Adopting the Indigenous Nigerian Languages for National Development

The availability of different languages in different countries of the African Continent is a source of strength. It is a potential that should be harnessed to foster national integration through greater participation in the political process by the masses. However, the dominance of colonialists’ language as "official language" has robbed the masses in African Countries the opportunity of participation in their political process because of the language barrier. This study highlights the reason why African languages are not being used in policy making and thereafter suggests remedies. It is the recommendation of this study that if policies are made in the language that the masses understand, greater participation would promote good governance.Key words: National Development, African continent, Colonialism, Multilingualis

Simple & Progressive Aspects of Grammar and their Usage in Literature

As English teachers, we are constantly worried about the poor performance of our students in the subject. We also notice that most of them are more interested in reading novels than their grammar texts because such texts are 'very dry, and abstract'. A number of students also argue that they cannot see the relevance of what we teach to their chosen careers. How do we encourage them to learn more about the grammar of English and to use it for their communicative needs? How do we make our students enjoy reading texts on tenses so as to understand the differences between the simple and the progressive? An attempt is made in this study to integrate language into literature using excerpts from literature texts (precisely Things Fall Apart) as materials for the teaching of the simple and the progressive aspect. This is based on our conviction that if the essence of teaching grammar is to apply the knowledge to actual life situations, then Literature, which is said to be from life, could be a viable option in making our students to realize the usefulness of English Studies & National Development. Keywords: Communication, Lexis and structure, simple aspect, progressive aspect

Mother Tongue Education: A Panacea to Effective Teaching and Learning of English in Nigeria Primary Schools

The controversy as to whether the English Language or the child's mother tongue facilitates teaching and learning at primary school level has not been resolved. The advocates of mother-tongue medium claim that it makes for meaningful teaching and learning and better pupils' participation in the learning process while antagonists of MT- medium claim it hinders effective teaching and learning of the English language. The study therefore investigated the impact of the MT Education on effective teaching and learning of English in selected primary schools in Anambra and Enugu States of Nigeria using survey research design. Three research questions were raised and answered. Data were collected through the use of teachers' questionnaire .Findings revealed that primary school teachers were aware of MT policy provision and that it facilitates effective leaching and learning of the English Language at primary schools. Consequently recommendations were made that pupils should he given the opportunity of learning in MT longer than the first three years of primary education while government should ensure regular monitoring of classroom practices to ensure compliance with MT policy provision. Keywords: Mother Tongue, National Policy on Education, Language Policy

Image Compression Using Cascaded Neural Networks

Images are forming an increasingly large part of modern communications, bringing the need for efficient and effective compression. Many techniques developed for this purpose include transform coding, vector quantization and neural networks. In this thesis, a new neural network method is used to achieve image compression. This work extends the use of 2-layer neural networks to a combination of cascaded networks with one node in the hidden layer. A redistribution of the gray levels in the training phase is implemented in a random fashion to make the minimization of the mean square error applicable to a broad range of images. The computational complexity of this approach is analyzed in terms of overall number of weights and overall convergence. Image quality is measured objectively, using peak signal-to-noise ratio and subjectively, using perception. The effects of different image contents and compression ratios are assessed. Results show the performance superiority of cascaded neural networks compared to that of fixedarchitecture training paradigms especially at high compression ratios. The proposed new method is implemented in MATLAB. The results obtained, such as compression ratio and computing time of the compressed images, are presented

Image Compression Using Cascaded Neural Networks

Images are forming an increasingly large part of modern communications, bringing the need for efficient and effective compression. Many techniques developed for this purpose include transform coding, vector quantization and neural networks. In this thesis, a new neural network method is used to achieve image compression. This work extends the use of 2-layer neural networks to a combination of cascaded networks with one node in the hidden layer. A redistribution of the gray levels in the training phase is implemented in a random fashion to make the minimization of the mean square error applicable to a broad range of images. The computational complexity of this approach is analyzed in terms of overall number of weights and overall convergence. Image quality is measured objectively, using peak signal-to-noise ratio and subjectively, using perception. The effects of different image contents and compression ratios are assessed. Results show the performance superiority of cascaded neural networks compared to that of fixedarchitecture training paradigms especially at high compression ratios. The proposed new method is implemented in MATLAB. The results obtained, such as compression ratio and computing time of the compressed images, are presented

