ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Intrusion Detection Using Machine Learning for Risk Mitigation in IoT-Enabled Smart Irrigation in Smart Farming

The majority of countries rely largely on agriculture for employment. Irrigation accounts for a sizable amount of water use. Crop irrigation is an important step in crop yield prediction. Field harvesting is very reliant on human supervision and experience. It is critical to safeguard the field’s water supply. The shortage of fresh water is a major challenge for the world, and the situation will deteriorate further in the next years. As a result of the aforementioned challenges, smart irrigation and precision farming are the only viable solutions. Only with the emergence of the Internet of Things and machine learning have smart irrigation and precision agriculture become economically viable. Increased efficiency, expense optimization, energy maximization, forecasting, and general public convenience are all benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT). As systems and data processing become more diversified, security issues arise. Security and privacy concerns are impeding the growth of the Internet of Things. This article establishes a framework for detecting and classifying intrusions into IoT networks used in agriculture. Security and privacy are major concerns not only in agriculture-related IoT networks but in all applications of the Internet of Things as well. In this framework, the NSL KDD data set is used as an input data set. In the preprocessing of the NSL-KDD data set, first all symbolic features are converted to numeric features. Feature extraction is performed using principal component analysis. Then, machine learning algorithms such as support vector machine, linear regression, and random forest are used to classify preprocessed data set. Performance comparisons of machine learning algorithms are evaluated on the basis of accuracy, precision, and recall parameters.

Source: UG
Invasive disease and paediatric carriage of streptococcus pneumoniae in Ghana

This study was carried out primarily to evaluate the public health burden related to Streptococcus pneumoniae in Ghana and to provide related preliminary molecular epidemiological data on the organism. Invasive and nasopharyngeal specimens were screened for S. pneumoniae, and isolates were subjected to serotyping, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Overall, the prevalence of S. pneumoniae in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was 1.7%, in blood was 0.2%, and in nasopharyngeal specimens was 15.3%. The prevalence of multiple drug resistance among the isolates was 48.6%, while the percentage resistance to various drugs was in the range of 11.184.0%. Serotyping of the S. pneumoniae isolates showed 7 different serotypes (3, 6B, 9, 10, 14, 16 and 23F). The extent of coverage of serotypes by the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was 57.1%, for the 10-valent vaccine was 57.1%, and for the 13-valent vaccine was 71.4%. MLST of 7 housekeeping genes of the organism showed a high level of genetic diversity among the isolates. S. pneumoniae appears to be an important organism in invasive infections in Ghana, being the most prevalent organism in CSF in this study. The high multiple drug resistance of the organism observed heightens the public health burden, which may be controlled by pneumococcal conjugate vaccines to a large extent. © 2010 Informa UK Ltd.

Source: UG
Inverse Comorbidity between Down Syndrome and Solid Tumors: Insights from In Silico Analyses of Down Syndrome Critical Region Genes

An inverse comorbidity has been observed between Down syndrome (DS) and solid tumors such as breast and lung cancers, and it is posited that the overexpression of genes within the Down Syndrome Critical Region (DSCR) of human chromosome 21 may account for this phenomenon. By analyzing publicly available DS mouse model transcriptomics data, we aimed to identify DSCR genes that may protect against human breast and lung cancers. Gene expression analyses with GEPIA2 and UALCAN showed that DSCR genes ETS2 and RCAN1 are significantly downregulated in breast and lung cancers, and their expression levels are higher in triple-negative compared to luminal and HER2-positive breast cancers. KM Plotter showed that low levels of ETS2 and RCAN1 are associated with poor survival outcomes in breast and lung cancers. Correlation analyses using OncoDB revealed that both genes are positively correlated in breast and lung cancers, suggesting that they are co-expressed and perhaps have complementary functions. Functional enrichment analyses using LinkedOmics also demonstrated that ETS2 and RCAN1 expression correlates with T-cell receptor signaling, regulation of immunological synapses, TGF-β signaling, EGFR signaling, IFN-γ signaling, TNF signaling, angiogenesis, and the p53 pathway. Altogether, ETS2 and RCAN1 may be essential for the development of breast and lung cancers. Experimental validation of their biological functions may further unravel their roles in DS and breast and lung cancers

Source: UG
Inversion appendicectomy.

