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    A bibliometric review of the status and emerging research trends in construction safety management technologies
    (International Journal of Construction Management, 2020) Mariam, Akinlolu; Theo, C. Haupt; David, John Edwards; Fredrick, Simpeh
    Technologies such as virtual reality (VR), online databases, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), 4 D Computer-Aided Design (4 D CAD), wearable robotics have been adopted to improve construction site health and safety. However, little attempt has been made to map global research on construction health and safety technologies. Therefore, this paper conducts a review of technologies for construction health and safety management to reveal emerging research trends. A bibliometric review adopting a two-step literature selection method was conducted to compile relevant publications from the Scopus database. In total, 240 related papers were examined. VOSviewer was used to develop a co-occurrence network based on the bibliographic data obtained. The analysis focussed on co-authorship per country, country/region distribution, the num ber of publications annually, publication source and source and trend of research topics. Findings revealed that emerging trends in construction health and safety technologies research focussed on pro ject health and safety design and planning, visualisation and image processing for construction projects, digital technologies for project monitoring, information management and Internet of Things, automation and robotic systems, health and safety and accident prevention and structure evaluation
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    A comparative analysis of student housing security measures
    (The ASOCSA 14th Built Environment Conference, 2021) S, Adisa; F, Simpeh
    Security lapses have been identified as a problem in most on-campus Student Housing Facilities (SHFs) in South Africa. Thus, this paper investigates the security measures provided in the SHFs of two South African universities with the aim of identifying areas where improvements are required. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative survey approach. Qualitative data was collected from the university health, safety, and environment officers of both universities whilst the quantitative data was collected by means of questionnaire from the students. Descriptive (mean score) statistics was used to analyse the quantitative data whereas thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. The study found that the security measures provided in the SHFs of University B were better than those provided in the SHFs of university A. Although university B had a better provision, some lapses were identified such as inadequate Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) and absence of weapon detector. In addition to these two lapses identified in university B, university A had lapses in the provision of access control, security patrol, electronics coded locks on door, and security alarm in most of the residences. Thus, security lapses identified in both institutions were inadequate CCTV and absence of weapon detector. The study provides empirical information that can help the university health and safety officers and facility managers to improve the SHFs security measures. Keywords: measures, security, student housing facility, universities
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    A comparative analysis of student housing security measures
    (Earth and Environmental Science, 2017) Simpeh, Fredrick; S, Adisa
    Security lapses have been identified as a problem in most on-campus Student Housing Facilities (SHFs) in South Africa. Thus, this paper investigates the security measures provided in the SHFs of two South African universities with the aim of identifying areas where improvements are required. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative survey approach. Qualitative data was collected from the university health, safety, and environment officers of both universities whilst the quantitative data was collected by means of questionnaire from the students. Descriptive (mean score) statistics was used to analyse the quantitative data whereas thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data. The study found that the security measures provided in the SHFs of University B were better than those provided in the SHFs of university A. Although university B had a better provision, some lapses were identified such as inadequate Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) and absence of weapon detector. In addition to these two lapses identified in university B, university A had lapses in the provision of access control, security patrol, electronics coded locks on door, and security alarm in most of the residences. Thus, security lapses identified in both institutions were inadequate CCTV and absence of weapon detector. The study provides empirical information that can help the university health and safety officers and facility managers to improve the SHFs security measures.
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    A Comparative Performance Analysis of 6to4 Transition Mechanism over MPLS and Frame Relay using OPNET
    (International Journal of Computer Applications, 2020) Boansi, Oliver Kuffour; Asante, Micheal
    IPv6 addressing is taking over from IPv4 with the exhaustion of the latter’s address space. However, both versions of IP are incompatible hence the need for transition technologies to ensure their coexistence. This research analyzed the performance of the 6to4 transition mechanism when it ran over two separate WAN technologies namely MPLS and Frame Relay by way of simulating the scenarios using OPNET 14.5. Traffic generated for this analysis were from FTP, Email and Database query, and were used to measure and analyze performance metrics such as end-to-end delay, response time and point to point link utilization over an hour of simulation time to ascertain which WAN and transition mechanism provided the best performance. The simulation values at the end of the research indicated that 6to4 together with MPLS produced lower values for all the performance metrics studied
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    A correlational Study of the Functional Utility of Students’ Furniture in Senior High Schools in Ghana
    (International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2015-05) Effah, Bernard; Boampong, Ernest
    This study on ergonomic impact of furniture design on the health of students was necessitated by the need to look into the health problems posed to students by furniture used in the classroom, its compatibility to users and the number of movements students make in the furniture. Systematic random sampling method was used to choose a sample of 120 students from a population of 482 students. The subjective evaluation of the health problem of the students was made by questionnaire and structured observation techniques. Students selected were given questionnaire to obtain information on their background, back pain, discomfort/complaints and satisfaction with classroom furniture. In using correlation and regression analysis in the study, there was significant association of the backrest shape as a cause of upper back pain at 0.182** (5%). There was also a significant association between students feeling neck pain when sitting on mono-desk at 0.344*** (10%) and other related musculoskeletal disorders. Students recommended for furniture with broad seat, clearance space for thighs and legs in order for them to feel comfortable in the classroom when they sit in the mono-desk.
