ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Ab initio investigation of O2 adsorption on Ca-doped LaMnO3 cathodes in solid oxide fuel cells

We present a Hubbard-corrected density functional theory (DFT+U) study of the adsorption and reduction reactions of oxygen on the pure and 25% Ca-doped LaMnO3 (LCM25) {100} and {110} surfaces. The effect of oxygen vacancies on the adsorption characteristics and energetics has also been investigated. Our results show that the O2 adsorption/reduction process occurs through the formation of superoxide and peroxide intermediates, with the Mn sites found to be generally more active than the La sites. The LCM25{110} surface is found to be more efficient for O2 reduction than the LCM25{100} surface due to its stronger adsorption of O2, with the superoxide and peroxide intermediates shown to be energetically more favorable at the Mn sites than at the Ca sites. Moreover, oxygen vacancy defect sites on both the {100} and{110} surfaces are shown to be more efficient for O2 reduction, as reflected in the higher adsorption energies calculated on the defective surfaces compared to the perfect surfaces. We show from Lowdin population analysis that the O 2 adsorption on the pure and 25% Ca-doped ̈ LaMnO3 surfaces is characterized by charge transfer from the interacting surface species into the adsorbed oxygen pg orbital, which results in weakening of the O–O bonds and its subsequent reduction. The elongated O–O bonds were confirmed via vibrational frequency analysis.

Source: KNUST
Absenteeism Among Rural Teachers: The Contribution of “Poor Remuneration”, “Qualification of Teachers” and “Furthering Studies on Distance Learning”

According to Julius Nyerere― Education will not give one the chance to escape poverty but it will fight poverty from ones community. Education is therefore an earn in itself as well as means to other earns. However, people in the Pru district are gradually losing these enormous benefits of education,this largely is due to absenteeism of teachers from class. The negative effect absenteeism poses to education calls for a study into it. Constas and Vichas (1980) however determined some common variables such as poor remuneration, teachers furthering education and Qualification of teachers as the main contributors of absenteeism.This research is to further check the contribution of these variables, formulate a model for absenteeism and use it to model and predict absenteeism.Poor remuneration is the number contribution to absenteeism and it will be very appropriate to redirect a larger chunk of budget on remuneration of teacher instead of recruiting substitute teachers among others. There is a 99.9% chance that a teacher whose remuneration is good will always be in school irrespective of their Qualification or them furthering education.A database should also be set on attendance of teachers then monitoring and evaluation should be enforced.

Source: KNUST
Abortion in Bosomtwe District, Ashanti, Ghana: a Case Control Study at St. Michael’s Hospital, Jachie – Pramso

Strategies for preventing unsafe abortion have been unyielding as a result of which many women die and develop complications from unsafe abortion including those resulting in induced abortion ending up as incomplete abortion. There is increase in incidence of death due to abortion at Bosomtwe district. This study was an un-matched case-control study with the objective of assessing the specific differences in the socio-demographic, economic and reproductive health characteristic of incomplete abortion clients (cases) and normal delivery clients (controls) attending St. Michael’s Hospital, Bosomtwe district. A comparative analysis of 61 cases and 129 controls revealed that, there is no significant difference in their age (p=0.61), marital status (p=0.11), educational level (p=0.63) and their religious background (p=0.61). There was also no difference in their occupation (p=0.52), income earned (p=0.96) and partners employment status (p=0.40). There was a statistical difference in the reproductive history between the groups in terms of the number of children (p=0.000), age of last child (p=0.000), and number pregnancies lost (p=0.000). Cases were 12.7 times more likely to have had abortion; 19.0 times more likely to have attempted to stop the index pregnancy; and 6 times more likely to have self induced the index pregnancy as a means of termination as compared to controls. It is recommended that stakeholders, especially the district health directorate should use specific predictors for incomplete abortion among women to educate and encourage them to live a healthy reproductive life.

Source: KNUST
ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI SPECIES IN LONG-TERM SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Soil fertility management systems (SFMS) can influence the community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Hence, long-term SFMS was studied. The SFMS comprised three legume combinations, urea application and solely maize as control. Spores were extracted by wet sieving, characterized and identified using their morphology. Interrelationships between cropping systems and occurrence of AMF species were analyzed with genotype by environment (GGE) biplot. Seventeen species were identified with Glomus species (47.05%) having highest value while Gigaspora species had the least (11.76%). Legume residues significantly (P < 0.05) increased spore population with the highest spore count (120 spores/100 g soil) obtained in plot under cowpea residue. Shannon Weiner index (H ) of maize/Lablab purpureus plot was highest (1.996) while that of sole maize system was the least (1.550). The GGE indicated Glomus intraradices as a stable species across all the SFMS. Community structure of AMF and function can be preserved using appropriate SFMS.

