ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Hydrochemistry of the Ayensu River Basin in the Central Region of Ghana

The focus of this work was to use the hydrochemical and isotopic composition of groundwater and surface water resources to establish the hydrochemistry, recharge mechanism, and interrelationship between surface and groundwater resources in the Ayensu River Basin. The methodology consisted of sampling and laboratory analysis of both groundwater and surface water resources. Na'" and K+ were determined using flame photometer, Ca2+ and Mg2+ by EDTA titration and the trace metals were determined using atomic absorption spectrometer. The anions were analysed using Dionex ICX- 90 Ion Chromatography system. Analysis of the hydrochemical survey data from the study area revealed that the groundwater is mildly acidic (4.77 - 7.8). Four boreholes at Gyangyanadze, Brahabekume, Topiase and Aduafokwa had their Total Dissolved So~ds (TDS) values above lO00mg/L. lbree major water types have been delineated using the phase diagrams. These are Na - CI, Ca-Mg - CI and Ca - Mg - SO.'" waters. Chloride ion (CI-) concentrations of 10 boreholes exceeded the permissible levels of 250mg/L for Cl- ion and 7% of the groundwater samples had their N03- concentrations exceeding the WHO limit. Approximately 43% and 57% of the samples had the AI" and Fe'" concentrations respectively, above the WHO maximum acceptable limits and 25% of the water samples had their Cd2 " concentration above the WHO limit. The groundwater chemistry is controlled mainly by rock weathering and to a very small extent by evaporation during both the dry and rainy seasons. From the stable isotope data for deuterium (S2H %0) and Oxygen - 18 (S"O %0) it is concluded that recharge to the aquifer system in the Ayensu River Basin mainly come from local rainfall.

Source: UCC
Hydrodynamic study of edge spin-vortex excitations of fractional quantum hall fluid

We undertake a theoretical study of edge spin-vortex excitations in fractional quantum Hall fluid. This is done in view of quantised Euler hydrodynamics theory. The dispersions of true excitations for fractions within 0 ≤ ν ≤ 1 are simulated which exhibit universal similarities and differences in behaviour. The differences arise from different edge smoothness and spin (pseudo-spin) polarisations, in addition to spin charge competition. In particular, tuning the spin-charge factor causes coherent spin flipping associated with partial and total polarisations of edge spin-vortices. This observation is tipped as an ideal mechanism for realisation of functional spintronic devices

Source: UCC
Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Persicaria Lanigera R. Br. Soják (Polygonaceae) Exhibits Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Experimental Models of Inflammation

Persicaria lanigera extract (PLE) is traditionally used to manage inflammatory disorders. This study aimed at evaluating the anti-inflammatory and oral safety of a hydroethanolic (70 % 𝑣𝑣⁄) leaf extract of Persicaria lanigera. The anti-inflammatory effects of the extract were assessed using both acute and chronic inflammatory models while the toxicity profile was performed using acute and sub-acute toxicity studies. From the acute inflammatory studies, PLE (100-600 mg kg-1, p.o.) administered pre-emptively suppressed the mean maximal oedema to 59.10±4.94 %, 56.08±3.65 %, and 48.62±3.27 % at 100, 300 and 600 mg kg-1, and total inflamed paw by 43.72 %, 52.34 % and 61.58 % at the same doses in carrageenan-induced paw oedema. In the chronic inflammatory studies, PLE suppressed the disease activity index (DAI) score in acetic acid-induced colitis from 84.00±5.09 to 58.00±5.39, 50.00±7.07 and 43.00±5.38 at 100, 300 and 600 mg kg-1, and similarly inhibited the granuloma tissue formation by 20.65 %, 22.61 % and 30.14 % at the same doses respectively. PLE significantly suppressed the Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)-induced arthritic ipsilateral paw to 126.58±10.91 %, 113.82±11.46 % and 106.45±34.85 % at 100, 300 and 600 mg kg-1 respectively when administered prophylactically. In the therapeutic study, PLE decreased the CFA-induced inflammation in the ipsilateral limb to 568.50±91.18 %, 545.50±71.88 % and 541.83±70.21 % dose-dependently at the same doses respectively. In the toxicity studies, PLE was confirmed to be relatively safe and non-toxic with no clinical signs or treatment related toxic effects including haematological, biochemical, histological changes and death.

