ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Remanufacturing, an untapped resource for productivity improvement

Currently in Ghana, no opportunities have been identified in the open market where one could purchase a used part (e.g. an engine or gear box) and be assured of properly documented warranty or customer satisfaction guarantees. The aim of this project therefore, is to investigate the potentials of remanufacturing with the view to illustrate the potential economic, environmental and social benefits associated with the practice. The findings of this research indicates that approximately 87,400,976.80 kilograms of used spare parts notably used engines, drive axles and differentials, used radiators, gear boxes etc. were imported into the Country between 2005 to 2010 to be used on ‘as is basis’. During the same period, GH¢30,822,609.06 was generated as other taxes for the government, apart from a total of GH¢50,252,918.32 generated as import duty. It was also noted that approximately forty eight thousand units of used engines are imported into the Country each year. Getting value for money out of the patronage of these components is by chance. This is so because facilities and systems for rebuilding them to such high standards are currently not available in the Country. It is only a few heavy equipment companies like Caterpillar that are remanufacturing for their clients in the heavy equipment industry. It is realized that there is adequacy of cores to be used for remanufacturing in Ghana and eleven African Countries are already in the practice. Some of these Countries are South Africa and Kenya which are into automotive and engineering remanufacture as well as Botswana and Nigeria that run Microsoft Authorized Remanufacturing facilities, creating better economies and enhanced standard of living for their people. Ghana can tap into this hidden economic prospect and be part of this evolving trend in Africa.

Source: KNUST
Remodeling of the Baptist Children's Orphanage. (Trotor, In Southern Ghana)

(social welfare of Ghana, 2005). In present times a number of factors have lead to the ineffectiveness of the role of the extended families. Mortality during the past times was low since it was usually as a result of female mortality during birth or as a result of health problems beyond their medication. The number of children who lost their parents were not many and could be catered for by their extended family members. With the present trend of life style, especially with the emergence of the information and communication technology, means of transportation, the upsurge of HIV/AIDS and, mobility or mortality rate among child bearing women more lives are lost cumulatively over a very few years as compared to the various world war eras in Ghana. These are some of the reasons more orphans are getting into the system than ever. If this situation is not check by creating well organized institutions to complement the broken down traditional systems and present life style, most of these children will become burden to society. This thesis seeks to investigate by data collection and analysis, factors which impact on the establishment of orphanages in Ghana and the fundamentals of the scientific principle for establishing an orphanage under modern prevailing conditions. It looks at the town and country planning principle for citing orphanages, most progressive spatial planning conditions for a typical orphanage in order to determine the nomenclature or type of orphanages and also to determine the specifics of the climate requirement on the orphanages. The whole study was done with the use of qualitative and humanistic approach toward orphanages, 'phenomenology' (Jackson and Smith 1984). It was found out that though there are specific regulations governing the minimum spatial requirement for eachenCol">description </td> <td headers="t2" class="evenRowOddCol">provenance</td> <td headers="t3" class="evenRowEvenCol"> <textarea id="value_dc_description_provenance_00" name="value_dc_description_provenance_00" rows="3" cols="50">Submitted by Richard Lamptey (phanerosis75@yahoo.com) on 2011-08-11T21:00:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 KNUST Library.pdf: 7257 bytes, checksum: 649cf3199c3e426ac59d46e128b7b99e (MD5)

Source: KNUST
Removal of chemical contaminants from drinking water using local adsorbents in column filters

