ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The shift from traditional window systems to new window designs in Ghana: sociological and energy efficiency issues in Ga East and Awutu Senya East municipalities

The challenge of reducing carbon emissions for the purpose of climate change mitigation requires both supply-side and demand-side energy efficiency measures and conservation. On the demand side, buildings worldwide account for about 30-40% of the total energy demand, thereby forming the largest sectoral consumer of electricity. Hence, the building sector offers a great opportunity for energy conservation and energy efficiency drives if certain behavioural patterns were to change. An important element of the building, which often influences energy consumption, is the window. Window types used in Ghana have evolved over time from traditional wooden to modern louvre blades and glazed (sliding-glass) windows. This paper therefore seeks to investigate the economic and energy efficiency dimensions of the shift from traditional to new window designs in Ghana as well as the sociological underpinnings of this shift. Evidence abounds from the quantitative and qualitative analyses of the data gathered for the 2014 Energy Surveys in the Ga East and Awutu Senya East Municipalities in Ghana that most people use new window designs mainly due to comfort and aesthetic reasons. The analyses reveal that, while more wooden and louvre blade windows users depend mostly on natural ventilation systems and to a little extent fans, glazed window users depend mostly on fans and air conditioners. In consequence, glazed windows users spend more on electricity compared to users of other windows types. These findings have implications regarding the current architectural designs in Ghana taking into account the need for efficient energy consumption and climate change mitigation

Source: UG
The Shift to Gamification in Education: A Review on Dominant Issues

This article examines gamification literature on education since 2011. Using highlighted themes from Kirriemuir and McFarlane’s review on games and education as a starting point, the study identified 32 published papers. Furthermore, the study evaluated and identified previous conceptual and methodological approaches for evaluating gamification in education research. Using the identifying themes, the study discusses the development and use of gamification in education (Theme I), the application of gamification in education (Theme II), and the impact of gamification in education (Theme III) and propose that there is increased gamification and game elements research activities bridging the idea of gamified information systems in education and offering interesting opportunities for future research. The study concludes with future research directions for gamification in education

Source: UG
Shift work and the risk of cardiovascular disease among workers in cocoa processing company, Tema

Objective: Shift work has been implicated in cardiovascular disease (CVD), a major cause of death globally. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of developing CVD in shift work. Design: A cross-sectional study involving secondary analysis of shift and non-shift work from an industry in Ghana. Participants: Two hundred (113 shift and 87 non-shift) consecutive workers who consented were recruited into the study. A structured questionnaire was administered to deduce information on participant's age, alcohol consumption pattern, smoking habits, history of diabetes, stroke and hypertension. Results: Shift workers were found to be associated with higher body mass index (26.9 ± 4.6 vs 25.2 ± 3.3, p = 0.013); fasting blood glucose (5.9 ± 1.8 vs 5.3 ± 0.8, p ≤ 0.0001); glycated haemoglobin (4.9 ± 0.9 vs 4.2 ± 0.8, p ≤ 0.0001); high sensitivity C-reactive protein (2.5 ± 1.1 vs 1.8 ± 1.1, p < 0.0001); total cholesterol (5.9 ± 1.3 vs 5.2 ± 1.7, p = 0.002); triglycerides (1.3 ± 0.8 vs 1.1 ± 0.6, p = 0.015) and LDL cholesterol (3.6 ± 0.9 vs 3.2 ± 1.3, p = 0.04) than controls. Shift work however, had no associations with HDL-cholesterol. Conclusion: It can be concluded that shift work is associated with risk factors of CVD.

Source: UG
Shifting livelihood strategies in northern Nigeria - extensified production and livelihood diversification amongst Fulani pastoralists

This paper presents an in-depth investigation of the livelihood strategies of Fulani pastoralists in north central Nigeria. Results show a diversified crop-livestock system aimed at spreading risk and reducing cattle offtake, adapted to natural resource competition and insecurity by extensification, with further diversification into off-farm activities to spread risk, increase livelihood security and capture opportunities. However, significant costs were associated with extensification, and integration of crop and livestock enterprises was limited. Mean total income per capita in the study area was $554 or $1.52/person/day with 42% of households earning less than 1.25/person/day. Income levels were positively correlated with income diversity and price received per animal sold, rather than herd size. The outcomes of this livelihood strategy were favourable across the whole community, but when individual households are considered, there was evidence of moderate economic inequality in total income, cash income and herd size (Gini coefficient 0.32, 0.35 and 0.43 respectively). The poorest households were quite vulnerable, with low assets, income and income diversity. Implications for sustainability are discussed given the likelihood that the negative trends of reduced access to natural resources and insecurity will continue. © 2017, The Author(s).

