Conference Articles

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Digital Surveillance and Digitally-disadvantaged Language Communities
(2019-12-04) Zaugg, Isabelle
The issue of digital surveillance often falls outside urgent discussions regarding the need to build digital supports for under- resourced languages. While the benefits of these supports for digitally-disadvantaged language communities are clear, the reality is that standardized script use, standardized spelling, and NLP systems in particular increase a language community’s legibility for digital surveillance. As we build digital supports for Indigenous and minority language communities, we must consider how these tools might be used against them through digital surveillance, and how to combat these risks.
Libraries In The Age Of Technocoloniality: Epistemic Alienation In African Scholarly Communications
(2021-05-05) Mboa Nkoudou, Thomas Hervé
This keynote was delivered during the Critical Approaches to Libraries Conference 2021
Finetuning A Single-Blade Sonic Paper-Cutter As An Energy-Saving Sharpening Instrument
(2022-02-11) Shava, Kudzai; Hlakudi, Carolline; Postema, Michiel; Carlson, Craig
Constant usage and exposure to harsh environments results in a blade to become blunt. Two matching circuits were developed to improve the energy efficiency of an ultrasonic single-blade paper-cutting tool, whilst enhancing the sharpness of the blade. The unmatched ultrasonic knife had a measured magnitude of −0.3 dB and a resonance frequency of 251 kHz. The incorporation of a matching circuit significantly improved the magnitude indicating greater power transfer and consequently energy efficiency. The sharpening effect of ultrasound was qualitatively and quantitatively investigated, where both yielded a less tortuous cut under sonication in comparison to the unsonicated case. The addition of a matching circuit further improved the cutting efficiency. At an operating voltage of 10V peak , the cut made by the ultrasonic knife with a matching circuit was less tortuous than even an industrially cut edge, with a linearity of 61–63 % compared to 59 %, respectively.
BIOASSAY-GUIDED ISOLATION OF FURIN INHIBITORS FROM LEAF EXTRACT OF Momordica charantia L.
(2022-09-18) Famutimi, Oladoyin Grace; Adewale, Isaac Olusanjo; Osiebe, Oghenesivwe; Aderogba, Mutalib Adeniran
Proprotein convertase-furin is involved in numerous physiological and pathogenic processes, such as viral propagation, bacterial toxin activation, cancer, and metastasis. Because of its involvement in these disease-related processes, the inhibition of this enzyme could be a promising drug target. The several existing synthetic inhibitors of furin are associated with side effects. Hence, we focused on natural sources, in particular, medicinal plant with antiviral capabilities. This study was designed to isolate the bioactive secondary metabolites present in Momordica charantia leaf extract and determine their potential bioactivity on furin. M. charantia leaves were air-dried, ground to fine powder and extracted using 80% (v/v) methanol. The methanolic extract was concentrated in vacuo at 40 oC and the crude extract obtained was partitioned successively with n-hexane (HEX), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-butanol (BuOH). A bioassay-guided screening of the crude extract and solvent fractions was carried out against the activity of recombinant human furin with the release of fluorescent 7-amino-4-methyl coumarin (AMC) liberated from the substrate, Pyroglutamic acid-Arg-Thr-Lys-Arg-methyl-coumaryl-7-amide, in a fluorimeter plate reader. Thereafter, the most potent fraction was subjected to chromatographic separation using thin layer (TLC) and column chromatographic techniques. The eluted fractions and subfractions were screened for bioactivity. The crude extract showed inhibition percentages of 51.9 and 100% at 7 and 12.5 ng/μl, respectively. The HEX fraction (7 ng/μl) exerted the highest inhibition (72%) on furin compared to other fractions while the BuOH fraction activated the enzyme by 1.5%. The chromatographed HEX fraction yielded seven (7) fractions with different physical properties. Five of these fractions gave single spot on TLC plate. Six fractions (MC I to VI) exhibited potent inhibition against furin with inhibition percentages ranging from 67 to 100% when 0.5 ng/μl of the inhibitor was used. Further fractionation of MC VI on preparative thin layer chromatography gave two sub fractions (A and B) which gave 50% inhibition, respectively. Overall, the presence of these potent inhibitors of furin in the leaf extract of M. charantia could provide a rationale for the ethnomedicinal use of the plant for viral infection in Nigerian folk medicine. Also, further investigations are underway for a better understanding and structural elucidation of the secondary metabolites responsible for the bioactivity observed on furin.
