ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Symbolic significance of crests in selected Senior Secondary Schools in Ghana

The study was about the Symbolic Significance of Crests with reference to Senior Secondary Schools. It entails the identification of a variety of crests in thirty (30) selected schools in Ghana. The background information of schools as well as the history of selected crests was traced to find out the facts in connection with the crest. An appreciation was also made to describe the shapes of crests and the arrangement of the elements. Interpretation was given to each crest to unveil the messages they carry. In addition, the functions of the crests were given to show how they are used on various items in schools. Again, evaluation of the shapes, charges and colours was done to suggest improvement of crests. The study revealed that crests are designed to outline two basic concepts, that is, acquisition of knowledge and moral values or good character training. They sum-up the aims and objectives outlined by the founding fathers for the schools to follow. In recommendation, it is essential for the rules of heraldry to be followed in the design of the crests so as to make symbols bolder and more real, change the Latin mottoes into English or local languages and above all display the crest at vantage points.

Source: KNUST
The Symbolism of Ghanaian Political Parties and Their Impact on the Electorates

Political Parties in Ghana under the fourth republic were formed a little over two decades ago to participate fully in national elections and to promote democracy for the people. These registered political parties have paraphernalia that contain symbols and colours which identify them distinctively. A preliminary survey revealed that some electorates, party members and sympathizers of CPP, NDC, NPP, and PNC joined these political parties without getting to know and understand the ideologies and symbolic meanings of the parties’ symbols and colours. The research, therefore, sought to answer the questions regarding the identification of the registered political parties, the symbolism of the party symbols and colours and the impact of the symbols and colours on decision making of the electorates in general elections. The researcher used both the qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect and analyse data with questionnaire, non-structured interviews and participant observations. The study found that every political party has a distinct symbol and colours but many electorates have no idea of their symbolisms basis although the study respondents attested to the fact that symbols and colours play crucial roles in the activities of the political parties and general elections in Ghana. They indicated that symbols and colours ginger many followers to participate in party activities; draw or motivate their party supporters’ to party activities. The major findings include the fact that there are commonalities of party colours among the four selected political parties. The study also reveals that many party cohorts do not understand the symbolism of the party symbols and colours. A number of useful suggestions and recommendations have been made for education on the symbolic meanings of the selected political party symbols and colours with their affiliation to the focus of national goal via party functions, local constituency, regional and national levels.

Source: KNUST
Symbolism of selected visual art forms in the Bole Traditional Area

Symbolism of Selected Visual Art Forms in the Bole Traditional Area Many symbolic visual art forms exist in the Bole Traditional Area, but these have not been documented nor their symbolism explained. This study focuses on selected visual art forms in the Bole Traditional Area and categorises the symbolism of the selected art forms and document in detail the various meanings, value and philosophy behind them. The aim is to explain the indigenous wisdom and knowledge the people of Bole repose in these art forms and to suggest ways of using the research findings for art and general educational purposes. The choice of illustrations and descriptions has been guided by the intension of simplifying and clarifying the significant meaning and value attached to the various symbols. The descriptive survey method with interviewing and limited questionnaire administration were employed to gather dater for the research.. The problem the thesis seeks to solve is that documentation is lacking in the Bole Traditional Area, especially, in the symbolic visual art forms. The main objective of the author is therefore to document the symbolism of some selected visual art forms in the traditional area. The writer therefore seeks to identify and categorise the types of symbols the selected art forms contain and document in details the various meanings of these symbols. He also intends to research into the symbolic values and explain the philosophy, wisdom and knowledge behind the symbolism in the art forms of the traditional area and also suggest ways of using the research findings for art and general educational purposes. The choices of illustrations and descriptions have been guided by the intention of simplicity and clarity. The descriptive survey method was used for gathering and reporting the data. The situation can be attributed to low education of the area and an apparent bias documenting symbolic art forms in Ghana. The lack of documentation was also found. The situation can be attributed to low education of the area and an apparent bias documenting symbolic art forms in Ghana. The lack of documentation was also found to affect the teaching of visual arts in the area negatively. The symbols found in the study were mostly locally produced and are based on the vegetation of the place, although a few were imported ones The traditional priests, heads, chiefs and elderly people were found to be the best interpreters of the meanings and symbolism of the art forms, most of who were illiterates. The symbolic visual art forms were either symbols themselves or they represented animals, birds or human images. Not all the symbolic visual art forms could be explained satisfactorily. Reasons have been given for this phenomenon.

