ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Mathematical models for the study of buruli ulcer dynamics in Ghana

Mycobacterium ulcerans (MU) is known to cause Buruli ulcer (BU). The association between the ulcer and environmental exposure has been fairly documented, however, the epidemiology of the ulcer is not well understood. The hypothesised transmission involves humans being bitten by the water bugs that prey on mollusks, snails and young fishes. In this thesis, deterministic, optimal control and age dependent models were developed for the study of the dynamics of the disease. The models equilibria are determined and conditions for the existence of the equilibria established. The transmission dynamics of BU model of the Susceptible, Infected and Recovered (SIR) type showed that the infected humans increased as long as there are enough infected water bugs to sustain the epidemic. Sensitivity analysis showed that the BU epidemic is highly influenced by the shedding of MU into the environment. The model SIR is found to fit reasonably well to data from Ashanti region of Ghana and projections on the future of the BU epidemic are also made. Again, a deterministic of the model Susceptible,Infected, under Treatment and Recovered (SITR) type with saturation treatment is formulated. The suggestion that giving the patients timely treatment, improving the cure efficiency and decreasing the infective coefficient are all valid methods for the control of disease. It was also found that increasing the density of Mycobacterium ulcerans in the environment led to an increase in the number of infected water bugs. Furthermore, model was modified to incorporate treatment and preventive measures. The SIR model was analysed without treatment and preventive measures and investigated its stability at both disease free and endemic steady states. Furthermore, treatment and preventive measures were incorporated (mass treatment, spaying of insecticides and provision of mass education) and investigated the effects of different control strategies on the spread of Buruli ulcer. Further, we used optimal control methods iii to determine the necessary conditions for the optimality of the disease eradication or control. The best strategies in fighting Buruli ulcer disease was determined and obtained that a combination of all the three strategies are the most effective way to manage BU disease. On the age model SIR dynamics, a representation from the method of characteristics and fixed point theory was applied to determine the existence and uniqueness of solutions to the nonlinear system of the age model. The simulations revealed an increase in recovered humans and this is attributed to antibiotic treatment and few people getting recovered naturally. It was found that there is a peak for MU spread, which subsequently reduces as more susceptible get awareness of the disease in both two and three dimensional plots.

Source: KNUST
The Mathematics of the Vibrating Membrane as Applied to African Drums with Varying Tension Compared with Those of Constant Tension: The Case of the “Donno” and the “Atumpan”.

In this thesis the physical modeling of two Ghanaian percussive drums the “donno” of the Akans or “Lunna” of the Dagbambas and the “Atumpan” of the Akans was approached using the two dimensional wave equations and by imposing boundary and initial conditions on the drumhead. A remark is made about the overtones of these local drums after using matrix laboratory (matlab) to generate their Normal modes using three different types of initial velocity functions.

Source: KNUST
Mathematical Modelling and Optimal Control of Rabies Transmission Dynamics

In this thesis, we present an SEIRS model to describe the transmission dynamics of rabies virus in dogs and humans, using optimal control theory. We study the e ect of pre and post-exposure prophylaxis on both compartments. Our analysis shows that the model is mathematically and epidemiologically meaningful, and well-posed. From the analysis, it shows that with an e ective pre-exposure prophylaxis in the human population and the vector population, the rate of rabies transmission will be minimize, and additional control measure on the exposed dogs will minimize the spread of the rabies virus in both compartments, such measures could be post-exposure prophylaxis or culling of exposed dogs. Using the Routh-Hurwitz criterion, it shows that the disease-free equilibrium E0, is locally asymptotically stable, if R0 < 1, applying the Lyapunov function shows that the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable, if R0 1, and the endemic equilibrium is global asymptotically stable, if R0 > 1. We also study the controllability of the control model, and then obtain an optimal cost-dependent and time-dependent e ort, to minimize the spread of rabies virus in the exposed and infected classes. The simulation of our 8-di erential equations using the forward-backward sweep scheme and the fourth order Range-Kutta numerical method, shows that applying pre-exposure prophylaxis (vaccination) and post-exposure prophylaxis (treatment) in both compartments have a considerable e ect in reducing the number of infected dogs and humans with rabies than when a single control strategy is use.