The Future of Open Science: Unlocking Knowledge Together – Open Science Training
(2023-10-31) Nyirongo, Revelation
UbuntuNet Alliance under the AfricaConnect3 project invited 20 librarians to participate in a one-day Open Science training session a day before the UbuntuNet Connect 2023 Conference.
Generative Artificial Intelligence and Distributed Learning: A Short Survey
(2024-08-15) Miriam Makeba
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) and Distributed Learning have gained significant attention in recent years, driven by their vast applica tions across various domains. This survey provides an overview of recent advancements in GenAI applications, particularly focusing on the integra tion of GenAI with distributed learning paradigms. We discuss the latest trends, challenges, and future directions, highlighting key contributions from recent literature. Our survey aims to provide researchers and practitioners with insights into the current state of GenAI and distributed learning, offer ing a comprehensive understanding of their potential to drive innovation in various fields.
FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR EARLY PREGNANCY AMONG FEMALE TEENAGERS IN ESURE, AKURE SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ONDO STATE
(2024-09-11) Ilegbusi, Paul; Adenuga, Dr. Kayode Ibrahim
Teenage pregnancy has recently gained popularity due to its numerous negative effects on the overall health of the adolescent nursing mother, the child, the family, and the entire community. The study investigated factors responsible for early pregnancy among female teenagers in Esure, Akure South Local Government, Ondo State, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive design, administering 108 questionnaires for analysis using IBM SPSS Version 25. The findings revealed that 92.6% of the respondents are knowledgeable about teenage pregnancy; 86% have given birth; age at first sexual intercourse was highest between 17 19 years (44%); Primary causes of teenage pregnancy include a lack of sex education (70%), followed by peer pressure (35%), poverty (20%), and low self-esteem (19%). Other associated factors include a lack of self-control (28%), a lack of parenting (24%), and poverty (23%). The vulnerable groups include orphans (82.4%), children from single parents (74%), sexually active teenagers (92.6%), and gifts from the opposite sex (83.3%). The implications of teenage pregnancy include sexually transmitted infections (40%), abortion (23%), bleeding after birth (15%), death (14%), and infertility (8%). Other factors include school dropout (35.2%) and stigmatisation (34.3%). Prevention of teenage pregnancy includes health education (33.3%), abstinence (22.2%), use of contraceptives (18.5%), prevention of early marriage (9.3%), sex education (8.3%). The study recommends the introduction of youth-friendly health services, continuous health education, and the incorporation of human sexuality education into school curricula. The study also advocates for government support in establishing youth counselling centres and providing resources for pregnant and parenting teenagers.
EFFECTS OF SEX EDUCATION AMONG PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOL GIRLS IN ILEKUN COMMUNITY, AKURE SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, ONDO STATE, NIGERIA
(2024-09-11) Ilegbusi, Paul; TOMORI, MICHAEL
Sexuality education is a central aspect of being human throughout life and encompasses sex, gender identities and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction. This study was aimed at investigating the effects of sex education among private secondary school girls in Ilekun, Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State, Nigeria. The study design was descriptive, using simple random technique and 120 structured questionnaires were administered and retrieved for analysis, using SPSS frequency table and simple percentage. The study revealed that 97.5% of the students have heard about sex education, comprising 39% (from home), 28% (from school), 11.6% (from religious houses), 5.8% (from internet), 4% (from friends), 3% (from radio/television), 2.5% (from social media), and 2.5% (from sexual books/magazines). Those introduced to sex education between 10 and 14 years old were 65.8%; 51.6% agreed that sex education is not taught in secondary schools because of the following reasons: shy to talk about it (82.5%), not included in school curriculum (82.5%), no trained sex education counselor (72.5%), and no enough time for it in school (76.6%). Effects of sex education include: reduction of unwanted pregnancy (90.8%), reduced sexually transmitted infections (93%), changes one’s sexual attitude (91.6%), being responsible (87.5%), promotes abstinence (79%), and lacks of it leads to rape (94%). The study concludes that sex education should be integrated into the secondary school curriculum with well trained counselors. Additionally, it emphasizes the role of parents, religious institutions, communities and government in promoting sexuality education.

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