ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Quality of work life and organisational commitment among senior staff of University of Cape Coast

It is an undeniable fact that a major part of man’s life is spent at the workplace to ensure that organisation’s attains their stated goals. The quality of an organisation’s human resources and the prevailing working conditions will determine its goals achievement. Workers who are loyal to their organisation usually feel that they have a relationship with their organisation, have the idea that they belong to the organisation and in addition, have the feeling of understanding the aims of the organisation. The study therefore, sought to examine the effect of quality of work life on organisational commitment among senior staff at the Cape Coast University. This research work adopted the descriptive survey design. The lottery method of simple random sampling technique was employed. Data was obtained through the administration of questionnaires using a sample size of 306 senior staff from the University of Cape Coast. The findings revealed a positive and significant relationship between the quality of work life and organisational commitment. Compensation, working environment and development of human capacity has positive influence on commitment of workers. As a recommendation, the University should equally pay attention to the other quality of work life dimensions apart from opportunity for human capacity development. It is also recommended that the University should become more conscious in ensuring adequate and fairness in compensation.

Source: UCC
Quality of Work Life and Teachers Turn Over Intentions in the Ghana Education Service at Nkwanta South Municipality

The study examined the effect of quality of work life on the turnover intention of teachers at the Ghana Education Service, Nkwanta South Municipality. Specifically, three (3) research objectives were investigated, to examine the level of turnover intentions among teachers of the Nkwanta South Municipality; to assess the quality of work life among teachers of the Nkwanta South Municipality; and to analyse the effect of quality of work life on turnover intentions among teachers of the Nkwanta South Municipality. The study adopted the positivism philosophy thus relying on the quantitative approach and descriptive correlational design. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from 280 sampled teachers within the municipality. The data was then processed using the IBM SPSS Statistics (version 26) software. Both descriptive (means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (multiple regression) were used to address objectives in the study. The study found turnover intention was high among the teachers within the municipal assembly. The study also found low levels of quality of work life in terms of career growth and development, compensation and reward, social support and teachers’ welfare among the teachers. The study finally found that quality of work life through the elements had significant negative effect on turnover intention of teachers. The study therefore recommended Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education should make efforts to design policies encompassing programmes that will reduce the turnover intentions of the teachers

Source: UCC
Quality Of Work Life, Job Satisfaction And Employees‟ Performance: A Case Of Local Government Service In Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly

The main purpose of the study was to analyse the mediating effect of job satisfaction on the relationship between quality work life and employee performance among employees of Local Government Service in Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. The study adopted the positivism philosophical paradigm in the analysing the objectives of the study. Since the research objectives of this study sought to test hypotheses, which are predictive-based, and the investigator seeking to collect large data that can be measured numerically, the quantitative research approach was adopted for this study. Also, given that the research objectives of this study sought to explain the causes and effect among the variables of interest, the explanatory research design was adopted. This study was conducted among staffs of the Local Government Service. A total sample size of 243 respondents were considered. The data collection instrument for the study was questionnaire. Due to the nature of the study‟s objectives, the structural equation model was employed in analysing the objectives of the study. The study found that there was a positive and significant effect of quality of work life on employee performance. The study also found that there was positive and significant relationship between job satisfaction and employees‟ performance. The study found that there was a positive and significant relationship between the variables. The study found that job satisfaction had a mediating effect on the relationship between quality of work life and employee performance. The study recommended that Local Government Service needs to continue improving the quality of work-life which needs extraordinary efforts to strengthen employee performance.

Source: UCC
Quality of ‘‘Sachet’’waters in the Cape Coast Municipality of Ghana

To determine the quality of sachet water samples in the Cape Coast municipality of Ghana, random sampling procedures were used to collect 180 samples from 29 brands produced in the municipality from 1999 to 2004. For any particular year, each tested brand was sampled three times at intervals of not less than 2 weeks (usually monthly) between the months of March to June. Forty-fve percent (45%) of the brands subjected to bacteriological examination contained coliform bacteria for one sampling period or another during the period of investigation. The coliform contamination seemed to be more prevalent with some particular brands. Three out of seven brands examined in 2004 also recorded the presence of E. coli.Exceedances were recorded for WHOdrinking water quality guidelines for pH (6.25–7.93) in 2002 and for conductivity (67– 306 µS cm −1) I n 2002 and 2004. Total hardness alues for all sachet water brands were less than 100 mg/l CaCO3 and therefore below the WHO limit for potable water. None of the samples seems to pose any health dangers as far as the major cations; sodium (17.4–19.1 mg/l), potassium (5.7–6.2 mg/l), calcium (8.0–24.0 mg/l) and magnesium (19.9–50 mg/l) are concern. part from nitrite, for which some exceedances were recorded and phosphate which does not have an established WHO guideline, the measured major anions (i.e., chloride: 1.57–37.7 mg/l, sulfate: 0.33–44.33 mg/l and nitrates : 0.005–0.70 mg/l) were within the WHO drinking water guideline. No exceedances were also recorded for iron and lead. In general, the high quality claimed for sachet waters could not be confrmed based on the measured physico-chemical and bacteriological properties. The ariable quality and in some cases, poor water quality observed, likely refects the fact that the sachets are not always bagged under scrutinized sanitary conditions