(i) To emphasise that incidental appendicectomy has indications and, to highlight this indications. (ii) To teach that, even when indicated, this procedure should not convert a clean surgical wound into a clean contaminated or even less optimal wound. (iii) To recommend that if an incidental appendicectomy is to achieve (ii) above, inversion appendicectomy is the better option to choose. (iv) To prove that inversion appendicectomy is fast, easy and achieves a similar result as the more popular excision appendicectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out in the paediatric surgical unit of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Accra, Ghana - between March 2003 and May 2004. Patient Selection: Fifteen patients qualified for enrollment into this study. These were (i) Those who had clear cut indications for incidental appendicectomy, and had it done as an inversion appendicectomy. (ii) Cases of incidental appendicectomy. METHODS: Eleven of these cases were done for intussusceptions and four for malrotation. Only wounds that qualified as clean surgical wounds were included in this study. There was no age or sex discrimination. RESULTS: Follow up on these patients did not reveal any complications. CONCLUSION: Incidental appemdicectomy has well-defined indications. When indicated in clean wound, inversion appendicectomy is the procedure of choice.

Source: UG
Investigating a Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte invasion phenotype switch at the whole transcriptome level

The central role that erythrocyte invasion plays in Plasmodium falciparum survival and reproduction makes this process an attractive target for therapeutic or vaccine development. However, multiple invasion-related genes with complementary and overlapping functions afford the parasite the plasticity to vary ligands used for invasion, leading to phenotypic variation and immune evasion. Overcoming the challenge posed by redundant ligands requires a deeper understanding of conditions that select for variant phenotypes and the molecular mediators. While host factors including receptor heterogeneity and acquired immune responses may drive parasite phenotypic variation, we have previously shown that host-independent changes in invasion phenotype can be achieved by continuous culturing of the W2mef and Dd2 P. falciparum strains in moving suspension as opposed to static conditions. Here, we have used a highly biologically replicated whole transcriptome sequencing approach to identify the molecular signatures of variation associated with the phenotype switch. The data show increased expression of particular invasion-related genes in switched parasites, as well as a large number of genes encoding proteins that are either exported or form part of the export machinery. The genes with most markedly increased expression included members of the erythrocyte binding antigens (EBA), reticulocyte binding homologues (RH), surface associated interspersed proteins (SURFIN), exported protein family 1 (EPF1) and Plasmodium Helical Interspersed Sub-Telomeric (PHIST) gene families. The data indicate changes in expression of a repertoire of genes not previously associated with erythrocyte invasion phenotypes, suggesting the possibility that moving suspension culture may also select for other traits

Source: UG
Investigating client perception and attitude to decentralization of HIV/AIDS treatment services to primary health centres in three Nigerian states

Background The opinions of consumers in decentralization provide insights into possible levels of improvement in access and uptake of services. Objectives The study examined clients’ perception and attitude towards decentralization of antiretroviral treatment services from central hospitals to primary health centres (PHCs). Methodology A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in three states in Nigeria. A total of 1265 exit interviews were conducted with HIV/AIDS clients in nine health facilities. Findings About a third of all the respondents were not comfortable with receiving ART services in a PHC facility close to where they live. The reasons given by 385 respondents who would not want their treatment centres near were as follows: fear of disclosure, 299 (80.4%); fear of being discriminated against, 278 (74.3%); and satis faction with care received at current facility, 278 (74.3%). However, more than 90% of respondents in all three states felt that decentraliza tion of ART services to PHCs would be beneficial in controlling HIV/ AIDS in Nigeria; the difference in respondents’ perception across the three state was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusion The findings imply that scaling-up of treatment services to PHCs would be widely accepted, and probably result in increased uptake. However, this must be accompanied by targeted behaviour change interventions for clients who for the fear of disclosure and stigma would still not access care from proximate facilities.

Source: UG
Investigating foods and beverages sold and advertised in deprived urban neighbourhoods in Ghana and Kenya: a cross-sectional study

