ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Modelling the effect of environmental disturbance on community structure and diversity of wetland vegetation in Northern Region of Ghana

The substantial variations in the anatomy, physiology and life-history trait of wetland plants tend to limit their ability to tolerate environmental stressors and can consequently affect their community composition and distribution. Comparative studies of wetland plants among water bodies of varying limnological characteristics are useful in understanding the different wetland plant communities’ responses to different environmental drivers. This study examined how community structural assemblages in six different tropical wetlands responded to environmental disturbances over a 1-year period (January–December 2017). They included three standing marshes (Kukobila, Tugu and Wuntori marshlands); two riparian systems (Adayili and Nabogo); and one artificial wetland (Bunglung). The prevalence index method was used to categorize plants as wetland or non-wetland species. Geometric series, individual-based rarefaction and Renyi diversity ordering models were applied to quantify community structural assemblages, while a direct ordination technique (CCA) was used to determine the how they respond to the influence of environmental factors. A total of 3034 individuals, belonging to 46 species from 18 families, were registered across the six wetlands. Grasses, herbs and woody species constituted 42.2%, 42.2% and 15.5%, respectively. Obligate species constituted 30.4%, while facultative wetland and obligate upland species were 47.8% and 26.1%, respectively. Wuntori marshland (n = 768) recorded the highest species per plot (18.73 ± 2.49), while Adayili riparian wetland (n = 260) was the least recorded (6.34 ± 1.80). Chrysopogon zizanioides, Echinochloa stagnina and Pennisetum polystachion were the most abundant species. Species assemblages were influenced by grazing, farming, fire, phosphorus, potassium and soil pH. These variables explained 61.29% of total variances in species abundance distribution, richness and diversity. The results highlight the threats on the wetlands and the need to protect them from further degradation.

Source: UG
Modelling the Effects of Feed Moisture and Ingredient Variations on the Physical Properties and Functional Characteristics of Extruded Sorghum- Groundnut –Cowpea Blends using Response Surface Methodology

Central composite rotatable design for k = 3 was used to study the combined effect of feed moisture (12-44%), cowpea concentration (0-20%) and groundnut concentration (0-10%) on the physical and functional properties of extruded sorghum-legume blends in a single screw extruder using response surface methodology. Product expansion ratio, bulk density, total colour change, water absorption capacities at 27°C and 90°C and swelling capacities were determined on the products using standard analytical methods. Expansion ratio, bulk density and total colour of extrudates from the sorghum-legume blends decreased with increasing feed moisture. Increasing the concentration of legumes in the product increased the water absorption capacities at 27°C and 70°C and increased swelling capacities due to the gel forming ability of the macromolecules (proteins and starch) in the products and availability of hydrophilic groups to bind water molecules, thus enhancing the functional properties of the blends. Models developed for the indices gave R2-values ranging from 61.6% (for water absorption capacity at 27°C) to 89.9% (for bulk density) with insignificant lack of fits indicating the adequacy of the model in explaining the data. The optimal conditions noted for producing the puffed extruded snack products with better physical properties and functional characteristics from sorghum-groundnut-cowpea blends were at 16-18% feed moisture, 14-16% cowpea and 6-8% groundnut additions.

Source: UG
Modelling The Influence Of Antecedents Of Artificial Intelligence On Academic Productivity In Higher Education: A Mixed Method Approach.

This study examined the effect of antecedents of artificial intelligence (AI) on the productivity of academics in higher education. The study was guided by the prag matic epistemic perspective predicated on the concurrent integrated mixed-method design used with the support of a Google softcopy version of the semi-structured questionnaire (closed and open-ended questions) to collect data from 663 academics from higher educational institutions in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico, Germany, India, and Uganda. The quantitative data were analysed with descriptive and inferen tial statistical tools while thematic pattern matching was engaged to analyse the qualitative data. The study found that academics hardly use the main AI tools/plat forms, and those mainly used for research and teaching-related activities were ChatGPT, OpenAI, and Quillbot. These AI tools were used mostly for general searches for information on course-related concepts, course materials, and plagiarism checks among others. The study further revealed that challenges associated with AI usage influenced the productivity of academics significantly. Finally, the availability of AI tools was found to engender AI usage but does not directly translate into the prod uctivity of academics. The study, therefore, recommended that the management of higher educational institutions espouse policies, and provide timely information and training on the use of AI in higher education. The policies, information, and training provided should specifically address how to adopt different AI tools for specific aspects of teaching tailored and gravitated toward catalysing the productivity of academics.

