ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Defect induced changes in the linear and non-linear optical properties of ZnO nanotetrapods

Here, we investigate the origin of green luminescence in ZnO nanotetrapods using nonlinear optical z-scan measurements in tandem with photoluminescence measurements. To this end, we synthesized ZnO nanotetrapods using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, annealed at temperatures below 200 °C in O2, Ar, and Zn metal vapor and measured the ensuing optical properties. Our z-scan measurements show that all samples exhibit an effective three-photon absorption (3PA). Furthermore, the 3PA coefficient varies with the incident laser intensity consistent with the presence of real mid-gap states. Interestingly, the rate of change for the 3PA coefficient is strongly influenced by the annealing conditions. Annealing in Zn vapor (Ar and O2) leads to an increase (decrease) in green luminescence and the 3PA coefficient, strongly suggesting that the Zn interstitials are involved in the mechanism of green luminescence. © 2012 by American Scientific Publishers. All rights reserved.

Source: UG
Defining ‘Smart Rural’ in the Framework of Regional Digitalisation

In this paper, we explored how a smart development framework could be harnessed for enhancing small and medium enterprise (SME) activities in rural communities. With this aim, this study considered and compared the landscape of the SME ecosystems in Ghana and Finland. Alongside the deprived countryside or remote work context, it has become clear that contemporary digital platforms and collaborative media represent an integral part of smart development. In addition, remote working possibilities help tackle challenging times or even a state of emergency, such as the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. We created our Smart rural development model (SRDm) to facilitate the digital transformation of SMEs and strategies in peripheral settings. Our SRDm was developed from the exploration of smart development literature in regional settings, and filtering numerous initiatives utilutilizedhin digitalization SME development context. The key target groups who can benefit from our research endeavor are the various strategic development organizations, financing authorities, and of course regional stakeholders, policymakers, business clusters, SMEs, and individuals.

Source: UG
Defining options for integrated management of municipal solid waste in large cities of low-income economies - the case of the Accra metropolis in Ghana.

Waste management and planning authorities need to know and understand the materials they will be handling or disposing in order to be able to set up effective sustainable waste management programmes. Also, in setting up a waste management programme for a region or city, it is critical to have reliable data on waste stream characteristics such as the nature, types and quantities of waste components in the waste streams of that locality. This will allow them to choose with fair certainty the kind of management options to consider for the implementation of an integrated solid waste management programme. The objective of this study was to analyse household solid waste to determine the type, nature and quantities of materials in the waste as generated so as to provide useful information on the potentially available management choices in the Accra metropolis. Results of the study show that, domestic solid waste in the metropolis can be routed via three distinctly different stream types; namely the High-Income Low-Density Population Waste Zone (HILDWZ), Middle-Income Medium-Density Waste Zone (MIMDWZ), and Low-Income High-Density population Waste Zone (LIHDWZ). These waste streams were also shown to consist of entirely different proportions of the waste components, but with an average percentage composition of 60% organic or putrescible materials, 8% paper & card, 8% plastic & rubber materials, 3% metal & cans, 2% glass, 11% residue or inert materials, and 2% miscellaneous or other waste.

Source: UG
Defining Soft Skills In Nursing: A Concept Analysis

Objective: To define soft skills in nursing. Methods: This is a concept analysis using the Walker and Avant approach. Multiple electronic databases in the English language including CINAHL, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE on EBSCOhost, and Scopus were consulted. Results: Soft skills in nursing include the intrapersonal attributes, interpersonal skills, and creativity of the nurse, which, when combined with professionalism, teamwork, and effective communication skills, improve the quality of nursing care and client satisfaction. Conclusions: Although hard and soft skills are compatible and synergetic, soft skills are to be prioritized for the success of nursing care in the healthcare industry. This concept analysis adds to the body of knowledge by identifying the attributes of soft skills in nursing and revealing that a good nurse needs more than just good grades to be successful.

