ghanaopendata/ghanaian-research-english huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Syndrome and Oxidative Stress in Ghanaians Presenting with Prostate Cancer

The latest estimates of global cancer incidence show that prostate cancer has become the second most common cancer among men in the world. A number of reports have linked both oxidative stress and certain features of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) to prostate cancer. Although oxidative stress and MetS have been found to be more prevalent among the Ghanaian population no data exist on its prevalence in Ghanaian prostate cancer patients. This study seeks to investigate metabolic syndrome and oxidative stress in Ghanaians presenting with prostate cancer. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the out-patient department of the department of surgery, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, between the period of November, 2010 and April, 2012. In all, one hundred and twenty four (124) adult males (87 case subjects and 37control subjects) aged at least forty two years were enrolled. Prevalence of MetS was diagnosed using The World Health Organization (WHO), International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the National Cholesterol Education Programme, Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria for defining MetS was employed. The overall percentage prevalence of MetS in the PCa population was 9.2%, 18.4% and 12.6% using NCEP-ATP III, IDF and WHO criteria respectively. Using all the three criteria, the MetS prevalence was highest among the highly aggressive PCa group compared to the other PCa groups and control subjects. Malondialdehyde, an oxidative stress marker, and uric acid were significantly raised whereas the measured antioxidant (vitamin C) was significantly reduced among the PCa patients compared to the controls. The indication is that oxidative stress with reduced antioxidant levels is common in PCa patients. Oxidative stress and MetS may have a significant role in prostate cancer. Based on the findings, it may seem reasonable to propose that therapeutic regimens aimed at beefing up the antioxidant defences could offer some degree of protection for PCa patients against oxidative stress.

Source: KNUST
Metal and nutrient composition of processed cattle hide (Welle) using four procedures

This study was carried out to determine the concentrations of essential and some heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) in dehaired cattle hides ‘Welle’ processed by means of fermentation, firewood, scrap motor tyre and liquefied petroleum gas ( LPG) as fuel for singeing. The nutrient composition (crude protein, ether extract and ash) of ‘welle’ was also evaluated. The concentrations of the metals were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) and reported as mg/kg dry weight of dehaired cattle hides. The levels of heavy metals in the fermented and singed samples (wood, tyre and LPG) ranged from 73.13 to 264.14 mg/kg Fe; 5.84 to 40.04 mg/kg Mn; 0.19 to 20.31 mg/kg Cu; 3.29 to 35.31 mg/kg Zn; <0.001 mg/kg Pb; and <0.002 mg/kg Cd. Generally, the fermented treatments recorded the highest significant levels (p<0.05) of metals compared to the singed treatments. Cu slightly exceeded the maximum permissible limit (MPL) in the fermented, washed and boiled samples. . There were also significant differences (p<0.05) among the fermented washed and boiled, wood-singed washed and boiled, tyre-singed washed and boiled, and LPG- singed washed and boiled samples with respect to their metal contents. The singed samples were relatively high in their contents of Fe with moderate amounts of Zn, Mn and Cu. However, the concentrations of Fe and Mn in this study cannot be described as contaminants as there is no MPL fixed for them in animal food sources. The contents of Pb and Cd were below detectable limits Processing methods significantly (p<0.05) influenced the crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and ash contents of ‘welle’. Crude protein values for fermentation (93.60), tyre (92.03) and wood (90.37) were significantly (p<0.05) different from liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (85.6O). There was also significant (p<0.05) difference in ash values between fermented (1.67), LPG (1.17), and wood-singed ‘welle’ With respect to EE values there were significant difference among all treatment means. The LPG-singed “welle” recorded the highest value of 11.67 followed by wood (7.17), tyre (4.67) and fermentation (4.0).

