scholarly journals Mispronunciation of High Front and Low Hausa Vowels among the Yorùbá Speakers

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 321-335
Author(s):  
Sale Maikanti ◽  
Jurgen Martin Burkhardt ◽  
Mei Fung Yong ◽  
Salina Binti Husain ◽  
Olúwadọrọ̀ Jacob Oludare

Pronunciation in second language learning is sometimes challenging, especially the vowels. Vowels such as [i] and [a] are found both in Hausa and Yorùbá but [i:] and [a:] are peculiar to Hausa alone. While Hausa has short and long vowels, Yorùbá has only oral and nasal vowels in their vowel inventories. Such phonemic differences constitute learning challenges, especially for the Yorùbá native speakers. This is a cross-sectional study design using mixed methods to examines the production of high front vowels: [i], and [i:], as well as low: [a], and [a:] Hausa vowels by the Yorùbá speakers to identify which group perform better between group 1 (Yorùbá native speakers who learned Hausa in the secondary school before going to the college of education), and group 2 (Yorùbá native speakers who learned Hausa informally before going to the college of education). The study also seeks to find out vowel substitutions that occur in the pronunciation tasks using 80 participants from 18 years old and above from the College of Education system in Nigeria who were selected based on purposive sampling. The findings were discussed in line with Flege & Bohn’s (2020) ‘Revised Speech Learning Model’. 8 stimuli were audio-recorded, transcribed, and rated by two independent raters, in addition to participant observation techniques adapted. The results of the Mann-Whitney test revealed that group 2 performed better than group 1. The study discovered also that the short [a] in the first and second syllables had the highest frequency of substitution compared to [i], [i:] and [a:] vowels. Such problems have pedagogical implications for learning Hausa as a second language.

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 417
Author(s):  
Lidia Arce-Sánchez ◽  
Salvatore Giovanni Vitale ◽  
Claudia Montserrat Flores-Robles ◽  
Myrna Souraye Godines-Enriquez ◽  
Marco Noventa ◽  
...  

The primary aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) using two different cut-off levels for TSH values (≥2.5 mIU/L versus ≥4.1 mIU/L). The secondary objective was to analyze the clinical-biochemical characteristics in women with and without SCH. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. In total, 1496 Mexican women with infertility were included: Group 1, women with TSH levels ranging between 0.3 and 2.49 mIU/L, n = 886; Group 2, women with TSH between 2.5 and 4.09 mIU/L, n = 390; and Group 3, women with TSH ≥4.1 mIU/L n = 220. SCH prevalence was 40.7% (CI 95%: 38.3–43.3%) with TSH cut-off ≥ 2.5 mIU/L, and 14.7% (CI 95%: 12.7–16.5%) with TSH cut-off ≥ 4.1 mIU/L, (p = 0.0001). The prevalence of overweight was higher in Group 2 than in Groups 1 and 3. Thyroid autoimmunity, obesity and insulin resistance were higher in Group 3 than in Group 1 (p < 0.05). No other differences were observed between groups. Conclusions: The prevalence of SCH in our selected patients increased almost three times using a TSH cut-off ≥ 2.5 mIU/L compared with a TSH cut-off ≥ 4.1 mIU/L. Women with TSH ≥4.1 mIU/L compared with TSH cut-off ≤ 2.5 mIU/L more often presented with obesity, thyroid autoimmunity and insulin resistance.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e022233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Jane Blatch-Jones ◽  
Wei Pek ◽  
Emma Kirkpatrick ◽  
Martin Ashton-Key