Source: UG
Defining the prosodic word with segmental processes in Dagbani

Few studies have explored the relevance of metrical structures in segmental processes. This paper shows that Dagbani (Gur, Ghana) has a prosodic word dominating a trochaic foot, which licenses segmental processes and phonotactics. The foot is the domain for marked vowels and unmarked consonants. The prosodic word regulates the sequencing of syllables of different degrees of sonority and weight within a word. The Optimality Theoretic analyses make use of classical metrical theory and prosodic principles. in defining the prosodic word in stress languages to highlight the typological relevance of these principles and the prosodic universality of these metrical structures

Source: UG
Deforestation and the spatio-temporal distribution of savannah and forest members of the Simulium damnosum complex in southern Ghana and south-western Togo

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
Defying &quot;the pervasive bias&quot; against African smallholders: Identifying entry points for institutional change [Défier le « biais omniprésent » à l'encontre des petits cultivateurs africains: Identifier les points d'entrée pour les changements institutionnels]

African smallholders face few opportunities that can be captured through new technologies alone. Analysis of the institutional context in which they work opens new pathways for innovation. This article synthesises nine studies that attempted such analysis. Using mixed appraisal methods, the studies identify institutional conditions that explain the, often unsatisfactory, outcomes of smallholders, as well as entry points for changing them. Instead of at the farm or community levels, Participatory Innovation System Analysis seeks at higher levels to identify actors, networks and mechanisms that maintain or can change the "pervasive bias against the small farm sector" in SSA. © 2013 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis.

Source: UG
Degradation of aflatoxins by extrusion cooking: Effects on nutritional quality of extrudates

Extrusion of artificially contaminated food is reported to degrade aflatoxins to varying degrees depending on the extrusion conditions. This work sought to determine the (1) efficacy of extrusion cooking in destroying naturally contaminated peanuts and (2) nutritional quality of decontaminated peanut meal. Naturally contaminated peanut meal was extruded by varying the moisture (20, 28, 35 g/100 g), pH (7.5, 9.5) and extruder die diameter (2.5, 3, 3.5, 4.0. mm). Aflatoxins levels in the extrudates were determined using HPLC procedures, and the nutritional quality was assessed using in-vitro methods. The highest aflatoxin reduction in naturally contaminated peanut meal was 59% at feed moisture content of 35 g/100 g. Higher (91%) reduction was achieved in the artificially contaminated peanut meal at moisture of 20 g/100 g. In-vitro protein digestibility and Fluorodinitrobenzene (FDNB)-available lysine of the extrudates were not significantly different from non-extruded peanut meal. Extrusion conditions for aflatoxin reduction did not adversely affect protein nutritional quality. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: UG
Degradation of aflatoxins in aqueous buffer in the presence of nucleophiles

This study compared the efficacies of lysine, glycine and methylamine to mediate aflatoxin destruction in heated aqueous phosphate buffers. A 3 × 3 × 4 factorial design (buffer pH, heating temperature and nucleophile) was followed. The buffer was artificially contaminated ("spiked") with mixed aflatoxin standard and heated for specified time periods. After the heat treatment residual aflatoxins were determined using HPLC procedures. Aflatoxin reduction was influenced by the buffer pH and the pKa of the added nucleophile. When phosphate buffer (at pH 9) was heated to 150 °C the degradation rate constants (k) aflatoxin in the presence of lysine, glycine and methylamine were 0.11, 0.09 and 0.08 min-1 respectively. Addition of calcium chloride to the "spiked" buffer lowered aflatoxin reduction, but upon adding lysine or methylamine, aflatoxin reduction was restored to some extent. These findings demonstrate the potential capability of lysine to mediate aflatoxin reduction. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.

Source: UG
Dehulling characteristics, sensory and functional properties of flours from selected cowpea varieties

The knowledge of dehulling characteristics is very important in the selection of cowpeas for flour production. In this study the sensory and functional properties of cowpea flour as influenced by dehulling method (wet and dry/mechanical dehulling) and cowpea variety (white, maroon and mottled) were investigated. White cowpea showed a significantly different (P < 0.05) and higher dehulling rate (DR > 97%) for all dehulling methods. Maroon and mottled cowpeas were poorly dehulled (DR<10%) when using the wet method (WD). Dry dehulling (DD) was effective on all three varieties (DR>94%). The highest yield of flour was observed with white cowpea (80% for DD and 96% for WD). The beany odour intensity of flours was dependent on the method of dehulling used. Flour functionality was more significantly influenced by cowpea variety than by dehulling method. Dry dehulling could be recommended for cowpea flour production, as this method was found to be more effective on the selected cowpea varieties. Owing to the observed variation in flour functionality among cowpea varieties, the choice of a particular variety for flour production will depend on the intended use of the flour.

