ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Intended Self-Presentation Tactics in Job Interviews: A 10-Country Study

Intended self-presentation in job interviews was examined among university students in 10 countries (N = 3,509). The aim was to assess cross-cultural differences in the endorsement of self-presentation tactics, and whether such differences could be explained by cultural values and socioeconomic variables. The Cultural Impression Management Scale-Applicant Scale (CIM-A) was used that measures assertiveness, individual excellence, accommodation, and pointing out obstacles. Cross-cultural differences were found in endorsement of all tactics, most notably in individual excellence and pointing out obstacles. Importance assigned to self-presentation tactics was larger among individuals from cultures emphasizing embeddedness, mastery, and hierarchy, and with larger income disparities. The exception to this pattern was the American sample. Implications for personnel selection in international contexts are discussed. © The Author(s) 2014.

Source: UG
Intensive Survey of the Cocoa Producing Areas of the Gold Coast and Trends in Potential Production.

The importance of cocoa in the economy of the Gold Coast, and the threatened consequences of the killing swollen shoot disease, are too well known to require further description here. These matters were touched upon in an earlier report (1), when a preliminary investigation was carried out to see what additional use could be made of the vast masses of data collected by the Cocoa Division of the Gold Coast Department of Agriculture during their routine work of locating and treating outbreaks of Swollen Shoot. This investigation resulted in a new post being created for an Agricultural Statistician to work under the direction of the Government Statistician in consultation with the Director of Agriculture; the post was first filled in June, 1954. First priority was given to the study of future trends of cocoa production. Two aspects of cocoa production are treated in this report. The first is a theoretical study of how production is affected by different patterns of planting at different dates, taking into account the drastic decline in planting which occurred during World War II. The second is an analysis of the Cocoa Survey data.

Source: UG
Intention and usage of human resource information systems among ghanaian human resource managers

The purpose of this study is to investigate the intentions and usage of human resource information systems (HRIS) among Ghanaian HR managers and practitioners. In today’s global networking era, information technology has become an integral part of human resource management. This is because the increasing pressure to support strategic goals and the greater focus on shareholder value has led to changes in both job content and expectations of Human Resource professionals. Hence, the use of Human Resource Information System has been used by HR professionals to become strategic managers. Survey methodology was adopted to obtain data from HR managers and practitioners in Ghanaian companies. A net-targeted sample of 175 respondents produced 100 usable questionnaires for analysis. The study results revealed that information technology (IT) has assisted “organizations to deliver state-of-the art HR services, and reduced operational costs of companies, regardless of the size of the firm”. Advances in IT helps in resolving many of the challenges of HRM such as attracting, retaining, motivating employees, meeting the demands for a more strategic HR function, and managin

Source: UG
Inter-group performance of oil producing countries: a meta and global frontier analysis

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare the production efficiencies and frontiers differences of oil-producing countries (OPCs) in four inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) in the international petroleum industry with the aim of providing such countries understanding of group characteristics that help maximize their supply interests. Design/methodology/approach The empirical analysis is based on 14 years of panel data covering the period from 2000 to 2013. In all 46 unique countries who are members of four IGOs relevant to the international petroleum industry are examined on individual and group bases. The authors use both metafrontier analysis and global frontier difference in examining the group average and group frontiers, respectively. Findings Groups with high inter and intra-group collaborations which ensure exchange of information, organizational learning and innovation tend to do better than groups with even higher hydro-carbon endowment. Additionally, hydro-carbon resource endowment may not be the solution to group inefficiency without higher endowment in human capital, economic stability, technology and infrastructure. Practical implications Choice of inter-governmental organizational membership should be based on the level of inter- and intra-group collaborations, human capital endowment among others and not mere historic links or even resource endowment. Originality/value This is among the few studies to compare and rank IGOs. Specifically, it is among the first studies to analyze the petroleum production efficiencies of IGOs involved in the international petroleum industry. This study assesses the performance differences among OPCs with the aim of identifying for OPCs the characteristics of inter-governmental groups that are beneficial to efficiency in upstream petroleum activities.

Source: UG
Inter-linkages between international and internal remittances and financial sector development in Ghana.

The increase in volumes and circulation of internal and international remittances have become a substantial part of resource flow for economic development especially in developing countries with a significant impact on household welfare. Over the years however studies on remittances have focused almost exclusively on international remittances with attention to internal remittances only receiving minimal discussions. In contrast with the usual remittance literature, this paper adds two key aspects to the debate focusing on the linkage between internal and international remittances and how that interrelationship impact on the financial sector in Ghana. The data for the study was collected from recipients of international remittances in 2013 with 2012 as the reference year. The study showed that international remittance, even though, flows from a small number of international migrants to a relatively small number of people locally, the spread of internal remittance is wide and more frequent.

