Welcome to MUST Repository
Mbeya University of Science and Technology Institutional Repository has been developed for the purpose of collecting, managing and digitally disseminating information especially research information that is essential process for knowledge formation to encourage human growth.
Communities in MUST Repository
Select a community to browse its collections.
Recent Submissions
Fixed Point Theorems for Rus-Hicks-Rhoades Contractive Mappings in Orthogonal Quasi-Metric Spaces With Applications to Orthogonal System Models
(Taylor & Francis, 2025-09-29) Wangwe, Lucas; Lupola, Ernesto; Mwangalika, Dickson
In this study, we explore fixed point theorems for Rus-Hicks-Rhoades-Jaggi hybrid combinational type mappings within orthogonal quasi-metric spaces. To illustrate and validate these results, an example is provided. Additionally, we highlight a practical application by connecting the theoretical findings to an orthogonal model in commu nication theory. Specifically, we relate the results to space-time block coding (STBC) in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, where the fixed point solution repre sents the equilibrium state of iterative decoding, ensuring convergence to a stable codeword reconstruction even in the presence of channel disturbances. Moreover, we show that the Helmholtz equation with mixed boundary conditions possesses a unique f ixed point. This framework has broad applicability: in acoustics, it models vibrations in air columns of closed-open tubes; in electromagnetic, it describes field distributions in wave-guides and resonant cavities; and in mechanics, it represents vibrations of beams with one fixed and one free end. Such formulations demonstrate how Helmholtz phenomena under mixed boundary value problems provide insights into wave propa gation, resonance control, and system stability, thereby enriching both the theoretical understanding of fixed-point analysis and its engineering applications.
Modeling the Effects of Human Awareness and Use of Insecticides on the Spread of Human African Trypanosomiasis: A Fractional-Order Model Approach
(MDPI, 2025-09-22) Koga, Oscar; Mayengo, Maranya; Helikumi, Mlyashimbi; Mhlanga, Adquate
In this research work, we proposed and studied a fractional-order model for Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) disease transmission, incorporating three control strategies: health education campaigns, prevention measures, and use of insecticides. The theoretical analysis of the model was presented, including the computation of disease-free equilibrium and basic reproduction number. We performed the stability analysis of the model and the results showed that the disease-free equilibrium point was locally asymptotically stable whenever R0 < 1 and unstable when R0 > 1. Furthermore, we performed parameter estimation of the model using HAT-reported cases in Tanzania. The results showed that fractional-order model had a better fit to the real data compared to the classical integer order model. Sensitivity analysis of the basic reproduction number was performed using computed partial rank correlation coefficients to assess the effects of parameters on HAT transmission. Additionally, we performed numerical simulations of the model to assess the impact of memory effects on the spread of HAT. Overall, we observed that the order of derivatives significantly influences the dynamics of HAT transmission in the population. Moreover, we simulated the model to assess the effectiveness of proposed control strategies. We observed that the use of insecticides and prevention measures have the potential to significantly reduce the spread of HAT within the population.
The role of Rhizobia toward food production, food and soil security through microbial agro-input utilization in developing countries.
(ELSEVIER, 2023-05-23) Mng’ong’o, Marco E.; Ojija, Fredrick; Aloo, Becky N.
Agricultural inputs such as fertilizers are becoming increasingly expensive and less available in developing countries, leading to decreased land productivity and food availability. Similarly, over-dependence on inorganic fertilizers and pesticides not only increases production costs but also poses a threat to the environment. Hence, alternatives to traditional agricultural inputs are necessary to achieve sustainable land productivity while maintaining environmental quality. Nitrogen (N)-fixing bacteria (rhizobia) are a group of plant growth- promoting bacteria that live in symbiosis with legumes. Their interaction with legume roots results in nodules that provide plants with additional nutrients through N-fixation, making legumes ideal crops due to reduced N fertilizer requirements. Despite their potential to improve land productivity and increase food production and security, the use of rhizobia is limited in developing countries due to limited research and agricultural microbial product production. Therefore, additional efforts are needed to increase the utilization of soil microbes to ensure food and soil security. The present review expounds on the role of rhizobia toward food production, food and soil security through microbial agro-input utilization in developing countries. Included in the review are the diversity of root-nodulating rhizobia, morphology and formation of legume, the role of nodulating bacteria for increased food production in developing countries, the application of nodulating bacterial technologies in food production in developing countries, and the implication of nodulating bacteria toward agricultural sustainability in devel oping countries. The review established that rhizobia are less utilized in developing countries as an option to increase food production and soil security due to limited research and agricultural microbial agro-input product production. Thus, additional efforts are required to increase soil microbes utilization to increase food production and ensure food security.
