In search of effective training models for Mozambican translators and interpreters

Although Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) has the longest history of BA Honours level translator and interpreter training in Mozambique, the university still lacks an effective model for the development of translation and interpreting competence in students. To address this problem, the present study seeks to find a practical model for the training of Mozambican professional translators and interpreters at BA Honours level that can guide the design of conducive curricula. The critical question the study attempts to answer is: What model for developing translation and interpreting competence could lead to an effective curriculum design that best meets the employment needs of Mozambican students? To this end, the study has been designed as action-research because this design enables better understanding and improvement of training processes (Cravo & Neves 2007). Three data collection tools are used to generate both qualitative and quantitative data from over 120 participants, namely: (i) a survey, (ii) an English translation test and (iii) a sample of archived Portuguese translations produced by former students. The survey findings suggest the need for a model whereby translators and interpreters are trained simultaneously within the same programme. Moreover, the results of macro- and micro-textual analysis show that, overall, the translation competence of former students is poor, suggesting that the current curriculum at UEM is failing to produce BA Honours translation/interpreting professionals. The proposed solution would be a curriculum based on a new integrated translation and interpreting competence development model with the following four pillars: communicative competence, general knowledge, strategic competence and service provision.Nangona iyunivesithi iEduardo Mondlane University (UEM) inembali kwizifundo zesidanga esiphakamileyo (BA Honours) kuqeqesho lwabaguquleli neetoliki eMozambique, le yunivesithi ayikabi namzekelo unguwo nosebenzayo ekuphuhliseni izakhono zokuguqula nokutolika kubafundi bayo. Ukukhawulelana nale ngxaki olu phando lujolise ekufumaneni owona mzekelo usebenzayo onokusetyenziswa nonokuthi ube sisikhokelo kuyilo lwekharityhulam yesidanga esiphakamileyo iBA Honours esithatha iminyaka emine ekuqeqesheni abafundi babe ngabaguquleli neetoliki eziphume izandla zaseMozambique. Umbuzo ongundoqo nozanywa ukuphendulwa lolu phando ngulo: Ngowuphi umzekelo wokuphuhlisa izakhono zokuguqulela nokutolika onokukhokelela kuyilo lwekharityhulam esebenzayo nefezekisa iimfuno zengqesho zabafundi baseMozambique? Kungoko olu phando luye lwasebenzisa indlela yokuphanda ekuthiwa yi-action research eyenza kube lula ukuqonda nokuphucula iinkqubo zoqeqesho (Cravo & Neves 2007). Kuye kwasetyenziswa iindlela ezintathu zophando ukufumana ulwazi kubathathi-nxaxheba abali-120 ezizezi: (1) uvavanyo lwezimvo, (ii) uvavanyo lwenguqulelo yesicatshulwa esibhalwe ngesiNgesi kunye (iii) neenguqulelo zesiPhuthukezi ezenziwe ngabafundi bangaphambili ezigciniweyo. Iziphumo zeemvavanyo zezimvo zibonisa ukuba kufuneka kukho umzekelo onokusetyenziswa ekuqeqesheni abaguquleli neetoliki ngaxeshanye phantsi kwenkqubo enye. Ukongeza koku, iziphumo zohlalutyo lwesicatshulwa zibonise ukuba izakhono zokuguqulela zabafundi bangaphambili azikho mgangathweni, nto leyo ethetha ukuba ikharityhulam esetyenziswayo eUEM iyasilela ekukhupheni abaguquleli neetoliki ezinobuchule neziziincutshe. Isisombululo esicetyiswayo ke ngoko, sesokuba kubekho ikharityhulam ehlangeneyo eza kuphuhlisa izakhono zabaguquleli neetoliki esekelwe kwiintsika ezine ezizezi: isakhono sonxibelelwano, ulwazi jikelele, isakhono sobuchule kunye nokunikezwa kweenkonzo.Nakuba iNyuvesi i-Eduardo Mondlane University (i-UEM) isinomlando omude kakhulu wokuqeqesha abahumushi notolika ezingeni leziqu ze-BA Honours eMozambique, le nyuvesi ayikabi nayo indlela esebenzayo yokuthuthukisa amakhono ezitshudeni kwezokuhumusha nokutolika. Ukubhekana nale nkinga lolu cwaningo kuhloswe ngalo ukuthola indlela esebenzayo yokuqeqesha ongoti babahumushi notolika baseMozambique ezingeni leziqu ze-BA Honours (iziqu zeminyaka emine) ezingahlahla indlela yokuklama uhlelo lwezifundo olungasiza kule nkinga. Umbuzo omkhulu lolu cwaningo oluzama ukuwuphendula ngothi: Iyiphi indlela yokuthuthukisa amakhono okuhumusha nokutolika engaholela ekuklanyweni kohlelo lwezifundo olungahlangabezana nezidingo zokuqasheka kwezitshudeni zaseMozambique? Ukufeza le nhloso, lolu cwaningo lusebenzisa uhlelo lokucwaninga olubizwa nge-action-research ngoba luyasiza ekuqondeni kangcono nasekuthuthukiseni inqubo yokuqeqesha (Cravo & Neves 2007). Kusetshenziswa amathuluzi amathathu okuqoqa imininingobunjalo nemininingobuningi evela kubabambiqhaza abangaphezu kwabayi-120, okuyilokhu: (i) ngohlolocwaningo (i-survey), (ii) ngesivivinyo sesihumusho sesiNgisi (iii) nangesampula lezihumusho zesiPutukezi zabafundi baphambilini. Okutholakale kulo uhlolocwaningo kuveza isidingo sendlela yokuqeqesha abahumushi notolika kanyekanye ohlelweni lokufundiswa olufanayo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, imiphumela yokuhlaziywa kwemibhalo nezimo eyabhalwa ngaphansi kwazo ibonisa ukuthi, ngokubanzi, amakhono okuhumusha abafundi baphambilini awamahle, okuyinkomba yokuthi uhlelo lwezifundo lwamanje e-UEM luyehluleka ukukhiqiza ongoti bokuhumusha nokutolika ezingeni le-BA Honours. Isixazululo esiphakanyiswayo ngesendlela entsha esuselwa ekuthuthukiseni amakhono edidiyela ukuhumusha nokutolika, enalezi zinsika ezine ezilandelayo: amakhono kwezokuxhumana, ulwazi ngokubanzi, ikhono lokusebenzisa amasu, nokuhlinzekwa kwezidingo.Linguistics and Modern LanguagesD. Phil. (Languages, Linguistics and Literature

