ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Molecular Epidemiology of Extended Spectrum Β-Lactamase- Producing Enterobacteriaceae at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital

Bacterial isolates of the Enterobacteriaceae at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have become resistant to almost all the commonest antimicrobial drugs, including the third generation cephalosporins, but the cause of which is unknown. Worldwide reports however have it that many such resistances to the cefotaxime, ceftriaxone and caftazidime for example are often due to the production of extended spectrum β–lactamases (ESBLs) by the organisms. This study therefore was undertaken to determine the prevalence and the genotypes of ESBL isolates and the phylogenetic clones of clinical isolates of E. coli. A total of 405 isolates comprising E. coli, 156(38.5), Klebsiella pneumoniae 234(57.8%) and Klebsiella oxytoca 15(3.7%) were studied. These were non-duplicate isolates collected from February to April 2008 and again from March to July 2009. The isolates were obtained from blood, urine, sputum, wound and others (pus, aspirates etc). Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was determined using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. ESBL phenotypes were determined by the double disc synergy method using cefpodoxime with co-amoxiclav, and then confirmed by the combined disc method. The ESBL genotypes, BlaTEM, BlaCTX-M and BlaSHV were determined using duplex PCR. ECOR type of ESBL positive E. coli isolates were determined. Out of the 405 isolates tested 234(57.8%) were ESBL producers. Among the E. coli were 77(49.4%) ESBL producers, 144(61.5%) were ESBL producers among Klebsiella pneumoniae and 13(86.7%) were among Klebsiella oxytoca. BlaTEM was the commonest, with prevalence of 96.2%, followed by BlaCTX-M (94.4%) and BlaSHV (32.5%) with as much as 151(64.5%) possessing two genes and 70(29.9%) of the isolates possessing three genes respectively. There were more ESBL producers among in-patients (64.4%) than there were in out-patients (39.7%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P= 0.2374). ECOR type of E. coli isolates belong to group B1 (74.0%) and group B2 (26.0%), no A or D genotypes were detected. A subset of 29 ESBL-producing isolates were further genotyped using multilocus sequence typing and all belonged to the same sequence type (ST88), which is a member of the B1 phylogroup. Representative ST88 isolates were further characterized for virulence factors that are associated with E. coli pathotypes (EAEC, EHEC, EPEC, ETEC, and ExPEC). Four fimbrial genes typically associated with ExPEC virulence were identified. Phylogenetic relationship among the isolates of ECOR collection and the ESBL ST88 producing clone from KATH was determined using a representative of the closest common ancestor as an outgroup for a dendogram. These data suggest that antibiotic use at KATH or in the community selected for the emergence and spread of a resistant ExPEC clone.

Source: KNUST
Molybdenum Induced Modifications in the Quantum Capacitance of Graphene-Based Supercapacitor Electrodes: First-Principle Calculations

Herein, spin-polarized calculation is performed based on density-functional theory in the frame of generalized gradient approximation to examine the quantum capacitance (CQ) and surface charge storage of graphene(G)-based supercapacitor electrodes modified with molybdenum, sulfur, nitrogen, and monovacancy. In total, 15 electrode models, including graphitic doping, monovacancy doping, and Mo adsorption on pristine and single-vacancy graphene structures are analyzed. In the results, it is demonstrated that vacancy defects and N/S/Mo doping enhances the CQ of graphene. Among all configurations, pyrrolic-S (d1S) shows the lowest CQ performance due to few states at the Fermi level. Electrodes with Mo adsorption exhibit the highest CQ, particularly when Mo is adsorbed at the top site of graphene. However, formation and adsorption energy calculations suggest that Mo is more likely to adsorb at hollow sites. Optimally, Mo can be most effectively utilized by loading it onto vacancy or N/S-decorated vacancy sites. The significant contribution of Mo’s 4dz2 and 4s states to CQ, along with the charge-redistribution around the Mo complexes, may facilitate proton-coupled electron transfer to enhance pseudocapacitance. In these findings, valuable insights into designing high quantum capacitance of 2D materials with electroactive sites for improved energy storage are offered.

