ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine combination in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria among children under five years of age in three ecological zones in Ghana

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
Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine combination in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria among children under five years of age in three ecological zones in Ghana.

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Therapeutic efficacy of artesunate– amodiaquine and artemether–lumefantrine combinations for uncomplicated malaria in 10 sentinel sites across Ghana: 2015–2017

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
Therapeutic efficacy of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine combination for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana

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
“There Is Nothing I Can’t Face Now”: Coping With Child Loss Among Bereaved Parents in Ghana

Coping resources play a critical role in parents’ recovery from the trauma associated with child loss. In Ghana, little is known about how parents cope with child loss, despite the relatively high prevalence of child loss in the country. This study, therefore, sought to map out coping strategies bereaved parents adopt in response to child loss. Twenty Ghanaian parents were purposefully sampled and their accounts were thematically analyzed. Findings from the study show that bereaved parents adopted both cognitive and behavioral coping mechanisms. Religion and social support also emerged as useful coping resources for bereaved parents. Additionally, bereaved parents showed evidence of posttraumatic growth following child loss. The findings underscore the need for for practitioners to develop programs around adaptive coping methods that bereaved parents are familiar with to enhance their chances of developing progressive outcomes in the course of managing the distress associated with child loss.

Source: UG
Thermal conductivity of aqueous mixtures of 2-n-butoxyethanol at pressures up to 150 MPa

This paper contains the results of new measurements of the thermal conductivity of mixtures of water and 2-n-butoxyethanol in the liquid phase within the temperature range of (304 to 346) K at pressures up to 150 MPa. The measurements were carried out with a transient hot-wire instrument and have an accuracy of ± 0.3 %. The investigation is the first conducted at high pressures on partially miscible mixtures whose components are of greatly differing thermal conductivity. It therefore provides a severe test of the methods of representing the thermal conductivity of liquid mixtures that are based on the hard-sphere theory of transport in liquids. It is shown that all of the experimental data may be represented to within ± 6 % by a "predictive" procedure based on the hard sphere theory of liquids. However, a more detailed analysis of the results reveals small but systematic deviations from the universal behavior of the thermal conductivity as a function of molar volume that the predictive procedure and the hard-sphere theory have as their basis. © 2010 American Chemical Society.

Source: UG
Thermal neutron reflection method for measurement of total hydrogen contents in Ghanaian petroleum products.

A fast and non-destructive technique based on thermal neutron reflection was used to determine total hydrogen contents in petroleum products available in Ghana. A source holder consisting of an 241Am-Be neutron source and 3He neutron probe designed for detection of liquid levels was used to measure reflection parameter as a function of hydrogen contents in liquid hydrocarbons which served as standards. The measured data were fitted to two linear equations for two different geometrical arrangements. The trend of data was found to be consistent with theoretical analysis based on neutron moderation. The calibration lines were used to determine hydrogen contents in 10 petroleum products. The results agree favourably with those obtained using different experimental set-ups with other neutron sources and probes. The technique was also used to determine the quality of diluted petrol with aviation fuel.

Source: UG
Thermal tolerance of Aedes aegypti mosquito eggs is associated with urban adaptation and human interactions

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
Thermochemical conversion and characterization of cocoa pod husks a potential agricultural waste from Ghana

Bio-Oils derived from biomass pyrolysis are promising feedstock for the direct production of valuable platform chemicals, fuels and energy from renewable and sustainable resources. Among the numerous technologies utilized for biomass pyrolysis, fast pyrolysis technologies are chosen for liquid products yield maximization, and characterized by short residence times for solids and vapors, operating temperatures in above ≥500 °C and very high heating rates. Inspired by the vast potential of biomass pyrolysis bio-oils, a thermochemical conversion (fast pyrolysis) and characterization of cocoa pod husks, an abundant agricultural biomass waste from Ghana, West Africa, has been investigated and their potential as renewable feedstock for the production of high-value added chemicals determined by analyzing chemical components of the derived bio-oil. GC–MS analysis of the bio-oil indicated that major constituents were 9, 12-octadecadienoic acid and hexadecanoic acid”. Product distributions revealed 58%wt. of bio-oil, 30%wt. of bio-char and 12%wt. of Non-condensable gas (obtained by difference). Ultimate, proximate, structural composition, calorific value and thermogravimetry analyses were also performed on the cocoa pod husks. Elemental analysis showed that the recovered milled cocoa pod husks contained about 7 elements potentially essential for plant growth. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.