Objectives This study aimed to characterize the local foods and beverages sold and advertised in three deprived urban African neighborhoods. Design Cross-sectional observational study. We undertook an audit of all food outlets (outlet type and food sold) and food advertisements. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise exposures. Latent class analysis was used to explore the interactions between food advertisements, food outlet types, and food type availability. Setting Three deprived neighborhoods in African cities: Jamestown in Accra, Ho Dome in Ho (both Ghana) and Makadara in Nairobi (Kenya). The main outcome measures Types of foods and beverages sold and/or advertised. Results Jamestown (80.5%) and Makadara (70.9%) were dominated by informal vendors. There was a wide diversity of foods, with high availability of healthy (eg, staples, vegetables) and unhealthy foods (eg, processed/ fried foods, sugar-sweetened beverages). Almost half of all advertisements were for sugar-sweetened beverages (48.3%), with higher exposure to alcohol adverts compared with other items as well (28.5%). We identified five latent classes which demonstrated the clustering of healthier foods in informal outlets, and unhealthy foods in formal outlets. Conclusion Our study presents one of the most detailed geospatial exploration of the urban food environment in Africa. High exposure to sugar-sweetened beverages and alcohol both available and advertised represent changing urban food environments. The concentration of unhealthy foods and beverages in formal outlets and advertisements of unhealthy products may offer important policy opportunities for regulation and action.

Source: UG
Investigating intellectual capital, corporate environmental sustainability strategy, and management commitment: Evidence from Ghanaian hotels

This study investigates the impact of intellectual capital (IC) on corporate environmental sustainability strategy (CESS) and the moderating effect of management commitment (MC) on the link between IC and CESS in hotels in Ghana. As a cross-sectional survey, data was collected from 185 managers from 30 hotels and analyzed using standard multiple regression analyses. The results revealed that there is a positive link between IC and CESS. The results further showed that MC has a significant positive moderating effect on the link between IC and CESS. The study's findings provide evidence to support the view that MC can enhance IC's contribution to the environmental sustainability performance of hotels in Ghana. This study extends the natural resource-based theory by showing IC as strategic capability and resource for achieving corporate environmental sustainability strategies.

Source: UG
Investigating parents/caregivers financial burden of care for children with non-communicable diseases in Ghana

Abstract Background The introduction of the Ghana national health insurance scheme (NHIS) has led to progressive and significant increase in utilization of health services. However, the financial burden of caring for children with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) under the dispensation of the NHIS, especially during hospitalization, is less researched. This paper therefore sought to assess the financial burden parents/caregivers face in caring for children hospitalized with NCDs in Ghana, in the era of the Ghana NHIS. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 225 parents or caregivers of children with NCDS hospitalized in three hospitals. Convenience sampling was used to select those whose children were discharged from hospital after hospitalization. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and chi-square and logistic regression were used in data analysis. The main outcome variable was financial burden of care, proxied by cost of hospitalization. The independent variable included socio-economic and other indicators such as age, sex, income levels and financial difficulties faced by parents/caregivers. Results The study found that over 30 % of parents/caregivers spend more than Gh¢50 (25$) as cost of treatment of children hospitalized with NCDs; and over 40 % of parents/caregivers also face financial difficulties in providing health care to their wards. It was also found that even though many children hospitalized with NCDs have been covered by the NHIS, and that the NHIS indeed, provides significant financial relief to parents in the care of children with NCDs, children who are insured still pay out-of-pocket for health care, in spite of their insurance status. It was also found that there is less support from relatives and friends in the care of children hospitalized with NCDs, thus exacerbating parents/caregivers financial burden of caring for the children. Conclusions Even though health insurance has proven to be of significant relief to the financial burden of caring for children with NCDs, parents/caregivers still face significant financial burden in the care of their wards. Stakeholders in health care delivery should therefore ensure that all children with NCDs including those excluded from the NHIS should be covered by NHIS. A special effort focusing on identifying children with NCDs within the lower income groups, especially from rural areas, in order to exempt them from any form of payment for their health care is recommended.

Source: UG
Investigating parents/caregivers financial burden of care for children with noncommunicable diseases in Ghana

Background: The introduction of the Ghana national health insurance scheme (NHIS) has led to progressive and significant increase in utilization of health services. However, the financial burden of caring for children with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) under the dispensation of the NHIS, especially during hospitalization, is less researched. This paper therefore sought to assess the financial burden parents/caregivers face in caring for children hospitalized with NCDs in Ghana, in the era of the Ghana NHIS. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 225 parents or caregivers of children with NCDS hospitalized in three hospitals. Convenience sampling was used to select those whose children were discharged from hospital after hospitalization. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and chi-square and logistic regression were used in data analysis. The main outcome variable was financial burden of care, proxied by cost of hospitalization. The independent variable included socio-economic and other indicators such as age, sex, income levels and financial difficulties faced by parents/caregivers. Results: The study found that over 30 % of parents/caregivers spend more than Gh¢50 (25$) as cost of treatment of children hospitalized with NCDs; and over 40 % of parents/caregivers also face financial difficulties in providing health care to their wards. It was also found that even though many children hospitalized with NCDs have been covered by the NHIS, and that the NHIS indeed, provides significant financial relief to parents in the care of children with NCDs, children who are insured still pay out-of-pocket for health care, in spite of their insurance status. It was also found that there is less support from relatives and friends in the care of children hospitalized with NCDs, thus exacerbating parents/caregivers financial burden of caring for the children. Conclusions: Even though health insurance has proven to be of significant relief to the financial burden of caring for children with NCDs, parents/caregivers still face significant financial burden in the care of their wards. Stakeholders in health care delivery should therefore ensure that all children with NCDs including those excluded from the NHIS should be covered by NHIS. A special effort focusing on identifying children with NCDs within the lower income groups, especially from rural areas, in order to exempt them from any form of payment for their health care is recommended.