ReFIoV: a novel reputation framework for information-centric vehicular applications

In this article, a novel reputation framework for information-centric vehicular applications leveraging on machine learning and the artificial immune system (AIS), also known as ReFIoV, is proposed. Specifically, Bayesian learning and classification allow each node to learn as newly observed data of the behavior of other nodes become available and hence classify these nodes, meanwhile, the K-Means clustering algorithm allows to integrate recommendations from other nodes even if they behave in an unpredictable manner. AIS is used to enhance misbehavior detection. The proposed ReFIoV can be implemented in a distributed manner as each node decides with whom to interact. It provides incentives for nodes to cache and forward others’ mobile data as well as achieves robustness against false accusations and praise. The performance evaluation shows that ReFIoV outperforms state-of-the-art reputation systems for the metrics considered. That is, it presents a very low number of misbehaving nodes incorrectly classified in comparison to another reputation scheme. The proposed AIS mechanism presents a low overhead. The incorporation of recommendations enabled the framework to reduce even further detection time

Molecular detection of Rickettsia africae in Amblyomma ticks collected in cattle from Southern and Central Mozambique

open4Introduction: Rickettsia are Gram-negative and obligate intracellular bacteria, which cause typhus and spotted fever-like diseases in humans. In Africa, Rickettsia africae of the Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia (SFGR) is the etiologic agent of the African Tick-Bite Fever. The disease is transmitted by ticks of the genus Amblyomma, which serve as vectors and reservoirs of Rickettsia. In this study, we aimed to detect Rickettsia species in ticks collected from cattle in south and central Mozambique. Methodology: DNA from 412 adult ticks and 22 pools of larvae were extracted and tested for the presence of Rickettsia genes gltA, ompA and ompB by PCR, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Results: Our results showed that in adult ticks, 79.5% (n = 330), 66% (n = 274) and 67% (n = 275) samples were positive for gltA, ompA and ompB genes, respectively. Among the 22 pools of larvae analysed, 77.2% (n = 17) were positive for the three genes tested. The infection rates ranged from 43% to 100% for Rickettsia by gltA in all locations studied, with maximum values of 100% observed in the districts of Maputo province namely Changalane, Boane and Matutuine district The phylogenetic analysis of amplified sequences revealed that samples under study grouped with R. africae for the 3 genes. Conclusion: The study showed that Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia represented by R. africae widely circulate in Ambtvomma ticks collected in south and central regions of Mozambique.openVlademiro Magaia, Elisa Taviani, Nidia Cangi, Luís NevesMagaia, Vlademiro; Taviani, Elisa; Cangi, Nidia; Neves, Luí