Source: UCC
Hydrological response of OTI river to climate and land use land cover (lulc) dynamics, Ghana.

Climate and LULC dynamics are the main factors impacting the life of water bodies, especially rivers. As a result, numerous studies are turning to issues revolving climate, LULC, and water supply. This thesis did a 30-year investigation into the hydrological response of Oti River to climate and LULC dynamics, Ghana. Specifically, the study evaluated the trends of change in the Oti River basin as a result of climate and LULC dynamics between 1990-2020 using the Mann-Kendall test tool and ArcGIS respectively. The SWAT model further examined the combined impact of Climate and LULC dynamics on inflows and outflows. Results from the Mann-Kendall test indicates that, annual temperature has consistently been high over the years. A computed p value of 0.106, signifies that, there are no significant trends in temperature, however, there is a rise in general annual temperatures in the area leading to increased evaporation rates in the river, more inflows and less outflows. The computed p-values (0.388, 0.320) for the two weather stations indicated that there are no significant trends in rainfall but rainfall is generally decreasing in the Oti Catchment. Results from the change detection analysis indicated that, farmlands, water and the closed forest are being lost to open forest, built-up and bare lands. Due to the recent bareness of the lands, runoffs during rainstorms are made easier and there has been significant sedimentation. The Oti River's inflows and outflows are subsequently impacted by this. The SWAT model's calibration and validation confirms this by showing a good correlation between the simulated and actual flows.

Source: UCC
The hydroxyl moiety on carbon one (C1) in the monoterpene nucleus of thymol is indispensable for anti-bacterial effect of thymol

Background: Thymol, a natural monoterpene phenol is not only relevant clinically as an anti-microbial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent but also holds the prospect as a natural template for pharmaceutical semi synthesis of therapeutic agents. It is a major component of essential oils from many plants. Evidence abound linking overall bioactivity of thymol to its monoterpene nucleus, specifically, the hydroxyl (-OH) substituent on carbon number one (C1) on the monoterpene nucleus. Other studies have posited that the overall bioactivity of thymol is not substantially altered by chemical modification of - OH on the C1 of the monoterpene nucleus. In view of this, it is still unclear as to whether removal or modifcation of the –OH on C1 of the monoterpene nucleus relates generally or context-dependently to bioactivity of thymol. Objective: The present study investigated anti-bacterial effects of ester-and-ether substituted derivatives of thymol on S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. coli. Materials and methods: twelve ester-and-ether substituted derivatives of thymol (6TM1s and 6TM2s) were synthesized and characterized by using HPLC, Mass spectrometry, and IR techniques. Anti-bacterial activity of the 12 thymol derivatives was evaluated using broth macrodilution and turbidimetric methods against pure clinical isolates (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. coli). Standard anti-biotics used were Thymol Streptomycin and fucloxacillin, while DMSO was used as vehicle for thymol derivatives. MIC and MBC were determined. Results: Thymol produced broad-spectrum growth inhibition on all isolates. At equimolar concentrations, thymol and reference drugs produced concentration-dependent growth inhibition against the isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) compared to DMSO. Although the growth inhibitory effects of the ester-and-ether derivatives of thymol was signifcant (P 0.05) compared to DMSO, it was however insignificant (P 0.05) compared to thymol and reference antibiotics. Comparatively, at equimolar concentrations, ester-substituted derivatives of thymol, particularly the branched chain derivative (TM1C) produced more effective growth inhibition on the isolates than the ether-substituted derivatives of thymol. Thymol was twice as potent (MIC and MBC, 500 μg/ml) than both ester-and-ether substituted derivatives of thymol (MIC and MBC, >1000 μg/ml) on all the three clinical isolates. Increase in side chain bulkiness of –OH moiety on the monoterpene nucleus of thymol decreased growth inhibition on isolates. Conclusion: Thymol has demonstrated broad-spectrum anti-bacterial effects attributable to the hydroxyl moiety on C1 of the monoterpene nucleus. Structural modification of the hydroxyl moiety on C1 of the monoterpene nucleus of thymol with either ether-or-ester substitutions yielded no significant anti-bacterial effects