Source: UG
Shifting sands: changes in community perceptions of mining in Ghana

The contribution of mining to the Ghanaian economy has been substantial. The mining sector is currently a major foreign exchange earner and contributes to long-term capital formation and fiscal payment to the state. However, the industry continues to have adverse consequences on the lives of local community dwellers, most of whom are often unprepared to deal with these impacts. Often, new mining exploration takes place on land that provides land-based livelihood to many rural people. Ironically, compensation payments seem to worsen poverty in the mining communities and bring about the social conflicts. Hence, whilst communities are highly welcoming of mining companies during exploration, they become resentful during operation of the mine. Using two communities in the Asutifi District of Ghana as case studies, this paper presents a candid assessment of the changes that occur in respondents’ perception of mining during, before and after the inception of mining. It also examines the gender dimensions of the impacts of mining activities as well as the communities’ sources of information. Since public participation is an integral part of the environmental assessment process in Ghana, the paper concludes by recommending among others, precise channels of communication and dialogue before mining begins and during the operation of the mine, to increase awareness among community members.

Source: UG
Shifting sands: Changes in community perceptions of mining in Ghana

The contribution of mining to the Ghanaian economy has been substantial. The mining sector is currently a major foreign exchange earner and contributes to long-term capital formation and fiscal payment to the state. However, the industry continues to have adverse consequences on the lives of local community dwellers, most of whom are often unprepared to deal with these impacts. Often, new mining exploration takes place on land that provides land-based livelihood to many rural people. Ironically, compensation payments seem to worsen poverty in the mining communities and bring about the social conflicts. Hence, whilst communities are highly welcoming of mining companies during exploration, they become resentful during operation of the mine. Using two communities in the Asutifi District of Ghana as case studies, this paper presents a candid assessment of the changes that occur in respondents' perception of mining during, before and after the inception of mining. It also examines the gender dimensions of the impacts of mining activities as well as the communities' sources of information. Since public participation is an integral part of the environmental assessment process in Ghana, the paper concludes by recommending among others, precise channels of communication and dialogue before mining begins and during the operation of the mine, to increase awareness among community members. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Source: UG
Shifting sands: changes in community perceptions of mining in Ghana

The contribution of mining to the Ghanaian economy has been substantial. The mining sector is currently a major foreign exchange earner and contributes to long-term capital formation and ﬁscal payment to the state. However, the industry continues to have adverse consequences on the lives of local community dwellers, most of whom are often unprepared to deal with these impacts. Often, new mining exploration takes place on land that provides land-based livelihood to many rural people. Ironically, compensation payments seem to worsen poverty in the mining communities and bring about the social conﬂicts. Hence, whilst communities are highly welcoming of mining companies during exploration, they become resentful during operation of the mine. Using two communities in the Asutiﬁ District of Ghana as case studies, this paper presents a candid assessment of the changes that occur in respondents’ perception of mining during, before and after the inception of mining. It also examines the gender dimensions of the impacts of mining activities as well as the communities’ sources of information. Since public participation is an integral part of the environmental assessment process in Ghana, the paper concludes by recommending among others, precise channels of communication and dialogue before mining begins and during the operation of the mine, to increase awareness among community members.

Source: UG
Shifting the focus from open release of genetically modified mosquitoes, to controlled individualized treatment for infectious diseases

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
Shifting the focus of psychological intervention: From Freudian couch to Freirian community collaboration

The practice of psychology has been critiqued for being Eurocentric in its focus and application. In this presentation, I will present arguments for broadening the conceptualisation of psychological intervention beyond the traditional individual curative preoccupation and consider the broader spectrum of psychological interventions. Drawing from my experience in working in South Africa, I will describe initiatives of how service learning modules can be used formatively to encourage students to engage in indigenous, collaborative psychological community work on the one hand, and to transform the training agenda of a clinical psychology training programme.

