ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Homogeneous Decision Community Extraction Based on End-User Mental Behavior on Social Media

Aiming at the inadequacy of the group decision-making method with the current attribute value as interval language information, an interval binary semantic decision-making method is proposed, which considers the decision maker’s psychological behavior. The scope of this research is that this paper is based on localized amplification method. The localized amplification method used in this research may amplify physiological movement after removing unwanted noise, allowing the movement trend to be seen with the naked eye, improving the CNN network’s mental identification accuracy. These two algorithms analyze the input picture from various perspectives, allowing the CNN network to extract more information and enhance identification accuracy. A new distance formula with interval binary semantics closer to decision-makers thinking habits is defined; time degree is introduced. An optimization model is established to solve the time series weights by considering the comprehensive consistency of expert evaluation. Based on prospect theory, a prospect deviation value is constructed and minimized weight optimization model, using the interactive multiple attribute decision community making (TODIM) method based on the new distance measure to calculate the total overall dominance of the schemes to rank the schemes. Taking the selection and evaluation of supply chain collaboration partners as an example, the effectiveness and rationality of the proposed method are verified.

Source: UG
Homogeneous immunoglobulins in Ghanaians living in Accra, Ghana.

Serum screening for homogeneous immunoglobulins (H-Ig) was done on 149 apparently healthy Ghanaians (aged 17-95 years) and 73 sick subjects who presented at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital from October 1999 to September 2000. Sera were screened by agarose gel electrophoresis and those with equivocal results were confirmed by immunoelectrophoresis. Immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgA and IgM) and Bence Jones proteinuria were measured and determined by single radial immunodiffusion method and heating respectively. Total protein, albumin, calcium, uric acid, urea and creatinine were estimated on ACE chemistry autoanalyser. The laboratory profile of 5 Ghanaians with a picture of multiple myeloma and one with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance drawn from the sick subjects (6 of 73) are presented. None of the 149 healthy subjects studied in three age groups (17-40; 41-64 and dollar 65 years) had H-Ig, and their serum IgG, IgA, IgM, urea, creatinine, uric acid, calcium, total protein and albumin levels were within the normal range. H-Ig were present in sera of 6 out of the 73 sick subjects (8.2%); 5 of them (4 males, 1 female) presented a picture of multiple myeloma. Three of these 5 patients had IgG, and the others IgA paraproteinaemia. All 5 patients had immunoparesis which was absent in the 6th patient (a male) who also had IgA paraproteinaemia (< 10 g/L), active bone marrow with < 2% mature plasma cells and no renal involvement. Results of bone marrow examination supported a diagnosis of multiple myeloma in the 3 patients with IgG paraproteinaemia, but were not available for the other two. Bence-Jones proteinuria was found in 2 (both with IgG paraproteinaemia) of 4 patients (50%) available for testing. Renal involvement was indicated in the 5 patients with a picture of multiple myeloma as urea and creatinine levels were significantly raised.

Source: UG
Homozygous deletion of both GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes is associated with higher CD4+ T cell counts in Ghanaian HIV patients

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) family of enzymes are involved in a two-stage detoxification process of a wide range of environmental toxins, carcinogens and xenobiotics. The GST enzymes play important roles in oxidative stress pathways, and polymorphisms in the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes mediate susceptibility and outcome in different diseases. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with oxidative stress, but there is limited data on the frequency of deleted GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes in HIV/AIDS patients and their effect on progression among Ghanaians. This study sought to investigate the association between homozygous deletion of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes (both null deletion) with HIV/AIDS disease progression in Ghanaian patients. HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART), ART-naïve HIV patients, and HIV seronegative individuals were recruited for the study. HIV/AIDS disease progression was assessed by measuring CD4+ cell count and viral load of the patients, and GST polymorphism was determined by amplifying the GSTT1 and GSTM1 genes using multiplex PCR, with CYP1A1 gene as an internal control. The mean CD4+ count of patients that were naïve to ART (298 ± 243 cells/mm3) was significantly lower than that of patients on ART (604 ± 294 cells/mm3), and viral load was significantly lower in the ART-experienced group (30379 ± 15073 copies/mm3) compared to the ART-naïve group (209882 ± 75045 copies/mm3). Frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletions were shown to be 21.9% and 19.8%, respectively, in the HIV patients, and patients with homozygous deletion of both GSTM1 and GSTT1 were more likely to have their CD4+ count rising above 350 cells/mm3 (OR = 6.44, 95% CI = 0.81–51.49, p = 0.039) suggesting that patients with homozygous deletion of GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes have slower disease progression. The findings of this study show that double deletion of glutathione S-transferases M1 and T1 is statistically associated with normal CD4+ count in patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Further study is required to investigate the clinical importance of the both null deletion in HIV patients. © 2018 Kuleape et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Source: UG
An Honest Broker? The Role of the United States in the Middle East Peace Process

