Browsing by Title
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Baloi, B.; Matsheka, M.I.; Gashe, B.A. (Global Science Books, http://www.globalsciencebooks.info/, NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: Halophilic bacteria from the Makgadikgadi salt pans in north central Botswana were isolated using culture-dependent methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis were used to identify the strains. Culturing was done aerobically in six different complex salt media. Salt concentrations used were 1Halophilic bacteria from the Makgadikgadi salt pans in north central Botswana were isolated using culture-dependent methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis were used to identify the strains. Culturing was done aerobically in six different complex salt media. Salt concentrations used were 15, 20, 25 and 30% (2.6, 3.4, 4.3 and 5.1 M, respectively) NaC1, at pH 7.2 to pH 8.0. Four colony morphology types were isolated in axenic cultures comprising Gram-positive cells. Universal bacterila primers were used to amplify 16S rDNA from chromosomal DNA isolated from three of the four distinct colony groups. Restriction enzyme digest analysis of the 16S rDNA revealed seven RFLP types. Five of the RFLP types were subjected to sequencing. Comparison of the 16S rDNA sequence alignment to reference sequence data bases showed samples S2012A3, S2012B2 and S2012B3 to have between 95 and 99% homology to Bacillus sp. BH 164 and Bacillus sp. HS 136T, a novel species recently described as Bacillus persepolensis. Isolate S4102D4 showed 95 to 99% homology to Thalassobacillus sp. JY0201 and Thalassobacillus sp. FIB228 and Halobacillus sp. MO56 species. All five isolates had at least 95% similarity to published sequences implying they could be species within the described genera. A sub-tree drawn to compare the isolates indicated two phyletic lines with S4102D4 being an outlying strain and S2012A3, S2012B and S2012B3 being a closely related clonal group all of which branch from Bacillus sp. BH 164. Pending conclusive culture, biochemical and polar lipid composition data these microorganisms are regarded as previously un-described and therefore novel species of halophilic bacteria. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/920 Files in this item: 1
Matsheka_AJPSB_2011.pdf (525.8Kb) -
Rathedi, M. (Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, www.thuto.org/pula/html/, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Poverty is a complex problem and reducing it depends upon many interconnected factors. It cannot be attributed to one main cause. Its reduction is possible only by achieving economic growth. An indirect causal connection between growth and poverty reduction can be seen because governments will have greater scope for action through suitable policy measures that can take care of the interests of the poor. In spite of the efforts of most of the developing countries, where the levels of poverty are high, to reduce the magnitude of poverty, the percentage of people living below the poverty level has not been reduced significantly. Of course, international financial institutions have been extending the necessary assistance by setting the goals. But poverty reduction lies in the nature of the growth process itself, as determined by the set of economic policies that are being pursued by governments to justify actions targeted towards the poor. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/883 Files in this item: 1
Rathedi_PBJAS_2003.pdf (574.5Kb) -
Mutula, S. (Emerald Publishing Group Ltd; www.emeraldinsight.com/nlw.htm, July NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper is a spin off of a keynote address that was delivered by the author at the IFLA-Africa section workshop on 'developing and managing digital libraries'that was held in Gaborone Botswana from 23-27 February 2004. The author points out that libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa like their counterparts in the rest of the world are continuing to experience a period of rapid change as they prepare to participate in the global information society. In this endeavour, the libraries face various challenges of economic, technological, content, and information literacy nature. In a global information society, there is need to democratize access to information using ICTs, provide adequate and relevant local content to users and equip them with requisite information literacy skills to efficiently find their way in a maze of information networks. This paper discusses the patterns of ICTs diffusion within libraries in Sub-Saharan Africa and the implications for the development and management of digital libraries. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/167 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb)mutula1.pdf (111.9Kb) -
Mgaya, K.V.; Kitindi, E.G. (Inderscience Publishers, http://www.inderscience.com, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Information Technology (IT) skills are important for practising accountants and accounting educators. This paper reports on a study done to evaluate the levels of IT skills of practising and accounting educators in Botswana, as well as their views on the important IT skills for practising accountants. A questionnaire was administered to 27 accounting lecturers and 250 practising accountants. Respondents were asked to indicate their IT skills levels as well as their views on the important IT skills that practising accountants should have. The results show that the self-reported IT skills of practising and accounting educators are lower than what they think practising accountants should have. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/584 Files in this item: 1
