ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Comparative Studies of the viscoelastic properties of polyethylene, polyisoprene and polyvinyl chloride subjected to constant loads at different constant temperatures

Viscoelastic properties of selected polymers subjected to constant loads at different temperatures have been studied. The prepared samples were mounted in a furnace and subjected to a tension under constant loads at a specific temperature. Initial strain rates were determined. The change in elongation of the polymeric materials were measured and recorded. The loads were then increased for the same temperature and also at different temperatures. Graphs of strain against time were then plotted and the equations for the curves obtained were differentiated and the times substituted into the equations to obtain the strain rates. Generally, the initial strain rates were relatively higher due to chain uncoiling in the polymeric materials. Under a load of 0.5 kg, at temperatures of 50oC, 100oC and 150oC, polyethylene recorded minimum strain rates of 0.00346 min-1, 0.01128 min-1, 0.00346 min-1respectively with corresponding times of 28.06 mins, 18.16 mins and 6.52 mins.Polyisoprene, on the other hand, recorded comparatively low values of minimum strain rates as follows: under a load of 0.5 kg, at temperatures of 50oC, 100oC and 150oC respectively, the minimum strain rates were 0.0032989 min-1, 0.003478 min-1, 0.015146 min-1with corresponding times of 39.4 mins, 29.51 mins and 9.52 mins. PVC recorded the highest values of minimum strain rates under the same conditions with values 0.0131794 min-1, 0.024498 min-1and 0.0301 min-1 with corresponding time values of 24.21 mins, 14.24 mins, 12.26 mins.This can be attributed to PVC having the lowest heat distortion temperature compared to polyisoprene and polyethylene. Polyisoprene recorded the least strain rates under similar conditions of load or temperature due to the presence of crosslinks and double bonds in its molecular structure. Polyisoprene exhibited the highest stiffness and consequently the highest resistance to heat flow. The viscoelastic properties of the polymers used were characterized by temperature, loading, minimum strain rates and the time for the occurrence of minimum strain rates. The minimum strain rates moved to shorter times as temperature increased. At low temperatures, the deformation of the polymer was slow. However, at high temperatures, the deformation was fast.

Source: KNUST
Comparative Studies on the Effects of Moringa Oleifera in Improving Water Quality for Some Communities in Sekyere South District

The high cost of treating drinking water makes most poor people in the rural communities resort to readily available sources which are mostly polluted, thus, exposing them to waterborne diseases. It is in this light that this research was carried out to confirm the effectiveness of powder extracted from mature-dried Moringa oleifera seeds, a cheap and readily available local coagulant, on water quality in four communities in the Sekyere South District. Water samples from two streams and two hand dug wells from four communities were treated with Moringa oleifera seed extract as coagulant using jar test. The quality of treated water was analyzed and compared with alum treated water. Five millilitres (5ml), 10ml, 15ml and 20ml concentrations of seed extract were used and their results compared to that of 0.2ml, 0.4ml, 0.6ml and 0.8ml concentrations of alum. A control (water without alum and Moringa treatments) was also included. The pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, conductivity and microbial counts were measured at three different time intervals (0, 12 and 24 hours). Efficient turbidity reduction was observed at 20 ml and 10 ml concentrations of Moringa for stream and well water from an initial value of 24.59 NTU to 5.09 NTU and 13.17NTU to 5.48NTU respectively after 24 hour settling time. Alum concentration of 0.4ml reduced turbidity to 3.32 NTU for stream water and 3.0 NTU for well water. Total dissolved solids and conductivity gradually increased for both alum and Moringa with increasing concentrations but fell within the recommended drinking water standard. Moringa concentrations did not influence pH of water. pH values were observed to range between 7.29 to 6.27 for stream water and 7.05 to 6.06 for well water, however, alum concentrations reduced pH to acidic levels. Bacterial removal range of 61% and 68% was observed for 20ml Moringa concentration for streams whereas alum concentration of 0.8ml recorded 75% and 80% bacterial removal. Well water recorded percentage bacterial removal range of 57% and 54% for 15ml Moringa concentration as compared to the removal range of 69% and 74% recorded by alum at the 12 hour treatment period. Findings from this study indicate that Moringa oleifera, a natural coagulant, can be a potentially viable substitute to alum in treatment of water.

