https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/331 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:17:14 GMT 2026-04-08T11:17:14Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6402 Title: Development of a Modularized Undergraduate Data Science and Big Data Curricular Using No-Code Software Development Tools Authors: Harry D. Mafukidze; Action Nechibvute; Abid Yahya; Irfan Anjum Badruddin; Sarfaraz Kamangar; Mohamed Hussien Abstract: Over the last decade, Data Science has emerged as one of the most important subjects that has had a major impact on industry. This is due to the continual development of scientific methods, algorithms, processes, and computational tools that help to extract knowledge from raw data efficiently and cost-effectively, compared with early-generation tools. Professional data scientists create code that processes, analyses and extracts actionable insights from high volumes of data. This process requires a deep understanding of mathematical principles, statistics, business knowledge, and computer science. But most importantly, the data science development chain requires knowledge of a high-level programming tool and its dependencies. This is a major problem in some aspects due to the steep learning curve. In this paper, we describe and present a modularized Data Science curriculum for undergraduate learners that relies on no-code software development tools as programming aids for non-computer science majors. No-code development tools have been added to the traditional teaching pedagogy to improve students’ motivation and conceptual understanding of coding despite their limited programming skills. The study aims to assess the impacts of visual programming languages on the performance of non-computer science majors on programming problems. The study’s sample consists of 50 fourth-year students from the Faculty of Science and Technology at the Midlands State University. A post-survey questionnaire and assessment items were administered to the control and experimental groups. Results show that the students drawn from the experimental group benefited from the use of a visual programming language. These results offer evidence-based recommendations for incorporating high-performance no-code software development tools in the formal curriculum to aid teaching and learning data science programming for students of diverse academic backgrounds. Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6402 2024-07-16T00:00:00Z Harry D. Mafukidze Action Nechibvute Abid Yahya Irfan Anjum Badruddin Sarfaraz Kamangar Mohamed Hussien https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5846 Title: Integration of SCADA and Industrial IoT: opportunities and challenges Authors: A. Nechibvute; H. D. Mafukidze Abstract: SCADA systems are used in industries to perform control and monitoring of industrial processes in real-time. The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT), and the Industrial IoT (IIoT) in particular, has brought new disruptive technology that has the potential to drive the industrial digitization agenda well beyond the capabilities demonstrated by conventional SCADA systems. Industries, particularly manufacturing industries and utilities keep thriving to be competitive and the adoption of new technologies in the form of IIoT is set to improve efficiency and productivity through enhanced real-time data analytics and production availability. This paper examines the opportunities and challenges presented by integrating IIoT into existing SCADA systems. Potential solutions to the challenges are presented together with future research outlooks that have a bearing on the SCADA/IIoT integration efforts. Mon, 21 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5846 2023-08-21T00:00:00Z A. Nechibvute H. D. Mafukidze https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5752 Title: Geophysical mapping of the occurrence of platinum group elements in the main sulphide zone of the Great Dyke in Zimbabwe Authors: Bernard Siachingoma; Dumisani John Hlatywayo; Vunganai Midzi; Leone Mare Abstract: This work sought to establish the geophysical signature of platinum group elements in a mineralized sulphide host rock. It has been established that complex resistivity of rocks depends on frequency. The variation of resistivity magnitude and phase for the samples were taken for frequencies in the range 10−2 to 102 Hz. In the first part, the mathematical relationship between resistivity amplitude and phase with frequency was obtained based on the Cole-Cole model equation. A MATLAB Code based on the direct inversion of the apparent resistivity spectrum was used to extract the “Cole-Cole” parameters. In the second part an experimental procedure to obtain the data was designed and a discussion of the results obtained was made. Overally, the results confirm the model to be a good candidate for use in mapping the occurrence of platinum group elements in sulphide zones. Its frequency dependency parameter c is the critical anomaly detection parameter. Several efforts to solve this problem by other geophysical methods failed to yield the desired or useable results. The reason was the complex and inverse nature of the problem. The practical method chosen from a host of geophysical methods was complex resistivity measurements based on the “Cole-Cole model”. The knowledge gap being bridged in this study involves the use of this method to detect the base of the main sulphide zone. Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5752 2023-02-08T00:00:00Z Bernard Siachingoma Dumisani John Hlatywayo Vunganai Midzi Leone Mare https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5615 Title: A comprehensive study of the impact of dislocation loops on leakage currents in Si shallow junction devices Authors: C. Nyamhere; A. Scheinemann; A. Schenk; A. Scheit; F. Olivie; F. Cristiano Abstract: In this work, the electrical properties of dislocation loops and their role in the generation of leakage currents in p-n or Schottky junctions were investigated both experimentally and through simulations. Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) reveals that the implantation of silicon with 2 × 1015 Ge cm−2 and annealing between 1000 °C and 1100 °C introduced two broad electron levels EC − 0.38 eV and EC − 0.29 eV in n-type samples and a single broad hole trap EV + 0.25 eV in the p-type samples. These trap levels are related to the extended defects (dislocation loops) formed during annealing. Dislocation loops are responsible for the significant increase of leakage currents which are attributed to the same energy levels. The comparison between structural defect parameters and electrical defect concentrations indicates that atoms located on the loop perimeter are the likely sources of the measured DLTS signals. The combined use of defect models and recently developed DLTS simulation allows reducing the number of assumptions and fitting parameters needed for the simulation of leakage currents, therefore improving their predictability. It is found that simulations based on the coupled-defect-levels model reproduce well the measured leakage current values and their field dependence behaviour, indicating that leakage currents can be successfully simulated on the exclusive basis of the experimentally observed energy levels. Mon, 09 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/5615 2015-11-09T00:00:00Z C. Nyamhere A. Scheinemann A. Schenk A. Scheit F. Olivie F. Cristiano