ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of polypeptide content in the solid‐state fermentation process of rapeseed meal using NIRS and chemometrics

This study combined Fourier transform-near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and chemometrics, to monitor changes in peptide content during the solid-state fermentation of rapeseed meal. A NIR calibration model was established by performing spectral scanning on 81 samples and using interval partial least squares. The results showed that coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error of cross-validation could achieve 0.9441 and 0.654 g/L for polypeptide content. Furthermore, the predicted and experimental values of the two parameters in an external validation set showed similar changes throughout the fermentation. Practical applications: The results show that near-infrared spectroscopy is a promising method to monitor the chemical parameters of rapeseed meal during solid fermentation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Source: UG
Monitoring wild silkmoth, Gonometa postica Walker, abundance, host plant diversity and distribution in Imba and Mumoni woodlands in Mwingi, Kenya

A survey of the abundance of larvae and pupae of Gonometa postica Walker and their host plants was undertaken in the long rainy season in 2006 at six sites in the Imba and Mumoni forests of Mwingi, eastern Kenya. One hundred trees of the primary host species of G. postica were sampled at each site, in addition to minor host species with G. postica pupae. The density of each tree species was calculated and the height, canopy, diameter and number of branches were measured. In order of decreasing abundance, the host plants in Imba forest were Acacia tortilis, A. elatior and A. nilotica, and in Mumoni forest, A. tortilis, A. nilotica, A. mellifera and A. brevispica. A. elatior had significantly more larvae than the other host plants in Imba. In Mumoni, A tortilis and A. mellifera had significantly more larvae, followed by A. nilotica and A. brevispica. The minor host plants harbour significantly more pupae than the major host plants in the two forests. In general, Imba had a significantly higher abundance of larvae and pupae than Mumoni. Host plant species richness did not differ between the two forests, but their evenness was significantly higher in Imba than in Mumoni.

Source: UG
Monoclonal Gammopathies in Africa

People of African descent have a reported higher incidence of multiple myeloma (MM) and increased prevalence of its precursor conditions, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering MM (SMM). Despite this, research focusing on people of African descent remains sparse. Even in the absence of robust studies across African populations, major disparities are consistently reported. West Africans and South African Black men have a higher prevalence of MGUS than individuals of European descent. MM has been shown to occur in African individ- uals at a younger age of diagnosis compared to European individuals, with a relatively higher proportion of females (M/F ∼1 vs. 1.4 in Europeans), delayed diagnosis (symptoms to diagnosis 10-12 months), and a higher prevalence of bone disease at presentation. This review summarizes the existing literature on monoclonal gammopathies for African people and highlights critical gaps in our understanding of the disease within the diverse African population. Importantly, differences in disease biology, with respect to cytogenetic and immunologic differences, which contribute to disparate disease outcomes are discussed. Concer ted effor ts to bridge knowledge gaps through collaborative research initiatives, both within and beyond the African continent, are urgently needed.

Source: UG
A monoclonal antibody-based dipstick assay for diagnosis of urinary schistosomiasis.

The Clinical Pathology Department conducts research that contributes to intervention strategies and safeguards of public health in Ghana. In view of this the Department carries out research into plant medicine development, drug interactions and regulation, bio-monitoring and prevention of poisoning from environmental toxicants (e.g. mycotoxins specifically aflatoxins and toxic heavy metals). The Department also provides specialized laboratory services in support of public health programmes.

Source: UG
Monodispersed AgNPs Synthesized from the Nanofactories of Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) Leaves and Pod Husk and Their Antimicrobial Activity

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized from the more chemically rich and diverse cocoa pod; the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from cocoa leaves, which are less rich and have low diversity in bioactive molecules, is yet to be achieved. In this work, AgNPs produced using the extracts of the cocoa leaf (CL) and cocoa pods (CP) have been investigated and their antimicrobialnactivity against E. coli was evaluated. UV-visible absorption spectroscopy was used to examine the reduction of silverions in solution and the surface plasmon resonance of AgNPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to further characterize the nanoparticles. -e crystalline nature of AgNPs was confirmed by XRD, and the purity and presence of elemental silver were determined by EDX. CL-AgNPs were observed to have a surface plasmon resonance of 425 nm, while CP-AgNPs had a surface plasmon resonance of 440 nm. CL-AgNPs had a significantly higher purity than CPAgNPs. With a shorter nucleation time, the intensity of the UV-Vis spectrum was always higher in the case of CL-AgNPs, indicating a larger population of bioactive molecules available for CL-AgNPs synthesis. FTIR confirmed the presence of phenolic compounds in the leaf and pod extract, implying that water-soluble polyphenolic and flavonoid chemicals are responsible for nanoparticle reduction, capping, and stability. AgNPs generated from CL and CP extracts are polydispersed, with particle sizes of 10–110nm and 20–680 nm, respectively, according to DLS. The corresponding zeta potentials measured are −2.7mV for CLAgNPs and −0.93mV for CP-AgNPs. The zeta potential values suggest that the particles have long-term stability. Furthermore, CLAgNPs outperformed CP-AgNPs in terms of antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. CL-AgNPs were found to have amaximal inhibitory zone of 21 mm.

