Mbeya University of Science and Technology Journal of Research and Development

Examination of Spatial Deictic Markers in Kingoni

2024-07-01T13:36:29+00:00

This study aimed to examine spatial deixis in Kingoni within the framework of the cognitive semantics approach. A total of 60 adults and grandparents that were purposively selected from 30 households in Songea Rural District were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Data on Kingoni spatial orientation was analysed using thematic and quotation analysis techniques, with special interest in underlying coordinates, body-sidedness, and the absolute and intrinsic frame of reference. The study results show that Kingoni has five deictic terms with movement or motion components categorised into two groups: go (hambai, wukai) and come (bwelai, wuyai, and kiliwukai). It has also been realised that Kingoni is a hybrid system of frames of reference, changing from one frame to another when interacting. It uses object-sidedness (intrinsic frame of reference) and body-sidedness to express or point to something like kumangiga (the right hand) or kumandyoli (the left-hand side). Kingoni exhibits four spatial dimension differences when expressing the location of an object from a given viewpoint. These are apa (near), pala (near far), palanaha (far), and palé (far most). Accordingly, the study recommends continued research in natural language to enrich existing knowledge about deictic markers.

The Status, Strategies, and Consequences of Focusing on National Examinations in Secondary Schools’ Curriculum Implementation: The Case of Mbeya City, Tanzania

2024-07-01T13:44:57+00:00

Effective curriculum implementation enhances lifelong learning and is cemented by a holistic education practice. However, previous studies indicated the prevalence of an examination-focused approach to education delivery among secondary schools in Mbeya City, Tanzania. As such, the present study aimed to examine the current status, strategies, and consequences of secondary schools’ focus on national examinations. The study used a qualitative research design, purposively sampling twenty-four (24) well-informed respondents from four (4) secondary schools in Mbeya City. The findings revealed that secondary schools are still emphasising success in national examinations, adopting strategies that include conducting extra-class sessions, administering weekly and monthly tests, and establishing temporal dormitories. Consequently, these strategies deprive students of holistic learning and fail to align with secondary education objectives. The study recommends that regulators and secondary schools should consider adherence to curriculum objectives and the inclusion of extracurriculars as critical milestones for successful learning.

Willingness to Pay for Watershed Services by Downstream Water Users in Babati District, Tanzania

2024-07-01T14:10:43+00:00

Payment for Ecosystem Services promotes watershed management through Payment for Watershed Services. It encourages improved land management practices in upstream areas to enhance the quantity and quality of water downstream. The Nou Forest Reserve in Babati district covers Lake Manyara's headwaters. Its rivers are the primary water source for the area's inhabitants. However, there have been reports of declining water quality and quantity, presenting an opportunity to introduce payment for watershed services for Nou Forest Reserve conservation and management. The present study was conducted to assess the level of awareness among downstream water users about the importance of watersheds in providing sustainable water supply. Using the Contingent Valuation Method, the study estimated the communities’ willingness to pay for improved watershed services, analysed factors influencing capacity to pay, and examined possible operational modes for implementing payment mechanisms. A total of 155 domestic water users and 50 nondomestic water users were interviewed. It was found that 71% of domestic water users and 82% of non-domestic water users were willing to pay for improved watershed services, with a mean willingness to pay estimated at TAS 1261 per user/year for domestic water users and TAS 112322 per user/year for non-domestic water users. Factors such as gender, occupation, education, and farm size significantly (P<0.05) influenced water users' willingness to pay. Income was a significant factor in the willingness to pay for non-domestic water users, but it was not significant for domestic water users. The current study suggests that downstream water users in Babati district, who act as watershed service buyers, could collect a water user fee based on estimated amounts. This approach would help address declining water quality and quantity through improved watershed management and thus enhance watershed conservation and management.

Spatio-Temporal Diversity and Abundance of Fish in the Little Ruaha River Catchments, Iringa Tanzania

2024-07-01T14:20:26+00:00

Fish are an important component of Tanzania's aquatic biodiversity and contribute to the national economy. However, there has not been a sufficient evaluation of the spatial-temporal distribution of fish in the Little Ruaha River catchments. This study determined the spatiotemporal diversity and abundance of fish and generated information on the spatial distribution of fish across the catchments. Fish samples were collected during the dry and rainy seasons at three sampling sites (upper reach, middle reach, and lower reach) using gillnets of 76.2 mm mesh size. Using the Shannon diversity index, we computed the diversity of fish in different habitats and seasons. We used the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests to determine the differences in fish diversity and abundance between habitats and seasons. We captured a total of 250 fish individuals from five different species. The fish species diversity and relative abundance were higher in the lower reach compared to the upper reach. The relative abundance of fish was statistically different (p = 0.01) between habitat and seasons. However, there was no significant (p = 0.3) difference in fish diversity between habitats and seasons. Oreochromis and Clarias were the most common species across all habitats. Management of river basins should integrate fisheries activities for integrated river basin management.

