Browsing by Title
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Cheng, C.; Jose, P.E.; Sheldon, K.M.; Singelis, T.M.; Cheung, M.W.L.; Tiliouine, H.; Alao, A.A.; Chio, J.H.M.; Lui, J.Y.M.; Chun, W.Y.; De Zavala, A.G.; Hukuzimana, A.; Hertel, J.; Liu, J.T.; Onyewadume, M.; Sims, C. (JCCP, http://jcc.sagepub.com, July NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: In this study, the authors tested four cultural models—independence, interdependence, conflict, and integration—that describe the hypothesized relationships between dimensions of self-construal and components of subjective well-being among individualistic and collectivistic countries. Collectivistic countries that have undergone rapid socioeconomic changes (i.e., East Asian countries) and those with limited changes (i.e., African countries) were differentiated. Participants were 791 university students from four Western countries, 749 university students from three East Asian countries, and 443 university students from three African countries. Findings provided some support for the applicability of (a) the independence model to individuals from Western countries and (b) the integration model to individuals from East Asian countries. Mixed results were found among the African countries. The interdependence model is more applicable to African participants from the sub-Saharan region, but the integration model is more applicable to those from the North African region. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1110 Files in this item: 1
Onyewadume_JCCP_2011.pdf (5.837Mb) -
Kamwendo, G. H. (Southern African Comparative and History of Education Society (SACHES). http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_sare.html, October NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: During the first 30 years of Malawi’s independence (1964-1994), the country was under President Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s one-party authoritarian rule. In line with Banda’s nation-building ideology, Malawi pursued the policy of one nation, one party (the Malawi Congress Party), one leader (Life President Banda) and one national language (Chichewa). Despite the fact that Malawi is multilingual and multiethnic, the Banda regime created a political atmosphere under which non-Chewa ethnic and/or linguistic identities were suppressed. A political system was established that muzzled academic and other freedoms. Academia, for instance, was deprived of its critical and objective voice. The then only university, the University of Malawi, was carefully monitored to ensure that so-called subversive disciplines or topics were not on offer. Sociolinguistic research was one of the academic disciplines that did not enjoy meaningful academic freedom. The demise of the Banda regime in 1994 and the adoption of a new constitution that embraces various freedoms (including academic freedom) have meant that there are no longer political constraints on academic freedom. However, new forms of constraint on academic freedom have arisen. These are economic constraints, many emanating from the research-funding agencies’ agendas. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1106 Files in this item: 1
Kamwendo_SAREEP_2006.pdf (99.15Kb) -
Bird, M.I.; Veenendaal, E.M.; Lloyd, J.J. (John Wiley and Sons, www.wiley.com, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: We present a study of soil organic carbon (SOC) inventories and δ13C values for 625 soil cores collected from well-drained, coarse-textured soils in eight areas along a 1000 km moisture gradient from Southern Botswana, north into southern Zambia. The spatial distribution of trees and grass in the desert, savannah and woodland ecosystems along the transect control large systematic local variations in both SOC inventories and δ13C values. A stratified sampling approach was used to smooth this variability and obtain robust weighted-mean estimates for both parameters. Weighted SOC inventories in the 0–5 cm interval of the soils range from 7 mg cm−2 in the driest area (mean annual precipitation, MAP=225 mm) to 41±12 mg cm−2 in the wettest area (MAP=910 mm). For the 0–30 cm interval, the inventories are 37.8 mg cm−2 for the driest region and 157±33 mg cm−2 for the wettest region. SOC inventories at intermediate sites increase as MAP increases to approximately 400–500 mm, but remain approximately constant thereafter. This plateau may be the result of feedbacks between MAP, fuel load and fire frequency. Weighted δ13C values decrease linearly in both the 0–5 and 0–30 cm depth intervals as MAP increases. A value of –17.5±1.0‰ characterizes the driest areas, while a value of −25±0.7‰ characterizes the wettest area. The decrease in δ13C value with increasing MAP reflects an increasing dominance of C3 vegetation as MAP increases. SOC in the deeper soil (5–30 cm depth) is, on average, 0.4±0.3‰ enriched in 13C relative to SOC in the 0–5 cm interval. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/942 Files in this item: 1
Bird Veneendaal 2004.pdf (1.620Mb) -