Good drinking water is essential in ensuring the health of consumers. It also enhances the quality of life of the populace. The presence of chemical contaminants like Fluoride, Nitrates, Nitrites, Iron and Manganese are naturally occurring in water sources and Phosphates, often introduced by human activities have both health and environmental effects at high concentrations in drinking water. This study targeted the removal of the above mentioned contaminants using locally synthesized adsorbents; Aluminium Oxide Coated Charcoal (AOCC), Iron Oxide Coated Sand (IOCS) and Surfactant Modified Zeolite (SMZ). The adsorbents were characterized using the X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanned Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques. The adsorbent media were used in column experiments and effluent sampling was done at different times during the experimental run time. The effluent samples were then analysed to ascertain their concentrations using appropriate techniques. The model water used was prepared by simulating the groundwater quality of Northern Ghana along with the WHO guideline values of the contaminants in drinking water. The column experiment results showed that AOCC was highly effective in the removal of anionic contaminants except Phosphate. The AOCC removal capacities were as follows; Fluoride recorded a removal capacity of 0.6 mg/g; 23.4 mg/g Nitrate and 1.2 mg/g Nitrite. SMZ also had better removal capacity with Phosphate contaminant. SMZ recorded a removal capacity of 0.2 mg/g. IOCS adsorbent was highly effective in the removal of cationic contaminants in the column experiments. Removal capacities recorded were 0.089 mg/g and 0.073 mg/g for Iron and Manganese respectively. AOCC was a better adsorbent in the removal of Fluoride, Nitrate and Nitrite than the SMZ. SMZ was better at removing phosphate than that of the AOCC. IOCS on the other hand was an effective adsorbent in cationic contaminant (Iron and Manganese) removal. The characterization results confirmed the adsorbents as AOCC, SMZ and IOCS. Properties such as mineralogy, morphology and elemental compositions were obtained.

Source: KNUST
Removal of Fluoride from water using Surfactant Modified Synthetic Zeolites

Although fluoride is beneficial in preventing dental caries, long term consumption of drinking water contaminated with high levels of fluoride (above 1.5 mg/L) could cause teeth mottling. Extreme concentrations may result in severe health conditions such as skeletal fluorosis and even crippling fluorosis. The removal of fluoride from water using synthetic zeolites modified with a cationic surfactant was studied using a batch system. The zeolites employed as adsorbents in the study, zeolite Na-LSX and zeolite Na-LTA, were synthesized from locally available clay materials. A third synthetic zeolite nicknamed zeolite ZR (containing both Na-LSX and Na-LTA phases) was synthesized using only reagent-grade chemicals. Hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) bromide surfactant was used to modify the zeolites in order to improve their fluoride removal potential. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques used to characterize the zeolites confirmed the surface modification by the HDTMA surfactant molecules. Moreover, the characterization confirmed that the structural integrity of the zeolites remained intact after the surface modification. Varying process conditions including surfactant dosage, modification reaction time and pH of the batch processes were investigated to determine the optimal conditions for fluoride uptake. From the batch experiments, fluoride adsorption was found to be highly pH dependent. Zeolite Na-LSX was found to be the best performing adsorbent at a pH of 5.5. Increase in solution pH from 5.5 to 7.5 significantly reduced fluoride removal efficiency (86 % to 15 %). No appreciable removal was observed above pH of 7.5. The best performing HDTMA surfactant dosage was found to be 5 g surfactant/L for all the zeolite types. Fluoride removal performance of modified zeolites increased with increasing modification reaction time from 2 hours until 24 hours, beyond which performance relatively declined.

Source: KNUST
Removal of phenols from wastewater at Tema Oil Refinery

Several types of water treatment technologies, including adsorption, are now being used to treat polluted water or wastewater. Activated carbons are successfully applied for purification of potable water and the removal of some organic pollutants in wastewater. In this work the removal of phenols in refinery wastewater by activated carbon adsorption has been investigated. The use of activated carbon is significant as a low cost approach to treating wastewater to remove both organic and heavy metals. The carbons used in this study were commercially obtainable and are prepared from coconut shell (CARB-A), peat (CARB-B) and TOR-1, TOR-2 and TOR-3 (all prepared from wood). The study showed that high efficiencies (of above 90% removal) could be achieved for wastewaters containing more than 50mg/L phenol. The performance efficiency of the various carbons indicated that the granular TOR-l, TOR-2 carbons gave the best removal efficiencies. The CARB-A variety was a better adsorbent of phenols than the CARB-B. The breakthrough curve and with it the breakthrough point were determined for the various carbons to enable the engineering design of the adsorption column to meet prescribed effluent standards. The Ogata and Banks model was used to validate data. The results showed that CARB-B carbon deviated from the normal behaviour of mass transport through porous media. The data strengthens the granular TOR-2 carbon as the best to achieve the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permissible effluent concentration of 2ppm.

