ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Cloud computing research: A review of research themes, frameworks, methods and future research directions

This paper presents a meta-analysis of cloud computing research in information systems with the aim of taking stock of literature and their associated research frameworks, research methodology, geographical distribution, level of analysis as well as trends of these studies over the period of 7 years. A total of 285 articles from 67 peer review journals from year 2009 to 2015 were used in the analysis. The findings indicate that extant cloud computing literature tends to skew towards the technological dimension to the detriment of other under researched dimensions such as business, conceptualization and application domain. Whilst there has been a constant increase in cloud computing studies over the last seven years, a significant number of these studies have not been underpinned by theoretical frameworks and models. Also, majority of cloud computing studies utilized experiment and simulation as methods of enquiry as compared to the qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies. This study contributes to cloud computing research by providing holistic insights into trends on themes, methodology, research framework, geographical focus and future research directions.

Source: UG
Co-administration effects and toxicity profile of ethyl acetate fraction of Stemonocoleus micranthus Harms and Artesunate in murine malaria model

The increasing reports of multi-drug resistant malaria has necessitated the continuous search for new drug candidates, enhancing the efficacy and life span of existing agents. The study aims at evaluating antimalarial potentials and safety use of ethyl acetate fraction of Stemonocoleus micranthus Harms (SM-EF) in co-administration with antimalarial artesunate. Ethyl acetate fraction from 80% methanolic leaf extract was investigated for antimalarial activity in single and combination with different doses of artesunate (2.5, 5 and 10 mg kg_1) against Plasmodium berghei in mice. The parameters measured were curative effect against established infection, mean survival time (MST), weight loss, rectal temperature changes and packed cell volume (PCV). Histopathological study was done on concerned internal organs. The daily monitored curative effect of SM-EF used singly and in combination with artesunate showed a daily, dose-dependent and progressively reduction of malaria parasite. Ethyl acetate fraction of Stemonocoleus micranthus Harms used alone showed a poor onset of activity but long acting effect. On day 9, percentage inhibition effect was 86.78, 85.42, 92.98, 100, 91.19 and 100% for SM-EF, SM-EF-artesunate 2.3, 5 and 10 mg kg-1, artesunate 10 mg kg_1 and chloroquine 10 mgkg_1 respectively. Highest MST was chloroquine (21 days) and SM-EF-artesunate 10 mg kg_1 (19.5 days). Safety study of the harvested organs showed no untoward effect. The combination of SM-EF with artesunate 10 mg kg_1, showed an enhanced antimalarial activity. This study supports the basis for the suggestion of SM-EF as a prospective drug candidate in antimalarial drug combinations regimen.

Source: UG
Co-application of triple super phosphate and chicken litter biochar improves phosphorus availability of mineral tropical acid soils to reduce water pollution

Although organic amendments could increase P use efficiency, unbalanced use of organic amendments and P fertilizers in farming systems is uneconomical and environmental unfriendly. This study explored if the right combination of chicken litter biochar (CLB) and triple superphosphate (TSP) could improve soil P availability to minimize P losses through leaching to prevent ground water and other water bodies’ contamination through for example eutrophication (Algae bloom). Rates of 75%, 50%, and 25% of 5 t ha–1 chicken litter biochar and 75%, 50%, and 25% of 130 kg ha–1 (existing TSP recommendation for Zea mays, L.), respectively were evaluated in a leaching study using standard procedures. Results revealed that CLB treatments minimized P leaching compared with the treatment without CLB. This resulted in significant improvement in available P. This was possible because CLB improved soil pH, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Na besides reducing P fixation by Al and Fe ions. Leaching of available P following application of chicken litter biochar only occurred within the first 10 d after which the leaching significantly reduced. This finding further suggests that if the availability P is not in synchrony with optimum crop uptake in agricultural systems, available P could be lost from the soil profile to contaminate or pollute water bodies. Chicken litter biochar can be used to improve P availability but it is not an excellent organic amendment to sorb P for a long period.

Source: UG
Co-benefits of addressing climate change can motivate action around the world.

