Abstract Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine has the advantages of improving on pollutants in vehicle exhaust emissions significantly and tendency to reduce fuel consumption because of lean burning mixture. This engine is considered environmental friendly since it emits less toxic gases compared to the traditional carburetted or Port Fuel Injection (PFI) spark ignition engines. The modeling process of GDI engine is basically the same as PFI engine except the location of the fuel injector and also in early injection conditions, the characteristics of the two engines are similar. Although the gasoline (DI) engines are less harmful to the environment due to its high thermal efficiency and good performance in fuel consumption, it has some drawbacks of producing more nitrogen oxides (NOX) at high temperature and soot. In addition, stricter emission standards and regulations require that the two engines should constantly be investigated and optimized in order to obtain desirable results. This paper presents and compares numerical model for soot formation in GDI and PFI engines at various engine running conditions and air-fuel ratios (AFRs). The Feng Tao’s soot formation model is modified to suit gasoline engine conditions and implemented in GT-Power for GDI and PFI engines. The GT-Power code simulates the engine running conditions and evaluates the soot formed with crank angles at different engine speeds from 1000rpm to 6000rpm. The results show that for PFI engines the peak value of soot formed in mole fraction between compression and power strokes decreases as engine speed increases with the peak value of 0.0795 and 0.022 respectively at crank angle close to zero degrees for the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio(AFR) of 11.68. On the other hand, in the GDI engine, the amount of soot formed first increases in its peak values with increasing limiting engine speeds and begins to decrease for engine speeds from 4000rpm to 6000rpm. At the same engine speeds for the two engines, the results show that the peak values of soot formed for PFI is higher than the peak values of GDI engine but the total amount of soot generated in GDI engine is far more than PFI engine. Further analysis in terms of the influence of AFRs on the soot formation for the same engine speed for both PFI and GDI engines shows that increasing the AFR leads to the reduction in the amount of soot formed. Key words: Gasoline direction injection (GDI), Port Fuel Injection (PFI), soot formation, air-fuel ratio (AFR), engine speeds
Abstract Weaving is one of the indigenous crafts, very common in the Ghanaian tradition. This craft is very much associated with three regions in Ghana. These are Volta region in the southern sector, Ashanti region in the middle sector and Northern region in the northern sector. Prominent areas within these regions are Avetime Kpetoe in the Volta region, Bonwire in the Ashanti region and Daboya in the Northern region. Woven fabrics produced from each of these areas possess specific characteristics different from other. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the production processes involved in the manufacturing of Daboya“Benchibi” and Bonwire“Kente”. The study aimed at bringing out the similarities and differences in the Daboya“Benchibi” and Bonwire“Kente”. The study centred on the qualitative design paradigm and employed the descriptive research method. The study used observation and interview as data collection instruments to identify, describe and analyse the production process, differences and similarities in the production processes of the two weaving traditions. The purposive sampling was used to select six weavers for the study. Three each from the selected communities. The descriptive
method was used to analyse the data. The study found out that designing, warping, heddling, reeding, tying-up and actual weaving constituted the production processes involved in the production of both Daboya“Benchibi” and Bonwire“Kente”. The study revealed that Daboya“Benchibi” and Bonwire“Kente” have differences in terms of style of weave, designs and materials used. The study recommends that the physical features, techniques and various skills in these traditions of weaving should be upheld to serve as a unique trademark and legacy for both communities.