Source: KNUST
Metal Casting in Asante

Metal casting is an art among the people of Asante in Ghana. It is seen as a lucrative industry, which could provide employment to the youth, however, the researcher has noticed that, little attention has been given to the industry by the government and other authorities. Evidence shows that, a process of metal casting originated in Asante before its diffusion to other parts of Africa. The researcher, in an attempt to contribute to the development of the industry has sought to write about metal casting in Asante. The research seeks to critically examine, analyse and synthesize the history of Asante’s metal casting, and identify, describe, and document the existing processes of traditional metal casting in Asante. The main research methods used are the Descriptive and Analytical survey methods. The population of the study was limited to only one hundred and fifteen persons mostly, art educationists, jewellers, metal casters, gold- weight collectors, industrial workers, and traditional rulers. The final study is presented in six chapters. Chapter one is the introductory chapter which deals with the problems, objectives, hypothesis, scope of study, limitations, importance of the research, methodology, data collection, abbreviations, definition of terms, arrangement of text, and references. Chapter two deals with the review of related literature on history of metal casting and traditional metal casting processes in Asante. It also provides references. Chapter three deals with the general procedure employed to do the research. The research tools used include questionnaire, interviews, photography, and observation. It provides reference to the literature. Chapter four outlines the existing traditional processes of metal casting employed in Asante, and provide information on a new method of hollow casting discovered by the researcher in course of the study. Chapter five deals with critical analyses, and interpretation of findings from the field survey, it also provides reference to the literature used. Chapter six, the final chapter deals with the summary, conclusions, and recommendations. The last chapter is followed by bibliography and appendices.

Source: KNUST
Metal art as academic discipline for Senior Secondary Schools

The Education Reform exercise embark upon by the government in 1987 brought with it the situation whereby metal art has not received any attention as a priority area of study in the visual art. It was relegated to the background during preparation of the suggested syllabus for the teaching of visual arts in Senior Secondary Schools prior to the inception of the Education Reform. Although jewellery has been introduced since 1996, its scope of working materials is limited to the use of clay, seeds, shells and pieces of sticks. Metal which should be the core working material was relegated to the background as an attempt by the government to guard against indiscriminate small scale gold mining operations, popularly called “galamsey” which is fast degrading the environment. Moreover, anytime metalwork is mentioned, minds are directed towards the use of heavy machines as if the vocation cannot be carried out in small workshops. The problem therefore is that metal art as a vocation is not taught in Senior Secondary Schools to transmit to students the skills and knowledge that will help them to contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the nation. There is the need therefore, to evolve simplified techniques to promote the teaching and learning of the subject for the benefit of students without the use of heavy machines.

Source: KNUST
Metal complexation in near field conditions of nuclear waste repository - stability constant of copper complexation with cellulose degradation products, in alkaline conditions

Copper is a stable element and spent fuel component which constitutes the radioactive waste. The reaction of Copper with cellulose degradation products in alkaline conditions was performed to mimic what occurs in near field conditions of nuclear waste repository. From the characteristics of Cu (II), this thesis aims at inferring the behaviour of radionuclides vis a vis the degradation products of cellulose. The contribution of the present work is therefore the assessment of the stability of the major cellulose degradation product, its affinity for Copper and the extent of the complexation function 13 between Cu (II) and the organic moieties. The formation of cellulose degradation products was followed by measurement of p11, Conductivity, Angle of rotation, relative abundance of aliphatics and aromatics (E4/E6 ) aid by UV-visible spectroscopy. The TOC was determined using the Walkley and Black titration after respectively 31 weeks and 13 weeks of degradation for the i-eaction mixtures T and A, N. The stability of the major degradation products gave the following figures: ISA(A): - 13 143.39 <ΔG -10639.88 ISA(N): - Ii 436.45<ΔG< -9103.6. The study of the characteristics of Gluconic Acid, as a model compound, was carried out in an attempt to give a general picture of the roper ties of cellulose degradation products. The Complexation between Cu (II) and the organic ligand (Cellulose degradation products) was performed using UV-visible spectroscopy and Ion Distribution technique. The Log B value obtained from the complexation studies at 336 nm for 1 = 0. I Ni NaClO4 and I = 0.01 M NaClO4, falls within a range of 3.48 to 3.74 for the standard reference material (Gluconic Acid), and within I .87 to 2.3 I, and I .6 to 2.01, respectively for the degradation Products ISA (A) and ISA(N). The ion distribution studies showed that: • In (he absence of the degradation product ISA and at pH = 3.68. 56. 17 % of Cu (II) was bound to the resin. • In the presence of ISA and at 2.24 ≤ pH ≤ 3.09, 91.5 % of Cu (II) was hound to ISA and 8.5 % to the resin. The negative logarithm of the acid dissociation constant of the degradation products inferred from Lloyd linear relationship, showed the presence of carboxylic group ---- COOH adjacent to OH group. On the other hand the ionic strength had no influence on the acid capacity of the degradation products because they described a monomeric system.

