Cinema semiotics: An application of Hodge and Tripp’s Paradigm/Syntagm approach

Abstract. Various scholars have defined the term semiotics according to their understanding but with a unifying central meaning which is the study of signs. Two important aspects of semiotics are syntagm and paradigm. The organization of signs by chain is referred to as syntagm, while by choice it is referred to as paradigm. According to Hodge & Tripp (1986), as far as syntagmatic structures are concerned, texts are examined from three different angles or variables: space, time, and continuity. Moreover, in film the interpretations of individual, shots depend on both paradigmatic analysis (comparing it, not necessarily, with the use of alternative kinds of shots) and syntagmatic analysis (comparing it with preceding and following shots). This paper, applies the concept of Syntagm and Paradigm given by Hodge and Tripp to analyse the structure of two films from Nigeria’s film industries i.e. Kanywood and Nollywood industries.Keywords. Cinema, Semiotics, Syntagm, Paradigm, Film, Kanywood, Nollywood.JEL. Z00, Y90, H80

Reducing loss to follow up during treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis

In this issue of the European Respiratory Journal, Law et al summarise, in their systematic literature review, the evidence for measures that minimise loss to follow-up during treatment of drug-resistant TB in adults. The synthesis of results suggests that supplementing standard care with psychosocial, educational or material support decreased loss to follow-up (defined as treatment interruption of two or more months). The greatest effect was seen when daily home visits were combined with directly observed therapy (DOT)

Review of urological cancers in Damaturu, Nigeria

 Background: Urological cancers (UC) remain a major global burden and a significant cause of high morbidity and mortality. In other to plan and tackle this burden, there is need to audit the pattern of these malignancies in our locality which is currently lacking.  Hence, the objectives of our study were to describe the histological pattern, frequency and demographic characteristics of urological cancers seen in Damaturu.Methods: The reports of all the urological specimens that were histologically diagnosed as malignant between November 2017 to October 2019 in the histopathology department of Yobe state university teaching hospital, were analyzed. The department keeps newly established cancer registry for the state.Results:  Fifty-five UC were diagnosed, with male to female ratio of 13.8:1. These UC constitute 34.1% of the 161 urological specimens assessed and 26.4% of all types of medical cancers diagnosed in the period of study. Prostate cancer dominates the UC (41; 73.8%), followed by bladder cancers (11; 19.8%) and the remaining kidney, penis and testicular cancers (1; 1.8%) each.Conclusions: Urological cancers are very common in our region, particularly prostate cancers in which majority were poorly differentiated. This report though analyzed few cancers, the proportion of UC is high. Urothelial cancer of the bladder is now more frequent than squamous cell carcinoma. This study can serve as basis for future epidemiologic studies targeting at the risk factors, awareness and prevention of UC

INDUCTION OF NORMOCYTIC-NORMOCHROMIC ANAEMIA IN Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) EXPOSED TO ACUTE CONCENTRATION OF 1, 1-dimethyl 4,4-bipiridillium (PARAQUAT) UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

fish were exposed to test water separately diluted with acute concentrations of paraquat of 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30mg/L. A 96Hrs exposure to acute concentrations of the toxicant resulted in normocytic-normochromic anaemia in the exposed fish. Blood indices attributable to normocytic-normochromic anaemia was observed with a significant (p<0.05) decrease in haemoglobin, haematocrit, red blood cells compared with fish in the control test: Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscularhaemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were not significantly different (p>0.05). White blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, Neutrophils, eosinophil and basophil were also not significantly different (p>0.05) with increasing concentrations of the toxicant&nbsp

Modification of Thermal Hydraulic Transient Models for the Miniature Neutron Source Reactor

A modified Miniature Neutron Source Reactor (MNSR) model dealing with transient thermal hydraulic problem is presented. The model based on lumped parameter method is adopted in this work to numerically solve a system of coupled algebraic and differential equations governing heat transfer in MNSR, using MATLAB solver for variable order method in stiff differential equations and Differential-Algebraic equations, coupled with Maple soft. The simulated results obtained from the model were generally in agreement when compared with reactor operation data recorded from 0 to 270 minutes during experiments. Radiating energy of Fuel and clad and heat transferred at the gap or clearance were taken in to account. Fuel and clad temperatures as well as various temperatures at different sections of the reactor were predicted with the model, in addition to the effect of the installed chiller on the reactor coolant

Feeding of Kargo (Piliostigma reticulatum) to Small Ruminants in Jigawa State: A Preliminary Study

