The morphosyntax of negation in Kiswahili

This paper presents a description of sentential negation in Kiswahili and attempts a partial analysis of sentential negation in Kiswahili within the Principles and Parameters framework, in particular, following Pollock\''s (1989) proposal to split IP into several functional categories including NegP. The main claim is that negation mruking in Kiswahili is an instance of negation projection, NegP. The main evidence for this is found in relative clauses and conditional clauses where negation blocks I -to-C movement. The paper is organized into 5 sections. Basic theoretical assumptions are outlined in Section 1. Section 2 presents a description of the basic facts about four strategies of expressing sentential negation in Kiswahili and highlights problems that the data raise. Section 3 discusses the interaction between negation and relative marker. In Section 4, the location of NegP in IP is proposed. Section 5 presents some general conclusions and summarizes questions for further research

Marine bacteria and their role in polyethylene terephthalate biodeterioration and biofragmentation

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a serious threat to the terrestrial and marine environment, posing a serious threat to all living beings. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find cheap, safe, and environmentally friendly solutions to alleviate the problem.This study aimed to assess the potential of a marine bacteria community and two of its isolates to biodegrade petroleum-based polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles and bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (BPET) plastic bags. Ultraviolet (UV) treated microplastic films (∼2 mm2), were exposed to the consortium of bacteria and isolates for 90 and 45 days, respectively. Negative (MP without inoculum) and positive (bacterial inoculum, without any MP) controls were used in parallel. During the incubation period, samples were taken every two weeks or monthly to analyse bacterial growth, the pH, and changes in the polymer functional groups using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy − Attenuated TotalReflectance (FTIR-ATR). The Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) of microplastic was also measured at the beginning and at the end of the experiments. At the end of the incubation period, MP particles were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Bacterial growth showed a statistically significant increase in the samples inoculated with marine bacteria as compared with the negative controls. The absorbance of peaks characteristic of the PET and BPET significantly decreased in the samples containing bacteria, and new peaks also appeared. Our results showed that marine bacteria have the potential to biodegrade petroleum-based and bio-based polyethylene terephthalate (BPET) MPs. These results further highlight the importance of rethinking bioplastics as an alternative to conventional plastics and how biological recycling can provide “green route” remedial solutions for PET microplastic polluted environment and consequently decreasing the environmental footprint of plastics.A poluição por microplásticos (MPs) é uma séria ameaça para o ambiente terrestre e marinho, representando um risco para todos os seres vivos. Portanto, há uma necessidade urgente de encontrar soluções baratas, seguras e ecológicas para aliviar o problema da poluição por MPs, e diminuir a pegada ambiental dos plásticos. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial de uma comunidade de bactérias marinhas e dois isolados para biodegradar garrafas de polietileno tereftalato (PET), e sacos plásticos feitos a partir de polietileno tereftalato de origem biológica (BPET). Filmes destes microplásticos (∼2 mm2) foram tratados com luz ultravioleta e expostos a um consórcio de bactérias e aos isolados por 90 e 45 dias, respectivamente. Controles negativos (MPs sem inóculo) e positivo (inóculo bacteriano, sem qualquer MP) foram usados em paralelo. Durante o período de incubação, foram coletadas amostras cada duas semanas ou mensalmente para analisar o crescimento bacteriano, o pH e as mudanças nos grupos funcionais dos polímeros, usando espectroscopia de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier − Reflectância Total Atenuada (FTIR-ATR). A Demanda Química de Oxigênio (DQO) dos microplásticos também foi medida no início e no fim das experiências No final do período de incubação, as partículas de MP foram ainda submetidas a microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). O crescimento bacteriano apresentou um aumento estatisticamente significativo nas amostras inoculadas com bactérias marinhas em relação aos controles negativos. A absorbância dos picos característicos do PET e BPET diminuiu significativamente nas amostras contendo bactérias, e novos picos também apareceram. Os resultados mostraram que as bactérias marinhas apresentam um potencial para biodegradar PET MPs à base de petróleo e de orígem biológica. Estes resultados destacam a importância de repensar os bioplásticos como uma alternativa aos plásticos convencionais, e como a reciclagem biológica pode fornecer soluções corretivas de “rota verde” para ambientes poluídos por microplásticos (mais particularmente, de PET MPs) e, consequentemente, diminuir a pegada ambiental dos plásticos.I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Prof. Bjørn Grung, Coordinator of the Erasmus Mundus Master in Quality in Analytical Laboratories (EMQAL) Program, for his guidance moral and material support during my studies. I would like to extend my thanks to the European Union through Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for studentship that have allowed me to conduct this thesis and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, Government Chemist Laboratory Authority for allowing me to take part into this master’s degree progra

Effectiveness of waste management endeavours managed by The Association for the Collection and Distribution of Recyclable Waste in Vingunguti in Ilala Municipal, Dar Es Salaam