Personal and political action on climate change is traditionally thought to be motivated by people accepting its reality and importance. However, convincing the public that climate change is real faces powerful ideological obstacles1,2,3,4, and climate change is slipping in public importance in many countries5,6. Here we investigate a different approach, identifying whether potential co-benefits of addressing climate change7 could motivate pro-environmental behaviour around the world for both those convinced and unconvinced that climate change is real. We describe an integrated framework for assessing beliefs about co-benefits8, distinguishing social conditions (for example, economic development, reduced pollution or disease) and community character (for example, benevolence, competence). Data from all inhabited continents (24 countries; 6,196 participants) showed that two co-benefit types, Development (economic and scientific advancement) and Benevolence (a more moral and caring community), motivated public, private and financial actions to address climate change to a similar degree as believing climate change is important. Critically, relationships were similar for both convinced and unconvinced participants, showing that co-benefits can motivate action across ideological divides. These relationships were also independent of perceived climate change importance, and could not be explained by political ideology, age, or gender. Communicating co-benefits could motivate action on climate change where traditional approaches have stalled.

Source: UG
Co-Composted Chicken Litter Biochar Increases Soil Nutrient Availability and Yield of Oryza sativa L.

Intensified cultivation of rice has accelerated weathering of most tropical acid soils leading to significant loss of base cations. In most developing countries, rice yield is low and this results in its production being costly because productivity versus labor is low. The objectives of this study were to (i) enhance soil chemical properties, nutrient uptake, and grain yield of rice grown on a mineral tropical acid soil using agro-wastes; (ii) determine the agro-waste (chicken manure, cow dung, forest litter, and Leucaena) that has the potential to significantly increase rice yield; and (iii) determine the residual effects of the organic soil amendments produced from the agro-wastes on soil and rice productivity. The treatments used in this three-cycle field study were (i) soil without amendments (S0); (ii) prevailing recommended rates for fertilizers (NPK-Mg); (iii) biochar–forest litter compost (OSA1); (iv) biochar–chicken litter compost (OSA2); (v) biochar–cow dung compost (OSA3); (vi) biochar–Leucaena compost (OSA4); and (vii) biochar–Leucaena–chicken litter compost (OSA5). Standard procedures were used to determine the plants’ rice growth, grain yield, plant nutrient concentrations and uptake, and selected soil chemical properties. The use of organic soil amendments (OSA1 to OSA5) significantly improved the soil chemical properties, rice plant growth, nutrient uptake, and grain yield compared with the prevailing method of cultivating rice (NPK-Mg). The application of organic soil amendments reduced the use of inorganic N, P, K, MgO, and trace elements fertilizers up to 25%, 100%, 64%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The organic soil amendments with Leucaena significantly increased rice grain yield of OSA5 at 11.17, 13.11, and 10.06 t ha−1 in the first, second, and third cropping cycles, respectively. The residual effect of the organic soil amendments also improved rice plant growth, nutrient uptake, and rice grain yield although these were slightly reduced as compared to those of the two previous cropping cycles, the afore-stated treatments were superior to the prevailing method of cultivating rice (NPK-Mg). Transforming agro-wastes into organic soil amendments can improve tropical mineral acid soils and rice productivity

Source: UG
Co-creation of transnational livelihoods through ‘door-to door’ shipping operations along the Ghana-UK migration corridor

Transnational approaches have led to conceptualisations of migration as a phenomenon that is embedded within globalisation processes. Overwhelmingly, emphasis is placed on the transnational connections migrants maintain with their relatives. Technological advancements have facilitated sustained communication, remittance transfers and return visits between migrants and their relatives. However, the role of shipping companies, as transnational actors based in destination countries with partners in origin countries, that help migrants and their relatives to co-create/maintain their livelihoods has been overlooked. Drawing on data from Ghanaian migrants in the UK who send in-kind remittances, their relatives in Ghana who receive in-kind remittances, Ghanaian migrant-owned shipping businesses in the UK and their partners in Ghana, this paper fills that gap in the literature by discussing the operation of ‘door-to-door’ shipping businesses as a type of crucial transnational migrant entrepreneurship that empowers migrants from the ’Global South’ and their relatives to overcome transnational livelihood making challenges.

Source: UG
A Co-Culturing Approach Enables Discovery and Biosynthesis of a Bioactive Indole Alkaloid Metabolite