Source: UG
Inter-linkages between remittance and savings in Ghana

Purpose The increase in volumes and circulation of internal and international remittances have become a substantial part of resource flow for economic development especially in developing countries with a significant impact on household welfare. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between remittances and savings mobilization. Design/methodology/approach Using the most recent wave of the Ghana Living Standard Survey data, the study accounts for the endogeneity in remittance receipts by employing treatment effect estimators, in addition to a probit model to establish the relationship between remittances and likelihood of savings. Findings The results suggest that receiving remittances significantly affects household’s propensity to save. Households that receive international remittances seem to have a slightly higher probability of savings compared to households that receive only domestic remittances. Originality/value From the literature, whereas the theoretical relationship between savings and remittances is mixed, it is also evident that the empirical relationship between remittances and savings has not been clearly established, especially in sub-Saharan African countries in general and Ghana in particular. The present study adds to the paucity in the literature in two main ways. First, the study provides empirical evidence on the relationship between remittances and savings by not only focusing on international remittances but also on internal remittances. Second, in sharp departure from other studies, the current study employs more robust empirical estimators in estimating the relationship between remittances and savings.

Source: UG
Inter-observer evaluation of practical lesson delivery in physical education setting: Nature and demonstration of teachers’ instructional cues

Often, teachers plan for instructional activities, yet fail to plan for instructional cues they would use to facilitate skill acquisition among students. During practical lesson delivery, it is ideal for instructional cue (IC) of the teacher to be short, descriptive and integrated in a manner that promotes students’ retention of relevant information for executing the skill correctly. Teachers should avoid lengthy and unnecessary ICs in teaching and learning environment. In this pedagogical study, we used descriptive processes to investigate the nature and demonstration of teachers’ ICs, the proportion and rate per minute of teachers’ ICs in practical physical education (PE) setting involving pre-service teachers (n=77) and professional PE teachers (n=4). Self-developed event recording instrument was found valid using expert consultation procedure. In each recorded event, inter-observer agreement was above 80% which indicated a good reliability of data for making research decisions. Evaluation of the video-recorded lesson suggested that teachers were able to utilise a variety of instructional cues (i.e., short, descriptive and integrated) to facilitate students’ learning in practical PE setting. Findings indicated that teachers were largely able to simulate skills and techniques during practical lesson delivery. Again, verbal instructional cues demonstrated with equipment occupied the largest proportion of events, while verbal instructional cues demonstrated without equipment placed second. Non-verbal instructional cues demonstrated without equipment occupied the least proportion of events in the entire observation. Generally, the study revealed a normal phenomenon in practical PE setting where verbal cues occurred more frequently than non-verbal cues. The practical PE class is usually composed of high and low prior learners. It was recommended that cues delivered by the teacher should cater for such individual differences in every practical PE setting.

Source: UG
Inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability of the Performance and Fitness (PERF-FIT) test battery for children: a test for motor skill related fitness

Background: The Performance and Fitness (PERF-FIT) test battery for children is a recently developed, valid assessment tool for measuring motor skill-related physical fitness in 5 to 12-year-old children living in low-income settings. The aim of this study was to determine: (1) inter-rater reliability and (2) test-retest reliability of the PERF-FIT in children from 3 different countries (Ghana, South Africa and the Netherlands). Method: For inter-rater reliability 29 children, (16 boys and 13 girls, 6–10 years) were scored by 2 raters simultaneously. For test–retest reliability 72 children, (33 boys and 39 girls, 5–12 years) performed the test twice, minimally 1 week and maximally 2 weeks apart. Relative and absolute reliability indices were calculated. ANOVA was used to examine differences between the three assessor teams in the three countries. Results: The PERF-FIT demonstrated excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC, 0.99) and good test-retest reliability (ICC, ≥ 0.80) for 11 of the 12 tasks, with a poor ICC for the Jumping item, due to low spread in values. A significant difference between first and second test occasion was present on half of the items, but the differences were small (Cohen’s d 0.01–0.17), except for Stepping, Side jump and Bouncing and Catching (Cohen’s d 0.34, 0.41 and 0.33, respectively). Overall, measurement error, Limits of Agreement and Coefficient of Variation had acceptable levels to support clinical use. No systematic dissimilarities in error were found between first and second measurement between the three countries but for one item (Overhead throw). Conclusions: The PERF-FIT can reliably measure motor skill related fitness in 5 to 12-year-old children in different settings and help clinicians monitor levels of fundamental motor skills (throwing, bouncing, catching, jumping, hopping and balance), power and agility.