Source: UG
Modelling the relationship between teaching methods, assessment methods and acquisition of 21st employability skills among university graduates

This study modelled the effect of teaching and assessment methods on the acquisition of 21st employability skills among 784 postgraduate and undergraduate students sampled from a public university, using the cross-sectional survey design. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed with Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The study found that learner-centred pedagogy and summative assessment methods had a statistically significant relationship with employability skills. Furthermore, the learner-centred method significantly mediated the relationship between the teacher-centred method and employability skills; and summative assessment also significantly mediated the relationship between formative assessment and employability skills. It was recommended that assessment methods should shift away from long hours of sit-down examinations to a more practical progressive assessment with more scores and time to be able to equip graduates with employability skills.

Source: UG
Modelling the relationship between teaching methods, assessment methods and acquisition of 21st employability skills among university graduates

Abstract This study modelled the effect of teaching and assessment methods on the acquisition of 21st employability skills among 784 postgraduate and undergraduate students sampled from a public university, using the cross-sectional survey design. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed with Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The study found that learner-centred pedagogy and summative assessment methods had a statistically significant relationship with employability skills. Furthermore, the learner-centred method significantly mediated the relationship between the teacher-centred method and employability skills; and summative assessment also significantly mediated the relationship between formative assessment and employability skills. It was recommended that assessment methods should shift away from long hours of sit-down examinations to a more practical progressive assessment with more scores and time to be able to equip graduates with employability skills.

Source: UG
Modelling the Survival of Acid-Adapted and Nonadapted Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Burkina: A Western African Traditional Fermented Milk Product

Burkina, a traditional fermented dairy product, is consumed in most parts of West Africa, including Ghana. Studies on the microflora of Burkina have indicated the presence of Escherichia coli and other pathogenic organisms. Thus, predicting the survival of E. coli in the product will inform the best manufacturing and handling practices. This study investigated the combined effect of storage temperature and time on the survival of acid-adapted and acid-non-adapted E. coli O157:H7 in Burkina. Samples were pasteurised and inoculated with acid-adapted or acid-non-adapted E. coli O157:H7. They were stored at 5, 15, and 30° C for 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, and 48 h, and the bacteria colonies were enumerated. Growth rate (survival versus time) models were developed using MATLAB software. Observed data were fitted to the Baranyi model using the DMFit curve fitting software. The E. coli O157:H7 strain appeared inherently tolerant to acid, with storage time having the most significant effect on the response parameter, survival (log CFU/mL). A negative correlation was observed for the primary models (survival versus time), which accounted for 79-97% of the relationship (p < 0 05). Although E. coli survived, its growth was inhibited over time regardless of acid adaptation.

Source: UG
Modelling the Transmission Dynamics of Tuberculosis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Mathematical models can aid in elucidating the spread of infectious disease dynamics within a given population over time. In an attempt to model tuberculosis (TB) dynamics among high-burden districts in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, the SEIR epidemic model with demography was employed within both deterministic and stochastic settings for comparison purposes. /e deterministic model showed success in modelling TB infection in the region to the transmission dynamics of the stochastic SEIR model over time. It predicted tuberculosis dying out in ten of twelve high-burden districts in the Ashanti Region, but an outbreak in Obuasi municipal and Amansie West district. /e effect of introducing treatment at the incubation stage of TB transmission was also investigated, and it was discovered that treatment introduced at the exposed stage decreased the spread of TB. Branching process approximation was used to derive explicit forms of relevant epidemiological quantities of the deterministic SEIR model for stability analysis of equilibrium points. Numerical simulations were performed to validate the overall infection rate, basic reproductive number, herd immunity threshold, and Malthusian parameter based on bootstrapping, jackknife, and Latin Hypercube sampling schemes. It was recommended that the Ghana Health Service should find a good mechanism to detect TB in the early stages of infection in the region. Public health attention must also be given to districts with a potentially higher risk of experiencing endemic TB even though the estimates of the overall epidemic thresholds from our SEIR model suggested that the Ashanti Region as a whole had herd immunity against TB infection.