Detection of Microbial Contaminants in Food and Food Products.
(IGI Global Scientific Publishing, 2025) MaMatthew Chidozie Ogwu; Tonjock Rosemary Kinge; Soumia El Malahi; Fredrick Ojija
The detection of microbial contaminants in food and food products is a cornerstone of public health protection and food safety assurance. As foodborne diseases continue to pose a global burden, with pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and norovirus accounting for millions of illnesses annually, the need for robust and reliable detection methodologies has become increasingly urgent. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of microbial detection in food systems. It begins by exploring the sources and path ways of microbial contamination across the “farm- to- fork” continuum, highlighting critical control points and microbial risk factors. Emphasis is placed on sampling strategies, including representative sampling, sample preparation, and enrichment protocols, which form the foundation of accurate microbial detection. The chapter then examines diverse detection strategies, including culture- based methods, immunological assays (such as enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay and lateral flow tests), and molecular techniques like polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR, loop- mediated isothermal amplification, and next- generation sequencing. Emerging technologies such as biosensors, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats- based diagnostics, and metagenomics are also discussed for their potential to enhance sensitivity, specificity, and rapidity in pathogen detection. Each technique is assessed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, operational feasibility, and its integration into food safety risk management frameworks. Special attention is given to validation standards, harmonization efforts, and the challenges of deploying these technologies in low- resource settings. The chapter concludes by identifying emerging trends, such as artificial intelligence- assisted detection and portable diagnostics, which hold promise for revolutionizing microbial monitoring in food systems. By bridging microbiological principles with practical applications and regulatory contexts, offering critical insights for researchers, food safety practitioners, and policymakers.
Insights into the Optoelectronic and Thermoelectric Properties of Lead-Free Rb2NaIrF6 Double Perovskite Compound: A First-Principles Study
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-07-01) Mbilo,Mwende; Musembi, Robinson; Kachira, John Peter; Onsate,Wisley Nyangau; Keheze, Fanuel Mugwanga; Mapasha, Refilwe Edwin
This study investigated the structural, electronic, elastic, mechanical, thermodynamic, optical, and thermoelectric properties of the Rb2NaIrF6 lead-free double perovskite compound using first-principles methods. The structural stability of the perovskite was confirmed by the Goldschmidt tolerance and octahedral factors. Dynamic stability was confirmed through the negative energy of formation and positive frequency modes of the phonon dispersion curve. The dynamic stability results suggest that the studied compound could be potentially synthesised experimentally. The Rb2NaIrF6 compound is a direct semiconductor with electronic band gaps within the range of 2.14-3.76 eV, computed using different approximations. The mechanical stability was confirmed by the elastic calculation results. The Rb2NaIrF6 compound was found to be ductile, ionic, and anisotropic. The optical properties showed that Rb2NaIrF6 strongly absorbs light in the ultraviolet region, which is desirable for ultraviolet-photosensitive materials in optoelectronic devices. The computed thermoelectric figure of merit of the Rb2NaIrF6 compound is 0.81 at 1000 K, suggesting high thermoelectric efficiency. These findings demonstrate the potential of Rb2NaIrF6 lead-free double perovskite compound for optoelectronic and thermoelectric applications. Therefore, our investigation offers theoretical insights that can lead to the experimental synthesis and study of Rb2NaIrF6 lead-free double perovskites.