Source: KNUST
Renal health after long-term exposure to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in HIV/HBV positive adults in Ghana

Objectives: The study assessed markers of renal health in HIV/HBV co-infected patients receiving TDF- containing antiretroviral therapy in Ghana. Methods: Urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (uPCR) and albumin-to-protein ratio (uAPR) were measured cross-sectionally after a median of four years of TDF. At this time, alongside extensive laboratory testing, patients underwent evaluation of liver stiffness and blood pressure. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was measured longitudinally before and during TDF therapy. Results: Among 101 participants (66% women, median age 44 years, median CD4 count 572 cells/mm 3 ) 21% and 17% had detectable HIV-1 RNA and HBV DNA, respectively. Overall 35% showed hypertension, 6% diabetes, 7% liver stiffness indicative of cirrhosis, and 18% urinary excretion of Schistosoma antigen. Tubular proteinuria occurred in 16% of patients and was independently predicted by female gender and hypertension. The eGFR declined by median 1.8 ml/min/year during TDF exposure (IQR −4.4, −0.0); more pronounced declines ( ≥5 ml/min/year) occurred in 22% of patients and were associated with receiv- ing ritonavir-boosted lopinavir rather than efavirenz. HBV DNA, HBeAg, transaminases, and liver stiffness were not predictive of renal function abnormalities. Conclusions: The findings mandate improved diagnosis and management of hypertension and suggest targeted laboratory monitoring of patients receiving TDF alongside a booster in sub-Saharan Africa.

Source: KNUST
Repair of a portion of Pakuso-Kumasi Road

The basic aim of physical planning is to improve the physical environment of communities and thus raise the stan¬dard of living and increase the welfare of the people. Much has been achieved in this field with regard to the urban areas where communal projects are implemented by the government dep¬artments. But in the rural areas, there is a serious lack of implementing Plans. Many villages, especially in Ashanti, have had layouts for a number of years without the implementation of a single communal project. There are various reasons for this neglect. In some villages the people lack initiative and see no reason why they should undertake some projects through communal labour, after paying taxes to the Local Council which is supposed to provide all communal amenities and services. Some of the Local Councils too are very irresponsible because of maladministration and misuse of money. In some of the villages, the people have the ini¬tiative, they understand why they should implement some projects themselves, but they lack the necessary technical know-how, proper organization, programming, and leadership. Therefore a project may best started and abandoned when it is half-way through or nearing completion. All these people need help and encouragement. The Department of Social Welfare and Community Development is giving all the help it can in this direction, but much more is needed. The development of the country depends mostly on the rural areas whore raw materials for industries and food to feed the workers are produced, and where most of the people live. Also, the recent awareness of most of these communities to improve their lot through communal labour and voluntary contributions, calls for urgent technical advice and help. Proper guidance and the needed technical aid will inspire them to undertake more projects. This may arouse the unconcerned villages to join in this important crusade of national development.

Source: KNUST
Reply to “Compliance with Antimicrobial Therapy for Buruli Ulcer”

Recently, Klis et al. conducted an audit of Buruli ulcer case record forms of patients managed under routine care conditions in a Buruli ulcer treatment center and showed a surprisingly high rate (54%) of noncompliance with therapy (1). Incomplete adherence to treatment has been identified as the most serious problem in tuberculosis control (2) and a major obstacle to the elimination of the disease (3). To ensure adherence to therapy in our study, several approaches were incorporated into patient care. These included issuing medication in 2-weekly batches, allowing the clinician several opportunities to assess adherence during therapy.

