ORCID Profile
0000-0003-1741-9249
Current Organisation
Edith Cowan University
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S40979-023-00129-0
Abstract: COVID-19 and its associated restrictions called for innovations in higher education teaching and learning space with many universities resorting to online teaching and alternative assessments. However, little has been done to understand the academic integrity implications in alternative online and non-invigilated assessments. This study explored the perceptions of higher education students regarding academic integrity in alternative assessments. Cross-sectional mixed method design following the parallel convergent approach was utilised in this study. A convenience s le of 380 undergraduate and postgraduate nursing and social science students completed an online survey on academic integrity behaviours associated with alternative assessments. High risk (31.7%) of academic misconduct was perceived among young people (18-24 years old). Collusion was common among nursing students (24.5%) and cheating likely to occur in assessments with longer duration—between 2 and 4 hours (18.8%) and between 1 and 2 weeks (46%). Qualitative data resulted in 274 findings and three themes— (i) impossible to cheat (ii) easy to cheat and (iii) understanding the consequence of cheating. Suggestions for preserving academic integrity in alternative assessments were also made from the qualitative data. Like other forms of traditional assessments, alternative assessments have increased risk of breach of academic integrity however, with the right strategies, they could serve as effective means of assessing learning outcomes.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2021
Publisher: Authorea, Inc.
Date: 30-03-2022
DOI: 10.22541/AU.164864319.94530620/V1
Abstract: Objective The study used both subjective, Suboptimal Health Status (SHS) concept along with objective, biomarkers of oxidative stress (OS): 8-OHdG, 8-epi-PGF2α and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and angiogenic growth mediators (AGMs): VEGF-A, sFlt-1, PlGF and soluble endoglin (sEng) for predicting early-onset (EO) and late-onset (LO) preecl sia (PE) Design A hospital-based longitudinal nested case-control study Setting Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana Population/S le Singleton normotensive pregnancies (NTN-P) at baseline W1 (10-20th week gestation) (n= 593) of which 498 (197 developed PE) completed the study. Methods: The overall health status of the NTN-P participants was assessed at W1 and categorised as SHS and optimal health status (OHS) using a validated SHS questionnaire-25. Participants were followed at W2 (21-31st week, mid-pregnancy) and 32-42nd week. S les were collected and analysed for biomarkers of OS and AGMs at the three-time points. Main Outcome Measures Receiver operative characteristics curve analysis was performed for the single and combined W1 and W2 biomarkers of OS and AGMs for predicting PE and its subtypes (EO-PE and LO-PE) Results Compared to single biomarkers of OS and AGMs, their combined ratios particularly, the W2 8-OHdG/PIGF ratio was a potent biomarker for PE [AUC=0.93]. Additionally, 8-OHdG/PIGF ratio best identified SHS-pregnant women who later developed EO-PE [AUC=0.97] and LO-PE [AUC=0.93]. Moreover, 8-OHdG/PIGF ratio best identified OHS-pregnant women who later developed EO-PE [AUC=0.94] and LO-PE (AUC=0.94). Conclusion Combination of biomarkers of OS and AGMs, particularly, mid-pregnancy 8-OHdG/PlGF ratio is a potent biomarker for PE and its subtypes.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1002/MET.1873
Abstract: Analysis of high‐resolution data offers greater opportunity to understand the nature of data variability, behaviours, trends and to detect small changes. Climate studies often require complete time series data which, in the presence of missing data, means imputation must be undertaken. Research on the imputation of high‐resolution temporal climate time series data is still at an early phase. In this study, multiple approaches to the imputation of missing values were evaluated, including a structural time series model with Kalman smoothing, an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model with Kalman smoothing and multiple linear regression. The methods were applied to complete subsets of data from 12 month time series of hourly temperature, humidity and wind speed data from four locations along the coast of Western Australia. Assuming that observations were missing at random, artificial gaps of missing observations were studied using a five‐fold cross‐validation methodology with the proportion of missing data set to 10%. The techniques were compared using the pooled mean absolute error, root mean square error and symmetric mean absolute percentage error. The multiple linear regression model was generally the best model based on the pooled performance indicators, followed by the ARIMA with Kalman smoothing. However, the low error values obtained from each of the approaches suggested that the models competed closely and imputed highly plausible values. To some extent, the performance of the models varied among locations. It can be concluded that the modelling approaches studied have demonstrated suitability in imputing missing data in hourly temperature, humidity and wind speed data and are therefore recommended for application in other fields where high‐resolution data with missing values are common.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 29-06-2023
