ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Theatres of love & the nexus between Christianity & Islam: the case of Ghana

Christianity and Islam have been locked up for centuries in a constant battle for land and souls. This struggle for turf has been responsible for countless wars that have resulted in huge losses, both human and material. For faiths that claim to represent peace, this is ironical. Fortunately, ever since the Second World War, there has been a lull in these battles for souls and supremacy, at least on a global scale. However within countries, there continues to be outbreak of hostilities between adherents of these faiths. This paper posits that there are enough grounds for adherents these faiths to live together in peace and harmony in spite of their competing truth claims. Using Ghana as an example, this paper explores the practical ways in which adherents of these faiths have managed to live together in love, peace and harmony. This paper concludes that there are areas of life, (which this paper designates as theatres of love) which make it easier for us to show love towards one another rather than animosity and hostility.

Source: UCC
Thematic analysis of inscriptions on shops: A case study of Amamoma community

Studies on language have drawn the attention of many scholars over decades because of language’s feature-social phenomena. Social phenomenon of language is a feature that states that language is utilized when it is identified with people. This feature has paved way for many disciplines such as linguistics, philosophy, anthropology and many other disciplines to be more effective in human society. Thus, these fields of study have revealed the vital role of language use in society. Inscription is one of the ways in which language is used in society. The present study investigates themes that emerge from inscriptions on shops and the rationale behind those themes, within the geographical location of Amamoma (a community located within the University of Cape Coast, Ghana). The main idea behind this paper is to identify how educational environments (University of Cape Coast) can affect the themes of inscriptions on shops. The data collected, for this study, were mainly through observation and interview. The study analyzed themes identified to be dominant in the inscriptions used. It was established that the theme of identity was the most dominant theme because Amamoma is a community where new shops are continually being constructed. It also became evident that educational environments affect the choices of some of the themes where the shops are located

Source: UCC
Theoretical and experimental study on residue curve maps of propyl acetate synthesis reaction

Residue curve maps (RCMs) of ropyl acetate synthesis reaction in the atch reactive distillation process are studied. In order to adapt the model equations of residue curve maps to a practicable heating policy, the theoretical analysis and experimental measurements in this paper are carried out isothermally instead of the autonomous heat policy first introduced by Venimadhavan et al. (A.I.Ch.E. Journal 40 (1994) 1814–1824). The chemical equilibrium constant of this reaction is determined y experiments to e 20 within the temperature range 80–110 ◦C. Using this equilibrium constant, the RCMs predicted by simulation are in good agreement with the experimental measurements. The results show that there is an unstable node ranch emerging from the ropyl acetate–water edge, moving toward the chemical equilibrium surface with the increasing Damköhler number (Da), and eventually reaching the quaternary reactive azeotrope when Da → ∞. Residue curves are measured with initial compositions around the unstable node, and thus the results verify the existence of this reactive azeotrope. Further bifurcation analysis shows that different heat olicies will infuence the singular oints and topology of kinetically controlled RCMs, ut not the cases when Da = 0 or Da → ∞

Source: UCC
Theoretical study of electromagnetic transport in Lepidoptera Danaus lexippus wing scales

This paper examines the electromagnetic energies developed in the scales of the Lepidoptera Danaus lexippus. The Green tensor method was used to calculate and simulate the energies at specific wavelengths. Scattering of electromagnetic waves within the scales was simulated at different wavelengths (λ) with the corresponding maximum energy occurred at λ = 0.45 μm. The study shows that the design of wing’s cross-ribs maximizes the eigenmode of electromagnetic energy. This shows promising applications in bio-sensors of Solar light and likewise in waveguide for photonic transmission

Source: UCC
A theoretical study of subsurface drainage model simulation of drainage flow and leaching in salt affected irrigated fields