Source: UG
Shifting Voting Patterns in Ghana’s Fourth Republic

Ghana’s political tradition from the days of the nationalist struggle for independence has been a dual tradition of Nkrumah and Danquah/Busia. This tradition influenced voting behaviour in the first, second and third republics when the electorates decided mainly between candidates of the two traditions. This paper argues that from the beginning of the fourth republic there has been a shift in voter support from the Nkrumah/CPP – Danquah/Busia tradition to a Rawlings/NDC – Danquah/Busia tradition. It is argued that the shift has been caused by the ten-year rule of Rawlings – PNDC regime which facilitated the rise of a new tradition – the Rawlings/NDC tradition to emerge. The paper further notes that this new political tradition has supplanted the Nkrumah/CPP tradition in the four elections that have been conducted under the fourth republican constitution; but since 1996 there has been a gradual shift in voter preference from the Rawlings/NDC tradition to the Danquah/Busia tradition currently represented by the NPP

Source: UG
Shigella-specific antibodies in the first year of life among Zambian infants: A longitudinal cohort study

Shigellosis, is a leading cause of moderate-to-severe diarrhoea and related mortality in young children in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Knowledge on naturally acquired immunity can support the development of Shigella candidate vaccines mostly needed in LMICs. We aimed to quantify Shigella-specific antibodies of maternal origin and those naturally acquired in Zambian infants. Plasma samples collected from infants at age 6, 14 and 52-weeks were tested for Shigella (S. sonnei and S. flexneri 2a) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) antigen specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and A (IgA) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. At 6 weeks infant age, the IgG geometric mean titres (GMT) against S. sonnei (N = 159) and S. flexneri 2a (N = 135) LPS were 311 (95% CI 259–372) and 446 (95% CI 343–580) respec tively. By 14 weeks, a decline in IgG GMT was observed for both S. sonnei to 104 (95% CI 88–124), and S. flexneri 2a to 183 (95% CI 147–230). Both S. sonnei and S. flexneri 2a specific IgG GMT continued to decrease by 52 weeks infant age when compared to 6 weeks. In 27% and 8% of infants a significant rise in titre (4 fold and greater) against S. flexneri 2a and S. sonnei LPS, respectively, was detected between the ages of 14 and 52 weeks. IgA levels against both species LPS were very low at 6 and 14 weeks and raised significantly against S. flexneri 2a and S. sonnei LPS in 29% and 10% of the infants, respectively. In our setting, transplacental IgG anti-Shigella LPS is present at high levels in early infancy, and begins to decrease by age 14 weeks. Our results are consistent with early exposure to Shigella and indicate naturally acquired IgG and IgA antibodies to S. flexneri 2a and S. sonnei LPS in part of infants between 14 and 52 weeks of age. These results suggest that a potential timing of vaccination would be after 14 and before 52 weeks of age to ensure early infant protection against shigellosis.

Source: UG
Shit, Blood, Artifacts, and Tears: Interrogating Visitor Perceptions and Archaeological Residues at Ghana's Cape Coast Castle Slave Dungeon

Involuntary servitude, trade, and exchange in humans occurred among communities in parts of what is today known as Ghana before the advent of European involvement. However, with Europeans’ involvement and subsequent colonialism, this practice rapidly evolved into the heinous transatlantic chattel slave trade. Scholars studying slavery know that the material vestiges and memories of this phenomenon persist in the present. Yet, how public audiences engage with slavery’s past is determined by more than the transmission of such academic expertise. Visitors arrive to slave-related heritage sites typically having already had significant exposure to histories of slavery through public discourse and their own schooling. Public tours at such sites also may not relay all types of relevant evidence equally. Historical evidence may be given more attention than archaeological evidence. A monument’s architecture may be given more attention than less obvious material residues. This article explores visitor experiences at Ghana’s Cape Coast Castle, with particular attention given to visitor perceptions of the monument and of the history of slavery. We analyze how these perceptions are affected by visitors’ exposure to information on archaeological residues identified in Cape Coast Castle’s dungeons and in broader historical contextualization of the site.

Source: UG
The Shockley five-parameter model of a solar cell: A short note

This paper is concerned with an alternative formulation of the Shockley five-parameter model of a solar cell. This formulation leads to an explicit relationship between the short-circuit current and the light-generated current and the direct determination of the light-generated current from a knowledge of the series and shunt resistances. © 2015 African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development.