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    A Critical Review Of The Five-Factor Model For Success Of Internal Consultants Outlined By Christine Miller And Karthik Subbiah (2012)
    (Researchjournali’s Journal of Management, 2021) Adu-Gyamfi, Mavis; Nyame, Gabriel; Alhassan, Ibrahim; Asafo, Samuel Mawusi
    The concept of internal consultancy is gradually gaining greater recognition in many organizations today. A number of models have been put forward to address challenges faced by Internal Consultants (ICs) as far as business and change initiative’s successes are concerned. This article reviewed the five-factor model proposed by Miller and Subbiah (2012) and discusses the challenges of the model as a basis to make the work of the IC successful. Further, we proposed an integrative balanced approach model to enhance the one proposed by Miller and Subbiah (2012). Literature was thoroughly reviewed to understand and analyze the five factors and their relevant interconnectivity as well as the levels of success anticipated for an effective change initiative. Despite the relevance of the model, the analysis shows an ecosystem of ICs as a structure, suggesting multiplicity of factors to guarantee change success. Moreover, the dimensionality of the factors, their possible combination and presence support, and their degree of influence and prioritization emerged as significant aspects of the model that requires thorough assessment to ensure successful change initiative. Also, the three levels of change are integrated into the balanced approach model for quality feedback between performance and relationship. Hence, these useful aspects of the five factors pointed out in this article can aid practitioners and researchers to customize strategies to fit into specific contexts in ensuring presence support and effectiveness of the factors as well as other related factors.
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    A Double-ended Contactless Current Traveling Waves Scheme for Fault Location in Overhead Transmission Lines
    (World Resources Institute., 2020) P. N., Ayambire; Olusola, Bamisile; Qi, Huang; Paul, Anane; Albert K., Awopone
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    A framework towards health and safety knowledge transfer from the construction industry to the community in developing countries: a case study of Ghana
    (International Journal of Construction Management, 2015-03-05) Danso,Humphery; Willam, Justice; Fugar, Frank; Emmanuel, Adinyira
    This study aims at developing a framework to transfer health and safety knowledge (H&SK) from construc tion companies to project host communities as their corporate social responsibility (CSR) in a developing country. This study combined quantitative and qualitative enquiries into a mixed method. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted in a case study of the Ghanaian community and a construction company. 250 contractors comprised 155 building contractors, and 95 road contractors partook in the study. One sample t-test and thematic analysis were the analytical tools employed for this study. This study found eleven enablers of knowledge transfer from construction companies to a project host community and nine enablers of diffusion of knowledge in the Ghanaian community. The study further found that H&SK is com patible with Ghanaian cultural norms and values and that Ghanaian citizens are willing to adopt and share H&SK with their neighbours. It further found that H&SK can be transferred through family ties. It is expected that the framework put forward by this study would provide construction companies with the means to carry out their CSR with little budgetary constraints. It will also help to address the challenges in CSR imple mentation in the industry in Ghana and countries alike and, at the same time, improve the well-being of the citizenry. The framework developed by this study is novel because this is the first time an attempt has been made to provide the construction industry with a means to carry out its CSR in Ghana and to also improve the well-being of the Ghanaian citizenry at the same time
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    A Pragma-Stylistic Approach to Analysing Proverbs: A Review of Some Selected Proverbs in Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God
    (Noyam, 2021-08-08) Essuman, Jonathan; ResCue, Elvis; Yeboah,Okyeso Ama Philomena