A three-dimensional variable-density groundwater flow model, the SEAWAT model, was used to assess the influence of subsurface drain spacing, evapotranspiration and irrigation water quality on salt concentration at the base of the root zone, leaching and drainage in salt affected irrigated land. The study was carried out on a conceptual uniform homogenous irrigated field of shallow watertable depth of 0.5 m and aquifer salt concentration of 7200 mg/l with an impermeable layer at 10 m depth and impermeable field boundaries. The model was run for 10 years with an irrigation rate (applied recharge) of 8 mm/d and salt concentration of 1,500 mg/l, over a range of drain spacings. During the 10-year drainage period, the simulated concentrations at the base of the root zone and the discharge rates were the same at all the spacing when evapotranspiration was not included. However, upon inclusion of evapotranspiration, the simulated concentration at the base of the root zone ranged from about 5,200 to about 6200 mg/l, the discharge rate ranged from 2.3 to 1.9 mm/d. When the applied recharge concentration was changed to 1,000 mg/l and 700 mg/l, but with all the other parameters maintained, the simulated concentration at the base of the root zone ranged from 3,700 to 4,400 mg/l, and from 2,800 to 3200 mg/l for the different spacing, respectively

Source: UCC
Theoretical study of terminal anadium(v) chalcogenido complexes bearing chlorido and methoxido ligands

Solvent (methanol) coordinated anadium(V) chalcogenido complexes bearing chlorido and methoxido ligands have been studied computationally by means of density functional (DFT) methods. Te gas phase complexes were fully optimized using B3LYP/GEN functionals with 6-31+G ∗∗and LANL2DZ basis sets. The optimized complexes show distorted octahedral geometries around the central vanadium atom. The ligand p-vanadium d interactions were analyzed by natural bond order (NBO) and natural population analyses (NPA). These results show strong stabilization of the V=O bond as was further confirmed by the analyses of the frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs). Second-order perturbation analyses also revealed substantial delocalization of lone pair electrons from the oxido ligand into vacant non-Lewis (Rydberg) orbitals as compared to the sulfdo and seleno analogues. These results show significant ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) interactions. Full interaction map (FIM) of the reference complex confirms hydrogen bond interactions involving the methanol (O-H) and the chlorido ligand

Source: UCC
Theorising the Relationship between Television Programmes and Promotion of Entrepreneurial Culture among University Students in Kenya

This paper examined the relationship between television programmes and promotion of entrepreneurial culture among final year university students drawn from ten private and public universities in Kenya. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to test the association between television programmes and entrepreneurial culture. A significant positive relationship was found between TV programmes and promotion of entrepreneurial culture in Kenya. It is recommended that policymakers develop more relevant and effective public policies and programmes to increase the level of the kind of entrepreneurial activities that will contribute to economic growth. Further, efforts should be made to increase the awareness of stakeholders of the role of the media in promoting entrepreneurial culture and the need for intensified links between the media and institutions of higher learning.

Source: UCC
Theorizing mothering: a reading of selected African-American Women‘s texts

This research explores the interconnectivity amongst Harriet Wilson‘s Our Nig; or, Sketches from the Life of a Free Black (1859), Harriet Jacobs‘ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (1861), Alice Walker‘s The Color Purple (1982), and Toni Morrison‘s Beloved (1987) as they explore the indomitable nature of the maternal inclination which cuts across boundaries and time in African-American history. This exploration is a fraction of the discourses by African-American women in their attempt to portray black women who defy all odds in order to maintain their status as mothers. Most literature assumes motherhood as being interchangeable with mothering. However, African- American feminists assert that mothering is more empowering and without patriarchal influence for the woman than motherhood. This research focuses on the attempt by African-American women writers in narrating the mothering experiences of black women during slavery, flight and freedom. Employing psychoanalytic feminism and critical race theory, I attempt to trace the mothering nature of black women characters in the four novels to ascertain how the events in their lives represented or misrepresented their mothering disposition and how this influenced their families and their individuality. I conclude that ‗mothering and ‗motherhood‘ have various implications through the use of tropes such as imagery, characterisation, amongst others, for African-American women. Secondly, there exist a representation and misrepresentation in the mothering disposition of black women characters, and most importantly, this study attempts to provide a new terminology ‗motherhate‘.