Source: KNUST
Abundance, richness and use of medicinal plants under different land uses in the Guinea Savanna zone of Northern Ghana

Change in land use affects the conservation of medicinal plants. We assessed the abundance and richness of medicinal plants under different land-use systems in Ghana. The land-use types consisted of protected area (PA), Fallowed Land (FL) and Farmed area (FA). A total of 45 quadrats (30 m × 30 m) were laid randomly and medicinal plants identified. Soil samples (0–15 cm) were also collected from nested quadrats for physiochemical analysis. Additionally, ethnobotanical survey of 210 key informants was carried out using Snowball sampling method to identify plant parts used and ailments treated. The result identified 107 species of medicinal plants, and the roots (34.4%) and bark (33.3%) were mostly used. PA had higher (P < 0.05) abundance (81.75 ± 6.74) and richness (19.80 ± 0.96) while FA had the least. The principal component analysis (PCA) showed that PC1 accounted for 48.7% of the variance with abundance (0.8092), richness (0.9168), TN (0.9312) and ECEC (0.7789) positively loaded on it. The PC2 accounted for 24.1% of the variance in the soil physical properties. We established that integrating medical plants into crops as Agroforestry system can improve their conservation. Our findings have implications for the attainment of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) 3 , 13 and 15 .

Source: KNUST
Aburi Gardens Redevelopment

Modern urban life weighs heavily on the nerve end health of mankind and ate the causes of the impoverishment of men’s inner life if he is unable to find opportunities for a change and for renewing his strength. Recent trends In urban development has resulted in congestion in cities worldwide - the uncontrolled sprawl of the urban areas end the increasing number of urban residents has resulted in the loss of outdoor recreational opportunities amid natural surrounding which provides serene and green areas to which the highly stressed urban man can retreat and refresh himself. As a result of technological advancement manifested In the rationalization of work and information end the advent of more efficient means of transportation, man has had an increasing amount of leisure time at his disposal which has been devoted popularly to travel, tours end outdoor recreation.

Source: KNUST
Abuse of freedom of speech and expression through the electronic media: a case study of the Montie three.

Free speech is good and everyone is in favour of it. It is a strong tool because it provides a big platform for rights and freedoms to thrive but it has dangers. Human dignity should be essential; therefore, we need to reinforce each other according to its own strength. Abuse of freedom of speech and expression pulls valuable words out of the market place of ideas and lessens the value of discourse in nation building. In this study,I advocate measures against abuse because I cherish free speech. Many countries like Rwanda, South Africa, Bosnia Herzegovinian, Israel (Jews) have had their fair share of a shattered country because of Hate/abuse of freedom of speech. Ghana although not there yet, its media and affiliate bodies like the NMC, NCA and GJA need to put their strength together and enforce their rules and regulations in order to deal with anyimpending trouble. We need a save and peaceful Ghana for development. This study adopted an interdisciplinary approach as well as doctrinal to find out why freedom of speech and expression is being abused in spite of the constitutional limitations provided. Aptly, the study explicitly finds out people’s perception about abuse of freedom of speech through the electronic media, and people’s knowledge of the law in respect of the limitations on free speech/ expression, and the boundaries within which it operates. The data was collected in Kumasi to represent Ghana and the findings used to generalize. The research revealed that most Ghanaians know the law that guide freedom of speech/expression and media practice but they see it as an expression of their constitutional right. They abuse because their understanding of freedom knows no limit. It was revealed that the parent law should be reviewed for stiffer sanctions against those who abuse this fundamental human right.

Source: KNUST
Abuse and oppression: A study of Okey Ndibe’s Arrows of Rain and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus

Abuse and oppression have always been a part of society. These phenomena have been treated by many literary artists. This research examines abuse and oppression as captured by Okey Ndibe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in their respective novels Arrows of Rain and Purple Hibiscus. The project uses the postcolonial literary theory of mimicry and hybridity and feminism to examine the causes and effects of domestic and political abuse in the two novels. The research finds that abuse and oppression are the direct off-shoots of colonialism and that those greatly affected are children, women and the vulnerable in the society. Finally, the project recommends that to effectively resist oppression, women especially should be empowered through education. At the political level, national institutions should be strengthened to work well.