Source: UCC
The hydroxyl moiety on carbon one (C1) in the monoterpene nucleus of thymol is indispensable for anti-bacterial effect of thymol

Background: Thymol, a natural monoterpene phenol is not only relevant clinically as an anti-microbial, anti- oxidant and anti-inﬂammatory agent but also holds the prospect as a natural template for pharmaceutical semi- synthesis of therapeutic agents. It is a major component of essential oils from many plants. Evidence abound linking overall bioactivity of thymol to its monoterpene nucleus, speciﬁcally, the hydroxyl (-OH) substituent on carbon number one (C1) on the monoterpene nucleus. Other studies have posited that the overall bioactivity of thymol is not substantially altered by chemical modiﬁcation of - OH on the C1 of the monoterpene nucleus. In view of this, it is still unclear as to whether removal or modiﬁcation of the –OH on C1 of the monoterpene nucleus relates generally or context-dependently to bioactivity of thymol. Objective: The present study investigated anti-bacterial effects of ester-and-ether substituted derivatives of thymol on S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. coli. Materials and methods: twelve ester-and-ether substituted derivatives of thymol (6TM1s and 6TM2s) were syn- thesized and characterized by using HPLC, Mass spectrometry, and IR techniques. Anti-bacterial activity of the 12 thymol derivatives was evaluated using broth macrodilution and turbidimetric methods against pure clinical isolates (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. coli). Standard anti-biotics used were Thymol Streptomycin and ﬂuclox- acillin, while DMSO was used as vehicle for thymol derivatives. MIC and MBC were determined. Results: Thymol produced broad-spectrum growth inhibition on all isolates. At equimolar concentrations, thymol and reference drugs produced concentration-dependent growth inhibition against the isolates (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) compared to DMSO. Although the growth inhibitory effects of the ester-and-ether derivatives of thymol was signiﬁcant (P 0.05) compared to DMSO, it was however insig- niﬁcant (P 0.05) compared to thymol and reference antibiotics. Comparatively, at equimolar concentrations, ester-substituted derivatives of thymol, particularly the branched chain derivative (TM1C) produced more effective growth inhibition on the isolates than the ether-substituted derivatives of thymol. Thymol was twice as potent (MIC and MBC, 500 μg/ml) than both ester-and-ether substituted derivatives of thymol (MIC and MBC, > 1000 μg/ml) on all the three clinical isolates. Increase in side chain bulkiness of –OH moiety on the monoterpene nucleus of thymol decreased growth inhibition on isolates. Conclusion: Thymol has demonstrated broad-spectrum anti-bacterial effects attributable to the hydroxyl moiety on C1 of the monoterpene nucleus. Structural modiﬁcation of the hydroxyl moiety on C1 of the monoterpene nucleus of thymol with either ether-or-ester substitutions yielded no signiﬁcant anti-bacterial effects.

Source: UCC
Hygiene practices among waste management workers at La Nkwantanang-Madina municipality