The United States of America under the Trump administration has implemented the US Embassy Act of 1995 by recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This decision was followed by the relocation of US’ Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. These moves were very much against the advice of Trump’s own national security team, including his Secretaries of Defense and State and attracted wide condemnation of its European allies and Arab counterparts. The actions of the US has triggered mass protest initiated by the Palestinians against the Israelis in what the Palestinians claim as unjust and US complete favorable and partial gesture towards Israel. This is in light of the fact that, as part of US global hegemonic status and it quest to remain indispensable in the Middle East region, the US has cut itself an enviable position of an honest broker in the Middle Ease Process and specifically in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In light of this, this study sought as it main objective, to investigate, using qualitative research design, the extent to which the US remains truly an honest broker or a neutral arbiter in the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. The study hypothesized that recent moves and decisions made by the Trump administration with regard to Jerusalem could compromise whatever credibility the US has as an honest broker. The study found that Jerusalem which has by international law been under corpus separatum is one of the thorniest issues in the conflict and that city’s disposition would only be decided on in permanent-status negotiations between the parties. The traditional idea was for Jerusalem to be the shared capital between a future state of Palestine and the now “Jewish state of Israel”. The study also found that over the past few decades in which the US has claimed the position of an honest broker, it has had a very a soft spot for Israel and despite how sometimes the latter’s actions are incongruous with the values of the US, United States is unable or unwilling to bring the huge leverage it has on Israel to bare to compel it to change its course of aberration per international law. It was found that much of this is because of the Israel lobby and its most instrumental functionary (American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, AIPC). The research findings also revealed that while this has been the case the Trump’s presidency has also emboldened Israel in every step of the way with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In the final analysis this study maintained that the actions of the Trump administration more than anything clearly reveals the US’s partial and favourable posture towards Israel and that compromises its position as an honest broker in the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process.

Source: UG
Honorifics and status indexing in akan communication

This paper addresses honorifics as an important aspect of formality, persuasion and politeness in Akan. Akan is a traditional society that attaches greater importance to address forms, honorifics and politeness in speech situations. This paper considers honorifics as a deference system; it treats types of honorifics and their linguistic forms, such as power-based, solidarity, occupational and gender-based honorifics. I shall also look at some of the ethnographic situations in which honorifics are employed. © 2003 K. Agyekum.

Source: UG
Hookworm infection among school age children in kintampo north municipality, ghana: Nutritional risk factors and response to albendazole treatment

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
Hordein variation and reaction to powdery mildew in composite cross XLII of barley

A bulk hybrid population, CCXLII was investigated for hordein variation and reaction to powdery mildew. The results indicated that the population in F4 was genetically variable and contained an appreciable proportion of heterozygotes. Evidence was found for differential viability within families. This was possibly the result of a high segregation load. The pattern of genetic variation suggests that although the population could be a useful source of breeding material for the selection of new lines, it may be risky as a method of conservation of germplasm.

Source: UG
Horizon scanning for prioritising invasive alien species with potential to threaten agriculture and biodiversity in Ghana

Invasive alien species (IAS) continue to shape the global landscape through their effects on biological diversity and agricultural productivity. The effects are particularly pronounced in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has seen the arrival of many IAS in recent years. This has been attributed to porous borders, weak cross border biosecurity, and inadequate capacity to limit or stop invasions. Prediction and early detection of IAS, as well as mechanisms of containment and eradication, are needed in the fight against this global threat. Horizon scanning is an approach that enables gathering of information on risk and impact that can support IAS management. A study was conducted in Ghana to establish two ranked lists of potential invasive alien plant pest species that could be harmful to agriculture, forestry, and the environment, and to rank them according to their potential threat. The ultimate objective was to enable prioritization of actions including pest risk analysis, prevention, surveillance and contingency plans. Prioritisation was carried out using an adapted version of horizon scanning and consensus methods developed for ranking IAS worldwide. Following a horizon scan of invasive alien species not yet officially present in Ghana, a total of 110 arthropod and 64 pathogenic species were assessed through a simplified pest risk assessment. Sixteen species, of which 14 were arthropods and two pathogens, had not been recorded on the African continent at the time of assessment. The species recorded in Africa included 19 arthropod and 46 pathogenic species which were already recorded in the neighbouring countries of Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo. The majority of arthropod species were likely to arrive as contaminants on commodities, followed by a sizable number which were likely to arrive as stowaways, while some species were capable of long distance dispersal unaided. The main actions suggested for species that scored highly included full pest risk analyses and, for species recorded in neighbouring countries, surveys to determine their presence in Ghana were recommended.