Whole-genome sequence data of the genus Streptomyces have shown a far greater chemical diversity of metabolites than what have been discovered under typical laboratory fermentation conditions. In our previous natural product discovery e orts on Streptomyces sp. MA37, a bacterium isolated from the rhizosphere soil sample in Legon, Ghana, we discovered a handful of specialised metabolites from this talented strain. However, analysis of the draft genome of MA37 suggested that most of the encoded biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) remained cryptic or silent, and only a small fraction of BGCs for the production of specialised metabolites were expressed when cultured in our laboratory conditions. In order to induce the expression of the seemingly silent BGCs, we have carried out a co-culture experiment by growing the MA37 strain with the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas sp. in a co-culture chamber that allows co-fermentation of two microorganisms with no direct contact but allows exchange of nutrients, metabolites, and other chemical cues. This co-culture approach led to the upregulation of several metabolites that were not previously observed in the monocultures of each strain. Moreover, the co-culture induced the expression of the cryptic indole alkaloid BGC in MA37 and led to the characterization of the known indolocarbazole alkaloid, BE-13793C 1. Neither bacterium produced compound 1 when cultured alone. The structure of 1 was elucidated by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry analyses and comparison of experimental with literature data. A putative biosynthetic pathway of 1 was proposed. Furthermore, BE-13793C 1 showed strong anti-proliferative activity against HT-29 (ATCC HTB-38) cells but no toxic e ect to normal lung (ATCC CCL-171) cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report for the activity of 1 against HT-29. No significant antimicrobial and anti-trypanosomal activities for 1 were observed. This research provides a solid foundation for the fact that a co-culture approach paves the way for increasing the chemical diversity of strain MA37. Further characterization of other upregulated metabolites in this strain is currently ongoing in our laboratory.

Source: UG
Co-Designing And Pilot Testing A Digital Game To Improve Vaccine Attitudes And Misinformation Resistance In Ghana.

Misinformation related to vaccines has been shown to potentially negatively impact public perceptions and intentions to vaccinate in many contexts including COVID-19 vaccination in Ghana. Psychological inoculation – where recipients are warned about the misleading techniques used in misinformation – is a potential intervention which could preemptively boost public resistance against misinformation. Cranky Uncle Vaccine is an interactive, digital game that applies inoculation, offering a scalable tool building public resilience against vaccine misinformation and promoting positive health-related behaviors. In this study, we document the process of developing and testing a West African version of Cranky Uncle Vaccine, with co-design workshops and a pilot test conducted in urban and peri-urban areas of the Greater Accra region of Ghana with 829 young people who had access to mobile and computer devices. The average age was 21.8 and participants were highly educated (median education level “Some/all university”) with slightly more females (51.2%) than males (48.4%). Pilot participants filled out surveys before and after playing the game, measuring vaccine attitudes (pre-game M = 3.4, post-game M = 3.6), intent to get vaccinated (pre-game M = 3.5, post-game M = 3.6), and discernment between vaccine facts and fallacies (pre-game AUC = 0.72, post-game AUC = 0.75). We observed a significant improvement in attitudes toward vaccines, with players demonstrating increased likelihood to get vaccinated after completing the game. Among players who indicated that they were unlikely to get vaccinated in the pregame survey (N = 52, or 6.3% of participants), just over half of these participants (53%) switched to likely to get vaccinated after playing the game. Perceived reliability of vaccine facts remained the same, while perceived reliability of vaccine fallacies significantly decreased, indicating improved ability to spot misleading arguments about vaccines. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of a digital game in building public resilience against vaccine misinformation as well as improving vaccine attitudes and intent to get vaccinated.

Source: UG
Co-Designing And Pilot Testing A Digital Game To Improve Vaccine Attitudes And Misinformation Resistance In Ghana.

The overall goal of the department is to conduct research and provide solutions to nutritional problems in Ghana. In pursuance of this goal, the Nutrition Department since its inception has focused its research in the areas of maternal, infant and young child nutrition, food consumption and food security and micronutrient deficiency and interventions. These are priority food and nutrition problems in Ghana.

Source: UG
Co-evolution of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Class I Ligands with Killer-Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptors (KIR) in a Genetically Diverse Population of Sub-Saharan Africans

The Department of Immunology conducts research in the field of immunology of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The Department has the overall goal of contributing knowledge to better diagnosis, management, control and prevention of infectious and non-infectious diseases in Ghana and worldwide. This is consistent with the overall strategy of the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and in line with the strategy of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana.

