A wide variety of mathematical expressions printed in documents can be recognized by analyzing the twodimensional layout structures of the symbols within the expressions. Our method consists of two basic strategies. One is a specific structure analysis where local structures of subexpressions are checked by a bottomup method. The other is a basic structure analysis an which the global structure of a whole expression is checked by using a top-down method. The structure of a recognized expression is represented by a tree structure and the original expression can be reproduced by using a suitable formatter like w. Experiments have been carried out for many types of expressions found in printed journals and our recognition method has shown favorable results.

Concepts in computer science courses are among the most complicated to teach in developing countries institutions. This is because majority of developing countries' institutions are faced with large class sizes while teaching facilities are few. Although several solutions have been proposed to alleviate these problems such as increasing student-computer ratio, improving teaching pedagogy and increasing number of teaching staff, the problem still exist. Therefore we conducted a pilot study at UDSM determine if the use of animations and simulations can enable students to learn difficult concepts and master course contents. The study has revealed that 67% of respondents (of 108 students) indicated that animations and simulations in courses enabled them to grasp difficult concepts more easily. The study also found that the process of developing animations and simulations improves the quality of course design. However, it is essential that the pedagogical and instructional design principles be incorporated in the whole process of course development to realize the benefit and usefulness of the developed animations.

Despite the fact that programming is at the heart of computer science, it is argued that even at its simplest level it is a difficult subject to teach and learn. For any new learner programming concepts are abstract and confusing. As teaching programming continues to be a daunting task, this article revisits common challenges inherent in teaching computer programming to novices. Further, Memory Transfer Language (MTL) as used to teach programming is introduced and demonstrated. Different kinds of misconceptions in programming and their associated bugs are analysed. An experiment using MTL to teach programming was carried out, using error-counts in examination scripts from two groups of students, one instructed using MTL and the other through the conventional approach. Results indicated a highly significant statistical difference (p = 0) between the two groups, showing that MTL can help novices avoid common programming misconceptions and reduce the errors they make. This shows that if programming is taught using MTL, comprehension is enhanced.

The paper presents results of a study seeking to identify constraining and motivating factors associated with the adoption and use of Free Open Source Software to computerise health Information Systems in a developing country. The study approach is interpretive research to case study with a triangulation of several qualitative data collection methods such as interviews, group discussions and document analysis. The findings indicate that using open source software has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are low entry cost to adopting software, possibilities of software localization, avoiding being hostage of proprietary software and foster knowledge acquisition among software developers. The disadvantages are the need for constant internet access, high switching costs, and lack of human resources especially IT professionals to maintain the software since users get more rights in using and maintaining the system. The study concludes that because of the dynamics in health information systems, open source is appropriate.

The cost for application software and propriatry standards (i.e. data structure and formats) required for storing clinicaldatasets from electronic device cause the use of time-consuming paper-based documentation and/or the transfer ofelectronic lab records manually to the PC database systems in Mother-Offspring Malaria Study (MOMS) LaboratoryUnit located in Morogoro Regional Hospital, Tanzania. We have explored the ability to extract laboratory results fromHaematology analyzer machine for easy management, access and storage. The methodology and tools used during thestudy includes; site survey and hands-on practice for requirement engineering, visual basic 6.0 for interface design andMicrosoft Access for relational database design. The study has developed a model “ CO mpose- TRA ansmit- CO nvent-CO mpose” convention (acronym COTRACOCO) to implements an open serial port interface that required only a driverclass to execute the labs outputs for storage in database with at run-time with less programming knowledge. The studydemonstrated that the COTRACOCO convention presented is general and may promote a new paradigm for establishingthe robust serial port communication systems for any digital device.