False Confession in Wrongful Convictions and the Effect of Recording Custodial Interrogations Through Exoneration

To reduce false confessions and guilty pleas, twenty-seven states have passed a law to have all custodial interrogations electronically recorded. According to the Innocence Project briefing book (2017) on the electronic recording of interrogations, electronic recording is audio and audiovisual (Innocent Project, 2017). This study explores the factors that lead to false confessions and guilty pleas in wrongful convictions. The literature explains how deprivation, coercion, violence, and evidence fabrication can lead to false confessions and guilty pleas. Using the comparative/experimental research approach to study two groups (27 states with recording laws and 27 states (including territories) with no recording laws), the study determines if the rate of wrongful convictions by false confessions through the number of convictions /exonerees amongst states that require police interrogation and those that have not done so, it is unknown if states that do not record determine if states the require interrogational recording have seen a decrease in false confessions and guilty pleas. The research questions are examined through a T-test, dependent and independent. Comparing the mean score of two separate measures of the same sample, the results prove if false confessions are reduced when police interrogations are recorded. The implications of these findings arise from the population source. Looking at the exoneration population of closed cases narrows the conclusion of false confessions to only those exonerated. Another population issue encountered in this research study is the unknown number of wrongful convictions not available in this sample or information on innocent and currently incarcerated individual

Project management processes in the adoption of smart building technologies: a systematic review of constraints

Purpose: The necessity for sustainable development and high building performance has led to the adoption of smart building technologies (SBTs) in the construction community. The SBTs adoption has been hindered in many different parts of the world due to several constraints underpinning the project management processes to help adopt SBTs. This paper presents a systematic review of relevant literature on barriers underpinning the project management processes on the adoption of SBTs. Design/methodology/approach: This paper presents a systematic review of relevant literature on barriers to technology adoption published in academic peer-reviewed journals and conference papers. The study adopted a systematic review technique on 56 relevant articles and conference papers in relation to barriers to adoption of technology, and barrier frequency was employed to select the most reported barriers. Findings: The study revealed the most reported barriers underpinning project management process towards SBTs adoption, which include lengthy approval process for new SBTs, structure and organization of the construction industry, higher cost for smart construction practices and materials, unfamiliarity with smart building technology and technical difficulty during construction process. Practical implications: To both the industry practitioners and policymakers, this review provides a valuable reference during implementation. Also, to the academic scholars on embarking on further empirical studies, the developed checklist of SBTs barriers could be important and useful. Originality/value: This study has contributed to the knowledge of barriers underpinning the project management processes on SBTs adoption by identifying the most reported barriers in literature

Food retail assessment and family food purchase behavior in ashongman estates, Ghana

A key feature of the nutrition transition in developed countries is the rapid transformation of the food system towards increasing availability and access to cheaper, and more processed foods. These changes are associated with alterations in dietary behavior with implications for chronic disease risk. However, the process of change in the food system begins with changes in the food retail system and its subsequent effect on consumer behavior. Currently, little is known about the nature of the food marketplace in emerging economies like Ghana, and also how the changing economy and food retail situation are influencing consumer behavior. The current paper presents a case study of the food retail system and consumer food purchase behavior in suburban Accra. Between May and August 2012, an assessment of food retail outlets was carried out in Ashongman Estates, a suburb of Accra. The study involved observations, in-depth interviews with retailers, and a survey of households. Data from the study allowed classification of retail food vendors across the urban food retail system. In addition, data on food purchase preferences and purchase behavior were obtained from a household survey of 75 randomly selected households in Ashongman Estates. The data showed that traditional markets still constitute the most important source of household food purchases. A majority of households (87%) reported preference for traditional markets, and almost all households (99%) indicated traditional markets as their main source for purchasing household food. Foods available from supermarkets were mainly processed foods. However, processed foods are also commonly available through the traditional markets and minimarkets. The preference for traditional markets was attributed to greater variety of foods, lower price, and proximity of food source. Minimarket vendors, including corner stores, table top vendors, hawkers, and fuel station shops that are located within the community, served as an additional food source, complementing food purchases from the traditional markets. The study concluded that although traditional markets remain the main source of household food, interventions are needed to ensure that food markets in the community include access to a variety of fresh produce rather than promote processed foods, in order to promote consumer health.Key words: Food environment, traditional market, retail, supermarket, minimarkets, suburban food marke