Source: UG
Inter‑Sectoral Management of Suicidal Persons in Ghana: Tensions and Prospects

Inter-sectoral collaboration health care model is essential for efective suicide prevention and treatment. This brief report presents three cases to illustrate two important facts in suicidology and related observed dynamics working as suicide researchers in Ghana. The frst fact is that suicidal work is a multidisciplinary approach. The second: there may be contex tual factors which may make a multidisciplinary approach in working with a suicidal person difcult in Ghana. The frst two cases involved the work of a Clinical Psychologist/Suicidologist (First author), while the third involved the work of a Community Psychologist/Suicidologist (Second Author). Thematic analysis of experiences showed the trajectories of tensions and prospects involved when working as a team in providing help for persons in suicidal crisis in Ghana. Based on the fndings, we make recommendations for scaling up mental health education and suicide training for allied professionals towards enriching and expanding inter-sectoral collaboration in preventing and treating suicidality.

Source: UG
Interaction between chloroquine and indomethacin in airways smooth muscle in vivo

The indomethacin-induced enhancement of airways smooth muscle contractility to histamine reported earlier in vitro has now been demonstrated in conscious guinea-pigs. Chloroquine, an anti-malarial drug with phospholipase A2 inhibitory activity, antagonized histamine and also reversed the indomethacin-induced enhancement. These observations indicate that histamine-induced bronchospasm in vivo is modulated by the arachidonate system and that chloroquine-type phospholipase A2 inhibitors may ameliorate such bronchospasm. These findings also explain the observed clinical benefits of chloroquine in chronic asthmatics

Source: UG
The interaction between sickle cell disease and HIV infection: A systematic review

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sickle cell disease (SCD) are regarded as endemic in overlapping geographic areas; however, for most countries only scarce data on the interaction between HIV and SCD and disease burden exist. HIV prevalence in SCD patients varies between 0% and 11.5% in published studies. SCD has been suggested to reduce disease progression of HIV into AIDS. Various interactions of antiretroviral therapy with SCD exist. Both SCD and HIV act as common risk factors for stroke, avascular necrosis, severe splenic dysfunction, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and sepsis, which may result in synergistic increase in risk of developing these diseases. No treatment guidelines regarding SCD with HIV coinfection were identified. Available evidence is mainly based on small clinical studies, thus making strong recommendations difficult. An increased effort to elucidate the precise interactions is warranted to better understand both diseases and effect more adequate treatment approaches, especially in view of their geographical coprevalence. © The Author 2014.

Source: UG
Interaction of HLA and age on levels of antibody to plasmodium falciparum rhoptry-associated proteins 1 and 2

The Plasmodium falciparum rhoptry-associated proteins 1 and 2 (RAP1 and RAP2) are candidate antigens for a subunit malaria vaccine. The design of the study, which looks at the acquisition of immunity to malaria from childhood to old age, has allowed us to document the interaction of HLA and age on levels of antibody to specific malarial antigens. Antibodies reach maximum levels to RAP1 after the age of 15 but to RAP2 only after the age of 30. The effect of HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 and age on levels of antibody to rRAP1 and rRAP2 was analyzed with a multiple regression model in which all HLA alleles and age were independent variables. DQB1*0301 and -*03032 showed an age- dependent association with levels of antibody to rRAP1, being significant in children 5 to 15 years (P < 0.001) but not in individuals over 15 years of age. DRB1*03011 showed an age-dependent association with antibody levels to rRAP2; however, this association was in adults over the age of 30 years (P < 0.01) but not in individuals under the age of 30 years. No associations were detected between DRB1 alleles and RAP1 antibody levels or between DQB1 alleles and RAP2 antibody levels. Thus, not only the HLA allele but also the age at which an interaction is manifested varies for different malarial antigens. The interaction may influence either the rate of acquisition of antibody or the final level of antibody acquired by adults.

Source: UG
Interaction of mycobacterium ulcerans with mosquito species: Implications for transmission and trophic relationships