Source: UG
Modelling Vehicular Crash Mortalities in Ghana

Deaths due to road accidents are major concern to many stakeholders in Ghana especially because road accidents only come second behind malaria for cause of deaths. Statistical models can be helpful in evaluating the effect of factors responsible for mortality and morbidity during vehicular accidents. There is often a spoilt for choice on the type of models that may be used to explain a particular phenomenon. Picking a model can be based on the researcher’s knowledge or experience and the simplicity of the model. However, in common applications, the models applied are often not adequate to accurately and efficiently explain underlying phenomenon particularly when it fails to address certain characteristics of the data. In this paper, an appropriate statistical model on the number of vehicular deaths in Ghana is fitted. The Poisson, Negative Binomial (NB), Zero-Inflation Poisson (ZIP) and Zero-Inflation Negative Binomial (ZINB) models, estimated by the method of maximum likelihood, are compared to determine the most appropriate model for the data at hand. In addition, due to the large number of explanatory variables, the backward model selection procedure was adopted to select the most significant factors associated with crash fatalities. After a careful model building process, the ZINB model was identified as the most appropriate for modelling road crash mortality. The model also identified factors such as shoulder type, time of crash, driver’s sex, road environment landmarks, among others as having significant effect on the fatalities during vehicular accidents in Ghana. It is recommended that authorities focus on installing reflective markings on the shoulders of roads and increase education of drivers in adhering to road regulations while also paying keen attention to road environmental landmarks.

Source: UG
Moderate Communitarianism and the Idea of Political Morality in African Democratic Practice

This paper explores how moderate communitarianism could bring about a greater sense of political morality in the practice of democracy in contemporary Africa. Moderate communitarianism is a thesis traceable to Kwame Gyekye, the Akan philosopher. This thesis is a moderation of the infl uence of the community in the Akan, an African social structure. In ensuring good political morality in the Akan, and therefore the African community, Gyekye proposes moral revolution over the enforcement of the law. I perform two main tasks in this article: (i) I reinforce the view that in a democratic framework (such as the framework within which many African states now fi nd themselves), moderate communitarianism offers lessons on political morality, and (ii) I challenge the notion that moral revolution has greater prospects for bringing about political morality than law enforcement

Source: UG
Moderate doses of Mucuna pruriens seed powder is safe and improves sperm count and motility

A B S T R A C T Background: Conventional remediation techniques involving male fertility include hormonal therapy, in vitro fertilization and surgery. However, the use of natural products continues to be a popular option. Emerging new products that have not been well investigated is the use of Mucuna pruriens seed powder. Aim: This study aimed at determining the efficacy and safety of Mucuna pruriens (MP) seed powder on the male fertility using normal animal models. Methodology: Four groups of seven (7) male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Groups comprised Control (distilled water), Low dose (500 mg/kg b.wt MP), Medium dose (1000 mg/kg b.wt MP) and high dose (2000 mg/kg b.wt MP). Test groups were administered aqueous crude extract of MP by gavage over 90 days. Upon sacrifice, the following assays were performed: FSH, testosterone, oestrogen, PSA, semen analyses, histology of reproductive organs, and general haematological and biochemical analyses. Results: FSH increased, whilst oestrogen decreased, across groups: however, it was not statistically significant between groups. Although testosterone increases were not statistically significant, increases were dose- dependant. Sperm count increased significantly between the Control and Medium dose groups (p<0.001). Motility significantly increased with the Medium and High dose groups compared to Control group (p = 0.022, p = 0.029, respectively). Additionally, immotility significantly decreased in all treatment groups compared to control group (p = 0.013). No abnormality was observed in biochemical, haematological and histological analyses. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a margin of safety and improved spermogram pattern between the low and medium dose administration of Mucuna pruriens seed powder.

Source: UG
A moderated mediation analysis of the association between smoking and suicide attempts among adolescents in 28 countries

Globally, evidence has shown that many adolescents are victims of substance use, mainly cigarette smoking, and it has been associated with suicidal ideation. However, the mechanisms underlying this association are poorly understood. This study examines whether truancy mediates and gender moderates the association of cigarette smoking with suicide attempts among adolescents in 28 countries. Data from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey were used. Hierarchical multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the efect-modifcation of gender on cigarette smoking and suicide attempt. The mediating efect of truancy on the association between cigarette smoking and suicidal attempt was assessed using the generalized decomposition method. Cigarette smoking was associated with suicide attempts after adjusting for several confounding variables (aOR= 1.21; 95% CI = 1.09–1.33). The bootstrap results from the generalized decomposition analysis indicated that truancy partially mediated the association of cigarette smoking with a suicide attempt, contributing 21% of the total efect among in-school adolescents. Hierarchical regression analyses suggested that gender moderated the efect of cigarette smoking on suicidal attempts: female adolescents who smoked had 36% higher odds of suicidal attempts compared to male adolescents. The fndings suggest possible pathways for designing and implementing interventions to address adolescents’ cigarette smoking and truancy to prevent suicidal attempts.

