ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
The Lighthouse Ministry Complex (Baatsona, Accra)

The Charismatic Church Movement or the new wave churches can be categorized as an epoch in the chronology of the Christian Church. It expresses that the Church is a dynamic human institution - everything about it is subject to change and review. This evolution is being given expression in the presentation of a new direction in the design of churches. Current statistics on church attendance in Ghana reveal that the charismatic congregations apparently outnumber the traditional or orthodox churches despite their relatively recent introduction on the religious scene. Again, a survey of charismatic churches in the country reveals that few prominent churches exceed a membership of one thousand. One of the reasons is availability of places of worship spacious enough to house both the regular, irregular and occasional visitors. What is more attractive is a place of worship with everyone under one roof partaking of the activities (Psalm 133), the congregation not merely being recipients of what emanates from the pulpit. The new movement seeks to lay emphasis on the congregation’s participation and less emphasis on the clergy. Word and music ministration is vividly in focus. The nature of liturgical space has changed from an awe inspiring house of God to a hail of praise and worship accommodating the whole family. Praise and worship is expressive, involving gesticulations, in short, exuberant. Identification of these characteristics of the “New Wave Churches” further supports the theory that religion is dynamic and not static in form of worship and mode of expression. The church building must necessarily reflect the foregoing. The Lighthouse Ministry is one of the fastest growing charismatic churches in Ghana. Characteristic of all other charismatic churches, their form of worship assumes a rather exuberant expression. This is coupled with much noise, in lieu of the sanctimonious atmosphere akin to the older orthodox churches. Though laudable and lofty in their aspirations, the Lighthouse Ministry and most other charismatic churches in the country are stifled and under mockery due to their inconvenient meeting places. The Lighthouse Ministry4 s headquarters is presently worshipping in a refurbished Old Cinema building at Korle-Gonno situated in the south-eastern end of Accra. The ministry has recently acquired a 1.8 hectare plot situated at Baatsona in the eastern suburb of Accra within a generally featureless residential area landscape. The scheme proposes an appropriate facility also to serve as a model for charismatic churches in our community.

Source: KNUST
Lifestyle interventions for type 2 diabetes management among migrants and ethnic minorities living in industrialized countries: a systematic review and meta-analyses

The objective of this systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions to improve the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among migrants and ethnic minorities. Major searched databases included MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE (via Ovid) and CINAHL. The selection of studies and data extraction followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. In the meta-analysis, significant heterogeneity was detected among the studies (I2>50%), nand hence a random effects model was used. Subgroup analyses were performed to compare the effect of lifestyle interventions according to intervention approaches (peer led vs community health workers (CHWs)-led). A total of 17 studies were included in this review which used interventions delivered by CHWs or peer supporters or combination of both. The majority of the studies assessed effectiveness of key primary (hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipids, fasting plasma glucose) and secondary outcomes (weight, body mass index, blood pressure, physical activity, alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, food habits and healthcare utilization). Meta analyses showed lifestyle interventions were associated with a small but statistically significant reduction in HbA1c level (−0.18%; 95% CI −0.32% to −0.04%, p=0.031). In subgroup analyses, the peer-led interventions showed relatively better HbA1c improvement than CHW-led interventions, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.379). Seven studies presented intervention costs, which ranged from US$131 to US$461 per participant per year. We conclude that lifestyle interventions using either CHWs or peer supporters or a combination of both have shown modest effectiveness for T2DM management among migrants of different background and origin and ethnic minorities. The evidence base is promising in terms of developing culturally appropriate, clinically sound and cost-effective intervention approaches to respond to the growing and diverse migrants and ethnic minorities affected by diabetes worldwide.

Source: KNUST
Limited proteolysis of bambara groundnut proteins and evaluation of their surface functional and sensory properties in cake products

Limited proteolysis approach was used to modify Bambara groundnut protein isolates (BPIs) to find how the modified protein isolates compare to egg white by studying their surface functional properties and sensory characteristics. Proteolytic treatments were carried out for 10, 35, 60 and 120 minutes to give products labeled as BAM-10, BAM-35, BAM-60 and BAM-120 respectively. The untreated protein isolate was also labeled as Native. The surface functional properties were compared to egg white which served as the control at pHs 4, 7 and 9. The results showed that limited proteolysis increased the foaming properties with BAM-35 at pH 9 giving most of the desired results: foam activity and foam stability were 376 % and 78.4 % respectively; emulsion capacity also increased with the highest value of 70 % at pH 4. Emulsion activity and emulsion stability however decreased with proteolysis. Water binding capacity (WBC) and Oil absorption capacity (OAC) also increased with the highest values being 424 % and 386 % respectively for BAM-120. The optimum results obtained for the protein isolates were all comparable to those obtained for the egg white. Improved foaming properties, WBC and OAC suggest that the modified BPIs could find applications in foods that require high foaming and flavour retention. The BPIs however, showed poorer sensory characteristics compared to the egg white when applied in model cakes.