Shaikh, M.; Moleele, N.; Ekosse, G.I.E.; Totolo, O.; Atlhopheng, J. (JASEM http://www.ajol.info/index.php/jasem/article/view/43693/27216, June NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Since 1988 Botswana has been experiencing an unprecedented increase in vehicular traffic which is suspected to be having contamination effects on soils along heavily used roads in the country. This study aimed at understanding the contamination trends of heavy metals on soils due to vehicular emissions. The soil physicochemistry (bulk density, particle size distribution, pH, electrical conductivity and cation exchange capacity), mineralogy (using x-ray diffraction techniques) and heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) concentrations were determined for soil samples obtained along the roadside at 2m, 4m, 6m and 100 m of the Gaborone – Tlokweng Emigration/Immigration Boarder Post Road, which is one of the busiest in the country. Bulk density of soil samples were from 1.19 to 1.4; and sand, loamy sand and sandy loam textural classes constituted the soil samples. The soil pH was from 5.09 to 8.57; the EC ranged from 6.27 μS cm-1to 20.3 27 μS cm-1 and the CEC values were from 10.2 meq100g-1 to 27.2 meq100g-1. Clay minerals were identified in the samples as well as feldspar and quartz. The concentration levels for Pb were from 0 mgkg-1 to 71 mgkg-1; Zn were from 5.23 mgkg-1 to 51.26 mgkg-1 ; Cu were from 0.3 mgkg-1 to 18.1 mgkg-1 and Cd 0 mgkg-1 to 2.4 mgkg-1 . The interplay of soil physico-chemistry and mineralogy on heavy metals concentrations is discussed. Although levels of heavy metals concentrations fell below normal ranges, the values obtained were generally higher than those from some developed and developing countries. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/361 Files in this item: 1
Shaikh_JASEM_2006.pdf (1.018Mb) -
Bonyongo, M.C.; Mubyana, T. (South African Journal of Science, http://www.sajs.co.za/, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: WETLANDS SUCH AS THE OKAVANGO Delta, located in semi-arid regions, are of great ecological, environmental and socio-economic importance. In most cases, however, few data exist on nutrient cycling in these areas. This paper presents preliminary results of an ongoing study, which investigates the influence of seasonal flooding on soil nutrient status in the different vegetation communities of the delta. Soil K, Na, and pH significantly increased with a decrease in soil moisture, with the values increasing from the primary floodplains to the islands communities. Available P, Ca and Mg decreased as the elevation gradient increased from the riverbed. Although nutrient status generally was highest in the floodplain vegetation areas adjacent to the riverbed, there was no significant difference in available P, Ca and Mg within the vegetation communities. Calcium levels in the different vegetation zones were more influenced by rainfall than floodplain vegetation community. Higher soil Ca was observed in the rainy season, while elevated Mg was recorded after the rains. Overall, these results indicate that flooding is an essential aspect of the Okavango Delta as it may be a primary source of some of the soil nutrients that support the high diversity of plants sustaining the delta’s ecosystem. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/401 Files in this item: 1
Soil nutrient status.pdf (1.635Mb) -
Mosweu, S. (Academic Journals, http://www.academicjournals.org/SRE, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: The distribution of selected soil properties, selected woody vegetation properties, and land use in a lunette dune-pan system were investigated in the Sekoma area, which is located within the IGBP Kalahari Transect (KT) in Botswana. KT was established by the IGBP for studies focusing on both regional and global environmental changes. The study showed that the lunette dune-pan system exhibited substantial spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of the selected soil attributes. This limited the extent to which variation in the investigated vegetation characteristics could be explained on the basis of soil resources distribution. Encroacher plant species were found to be prevalent in the sites that were subjected to higher land use pressure. The study concluded that land use, particularly browsing, was the principal environmental driver and had precedence over the distribution of the selected soil attributes in relation to woody plant properties in the lunette dune-pan system. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/964 Files in this item: 1
Mosweu_SRE_2008.pdf (783.3Kb) -
Ketlogetswe, C.; Fiszdon, J.K.; Seabe, O.O. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/rser, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: Import of a huge proportion of electrical energy from the Southern African Power Pool, and the geographical location and population distribution of Botswana stimulated the need to consider renewable energy as an alternative to imported power. The paper describes a systematic experimental study on a mini-solar chimney system. Particular attention is given to measurements of air velocity, temperature and solar radiation. The results for the selected 5 and 6 clear days of October and November, respectively, are presented. These results enable the relationship between average insolation, temperature difference and velocity for selected clear days to be discussed. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/271 Files in this item: 1
Ketlogetswe_RSER12_2008.pdf (1.195Mb) -