Source: UG
Monuments and negotiations of power in Ghana

Ghana arrived at nationhood on 6 March 1957, burdened with many vestiges and entanglements of its pre-colonial and colonial past. Its inherited establishments and facilities were polyglot – it subsumed, and has been presiding over, different polities, traditional authorities, institutions, and interest groups with incongruous aspirations and relationships. As Prime Minister, Dr Kwame Nkrumah led a Convention Peoples Party (CPP) government that was the first to rule the new nation. He and his government failed to dissociate themselves from the Christiansborg Castle, a facility that had served as the seat of the British colonial administration of Gold Coast, and the residence of the Queen of England’s representative. Instead, they adopted it as their administrative headquarters and Prime Minister’s residence. The castle, on the coast of Accra, Ghana’s capital city, was first built in 1652 as a small trading lodge by the Swedish Africa Company, and in 1661 was bought by Danish merchants who refurbished and expanded it into a castle from which they administered their affairs along the Guinea Coast until the British acquired it in 1873. It thus embodies pre-colonial and colonial heritages that relate to the mercantile, political, and other economic interests of Western Europe. Nkrumah and his government’s use of the facility was thus a paradox, one officially explained as a ‘psychological operation meant to impress upon the people that a new era had dawned’. This suggests Ghanaians were to understand the government’s appropriation of the castle as a celebration of their triumph over colonialism. © Derek R. Peterson, Kodzo Gavua, and Ciraj Rassool 2015.

Source: UG
Moonlighting in Ghana's higher education institutions: exploring lecturers' experiences at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA)

Purpose This paper aims to examine lecturers' experiences of moonlighting in the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA). Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was used. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 18 purposively selected informants. Data were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Findings The findings are that moonlighting is common at GIMPA, and the institutional environment is conducive for the practice. Knowledge of the practice is unclear. However, moonlighting serves as a source of additional income for lecturers, which a significant majority describe as enabling their continuing employment at GIMPA, but many pointed out the negative effects as well. Lack of a policy to control the behavior has been cited as a reason for the problem, which left lecturers to self-determine what to do. Moonlighting practice is affecting the quality of teaching and support to students by the lecturers. Research limitations/implications The sample of the respondents who participated in the study is small and limited to 18. Their views cannot be generalized to all higher education institutions. But, the results show the seriousness of the problem and its implications. Practical implications Moonlighting is prevalent in GIMPA. It suggests that employees of other public higher education institutions are no immune to it. Originality/value This study is the first of its kind to explore the practice of moonlighting in a quasi-public higher education institution in Ghana. It has added to the empirical literature on the practice and the effects on the institution.

Source: UG
The Moral Standing of Social Robots, Untapped Insights from Africa

This paper presents an African relational view of social robots’ moral standing which draws on the philosophy of ubuntu (humanness). The introduction (Section 1) places the question of moral standing in historical and cultural contexts. Section 2 demonstrates an ubuntu framework by applying it to the fictional case of a social robot named Klara, taken from Ishiguro’s novel, Klara and the Sun. We argue that an ubuntu ethic assigns moral standing to Klara based on her relational qualities and pro-social virtues. Section 3 introduces a second fictional case, taken from McKeown’s novel, Machines Like Me, in which a social robot named Adam displays intrinsic qualities, such as sentience, rationality, and deductive moral reasoning, yet lacks close social ties to particular people. We argue that Adam is not a person in the African sense; however, he qualifies as a person according to many standard Western views, such as Kantian and utilitarian ethics. Section 4 further elaborates the African relational view by comparing the moral standing of social robots and humans in a forced-choice scenario. Section 5 replies to objections. We conclude that an African relational approach captures important insights about the moral standing of social robots that many Western accounts miss and should be better incorporated into global frameworks for designing and deploying social robots.