Source: UCC
Quality Post-Abortion Care Services in the Greater Accra Region

The provision of high-quality post-abortion care (PAC) services is critical to reducing maternal mortality since it is a key component in lowering abortion-related morbidity and mortality. However, there is paucity in literature pertaining to the synthesis between PAC service providers and of the clients‟ views on quality PAC services. The study assessed the quality of PAC services in Greater Accra. The study adopted the interpretivist philosophical position to social sciences research. Primary data was collected from 34 PAC clients and service providers selected from 7 health facilities. Data was managed and managed using QSR NVivo 12 plus computer software. The analyses followed the thematic analytic procedures. The results showed that quality of PAC services is based on three dimensions of quality which are structural, process and outcome. The ability of health facilities to provide an enabling environment for privacy and confidentiality was a key component of structural quality. The low doctor to patient ratio affected the provision of prompt attention to clients. Concerning process quality, PAC was provided with the client-centred approach. This was, however, affected when the proportion of clients outweighed the service providers. Regarding the outcome dimension of quality PAC services, both service providers and clients consider the PAC services to be of quality; however, they held divergent views on what constitutes the quality of PAC services. It is therefore recommended that the management of health facilities take steps to ensure all health facilities have an enabling environment for the provision of PAC services.

Source: UCC
Quality Post-Abortion Care Services in the Greater Accra Region

The provision of high-quality post-abortion care (PAC) services is critical to reducing maternal mortality since it is a key component in lowering abortion-related morbidity and mortality. However, there is paucity in literature pertaining to the synthesis between PAC service providers and of the clients‟ views on quality PAC services. The study assessed the quality of PAC services in Greater Accra. The study adopted the interpretivist philosophical position to social sciences research. Primary data was collected from 34 PAC clients and service providers selected from 7 health facilities. Data was managed and managed using QSR NVivo 12 plus computer software. The analyses followed the thematic analytic procedures. The results showed that quality of PAC services is based on three dimensions of quality which are structural, process and outcome. The ability of health facilities to provide an enabling environment for privacy and confidentiality was a key component of structural quality. The low doctor to patient ratio affected the provision of prompt attention to clients. Concerning process quality, PAC was provided with the client-centred approach. This was, however, affected when the proportion of clients outweighed the service providers. Regarding the outcome dimension of quality PAC services, both service providers and clients consider the PAC services to be of quality; however, they held divergent views on what constitutes the quality of PAC services. It is therefore recommended that the management of health facilities take steps to ensure all health facilities have an enabling environment for the provision of PAC services. University of Cape Coast https://ir.ucc.edu.gh/xmlui Digitized

Source: UCC
Quantification and characterization of vehicle-based polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in street dust from the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana

Objective Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in street dust in the Tamale metropolis, Ghana, have een measured in this study. Results The concentrations of the various types of PAHs identified in street dust samples from high vehicular traffic density in the metropolis are as follows: naphthalene,10,000 μg/kg; acenaphthylene, 13,000 μg/kg; acenaphthene, 76,000 μg/kg;, 18,900 μg/kg; henanthrene,40,000 μg/kg; anthracene, 21,000 μg/kg; fluoranthene,35,200 μg/kg; yrene, 119,000 μg/kg; enzo[a]anthracene, 17,700 μg/kg; chrysene, 10,600 μg/kg; enzo[k]fluoranthene, 18,700 μg/kg; enzo[a]pyrene, 10,900 μg/kg and benzo[g, h, i]perylene, 21,000 μg/kg. Calculation of the identified in this study was from vehicular fallout as the ratio was less than 10. Conclusion It is clear from the results of the study that road users in the Tamale metropolis, especially hawkers, are exposed to the harmful effects of PAHs, and this suggests the need for the establishment of mitigation measures by the regulatory agencies