Source: KNUST
Repellency Potential, Chemical Constituents of Ocimum Plant Essential Oils, and Their Headspace Volatiles against Anopheles gambiae s. s., Malaria Vector

African malaria mosquitoes (Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto) transmit a malaria parasite (Plasmodium falciparum) to humans. )ecurrent control strategies for the vector have mainly focussed on synthetic products, which negatively impact the environment and human health. Given the potential use of environmentally friendly plant-derived volatiles as a control, this work aims to examine and compare the repellency potential of essential oils and headspace volatiles from Ocimum gratissimum, Ocimum tenui2orum, and Ocimum basilicum and their chemical compositions. )e repellency potential and chemical composition of the plants were achieved by using the protected arm-in-cage method and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Among the three Ocimum species, both the essential oils and the headspace volatiles from O. tenui2orum achieved the longest repellency time lengths of 90–120 minutes. One hundred and one (101) chemical constituents were identi6ed in the headspace volatiles of the three Ocimum spp. Nonetheless, (−)-camphor, (E)-c-bisabolene, terpinolene, 4-chamigrene, cubedol, (E)-farnesol, germacrene D-4-ol, viridi9orol, c-eudesmol, tetracyclo [6.3.2.0 (2,5).0(1,8)] tridecan-9-ol, 4,4-dimethyl, 5-eudesmol, isolongifolol, and endo-borneol were unique only to O. tenui2orum headspace volatiles. Either essential oils or headspace volatiles from O. tenui2orum could o>er longer protection time length to humans against An. gambiae. )ough 6eld studies are needed to assess the complementarity between the chemical constituents in the headspace volatiles of O. tenui2orum, our observations provide a foundation for developing e>ective repellents against An. gambiae.

Source: KNUST
Renewable Energy Projects as a tool for alleviating Energy Poverty in Ghana ( Case Study: Bui Hydroelectric Project)

This research work assesses the contrast in ‘energy resource wealth’ and its transformation into ‘energy poverty’ in developing societies. It appraises whether the implementation of a renewable energy project (REP) can act as a tool to alleviate energy poverty in Ghana. Developing nations are endowed with enormous energy resources yet are highly impoverished in energy delivery. These nations depend on unfriendly sources of lights and adopt inefficient wood fuels for cooking purposes. In this research work, questionnaires were administered to a case study population (Bui Village, located in Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana) who have been affected by the implementation of REP, Bui Hydroelectric Project. The snowball approach was used to sample respondents who were affected by a REP. Questions on energy poverty indicators such as source of light, ownership of charging items, food preservation methods were enquired from the respondents before and after the implementation of the REP. Minitab 16 Statistical Software Package was used to analyse the results. The null hypothesis that energy poverty leads to the use of unfriendly sources of light and that for the use of rural food preservation was confirmed by ‘W’ values of 53 and 43.5 respectively from a Mann-Whitney (MW) test. The W value in a MW test must be greater than 39 to accept the null hypothesis made. The null hypothesis that energy poverty leads to the use of less chargeable items yielded a ‘p’ value of 1.0 from a Paired t-test (PTT). The ‘p’ value in a PTT must be greater than 0.05 to accept the null hypothesis made. Majority of the respondents concluded that rural energy was more expensive than modern energy services. The social implication is that the implementation of a REP reduces energy unfriendly services (e.g. oil lamps and lantern for lighting) whilst increasing energy friendly services (e.g. use of rechargeable lamps, modern food storage devices). The associated negative health benefits in the use of such unfriendly energy services which causes the inflammation of the airwaves and lungs as well as the impairment of the immune system in affected populace are reduced.