Source: KNUST
Aberrant plasma IL-7 and soluble IL-7 receptor levels indicate impaired T-cell response to IL-7 in human tuberculosis

T-cell proliferation and generation of protective memory during chronic infections depend on Interleukin-7 (IL-7) availability and receptivity. Regulation of IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) expression and signalling are key for IL-7-modulated T-cell functions. Aberrant expression of soluble (s) and membrane-associated (m) IL-7R molecules is associated with development of autoim munity and immune failure in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Here we investigated the role of IL-7/IL-7R on T-cell immunity in human tuberculosis. We per formed two independent case-control studies comparing tuberculosis patients and healthy contacts. This was combined with follow-up examinations for a subgroup of tuberculosis patients under therapy and recovery. Blood plasma and T cells were characterised for IL-7/ sIL-7R and mIL-7R expression, respectively. IL-7-dependent T-cell functions were deter mined by analysing STAT5 phosphorylation, antigen-specific cytokine release and by ana lysing markers of T-cell exhaustion and inflammation. Tuberculosis patients had lower soluble IL-7R (p < 0.001) and higher IL-7 (p < 0.001) plasma concentrations as compared to healthy contacts. Both markers were largely independent and aberrant expression normal ised during therapy and recovery. Furthermore, tuberculosis patients had lower levels ofmIL-7R in T cells caused by post-transcriptional mechanisms. Functional in vitro tests indi cated diminished IL-7-induced STAT5 phosphorylation and impaired IL-7-promoted cyto kine release of Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific CD4+ T cells from tuberculosis patients. Finally, we determined T-cell exhaustion markers PD-1 and SOCS3 and detected increased SOCS3 expression during therapy. Only moderate correlation of PD-1 and SOCS3 with IL-7 expression was observed. We conclude that diminished soluble IL-7R and increased IL-7 plasma concentrations, as well as decreased membrane-associated IL-7R expression in T cells, reflect impaired T-cell sensitivity to IL-7 in tuberculosis patients. These findings show similarities to pathognomonic features of impaired T-cell functions and immune failure described in AIDS patients.

Source: KNUST
Ab‑initio study of the transition pathways for single and double interstitial solute (H, N, O, H‑H, N‑N, and O‑O) within bcc refractory metals (Mo and Nb)

Transition pathways of single (Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N), and Oxygen (O)) and double (H-H, N-N and O-O) interstitial solutes within bcc refractory metals (molybdenum (Mo) and niobium (Nb)) were investigated. This work is crucial for understanding how atmospheric gases, rich in H, O, and N, interact with metals. Ab-initio calculations for equilibrium and structural parameters, dissolution energetics, charge transfers, minimum energy path, and difusion coefcients were performed. Single solutes exhibited preferential occupancy sites, with H favoring tetrahedral sites (t-sites), N preferring octahedral sites (o-sites), and O showing material-dependent behavior. The energy barriers for single solute difusion ranged from 0.10 to 1.34 eV, aligning with experimental fndings. Double interstitial solutes signifcantly reduced activation energies (Ea), leading to faster difusion for all confgurations except for MoO. This efect is due to the second solute’s infuence on repulsive/attractive forces and local lattice relaxations, altering preferred difusion pathways.

Source: KNUST
Abuse of psychotropic substances -a survey of some first and second cycle institutions in the Bosomtwi and Atwima-Kwanwoma Districts in Ashanti Region of Ghana

A random survey using semi-structured questionnaires was conducted in 13 selected first and second cycle schools in the Bosomtwi and Atwima Kwanwoma Districts of Ashanti Region to ascertain the effects of increased abuse of psychotropic substances on the academic performances of 600 students interviewed at random. The psychotropic drugs identified to be abused by the students include: amphetamines; coffee; cigarette; cocaine; marijuana; alcohol and heroine. Majority (94%) of pupils abuse both coffee and alcohol and 31% of pupils abuse marijuana, amphetamine, cocaine and heroine. Although majority (about 56%) of them claim the use of these drugs had improved their academic performances, about 11% of them rather developed truant behavioral problems with abysmal academic performances in the long run. The majority (about 61%) of them also got introduced to the drugs by their families and friends. Ninety six percent of the pupils were exposed to the problem of psychotropic substances abuse at an average age of about 11.5 years. This problem is worst in pupils with single parents or divorcees and also when adolescents are in serious financial problems. Parent remittances were the main source of money for the purchase of drugs. Majority (51%) of the student drug abusers were males although females constitute 45% of the population in these schools. However, the likelihood ratio of abuse amongst male and female students were either asymptotically insignificant (P<0.07) or linearly insignificant (P<0.4). The study generally revealed little improvement in academic performances in schools with increased drug use and the District Education Oversight Committees (DEOCs) as well as Parent Teacher Associations in the two Districts need to seriously get involved in school management programs to assist the implementation of child care monitoring programmes at home and schools in order to find a lasting solution to the rampant drug abuse problem.

