Addressing the Challenges of Igbo Computational Morphological Studies Using Frequent Pattern-Based Induction

Computational studies of Igbo language are constrained by non-availability of large electronic corpora of Igbo text, a prerequisite for data-driven morphological induction. Existing unsupervised models, which are frequent-segment based, do not sufficiently address non-concatenative morphology and cascaded affixation prevalent in Igbo morphology, as well achieving affix labelling. This study devised a data-driven model that could induce non-concatenative aspects of Igbo morphology, cascaded affixation and affix labelling using frequent pattern-based induction. Ten-fold Cross Validation (TCV) test was used to validate the propositions using percentages. An average accuracy measure of 88% was returned for the developed model. Ten purposively selected Igbo first speakers also evaluated samples of 100 model-analysed words each and the mean accuracy score of 82% was recorded. We conclude that morphology induction can be realized with a modestly sized corpus, demonstrating that electronic corpora scarcity does not constrain computational morphology studies as it would other higher levels of linguistic analysis

Some Salient Issues in the Unsupervised Learning of Igbo Morphology

The issue of automatic learning of the morphology of natural language is an important topic in computational linguistics. This owes to the fact that morphology is foundational to the study of linguistics. In addition, the emerging information society demands the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to languages in ways that demand human-like analysis of language and this depends to a large extent on the ability to undertake computational analysis of morphology. Even though rule-based and supervised learning approaches to the modeling of morphology have been found to be productive, they have also been discovered to be costly, cumbersome and sucseptible to human errors. Contrarily, unsupervised learning methods do not require the expensive human intervention but as in everything statistical, they demand large volumes of linguistic data. This poses a challenge to resource scarce languages such as Igbo. Furthermore, being a highly agglutinative language, Igbo features certain morphological processes that may not be easily accommodated by most of the frequency-driven unsupervised learning models available. this paper takes a critical look at some of the identified challenges of inducing Igbo morphology as a first step in devising methods by which they can be addressed

MORPHOLOGICAL STRATEGIES IN TEXT MESSAGING AMONG NIGERIAN USERS OF GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR MOBILE COMMUNICATION

Text messaging is the application of abridged morphological forms in order to communicate and it is one of the fastest means of communication since the emergence of the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) in the world. In text messaging, we apply innovative language forms with morpho-syntactic structures that have become acceptable since they are understood by the ‘texters’ (senders) and the ‘textees’ (receivers) of the message. There are applications of morphological strategies in the form of omissions, word order violations, contractions, abbreviations, acronyms, compounding, blending and lack of punctuation. All these characterize the morpho-syntactic elements in the Short Message Service (SMS) texts messages. However, there is no hard and fast rule with regards to the morphological choices in SMS. Texters use a combination of letters and numbers in their text messages and in some cases they use only numerals. The texters ignore the basic orthographic and syntactic rules of formal English Language syntax to suit the semantics of their message. This paper, therefore, examines the creative strategies of word formation found in the morphology and syntax of select SMS text messages marked out for this research. Our data was collected from select SMS of individual users and the service providers of GSM. Our thesis statement is that these morphological patterns as used in SMS are already becoming standardized forms being adopted by the Nigerian users of GSM.Keywords:       Morphology and Syntax, SMS texts, GSM (Mobile Phone), Semantics, Nigerian English

Geoelectrical Investigation Of Aquifer Problems In Gosa Area Of Abuja, North Central, Nigeria

The study of aquifer problems in Gosa area of Abuja, North-central Nigeria, has been undertaken. Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, is underlain by Precambrian basement rocks. Vertical electrical sounding (VES) was carried out at twelve locations within and around the Gosa area. The interpretation of the data obtained from the sounding revealed that six non-aquiferous geoelectrical layers overlie the unfractured basement. The first layer with average thickness of about 0.5 m and resistivity of 83 Ohmm. The thickness of the second layer is about 0.7 m and resistivity of 438 Ohm-m. The third layer is about 3.4 m thick and resistivity of about 63 Ohm-m. The fourth layer with average thickness of about 16.0 m and resistivity, 236 Ohm-m. The fifth layer with average thickness of 42.7 m and resistivity of about 68 Ohm-m. The thickness of sixth layer varies from 42.7 m to infinity and resistivity of about 2067 Ohm-m. Eight boreholes of varying depths, 45 to 70 m were drilled. Other areas were drilled with good yield of static water level of about 3.7 m, whereas Gosa aquifers were found dried. It could be attributed to basaltic intrusion that shattered the aquifer bearing rocks thereby devoid water in the zone after pronouncing from geophysical investigation

Descriptive epidemiology of somatising tendency: findings from the CUPID study.

