Nigerian Pidgin and West African Pidgins: A sociolinguistic perspective

Sociolinguistic factors play a significant role in the emergence and development of pidgins and creoles, and their role in the development of West African Pidgin English based (WAPE) varieties is not an exception. Nigerian Pidgin (NP) along with Ghanaian Pidgin (GP) and Cameroon Pidgin (CP) form a continuum of mutually intelligible WAPE varieties spoken as lingua francas along the West African coast. While previous studies provide sociolinguistic  descriptions of the individual varieties, there is no comprehensive comparative study of the WAPE varieties. This study aims to fill the gap by providing a comparative analysis of similarities and differences in current domains of use, functions, and attitudes that have shaped their current status in the context of their socio-historical  nterrelatedness. The study shows that while the WAPE varieties share similarities in their demographic and  sociolinguistic contexts, they differ in status. It observes a more rapid development and expansion in NP. The findings of this study contribute to a holistic understanding of the role of sociolinguistic factors in evaluating the status of the mutually intelligible WAPE varieties to inform its future development

Localisation of Mobile Phone Technological Terms: A Case Study of Yorùbá Language

The dominance of the English language in Nigeria is one of the major linguistic outcomes of the colonial period. Despite its status however, only about half of the population are literate in English (NBS, 2010), thus making Nigerian languages very important mediums of communication. Various studies (Owolabi 2006, Adegbija 2004) have noted the underdevelopment of Nigerian languages especially for specialised domains like Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and have called for their development to enable speakers benefit from the affordances of digital devices and services. Despite the considerable developments in languages like Yorùbá, it has limited digital language resources that in turn disenfranchise its speakers from being able to participate in the digital space. This paper examines the principles and strategies in the development of Yorùbá terminology for digital technologies. Data for the study was sourced from Yorùbá native speakers1 whose competencies qualify them as both creators and end users of meta-language in Yorùbá. The data were analysed to determine the strategies used to derive terminology for mobile phone technology and the criteria for selecting the most appropriate terms. The study demonstrates a collaborative synergy between both the users and the (linguistic) experts to produce Yorùbá equivalent terms that followed the principles and strategies of Yorùbá metalanguage, and that is also acceptable to the end users. It recommends the mainstreaming of the localised terminology for wider use among users, and as such promotes the participation of Yorùbá in the digital space

Prevention of elastase-induced emphysema in placenta growth factor knock-out mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although both animal and human studies suggested the association between placenta growth factor (PlGF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), especially lung emphysema, the role of PlGF in the pathogenesis of emphysema remains to be clarified. This study hypothesizes that blocking PlGF prevents the development of emphysema.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Pulmonary emphysema was induced in PlGF knock-out (KO) and wild type (WT) mice by intra-tracheal instillation of porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE). A group of KO mice was then treated with exogenous PlGF and WT mice with neutralizing anti-VEGFR1 antibody. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and VEGF were quantified. Apoptosis measurement and immuno-histochemical staining for VEGF R1 and R2 were performed in emphysematous lung tissues.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After 4 weeks of PPE instillation, lung airspaces enlarged more significantly in WT than in KO mice. The levels of TNF-α and MMP-9, but not VEGF, increased in the lungs of WT compared with those of KO mice. There was also increased in apoptosis of alveolar septal cells in WT mice. Instillation of exogenous PlGF in KO mice restored the emphysematous changes. The expression of both VEGF R1 and R2 decreased in the emphysematous lungs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In this animal model, pulmonary emphysema is prevented by depleting PlGF. When exogenous PlGF is administered to PlGF KO mice, emphysema re-develops, implying that PlGF contributes to the pathogenesis of emphysema.</p

Micro-electricity generation using solar thermal design and modelling thermosiphon applications from waste recycled materials

In this study, the abundant heat energy available from daily insolation in tropical climates is converted into DC current via a reversible thermoelectric effect. Recyclable components were employed in the construction of a simple solar-thermoelectric generator. The design used is based on the power tower method (without heliostats) of generating electricity from a steam-powered turbine. Recyclable waste materials such as soda can, insulation, support stand, (bottle tops) and plane mirrors were used. Integration of this TEG into a cogeneration system produced average steam temperature of 60 ◦C in 330 s, from concentrated Solar Power (CSP) from 720 plane mirrors over a land area of 4 m2. Steam emanating from the boiler was used to turn eight light weight bottle tops affixed to a rotor, under standard conditions of air mass of 1 atm. The thermo-electrical performance was determined from Z, figure of merit. Given that the electrical conductivity (σ), thermal conductivity (λ) and Seebeck coefficient of the thermo-power (S) of all materials used were assumed to be constant. The output energy directed through wires to a step-up transformer, generated an electromotive force which adequately lighted a 1.2 V light emitting diode