A survey was conducted to investigate the use of Kargo (Piliostigma reticulatum) as feedstuff for small ruminants in Jigawa State, Nigeria. A total of 120 structural questionnaires were administered to randomly selected livestock rearers in six Local Government Areas of Jigawa State during the months of October to May (dry season) of 2013. The results obtained showed that the respondents examined vary in age group from 11 years to above 61 years with majority being within the ages of 31- 40 years (42.72%). Male respondents constituted 64.08%. Almost all the respondents had some form of education and their experience in small ruminant rearing vary from 1 year to 40 years. Majority of the respondents (81) encountered had a flock size (21-40) which constitute 78.64%. Livestock species kept by the respondents vary from sheep alone 14.56% to those that kept goat alone 23.30%, while those that kept both sheep and goat were the majority 62.14% among the respondent encountered and 41.74% fed Kargo as sole feed during dry season. However, majority of the respondents 66.02% fed their animals Kargo leaves and Kargo pods, whilst 21.36% fed Kargo leaves alone, and 12.62% fed Kargo pods only. The study concluded that farmers had some level of awareness on the potential value of Kargo as feedstuff for small ruminants and therefore recommended that they should be enlighten on it nutritive value. Keywords: Jigawa State, Kargo, Small Ruminants, and Utilization

Hydrochemical characterization and evaluation of groundwater quality of zamfara area, northwest, nigeria

This study deals with hydrochemical assessment of groundwater within the lithological framework underlain Zamfara State, Northwestern Nigeria with the aim of ascertaining its suitability for human consumption. Groundwater samples were collected from boreholes tapping the aquifer of the area and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters, such as total dissolve solids, electrical conductivity (Ec), pH, temperature, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3, Cl-, SO4, NO3, PO4, and trace elements (Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb and Cr). The results obtained were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis, water quality index method, and hydrochemical variation plots for proper characterization. As far as suitability is concerned most of the studied physic-chemical parameters trace elements (iron, lead and chromium ions) revealed average concentrations lower than the permissible limit set for domestic water use by World Health Organization. However, the compiled overall water quality index for the studied groundwater shows ‘very poor water quality’. Due to the fact that WQI rating reflect the composite influence of different water quality parameters. The result of the multivariate statistical analysis, as applied to the chemical data set of the studied groundwater provides an insight into the underlying controlling hydrochemical processes in the area. Four factors including factor-1 (total hardness, chloride, nitrate, manganese, bicarbonate and alkalinity), factor-2 (TDS, conductivity, total hardness, magnesium and calcium), factor-3 (Temperature, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron and chromium), factor-4 (calcium, magnesium and nitrate) represents the signatures from dissolution of bedrock through which the groundwater passes, ionic mixing, leaching from the lateritic overburden, agricultural activities (fertilizer application) and effluent from waste dumpsites in the study area. The distribution of major ions in the groundwater shows relative abundance of cations: Na++K+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+; while the relative abundance of the anions is: Cl- > HCO3- > SO42-. Groundwater in the aquifer of the study area are majorly of evolved type with mixing of ionic concentrations. Alkali’s are more in abundant to that of alkaline earth, while Cl and HCO3 dominate SO4 and NO3 concentration. The water samples are basically ‘Alkali waters’ with ‘Earth Alkaline’ components that are predominantly HCO3- and Cl-.The relative abundance of the three (3) dominant water types are as thus: Na-HCO3-Cl > Ca-Mg-HCO3-Cl > Na-Ca-Cl. Simple mineral dissolution or mixing processes is mainly responsible for the variation in the hydrochemistry of the groundwater of the study area. &nbsp

Overview of Educational Services in Nigerian Public Universities for Sustainable Development

The paper examines Assessment of educational services in Nigerian Public Universities for sustainable national development. In attempt to address this, issues such as, Concept of educational services, Challenges of educational services, concept of sustainable national development, sustainable development, goals of sustainable development, University Education and Sustainable National Development: The Relationship, Policy implications, challenges of university education in Nigeria has been discussed. The paper therefore concluded that, managing educational services in Nigerian universities for sustainable development requires a multi-faceted approach that encompasses effective leadership, innovative strategies, quality management, ICT integration, human resource management, and sound financial practices. By implementing these strategies, Nigerian universities can enhance the quality of education, foster research and innovation, and contribute significantly to the country's sustainable development goals. The Paper recommended that, Government at all levels should provide adequate funds for the educational institutions particularly universities that are the apex of education, and Finally, Infrastructural facilities in universities in Nigeria should be provided

Medical and Healthcare Waste Management In African Cities: A Case Study

Medical wastes consist of all types and categories of waste generated by medical establishments. Infections and hazardous health care waste pose a substantial danger immediately or over a period of time to human, plant and animal life if not properly managed.  This study evaluated the generation, collection transportation and management of medical waste in selected private and public medical establishments in thirteen local government areas (LGAs) of Lagos State, Nigeria.  Field observations, interviews and questionnaire were employed in the course of this research to collect data.  The data collected were analysed and discussed.  The results showed that the medical waste generated out weighted the current management strategies employed by the medical establishment authorities and regulatory bodies in Lagos State, Nigeria.  There is no structured staff training and development policies, plans and practices for staff members involved in medical waste management.  The on site handling, storage, processing and collection facilities of medical waste are obsolete.  The study therefore recommend the need for federal ministry of health, Lagos State ministry of health, professional bodies, regulatory agencies, and the management of health care establishments to review the current medical waste management strategies, upgrade the on-site medical waste handling facilities and embark on training and retraining of staff members involved in medical waste management in Lagos State and other States of the Federal Republic of Nigeria