E.G.Kitindi.at.el-ISAPAB.pdf (1.742Mb) -
Togarasei, L. (Research and Development Unit, University of Botswana, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Most of the literature on religion and politics in Africa celebrates the role that churches have played in fighting the oppressive yoke of colonialism, in fighting the ills of ethnicity and tribalism and in the process of democratisation in post-colonial Africa. There are, however, few academic works that investigate how churches are affected by secular politics. This article contributes to such an investigation. It does so through a critical examination of the reasons that led to the division of the Family of God Church in Botswana. Its argument is that the reasons that led to the division of this church are not only intra-church but also inter-state politics. From a study of the experiences of this church, the article concludes that although the church may have been experiencing internal problems, its division into two groups was also influenced by inter-state politics between Botswana and Zimbabwe. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/642 Files in this item: 1
Togarasei_PULA_2008.pdf (105.4Kb) -
Fako, T.T.; Forcheh, N. (Taylor & Francis, www.taylorandfrancis.com, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: In this paper the authors examines the extent of job satisfaction and dissatisfaction in a national sample of 325 nurses working in hospitals, clinics and health posts in Botswana. The analyses explored the effects of background variables, work context variables, resources variables, recognition and support variables, and union membership on job satisfaction. The findings show that nurses were generally not satisfied with their jobs. Twelve of the 31 variables examined were found to be associated with job satisfaction. Age, basic level of education, level of nursing training, level of income, extent of satisfaction with income, type of health facility, adequacy of telecommunication facilities and overall health since posting were found to have strong and positive associations with job satisfaction. Adequacy of equipment, recognition from supervisors, and overall health before posting had moderate and positive effects on job satisfaction. Satisfaction with current workstation had a positive but weak relationship with job satisfaction. No relationship was found between job satisfaction and other work environment variables such as adequacy of transport, opportunity for in-service training and relationships with peers. Similarly, workload was not found to be an important determinant of job satisfaction among nurses, nor were community involvement and membership of nursing organisations. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1132 Files in this item: 1
Fako_ST_2000.pdf (1.521Mb) -
Shuma-Iwisi, M.V. (University of Botswana, NaN, 1998)[more][less]
Abstract: One of the application areas of digital multiplexers is in implementation of logic equations. Truth tables can be used as a design tool, but they become very limited when design details are explored.It will be shown in this paper that the Karnaugh map (K-map) is an essential tool in the systematic detailed design of combinational circuits using multiplexers. The K-map will be used in two ways.First as a visual tool and secondly as a tool for decision making criteria. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/619 Files in this item: 1
Suma-Iwisi_BJT_1998.pdf (1.304Mb) -
Jourdan, F.; Fe´raud, G.; Bertrand, H.; Kampunzu, A.B.; Tshoso, G.; Le Gall, B.; Tiercelin, J.-J.; Capiez, P. (Elservier www.elsevier.com/locate/epsl, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: The lower Jurassic Karoo–Ferrar magmatism represents one of the most important Phanerozoic continental flood basalt (CFB) provinces. The Karoo CFB province is dominated by tholeiitic traps and apparently radiating giant dyke swarms covering altogether ca. 3 106 km2. This study focuses on the giant N110j-trending Okavango dyke swarm (ODS) stretching over 1500 km across Botswana. This dyke swarm represents the main (failed) arm of the so-called Karoo triple junction that is generally considered as a key marker of the impingement of the Karoo starting mantle plume head. ODS dolerites yield six new plagioclase 40Ar/39Ar plateau (and miniplateau) ages ranging from 178.7F0.7 and 180.9F1.3 Ma. The distribution of the ages along a narrow Gaussian curve suggests a short period of magmatic activity centered around 179 Ma, i.e., f5 Ma younger than the emplacement age of Karoo mafic magmas in the southern part of the Karoo CFB province (f184). This age difference indicates that Karoo magmatism does not represent a short-lived event as is generally the case for most CFB but lasted at least 5Ma over the whole province. In addition, small clusters of plagioclase separated from 28 other dykes and measured by ‘‘speedy’’ step-heating experiments (with mostly two to three steps), gave either ‘‘Karoo’’ or Proterozoic ages. Integrated ages of the Proterozoic rocks range from 851F6 to 1672F7 Ma, and one plateau age (959.1F4.6 Ma) and one possibly geologically significant weightedmean age (982.7F4.0 Ma) were obtained. Proterozoic and Karoo mafic rocks are petrographically similar, but Proterozoic dykes display clear geochemical differences (e.g., TiO2 < 2.1%) with the Karoo high-Ti ODS (TiO2>2.1%). Geochemical data combined with available Ar/Ar dates allow the identification of the two groups within a total set of 77 dykes investigated: f10% of the bulk ODS dykes are Proterozoic. Thus, the Jurassic Karoo ODS dykes were emplaced along reactivated Proterozoic structures and there is no pristine Jurassic Nuanetsi triple junction as commonly proposed. This throws into doubt the validity of the ‘‘active plume head’’ Karoo CFB rift models as being responsible for the observed ‘‘triple junction’’ dyke geometry URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/383 Files in this item: 1