Source: UG
The moderating effect of gender on the relationship between apprenticeship and self-employment: evidence from a developing country

Purpose – This study aims to examine the association between apprenticeship training and self-employment and how gender moderates the association. Design/methodology/approach – Secondary data from the World Bank’s Skills Towards Employment and Productivity (STEP) survey on Ghana were analysed using a binary choice (logit regression) model. The STEP survey drew its nationally representative sample from the working-age population (15–64 years) in urban areas. Findings – After controlling for several factors identified in the literature as determinants of self-employment, the results indicate that completing apprenticeship training increases the likelihood of being self-employed. However, women who have completed apprenticeship training are more likely to be self-employed than men. Originality/value – By examining the moderating effect of gender on the association between apprenticeship training and self-employment, this study has offered new evidence that policymakers can use to promote self-employment, especially among women, to reduce the entrepreneurial gap between men and women.

Source: UG
The moderating effect of perceived organizational support in the relationship between emotional labour and job attitudes: A study among health professionals

Aim: The present study was set out to establish the link between emotional labour (surface and deep acting) and job attitudes (job satisfaction organizational commitment) by introducing perceived organizational support as a moderating variable. Design: The study made use of a cross‐sectional design by sampling three hundred and forty‐two (342) nurses and midwives from six health facilities in Ghana. Methods: The study employed a quantitative approach to examine the relationships between the study variables. Results: The study disclosed that whereas surface acting related negatively with job satisfaction but not with organizational commitment, deep acting did not relate significantly with both job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Perceived organizational support as a moderating variable showed a significant moderating effect between surface acting and job attitudes. However, Perceived organizational support moderated the relationship between deep acting and organizational commitment but not job satisfaction. The findings pose much contextual relevance to health professionals where emotional regulations are core responsibilities of health care.

Source: UG
The moderating influence of celebrity endorsement on intention to engage in infection prevention behaviours

Although the use of celebrities for communication within social marketing to influence voluntary behaviour change has received significant attention, its application to promote infection-preventive behaviours, such as frequent handwashing with soap, has received limited attention. Using the health belief model (HBM), the study examined the moderating effect of celebrity endorsement (CE) on the relationship between the predictors of HBM, such as perceived severity, susceptibility, benefits, barriers, self-efficacyand target audiences’ intention to avoid handshaking, frequently wash hands with soap and cover mouth with an elbow when coughing. Data from 562 respondents were analysed using PLS-SEM. The result shows that CE is significantly moderate the relationship between target audiences’ perception of severity, susceptibility, self-efficacy and cues to action and intention to perform the recommended infection-preventive behaviours. Thus, when a celebrity is employed as a conduit for delivering a social marketing message, particularly about infection preventive behaviour, target audiences are more likely to take action to perform the recommended behaviour. Theoretically, the study shows that although the HBM has been extensively applied to explain health-related behaviours, using celebrities to endorse the various constructs of the HBM significantly enhances the predictive ability of the model.

Source: UG
The Moderating Role of Affective Interpersonal Conflict on Managerial Decision-making and Organizational Performance in Private Sector Organizations: A Study of Ghana

The issue of interpersonal conflict has been a thorny issue in high-power distant environments due to disagreement and divergence of superior and subordinate views resulting from managerial decision-making. This work looks at the moderating role of affective interpersonal conflict on managerial decision-making and organizational performance. A quantitative methodology was used to sample 197 managers from 10 private sector organizations in Ghana. By means of structural equation modeling and hierarchical regression, findings showed that there is a significant positive relationship between managerial decision-making and how organizations performance. Findings also showed that there is a negative relationship between affective interpersonal conflict and organizational performance. Our major finding revealed that affective interpersonal conflict moderates the relationship between managerial decision-making and organizational performance. The article recommends prudence in decision-making by managers in the sub-Saharan African business environment. Prudent decision-making by managers is akin to ethical decision-making, which resides in moral and theological philosophies that are fundamentally in the realm of management and business and are also concerned with explaining and predicting employees’ actual behaviors.

Source: UG