ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
This research was conducted at three fish smoking sites and three marketing centres in the Tema municipality, to compare the microbial load of smoked sardine (Sardinella aurita). Microbial load of smoked sardine were determined using aerobic plate count, yeast and moulds, coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus counts, Salmonella typhi detections, with pH and water activity. The results indicated that the aerobic plate counts within the smoking sites ranged from 6.2 x 10 4 to 3.3 x 10 5 cfu/g; yeast and moulds from 1.1 x 10 2 to 9.3 x10 4 cfu/g; and coliform bacteria from 0.0 to 2.1 x 10 4 cfu/g. For marketing centres, the values ranged from 7.2 x 10 4 to 4.1 x 10 7 cfu/g, 5.0 x 10 2 to 8.0 x 10 4 cfu/g, and 4.7 to 2.0 x 10 2 cfu/g for aerobic plate count, yeast and moulds and coliform bacteria respectively . E. coli was poorly represented in samples obtained from Manhean (3.1 x 10 2 cfu/g) and Newtown (1.8 x10 4 cfu/g). Staphylococcus aureus was completely absent from all samples analysed. An isolated case of Salmonella typhi detection was made from Community 1 market samples. pH values were between 5.84 and 6.42 for all samples. Microbial counts of smoked sardine samples from smoking sites and marketing centres were significantly different (P < 0.05), with the latter recording higher values. Generally microbial counts for samples from the smoking sites were within acceptable limits of GSB, while those from marketing centres were not. Keywords: Fish, Tema, Sardinella aurita, plate count, bacteria.

This research was conducted at three fish smoking sites and three marketing centres in the Tema municipality, to compare the microbial load of smoked sardine (Sardinella aurita). Microbial load of smoked sardine were determined using aerobic plate count, yeast and moulds, coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus counts, Salmonella typhi detections, with pH and water activity. The results indicated that the aerobic plate counts within the smoking sites ranged from 6.2 x 10 4 to 3.3 x 105 cfu/g; yeast and moulds from 1.1 x 102 to 9.3 x104 cfu/g;and coliform bacteria from 0.0 to 2.1 x 104cfu/g. For marketing centres, the values ranged from7.2 x 104 to 4.1 x 107cfu/g, 5.0 x 102 to 8.0 x 104cfu/g, and 4.7 to 2.0 x 102cfu/g for aerobic platecount, yeast and moulds and coliform bacteria respectively . E. coli was poorly represented insamples obtained from Manhean (3.1 x 102cfu/g) and Newtown (1.8 x104cfu/g). Staphylococcus aureus was completely absent from all samples analysed. An isolated case of Salmonella typhi detection was made from Community 1 market samples. pH values were between 5.84 and 6.42for all samples. Microbial counts of smoked sardine samples from smoking sites and marketing centres were significantly different (P < 0.05), with the latter recording higher values. Generally microbial counts for samples from the smoking sites were within acceptable limits of GSB, while those from marketing centres were not

Source: UCC
This study is based on a pragmatist analysis of selected international accounts on quality assurance in higher education. A pragmatist perspective was used to conceptualise a logical internal quality assurance model to embed and support the alignment of graduate competencies in curriculum and assessment of Ghanaian polytechnics. Through focus group and in-depth interviews, the framework was evaluated by internal stakeholders including lecturers, students and administrators of the polytechnics. It was found that from a pragmatist perspective, quality assurance concepts and practices in higher education reported in the international literature could be used to design a context-specific quality assurance framework for higher education systems in Africa but there will be challenges with implementation of such a framework. The challenges found include quality culture and financial resources. Nonetheless, it was noted that effective planning and stakeholder commitment can surmount the challenges to ensure effective implementation of the framework to enhance quality.

Abstract This study reports on the perceptions of senior staff employees' job satisfaction and its relationship to their personal characteristics in a higher education institution. Using descriptive case study design, 155 senior staff employees comprising 70 female and 85 male who were selected randomly from five departments of the University of Education, Winneba, participated in the study. A job satisfaction questionnaire was used to gather data, which were analysed using t-test, one- way ANOVA and post hoc analysis. The findings revealed that several factors promote job satisfaction of senior staff employees. In addition, while no significant difference found between gender and job satisfaction of senior staff employees, their age, rank and work experience made significant difference in their job satisfaction levels. Factors that promote high level of job satisfaction are critical for enhancing work performance in the UEW and other higher education institutions.

