ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
An acoustic investigation of vowel quality and length in Ghanaian English

Discourse on the existence of Ghanaian English (GhE) has provided several works on the description of GhE pronunciations, especially vowels (for example, Bobda, 2000; Huber, 2008; Lomotey, 2010; Ofori, Duah & Mintah, 2014). But the major challenge is that most of these studies, impressionistically, have provided different numbers of the English monophthongal vowels used in the Ghanaian context and often deny the existence of any long vowel or certain English vowels like /ʊ ʌ ə ɜ: ɔ:/ in GhE. Another alternative to the study of vowels is through instrumental perspective which appears more objective than the auditory approach. Consequently, the present study makes another attempt through the lenses of acoustic approach to investigate the English pure vowels employed by Ghanaians in their spoken English. The vowels were studied within three different contextual realisations: in citation, in sentences and in spontaneous speech. Forty educated Ghanaian speakers provided the data for the study. The results of Praat acoustic measurements in relation to formant frequencies (F1/F2) and vowel length indicated that Ghanaian speakers of English realise the RP vowels /i:, ɪ, e, a, a:, ɒ, ɔ:, ʊ, u: ʌ, ə/, except /ɜ:/ which is fronted and /æ/ which is rendered /a/. It must be emphasised that some of the vowels did not occur in the expected environments (words) and subsequently some also alternated with other vowels in the same words. Length was not a major issue in the identification of GhE vowels. Based on these findings, the study recommends that Ghanaians should consider the codification of GhE for pedagogical purposes and for official use instead of using the RP as the norm.

Source: UCC
Acoustoelectric effect in degenerate carbon nanotube

Acoustoelectric Effect AE in degenerate Carbon Nanotube (CNT) was theoretically studied for hypersound in the regime ql >> 1. The dependence of acoustoelectric current jac on the acoustic wave number ~ and frequency ωq at T = 10K and scattering angle (θ > 0) was evaluated at various harmonics n = ±1, 2, ... (where n is an integer). In the first harmonics (n = ±1), the non-linear dependence of jac on ωq and ~ were obtained. For n = ±2, the numerically evaluated jac qualitatively agreed with an experimentally obtained result

Source: UCC
Acoustoelectric effect in fluorinated carbon nanotube in the absence of external electric field

Acoustoelectric effect (AE) in a non-degenerate Fluorine modified single walled carbon nanotube (FSWCNT) semiconductor is studied theoretically using the Boltzmann’s transport equation. The study is done in the hyper sound regime i.e. q 1, where q is the acoustic phonon wavenumber and is the electron mean free path. The results obtained are compared with that of undoped single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). The AE current density for FSWCNT is observed to be four orders of magnitude smaller than that of undoped SWCNT with increasing temperature, that is FSWCNT SWCNT .This is because the electron-phonon interactions in SWCNT are stronger than FSWCNT. Thus, there are more intra-mini-band electrons interacting with the acoustic phonons to generate a higher AE current in SWCNT than in FSWCNT. This has been observed experimentally, where the electrical resistance of FSWCNT is higher than pristine SWCNT i.e. R  20 MΩ . The study shows the potential for FSWCNT as an ultrasound current source density imaging (UCSDI) and AE hydrophone material. However, FSWCNT offers the potential for room temperature applications of acoustoelectric device but other techniques are needed to reduce the resistance

Source: UCC
Acoustoelectric effect in Graphene with degenerate energy dispersion

The acoustoelectric effect AE in Graphene with degenerate energy dispersion is theoretically studied for hypersound in the regime ql >> 1. At low temperatures (kβT << 1), the non-linear dependence of Acoustoelectric current j/j0 on the frequency ωq and temperature T are numerically analysed. The obtained graph for j/j0 against ωq qualitatively agreed with an experimentally obtained results. For j/j0 versus T, the dependence of Acoustoelectric current in Graphene was found to manifest at low temperatures

Source: UCC
Acoustomagnetoelectric effect in graphene nanoribbon in the presence of external electric and magnetic fields