Waste workers are exposed to a variety of work related hazards which may be harmful to their health. The nature of Municipal waste management practices in Ghana especially in major cities as a whole has led to the poor state of sanitation especially pollution of the environment, which is in turn, a serious human health risk. The study was carried out to identify the hygiene practices among waste management workers in municipal assembly’s narrowing it down to La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipality. The study was a descriptive survey and the views of 70 respondents were sought through the administering of questionnaire. Primary and secondary sources of data collection method were used and data collected from the field was processed and analysed through the use of Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 16.0. The study reveals that hygiene practices among waste management workers are effective to some extent. Majority (55%) of the respondents believed that they are provided with cleaning regimes such as PPE’s, uniforms, tools and training programs to enhance their knowledge on best practices pertaining to hygiene within the Municipality. 56% of the respondents confessed that they wash their hands with water only which intends affect their health status. However, 46% of respondents indicated that they last visited hospital almost a year ago which is an indication that waste management workers careless about their health status although the rate at which respondents fall ill is low. Also, the study revealed that 70% of the respondents believed that cleaning regimes provided them is of quality and effective for protection against any diseases and viruses. It can be concluded from the study that hygiene practices among waste management workers are effective to some extent. The municipal assembly through the Ministry of Sanitation should ensure PPE’s, tools and all forms of logistics are provided for waste management workers to ensure their safety.

Source: UCC
Hypersound absorption of acoustic phonons in a degenerate carbon nanotube

Absorption of acoustic phonons was studied in degenerate Carbon Nanotube (i.e. where the electrons are found close to the Fermi level). The calculation of the hypersound absorption coefficient (Γ) was done in the regime where ql >> 1 (q is the acoustic phonon number and l is the electron mean free path). At T = 10K and θ > 0 (θ being scattering angle), the dependence of Γ on acoustic wave number (~), frequency (ωq), and γ = 1 − VD, (Vs and VD being the speed of sound and the drift velocity respectively) were analysed numerically at n = 0, ±1, ±2 (where n is an integer ) and presented graphically. It was observed that when γ < 0, the maximum amplification was attained at VD = 1.1Vs which occurred at E = 51.7V cm −1. In the second harmonics, (n = ±2), the absorption obtained was compared to experimental measurement of acoustoelectric current via the Weinreich relation and the results qualitatively agreed with each other

Source: UCC
Hypersound absorption of acoustic phonons in a degenerate carbon nanotube

Short-wave sound absorption propagating along the axis of a semiconductor superlattice by electrons of the lowest miniband in a non-quantised electric field is investigated theoretically. The mechanism of the attenuation of phonons is due to Landau damping. The relationship discovered for the absorption coefficient r = T(E) s essentially different from that for homogeneous materials, and, additionally the threshold field at which the absorption switches over to amplification depends on the superlattice parameters and the length of the sound wave. The more important difference between short-wave sound amplification by a superlattice and amplification in the homogeneous materials is the possibility of finding a field E* such that -r( *) 2 r( E*). This situation allows in principle the use of a superlattice as a hypersound generator similar to a generator of long-wave sound. The above generator is impossible to construct in the case of homogeneous semiconductors

Source: UCC
Hypertension prevalence and predictors among taxi drivers at Abura in Cape Coast metropolis of Ghana.

Background: Hypertension is a major health problem in developing countries including Ghana. Lifestyle and occupational factors can be associated with hypertension development among individuals and groups of people. Objective: To assess the prevalence and determinants of hypertension among taxi drivers at Abura in the Central Region of Ghana. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was adopted and a total of 200 respondents were randomly sampled at the Abura taxi station. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic data on the taxi drivers. Anthropometric measurements were converted into Body Mass Index while blood pressure measurements were categorized as normotension, pre-hypertension and hypertension using the World Health Organization cut offs. Proportions was presented for the prevalence and Odds Ratios presented for the predictors of hypertension categories. Results: The mean age was 36.65 ± 9.76 years. Majority (61.5%) had nine years of formal education. The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was 23.0% and 52.5% respectively. About 11.5% had a family history of hypertension. Age (χ2=27.129;P<0.001) and years of driving a taxi (χ2=24.348;P<0.001), hours slept in a day (χ2=19.504; P=0.012) were associated with the development of hypertension. None of the characteristics studied predicted hypertension status. Conclusion: The prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension was high among these drivers and personal and occupational factors were associated with hypertension development. Screening for early detection and advocacy will reduce the risk among the group.

