Huria Journal

OUT, Open University of Tanzania (2011) Huria Journal. HURIA Journal, IX. pp. 1-105. ISSN 1821-5548

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Abstract

Editorial Comment Dear esteemed readers, I am cordially introducing you to a special volume of Huria Journal which carries a combination of scientific papers. This was done deliberately to encourage scientists to publish in the Huria Journal and do away with the notion that the Huria Journal is meant for Open and Distance Learning only. Actually, as the name Huria means in Kiswahili, the Journal is open for any subject area. May I also take this opportunity to appreciate the job well done by the editorial team whose tenure has come to an end. They did a commendable job in carrying the journal from a local context to international status. Presently the Journal accepts articles from all over the world. The article by Mselle focuses on the impact of visual tools in teaching programming to novices. The article articulates the challenges faced in teaching and understanding programming. The paper emphasizes that when teaching programming visual tools improve the understanding of programming to novices. Mselle recommends a more forceful campaign to combine RAM diagrams with lectures and laboratory work in teaching programming to overcome apathy among novices. Bisanda’s paper is a review article in which he explores on how nature can inspire human mind to develop smart material of the future. The articles brings awareness on how research and development of engineering systems based on imitations of natural bio-mechanical systems in plants and animals could be utilized to intricate tasks not possible at present. Rugumamu’s article critically analyses developments and applications of technologies in the management of insect pests of stored crops. She argues that when wisely employed these technologies can play a great role in increasing food security, environmental conservation, reduction of poverty and ultimately improving the people quality of life. Mollel and Hailesesalssie paper is a research article which investigated Flower colour inheritance in Nicotiana Alata (Solanaceae). They performed reciprocal and backcrosses to confirm their findings that flower colour in Nicotiana alata, can be used as an easily interpreted morphological marker, in the following combination: red x white, red x lime green, lime green x white and pink x white. Gimbi and others endeavoured to establish the causes of suboptimal reproductive performance (RP) of dairy cows and heifers kept by small-holder farmers and investigated possible intervention measures. Their findings conformed suboptimal reproductive performance (RP) in the dairy cows and the study suggested supplementation of deficient minerals. Fungameza’s paper is a research paper which investigates natural forest regeneration. Among other things the paper proposes that local community be involved in conservation of forests. In addition the study investigated the sustainability of natural species for timber and other forest products. Kigadye and others evaluates the sampling efficiency of mosquito traps for sampling man-biting mosquitoes in Rufiji District Tanzania. The study validates the use of CDC light traps as an alternative for human biting catches in the estimation of the entomological inoculation rates (EIR) and vectorial capacity (VC) in malaria transmitting mosquitoes in the study area. Tarimo and Saria have researched on high heavy metal levels in drinking water in a mining area (Mererani) and a poorly planned city (Dar es Salaam) in Tanzania. The Heavy metals in the mining area is attributed to decay, decomposition and leaching of old used materials while heavy metals in drinking water in Dar es Salaam is attributed to untreated waste products and age of pipes. The last contribution in this special issue of Huria Journal is by Ikwaba. The author recommends the use of solar electricity in un-electrified remote villages in Tanzania as a more viable alternative to grid electricity. The paper discusses technical problems and how they can be resolved. Finally, the Editorial team record its appreciation for the voluntary work done by various distinguished academicians, who have accepted to review the articles found in this very issue. It is our hope that from this range of articles, you will find the current volume stimulating or challenging, and may even provoke you to consider our Journal in your future academic publications. Prof. M.D. Varisanga Editor-in-Chief Huria Journal

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