Kampunzu2004KarooTripleJunction.pdf (1.306Mb) -
Chebanne, A. (Routledge (Taylor and francis) www.routledge.com, NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The Khoisan people are one of the indigenous peoples of Southern Africa. Botswana has the greatest diversity of these autochthonous communities. As ethnic minorities, they are characterized in the main by small numbers, aboriginality, and necessitousness compared to other ethnic communities who readily engage modern socioeconomic dynamics of the country. They are generally marginalized and their ethnic and social identity is completely eclipsed because in Botswana they are lumped together in cultural and language development with the main society and this has only exacerbated their plight as they are reeling under assimilation and marginalization. This situation has the effect of ethno-linguistic endangerment as they lose their individual ethnic and linguistic identities. Their agitations for ethno-linguistic preservation rights have been put in the lime-light by Human Rights NGOs. This paper examines the condition of these people within the current monolithic cultural framework, which has the effect of annihilating the Khoisan. It argues that handling the Khoisan issues within a multicultural discourse framework would be the most palpable way to cater for their continued existence as indigenous communities. It is through their languages, their preserved ethnicity, and within a framework of multicultural discourses that they can best communicate their identity through their culture. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/999 Files in this item: 1
Chebanne_JMD_2010.pdf (1.755Mb) -
Oyetunji, O.A.; Paphane, B.D.; Becker, C.A.L. (Springer, http://www.springer.com/chemistry/journal/11243, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: The interaction of pyridine with four tetraki(arylisocyanide)cobalt(II) complexes, [Co(CNR)4(ClO4)2] R = 2,6- Me2C6H3 (A), 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (B), 2,6-Et2C6H3 (C) and 2,6-iPr2C6H3 (D), have been studied in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol medium. The kinetics of the reactions were investigated over the 293–318 K temperature range. The reaction profile exhibited two distinct processes, proposed to be an initial fast substitution followed by a slow reduction, for each of the reactions. The pseudo first-order rate constants for both processes increased with increasing concentration of pyridine with the reduction processes exhibiting saturation kinetics at high pyridine concentrations. Steric hindrance plays a significant role in the rates of the reactions, as the rates decrease in the order k(A) > k(B) > k(C) > k(D). The activation enthalpies, DH , increase from A to D while the activation entropies, DS , are relatively similar for the four reactions, indicating similar transition states and hence similar mechanisms. Complex B was first synthesized and characterized in this study. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1033 Files in this item: 1
Oyetunji_TMC_2006.pdf (911.4Kb) -
Moswela, B. (IJLE, http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tled20, January NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: The nature of teaching exposes teachers to civil liabilities. In the process of teaching teachers need to discipline students who display bad behaviour. In disciplining the students, teachers use a variety of punishments including corporal punishment. Without knowledge of the legal implications of their actions, inadvertently they may find themselves on the wrong side of the law. This paper makes the argument that knowledge of educational law by teachers has now become imperative given the litigiousness of the parents and their children. Over and above the paper’s exhortation for the introduction of educational law to teacher training institutions, it also argues for the provision of in-service courses in educational law to serving teachers as a lifelong or continuous learning endeavour. This is made following the results of a survey that revealed miniscule or no knowledge of educational law among teachers. The data for the investigation were gathered using a questionnaire survey on teachers and school administrators. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1077 Files in this item: 1
Moswela_IJLE_2008.pdf (2.944Mb) -
Chimbari, M.J.; Shiff, C.J. (Taylor & Francis, May 5, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Preliminary laboratory studies were conducted to determine the molluscicidal potency of Jatropha curcas, the physic nut. Biomphalaria glabrata and Bulinus globosus snails were exposed to varying concentrations of aqueous extracts of crushed J. curcas seeds from unripe, ripe and overripe fruits collected from two geographically different sites, (Bindura and Kariba, Zimbabwe). Snail mortalities were compared between different developmental stages of J. curcas and between seed collection areas, and LC50 and LC90 values for the different extracts tested were computed. Biomphalaria glabrata was most susceptible to unripe fruit seed extract (with LC50 values of 282 and 389 mg l-1 being recorded for Kariba-origin and Bindura-origin plants, respectively) and least susceptible to ripe fruit seed extracts (with LC50 values of 605 and 708 mg l-1 being recorded for Kariba-origin and Bindura-origin plants, respectively). Bulinus globosus was most susceptible to overripe fruit seed extract (Kariba-origin plants: LC50, 389 mg l-1) and least susceptible to unripe fruit seed extract (Kariba-origin plants: LC50, 687 mg l-1). The area from which fruits were collected did not influence the potency of J. curcas. The potency of J. curcas depends on both the developmental stage of the fruit and the species of the target snail. In view of its many other uses, besides as a molluscicide, we recommend further studies on J. curcas. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/809 Files in this item: 1