Source: UCC
The Threat of Political Vigilantism to Political Security in Africa: A Case of Ghana

Ghana is gradually building a political culture that seems to support political vigilantism; the activities of vigilante groups have assumed a cyclonic nature. This study, therefore, seeks to assess the threat of political vigilantism to political security in Ghana and the roles of state and non-state actors in all of this. It explores the sources and the motivations for acts of political vigilantism. It addresses the threat of political vigilantism to political security in Ghana. It also analyses the implications of political vigilantism on security issues and Ghana‟s global image. Lastly, it discusses the roles of state and non-state actors in mitigating the threat of political vigilantism to political security using both primary and secondary sources in the data gathering process. The study demonstrates that unemployment and vulnerability of the youth, mutual suspicion among the political actors, and low confidence in state institutions motivate political vigilantism in Ghana. It also finds a high possibility of terrorists riding on the back of political vigilantism to plunge the country into chaos. The porous nature of borders in the West African subregion even makes this threat imminent. Political vigilantism tends to erode Ghana‟s soft power in global affairs. Therefore, the study recommends that both state and non-state actors adopt a broad-based approach to confront the problem frontally.

Source: UCC
Threats to forest reserve management from mining practices in Tarkwa forest district, Western Region, Ghana

The study assessed threats to forest reserve management from mining practices in the Tarkwa Forest District of the Western region of Ghana. The study’s research design is a qualitative research design. The study uses descriptive survey through which data were gathered from a sample size of 100 respondents which were chosen out of 1000 target population in the Agona, Bonsa and Bonsawere community and also the Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission all located in the Tarkwa Forest District. Questionnaires being a primary data has been the pivot of data collection instrument in collecting information that relates to the study’s topic. It was revealed from the study that, respondents are aware that activities such as ground fixing of gold detector machines, digging of tunnels, trenches and pits, blasting and cutting of rocks, construction of sheds and wooden structures, extraction of mineral ores, washing of mineral ores that are carried out in the forest reserves under the open cast mining processes are those that have serious effects on the Forest reserve. Furthermore, the study revealed that, respondents are aware of the effects that open cast mining have on forest management. Through in-depth interviews with some selected respondents, they claim that, although the mining activities carried out in the forest affects the forest reserve and the environment negatively, they are out of choice since they solely depend on the mining for monetary benefit which they use for their livelihoods. For this problem to be addressed, there is the need for lucrative job opportunities for the community populace which will ease the pressure on inappropriate mining, and comprehensive sensitization of the community members about the future effects that these mining activities have on them.

Source: UCC
Three-dimensional imaging with long infrared digital holography

A three-dimensional (3D) laser imaging system based on digital holography has been used as a tool for testing digital holography (DH) in the infrared (IR) range in several configurations; transmission and reflection mode. The feasibility of digital holography in the infrared region was demonstrated using two beam interferometric technique for recording holograms both in reflection and transmission type geometry which employs a pyroelectric sensor array detector. The materials used are two euro coins, marble plate, earthenware tree, Aluminum plate, Lens mount, Bronze statues of Augusto and Traiano, lens mount, Bronze statue and human size mannequin. Their sizes ranges from 2.3 cm to 170.0 cm. Images from these different objects were acquired with high resolution miricle thermoteknix cameras. The recorded images in the form of fringes were transferred to a computer for analysis using MATLAB software. By making use of image processing tools and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) technique, the 3D images of the samples were analyzed and decoded, to the original real object from the fringes. IR digital holography has many advantages whenever large object and hard materials of high depth penetration, recording and reconstruction is required with respect to digital holography in the visible region. A long wavelength radiation has a lower sensitivity to sub micrometric vibrations- use of larger angles, smaller distances between the object and the recording device- this peculiarity provides a higher fringe visibility when large samples are investigated.

Source: UCC
Three-dimensional Imaging With Long Infrared Digital Holography

ABSTRACT A three-dimensional (3D) laser imaging system based on digital holography has been used as a tool for testing digital holography (DH) in the infrared (IR) range in several configurations; transmission and reflection mode. The feasibility of digital holography in the infrared region was demonstrated using two beam interferometric technique for recording holograms both in reflection and transmission type geometry which employs a pyroelectric sensor array detector. The materials used are two euro coins, marble plate, earthenware tree, Aluminum plate, Lens mount, Bronze statues of Augusto and Traiano, lens mount, Bronze statue and human size mannequin. Their sizes ranges from 2.3 cm to 170.0 cm. Images from these different objects were acquired with high resolution miricle thermoteknix cameras. The recorded images in the form of fringes were transferred to a computer for analysis using MATLAB software. By making use of image processing tools and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) technique, the 3D images of the samples were analyzed and decoded, to the original real object from the fringes. IR digital holography has many advantages whenever large object and hard materials of high depth penetration, recording and reconstruction is required with respect to digital holography in the visible region. A long wavelength radiation has a lower sensitivity to sub micrometric vibrations- use of larger angles, smaller distances between the object and the recording device- this peculiarity provides a higher fringe visibility when large samples are investigated.