ObjectivesTo assess the value of pilot and feasibility studies to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme. To explore the methodological components of pilot/feasibility studies and how they inform full RCTs.Study designCross-sectional study.SettingBoth groups included NIHR HTA programme funded studies in the period 1 January 2010–31 December 2014 (decision date). Group 1: stand-alone pilot/feasibility studies published in the HTA Journal or accepted for publication. Group 2: all funded RCT applications funded by the HTA programme, including reference to an internal and/or external pilot/feasibility study. The methodological components were assessed using an adapted framework from a previous study.Main outcome measuresThe proportion of stand-alone pilot and feasibility studies which recommended proceeding to full trial and what study elements were assessed. The proportion of ‘HTA funded’ trials which used internal and external pilot and feasibility studies to inform the design of the trial.ResultsGroup 1 identified 15 stand-alone pilot/feasibility studies. Study elements most commonly assessed weretesting recruitment(100% in both groups),feasibility(83%, 100%) andsuggestions for further study/investigation(83%, 100%). Group 2 identified 161 ‘HTA funded’ applications: 59 cited an external pilot/feasibility study wheretesting recruitment(50%, 73%) andfeasibility(42%, 73%) were the most commonly reported study elements: 92 reported an internal pilot/feasibility study wheretesting recruitment(93%, 100%) andfeasibility(44%, 92%) were the most common study elements reported.Conclusions‘HTA funded’ research which includes pilot and feasibility studies assesses a variety of study elements. Pilot and feasibility studies serve an important role when determining the most appropriate trial design. However, how they are reported and in what context requires caution when interpreting the findings and delivering a definitive trial.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 98-101
Author(s):  
Akshaye Kumar ◽  
Priyanka Sharma ◽  
Arjun Malhotra

INTRODUCTION: Research has proven that music plays an important role in alleviating fear and anxiety among patients.AIM: To assess the effect of audio analgesia in pre-teen children aged 8-12 years undergoing dental restorations. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Data was collected using a pre-tested and pre-validated proforma filled by the child prior to start of the treatment by circling the number corresponding to the expected pain during the procedure [Ranged 0 (No pain) -10 (Maximum pain)]. Children who reported their expected pain above 5, were enrolled in group 1 (The ones receiving audio analgesia) while the remaining were assigned group 2 (controls). Children in group 1 were asked to put on their favourite song using noise cancellation headphones and the procedure was commenced. After completion of the treatment, the VAS scale was re-introduced and the children were asked to re-circle the actual pain experienced during the procedure. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 using the chi-squared test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. A significant value was obtained when p was≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Of the total 80 children enrolled in the present study, there were an equal number of males and females (40 each). It was observed that 70.3% of children in group 1 had an increased pain tolerance as compared to only 37.2% of children in the control group(p=0.01). Pearson’s Correlation revealed a positive and linear association (r: +0.721) and a significant relationship (p = 0.03) between both groups. CONCLUSION: Audio analgesia has been proven to a promising alternative to distract the patient from the anxiety faced in the dental setting and is recommended for nervous and anxious patients.


MedAlliance ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 72-78

Small airway dysfunction (SAD) is associated with poorly controlled asthma and frequent exacerbations. Objective: To assess the prevalence of SAD in asthmatics using spirometry, body plethysmography, and impulse oscillometry (IOS). Materials and methods: The observational cross-sectional study of 61 patients with asthma was performed. Conclusion available SAD was made on the basis of identifying one of the criteria or their combination: 1) slow vital capacity (SVC) - forced vital capacity (FVC) >10% according spirometry; 2) "air trapping" according body plethysmography; 3) presence of pathological frequency dependence of the resistance (R) at 5 and 20 Hz (R5-R20 > 0,07 kPa•sec/l) according IOS. Results: The analysis was performed for the entire group as well as for patients with FEV1 > 80 %pred. and FEV1/SVC < 0,7 (group 1) and patients with FEV1 > 80 %pred. and normal FEV1/SVC (group 2). SAD was most often diagnosed using IOS and the selected criterion R5-R20>0,07 kPa •sec/l since 75% of patients had this deviation in the entire group, 65% of patients in group 1 and 55% of patients in group 2 whereas only in 48% and 24% of cases in the entire group according body plethysmography and spirometry, respectively. Conclusion: SAD is definitely observed in patients with asthma. IOS is a more effective method of diagnosing SAD compared to spirometry and body plethysmography and can serve as a supplement functional method, especially in cases of normal parameters of spirometry and body plethysmography in asthmatics.


