Applied Physics Publications
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- ItemIntegration of hydrogeophysical and geological investigations in enhancing groundwater potential assessment in Houtriver gneiss crystalline basement formation of South Africa(Elsevier, 2021-03-10) Muchingami, I.; Mkali, A.; Vinqi, L.; Pietersen, K.; Xu, Y.; Whitehead, R.; Karsten, J.; Villholth, K.; Kanyerere, T.Groundwater exploration in crystalline basement aquifers such as the Houtriver gneiss formation in the Limpopo province of South Africa is often described as complex. This is because groundwater availability in such aquifers is largely a consequence of the interaction of several processes related to recharge, underlying geological features and fracture connectivity of the aquifer rock matrix. In this study, an integration of geophysical and geological investigations is applied in inferring potential drill targets within the Houtriver gneiss crystalline basement aquifer system. Results from the magnetic and frequency domain electromagnetic surveys were combined with geological investigations to identify sites where vertical electrical resistivity sounding was applied to infer the thickness and layering of weathered and fractured zones, as well as to identify potential targets where test boreholes were drilled. Constructed geo-resistivity pseudo-sections suggested that groundwater occurrence within this formation is described by a heterogeneous multiple-layered and fractured aquifer system with the main groundwater bearing zones ranging from a depth of 30–72m in most cases. Ten potential drill sites were identified from which three test boreholes were drilled and used to validate the results through a lithostratigraphic conceptual model developed from the correlation of the geophysical results with drill logs. The integration of hydro-geophysical and geological methods thus provided a comprehensive approach for resource assessment in the Houtriver gneiss formation.
- ItemTranslating scientific terms across European and African languages—Physics in Nguni II.(International Journal of Indigenous Education Scholarship, 2021) Dlodlo, T.S.The use of European languages as languages of instruction in education continues in many Sub-Saharan African countries, in spite of several decades of political independence. This is also the situation in science teaching. Several studies have shown that children learn best when taught in their own mother languages. Teaching in these languages necessitates translation of science terms and concepts into Indigenous languages. Using quantum mechanics, a field in modern physics and my mother tongue, isiNguni, as an example, I have developed translation strategies and suggested practical approaches to create science vocabulary in isiNguni. It is shown that it is feasible to apply direct borrowing with localisation and semantic extension in developing new physics vocabulary. Several examples of translated science terms and concepts in isiNguni are provided. Selected paragraphs on electron spin from a frequently used undergraduate physics textbook are translated into isiNguni. In the Appendices, the Compton effect experiment is presented in three languages accompanied by a vocabulary. African countries need to revise their language and education policies so that maximum use of the Indigenous languages and the future relevance of these languages in science and technology are ensured. Teaching physics and other science subjects in the mother tongues of both teachers and students will improve science literacy, comprehension, and interest in the field. Africa should embrace science and technology to contribute to new knowledge.
- ItemRadiology demand and capacity: A stochastic analysis based on care pathways(Cogent OA, 2017-06-05) Sibanda, L.; Engel-Hills, P.; Hering, E.: The definition of (care) pathways, their advantages and disadvantages and the associated theories since the 1950s have been reported. Important in the definitions is that clinical care pathways are defined for a single examination process and that variances in clinical examination or clinical setting introduce variances in the clinical pathway. The objective of this study was to provide stochastic evidence necessary to establish a radiology care map that has “the right people, doing the right things, in the right order, at the right time, in the right place, with the right outcome”. Following a rigorous ethics approval process, data was collected from all consenting departments, radiographers (in their individual professional capacities) and a random sample of patients through document review, interview and observational research approaches. The outcome of the study supports blurring the scope of practice boundaries and timely execution of radiography examinations. However, there remains the need for further research to map care pathways for other radiology procedures and patients whose care is more variable and less standard.
- ItemGeneral Design Procedures for Airport-Based Solar Photovoltaic Systems(MDPI, 2017-08-12) Anurag, Anurag; Zhang, Jiemin; Gwamuri, Jephias; Pearce, Joshua M.: A source of large surface areas for solar photovoltaic (PV) farms that has been largely overlooked in the 13,000 United States of America (U.S.) airports. This paper hopes to enable PV deployments in most airports by providing an approach to overcome the three primary challenges identified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): (1) reflectivity and glare; (2) radar interference; and (3) physical penetration of airspace. First, these challenges and precautions that must be adhered to for safe PV projects deployment at airports are reviewed and summarized. Since one of the core concerns for PV and airport symbiosis is solar panel reflectivity, and because this data is largely estimated, a controlled experiment is conducted to determine worst-case values of front panel surface reflectivity and compare them to theoretical calculations. Then a general approach to implement solar PV systems in an airport is outlined and this approach is applied to a case study airport. The available land was found to be over 570 acres, which would generate more than 39,000% of the actual annual power demand of the existing airport. The results are discussed while considering the scaling potential of airport-based PV systems throughout the U.S.
- ItemOn the Theoretical Foundations of the Polemical Titius-Bode Law(National University of Science and Technology, 2016-11-16) Nyambuya, G. G.