Source: KNUST
Comparative studies on the in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activity of methanolic and hydro-ethanolic extracts from eight edible leafy vegetables of Ghana

Epidemiological studies indicate that consumption of fruits and vegetables has the ability to inhibit the damaging activities of free radicals and other pathogens in the human body. Eight edible leafy vegetables of Ghana namely: Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Solanum macrocarpon, Talinum triangulare, Corchorus olitorius, Laportea aestuans, Ipomoea batatas, and Amaranthus cruentus were assessed for their in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The experimental results indicate that hydro-ethanol is an effective solvent for extracting the phytoconstituents of the leafy vegetables. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total phenol content (TPC) in the methanol extracts (METE) and hydro-ethanol extracts (HETE) from the selected leafy vegetables within the measured concentration range (0.1 - 3.0 mg/mL) decreased in the order X. sagittifolium > I. batatas > L. aestuans > T. triangulare > H. sabdariffa > C. olitorius > S. macrocarpon > A. cruentus. A high and positive correlation was observed between TPC and TAC in both the METE and HETE from all the selected leafy vegetables. The selected leafy vegetables showed strong antioxidant properties with respect to their free radical scavenging activity and Fe3+ reduction ability with hydro-ethanol extracts indicating higher antioxidant potential compared with their respective methanol extracts. In addition, the extracts from the selected leafy vegetables exhibited a strong antibacterial activity against the growth of Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus with the exception of extracts from H. sabdariffa, C. olitorius, S. macrocarpon, and A. cruentus which showed no activity against the growth of B. subtilis.

Source: KNUST
Comparative Studies on the In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Methanolic And Hydro-Ethanolic Plant Extracts from Five Medicinal Plant Parts of Ghana

Studies show that consumption of plant products has the potential to inhibit the damaging activities of free radicals in the human body. Five medicinal plant parts of Ghana namely: the seed of Okuobaka aubrevillei, leaves of Annona muricata, leaves of Theobroma cacao, the false stem and root Cymbopogon citratus were assessed for their antioxidant properties and antimicrobial properties. The experimental results indicate that hydro-ethanol is an effective solvent for extracting the phytoconstituents of the medicinal plants. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total phenol content (TPC) in the methanol extracts (METE) and hydro-ethanol extracts (HETE) from the selected medicinal plants within the measured concentration range (0.1 - 3.0 mg/ml) decreased in the order T. cacao > A. muricata > root of C. citratus > false stem of C. citratus > O. okuobaka. A high and positive correlation was observed between TPC and TAC in both the METE and HETE from all the selected medicinal plants. The selected medicinal plant showed strong antioxidant properties with respect to their free radical scavenging activity and Fe3+ reduction ability with hydro-ethanol extracts indicating higher antioxidant potential compared with their respective methanol extracts. All extracts of the plants tested showed varying degree of antibacterial activities against the test bacterial species (S. aureus, E. coli and B. substlis). The hydro-ethanol extracts showed higher activity than the methanol extracts. However, the hydro - ethanol extract of the root of C. citratus showed no activity against S. aureus, E. coli at lower concentrations.

Source: KNUST
Comparative studies on the effects of three cultural practices on growth, yield and nutritive qualities of vegetable jute (Corchorus Olitorius L.) and lettuce (Lactuca Sativa L.)

