KINEMATICS AND AERODYNAMICS PARAMETERS ON PARALYMPIC DISCUS THROW

The purpose of this present study was the kinematics and aerodynamic evaluation of a disabled discus throw. The sample was carried out by thirty one throws made by an athlete who was for three times Paralympics champion. For the kinematical analysis were used the 3D and 2D kinemetry method. The images were recorded by two high-speed cameras (120Hz) and a low speed one (60Hz). Aerodynamic analysis was calculated by drag and lift forces during flight phase. The results showed good correlations of drag and lift forces with flight distance, and no relation to wind and position to the range. Overall, it was concluded that the drag free equation applied to disabled discus throw can not predict the flight distance. The aerodynamic factors are significant to disabled athletes and require further researches

The perceptions of teachers and heads of department on the roles of a formal mentor in a Zambian Secondary School

This paper reports on research work concerning the perceptions of newly qualified teachers (NQTs) and heads of department (HoDs) regarding the roles of formal mentors in helping newly qualified teachers in selected secondary schools in Zambia. These NQTs could be products of a conventional teacher preparation programme through fulltime study, part-time or parallel study, or an Open and Distance Learning Programme. The purpose of the study was to establish what NQTs and HoDs believed to be key areas in which NQTs needed to be mentored in order to help them adapt to the requirements of their teaching roles in schools. It uses quantitative data that were collected from the NQTs and HoDs using self-administered questionnaires guided by Kram’s Mentor Role Theory. Data were collected from a sample of 191 participants that comprised 92 NQTs and 99 HoDs. Quantitative data were analysed using the Chi Square test. Quantitative results suggest that there was a huge discrepancy in the perceptions of NQTs and HoDs regarding the roles of a formal mentor in helping NQTs in their work. The paper proposes the development of a policy on mentorship of NQTs and a mentorship framework to ensure harmonization of understanding of mentorship and its effective implementation

Factors controlling the quality and safety of fish using mackerel (Scomber scombrus) shelf-life model in the context of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures for The Gambian fisheries.

Merged with duplicate record 10026.1/769 on 06.20.2017 by CS (TIS)Food quality, including safety, is a major concern facing the food industry today. The effects of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in the fisheries sector of The Gambia including the factors affecting the safety and spoilage of fish were investigated. Effects of SPS measures are important impediments for exporting fish and fishery products originating from The Gambia to the international food commodity trade. The inadequate scientific and technical expertise in addition to the general lack of information and finance are the major contributing factors to these impediments. The Government must build capacity, improve infrastructure and increase the number of trained personnel to adequately monitor and enforce fish safety and quality for both domestic consumption and exports. It is crucial that the seafood industry upgrade fish processing establishments and comply with the required hygiene and sanitary standards necessary. To minimise post harvest losses and improve fish quality, the use of ice along the production and supply chain must be applied. The effect of icing on colour and texture measurements of mackerel fish showed an increase in lightness of the eyes and gills during the initial 3 days of storage coinciding with a decrease in textural firmness. Deformation of the fish muscle over storage time was highly significant (p< 0.01) for the upper and middle parts but not for the tail end of the fish. A comprehensive evaluation on the effect of storage temperature on sensory, chemical and microbiological assessment of mackerel fish was conducted. Whole un-gutted mackerel fish had a shelf life of 8 days during storage in ice. The average quality index (Ql) was highly correlated (r=0.99) with days of storage. Both total volatile and basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and trimethylamine (TMA) increased during icing storage. The production of TMA and TVB-N as indicated by the correlation (r= 0.97; p< 0.001) was highly significant. A major increase in mean microbial count occurred at day 8; this indicated that the usefulness of total bacterial count as an indicator of spoilage was only clear from day 8. The effects of temperatures proved to be significant on the formation of biogenic amines and on the growth of microorganisms over storage time. Maximum contents of histamine, cadaverine and putrescine were obtained at 25°C. Histamine was not detected at 0**C despite the growth of the Enterobacteriaceae on the samples. Spermidine, spermine and tyramine cannot be used as suitable indicators offish spoilage. The investigation on the effects of environmental conditions on the changes in microbial growth kinetics for Pseudomonas fluorescens, Shewanella putrefaciens and cultures of mixed bacteria from mackerel fish, showed a temperature effect which was highly significant. The maximum growth of the microorganisms was attained at 0 to 5% NaCl concentration and between pH 6.5 and 7. Overall, this study showed that the methods used proved important in evaluating mackerel fish freshness quality. The wider application of the sensory method will be useful for the fishing industry

Renewable technologies in the EU electricity sector: trends and projections: Analysis in the framework of the EU 2030 climate and energy strategy