    African artworks, to be specific, literature has for quite a long time now demonstrated African tradition and culture. One major African literary tool that has maintained its efficacy in the African cultural heritage is the use of proverbs. Proverbs have been diversely used to perform several functions in the African traditional setting. Among such functions are: confirming opinions, warning, showing regrets, doubts, justifications and many more. This paper seeks to examine some selected proverbs from Chinua Achebe’s novels – Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God. Significantly, one can conclude that the style of a writer can go a long way in determining the reception and authenticity of his works. Chinua Achebe has extensively employed proverbs in his works as a tool for setting out or revealing his characters, themes and many others. This study is a pragma-stylistic approach to the analysis of proverbs used by Achebe in the selected novels. The researchers focus primarily on the style, meaning and function of the proverbs used in the selected texts. A critical content analysis method is employed for this study to determine the functions of the proverbs within the context of the novel. This study brings to the fore the very nature of African proverbs, specifically the Igbo of Nigeria and reveals the various functions ascribed to these proverbs. This will provide readers with the necessary knowledge on the very reasons why some proverbs are used and will ignite the research impetus of some researchers to further investigate other approaches to proverbs. This study has contributed immensely to the existing literature on pragma-stylistic studies and the understanding of a pragma-stylistic approach as a theoretical concept with a unique focus on analysing African proverbs
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    A Scientometric Review of Student Housing Research Trends
    (Earth and Environmental Science, 2015) Fredrick, Simpeh; Mariam, Akinlolu
    This paper presents a scientometric review of student housing studies; exploring the key authors and the collaborations among authors and countries, as well as the research trends with the aim of identifying gaps in this area of research where more studies is required. The VOSviewer software (version 1.6.13) was used for a Scientometrics review of 65 student housing publications from 2000 to 2020. The analysis focused on bibliographic coupling of countries, co-authorship of authors, citation of documents, and co-occurrence of keywords, which were further presented as network visualization maps. Scopus database was selected as the only data source. Therefore, the representation of publications presented in this study are limited to only one data source. The findings revealed that there is a satisfactory level of international collaboration in this research area. United Kingdom had the strongest link whilst Saudi Arabia had the weakest link. Both the keywords and documents citation analysis revealed three main trend of student housing research, i.e. residential satisfaction, post occupancy evaluation, and studentification. Gaps identified where more research is required include sustainable student housing, student housing safety and prioritisation of student’s requirement. This study provides invaluable information on the research trends in student housing studies. Thus, helping to identify gaps where more research is required.
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    A Shrinking Projection Algorithm with Errors for Costerro Bounded Linear Mappings
    (Hindawi, 2020-04-29) Gordon, Joseph Frank
    The purpose of this paper is to introduce and analyze the shrinking projection algorithm with errors for a finite set of costerro bounded linear mappings in the setting of uniformly convex smooth Banach spaces. Here, under finite dimensional or com- pactness restriction or the error term being zero, the strong limit point of the sequence stated in the iterative scheme for these mappings in uniformly convex smooth Banach spaces was studied. This paper extends Ezearn and Prempeh’s result for non- expansive mappings in real Hilbert spaces.
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    A STUDY ON SIZE VARIATION OF PALM KERNEL SHELLS AS REPLACEMENT OF COARSE AGGREGATE FOR LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE PRODUCTION
    (Conference Paper, 2021) Danso,Humphery
    Utilization of palm kernel shell (PKS) as alternative to conventional materials for the construction industry is desirable to promote sustainable development. The purpose of this study is to investigate the physical and mechanical properties of lightweight concrete produced with different sizes of PKS as coarse aggregate replacement. PKS of sizes 6, 8, 10, 12 mm and mixed of all the sizes were used to replace coarse aggregate in concrete which resulted in producing 60 cubes and 30 beams at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of curing. The tests performed on the concrete specimens are dry density, compressive strength and flexural strength. It was revealed that the densities of the concrete specimens were all less than 2000 kg/m3 , which implies that the PKS concrete satisfied the requirement of lightweight concrete for structural application. The compressive strength of the 12 mm PKS concrete specimens at 28-day of curing was 10.2 MPa which was 4.0 – 15.9% better than the other PKS sizes concrete. The flexural strength of the 12 mm PKS concrete specimens at 28-day of curing was 2.85 MPa which was also 3.2 - 57.07% better than the other PKS sizes concrete. A recommendation for 12 mm PKS size is made to construction practitioners for lightweight concrete structural application
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    A STUDY ON THE PROPERTIES OF PLANTAIN PSEUDO-STEM FIBRES, PLANTAIN BUNCH FIBRES AND RICE HUSK FOR CONSTRUCTION APPLICATION
    (ResearchGate, 2023-05) Danso,Humphery.