Acoustomagnetoelectric Efect (AME) in Graphene Nanoribbon (GNR) in the presence of an external electric and magnetic felds was studied using the Boltzmann kinetic equation. On open circuit, the Surface Acoustomag netoelectric feld (E~SAME) in GNR was obtained in the region ql >> 1, for energy dispersion ε(p) near the Fermi level. The dependence of E~ SAME on the magnetic feld strength (η), the sub-band index (pi), and the width (N) of GNR were analysed numerically. For E~ SAME versus η, a non-linear graph was obtained. From the graph, at low magnetic feld strength (η < 0.62), the obtained graph qualitatively agreed with that experimentally observed in graphite. However, at high magnetic feld strength (η > 0.62), the E~SAME falls rapidly to a minimum value. We observed that in GNR, the maximum E~ SAME was obtained at magnetic field H = 3.2Am−1. The graphs obtained were modulated by varying the sub-band index pi with an inversion observed when pi = 6. The dependence of E~ SAME on the width N for various pi was also studied where, E~ SAME decreases for increase in pi .To enhanced the understanding of E~ SAME on the N and η, a 3D graph was plotted. This study is relevant for investigating the properties of GNR

Source: UCC
Acoustomagnetoelectric effect in graphene nanoribbon in the presence of external electric and magnetic fields

Acoustomagnetoelectric Efect (AME) in Graphene Nanoribbon (GNR) in the presence of an external electric and magnetic felds was studied using the Boltzmann kinetic equation. On open circuit, the Surface Acoustomagnetoelectric feld (E~ SAME) in GNR was obtained in the region ql >> 1, for energy dispersion ε(p) near the Fermi level. The dependence of E~ SAME on the magnetic feld strength (η), the sub-band index (pi), and the width (N) of GNR were analysed numerically. For E~ SAME versus η, a non-linear graph was obtained. From the graph, at low magnetic feld strength (η < 0.62), the obtained graph qualitatively agreed with that experimentally observed in graphite. However, at high magnetic feld strength (η > 0.62), the E~ SAME falls rapidly to a minimum value. We observed that in GNR, the maximum E~ SAME was obtained at magnetic feld H = 3.2Am −1 . The graphs obtained were modulated by varying the sub-band index pi with an inversion obse when pi = 6. The dependence of E~ SAME on the width N for various pi was also studied where, E~ SAME decreases for increase in pi. To enhanced the understanding of E~ SAME on the N and η, a 3D graph was plotted. This study is relevant for investigating the properties of GNR

Source: UCC
Acquisition and management of non-current assets: A case study of ghana shippers’ authority

The purpose of the study is to assess how the acquisition and management of non-current assets is done at Ghana Shippers’ Authority and explore the challenges associated with the management of assets in Ghana Shippers’ Authority. The study employed the qualitative research, and exploratory study design was used. The population was made up of employees of Ghana Shippers’ Authority. The population were employees who work at the legal department, human resource department, audit department, accounts department and finance department. Seven respondents were sampled for the study and respondents were selected on the basis of the availability and the interviewer reaching saturation. A structured in-depth interview guide was used as the data collection instrument and data was analysed using content analysis. The result showed that the acquisition of assets, are acquired through the development of a rationale and a strategy for doing the acquisitions. It was found that Non-current asset are managed by determining Non-current asset needs, establishing centralized non-current assets management, and monitoring and evaluation of Non-current asset. Finally, it emerged from the interviews that poor records keeping and bureaucracy are the key challenges associated with the management of Non-current asset at the Authority. It is therefore recommended that a records department in charge of non-current asset should be established and tasked with record keeping that will address the challenges associated with poor record keeping.

