Agro-climatic and hydrological characterization of selected watersheds in northern Ghana

United States Agency for International Developmen

Underlying indicators for measuring smartness of buildings in the construction industry

Purpose: This study investigates the underlying indicators for measuring the smartness of buildings in the construction industry; where the Smart Building Technology (SBT) concept (which incorporates elements of the Zero Energy Building (NZEB) concept) could ensure efficient energy consumption and high performance of buildings. Design/methodology/approach: An overarching post-positivist and empirical epistemological design was adopted to analyze primary quantitative data collected via a structured questionnaire survey with 227 respondents. The mean ranking analysis and one-sample t-test were employed to analyse data. Findings: Research findings revealed that the level of knowledge of smart building indicators is averagely high in the Ghanaian construction industry. Future research is required to evaluate the awareness level of Smart Building Technologies (SBTs) by construction professionals and identify barriers to its adoption. Originality/value: A blueprint guidance model (consisting of significant indicators for measuring building smartness) was developed to help improve building performance and inform policymakers

Insurable and non-insurable risks in complex project deals: case of the Ghanaian construction industry

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the insurable risks that impacted the operations on complex construction projects in developing countries using Ghana as a case study. Design/methodology/approach In this study, structured questionnaires were used to collect relevant information from the top management of construction and insurance firms in Ghana, comprising 50 industry professionals. The study adopted the χ2 and independent samples’ t test to interpret the responses from participants. Findings The study revealed the major risks that severely impacted the operations on complex construction projects, including strikes and labour disputes, long waiting time for approval of test samples, damages to property during construction, delay in payment to contractor for work done, poor construction method, pressure to deliver project on an accelerated schedule, labour shortage, permits delayed or take longer than expected, inaccurate materials estimating, change in weather pattern, low productivity of subcontractors and inadequate contractor experience. Practical implications The study is expected to contribute to increase in the awareness of the insurable risks and policies that project participants are exposed to, which will serve as a decision-making tool for contract formation. Originality/value This study assists in managing construction and insurance firms to note the major risk in managing a complex construction project. In addition to knowing the major risks identified, the study investigates the insurable risk by managing both construction and insurance firms

Underlying Indicators For Measuring Smartness Of Buildings In The Construction Industry

Purpose: The introduction of the Smart Buildings Technology (SBT) concept (which incorporates elements of the Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) concept) could be a measure in ensuring efficient energy consumption and high performance in buildings. Smart buildings provide solutions to improve building efficiency, and reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions and concomitant energy costs. In order to adopt SBT in the construction industry, it is important to identify the indicators of smartness of buildings, even though such may differ from region to region or even country to country. However, there have been inefficient studies identifying the indicators of smartness of buildings, especially in developing countries such as Ghana. This study investigates the underlying indicators for measuring the smartness of buildings in the construction industry. Methodology: An overarching post-positivist and empirical epistemological design was adopted for this research to analyse primary quantitative data. Data was collected via a structured questionnaire survey with 227 respondents including project managers and construction design teams in Ghana. The mean ranking analysis and one sample t-test were employed to analyse the data. Findings: Research findings revealed that the level of knowledge of smart building indicators is averagely high in the Ghanaian construction industry. With regards to the indicators of smart building, ‘sensors implementation to manage light level, air quality, temperature, fire alarm and smoke detector’ is regards as the most significant measure of smart buildings in the Ghanaian construction industry. Also, ‘remote implementation monitors building conditions and occupancy’, ‘implementation of any software that can talk to legacy equipment from many different manufactures’ and ‘data analytic’ are statistically insignificant in measuring smartness of buildings. Practical Implication: Practically, policy makers and practitioners can use the study’s results as blueprint guidance to appreciate and utilise the idea of smartness of buildings because it can improve building performance therefore, promoting the adoption of SBTs. To the body of knowledge, this study has identified the significant indicators for measuring the smartness of buildings, which can further influence SBTs adoption. Originality: Using the results, a model consisting of significant indicators for measuring building smartness was developed to help improve building performance. Recommendation: The study recommends future research to evaluate the awareness level of Smart Building Technologies (SBTs) by construction professionals and identify barriers to its adoption

Cardiocladius oliffi (Diptera: Chironomidae) as a potential biological control agent against Simulium squamosum (Diptera: Simuliidae)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The control of onchocerciasis in the African region is currently based mainly on the mass drug administration of ivermectin. Whilst this has been found to limit morbidity, it does not stop transmission. In the absence of a macrofilaricide, there is a need for an integrated approach for disease management, which includes vector control. Vector control using chemical insecticides is expensive to apply, and therefore the use of other measures such as biological control agents is needed. Immature stages of <it>Simulium squamosum</it>, reared in the laboratory from egg masses collected from the field at Boti Falls and Huhunya (River Pawnpawn) in Ghana, were observed to be attacked and fed upon by larvae of the chironomid <it>Cardiocladius oliffi </it>Freeman, 1956 (Diptera: Chironomidae).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>Cardiocladius oliffi </it>was successfully reared in the rearing system developed for <it>S. damnosum </it>s.l. and evaluated for its importance as a biological control agent in the laboratory.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Even at a ratio of one <it>C. oliffi </it>to five <it>S. squamosum</it>, they caused a significant decrease in the number of adult <it>S. squamosum </it>emerging from the systems (treatments). Predation was confirmed by the amplification of <it>Simulium </it>DNA from <it>C. oliffi </it>observed to have fed on <it>S. squamosum </it>pupae. The study also established that the chironomid flies could successfully complete their development on a fish food diet only.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p><it>Cardiocladius oliffi </it>has been demonstrated as potential biological control agent against <it>S. squamosum</it>.</p