Keywords: Kente; Benchibi; Weaving; Master weavers; Warp; Weft
Abstract The main objective of the research is to examine the artistic and cultural significance of Ghanaian printed fabrics. The study specifically
sought to identify the various Ghanaian printed fabrics within the Ghanaian cultural set-up, examine the artistic and cultural significance of the
fabrics and appraise some aspects of the printed fabrics. The research design used was the qualitative approach based on a simple descriptive
survey. The purposive sampling technique was used to select eight (8) fabric designs for the study. Interview and observation were used in
collecting data. The analysis of the study was based on a pictorial view of the designs. This technique enabled the researchers to deal with the
artistic study of the research. The findings of the study showed that there are many Ghanaian printed fabrics with different names that have
cultural significance derived from various traditional values and beliefs. Artistically, the fabrics come in different colour-ways, providing a venue
for a variety of aesthetic experience for their users. The simple and complex designs associated with these fabrics go a long way to provide the
individual with numerous means of appreciating textile products. The main recommendation of the study is that, conscious efforts be made by
the various centres of national cultures to have special collections of these fabrics as a means of beefing up the stock of knowledge that exists in
the meanings of the fabric designs.
Keywords:
Artistic; Culture; Aesthetics; Fabrics; Colour-ways; Symbolism
Sam, E. F., Hamidu, O., & Daniels, S. (2018). SERVQUAL analysis of public bus transport services in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana: Core user perspectives. Case Studies on Transport Policy,6, 25-31.DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cstp.2017.12.004.
Abstract Encouraging public transport use implies the need to make it attractive to commuters through regular service quality evaluation and modification. Understanding user expectations of public transport are thus valuable, and
the evaluations/perceptions are a useful way to gauge the performance of the public transport for core users. Using the SERVQUAL methodology, this study sought to analyse the core public bus transport users’ service quality expectations and perceptions, and its effect on overall satisfaction with public bus transport services in Kumasi. Surveying more than 100 public transport users, the study results are illustrated in the case of Kumasi and are discussed to guide possible bus service quality improvements in the city. Data were analysed using the paired-samples t-test and standard multiple regression techniques. The study findings revealed vast differences between public bus transport service quality expectations and perceptions and a general dissatisfaction with the bus service delivery in the city. The bus service reliability and responsiveness were key to explaining the bus service quality in the city. On the basis of the study findings and international best practices, a number of recommendations were made for the transport operators and the city officials.
Hanson, R, (2017). Using activity worksheets to unearth 10th grade students' perceptions about word chemical equations. TOJET IETC, ITEC 2017 Proceedings Book,2,(1),http://www.iet-c.net/www.ite-c.net. ISBN: 2146-7366
Abstract An in-depth constructivist and interpretive study was carried out with 31 students from a Ghanaian High School over a period of three weeks in order to elicit their interpretations, concerns, and constructions of word equations.
This was a qualitative research to generate, analyse, and interpret data from individual narratives and translate ideas belonging to a community to represent discourses of that community. Results indicated that psychological, cognitive and language issues affected students’ conception. Their capacity to reason was linked to both concept, structure and strategies for presenting analysis.
Samlafo, B.V, Bobobee, L.H, Quarshie, E , Sarsah, L.A and Kaka, E.A, (2017). Quality Assessment of Groundwater from Avenorfeme, Akatsi District, Ghana. 2nd World International conference on Industrial Chemistry and Water Treatment. Las Vegas, USA: Conference series.com. (3)2.DOI: 10.4172/2469-9764-c1-005.http://dxdoi.org/10.4172/2469-9764-C1-005
Abstract
A holistic assessment of the quality of groundwater from the shallow unconfined aquifers of the Avenorfeme and surrounding villages in the Akatsi South District in the Volta Region of Ghana has been conducted. A groundwater classification scheme has been developed for groundwater in the area using a robust water quality index (WQI) modified for the case of the study area. For calculating the WQI, pH, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, total dissolved solids, and fluorides have been considered. On the basis of the WQI so computed, groundwater fell within the ‘Excellent”, “Good”, “Poor” and “unsuitable for drinking” categories. This study finds that the salinity of groundwater in the area is largely attributed to mineral weathering leading to evolution of predominantly intermediate to high salinity Na-Cl water types. On account of salinity hazard, most of the waters are not suitable for irrigation in the area. Based on total hardness, the groundwater in the area is permanently hard.