New blood brings change: Exploring the link between rookie independent directors and corporate cash holdings

This study examines the relationship between rookie independent directors (RIDs) and corporate cash holdings, using a sample of Chinese A-share firms listed on the Shenzhen and Shanghai stock exchanges from 2006 to 2020. We further investigate the moderating effect of economic policy uncertainty on this association. Our results reveal that the presence of rookie independent directors is positively and significantly related to corporate cash holdings, and that economic policy uncertainty amplifies this relationship. Importantly, we also demonstrate that firms with rookie independent directors exhibit improved operating performance when making cash holding decisions in the Chinese context. The study also finds that firms with greater growth opportunities tend to prefer RIDs, who bring new perspectives essential for leveraging these opportunities, leading to enhanced cash holdings. To ensure the robustness of our findings, we employ a variety of advanced econometric techniques, including alternative proxies, tests for reverse causality, two-stage least squares, propensity score matching, and entropy balancing. Based on our results, we recommend that shareholders in China carefully consider the role of RIDs in their governance structure, as they effectively monitor firm management and contribute to the protection of shareholder interests

Optimisation of Operational Parameters of a Spiral Classifier Using Design of Experiment (DOE)

Abstract Classifying Mn Ore to improve upon the grade and the properties has become a crucial activity for the Mn industry since it increases the market value of the ore. Ghana Manganese Company (GMC) has renovated their oxide washing plant by integrating it with a spiral classifier to make a batch system operating process. Particle size of <3.35mm (Mn grade of 43-47%) obtained from the primary section of the plant served as feed to the classifier and with the plant condition (i.e. at 60 min washing time, 30 rev/min speed of spirals and feed tonnage of 6 t), Mn grade of 49% was achieved. This paper focused on the optimisation of some selected operational parameters of the classifier to obtain a Mn grade >50% using Design of Experiment (DOE). Series of test works were designed using the DOE for the classifier using the constraints of washing time (30-90 min), speed of spirals (20-40 rev/min) and feed tonnage (6-9 t). The outcome of the test work after simulation showed that all the selected parameters had a great influence on Mn grade. The spiral speed and feed tonnage correlated negatively to the Mn grade with washing time correlating positively. Operating the spiral classifier at a feed rate, spiral speed and washing time of 6 t, 25 rev/min, and 30 min, respectively, yielded Mn grade of 53%. A Confirmatory test using the established conditions gave a Mn grade of 53%, which is a 4% increment in the previous Mn grade which was 47%. The outcome of the studies is the new established operational conditions which is adhered to by the plant, producing a manganese concentrate grade ranging between 52-54%.   Keywords: Design of Experiment (DOE), Spiral Classifier, Grade, Manganes

Modelling intracellular delay and therapy interruptions within Ghanaian HIV population

Abstract This paper seeks to unveil the niche of delay differential equation in harmonizing low HIV viral haul and thereby articulating the adopted model, to delve into structured treatment interruptions. Therefore, an ordinary differential equation is schemed to consist of three components such as untainted CD4+ T-cells, tainted CD4+ T-cells (HIV) and CTL. A discrete time delay is ushered to the formulated model in order to account for vital components, such as intracellular delay and HIV latency which were missing in previous works but have been advocated for future research. It was divested that when the reproductive number was less than unity, the disease free equilibrium of the model was asymptotically stable. Hence the adopted model with or without the delay component articulates less production of virions as per the decline rate. Therefore CD4+ T-cells in the blood remains constant at δ 1 / δ 3 $\delta _{1} / \delta _{3}$ , hence declining the virions level in the blood. As per the adopted model, the best STI practice is intimated for compliance