Source: UG
Shoreline morphological changes and the human factor. Case study of Accra Ghana

The interface between the sea and land is a very dynamic system that is always migrating landward or seaward. The landward migration results in the shoreline threatening coastal infrastructure and destroying the coastal environment. Coastal erosion has resulted in both social and economic problems. Coastal cities have also experienced increasing infrastructure development and population growth. This has resulted in a land "squeeze situation" in which both the shoreline and the "humanline" are competing for space along the coast. This struggle for space could result in serious environmental disaster as a result of the dynamics of the oceanic system, which could impact the immediate environs severely. The aim of this study was to determine if the rate of human encroachment of coastal lands for development exceed the rate at which the shoreline is moving inland as part of its natural cyclic behaviour. This study used 1985 aerial photographs and 2005 orthophoto map of the Accra western coast. Major land cover was identified, classified and overlayed in GIS environment. This enabled changes to be estimated. The shorelines were also digitised and the rate of change computed using the DSAS software. The results indicate that the estimated total area of land lost by human encroachment on the coastal land within the period under study is about 242,139. 7 m2. However, the rate of land lost to human development is about 8,349. 64 m2/year, which is relatively high. The historic rate of erosion computed for the period under study is about 1. 92 m/year. Comparing the two rates indicates that human activities are moving closer to the shoreline as compared to the rate at which the shoreline is moving inland. This study recommends that setback lines should be put in place to protect lands for the shoreline's cyclic activities. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Source: UG
Shoreline resilience to individual storms and storm clusters on a meso-macrotidal barred beach

This study investigates the impact of individual storms and storm clusters on shoreline recovery for the meso-to macrotidal, barred Biscarrosse beach in SW France, using 6 years of daily video observations. While the study area experienced 60 storms during the 6-year study period, only 36 storms were analysed due to gaps in the video data. Based on the 36 individual storms and 13 storm clusters analysed, our results show that clustering impact is cumulatively weak and shoreline retreat is governed by the first storms in clusters, while the impact of subsequent events is less pronounced. The average post-storm beach recovery period at this site is 9 days, consistent with observations at other beaches. Apart from the dominant effect of present storm conditions, shoreline dynamics are also significantly affected by previous storm influence, while recovery is strongly modulated by tidal range and the bar location. Our results reveal that not only is the storm energy important but also the frequency of recurrence (storms result in greater retreat when time intervals between them are longer), which suggests an interaction between short storm events and longer-term evolution. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.

Source: UG
Short communication—Lessons learnt during the implementation of Unity-aligned SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence studies in Africa

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
Short report: edematous Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Buruli ulcer) on the face: a case report

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

Source: UG
Short report: In vitro screening of compounds against laboratory and field isolates of human hookworm reveals quantitative differences in anthelmintic susceptibility

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
Short report: ITS-1 DNA sequence confirmation of leishmania major as a cause of cutaneous leishmaniasis from an outbreak focus in the Ho district, southeastern Ghana.

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
Short time incubation at low temperature for retrieval of some antigens from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues

Antibody manufacturers often recommend antigen retrieval for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections before immunohistochemical staining. The most commonly used methods involve high temperatures (90-120°C) in buffers. Low-temperature retrieval methods allow the use of tissue flotation baths but their incubation times are often long. This study investigated retrieval of some antigens at low temperature (65°C) for 10 minutes in citrate buffer (pH 6.0) using a tissue flotation bath. Sections were obtained from two tissue specimens, breast and O. volvulus nodules, which were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded. The antigens of lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-2, malic enzyme-1, succinate dehydrogenase-B, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, alpha/beta-hydrolase-4, estrogen receptors (ER), and progesterone receptors (PR) were retrieved at low temperature and in the cases of ER and PR, were also retrieved at high temperature (12°C), using a pressure cooker, for comparison. All the retrievals were carried out in citrate buffer, pH 6.0. The results showed that all the enzymes scored 2+ (i.e. a strong reaction) in staining intensity and the staining for ER and PR were similar for both methods (2+). In immunohistochemical staining, the most important stage is antigen retrieval. The low-temperature antigen retrieval in citrate buffer at pH 6.0 provided staining intensities comparable to those by high-temperature methods. The results indicate that low-temperature antigen retrieval is cost-effective, rapid, and reliable. © National Society for Histotechnology 2012.

Source: UG