evaluate plasticity. There were significant genotypic variations for most of the traits measured. Drought generally inhibited root production and development and the degree of inhibition was between 2 and 22%. Regardless of the soil moisture condition, traits which differentiated the RSA included root biomass, root numbers, root branching density, and total root length, and these were also the important contributory traits to variability under well-watered soil conditions. Important contributory traits to variability traits under drought were shoot-related traits such as leaf area and shoot biomass, and also root system traits such as nodal root number, root biomass, diameter and branching density. Phenotypic plasticity was found in most traits where the number, branching density and diameter of upper nodal roots presented the highest RDPI. These traits corresponded with the traits contributing greatly to variation. Plastic responses of cassava to drought were dependent on trait and genotype. It is concluded that upper nodal rootsrelated traits could have importance in breeding cassava to better tolerate water deficit conditions. The secondary growth and ability to maintain or increase the upper nodal root count or density under limited soil moisture may be related to good growth and yield performance of cassava under drought conditions. Upper nodal roots could be used to screen and select cassava genotypes adapted to drought at the juvenile stage but as a potential indirect selection strategy, the persistence and pertinence of these traits and their relationship with yield and yield components under drought conditions in the field must be confirmed

Source: UCC