Source: UCC
A threshold cointegration analysis of asymmetric adjustments in the Ghanaian maize markets

This paper analyzes the long-run equilibrium relationship between retail and wholesale Ghanaian maize prices with cointegration test assuming asymmetric adjustment. Using the Enders-Siklos asymmetric cointegration tests, it is found that the retail and wholesale prices are cointegrated with threshold adjustment. Furthermore, the adjustment process is asymmetric when the retail and wholesale prices adjust to achieve the long-term equilibrium. Finally, there is faster convergence for negative deviations from long-term equilibrium than for positive deviations. These results imply that price increases tend to persist whereas decreases tend to revert quickly towards equilibrium

Source: UCC
Threshold effects and asymmetric price adjustments in the Ghanaian plantain market

This study investigates if there is an asymmetric relationship between Ghanaian retail and wholesale plantain prices. Using the Consistent Threshold Autoregressive Model(C-TAR), this study finds that the retail and wholesale plantain prices are threshold co integrated. The study also finds that the retail and wholesale plantain prices adjust asymmetrically for deviation from the long run equilibrium. The findings of this study further indicate that 63.2% of the positive deviations and 24.9% of the negative deviations persist to the next period. These results suggest that any price movement that squeezes the margins is transmitted more rapidly than an equivalent that stretches the margin.

Source: UCC
Thrombolysis of Acute Massive Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism: A Success Story in a Ghanaian Emergency Department

Study/Objective: To report on the first successful management of a patient with acute massive bilateral Pulmonary Embolism, at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital Emergency Department (KATH ED), Kumasi, Ghana. Background: Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is an acute silent killer in developing countries, and is primarily a diagnosis of clinical suspicion. There are limitations in its diagnosis and interventions, increasing the mortality tendencies. Acute massive bilateral PE carries an exceptionally high mortality rate even with interventions. Methods: We sought to describe the management of the first successful thrombolysis of a patient with acute massive bilateral PE who presented to our ED at KATH, because there is paucity of literature on successful ED management of such cases in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Thyroid calcification: radiographic patterns and histological significance

Aim. To determine the incidence, significance and plain radiographic patterns in goiters with calcification. Materials and Methods. Radiographs (chests, thoracic inlets and neck) and clinical records of 160 goiterous patients were reviewed retrospectively, and classified into two groups; those with calcification and those without calcification. Data analysis was by SPSS 11.0. Results. The majority of our patients (64.9 %) were in their 4th to 6th decade of life with modal age of 30 years. The ratio of males to females was 3: 17. Radiographic calcification was demonstrable in 17.0% (male 22.2% and female 77.8%) and this increased steadily by about three–fold per decade of life from 3rd–5th decade. All patients with calcification had tracheal narrowing, higher occurrence of cervical degeneration and 3–fold incidence of retrosternal extension of goitres. However, only four out of thirteen patients (14.8%) with malignant histology had calcification, while the remaining nine patients had no calcification. Subtotal thyroidectomy was offered in 89.3% of patients with calcification. Conclusion. Calcification of goitre increases steadily with advancing age and is more common in multinodular than solitary thyroid nodules. However, it does not suggest benignity or malignancy of the thyroid mass. There is high propensity of calcification in goitres having retrosternal extension and a strong tendency for concentric tracheal narrowing in calcified goitres. Hence, this may make the need for early thyroidectomy imperative.

Source: UCC
Thyroid Disorders in Accra, Ghana: A Retrospective Histopathologi- cal Study at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

There is a scarcity of data on thyroid disorders in Ghana. This retrospective study examined the spectrum and incidence of thyroid disorders by reviewing all thyroid disorders reported in the De- partment of Pathology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) between 2004 and 2010. Data was collected on the clinical and histological characteristics of all thyroid disorders reported during the study. 1300 (3.7%) cases were reported, representing an annual incidence of 185.7 cases. The ages ranged from 1-86 years with a mean of 41.5 (SD=13.9). Most [353 (27.4%)] of the cases were be- tween 30-39 years group. Majority, 1141(87.8%) were females. The top eight common thyroid dis- eases were; non-toxic multinodular goitre 1002(77.5%), follicular adenoma 86(6.6%), diffuse toxic goitre 42 (3.2%), papillary thyroid carcinoma 40(3.1%), thyroglossal duct cyst 35(2.7%), Hashimo- to’s thyroiditis 28(2.2%), lymphocytic thyroiditis 22(1.7%) and follicular carcinoma 17(1.3%). Sixty- six (43.4%) of the neoplastic thyroid disorders were malignant with a prevalence of 0.18 among thy- roid samples and annual incidence of 9.40 cases. The commonest thyroid cancer was papillary car- cinoma 40(60.6 %), with a mean age of 38.3 SD=16.1 years, majority, 34 (82.9%), were women. A wide spectrum of thyroid disorders exists in Ghana, with an annual incidence of 185.7 cases. The commonest malignant thyroid disorder was papillary carcinoma, though iodine deficiency is en- demic in Ghana and on this basis; one would have expected follicular carcinoma to be the com- monest thyroid cancer in Ghana.