Source: UCC
Hypertension prevalence and predictors among taxi drivers at Abura in Cape Coast metropolis of Ghana.

Background: Hypertension is a major health problem in developing countries including Ghana. Lifestyle and occupational factors can be associated with hypertension development among individuals and groups of people. Objective: To assess the prevalence and determinants of hypertension among taxi drivers at Abura in the Central Region of Ghana. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was adopted and a total of 200 respondents were randomly sampled at the Abura taxi station. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to obtain socio- demographic data on the taxi drivers. Anthropometric measurements were converted into Body Mass Index while blood pressure measurements were categorized as normotension, pre-hypertension and hypertension using the World Health Organization cut offs. Proportions was presented for the prevalence and Odds Ratios presented for the predictors of hypertension categories. Results: The mean age was 36.65 ± 9.76 years. Majority (61.5%) had nine years of formal education. The prevalence of hypertension and prehypertension was 23.0% and 52.5% respectively. About 11.5% had a family history of hypertension. Age (χ2=27.129;P<0.001) and years of driving a taxi (χ2=24.348;P<0.001), hours slept in a day (χ2=19.504; P=0.012) were associated with the development of hypertension. None of the characteristics studied predicted hypertension status. Conclusion: The prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension was high among these drivers and personal and occupational factors were associated with hypertension development. Screening for early detection and advocacy will reduce the risk among the group.

Source: UCC
Hypofractionated Radiotherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer: Clinical Outcome (Mansoura University)

Purpose: In this study, we describe the efficacy and safety of hypo fractionated radiotherapy in treating patients with localized prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: A total of 70 patients diagnosed with localized (T1-T2) prostatic adenocarcinoma. Low and intermediate risk groups were prospectively recruited between November 2012 and November 2016. Patients were treated with hypo-fractionated RT of 60 Gy in 20 fractions over 4 weeks. Androgen deprivation therapy was permitted for intermediate risk patients. The primary outcome was biochemical relapse free survival which defined as the nadir PSA postradiotherapy plus 2 ng/ml according to PHOENIX criteria. Overall survival and treatment toxicity were secondary end points. Results: With medium follow-up of 30 months; the three year biochemical relapse-free survival was 93.6%. Acute GU toxicity was detected as follows: 13(18.6%) patients experienced G1 toxicities while 11(15.7%) patients developed G2 toxicities. Acute G1 toxicity was detected with, 11.4% of patients reporting G1 toxicity and 10% experiencing G 2 toxicity. During the follow-up, three patients died; two from systemic disease progression; one patient expired due to cardiac cause. The 5 years overall survival was 90%. Conclusion: Our data show that a Hypo-RT using 3D-CRT produces an excellent biochemical control and a low incidence of late GI and GU toxicity. Also in absence of IGRT or IMRT, we should use rigid restrictions and adequate margins to get reasonable rate of late toxicity.

Source: UCC
Hypotensive effect of an aqueous extract of Heliotropium indicum Linn (Boraginaceae)

Heliotropium indicum Linn (Boraginaceae) has been used widely in the treatment of hypertension in Ghana. This study therefore was aimed at investigating the effects of an aqueous extract of H. indicum Linn on the heart and blood pressure of some laboratory animals as a means of establishing its hypotensive effect and verifying its traditional medicinal use as an antihypertensive. The extract was applied in vitro to an isolated frog and rabbit heart to investigate its effect on the force and rate of cardiac contraction, and administered to an anaesthetized cat to establish its effect on blood pressure. The extract had a dose-dependent negative inotropic and chronotropic effect on the frog and rabbit hearts similar to that observed for acetylcholine and histamine. These effects were inhibited by atropine but not mepyramine suggesting a muscarinic-receptor mediated effect. In vivo, the H. indicum aqueous extract produced a dose-related reduction in blood pressure of the anaesthetized cat. Findings reveal that H. indicum has hypotensive effect suggesting its usefulness in the treatment/management of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

Source: UCC