Africa is currently undergoing rapid change. In most Africa countries a major population redistribution process is occurring as a result of rapid urbanization at the time when the economic performance of these countries is generally poor. Besieged by a plethora of problems, urban authorities are generally seen as incapable of dealing with the problems of rapid urbanization. One major area in which urban authorities appear to have failed to fulfill their duties is in waste management. All African countries have Laws requiring urban authorities to manage waste. Yet, in most urban areas only fraction of waste generated daily is collected and safely disposed of by authorities. Collection of solid waste is usually confined to the city centre and high-income neighborhoods, and even there the service is usually irregular. Most parts of the city never benefit from public solid waste disposal. Only a tiny fraction of urban households or firms are connected to a sewer network or to local septic tanks, and even for these households and firms, emptying or treatment services hardly exist. Industrial waste is usually disposed of, untreated, into the environment. This report looks at whole the problems and opportunities of collection and recyclable of waste management in Dar es Salaam through community groups, private waste collectors, scavengers and institutions connected with waste management. Therefore, the association for the collection and distribution of recyclable waste (UTADA) which is a community based organization. UTADA has started composing organic wastes as means of improving community environmental condition and generating income through recyclable solid waste. In terms of appropriate roles of CBOs and Local authorities the research provides evidence that communities are more than willing to provide for themselves urban service like waste management which Local Authorities are unable to do so, also in providing advice, training and credit to these CBOs is very important. While the resource of local authorities are best employed in regulating, coordinating and advising CBO and NGO efforts in the provision of urban service like waste management. This study has also demonstrated the importance of preparing training manual for association in order to facilitate them on improve the health and well being of participants who live and work in dump areas. (Author abstract)Ngonyani, Z. P. (2005). Effectiveness of waste management endeavours managed by The Association for the Collection and Distribution of Recyclable Waste in Vingunguti in Ilala Municipal, Dar Es Salaam. Retrieved from http://academicarchive.snhu.eduMaster of Science (M.S.)School of Community Economic Developmen

The effects of credit collection policy on portfolio at risk of microfinance institutions in Tanzania

This paper presents the results of the study on the effect of credit collection policy on portfolio risk management among microfinance institutions in Tanzania. The study used cross-sectional survey data of microfinance institutions in three regions of Dar es salaam, Morogoro and Dodoma. Random sampling was employed to obtain a sample of 219 respondents in all three regions. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the effect of credit collection policy on portfolio at risk of microfinance institutions. Results show that, interest rates positively influence portfolio at risk of microfinance institutions. On the other hand, grace period on loans and loan size are negatively related to portfolio at risk of microfinance institutions. These results suggest that, microfinance institutions can focus on explanatory variables used in the study for enhanced quality of financial performance of the microfinance industry.peer-reviewe

ASSESSING THE RELEVANCE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN HIGHER LEARNING INSTITUTIONS: A CASE OF UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM IN TANZANIA

This paper assesses the relevance of assistive technology (AT) used by persons with disabilities enrolled in higher learning institutions (HLIs) in Tanzania. Assistive technology in its general sense is meant to support persons with disabilities (PWD) in managing their daily activities, including participation in teaching and learning. The study was descriptive in nature and used a cross-sectional research design. A total of 173 respondents participated in the study; 18 Management officials, 47 students, 35 trainers, 40 Dar-es-Salaam University Students Organisation (DARUSO) leaders, and 33 PWD. Among the 33 PWD; (10) visually impaired, (5) low vision, (7) physically impaired, (3) albinism, (7) hearing impaired, and (1) speech impaired. The study revealed that AT was provided conforming to the kind of a disability and that training was for new AT users. The training covered topics related to simple maintenance and repair of AT. The challenge was related to the shortages of AT experts and AT courses for training, caretakers and other professionals. The study recommends the establishment of AT courses for developing a cadre of AT specialists for conducting rehabilitation services. Article visualizations

The Effects of Credit Collection Policy on Portfolio Microfinance Performance

This paper presents the results of the study on the effect of credit collection policy on portfolio risk management among microfinance institutions in Tanzania. The study used cross-sectional survey data of microfinance institutions in three regions of Dar es salaam, Morogoro and Dodoma. Random sampling was employed to obtain a sample of 219 microfinance institutions in all three regions. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the effect of credit collection policy on portfolio at risk of microfinance institutions. Results show that, there is a positive relationship between interest rates charged and portfolio at risk of microfinance institutions. On the other hand, the variable for grace period on loans and loan sizes to borrowers had a negative relationship with portfolio at risk of microfinance institutions. These results suggest that, microfinance institutions can focus on explanatory variables used in the study for enhanced quality of financial performance of the microfinance industry

Implication of Credit Supervision Practices on Portfolio at risk of Microfinance Institutions in Tanzania