Source: KNUST
Metal vehicle identification tag with access control chip for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

In Ghana and across the globe, professionals like lecturers, lawyers, medical doctors, the security forces, but to mention a few, have different and unique vehicle identification tags that give them recognition in the society. Vehicle identification tags for KNUST, UG and UCC staffs are printed on polyvinyl chloride material which are not easily recognizable at a distance and fade within limited time. In KNUST and UG, these tags have been electronically improved to allow or deny entry into their campus via vehicular access control system. To improve distance visibility, this study aimed at producing a metal relief vehicle identification tag with an access control chip for KNUST. To achieve this aim, this study sought to; analyse the existing access control system in UG and KNUST, design an improved access control and employ local metal technology in the design of a vehicle identification tag to respond to vehicular access control system. In this regard, the research adopted the action, advocacy, descriptive and experimental research designs in the investigation, analyses and composition of the concepts. The research came up with two designs of the metal relief vehicle identification tag with an access control chip for Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology for easy visibility and to respond to the access control systems. The samples were made through lost wax casting in brass: a traditional casting process among metal founders in Ghana. To demonstrate the concept, a simulation model was executed to present the mode of operation of the concept as it will work in reality. In conclusion, two contributions were made in regards to the designing of the system to respond to the metal relief identification tag. The introduction of the display screen and the introduction of traffic indicator all to prompt both the user of the vehicle’s tag and the security. This it to provide good information regarding validity, the status of the user and also the state of the access control system.

Source: KNUST
Metallurgical studies of locally produced and imported low carbon steel rods on the Ghanaian Market.

The objective of the research was to undertake a comparative metallurgical study of locally produced and imported iron rods on the Ghanaian market. The iron rods were cut, 40 cm for tensile test, 2.5 cm for microstructural studies and 2.5 cm for elemental analysis. The rod samples of length 40 cm and diameter 19 mm were machined at the mid portions to diameters of 14 mm.The samples were then subjected to tensile loading in an Avery Hydraulic Tensile testing machine. The loads were read from a dial on the machine and the extensions with a set of pre-gauged callipers. The average ultimate tensile strength of the local rods was 535±14 MPa and 455±23 MPa for the imported rods. These values compared well with the standard values of 400 MPa to 1860 MPa for low carbon steels. The toughness test was carried out in two ways: by finding the percentage elongation and the area under the stress-strain curve. The imported rods had an average value of 30.0±0.2 % elongation and 23.9±1.1 % elongation for the local rods. These values fall within the range of the standard values of 4 % to 40 %. From the area under the curve, the imported and locally rods had values of 101.1±2.67 MJ/m3 and 87.7±4.2 MJ/m3 respectively, making the imported rods tougher than the local rods. The Young’s modulus for the local rods and imported rods were 16.3±0.4 GPa and 10.9±0.5 GPa respectively. The hardness value for the local rods was 239±9 BHN and 176±2 BHN for the imported rods. The local rods were stronger and harder than the imported rods. However the imported rods were more ductile and tougher than the local rods. The difference in the mechanical properties and behaviour were attributed to the difference in the microstructure as a result of the processing methods used, manganese and phosphorus content.

