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Institutional Repository of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

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Design of a fully integrated VHF CP-PLL frequency synthesizer with an all-digital defect-oriented built-in self-test
(The Journal of Engineering, 2022-10-28) Kommey, Benjamin; Boateng, Kwame Osei; Yankey, Jephthah; Addo, Ernest Ofosu; Agbemenu, Andrew Selasi; Tchao, Eric Tutu; Akowuah, Bright Yeboah
This paper presents the design of an on-chip charge pump phase-locked loop (CP-PLL) with a fully digital defect-oriented built-in self-test (BIST) for very-high frequency (VHF) applications. The frequency synthesizer has a 40–100 MHz tuning range and uses a ring voltage-controlled oscillator for frequency synthesis. The PLL exhibits a phase noise of −132 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz and consumes 1.8mWon a 3 V supply. The BIST implementation uses fewer external input or output, is capable of efficient fault diagnosis, and is compact, posing a low area overhead. The integrated circuit design was realized in the AMI 0.6μ complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor process.
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Gender and leadership positions: understanding women’s experiences and challenges in patriarchal societies in Northern Ghana
(International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 2023) Adongo, Awinaba Amoah; Dapaah, Jonathan Mensah; Azumah, Francess Dufie; 0000-0002-0261-3295; 0000-0002-9349-6273; 0000-0001-6023-8000
Purpose – Women are rarely seen in positions of leadership in patriarchal societies, which is unsurprising.Following gender equity policies, few women have been able to break through the gender equity barrier and assume leadership positions in schools. Few research investigations have delved into the experiences and challenges that women encounter in positions of leadership in patriarchal societies in government schools in Northern Ghana. The study seeks to comprehend the experiences and challenges that women confront in positions of leadership in patriarchal societies in Northern Ghana. Design/methodology/approach – The study aimed to gain a better understanding of the experiences and challenges that women encounter in educational leadership roles in patriarchal societies in Northern Ghana. To achieve the study’s objectives, a quantitative research approach and a social survey design were used, as well as descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings – The findings of the study revealed that in patriarchal societies in Northern Ghana, women experience conventional gender roles that conflict with roles, cultural values, gender stereotyping, family responsibilities and cultural beliefs and perceptions of women and attitudes and low expectations of women’s managerial skills discourage women from taking on leadership positions in men-dominated societies.
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Building the capacity of students in creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills: Aesthetic narrative of Ayigya Township, Ghana
(Royallite Global, 2023) Kquofi, Steve; Adom, Dickson; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6263-615X; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0559-4173
The study set out to investigate the environmental aesthetics present in habitual areas, specifically in Ayigya Township, Ashanti Region, focusing on picture-making tendencies for optimal skill development. A total of 346 respondents from various structures were specifically chosen to participate in the study using the Narrative Case Study Design under the qualitative research approach. Semi-structured interviews, observation, and photographic documentation were used for the data collection. The data were analysed using photographic documentary and qualitative narrative analysis. The findings demonstrated how dispersed aesthetic elements are in everyday life and how this appreciation would have a positive impact on the Senior High School student’s capacity for creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills. It is suggested that students develop alternative means of expressing their creativity. The study contends that art teachers must help students to use aesthetics in their environments to develop the tools and materials for their artistic productions.
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Molecular characterization of interactions between the D614G variant of SARS-CoV-2 S-protein and neutralizing antibodies: A computational approach
(Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 2021) Kwarteng, Alexander; Asiedu, Ebenezer; Sylverken, Augustina Angelina; Larbi, Amma; Sakyi, Samuel Asamoah; Asiedu, Samuel Opoku; 0000-0002-0893-2908; 0000-0003-2867-1984; 0000-0002-7691-914X; 0000-0002-3814-6924; 0000-0001-5168-4762; 0000-0002-0352-3195
The D614G variant of SARS-CoV-2 S-protein emerged in early 2020 and quickly became the dominant circulating strain in Europe and its environs. The variant was characterized by the higher viral load, which is not associated with disease severity, higher incorporation into the virion, and high cell entry via ACE-2 and TMPRSS2. Previous strains of the coronavirus and the current SARS-CoV-2 have demonstrated the selection of mutations as a mechanism of escaping immune responses. In this study, we used molecular dynamics simulation and MM-PBSA binding energy analysis to provide insights into the behaviour of the D614G S-protein at the molecular level and describe the neutralization mechanism of this variant. Our results show that the D614G S-protein adopts distinct conformational dynamics which is skewed towards the open-state conformation more than the closed-state conformation of the wild-type S-protein. Residue-specific variation of amino acid flexibility and domain specific RMSD suggest that the mutation causes an allosteric conformational change in the RBD. Evaluation of the interaction energies between the S-protein and neutralizing antibodies show that the mutation may enhance, reduce or not affect the neutralizing interactions depending on the neutralizing antibody, especially if it targets the RBD. The results of this study have shed insights into the behaviour of the D614G S-protein at the molecular level and provided a glimpse of the neutralization mechanism of this variant.