Source: UCC
Quantification of imipramine, amitriptyline and their major metabolites in urine samples of depressed patients by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Biotransformation of antidepressant drugs is said to affect their pharmacological profile and subsequently alter their treatment efficacies. Imipramine and amitriptyline are the major drugs used for the management of manic depression at the Ankaful psychiatric hospital in Ghana. Recent reports have shown that some patients stay longer on this therapy than expected, while others do not get well at all. Herein, we report a modified solid phase extraction (SPE) method for the extraction of these antidepressant drugs; imipramine, amitriptyline and their respective metabolites, desipramine and 10- hydroxyamitriptyline from urine samples of five adult manic depressed patients. The compounds were simultaneously analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The calibration curves were linear over a range of 10-100 µg/L for all the analytes with the square of the regression coefficient (R2) ranging from 0.990 to 0.997. Analyses of the drugs and their respective metabolites over a 40 day period gave an average of 3.65 µg/L 10- hydroxyamitriptyline with negligible levels of amitriptyline. An average of 27.01 µg/L desipramine was also recorded against 10.30 µg/L of imipramine. These high levels of metabolites and relatively low amounts of the parent drugs recorded in the urine samples could be the main cause of the patients staying longer on the therapy and the resultant abscondment of one of them

Source: UCC
Quantification, Characterization, And Management Practices Of Municipal Solid Waste In Buchanan, Liberia

Solid Waste Management (SWM) remains a challenge for many developing and transition countries. Buchanan City in Liberia is not an exception. While the volume of solid waste disposal at authorized and unauthorized places in Buchanan City continues to increase, our understanding of the quantification, characterization, and management practices remains limited. This study evaluated the generation rate and physical composition of domestic solid waste. It also looked at the management practices, institutional framework, and community‟s willingness to pay for improved waste management service in Buchanan City. The ASTM D521-92 standard was followed to quantify and characterize the municipal solid waste generated in Buchanan City. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was also employed to assess the institutional framework and management practices of municipal solid waste in Buchanan. The mean waste generated was in the order 2342.4 kg >1957.3 kg >1865.5 kg for the middle-income, high-income, and low-income areas respectively. The high-income area recorded the highest per capita waste generation rate (PCWGR) of 0.84 kg/capita/day whilst the lowest of 0.34 kg/capita/day was recorded in the low-income area. On average, the organic waste fraction recorded the highest of 19.7% across the three income levels. The study shows that awareness among residents regarding waste management strategies was low. Furthermore, most respondents expressed their willingness to contribute financially to improved waste collection services in Buchanan City. Residents also identified the inadequacy of waste bins as the greatest challenge to the current waste management system of Buchanan. There is a need for some form of institutional outreach or public education efforts to improve the residents‟ awareness of the city‟s waste management strategy. Also, adequate waste bins should be made available to enhance the efficient management of waste in the city.

Source: UCC
Quantitative assessment of image quality in mammography: results from phantom studies in Ghana

Quantitative image quality assessment have been undertaken on eight (A – H) mammography systems in Ghana to review the overall condition of mammography equipment with respect to image quality in order to suggest improvements in the practice. Quantitative image analysis was performed with ImageJ software using the “Rose Model” by simulating three different thicknesses of breast. The results from calculated values of signal – to – noise ratio (SNR) shows that the quality of images from three systems for all three thickness were of good quality. All images from the test on the 20 mm phantom were all of good quality. Three systems recorded good images for the 45 mm phantom. Two systems recorded poor image quality for the 45 mm phantom. Images of the 70 mm phantom from five systems were of poor quality. Results shows that images of thicker simulated breast recorded poorest quality. It is recommended that adequate compression is achieved before patients are exposed

Source: UCC
Quantitative epithermal neutron activation analysis of seven micro elements in breast milk of lactating mothers from the Central region of Ghana