Source: KNUST
Sustaining the utility and functionality of Community-Based Projects: a case study of Atwima Mponua District.

With an aim of fighting poverty at the grass root, many donors and facilitators are opting to channel their funding through Community based projects (CBPs). These CBPs have a gestation period or life-span in all the areas or communities. In order to achieve the goals of these programs with the planned resources, there is need to find a way of how best these can be sustained or managed by the community after the gestation period (phase-out). The purpose of this study was to establish the sustainability and functionality of Community-Based Projects in Atwima Mponua District of Ghana. This was through the following objectives; to identify the monitoring and evaluation strategies used to maintain the utility and functionality of the CBPs, the role of end users in maintaining the utility and functionality of the CBPs and to evaluate the maintenance system available of maintaining the utility and functionality of the CBPs in the Atwima Mponua District. The study employed quantitative research design. A sample of 51 was obtained from the target population who were the donors and beneficiaries of the Community-Based Projects through stratified random sampling procedure from three (3) different communities namely Hiamakwa, Ahyeresu and Nyinahin. Data were collected by use of a questionnaire and an interview guide. Qualitative data was analyzed through checking data, developing codes, identifying themes and patterns. Data was summarized and linked to the objectives. Quantitative data was analyzed where both descriptive and inferential statistics were generated using the SPSS software. Descriptive results were presented as frequency tables, percentages. Inferential statistics were analyzed using One Sample T-test. In conclusion, the study findings provide evidence that target achievement report was the monitoring and evaluation strategy used by the management of the Community-Based projects (CBPs). Also, CBPs are not in good shape in terms of its sustainability and utility. This is as a result of the emergency maintenance system used by the management. Therefore, there should be a well-planned management and maintenance policy in order to avert the other CBPs from phasing out. Further study should be done in this area to find out the factors that adversely affects the sustainability and utility of Community-Based Projects and prevent them.

Source: KNUST
Syntheses And Characterization Of Bismuth And Lead Chalcogenides And Their Ternary Alloys From Single Source Precursors

This research describes the syntheses and characterization of lead and bismuth chalcogenide nanoparticles and thin films from single source precursors. The single source precursors used were dithiocarbonates, dithio- and diselenoureas, and dithiocarbamates. These precursors were characterized using micro-elemental analyses, thermogravimetric analyses, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and mass spectrometry. The single crystal structures of bismuth ethyl xanthate and its 1, 10 phenanthroline adduct were determined. The complexes were used for the syntheses of nanoparticles using the hot injection and thin films using the spin coating technique. The as-synthesized nanoparticles and thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and absorption measurements. Optical band gaps were estimated from the absorption data using Tauc’s plots. For the PbS thin films from lead dithiocarbonates, the effect of the alkyl chain length on the morphology and size of the nanocrystals were investigated. There was a change in morphology from cubes to fibrous structures as the alkyl chain changed from ethyl to dodecyl, thus confirming the anisotropic nature of PbS. SEM analyses of Bi2S3 thin films also showed a change in shape from nanowires of the bismuth ethyl xanthate to clusters of nanorods (triethylamine, pyridine) and nanodots (1,10 phenanthroline) depending on the choice of nitrogen adduct. Ternary PbSxSe(1-x) thin films deposited from lead xanthate and lead selenourea showed a gradual shift in p-XRD pattern to lower 2 theta values as the mole fraction of the lead selenourea complex in the coating mixture changed from 0 to 1 at an interval of 0.1. Estimated optical band gaps for the parent binaries (PbS and PbSe) and their ternary alloys (PbSxSe(1-x)) were all blue shifted from their respective bulk materials. PbSxSe(1-x) nanoparticles synthesized from lead thio- and selenourea complexes also exhibited a similar trend in both p-XRD and optical band gap. EDX analyses confirmed the presence of Pb, S and Se in all the PbSxSe(1-x) alloys formed at different atomic percentages depending on the ratios of the starting materials. The effects of different concentrations of Bi doping on the optical and structural properties of PbS nanoparticles have been investigated. Morphological studies showed cubes at 50% Bi doping suggesting the incorporation of the Bi atoms into the crystal lattice of the PbS nanoparticles. However, an interplay between rods and cubes were seen at 80% Bi doping. The estimated band gaps for PbS and Bi2S3 were 0.72 and 1.94 eV respectively with the alloy having band gaps in between the two binaries.