Source: UCC
Theory and practice in environmental education of teacher trainees: A case study of Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya Teacher Training College

This study was conducted to assess the extent to which the practice of environmental education conforms to the theory and the influence of some background variables (gender, type of senior secondary school (SSS) attended, office held in the college and residential location) on the environmental knowledge and attitudes of teacher trainees in Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya (NJA) Teacher Training College, Wa, in the Upper West Region of Ghana. It was a case study conducted using questionnaire and interview as instruments to collect data from a sample of 120 students representing 33% of 2nd and 3rd year Social Studies teacher trainees. All tutors of Social Studies class were also involved as respondents. The data were analyzed using frequency distribution tables, inferential and descriptive analysis. The results indicated that Environmental and Social Studies tutors mostly employed discussion and lecture methods for teaching the subject due to financial constraints, inadequate means of transport and large class size. For the same reasons only written tests were used to assess students. Environmental knowledge and attitude test results showed that male respondents and graduates of boarding SSS had higher environmental knowledge than females and respondents from day SSS respectively, while females, prefects and graduates of single-sex SSS exhibited more positive environmental attitude than males, non-prefects and graduates of mixed SSS respectively. Respondents also showed a positive attitude toward Environmental Education as they agreed it equips them with the requisite knowledge for teaching, and creates in them, an awareness about current environmental hazards. From the findings, the conclusion drawn was that to a large extent, the practice in environmental education conformed to the theory. However, field trips and the practical aspects needed to be taken seriously. Areas suggested for further studies include extending this study to cover all teacher training colleges in the country and the reasons that account for the observed differences in environmental attitudes between teacher trainees from mixed SSS and those from single-sex SSS.

Source: UCC
Theory-practice gap: Perceptions of Nurse Faculty and Nursing students in University for Development Studies and Clinicians in Tamale Teaching Hospital

The overall goal of this research work was to explore the understanding of theorypractice gap from the perspective of nurse faculty and nursing students in University for Development Studies, and clinicians in Tamale Teaching Hospital. Despite several attempts by nurse faculty and clinicians to address the theorypractice gap, it remains a central issue in both nursing education and practice. Most of the initiatives to bridge the theory-practice gap have evolved in geographic areas such as the USA, UK, and other developed nations. Little research addressing the issues is evident in sub-Saharan Africa. A descriptive phenomenological methodology was used. Data were collected using focus group discussions. A purposive sampling technique was used in recruiting 32 study participants. The sample consisted of 32 participants, comprising 8 nurse faculty, 12 clinicians (6 in each discussion session) and 12 nursing students (6 in each discussion session). The study adopted Colaizzi's descriptive phenomenology data analysis process. Five themes were identified: system inadequacies; resource constraints; challenges of the clinical learning environment; clinical placement and supervision; nurse faculty factors. In Ghana, stakeholders in nursing education and practice are yet to realise the implications of the theory-practice gap and its associated challenges on contemporary nursing education and nursing practice.Based on this evidence of the scope and factors contributing to theorypractice gap in Ghana, further research could be conducted to identify and develop research-based strategies to bridge the gap.

Source: UCC
Therapeutic potential of carbohydrate-based polymeric and nanoparticle systems

Carbohydrates are key participants in many biological processes including reproduction, inflammation, signal transmission and infection. Their biocompatibility and ability to be recognized by cell-surface receptors illustrate their potential therapeutic applications. Yet, they are not ideal candidates because they are complex and tedious to synthesize. However, recent advances in the field of polymer science and nanotechnology have led to the design of biologically relevant carbohydrate mimics for therapeutic uses. This review focuses mainly on the therapeutic potential of glycopolymers and glyconanoparticles (GNPs). Areas covered: The significance of engineered glycopolymers and GNPs as nanomedicine is highlighted in areas such as targeted drug delivery, gene therapy, signal transduction, vaccine development, protein stabilization and anti-adhesion therapy. Expert opinion: Major effort should be focused towards the design and synthesis of more complex and biologically relevant carbohydrate mimics in order to have a better understanding of the carbohydrate—carbohydrate and carbohydrate--protein interactions. The full therapeutic potential of these carbohydrate-based polymeric and nanoparticles systems can be achieved once the pivotal participation of the carbohydrates in biological systems is clarified

Source: UCC
Therapeutic potential of dithiocarbamate supported gold compounds

Chrysotherapy or aurotherapy, the use of gold as medicine, is two thousand years old. Hitherto, numerous diverse gold stabilizing ligands for instance vitamins, pyridine, phosphines, naphthylamine and xanthanes have been developed and their‘chelating efect’in addition to their anti-proliferative properties have been extensively studied. Recent advances in the feld of bioinorganic chemistry have led to the design of biologically relevant metal complexes with appropriate fne-tuned ligands such as metallic conjugates of dithiocarbamates (DTCs). DTC compounds have been recognised to possess diverse applications and have demonstrated interesting biological properties. For instance, the chemoprotective and antitumour properties of gold metal ions and DTC compounds respectively, presents an innovative and effective approach to cancer management. This review presents therefore the therapeutic potential of DTC ligand systems as a support for gold compounds. The importance of dithiocarbamate supported gold compounds as potential therapeutic agents is highlighted with emphasis on the therapeutic potential of gold(III) and gold(I) dithiocarbamate derivatives