Design Solar Photovoltaic Diesel Hybrid System with Battery Storage for Rural Remote Area: A Case Study of Mwala Village Mbeya District

2024-07-01T14:32:01+00:00

Reliable hybrid systems (solar photovoltaic and diesel generators) have been shown to produce high-quality energy that supports different social and economic activities in Mwala village and Mbeya region in the United Republic of Tanzania, which contain three hundred households for the purpose of reducing poverty. The system was designed after load demand analysis with the help of Hybrid Optimisation of Multiple Electric Renewables (HOMER) software. For simulations on a diesel generator standalone system, a generator with penetration of renewable energy resources (solar photovoltaic) system, and a solar PV standalone system. The components of the hybrid system configuration include a generator of 24 kW, a solar photovoltaic of 29.5 kW, an inverter of 10.4 kW, and a generic 1 kWh lead acid with 120 strings. The paper features a detailed analysis of fuel consumption, optimisation of the system, capital cost, operating cost, electrical energy obtained, gas emissions, and sensitivity analysis. The result obtained from the model revealed that the total energy generated was about 75366 kWh per year, with an excess of 7240 kWh per year, which increased the reliability of power and allowed the availability of energy for new buildings and electrical appliances. The gas emissions from a generator standalone system were three times higher than those of a reliable hybrid system. Based on the energy demand, the solar PV diesel hybrid system with batteries has proven to supply reliable power 24/7.

The Influence of Perceived Usefulness on Adoption of Mobile Money Services Among Small and Medium Enterprises in Tanzania: A Case of Njombe Town Council

2024-07-01T14:47:35+00:00

Mobile Money Services play a key role in aiding financial inclusion for unbanked Small and Medium Enterprises. Despite the fact that Mobile Money Services were introduced long ago in Tanzania, most Small and Medium Enterprises hesitate to adopt Mobile Money Services. This study focused on assessing the influence of perceived usefulness on the adoption of Mobile Money Services among Small and Medium Enterprise in Tanzania. Perceived usefulness included attributes such as time-saving, effectiveness, performance, and business control. A total of 351 respondents (comprised of Small and Medium Enterprises owners and their workers) were administered a well-structured questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used to analyse data using both multiple liner regression and binary logistic regression. Results showed that perceived usefulness has a strong influence on the adoption of Mobile Money Services among Small and Medium Enterprises. Additionally, both perceived usefulness attributes, when combined, contribute to the adoption of Mobile Money Services among Small and Medium Enterprises. The study recommended that the government develop policies to ensure the availability and accessibility of mobile money services within the economy's financial system.

Histological Identification of Germline Stem Cells’ Recipients for Conservation of Balkan Trout Fish Species by Transplantation Technology

2024-07-01T14:54:38+00:00

Combining cryopreservation of germline stem cells (GSCs) with their subsequent transplantation into recipient fish is a powerful technique for long-term conservation of the genetic resources of threatened fish species. However, transplantation of GSCs has been limited by a failure to identify an appropriate recipient for surrogate production of donor-derived gametes. In the worst-case scenario, recipients may completely reject the transplanted GSCs due to an immunological reaction. This limitation can be overcome by specifying the gonadal status of both GSC donor and recipient species. This study used histological methods to identify possible GSC recipients for rescuing endangered trout fish species on the Balkan Peninsula. The study specified the gonadal status of brown trout, triploid rainbow trout, and tiger trout. The findings revealed that both triploid rainbow trout and tiger trout are sterile. The fish's testes contained only early-stage germ cells and did not develop past type-B spermatogonia, whereas the ovaries contained only oogonia. Both spermatogenesis and oogenesis were incomplete in these fish, and the gametes, i.e., functional spermatozoa and eggs, could not be formed. As a result, these fish make excellent recipients for GSC transplantation. Because most Balkan trout belong to the genus Salmo and closely related species, tiger trout would be a more feasible recipient of GSCs due to the small phylogenetic distance, as it is a hybrid of brown trout female and brook trout male.