Source: KNUST
Synthesis and characterisation of n-acylsubstituted amid and thioamide complexes of some divalent transition metal sulphates

Acyclic N-acylsubtituted amides, RCONHCOŔ (I, R=Ŕ=Ph, II, R= Ph, Ŕ=Me) and thioamides, RCSNHCOR (III, R=Ŕ=Ph; IV, R=Me, Ŕ=Ph) were prepared. The N-Benzoylthiobenzamide (III) was synthesized as a new compound and characterized. These ligands were then employed in synthesizing complexes with some first row divalent transition metal sulphates (M(II) =Mn (II), Fe(II), Co (II) Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn (II)) for the first time using solid-solid interaction. The decomposition temperatures, the temperature dependence of the solubilities and heat of solution in some organic solvents, of these imides and thioimides reported, give an indication of a stronger hydrogenbonding association in RCONHCOR (NH…O=C) than in RCSNHCOR (N-H…S=C). The infra – red spectra of these imide and thiomide complexes reveal that RCONHCOR co-ordinates to M(II) through the oxygen atoms of the imide group (-CO-NH-CS) in trans-trans configuration whilst M(II) complex of RCSNHCOR involve co-ordination through the oxygen and sulphur atoms, of the thio-imide group (-CO-NH-CS-) also in the trans-trans disposition. The replacement of the methyl group in N-Benzoylacetamide with a phenyl group shifts the Imide Ia and Ib bands to lower frequencies, whereas a shift to higher frequencies is observed for the corresponding Imide Ia and Ib bands in going from N-Acetythiobenzamide to N-Benzoylthiobenzamide. Consequently the Metal-ligand bands in N-Acetylthiobenzamide are stronger than the corresponding bands in N-Benzoylthiobenzamide. A similar trend is observed in the case of N-Benzoylacetamide series on one hand, and N-Benzoylbenzamide on the other. The electronic spectral data, supported by magnetic susceptibility data, suggested an octahedral environment for Mn (II), Fe (II), Co (II), Ni (II) and Zn (II) complexes whilst the Cu (II) complexes exhibit square planar configuration.

Source: KNUST
Synthesis Of Linde-Type X Zeolite And Its Application To Improve Soil Nutrients

In this exploratory project, Linde-type X zeolite was synthesized and loaded with ammo-nium ions by ion exchange method. The ammonium exchange Linde-type X zeolite (NH4-LTX) was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Surface morphological studies obtained from SEM photomicrographs showed the powdered synthetic zeolite X have a lamellar structure with cubical edge. SEM analy-sis analysis also showed that the morphology of the zeolite particles was closely related before and after ion exchanged or before and after substitution of ammonium ions. XRD result showed that the phase of zeolite synthesized was similar to FAU. Also XRD analy-sis showed little or no changes in the phase purity of the Zeolite before and after ion ex-change. Meanwhile, FTIR spectra exhibited the presence of internal Si-O-(Si) and Si-O-(Al) vibrations in the tetrahedral or alumino- and silico-oxygen bridge in the range of 1200 – 400 cm-1. EDX and XRF results showed the concentration of NH4 loaded into the zeolite X framework. The effect of NH4-LTX on maize and okro plants was evaluated with soil of low nutrients and a mixture of 5 % w/w and 95 % w/w soil of low nutrients was analyzed. The results showed significant difference (P = 2) between plants in which NH4LTX was added to the soil and plants with no NH4-LTX when tested at 95 % confi-dence interval.