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Muatjetjeja, B.; Chalique, C.M. (Elsevier http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleListURL&_method=list&_ArticleListID=1120288190&view=c&_acct=C000043160&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=778200&md5=2911144ac0b419d4936d24596384b313, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper aims to classify a generalized coupled Lane–Emden system and to compute the Noether operators corresponding to a Lagrangian for a generalized coupled Lane–Emden system which occurs in the modelling of several physical phenomena such as pattern formation, population evolution and chemical reactions. In addition the first integrals for the Lane–Emden system are constructed with respect to Noether operators. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/416 Files in this item: 1
Muatjetjetja_CNSNS_2009.pdf (467.2Kb) -
Lezine, A-M.; von Grafenstein, U.; Andersen, N.; Belmecheri, S.; Bordon, A.; Caron, B.; Cazet, J.-P.; Erlenkeuser, H.; Fouache, E.; Grenier, C.; Huntsman-Mapila, P.; Hureau-Mazaudier, D.; Manelli, D.; Mazaud, A.; Robert, C.; Sulpizio, R.; Tiercelin, J.-J.; Zanchetta, G.; Zeqollari, Z. (Elsevier, January 11, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: Multi-proxy analyses on core JO2004-1 recovered from Lake Ohrid (40°55.000 N, 20°40.297E, 705 m a.s.l.) provide the first environmental and climate reconstruction in a mountainous area in Southern Europe over the last 140,000 years. The response of both lacustrine and terrestrial environments to climate change has been amplified by the peculiar geomorphological and hydrological setting, with a steep altitudinal gradient in the catchment and a karstic system feeding the lake. The karstic system was active during interglacials, leading to high carbonate production in the lake, and blocked during glacials as a result of extremely cold climate conditions with permafrost in the mountains. At the Riss–Eemian transition (Termination 2) the increase in lacustrine productivity predated forest expansion by about 10,000 years. In contrast, the Late Glacial–Holocene transition (Termination 1) was characterized by the dramatic impact of the Younger Dryas, which initially prevented interglacial carbonate production and delayed its maximum until the mid- Holocene. In contrast, forest expansion was progressive, starting as early as ca. 38,000 ago. The proximity of high mountains and the probable moderating lake effect on local climate conditions promoted forest expansion, and contributed to make the surroundings of Lake Ohrid favourable to forest refugia during the last glacial, usually steppic, period. Our study of sedimentology, mineralogy, geochemistry, magnetics, palynology and isotopes illustrates the non-linear response of terrestrial and lacustrine ecosystems to similar climate events, and demonstrates the potential of Lake Ohrid as an excellent paleoclimatic archive during the Quaternary. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/607 Files in this item: 1
LakeOhrid.pdf (1.662Mb) -
Kalabamu, F.T. (Elsevier Science Ltd. http://www.elsevier.com/locate/landusepol, NaN, 2000)[more][less]
Abstract: Since attainment of independence, almost every country in East and Southern Africa has introduced some kind of land reform aimed at reconciling indigenous land tenure practices and those introduced by colonial regimes. The reforms have centred on modi"cation of tenurial rules on access, ownership, administration and transfer of land rights coupled with land redistribution and/or restitution in some countries. With the exception of a few countries, such as Botswana, land reforms have largely remained on statute books with little to show on the ground. The paper gives an overview of land reforms in East and Southern Africa, taking Botswana as a case study. It notes that although Botswana has largely been successful in implementing land reforms, it is currently experiencing land tenure problems, especially in peri-urban settlements and inner city low-income areas, despite government's enhanced control over local land administrative structures. The paper ends with suggestions on how to contain the current problems. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1134 Files in this item: 1
Kalabamu_LUP_2000.pdf (1.757Mb) -
Darkoh, M.; Mbaiwa, J. (Blackwell, http://www.wiley-blackwell.com, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This study assesses land-use conflicts in the Okavango wetland ecosystem. A survey of the livelihood activities of a sample of four villages has been carried out and a stakeholder approach used to identify and analyse the key actors involved in resource competition and conflicts in the area. Traditional and emerging stakeholders were identified and found to be in conflict not only with each other but within themselves. Institutional policies on land use in the area are not properly harmonized, and there has been a top-down approach to development planning and implementation of development programmes. As a result, land-use conflicts have escalated in the area. The Okavango Delta Management Plan adopted in 2007 should integrate and harmonize all the land-use policies, and land management in the area. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/828 Files in this item: 1
