Preparing the Vuk'uzenzele and ZA-gov-multilingual South African multilingual corpora

This paper introduces two multilingual government themed corpora in various South African languages. The corpora were collected by gathering the South African Government newspaper (Vuk'uzenzele), as well as South African government speeches (ZA-gov-multilingual), that are translated into all 11 South African official languages. The corpora can be used for a myriad of downstream NLP tasks. The corpora were created to allow researchers to study the language used in South African government publications, with a focus on understanding how South African government officials communicate with their constituents. In this paper we highlight the process of gathering, cleaning and making available the corpora. We create parallel sentence corpora for Neural Machine Translation (NMT) tasks using Language-Agnostic Sentence Representations (LASER) embeddings. With these aligned sentences we then provide NMT benchmarks for 9 indigenous languages by fine-tuning a massively multilingual pre-trained language model.Comment: Accepted and to appear at Fourth workshop on Resources for African Indigenous Languages (RAIL) at EACL 202

Multi-objective genetic algorithms for computing fast fourier transforms over wireless sensor networks

PhD (Computer Science), North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2017Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) consist of sensor nodes which are geographically distributed with the capacity to communicate and re-organize themselves within the network. Each sensor node possesses wireless communication capabilities in the form of radio signals and some level of intelligence for signal processing and networking data. In most practical implementations, WSNs are deployed with limited battery sources and it is time consuming to replace the battery sources in practice which constrain the energy requirements of the WSN and inhibit network performance. While researches in traditional WSN applications are primarily focused on achieving high quality of service provisions, this current research focuses on protocols aimed at power conservation. This research initially identifies and_ describes the nature of problems that arise in deploying WSNs due to their limited battery sources and complications that arise in replacing the battery sources in practice. Therefore, we explore problems associated with sensor communication and distributed processing in WSNs. Our initial approach was to review existing techniques from literature applicable to distributed signal processing that resolves the challenge associated with efficient energy consumption in WSNs. The review indicates that data redundancy in communication is significantly due to spatio-temporal correlations. Among other techniques used, comprehensive sensing technique was discovered to be more effective in reducing the amount of redundant data communicated. Also, the literature survey indicates that the bulk of WSNs energy consumption is principally due to ineffective node communication resulting in poor load balancing. Furthermore, the bulk of energy expended during that ineffective node communication is associated with complex number multiplication. Yet, existing literature has failed to handle these issues of ineffective node communication resulting in poor load balancing and complex number multiplication which leads to increased energy depletion. Consequently, our novel technique is through a simulated approach where we developed a solution through the application of Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm for Field Programmable Gate Arrays in order to resolve the challenge of complex number multiplication during signal processing at the node level. In handling the challenge of ineffective node communication, resulting in poor load balancing between nodes, we design a stochastic context-aware energy consumption and distribution model that effectively resolves the problem of load balancing. In sum, this research work contributes to knowledge in that it has developed a Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm based on field programmable gate arrays to resolve the challenge of complex multiplication associated with the computation of Fast Fourier Transform during signal processing at the node level. Another novel technique achieved by this research is the design of Stochastic Context-aware energy consumption and distribution model capable of resolving the problem of load balancing in a WSN. These two novel techniques are aimed at reducing computational complexity, hence energy consumption during signal processing in WSNs.Doctora

The planning and provision of teacher education in Rhodesia 1923-1953

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:D35802/81 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Trypanocidal effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Strychnos spinosa on white mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

The emergence of trypanocidal resistance has led to a change in the behavior and use of local plants for the treatment of parasites. The trypanocidal activity of Strychnos spinosa aqueous and ethanolic extracts on Trypanosoma brucei brucei was evaluated during ten days of treatment. Thus, the smear was used to monitor the parasitaemia of mice treated with Strychnos spinose aqueous and ethanolic extracts by gavage at doses of 250, 500, 1000 mg/kg (test groups); with 10 ml/kg of distilled water (negative control) and 1mg/kg of isometamidium chloride (positive control). The results of the pharmacological studies on the trypanocidal potential of the plant showed that On day ten (D10)  a mortality rates of 32 %, 39 % and 62 % respectively for the doses 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg with the ethanolic extract while  the aqueous extract induced a mortality rates of 32 %, 37 % and 56 % respectively. Isometamidium chloride induced the highest mortality rate of 85 %. The lethal doses were 218.07 and 225.79 mg/kg for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts respectively. All these results justify at least in part the use of this plant in traditional medicine for the treatment of trypanosomiasis.&#x0D; Keywords: Ethanolic extracts - Aqueous extracts - Trypanocidal potential - Trypanosomes - Inhibition of parasitaemia. </jats:p

CHALLENGES OF WASTE MANAGEMENT AT JENA MINE, KWEKWE, ZIMBABWE AND THEIR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

<p>In Zimbabwe, gold mining dates back to the pre-colonial era and has remained one of the major economic activities in the country. In recent years, the industry is predominantly conducted by small-scale operators and informal gold panners scattered around the country. Recently, the government has recognized the contribution of these people and has advised them to sell their product to Fidelity Printers. Through the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), the government has encouraged small-scale gold mining in different parts of the country. Jena mine which is located in Silobela 80km from Kwekwe district is a member of the ZMDC and has caused several environmental challenges, which are discussed in this paper. The mine produces waste materials in the form of overburden and tailings which have found their way into the environment surrounding Silobela. In a research conducted during the period between 2016 and 2017 (using both qualitative and quantitative research methods), this paper reviews some of the challenges affecting the mine. Some of the problems, which the company is facing in its waste management programmes include financial constraints, poor infrastructural capacity and environmental pollution. This study notes that Jena mine needs to resuscitate its infrastructure and enhance its security to prevent illegal mining on mine dumps which are contributing greatly to environmental pollution.</p