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0288079
Abstract: Preecl sia is a leading cause of foeto-maternal deaths especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the prevalence and risk factors of preecl sia are scarce in the Central region of Ghana with previous study assessing in idual independent risk factors. This study determined the prevalence and algorithm of adverse foeto-maternal risk factors of preecl sia. This multi-centre prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to October 2022 at the Mercy Women’s Catholic Hospital and Fynba Health Centre in Central region, Ghana. A total of 1,259 pregnant women were randomly s led and their sociodemographic, clinical history, obstetrics and labour outcomes were recorded. Logistic regression analysis using SPSS version 26 was performed to identify risk factors of preecl sia. Of the 1,259 pregnant women, 1174 were finally included in the study. The prevalence of preecl sia was 8.8% (103/1174). Preecl sia was common among 20–29 years age group, those who had completed basic education, had informal occupation, multigravida and multiparous. Being primigravida [aOR = 1.95, 95% CI (1.03–3.71), p = 0.042], having previous history of caesarean section [aOR = 4.48, 95% CI (2.89–6.93), p .001], foetal growth restriction [aOR = 3.42, 95% CI (1.72–6.77), p .001] and birth asphyxia [aOR = 27.14, 95% CI (1.80–409.83), p = 0.017] were the independent risk factors of preecl sia. Pregnant women exhibiting a combination of primigravida, previous caesarean section and foetal growth restriction were the highest risk for preecl sia [aOR = 39.42, 95% CI (8.88–175.07, p .001] compared to having either two or one of these factors. Preecl sia is increasing among pregnant women in the Central region of Ghana. Pregnant women being primigravida with foetal growth restriction and previous history of caesarean section are the highest risk population likely to develop preecl sia with neonates more likely to suffer adverse birth outcome such as birth asphyxia. Targeted preventive measures of preecl sia should be created for pregnant women co-existing with multiple risk factors.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-08-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S41231-021-00096-Z
Abstract: Accurate prediction and early recognition of type II diabetes (T2DM) will lead to timely and meaningful interventions, while preventing T2DM associated complications. In this context, machine learning (ML) is promising, as it can transform vast amount of T2DM data into clinically relevant information. This study compares multiple ML techniques for predictive modelling based on different T2DM associated variables in an African population, Ghana. The study involved 219 T2DM patients and 219 healthy in iduals who were recruited from the hospital and the local community, respectively. Anthropometric and biochemical information including glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting blood sugar (FBS), serum lipids [(total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c and LDL-c)] were collected. From this data, four ML classification algorithms including Naïve-Bayes (NB), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Support Vector Machines (SVM) and Decision Tree (DT) were used to predict T2DM. Precision, Recall, F1-Scores, Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) scores and the confusion matrix were computed to determine the performance of the various algorithms while the importance of the feature attributes was determined by recursive feature elimination technique. All the classifiers performed beyond the acceptable threshold of 70% for Precision, Recall, F-score and Accuracy. After building the predictive model, 82% of diabetic test data was detected by the NB classifier, of which 93% were accurately predicted. The SVM classifier was the second-best performing classifier which yielded an overall accuracy of 84%. The non-T2DM test data yielded an accurate prediction score of 75% from the 98% of the proportion of the non-T2DM test data. KNN and DT yielded accuracies of 83% and 81%, respectively. NB had the best performance (AUC = 0.87) followed by SVM (AUC = 0.84), KNN (AUC = 0.85) and DT (AUC = 0.81). The best three feature attributes, in order of importance, were HbA1c, TC and BMI whereas the least three importance of the features were Age, HDL-c and LDL-c. Based on the predictive performance and high accuracy, the study has shown the potential of ML as a robust forecasting tool for T2DM. Our results can be a benchmark for guiding policy decisions in T2DM surveillance in resource and medical expertise limited countries such as Ghana.