Source: KNUST
Molecular characterization and antibiotic susceptibility of vibrio cholerae isolates in Southern Ghana

This study was carried out to determine the presence or absence of virulence genes in Vibrio cholera isolates in Ghana, and also to determine susceptibility of the isolates to commonly prescribed antibiotics for the treatment of cholera in Ghana. Forty (40) Vibrio cholera isolates obtained from the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory, Korle-Bu and Komfo-Anokye Teaching Hospital were used for the analysis. All 40 isolates were susceptible to tetracycline and ciprofloxacin but resistance was demonstrated in doxycycline, ampicillin cotrimoxazole, and erythromycin. Thirty-nine of the isolates showed presence of genes coding for virulence (toxin coregulated pillus and cholera toxin gene) whiles SXT element was also present in 39 Vibrio cholera isolates. Pulse field gel electrophoresis on the isolates showed clusters similar to strains from DR Congo, Togo, Cameroun and Ivory Coast.

Source: KNUST
Molten salt synthesis of nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon from plantain peels for high-performance supercapacitor

This work employs a non-corrosive and non-toxic molten salt combination of NaCl and KCl as an activation agent in an air environment to synthesize nitrogen-doped hierarchical porous carbon from plantain peels at 800 °C for supercapacitor application. Due to the synergistic effect of nitrogen doping, the synthesized nitrogen- doped activated unripe porous carbon (AUPN) has a hierarchical (micro-meso-macropores) porous structure and a high surface area of 959 m2/g, providing sufficient active sites for charge storage, rapid electrolyte and ionic mobility. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analysis revealed the formation of a carbon product with a limited degree of graphitization and the crystallite size (La), which is valuable for evaluating the defects caused by nitrogen doping. In a three-electrode cell with a 6 M KOH electrolyte, AUPN recorded a specific capacitance of 550 F/g at 1 A/g. After 1000 cycles, capacitance retention was 99% at 4 A/g. Compared to other reported porous carbon materials, the overall electrochemical performance of AUPN is superior. This is due to the abundant nitrogen-doping, which introduces pseudocapacitance and increases the surface wettability of the porous carbon, resulting in a decrease in ionic-transport resistance. These findings indicate that this green and scalable technique is a potential synthesis method for producing porous carbon materials for energy storage applications.

Source: KNUST
Momordica charantia L. for hyperlipidaemia: A randomised controlled assessment of the Ghanaian herbal medicinal product MCP-1

Cardiovascular diseases are a public health burden for developing countries like Ghana. Scientifically validated herbal medicines are viable options in the prevention and treatment of such conditions. In this study, a rand omised controlled trial involving 15 healthy subjects identified with hyperlipidaemia was undertaken. Treatment comprised a traditional Ghanaian herbal formulation prepared from the leaves and twines of Momordica char antia (MCP-1) with a standard dietary guideline. A control group was managed using a standard dietary guideline alone. In all, 15 subjects completed the study: MCP-1 had 10 subjects and 5 subjects in the control group. At the termination of the trial after 8 weeks, reduction in lipoprotein values were recorded for all participants. In the MCP-1 group, triglycerides reduced by 3.46 % compared to 3.37 % for the control while total cholesterol was also reduced by 9.78 % and 9.43 % in the MCP-1 and control groups respectively. High density lipoproteins (HDL) levels increased by 6.92 % for MCP-1 and 3.92 % for the control group. However, these changes were not statistically significant except in the instance of the low-density lipoproteins (LDL-c; CI: -41.24 to -19.76) and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL-c; CI: -26.87 to -8.192). Changes to other disease indices such as blood pressure (BP), fasting blood sugar (FBS) and body mass index (BMI) were also not different between the 2 groups. MCP-1 was well tolerated among the subjects and was shown to be safe from the biochemical and haematological indicators. The product, MCP-1 has therefore been shown to be a safe and prospective anti-lipidaemic agent.

Source: KNUST
Monetary valuation of microinsurance against fire risk: mixed logit approach

The non-existence of separate insurance policy for people in the retail sector in Ghana at this moment may be due to supply side problems, such as correlated risks, uncertainty of risks, adverse selection and moral hazard, or because of a lack of demand for insurance coverage. This thesis uses mixed logit estimation methods to examine the e ects of re risk on the demand of microinsurance. The study took place at Kumasi Central Market. The Hierarchical Bayesian was used to estimate the parameters of the mixed logit model. The distribution of the parameters was normal distribution. It was found that positive relationship exist between utility and high damage cost, high re risk and high insurance cover-age, however, utility decline with insurance premium. Also, estimation results support that o ering re insurance may be pro table in the current situation. Stake holders in the insurance industry are therefore recommended to ensure the introduction of separate insurance for the retail sector of the economy of Ghana