Source: KNUST
Limb Fitting Complex, Sunyani

“It is fundamental that whatever forms a man brings forth through honest work, those forms will not be altogether convincing unless they are a true expression of his life, his emotions, his thoughts and his aspirations. His art, his best is a significant testimony of his integrity, of his mind and spirit, the product of his real personality.” The design thesis report of a Limb Fitting Complex was conceived after a survey of the physically handicapped and the need to aid them in the area of mobility. It describes the existing facilities available to amputees and other physically handicapped people including spastics and those with congenial cases. With these case studies, processes show how the demerits have been considered and the merits improved and elaborated on to come up with a design that does not only satisfy users needs functionally but is also sensitive to the needs of the amputee first and other physically handicapped people. Generally it centres on the importance of recognising the value of the physically handicapped person’s modest presence in the larger world. It is recognition of this nature which constitutes the “effort of the gardner that allows the flowering of abundance and variety in cultural and biological affairs - life and space not dominated but intertwined with and cared for.”

Source: KNUST
Linear pharmacokinetic model of first order metabolism in the liver

In this study we demonstrate the added value of mathematical model of metabolism for drug modi cation into metabolites. We show that for speci ed parameter val-ues, the model proposed by Polkings et al. (2005) can be substituted into a proposed metabolism model, which can describe the dynamics of drug change in the liver. When we ingest a drug into our body, the body absorbs the drug into the blood stream. Then the body breaks that drug into smaller pieces called metabolites. This conversion of drugs into metabolite is the third phase of the Pharmacokinetic phenomenon (ADME). Mathematical modeling of Pharmacoki-netics (PK) is the rate of change in concentration of a medical drug as it goes through di erent compartments in the human body. In the third phase of drug processing in the body, it is expected that the absorbed drug has to undergo bio-transformation in the liver before nal excretion of the metabolites through the kidney or any other excretory system. This third phase of PK (drug metabolism) is an inevitable processing stage of a drug in order to prevent toxicity build-up due to re-absorption of un-metabolised active substrate (drug concentration). This work is an extension of the study done by Polking, Boggess and Arnold (2005). Their research ndings shows that drug substrate in the human organ or tissue can be analytically determined using rst-order di erential equation. However their model encapsulates only the rst two phases (AD) of the whole (ADME) process and moreover their model hardly tells us the fate of the active substrate after pharmacological action (healing e ect) in the human organ (tissue). We develop a rst-order di erential equation model characterizing the metabolism iii reaction in the liver after direct transportation of active substrate from the tis-sue compartment. Primarily, this goal is achieved by using principles in mixing problems, methods of integration factor and integration by parts. This study combines the rst three phases (ADM) of (ADME) and our analysis reveals and also demonstrate the critical conditions under which liver metabolism transpires. The result of our analysis will help improve medical dosing treatment strategies for non-linear drugs.

Source: KNUST
Limited Proteolysis, Evaluating the Degree of Hydrolysis and Molecular Weight Profile of Protein Hydrolysates from Vigna subterranea and Cajanus cajan

The protein hydrolysates of two neglected and underutilized legumes; Vigna subterranea (Bambara groundnut) and Cajanus cajan (Pigeon pea) were electrophoretically profiled having previously been subjected to limited proteolysis. The limited enzymatic hydrolyses were carried out with alcalase, pepsin and papain while the Ninhydrin protocol was used to follow the degree of hydrolysis. Response surface D-optimal design was used to plan two set of 17 experimental runs one for Bambara groundnut protein and the other for Pigeon pea protein. The initial design which followed a quadratic model was obtained using the two treatment factors: time of hydrolysis (10.00-120.00 min), numeric factor and type of enzyme (alcalase, pepsin and papain), categoric factor. Bambara groundnut proteins were only marginally vulnerable to hydrolysis just as Pigeon pea proteins were. However, pepsin had the least degree of hydrolysis whereas alcalase which generally has a larger molecular weight had the highest degree of hydrolysis for Pigeon pea protein. Papain’s performance in degree of hydrolysis may be due to the low cysteine amino acids in Pigeon pea. On the other hand, alcalase had the least degree of hydrolysis whereas papain had the highest degree of hydrolysis for Bambara groundnut protein. The image J analysis of the electrophoregram of the hydrolysates at the 10th min and 120th min for Bambara groundnut and Pigeon pea proteins confirmed the actions of these enzymes. It also confirmed the presence of numerous polypeptides of relatively low molecular weights especially at the 120th min. It is believed that the technique of limited proteolysis would be mastered for NULs such as Bambara groundnut and Pigeon pea proteins, and subsequently; their surface functional properties and thus, the food industrial applications of their resultant polypeptides would fully be realized.

