Journals National University of Science and Technology (NUST)
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A contribution to the disinformation and misinformation debate in Zimbabwean science communication
Get PDFDrawing on African philosophy and indigenous theory, this article is aimed at examining, through views and perceptions of Zimbabwean journalists and scientists, the problem of misinformation and disinformation in science communication. This qualitative study gathers empirical data through in-depth interviews with purposively selected journalists and scientists from Zimbabwe. It is argued that Zimbabwean indigenous knowledges could be instrumental in addressing the problem of misinformation and disinformation in science communication in the country. In other words, adopting Zimbabwean-African values embedded in Ubuntu media ethics can potentially be the panacea to misinformation and disinformation problems riddling science communication
Image-based parameters: Bayesian Model in banana fruit mass prediction
Get PDFThe emergence of contagious diseases has intensified the need for the adoption of technologies that minimize human contact withpotentially contaminated surfaces and objects. Due to the manual nature of fruit weighing within Zimbabwean supermarkets, there isfrequent human-mass scale contact. Hence, manually operated mass scales are on the long list of prospective disease spreadingsurfaces. This study proposes the assessment of the feasibility of banana fruit mass modelling based on image analysis, as a way ofeliminating human-mass scale contact during the manual weighing process. The banana fruit image-based parameters considered inthis study are filled image, minor axis length, equivalent diameter, perimeter, stalk length and major axis length. The Bayes LinearRegression model has been utilized in identifying image-based parameters that are of significance to the mass determination model.The major axis length of the banana has been identified as the most significant mass prediction image-based parameter. Using theMean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), the major axis length-based model accuracy has been assessed. The model has anaccuracy of 96.61 %. Since, the accuracy value lies within the upper quartile region, the formulated model is accurate enough to beused for banana mass prediction. Based on the paired t-test results, the difference between the average of predicted value minusactual value is not big enough to be statistically significant. The system has an acceptable response time of four seconds
Feeding behavioural patterns of Imbrassia belina larvae that minimizes the production of tannins in Colophospermum mopane leaves
Get PDFMopane (Colophospermum mopane) trees respond to herbivory by producing secondary metabolites known as tannins. In order to exploit such trees, insects will adopt feeding patterns that will best reduce production of such feeding deterrents. To elucidate this, the behavioural feeding patterns of Imbrasia belina larvae were studied on Mopane trees and artificial damage on the same was done by punching small holes on a large number of leaves over a period of 25 days. Similarly, a control was used to simulate feeding behaviour of I. belina larvae by removing a large number of full leaves on each day over a period of 25 days. In each instance leaves were collected and tested for tannin content using the Folin-Ciocalteau method. The feeding behavioural patterns showed that I. belina larvae will feed on a full leaf at a time and will not leave a leaf unfinished. The surface area of leaf eaten by these larvae increases exponentially from the first instar to the last instar until the entire tree foliage is finished. The results obtained for tannin content showed that removing full leaves as in the control resulted in no increase in amount of tannin produced whereas artificial damage resulted in an increase in amount of tannin produced. From these results it can then be concluded that the feeding behaviour of I. belina will minimises production of tannins on Mopane trees
Prevalence and Attitude towards Trichomonas vaginalis infection among undergraduate students of a higher institution in South Eastern Nigeria
Get PDFA study to determine the prevalence and attitude towards Trichomonas vaginalis infection amongst undergraduate students of a higher institution in south Eastern Nigeria was conducted between January and June 2015. A total of 250 students comprising of 104 males and 146 females had their urine samples examined using the microscopy method for the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from all the consenting participants after which high vaginal swabs were collected, processed and examined for T. vaginalis using microscopy. Out of this number, 40 (16%) were infected. Age related infection rate was highest in the 31 – 35 years (25%) age group. Symptoms associated with this infection included genital discharges, painful urination, painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), itching, and irregular menstruation. Factors which affect the student’s attitude towards getting screened for the infection are fear, ignorance, poverty, self-medication, lack of time and even carelessness. Possible causes of T. vaginalis infection were revealed as: sharing of towels (10.0%), sharing of bathing sponge (6.0%), sharing of under wears (5.2%), unclean or infected toilet facility (2.0%). sharing of shaving sticks, razor blade and scissors (for pubic hair) (1.2%) and unprotected sex (0.8%). Known preventive measures against Trichomonas vaginalis infection included avoidance of sexual contact with infected persons (2.8%), use of condoms (32.8%), avoidance of premarital sex (9.2%), having only one sexual partner (12.8%), disinfecting and keeping the toilet clean (17.2%) and not sharing towels (6.0%). Public health enlightenment that is targeted at behavioural change is strongly advocated
Determinants of house prices using spatial analysis: the case for Bulawayo
Get PDFThe factors affecting house prices are crucial to Zimbabwe’s property organisation, and they necessitate an understanding of market trends and patterns in the housing industry. The primary goal of this research is to investigate the correlations between house prices and the factors that influence them to develop a model that can forecast house prices in Bulawayo. This study uses exploratory data analysis and spatial regression approaches to analyse factors affecting house prices in Bulawayo to understand how much housing costs are influenced by the availability of health services and retail stores. How does the distance to schools and the central business district (CBD) affect property prices, as well as the size of the land and the physical environment? To attain these goals, spatial analysis and local regression parameter estimates were used. The study found that many variables have both positive and negative effects on house prices across space and that the spatial lag model is the best fit for predicting house values in Bulawayo
Implications of Environmental Reporting in Nigerian Newspapers on Attitudes of Ilorin Elite Towards Environmental Care