    In the past decade, the substitution of conventional composite materials with natural fibres such as agricul tural by-products have become common in production of sustainable construction materials. The purpose of this study is to assess the properties of plantain pseudo-stem fibres, plantain bunch fibres and rice husk as source of reinforcing elements for composite materials especially for construction application. Ex periments conducted revealed that the fibres and the husk have different lengths and diameter, and their surface texture was rough which is likely to improve bond with matrix. It was also found that the specific weight, water absorption, tensile strength and stress-strain properties of the fibres and the rice husk are within acceptable parameters for natural fibre application. The study therefore concludes that the plantain pseudo-stem fibres, plantain bunch fibres and rice husk possess properties that are suitable for use as reinforcement in composite materials for construction application.
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    A Stylistic Defence of Ideology Through Language Use in Anthills of the Savannah by Chinua Achebe
    (www.iiste.org, 2017) Adogpa, James Nsoh
    Style and ideology in any literary work are inseparable and go a long way to portray one’s identity. This work has looked at how Chinua Achebe stylistically defended his ideology of using the English language to carry his African experiences in Anthills of the Savannah. It was discovered that Achebe made a blend of three language modes to stylistically defend his ideology. Achebe’s ability to handle the three modes of the English language unquestionably demonstrates his stylistic defense of twisting the language to suit his needs to carry his African experiences.
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    A Symmetric, Probabilistic, Non-Circuit Based Fully Homomorphic Encryption Scheme
    (International Journal of Computer Networks and Applications (IJCNA), 2022) Dagadu, Caleb Joshua; Asante, George; Ben Hayfron-Acquah, James; Asante, Michael
    – Traditional encryption allows encrypted data to be decrypted before any computation could be performed on such data. This approach could compromise the security of the data when an untrusted party is involved in the computation. To be able to work on data in its encrypted form, a homomorphic encryption approach is recommended. Homomorphic encryption allows computation to be done on data that has been encrypted and yields the same results that would have been obtained if the computation had been performed on the unencrypted form of the data. Most of the Homomorphic encryption (HE) algorithms are deterministic. These deterministic algorithms produce the same ciphertext for a given data on different occasions. This could allow an adversary to easily predict a plaintext from a ciphertext. Probabilistic algorithms, however, resolve the aforementioned challenge of deterministic algorithms. A probabilistic encryption algorithm ensures different ciphertexts for the same plaintext on different occasions. Another challenge of most homomorphic encryption schemes is the way data is encrypted. Most algorithms encrypt data bit-by-bit (i.e. circuit based). Circuit-based encryption makes the encryption and decryption complex, thereby increasing the running time. To reduce the running time, Non-Circuit based encryption and decryption are preferred. Here, numeric data need not be converted to binary before any encryption is done. To ensure a very secure, efficient but simpler HE scheme, the authors have offered a fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) scheme that is Probabilistic, Non-Circuit based, and uses symmetric keys. Results from the experiment conducted show that the proposed scheme is faster than Fully Homomorphic Encryption over the Integer (DGHV), A simple Fully Homomorphic Encryption Scheme Available in Cloud Computing (SDC), and Fully Homomorphic Encryption by Prime Modular Operation (SAM) schemes. The proposed scheme has a time complexity of O(log(n2 )) and consumes less memory space. Even though HE schemes are naturally slow, the less memory space consumed by the proposed scheme and the time complexity of O (log(n2 )), makes the proposed scheme suitable for real-life implementation such as auction, electronic voting, and in other applications that make use of private data.
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    A Tool of Success: A Critical Content Analysis of Naana’s Character in Ayi Kwei Armah’s Fragments
    (Scietific Research Publishing, 2020-01-07) Ampofo, Zipporah; Essuman, Jonathan; Arhin, Ekua; Ansah, Richard
    African Writers gave little importance to the role of women in their literary works. The likes of Chinua Achebe and Ayi kwei Armah gave prominence to women characters. This is seen in Ayi Kwei Armah’s text Fragments. This article therefore examines the important role given by the author of this novel to the woman character, Naana. A critical content analysis has been engaged in to ascertain her roles in the narrative and thematic developments of the story. That is, it studies how Naana is used as a tool to bring about the success of the novel. A study of this nature has to do with gender. Thus, the underly- ing theories of this paper are Marxist feminist criticism and feminist literary criticism.