Source: KNUST
The metamorphosis of the tragic hero

When one takes an overview of the tragic tradition from Aristotle to the present. it is clear that tragedy has undergone changes in definition and practice over the years. In the light of this, the study tries to show the diversity of the tragic conception, its continuity, and major deviations from the classical order to the modem period. Sophocles, the Greek tragedian, looked at the tragic hero in the context of the fundamental Greek concept of law, crime and punishment. To Aristotle, however, the concept of hamartia is crucial to tragedy. Consequently, Greek tragedy focuses on the action and plot and not on character, and this is crucial to the definition of the concept of the tragic hero. The period of the Renaissance, during which Shakespeare wrote his plays, focused on the idea of the tragic flaw, as the basis of the presentation of the character of the tragic hero. The use of folktales and the reliance on the pagan concept of the hero also informed most tragic works produced during the period. During the French neo-classical period, playwrights like Racine, for example, dwelt on the nobility of action and of thinking in the presentation of their heroes. In an attempt to revive the classical period, Racine wrote adaptations of Greek plays in which his world views which were based on the beliefs of Jansenism were paramount. Thus, biensience is very crucial to the portrayal of the neo-classical tragic hero. The modern European period witnessed comedy as the major dramatic form because there was a dearth of tragedy in the 18th and centuries. The 20th century tragic hero is portrayed as having several characteristics and traits and therefore he cannot be focalised as having specific well-defined traits. The modern European tragic hero is more of an anti-hero than a hero. Such a hero combines ridiculous, purposeless behaviour with talks, which give the tragic hero a dazzling comic surface. Notwithstanding this comic surface, the underlying message Portrays the anti-hero as one with a metaphysical distress In African tragedy there is a distinction between the traditional hero who appear in traditjoj.iai folklore and the hero who -features in African writings. Achehe’s Okonkwo, for example exhibits traits resembling those of Shakespearean tragic heroes because of possible influences from the West. The notion of the “flaw” is thus evident in a character such as Okonkwo. Suffering, to the African, results not in disgrace but rather in regeneration Thus, tragedy relates to the person of the hero. As a genre, it excites human. sympathy, though the untying of the knot at times does not satisfy the expectations of the audience

Source: KNUST
Metaphor as a device for persuasion in advertising in Ghana: A case study of Airtel, Tigo and Vodafone.

This study examines metaphor in advertising as a device for persuasion by three telecommunication companies in Ghana: Airtel, Tigo and Vodafone which are in pole position to compete with MTN, the leading mobile telecommunication company in Ghana. The study was conducted within the framework of the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT), put forward by Lakoff and Johnson (1980), and the Pictorial Metaphor Theory by Forceville (1994 and 1996). The researcher sets out to ascertain whether the three companies employ metaphors in their advertisements, to identify the underlying conceptual and pictorial metaphors in the selected advertisements of the three telecommunication companies, to examine how these metaphors are signalled and also find out the perception of the public on the advertisements; whether they understand the message in the advertisements or not. To achieve this purpose, a total of thirty advertisements, ten for each telecommunication company, were sampled and analysed, and some questionnaires were issued to respondents. The findings reveal that Airtel, Tigo and Vodafone employ conceptual metaphors and pictorial metaphor as devices of persuasion in their advertisements, thus, supporting Lakoff and Johnson’s (1980) position on metaphors that what we do or say are all metaphorical and Forceville’s (1994, 1996) positions that metaphors do not occur only verbally but they also occur pictorially.

Source: KNUST
Metallurgical Studies of Welded Joints of Local and Imported Low Carbon Steels