Source: UG
Deinstitutionalization of children in residential care facilities: Experiences and perceptions of professionals in Ghana

According to the literature, the success of deinstitutionalization (DI) practices in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is dependent on key factors including, a well-functioning family-based alternative care and social protection system, adequate funding and resources, and professional and other stakeholders' engagement and support. Following a practice research qualitative method, the study explored practitioner's experiences and perceptions on the status of Ghana's ongoing DI efforts and their recommendations for improving implementation. The study's main themes were establishing the need for residential homes for children (RHCs), RHCs not being an ideal family environment and RHCs as respite. Family marital problems, poor financial situation, stigma attached to some children in care, abusive parents and a lack of suitable alternatives when families have a crisis were identified as key factors that impede DI implementation in Ghana. The findings suggest the need for a progressive approach towards DI implementation in LMICs, with the first step being the re-positioning of RHCs as respite care centres while progressively developing other alternative family-based care options (such as kinship care) for children.

Source: UG
Delayed 2009 pandemic influenza a virus subtype H1N1 circulation in West Africa, May 2009-April 2010

Most research activities involve the use of molecular methods such as regular PCR (PCR), quantitative PCR (Q-PCR), genomic sequence and analysis using different software, genetic engineering, probe hybridization techniques, biological and molecular cloning, evaluation of immune markers for laboratory diagnosis of infections, serological assays involving the use of rapid tests, ELISA-based evaluations and immunofluorescent assay techniques.

Source: UG
). Delayed primary school enrolment among boys and girls in Ghana

Using the fifth Ghana Living Standards Survey, this paper examines whether delayed entry is as likely among girls as it is among boys and the importance of the household's poverty status in understanding delayed entry. No gender difference is found in the likelihood of delayed entry. However boys are much older for their grades than girls suggesting that they may experience a more extended period of delayed entry. The poverty status of the household is not an important correlate of delayed entry among girls or children in urban households but is important for boys and rural children.

Source: UG
Delayed primary school enrolment among boys and girls in Ghana.

Using the fifth Ghana Living Standards Survey, this paper examines whether delayed entry is as likely among girls as it is among boys and the importance of the household's poverty status in understanding delayed entry. No gender difference is found in the likelihood of delayed entry. However boys are much older for their grades than girls suggesting that they may experience a more extended period of delayed entry. The poverty status of the household is not an important correlate of delayed entry among girls or children in urban households but is important for boys and rural children.

Source: UG
Delayed recognition of bilateral ureteral injury after gyneacological surgery

Background Iatrogenic bilateral ureteric injury is a rare complication of pelvic surgery, which if not recognised immediately results in significant morbidity and even mortality Objective To describe the presentation, aetiology and treatment of iatrogenic bilateral ureteric injuries recognised late following gynaecological surgery. Methods The case notes of 14 consecutive cases of bilateral ureteric injury managed between October 2000 and January 2007 were studied. Results Thirteen cases resulted from abdominal hysterectomy and one from vaginal repair of vesicovaginal fistula. Excessive bleeding with difficult haemostasis was the predominant predisposing factor. The indication for referral included oliguria, anuria, and urinary ascites or azotaemia. The time interval between the original surgery and the recognition of the injury ranged between 1 and 92 days. Patients in whom deterioration in renal function was ascribed to obstructive uropathy from bilateral ligation (postrenal renal failure) were referred much earlier than those in whom a diagnosis of prerenal renal failure was made (mean of 2 vs. 10 days). Five patients (36%) required dialyses before repair. All the repairs were done at open surgery. Thirteen survived with no loss of kidney. One patient died of overwhelming sepsis. Conclusions Late recognition and referral of bilateral ureteric injury was associated with serious complications. Post operative deterioration in a patient's renal function following pelvic surgery should be assumed to be due to ureteric obstruction until proven otherwise. Such patients should be promptly referred to centres with the facility for further investigation and management. Early open repair for these injuries is advocated.

Source: UG
Delinquent readers in university libraries in Ghana

Whenever the issue of delinquent library users is under discussion, primary emphasis is placed on problems concerning library security, book theft and mutilation. Little, however, is said about other delinquent behaviors, such as noise, keeping of overdue materials, and eating in libraries. The aim of this paper is to focus attention on such deviant behavior in university libraries in Ghana. Data were obtained through the use of a questionnaire, distributed to all three of the nation's university libraries. The study found, among other things, that all three libraries have problems with delinquent behaviors, though in varying degrees. Although these problems cannot be solved overnight, the attempt is made to suggest solutions that will contain them, at least to the barest minimum.