Development of a Control Strategy for Monitoring the Delaminating Damage in Drilling Of Carbon Composite Laminates

Composite materials have attractive features, such as high strength to weight ratio and high stiffness to weight ratio. However, they are easily damaged during machining operations. A typical damage is delamination, which can occur when fiber reinforced composite laminates are drilled. Control of delamination is critical for the utilization of composite materials. This research seeks to develop a technique to control inter-ply delaminations during the drilling of laminated composites. A statistical factorial design technique is used to develop a model that relates the feed rate, cutting speed, and tool size to the acoustic parameters. A control algorithm is built from the model. The algorithm is used to modify the instantaneous feed rate in order to maintain the acoustic energy below a threshold value. This control strategy is effective in limiting the area of delamination. However, using high cutting speeds avoid the delamination of materials, but leads to high production costs due to excessive tool wear.Keywords: Composite Laminates, Drilling, Damage, Acoustic Emission

Gendered patterns of IMT adoption and use: Learning from action research

This paper illustrates the value of using an action research methodology to improve understanding of gendered patterns of adoption and non-adoption of Intermediate Means of Transport (IMTs) and similar gender-related transport issues. It presents results from a novel action research project undertaken in five farming villages in southern Ghana, a region where IMT usage is currently low. The participatory action research study not only revealed important issues around differences between stated preferences and actual gendered patterns of adoption and non-adoption in the particular context of southern Ghana, but offers a methodology which may have value in many other gender and transport contexts across sub-Saharan Africa and beyond

A Framework for Smart Building Technologies Implementation in the Ghanaian Construction Industry: A PLS-SEM Approach

This study sought to identify the dimensions and the significant critical factors capable of enhancing Smart Building Technologies' (SBTs') implementation for smart building projects in developing countries. A desk literature review is first conducted to identify and categorize the potential factors. It is further analyzed using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) based on 227 valid data from experts in Ghana. The study revealed four underlying dimensions (i.e., ‘processes and control'[PC], ‘people and skills'[PS], ‘methods and techniques'[MT], and ‘knowledge sharing'[KS]) consisting 14 significant critical factors capable of enhancing SBTs implementation for smart building projects, with the top three comprising ‘appropriate procedures/practices for managing smart building projects (MT3)', ‘appropriate tools/techniques to guide smart building projects to their delivery (MT2)', and ‘skills and experience required to pick project team members for smart building projects (PS1)’. Further analysis with PLS-SEM revealed a significant positive effect of the four underlying dimensions and their positive interrelationships toward framework development. Besides the unique contribution of this study to the knowledge body, it also provides project managers and a construction design team with a structured knowledge of the skills, expertise, attitudes, decision-making, processes, control mechanisms, and effective delivery of smart building projects in developing countries

Determining Acid and Metalliferous Drainage Potential of Waste Rock on a Mine

Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD) is recognised as serious environmental problem in the mining industry. This is because environmental issue of AMD poses serious threat to water quality, vegetation cover and social licence of the mining operations. AMD occurs when reactive sulphide bearing materials are exposed to oxidising conditions. It has now become imperative for some mining companies to test sulphide bearing minerals for their AMD potential before major mining excavations are done. This work determines the AMD potential of fifty (50) waste rock samples from a Mine using Acid Base Accounting (ABA) techniques. Mineralogical studies on the sample indicated that the major sulphide mineral assemblages present were pyrite, arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite. Paste pH showed that 20% of the samples had undergone weathering and as such AMD generation had already started. Approximately 22% of the sample had conductivity levels between 1000 to 10,000 µS/cm and this shows a typical AMD chemical characteristic of high salinity. Acid Base Accounting showed that 32% of the samples were acid generating. Exactly 16% were non-acid forming and 52% were uncertain. The analysis showed that the potential for AMD generation exists for the waste rock material and can affect the local environment, specifically water quality if preventive measures are not taken.   Keywords: Sulphide, Waste Rock, Acid Base Accounting, Paste pH, Conductivit