Ketlogetswe, C.; Mothudi, T.H. (Elsevier Science Ltd. http://www.elsevier.com/locate/rser, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Lack of access to electricity grid form the main challenge facing majority of developing regions particularly in rural communities. The situation is driven mostly by the absence of electricity infrastructure in most of the developing countries particularly in rural communities. A number of developing countries are now encouraging the use of solar home systems in isolated areas. Botswana is not immune to this trend. Consequently, available evidence puts the overall contribution of solar energy to primary energy supply in Botswana to less than 1%. A plethora of factors are responsible for inhibiting rapid development of solar home systems in isolated areas in Botswana. Some major impediments often cited as causing low use of solar home systems by rural communities in Botswana include, among others, the following: (i) Low-income status of most rural inhabitants. (ii) Migration of house-owners from village status to lands, or cattle posts. This paper, therefore, analyses factors that impede the rapid development of photovoltaics power generation systems in rural environments in Botswana. The analysis is based on photovoltaic power generation pilot project which was carried out in three (3) villages in Botswana, namely Kudumatse, Lorolwana and Motlhabaneng. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/327 Files in this item: 1
Ketlogetswe_RSER_2009.pdf (1.107Mb) -
Ganesan, C.T. (University of Botswana, NaN, 1998)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper is the outcome of students'project work guided by the author. An attempt has been made to design and develop a solar still for rose water production in India. This unit has the following features:i) possibility of tilt adjustments to suit the different altitudes of sun,ii)specially designed stepped basin for conveniently keeping the rose petals and water in an inclined position and iii)cover which can be opened to facilitate the cleaning operations.This unit supplied 3.7litres of rose water in three days during winter in Madras, in India. The sunshine and solar radiation particulars of Botswana are shown to indicate that a better climatic conditions prevail here for a higher production rate. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/640 Files in this item: 1
Ganesan_BJT_1998.pdf (345.3Kb) -
Ganesan, C.T. (University of Botswana, http://www.ub.bw, NaN, 1998)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper is the outcome of students'project guided by the author. An attempt has been made to design and develop a solar still for rose production in India. This unit has the following features:i) possibility of tilt adjustments to suit different altitudes of sun,ii) specially designed steep basin for conveniently keeping the rose petals and water in an inclined position and iii)cover which can be opened to facilitate the cleaning operations. This unit supplied 3.7 litres of rose water in three days during winter in Madras, in India. The sunshine and solar radiation particulars of Botswana are shown to indicate that a better climatic conditions prevail here for a higher production rate. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/684 Files in this item: 1
Gaesan_bJT_1998.pdf (2.287Mb) -
Oladiran, M.T.; Pheko, H. (Elsevier Science Ltd, http://journals.elsevier.com/00014575/accident-analysis-and-prevention/, NaN, 1995)[more][less]
Abstract: In many African countries, including Botswana, the driving schools and instruction given to pupils are uncontrolled. Thus, this paper presents the results of an investigation into the level of professional training offered by the driving schools in Gaborone. A total of 400 randomly selected drivers completed questionnaires on their training, accident records, and L-tests. Male trainee drivers received more instruction than females, and there was some indication that the pass rate on L-tests was lower for female drivers. Also, the pickup van forms the majority of the national vehicle population. It accounts for almost 40% of the accidents but is presently not used for training in the commercial driving schools. It is concluded that the quality of professional instruction in driving schools needs improvement so that learners can be encouraged to take training from these institutes. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/669 Files in this item: 1
Oladiran_AAP_1995.pdf (1.673Mb) -
Adeyemi, M.B. (IJSRE, http://www.ijsre.com, March NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper focused on the positive stereotypes junior secondary school students have of nationalities outside Africa. In addition, the paper examined the sources of the positive stereotypes as perceived by the students while implications were drawn for teacher education. A sample of 105 students matched some positive stereotypes to some nationalities, using the Princeton Trilogy. According to the findings, ten nationalities appeared mostly when the positive attributes such as scientifically-minded, intelligent, industrious, efficient, sportsmanlike, democratic, straightforward, alert, pleasure-loving and patriotic were matched by the students with various nationalities from their perceptions. The sources of information of these positive stereotypes were attributed by the students to the Internet, stories, television programmes, textbooks, friends, newspapers, radio, teachers’ interaction, and other minor sources in that order. Some implications were drawn from the findings for teaching and teacher education which included the effective teaching of decision making processes, diversity through multicultural education, and the globalization of the teacher education programmes across the world. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/973 Files in this item: 1
Adeyemi_IJSRE_2011.pdf (1.666Mb) -