Source: UG
Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass for Fuels &amp; Chemicals at the USDA

Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant renewable carbon resource available for the production of biofuels and bio-based chemicals. To harness this biogenic carbon biochemical or thermochemical conversion technologies are employed. Thermochemical methods for the conversion of biomass comprise i) pyrolysis, the heating in the absence of air, ii) gasification, heating under partial oxygen conditions, and iii) combustion, the heating in excess oxygen environment. Among these, pyrolysis is the only route that has the full potential to provide small design footprint that is adaptable to the farm/forest setting and with the capability to handle a wide array of agricultural residues. Done properly, thermochemical liquefaction pathways, such as pyrolysis, offer a unique potential to directly produce hydrocarbon fuel intermediates i.e., refinery fuel blendstocks that can potentially enter existing petroleum refinery flow streams without added expenses of creating a whole new refinery infrastructure. The talk will provide an overview of on-farm pyrolysis biorefining research at the USDA highlighting various scales of bio-oil production, defunctionalization of the organic oxygenates contained in the bio-oil to drop-in fuels and separation/extraction of valuable chemical coproducts with the added benefit of enhancing the economic viability of a pyrolysis based bio-refinery

Source: UG
Thermophilic solid-state fermentation of rapeseed meal and analysis of microbial community diversity

To reduce the high cost caused by steam sterilization of fermentation substrates and equipments in mesophilic solid-state fermentation of rapeseed meal (RM), a thermophilic protease-producing strain RM-2 from RM was isolated and employed in thermophilic solid-state fermentation of unsterilized RM for polypeptide preparation. The isolate was identified as Geobacillus stearothermophilus by appearance of colonies and microscopic observation as well as 16S rDNA sequencing. The highest yield of polypeptide (9.67%) was obtained by RM-2 at 50% moisture content, 55 °C and 24 h fermentation time. Analysis of microbial community diversity in fermented RM revealed Geobacillus stearothermophilus as dominant strain inhibiting most mesophilic microorganisms. Thermophilic solid-state fermentation on RM improved the yield of rapeseed polypeptide, as well as the utilization rate of substrate. The application of this technology (thermophilic solid-state fermentation) would be environmentally friendlier and energy-saving to industry.

Source: UG
‘These Days, Things Have Changed’: Historicizing Current Dynamics Of Climate-Related Migration In The Savannah Zone Of Ghana

While climate-related mobility has been part of life in Africa for centuries, existing literature on migration in the context of climate change, generally lacks a historical perspective. This paper historicises climate-related migration in the Northern Savannah Zone of Ghana, with specific focus on the Upper West Region, drawing on climate data, a survey of 403 households, and interviews a focus group discussions with farmers. It demonstrates that migration and mobility in the region are rooted in historical patterns established and reinforced through colonial and post-colonial governance. These patterns reflect inequalities created by past and present development policies as well as environmental factors. While environmental change intensifies existing migration patterns, it is It is difficult to isolate these effects from the economic, social, and political factors which also contribute to migration flows in the Savannah zone. We therefore conclude that migration flows are co-constituted by past and present governance practices, disparities, development policies, and social transformation as well as environmental factors. Analysis and policy narratives that attribute recent migration flows to climate change are simplistic and blur the effects of past and present structural inequalities and political engagement.

