ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Short-Term Traffic Volume Prediction In Umts Networks: Validation of Kalman Filter-Based Model.

Accurate traffic volume prediction in Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) networks has become increasingly important because of its vital role in determining the Quality of Service (QoS) received by subscribers on these networks. This study explores traffic volume prediction and, adapts and validates the Kalman filter-based short-term traffic volume prediction model for UMTS networks. In this study, we adapt and validate the Kalman filter-based traffic volume prediction model which is used more in transportation engineering. The model was adapted based on two key assumptions that make it possible for us to characterize the short-term traffic volume patterns for UMTS networks to suit the Kalman filter algorithm. The model so adapted was carefully fine-tuned and implemented in MATLAB. The model was then validated with traffic volume data collected from a live 3G network using the graphical and r2 (coefficient of determination) approaches to model validation. The results indicate that the model performs very well as the predicted traffic volumes compare very closely with the observed traffic volumes on the graphs. The r2 approach resulted in r2 values in the range of 0.87 to 0.99 which compare very well with the observed traffic volumes. A little was done on sensitivity analysis of the model parameters, and this has been recommended for future research. The result obtained in this study brings out the fact that, the Kalman filter algorithm is very useful in predicting short-term traffic volumes for UMTS networks.

Source: KNUST
Shortest Path Algorithm for Transportation Networks

In a metropolis such as Kumasi, the transport network is massive, dynamic, and complicated, and therefore route finding is not an easy task, especially with routes comprising several modes of transport vehicles. This problem is even more important for e-tourism planners and users, security services and moving workforces, who may need to visit an unfamiliar part of the metropolis. To find a route that is the most cost-effective is even harder and time-consuming. Traffic congestion is becoming a serious environmental threat that must be resolved quickly. Traditionally, travel information systems have been specific to a particular mode of transport. For instance, traffic information (road conditions broadcast) has been directed at drivers. Instead, travel information systems are now being developed, which incorporate route guidance systems to divert drivers away from the congested areas either by change of travel mode or travel route. The mobile travel information system developed at the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) enables progression from a passive mode of interaction between traffic control systems and road-users (one-way flow of information) to an active mode. The integration of data concerning traffic flows and individual journey plans thus makes it possible to perform optimisation of travel. This project focuses on the issue of provision of real-time information about urban travel and assistance with planning travel. KMA traffic-light control system provides real-time information about the traveler distance (time) within certain areas of the city. However, rather than using link travel times at the time of the request, it is more effective to predict the link travel times for the time of travel along the particular links. The future link travel times depend upon the historical travel time of the link (for the specific time step in the day) as well as the current link travel time. Consequently, the link weights are a combination of real-time data, historical data and static data. The prediction method will be validated in the context of Kumasi urban road network.

Source: KNUST
Shrines and social control; a study of Nuveh shrine In Peki, Ghana.

Human communities have measures and schemes which are intended to control the social behaviour of its members. In traditional societies, the belief in the potency of supernatural beings help to enforce social norms and values which translate into social order within the community. In most traditional societies, religion plays important role in the lives of the people, some of which include ensuring order in the society. Two forms of social control systems exist in Ghana, the formal and indigenous modes of social control. Presently, the indigenous means of crime and social control, have been challenged by the advent of the formal mode of social control. It must be stated that though the formal systems of social control have supplanted the power of the informal systems of social control, its effectiveness has been called into question times without number due to the fast-rising levels in crime. Nevertheless, the traditional religious modes of social control, continue to receive a considerable attention and continues to function well in crime prevention and social control. The study adopted qualitative research method, which employs phenomenological approach to obtain data. Thirty-one (31) interlocutors were interviewed to identify the exact ways through which Ŋuveh help to enforce social order in Peki. The study was limited to a few knowledgeable groups of people who are well informed in the traditional religion, its underlying beliefs and practices. The findings of the study indicated that, the traditional religious modes of social control and crime prevention is captured in prohibitions and sanctions. Also, some of the traditional religious means of social control have been criminalized as a consequence of which they are no longer in use. However, they are being patronized in secret. The study concludes that the traditional religious means of social control are effective in ensuring social order. Thus, it is recommended that the state gives the traditional religious means of social control some recognition and legal support so that they can function side-by-side with the formal system of social control.