Source: UG
The hormone-emotion-behavioural gene-neuromessenger labyrinth: Pertinent questions

The discovery of behavioural genes has raised the prospect that behaviour may be governed, in part, by the actions of mutant gene products on the brain. These are mostly enzymes or proteins involved in processes related to neurotransmission. In addition, numerous studies have demonstrated the effects of specific hormones on behaviour. Furthermore, the ability of intense emotions to stimulate or suppress the synthesis of a variety of hormones is well-documented. An incredibly murky picture of multi-directional interrelationships between behavioural genes, emotions and biochemical messengers is emerging, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between causes and effects. This article seeks to highlight a number of unresolved issues in this intriguing area of behavioural endocrinology and examine the ramifications of behavioural gene discoveries.

Source: UG
Horticultural Exports and Measures of Export Success: Lessons and Policy Implications from Ghana

The fruit and vegetable sub –sector of horticultural products has attained important status in the Ghanaian economy since the liberalisation and export diversification pursued after the introduction of the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) and the Structural adjustment (SAP) which followed in the 1980’s.Ghana’s trade policies since then have been tailored to pursue the promotion of horticultural export. Meanwhile, the issue of export success and how they are determined have become critical. Export success in this essence is not only critical to job creation but also to poverty alleviation in developing countries. This study thus sought to describe the horticultural export business in Ghana and to determine an appropriate measure for export success. Using a simple systematic sampling procedure, we identified most of the firms interviewed to be small scale horticultural exporting firms. The study found that, horticultural export business witnessed greatest number of firms participating in the late 90’s . Sole-proprietorship and joint-venture were found to be the dominating business holdings among the firms. For horticultural commodity to reach a consumer in at least three destination countries, four main transit/supply points were identified. We adopted the composite scale as the best form of assessing export success and our analysis revealed that, the gap between firms that were successful and those that were not, was quite close. The need for exporters to adopt and incorporate each component measures in their annual review of performance/success was recommended. Stakeholders in general were commended to adequately target their interventions at each section of the commodity supply chain in order to widen the population gap between the successful and unsuccessful exporting firms.

Source: UG
The horticultural industry in Tropical Africa

In recent times there has been a tremendous interest and increase in horticultural crop production with a consequent high demand for horticultural products in many tropical African countries. This is the result of many favorable factors including: 1. the urgent need to limit importation of horticultural products to conserve scarce foreign exchange; 2. the recognition of the nutritional importance of fruits and vegetables in the diet. This is coupled with increased standard of living and education; 3. increase in processing factories; and 4. the high export potential of many horticultural products. The latter has been the prime mover of the industry. Tropical African countries are now exporting, not only, fruits and vegetables, but also flowers. The horticultural industry is, however, beset by several constraints. The major economic and technical constraints are outlined and methods of overcoming them are indicated.

Source: UG
Hospital All-Risk Emergency Preparedness in Ghana

Objective: This paper assessed the emergency preparedness programs of health facilities for all-risks but focused on Road Traffic Accidents, (RTA) resulting in surge demand. It adopted W. H. O checklist covering hospital preparedness, equipment, manpower and surge capacity planning as best practices for the mitigation of public health emergencies. Method: This is a cross-sectional study of purposively selected health facilities. The method used consisted of site visit, questionnaire survey, literature and internet review. The W. H. O. standard for emergency preparedness of health facilities was used to evaluate and assess the nation’s hospitals surge capacity programs. The study was conducted between March-June, 2010. A total of 22 district and regional health facilities including teaching hospitals participated in the study. All 10 regions of the country were covered. Result: These were: (1) many of the nation’s hospitals were not prepared for large RTA’s resulting in surge demands, and did not possess general emergency preparedness programs. (2) The hospitals’ respective abilities to handle large scale RTA’s were compromised by the lack of competent medical and allied health personnel and adequate supplies. Discussion: The inadequacies of the hospital system in responding to emergencies raise serious public health concerns. The biggest challenge facing the hospitals in their emergency intervention is the lack of preemergency and emergency preparedness plans as well as the coordination of the hospitals response mechanisms. Conclusion: The paper ended with recommendations on how the nation’s hospitals and their supervisory agencies could improve emergency preparedness.