A review of financial management practices in selected secondary schools in the Kwekwe District of Zimbabwe

Many countries around the world have decentralized financial management decision-making to school leaders and their communities. Decentralization is believed to equip communities with better education compared to central authorities, since decentralization aligns schools with their local educational needs and preferences. The current study sought to evaluate the availability and efficacy of documents that guide school financial management in the Kwekwe district. The study used a mixed-method research design in which qualitative and quantitative data were collected concurrently. Qualitative data were examined thematically, while quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS to find frequencies. The study revealed that several documents guide financial management in schools. There are generally different levels of appreciation among the stakeholders on the efficacy of the documents in ensuring finances are properly managed. Most of the respondents believe that the documents available for financial management are very useful in financial management in schools. Although most of the respondents agreed that training sessions should be held for the official in school financial management, a significant proportion indicated that training sessions were rarely held. The benefits of a decentralized financial management system can only be realizeized if policies are well adhered to. The study recommends continuously ensuring the availability of relevant guiding policy documents and financial management training sessions. The study also recommends adopting ICT-based financial management in schools to circumvent the problem of principals moving away with the documents when there are transferred.Publisher's versio

Trypanocidal effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Strychnos spinosa on white mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

The emergence of trypanocidal resistance has led to a change in the behavior and use of local plants for the treatment of parasites. The trypanocidal activity of Strychnos spinosa aqueous and ethanolic extracts on Trypanosoma brucei brucei was evaluated during ten days of treatment. Thus, the smear was used to monitor the parasitaemia of mice treated with Strychnos spinose aqueous and ethanolic extracts by gavage at doses of 250, 500, 1000 mg/kg (test groups); with 10 ml/kg of distilled water (negative control) and 1mg/kg of isometamidium chloride (positive control). The results of the pharmacological studies on the trypanocidal potential of the plant showed that On day ten (D10)&nbsp; a mortality rates of 32 %, 39 % and 62 % respectively for the doses 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg with the ethanolic extract while&nbsp; the aqueous extract induced a mortality rates of 32 %, 37 % and 56 % respectively. Isometamidium chloride induced the highest mortality rate of 85 %. The lethal doses were 218.07 and 225.79 mg/kg for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts respectively. All these results justify at least in part the use of this plant in traditional medicine for the treatment of trypanosomiasis. Keywords: Ethanolic extracts - Aqueous extracts - Trypanocidal potential - Trypanosomes - Inhibition of parasitaemia

Behavioral Analysis of experiences of secondary School Development Committees on policies and practices in budgeting in Kwekwe District, Zimbabwe

The study sought to investigate the behavioral experiences of secondary School Development Committees on policies and practices in budgeting in&nbsp; Kwekwe District of Zimbabwe. The study employed a mixed-methods research design and used an open and closed-ended questionnaire to collect&nbsp; data from 61 participants including 8 school heads, 8 school deputy heads, 8 school senior teachers, 8 heads of departments, 8 School Development&nbsp; Committee chairpersons, 8 vice-chairperson and 8 school treasurers, 1 district schools inspector, 1 district accountant, 2 provincial&nbsp; internal auditors, and 1 provincial accounting assistant. The quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS (Version 27) and presented in the form of&nbsp; descriptive tabular summaries. Qualitative data were examined thematically. The study found that not all secondary school heads and School&nbsp; Development Committee members in Zimbabwe's Kwekwe district know how to draw a school budget. Lack of interest to draw a school budget,&nbsp; Covid -19, inflation, and non-payment of fees by parents and guardians and lack of knowledge in policies and practices on budgeting were&nbsp; important factors found to affect policies and practices in budgeting in Kwekwe district secondary schools. The study suggests a need for regular&nbsp; training workshops for school heads and SDC to improve understanding, literacy, and practices in budgeting in schools. And a review of educational&nbsp; policy to include compulsory capacity building for newly appointed school heads and SDC on financial management practices

Comparison of the Changes in Seed Germination Vigour with Prolonged Postharvest Storage for Hordeum vulgare Varieties, Hope and Sierra Malting Barley Varieties, in Zimbabwe

To ensure production of quality malt that conforms to brewing requirements, the barley used should have minimal postharvest dormancy and be able to germinate rapidly and uniformly. The objective of the study was to compare the changes in seed germination, vigour trends, and storage stability of two-row Zimbabwean commercially grown malting barley varieties (Hope and Sierra), as the postharvest storage time increased. The two varieties were stored for 12 months, and at monthly intervals, germination index, capacity, and energy were determined. In addition, other quality parameters (protein content, screening, moisture content, water sensitivity, and insect damage index) were also assessed. Hope’s germination index improved with an increase in storage time from 8.67 at the beginning of the study to 9.18 at the end of the study, while that for Sierra diminished with storage from 9.35 to 6.71. Generally, water sensitivity improved with postharvest storage for both varieties. However, the germination energy for Hope diminished with increased postharvest storage compared to Sierra. Hope variety is the more suitable variety for extended postharvest storage than Sierra. However, Sierra variety is more suitable for early malting postharvest storage