Wright, C.; Kgaswane, E.M.; Kwadiba, M.T.O.; Simon, R.E.; Nguuri, T.K.; McRae-Samuel, R. (Elsevier Science Ltd. www.elsevier.com/locate/lithos, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Events induced by deep gold-mining activity on the edge of the Witwatersrand basin dominate the seismicity of South Africa. The deployment of 54 broad-band seismic stations at 84 separate locations across southern Africa between April 1997 and April 1999 (Kaapvaal network) enabled the seismicity of South Africa to be better defined over a 2-year period. Seismic events located by the South African national network, and by localized seismic networks deployed in mines or across goldmining areas, were used to evaluate earthquake location procedures and to show that the Kaapvaal network locates mininginduced tremors with an average error of 1.56 ± 0.10 km compared with 9.50 ± 0.36 km for the South African network. Travel times of seismic events from the mines recorded at the Kaapvaal network indicate regional variations in the thickness of the crust but no clearly resolved variations in seismic wavespeeds in the uppermost mantle. Greater average crustal thicknesses (48–50 km compared with 41–43 km) are observed in the northern parts of the Kaapvaal craton that were affected by the Bushveld magmatism at 2.05 Ga. Estimates of average crustal thickness for the southern part of the Kaapvaal craton from receiver functions (38 km) agree well with those from refracted arrivals from mining-induced earthquakes if the crustal thicknesses below the sources are assumed to be 40–43 km. In contrast, the average crustal thickness inferred from refracted arrivals for the northern part of the Kaapvaal craton is larger by about 7 km (51 km) than that inferred from receiver functions (44 km), suggesting a thick mafic lower crust of variable seismic properties due to variations in composition and metamorphic grade. Pn wavespeeds are high (8.3–8.4 km/s), indicating the presence of highly depleted magnesium-rich peridotite throughout the uppermost mantle of the craton. Seismic Pg and Sg phases indicate that the upper crust around the Witwatersrand basin is comparatively uniform in composition when averaged over several kilometres. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/280 Files in this item: 1
Wright_L71_2003.pdf (3.483Mb) -
Otter, L.B.; Scholes, R.J.; Dowty, P.; Privette, J.; Caylor, K.; Ringrose, S.; Mukelabai, M.; Frost, P.; Hanan, N.; Totolo, O.; Veenendal, E. (Wageningen Institute for Environment and Climate Research, http://library.wur.nl/, NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: The Southern African Regional Science Initiative (SAFARI 2000) involved two wet season and one dry season field campaigns. This paper reports on the wet season campaigns. The first was conducted at five sites along the Kalahari Transect in Zambia (Kataba Forest) and Botswana (Pandamatenga, Maun, Okwa River Crossing, Tshane) during February 2000 and concentrated primarily on characterizing the land surface with respect to exchanges of matter and energy with the atmosphere. The second, conducted in February 2001, focused on fluxes of water, gases and energy between the canopy and the atmosphere at Maun, Botswana, and at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Eddy covariance measurements at Skukuza and Maun were designed to collect a near-continuous record of the seasonality and inter-annual variability in savanna carbon, water and energy exchanges in representative savanna ecosystems. This paper gives brief descriptions of the sites, the measurements made, and the methods used. It highlights some preliminary results, particularly from the first campaign, and outlines the next stages of the SAFARI 2000 project URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1031 Files in this item: 1
Otter_ Southern_africa_2002.pdf (1.002Mb) -
Masamba, W.R.L.; Muzila, A. (Botswana Society, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: The concentration of the metal ions Na, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Fe, Cr, Ni, and Pb were determined in water samples of the Okavango Delta’s panhandle - Maunachira-Khwai water system during periods of high (June 2004) and low (November 2004) water flow. The concentrations of Na (1.67 to 12.77 mg/L), K (1.37 to 5.80 mg/L), Ca (2.46 to 6.98 mg/L) and Mg (0.69 to 2.83 mg/L) increased with distance from Mohembo indicating concentration of these metal ions by evaporation. Cu (up to 0.028 mg/l), Co (up to 0.053 mg /L), Fe (0.010 to 0.60 mg/L), Ni (up to 0.052mg/L), Mn (up to 0.044 mg/L) and Pb (0.017 to 0.28 mg/L) generally decreased in concentration with increase in distance from Mohembo, indicating that the Delta acts as a filter for these ions. Zn (0.049 to 0.101 mg/L) had lower concentrations at Mohembo than the other sampling sites, indicating solubilisation of previously deposited metals ions, or presence of Zn within the Delta. Chromium was not detected except at Seronga (0.026 mg/L) during periods of high water flow. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/951 Files in this item: 1
Masamba 2005 Spatial.pdf (2.281Mb) -
Wondie, M.; Schneider, W.; Melesse, A.; Teketay, D. (MDPI Publishing; www.mdpi.com, January 5, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: The trend of land cover (LC) and land cover change (LCC), both in time and space, was investigated at the Simen Mountains National Park (SMNP), a World Heritage Site located in northern Ethiopia, between 1984 and 2003 using Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing (RS). The objective of the study was to generate spatially and temporally quantified information on land cover dynamics, providing the basis for policy/decision makers and resource managers to facilitate biodiversity conservation, including wild animals. Two satellite images (Landsat TM of 1984 and Landsat ETM+ of 2003) were acquired and supervised classification was used to categorize LC types. Ground Control Points were obtained in field condition for georeferencing and accuracy assessment. The results showed an increase in the areas of pure forest (Erica species dominated) and shrubland but a decrease in the area of agricultural land over the 20 years. The overall accuracy and the Kappa value of classification results were 88 and 85%, respectively. The spatial setting of the LC classes was heterogeneous and resulted from the biophysical nature of SMNP and anthropogenic activities. Further studies are suggested to evaluate the existing LC and LCC in connection with wildlife habitat, conservation and management of SMNP. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1001 Files in this item: 1