Publisher: Taru Publications
Date: 05-08-2020
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 30-01-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2021
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 05-2022
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2021-056929
Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention interventions focused at reducing risky sexual behaviours are an important strategy for preventing HIV infection among youth (15–24 years) who continue to be vulnerable to the disease. This systematic review aims to synthesise current global evidence on the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions for reducing risky sexual behaviour among youth in the last decade. MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, PsychINFO, ProQuest Central, CINAHL and Web of Science databases, ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and reference lists of included studies and systematic reviews on effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions for reducing risky sexual behaviour among youth will be searched for articles published from August 2011 to August 2021. Eligible studies will be longitudinal studies including randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies that examined the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions among youth populations (15–24 years) with risky sexual behaviour as a primary or secondary outcome. Study selection and quality assessment will be undertaken independently by three reviewers and disagreements will be resolved through consensus. Data analysis will be undertaken using RevMan software V.5.3.3. A random effects meta-analysis will be conducted to report heterogeneous data where statistical pooling is achievable. We will use I 2 statistics to test for heterogeneity. Where appropriate, a funnel plot will be generated to assess publication bias. Where statistical pooling is unachievable, the findings will be reported in a narrative form, together with tables and figures to assist in data presentation if required. Reporting of the systematic review will be informed by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Ethical approval is not required. Findings of the systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The findings will be of interest to researchers, healthcare practitioners and policymakers. CRD42021271774.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-07-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12955-021-01810-Z
Abstract: The Suboptimal Health Status Questionnaire-25 (SHS-Q-25) developed to measure Suboptimal Health Status has been used worldwide, but its construct validity has only been tested in the Chinese population. Applying Structural Equation Modelling, we investigate aspects of the construct validity of the SHS-Q-25 to determine the interactions between SHS subscales in a Ghanaian population. The study involved healthy Ghanaian participants (n = 263 aged 20–80 years 63% female), who responded to the SHSQ-25. In an exploratory factor and parallel analysis, the study extracted a new domain structure and compared to the established five-domain structure of SHSQ-25. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted and the fit of the model further discussed. Invariance analysis was carried out to establish the consistency of the instrument across multi-groups. The extracted domains were reliable with Cronbach’s $$\\alpha$$ α of 0.846, 0.820 and 0.864 respectively, for fatigue, immune-cardiovascular and cognitive. The CFA revealed that the model fit indices were excellent $$\\left( {{\\text{RMSEA}} = 0.049~ ~0.08,\\,{\\text{CFI}} = 0.903 0.9,\\,{\\text{GFI}} = 0.880 0.9,\\,{\\text{TLI}} = 0.907 0.9} \\right)$$ RMSEA = 0.049 0.08 , CFI = 0.903 0.9 , GFI = 0.880 0.9 , TLI = 0.907 0.9 . The fit indices for the three-domain model were statistically superior to the five-domain model. There were, however, issues of insufficient discriminant validity as some average variance extracts were smaller than the corresponding maximum shared variance. The three-domain model was invariant for all constrained aspects of the structural model across age, which is an important risk factor for most chronic diseases. The validity tests suggest that the SHS-Q25 can measure SHS in a Ghanaian population. It can be recommended as a screening tool to early detect chronic diseases especially in developing countries where access to facilities is diminished.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 22-11-2020
Abstract: While remote camera surveys have the potential to improve the accuracy of recreational fishing estimates, missing data are common and require robust analytical techniques to impute. Time-lapse cameras are being used in Western Australia to monitor recreational boating activities, but outages have occurred. Generalized linear mixed effect models formulated in a fully conditional specification multiple imputation framework were used to reconstruct missing data, with climatic and some temporal classifications as covariates. Using a complete 12-month camera record of hourly counts of recreational powerboat retrievals, data were simulated based on ten observed camera outage patterns, with a missing proportion of between 0.06 and 0.61. Nine models were evaluated, including Poisson and negative binomial models, and their associated zero-inflated variants. The imputed values were cross-validated against actual observations using percent bias, mean absolute error, root mean square error, and skill score as performance measures. In 90% of the cases, 95% confidence intervals for the total imputed estimates from at least one of the models contained the total actual counts. With no systematic trends in performance among the models, zero-inflated Poisson and its bootstrapping variant models consistently ranked among the top 3 models and possessed the narrowest confidence intervals. The robustness and generality of the imputation framework were demonstrated using other camera datasets with distinct characteristics. The results provide reliable estimates of the number of boat retrievals for subsequent estimates of fishing effort and provide time series data on boat-based activity.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S41959-022-00072-0