Source: KNUST
Shrinkage Methods for Estimating the Shape Parameter of the Generalized Pareto Distribution

The generalized Pareto distribution is one of the most important distributions in statistics of extremes as it has wide applications in fields such as finance, insurance, and hydrology. This study proposes two new methods for estimating the shape parameter of the generalized Pareto distribution (GPD). The proposed methods use the shrinkage principle to adapt the existing empirical Bayesian with data-based prior and the likelihood moment method to obtain two estimators. The performance of the proposed estimators is compared with the existing estimators (i.e., maximum likelihood, likelihood moment estimators, etc.) for the shape parameter of the generalized Pareto distribution in a simulation study. The results show that the proposed estimators perform better for small to moderate number of exceedances in estimating shape parameter of the light-tailed distributions and competitive when estimating heavy-tailed distributions. The proposed estimators are illustrated with practical datasets from climate and insurance studies.

Source: KNUST
An SIA Model of HIV Transmission in Ghana

In this thesis an SIA compartment model of the transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS is developed using Ghana Data. The resulting system of three non-linear differential equations was analyzed in respect of stability of the three equilibrium points namely the disease free which was found to be unstable and two endemic equilibrium points which were found to be stable. Further analysis to determine the conditions for the breakout of epidemic were done using the basic reproductive number of the infection. Simulations of solutions of the model in various scenarios were also performed. It was found that the rate of transition from HIV infected to AIDS relative to the rate of transition from susceptible to HIV infected state would need to be increased in order to effectively control the spread of the disease.

Source: KNUST
Sickle Cell Disease Genomics of Africa (SickleGenAfrica) Network: ethical framework and initial qualitative findings from community engagement in Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania

Objectives To provide lay information about genetics and sickle cell disease (SCD) and to identify and address ethical issues concerning the Sickle Cell Disease Genomics of Africa Network covering autonomy and research decision-making, risk of SCD complications and organ damage, returning of genomic findings, biorepository, data sharing, and healthcare provision for patients with SCD. Design Focus groups using qualitative methods. Setting Six cities in Ghana, Nigeria and Tanzania within communities and secondary care. Participants Patients, parents/caregivers, healthcare professionals, community leaders and government healthcare representatives. Results Results from 112 participants revealed similar sensitivities and aspirations around genomic research, an inclination towards autonomous decision-making for research, concerns about biobanking, anonymity in data sharing, and a preference for receiving individual genomic results. Furthermore, inadequate healthcare for patients with SCD was emphasised. Conclusions Our findings revealed the eagerness of patients and parents/caregivers to participate in genomics research in Africa, with advice from community leaders and reassurance from health professionals and policy makers, despite their apprehensions regarding healthcare systems.

Source: KNUST
Signal Radiation leakage of power line Communication Systems

The usage of power line communications, PLC over the low-voltage electrical power supply networks gives an alternative for the telecommunication access. Initially power lines were used for controlling appliances, however with the recent technology advancements the power lines are now able to compete successfully with other relatively stable home networking technologies like wireless and phone line. Despite the advantages that PLC can offer, it is associated with the major cause of harmful interference to other users of the wireless spectrum. PLC risks not living up to its full development and success unless proper standards and regulations are developed globally. The objective of this thesis is the analysis of problems related to electromagnetic compatibility of broadband power line communications. The study comprises both theoretical and experimental analysis. The experimental work was conducted in the form of field measurements, performed in real power line communication network. For the theoretical work, PLC networks were modeled and simulated with the Numerical Electromagnetics Code (NEC).

Source: KNUST
The Significance of Advertising in the Development of Major Brands of Food Manufacturing Companies: a case study of Nestle Ghana Ltd.

The essence of this study is to find out the significance of advertising in the development of major brands of food manufacturing companies using Nestle Ghana as a case study. The study reviewed related literature such as those that impinge on the research problem and then attempted to link it with the study. Face to face interview and questionnaire were used in collecting the data whilst the , ¥ main sampling techniques adopted were mainly purposive and simple random sampling. The paper revealed that more than fifty-six percent (56%) of the consumers sampled rated the quality of advertisement pursued by Nestle as acceptable. In addition, the study indicated that distributors rated the prices of Milo and Maggi as expensive relative to competitors' products and showed that the company made a profit for the five year period with a reasonable expenditure on advertising which supported the fact that there is a positive correlation between the predicting variable, advertising expenditure and profit made. Performing a significant test at a confidence level of 95%, both variables significantly influenced the profit made. Proper distribution of products, visible display, product hygiene and prompt attendance to consumer complaints has been recommended as compliments to building food brands.