Source: UG
Delivering the Thinking Healthy Programme for perinatal depression through peers: an individually randomised controlled trial in India

Background The Thinking Healthy Programme (THP) is a psychological intervention recommended for the treatment of perinatal depression. However, efforts to integrate the intervention at scale into the routines of community health workers who delivered the THP when it was first evaluated were compromised by the competing responsibilities of community health workers. We aimed to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of THP peer-delivered (THPP) in Goa, India. Methods In this single-blind, individually randomised controlled trial, we recruited pregnant women aged 18 years or older who scored at least 10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) from antenatal clinics in Goa. Participants were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive enhanced usual care (EUC; so-called because, in India, perinatal depression is not typically treated) only (control group) or THPP in addition to EUC (intervention group) in randomly sized blocks that were stratified by area of residence (urban or rural). Group allocations were concealed from participants and researchers before assignments were made by use of sequentially numbered opaque envelopes. The primary outcomes were the severity of depressive symptoms (assessed by PHQ-9 score) and the prevalence of remission (defined as a PHQ-9 score of less than 5) in participants with available data 6 months after childbirth, which was assessed by researchers who were masked to treatment allocations. We analysed outcomes by intention to treat, adjusting for covariates that were defined a priori or that showed imbalance at baseline. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02104232.

Source: UG
Demand for environmental quality: averting behaviors impacts and valuation in Southern Ghana

Using a cluster randomized evaluation in Southern Ghana, this paper estimates the impacts of water quality test ing and information on averting behaviors, demand and expenditures on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Households are randomly assigned into either child treatment or adult treatment or comparison group. The study also elicits households’ valuation of water quality testing and information using a stated preference approach. The study finds that averting behaviors and expenses on WASH increased more in the treatment households than the comparison households. The results also show that the experiment does not lead to demand for WASH information and infrastructure, except for water treatment in the adult treatment group. Contingent valuation estimates of households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for water quality testing and information are lower than the cost, and are consistent with previous studies which show low valuation of water quality technology in Ghana. The WTP in the treatment groups are lower than the comparison group. The study also finds differential impacts on some of the outcome measures based on the random assignment into the treatment groups. The results have research and policy implications on the demand for preventive health goods and environmental quality in devel oping countrie

Source: UG
Demand for Financial Services by Households in Ghana, International Journal of Social Economics

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate household financial choice and the determinants of financial services in rural and urban households in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – Data from the Ghana Living Standard Survey 5 (GLSS 5) are used to estimate the participation of a household in a particular financial sector and what determines this choice. Findings – The results from Tobit and conditional logit models account for households' demographic characteristics and their financial decisions. The Tobit estimates show that household size, age, sex, marital status, occupation, income, remittances and shocks determine households' participation in the financial markets. Conditional logit model results suggest that locational characteristics are important in obtaining financial services from particular sectors of the financial market. The results also suggest that when the alternatives of financial services are available, rural households are more likely than urban households to obtain their financial services from the informal financial sector. Originality/value – This current study contributes to the existing literature from the Ghanaian perspective.

Source: UG
Demand for Health Insurance among Women in Ghana: Cross-Sectional Evidence

Health insurance is considered crucial for women in Ghana if they are to reduce the problem of child and maternal mortality. A binary logit model is used to investigate the determinants of the participation decision for public health insurance of women aged 15-49. Significant predictors of a woman’s participation in health insurance are found to include income, religion, age and access to relevant information via the media. In addition, the number of nurses per head of population and the distance to the nearest health facility are also key determinants of insurance demand.

Source: UG
The demand for micro insurance in Ghana

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors which influence the demand for micro-insurance services among the informal sector workers of Ghana who are quite vulnerable to various risks in the economy. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopts a quantitative technique based on primary data sampled randomly from 100 informal sector workers from four major market centers in Accra, Ghana. The probit regression model was used for the empirical investigation. Findings – Empirical investigation using the probit model indicates that premium flexibility, income level and nodal agency are significant determinants of micro-insurance demand. Insurance knowledge, expectation (trust) and marital status were also found to have positive and significant impact on the demand for micro insurance. Interestingly, the empirical analysis shows that formal education is not a significant determinant; rather one's level of insurance knowledge has a positive and significant impact on micro-insurance demand. Social implications – Insurers must consider the nature of the cash-flow of informal workers in the design of premiums. The government must integrate micro insurance into its poverty reduction program. Originality/value – The micro-insurance market is very new and unresearched in Ghana. This foundational study is, therefore, very original and a most valuable guide to commercial insurance companies which want to venture into this huge untapped opportunity in the Ghanaian informal sector. © 2011, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Source: UG