Source: UG
Hospital all-risk emergency preparedness in ghana

OBJECTIVE: This paper assessed the emergency preparedness programs of health facilities for all-risks but focused on Road Traffic Accidents, (RTA) resulting in surge demand. It adopted W. H. O checklist covering hospital preparedness, equipment, manpower and surge capacity planning as best practices for the mitigation of public health emergencies. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study of purposively selected health facilities. The method used consisted of site visit, questionnaire survey, literature and internet review. The W. H. O. standard for emergency preparedness of health facilities was used to evaluate and assess the nation's hospitals surge capacity programs. The study was conducted between March-June, 2010. A total of 22 district and regional health facilities including teaching hospitals participated in the study. All 10 regions of the country were covered. RESULT: These were: (1) many of the nation's hospitals were not prepared for large RTA's resulting in surge demands, and did not possess general emergency preparedness programs. (2) The hospitals' respective abilities to handle large scale RTA's were compromised by the lack of competent medical and allied health personnel and adequate supplies. DISCUSSION: The inadequacies of the hospital system in responding to emergencies raise serious public health concerns. The biggest challenge facing the hospitals in their emergency intervention is the lack of pre-emergency and emergency preparedness plans as well as the coordination of the hospitals response mechanisms. CONCLUSION: The paper ended with recommendations on how the nation's hospitals and their supervisory agencies could improve emergency preparedness.

Source: UG
Hospital health care cost of diarrheal disease in northern Ghana

Diarrhea caused by rotaviruses is one of the most frequent causes of hospitalization among pediatric patients in rural communities of developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, and it is a major cause of death in these communities. The complexity of diarrhea and the increasing cost of treatment puts additional burden on the health sector. To demonstrate the economic burden of diarrhea to policy makers, this study was conducted to estimate the treatment cost of diarrhea in children <5 years old in Ghana using the World Health Organization protocol for cost data collection and estimation. The study was undertaken in Navrongo War Memorial Hospital in northern Ghana. Cost estimates were made for 3 treatment scenarios observed: (1) treatment by rehydration, (2) treatment by rehydration and antibiotics, and (3) treatment of diarrhea and other diseases. The average outpatient treatment costs for the 3 treatment scenarios were US$3.86, $4.10, and $4.35 respectively, and the average treatment costs for hospitalization (inpatient care) were $65.14, $97.40, and $133.86 respectively. The annual national treatment costs, based on the 3 treatment scenarios, ranged from $907,116 to $1,851,280 for outpatients clinic visits and from $701,833 to $4,581,213 for hospitalizations. The average length of stay for the inpatients ranged from 2.3 to 4.9 days. The study did not cover patient costs (ie, household costs).

Source: UG
Hospital-based Surveillance for Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis in the Era of the 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Ghana

Background Global surveillance for vaccine preventable invasive bacterial diseases has been set up by the World Health Organization to provide disease burden data to support decisions on introducing pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). We present data from 2010 to 2016 collected at the 2 sentinel sites in Ghana. Methods Data were collected from children <5 years of age presenting at the 2 major teaching hospitals with clinical signs of meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid specimens were collected and tested first at the sentinel site laboratory with conventional microbiology methods and subsequently with molecular analysis, at the World Health Organization Regional Reference Laboratory housed at the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia, for identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis, the 3 most common bacteria causing meningitis. Results There were 4008 suspected cases of meningitis during the surveillance period, of which 31 (0.8%) were laboratory confirmed. Suspected meningitis cases decreased from 923 in 2010 to 219 in 2016. Of 3817 patients with available outcome data, 226 (5.9%) died. S. pneumoniae was the most common bacterial pathogen, accounting for 68.5% of confirmed cases (50 of 73). H. influenzae and N. meningitidis accounted for 6.8% (5 of 73) and 21.9% (16 of 73), respectively. The proportion of pneumococcal vaccine serotypes causing meningitis decreased from 81.3% (13 of 16) before the introduction of 13-valent PCV (2010–2012) to 40.0% (8 of 20) after its introduction (2013–2016). Conclusions Cases of suspected meningitis decreased among children <5 years of age between 2010 and 2016, with declines in the proportion of vaccine-type pneumococcal meningitis after the introduction of 13-valent PCV in Ghana.

Source: UG