Source: KNUST
Significance of animal symbolism among the Akans of Akyem Abuakwa traditional area,

This research seeks to discuss the significance of Animal symbolism among the Akans of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area; touching on the background history of the people, their culture, aspects of their culture within which these symbols can be located, their philosophical, educational and the socio-cultural significance. These symbols have so many lessons and wisdom to be learnt, yet the people are ignorant about them. This problem can be linked to urbanization and the influence of foreign culture, in addition to over dependence on oral history, for so long a time without proper documentation. The researcher therefore seeks to identify and categorise the various aspects of culture within which these animal symbols can be found, discuss them and explain in detail codified meaning, socio-cultural and philosophical meanings inherent in them. Descriptive research method, coupled with questionnaire and interview guide were the research tools used to find information, while related literature were also reviewed. The next item is presentation and discussion of findings. The research revealed that, there are a lot of symbolic animal forms within some aspects of the culture of the Akans of Akyem Abuakwa which have a lot of lessons to teach the people yet most of these animal forms have not received considerable attention. People are ignorant about them. It was also observed that, lack of detailed study on these animal forms has resulted in the lack of knowledge on the teaching and learning of it. People are not willing to learn these symbolic animal forms from the elders who are the custodians of these animal forms. Recommendations are made to that effect.

Source: KNUST
Significance of intestinal protozoan parasites as diarrhoea-causing infectious agents in children presenting to the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital

Diarrhoeal disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in young children in developing countries. This study assessed the use of multiplex real-time PCR assay and microscopy to determine the prevalence and significance of intestinal protozoan parasites as diarrhoeal-causing infectious agents in children in the Ashanti Akyem North District of the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Between June 2007 and May 2008, fresh stool samples were obtained from 1373 children up to 13 years of age attending the child welfare clinic of the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital. 0.20g of each stool samples collected was preserved at -200C for DNA extraction whilst the remaining was preserved in sodium acetate-acetic acid formalin and concentrated using the formol-ether technique for microscopic examination. DNA extracts were analyzed with the multiplex real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for pathogenic protozoan parasites. Of the 1373 children examined, 60.5% were clinically declared symptomatic whilst 39.5% were asymptomatic. The prevalence rates of the enteric protozoa detected by microscopy from the symptomatic and asymptomatic children were Giardia lamblia, 13.1% and 20.5%, Cryptosporidium species, 4.9% and 4.9%, Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, 0.4% and 1.2%, Blastocystis hominis, 10.1% and 20.3% Entamoeba coli, 4.0% and 12.7%, Chilomastix mesnili, 2.6% and 6.2%, Endolimax nana 1.8% and 8.7%, Entamoeba hartmani 0.68% and 3.32% respectively. The prevalence rates of helminths detected in both symptomatic and asymptomatic children were Ascaris lumbricoides 0.16%, Hookworm 0.6%, Strongyloides stercolaris 1.0%, Hymenolepis nana 0.4% and Metagonimus species 0.5%. Multiplex real time PCR detected 31.2% Giardia lamblia and 5.7% Cryptosporidium parvum in the symptomatic whilst 40.3% Giardia lamblia, 2.4% Cryptosporidium parvum and only one case of Entamoeba histolytica were detected in the asymptomatic children. By using an expanded gold standard the sensitivity and specificity of PCR for Giardia lamblia detection was 96.9% and 81.6% respectively, whilst 65.2% sensitivity and 98.7% specificity was observed with microscopy. Sensitivities of 76.2% and 80% and specificities of 98.2% and 97.2% for microscopy and PCR respectively for the detection of Cryptosporidium parvum were also observed. This present study showed low rates of helminths and relatively high rates of protozoa infections in the study children. However, protozoa pathogens detected amongst the symptomatic and asymptomatic children were found to be similar; thus the significance of these pathogens as diarrhoeal causing agents in the district is therefore unclear. This present study has also demonstrated that the multiplex real time PCR assay was more sensitive compared to microscopy in the diagnosis of the intestinal protozoa parasites.