Source: KNUST
The Mathematics of the Vibrating Membrane: The Case of the “GUNGON”.

In this thesis, we developed a model of the “Gungon” drum based on the two dimensional wave equation to investigate the sound (the normal modes) made when hitting different points on the drumhead and the effect of the Fourier coefficient on the sound produced. We used the mathematical software package, MATLAB to run all simulations to obtain the values of the deflections at different radii and time. The results churned out were then analysed and interpreted in the light of the thesis topic. It was observed that the highest deflection was always produced at the centre (r=0) at different time (t), this is what you hear most when you play the drum.

Source: KNUST
Maximization of natural gas liquids recovery of the Ghana national gas plant- atuabo

Ghana National Gas Company was set up in 2011 to process natural gas produced from the Jubilee fields. The natural gas produced from the reservoir is piped to the surface as a dense phase and taken through the well head treatment to produce a liquid and gaseous phase. The two phases are separated with a liquid separator unit after which the sweet lean gas obtained is taken through dew point control. After dew point control, Natural gas liquids are recovered from the lean gas stream by expansion refrigeration with the sales gas being forwarded to Aboadze thermal plant and the liquids, fractioned into LPGs, pentanes and condensates sold separately for domestic consumption, power production and refinery feed respectively. Ghana gas has installed a Joule Thompson valve for this purpose in phase 1 to recover 70m3/hr. of natural gas liquids at an efficiency of 60% as per design. There is still a high amount of Natural gas liquids which will be left in the lean gas stream to be forwarded to the Aboadze thermal plant The use of an alternative expansion refrigeration method, Turbo expansion is likely to recover more liquids as its 90% plus efficient. This project looks at how much liquids can be generated as per the forecasted flows of both methods and the yearly revenue to be accrued justifying the need to install a Turbo Expander in the next phase.

Source: KNUST
Measurement invariance, validity, reliability, and factor structure examination of the creativity nurturing behaviour scale for teachers: comparisons across gender in thirteen countries

Creativity is fundamental to the overall progress of humanity and hence identified as a key competence required for being successful in the 21st century. Teaching that nurtures creativity helps not only to unfold children’s creative potential but also to enhance the effectiveness of teaching. The essential step in helping teachers to learn the principles of creativity nurturing pedagogy is to measure creativity nurturing behaviour for teachers and develop it through training. Assessment of teachers’ ability to nurture creativity is much needed. In this research we measured the creativity nurturing behaviour of 2006 teachers from various countries across global with creativity nurturing behaviour scale for teachers and analyzed the four-factor model’s reliability, validity and measurement invariance across gender and countries. The following values were obtained: Cronbach’s alpha (0.75, 0.70, 0.72, 0.79), composite reliability (0.76, 0.72, 0.701, 0.784), configural invariance (comparative fit index: 0.913, root mean square error of approximation: 0.063 and standardized root mean square residual: 0.662), metric invariance (obtained value in comparative fit index: 0.912, root mean square error of approximation: 0.061 and standardized root mean square residual: 0.52) and scalar invariance (obtained value in comparative fit index: 0.909, root mean square error of approximation: 0.064 and standardized root mean square residual: 0.7). The results of the study show that creativity nurturing behaviour scale for teachers is a valid and reliable scale which is invariant across gender and countries. Hence, the scale can be administered to measure the creativity nurturing behaviour of teachers and its results can be employed to identify the developmental needs of teachers to foster creativity in the classroom. This first scale for teachers is translated into Hindi, Arabic, Spanish, English, Turkish, and Persian.

