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Religion and Animals: Lessons for Christians Drawn from African Traditional Practices in Zimbabwe
No full textThis article will argue that since time immemorial biological diversity has been central to human survival. Indigenous peoples have developed stages of technology and culture appropriate for different environments of climate, vegetation and animals. African traditional religion practices and promotes peace for both human and non-human animals. Crises for survival in the environment such as drought removed the animals that people were hunting and this threatened sustainable development. The symbiotic relationship between human beings and animals was clearly recorded in paintings. Indigenous peoples in the past recorded their interrelationships with the natural world -particularly wildlife – in the form of paintings and carvings at many sites across Zimbabwe. The paintings tell us something about the lives of indigenous people and also about the types of animals, birds and fish that may have occurred in these areas many thousands of years ago. Traditional methods of resource utilisation were suitably adapted to conservation. Indigenous knowledge systems (IKSs), and in particular the Shona people (of Zimbabwe) IKSs created in specific geographical and historical situations in the country, have had a significant contribution to the maintenance of flora and fauna. Myths, folklores, legends, proverbs, riddles, rituals, symbols, traditions and beliefs are part of religious ideas which promoted animal rights. When the missionaries came in the 19th century, various institutions were challenged hence the Shona reluctance to convert enmasse to Christianity. These community-governed controls shape social life, indirectly affect or even direct management of many concepts of the local ecosystem. IKSs are a reminder of the need to preserve the biodiversity heritage as a sacred duty. Matikiti (2007:221) states that “Resident animals such as lions, leopards, baboons, pangolins, and monkeys are generally seen as personifications of spiritual beings. Birds such as the hungwe (eagle) are perceived as conventional messengers from ancestors. People are required to refrain from taking life.” All this has changed. This article will argue that the earth is in peril, Zimbabwe is in pain and jeopardy, the country is at the precipice of self-destruction and must revert to IKSs to preserve biodiversity. Zimbabwe and the world need fervent environmentalists to resolve the intractable environmental crisis
Exploring the Teaching of Geometric and Spatial Reasoning in Early Childhood Education in Selected Primary Schools of Shibuyunji District of Zambia
No full textThe teaching methods and materials used in ECE classrooms have a profound impact on children’s engagement and understanding of spatial concepts. It is therefore essential for teachers to use diverse, developmentally appropriate strategies and make use of locally available resources to support learning (MOESVTEE, 2013; MOE, 2023). The acquisition of spatial reasoning and geometrical reasoning by learners is highly attributed to how teachers teach it. The study therefore explored the teaching of geometric and spatial reasoning at early childhood Education in selected primary schools of Shibuyunji district of Zambia. The Van Hiele’s level theory and Piaget’s developmental stages were the lens used to analyse the geometric and spatial reasoning of learners. The approach was qualitative and used descriptive research design. The sample size was seven ECE teachers who were selected purposively. Data was collected using semi structured interview guides, lesson observation and document analysis. Data was analysed thematically. Among the findings was that ECE teachers used a number of teaching methods and strategies such as tracing, drawing as well as exposing learners to real objects, practical activities and demonstrations. The study recommended that teachers should incorporate play into the methods that they use. Continuous Professional Development activities on the teaching of geometry using play should be conducted in order to enhance the in-depth knowledge on the topic to enable teachers teach it with confidence and use appropriate materials and methods
Comparative Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on the Growth Performance of Two Purple-Fleshed Sweet Potato Cultivars
No full textSweet potato varieties “Apomuden” and “Nane” have been supplied to farmers for some years in Northern Ghana. It was suspected that the materials have been infected by viruses. This study was done to generate a protocol for the varieties and to generate planting material for subsequent multiplication and virus indexing. Aseptic cultures of the two varieties were raised through micropropagation. The effect of three growth regulators (IAA, BAP and Kinetin) at 2 mg/l on growth of the two varieties was studied using complete randomised design with three replications. The study was conducted at the Plant Tissue Culture laboratory at Nyankpala campus of the University for Development Studies using Murashige and Skoog media. Shoot induction was more effectively promoted in MS medium supplemented with BAP and performed better in Nane variety as compared to Apomuden. The medium supplemented with IAA stimulated root growth and development while BAP inhibited root formation. It is recommended that BAP at 2 mg/l should be used to multiply the sweet potato varieties for virus indexing