Abstract: Planned behaviour theory was used in a path analysis modelling to investigate the serial mediation role of teaching methods and personality traits (locus of control, need for achievement and entrepreneurial attitude) in the relationship between entrepreneurship curriculum and entrepreneurial intention among university students in Ghana. A proposed 40-item instrument was used to measure outcomes for six constructs (3 personality trait constructs, entrepreneurship curriculum, teaching methods and entrepreneurial intention) for 324 participants. Acceptable convergent, ergent and construct validity scores were observed for the instrument. Teaching methods fully mediated the first-order relationships between entrepreneurial curriculum and each personality traits. The three constructs of personality traits parallelly mediated the second-order relationship between teaching methods and entrepreneurial intention. Teaching methods and each personality trait serially mediated the relationship between entrepreneurial curriculum and entrepreneurial intention. This empirical evidence provides insight into the design of pragmatic interventions by major stakeholders including entrepreneurship educators to inspire students into start-up activities
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-2020
DOI: 10.2147/JMDH.S266913
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.AUEC.2022.04.002
Abstract: To investigate the Australian general public's ability to identify common medical emergencies as requiring an emergency response. An online survey asked participants to identify likely medical treatment pathways they would take for 17 hypothetical medical scenarios (eight emergency and nine non-emergency). The number and type of emergency scenarios participants correctly suggested warranted an emergency medical response was examined. Participants included Australian residents (aged>18 years n = 5264) who had never worked as an Australian registered medical doctor, nurse or paramedic. Most emergencies were predominately correctly classified as requiring emergency responses (e.g. Severe chest pain, 95% correct). However, non-emergency medical responses were often chosen for some emergency scenarios, such as a child suffering from a scalp haematoma (67%), potential meningococcal disease (57%), a box jellyfish sting (40%), a paracetamol overdose (37%), and mild chest pain (26%). Participants identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander suggested a non-emergency response to emergency scenarios 29% more often compared with non-indigenous participants. Educational interventions targeting specific medical symptoms may work to alleviate delayed emergency medical intervention. This research highlights a particular need for improving symptom identification and healthcare system confidence amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-07-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-022-16403-Z
Abstract: Severity of falls in hospital patients are threat to patient safety which can result in a financial burden on the patient’s family and health care services. Both patient specific and environmental and organisational factors are associated with severity of falls in hospital. It is important to continuously analyse the factors associated with severity of fall which can inform the implementation of any fall preventive strategies. This study aims to identify factors associated with the severity of falls in hospitalised adult patients in Western Australia. This study involved a retrospective cohort analysis of inpatient falls records extracted from the hospital’s Clinical Incident Database from May 2014 to April 2019. Severity of falls were classified as three Severity Assessment Code (SAC): SAC 1 was “high” causing serious harm or death SAC 2 was “medium” causing moderate or minor harm and SAC 3 was “low” indicating no harm. Univariable and multivariable generalised ordinal logistic regression models were used to quantify the magnitude of effects of the potential risk factors on severity of falls at 5% level of significance and reported the crude odds and adjusted odds ratio of falling at a higher severity level. There were 3705 complete reported cases of falls with the average age of the patients was 68.5 ± 17.0 years, with 40.2% identified as female. The risk of falling at a higher level of severity increased by patient age over 50 years. Females were 15.1% more likely to fall at higher severity level compared to females. Fall incidents occurred during toileting and showering activities and incidents in a communal area were 14.5% and 26% more likely to occur at a higher severity respectively. Similarly, depression (167%), influence of alcohol or illicit drugs (more than 300%), use of medications (86%) and fragile skin (75%) significantly increased the odds of falling at higher level of severity. Identification of underlying risk factors associated with fall severity provides information which can guide nurses and clinicians to design and implement effective interventional strategies that mitigate the risk of serious fall injuries. The results suggest that fall prevention strategies should target patients with these risk factors to avoid severity of falls.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 19-05-2023
