Education for Liberation: Ghana\u27s move from western to appropriate education system

A western based education system that is used throughout Ghana\u27s school system. Education is defined then the study looks at the education system and evaluates whether or not it is successfully educating students based on this definition. Observations are made, interviews carried out and surveys filled in order to gain an understanding of what Ghanaians know about their culture and themselves. People are in need of more knowledge about the society and the education system is one place where that information can be imparted. Suggestions are made for new teaching methods that can be used inside and outside of the school system

Neutron Dose Equivalent and Spectra Determination for a Medical Linear Accelerator Using Dosimetric and Monte Carlo Methods.

Medical linear accelerators (linacs) operated above 8 MV photon energy have their output contaminated with neutrons resulting from the photon interactions with the materials of the linac head components. Photoneutron contamination in the photon output was investigated on the Varian Clinac 2100C linear accelerator operating at 15 MV photon beam energy and a dose rate of 4 Gy/min using experimental and Monte Carlo (MCNP) simulations. In order to ensure that the output of the MCNP code was valid, an 241Am-Be isotopic irradiation facility was simulated to study the scattered and transmitted neutron fluxes emanating from a rectangular phantom placed in 'short' and 'long' width orientations. The results of the scattered and transmitted neutron fluxes were compared with those obtained by measurements using the Microspect-2 Neutron Probe (N-Probe) and a new neutron detector, the LGB detector, based on a scintillator containing Li, Gd, and B. Results show a reasonable agreement between measurements and MCNP calculations for both transmitted and scattered neutron flux. Good and accurate knowledge of all the relevant nuclear parameters involved and reliable as well as reproducible experimental conditions are required in neutron flux measurements using foils. A Monte Carlo based Fortran 90 program, COLDET, was developed to calculate the solid angle subtended by both 'bare' and collimated y-ray detector to point, disc and cylindrical sources. Results show good agreement with theory and those obtained by others, however, some differences arise when the finite dimensions of the source and detector are taken into account. Superheated drop detectors (SDDs) were employed in the photoneutron dose measurements due to their insensitivity to high energy and intensity photons in contrast to activation foils. The high and low neutron sensitivity SDDs (Apfel Enterprises Inc., U.S.A), recommended for out of beam and in-beam measurements were used, respectively. Measurements were carried out for both in air and in a water phantom in the patient plane at 100 cm source-to-surface (detector) distance (SSD) in order to investigate the variation of neutron dose equivalent with field size in and outside the irradiation beam and also in the maze of the linac bunker and the control room. The neutron dose equivalent on the beam axis increased gradually as field size was varied from 5x5 cm to 40x40 cm for in-air measurements and was independent of field size outside the irradiated field at distances greater than 20 cm. The neutron dose equivalent for 10x10 cm2 and 40x40 cm2 field sizes was found to be 1.57+/-0.10 mSvGy-1 and 1.74 +/- 0.09 mSvGy-1, respectively. The neutron dose equivalent in the maze for all the field sizes was much higher at gantry angles 0 and 180. The neutron dose equivalent on the beam axis for the 10x10 cm2 field size at a depth of 1 cm in water was 1.42 +/- 0.09 mSvGy-1 for the in-phantom measurements and 1.81+/-0.08 mSvGy-1 for the 5x5 cm2 field size for the same depth but was independent of field size at depth >5 cm in water. MCNP simulation of the 15 MV photon energy Varian Clinac 2100C head was carried out to investigate the photoneutron contamination in its output for the purpose of comparison with experiment. Though the precise linac information about the treatment head was not made available to us due to manufacturer's proprietary rights and commercial secrecy, there was good agreement between simulation and experiment for both in-air and in-phantom to within 15% and 20%, respectively. The fractional neutron dose equivalent to radiosensitive organs of the patient during high-energy photon treatment was determined using the tissue equivalent phantom BOMAB compatible with MCNP. In a design study, MCNP simulation of a linac bunker was undertaken to determine the effect on the total neutron flux and dose at the exit of the maze in terms of treatment room modification and in cladding the maze with neutron absorbing materials. The neutron spectrum of an isotropic 252Cf source was used for the purposes of simulation to represent the unfiltered neutron component of the linear accelerator beam and was placed at the SSD. The modification of the treatment room reduced the total neutron flux and dose by approximately 40 and 45%, respectively, whereas the addition of neutron absorbing materials resulted in further reduction of approximately 90%

Computer-based Number Categorization as an Intervention for Computer-based Number Line Estimation

The number line is a versatile tool. When used in estimation, it can serve as a visual representation of number. This study evaluated the relationship between sorting numbers by magnitude and number line estimation performance. Fifty-eight participants in Grades 1, 2, and 3 estimated values on a 0-100 number line over four sessions. During two intervention sessions they sorted numbers into 5 categories either linearly or nonlinearly before they estimated the same target values. The linear group’s number line estimates had less error than the nonlinear group’s estimates at posttest. In particular, the participants who started with low numeracy scores in the linear group outperformed their counterparts in the nonlinear group on the number line estimation task. Computer-based number categorization supports computer-based number line estimation skills when numbers are categorized linearly. This finding extends the representational mapping hypothesis to computer-based scaffolds

Strategies for Improving Utilization of Maternal Health Program Funds in Ghana

Effective utilization of donor resources for maternal health remains a challenge in Ghana. The purpose of this descriptive multiple case study was to identify strategies and processes that recipient partners use to improve the utilization of maternal health program funds. Harrod and Domar\u27s aid-to-investment-to-growth model, Collier\u27s game theory, and Martens\u27 agency theory on aid effectiveness informed the conceptual framework of the study. The study included face-to-face semistructured interviews with 7 program and project managers from 7 UNFPA recipient institutions in Ghana. Data analysis involved assembling, rearrangement, categorizing, and interpreting the data. Member checking and methodological triangulation of interview data with evidence from administrative documents of the 7 recipient institutions occurred to assure the validity of this study\u27s findings. Three themes emerged: clearly identifying and effectively implementing program and project budget support mechanisms, implementing robust aid effectiveness management processes, and utilizing effective project management practices. Findings indicated institutional capacity strengthening, developing and using control mechanisms, and mitigation of funds disbursement delays and activity implementation delays as derivative pathways for maximizing utilization of maternal health program funds. The findings provide potential lessons for similar organizations\u27 improving funds utilization by project management practitioners to sustain or increase donors\u27 interest and mitigate development programs\u27 funding gaps. Implications for social change include the potential for maternal mortality reduction to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of rural, poor, and marginalized women and children in Ghana

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B Virus in the Adentan Municipality of the Greater Accra Region Of Ghana

Hepatitis B infection is endemic in many developing countries including Ghana. It is also known that there are  differences in  the  prevalence in  communities of  different  socioeconomic levels.  This  study  was conducted in a suburb of Accra to determine the relative seroprevalence of hepatitis B. Serum samples were collected between January and February 2015 during a cross-sectional survey of individuals from Adenta and tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using a commercial test kit (One Step HBsAg Test Device, InTEC Products, INC, China) after obtaining their informed consent. A total of 240 subjects had their samples collected for testing. There were 140 males and 100 females. A higher prevalence of HBsAg seropositivity was detected among the males as compared to the females. Majority of the participants were knowledgeable of the virus but most had not been vaccinated against the virus due to the high cost of the vaccine. In general, the seroprevalence of HBsAg was found to be low within the community. Keywords: Seroprevalence, HBsAG, Vaccine, Seropositive