Source: KNUST
Monitoring network users’ using packet Analysis

This study was conducted to come out with a tool that aid in monitoring network users that traverses outside their domains during peak working hours in a network environment using packet analysis. The main aim of this study was to design non-router based application to monitor users’ in a LAN or WAN. As an enhancement to the previous ones, the tool combined passive and active monitoring and analyzes the packets communication based on source and destination IP address. Find out the effects of this traversal and what these network traversal brings characterized by time, packet size, delay, hop count and bandwidth consumption. In this work, communication of analyzed results to network users and their support was made possible as an internal helpdesk was included in the design as well as network interface card verifier was also included as an enhancement. The captured packet from live network under surveillance obtained using the applications were presented in a tabular and graphical form. The results of the table and graph were then used as the basis for the analysis. The results showed that network users can be visually monitored using IP address and they can be made to give account of network usage outside their domain; users’ activities outside their normal work schedule on the internet leads to additional traffic. This was seen in the graph as packet size, hop count, TCP window size and transmission delay affected network performance.

Source: KNUST
Monitoring of turning variables using acoustic emission technique

This thesis work discusses the monitoring of turning variables such as cutting speed, feed and tool condition based on factorial experimental design method of acoustic emission signal responses. In cutting operations, acoustic emission provides useful information concerning the tool wear condition because of the fundamental differences between its source mechanisms in the rubbing friction on the wear land of the single point tool. In this study, effects of cutting speed, feed and tool condition on the acoustic emission signal are investigated using acoustic emission’s energy, amplitude, and frequency response and 2 factorial design for turning operation. Cutting tests were performed using high-speed steel under dry conditions. Calculated effects, standard errors at 95% confidence level, and models governing the acoustic emission response to the cutting conditions have been generated from the acoustic emission signal responses. The generated models revealed that acoustic energy response is affected by significant interactions between cutting speed and feed, and insignificant interactions between cutting speed and tool condition, while the acoustic amplitude response is affected by insignificant interactions among cutting speed, feed, and tool condition. These results suggest that tool wear can be detected by monitoring the variations of acoustic energy, and amplitude responses during machining processes.

Source: KNUST
Monetary valuation of the damage effects of water pollution on human health (the case of Subin, Sisa and Oda rivers in Kumasi)

Surface water qualities in some parts of peripherals of Kumasi are affected by discharge of industrial and domestic pollution. This has negatively influenced the health of inhabitants living too close to the banks of these rivers. The problem of the study is to identify whether there is a relationship between water pollution and human health. Consequently it has a goal of putting monetary valuation on the damage effect caused by this act of pollution on human health. This has been done with three main objectives in mind. First of all, to examine an established relationship between water pollution and human health as stated. Secondly, to put monetary evaluation on the damaged caused by pollution using cost of illness from the environmental economics point of view, and thirdly, to use the peoples willingness to pay for a quality supplies. This is to check the reliability and validity of cost of illness valuation methods applied in the study. A brief case study is presented. This highlights the negative effect of uncontrolled exploitation of the surface water due to rampant domestic and urban development and industrial activities. Data for this research work were gathered through literature search, questionnaire and personal interviews. The findings of the study were tested through standard economics statistical tools. The results of research indicated that there is a relationship, even though at a lower degree, between water pollution and human health in the area studied. Also there is an economic cost, which is incurred by the people in the area due to this damage. This cost was verified through the method of willingness to pay for quality water as a substitute of the polluted water. Thus it is an environmental problem that needs, further critical assessment to reduce he hardship and burden imposed by these water pollution. It is recommended that some essential promotional and awareness activities be carried out at regular interval. This can help to inform target affected people and those that do not come about such consequently really. There should be a monitoring; assessment and evaluation programme that must be arranged by technical and sound economics analysts to use the scare economic resources allocated to the area to great advantage. The sector that controls environmental and water bodies should be improved through proper economic management, institutional and administrative influences to enable better development of resources in the area and similar places facing the same problem.