Technologies for improved water use efficiency in small-scale maize production in a semi-arid region

Alternative technologies to increase grain maize production under rainfed systems are urgently needed, considering the low grain yield in small-scale farming in countries such as Mozambique. Supplemental irrigation, fertiliser application and tillage methods are valuable available farming technologies. This thesis examined the impact of supplemental irrigation, fertiliser application and three tillage methods (hand hoeing, strip tillage, disc tillage) on maize grain yield. Studies on belowground biomass showed that most roots were concentrated in the upper 20 cm of the soil. Root abundance decreased down the soil profile, which can be genetically derived but also attributable to higher penetration resistance at greater depth. Tillage had a great effect on soil penetration resistance, but little effect on root growth and a limited effect on yield. Root to shoot ratio was high under rainfed conditions, due to low allocation of assimilates to aboveground traits under water stress. Degrees above canopy threshold (DACT, a water stress index) varied from 0 °C (no stress) to 17.1 °C (high stress). It was mainly affected by water supply and was negatively correlated with soil moisture, grain yield, thousand-grain weight and water use efficiency. Water use efficiency ranged from 0.16-0.60 kg m-3 (rainfed) to 0.45-1.09 kg m-3 (irrigated) and was negatively correlated with DACT in both seasons studied. Supplemental irrigation alone resulted in an average maize yield increase of 161% compared with rainfed maize and increased water use efficiency by 79%. Application of 48 kg ha-1 of nitrogen fertiliser alone increased grain yield by 31% compared with no fertiliser and increased water use efficiency by 18%. Crop modelling results suggested that the recommended nitrogen fertiliser rate (120 kg ha-1) for maize in Mozambique is only suitable for irrigated maize or for regions with high, uniform rainfall. Overall, the work in this thesis reveals scope for improving crop water use efficiency in semi-arid regions through better soil and water management practices

ePRIVO: an enhanced PRIvacy-preserVing opportunistic routing protocol for vehicular delay-tolerant networks

This article proposes an enhanced PRIvacy preserVing Opportunistic routing protocol (ePRIVO) for Vehicular Delay-Tolerant Networks (VDTN). ePRIVO models a VDTN as a time-varying neighboring graph where edges correspond to neighboring relationship between pairs of vehicles. It addresses the problem of vehicles taking routing decision meanwhile keeping their information private, i.e, vehicles compute their similarity and/or compare their routing metrics in a private manner using the Paillier homomorphic encryption scheme. The effectiveness of ePRIVO is supported through extensive simulations with synthetic mobility models and a real mobility trace. Simulation results show that ePRIVO presents on average very low cryptographic costs in most scenarios. Additionally, ePRIVO presents on average gains of approximately 29% and 238% in terms of delivery ratio for the real and synthetic scenarios considered compared to other privacy-preserving routing protocols

REPSYS: A robust and distributed incentive scheme for collaborative caching and dissemination in content-centric cellular-based vehicular delay-tolerant networks

In this article, a robust and distributed incentive scheme for collaborative caching and dissemination in content-centric cellular-based vehicular delay-tolerant networks (REPSYS) is proposed. REPSYS is robust because despite taking into account first- and second-hand information, it is resilient against false accusations and praise, and distributed, as the decision to interact with another node depends entirely on each node. The performance evaluation shows that REPSYS is capable, while evaluating each node's participation in the network, of correctly classifying nodes in most cases. In addition, it reveals that there are trade-offs in REPSYS, for example, to reduce detection time of nodes that neither cache nor disseminate other nodes' data, one may sacrifice the system's resilience against false accusations and praise, or even, by penalizing nodes that do not disseminate data, one may temporarily isolate nodes that could contribute to data dissemination