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 24-05-2023
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PGPH.0001973
Abstract: Hypertension (HTN) is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, most in iduals in developing countries are unaware of their blood pressure status. We determined the prevalence of unrecognized hypertension and its association with lifestyle factors and new obesity indices among the adult population. This community-based study was conducted among 1288 apparently healthy adults aged 18–80 years in the Ablekuma North Municipality, Ghana. Sociodemographic, lifestyle characteristics, blood pressure and anthropometric indices were obtained. The prevalence of unrecognized HTN was 18.4% (237 / 1288). The age groups 45–54 years [aOR = 2.29, 95% CI (1.33–3.95), p = 0.003] and 55–79 years [aOR = 3.25, 95% CI (1.61–6.54), p = 0.001], being orced [aOR = 3.02 95% CI (1.33–6.90), p = 0.008], weekly [aOR = 4.10, 95% CI (1.77–9.51), p = 0.001] and daily alcohol intake [aOR = 5.62, 95% CI (1.26–12.236), p = 0.028] and no exercise or at most once a week [aOR = 2.25, 95% CI (1.56–3.66), p = 0.001] were independently associated with HTN. Among males, the fourth quartile (Q4) of both body roundness index (BRI) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) [aOR = 5.19, 95% CI (1.05–25.50), p = 0.043] were independent determinants of unrecognized HTN. Among females, the third quartile (Q3) [aOR = 7.96, 95% CI (1.51–42.52), p = 0.015] and Q4 [aOR = 9.87 95% CI (1.92–53.31), p = 0.007] of abdominal volume index (AVI), the Q3 of both BRI and WHtR [aOR = 6.07, 95% CI (1.05–34.94), p = 0.044] and Q4 of both BRI and WHtR [aOR = 9.76, 95% CI (1.74–54.96), p = 0.010] were independent risk factors of HTN. Overall, BRI (AUC = 0.724) and WHtR (AUC = 0.724) for males and AVI (AUC = 0.728), WHtR (AUC = 0.703) and BRI (AUC = 0.703) for females yielded a better discriminatory power for predicting unrecognized HTN. Unrecognized hypertension is common among the apparently healthy adults. Increased awareness of its risk factors, screening, and promoting lifestyle modification is needed to prevent the onset of hypertension.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-10-2022
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.ACTPSY.2022.103757
Abstract: Interventions focused on promoting resilience or protective factors of youth have been proposed as a strategy for reducing risky behaviours associated with HIV infection among youth however few studies have explored their effectiveness. This study assessed the impact of a resilience-based HIV prevention intervention (You Only Live Once) on risky sexual behaviours, resilience and protective factors of youth. A one-group pretest-posttest design was used. One hundred and ninety-seven youth aged 15-24 years were conveniently recruited from a non-profit organisation in Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, South Africa and participated in a 12-session, resilience-based HIV intervention delivered over a 1-week period by trained adult facilitators. Outcomes of interest were assessed at baseline and 3-month follow-up using validated risky sexual behaviour measures, and Child and Youth Resilience Measure. Mixed effect logistic and linear regression models were formulated to assess the impact of the intervention on risky sexual behaviours resilience and protective factors respectively. Compared to baseline, participants at 3-month follow-up were 68 % less likely to have unprotected sex, 22 % less likely to regret their decision to engage in sexual activity and 0.4 % less likely to be pregnant or made someone pregnant. Conversely, participants at the 3-month follow-up had a higher propensity to engage in multiple sexual partnerships, transactional sex and intergenerational sex than baseline. Participants at 3-month follow-up had significant improvements in their scores of resilience, in idual capacities and contextual factors that facilitate a sense of belonging (p < 0.05). You Only Live Once intervention appeared to have mitigated some risky sexual behaviours, and improved resilience and protective factors over a 3-month period. These findings suggest that the intervention has ability to reduce risky sexual behaviours associated with HIV, and improve resilience and protective factors among youth in South Africa. Further evaluation of the intervention with a rigorous study design, larger s le size and longer period for follow-up is warranted.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2023
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 05-11-2021
DOI: 10.3390/SCI3040040