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Darkoh, M.B.K.; Mbaiwa, J.E. (Wiley, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This study assesses land-use conflicts in the Okavango wetland ecosystem. A survey of the livelihood activities of a sample of four villages has been carried out and a stakeholder approach used to identify and analyse the key actors involved in resource competition and conflicts in the area. Traditional and emerging stakeholders were identified and found to be in conflict not only with each other but within themselves. Institutional policies on land use in the area are not properly harmonized, and there has been a top-down approach to development planning and implementation of development programmes. As a result, land-use conflicts have escalated in the area. The Okavango Delta Management Plan adopted in 2007 should integrate and harmonize all the land-use policies, and land management in the area. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/730 Files in this item: 1
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Letsholo, R. (Routledge (Taylor and Francis)/www.routledge.com, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This article reports the findings of a study whose objective was to investigate whether there was a likelihood of a language shift (or loss) from Ikalanga (a minority language spoken in Botswana) to either Setswana or English. The focus of the investigation was 17-25 year olds. The findings indicate that although Ikalanga (unlike indigenous languages like Khoe and Shekgalagadi) is not under imminent threat of loss, there are, nevertheless, clear indications of a gradual shift to Setswana. This conclusion was reached based on informants’ language use patterns and their attitudes towards using their mother tongue, particularly around people with a different mother tongue from them. The results show that informants use Setswana frequently, even in domains where they could use their mother tongue, e.g. when speaking to peers from the same mother tongue. In addition, the responses to a question which required them to indicate which language(s) they would use with their children show that the subjects embrace linguistic diversity (a large majority indicated they would teach their children Ikalanga, Setswana and English), showing no clear conviction to Ikalanga. Some of the subjects also expressed negative feelings towards using their mother tongue around non-native speakers of the language. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/766 Files in this item: 1
Letsholo_IJBEB_2009.pdf (1.261Mb) -
Kamwendo, G.H.; Mooko, T. (Walter de Gruyter, http://www.degruyter.de, November NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: The article discusses language planning in two Southern African countries, Botswana and Malawi. Both countries are multilingual and multicultural. They also share a common British colonial history. At independence, the two countries retained English as the official language. In Botswana, Setswana was made the national language while in Malawi, it was Chichewa. Over the years, these languages have been developed and promoted at the expense of other indigenous languages, a situation that has prompted linguistic minorities to engage in the language-based politics of recognition. The article discusses how Botswana and Malawi are responding to the call for the official recognition of more indigenous languages in domains such as government, education, and mass media. Relevant comparisons and contrasts between Botswana and Malawi are drawn in this regard in the article. One clear common denominator is the dominance of English in official domains in the two countries. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/829 Files in this item: 1
Kamwendo_IJSL_2006.pdf (1.340Mb) -
Kamwendo, G.H. (Routledge. http://www.informaworld.com, August NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: According to the Medical Council of Malawi, one of the conditions for a licence to be granted to an individual who wants to practise medicine in Malawi is the practitioner's ability to speak and write English fluently. This means that the expatriate medical practitioner is not required by law to demonstrate fluency in Chichewa (the national language) or any other relevant indigenous language(s). On the basis of a sociolinguistic study that was conducted at a major referral hospital in a predominantly Chitumbuka-speaking town, this paper argues that the Medical Council of Malawi erroneously assumes that English is the main language of doctor-patient communication in Malawian hospitals since the country is linguistically categorised as an English speaking African country. Yet only a minority of the population is competent in English. The national language (Chichewa), and other indigenous languages remain the main medium through which much of the health service provider-patient communication takes place. A more realistic and comprehensive language proficiency testing should cover English (the main international language of medicine) and at least one indigenous language (the lingua franca of the area in which a particular hospital is located). URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/540 Files in this item: 1
Kamwendo_CILP_2008.pdf (633.9Kb)