Hydrophobins and air filled emulsions

Suspensions of micron sized air cells, Air Filled Emulsions (AFEs), represent a new colloidal material with outstanding physical properties. They have the potential for technological applications in very different fields such as biomedical, environmental sciences and the food industry. This thesis focuses on the construction of AFEs and their use as ingredients to construct reduced fat and calorie emulsion-based products. These microstructurally complex materials have been termed triphasic A/O/W emulsions. A sonochemical templating process has allowed for the construction of air cells (the majority around 0.5-10 μm) in the size range of oil droplets found in emulsion based foods. Air cells were stabilised with either hydrophobins, obtained from submerged fermentation and extraction, or other cysteine rich but more common proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and egg albumen (EWP). The air cells were stable against disproportionation and ripening for substantial periods of time. They resisted destabilisation effect of oil droplets and could survive unit operations involving mild vacuum treatment and centrifugal forces, relatively high shear forces, temperatures and pressures. Triphasic A/O/W emulsions were created with up to 60% included phase of air and oil in an aqueous continuous phase. This gave a greater than 50% reduction in lipid content. Comparative rheology and tribology showed that the triphasic A/O/W emulsions could have similar if not better lubrication properties than a full O/W version. The molecular properties of the protein used for the AFEs played a crucial role in the determination of lubrication properties (mouth-feel). Moreover, AFEs and triphasic emulsions offer the potential for new structures and textures for the food industry due to their self interaction to give a weak ge

Investigating translation competence: a case study of undergraduates at Eduardo Mondlane University

Text in EnglishUndergraduate students at the Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM) experience great difficulty in developing their translation competence during their training period. On the one hand, they show many signs of poor quality during their training when they accomplish practical translation assignments on and off-campus. On the other hand, the quality of the final work submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Bachelor Honours Degree (Licenciatura) suggests that most students fail to go beyond the minimum standards with regard to translation competence. Yet, comprehensive research aimed at understanding factors hindering translation competence at the UEM has been scanty. Besides, the few studies available have some significant lacunae, for they focus on Portuguese language development; are limited to error analysis, and often ignore students‟ perspectives. Consequently, the problem of finding a balanced approach to developing students‟ translation competence has remained unaddressed. Therefore, this study has been conducted with the purpose of investigating the translation competence of the UEM undergraduates in order to establish the major obstacles to their translation competence development, and consequently come up with suggestions for improving the current translator-training degree programme. The study design uses qualitative methods translated into a case study approach. First, questionnaire data is analysed to gain lecturers‟ and students‟ perspectives on translation competence at the UEM. Second, a students‟ error typology is developed following a macro- and micro-textual analysis of their translations. The study concludes that substandard bilingual skills, compounded by curricular, attitudinal/motivational, pedagogical and infrastructural/instrumental factors, negatively impact the students‟ development of translation competence at the UEM and that addressing these may pave the way towards improving the current translation-training programme.Linguistics and Modern LanguagesM. A. (Linguistics

A state consistency framework leveraging packet cloning and piggybacking for programmable network data planes

The Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technology is a network management method that allows dynamic, programmatically efficient network planning to improve its performance and monitoring. Given that SDN at each passing day becomes more prominent, a framework that can ensure reliable communication and a global state among devices become more important. We propose a state consistency framework that leverages a state machine abstraction using network updates among adjacent switches through packet piggybacking. We also use a moving average that when a condition is met, P4's packet cloning is triggered, hence ensuring that all packets arrive at their destination in the presence of link failures

Engineering microencapsulated PCM slurry with improved performance for cold storage

Cold is essential in many aspects of everyday life ranging from food, drugs and chemicals processing, storage and distribution to control of thermal comfort and superconductors in power electronics. The demand for cooling in all its forms is accelerating with the growing global urban population1. However, existing cooling technologies consume large amounts of energy and can be highly polluting in terms of carbon and other emissions2. One way of reducing the energy required for cooling and increasing cooling technologies efficiency whilst minimising their environmental impact involves the storage of energy efficiently as cold and to deliver cooling whenever needed without worsening peak demand. To this end we have developed a range of microencapsulated low freezing point phase change materials in slurries (MPCMSs) where the PCM core and the carrier fluid are both liquid coolants. Our strategy was to encapsulate LPCM and structured LPCM with thermal conductivity enhancer materials using inorganic-organic composite shell material to achieve improved cold storage performance from -35˚C to -110˚C. Figure 1 shows microencapsulated diethyl benzene based coolant and structured methanol-water dispersed in ethylene glycol-water and silicone based fluid, respectively. Initial results are promising and these MPCMSs now offer new horizon for cold storage and energy management. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract