The spectacle of crime, digitized: CSI - Crime Scene Investigation and Social Anatomy

One of the most significant features of the television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigationis its central preoccupation – forensic evidence – and the profession practised by its major characters – forensic science. Scientific inscriptions consistently allow the crime scene investigators (CSIs) to determine 'evidence' and 'truths' that otherwise elude them. At the same time, the dazzling digital effects used to punctuate key moments in each episode inevitably reference scientific technologies and the knowledge about reality that these promise. The success of the CSIs in every episode is premised upon knowledge guaranteed by scientific inscriptions and is itself an inscription of ways of seeing human bodies and the social body, represented by police scientists working to ensure public safety – a healthy social body. And it is also about how bodies, individual and social, are constituted as information, made knowable and validated by scientific instruments and procedures used to produce evidence

Purinergic receptor expression in neuronal, bladder smooth muscle and urothelial cells: characterization and inhibition by low molecular weight antagonists

P2 purinoceptors comprise ionotropic (P2X) and metabotropic (P2Y) receptor families, responsive to nucleotide ligands and diversely distributed on virtually every mammalian cell. Most cells and tissues co-express multiple subtypes of purinoceptor; thus, unraveling the functional role – and pharmacological potential – of any subtype is a complex task. Additionally limiting is the paucity of potent, selective antagonists, particularly those with suitable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties for animals models and clinical development. These studies address questions initially debated >10 years ago, following the successful cloning of purinoceptor families. First, given the large, polyanionic or nucleotide chemical probes available for pharmacology, are these receptors medicinally tractable? Secondly, given the admixture of purinoceptor expression in mammalian cells, would selective interference impact pathophysiology and disease burden; or would redundancy dominate? Through the current investigations some answers can be offered. First, a resounding “yes”, second, a more equivocal “possibly”. Importantly, in addressing these queries, our investigations – and others - have furnished both important data on biological relevance of P2 subtype expression and function, as well as excellent chemical and biological tools for future investigators, so that more answers can be found. Meanwhile, the pharmacological characteristics of two novel prototype antagonists have been detailed: for P2X1 (RO-1) and P2X3-containing receptors (RO-4). Additionally, the potential value of these compounds for the study of P2X signaling in vitro and in vivo, as well as templates for candidate medicines with a wide variety of potential therapeutic uses are demonstrated. It has also been possible to elucidate the potential of selective interference in certain target tissues – urological and sensory – and increasing the apparent therapeutic potential. We can indeed conclude that P2X channels of focus in this work, P2X1, P2X3 and P2X2/3, are druggable; the true therapeutic value of antagonists of these channels is awaited

Glass Ceilings and Open Doors: Women\u27s Advancement in the Legal Profession

This is a study exploring women\u27s integration into large corporate law practices and their mobility within firms

Influence of Facebook Users’ Self-Presentation Tactics on Their Response to Persuasive Political Messages

This study examined the influence of self-presentation tactics of Facebook users on their response to persuasive political messages. The self-presentation tactics examined were supplication, ingratiation, self-promotion, success and basking. The responses to political persuasive messages among Facebook users were evaluated using measures like ignoring of posts, viewing posts, commenting on posts, clicking the like option as well as sharing of posts. A total of three null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Survey research design was used for the study. The questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. In the analysis of data for the study, the researcher used simple percentages, mean and standard deviation, weighted mean, correlation, Chi-Square tests as well as multiple regression. The result of the study showed that self-presentation significantly predicts response to persuasive political messages. It was also found that a significant relationship exists between message elements and the response of Facebook users. Also, it was found that the source of Facebook message plays a role in influencing the responses of Facebook users. Recommendations have been made based on the results of the study

Rethinking Approaches to National Development: The Crisis Communication Management Option