Background Epithermal instrumental neutron activation analysis (EINAA) technique is used for the determination and estimation of the concentration levels of micronutrients such as Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu) and Iodine (I) in breastmilk. Aim To examine the concentration of seven micro elements in the breastmilk of lactating mother who were exclusively breastfeeding. Methods This study employed quantitative experimental research where 27 lactating mothers voluntarily participated in the study from two health facilities in the Cape Coast Metropolitan area. Data was collected over a period of four weeks. A three millimetre (3mm) thick of flexible boron was used to cut off thermal neutrons in order to assess epithermal neutrons. This was done to create an activation energy which examines the amount of the 7 micro nutrients in the breastmilk. The standard reference materials used were the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)-336; IAEA-407, IAEA-350 and National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) USA SRM 1577b. The Relative standardization method was used in the quantification of the elements. Results The study achieved about 94.7% accuracy. The estimated health risk calculated showed that the concentrations of chlorine (Cl) and iodine (I) were high in the order I > Cl with all very far above the maximum Upper Limit (UL) of the daily Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for all life stages except for children below 8 years. Conclusion Mn is found in very high quantities in the diet consumed by the parents of babies. These children could be exposed to metabolic disorders or unexplained diseases in future without knowing their origin

Source: UCC
Quantitative pore characterization of polyurethane foam with cost-effective imaging tools and image analysis: a proof-of-principle study

This study investigated the pore characterization of polyurethane (PU) foam as a necessary tep in water filtration membrane fabrication. Porous material characterization is essential for predicting membrane performance, strength, durability, surface feel, and to understand the transport mechanisms using modeling and simulations. Most existing pore characterization techniques are relatively costly, time-consuming, subjective, and have cumbersome sample preparations. This study focused on using three relatively inexpensive imaging systems: a black box, Canon camera (EOS760D), and LaserJet scanner (M1132 MFP). Two standard, state-of-the-art imaging systems were used for comparison: A stereomicroscope and a scanning electron microscope. Digital images produced by the imaging systems were used with a MATLAB algorithm to determine the surface porosity, pore area, and shape factor of the polyurethane foam in an efficient manner. The results obtained established the compatibility of the image analysis algorithm with the imaging systems. The black box results were found to be more comparable to both the stereomicroscope and SEM systems than those of the Canon camera and scanner imaging systems. Indeed, the current research effort demonstrates the possibility of substrate characterization with inexpensive imaging systems

Source: UCC
Quantum dot solar cells

In this thesis, hot carrier relaxation dynamics in semiconductor quantum dots and quantum well structures have been investigated as the basis for improving on the efficiency of conventional solar cells to values between 40% and 60% beyond the Shockley and Queisser detailed balance limit of 30% hitherto. Two schemes have been employed to obtain the shift in efficiency: The first is multiple exciton generation which occurs in semiconductor quantum dots. The output current as a function of the photogenerated voltage and the material band gap, is computed from the difference between the photogenerated and the recombination currents. The output voltage is obtained from corrections made to the voltages used in the splitting of water by standard photochemical processes. The second is the formation of minibands in semiconductor quantum well structures which serve as the intermediate band required in the material bandgap in intermediate-band solar cell concept. Here, the output current is calculated from the difference between the photon flux absorbed by the cell and that emitted as a result of radiative recombination, all multiplied by a factor of the electronic charge. The output voltage is computed from the difference between the chemical potentials of the conduction and valence bands.

Source: UCC
Quartic Rank Transmutation of Gamma–Type Distributions: Characteristics and Estimation

Rank transmutation maps have emerged as one of the adopted methods for proposing new probability distributions. This study used the quartic rank transmutation to introduce three new probability distributions: the Quartic Transmuted Exponential Distribution, Quartic Transmuted Lindley Distribution, and Quartic Transmuted Rayleigh Distribution. The construction of these distributions involves meticulously examining mathematical concepts, encompassing probability density functions, survival functions, moments, entropies, and order statistics. Visual aids, including cumulative distribution functions, probability density functions, and hazard rate functions, enhance the comprehension of distribution characteristics. A comprehensive simulation study underscores a consistent trend: a reduction in bias for maximum likelihood estimation and refinement in standard errors with increasing sample size. The practical applicability of these newly proposed distributions was demonstrated using real-world datasets. The quartic transmuted exponential distribution was effectively employed to model the lifetime of 50 devices, referencing data from Aarset’s study in 1987. Similarly, the quartic transmuted Lindley distribution was adeptly applied to remission times (measured in months) of 128 bladder cancer patients. Finally, the quartic transmuted Rayleigh distribution was successfully utilized to analyze a dataset comprising 72 instances of exceedance from the Wheaton River flood data near Carcoss in Yukon Territory, Canada. Evaluation criteria such as log-likelihood, AIC, AICc, and BIC affirm the superior flexibility and performance of the proposed distributions. This research significantly contributes to distribution theory, offering innovative methods to enhance distribution adaptability in diverse applications.

Source: UCC