Source: KNUST
Measurement of community participation in the design and implementation of the HIV/AIDS programme in the Ashanti Akim North District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana

This cross-sectional study based on Rifkin (1988) Model was carried out to determine the extent of community participation in the design and implementation of the HIV/AIDS Programme in the Ashanti Akim North District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Multi-stage and Snowball sampling techniques were employed to select seventy-two Community Key Informants for the study. Data was then collected primarily with the help of a structured key informant guide which were administered by the researcher. Quantitative and qualitative treatment of the data was then carried out to obtain the results of the study. The following results were obtained for the variables based on the 10-unit Scale developed for the study. Needs Assessment-3.96 units, Leadership-2 .63 units, Organization -3.68 units, Resource. Mobilisation-1.17 units and Management 1.53 units. The study concluded that there was a very narrow community participation in the design and implementation of the HIV/AIDS Programme in the Ashanti Akim North District. It is therefore imperative to recommend among other important suggestions for the Ghana AIDS Commission and its partners to decentralize and form strategic community based organizations which exist in the communities to effectively take primary responsibility in the control o the disease and also promote community-based management of the programme to enhance programme ownership, utilization and sustainability.

Source: KNUST
Measurement and determinants of cost efficiency among credit unions in the Gambia

The aim of this study was to measure and examine the determinants of cost efficiency among Credit Unions (CUs) in the Gambia from 2009 to 2013. A total of 50 CUs were sampled across the sector of financial cooperative credit unions using simple random sampling technique. Both secondary and primary data were collected from the NACCUG and some individual CUs for analysis. Cobb-Douglas cost frontier and cost efficiency ratios were estimated by employing the Stochastic Frontier Approach (SFA). Results from the study showed that credit unions in the Gambia are relatively young since they had been in operations for an average of six (6) years as at 2013. A typical credit union in the Gambia had 699 active clients who save and take loans from the institution periodically. The average savings balance was found to be GMD 8.38 million compared to average loan portfolio of GMD 6.96 million. The cost of operations for a typical CU in the Gambia rose by 10% from an annual average of GMD 252,000 in 2009 to GMD 278,000 in 2013. Number of active borrowers, personnel cost and gross loan portfolio were found to have significant positive effect on annual operating costs of CUs in the Gambia. Credit unions in the Gambia were found to be cost inefficient with average cost efficiency ratio of 90%. Factors that influence cost efficiency of CUs in the Gambia were found to be borrowers per field officer (BPF), depositors per staff (DPS), average loan balance (ALB), average savings balance (ASB) and age of the credit union. Age of CU was found to have a significant positive effect on cost efficiency in the Gambia due to the presence of a positive learning curve. The study rejected the null hypothesis of tradeoff between outreach and cost efficiency since the two were found to be complementary. To reduce cost inefficiency, the study recommended that CUs in the Gambia should improve on savings mobilization through the introduction of innovative savings products, among other things.

Source: KNUST
Measurement and Evaluation of Electromagnetic Radiation Exposure from Antennas in Cellular Networks

