National Research Database of Zimbabwe
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A STABLE SIMPLE SEQUENCE REPEAT MARKER FOR RESISTANCE TO WHITE MOULD IN TOBACCO
No full textWhite mould, caused by Golovinomyces cichoracearum, is a major fungal disease of tobacco. Breeding for
resistance to white mould is slow due to the intensive labour needed in artificial screening and the huge effect of
the environment. In order to improve selection efficiency, molecular markers need to be identified to help in the
rapid selection of germplasm resistant to white mould. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to identify the
neutral, simple sequence repeat markers that can assist breeders in selecting for resistant plants. Two resistant
parental lines XZ and STNCB, and three susceptible parental lines XSR, K51 and T71, were used in this study.
Backcrosses of the hybrid from XZ and XSR were grown in a greenhouse, and DNA was extracted for molecular
analysis. Eight simple sequence repeat markers and ten inter-simple sequence repeat markers were used. These
markers were screened on the parental lines and the backcross generations for the differences between resistant
(score 1) and susceptible (score 5) material. Single marker analysis was done using a t-test and significant
(P<0.001) differences were found between the means of resistant and susceptible plants based on the marker
PT30021. Marker PT30021 showed linkage to the white mould resistance gene, and thus managed to distinguish
between resistant and susceptible materials in parental and advanced generations. Locus PT30021 has the
potential of being used to identify white mould resistant germplasm in marker assisted backcrossing
Expounding selected Shona novelists’ perspectives on ritual murder
No full textThe paper interrogates selected Shona novelists’ perspectives on ritual murder. It establishes that while
the selected novelists manage to address the very topical issue of ritual murder, it is observed that rather
than construing the phenomenon in the broader context of politics and economics, the literary creators
are obsessed with blaming victims for the crime. It further notes that such a parochial and linear projection of ritual murder is uncritical and novelists therefore need to expose the hegemony of the capitalist economic system that impacts negatively on the human moral fibre and in turn push individuals to partake in such an inhuman and barbaric practice as ritual murder. The impingement of life-furthering values by the capitalist system seems to breed avarice such that it is simplistic, narrow and linear to give a mere surface reflection of avaricious consumerism inherent in businessmen in which the traditional healer is a catalyst of ritual murder while exonerating the capitalist economic system which is the incubator of this malady. Appreciation of the literature is guided by Afrocentricity against the backdrop that it places history and culture at the centre of any analysis
Effects of hydration time on quality of pretty woman roses
No full textThe main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of hydration time on quality of Pretty Woman rose cut flower. The experiment was laid out as a 2×2 Factorial in Completely Randomized Design with 4 treatments (Southern Roses standard for 1h in greenhouse and 2h in holding room; Southern Roses standard for 1h in greenhouse and 4h in holding room; Borehole water for 1h in greenhouse and 2h in holding room; Borehole water for 1h in greenhouse and 4h in holding room). Each treatment was replicated four times and randomly assigned to plots. Results showed that there was interaction between hydration time and preservatives on rose openness and quality. Where Southern Roses standard was used in 2h, better quality flowers were obtained compared to those from a 4h period. The same trend was noticed with borehole water which performed better in 2h than 4h holding time hence hydration time and flower preservatives are effective in quality maintenance in rose cut flowers if well combined. The results showed that Southern Roses standard solution of 1h in green house and 2h in holding room at 20ppm concentration had positive effects on rose openness, stem straightness and control of Botrytis incidence whilst borehole water had positive effects on water uptake and quality of cut rose flowers. From the findings of the study, it can be concluded that keeping the flowers for 1h in the greenhouse and 2h in the holding room give the best quality of rose cut flowers
Examining the determinants of corporate governance affecting firm performance in the manufacturing sector of Zimbabwe
No full textCorporate governance studies in Zimbabwe have concentrated on existence of frameworks that control firms. This study focused on the corporate governance factors that are associated with firm performance in the Zimbabwean manufacturing sector. We investigated a sample of 88 companies which were operating at least 80% capacity from 2009 to 2012.Using Return on Assetst (ROA) as a measure of performance and the dependent variable, and 14 corporate governance proxies encompassing board structure, board composition and board procedures as the independent variables, a bivariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed. The results indicated that shareholder concentration, proportion of independent directors, board tenure and access to financial statements are positive and significant to firm performance in the bivariate analysis. On the multivariate regression analysis however, independent directors was positive but not significant. Researchers have not been able to agree on these factors and since corporate governance is largely endogenously determined it can be concluded that factors are influenced by country effects. Thus further studies focusing on similar countries need to be undertaken
Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cell Proportions Are Diminished in Young Helminth Infected Children and Restored by Curative Antihelminthic Treatment
No full textGroup 2 Innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are innate cells that produce the TH2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13. The importance of these cells has recently been demonstrated in experimental models of parasitic diseases but there is a paucity of data on ILC2s in the context of human parasitic infections and in particular of the blood dwelling parasite Schistosoma haematobium. In this case-control study human peripheral blood ILC2s were analysed in relation to infection with the helminth parasite Schistosoma haematobium. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 36 S. haematobium infected and 36 age and sex matched uninfected children were analysed for frequencies of ILC2s identified as Lin-CD45+CD127+CD294+CD161+. ILC2s were significantly lower particularly in infected children aged 6–9 years compared to healthy participants. Curative anti-helminthic treatment resulted in an increase in levels of the activating
factor TSLP and restoration of ILC2 levels. This study demonstrates that ILC2s are diminished in young helminth infected children and restored by removal of the parasites by treatment, indicating a previously undescribed association between a human parasitic infection and ILC2s and suggesting a role of ILC2s before the establishment of protective acquired immunity in human schistosomiasis.,Wellcome Trust (Grant no WT082028MA; (http://www.wellcome.
ac.uk) and Thrasher Research
Fund (www.thrasherresearch.org
The nexus between natural resources and conflict in the Gulf of Guinea: Case of Nigeria
No full textCountries endowed with natural resources such as Nigeria have been susceptible to economic underdevelopment and conflict. Nigeria is an empirical case for the resource curse-a notion that depicts a negative correlation between resource endowment, development and conflict. This study examines the relationship between natural resources, oil in particular and conflict in Nigeria. The study sought to examine the historical development of conflict over oil in Nigeria and to ascertain the impact of structurally-induced scarcity resulting from the distribution of rents in the country. The research was guided by the hypothesis that lack of accountability and unfair distribution of natural resource wealth amalgamated with political and social grievances normally results in explosive conflicts in resource rich countries. The resource curse, greed and grievance theories provided the framework for analysis. The study used the case study design wherein qualitative tools such as documentary search and in-depth interviews with key informants were employed to gather data. Data was analyzed using content analysis for documentary data and thematic analysis for interview data. Information gathered was presented using emerging themes from the data. The main finding of the research is that, the regime governing the oil industry in Nigeria pushes the producing community to the periphery in decision making. The local people are frustrated because of the perception that oil revenue has not been used to improve their livelihoods. This has led them to resort to violence in seeking the attention of the government. The research concludes that conflict in Nigeria is a result of the governance system in the country which does not allow for the equitable distribution of oil wealth. The implication of this is that there is need for the inclusion of the Delta people into the central government such that their needs can be addressed at the highest level. The research recommends the systematic reform of institutions governing the oil industry in Nigeria such that the government would be made accountable on the use of oil revenue
Challenges of a traditional medical practitioner in the Zimbabwean set-up: primary definers and grassroots perspectives
No full textThe paper examines the challenges facing traditional medical knowledge systems among communities in Zimbabwe as a result of a complex number of factors emanating from colonial rule. While many people openly condemn traditional medical practices, when disaster strikes, there is a common predisposition to revert back to the same practices either as a last resort or as the best remedy. The paper indicates that although colonial masters did their best to destroy the traditional medical sector while promoting their own medical sciences and technologies, the formation of traditional medical associations coupled with acknowledgements from white medical practitioners was a testimony of the importance of traditional practices as a remedy to ailments experienced by Africans. Traditional medical practitioners have also suffered from bio-piracy by unscrupulous pharmaceutical companies who, in many cases, have not acknowledged obtaining that knowledge from such sources. The paper also looks at the medical/spiritual dimension of traditional medicines which in part accounts for continued reliance on them by African people. Information for the research was obtained through examination of published and unpublished material as well interviews with practitioners of traditional medicine. The work also made use of responses from those who seek help from traditional sources. Issues of policy were discussed with officials from the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare. The research concluded that traditional medical practices are very important to the day to day life of Africans hence it would be important if policy positions aimed at regularizing and mainstreaming such practices are officially enunciated by the relevant statutory bodies