With the ratification of the COP 21 Paris climate agreement, EU climate change policy entered a new phase with more ambitious climate and energy goals for 2030. The EU electricity sector is witnessing its greatest transformation to date because of the rapid deployment of renewables in the form of wind power and solar photovoltaic (PV). Wind and solar PV have been at the forefront of recent growth in renewables-based capacity, although biomass is by far the largest source of renewables-based energy consumption in the EU today. In 2016, installed wind-power capacity surpassed the capacity of both coal and lignite and became the second biggest electricity source in the EU. In the same year, renewables accounted for nearly 86 % of new electricity capacity. The pace of progress for solar PV since 2010 has been impressive: it achieved in 5 years what was expected to take 15 years. The costs of producing electricity using these technologies have decreased rapidly in recent years. The costs of PV electricity have dropped to less than 0.03 EUR/kWh, making it the technology with the lowest electricity generation costs. To understand what EU renewable electricity is projected to look like in the future, our analysis is based on scenarios that are an essential part of European Commission impact assessments. These scenarios assume that the EU reached its greenhouse gas reduction targets as stated in the 2030 energy and climate strategy and as committed to in the COP21 following a cost-optimal approach. To reach the 30 % overall renewable energy target, in 2030 the EU needs to meet 54 % of its gross electricity generation needs using renewable technologies. It also needs to increase its current final consumption of renewable energy and installed capacity, by 68 % and 75 %, respectively. Towards the 2030 target the PRIMES EUCO projections rely mostly in the deployment of solar technology. Its share in final renewable electricity capacity is projected to reach at least 36%. The PRIMES climate mitigation scenarios (EUCO scenarios) project that wind will be the second biggest source of gross electricity generation in the EU in 2030, accounting for 24 % of gross electricity generation and 45 % of final renewable electricity.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Kiganda and Christian ideas of Ekibi in contemporary Baganda society

This study examines kiganda and Christian ideas of ekibi among the Baganda between 1962 and 2001. The ideas of ekibi (which might approximately be translated as 'evil') are discussed and analysed within the socio-political tensions and dynamics of the contemporary evolving Baganda context. Although there are a number of anthropological studies on the Baganda, on their customs and beliefs, there is hardly any study on the kiganda ideas of ekibi. This study therefore seeks to redress this imbalance by discussing and assessing the interaction between kiganda and Christian ideas of ekibi and the extent to which they contribute to the Baganda Christian ideas of ekibi in the Church of Uganda. The research makes use of oral tradition and qualitative fieldwork comprising informal and formal interviews with different age groups made up of both male and female participants. These belong to the enzikiriza ey'obuwangwa (kiganda religion) and to groups within the Church of Uganda such as the Bakulisitaayo (ordinary Christians), the mainstream Balokole (Revivalists), the Bazuukufu (Reawakened) and the Beegayirizi (Intercessors) in both rural and urban areas of the dioceses of Mukono and Namirembe, in the Kampala and Mukono Districts.The study is divided into three main parts. The first part introduces the study and investigates kiganda ideas of ekibi. The pre-colonial ideas of ekibi as derived from oral tradition such as engero (narrative) are examined with a view to exploring the background of the ideas of ekibi in contemporary Baganda society. The ideas of ekibi in the contemporary kiganda worldview are also examined with reference to the kiganda practices and rituals such as the observance of emizizo (taboos), okuloga (sorcery), obusawo (healing), okufa (death) and okwabya olumbe (last funeral rites) within the tensions between the rural-urban dynamics and the forces of change which characterise Baganda contemporary society. The second part of the study discusses the Christian concepts of ekibi among contemporary Baganda in the Church of Uganda, and the extent to which they impact upon their perceptions, attitudes, practices and ways of life. The ideas of ekibi based on the interpretations of both the Old and New Testaments are also discussed with a view to assessing the extent to which they impact and contribute to the ideas of ekibi among contemporary Baganda in the Church of Uganda. The third part of the study focuses on the interaction and dialogue between kiganda and Christian ideas of ekibi in the Church of Uganda. It assesses the extent to which these ideas integrate and enhance the process of inculturating the ideas of ekibi in the contemporary Baganda context. The research findings indicate clearly that the concept of ekibi remains a vital element of the Baganda's perception of and aspirations for the wellbeing of the society. The teachings and practices in the Church of Uganda also reveal some conflicts, complexities and dynamics existing in the ideas of ekibi among contemporary Baganda Christians. In addition the findings highlight the challenges confronting the Baganda Christians as they attempt to integrate Christian teaching into their kiganda values while at the same time the Church of Uganda continues to condemn some of the practices which some Baganda still value. The conflicts and condemnatory attitudes of the church have also led to the development of 'secret practices' among some of the Christians, who attempt to draw on both the values of kiganda beliefs and Christianity. Nevertheless the research reveals that among all the groups studied, kiganda ideas, church teachings and the different interpretations of the Bible together form the theological articulations and teachings on ekibi in the Church of Uganda