Source: UG
They came in chains: Americans from Africa

SAILS FURLED, FLAG drooping at her rounded stern, she rode the tide in From the sea. She was a strange ship; indeed, by all accounts, a frightening ship, a ship of mystery. Whether she was trader, privateer, or man-of-war no one knows. Through her bulwarks black-mouthed cannon yawned. The Bag she flew was Dutch; her crew a motley. Her master, a Captain Tope. Her true registry? Unknown. Her port of call, an English settlement, Jamestown, in the colony of Virginia. She came, she traded, and shortly afterwards was gone. Probably no ship in modern history has carried a more portentous freight. Her cargo? Twenty slaves. Not that these twenty were the first black slaves. The ancient world had known them. Parts of medieval Europe, especially those areas bordering Mohammedan lands, had bought and sold their like for two hundred years. Negroes, who were probably slaves, figure in the accounts of Spanish Conquistadors who girdled the new western world with a path of blood and gold. There was one with Columbus. His name was Pedro Alonzo, and he was captain of the Nina. Negroes accompanied Balboa when he explored the Pacific. They were with Cortez in Mexico, Ponce de Leon in Florida, and Coronado in New Mexico. Estevanico, a Negro with De Vaca, discovered the Zuni Indians. Indeed, near the site where the mystery ship dropped anchor in 16'9, Negro slaves had lived almost a hundred years before. But they rebelled, and the Spanish settlement they helped to found was soon abandoned. Fifty years before the discovery of America black slaves had been imported from Africa to Europe. The Portuguese started it in 1442 as an incident of their country's commercial expansion.

Source: UG
'They treat you like you are not a human being': Maltreatment during labour and delivery in rural northern Ghana

To explore community and health-care provider attitudes towards maltreatment during delivery in rural northern Ghana, and compare findings against The White Ribbon Alliance's seven fundamental rights of childbearing women. Design: a cross-sectional qualitative study using in-depth interviews and focus groups. Setting: the Kassena-Nankana District of rural northern Ghana between July and October 2010. Participants: 128 community members, including mothers with newborn infants, grandmothers, household heads, compound heads, traditional healers, traditional birth attendants, and community leaders, as well as 13 formally trained health-care providers. Measurements and findings: 7 focus groups and 43 individual interviews were conducted with community members, and 13 individual interviews were conducted with health-care providers. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and entered into NVivo 9.0 for analysis. Despite the majority of respondents reporting positive experiences, unprompted, maltreatment was brought up in 6 of 7 community focus groups, 14 of 43 community interviews, and 8 of 13 interviews with health-care providers. Respondents reported physical abuse, verbal abuse, neglect, and discrimination. One additional category of maltreatment identified was denial of traditional practices. Key conclusions: maltreatment was spontaneously described by all types of interview respondents in this community, suggesting that the problem is not uncommon and may dissuade some women from seeking facility delivery. Implications for practice: provider outreach in rural northern Ghana is necessary to address and correct the problem, ensuring that all women who arrive at a facility receive timely, professional, non-judgmental, high-quality delivery care. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: UG
They'd beat us with whatever is available to them’: Exploitation and abuse of Ghanaian domestic workers in the Middle East

Generic accounts of pervasive cases of exploitation and abuse against migrant domestic workers in the Middle East exist in the extant literature. However, very little is known about the breadth, depth and gendered nature of abuses experienced by female migrants from especially the sub-Saharan African region. Abuses of the rights of sub-Saharan Africans are under-represented and under-theorised. This paper interrogates the question what is the nature, extent and severity of exploitation and abuse against female Ghanaian domestic workers in the Middle East? Using data from mixed-methods research, this paper adopts the framework of structural, symbolic and interpersonal violence to examine the range of abuses against domestic workers and the context within which these abuses take place

Source: UG
Think to Speak - A Piezoelectric-EEG system for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) using Recurrent Neural Networks

The collection of individuals with severe speech and physical impairments (SSPI), is the target audience for the Think to Speak Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) system. The slow communication rate of AACs accessible to the target audience renders them undesirable, exhausting to operate, and a barrier to social and economic inclusion. This research synergizes the use of Electroencephalography (EEG) and high sensitivity piezoelectric sensor readings with a Long Short-Term Memory Recurrent Neural Network (LSTM RNN) to create a physically accessible AAC with performance comparable to 7.8 characters per minute communication rate. Since self-expression is inextricably linked with physical, mental, and emotional health, this research is of great significance to the estimated one percent of the global population with complex communication needs.