Source: KNUST
Monitoring Practices of Private Vendors in Revenue Collection at Electricity Company of Ghana: Accra-West Region

This study assessed the monitoring practices adopted by Electricity Company of Ghana in the sale of power in the Accra West Region. This study was necessitated by the fact that Electricity Company of Ghana has introduced prepaid metering system to replace the old postpaid system and has engaged the services of private vendors in the sales of power to prepaid meter users. The main aim of this study is to determine the monitoring practices used to regulate private vendors and the problems private vendors have in the sale of power. The study employed the descriptive methods by using the qualitative methods of collecting and analyzing data, both primary and secondary sources of data were used for the study with questionnaire being the main instrument for collecting primary data. Simple random sampling method was used to select the sample size for the study. The list of all private vendors in the Accra West Region was certain from the regional office. A sampling frame for all the 97 vendors was developed after which the lottery methods were used to select the respondents randomly. Two third of the total population was used to calculate the sample size of the study, (65). Data collected was presented using table and analyzed using descriptive methods. Major findings of the study include; the main monitoring practices in regulating private vendors are keeping proper records of vending activities, daily collection of proceeds of vendors and submission of monthly financial reports while minor monitoring practices including unannounced inspections and weekly monitoring of vending activities. Major conclusions of the study include; E.C.G. management should place premium on all monitoring activities irrespective of whether it is minor or major in order to ensure efficiency in monitoring private vendors.

Source: KNUST
Money Supply, Government Borrowing and Inflation Nexus: Case of Ghana

This study examined the relationship between money supply, government borrowing and inflation in Ghana from 1981 to 2013. The study adopts a quantitative methodology framework and specifically employs econometric technique (Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag Models) to investigate the relationship between money supply, government borrowing and inflation in Ghana. The stationarity test done using the Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) and Philip Peron (PP) tests reveals that the variables under study were stationary at the levels and first difference hence justifying the use of the Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag Models (ARDL).The ARDL technique to cointegration shows that there is long run relationship among the variables. The long run results reveal that External Debt Stock is positively related to Inflation, however not significant. Furthermore, Broad Money Supply and Interest Rate are positively and significantly related to Inflation. Exchange Rate on the other hand is negatively and significantly related to Inflation. Contrary to the long run, External Debt Stock in the short run was positively and significantly related to Inflation. Broad Money Supply and Exchange Rate were negatively and significantly related to Inflation. Interest Rate was positively and significantly related to Inflation in the short run. The estimated coefficient of ECM of -0.7410 reveals that about 74.10% of the errors in the short run are corrected in the long run. The study therefore recommends that in order to maintain low levels of inflation, the government of Ghana should control borrowing and the supply of money in the economy.

Source: KNUST
Moral hazard and healthcare utilization: a case study of insured malaria out-patients at Adansi North District, Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Analyses of health insurance markets over the past several decades have recognized that insurance motivate beneficiaries to consume more health care than they would if they were uninsured. Even though advocates for universal coverage and improved access to care may view this increase in utilization as positive. However, standard economic analysis recommends that this additional consumption could diminish economic welfare. This study adopted Nyman definition of moral hazard (substitution effect) to establish that moral hazard base on the substitution effect is inefficient in malaria treatment; using pure price (substitution) effect of people consuming more health services when its price is low but not the income effect of people consuming more health services because of insurance. The study administered questionnaires to gather information related to the subject matter and purposive sampling technique was used to select insured malaria out-patients at the study area. Specifically, the study used logit regression as the empirical method of estimation. The study revealed that, greater percentage of insured malaria out-patients engage in moral hazard at the study area. It is therefore recommended that, NHIA should strengthen their education programmes and introduce incentives that will discourage multiple usages of services and reward mechanisms for non-frequent visits to health facilities for a specified time period.

Source: KNUST
Moral hazard and healthcare utilization: a case study of insured malaria out-patients at Adansi North District, Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Analyses of health insurance markets over the past several decades have recognized that insurance motivate beneficiaries to consume more health care than they would if they were uninsured. Even though advocates for universal coverage and improved access to care may view this increase in utilization as positive. However, standard economic analysis recommends that this additional consumption could diminish economic welfare. This study adopted Nyman definition of moral hazard (substitution effect) to establish that moral hazard base on the substitution effect is inefficient in malaria treatment; using pure price (substitution) effect of people consuming more health services when its price is low but not the income effect of people consuming more health services because of insurance. The study administered questionnaires to gather information related to the subject matter and purposive sampling technique was used to select insured malaria out-patients at the study area. Specifically, the study used logit regression as the empirical method of estimation. The study revealed that, greater percentage of insured malaria out-patients engage in moral hazard at the study area. It is therefore recommended that, NHIA should strengthen their education programmes and introduce incentives that will discourage multiple usages of services and reward mechanisms for non-frequent visits to health facilities for a specified time period

Source: KNUST