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Testing the pecking order theory of banks listed on the ghana stock exchange
(KNUST, 2021) SEY EUNICE
The research examined the pecking order theory practice of banks listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange. The link between leverage and firm specific characteristics such as profitability, loan quality, growth, age and size of firms was ascertained. The research used quantitative approaches and employed the descriptive designs. Secondary data from the annual financial statements of banks listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange from the year 2010 to 2019 were used for the studies. As at the end of the year 2019, eight (8) banks were listed consisting of Ecobank Ghana Ltd, Societe Generale, Standard Chartered Bank, Cal bank, Agricultural Development Bank, Access Bank, Republic Bank, and Ghana Commercial Bank. The data was analyzed using version 25 of Statistical Package for Service Solution. The Augmented Dickey Fuller, Tolerance, Durbin Watson and Variance Inflation Factor tests were used as estimation techniques to ensure accuracy of data. Panel data regression method was used to establish the presence of the pecking order theory. The study found that leverage was negatively related to profitability of listed banks but was statistically insignificant. Leverage was also negatively related to loan quality but statistically insignificant. Leverage showed positive correlation to the size and the age of the firm and was statistically significant, while leverage was positively correlated to growth but insignificant. The study recommends that management of the banks listed put in the necessary measures such as ensuring quality loans and using debt as financing strategies to enhance an increase in the growth levels of firms
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Evaluation of porosity and permeability of sandstones within the Oti Group of the Volta Basin using petrophysical and petrographic techniques
(Journal of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, 2023) Zobah, Theresa N.; Adenutsi, Casper D.; Amedjoe, Godfred C.; Wilson, Matthew C; Mensah, Emmanuel; Boateng, Cyril D.; Sarpong, Kwame K.; Opuni, Lydia N. O.; Danuor, Sylvester K.; Karimaie, Hassan; 0000-0002-1721-4158
This study investigates the reservoir quality of sandstones in the Oti Group of the Volta Basin of Ghana. Geological field mapping, petrographic, petrophysical, mineralogical, and geochemical techniques are used to investigate the reservoir parameters of the sandstones by evaluating the fluid holding and transmission capabilities of the rocks. Results from the comprehensive study identified two sandstone formations of interest; viz. the Bimbila Sandstone and Yabraso Sandstone. Both sandstones were found to be quartz sandstones (sub-arkose and quartz arenites). The Bimbila Sandstones proved to have better porosity and permeability as compared to the Yabraso Sandstones. The Yabraso Sandstone showed porosity between 7-22 % with an average porosity of 13 % (helium gas) and permeability of 63.41 mD, which may be linked to intense cementation and intermediate compaction as well as grain size, shape and arrangement. The Bimbila Sandstones showed better porosity and permeability with a porosity range of 6-24 %, an average porosity of 14 % (helium gas) and 131.80 mD permeability. This is seen to be due to lower compaction supported by framework-stable quartz resulting in a well-connected pore system with high permeability. Further mineralogical data show that the clay minerals present are in minor concentrations. Also, the position of the Yabraso and Bimbila Sandstones in the project area as plotted on the geological map show that there is a close proximity relationship between these sandstones and the limestones; hence forming a conducive system such that if hydrocarbons are produced by the possible source rocks (limestones), they can be housed by the sandstones.
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Underrepresentation of Local Researchers in Geophysical Studies at the Bosumtwi Impact Crater: Insights from A Systematic Review
(Scientific African, 2023) Boateng, Cyril D.; Akrugu, Christopher A.; Wemegah, David D.; Danuor, Sylvester K.; 0000-0002-1721-4158
Impact cratering is an important aspect of planetary evolution. Geophysics plays a complementary role in identifying impact craters on Earth given the non-unique geological characteristics associated with such craters. The Bosumtwi impact crater in Ghana represents one of the world’s most well-preserved and young mid-sized impact craters, and this study aims to evaluate the current state of geophysical research conducted in this area. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) technique was employed for data collection and analysis, which involved identifying and screening relevant sources of data. Results indicated that the maximum number of publications (14) on the Bosumtwi impact crater was recorded in 2007, with 15% of these articles being affiliated with Ghanaian institutions. Furthermore, only two articles reported funding from Ghana. The major geophysical methods applied in studies of the Bosumtwi impact crater include various techniques that have confirmed the presence of shock metamorphosed rocks. Although geophysical methods cannot provide unambiguous evidence for an impact origin of the Bosumtwi crater, they did provide additional constraints in estab lishing its impact origin. This study highlights the lack of local financial support for research in Ghana and African countries in general, with the underrepresentation of Ghanaian geophysical researchers being a concerning outcome. The absence of hazard studies such as the creation of unstable cliffs and the long-term effects of the meteorite impact on inhabitants of the Bosumtwi impact crater is particularly significant. Further research is necessary to fully understand the implications of this underrepresentation. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of research at the Bosumtwi impact crater for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.