Source: UCC
Thyroidectomy under local anaesthesia: experience with giant goitres

The first successful thyroidectomy on record appears to have been performed in about 952 A.D. in Zahra, an Arab city of Spain by a Moorish physician, Albucassis. The extirpation of thyroid gland for goiter typifies, perhaps better than any operation, the supreme triumph of the surgeon’s art. More than 80% of thyroid swellings are operated upon primarily for cosmetic reasons. Thyroidectomy is usually performed with general endotracheal anaesthesia. However, in many developing countries, because of the severe shortage of anaesthetists, anaesthetic drugs and equipment it can be done under local anaesthesia with acceptable results. Giant goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland not less than 10gm/kilogram body weight. Previous reports of thyroidectomy under local anaesthesia were not for giant goiters. Ajao in 1979 wrote: “up to a certain limit the more prominent the thyroid gland is, the easier it is to remove under local anaesthesia”. This is a prospective study of thyroidectomy done for giant goiters in a semi-urban hospital (Nakowa Hospital, Yauri, Kebbi State, Nigeria). The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility, safety, effectiveness and acceptability of local anaesthesia for thyroidectomy. It was also meant to assess any difficulty or complication specifically associated with the procedure.

Source: UCC
Tillage, rice straw mulch and nitrogen fertilization effects on upland rice yield in Northern Benin

In Benin, upland rice is typically grown under intensive tillage in slash-and-burn systems. Some of the major constraints associated with upland rice production are water deficit, declining soil fertility and rice yield. To explore effective ways to improve rice yield, field experiments were conducted on two upland rice soils (Lixisol and Gleyic Luvisol) in northern Benin, West Africa for two consecutive years. The treatments comprised two tillage systems (no-tillage, and manual tillage), two rice straw managements (no rice straw, and rice straw mulch at 3 Mg ha-1) and three nitrogen fertilizer levels (no nitrogen, moderate level of nitrogen: 60 kg ha-1, and high level of nitrogen: 120 kg ha-1). Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers were applied to be non-limiting at 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 and 40 kg K2O ha-1. Four replications of the twelve treatment combinations were arranged in a randomized complete block design. Soil moisture and soil temperature were measured at 5 cm depth in 6 to 10 days intervals during the growing seasons. At maturity, crop parameters measured included rice grain yield, aboveground biomass, and root biomass. No-tillage with rice straw mulch increased soil moisture and decreased soil temperature. Root biomass, shoot biomass and rice yield significantly increased with rice straw mulch and nitrogen fertilizer application. The highest response of rice yield to nitrogen fertilizer addition was obtained for 60 kg N ha-1 in combination with 3 Mg ha-1 of rice straw for the two tillage systems. No-tillage combined with rice straw mulch and 60 kg N ha-1 could be used by smallholder farmers to improve soil water availability and upland rice yield in northern Benin

Source: UCC
Time Delay in Engagement Schedules in Tertiary Institutions: a Case Study of the University of Cape Coast

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to examine the incidence of time delays in engagement schedules on campus (University of Cape Coast). The study made use of past records of time delays in starting Committee and Boards meetings from five colleges and two major meetings (Academic Board and University Council) at the University of Cape Coast. The study relied on secondary data extracted from minutes and agenda files of Committee and Board meetings. The Minitab package and Microsoft Spreadsheet were used to analyse the data. The statistical techniques used in the study were the Scatter Plots, Time Series Analysis and Stochastic Processes. The College of Education Studies had the highest average of delay (18.92 minutes) to starting a meeting. There was a significant difference in the means of the time delays among these colleges: College of Education Studies and College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, and College of Health and Allied Sciences, and College of Education Studies. The College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences had the highest probability (80.70%) of always starting their meetings on-time in the long-run. The College of Education had the highest probability 0.8119 of starting their meetings with a large delay in the long-run. It would be recommended that the colleges with higher possibility of starting their meetings ten minutes late should encourage its Board or Committee members to be prompt with attending to meeting/schedules. The researcher would again recommend that the University Management should come out with a policy that when a meeting delays for more than an hour that meeting should be rescheduled.

Source: UCC