Exploring the Benefits and Challenges of Strategic Alliances in Zambia’s Higher Education Markets

The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits and challenges of strategic alliances among higher education institutions in Zambia. Literature on alliances is explicit and highlights the benefits of alliances as well as the challenges. The study was qualitative in nature utilizing purposive sampling. It was a case study focusing on the existing strategic alliances among three universities situated in the capital of Zambia: University of Zambia, University of Africa and Cavendish University. Sixty participants, 20 from each participating university were purposively selected to represent a rich demographic mix in terms of gender, level of education and experience. These were selected based on their knowledge and experience working in universities as well as their strategic positions in their universities. Data were qualitatively analysed using thematic analysis. Three major themes namely benefits of strategic alliances to universities, challenges faced by strategic alliances among universities and mechanisms to manage such challenges were identified and discussed. It was concluded that strategic alliances among universities benefited the Zambian higher education market better than competition. Challenges identified such as lack of commitment to the strategic alliances could easily lead to their failure and therefore appropriate strategies such as ensuring that contracts offered to staff clearly stipulated the boundaries of staff rights are needed to mitigate such failure

Teacher Education at the University of Zambia and Teacher Quality with Specific Reference to English Language

This paper presents an analysis of the quality of teacher education at the University of Zambia by combining the findings of two PhD theses conducted at the University of Zambia and in secondary schools in the last two years. Using self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from 191 and 200 participants respectively, comprising of students, newly qualified teachers (NQTs), heads of department (HoDs), deans, and lecturers. The findings in the two studies indicate that there are a number of institutional weaknesses in the provision of teacher education at the University of Zambia. Prominent among these weaknesses is the inadequacy of teaching practice experiences for student teachers and the mismatch between subject content offered at the University of Zambia and content taught at the secondary school level. The paper concludes that this combination of poor teacher preparation affects teacher quality, which in turn affects educational delivery by the teachers

Mentorship as a form of newly qualified teacher support in Zambian secondary schools.

The aim of this paper was to argue the case for the need for mentorship of newly qualified secondary school teachers in Zambia. Based on both a global perspective and the findings of a study, this paper argues that inadequate initial training coupled with an unfriendly work environment make mentorship of newly qualified teachers a necessity. Further, the paper presents numerous benefits accruing from the mentoring of newly qualified teachers. These benefits include benefits to the newly qualified teachers themselves, the heads of departments, head teachers and ultimately filter to the learners. In view of both the identified needs of newly qualified teachers and the invaluable benefits, the paper ends with a clarion call for the introduction of mentorship of newly qualified teachers in Zambian secondary schools

STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF NEWLY INTRODUCED EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY AND SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION PROGRAMMES IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA

This paper reports the findings of a study whose purpose was to assess student perceptions of the programmes of study they were pursuing. To do this the study profiled 87 students. A mixed methods approach was adopted and data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analysed by use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 16 to obtain frequencies, percentages and differences between the two programmes in terms of student perceptions of their programmes of study. Qualitative data were analysed thematically with use of verbatim responses that indicated the respondents’ perceptions. Results indicated that although students were satisfied with the study of the two programmes, they had different career prospects. Respondents expressed desire to be trained for other jobs other than teaching. Students recommended that the school programmes’ content should also focus on preparing them for other jobs other than teaching. The study recommended reorientation of students about the main aim of the two newly introduced programmes. Article visualizations

Mentorship as a tool for quality assurance in teacher education: the case of Zambia

The core issue of this article is to argue for a new perspective on the need for mentorship of novice lecturers in teacher education as a tool for ensuring quality assurance. The article explores, identifies and considers various and pertinent explicit or implicit aspects of novice lecturer mentorship in teacher education. The first part of the article argues that formal mentorship of novice lecturers in teacher education can help in promoting the newcomer’s career advancement, personal growth and development and education through a person-centred approach.The areas in which novice lecturers need mentorship include: pedagogy, assessment tools, designing appropriate curricula, research, publications, presenting conference papers, professional ethics, and so on. The next section of the paper addresses the multiple challenges novice lecturers face which, if not managed and controlled, they can lead to substandard performance among novice lecturers. One of the most important challenges that can impact on the quality of teaching is the lack of pedagogical skills. It is therefore essential that novice lecturers are given maximum support and encouragement by their seniors. The final section of the paper describes the need for the institutionalisation of mentorship. Strategies include capacitating potential mentors through training, reducing the workload of senior staff and offering monetary and other incentives. The author concludes that mentoring is the best tool for supporting the quality of performance of novice lecturers