This study investigates the place of crisis communication management in addressing the problem of national development in Nigeria. Using survey research method, 100 copies of the questionnaire were administered to purposively selected respondents in Nsukka, Enugu State. The Guttman scale was used to determine the reliability of instrument and this yielded 0.90 which was considered high. Findings showed significant relationship between crisis communication management and national development. Result further showed,   among others that the factors that can make or mar the effectiveness of crisis communication are: Leadership style; political will; how knowledgeable in   communication   those involved are; finance and media of communication involved and willingness of the general public.  This result is relevant to researchers and other stakeholders who are interested in national development. Based on this result, the researcher argues that one of the best options in the quest for national development is crisis communication management and that its effectiveness or otherwise has a link with national development. The researcher recommends, among others that, government should formulate a policy setting up a crisis communication management team with the sole mandate   addressing national development issues. Keywords: National development, crisis communication management, option

Social Media as Tools for Political Views Expressed in the Visuals Shared among Social Media Users

Globally, there is a conspicuous paradigm shift in political communication as a result of the emergence of social media. In contemporary political communication, highly sophisticated soft ware and hardware are used to manipulate texts and visuals in a manner that best conveys the feelings of the users. This reality has greatly modified representational political communication which has challenged the thinking of contemporary scholars as they jostle to describe and explain such visual communication techniques. The prevalence of this scenario among Nigerian social media users is the motivation for, and the problem of this study. Consequently, this study examined the nature of political pictures and illustrations common on social media and examines the implications of such visual representations on political mobilization and participation. It is hoped that this study will significantly expand literature on social media –political communication nexu

Politicking in the Digital Age: Engagement in Computer-Mediated Political Communication and Citizens’ Perception of Political Parties, Politicians and the Government

The shape and approaches to politicking the new media era have changed drastically. Such changes make studies in this area very attractive to researchers. This study examined engagement in computer-mediated political communication and citizens’ perception of political parties, politicians and the government. The study tested seven alternate hypotheses. The survey research design was used for the study while the questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. Engagement was measured using four indices like point of engagement, period of engagement, disengagement and re-engagement. Perception about political parties, politicians and the government was measured using indices like competence, trustworthiness and antecedent. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of data for the study. The result showed that engagement significantly predict perception, perception significantly correlate selective exposure, selective perception, selective attention and selective retention to computer-mediated political messages. Computer-mediated political communication also significantly correlate voting decision

Social Media as Tools for Political Views Expressed in the Visuals Shared among Social Media Users

Globally, there is a conspicuous paradigm shift in political communication as a result of the emergence of social media. In contemporary political communication, highly sophisticated soft ware and hardware are used to manipulate texts and visuals in a manner that best conveys the feelings of the users. This reality has greatly modified representational political communication which has challenged the thinking of contemporary scholars as they jostle to describe and explain such visual communication techniques. The prevalence of this scenario among Nigerian social media users is the motivation for, and the problem of this study. Consequently, this study examined the nature of political pictures and illustrations common on social media and examines the implications of such visual representations on political mobilization and participation. It is hoped that this study will significantly expand literature on social media –political communication nexu

Human-Machine Communication and the Burden of Reaching Internal Publics: Does Technology Acceptance Model Play a Role?

The objective of this study was to examine how variablesss from Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) play a role in determining the use of digital interfaces for internal communication in public service institutions. The researchers also examined the most preferred digital interface for internal communication among employees of public service institutions as well as the relationship between internal communication and public service delivery. A total of 385 respondents working in a public service institution took part in the study. The questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. To analyse the results, the researcher used both descriptive and inferential statistics. The result showed that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and attitudes to digital interfaces significantly correlate actual use. It was also found that social media was the most preferred digital interface for internal communication among employees of public service institutions. Our result also suggested a significant association between effective internal communication and public service delivery. The theoretical, scholarly and practical implications of the results have been explored

Journalism Practice in a Country Facing Division Threats : Newspaper Framing of Secession Agitations in Nigeria

Violent agitations for the secession of South-East from Nigeria is one of the conflict situations that has continued to persist, even after the civil war. The conflict is shredded in political and ethic alignments, thus threatening to drive the country into a second civil war. This study examined media framing of secession agitations pioneered by Indigenous People of Biafra. In doing so, a total of four newspapers- The Vanguard, The Punch, The Guardian and This Day- were content analysed while the study duration was June 1st 2015 to June 1st 2018. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for the study. The result showed that most of the newspapers examined cited official sources. It was also found that less attention was paid to causes of the agitations as well as solutions. The implications of these results on the frustration aggression and media framing theories are also explored