Source: KNUST
Synthesis and characterization of lead sulphide nanoparticles from lead alkyl xanthate single source precursors using a solventless method

Xanthates have been successfully investigated as single source precursors for producing metal sulphide nanoparticles. These offer advantages over other precursors because they have low decomposition pathways, they are cheap, they are clean and they have pre-formed M-S bond. Although ethyl xanthates have been investigated with much success, there are few or no reports on the syntheses of higher alkyl xanthates. In this work a series of lead alkyl xanthates have been synthesized with the alkyl groups being ethyl, n-butyl, 1- hexyl and 1-octyl. The purities of the precursors were confirmed by micro-elemental analyses. Infra-red, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, melting point, and mass spectroscopy were also used to characterize the precursors. The thermal behaviours of the precursors were determined by TGA and DSC. The crystal structure of lead hexyl xanthate was determined. The low melting points recorded for the precursors confirmed that the lead alkyl xanthates could be used as single source precursors in low thermal decomposition for the syntheses of lead sulphide nanoparticles. The PbS nanoparticles were then produced using the melt method which is a rapid, less toxic and cheap process. The as-prepared lead sulphide nanoparticles were characterized by XRD and TEM which confirmed a growth towards cubic PbS phases. The calculated particle sizes from the Debye Scherer equation were 26.45, 25.17, 24.79 and 23.32 nm for the PbS nanoparticles obtained from the decomposition of ethyl, butyl, hexyl and lead octyl xanthate respectively. SEM and EDX were also used to determine the morphology and purity of the as-prepared PbS nanoparticles respectively.

Source: KNUST
Synthesis and characterization of N-acylsubstituted amide and thioamide complexes of some divalent transition metal sulphates

Acyclic N-acylsubstituted amides, RCONHCOR(I,R=R=Ph, II,R=Ph,R=Me) and thioamides, RCSNHCOR (III,R=R=Ph;IV,R=Me,R=Ph) were prepared. The N-Benzoylthiobenzamide(III) was synthesized as a new compound and characterized. These ligands were then employed in synthesizing complexes with some first row divalent transition metal sulphates (M(II)=Mn(II), Fe(II)Co(II), Ni(I), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) for the first time using solid-solid interaction. The decomposition temperatures, the temperature dependence of the solubilities and heats of solution in some organic solvents, of these imides and thioimides reported, give an indication of a stronger hydrogenbonding association in RCONHCOR (NH…O=C) than in RCSNHCOR (N-H…S=C). The infra-red spectra of these imide and thioimide complexes reveal that RCONHCOR co-ordinates to M(II) through the oxygen atoms the imide group (-CO-NH-CO-) in trans-trans configuration whilst M(II) complexes of RCSNHCOR involve co-ordination through the oxygen and sulphur atoms, of the thio-imide group (-CO-NH-CS-) also in the trans-trans disposition. The replacement of the methyl group in N-Benzoylacetamide with a phenyl group shifts the Imide Ia and Ib bands to lower frequencies, whereas a shift to higher frequencies is observed for the corresponding Imide Ia and Ib bands in going from N-Acetylthiobenzamide to N-Benzoylthiobenzamide. Consequently the Metal ligand bands in N-Acetylthiobenzamide are stronger than the corresponding bands in N-Benzoylthiobenzamide. A similar trend is observed in the case of N-Benzoylacetamide series on one hand, and N-Benzoylbenzamide on the other. The electronic spectral data, supported by magnetic susceptibility data, suggest an octahedral environment for Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes whilst the Cu(II) complexes exhibit square planar configuration.

