The media image of China in Africa: a frame analysis of Kenyan, Nigerian, and Zimbabwean newspapers

While China-Africa relations date back to the 15th century, China’s interest and involvement in the continent increased in the last two centuries leading to the formation of the Forum on Africa-China Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000. Mainly, the relationship is characterised by huge Chinese migration, business investments and loans across the whole of Africa as well as cultural exchange programs. As a result, there has arisen a concept which researchers commonly refer to as China in Africa. However, parallel to the growing academic interest in China’s presence in Africa, has been accusations that China is plundering Africa’s natural resources and exploiting the local workforce leading to Beijing making strenuous efforts to shape its image by framing its relationship with Africa as a mutually beneficial partnership. Nevertheless, despite growing academic interest, the phenomenon of China in Africa is still under researched with need for more studies including on how China is represented in the media. This study, therefore, accesses a cross national media image of China over its involvement in Africa from three Anglophone countries namely Kenya, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe through frame analysis and over a five-year period (2014-18). Totally, 1 384 news stories from six newspapers (Two from each country) were analysed. As opposed to a straightforwardly positive or negative media image, this study found a balanced African media image of China in the form of a contest of pessimistic and optimistic frames. Although this finding resonates with the hypothesis of a balanced image, the thesis, mainly, establishes the image’s stability over years. The thesis found that although gravitating towards some degree of complexity this image has remained stable for many years. Because this image is accessed from three distinct African regions (East, Southern and West Africa), the thesis argues that this is enough for it to be said to represent an Africa wide situation and to propose the testing of the ubiquity of the image in the broader Global South. The thesis also argues that while China’s soft power and economic statecraft are evident in Africa, their effect on its [China] image have been slow so far hence the stability of the image

A comparative study of the performance of the Chitungwiza, Marondera and Crowborough sewage treatment plants in Zimbabwe

A comparative study on the performance of effluent treatment plants in Zimbabwe's urban settlements.The performance of the Chitungwiza, Marondera and Crowborough Sewage treatment plants in Zimbabwe were evaluated by monitoring the levels of suspended solids (SS), dissolved solids (DS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, CI-, S042-, N03‘, N02‘, and P043- ions in the period May 1994 to September 1995. The performance of the three plants were assessed by comparison to the UK conventional effluent 30:20 standard for SS, BOD, Cl', N03‘ and P043* ions. All three plants conformed to this standard for nitrate ion, while for Chitungwiza and Marondera plants the levels of BOD, SS, chloride and phosphate ions were in excess of the Standard. In addition, the Chitungwiza sewage plant effluent contained very high levels of nitrite ion

An Overview of Radon Emanation Measurement System for South African Communities

The aim of the study is to evaluate radon emanation levels in South African communities and to implement possible strategies to reduce radon levels in order to minimize potential health hazards. The major contributing factor to high levels of radon is the history of mining. To precisely measure emanation levels of radon indoors and outdoors, calibrated radon detectors are necessary. In this study, areas of high radon emanation levels are spotted, and based on the radon emission point or entry points in buildings, applicable and possible mitigation strategies are discussed for implementation

Assessment of heavy metals and radionuclides in dust fallout in the West Rand mining area of South Africa

Windblown dust can contain radioactive materials from mining. These radionuclides when inhaled in dust produce ionizing radiation which damages the cells and tissues in the body. The aim of this study was to assess dust fallout radionuclides in the West Rand mining area of South Africa. Dust fallout monitoring was done using the method (ASTM) D-1739 of 1998 employing multi-directional buckets. Results show that all 9 locations investigated in the different seasons recorded dust fallout rates within stipulated residential limit according to the National Dust Control Regulations (NDCR) (Government Gazette 36974, 1 Nov 2013). Locations 3 in spring (301.93 mg/m2/day) and 6 in winter (589.8 mg/m2/day) recorded dust fallout rates with values above the target value of 300 mg/m2/day according to guidelines by South African Standards (SANS 1929:2011). The ANOVA tests (p-value < 0.05) indicate that the mean dust fallout rate is significantly different across the seasons, mean dust fallout rate in summer is significantly (p-value < 0.05) more than the autumn by 103.15 mg/m2/day. Moderate, positive correlations (0.4 ≤ r < 0.7) exist between average dust fallout rate and wind speed. A weak, negative correlation exist between average dust fallout rate and rainfall with a value of -0.393. All the investigated elements had Enrichment Factor (EF) greater than 1. Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were extremely enriched (68.36 and 43.48, respectively), whereas Thorium (Th) (7.26) and Chromium (Cr) (9.79) had significant enrichment. Activity concentrations obtained for 226Ra, 238U, 232Th and 40K were 53.59 ± 20.45 Bq/kg, 15.20 ± 6.74 Bq/kg, 6.62 ± 2.76 Bq/kg and 278.51 ± 84.39 Bq/kg, respectively. Activity concentrations were within world averages except 226Ra which exceeded the 32 Bq/kg world average. Statistically significant (p-value < 0.05), strong (0.7≤ r< 0.9) and positive correlation exists between 226Ra and 40K. A moderate, positive correlation (0.4 ≤ r < 0.7) exist between 238U and 232Th. Since EF values showed that the elements in the dust had anthropogenic influence, further studies should look at contributions of different sources to the elements found in dust

Rare earth elements in uranium ore deposits from Namibia: A nuclear forensics tool