Bandwidth management in the era of bring your own device
No full textThis research was undertaken to investigate the issue of how universities are managing utilisation of bandwidth in the face of increased Internet traffic in the era of ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD) and increased digital content. In particular, the research sought to find out about what universities in Zimbabwe were doing to ensure efficient utilisation of the limited bandwidth that is experience by most developing countries. A survey was carried out in a sample of five universities to catalogue their experiences. Results showed that most universities in the sample did not have an official Internet Access Policy to assist with bandwidth management. Technical solutions to successful provision of managed network bandwidth within a university involve the application of many network hardware tools, encompassing a number of different techniques, which are often expensive and out of reach of universities. Fortunately a cost-effective solution exists for all universities, which can be deployed regardless of the campus' existing network configuration or installed devices. The authors recommend that using quality of service and bandwidth management policies will enable network administrators to control network traffic flow so that appropriate users and applications get priority during the allocation of network resources. Also, universities must contain in their information technology policies a meaningful Internet Access Policy, which will help universities to develop and refine bandwidth access and usage and allow easy access to network resources
Impact of institutionalisation of orphaned children on their wellbeing
No full textThis study sought to find out the impact of institutionalisation of orphaned children on their wellbeing. A case of an institution (orphanage centre) in Mtoko district of Zimbabwe was used. Ten teachers from the primary school where most of the institutionalized orphaned children learn were randomly sampled and responded to the self designed questionnaire, followed by an interview of 2 purposively selected teachers from a neighbouring secondary school, where some of the older orphans from the same orphanage centre do
attend school. Interviewing secondary school teachers meant to complement findings from the primary school teachers. Out of the 55 orphans at the orphanage centre, 10 orphans (age range 6-21 years) were randomly selected to participate in the focus group discussion. Out of the 10 caregivers, (the employees at the orphanage centre), 5 were conveniently selected to participate in the interview. Age range, and sex of sampled caregivers was (29-55 years, 2 males and 3 females), respectively. The orphans’ wellbeing was satisfactory, ranging from good health status, well balanced emotional attributes, and good social welfare issues, including having good meals and adequate shelter and good education. The institutionalized orphans face the challenges of limited resources and lack of parental affection. The care givers however played loco-parentis role. It was recommended that teachers were to be more emotionally available for the orphaned children. The communities, NGO’s and governments were requested to gear up their support of orphanage centres in order to increase the positive impact of these centres on the wellbeing of orphans
Climate change and Tonga community development: thinking from the periphery
No full textThe minority Tonga Community of the Great Zambezi River Basin (Basilwizi) in Binga District of north-western Zimbabwe suffer a double tragedy which threatens their livelihoods. First they were forcibly removed from the resource-rich flood plain of the Zambezi River to the dry, marginal escarpments of the same river to facilitate the construction of the Kariba Dam in the late 1950s. The same community is now suffering from the vicissitudes of climate change and variability which have rendered their environment even drier and less productive. In spite of this, and with little outside assistance, this subsistence, semi-pastoral community seems determined to prevail. This study assesses the relationship between climate change and environmental change in the context of Tonga minority rural community development. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect qualitative data from Tonga elders and other key informants in the district. Direct observations were used to identify in-situ environmental changes and coping strategies used to ameliorate the effects of climate change and variability. Results show that although the Tonga community is getting some assistance from NGOs and Central Government, the assistance is not sustainable partly because it doesn’t incorporate Tonga traditional knowledge systems which have been the bedrock of Tonga Community resilience for generations. This study posits that for meaningful climate-compatible development to take place in Binga, a community derived development ‘basket of priorities’ identified be used as a basis for sustainable community development. An IDIL-PECF model is thus suggested to help the Tonga community cope with climate change impacts more sustainably