2021 ◽  
pp. 58-61
Author(s):  
Rubi Kataki ◽  
Pranamee Barua ◽  
Debosmita Roy ◽  
Prasanta Kumar Rabha

The novel coronavirus are found to affect the ACE2 receptors in the epithelial cells of the lining of the respiratory tract. Since live virus have been found in the saliva of infected patients, and ACE2 receptors are present in epithelial lining of salivary glands and tongue, there are chances that the virus might affect the oral cavity and hence might have oral manifestation. The aim of the study was to determine and evaluate the presence of oral symptoms in the patients infected with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (Covid 19). In this cross sectional descriptive study, a set of questionnaires was MATERIALS AND METHODS: formulated and the patients who have come to covid screening centers in Kamrup Metro region were interviewed for both oral symptoms and general symptoms. A total of 467 patients were evaluated. The samples were divided according to covid positive or negative. Group 1: Covid positive (+ve); Group 2: Covid negative (- ve). Out of which Group 1 had 287 patients whereas Group 2 had 180 patients. Upon statist RESULTS: ical analysis, signicant differences were found with respect to fever, cough, breathing difficulty, sore throat, arthralgia, and asthenia where covid positive patients found to have a high prevalence of these symptoms. On evaluation of the of the oral symptoms in both covid positive and negative patients signicant differences were found viz., burning sensation, swollen gums , changes in taste sensation, pain in the TMJ and bleeding gums with covid positive patients having more predilection of having all these symptoms. On evaluation of the gender predilection between positive patients with symptoms, positive patients without symptoms and negative patients with symptoms , there found to be no signicant difference. oral CONCLUSION symptoms of burning sensation, changes in taste sensation , bleeding gums and pain in the TMJ are found to be more prevalent with patients having corona virus infection.


2016 ◽  
Vol 242 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Sallon ◽  
Yahav Dory ◽  
Yazeed Barghouthy ◽  
Tsewang Tamdin ◽  
Rigzin Sangmo ◽  
...  

Mercury an important therapeutic substance in Tibetan Medicine undergoes complex “detoxification” prior to inclusion in multi-ingredient formulas. In an initial cross-sectional study, patients taking Tibetan Medicine for various conditions were evaluated for mercury toxicity. Two groups were identified: Group 1, patients taking “ Tsothel” the most important detoxified mercury preparation and Group 2, patients taking other mercury preparations or mercury free Tibetan Medicine. Atomic fluorescence spectrometry of Tibetan Medicine showed mercury consumption 130 µg/kg/day (Group 1) and 30 µg/kg/day (Group 2) ( P ≤ 0.001), levels above EPA (RfDs) suggested threshold (0.3 µg/kg /day) for oral chronic exposure. Mean duration of Tibetan Medicine treatment was 9 ± 17 months (range 3–116) (Group 1) and 5 ± 1.96 months (range 1–114) (Group 2) (NS) with cumulative days of mercury containing Tibetan Medicine, 764 days ± 1214 (range 135–7330) vs. 103 days ± 111 (range 0–426), respectively ( P ≤ 0.001). Comparison of treatment groups with healthy referents (Group 3) not taking Tibetan Medicine showed no significant differences in prevalence of 23 non-specific symptoms of mercury toxicity, abnormal neurological, cardiovascular and dental findings and no correlation with mercury exposure variables; consumption, cumulative treatment days, blood/ urine Hg. Liver and renal function tests in treatment groups were not significantly increased compared to referents, with mean urine Beta2 Microglobulin within the normal range and not significantly associated with Hg exposure variables after correcting for confounding variables. Neurocognitive testing showed no significant intergroup differences for Wechsler Memory Scale, Grooved Pegboard, Visual Retention, but Group1 scores were better for Mini-Mental, Brief Word Learning, Verbal Fluency after correcting for confounding variables. These results suggest mercury containing Tibetan Medicine does not have appreciable adverse effects and may exert a possible beneficial effect on neurocognitive function. Since evidence of mercury as a toxic heavy metal, however, is well known, further analysis of literature on mercury use in other Asian traditional systems is highly suggested prior to further studies.