Language and Culture: Nigerian Perspective

The power of language to reflect culture and influence thinking was first proposed by an American linguist and anthropologist, Edward Sapir (1884-1939) and his student, Benjamin Whorf (1897-1941). The Saphir-Whorf hypothesis stated that the way we think and view the world is determined by our language. This theory also stated that some languages have specific words or concepts where other languages use several words to represent a specific concept. Culture is the totality of ways and manners people live their lives and be able to make sense of their existence. Every group and society has cultures that constitute the framework for their lives and behavioural patterns. Hence the linguistic, social and economic performance of nations can only be best appreciated and explained against the backdrop of the prevailing cultural domains. This paper opined that culture is a very dynamic and lethal force which should be driven to achieve human growth and language development. It explores how the development of language could lead to cultural enhancement in Nigeria.Key Words- language, culture, communication, linguistics, perceptio

Constructing Loyalty in an Online Music Community

The sustained centrality of brand loyalty in marketing theory and practice, the growing relevance of community in brand and marketing discourse, and the necessity of knowledge that is valid at the level of the consumers’ lived experience have prompted the need for research that examines the relationship between loyalty and community especially as it relates to art and cultural brands broadly, and music in particular. This study set out to explore how loyalty is constructed and given meaning within the context of an online music community. In doing so the study engages with a range of literatures from marketing, sociology, fan studies and popular music studies. Drawing on the notion of fandom, an experiential view that highlights the symbolic and meaning-based aspects of brand loyalty is utilized along with the notion of the ‘circuit of culture’. An online community, dedicated to music b(r)and, U2, served as the research context. The study adopts a broadly ethnographic approach while also employing methods and techniques drawn from discourse analysis. This enabled the merging of the systematic observation of discourses within the selected fan community, with direct contact with its social actors. Data was collected using participant observation, observation ethnography and interviews with fans. Three analysis chapters, respectively, deal with the discursive resources utilized by music fans in constructing loyalty; the collective negotiation of different ways of being loyal and of expressing loyalty within the group; and the role of loyal fan engagement within the context of community in constructing the brand’s story. Taken together, the three analysis chapters present a picture of how music fans construct loyalty, and other associated meanings and tensions involved in the consumption of an artist brand. The implications of the findings for the theory of brand loyalty and music consumption are then drawn out. By situating the study of loyalty within the context of community, and taking a fine-grained discursive approach to loyalty, the study highlights the group construction of preferences, value systems and meanings that frame loyal behaviour. The meaning-based perspective taken also highlights the socio-cultural underpinnings of brand loyalty for music fans and consumers

Patient‑Reported Outcomes in Lumbar Spine Surgery

Introduction: Lumbar spine spondylosis is a significant cause of morbidity worldwide. Surgical treatment is increasingly being used inpatients who do not respond to conservative treatment. Although the outcome of these surgeries is subjective, patient‑oriented  questionnaires are considered to give a less biased assessment of surgical outcomes. The aim of this study was to use the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) to assess the early outcome of lumbar spine surgery in patients with lumbar degenerative spine disease. Methodology: This was a retrospective study carried out over a period of one year, recruiting twenty patients who had lumbar spine surgeries (both instrumented and non‑instrumented surgeries) for degenerative lumbar spine disease. Results: The age range of the subjects was 40–80 years, with a mean age of 55.9 ± 9.2 years. A majority of the patients had lumbar disc prolapse (70%). There was a statistically significant correlation between preoperative ODI and postoperative ODI, with postoperative patients having a lower ODI score (which signifies improved outcome). Conclusion: Lumbar surgeries for degenerative lumbosacral spine disease lead to a high level of patient satisfaction

Experimental and surface analyses of laser deposited Al-Sn-Cu-Si coatings on Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Abstract: Modification of surfaces is very necessary in order to mitigate against catastrophic surface degradation of wear and corrosion. The one solution against this aforementioned degradation is to design coatings that can fight against this menace in order to retain the surface integrity. These fabricated coatings would bring innovative microstructures with exceptional properties and performance. The inability of conventional techniques to fabricate complex designs, shapes and enhanced microstructures have led to Additive Manufacturing (A.M) techniques in seeking for solution to this problem. The project sought to utilize laser cladding of Ti-6Al-4V alloy as a method of improving its surface properties therefore expanding the range of applications and lifespan of the material...M.Ing. (Mechanical Engineering Science

Extensive Reading Culture Through Better Writing and Publishing Attributes

Content, narrative flow and physical attributes of a book could contribute to what readers take away from a reading episode. Reading episodes support or discourage the cultivation of positive reading. Thus, writing and publishing features of a book implicitly elicit response that could induce or deter reading reprises. This study examines the association between writing and publishing elements and reading enjoyment. Data were derived from a questionnaire administered to second year undergraduate students after a thorough reading project. Findings suggest that writers and publishers can attract potential readers by paying attention to meeting their needs for pleasurable reading experience. The study affirms that reading episodes have potential influence on reading attitude and motivation and readers exposed to good books can cultivate voluntary reading habits