Mycobacterium ulcerans is the causative agent of Buruli ulcer, a severe necrotizing skin disease that causes significant morbidity in Africa and Australia. Person-to-person transmission of Buruli ulcer is rare. Throughout Africa and Australia infection is associated with residence near slow-moving or stagnant water bodies. Although M. ulcerans DNA has been detected in over 30 taxa of invertebrates, fish, water filtrate, and plant materials and one environmental isolate cultured from a water strider (Gerrldae), the invertebrate taxa identified are not adapted to feed on humans, and the mode of transmission for Buruli ulcer remains an enigma. Recent epidemiological reports from Australia describing the presence of M. ulcerans DNA in adult mosquitoes have led to the hypothesis that mosquitoes play an important role in the transmission of M. ulcerans. In this study we have investigated the potential of mosquitoes to serve as biological or mechanical vectors or as environmental reservoirs for M. ulcerans. Here we show that Aedes aegypti, A. albopictus, Ochlerotatus triseriatus, and Culex restuans larvae readily ingest wild-type M. ulcerans, isogenic toxin-negative mutants, and Mycobacterium marinum isolates and remain infected throughout larval development. However, the infections are not carried over into the pupae or adult mosquitoes, suggesting an unlikely role for mosquitoes as biological vectors. By following M. ulcerans through a food chain consisting of primary (mosquito larvae), secondary (predatory mosquito larva from Toxorhynchites rutilus septentrionalis), and tertiary (Belostoma species) consumers, we have shown that M. ulcerans can be productively maintained in an aquatic food web. Copright © 2010, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Source: UG
Interactions between aflatoxin B1 and dietary iron overload in hepatic mutagenesis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Dietary aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)) exposure and iron overload are important causes of hepatocellular carcinoma in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate if the two risk factors have an interactive effect. METHODS: Four groups of Wistar albino rats were studied for 12 months. Group 1 (control) was fed the normal chow diet; group 2 (Fe) was supplemented with 0.75% ferrocene iron; group 3 (Fe+AFB(1)) was fed 0.75% ferrocene throughout and gavaged 25 microg AFB(1) for 10 days; group 4 (AFB(1)) was gavaged 25 microg AFB(1) for 10 days. Iron profile, lipid peroxidation (LPO), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8OHdG), oxidative lipid/DNA damage immunohistochemistry, superoxide/nitrite free radicals, cytokines IL6, IL-10, transaminases (ALT/AST) and Ames mutagenesis tests were performed. RESULTS: LPO and ALT showed a significant (p<0.05)/additive effect and 8OHdG a significant (p<0.05)/multiplicative effect in the Fe+AFB(1) group. IL-6 produced a negative synergy as against an additive antagonistic effect with IL-10. Massive deposits of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and 8OHdG were observed in liver sections of the Fe+AFB(1) group, suggestive of multiplicative synergy. Significant levels of mutagenesis (p<0.001) were observed in the Fe+AFB(1) group. This multiplicative synergy was five-fold. CONCLUSION: Dietary iron overload and AFB(1) have a multiplicative effect on mutagenesis.

Source: UG
Interactions between cytochromes P450, glutathione S-transferases and Ghanaian medicinal plants

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
Interactions of extracts from selected chewing stick sources with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

AbstractBackgroundAggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans produces a leukotoxin that activates a pro-inflammatory death of human monocytes/macrophages. A specific clone of this bacterium (JP2) has a 530-base pair deletion in the leukotoxin promoter gene and significantly enhanced expression of leukotoxin. This specific clone of A. actinomycetemcomitans is common in some African populations and has a strong association with periodontal attachment loss in adolescents in these populations. Chewing sticks of plant origin are commonly used as oral hygiene tool in Africa, but their role as a therapeutic agent in periodontal disease is poorly investigated.ResultsEthanol extracts were made from 7 common plants used as chewing sticks in West-Africa. None of the tested extracts inhibited growth of A. actinomycetemcomitans. However, extracts from Psidium guajava (Guava) completely neutralized the cell death and pro-inflammatory response of human leukocytes induced by the leukotoxin. None of the six other tested chewing stick extracts showed this effect.ConclusionsThe discovery that extracts from Guava efficiently neutralizes A. actinomycetemcomitans leukotoxicity might lead to novel therapeutic agents and strategies for prevention and treatment of aggressive forms of periodontitis induced by infections with the highly leukotoxic JP2 clone of this bacterium.

Source: UG
The Interactive Effect of Residue Quality, Quantity, Soil Texture and N Management on Maize Crop Yield in Ghana

Food insecurity and declining soil fertility across much of sub-Saharan Africa in recent decades have led to pursuit of alternative nutrient management strategies for both improving crop yields and the restoration of degraded soils. In this respect, a 3-year field based studies involving two sites (Ayuom and Kwadaso) of contrasting soils (Suko and Nzima series) in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana was initiated in year 2003. The treatments involved 5 organic resources of different qualities (in terms of N, lignin and polyphenol) with and without inorganic N application. The organic resources were applied at two application rates; 1.2 t C ha−l year.−l and 4 t C ha−l year.−l in the major season and the residual effect evaluated in the ensuing minor season. Cumulative maize grain yield (3 years) at Ayuom on the Suko series for the major season showed that 1.2 t C ha−lL. leucocephala+120 kg N ha−l proved to be the most effective treatment with yield of almost 18,000 kg ha−l. At Kwadaso on the Nzima series however, 4 t C ha−l Cattle manure+120 kg N ha−l for the minor season was the most effective. At both sites, major season grain yields were generally higher than minor season. Furthermore, between cropping seasons, maize yields were superior on the Suko series than the Nzima series. To improve food security in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana, soil nutrient management to restore soil fertility should take into consideration: soil type, cropping season, organic resource quality and quantity as well as their interaction with inorganic N.

Source: UG