The Cross-Country Generalizability of High-Performance Work Practices and Interactions of Internal Promotions with Organizational Capital and Innovation Strategy on Market, Operational, and Financial Performance
No full textHigh Performance Work Practices (HPWPs) research lacks a consistent measure with good psychometric properties impeding the growth and accumulation of knowledge. This study provides empirical support for a reliable, multi-dimensional, cross-culturally generalizable, and valid measure of HPWPs. The Ability, Motivation, and Opportunity (AMO) framework provided a theoretical foundation (Appelbaum, Bailey, Berg, & Kalleberg, 2000). This new measure maps onto each of the three dimensions of the AMO framework. Data from multiple managers working for companies in 18 different countries (N = 3,289) showed cross-cultural measurement equivalence and other good measurement properties. Validity was demonstrated by focusing on one understudied practice, Internal Promotions, showing that it generally has a positive impact on organizational performance. However, in organizations with higher Organizational Capital, or those organizations using an Innovation Strategy, Internal Promotions impaired organizational performance, thereby confirming theory based hypotheses derived from the Peter Principle. This demonstrated how the measurement of distinct practices can be used as a basis for studying intriguing questions about HPWPs
Design of a Portable and Low-Cost Power Supply for Laboratory Projects Using the Switch-Mode Method
No full textGhana is growing increasingly concerned about regular power outages. This issue occasionally impacts laboratory research, practical work, and experimentation. Additionally, it hinders research projects and students' academic advancement. The purpose of this project is to design and construct a dual power supply for laboratory instruments which uses a 12V battery as the source of input energy. This project consists of a combination of set-up circuit, double-ended Push-Pull (dc-ac) and Boost (dc-dc) converter with switching element made up of bipolar transistors are switched 'on' and 'off using PWM controller CD4047 with switching frequencies of 50 Hz and 1 KHz.The converter operates from a 12V battery providing output power at 250 V (2A) AC and 12V (2A) DC. A double-ended Push-Pull converter receives energy from the input source when the switch is 'on' and then pumps energy into the primary windings of the transformer. Energy flows from the input winding to the transformer output winding when the switch is 'off. The isolation transformer converts the de-input to AC output. Boost converter is a de-de converter, designed without a transformer or inductor; it allows the output voltage to be greater than the input voltage. The method is similar to that of a double-ended Push-Pull converter. The developed dual power supply, no-load AC output produces 250 volts with zero current and 237 V- 238 V, on-load with a current of 0. 18 A to 0.19 A respectively depending on the load. The de-de converter output produced values from 0-12V for the input of 8V to 12V. The power supply that has been developed is highly beneficial for domestic, laboratory, and research purposes
Maxwell Electromagnetism Derived From (Coulomb’ Law + Velocity), Spin-Electromagnetism Derived From (Coulomb Law + Spin), Gravito-Electromagnetism Derived From (Newton’s Law + Velocity), Spin-Gravito-Electromagnetism Derived From (Newton’s Law + Spin) --- Duality, Symmetry, Spin-Force, and Unification of Above Four Forces
No full textThe Universal Mathematical Field Theory (UMFT) is established, which states that the combination of inverse square laws and either a vector field or an axial vector field create the curl of the vector/axial vector field. Utilizing UMFT, we mathematically: (1) derive the Maxwell electromagnetics (Maxwell-EM) and the Lorentz force from Coulomb’s law and the velocity of an electric source; (2) establish Maxwell-type gravity (Gravito EM) and Lorentz-type gravitational force from Newton’s law and the velocity of a gravitational source; (3) establish Spin-Electromagnetics (Spin-EM or Spintronics) from the Coulomb’s law and the spin of the electric source; (4) establish Spin-gravity (Spin-gravity) from the Newton’s law and the spin of the mass (such as neutron); (5) predicate the spin related Lorentz-type force. The so-derived Maxwell-EM justifies UMFT and shows that the experiments-based Maxwell equations have mathematical origin. UMFT shows that mathematical identities lead to physical dualities, such as the duality between Maxwell-EM, Gravito-EM, Spin-EM and Spin gravity. Therefore, the well-known concepts, effects and phenomena of Maxwell-EM may be directly converted to that of gravity and Spin. The Gravito-EM can be quantized, along the line of quantizing Maxwell-EM, and unified with Maxwell-EM force. Spin-EM predicts several new effects, including the Spin-Lorentz-type force and Lagrangian-Lorentz-type force. If experimentally confirmed, the Spin-related force may be the NEW FORCEs. Spin-EM can be utilized to describe the interaction between protons, while Spin-gravity can be utilized to describe the interaction between neutrons. The Maxwell-EM, Gravito-EM, Spin-EM, and Spin-gravity are all derived from UMFT and thus: (1) they all have the same symmetry, such as the U(1) symmetry of Maxwell-EM; (2) they all can be quantized in the same way as QED; and (3) can be unified in the frame of UMFT