Source: UG
Morbidity and Complications of Diabetes Mellitus in Children andAdolescents in Ghana:Protocol for a Longitudinal Study

Background: Diabetes is associated with premature morbidity and mortality from its many complications. There are limiteddata on the chronic complications of diabetes in children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa.Objective: The study aims to determine the (1) burden and related factors of chronic systemic complications of diabetes,including diabetic and nondiabetic ocular conditions in children and adolescents, and (2) quality of life (QoL) of participantscompared to healthy controls. This manuscript describes the study methodology.Methods: Demographic information, medical history, anthropometric measurements, and laboratory characteristics werecollected, and the participants were screened for microvascular and macrovascular complications as well as nondiabetic oculardisease. QoL questionnaires were administered to participants, their caregivers, and controls. Participants were followed upannually up to 3 years to determine the natural history of and trends in these conditions. SPSS Version 25.0 will be used for dataanalysis. Continuous and categorical data will be presented as mean (SD) and as percentages (%), respectively. t tests and analysisof variance will be used to compare means, and chi-square tests will be used to compare categorical data. Correlation, regression,and logistic regression analyses will be employed to establish linear associations and causal associations as appropriate. Relative risk and odds ratios will be used to estimate risk. QoL outcomes in Ghanaian children and adolescents with diabetes mellituscompared with caregivers and healthy controls will be assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life inventory. Significance willbe set at α=.05.Results: Institutional approval from the Ethical and Protocol Review Committee of the University of Ghana Medical Schoolwas received on August 22, 2014 (Protocol Identification Number: MS-Et/M.12-P4.5/2013-2014). Funding for the project wasreceived from the University of Ghana Research Fund (#UGRF/9/LMG-013/2015-2016) in March 2016. Patient recruitment,clinical examination, and data collection commenced in August 2016 and was completed in September 2019. A total of 58 childrenand adolescents with diabetes mellitus have been recruited. Blood samples were stored at –80 °C for analysis, which was completedat the end of July 2020. Data analysis is ongoing and will be completed by the end of December 2020. Investigators plan to submitthe results for publication by the end of February 2021.Conclusions: The prevalence, natural history, trends in diabetic complications and nondiabetic ocular disease, and QoL willbe provided. Our data may inform policies and interventions to improve care given to children and adolescents with diabetes.

Source: UG
Morbidity and mortality among populations suffering floods in Hunan, China: the role of socioeconomic status

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
More rhetoric or less action? Digging into urban health vulnerabilities: Insights from urbanizing Accra

Urbanization is a product of development and in recent years, most cities have been experiencing unprecedented growth with improvements in their infrastructure. The obvious benefits of the process tend to paradoxically overshadow its insidious symptoms, as unregulated growth tend to create huge unmet needs such as lack of access to good-quality services, increasing poverty and deteriorating environment. The origin of this dichotomy is rooted in the governance practices where city authorities pay greater attention to issues of managing the ‘global commons’ than the critical ‘brown issues’, such as improving water supply and sanitation that affect the urban poor. Using multiple research techniques, this study highlights how such neglected necessities consign sections of the population to one of the deadly infectious diseases Ghana has ever known—cholera. The paper calls for an all-inclusive and explicitly pro-poor community-led orientation as one of the effective strategy for achieving equity in the urban settings and possibly, helps win the ‘war’ on poor sanitation.

Source: UG
More than songs and stories: The nexus between cultural records and national development

This article examines the little researched link between cultural records and national development, consider ing, in particular, the role African cultural information could play in spurring the continent’s development. It argues that cultural records play a significant, if oft-overlooked and little understood, role in national devel opment. Furthermore, it suggests that if the information deposited and derived from records documenting culture is not included in policy making and analyses of development, the development process is actually shortchanged. The study pays attention to the African context in which this issue is particularly heightened due to a general disregard for the relevance of good records management to national development, and inadequate financial support for the archives, libraries, museums and indigenous knowledge centers responsible for documenting and preserving culture and heritage.

Source: UG
Moringa Oleifera Leaf Consumption On The Vitamin A And Haematological Status Of School Children In Ada-East District, Ghana

Background: Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) could be prevented by the consumption of pro-vitamin A (β-carotene)-rich Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) leaves. M. oleifera grows well in many developing countries and dried leaves also retain a high percentage of β-carotene in storage; they could thus serve as an excellent, convenient source of this pro-vitamin A carotenoid. This study assessed the efficacy of the supplementation of dried M. oleifera leaves on the vitamin A and haematological status of children in Ada-East district, Ghana. Methodology: Children aged 5–12 years were supplemented thrice a week at 0.2 g/kg body weight for nine weeks. Background data were collected on the socio-demographic status of the children. Data were collected on the children's vitamin A and haematological status at baseline and at the end of the study. Malaria and hookworm morbidity were also assessed at baseline and the end of the study. Results: There was a significant increase in mean serum vitamin A levels after supplementation (end of study) in the intervention group (p,0.05), but not in the control group. Haematological parameters Haemoglobin (HGB), Red Blood Count (RBC), Haematocrit (HCT), and Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) did not show any significant changes in either group (p,0.05). A bivariate analysis, however, showed a significant association between vitamin A and haematological indices in the intervention group, but not in the control group. Conclusion: M. oleifera leaf consumption significantly increased the vitamin A status of children in Ada-East district, Ghana, has the potential to increase children's haematological status. It could thus play a major role as a food-based strategy in vitamin A deficiency control.

