Evaluation of the productivity of crossbred dairy cattle on smallholder and government farms in the Republic of Malawi

Reports the results of a study conducted to compare the important reproductive and productive traits of crossbred dairy cattle on smallholder farms and at multiplication and research cnetres at Malawi, to measure the influence of environment on dairy production traits, to assess the suitability of various crosses to the different agricultural areas, and to determine the trends in dairy production over the years

A macro-level analysis of the role of development financial institutions in periods of global financial and economic crisis: the case of BNDES in Brazil

Thesis (M.Com. (Development Theory and Policy))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Economic and Business Sciences, 2014.Following the Great Recession of 2007/08, development economists began to place emphasis on the role of development banks as vital public financial institutions. With a principal focus on the National Bank of Economic and Social Development in Brazil (BNDES), this research study analyses its role as a counter-cyclical lender within a context of global banking credit crunch. By using South Africa as a counterfactual scenario, the study finds that the responses of the BNDES were key in mitigating the effects of the financial turmoil. Whilst highlighting the relevance and essential function of a credit system that supports the productive realm of the economy, the conclusions of this study provide a valuable lesson to South Africa and other emerging market economies (EMEs) – channelled credit growth can be instrumental in addressing cyclical gaps in capital

Productivity and profitability of cattle stall-fed for beef on smallholder farms in Malawi

Presents the results of biological and financial analyses performed on the productivity and profitability of cattle stall-fed for beef on smallholder farms in Malawi

Assessment of localized seasonal precipitation variability in the upper middle catchment of the Olifants River basin

Abstract: This study used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model together with regional climate downscaled (RCD) data from the CORDEX (Africa project), to assess the local seasonal precipitation variability in the upper middle catchment (UMC) of the Olifants River basin. The study results, based on two scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), showed a wider monthly and seasonal variability of precipitation. The study also indicated a strong decreasing trend of east-to-west direction of spatial precipitation, with most precipitation concentrated in the eastern part of the study area. Within the western part of the UMC, we also noted another decreasing trend of precipitation from south-tonorth with northern areas of the study area receiving the least amount of precipitation. This study has also revealed a considerable general reduction of future seasonal precipitation especially in the mid-term period (2021–2050). The general reduction in future seasonal precipitation, combined with the increasing temperatures in the area, may exacerbate the drought conditions and reduction in streamflow of the main river (Olifants) and its tributaries, consequently having a negative impact on the economic activities in the basin

Assessment Of Localized Seasonal Precipitation Variability In The Upper Middle Catchment Of The Olifants River Basin

ArticleThis study used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model together with regional climate downscaled (RCD) data from the CORDEX (Africa project), to assess the local seasonal precipitation variability in the upper middle catchment (UMC) of the Olifants River basin. The study results, based on two scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), showed a wider monthly and seasonal variability of precipitation. The study also indicated a strong decreasing trend of east-to-west direction of spatial precipitation, with most precipitation concentrated in the eastern part of the study area. Within the western part of the UMC, we also noted another decreasing trend of precipitation from south-tonorth with northern areas of the study area receiving the least amount of precipitation. This study has also revealed a considerable general reduction of future seasonal precipitation especially in the mid-term period (2021–2050). The general reduction in future seasonal precipitation, combined with the increasing temperatures in the area, may exacerbate the drought conditions and reduction in streamflow of the main river (Olifants) and its tributaries, consequently having a negative impact on the economic activities in the basin

Factors Influencing Loss to Follow-up among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Exposed Infants in the Early Infant Diagnosis Program in Phalombe, Malawi

The efforts to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV in Malawi are impeded by the loss to follow-up of HIV-exposed infants (HEI) in care. Early infant diagnosis (EID) of HEI and linkage to care reduces morbidity and mortality. There has been limited attention to infants who are lost to follow up despite their mothers being compliant to the PMTCT program. This study explored factors that influence loss-to-follow up among HEI in the EID program whose mothers were retained in care for up to 24 months in Phalombe district, Malawi. We conducted a descriptive phenomenological qualitative study from May 2017 to July 2018. We purposively conducted 18 in-depth interviews among HIV positive mothers whose HEI were enrolled in the follow-up program and 7 key informant interviews among healthcare workers (HCW). All interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and translated verbatim. Data were analyzed manually using a thematic step-by-step approach. Results showed that retention in care is facilitated by aspirations to have a healthy infant and linkage to a nearer facility to a mother's place of residency. The barriers to retention were non-disclosure of HIV status, inadequate resources, and support, suboptimal guidelines for, a lack of privacy, and unsynchronized hospital visits between a mother and her baby. The study has shown that successful implementation of EID services requires concerted efforts from various contextualized stakeholders whilst focusing on family-centered care. To maximize retention in EID and innovative ways of reaching mothers and babies through flexible guidelines are urgently needed

Performance comparison of two solar cooking storage pots combined with wonderbag slow cookers for off-sunshine cooking