Critical drivers for the adoption of wearable sensing technologies (WSTs) for construction safety monitoring in Ghana: A Fuzzy Synthetic Analysis

Purpose: The construction industry is one of the most hazardous working environments globally. Studies reveal that wearable sensing technologies (WSTs) have practical applications in construction occupational health and safety management. In the global south, the adoption of WSTs in construction has been slow with few studies investigating the critical drivers for its adoption. The study therefore bridges this gap by investigating the factors driving WSTs adoption in Ghana where investments in such technologies can massively enhance health and safety through effective safety monitoring. Design/Methodology: To meet the objectives of this study, research data was drawn from 210 construction professionals. Purposive sampling technique was used to select construction professionals in Ghana and data was collected with the use of well-structured questionnaires. The study adopted the Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation Model (FSEM) to determine the significance of the critical drivers for the adoption of WSTs. Findings: According to the findings, perceived value, technical know-how, security, top management support, competitive pressure, and trading partner readiness obtained a high model index of 4.154, 4.079, 3.895, 3.953, 3.971, and 3.969, respectively, as critical drivers for WSTs adoption in Ghana. Among the three broad factors, technological factors recorded the highest index of 3.971, followed by environmental factors and organizational factors with a model index of 3.938 and 3.916 respectively. Implications: Theoretically, findings are consistent with studies conducted in developed countries, particularly with regard to the perceived value of WSTs as a key driver in its adoption in the construction industry. This study also contributes to the subject of WSTs adoption and, in the case of emerging countries. Practically, findings from the study can be useful to technology developers in planning strategies to promote WSTs in the global south. To enhance construction health and safety in Ghana, policymakers can draw from the findings to create conducive conditions for worker acceptance of WSTs. Originality/Value: Studies investigating the driving factors for WSTs adoption have mainly centered on developed countries. This study addresses this subject in Ghana where studies on WSTs application in construction process is uncommon. It also uniquely explores the critical drivers for WSTs adoption using the Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation Model

AN INTRODUCTION TO DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS APPLIED TO EXPLOITED POPULATIONS

Population dynamics is currently an interdisciplinary subject that aims at the mathematical representation, treatment and modeling of population growth processes, using a variety of applied mathematical techniques and tools. In this work, we present four dynamical models of an exploited population system describing the time evolution of the population. Assuming the natural growth of the population is logistic, we show the effects of predation on the population considering four types of Predatory function; Constant or Quota Yield, Holling Type I, Holling Type II and Holling Type III functional responses. The mathematical analysis of the models shows that under some assumptions, we obtain alternate stable equilibria in the population system using Holling Type II and Type III functions. We observe that using Holling Type III function a desirable situation occurs: the zero population is an unstable equilibrium for all levels of predation, thus, the population can be exploited without risk of extinction. La  dinámica  de  poblaciones  es  actualmente  un  tema  interdisciplinario  que  busca representación matemática (modelación) y análisis de los procesos de crecimiento poblacional, haciendo uso de variadas técnicas y herramientas de las matemáticas aplicadas. En este estudio se presentan cuatro modelos dinámicos de sistemas de poblaciones explotadas a lo largo del tiempo. Partiendo de la premisa queA dinâmica de populações é atualmente um tema interdisciplinar que busca representação matemática  (modelagem)  e  analise  dos  processos  de  crescimento,  usando  uma  variedade  de  técnicas  e ferramentas da Matemática Aplicada. Nesse estudo são apresentados quatro modelos dinâmicos de sistemas populacionais sujeitos a predação ao longo do tempo. Partindo da premissa que o crescimento populacional é do tipo logístico, foram apontados os efeitos da predação na população considerando quatro tipos de função de predação: Constante ou por Quotas, Holling tipo I, II, e III. Quando se aplicam as funções Holling tipo II, e III a analise matemática do modelo aponta para estados de equilíbrios alternados na população, enquanto quando se implementa a função Holling tipo III temos que a população pode ser explorada sem risco de extinção, sendo essa, portanto, uma política de exploração desejável

Targeted Next Generation Sequencing for malaria research in Africa:Current status and outlook

Targeted Next Generation Sequencing (TNGS) is an efficient and economical Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform and the preferred choice when specific genomic regions are of interest. So far, only institutions located in middle and high-income countries have developed and implemented the technology, however, the efficiency and cost savings, as opposed to more traditional sequencing methodologies (e.g. Sanger sequencing) make the approach potentially well suited for resource-constrained regions as well. In April 2018, scientists from the Plasmodium Diversity Network Africa (PDNA) and collaborators met during the 7th Pan African Multilateral Initiative of Malaria (MIM) conference held in Dakar, Senegal to explore the feasibility of applying TNGS to genetic studies and malaria surveillance in Africa. The group of scientists reviewed the current experience with TNGS platforms in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and identified potential roles the technology might play to accelerate malaria research, scientific discoveries and improved public health in SSA. Research funding, infrastructure and human resources were highlighted as challenges that will have to be mitigated to enable African scientists to drive the implementation of TNGS in SSA. Current roles of important stakeholders and strategies to strengthen existing networks to effectively harness this powerful technology for malaria research of public health importance were discussed