Parturient behaviour of Djallonké ewes and West African dwarf does

The parturient behaviour of 52 Djallonké ewes and 70 West African dwarf does was observed. The parameters recorded were the duration of parturition, posture during birth, presentation of the neonate at birth, and interventions during birth. The effects of parity, age and number of foetuses carried on the aforementioned parturient behavioural parameters were analysed using the chi-square procedure and a two-tailed t-test. The results of the study on Djallonké ewes showed that birth was completed in recumbent position by 73.1 per cent of the ewes while 98.1 per cent of them presented their lambs normally. None of the ewes required assistance during delivery. The duration of labour averaged 42 min while the time interval between the births of first and second-born twins averaged 3.8 min. The age, parity and number of foetuses carried had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the position in which birth was completed by ewes and presentation of lambs at birth. However, labour was longer in primiparous and young ewes than in multiparous and old ewes. Similarly, twin-bearing ewes were in labour longer than single-bearing ewes. The results of the study on goats showed that most (82.9%) does studied completed birth in recumbent position while 94.3 per cent presented their foetuses normally. No assistance was needed by any of the does during delivery. On the average, labour lasted for 20.57 min while the time interval between the births of first and second-born twins lasted about 6 min. Age and parity of the dam did not significantly affect (P>0.05) the duration of labour and presentation of kids at birth; but significantly, most (P< 0.05) primiparous and young does completed birth in recumbent position compared to multiparous and old does. The number of foetuses carried had no effect on all the parturient behavioural parameters studied. Les observations étaient faites du comportement de parturiente de cinquante-deux (52) agnelles de Djallonké et de soixantedix (70) chèvres naines ouest-africaines. Les paramètres enregistrés étaient la durée de parturition, la posture pendant l'accouchement, présentation du nouveau-né à la naissance et les interventions pendant les accouchements. Les effets de parité, d'âge et de nombre des fætus portés sur les paramètres behavioristes susdits de parturiente étaient analysés avec la procédure d'équerre en chi et d'essai T à deux queues. Les résultats de l'étude sur les agnelles de Djallonké révélaient que l'accouchement était terminé en une position allongée par 73.1% des agnelles alors que 98.1% d'elles présentaient leurs agneaux normalement. Aucunes des agnelles n'exigeaient d' aide pendant l'accouchement. La durée du travail était 42 min de moyenne alors que l'intervalle du temps entre les naissances du premier et du second des jumeaux nés était 3.8 min. de moyenne. L'âge, la parité et le nombre de fætus portés n'avaient aucun effet considerable (P>0.05) ni sur la posture à la naissance. Le travail était cependant plus long chez les primipares et les jeunes agnelles que chez les multipares et les agnelles âgées. De la même façon, les agnelles portant les jumeaux avaient une durée de travail plus longue que celles des agnelles portant un seul agneau. Les résultats de l'étude sur les chèvres montraient que la majorité (82.9%) des chèvres étudiées terminaient l'accouchement en une position allongée alors que 94.3% présentaient leurs fætus normalement. Aucune aide n'était exigée par les chèvres pendant l'accouchement. En moyenne, l travail durait 20.57 min alors que l'intervalle du temps entre les naissances du premier et du second des jumeaux nés durait à peu près 6 min. L'âge et la parité de la mère n'a pas eu un effet considérable (P>0.05) sur la durée de travail et la présentation des chevreaux à la naissance, mais une proportion considérablement plus grande (

Enabling development through governance and mobile technology

The impact of mobile technology on governance and development has attracted significant interest in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for Development and Electronic Governance communities. There is growing consensus that governance mechanisms must complement access to technology to achieve greater impact on development. However, few or no rigorous research exists to show how such mechanisms can support the delivery of mobile services to vulnerable groups. This study fills this important gap by first providing a conceptual framework, based on the Choice Framework and the Structuration Theory, to elaborate on the relationship between ICT, governance and citizen capabilities. Second, the framework is applied to analyze livelihood needs of 45 women head porters interviewed in Accra. Third, as all women under study have access to mobile phones, we determine which governance mechanisms are needed to support the delivery of mobile services to them. Results show that three governance mechanisms enable the contribution of mobile technology to meeting the livelihood needs of this group: 1) updating financial and telecommunication regulations to enable the provision of mobile-based services e.g. mobile microfinance, to vulnerable groups; 2) mobilizing local communities in the production of local contents; and 3) engaging non-governmental organizations in building capacity of government agencies in mobile service delivery and in training vulnerable communities in effective use of mobile technology to access information and services critical to their needs. We conclude by discussing the use of the Structuration Theory along with the Choice Framework to shape development processes based on citizen needs and by discussing the applicability of our framework to similar vulnerable groups