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Kanyarusoke, K.E.; Uziak, J. (Wiley Periodicals Inc. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-0542, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: Formal Engineering Education has traditionally been delivered using the low technology—high touch lecturing method, in which the lecturer and student meet face to face. Distance education in this field has been quite slow to develop primarily because of difficulty in delivery of practical based instructions and problems on integrity of assessments. Developments in information technology and the increased demand for further education by people already in employment have however changed this even in developing countries. It puts extra demand on Lecturers to guide distance learners in handling numerical computations so prevalent in Engineering. At the campuses, computer based methods are available in the high touch—high tech lecture method. High level and efficient computer software is used to help the student to simulate and solve some problems. However, such software is expensive—and therefore—not readily available to the distant learner. Spreadsheets on the other hand are almost universal on today’s computers and they bridge the gap between hand calculations and high level programme computations. This paper therefore makes a case for the use of spreadsheets in Distance Engineering Education. An example in Spring Design, Selection and Adaptation is used to illustrate the simplification and other advantages of their use by practicing distance learners. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/603 Files in this item: 1
Kanyarusoke_CAEE_2009.pdf (1.031Mb) -
Maundeni, Z. (University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: The post-colonial Botswana elite built a developmental state.The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) inherited a developmental state-promoting state culture, which it used to modernise state institutions, to focus on creating new wealth for the nation, to build a small but coherent state structure and to centralise the exploitation of natural resources. However, the BDP developmental state reached a point of collapse and two revolutions from above were instituted to try to revive it. This is what this paper argues. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/586 Files in this item: 1
Maundeni_PBJAS_2008.pdf (3.104Mb) -
Maruatona, T. (Elsevier, http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/homepage.cws_home, January 24, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Planning adult literacy education in developing nations is largely viewed as a technical process reserved for government officials at the Ministry of Education. This empirical study argues that in Botswana, state sponsored adult literacy asserts its hegemony and stifles learner participation and district initiatives. The paper provides an overview of the socio-economic and political situation in Botswana arguing that in spite of being a liberal democracy, the planning and implementation of adult literacy education is driven by central government officials and views learners as having similar experiences and treats them as passive consumers. It fails to employ literacy education to address social disparities based on ethnicity and gender. Finally, the paper suggests that the planning should be decentralized and use a participatory approach. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/820 Files in this item: 1
Maruatona_IJED_2004.pdf (2.376Mb) -
Swatuk, L.A. (Elsvier, www.elsevier.com, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper explores possibilities for achieving 'wise use’, defined as the sustainable utilization of resources of the Okavango Delta system, within the framework of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. The paper argues that while the Ramsar Convention’s wise use strategic plan forms an important basis for collective action toward sustainably managing the Okavango River Basin as a whole, there are numerous barriers to success, the most important of which is the abiding behaviour of the region’s state-makers in defense of sovereignty and pursuit of narrow national interest. In spite of this formidable barrier to success, the paper highlights a number of on-going multilateral activities that may serve to further the aims of wise use of the Okavango River Basin system. It also provides a number of practical suggestions for furthering progressive frameworks of action. The paper is based on a close reading of published and unpublished written materials and the findings of a number of open-ended interviews conducted with stakeholders active in the Okavango River Basin. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/988 Files in this item: 1
Swatuk_state Interests_2003.pdf (2.238Mb)