Abstract: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been strongly associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TCF7L2 gene. This study investigated the association between rs12255372, rs7903146 in the TCF7L2 gene and T2DM in a Ghanaian population. A case-control study design was used for this study. A total of 106 T2DM patients and 110 control participants were selected. Basic data collected included body mass index, blood pressure and socio-demographics. Fasting blood s les were collected and processed for: serum lipid analysis, plasma glucose estimation and plasma HbA1c estimation. Parts of the whole blood s les were used for DNA extraction using a modified salting-out method. Common and allele-specific primers were designed for genotyping using the Modified Tetra-Primer Amplification assay. Associations were evaluated using logistic regression models. The rs7903146 risk variant was significantly associated with 2.16 vs. 4.06 increased odds for T2DM in patients years vs. ≥60 years. Both rs7903146 and rs12255372 were significantly associated with increased odds of T2DM in women, overweight/obese, T2DM negative family history (T2DM-NFH) and low-HDL-C. In a multivariate model, rs7903146 but not rs12255372 was significantly associated with 2.18, 5.01 and 2.25 increased odds of T2DM, under the codominant, recessive and additive model, respectively (p 0.05). The association between rs7903146 and rs12255372 with T2DM is more highly associated in a subgroup—women and those with T2DM-NFH, yet who have cardiometabolic risk.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-06-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-022-15172-Z
Abstract: Plasma N-glycan profiles have been shown to be defective in type II diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and holds a promise to discovering biomarkers. The study comprised 232 T2DM patients and 219 healthy in iduals. N-glycans were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The multivariate integrative framework, DIABLO was employed for the statistical analysis. N-glycan groups (GPs 34, 32, 26, 31, 36 and 30) were significantly expressed in T2DM in component 1 and GPs 38 and 20 were related to T2DM in component 2. Four clusters were observed based on the correlation of the expressive signatures of the 39 N-glycans across T2DM and controls. Cluster A, B, C and D had 16, 16, 4 and 3 N-glycans respectively, of which 11, 8, 1 and 1 were found to express differently between controls and T2DM in a univariate analysis $$(p 0.05)$$ ( p 0.05 ) . Multi-block analysis revealed that trigalactosylated (G3), triantennary (TRIA), high branching (HB) and trisialylated (S3) expressed significantly highly in T2DM than healthy controls. A bipartite relevance network revealed that HB, monogalactosylated (G1) and G3 were central in the network and observed more connections, highlighting their importance in discriminating between T2DM and healthy controls. Investigation of these N-glycans can enhance the understanding of T2DM.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 31-03-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S10805-023-09472-W
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly led to changes in the mode of teaching, learning and assessments in most tertiary institutions worldwide. Notably, non-invigilated summative assessments became predominant. These changes heightened anxiety and depression, especially among in iduals with less resilient coping mechanism. We explored the perceptions and experiences of mental health difficulties of students in tertiary education regarding non-invigilated alternative assessments in comparison to invigilated assessments. A pragmatic, mixed method cross sectional design was conducted online via Qualtrics. Thematic analysis of text was carried out using NVivo 12. In the quantitative analysis, univariable and multivariable ordinal logistic models were used to examine the potential factors for preference among students in higher education. A total of 380 Nursing and Social Science students responded to the survey. Approximately 77% of students perceived non-invigilated assessments to be less stressful compared to invigilated exams. Age, course of study, stage of studies, and number of units enrolled per semester were identified as significant drivers for students’ perceived preference for non-invigilated assessments. There was an inverse relationship between the perception of stress associated with invigilated exams and the age of students. For instance, students aged between 18-24 were 5 times more likely to prefer non-invigilated exams compared to those aged 55 or more. Comparatively, students in early stages of studies had higher preference for non-invigilated assessments. However, there was a preference reversal for students enrolled in 2 or less units per semester. Social sciences students were two times more likely to prefer non-invigilated examinations to invigilated examinations compared to nursing students. The findings reinforce the use of alternative assessments in higher education as a mitigating agency to lessen the mental health burden of tertiary students in post COVID-19 era.
Publisher: Future Medicine Ltd
Date: 05-2021
Abstract: Aim: The study sought to determine the patterns of N-glycan profiles among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients over a 6-month period. Materials & methods: Biochemical and clinical data were obtained from 253 T2DM patients at baseline and follow-up. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography and statistical methods were applied for N-glycan profiling. Results: The coefficients of variation were 28% and 29% at baseline and follow-up, respectively, whereas the range of N-glycan variability was from 11% to 56%. Apart from GP1 (FA2) and GP29 (FA3G3S [3,3,3]3), the intra-in idual variations of N-glycan peaks were not statistically significant. Conclusion: N-glycan profiles were stable over 6-month period in T2DM patients and could be used to monitor biochemical changes in relation with T2DM comorbidities.