Wireless Technology including that of cellular systems uses radio and microwave energy which is nonionizing in nature, generated at base stations for its transmission via cellular antennas and microwave links to accessible areas for subscribers. The nonionizing radiation (NIR) energy is absorbable by living tissues including human skin and thus, becomes harmful when it exceeds certain thresholds. The health risks associated with exposure from base transceiver stations has gained attention as the demand for cellular services increases. This has led to an increase in communication infrastructures (Base Transceiver Stations), ushering some in human inhabitance to improve quality of service, as these services become a vital part of modern lifestyle. An increase in base transceiver stations, leads to increased cellular radiation pollution which is of public concern. It is therefore necessary to investigate the levels of cellular radiation to ensure that it public health safety limits are not violated. In this thesis, NIR level in power density at forty locations involving residential, commercial and University campuses, considering indoor and outdoor scenarios were measured and estimated with a radio frequency (RF) Explorer 6G Combo Spectrum Analyzer. The results were compared with the minimum safety limits of 4.055 W/m^2 for cellular systems in Ghana, formulated by the International Commission and Non-ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) and enforced by the National Communication Authority of Ghana (NCA). The maximum total level of radiation consisting of a cumulative of all deployed systems was found to be 862.9 (nW/m^2) for residence near base stations during evening hours and 242.6 (nW/m^2) at day time. The maximum and minimum levels recorded for other locations are 3.96 (nw/m^2) and 0.10 (nw/m^2) at residence away from base stations, 118.5 (nW/m^2) and 0.422 (nW/m^2) for commercial areas and 38.92 (nW/m^2) and 4.97 (nW/m^2) at the campuses. A standard deviation of 49.9 at three different sectors of a single base station was achieved. A highest radiation level of 305.6 (nw/m^2) was recorded at 7 pm of the 24-hour indoor measurement, while the cumulative average of 160.5 (nw/m^2) was recorded at the 24th hour. A percentage of the highest 862.9 (nW/m^2) radiation level recorded is less than 1% of 4.055( w/m^2) minimum safety limits recommended by the International Commission on Nonionizing Protection (ICNIRP). Thus, cellular system radiation emissions of the selected locations do not pose any health threat to the general public in their current capacity.

Source: KNUST
Measurement of Odour in On-Site Sanitation Systems in Low-Income Settings

The objective assessment of the level of odour in on-site sanitation systems is required when evaluating emerging technology options and maintenance practices. The purpose of this study was to measure the concentrations of hydrogen sulphide and ammonia as surrogates of odour using a portable gas detector, and assess whether the concentrations of the compounds correlate with the perception of users of the facilities. The Aeroqual 500 portable gas detector with hydrogen sulphide and ammonia sensor heads was used to measure the concentrations of the compounds in 88 private and seven communal latrines sampled from a peri-urban community in Ghana. The odour perception of 189 and 165 users of private and communal latrines, respectively, was assessed on an ordinal scale. It was found that the concentrations of hydrogen sulphide and ammonia measured with the gas detector reflected the known variation of odour levels among different technology options and the perceptions of the latrine users. The concentrations of hydrogen sulphide measured in the water closet, ventilated improved pit (VIP) and the simple pit latrines were 0.01, 0.03 and 0.13 ppm, respectively; those of ammonia were undetected for the water closet, and 0.30 and 3.27 ppm for the VIP and simple pit latrines, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient between hydrogen sulphide concentrations and user perception of odour (−0.234) was significant at 5 % level (p = 0.022) but that for ammonia was not. The results indicate that a portable hydrogen sulphide detector may be employed to objectively assess the effectiveness of new latrine designs and maintenance practices aimed at reducing odour in latrines.

Source: KNUST
Measurement of Liquidity Risk and Bank Performance.

Liquidity risk is a decisive element of all the risk that a ect the operations of banks. Banks must therefore appraise their liquidity risk continuously and in particular, in times of economic downturn. This thesis aims to study the impact of Liquidity risk on banks pro t and a measure of the Liquidity-at-Risk. Datawere obtained from the annual audited nancials of selected Ghanaian banks for the period between 2004 and 2013 inclusive. The methodology employed is the Generalized Least Square (GLS) unbalanced panel data analysis. The dataset used involves only the universal banks. Results show that Liquidity Gap and Deposits have signi cant positive e ects on Pro ts while Non-Performing Loans have negative e ect. The impact of Net loans to Deposit and Leverage Ratios were found to be statistically insignifi cant.