This study seeks to establish the implication of credit supervision practices on portfolio management of microfinance institutions in Tanzania. Utilizing multivariate regression technique over sampled 219 microfinance institutions from Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Dodoma regions, it documents two plausible results. First, the study finds that timely loan release and number of borrowers per loan officer have positive and statistically significant impact on portfolio at risk of microfinance institutions. Second, it reveals that operation cost per borrower and provision of training sessions to borrowers have negative and statistically significant impact on portfolio at risk of microfinance institutions. These results suggest that microfinance institutions can diminish portfolio risks by (1) decreasing number of days for processing clients’ loan applications and releasing funds; (2) decreasing number of clients per each loan officer in order to increase efficiency of loan management of the officers; (3) increasing training sessions on various skills given to their borrowers which will increase knowledge and skills of clients on the best ways to keep their business records and proper utilization of funds, and so successful repayments; (4) allocating enough budgets for overall supervisory purposes including loan appraisal processes, disbursement procedures and collection of funds from their clients

Analysis of the Requirements for a Web-Based Forum Among Donors, Vendors, and Consumers of Assistive Technologies in Tanzania

Sharing information related to Assistive technology (AT) is the only reliable approach to narrowing the gap in AT accessibility. In the modern world of telecommunication, the application of the internet was expected to fill in the gap but the gap persists. With all the effort made by world forums, it was expected to have no more problems related to AT accessibility, and cost. This study, therefore, analysed the requirement needed for the development of a reliable web-based forum that could provide a consistent linkage between AT consumers, donors, and vendors for ease of AT accessibility at affordable cost in Tanzania. The study was qualitative and employed questionnaires, observation, and interview methods to collect data from a total of 207 respondents who were purposefully selected, of whom 200 were AT consumers, 5 AT donors, and 2 vendors. Microsoft forms were used to analyze data and the presentation was done descriptively. The study disclosed nine requirements for the development of a web-based forum including location, product description, means of payment and goods transportation, time of delivering goods, types of disability, kind and quantity of AT, means of payment, and price. Having all that information centerd at one site will ensure a constant availability of AT and AT accessibility information among donors, vendors and consumers of AT in Tanzania

The Effects of the Teachers’ Motivation on Academic Performance of Public Primary Schools: A Case of Mbinga District

This study assessed the effects of teachers’ motivation on academic performance of public primary schools in Mbinga district in Ruvuma region, Southern Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at: examining the types of motivation provided to teachers for pupils academic performance of public primary schools; assessing the factors which affect teachers motivation in public primary schools; examining the outcomes of the motivated teachers on pupils’ academic performance in public primary schools as well as identifying the strategies employed to motivate teachers for pupils, academic performance of public primary schools in Mbinga district. The findings revealed that, to the great extent, public primary school teachers were motivated either by schools or the government. In addition, the findings indicate that low incentives, promotion problems and delaying of salary payments are some of the main factors affecting teachers’ motivation. Furthermore, illnesses and less teachers’ demands consideration are among of the social reasons demoralize teachers. The study also revealed that, insufficient supervision, weaknesses of government policies, unfriendly teaching and learning environment and shortage of teachers are other factors demoralizing teachers in public primary schools. In addition, the study found that, the use of teachers’ attendance register, class journals, free lunch to teachers, deduction of payment to absentees’ teachers, rewards and programmed school inspections and supervisions encourage teachers’ attendance and effective teaching. Based on these findings the study recommends that the government should improve teachers’ incentives, teaching and learning environments in order to raise enthusiasm and commitment of teachers on attendance, effective teaching and better academic performance of schools

The Subjunctive Mood in Giryama and Tanzanian Nyanja

This paper presents a study of the Subjunctive in the Bantu languages of Giryama in Kenya (E72a) and Nyanja in Tanzania (N201), and explores its distribution in the two languages. As in other Bantu languages, the Subjunctive is a morphological feature characterized by a verbal suffix -e, an obligatory subject marker, and the absence of tense. Syntactically, the Subjunctive appears in independent clauses, as well as dependent clauses with a certain class of predicates and adverbial subordinators. Independent clauses that may carry the Subjunctive are those that express exhortations or suggestions, and sentences marked with the future tense. Dependent clauses with Subjunctive verbs include: (a) complement clauses containing directive, volitional, and causative verbs, and (b) adverbial clauses such as clauses of purpose. Studies of the subjunctive have often associated its semantic distribution with irrealis, in contrast with the Indicative, which is associated with realis or assertion. We present evidence showing that the irrealis reading may sometimes appear to be absent. We argue that irrealis may not be a necessary and sufficient condition for the Subjunctive. However, the onstructions that give irrealis readings provide the best exemplars of Subjunctives in these two languages. Independent clause Subjunctives are shown to be clearly non-factive. Matrix verbs that take subjunctive complements are described as presupposition triggers of events that are non-factive relative to the matrix event