Key words: Groundwater, Akatsi district, Volta, Water Quality Index, SAR
Hanson, R (2017). Using activity worksheets to unearth 10th grade students' perceptions about word chemical equations. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology,2, (1),758-766.http://www.ite-c.net.ISSN: 2146-7366
Abstract An in-depth constructivist and interpretive study was carried out with 31 students from a Ghanaian High School over a period of three weeks in order to elicit their interpretations, concerns, and constructions of word equations.
This was a qualitative research to generate, analyse, and interpret data from individual narratives and translate ideas belonging to a community to represent discourses of that community. Results indicated that psychological, cognitive and language issues affected students’ conception. Their capacity to reason was linked to both concept, structure and strategies for presenting analysis.
Abstract The fitness of Bobobo stream for domestic use was evaluated with an established and vigorous water quality index (WQI), adapted for the stream under study. Nine physicochemical parameters which are life-threatening in water, were used to compute the WQI. These parameters were pH, dissolved oxygen, sulphates, nitrates, chlorides, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, total alkalinity and total hardness. The evaluated WQI was 57.13, which was within poor drinking water category. Consequently, the water needs to be treated to make it potable. Government and mining companies in the area
need to improve their social interventions by always providing potable water to the people in the catchment area especially during water crisis.
Keywords :Bobobo stream, Mining, Water quality index, Tarkwa, Fitness, Human health
Asante, J. N. & Hanson, R,, (2017). Construction and integration of ICT into distance education. TOJET IETC, ITEC 2017 Proceeding Book,1,(1),http://www.iet-c.net/www.ite-c.net. ISBN: 2146-7366
Abstract ABSTRACT
Integrating Information and Communication Technology into teaching has become the norm of the century due to the influx of electronic gadgets, massification, inadequate traditional equipment and learning space. This study focused on the guidelines necessary for the construction and integration of a traditional course onto a web-based platform for distance learners who were engaged with an e-platform. The distance learners indicated that the elearning mode helped them in acquiring more skills in the use of technology; and more importantly giving them the opportunity to study while working. Though Faculty expressed their views on how their expertise to design and develop courses using instructional design principles were enhanced, they still battled with time to construct the e courses. It was recommended that research into perceptions of Faculty about new technologies in teaching and learning could provide useful ideas into changing academic roles and inform institutional policy on online education and staff development. An example of an integration plan was attached.
Keywords: Distance education, design guidelines, ICT integration, moodle.
Twumasi, A. K. & Hanson, R. (2018). Assessment of hands-on activities on students' achievement and attitude towards chemical bonding. International Journal of Innovative Research & Development,7, (1),114-121.DOI: 10.24940/ijird/2018/v7/i1/jan18053.http://www.ijird.com.ISSN: 2278-0211
Abstract The study assessed the efficacy of hands-on activities on students’ academic achievement and attitude in learning ionic and covalent bonds in a senior high and a technical school in Ghana. The sample size for the study was 30 and comprised of 22 males and 8 females who were purposely sampled for the study. The main instruments used to collect data were tests, interviews and questionnaire. The various hands-on activities employed included writing Lewis dot structures, drawing diagrams for ionic bonds and covalent bonds, tug of war, modelling with ball and sticks as well as calculation of electronegativity differences. Statistical analyses showed that students scored significantly higher scores (t = -6.32; p < 0.05) in the post-test than in the pretest. Also, a gain of 3.83 was obtained for the post test over the mean score of the pre–test. This confirmed that the treatment strategy significantly improved students’ performance in learning chemical bonding through the interactive hands-on activities. The study also revealed that hands-on learning increased students’ interest to read chemistry, facilitated understanding and recall of chemical concepts, made lesson more exciting and led to positive motivational outcomes. Furthermore, the activities engaged students, made them critical thinkers, and enhanced their learning skills.
Key words: Academic achievement, covalent bond, Hands-on activities, ionic bond