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    Abusive customer behaviour and frontline employee turnover intentions in the banking industry: The mediating role of employee satisfaction
    (Cogent Business & Management, 2018-09-17) Bamfo, Bylon ABeeku; Dogbe, Courage Simon Kofi; Mingle, Harry
    The study aims to examine the mediating role of frontline employee job satisfaction in the relationship between abusive customer behaviour and employee turnover intentions in the banking industry. Design/Methodology/Approach—The study sampled 186 frontline employees from 10 banks in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The data analysis software used was STATA. The main method of data analysis was structural equation modelling; however, a confirmatory factor analysis was first conducted to check for the validity and reliability of the research instrument. A mediation analysis was finally con ducted and confirmed using Sobel test. Findings—The study revealed that abusive customer behaviour has a negative and significant effect on frontline employee satisfaction in the banking sector. Frontline employee satisfaction also has a negative and significant effect on employee turnover intention in the banking industry. Abusive customer behaviour has a positive and significant effect on frontline employee turnover intentions in the banking sector. Frontline employee satisfaction also has a partial mediating
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    Abusive customer behaviour and frontline employee turnover intentions in the banking industry: The mediating role of employee satisfaction
    (Cogent Business & Management, 2018-10-11) Dogbe, Courage Simon Kofi; Bamfo, Bylon Bamfo; Mingle, Harry
    The study aims to examine the mediating role of frontline employee job satisfaction in the relationship between abusive customer behaviour and employee turnover intentions in the banking industry
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    Accelerating rural sanitation coverage in Ghana: what are the speed bumps impeding progress?
    (Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 2015) Monney, Isaac; Baffoe-Kyeremeh, Amos; Amissah-Reynolds, Papa Kofi
    Progress towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) sanitation target has generally been slow paced in Ghana. This is particularly the case in rural areas where access to improved sanitation has increased by just 4% within two decades. This paper examines defecation practices as well as constraints and existing opportunities at both household and institutional levels in promoting in house toilet construction. The study was conducted in three rural communities in the Tain district and drew on key informant interviews, focus group discussions, field observations and face-to-face interviews of 400 residents selected from 249 houses. The results showed the scarcity of in-house toilets, which means consequently open defecation and use of communal toilets are common practices. The need for in-house toilet facilities is high among property owners without them, mainly driven by the desire for comfort and safety. Barriers at the household level constraining latrine installation include ignorance of low-cost technologies, the perceived high cost of latrines and the low priority given to their ownership. Analysis of expenditure patterns at the local assembly shows low priority afforded to sanitation promotion, which is constrained by low donor support, lack of requisite logistics and poor human resource capacity. Existing opportunities for accelerating sanitation coverage in these study communities are examined both at the household and institutional levels, and best practices discussed.
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    Accelerating rural sanitation coverage in Ghana: what are the speed bumps impeding progress?
    (Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 2015) Amissah, Reynolds Papa Kofi; Kyeremeh-Baffoe, Amos; Monney, Isaac
    Progress towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) sanitation target has generally been slow paced in Ghana. This is particularly the case in rural areas where access to improved sanitation has increased by just 4% within two decades. This paper examines defecation practices as well as constraints and existing opportunities at both household and institutional levels in promoting in house toilet construction. The study was conducted in three rural communities in the Tain district and drew on key informant interviews, focus group discussions, field observations and face-to-face interviews of 400 residents selected from 249 houses. The results showed the scarcity of in-house toilets, which means consequently open defecation and use of communal toilets are common practices. The need for in-house toilet facilities is high among property owners without them, mainly driven by the desire for comfort and safety. Barriers at the household level constraining latrine installation include ignorance of low-cost technologies, the perceived high cost of latrines and the low priority given to their ownership. Analysis of expenditure patterns at the local assembly shows low priority afforded to sanitation promotion, which is constrained by low donor support, lack of requisite logistics and poor human resource capacity. Existing opportunities for accelerating sanitation coverage in these study communities are examined both at the household and institutional levels, and best practices discussed.