Journals National University of Science and Technology (NUST)
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Comparative geographical distribution and abundance of Xenopus species AND Hymenochirus species in a secondary swamp forest, Okpara Inland, Delta State, Niger Delta Region, Nigeria
Get PDFThe distribution and abundance of Xenopus sp and Hymenochirus sp were investigated in a secondary swamp forest at Okpara Inland, Nigeria. Due to the fact that they are two of the most dominant species inhabiting the water potholes and remanant puddles, this would give an adequate representation of the distribution of species inhabiting these habitats. The total study area was about 1,600m2 having a matrix of cassava, oil palm and yam farms. Sampling was carried out during the dry season and at the advent of the wet season in which three methods were used namely; sweep netting, pitfall traps and visual encounter. Most anuran (332 individuals) were collected using the sweep netting method of which 284 individuals were Hymenochirus sp. There were more Xenopus sp (63 individuals) were collected in the pitfall traps than the Hymenochirus sp (31individuals). The visual encounter method had the least (25 individuals). However, there was no significant difference (F1.3,9.6, df=2, P=0.37781) between the different collection methods. Overall, the results indicated that most of the anuran species were collected in the aquatic habitat than the terrestrial habitat. Both the SVL (snouth-vent-length) and the weight of the two anuran species were significantly different at (F1.2,4.7, df=1, P˂0.05) and (F0.6,4.4, df=1, P˂0.05) respectively. The study suggests that Hymenochirus sp was the more abundant species, but Xenopus sp seems to be more distributed in this human-modified landscape
Socio-psychological rivulets of sport injury rehabilitation: the case of tertiary league handball players in teachers colleges of Zimbabwe
Get PDFSport brings enjoyment but injury presence considerably is a great source of pain, despair and stresses in athletes the world over. This study looked at socio-psychological rivulets of sports injury in Zimbabwean Tertiary Handball between 2018 and 2019. It ascertained the extent to which psychological variables impaired recuperating player’s rehabilitation routes and their rehabilitation time-frames of return-to-active sport following an injury. The study was a descriptive, prospective cohort design anchored on quantitative approach. The 228 study participants comprised team physiotherapists, psychologists, fitness trainers, coaches and players from selected Zimbabwe Teachers Colleges Sports Association handball teams. Stratified random sampling was adopted in selecting respondents for the study. Questionnaires were used as data collection tools. IBM SPSS Version 23 was used for data presentation and analysis. Emerging findings revealed high deficiencies regarding players’ psychological and physiological treatment among most sports medicine professionals. Subsequently a multiplicity of injuries with transitional return-to-sport variations evoked players’ psychological distresses (p=0.086>0.05) and psychological instincts of kinesiophobia (p=0.044<0.05; 70.8 mean; 830.8 variance), depressive moods (66.5 mean; 730.8 variance), frustration and stress (p=0.034<0.05; 2.0 and 2.0). Players’ rehabilitation routes ended pre-maturely leading to re-surfacing of index injuries (66.9 mean; 782.4 variance) that emanated from a ‘culture of pain-risk-paradox’. Sufficient recovery and injury monitoring by sports medicine professionals during potential latent period of injury risk are essential for player’s full resurgence of psychological, emotional and physiological parameters. Periodic psychological counselling services are critical in bringing sanity to players’ infractured tenets from injury onset through to return-to-sport
Effectiveness and impact determination for Enterprise Resources Planning Systems: A case for manufacturing entities in Zimbabwe
Get PDFThe research looked at utilization and impact of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for manufacturing organizations in Zimbabwe. Existing literature on adoption of Enterprise Resource Planning systems, its utilization and benefits realized was reviewed. A survey of eighteen Zimbabwean manufacturing organizations was conducted to establish the utilization of Enterprise Resource Planning systems. The survey centered on operational, strategic, managerial, and Organizational functions and their interaction with the Enterprise Resource Planning systems. The strategic, managerial, and Organizational functions, results reflected positive feedback on the system usage. Operational functions had mixed responses with an overall of 58% being positive and 42% negative. Various impact dimensions were determined and mechanisms of effectiveness in the application of ERP systems established. The research went on to develop a tool using C-Sharp that organizations can use to determine their level of Enterprise Resource Planning system utilization and gave recommendations on how organizations can improve on their Enterprise Resource Planning system utilization for competitive advantage
Bayesian Estimation of Simultaneous Equation Models with Outliers and Multicollinearity Problem
Get PDFOutliers and multicollinearity are problems in the analysis of Simultaneous Equation Model (SEM) especially in applied research. They can lead to bias or inefficiency estimators. This study employed a Bayesian technique for estimation of SEM that is characterized by both multicollinearity and outliers. Monte Carlo experiment was applied while the data sets with specified outliers and multicollinearity were simulated for the SEM. The estimates of Bayesian and classical methods namely: two stage Least Squares (2SLS), Three Stage Least Squares (3SLS), Limited Information Maximum Likelihood (LIML) and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) in simultaneous equation model were then compared. The criteria used for comparison were the Mean Square Error (MSE) and Absolute Bias (ABIAS). The Bayesian method of estimation outperformed classical methods in terms of MSE and ABIAS. However, the classical method has the same performance with Bayesian method when there are no outliers and multicollinearity in the simultaneous equation model. Hence, Bayesian method of estimation is preferred than classical method when there is problem of outlier and multicollinearity in a just identified simultaneous equation model
Documentary Films as Tools for Combating misinformation and disinformation: A Case Study of Sunshine Cinema in Zimbabwe