Source: UCC
Thermoelectric amplification of phonons in graphene

Amplification of acoustic in-plane phonons due to an external temperature gradient (rT) in single-layer graphene (SLG) was studied theoretically. The threshold temperature gradient ðrTÞ g 0 and the threshold voltage ðVTÞ g 0 in SLG were evaluated. For T ¼ 77 K, the calculated value fo ðrTÞ ¼ 746:8 K=cm and ðVTÞ ¼ 6:6 mV. The calculation was done in the hypersound regime. Further, the dependence of the normalized amplification ðC=C0Þ on the frequency xq and rT=T were evaluated numerically and presented graphically. The calculated threshold temperaturegradient ðVTÞ g 0 for SLG was higher than that obtained for homogeneous semiconductors ( n-InSb) ðrTÞ hom 103 K=cm, superlattices ðrTÞ SL 0384 K=cm, and cylindrical quantum wire ðrTÞ cqw 102 K=cm. This makes SLG a much better material for thermoelectric phonon

Source: UCC
They Call Me “Salomey”: Factors Influencing Male Involvement In Antenatal Care Services In The Ho Municipality, Ghana

The study was a qualitative study which adopted interpretive phenomenological design to explore the social and cultural factors influencing male partner involvement in antenatal care service. The study specifically examined the perception of men on their engagement in antenatal care, and explored how socio-cultural and facility-related factors affect the engagement of male partners in antenatal care. In addition, personal factors which influence men’s engagement in prenatal care were determined. Interview guide was used to collect data from a total of twenty-three (23) respondents made up of an opinion leader, chief, elder and male partners who escorted their partners to antenatal care clinic. Purposeful and convenient sampling procedures were used to select participants for the study. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings revealed that male partners perceive that their involvement in antenatal care shows care to the woman, reduces her workload and makes her happy. Also, sociocultural factors which affect male partner involvement in antenatal care are stereotyping and erroneous societal perceptions. Again, attitude of staff at health facilities and inadequate space at these facilities are the key health-related factors which influence involvement of men in antenatal care. It was recommended that there should be increased education and sensitization on the importance of male involvement in antenatal care. Also, the Municipal Health Directorate of the Ho municipality must strengthen sensitization of all health workers to always put-up attitudes that are receptive and accommodative, especially, to men who accompany their partners to antenatal clinic.

Source: UCC
Third-Party Intervention and Conflict Transformation: A Study of Alavanyo-Nkonya Conflict, Ghana

Conflicts, if not resolved or transformed, have the tendency of becoming protracted. In Ghana, protracted conflicts have been intervened by various third-party actors with varied approaches towards conflict transformation. In the case of the Alavanyo-Nkonya conflict, despite several third-party interventions, the conflict persists, and the underpinning reason(s) need further exploration. Guided by the input-output transformation process model, the study sought to assess the role of third-party intervention and conflict transformation in the Alavanyo-Nkonya conflict in Ghana. Using the exploratory design, the study collected data from three FGDs, eighteen key informant interviews (KIIs) and 28 in-depth interviews (IDIs) purposively. Third-party actors constitute both neutral and modified neutral individuals, including opinion leaders, assembly members, traditional authorities, the clergy, as well as government and non-governmental organisation who have intervened in the conflict. The results revealed that third-party interventions have contributed to a change in violent behaviours and attitudes of the conflicting parties, leading to relative peace in the area. The third-party actors used approaches including peace committee engagements and community engagements to generate the transformation processes to enable them to get this outcome. Lastly, although there has been relative peace, as a result of third-party intervention, the process faced challenges, including inadequate funding, inadequate expertise, and failure to implement third-party recommendations by government. It is therefore recommended that government should collaborate with other stakeholders to set up victim support centres and training of local third-party actors to continue and sustain the conflict transformation processes.

Source: UCC