Somatising tendency, defined as a predisposition to worry about common somatic symptoms, is importantly associated with various aspects of health and health-related behaviour, including musculoskeletal pain and associated disability. To explore its epidemiological characteristics, and how it can be specified most efficiently, we analysed data from an international longitudinal study. A baseline questionnaire, which included questions from the Brief Symptom Inventory about seven common symptoms, was completed by 12,072 participants aged 20-59 from 46 occupational groups in 18 countries (response rate 70%). The seven symptoms were all mutually associated (odds ratios for pairwise associations 3.4 to 9.3), and each contributed to a measure of somatising tendency that exhibited an exposure-response relationship both with multi-site pain (prevalence rate ratios up to six), and also with sickness absence for non-musculoskeletal reasons. In most participants, the level of somatising tendency was little changed when reassessed after a mean interval of 14 months (75% having a change of 0 or 1 in their symptom count), although the specific symptoms reported at follow-up often differed from those at baseline. Somatising tendency was more common in women than men, especially at older ages, and varied markedly across the 46 occupational groups studied, with higher rates in South and Central America. It was weakly associated with smoking, but not with level of education. Our study supports the use of questions from the Brief Symptom Inventory as a method for measuring somatising tendency, and suggests that in adults of working age, it is a fairly stable trait

L.S. Senghor's feminisation of Africa and the Africanisation of feminist aesthetics

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An exploration of epistemological uncertainty in forensic science

Voltaire wrote that ‘Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd’. Our Courts have long had the good sense to realize this and require the jury to find fact only beyond reasonable doubt. As science is an engine designed to eliminate uncertainty, the Courts turn in their deliberations to scientists. This presentation will examine the contemporary paradox of forensic science, which is that exciting developments—particularly in the field of DNA profiling—have been accompanied by a realization that many of the assumptions upon which many forensic sciences are founded are uncertain. Few forensic science sub-disciplines can approach the ‘gold standard’ of DNA. Some sub-disciplines may not even be science at all. The respective roles of the Universities and the profession in promoting academic research and education in forensic science will be considered. Despite their media image, forensic science and forensic medicine are academia’s ‘forgotten sciences’ upon which anyone’s fate may suddenly depend. A free society is founded upon the liberty of the individual. The presentation will contend, in conclusion, that the perpetual crises in policy and in administration in forensic science are signs of complacency unfitting of democratic societies

Radiotoxicity risks of radium-226 (226Ra) on groundwater-based drinking at Dawaki, Kuje, Giri and Sabon-Lugbe area of Abuja, North Central Nigeria

In this study, 226Ra and heavy metal concentrations were studied to represent the radiotoxicity risk of groundwater of Abuja, North Central Nigeria. Groundwater samples were collected from five areas in Abuja, and measurements were taken by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Radium (226Ra) concentrations were determined from 0.067 to 0.216 µg/L. The mean annual effective dose from the natural radionuclide of 226Ra for the inhabitants was estimated to be 2.2 × 10−5 mSv. In addition, life average daily dose and cancer mortality risk were calculated. As a result, radiological risks of 226Ra in groundwater are quite low, typically in the magnitude of 10−7 when compared with the international reference dose level

LEVELS AND DRIVERS OF VULNERABILITY TO CLIMATE CHANGE BY IFAD-VCDP FARMERS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Although a number of studies have been carried out on climate change but the levels of vulnerability of farmers and factors affecting vulnerability of the farmers to this topical issue have not been sufficiently determined in the study area, giving rise to this study. The study was conducted in Benue and Niger States involving 483 IFAD-VCDP farmers. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed, however only 96.6% were completed and returned. As such the data analysis was based on 483 farmers under International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) – Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) from 10 participating Local Government of the two States. Both primary and secondary data were utilized for this study. The primary data were collected via questionnaire administered by trained enumerators, while the secondary data were collected from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, vulnerability index and Beta regression model. The farmers were aware of eighteen climate change variables with assorted levels of occurrences. There was moderate vulnerable to climate change in the study area necessitating the need of enhanced awareness and capacity building to upgrade their home-grown adaptation strategies. Poverty status (3.0) was found to increase vulnerability while adaptive capacity (-23.8), age (-0.1), education (-0.7), gender (-2.8), distance to market (-0.1), livestock ownership (-0.4), social amenities (-1.9), total livelihood activities (-2.4) and membership of association (-3.8) decreased vulnerability by the percentages indicated in parenthesis. The study therefore recommended that the level of literacy among farm households and availability of social amenities should be critical issues when formulating climate adaptation policies and developmental issues. Government and NGOs should install processes that can enhance the adaptive capacity of the farmers