Publisher: Editorial Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia
Date: 14-06-2022
DOI: 10.4995/HEAD22.2022.14454
Abstract: This exploratory study was conducted across two different institutions in the United States and in Australia. The online surveys applied two instruments: the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire and the Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale to investigate the correlations between the constructs of employability, emotional intelligence, and motivation. The results showed a positive significant relationship between c us program internship and perceived employability. Further, emotional intelligence was significantly positively correlated with motivation. These results may reinforce institutions in their effort to design or refresh teaching intervention programs improving students’ employability. Beyond focusing on skills acquisition, these programs could also aim for enhancing students’ emotional intelligence.
Publisher: PAGEPress Publications
Date: 12-01-2023
Abstract: Background. Dermatosis papulosa nigra (DPN) affects sun-exposed areas such as the face, neck, and trunk. The prevalence of pterygium and myopia in DPN patients in Ghana has not been studied. In this study, we examined the risk and protective factors for pterygium and myopia in DPN patients. Materials and Methods. The study involved 100 participants with facial DPN. A standard ophthalmic exam was performed using a portable slit l and a 3.5X magnified loop. Participants completed a closed- ended questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to summarize the level of association between DPN, myopia, and pterygium, as well as demographic factors (gender, age, occupation, family history of lesion and skin complexion). Results. 70% and 84% of participants had pterygium and myopia. Age, gender, complexion, and sun exposure were associated with pterygium and myopia (p 0.05). Higher grade of pterygium and myopia were prevalent in the aged population. Both univariate and multivariable models highlighted that increasing age and sun exposure (outdoor) were risk factors for developing higher grade of pterygium and myopia in the DPN participants, while light skin color and male gender were respectively identified as protective factors. Conclusions. Our study is the first to examine pterygium and myopia in facial DPN patients. Most Ghanaians with facial DPN are at risk for developing pterygium and myopia.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 04-10-2020
Abstract: The connection between personality traits, entrepreneurship curriculum and entrepreneurial intention has received inadequate research consideration among students in Africa to inform policies and curriculum development. An explanatory cross-sectional survey of 324 Ghanaian university students was assessed in a path analysis to model entrepreneurial intention as a function of personality characteristics, mediated by entrepreneurship curriculum and moderated by teaching methods, while controlling for age, gender and program of study. There were direct significant effects of entrepreneurial attitude, need for achievement and locus of control on entrepreneurial intention. The conditional effect of teaching method on entrepreneurial attitude was also significant. We found evidence of mediated-moderation for entrepreneurial attitude and intention, with no evidence found for locus of control and need for achievement. We have provided empirical evidence to support the ongoing discussion on the effect of personality traits on entrepreneurial intention to guide the development of policy and curriculum on entrepreneurship education. Implications of our study for extant literature on personality traits-entrepreneurship intention nexus, aspiring student entrepreneurs, university managers, entrepreneurship educators and policy decision makers are accentuated.
Publisher: Sciencedomain International
Date: 22-08-2022
DOI: 10.9734/ARJA/2022/V15I430171
Abstract: The rising trends of insect resistance, coupled with escalating environmental pollution from synthetic pesticides, heighten the need for a more effective and, non-hazardous agents to control insect ests. Different aqueous extracts of Mentha spicata were screened for their phytochemical constituents and their antifeedant activities against Spodoptera frugiperda. Screening of the different aqueous extracts of Mentha spicata obtained by cold maceration revealed the presence of phenolics and tannins. The concentration of phenols and tannins in the water, glycerine, and glycerine plus water (glycerine-water) extracts were significantly different (p 0.05). Mentha spicata water extract had a greater antifeedant activity against Spodoptera frugiperda as compared to glycerine and glycerine-water (60:40, v/v) extracts at a concentration of 5g/100 mL. The estimated % antifeedant activity recorded were 97 as against 8.21 and 49.81, respectively. Aqueous neem seed water extracts gave an estimated % antifeedant activity of 93.07 and it served as a control. Saponins were absent in all extracts and only water extracts had alkaloids present. The simple, non-hazardous, and cost-saving extraction method demonstrated could be applied in both commercial and subsistent farming to counteract the damnable effects of Spodoptera frugiperda infestation.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2022
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-09-2023