The effects of spacing, weed competition and irrigation frequency on growth, yield and nutrient composition of vegetable jute (Corchorus olitorius L.) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) were investigated. The spacing’s investigated were 30 x 15cm, 30 x 22.5cm and 30 x 30cm; the weeding frequencies were, i) no weeding, ii) weeding once, iii) weeding two times and iv) complete weed-free conditions achieved by 4 weedings and irrigation were at 1, l½, 2, 2½ and 3 days intervals. Data were collected on plant height, canopy spread, stem girth, total leaf area, root length, root spread and volume, leaf/stem ratio, yield and yield components of the vegetables. Determinations of dry matter content, crude protein, ash, crude fibre and mineral elements including vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus were carried out. The economics of the various cultural practices were also evaluated. Vegetable jute had higher values for all the nutrient elements studied, suggesting that vegetable jute is more nutritious than lettuce. The vegetative growth and yield responses of vegetable jute and lettuce were variable. The results indicated that the highest yield and profit were obtained at the closest spacing of 30cm x 15cm. Spacing, however, did not significantly influence crude protein, ash, crude fibre and phosphorus contents of plants. Magnesium, calcium, and potassium contents tended to decrease with decreasing spacing while vitamin C content increased with decreasing spacing. The performance of plants grown on plots weeded two times and those kept weed-free throughout growth were comparable in both vegetative growth and yield parameters. It was more profitable to weed two times than to keep plots weed-free throughout growth. Plots which were not weeded throughout growth resulted in 65% and 95% loss in total yield of vegetable jute and lettuce respectively. Lettuce plants kept either weed-free or weeded two times gave the highest income and profit. Weed competition did not significantly affect dry matter, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium contents of plants but crude protein, ash and crude fibre contents increased with increasing frequency of weeding. The contents of magnesium, potassium and phosphorus in vegetable jute leaves tended to decrease with increasing frequency of weeding. With regard to the irrigation frequencies, daily irrigation produced the highest yield and profit in lettuce while vegetable jute recorded losses under any of the irrigation frequencies studied. Crude protein, ash, and phosphorus contents were not significantly influenced by irrigation frequency but dry matter, potassium, calcium and magnesium contents decreased with decreasing frequency of irrigation in both vegetable jute and lettuce.

Source: KNUST
Comparative Studies on the Qualities of Commercialized Yoghurt in Kumasi and the Effect of Natamycin on Yoghurt during Storage

Yoghurt is a fermented dairy product which is consumed as a dessert, snack or as a pro-biotic food drink and has been one of the dairy products patronized by consumers in the Kumasi metropolis. The study was undertaken to assess consumer preference for yoghurt and to compare the nutritional, microbial, physicochemical and sensory qualities of seven freshly prepared brands of vanilla-flavoured stirred yoghurts obtained from the manufacturers in Kumasi, Ghana. The preservative effect of natamycin on yoghurt during storage was also studied. These products were coded as Y1, Y2, Y3 up to Y7. 284 consumers of yoghurt in Kumasi gave many reasons for their preference of the various brands of yoghurt and 26.40% thought the most important nutrients obtainable from yoghurt were fats and proteins, and 26.10% believed vitamins were more readily available in this product. However 31.8% of consumers had no idea about which vitamin(s) were most available in the product. Some consumers indicated that an improvement of the shelf life of the products would be necessary and appreciated. Apart from the fat content which did not vary significantly, there were significant differences (P<0.05) in the nutritional composition and physicochemical properties of the seven commercialized brands of yoghurt. The protein content ranged from 2.08 ± 0% to 3.10 ± 0.19%, while fat contents ranged from 0.24 ± 0.19% to 0.59 ± 0.41% and energy values from 229 to 338KJ per100ml of yoghurt. Four out of seven brands had protein contents lower than the minimum permitted value (2.7%) set by the Codex Standards for such products. The total coliform (0 to 9.30±0 ×102 cfu/ml) and yeast counts (8.40±0.35×105 to 14.00±0.39×105cfu/ml) did not meet Codex Allimentarius and Ghana standards for fermented milk products, which require that these microbial contaminants should not be present at all. In terms of consumer sensory preferences, Y3 was the least accepted product while Y6 was the most preferred product. Preservation of samples of yoghurt with 5 to 10 ppm of natamycin resulted in 8 ppm of natamycin being the most appropriate concentration for improving the keeping quality of the product. This concentration of the preservative gave the highest percentage decrease (69.36%) of yeast loads in yoghurt during storage and also resulted in relatively minimal changes in important physicochemical properties such as pH, titratable acidity and total soluble solids than lower concentrations of 5 to 7 ppm. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in pH, titratable acidity, total soluble sugars, total coliform and yeast counts of all commercialized yoghurts with and without natamycin throughout the 35 days of storage at 5 ± 1 degrees Celsius.