Assessment Tools for Evaluation of Oral Feeding in Infants Younger Than 6 Months

Feeding difficulty is common in infants less than six months old. Identification of infants in need of specialized treatment is critical to ensure appropriate nutrition and feeding skill development. Valid and reliable assessment tools help clinicians objectively evaluate feeding

The effects of fetal growth on maternal body weight and visceral organ mass in the grasscutter, Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck

SUMMARY During pregnancy, maternal metabolism changes to support the gravid uterus and the timing of these changes are a function of both gestational length and fetal number. In order to predict the nutrient requirements throughout pregnancy, it is necessary to know the changes which occur in both the reproductive and maternal tissues. Fifty-seven (57) wild grasscutters were used to investigate the increased nutrient requirement of fetal growth on reproductive and maternal tissues in the grasscutter. The animals were categorized into non-pregnant, early pregnancy (d 1 -50), mid pregnancy (d 51 -100), and late pregnancy (&gt; d 100) status. Maternal organ weights were reported as fresh weight (g), scaled to empty body weight (EBW; g/g), and maternal body weight (MBW; g/g). Carcass weight declined with advancing pregnancy (P = 0.029), as were the lungs, small and large intestines whilst the weights of the kidneys, liver and remaining viscera increased. The total internal organ mass, due mainly to the significant increases in the &apos;remaining viscera&apos; mass, which is made up of mainly adipose tissues, also increased with advancing pregnancy. From mid pregnancy to late pregnancy, uterine weight increased by 675. 3% (52.33±6.525 v. 353.37±26.580). This suggests that pregnancy imposes a huge metabolic demand on the grasscutter, but the animals appear to mobilize maternal nutrient stores, as well as slow down metabolic rate (as indicated by the increases in the fat component of the remaining viscera mass) to meet requirements of the growing fetus and developing mammary glands

Evidence and impact of map error on land use and land cover dynamics in Ashi River watershed using intensity analysis

Abstract:Previously, applications of intensity analysis (IA) on land use and land cover change (LULCC) studies have focused on deviations from uniform intensity (UI) and failed to quantify the reasons behind these deviations. This study presents the application of IA with hypothetical errors that could explain non-uniform LULCC in the context of IA at four-time points. LULCC in the Ashi watershed was examined using Landsat images from 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2014 showing the classes: Urban, water, agriculture, close canopy, open canopy and other vegetation. Matrices were created to statistically examine LULCC using IA. The results reveal that the seeming LULCC intensities are not uniform with respect to the interval, category and transition levels of IA. Error analysis indicates that, hypothetical errors in 13%, 19% and 11.2% of the 2000, 2010 and 2014 maps respectively could account for all differences between the observed gain intensities and the UI; while errors in 12%, 21%, and 11% of the 1990, 2000 and 2010 maps respectively could account for all differences between the observed loss intensities and the UI. A hypothetical error in 0.6% and 1.6% of the 1990 map; 1.5% and 4% of the 2000 map; 1.2% and 2.1% of the 2010 map could explain divergences from uniform transitions given URB gain and AGR gain during 1990–2000, 2000–2010 and 2010–2014 respectively. Evidence for a specific deviation from the relevant hypothesized UI is either strong or weak depending on the size of these errors. We recommend that users of IA concept consider assessing their map errors, since limited ground information on past time point data exist. These errors will indicate strength of evidence for deviations and reveals patterns that increase researcher’s insight on LULCC processes