Abstract: To investigate the Australian general public's perception of appropriate medical scenarios that warrants a call to an emergency ambulance. An online survey asked participants to identify the likely medical treatment pathway they would take for 17 hypothetical medical scenarios. The number and type of non‐emergency scenarios ( n = 8) participants incorrectly suggested were appropriate to place a call for an emergency ambulance were calculated. Participants included Australian residents (aged years) who had never worked as an Australian registered medical doctor, nurse or paramedic. From a s le of 5264 participants, 40% suggested calling an emergency ambulance for a woman in routine labour was appropriate. Other medical scenarios which were most suggested by participants to warrant an emergency ambulance call was ‘Lego in ear canal’ (11%), ‘Older person bruising’ (8%) and ‘Flu’ (7%). Women, people aged 56+ years, those without a university qualification, with lower household income and with lower emotional wellbeing were more likely to suggest calling an emergency ambulance was appropriate for non‐emergency scenarios. Although emergency healthcare system (EHS) capacity not increasing at the same rate as demand is the biggest contributor to EHS burden, non‐urgent medical situations for which other low‐acuity healthcare pathways may be appropriate does play a small role in adding to the overburdening of the EHS. This present study outlines a series of complaints and demographic characteristics that would benefit from targeted educational interventions that may aid in alleviating ambulance service attendances to low‐acuity callouts.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 22-02-2021
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 25-07-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PGPH.0000736
Abstract: The promotion of Diabetes Self-Management (DSM) practices, education, and support is vital to improving the care and wellbeing of diabetic patients. Identifying factors that affect DSM behaviours may be useful to promote healthy living among these patients. The study assessed the determinants of DSM practices among Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients using a model-based social cognitive theory (SCT). This cross-sectional study comprised 420 (T2DM) patients who visited the Diabetic Clinic of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Kumasi-Ghana. Data was collected using self-structured questionnaires to obtain socio-demographic characteristics, T2DM-related knowledge, DSM practices, SCT constructs beliefs in treatment effectiveness, level of self-efficacy, perceived family support, and healthcare provider-patient communication. Path analysis was used to determine direct and indirect effects of T2DM-related knowledge, perceived family support, and healthcare provider service on DSM practices with level of self-efficacy mediating the relationships, and beliefs in treatment effectiveness as moderators. The mean age of the participants was 53.1(SD = 11.4) years and the average disease duration of T2DM was 10 years. Most of the participants (65.5%) had high ( .1mmol/L) fasting blood glucose (FBG) with an average of 6.93(SD = 2.41). The path analysis model revealed that age ( p = 0 . 176 ), gender ( p = 0 . 901 ), and duration of T2DM ( p = 0 . 119 ) did not confound the relationships between the SCT constructs and DSM specified in the model. A significant direct positive effect of family and friends’ support ( Critical ratio (CR) = 5 . 279 , p 0 . 001 ) on DSM was observed. Self-efficacy was a significant mediator in this relationship ( CR = 4 . 833 , p 0 . 001 ). There were significant conditional indirect effects (CIE) for knowledge of T2DM and family and friends’ support at medium and high levels of belief in treatment effectiveness (p 0 . 05) via level of self-efficacy on DSM practices. However, no evidence of moderated-mediation was observed for the exogenous variables on DSM. Diabetes-related knowledge of T2DM, family and friends’ support, level of self-efficacy, and belief in treatment effectiveness are crucial in DSM practices among Ghanaian T2DM patients. It is incumbent to consider these factors when designing interventions to improve DSM adherence.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 26-04-2021
DOI: 10.20944/PREPRINTS202104.0650.V1
Abstract: Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been strongly associated with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TCF7L2 gene. This study investigated the association between rs12255372, rs7903146 and T2DM in a Ghanaian population. A case-control study design was used for this study. A total of 106 T2DM patients and 110 control participants were selected. Basic data collected included body mass index, blood pressure and socio-demographics. Fasting blood s les were collected and used for serum lipid analysis, HbA1c, plasma glucose estimation and DNA extraction. Common and allele-specific primers were designed for genotyping using the Modified Tetra-Primer Amplification assay. Associations were evaluated using logistic regression models. The rs7903146 risk variant was significantly associated with 2.16 vs 4.06 increased odds for T2DM in patients
Location: Australia
Location: No location found
Start Date: 2017
End Date: 2021
Funder: Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Government of Western Australia
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