Two similar storage cooking pots are experimentally evaluated and compared during solar cooking and storage off-sunshine cooking periods. One storage pot has sunflower oil as the sensible heat storage material, while the other has erythritol as the phase change material (PCM). To test their thermal performance during off-sunshine periods, the two pots are placed in insulated wonderbag slow cookers. Water and sunflower oil are used as the cooking fluids in the experimental tests. The sunflower oil cooking pot shows better performance during the solar cooking periods since it shows shorter cooking times (1.8–5.6 h) compared to the erythritol PCM pot (3.8–6.6 h). The sunflower oil pot also attains higher maximum storage temperatures (124–145 °C) compared to the erythritol PCM pot (118–140 °C). Storage efficiencies for the sunflower oil pot (3.0–7.1%) are also greater than those of the PCM pot (2.5–3.7%). During the storage cooking periods, the erythritol based phase change material cooking pot shows better performance as evidenced by the lower temperature drops (0.1–9.7 °C) from the maximum cooking temperatures compared to 8.3 to 34 °C for the sunflower oil pot. The heat utilisation efficiencies for the erythritol pot (4.8–14.3%) are also greater compared to the sunflower oil pot (3.7–6%)

Esther as the new Moses : deliverance motifs in the Book of Esther

Thesis (MTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aims to compare the figures of Moses in the Exodus narratives and Queen Esther in the Esther narratives. The study will proceed to argue that Esther, a remarkable Jewish deliverer figure in the Persian period can be viewed as a reinterpretation of the Moses figure in the Exodus narratives. Within a broad analysis of these narratives, the researcher investigates how Esther fits into the Old Testament deliverance motifs. Commonalities between Moses and Esther and their parallels and characterization as Old Testament deliverer figures assist in drawing a comparative analysis between the two. The study proceeds to prove that Esther is a new Moses figure, arguing that the Esther narratives are presented deliberately in such a way that they reinterpret the Moses narratives. A survey of previous studies that investigated the two narratives provides further evidence for the view that the Esther narratives are reinterpreting the Moses narratives, and hence that Esther can be regarded as a new Moses in the Old Testament deliverance motifs. This study argues that Esther stands within the same category of Old Testament deliverer figures like Moses and that female figures like Esther are not ignored in the deliverance of God’s people. The concluding part of this study investigates what implications the Old Testament narratives of Moses and Esther as deliverer figures may have for the modern-day context of African leadership. The focus is on investigating whether biblical models of leadership and deliverance offer anything to the discourse on African leadership. In the last section, the models of Moses and Esther are applied to modern-day ethical problems of leadership in African societies. It is postulated that Old Testament ethical reflections on biblical characters such as Moses and Esther may inform modern-day reflection on responsible leadership.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die studie vergelyk die rol wat Moses in die Exodus-verhaalsiklus speel met die rol van Ester in die Ester-verhaal. Die argument is dat Ester se rol as ʼn merkwaardige bevrydingsfiguur uit die Persiese tyd dié van Moses herinterpreteer. Die studie is ʼn breë narratiewe analise wat nagaan of Ester binne die Ou Testamentiese bevrydingsliteratuur ʼn geïsoleerde figuur is al dan nie. Die ooreenkomste tussen Moses en Ester saam met tipiese eienskappe van Ou Testamentiese bevrydingsfigure lei die studie tot ʼn suksesvolle vergelykende analise van die twee figure. Trouens, dit word duidelik dat Ester ʼn nuwe Moses is waar Moses se rol doelbewus herinterpreteer word. ʼn Oorsig oor bestaande studies wat die twee verhale nagana, verskaf verdere stawing vir die seining dat die Ester-siklus die van Moses herinterpreteer. As sodanig is Ester ʼn tweede Moses binne die Ou Testamentiese bevrydingsliteratuur en staan sy geen tree terug as ʼn vroulike figuur in die rol nie. In die laaste en samevattende gedeelte van die navorsing word die implikasies van bevrydingsfigure soos Moses en Ester toegepas op leierskap in Afrika. Die oogmerk is om hierdie Bybelse bevrydingsfigure as model voor te hou en om dan daarmee in gesprek te gaan met die aard van leierskap in Afrika. Die Ou Testamentiese verhale en leiers het bepaalde waardes en oortuigings wat huidige leierskap in Afrika krities onder die loep kan neem. Dit kan ʼn vormende invloed op Christelike morele waardes, identiteit en die verstaan van mag uitoefen. As sodanig sal Moses en Ester as modelle voorgehou word om moderne etiese leierskapprobleme en -uitdagings aan te spreek. Die studie is oortuig dat Ou Testamentiese leiers waardevolle insig bied vir etiese refleksie en kontekstuele riglyne virverantwoordelike leierskap

Productivity of crossbred cattle on smallholder farms in southern Malawi

A study undertaken to determine the performance of crossbred cows on the smallholder farms in southern Malawi with respect to reproductive and productive performance traits. Includes data on age at first calving, calving interval, and milk yield

Water Engineering 11(Module 1-Hydraulics): WENG 2/1

Examination on Water Engineering 11(Module 1- Hydraulics) : WENG 2/1, Jun 201