Source: KNUST
A comparative study between the Traditional rites of passage and Christian initiation rites in Effutu Traditional Area

This thesis A Comparative Study between the Traditional Rites of Passage and Christian Initiation Rites in Effutu Traditional Area in the Central Region of Ghana examines the traditional rites of passage and Christian initiation rites and their similarities and differences. The study establishes that traditional rites of passage in Effutu have educational and religious values. Winneba was the main study area however; the findings are present in all the Effutu communities in the Central Region. The study uses descriptive method of qualitative approach in analysing the information obtained from the field of study through the use of questionnaire and interviews. It was found out that though a number of the populace are now neglecting the traditional rites of passage, it has not died out at all. The research points to how traditional rites of passage are related or associated to the Christian initiation rites in the Methodist church of Ghana. The study maintains that traditional rite of passage is performed by both traditionalists and Christians. This is seen in the payment of dowry and during naming where the father is asked to give a name to the child even in church. This shows that, they both respect the requirement of the traditions during naming, puberty, marriage, and funerals. The study asserts that opinion leaders in the town like the chiefs, Assembly men and women, presiding members can come together to form a counselling centre where living spouses and family members can be counselled. The research concludes with the recommendation that the contents of instructions for traditional rites like personal hygiene, sex education, family life and home management can be added to the syllabus that the Methodist church uses for her confirmation classes, by that members would appreciate the values embedded in traditional rites of passage

Source: KNUST
A comparative study of ebibindwom: an akan oral art form

There are various approaches to the study of Comparative Literature; and the approaches or categories on which this research is based are genres, inter-relations of literature and translation. The study sets out to critically attempt a comprehensive study of ebibindwom, an Akan oral art form found in some Ghanaian societies. In the study itself an attempt is made to examine ebibindwom in relation to music, particularly that of the Christian church and that of the Moslem sect. There is evidence from selected works from both the Christian and Moslem religions to validate the assertion of ebibindwom as an oral art form. The question about what needs ebibindwom fulfils or what its contribution is towards the social, religious and emotional life of Ghanaians is part of what the research seeks to answer. It also examines how certain individuals and religious groups have nurtured ebibindwom to its present state. This study traces the historical events that brought ebibindwom into the limelight to become an art form worth studying. Ebibindwom is also examined against the background of some Akan oral art forms to bring out the semblances in them. In order to complement the work of African scholars, researchers and poets, this study has been designed to further assist in exploiting this apparently unexploited area of oral literature. In the light of what has been discussed an attempt will be made to look at the future of ebibindwom with the view to sustaining it for the future. For ease of study a translation of some ebibindwom texts has been done to offer the reader the opportunity to better appreciate the song texts. By so doing this largely neglected aspect of oral literature has been into mainstream study.

Source: KNUST
Comparative Study of Composted and Uncomposted Digestates, Chicken Manure and Cow Dung as Fertilizers and their Effects on Soil Properties