Source: KNUST
Ab‑initio study of the transition pathways for single and double interstitial solute (H, N, O, H‑H, N‑N, and O‑O) within bcc refractory metals (Mo and Nb)

Transition pathways of single (Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N), and Oxygen (O)) and double (H-H, N-N and O-O) interstitial solutes within bcc refractory metals (molybdenum (Mo) and niobium (Nb)) were investigated. This work is crucial for understanding how atmospheric gases, rich in H, O, and N, interact with metals. Ab-initio calculations for equilibrium and structural parameters, dissolution energetics, charge transfers, minimum energy path, and diffusion coefficients were performed. Single solutes exhibited preferential occupancy sites, with H favoring tetrahedral sites (t-sites), N preferring octahedral sites (o-sites), and O showing material-dependent behavior. The energy barriers for single solute diffusion ranged from 0.10 to 1.34 eV, aligning with experimental findings. Double interstitial solutes significantly reduced activation energies (Ea ), leading to faster diffusion for all configurations except for MoO. This effect is due to the second solute’s influence on repulsive/attractive forces and local lattice relaxations, altering preferred diffusion pathways.

Source: KNUST
Acalypha wilkesiana ‘Inferno’ Is Nephroprotective Against Gentamicin and Cisplatin: Biochemical, Histological and Immunohistochemical Evidence

: Kidneys exposure to toxins can cause injuries, leading to their functional impairments. Traditionally, plants have been used for the treatment of renal disorders and numerous medicinal plants have been tested for their nephroprotective effects, in such cases as gentamicin (GM) and cisplatin (Cisp)-induced nephrotoxicity. This study assessed the ability of Acalypha wilkesiana’s extract to counteract its toxic effect based on the biochemical, histological and proinflammatory cytokines components in rats. Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into nine groups (n=4 each) and administered the following treatments: a) normal control (1 mL/kg body weight normal saline from days 1-10); b) nephrotoxin (GM 120 mg/kg, days 2-7; or Cisp 7 mg/kg on day 3); c) standard drug (120 mg/kg Silymarin plus GM or Cisp, days 1-10); and, d) extract groups (100 or 250 mg/kg, days 1-10 plus GM). Blood samples were collected and subjected to hematological and biochemical evaluations while kidney tissue samples were examined for histopathological alterations, pro- and antioxidants, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Results: Treatment of the rats pre-exposed to GM or Cisp with the extract decreased the serum creatinine, urea and MDA levels. The GST and GPx levels were also restored in rats. Glomerular atrophy with tubular epithelial necrosis induced by either nephrotoxin was restored to near normal. The expression of COX-2 following the administration of either nephrotoxin was reversed after treatment with the extract. Conclusion: The A. wilkesiana extract exhibited significant nephroprotective property, which could potentially be regarded as a promising alternative to the management of renal diseases.

Source: KNUST
Acalyphawilkesiana ‘inferno’hydroethanolicleafextracthas protectiveeffectoncarbontetrachloride-inducedsubacute toxicityinanimals

Introduction: Liverfibrosisisoneofthemostcommonclinicalmanifestationsofhepaticdiseases. However, though many synthetic drugs exist for the treatment and prevention of liver diseases, liver injuries still persist. The present study, therefore, sought to investigate the subacute protective effects of Acalphyawilkesiana against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced toxicity in animals. Methodology: Liver injury was induced in experimental animals by administering CCl4 (1:1 v/v in olive oil, intraperitoneally (i.p.), twice weekly for 8 weeks) after pre-treatment with extract of A. wilkesiana(AWE).AWE(250mg/kg)andSilymarin(120mg/kg)wereadministeredorally(dailyfor8 weeks). Thehepatoprotectiveeffectwasstudiedbyassayingtheactivityofliverenzymes,suchas alanineaminotransferase(ALT),aspartateaminotransferase(AST),alkalinephosphatase(ALP),and alpha-fetoprotein. Theeffectofthetreatmentsonliverprooxidants(e.g. malondialdehyde[MDA]) andantioxidants(e.g. superoxidedismutase[SOD],reducedglutathione[GSH],glutathioneperoxidase [GPx], and glutathione transferase [GST]), as well as inflammatory cytokines (e.g. interleukin [IL]-17, IL-23, nuclear factor kappa beta [NF-kB], and cycloxygenase-1 [COX-1]) and the histology of the liver were also examined. Results: The activity of liver function biomarkers changed significantly upon CCl4 administration; increases in ALT, total and direct bilirubin, and some fibrosis indices (e.g. alpha-fetoprotein and APRI [p<0.05-0.001, compared with normal]) were observed. Co-administration of AWE with CCl4 restored these to normal levels. The intensity of structural alterations revealed that the AWE treatment has protective potential against subacute liver injury. AWEtreatmentalsoreducedtheexpressionofIL-17,1L-23,NF-kBandCOX-1,underscoringitsantiinflammatory properties. Conclusion: The results of the current study generally suggest that hydroethanolicleafextractsofA.wilkesianainfernopossesssomesubacuteprotectiveactivitybyimproving liver function and inhibition of inflammation, and could be developed as a potent antifibroticagent.

Source: KNUST