Source: KNUST
The Measurement of Service Quality in the Telecommunications Industry: the Case of Ghana Telecom, Kumasi

Over the last decade, the centralized telecommunication monopoly in Ghana has been changed and a relatively open and free competitive market is rapidly coming into being. Recent advances in telecommunication technology, including wireless networks and the Internet, along with the competition of network operators for offering advanced and different services, are putting increasing pressure for building telecommunication networks that are adaptive to new requirements. In the past less competitive and often monopolistic environment, service quality could be neglected since consumers lacked alternatives. In today's environment, however, service quality is likely to create the necessary competitive advantage by being an effective differentiating factor. Delivering quality service is an essential ingredient for establishing and maintaining a loyal and profitable customer base. It is in the light of the preceding paragraphs that this study was undertaken to measure service quality in the telecommunication industry- the case of Ghana Telecom using the five dimensions of service quality and the Gap analysis model. It was revealed from the findings of the study that customers have the best perception of "tangibles" and the lowest perception of "responsiveness". It was also revealed that either executives of Ghana Telecom do not fully know what their customers expect from them with respect to quality or they may not know about certain features that are critical to meeting customers' desires. However, in general, service quality is a little bit above average. The researcher has the opinion that top management should give attention to the "responsiveness" of the staff (especially front line employees) to help and to provide the requested service promptly. However, management should give less thought to the dimension "tangibles", example the physical facilities, equipment, dcess code «f their employees and communication materials. Managers must make an effort to understand customers' needs either through formal or informal information activities. Formal market research activities will help managers focus on gathering data about service quality issues and from that data, gain an understanding of which features are most important to customers, which levels of these * features customers expect, and what customers think the company should do when service delivery problems occurs. Managers must make sure they interpret and/or utilize the data in a meaningful way.

Source: KNUST
Measurement of Radon Gas Level in Ashanti Region And Design of A Radon Vulnerability Map for Ghana

This thesis work was conducted to ascertain the variation of radon gas levels with passing years in the Lake Bosomtwi area and base on the obtained results a radon vulnerability map drawn for Ghana. Samples were collected in four villages around the lake and analyzed in the nuclear physics laboratory of the physics department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The results obtained were compared with results from previous years and it came out clear that year 2006 had the lowest average radon gas level of 99.95 pCiL-1 or 3.70 KBqm-3, with year 2001 having the highest of 167.2 pCiL-1 or 6.19 KBqm-3. Overall the average radon gas level between the years 2001 to 2006 for the Lake Bosomtwi area was 130.94 pCiL-1 and this value according to the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency is within the range of 0.1WL – 1WL (20-200 pCiL-1) which means that exposures in this range are considered greatly above average for residential structures. A vulnerability map of Ghana shows that research work have been conducted in the following regions Western, Central, Greater Accra and Ashanti and other regions like Eastern, Volta and the Northern parts of Ghana have experience little or no research.

Source: KNUST
Measurement of relative efficiency of four S.D.A. Senior High Schools in Ghana using data envolopement analysis

The purpose of this research is to utilize data envelopment analysis (DEA) to measure academic efficiency of four S.D.A Senior High Schools . DEA has been recognized as a tool that is used for evaluating the performance of profit and non-profit institutions. The proposed approach is deployed based on empirical data collected from the four schools. On an efficiency scale of 0-1.0, DEA analysis assesses the relative efficiency of each of the four S.D.A Senior High Schools relative to the rest of the schools in terms of academic performance. For inefficient schools, DEA analysis provides quantitative guidance on how to make them efficient. The 2012/13 academic year data from four S.D.A Senior High schools were used. Four input variables and five output variables were identified. The input variables were teacher to student ratio, trained to non trained teachers ratio, library facilities and contact hours per day. Output variables were estimated as: grades obtained.(8 passes, 7 passes, 6 passes, 5 passes and below) Three schools (Bekwai S.D.A Senior High School, Bantama S.D.A Senior High. School, Kenyase S.D.A Senior High School) formed the efficiency frontier and the fourth school (Tamale S.D.A Senior High School) was found inefficient for the academic year. There was an indication that reduction in contact hours per day as input has a larger effect on efficiency of Tamale S.D.A S.H.S campus than does library facilities and trained to non trained teachers ratio . For Tamale S.H.S to be efficient the Adventist Education unit should implore the Tamale S.D.A Senior High School to utilize effectively their contact hours. iii

Source: KNUST