Source: UG
Morphine actions in the rat forebrain: Role of protein kinase C

Acute administration of morphine induces expression of the immediate-early gene (IEG) c-Fos in dorsomedial striatum, portions of cerebral cortex, and in several midline-intralaminar thalamic nuclei, partly via a trans-synaptic mechanism that involves activation of glutamate receptors. Because activation of protein kinase C (PKC) may occur following the activation of glutamate receptors, we determined whether pharmacological inhibition of PKC would attenuate morphine-induced c-Fos expression, and whether acute administration of morphine would induce translocation of PKC. The selective PKC antagonist NPC 15437 given 30min prior to morphine significantly decreased morphine-induced c-Fos expression in striatum and cingulate cortex, but not in centrolateral thalamus. In another experiment, rats were given an acute dose of morphine, and immunocytochemical analysis was performed for the βI and βII isoforms of PKC. Morphine induced a rapid and transient translocation of PKC βII, but not βI, from perinuclear spots to plasma membrane in numerous cortical and striatal neurons. Prior administration of naloxone blocked this response. Ultrastructural studies confirmed translocation from Golgi apparatus to plasma membrane 15min after morphine injection. Double immunocytochemistry at the light microscopic level demonstrated co-localization of translocated PKC βII and c-Fos in some cortical neurons 90min after morphine injection. These results support a role for PKC, especially PKC βII, in the rapid effects of morphine on the brain. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Morphological alterations in the nasal mucosa in heat stroke

A preliminary histomorphological examination of the nasal mucosa of 8 heatstroke patients who presented without epistaxis, showed stromal vascular damage and degenerative changes in the basal lamina of the overlying epithelium, severe enough in two cases to indicate impending epistaxis, even in the absence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). It is suggested that direct damage by the extreme heat to mucosal structures, especially the prominent, thin-walled blood vessels, plays an important role in the genesis of epistaxis in heatstroke even in the absence of DIC.

Source: UG
The Morphological And Syntactic Functions Of Dagbani Nominal Suffixes

One of the defining morphological properties of nouns and adjectives of Dagbani (a Gur/Mabia language) of northern Ghana) and related languages is the presence of suffixes that mark number (singular or plural) as well as serve as the basis for noun classification. The typical regular noun or adjective (e.g. bi-a ‘a child’) consists of a bound root (bi-) providing the lexical meaning and a suffix (-a), which indicates the singular number of the noun. In plural form, the suffix is replaced by a different one. marks plurality (bi-hi). In this paper, we show that while this broad description is generally accepted, is much weaker than assumed in previous studies, with many inconsistencies. As our main goal, we offer a much broader analysis of the morphological and syntactic functions of the nominal suffixes. We show that these suffixes are primarily there to project lexical words as nouns and adjectives and should be referred to as nominal suffixes used to inflect inherent nouns and derive nouns and adjectives from verbs. The nominal suffixes are also crucial to distinguishing between different compound nouns and nouns. phrases. The paper is largely descriptive, with no specific theoretical approach assumed.

Source: UG
Morphological growth criterion for faceted to non-faceted transition in pure materials

A criterion to explain the morphological growth transition from faceted to non-faceted (f-nf) morphology in the case of directional solidification is presented for pure materials. The criterion is based on the number of atomic layers at the solid–liquid interface and allows a foreknowledge of the solidification growth velocity at which f-nf transition becomes significant. The basis for the transition criterion hinges on the Cahn theory of interface structure and the theory of liquid–solid transition by the maximum entropy production rate (MEPR) principle. The criterion is tested with a number of pure materials and compared with experimental measurements for salol. The criterion fits quite well with available experimental data.

Source: UG
Morphological instability at the solid–liquid interface by the maximum entropy production rate principle

We examine the morphological instability from planar to non-planar cellular morphology with the maximum entropy production rate (MEPR) principle. An expression that quantifies the MEPR density at the solid–liquid interface (SLI) during direction solidification is presented, which leads to an instability criterion for dilute binary alloys. The instability criterion also affords to theoretically calculate the instability solidification growth velocity. The model considers steady state solidification at close-to and far-from equilibrium conditions.

Source: UG