NuSpace

NuSpace is the official repository platform of the National University of Science and Technology that enables researchers in:

  • obtaining easy access to a wide range of academic materials,
  • promoting knowledge dissemination and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration.

Explore our repository to discover a wealth of knowledge across various disciplines.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 12

Recent Submissions

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IS THERE A SOLUTION TO HIGH PRICING OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS IN BULAWAYO?
(The Journal of LiberaL Arts Education, 2022-04-14) Mhone, N.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Zulu, E.; Masukume, C.; Tlou, F.N.
The objective of the study was to investigate the causes of the high cost of primary and secondary school textbooks in Bulawayo and establish if there is a possible solution to the pricing of books. The study was a descriptive qualitative and quantitative survey. Data were collected through 90 questionnaires (having distributed 105) and seven in-depth interviews from parents, primary and secondary school teachers, ministry officials, printing companies, retailers/bookshops, street vendors and photocopying business people. The study found that high textbook pricing was a result of parents’ low income and reduced disposable income, the import duty, the economic hardships, the scarcity of textbooks and the use of middlemen in the supply chain. As a result, parents opted for cheaper alternatives such as photocopying, buying from street vendors or flea markets, while some totally forgo purchasing new textbooks and rely on schools to provide. Some parents wait for donors to chip in, or use the Internet, or sell each other photocopied books, while private schools provided all study materials hence they were not directly affected by the high cost of textbooks. The study recommended Government to consider strongly supporting local publishing and printing of secondary textbooks. It further urged local publishers to go electronic and charge lower prices since they will not incur printing costs. It was also recommended that schools should consider e-books for ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels in an effort to reduce the costs of textbooks at these two levels.
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The human capital and human capability models: Showing the connection between graduation and employment
(Business & Social Science, 2023-08-27) Dube, S. P.
The purpose of the paper is to examine the human capital and human capability models in order to show the connection between graduation and employment. There appear to be topical issues in Zimbabwean electronic and print media regarding the complaint of the mismatch between the students’ training and the product of graduates, which may lead to the failure to meet the industry’s needs. The mismatch between the university curriculum and national developmental needs results in the production of graduates who have to be trained in order to be employable in industry, and this little linkage led me to write this paper. A qualitative interpretive study of the examination of the gap between graduation and employability was used after identifying a small-scale case study with twenty (20)managers and university students that were purposefully sampled and then interviewed. The results of the interviews were presented in tables and graphs, then analyzed and interpreted. The findings of the results revealed that Zimbabwean businesses are suffering from the influx of recent graduates who lack the market-required scientific, technological, social, problem-solving, and creative abilities. The involvement of different stakeholders in higher education institutions, including the government universities, and industries, should lead to the production of education and economic policy’s new language, posture, position, and direction that Zimbabwe could take to stabilize the economy. A new stable season where values are corrected and projected towards economic recovery, industrialization of the economy, and the creation of employment can be realized.
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Adsorption of Chromium (VI) Using Nano-ZnO Doped Scrap Tire-Derived Activated Carbon
(Scientific Research Publication, 2022-09-27) Chigova, J. T.; Mudono, S.
Nowadays, nano mineral modified biochars show a promising adsorption capacity for pollutants removals by combining the advantages of porous structure of biochar and unique property of nano minerals. In this work, nanozinc oxide doped scrap tire derived activated carbon (nZnO-STAC) was synthesized by wetness impregnation method. Equilibrium data were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models while the kinetics of the process were examined using Lagergren Pseudo-first and second order, intraparticle diffusion and Elovich kinetic models. Characterization of the activated carbon by Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD). The surface groups present on the activated carbon surface were determined using the Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Optimization studies were carried out to determine the effects of pH, initial metal concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time and adsorbent particle size on the Cr (VI) removal efficiency. The results showed optimum Cr (VI) removal at pH 3, 10 mg/L concentration, 120 minutes of contact using 1000 - 1400 µm adsorbent particle size at a dosage of 2.5 g/L. The adsorbent structure was found to be predominantly amorphous. The chromium removal efficiency of the adsorbent was around 81.6%. Of the tested kinetic models, the pseudo-second order model exhibited the best fit with the experimental data with an R2 value of 0.9744. This study clearly demonstrates the feasibility of using the nano-ZnO doped scrap tyre derived activated carbon adsorbent for the remediation of chromium (VI) polluted industrial wastewaters.
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Fuzzy PI Based Motor Speed Control using DSP TMS320F2812
(International Journal of Latest Research in Humanities and Social Science (IJLRHSS), 2022) Chasokela, D.
Alternating Current (AC) induction machine plays an important role in the entire industry and daily life. This is due to their robustness, inexpensive and easy to maintain in a period of time. Vector control is used in large numbers in the speed control of AC induction machine. High dynamic performance high speed precision and wide constant torque range capabilities are the key benefits of vector control. Stability of the system during transient process and a wide range of operation are assured through the application of vector control. The purpose of this thesis is to study the vector control of AC induction machine based on the principles of the AC speed control system, vector control and fuzzy Proportional integral (PI) control, and implementing the digital vector control systems based on the digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor-DSP TMS320F2812) from Texas Instruments. The mathematical modeling of the AC induction motor and the principles of vector control and fuzzy systems are overviewed first. Fuzzy PI regulator is then proposed to carry out the regulation of the motor speed. The fuzzy PI is an intelligent technique that has evolved in the last decades and it emulates the human way of thinking. Therefore the fuzzy PI does not need the exact mathematical model. In-depth study of fuzzy PI and the normal PI was carried out. Matlab/Simulink software is used to simulate the vector control of the AC induction motor with both fuzzy PI regulator and normal PI regulator for comparative purposes. Simulation results showed that fuzzy PI has a better performance in terms of stability, faster response and robustness, and the fluctuation ripples are also smaller. Experiments had been done on the laboratory platform of AC drive system with the help of AC speed control monitor program designed in Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW) under variable operating conditions. The experimental waveforms were captured using the LabVIEW monitoring software. In order to carry out real time implementation, Code Composer Studio and SEEDXDS510plus Emulator are adopted to programming and testing with the DSP TMS320F2812. Experiments results show that the fuzzy PI regulator performs better than normal PI regulator, as fuzzy PI regulator indicates better waveforms of torque and speed responses during acceleration and deceleration, especially when the motor is operating on lower speeds.
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Exploring the feasibility of Research Data Management services in Zimbabwean academic libraries: the case of Zimbabwe School of Mines
(Library Philosophy and Practice, 2022) Machimbidza, T.; Mutula, S.; Ndiweni, M.
The study applied an adapted Technology, Economic, Legal, Organisational, and Schedule (TELOS) model to explore the feasibility of Research Data Management (RDM) at the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM). The study employed a qualitative approach. Data were collected through interviews that were held with purposively chosen professionals at ZSM in the form of the Information Technology (IT) manager, the Librarian, and three (3) Assistant Librarians. Findings show that ZSM does not currently meet the TELOS model feasibility test. ZSM lacks a robust technological system to support data creation, data collection and description, data storage, archiving and preservation, data access, data discovery and analysis, and data reuse and transformation. ZSM has not yet created a legal environment conducive for the introduction of RDM. It does not have policies and standards in place to handle issues such as intellectual property, copyright, data licensing, ethics, data protection, freedom of information, and confidentiality. While librarians at ZSM possess basic IT and computer skills they lack skills specific for RDM. The study informs the shaping of policies, practices, and strategies regarding the introduction of RDM services in Zimbabwean academic libraries.