The problem of waste disposal due to the large volume of waste generated could be greatly reduced when organic components of waste are used as manure. A comparative study of composted and uncomposted digestates, chicken manure and cow dung as fertilizers and their effect on soil properties would help find solutions to some wastes and also determine which waste source offers the best soil improvement qualities to alleviate the burden on farmers due to the high cost of inorganic fertilizers.The aim of the study was to determine the effects of Composted, Uncomposted dry fermented digestates, Chicken manure and Cow dung on soil properties and the specific objectives were to determine and compare the effects of these organic fertilizers on soil N, P, K and cation exchange capacity (CEC).Digestate was developed from waste from the dump site with basically the organic parts by dry fermentation, as an effort to control waste management problems and also provide cheap and alternate source of fertilizer for farmers due to declining soil fertility problems, and this was also composted using three methods namely windrow, co-composting and vermicomposting. In order to test the efficacy of these digestates, they were compared with other common organic manures namely chicken and cow dung in an application for 3 months on the field and various soil parameters including N, P, K and CEC needed for plant growth were determined in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) on a sandy loam soil.Initial laboratory analysis was conducted on the manures and the soil samples to characterize them. Final laboratory analysis was conducted on soil samples from the various treatments.The final soil analysis showed varied improvements in N, P, K and CEC. The vermi compost treatment was adjudged the best soil improvement treatment as it was the best in terms of soil N, both K and CEC in the 15-30 cm soil depth and second best for P and CEC in the top 15 cm soil depth.

Source: KNUST
Comparative study of cowpea germplasm from Ghana and Mali using morphological and molecular markers

Cowpea improvement can be enhanced by knowledge of the genetic diversity available between and within local and regional genebanks. Genetic diversity in the available gene pool is the foundation of all plant improvement programs. A total 94 accessions (47 from Ghana and 47 from Mali) were used for this study. CRD design was used to evaluate accessions; all stages of the study were done at CSIR-CRI, Kumasi (Ghana). Twelve qualitative and twenty quantitative traits were used to assess the collections on the basis of IBPGR cowpea descriptors. A total of 20 SSRs markers were used to assess polymorphism of the germplasm. The morphological data, results showed a relatively low level of genetic diversity between and within both germplasms (Ghana and Mali) which ranged from 1 to 0.82 and 0.99 to 0.84 for qualitative and quantitative traits respectively. Principal component analysis, similarity matrix, scatter plot matrix and clustering separated the accessions according to some qualitative and quantitative traits. Among the 20 SSRs markers screened, only 6 primer pairs were polymorphic. Seven to twenty-seven alleles per primer were detected with polymorphic information content (PIC) varying from 0.61 to 0.92 with a mean of 0.83; allele frequency from 0.17 to 0.45 with a mean of 0.28; genetic diversity from 0.66 to 0.92 with a mean of 0.84; heterozygosity from 0.00 to 0.97 with 0.47 as a mean. The diversity observed can be exploited by breeders from the two countries for cowpea improvement.

Source: KNUST
Comparative study of cowpea storage in different storage structures

A survey conducted between August 2006 and April 2007 in cowpea growing communities in the Lawra District indicated that cowpea growers face many challenges in cowpea production. The most important of the challenges was the high incidence of insect pests during cowpea storage. The pest was considered as the single most important factor that limits the increase of cowpea production in the Lawra District, as this can cause total loss of the grain between 3 to 4 months of storage. The survey further revealed that the traditional storage methods were very ineffective in controlling the pest. The main objective of the research was therefore to use modern methods of pest control in cowpea. This research was carried out in the Lawra District of the Upper West Region, from August 2007 to May, 2008, within the environment of the farmers, who are to practice and adopt the technologies, The research design was Complete Block Design (CBD) with three treatments (Hermetic, fumigation and traditional mud-silos, with the traditional mud-silo being the control). Each treatment had three replications. Data gathered included germination test, moisture content, live and dead insect count, hole count and loss assessment. ii Finally, relevant conclusions and recommendations were made. Some of the relevant conclusions made were: i. Both the hermetic and fumigated techniques of storing cowpea were more effective in controlling the cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus), than the traditional mud silos. ii. The fumigated technique was more effective in maintaining cowpea quality than the hermetic technique. iii.The traditional mud-silo method of storing cowpea was highly ineffective in maintaining the cowpea grain quality for up to four months, and could even cause total loss to the grain if stored for more than the four months. It was recommended that the traditional mud-silo could be modified to make it more hermetic in storing cowpea.

Source: KNUST