Get PDFThe Nigerian environment is experiencing a high level of degradation leading to the tendency for wanton anthropogenic modification of the environment. These modifications, which occur as an attempt to meet the need for food, shelter, recreation and infrastructural facilities, have negative impacts on the environment. Environmental sustainability can only be attained soon if the attitude of environmental care is imbibed by the populace. The media are an important institution in the creation of awareness of existing and emerging critical issues that affect the environment. This study examined the implication of Nigerian newspapers’ environmental reporting on the attitude of the elite class towards environmental care, with a focus on elites in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. The survey research method was adopted while a structured questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. A sample of 410 respondents was selected using the stratified sampling technique. However, 403 copies of the questionnaire administered were retrieved, representing a 98% response rate. The analysis of data found that most of the elite became environmental enthusiasts as a result of frequent reading of environmental stories in Nigerian newspapers. Although the newspaper was not their only major source of awareness and education on environmental issues, it played a significant role in improving their environmental care attitude
Prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites among primary school pupils in Abayi, Osisioma Ngwa L.G.A, Abia State, Nigeria
Get PDFGastrointestinal parasitic infection is one of the neglected tropical disease known to be a significant contributor to mortality and morbidity especially amongst school children in tropical Africa. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among primary school pupils in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area Abia State, Nigeria between the months of March and October, 2015.Prior to the study, consent of parents and guardian of the pupils were sort and approval obtained. A total of 648 pupils aged 5-13 years made up of 324 males and 324 females in primaries one to six had their faecal samples examined. Direct smear and formol ether concentration techniques were the parasitological procedures used for the faecal examination. A total of 281 (43.36%) children were infected. Four parasites were observed namely Ascaris lumbricoides (40.8%), Entamoeba coli (38.9%), Hookworm (17.1%) and Trichuris trichiura (3.3%). Mixed infections were also encountered. The combination of A. lumbricoides and Hookworm was the most common (67.1%). The age group 5-7 years had the highest prevalence (83.33%). More females (46.60%) than males (40.12%) were infected though the result showed a statistically nonsignificant difference. The public schools recorded a higher prevalence (48.46%) than the private schools (38.27%). Infection was highest in pupils in primary 3 (57.41%) (P > 0.05). Pupils whose mothers are farmers recorded the highest prevalence (96.67%). Many of the pupils (65,8%) responded “No” to eating food that fell to the ground. Those who used water closet system type of toilet had more infection (43.85%) than those who used pit latrine (41.67%) (P < 0.05). Infection based on sources of water for drinking and domestic purposes shows that those who used the combination of borehole and harvested rain water were the most infected (56.89%). This study recorded an overall parasitic infections of 43.4%. De-worming of pupils should be made an essential component of school health programmes. Adequate health education is also recommended and proper sanitary measures should be put in place to help reduce to the barest minimum infection awith gastrointestinal parasites in school children
Factors influencing the transfer of training in internal training programmes: the case of the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Library
Get PDFWhereas academic librarians’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) need to be constantly updated through training to meet professional demands in the field, such training should be transferred to the job for improved job performance. This study identified factors affecting the transfer of training in internal training programmes at NUST Library. A multi-methods research design was employed. Data were collected by administering questionnaires to trainers and trainees while senior library management was interviewed. Data from 32 responses were presented and analysed using Microsoft Excel software. Trainee characteristics, training design and delivery, the work environment, and trainer characteristics were the major factors that affect training transfer. Although trainees had high cognitive abilities, they were not highly motivated to train and transfer trained KSAs. The training design did not include trainees fully and training content was decided by library management. The work environment lacked relevant equipment and technological infrastructure. Training methods in place were sufficient although the need to utilise a blended learning approach incorporating online tutorials was realised. Trainers were experienced in the delivery of training although their pedagogical, presentation, interpersonal, and communication skills needed honing. The importance of training transfer should be emphasised before, during, and after training. Supply of adequate equipment as well as sending trainers for the training of trainers’ courses targeting deficient areas were recommended
Living at the borders within the metropolis in post-apartheid Gauteng, South Africa
Get PDFMost African migrants, living in Johannesburg, South Africa, are undocumented and as a result illegalized. In that, borders are no longer fixed at the physical boundaries between nations but are in a state of flux extending into the interior of nations, most African migrants live their lives ‘at the border’ even though geographically within Gauteng, the country’s richest and most metropolitan province. This paper considers the coloniality of borders and their violence in postapartheid South Africa. It traces border existence for many black Africans in daily negotiations to survive xenophobia. These negotiations are between the migrants, the law andm law enforcers. It is about how migrants survive outside the formal economy and the formal structures that govern life in Gauteng, and the struggle to access government services such as health and education. Located in postcolonial and decolonial theoretical frameworks, the paper takes the border as a contested space and also considers ways in which the migrants also construct their own borders as a way of resisting the violence of the nation and the state. These daily survival strategies of the excluded African Others are theorized as decolonial politics deployed in resisting the coloniality of the border
A Microsoft Excel based cryptography scheme using matrix operations
Get PDFThe Microsoft Office suite which usually is encompassed on the Windows operating system comprises of the Microsoft Excel package which can be of great value if properly utilised. Various daily operations can be modelled as a set of linear equations which can easily be presented in form of a matrix. The limitation on the spectrum of users capable of solving these problems to achieve intended results is mainly based on the complex theoretical mathematical operations and computer programming efficiency usually required. This paper intends to demonstrate the ability to solve modelling problems by the use of Microsoft Excel in the field of Cryptography. The encoding process in the conversion of plaintext to cypher text and the decoding process which is the reverse process are illustrated by utilising in-built formulas associated with the Microsoft Excel package. The thrust of this paper is on the utilisation of the uniqueness of the inverse property of invertible matrices