ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Determination of contingency sum for works procurement during tendering stage in Ghana.

The degree of risks and uncertainties in a project results from a combination of factors which differ from one project to another. One of the attempts to handle risks is by allocating contingency sum. Traditionally, construction professionals determine contingency sum simply by adding; say 10% contingency onto the estimated cost of a project. The Traditional method is arbitrary arrived at and difficult to justify or defend by cost experts. It is coupled with so many weaknesses. The aim is not only to examine into practices of contingency allocation for works procurement in Ghana but also to identify factors that have the utmost influence on the determination of contingency sum by using Pareto Principle (the 80/20 Rule). Literature review was carried out in line with the set objectives of the study. Questionnaires were distributed to a sample size of 103 construction professionals determined using the Kish (1965) formula. A total of 68 were completed and returned out of which 67 representing 98.5% were responsive. Descriptive statistics and the relative important index were used to analyse and explore the variables in the study on the methods and factors. Traditional Percentage addition, Lump sum allowance, Cost item allocation and Probabilistic estimation methods were identified as the most frequently used and widely known by the construction experts in estimating contingency sum. Despite the existence of a more scientific methods of calculating contingency sum, cost experts and practitioners in the construction industry are yet to explore the benefits of scientific methods as they are still glued to the conventional method of percentage addition. Unexpected ground conditions, poor contract management, Political Interference, Fraudulent Practices and Kick-Backs, Site Characteristics, project Specification, Design Considerations, Global Economy and Exchange Rates have emerged as the influencing factors in making provisions for contingency calculation. Revealed by 80%/20% Pareto principle that Unexpected Ground Conditions (Substructure works), Poor Contract Management, Political Interference, Fraudulent Practices and Kick-Backs, Site Characteristics, Project Specification and Design Considerations are the most critical and significant factors where attention is likely to yield the greatest benefit in the determination of contingency sum for works. The study concluded by advocating for a more scientific methods for calculating contingency sum and recommended among others the use of scientific approaches such as Monte Carlo Simulation, Estimating Using Risk Analysis and Regression. These methods are based on statistical analyses which rely on and require statistical or mathematical knowledge from the user hence one of its limitations since most of the Contract managers or Construction professionals do not have enough knowledge of these techniques to estimate contingency sum.

Source: KNUST
Determination of cost contingency in the procurement of feeder roads in Ghana

Among the numerous effects of cost overruns in the construction industry, particularly on public sector projects is the scrutiny of governments and in consequence the limitation of their investment abilities in new projects. Also, drawing on evidence from developed and transition countries, road infrastructure projects have low-cost performance. That is to say, cost overruns are frequently common on road infrastructure projects. Price fluctuation is argued to be a major contributor to cost overruns. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the determination of price contingency in the road construction industry in Ghana, with emphasis on feeder roads contracts. The study utilised a questionnaire survey and review of a dataset of executed projects. Out of the 55 questionnaires administered, 40 were completed and returned. The analysis was consequently based on this response rate. The main findings of the study are: the percentage allocation for DFR projects for price contingency is 10%; and there was association between awareness and usage in terms of the traditional method and other simplistic approaches. However, with the probability methods the proficiency and awareness were unsurprisingly low. There was agreement between the respondents (among the groups) on the significance of almost all the variables. It is recommended that The DFR needs to provide a CPD to improve upon the estimating methods towards more probabilistic approach. This has been found to improve the accuracy of price contingency. The dataset used for the modeling was small and it is expected that an increase in the data may alter the results and improve the accuracy of the model developed in this thesis. Based on the limitation of the study, future study is encouraged to look into especially the modelling aspect of this study involving a large dataset and including more preliminary variables.

Source: KNUST
The determination of crop water requirement of mango in the transitional zone of Ghana

This study sought to determine the optimum crop water requirement of mango using meteorological data for the transitional agro-ecological zone of Ghana and make comparison of the various methods of crop water requirement determination or estimation. The estimates could be useful in the design and management of irrigation systems. Mango production would offer or create employment for rural and urban dwellers. It would assist to minimize or reduce the rural-urban migration and supply some of the basic raw materials needed to feed fruit processing or agro-based industries in Ghana. It can be also used for afforestation and reforestation programmes in Ghana. Meteorological data were collected from Ghana Meteorological Agency for selected locations in the transitional agro-ecological zones for the period 1976-2006. The locations were: Atebubu, Berekum, Ejura and Wenchi. The crop water requirement was estimated using Blaney-Criddle, Radiation, Penman, Thornthwaite and Pan Evaporation methods. From the results of the research, the least and highest optimum crop water requirement of mango using meteorological data were 880 mm and 1127 mm for Blaney-Criddle, 1224 mm and 1271 mm for Radiation, 1367 mm and 1446 mm for Penman, 1567 mm and 1780 mm for Thornthwaite respectively .The value of 1111 mm was for Pan Evaporation method. Also, the Thornthwaite method had the highest annual crop water requirement of mango with the values of 1694 mm in Atebubu, 1607 mm in Berekum, 1567 mm in Ejura and 1780 mm in Wenchi. However, the Blaney-Criddle method had the least values with 880 mm in Atebubu, 1021 mm in Berekum, 938 mm in Ejura and 1127 mm in Wenchi. In conclusion, Penman is the standard or best method. It includes all the climatic factors that affect evapotranspiration. Blaney-Criddle, Radiation and Thornthwaite are temperature based methods. Blaney-Criddle and Radiation underestimate the crop water requirement. However, Thornthwaite overestimates the crop water requirement. Pan Evaporation is the direct method and shows the combined effect of the climatic factors

Source: KNUST
Determination of Compositional Characteristics, Functional Properties and Cluster Analysis of Lima Bean Accessions (Phaseolus Lunatus)

Demand for alternative sources of protein foods have increased due to population growth especially in developing countries. Lima beans are underutilized legumes of wide importance for human and livestock nutrition. Thirty-one lima accessions have been identified in Ghana but information on their nutritional composition, genetic variability, storage protein content and functionalities is scarce. This research was carried out to determine the proximate composition and mineral content of ten lima bean accessions and to investigate the storage protein content, functional properties of the flour and on this basis classify the genotypes into groups for genetic improvement. A wide variability in seed size, seed weight, nutrient composition, storage protein content and functional properties was observed. Mean seed length ranged from 10.2 to 23.0 mm. Hundred seed weight varied from 34.2 to 138.5 g. Nine of the accessions belonged to the Andean gene pool while one was of a Meso-American origin. The range values of protein, fat, ash, fiber, and carbohydrate contents on dry weight basis was 20.5 to 24.6 %, 0.6 to 1.7 %, 3.29 to 6.7 %, 2.93 to 9.6 %, and 47.0 to 58.1 %, respectively. Mean mineral contents were 893 mg/100 g for potassium, 212 mg/100 g for calcium, 4.9 mg/100 g for iron, and 207.5 mg/100 g for phosphorus. Potassium and phosphorus was the most abundant mineral in lima beans. With regard to storage proteins, globulins were present at 19.27-61.88 % and albumins at 10.53-57.67 %. Glutelins and prolamins occurred at least concentrations of 6.68-35.77 % and 3.13-16.94 %, respectively. Lima bean flour possessed high water and oil binding capacities of 1.00-2.33g/g and 1.01-1.55g/g, respectively. However, emulsion and foaming capacities were low in comparison to soybean and cowpea. Correlation coefficients among the four groups of traits were mostly weak and nonsignificant except between bean size, hundred seed weight, and storage protein content. UPGMA cluster analysis based on seed size, proximate, storage proteins and functional properties clustered the ten accessions into five main groups. Principal component analysis revealed that the first six principal components accounted for 95 % of the variation in the data. Size and weight, protein, fat and carbohydrate, albumin, prolamin, glutelin and the functional properties, water and oil binding capacities, swelling capacity and bulk density were the most important traits that contributed to the variance.

Source: KNUST
Determination of Customer Switching Using Logistic Regression: Case Studyof Barclays Bank, Ghana

The research is to construct a statistical model of customer switching intentions. It uses a binary logistic regression to model the impact of customer satisfaction, customer demographics on customer switching in Barclays Bank Ghana, and to predict and classify customer data. The model predicted that 18.97% of customers are likely to switch from the bank. logit(P)(switching ) = -0.10AGE Results suggest that the most significant customer satisfaction constructs were Quality of staff, Efficiency of customer service, Electronic transactions and pricing. There was also evidence that customers’ age groups and level of education contributed to explaining respondents' propensity to stay with their current banks.

Source: KNUST
Determination of design parameters for macrophyte-based and algal-based ponds in Ghana

Waste stabilisation ponds (algal systems) have been identified as an appropriate technology for wastewater treatment in developing countries. However, final effluent quality in terms of nutrients, unfiltered BOD5 and suspended algal mass makes the effluent from these ponds difficult in meeting the increasingly stringent effluent standards. In recent years ponds with aquatic plants known as macrophyte ponds have been used either to polish effluents from facultative ponds or to treat raw wastewater. This system has the advantage of reducing the suspended algal mass, nutrients and the unfiltered BOD5 as well as using the macrophytes produced for other economic ventures especially in aquaculture. Ghana as developing country could use such a treatment system for waste water recovery. However, before such a system can be introduced, performance under local climatic conditions has to be studied, confirmed and design parameters determined before adopting the technology. Pistia (water lettuce) and duckweed have been identified as macrophytes that could be used for wastewater treatment in Ghana This thesis has determined the design parameters; detention time, BOD5 reaction rate constant, and the die-off coefficient for algal, duckweed and Pistia wastewater treatment systems. These parameters were determined under batch conditions and give a first indication of how these systems may perform under local climatic conditions. Using Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for discharge of wastewater into natural waters, effluent quality from the three systems at the end of 29 days were acceptable. A detention time of at least 28 days or more has thus, been recommended for macrophyte based systems in Ghana. BOD5 reaction rate constant determined for the three systems were greater than the 0.26d1 recommended for stabilisation ponds. Die- off constants at an average wastewater temperature of 29°C has also been determined. It has been recommended at the end of the study that, the treatment systems should be set-up as Continuous flow systems on a bench scale and the experience gained transferred to a pilot scale. Also presented in this thesis is a, preliminary design of a proposed pilot plant to be constructed at a site near the KNUST wastewater treatment plant.

Source: KNUST
Determination of drug sensitivity pattern of agents of pulmonary tuberculosis from Kumasi, Ghana

Despite the availability of drugs and vaccine, tuberculosis remains a formidable public health problem in developing countries, including sub-Saharan Africa. An important contributing factor is the emergence of strains resistant to the main first line treatment drugs, posing great threat to TB Control Programs. This study was therefore carried out in an urban setting of Ghana to assess the prevalence and drug susceptibility patterns in patients attending the Chest Clinic of Komfo Anokye Teaching hospital in Kumasi, Ghana. In all, 222 sputum samples were collected from 111 newly diagnosed sputum smear positive TB patients and cultured on Lowenstein-Jensen egg-based media. The isolates were then identified by conventional biochemical assays followed by the determination of susceptibility patterns to the four main anti-TB drugs; Isoniazid, Streptomycin, Rifampicin and Ethambutol, used in Ghana by the standard proportional method. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain standard demographic data as well as previous history of TB treatment. Out of the 82 isolates, 79 (96.3%) were identified as M tuberculosis complex and the rest, 3 (3.7%) as environmental mycobacteria. The drug resistant patterns of the four drugs were as follows: 7 (8.5 %) strains were resistant to isoniazid; 1 (1.2%) to rifampicin; 12 (14.6%) to streptomycin; 5 (6.1%) to ethambutol. Thus, 25 (30.4 %) of the isolates were resistant to at least one of these drugs. Resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid was observed in 1(1.2%) of the isolates. Findings from this study indicate a low prevalence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis isolates in pulmonary TB patients from Kumasi, Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Determination of haematological and biochemical abnormalities in HIV/AIDS infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy at the Effiankwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region.

The introduction of HAART has led to a significant improvement in prolonging survival of HIV-infected patients on treatment in resource-limited areas. Nevertheless, the key problem of HAART that long-term use has the potential to cause haematological and biochemical abnormalities that may be life-threatening. These significant difficulties sometimes permit change or discontinuation of ART. Data on the prevalence of the above complications in Ghana is limited. The current study assessed the haematological and biochemical abnormalities in HIV/AIDS infected persons that may be associated with the administration of HAART and their virological responses of which 200 seropositive HIV patients were tested pre and post HAART based on clinical laboratory biomarkers in a comparative cross-sectional study. Results were matched for gender, age and HAART status. The data was analyse using SPSS, Paired sample t-test and One-way ANOVA.The prevalence of haematological cytopenias (Anaemia, leucopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia and thrombopenia) which were classified into mild, moderate and severe saw significant reduction after treatment. The degree of cytopenias among gender was higher in females as compared to male post treatment. There was significant change in the levels of ALT and ALP which may indicate an association with hepatocellular injury with HAART treatment in participants with HIV infection. When creatinine clearance/glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured to determine degree of renal dysfunction and the prevalence of chronic kidney disease among HIV seropositive before and after medication. There was a reduction in renal dysfunction and chronic kidney disease when CKD-EPI equation was used post-HAART (18%-16.5%).This shows that renal pathology appeared to have improved after HAART, being an indication of ART ability to resolved renal disorders. The average viral load significantly reduced from 137966.30±4.05 in mean (copies/ml) to 2037.49±22.86 (copies/ml) after treatment (p-<0.0001). Viral load decrease significantly after HAART among males and females, [176441.20±3.65 vs 2641.19±24.17 and 128558.26±4.16 vs 1891.47±22.73] (copies/ml) respectively (p-<0.0001, p-0.0001). HAART had a weak effect on viraemia (n2-0.028), moderate effect on haemoglobin (η2 - 0.048), weak effect on total protein (n2-0.041) and moderate effect on serum albumin (η2 - 0.07). HAART therefore had a positive impact on viraemia, haematological and biochemical parameters as compare to HIV infection. Immunological status must be determined through CD4 count test.

Source: KNUST
Determination of Effluent Quality of Two Wastewater Treatment Systems: An Activated Sludge Sewage Treatment Plant and Waste Stabilization Ponds at Juapong

The study was conducted to determine the effluent quality of the two domestic waste water treatment plants; the Volta Star Textile Limited Activated –Sludge Treatment Plant and the State Insurance Company Lowcost Housing Estates Waste Stabilization Ponds at Juapong. Wastewater samples were obtained monthly from the influent and effluent of the two treatment systems. Temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, colour, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, phosphate, and counts of total coliform (TC), and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were analysed over a period of six consecutive months. The waste stabilization ponds (WSP) final effluent values obtained for temperature, pH, conductivity, colour, BOD, COD, TDS, nitrate, and phosphate were in compliance with the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines for discharges into natural receiving water bodies. However, quality parameters such as turbidity, TSS, nitrite and ammonia were unacceptable. The treatment performance of the WSP for conductivity was 49.34%, turbidity 68.78%, colour 21.89%, BOD 80.61%, COD 62.32%, TSS 55.31%, TDS 43.36%, nitrate 16.47%, ammonia 93.43%, and phosphate 92.0%. With the exception of ammonia and nitrite which were unacceptable, all the effluent values obtained for the Activated-sludge treatment plant were in good agreement with EPA of Ghana guidelines. The treatment performance of this plant for conductivity was 25.18%, turbidity 86.29%, colour 65.48%, BOD 74.55%, COD 68.04%, TSS 79.07%, TDS 26.59%, ammonia 60.69%, and phosphate 77.27%. The treatment performances of the two plants for nutrients such as nitrite and nitrate were rather poor. Nitrite exhibited negative values which implied an increase in the effluent compared to the influent. Although reduction of Total coliform and Escherichia coli exceeded 95% indicating high performance of the treatment plants, the final effluent discharged did not satisfy the EPA of Ghana permissible values. Most of the effluent quality parameters of the two systems were found to satisfy the standard set by EPA. One way analysis of variance (Anova) ran indicated that statistically, the final effluent of most quality parameters did not differ significantly between the two wastewater treatment plants. The ability of the wastewater treatment plant to effectively deal with some key parameters suggests that the treatment plants are efficient. It is recommended that the final effluent be disinfected before disposal to improve the wastewater quality. All damaged embankments of the waste stabilization ponds be repaired and the times or duration of aeration of wastewater in the activated- sludge plant be increased to improve the effluent quality.

Source: KNUST
Determination of health and nutritional benefits of jackfruits (artocarpus heterophyllus)

Jackfruit (artocarpus heterophyllus)is one of the tropical fruits uncommonly consumed in Ghana. In this study, the nutritional and health benefits of the jackfruit pulp, together with its bark and leaves, were assessed. The methodology was centred on determining the macro-and micro-nutrient composition and some potential health benefits of the jackfruit pulps, barks, and leaves. The proximate analytical methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) were used to quantify the macronutrients. The micronutrient contents were determined using spectrophotometric and non-spectrophotometric methods. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), and the β-carotene contents were determined using spectrophotometry as a means of measuring the health benefits of the samples. The crude protein, carbohydrates, and fibre content of the pulp were 1.05±0.06, 17.40±0.36 and 0.46±0.15 g/100 g of fresh fruit sample, respectively. The K, Ca, and P contents of the jackfruit pulps were 422.36±9.60, 69.91±1.66, and 61.17±0.01 mg/100 g of fresh fruit sample, respectively. The TPC, TFC, and β-carotenes content of the pulps were 65.9302±0.0163 mg GAE/100 g, 5.7620±0.0291 mg QE/100 g, and 2.43±0.06 mg/100 g, respectively. The results showed that jackfruit is rich in nutrients including minerals, phytochemicals, and in relatively higher amounts compared with other fruits.

Source: KNUST