Source: KNUST
Reporting Verb Usage in Academic Discourse:

This research work analyzes the categories of reporting verbs employed in the literature review chapters of scholarly writings in master of philosophy theses in Agriculture, English and Mathematics departments in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. The mixed method technique was employed for data collection. The sample was selected with the help of the simple random sampling method with a purpose. Forty-five (45) master of philosophy theses made up the study‟s entire sample. The first research question was analyzed using a quantitative approach to data analysis, and results were given as numbers and percentages. The second and third research questions underwent qualitative analysis. The organization of the data for analysis typically employed the descriptive, content, and inductive analysis. According to the study, the literature review chapters of master of philosophy theses in Agriculture, English and Mathematics employed the discourse, research and cognitive acts verbs. They employed them in varying degrees. In all, discourse acts verbs were the highest with respects to number of occurrences. This was followed by research act and cognitive act verbs respectively. The results indicate that in the English data, discourse acts were the highest followed by research and cognitive act verbs. As far as mathematics data is concerned, research acts were the highest followed by discourse and cognitive acts. In the agriculture thesis, discourse act was the highest followed by research act and cognitive act verbs. According to the analysis, the usage of reporting verbs in the literature review chapters of the theses in Agriculture, Mathematics and English serves a variety of purposes, including the statement of findings, countering of fact, statement of procedures, indication of writer‟s opinion about a proposition, and others. The study identified that point of view, institutional culture and aim of the writing all affect how reporting are employed when writing theses. v iii

Source: KNUST
Reporductive growth, yield and postharvest quality response of two garden eggs cultivars to application of biozyme bio-stimulant in the forest agro-eco zone

Garden egg (Solanum gilo) is an important food crop in most West African countries. Small holder farmers prefer growing garden egg both as vegetable and annual crop due it tolerance to all soil type. These poor farmers have suffered the effects of excessive use of chemical fertilizers which causes soil acidification and reducing soil biological activities resulting to poor yield quality and postharvest quality characteristics in fruits and vegetables. Biozyme (Biostimulant) is an acceptable plant growth regulator which contains macro and micro nutrients, vitamins, cytokinins, amino acids abscisic acid and auxins that promote cellular metabolism in treated plants to enhanced growth and yields qualities and postharvest quality characteristics. The properties Biozyme hydrolysis proteins that improve complex uptake of unavailable nutrients to be used by plants. This study determined Biozyme levels that was lower than the commercially recommended 500ml/ha to curb and misuse, but still enhance garden egg yields under the erratic rainfall pattern in the Forest Agro Eco-zone of Ghana. A factorial experiment pots were arranged in a randomized complete block design, replicated three times in the field while complete block design was adopted for the laboratory studies with a pair-wise mean separation at probability level of <0.05% for the field and <0.01% for the laboratory studies. Biozyme levels (0.09, 0.07 and 0.05ml) significantly affected the growth parameter of stem diameter, plant height, number of leave and branches, LAI and number of flower respectively. The yield also improved to 7.13 ton/ha compared to 6.06 ton/ha observed in the control pots. Significant differences were also observed in the postharvest quality parameters with the highest value recorded in the amendment of Biozyme compare to the control pots. The significant differences observed in the varieties might have been due their growth habit of their genotypes.

Source: KNUST
Report on design of Ghana Stock Exchange

Stock exchanges over the world are used as the engine for economic and industrial development. They offer a suitable platform for diverse people to contribute their varying funds to the development of corporate establishments. This offers a drive to help improve the economy and grow funds in such a way as to ensure that funds are not left idle but continuously put into the growth of the economy. This therefore brings to the fore the need to develop the Ghana Stock Exchange into a more strategic economic component to help achieve the millennium development goals. In this regard the development of a purpose built building for the Ghana Stock Exchange is in the right direction. This design report enumerates and discusses the processes in the development of an architectural design proposal for the construction of a Ghana Stock Exchange building. It documents all studies carried out to help the design process and explains the process and design of the final proposal.

Source: KNUST