Analytical Procedure for Determining of Lead in Isopropyl Palmitate (IPP) by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
No full textIsopropyl palmitate is a non-polar ester and does not directly dissolve in aqueous diluents. The sample is therefore digested using acidic hotplate mineralization, converting all Pb into an aqueous ionic form. In this present study, we measured the concentration of lead in isopropyl palmitate by using flame AAS for higher sensitivity. The resulting digest is analyzed at 283.3 nm. Spectrophotometric determination of lead in isopropyl palmitate sample was found to be adequately sensitive in terms of linearity, repeatability, and accuracy. The correlation coefficient (R2) was found to be 0.9998, average sample result has been found 0.02 mg/Kg. The results were within the specification of not more than 10 mg/Kg maximum
The Hopeless Search for the Dark Matter
No full textThis article critically examines the ongoing scientific quest to identify dark matter, arguing that the search is fundamentally misguided due to a mis understanding of the nature of mass. The author contends that what is sought as “dark matter” is not a conventional, invisible mass, but rather the “transverse mass” which is always associated with a mass in motion— which is described mathematically as a complex magnitude with both real and imaginary components. Drawing on the works of Lorentz and Einstein, the article explores how relativistic effects change the stationary observer’s perception of a mass in motion, which is seen as composed by an inertial mass [called longitudinal] responsible for the gravitational field and a mass transverse to the motion that generates a gravito-magnetic field and that is identified with the kinetic energy. The discussion extends to the implications for galactic dynamics, sug gesting that the effects attributed to dark matter may instead arise from the gravito-magnetic fields generated by the transverse mass associated with the longitudinal mass of the stars in motion. The article concludes that the elusive nature of dark matter stems from a conceptual oversight: the missing mass in the universe may already be accounted for as energy associated with motion, rather than as an undiscovered form of matter
Exploring the Application of Financial Social Work Within a Social Development Paradigm: Advancing the Facilitation of Financial Capabilities of Financially Vulnerable Individuals and Communities
No full textFinancial capability is ibreasingly becoming a priority for policy makers, academics and practitioners at a global level due to its recognition of its contribution towards financial wellbeing and the economic factors that have an impact on everyone in society, especially those who are financially vulnerable. The narrative literature reviews explored the application of financial social work within a social development paradigm to advance the financial capabilities of financially vulnerable individuals and communities. The paper argues that infusing financial social work with developmental social work is perceived as a good combination because it recognises individuals' inherent capabilities and empowering elements that underpin the knowledge the knowledge and practice skills. Moreover, both financial social work and developmental social work endorse micro, mezzo and macro interventions for achieving sustainable. However, more efforts should be made at the macro level to bring about structural and systematic changes to the system that is fundamentally responsible for the financial vulnerability. To strengthen social workers' intereventions, there is a need to capacitate social workers by including themes related to financial capability in social work education curriculum and continuous education
Bridging Policy and Practice: A Critical Analysis of the Implementation of Ghana’s Migration and Development Framework
No full textGhana has developed a comprehensive migration governance framework anchored by the National Migration Policy (NMP) launched in 2016 and the Ghana Immigration Service Strategic Plans. However, translating these policy instruments into operational reality remains inconsistent across implementation domains. This paper critically evaluates Ghana’s migration policy implementation through systematic analysis of institutional coordination, border management, labour migration, diaspora engagement, and emerging pillars including data systems, reintegration support, and anti-trafficking efforts. The analysis reveals a persistent gap between policy formulation and practice, characterized by donor dependency, institutional fragmentation, and resource constraints. While Ghana demonstrates notable achievements in institutional capacity building, border technology deployment through the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS), and diaspora cultural engagement initiatives like the Year of Return, critical deficiencies persist in sustainable financing, inter-agency coordination, legal domestication of policies, and enforcement capacity. Strategic recommendations include establishing a national migration fund, accelerating legal domestication of the NMP, integrating migration databases across agencies, and developing diaspora investment frameworks to channel the substantial remittance flows more productively. The paper concludes that moving from donor-reliant projects to state-led migration governance requires fundamental shifts in domestic resource mobilization, inter-agency cohesion, and political commitment