Source: UG
Co-infections of SARS-CoV-2 with respiratory syncytial virus and human influenza A in patients with symptoms of COVID-19 in Ghana: A retrospective study

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic the aetiology of respiratory illnesses were narrowed to SARS-CoV-2. This prevented diagnosis of other pathogens and patients were not notified of the accurate diagnosis of their illnesses when SARS-CoV-2 was absent. It is therefore important to look back and determine what else was present but was missed. Objective: This retrospective study sought to gain insights into prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A alongside SARS-CoV-2 in patients who reported with clinical symptoms of respiratory illnesses. Methods: Samples from patients who had reported of respiratory symptoms were selected at random from a pool. RNA was extracted and RT-PCR was performed for SARS-CoV-2, RSV and Influenza A in parallel. Data on the clinical symptoms was extracted from case-base forms and analysed. Results: Of the 400 symptomatic samples tested, prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A and RSV was 20.3 %, 2.0 % and 0.5 % respectively. Only one sample tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A. About 77 % of the symptomatic cases did not test positive for any of the three agents. Cough (79 %) was the most common symptom followed by fever and chills, headache, sore throat and runny nose. Conclusion: The large proportion of symptomatic cases that tested negative for all three respiratory viruses raises a flag and a need for more investigations into the actual burden of respiratory aetiologic agents during the pandemic. With the low levels of co-infections, parallel testing may not be needed however, a strong case for multiplex tests for respiratory agents exists.

Source: UG
Co-Occurrence of G6PD Deficiency and SCT among Pregnant Women Exposed to Infectious Diseases

bstract: During pregnancy, women have an increased relative risk of exposure to infectious diseases. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of the co-occurrence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) and sickle cell trait (SCT) and the impact on anemia outcomes among pregnant women exposed to frequent infectious diseases. Over a six-year period (March 2013 to October 2019), 8473 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics (ANCs) at major referral hospitals in Northern Ghana were recruited and diagnosed for common infectious diseases (malaria, syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV), G6PDd, and SCT. The prevalence of all the infections and anemia did not differ between women with and without G6PDd (χ 2 < 3.6, p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Regression analysis revealed a significantly higher proportion of SCT in pregnant women with G6PDd than those without G6PDd (AOR = 1.58; p < 0.011). The interaction between malaria and SCT was observed to be associated with anemia outcomes among the G6PDd women (F-statistic = 10.9, p < 0.001). Our findings show that anemia is a common condition among G6PDd women attending ANCs in northern Ghana, and its outcome is impacted by malaria and SCT. This warrants further studies to understand the impact of antimalarial treatment and the blood transfusion outcomes in G6PDd/SCT pregnant women.

Source: UG
Co-Occurrence of G6PD Deficiency and SCT among Pregnant Women Exposed to Infectious Diseases

During pregnancy, women have an increased relative risk of exposure to infectious diseases. This study was designed to assess the prevalence of the co-occurrence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PDd) and sickle cell trait (SCT) and the impact on anemia outcomes among pregnant women exposed to frequent infectious diseases. Over a six-year period (March 2013 to October 2019), 8473 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics (ANCs) at major referral hospitals in Northern Ghana were recruited and diagnosed for common infectious diseases (malaria, syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV), G6PDd, and SCT. The prevalence of all the infections and anemia did not differ between women with and without G6PDd (χ 2 < 3.6, p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Regression analysis revealed a significantly higher proportion of SCT in pregnant women with G6PDd than those without G6PDd (AOR = 1.58; p < 0.011). The interaction between malaria and SCT was observed to be associated with anemia outcomes among the G6PDd women (F-statistic = 10.9, p < 0.001). Our findings show that anemia is a common condition among G6PDd women attending ANCs in northern Ghana, and its outcome is impacted by malaria and SCT. This warrants further studies to understand the impact of antimalarial treatment and the blood transfusion outcomes in G6PDd/SCT pregnant women.

Source: UG
Co-opting Human Security and Deductions for Security Policy-Making in Ghana

Popularized in development and security parlance by the Human Development report of 1994, human security emphasizes prevention and protection of people from critical and pervasive threats that violently disrupt lives. Its conceptual basis derives from the inadequacy of the state-centric conception of security to comprehensively address threats to people, particularly those of a non-military nature. Despite agreement over the importance of making the individual the referent object of security, specific threats that should be considered under human security are inconclusive. Additionally, critics argue that human security merely echoes aspects of human rights and development studies and as such, has nothing new to offer. These issues continue to hamper efforts to co-opt the concept into the mainstream of security dialogue and policy-making. Through content analysis of secondary data, this article presents obstructions to the co-optation of human security into the mainstream of the security dialogue and policy-making and juxtaposes it against trends that appear to be promoting its integration in relevant fields of endeavour. It argues that far from being an abstract idea, human security meets a tangible need. Using Ghana as a case study, the article hints at possible implications of the co-optation of human security on security policy-making in Ghana.

Source: UG