Source: UG
The “Third Sector” and Climate Change Adaptation Governance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Experience from Ghana

In spite of growing evidence of non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) active participation in both bottom-up and top-down climate change policy negotiations and implementation, a research effort that focuses on the former barely exists. Grounded within the qualitative research approach, this paper contributes to the emerging climate policy literature by drawing on experiences from three purposefully selected non-state actors’ adaptation program in Ghana. The paper observes that through tripartite mechanisms—climate advocacy, direct climate service provision and local empowerment, NGOs significantly play a complementary role in building local adaptive capacities, especially among people who are already living at or close to the margins of survival. The paper again found that NGOs tacitly explore four interrelated “social tactics” (rulemaking, alliance brokerage, resource brokerage, and framing) to gain the cooperation of local actors for the implementation of adaptation interventions. In order to improve the performance and sustainability of adaptation interventions, the paper puts forward that NGOs should, among other things, harmonize their interventions to resonate with local interest and identity and also nurture capable project caretakers before community exit.

Source: UG
The ‘Third Sector’ and Poverty Reduction in Developing Societies The Experience of Hunger Project in Selected Rural Communities of Ghana

Rural poverty in Ghana is relatively high. Adopting interpretivist approach, this study aimed at assessing the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in rural poverty reduction using the experience of the Hunger Project (THP) in selected rural communities in Ghana. Purposive and cluster sampling techniques were used to select 37 respondents, drawn from five different ‘epicentres’ who have benefitted from THP. The study found out that THP has helped to reduce poverty levels of rural people in the Asante Akyem South District through their programmes that train, empower and resource beneficiaries. Beneficiaries have become self-reliant, socially responsible and active, economically empowered who continue to impact their households and beyond; this has cascading effect on further rural poverty reduction. The study also identifies few challenges that affect THP’s programmes. The study concludes that THP’s ‘four-phase epicentric approach’ to community development enables self-reliance, people’s involvement and holds great promise for holistic poverty eradication effort in the district. The poverty eradication component of ‘Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Beyond 2015’ makes the role of the ‘third sector’ quintessential; policy suggestions from the study serve as an input for NGOs’ decision-making processes in an attempt to scale up their poverty reduction activities in rural communities.

Source: UG
Thirty-month follow-up of sub-optimal responders to multiple treatments with ivermectin, in two onchocerciasis-endemic foci in Ghana

The Department of Parasitology conducts research into parasitic diseases of public health importance with the overall goal of reducing their transmission and the heavy disease burden that they impose on affected populations. The Department maintains focus on parasitic diseases in general. These include major diseases such as malaria, and others listed under the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control initiative such as, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, soil-transmitted helminthiasis, trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis.

Source: UG
‘This place becomes a place’: Artists and placemaking on the margins

Culture and creativity are active but often overlooked processes in contemporary urbanisation. This paper contributes to scholarship on the cultural and creative industries, as well as urban placemaking on the margins, by adopting a placemaking approach in which artists are positioned at the centre of the analysis. The focus is on why artists choose to be located away from national cultural hubs, how this shapes their work, and how their work in turn shapes the city. Qualitative research was conducted in the northern Ghanaian city of Tamale with artists based in three creative and cultural industries: film, music and visual arts. The paper makes three important contributions to the literature: first, sense of place, attachment to place and feeling at home are shown to be key to artists’ decisions to be based in peripheral locations; second, the material and cultural attributes of place and associated access to resources influence the work artists produce when located far from cultural urban hubs; and third, artists are changing the perceived marginality of their home cities by shaping urban infra structure and projecting new geographical imaginaries

Source: UG
This Place is better than my Home’: Anecdotes on child fosterage and child domestic work in three Districts in Northern Ghana

Fosterage in West Africa is peculiar and has key benefits. This study, which w as conducted in three districts in the Upper East and Northern regions of Ghana, uses qualitative in - depth interviews to fill some esse n tial gaps in the study of fosterage. Unlike most studies on the phenomenon, ours provide perspectives from both the fost er children and the receiving parents, and employs cultural relativism to analyze the data. The findings supported several past studies on the subject -- fosterage was being done as a social se r- vice within the context of the extended family mainly and nearly all the foster children were girls. Crisis fo s terage was predominant. Although both children and foster parents/guardians seemed to have some challenges, all the children said that they fared better in the foster homes, compared to their biological homes. This was not without financial strains to the foster parents. We found an eclectic mixture of previous explan a tory frameworks proposed for child fosterage in the sub - region. Policy implications of our findings are given.

Source: UG