Source: UCC
The act of teaching agricultural science in the junior high school: A case study of Assin district in the Central region

The study focused on the act of teaching Agricultural science in the Junior High Schools after the implementation of the new education reforms in 1987. The study was a descriptive survey. The sample consisted of all the agricultural science teachers in the Assin North District of the Central Region of Ghana. The result indicated that all Agricultural Science teachers in the district were professionals and experienced who were using the right method of teaching but they devoted more time for theory than practical lessons. Textbooks, syllabus, farm tools were insufficient in the schools. Farm assistants, library and laboratories were not available in all the schools. The results pointed out clearly that within the academic year theory topics in the syllabus were fairly treated and practical topics (activities) were unsatisfactorily handled. As a result it was recommended that the Agricultural science teachers should devote equal time for theory and practical lessons. Land sited for schools should be large enough so that part can be demarcated for agricultural activities. Agricultural sciences teachers should be encouraged and supported to write different agricultural textbooks to supplement the one provided by the CRDD of GES. Animal enterprise which is not popular with the schools should be encouraged by GES, DEO, PTA and other organizations for the students to gain practical skills on animal rearing. Simple farm tools, equipment, library, laboratory and farm assistance should be provided by the GES in sufficient quantities to help students gain interest in the subject.

Source: UCC
Actions and reactions to the evacuation of Guantanamo Bay detainees to Ghana: A content analysis of Daily Graphic Online Reporting

The Guantanamo Detention Camp was a facility created by the US government to house enemy combatant captured from war fronts in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Amid controversies surrounding the legality of their detention, the Obama administration pledged to shut down the facility. Since terrorism has become a global menace, efforts to combat it have been approached from a multilateral perspective than unilateral; the US transferred some of the detainees abroad recently to close it. Ghana is one of the countries that accepted two inmates. Through content analysis, this study examines media coverage of their evacuation to Ghana as expressed by sections of the Ghanaian public. Overall, society resented their arrival on fear and panic, insecurity and illegality grounds

Source: UCC
Actions of anesthetics on ligand-gated ion channels: role of receptor subunit composition

Molecular cloning of cDNAs coding for ligand-gated ion channel subunits makes it possible to study the pharmacology of recombinant receptors with defined subunit compositions. Many laboratories have used these techniques recently to study actions of agents that produce general anesthesia. We review the effects of volatile and intravenous anesthetics on recombinant GABAA, glycine, AMPA, kainate, NMDA, and 5HT3 receptors. Evidence for and against specific hand-gated ion channel subunits as targets responsible for anesthesia or the side effects of anesthetic agents is discussed for each type of receptor. Subunit specific actions of some of the agents suggest that construction and testing of certain chimeric receptor subunits may be useful for defining the amino acid sequences responsible for anesthetic actions. -Harris, R. A., Mihic, S. J., Dildy-Mayfield, J. E., Machu, T. K. Actions of anesthetics on ligandgated ion channels: role of receptor subunit composition. FASEB J. 9, 1454-1462 (1995)

Source: UCC
Actions to improve current state of student employability skills development in Ghana’s public universities: A case study of geography departments

The paper explored perspectives of stakeholders in geography education on measures geography departments should take to equip students with employable skills. The study was conducted against the backdrop of a common perception that in Ghana, there appears to be a disparity between what the world of work expects from university graduates and what universities produce. This perceived gap was the thrust of this study. Constructivist Theory, which in the 20th Century was popularised by Jean Piaget and John Dewey formed the theoretical framework for the study. Three objectives were used to guide the study. The case study research design was adopted for this study. Purposive sampling was used to select 36 undergraduate students and 19 support staff. Census sampling was used to select two heads of department; convenience sampling was used to select four instructors who were willing to participate in the study. Snowball sampling was also used to select four employers and 19 graduate employees. Thematic analysis was used in analysing the data. One of the findings was the suggestion by the stakeholders that the geography departments should adopt a more innovative approach to the training of students. Another finding was the need for the geography departments to periodically review their curricula. A major recommendation was that the geography departments should occasionally organise seminars and workshops on innovative instructional practices and social networking among staff and students.

Source: UCC
Activation of methanes by doubly charged metal dication complexes in the gas phase

A doubly charged metal dication complexes [Mn(Pyridine)4]2+ ions were formed and further activated with methane in the gas phase. [Mn(Pyridine)CH4]2+, [Mn(Pyridine)2CH4]2+, [Mn(Pyridine)3CH4]2+, [MnPy2Me2]2+ [MnPy3Me2]2+ and [Mn(Pyridine)4CH4]2+ were successfully identified after the experimental analysis. The average pyridine binding energy, calculated at the different levels of theory of zero point energy is in realistic agreement. The binding energies of methane decrease drastically with increasing number of pyridine ligands in the order of [Mn(Pyridine)CH4]2+>[Mn(Pyridine)2CH4]2+>[Mn(Pyridine)3CH4]2+> [Mn(Pyridine)4CH4]2+. The optimized structure of [Mn(Pyridine)4(CH4)]2+ indicated C1 symmetry with the methane-manganese ion distance approximately r=2.00 Å. DFT calculated binding energy of methane with Mn2+ was 15.13 kJ/mol while the binding energy calculated on the potential energy curve (PEC) was 17.37 kJ/mol. This higher interaction energy calculated from the PEC was due to the fact that the charge +2 was assumed for the metal ion in the calculations, but at the optimized geometry the DFT calculated actual charge on the metal ion was (Z=1.43). The calculated binding energy of methane with manganese pyridine dication complex ion was drastically overestimated on the PEC by approximately 15% compare to DFT

Source: UCC
An active transport mimetic system based on thioctic acid as carrier for alkaline earth metal ions

Liquid membranes incorporating thioctic acid as a carrier to mimic an active transport system for alkaline earth metals has been described. A transport cell, operating on the same principle as the Schulman Bridge was used. It has been demonstrated that such a system is capable of transporting alkaline earth metals against a proton gradient, as driving force. The potential of thioctic acid to complex and transport these metal ions particularly Mg2+, Ca 2+, and Ba 2+ was verified. Furthermore, this transport phenomenon was extended to some different barium salts (Cl-, Br-, NO3-, and SCN-) to determine the effect of nature of anion on the transport of the Ba2+ions. The order of the transport rate was found to be Ba 2+> Ca2+> Mg2+ which is inconsistent with the stability of coordination to the carboxyl group. The rate of transport of Ba2+ ions were found to decrease with the anion type in the order SCN-> Br-> NO3-> Cl-which is related to the extent of hydration of the anions

Source: UCC
Activity-Based Costing Practices In Selected Food Manufacturing Firms In Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis

The motive behind this study was to find out the activity-based costing practices of some selected manufacturing firms in Sekondi-Takoradi. The research design adopted was a descriptive survey. The study targeted one hundred and twenty (120) people, comprising chief financial officers, finance directors, and other accountants of the food production companies in Sekondi-Takoradi. Eighty respondents were purposively sampled for the study and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. It was revealed from the study that some food manufacturing firms in Sekondi-Takoradi use Activity-Based Cost as a cost analysis tool in the cause of producing goods and services. Secondly, it was found that Activity-Based Cost implementation aids firms in the classification of cost based on production activities which enable the firms to know what costs went into production at each stage. Thirdly, the study depicted that Activity-Based Cost has been beneficial since it demonstrated an appreciable cost-elevated cost designation system that aids firms to recognize the real costs of products or services. Finally, the study discovered that even though Activity-Based Cost is of great benefit, its implementation has some difficulties as well. It was concluded that Activity-Based Cost is being adopted by food manufacturing firms in Sekondi-Takoradi due to pressure from the globalized world, advances in technology, and the dominance of foreign managers and accountants. It was recommended that Selected firms should focus on promoting awareness and training on the benefits and implementation of ABC and setting performance metrics to capitalize on the financial returns and improved product/service quality resulting from ABC implementation.