Rare earth elements (REE) concentrations and pattern remains largely unchanged during the process of milling and can thus provide strong evidence of the origin of the material. The aim of this study was to determine the rare earth elements in uranium ore deposits as a nuclear forensics tool. Uranium ore from three mines were collected and analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the concentrations of rare earth elements. A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test and a pair wise comparison test was used to test for significant difference in the concentration of REEs between the mines followed by principal component analysis (PCA). The REE concentration were normalized with C1-Chondrite values to determine the REE pattern. The total concentration of the REE ranged from 131.38 to 161.77 ppb, 266.27 to 840.37 ppb, 177.86 to231.51 for Mine 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The mean ∑REE obtained was in the order M2>M3>M1. The pairwise comparison test of the pair M1 and M2 was found to be less than 0.05, indicating a significant difference in the samples. The REE pattern is mostly similar for all the ore samples with pronounce Eu anomaly, enriched LREE and depleted flat HREE. The PCA results indicates that the ore samples can be distinguished from each other

The impact of radiation dose variability on the response of radiophotoluminescence glass dosimeters – an experimental approach

The dosimetric properties of radiophotoluminescence glass dosimeters (RPLGDs) make them valuable tools for accurately measuring doses in various radiation fields. Over the years, thermoluminescence dosimeters have been used for both personal and environmental monitoring in South Africa, although they have certain limitations. We investigated the exceptional properties of RPLGDs by characterising their response to different radiation doses, using radiation sources of 60Co, 137Cs, and 241Am. The objective was to assess the ability of RPLGDs to be read multiple times without losing the original signal, and to explore their potential to replace TLDs in diverse radiation environments. A substitution method was employed to determine the reference measurements across all radiation source set-ups. In this approach, the RPLGD, serving as the unit under test, was exposed to the same dose as the ionisation chambers, which acted as reference detectors to accumulate the radiation signal, which was then corrected to determine the air kerma and absorbed dose to water. All relevant corrections affecting the unit under test response were applied to the final readings to characterise the RPLGDs, which were compared with the prescribed dose. The findings of this research are valuable to medical facilities and radiation workers as they offer both technical and economic benefits through improving the accuracy and reliability of radiation dose monitoring. Significance: • Radiophotoluminescence glass dosimeters (RPLGDs) were successfully characterised with 60Co, 137Cs, and 241Am radiation beams. • The glass dosimeters were annealed and irradiated at a temperature of 400 °C. • The RPLGD calibration coefficients, air kerma rate and absorbed dose to water measurements were established. • RPLGDs are capable of being re-read multiple times without losing any signal

An Assessment of Land Use and Land Cover Changes and Its Impact on the Surface Water Quality of the Crocodile River Catchment, South Africa

The degradation of surface water by anthropogenic activities is a global phenomenon. Surface water in the upper Crocodile River has been deteriorating over the past few decades by increased anthropogenic land use and land cover changes as areas of non-point sources of contamination. This study aimed to assess the spatial variation of physicochemical parameters and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) contamination in the Crocodile River influenced by land use and land cover change. 12 surface water samplings were collected every quarter from April 2017 to July 2018 and were analyzed by inductive coupled plasma spectrometry-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Landsat and Spot images for the period of 1999–2009 - 2018 were used for land use and land cover change detection for the upper Crocodile River catchment. Supervised approach with maximum likelihood classifier was used for the classification and generation of LULC maps for the selected periods. The results of the surface water concentrations of PTEs in the river are presented in order of abundance from Mn in October 2017 (0.34 mg/L), followed by Cu in July 2017 (0,21 mg/L), Fe in April 2017 (0,07 mg/L), Al in July 2017 (0.07 mg/L), while Zn in April 2017, October 2017 and April 2018 (0.05 mg/L). The concentrations of PTEs from water analysis reveal that Al, (0.04 mg/L), Mn (0.19 mg/L) and Fe (0.14 mg/L) exceeded the stipulated permissible threshold limit of DWAF ( 0.05) between the wet season and the dry season. The spatial distribution of physicochemical parameters and PTEs were strongly correlated (p > 0.05) being influenced by different land use type along the river. Analysis of change detection suggests that; grassland, cropland and water bodies exhibited an increase of 26 612, 17 578 and 1 411 ha respectively, with land cover change of 23.42%, 15.05% and 1.18% respectively spanning from 1999 to 2018. Bare land and built-up declined from 1999 to 2018, with a net change of - 42 938 and − 2 663 ha respectively witnessing a land cover change of −36.81% and − 2.29% respectively from 1999 to 2018. In terms of the area under each land use and land cover change category observed within the chosen period, most significant annual change was observed in cropland (2.2%) between 1999 to 2009. Water bodies also increased by 0.1% between 1999 to 2009 and 2009 to 2018 respectively. Built-up and grassland witness an annual change rate in land use and land cover change category only between 2009 to 2018 of 0.1% and 2.7% respectively. This underscores a massive transformation driven by anthropogenic activities given rise to environmental issues in the Crocodile River catchment

The Grizzly, October 1, 2009

Students Composting to Create Sustainability • Students Fight the Yawn and Stay Up \u27Til Dawn • Former NY Times Editor Gives Students Advice • Unsolved Vandalism on Campus Could Hit Students\u27 Wallets • Dissatisfaction Erupts with Mass E-mail • Teaching Assistants Indulge in the UC Culture • Beatles Enthusiast\u27s Book Tour Hits Phoenixville • First to Perform Original Play in 100 Years • Opinions: Freedom of Expression?: Pornography Trial; Play Review: A Wise Choice for Weekend Amusement; Liar, Liar, President Obama\u27s Plans May Catch on Fire ; How About a Universal Care-for-Your-Health Plan?: Employer Health Incentives • Ursinus Women\u27s Lacrosse Welcomes New Assistant Coach • UCXC Continues Their Long Strides in 2009https://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1793/thumbnail.jp