Source: KNUST
Linear Programming Model for Optimum Crop Production And Income in Brong Ahafo Region

This thesis seeks to develop a proposed linear programming model to determine the best allocation (hectares) for the optimum production of five selected crops in the Brong Ahafo Region. This problem was solved by the simplex method using the net income per hectare for each crop as coefficients for the objective function and data on arable land mean annual rainfall and the area cultivated as constraints. The results indicate that the region has the potential to increase the net income from the cultivation of these crops ensure food security and reduce poverty in the region.

Source: KNUST
Link level performance evaluation of relay-based Wimax network

The recent demand for higher data rate services from wireless network users is overwhelming. Social media influx as well as the proliferation of smart-phones, tablet computers and other newly improved wireless devices has erupted a new trend in wireless network traffic where average capacity and speed is no longer appreciable. In order to cope with this trend in traffic requirement, wireless network operators are considering a gradual rollover of an existing third generation (3G) network to a fourth generation (4G) network with orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) based technologies such as Fourth Generation Long Term Evolution (4G LTE) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). Relay technology promises appreciable network throughput and coverage enhancement which is required for these systems to function to their optimum performance. This thesis is focused on analyzing the link-level performance of a relay-based WiMAX network under varying conditions. The study involves a hypothetical view as well as MATLAB simulations with results generated which are used to judge the benefit of relay deployment. This is aimed at solving pertinent issues such as coverage holes and cell edge problems which are associated with classical non-relay based cellular networks. We evaluated the performance of relay and direct link communication in terms of BER (Bit Error Rate), spectral efficiency and capacity. We investigated the effect of multipath fading on link performance. We also investigated the effect of user speed on performance. Our results however indicate improved performance in terms of BER, spectral efficiency and capacity in the downlink when relays are used.

Source: KNUST
The linkages between soil degradation and land tenure arrangements. a case of crop farming in the Sekyere West District of Ashanti region

Land tenure arrangement affect farmers' resource management, agricultural production and soil management in the Sekyere West District. The purpose of the study was to explore how land tenure arrangements can contribute to soil degradation. Data collected from the focus group discussions and interviews were analysed in the light of the propositions formulated based on the study objectives. It was discovered that there is a direct link between tenure security and soil degradation in the Sekyere West District. Tenure insecurity is the main institutional constraints that inhibit soil conservation investments in the study area. Moreover, the study revealed that, the type of farming practice is not always determined by tenure status but rather the type of crops cultivated also influences the type of farming technique a farmer employs. Further, the trend in farmland ownership has not changed in the study area. What has rather changed is the relationship between tenant farmers and landowners in terms of farmland acquisition. The conclusions drawn from interviews concerning land tenure and soil conservation were that unsustainable farming practices were not employed by tenant farmers alone. Evidence from the study indicates that the link between tenure security and overexploitation of soil resources is complex and varies among land users. Long-term investments in land, such as soil conservation practices are highly dependent on the level of security, which is measured in the duration a farmer expects to till a parcel of land. The study recommends that policies aimed at improving the literacy level of peasants should be encouraged in the Sekyere West District since literature confirms that there is a positive relationship between the adoption of improved farming techniques and literacy. Also, there should be awareness among land tenure institutions so that lease durations would be such that the time horizon is sufficiently long enough to enable the holder to recoup with confidence the full income stream generated by the investments put into the land.

Source: KNUST
Linking institutional pressures, supply chain technology utilisation, supply chain performance and business performance

This study examines the relationship between institutional pressures, supply chain technology utilization, and supply chain and business performance in the Accra metropolis of Ghana. The research employed the quantitative survey design and used a questionnaire to gather data from 394 respondents from 114 firms. Descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, and structural equation modelling techniques were used to analyse the data. The study found that all three types of institutional pressures (coercive, normative, and mimetic) have a significant positive effect on business performance. Although institutional pressures did not have a statistically significant impact on supply chain technology utilization, the utilization of supply chain technology has a positive effect on supply chain and business performance. Supply chain technology utilization is identified as mediating the relationship between institutional pressures and supply chain and business performance. The findings suggest that firms operating in the Accra metropolis of Ghana iv can benefit from investing in innovative technologies to enhance their supply chain and business performance. The study recommends that managers pay close attention to institutional pressures and develop effective response strategies to mitigate the negative effects of such pressures. Future research could explore the relationship between institutional pressures, supply chain technology utilization, and supply chain and business performance in other regions or industries to generalize the findings.

Source: KNUST
Linking Process Capability to Cost In a Wire Drawing Plant

This thesis represents work done in assessing the capability of a wire drawing production process. A data collection sheet is used to record the diameters of samples. Two sets of data are taken for the assessment. The procedure starts with checking for normality, verifying statistical control and finally determining the process capability index. The first observation gives process capability ratio, Ppk of 1.55, sample mean of 3.686 mm and sample standard deviation of 0.0525 mm. A Ppk of 1.37, sample mean of 4.099 mm and sample standard deviation of 0.0925 mm are obtained from the second observation. Determination of quality costs on the production line is discussed and an approach to quality costs analysis is developed and illustrated. A quality cost model for this line incorporating prevention, appraisal and failure cost elements is presented and validated using MatLab codes. The outputs of both observations suggest that the process has higher external than internal failure costs. The modeling concept developed could offer a general framework for most wire drawing industries in Ghana.

Source: KNUST
Linking supply chain disruption to operational resilience: the roles of threat interpretation bias and disruption orientation

Operations are a peculiar sub-component of a firm that is a key value-creation activity that generates profits for firms and their supply chain partners. However, disruptive events have made it challenging for firms to maintain stable growth and performance. Anecdotal evidence and past research have identified that operational resilience helps firms thrive despite the disruptions that they may be encountering. However, research on supply chain disruption’s relationship with operational resilience is inconclusive as past studies have produced conflicting findings. This study, therefore, draws insights from threat rigidity theory to examine threat interpretation bias as a key intervening force to explain how supply chain disruption contributes to operational resilience. In addition, the study builds on organisational information processing theory to examine how disruption orientation reduces the strength of the relationship between supply chain disruption and operational resilience linkage through threat interpretation bias. These arguments are tested on primary data from 259 firms in ghana. The study employed covariance-based structural equation modelling in mplus 7.4 to analysis the data collected in the study. Findings from the study show that the association between supply chain disruption and operational resilience is negative but insignificant, while the supply chain disruption and operational resilience link is negatively mediated by threat interpretation bias. The results further indicates that under conditions of high levels of disruption orientation, the negative relationship between supply chain disruption and operational resilience through threat interpretation bias is weakened. The study suggests that supply chain managers should lessen their propensity to interpret disruptive occurrences as threats, encourage a participative approach by decentralising decision-making on disruptions and engage in increased information search when a disruption strikes.

Source: KNUST
Liquid Phase Oxidation of Phenols in Industrial Wastewater Using an Adsorbent – Catalyst Matrix

Phenols constitute an important class of toxic organic compounds found in most refinery waste water streams. Due to its refractory nature towards conventional waste water treatment methods it requires a much more severe conditions to effect meaningful oxidation. Catalytic Wet Air Oxidation (CWAO), the most promising treatment method for phenol abatement currently has a high operation cost due largely to the absence of a suitable cost effective catalyst. The current study has investigated the use of the spent Fluidized Catalytic Cracking (FCC) catalyst as a suitable cost effective catalyst for the CWAO process and identified the appropriate operating conditions for its usage in this regard. The spent FCC catalyst has been proven to be a good adsorbent of phenol, a property not found in the fresh catalyst. Its performance as phenol adsorbent compared with activated carbon has been found to be about 16.62% that of activated carbon. It was found out that particles were agglomerated with a d25 for the fresh and spent catalyst being 48 μm and 68 μm respectively against a d50 of 68 μm and 88 μm respectively. The pore volume had also increased from 0.4 cm3/g to 0.9 cm3/g. The spent FCC unlike the fresh catalyst was found to contain Ni, V, Cu, Fe and Sr which are potential catalyst. The spent catalyst was impregnated with varying amounts of CuO, Fe2O3 and MnO2 and tested for phenol oxidation using various amounts of H2O2 as radical initiator. It was however found out that the spent catalyst impregnated with 0.97% Fe2O3 was a very effective catalyst for the catalytic wet air oxidation of phenol using 1 vol. % H2O2 as a iii radical initiator and a relatively low air pressure of 0.4 cm Hg (533 Pa) gauge and temperature of 50oC. The results were then tested with refinery stripped sour water with about 100% mineralization.

Source: KNUST