Source: UG
Investigating potential sand fy vectors after the frst reported outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ghana

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
Investigating prototyping approaches of Ghanaian novice designers

Increasingly, products are designed for global markets, yet studies of design practices primarily investigate designers from high-income countries. Specifically, the use of prototypes during design is likely affected by the background of the designer and the environment in which they are designing. To broaden our understanding of the extent to which prototyping best practices are used beyond Western designers, in this study, we conducted interviews with novice designers from Ghana, a middle-income country (MIC), to examine how Ghanaian novice designers (upper-level undergraduate students) used prototypes throughout their design courses. We compared the reported use of prototypes to best practice behaviors and analyzed the types of prototypes used. We found evidence that these Ghanaian novice designers used some critical prototyping best practice behaviors, while other behaviors were underutilized, specifically during the front-end phases of design and for the purpose of engaging with stakeholders. Additionally, virtual models dominated their prototyping choices. We discuss likely reasons for these trends based on participants’ design experiences and design contexts.

Source: UG
Investigating Students’ Perception towards the Use of Social Media for Computing Education in Nigeria

This study examined the use of a social media platform – WhatsApp – by computer science students for learning computing education in the context of a Nigerian education institution. Nowadays, a large community of students in higher education institutions has embraced the WhatsApp platform for social interactions which makes it a useful tool in education. In this study, students formed three closed groups, and each group had a specific computing topic they discussed. Their discussions were in the form of posting questions, providing answers to questions, or expressing knowledge on the group topic. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants regarding their experiences. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the student’s learning outcomes. The results show that the use of social media contributes positively to students’ learning achievement, and they are motivated to acquire more knowledge about different computing topics.

Source: UG
Investigating the blood-host plasticity and dispersal of Anopheles coluzzii using a novel field-based methodology

Background The biting behaviour and dispersal of insect vectors in the field underlies the transmission of many diseases. Here, a novel collection methodology coupled with the molecular analysis of blood-meal sources and digestion rates is introduced with the aim of aiding the understanding of two critical and relatively understudied mosquito behaviours: plasticity in blood-host choice and vector dispersal. Results A collection strategy utilising a transect of mosquito traps placed at 50 m intervals allowed the collection of blood-fed Anopheles coluzzii from a malaria-endemic village of southern Ghana where human host availability ranged from zero (a cattle pen), increasing until humans were the dominant host choice (the middle of the village). Blood-meal analysis using PCR showed statistically significant variation in blood-meal origins for mosquitoes collected across the 250 m transect: with decreasing trend in Bovine Blood Index (OR = 0.60 95% CI: 0.49–0.73, P < 0.01) and correspondingly, an increasing trend in Human Blood Index (OR = 1.50 95% CI: 1.05–2.16, P = 0.028) as the transect approached the village. Using qPCR, the host DNA remaining in the blood meal was quantified for field-caught mosquitoes and calibrated according to timed blood digestion in colony mosquitoes. Time since blood meal was consumed and the corresponding distance the vector was caught from its blood-host allowed the estimation of An. coluzzii dispersal rates. Within 7 hours of feeding, mosquitoes typically remained within 50 m of their blood-host but at 60 hours they had dispersed up to 250 m. Conclusions Using this methodology the remarkably small spatial scale at which An. coluzzii blood-host choice can change was demonstrated. In addition, conducting qPCR on host blood from field-caught mosquitoes and calibrating with timed experiments with colonised mosquitoes presents a novel methodology for investigating the dispersal behaviour of vectors. Future adaptations to this novel method to make it broadly applicable to other types of setting are also discussed.

Source: UG