Source: KNUST
Synthesis and characterization of zeolites from bauxite and kaolin: application to the removal of heavy metals from mining wastewater

Different types of zeolites were synthesized from bauxite and kaolin under varying experimental conditions such as aging time, crystallization time, alkaline source concentration and silicon-to-aluminum (Si/Al) ratio and their effects on the type of zeolite produced were investigated. The synthesized zeolites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive xray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analytical techniques. Consequently, the capacity of the zeolites in removing heavy metals such as copper (Cu2+), chromium (Cr6+), iron (Fe2+), lead (Pb2+) and zinc (Zn2+) from simulated and real mine wastewater samples were investigated using a batch system. The results obtained showed that no or short aging ( 0 – 6 hours) of slurries prior to crystallization favored the formation of linde type A (LTA) zeolite whilst aging slurries for twenty four (24) hours resulted in the formation of faujasite (FAU) type zeolites. Aging beyond twenty four hours produced amorphous products. Crystallization times of 3, 5, 24 and 96 hours produced linde type A (LTA), linde type X (LTX), linde type Y (LTY) and analcime (ANA) with traces of sodalite in most cases. Increasing Si/Al ratio of the reactants (1 ≤ Si/Al ≤ 3) produced zeolites LTA, LTX and LTY. Alkalinity of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) mineralizer produced zeolite LTA at lower concentrations and sodalite at higher concentrations. Increasing alkalinity resulted in higher crystallinity with a resulting decrease in crystalline size of the zeolite particles. For simulated mine wastewater sample with single heavy metal cation, the removal efficiency of all zeolites was highest for Pb2+ (99 %) and least for Cr6+ (4 %). The efficiency of zeolites was in the order A< X< Y. Similar trend was observed for simulated mine wastewater samples with mixed metal systems. Removal of Pb2+ was reduced in the mixed metal systems due to counter effect of the other cations. Both zeolite LTX and LTY showed higher removal efficiency than zeolite LTA due to the availability of greater ion exchange sites and their larger pore diameter as compared to zeolite LTA. The results also showed good agreement with zeolites produced from high grade reagents. The results indicated that the zeolites were able to remove the heavy metals to limits below EPA and WHO recommended values. Hence, zeolites produced from bauxite and kaolin provides a cost-effective technology for the treatment of mine wastewaters.

Source: KNUST
Synthesis and Characterization of Xylopic acid derivatives with potential ntimicrobial activity

Xylopic acid was isolated from the dried fruits of Xylopia aethiopica, crystalized and characterized. The isolate was used to synthesize five novel derivatives of xylopic acid and these have been sufficiently characterized. The structure of derivatives was related to the observed trend in terms of antimicrobial activity. Base catalyzed ester formation was employed in the synthesis of the esters while direct coupling with HBTU was employed in the synthesis of the amide derivative. Deacetylation of xylopic acid was achieved by refluxing xylopic acid with 10% methanolic KOH. The structures of the derivatives were confirmed using 1H NMR, mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy. The broth dilution method was employed in the antimicrobial assay. All the synthesized derivatives were more active than xylopic acid against the microorganisms tested (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans). The ester derivatives were most active with MICs of up to 160µg/mL. The benzyl amide and the ester of deacetyl xylopic acid generally exhibited a lower antimicrobial activity with MICs of up to 320µg/mL.

Source: KNUST
Synthesis of CdS and PbS nanoparticles by the thermal decomposition of ethyl xanthate complexes in castor oil using the heat-up technique

Castor oil contains a range of fatty acids of which a high proportion is ricinoleic acid. We report the syntheses of CdS and PbS nanoparticles by the thermal decomposition of ethyl xanthate complexes of cadmium and lead in castor oil using the heat-up synthesis technique. The castor-oil capped CdS nanoparticles showed cubic zinc blende and wurtzite crystal structures and displayed band gap range of 2.63–2.84 eV. The CdS formed near spherical clusters of nanocrystals with average particle size of 6.78 (±1.89) nm. The castor-oil capped PbS nanoparticles showed a rocksalt crystal structure and displayed an average band gap of 0.85 eV. The PbS showed variety of morphologies of nanostructured particles ranging from rods to belts. The average width and length of the PbS nanobelts observed were 22.2 (±2.3) nm and 225.9 (±23.3) nm respectively.

Source: KNUST