Get PDFMisinformation and disinformation (mis/disinformation) have emerged as pervasive global challenges rapidly spreading and influencing perceptions. While fact-checking organisations have played a prominent role, especially during COVID-19 and election periods, in combating these challenges, limited research exists on the integration of marginalised communities as active participants in this critical undertaking. This article examines the potential of documentary films as a tool for empowering citizens with critical skills to counter misleading information. Using Sunshine Cinema's work in Zimbabwe as a case study, this paper investigates the use of documentary films in empowering communities to identify and resist false narratives. Through focus group discussions with individuals who have watched the films, this paper examines how documentary films are used as pedagogical tools to enhance critical media literacy within communities. The findings demonstrate the transformative power of films in promoting dialogue, fostering critical thinking, and empowering communities to become active agents in addressing information disorders within their spheres of engagement
Modelling the Impact of Sales Promotion on Chophouse Profits
Get PDFFast food establishments allocate funds towards sales promotion in order to enhance their daily revenue and overall profitability. Intense market competition compels stores to implement efficient promotional programs to generate earnings. Because of a limited understanding of its economic implications, operation managers must assess the profitability of the current use of sales promotion. This study examines the influence of promotion attributes on sales and revenues and constructs a conceptual model to evaluate the effect of sales promotions on emporium profitability. We utilised the Granger Causality Test, Impulse Response Function, and Pretest/Posttest Design Models to ascertain the causal connection between customer purchasing behaviour and sales promotion, as well as to assess the significance of sales at the Chophouse fast-food restaurant. We use the established framework model to evaluate the profitability of the current sales promotion strategy and identify the most profitable discount rate. The study's findings suggest that Chophouse's sales promotion techniques result in immediate advantages because there is no long-term relationship between sales promotion and consumer purchasing behaviour. Furthermore, a consistent rise in promotional expenditures is unlikely to exert a substantial influence on customer buying patterns and may even result in an ineffectual promotion, given that the findings indicate that sales promotion does not affect consumer purchasing behaviour
Modelling the environmental impacts of noise and dust from quarry stone mining in Harare – a case study of Pomona Quarry
Get PDFGranite quarry mining has contributed significantly to infrastructure development of many nations and Zimbabwe is no exception. However it has also contributed to environmental pollution and other socio ecological ills. This study investigated the environmental impacts of quarry stone mining and processing at Pomona Quarry mine in Harare. Ambient noise and dust concentrations were measured at different distances and directions from the source. The correlation between the distance and noise level as well as dust concentration were carried out to determine a safety zone from the quarry mine. Multiple regression analysis of the data was conducted and a model developed for the prediction of noise and dust levels.
Identification of fibres and sizing of Timbuktu manuscripts using polarised light microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Get PDFThe aim of this work was to determine the material composition as well as the optical characteristics of the fibres of the Timbuktu manuscripts. Analysis of the fibres was done using Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and sizing determination was done using Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy. PLM was done with ordinary light, plane polarised light and cross-polarised light as well. FTIR measurements were done in reflection mode by use of Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR). The sample fibres were observed to be colorless with joints, surface irregularities fractures and swollen tissues. The retardation color was found to be yellow, with a birefringence of 0.060. These optical properties are consistent with hemp fibres. The total crystallinity index of 0.2 and lateral order index of 0.35 were deduced for the sample fibre. FTIR results showed that the sizing on the manuscripts were kaolin, gelatin and clay. These results provide useful insight in planning for the conservation of the Timbuktu manuscripts
Health-information-seeking behaviours of Gwanda Rural Communities during the Covid-19 pandemic
Get PDFThis study was conducted to examine the health information-seeking behaviour of the Gwanda rural people in the wake of the pandemic. Wilson's (1981) information-seeking behaviour model guided the study&#39;s objectives, which included identifying health information needs, information sources, information access barriers, and information uses. The study utilised a qualitative research approach. A case study research strategy was used to understand the health information- seeking behaviours of Gwanda rural dwellers in a time of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Using non-probability sampling techniques, a suitable sample was drawn from Gwanda rural communities, Edward Ndlovu Memorial Library community workers (ENML), and Village Health Workers (VHWs). The respondents' data was gathered through focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the people of rural Gwanda exhibited unique information-seeking behaviours, influenced by their diverse information needs. To fulfil these needs, the Gwanda communities preferred information sources that relied on word-of-mouth, such as village health workers, broadcast media (radio), and family/friends. The challenges in accessing information were attributed to the lack of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) infrastructure and the digital divide, as COVID-19 information was primarily available online. Despite these access barriers, the Gwanda communities utilised the COVID-19 information they had obtained in various ways, including preventing illness, deciding how to seek care, and recognising disease symptoms. The study brought attention to Zimbabwe’s rural dweller's health- information-seeking behaviours as they were often overlooked during the COVID-19 pandemic
The coverage of Cyclone Idai in Zimbabwe’s The Manica Post newspaper
Get PDFThis study examines the coverage of Cyclone Idai in The Manica Post newspaper in Zimbabwe. Drawing upon decolonial theories, the study explores the knowledge contestations that characterised The Manica Post’s depiction of the natural disaster. Data were purposively selected from the news articles published by The Manica Post. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) was employed to analyse the news stories. The study establishes that The Manica Post reproduced and promoted a Western-centric understanding of disasters. Local knowledge about disasters was largely ostracised. Therefore, the study concludes that Western knowledge systems about journalism and science influenced how news stories were framed. As such, there is a need to decolonise African media systems and promote Afro-centric coverage of natural disasters