Source: KNUST
Sialic Acid, Metabolic and Anthropometric variables in type two diabetic patients.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with higher cardiovascular risk partly related to an increase in inflammatory parameters. There is however a gap in the fight to early detection of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes in Ghana. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between sialic acid with metabolic variables in Ghanaian type 2 diabetes with and without microvascular complications. This case-control study comprising of 150 type 2 diabetic patients and 50 age-matched healthy individuals without diabetes were recruited. Fasting venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin, sialic acid and C-reactive protein. Serum sialic acid levels were elevated in diabetic with retinopathy (230.68 ± 135.60mg/dl) followed by nephropathy (196.53 ± 61.19mg/dl) compared to diabetic patients with no complications (185.55 ± 75.69mg/dl) (p=0.065). Patients with type two diabetes had significantly higher C-reactive protein (p=0.026) and serum sialic acid (p<0.0001) compared to the non-diabetics. In the patients with diabetes, 14.7% were able to excellently control their blood glucose with 28.0% poorly controlling their glycaemia. Level of Serum sialic acid was higher in the patients with good control than those with poor control. However, C-reactive was higher in patients with poor control and lower in those with good control. The inflammatory markers showed no statistically significant difference on comparison. No statistically significant relationship (P>0.05) was established between the levels of serum sialic acid and blood glucose and glycated haemoglobin among patients with diabetes. C-reactive was inversely associated with blood glucose though not statistically significant, whereas it was directly associated with glycated. Serum sialic acid and C-reactive protein both showed inverse relationship with total cholesterol levels, triglycerides and low lipoprotein. However, a direct relationship between serum sialic acid and high density lipoprotein with no significance (r= 0.018, P=0.825) was observed. The main findings of this study is that raised serum sialic acid concentration is strongly related to the presence of microvascular complications in type two diabetes particularly retinopathy and nephropathy. Again this study indicated direct association of glycated with elevation of serum sialic acid and C-reactive protein. These may imply a significant relation between inflammation and glycemic control in people with established diabetes.

Source: KNUST
The significance of project management in a flourishing business

Organization who incorporate project management shows better utilization of resources, reduced cost, shorter development times and a better focus on results and quality. Also, organizations using project management have strong inter-departmental cooperation that builds synergies across the organization. Project management is a relevant issue in both public and private organizations. The implementation of practices in project management in these organizations is the most significant field in developed and developing countries, since it identifies methodologies and actions required to achieve the strategic goals of the organizations. The aim of this research was to explore the significance of project management in a flourishing business of an organization. Three objectives were set on which literature review was conducted. The first objective was to identify the significance of project management for a successful business operations. The second objective was to identify factors that hinder project management effectiveness in an organization and the third objective was to identify factors that contributes to successful project management in an organization. This study adopted quantitative method in which survey questionnaires were administered to respondents involved with project management yielding a response rate of 83 percent. The statistical tools utilized in data analysis include mean score; and descriptive statistics. The findings of the research indicated that “Shortage and late access to resources; Improper planning; Cash-Flow problems; and Lack of effective communication” are factors that hinder project management effectiveness in an organization. Also, the findings indicated that “Effective management of project cash inflow and outflow; Precise definition of project scope and objectives; Appropriate and effective project change management in terms of design/scope; and Effective management of project time schedules are factors that contributes to successful project management. It was recommended that Organizations put in their best to enhance effective project management through effective planning, monitoring and coordination of project activities. Moreover, establishment of efficient teamwork and cooperation among project team members and effective control of organizational bureaucratic culture. Also management in organization should ensure effective communication and rapid information flow amongst project participants.

Source: KNUST
Significant alternative sources of health care financing in Ghana, a case study in the Asante Akim North district

The study sought to establish the significant alternative sources of health care financing in thewithin Asante Akim North District. A case study research design was employed to gather data from primary and secondary sources. The Primary data was gathered through structured questionnaire and interview guide from fifteen respondents. Non-probability method of sampling with combination of quota and purposive techniques was used to select the respondents for the study. Qualitative and quantitative analysis was used to establish the finding of the study. Firstly, it was established that the current state of health care financing apart from the funds from the MOH mainly includes internally generated funds and donations from benevolent societies and individuals. Secondly, revenue generated was generally inadequate for most of the years understudy. Thirdly, the challenges the health care financing included unavailability of funds to purchase equipment, delayed reimbursement from the NHIA and high dependency on the NHIS. Lastly, majority of the participants acknowledged that alternative sources of health care financing to include practice of cash and carry, operation of psychotherapy center, extension of accommodation, recreational and health facilities, provision of means of transport to patients and clients, support from NGOs and extension of pharmaceutical and laboratory facilities. Resultantly, it is recommended that, the MOH for that matter should encourage the private sector and other Non-Governmental Organizations to take keen interest in funding both mission and public healthcare institutions to reduce the burden on them. Also, policies governing the NHIS concerning reimbursement should be enforced by the government and ensured by NHIS.

Source: KNUST