The effects of heat-treatment and variations in alloy content on the microstructure and mechanical properties welded joints of local and imported low carbon steels have been studied. The joints were fabricated using the shielded metal-arc welding technique. The chemical analyses of the samples revealed that in imported steel the contents of the main alloying elements responsible for strength (i.e. carbon and manganese) were 0.19% and 0.54% by weight respectively, whereas in the local steel they constituted 0.06% and 0.29% by weight respectively. The relatively higher carbon and manganese contents in the imported steels as compared to those in locally-made steel accounted for the high Ultimate Tensile Stress (UTS) of 689.00 ± 7.72 MPa, Yield Strength (541.60 ± 6.15 MPa), Moduli of Elasticity (244.00 ± 11.44 GPa) and Impact Strength (214.50 ± 5.57 J), and lower ductility (23.66 ± 0.67%) of the imported steel. This also confirmed the large proportions of perlites in the imported steel as compared to those in the local steel from their optical micrographs. Local steel had lower UTS (528.25 ± 13.66 MPa), Yield strength (381.75 ± 5.88 MPa), Moduli of Elasticity (240.25 ± 3.66 GPa) and Impact strength (160.67 ± 7.23 J) and higher ductility (28.03 ± 1.33%). When the steels were welded there were significant drops in the mechanical properties. The heat-treatment improved the Ductility and Impact strength at the expense of UTS, Yield Strength and Young‘s Modulus. The ductility and impact strengths of welded local steels through heat-treatment increased by 42.00% and 100.50% respectively over the welded samples. With imported steel ductility and impact strengths increased by 47.30% and 125.10% respectively over the welded samples. It was concluded heat-treatment lowered the level of internal stresses at the joints thereby improving the ductility and impact toughness.

Source: KNUST
Metaphoric conceptualisations of formal learning, education and knowledge among students of the Department Of English, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

The study examines the conceptualisations of students of the Department of English, KNUST on the notions of formal learning, education and knowledge. One hundred and five participants were purposively sampled to write their descriptions of formal learning, education and knowledge in answer to a questionnaire. Their expressions were analysed in the framework of the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) of Lakoff& Johnson (1980a). The analysis revealed thirty-eight conceptual metaphors of formal learning, education and knowledge. It also revealed two types of metaphors namely structural metaphors and orientational metaphors. Again, it revealed that the class levels of the students are motivational factors in metaphors that pertain to struggle, guide and endlessness. The study further revealed that the cultural value of ―nobility‖, ―struggle‖, ―life-long learning‖ and ―motherhood and motherliness‖ were similar to Ghana, Japan and China as far as learning, education and knowledge are concerned. Lastly, the analysis revealed that the cultural value of ―struggle‖ was predominant in metaphors of learning and that of ―nobility‖ was predominant with metaphors of education and knowledge. These findings provide insight into some motivational factors that frame students‘ conceptualisations of formal learning, education and knowledge. The study finally recommends that the conceptual metaphors are further analysed to bring out other motivational factors that may influence the students‘ conceptualisations.

Source: KNUST
Method Development for the Quantification of Piperaquine Phosphate and Dihydroartemisinin in Combination Tablets

This research developed a spectrometric method of analyzing Piperaquine phosphate and Dihydroartemisinin in combination tablets. Piperaquine phosphate in the tablets was analyzed by extracting with 0.001M HCl solution and taking its absorbance at 349nm. The LOD was 5.56 x 10 -5 %w/v and the LOQ was 1.68 x 10 -4 %w/v. HPLC conditions were ODS column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile and water with 0.1%v/v Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), (40:60) at a flow rate of 1.0ml/min at a wavelength of 349nm and an injection volume of 20μl. The retention time was 3.2 minutes. The LOD was 4.9 x 10 -5 %w/v and the LOQ was 1.48 x 10 -4 %w/v. Dihydroartemisinin in the tablets was analysed by sonicating the tablet powder in diethyl ether for some time, filtering and evaporating the diethyl ether off. The residue was dissolved in methanol and reacted with conc HCl for 30 minutes at 30OC and the absorbance taken at 254nm. The LOD was 1.09 x 10 -4 %w/v and the LOQ was 3.31 x 10 -3 %w/v. HPLC conditions were ODS column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile and water with 0.1%v/v TFA (90:10) at a flow rate of 1.0ml/min at a wavelength of 220nm and an injection volume of 20μl.The retention time was 3.8 minutes. The LOD was 0.013 %w/v and the LOQ was 0.040 %w/v.

Source: KNUST