The Prevalence of Eye Disease in Asaba Specialist Hospital

The eye as organ of the visual system, mainly detect light and convert it into electro-chemical impulses in neurons. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of eye diseases in Asaba Specialist Hospital. A simple random sampling technique was used for selection of 700 sample sizes. Details of medical records of every patient that visited the ophthalmology unit of Asaba Specialist Hospital were used to obtain data for current study. The information of patients diagnosed with eye disease was retrieved and recorded in the data sheet; information collected includes gender, age, diagnosis, occupation and marital status. Data was analyzed with simple descriptive statistics and presented in frequency charts and tables using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results from this study showed that the prevalence of eye diseases in Asaba Specialist Hospital is in the following order: Allergic conjunctivitis (30%)&gt; Refractive error (24.90%)&gt; Bilateral cataract (11.43%) &gt; Glaucoma (9.57%) &gt; Bacterial Conjunctivitis (4.57%) &gt; ocular allergy (4.29%) &gt; corneal laceration (2.72%) &gt; Pterygium (2.14%) &gt; dry eye syndrome(1.71%) &gt; diabetic ametropia (1.28%) &gt; bilateral corneal opacity (1.14%). Study also determined prevalence of eye defects in sex and the average mean cases calculated revealed that eye diseases were had high prevalence in females (19.05±33.87) when compared to males (14.29±24.70). Conclusively, conjunctivitis had the highest index closely followed by refractive conditions with corneal opacity having the least occurrence

KNOWLEDGE OF ASTHENOPIA AND AMMETROPIC STATUS AMONG FRESHERS: OPTOMETRIST VISIBILITY IN UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTER

The society register a large population of person who has never visited the clinic and most of these subjects suffer asthenopia due to either uncorrected spherical or astigmatic condition. This can lead to other damaging visual disorders like amblyopia and strabismus. Most tertiary institutions seem unaware of these indices and the dangers associated; therefore, do not take deliberate steps in the prevention and correction of these disorders leading to a rise in visual impairment among students. This study wished to close the gap between knowledge of asthenopia and its indices in tertiary institutions. The research adopted an incidental random sampling technique and recruited 258 subjects from the target population. Snellen Visual Acuity Test, Slit Acuity Test and Near Point of Convergence (NPC) were performed on the student and findings recorded. Furthermore, questionnaires were administered to subjects for assessment their level of personal refractive error status awareness. Research observed that the percentage of students who were presumed to have spherical ocular aberrations were 18.2% and those without were 81.8%. Cylindrical ocular aberrations were 15.1% and those without cylindrical ocular aberrations were 84.9%. This study also predicted that students with spectacle prescription (8.5%) are less than students with aberrations (24.8%). Furthermore, study showed a weak negative relationship between spherical and cylindrical aberration when compared to NPC (r ₌ -0.116). Conclusively, this study observed that a greater number of this population were ignorant of their refractive status and therefore, study wish to advocate for a proper ocular health screening on-admission and, periodic medical fitness check which must include a comprehensive eye examination with treatment plans including lens prescription coverage

Evidence of Polarons and Bipolarons in a Chemically Pressurized Nanoparticle Bi2Ba2Tb0.5Cu2O4+y

Previous researches on underdoped and overdoped Bi-2212 superconductor have shown that its mechanism follows the polarons-bipolarons theory of superconductivity. In this study, a chemically pressurized Bi-2212 compounds was synthesized and characterized. It was observed that phase analysis reveals the unique route of electron flow within the polycrystalline sample. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows the presence of static and dynamic localizations that proves the possibly presence of Bose-Einstein condensation of inter-site bipolarons. This study on chemically pressurized Bi2Ba2Tb0.5Cu2O4+y compound has shown that the generation and dynamics of polarons and bipolarons are associated to the pentavalent post-transition nature of bismuth

IMPACT OF LIGHT PATTERNS ON PSYCHOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY: A FOCUS ON REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES IN MALE WISTAR RATS

Light is a fundamental environmental factor that profoundly influences various physiological and behavioral processes in animals, including humans. This study aimed to investigate impact of light patterns on psychophysical behavior (such as depression-like behavior, anxiety-like behavior, social interaction), reproductive hormones (including testosterone, LH, FSH, and GnRH) in Wister rats. A total of twenty-eight male Wistar rats were grouped into four (4) groups: Group I: Control group which received normal light, Group II: Rats kept in total darkness (no light source), Group III: Rats expose to Tonic/constant light, Group IV: Rhythmic light (off and on flickering light). Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism v9.0 version.Results demonstrated that exposure to rhythmic light, total darkness, and bright light induced depression-like behavior, with rhythmic light having the most pronounced effect. Anxiety-like behavior was heightened in rats exposed to rhythmic light, aligning with disrupted light-dark cycles inducing anxiety-like symptoms. Social interaction was negatively influenced by total darkness and bright light, while rhythmic light promoted positive social behavior. Reproductive hormone levels, including testosterone, LH, FSH, and GnRH, were significantly impacted by light patterns. Bright light exposure was associated with increased FSH levels, while rhythmic light suppressed FSH production. However, GnRH levels were elevated by bright light and reduced by other light patterns. Additionally, exposure to total darkness led to increased body weight in male rats, whereas rhythmic light was linked to reduced weight gain. The study underscores the intricate relationship between light patterns and physiological responses, contributing to a nuanced understanding of how light exposure influences behavior and hormonal regulation. &nbsp