Source: UCC
Activity-Based Costing Practices In Selected Food Manufacturing Firms In Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis

The motive behind this study was to find out the activity-based costing practices of some selected manufacturing firms in Sekondi-Takoradi. The research design adopted was a descriptive survey. The study targeted one hundred and twenty (120) people, comprising chief financial officers, finance directors, and other accountants of the food production companies in Sekondi-Takoradi. Eighty respondents were purposively sampled for the study and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. It was revealed from the study that some food manufacturing firms in Sekondi-Takoradi use Activity-Based Cost as a cost analysis tool in the cause of producing goods and services. Secondly, it was found that Activity-Based Cost implementation aids firms in the classification of cost based on production activities which enable the firms to know what costs went into production at each stage. Thirdly, the study depicted that Activity- Based Cost has been beneficial since it demonstrated an appreciable costelevated cost designation system that aids firms to recognize the real costs of products or services. Finally, the study discovered that even though Activity- Based Cost is of great benefit, its implementation has some difficulties as well. It was concluded that Activity-Based Cost is being adopted by food manufacturing firms in Sekondi-Takoradi due to pressure from the globalized world, advances in technology, and the dominance of foreign managers and accountants. It was recommended that Selected firms should focus on promoting awareness and training on the benefits and implementation of ABC and setting performance metrics to capitalize on the financial returns and improved product/service quality resulting from ABC implementation.

Source: UCC
Acute and sub-acute oral toxicity assessment of hydro-alcoholic root extract of Paullinia pinnata on haematological and biochemical parameters

The trusted efficacy of Paullinia pinnata (Sapindaceae) that has made many people to patronize it despite the absence of toxicity studies emerges from its long history of use in Ghana. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute and sub-acute toxicity effects of P. pinnata roots on biochemical and haematological indices in rats. The dried Paullinia roots after milling was macerated in 70% ethanol and concentrated to obtain the semi-solid extract. For the acute toxicity study, rats were exposed to dose levels of 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, and 5,000 mg/kg p.o. and monitored for 48–72 hours. Dose levels of 375, 750, and 850 mg/kg were used for the sub-acute toxicity studies. The results of haematological and biochemical parameters in the present study showed that the root extract of P. pinnata is potentially safe for oral consumption up to dose of 850 mg/kg

Source: UCC
Acute Blindness in a Child after Quinine treatment for Severe Malaria

Although blurred vision from quinine toxicity is well documented in literature, an acute effect leading to blindness is infrequently reported. We report a case of sudden bilateral blindness in a child after quinine treatment for severe malaria. Ocular examination revealed no acute pathology except widely dilated non-reactive pupils. The site within the retina of the toxic effect of quinine remains controversial. Literature on proposed mechanisms is reviewed in this article. This case highlights the potential toxic effects of quinine in children and the lack of a characteristic fundi appearance.

Source: UCC
Acute Effect of Energy Drink Consumption on Physiological Responses and Physical Performance Variables of University Athletes

Current research has shown varied results when comparing the effects of energy drink on anaerobic exercise measures. Athletes in Ghana have been using energy drink over the time but hardly has any research been conducted on the effect this pre exercise consumption has on their physical performance. The purpose of this study was to find out the short term effects of energy drink on some blood pressure, heart rate, agility, lower body strength and upper body strength of athletes of the University of Cape Coast. To ascertain this, participants were taken through agility, overhead medicine ball throw and vertical jump tests in a pre-test and a post-test. The intervention in this study was the consumption of 250ml of Red Bull energy drink. Forty-four trained athletes (Age: 22.32 ± 2.81 years, height: 167.2 ± 9.83 cm, weight: 61.12 ± 8.01 kg). Paired sample t-test results showed no significant effect of energy drink consumption on systolic blood pressure (t = -0.78, p = 0.437), diastolic blood pressure (t = -0.91, p = 0.366), heart rate (t = -030, p = 0.759) and lower body strength (t = 0.11, p = 0.916). However, there were significant changes in agility (t = 5.42, p = 0.001) and upper body strength (t = -2.79, p = 0.008). Independent sample t-test showed no effect difference on agility (t = -1.13, p = 0.264) and upper body strength (t = -1.77, p = 0.085) between male and female participants. In view of this, athletes, trainers, and coaches could consider recommending the use of energy drink as a pre-exercise supplement, especially in events involving agility and upper body strength.

Source: UCC