2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astha Sethi ◽  
Anoop Misra ◽  
Ravindra Mohan Pandey ◽  
Kalpana Luthra ◽  
J. Rama Devi ◽  
...  

Background:High prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and dyslipidemias in people belonging to poor socio-economic strata in urban slums of northern India has been recorded recently. To assess whether this population has high levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), a cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, we investigated subjects belonging to poor socio-economic strata in urban slums and compared them to healthy control subjects from non-slum urban areas of New Delhi.Design:Cross-sectional study.Methods:Subjects from a previously carried out cross-sectional study, Delhi Urban Slum Project (DUSP) were divided into two groups: Group-1 (n= 56) included subjects dwelling in slum area, having at least one risk factor (hypertension, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia), while group-2 (n= 60) consisted of subjects without any risk factor dwelling in the slum area. A third group (n= 29) of non-obese subjects without any risk factor living in non-slum urban area was included for comparison. Measurements included; body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (W-HR), four skinfolds, percentage body fat, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), serum lipids, and serum levels of sICAM-1.Results:Though statistically not significant, mean level of sICAM-1 was higher in group-1 (718.5 ± 232.8 ng/ml) as compared to the other groups. Of note, 35% of subjects in group-1 (p< 0.05 as compared to other two groups), and 25.3% of all subjects had levels of sICAM-1 in uppermost quartile (>850 ng/ml). Partial correlation coefficients (R) of sICAM-1 levels with various parameters adjusted for age were statistically significant for BMI (R= 0.27,p< 0.05) in group-1; W-HR (R= 0.26,p< 0.05) and BMI (R= 0.19,p< 0.05) for group-2; and FPG (R= 0.17,p< 0.05) for all the subjects considered together. For females, the levels of sICAM-1 were significantly higher in the following: BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2(p= 0.04) and FPG >7 mmol/l (p< 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis suggests that an increment in BMI by one kg/m2would correspond to an increase in the levels of sICAM-1 by 8.5 units controlling for the influence of age and W-HR in the pooled data of all subjects.Conclusions:High percentage of subjects had levels of sICAM-1 in the upper quartile in the study, particularly those dwelling in the slum area and having coronary risk factor (s). The levels of sICAM-1 strongly correlated to the anthropometric and metabolic parameters, particularly in females. These observations are of potential importance for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in this population, though further studies are needed to predict those prone to the complications of atherosclerosis, based on sICAM-1 levels, as has been observed in other ethnic groups.


Author(s):  
Lam Do Ai Nguyen ◽  
Thao Thi Thu Nguyen ◽  
Thuy Anh Vu Pham

<div><p class="AbstractTitle"><strong>Objectives:</strong> To compare periodontal status of chronic kidney disease patients with those in non-chronic kidney disease patients and to explore the relationship between periodontitis and chronic kidney disease in a group of Vietnamese.</p></div><p class="AbstractContent"><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross sectional study was conducted on 240 adults including 120 chronic kidney disease patients (group 1) and 120non-chronic kidney disease patients (group 2). The socio-demographic characteristic, dental and smoking habits were investigated by the questionnaire. Periodontal status (PPD, CAL, BOP) were examined. The periodontal status was compared between 2 groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between chronic kidney disease and periodontitis after adjusting related factors.</p><p class="AbstractContent"><strong>Results</strong>: The clinically periodontal parameters in group 1 were all higher compared to those in group 2 (p&lt;0.001). The OR for periodontitis in patients who with age more than 60 years or brushed their teeth less than 2 times per day or had no scaling or in current smokers or with chronic kidney disease were 1.93; 4.27; 7.95; 4.21; 2.94 compared to counterparts, respectively (p&lt;0.05).</p><p class="AbstractContent"><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The periodontal status of chronic kidney disease patients was found worse than those in non-chronic kidney disease patients. The chronic kidney disease was significantly related to periodontitis.</p>


2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 288-294
Author(s):  
Wafa Hammami ◽  
Hiba Gmati ◽  
Khouloud Ezzina ◽  
Yamina Elelmi ◽  
Chiraz Baccouche ◽  
...  

Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate the cephalometric measurements of Tunisian children who presented sella turcica’s (ST) shape anomalies. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January and June 2019 in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry of Monastir and Faculty of Dentistry of Tunisia. Radiographs were gathered from patients aged between 7 and 12 years old (n = 104) who had consulted for a malocclusion. The inclusion criteria were considered as follows: Good visibility of anatomic structures and absence of congenital craniofacial deformities. We excluded bad radiographs with errors and discrepancies: Double limits, deformities as well as children having hereditary craniofacial anomalies and underlying diseases. The cephalometric analysis was conducted according to Segner and Hassund’s method. ST’s shape was identified according to Axelsson’s classification modified by Becktor. The sample size was divided into groups: Group 1 with normal ST’s shape and Group 2 with sella’s anomaly. Statistics were performed using IBM SPSS STATISTICS 22. Data normality has been tested using Shapiro–Wilk test. The normality of variance was investigated too with Levene’s test, and comparison of means between groups was performed with t-test. Results: The prevalence of aberrations of ST’s form in Tunisian children is about 59.6%. The inclination of upper incisors to the maxilla differed in children with ST’s anomaly compared to normal kids. Children with sella aberration are characterized by retroclination of upper incisors to the maxilla. The variables which showed a statistically significant relationship between abnormalities of ST and cephalometric measurements were 1+NA with P = 0.03 and NL-NSL with P = 0.04. Conclusion: The prevalence of ST’s shape anomalies in Tunisian children is about two-thirds. It seems that the anomaly of ST influences the position of the maxilla to the cranial base and the position of upper incisors to the maxilla.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-228
Author(s):  
Shridhar Reshma ◽  
Sushith Sushith ◽  
Mangalore Balakrishna Prathima ◽  
D'Sa Janice ◽  
Gopal R Madan ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND:Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic disease worldwide. Electrolyte played significant roles in thenormal functioning of the body, and deregulation is indicative of different types of disease and electrolyte disturbances are often reported in type 2 DM (T2DM). AIM:The aim of the study was to estimate the levels of serum electrolytes in outpatients with T2DM and correlate serum electrolytes with random blood sugar (RBS). MATERIALS AND METHODS:Patients with T2DM visiting the outpatient Departments of Medicine, between April 2016 and March 2017 were included. Of 148 diagnosed T2DM cases, 74 were had RBS level 300mg/dL (group-1) and 74 had RBSlevel 300mg/dL (group-2). Serum sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-) levels were measured by using the Roche 9180electrolyte analyzer. RESULTS:In this study, there was a significant decrease in serum Na+levels in group 1 (131.834.36 mmol/L) compared to group 2(134.154.90mmol/L).The serum levels of K+was found to be increased in group 1 (4.510.61 mmol/L) in comparison with group 2 (4.260.52 mmol/L). In group-1, an inverse relationship was present between serum Na+(r=-0.342) and Cl-(r=-0.538) with RBS which was statistically significant. In group-2, a significant correlation was present between serum K+and RBS (r=0.356, p0.05). CONCLUSIONS:The study showed lower levels of Na+and higher K+levels in group-1 compared to group-2 subjects. This study showed that the distribution of serum Na+and K+levels is dependent on plasma glucose levels in patients with DM and also suggests that monitoring the electrolyte levels in hyperglycemia is pertinent in the management of diabetes.


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