Unethical Practices in the Mass Media: A Study of some Selected Media Houses in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

The study examines the “unethical Practices in the Media: studies of some selected media in Kano metropolis. Four media houses in the Kano metropolis were purposively selected. These include Kano Radio, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Kano, Freedom Radio, and the Daily Trust. Considering the critical, but vital roles of the media in nation building in any democratic setting, this study is situated within the Social Responsibility Theory and Kant’s Duty Law Theory. The researcher adopts a qualitative method in carrying out this research. It can be deduced from the findings that respondents strongly disagree that journalists are well paid in Nigeria, only a few respondents react otherwise. Therefore, we can conclude that it is conspicuous Nigerian journalists’ are not well remunerated. And this can be said to pose a constraint to the efficiency and effectiveness in their operations Findings also revealed that some of the journalists in Kano State practice unethically, while only few respondents are of a different opinion. This presupposes that some journalists in Kano State are involved in this practice. This means that their activities are devoid of objectivity, and has caused the masses to have little or no confidence in their activities. In the light of the findings of this study, the following recommendations are important: Remuneration for journalists is not commensurate with the hazards of the profession. The poor remuneration is not only responsible for the brown envelope syndrome, but also hinders the press from performing up to expectation. The employers of journalists should therefore ensure that remuneration for journalists is commensurate with the work they do. Owners of media organizations should allow journalists to perform their duties according to the ethics of the profession. Government should increase the salary of journalists and be compensated after years of service. Keywords: Ethics, Mass media, Kan

Automatic code generation from UML diagrams: the state-of-the-art

The emergence of the Unified Modeling Language (UML) as the de-facto standard for modeling software systems has encouraged the development of automated software tools that facilitate automatic code generation. UML diagrams are used to diagrammatically model and specify the static structure as well as the dynamic behavior of object-oriented systems and the software tools then go ahead and automatically produce code from the given diagrams. In the last two decades substantial work has been done in this area of automatic code generation. This paper is aimed at identifying and classifying this work pertaining to automatic code generation from UML diagrams, restricting the search neither to a specific context nor to a particular programming language. A Systematic literature review (SLR) using the keywords “automatic code generation”, “MDE”, “code generation” and “UML” is used to identify 40 research papers published during the years 2000–2016 which are broadly classified into three groups: Approaches, Frameworks and Tools. For each paper, an analysis is made of the achievements and the gaps, the UML diagrams used the programming languages and the platform. This analysis helps to answer the main questions that the paper addresses including what techniques or implementation methods have been used for automatic code generation from UML Diagrams, what are the achievements and gaps in the field of automatic code generation from UML diagrams, which UML diagram is most used for automatic code generation from UML diagrams, which programming language source code is mostly automatically generated from the design models and which is the most used target platform? The answers provided in this paper will assist researchers, practitioners and developers to know the current state-of-the-art in automatic code generation from UML diagrams.Keywords: Automatic Code Generation (ACG); Unified Modeling Language (UML); Model Driven Engineering (MDE

Association of rs2476601 and rs1544410 with Onset of T1D in Youngsters of Lahore, Pakistan

The PTPN22 gene plays vital role in T1D onset by encoding Lymphoid-specific phosphatase (LYP) that lead to T-cell receptor-associated CsK kinase inactivation and preventing T-cell spontaneous activation by dephosphorylation. VDR gene encoded for VDR receptor is involved indirectly in prevention of T1D onset by promoting insulin production. The present study was conducted to determine the mutations on rs2476601 and rs1544410 polymorphic sites on the PTPN22 and VDR genes respectively. We genotyped 50 patients and 50 control subjects from Lahore by using sequencing and Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) techniques. It was observed that the allelic frequency of r and b were higher in patients as compared to controls and significantly associated with the onset of T1D. The genotype distribution frequencies varied significantly among patients and controls (p \u3c 0.01). The mutation on the rs2476601 polymorphic site led to the change of Isoleucine to tryptophan in patients. In conclusion, compelling evidence was found of T1D onset association with the polymorphism at RsaI on rs2476601 and BsmI on rs1544410 on PTPN22 and VDR genes

Implementation of Islamic Bank Mudharabah Financing in Makassar

This study aims to determine the implementation of mudharabah contracts in Islamic banks. The type of research used is qualitative. This research was conducted with in-depth interviews. The informants who will be the source of data in this research are people who are directly involved in mudharabah financing practices. Informants were determined by purposive sampling and snowball techniques. Informants were determined by certain criteria: (1) Islamic banking leaders in Makassar (2) Islamic banking account officers in Makassar (3) Customers who are or have received mudharabah financing. The total number of informants is 5 people. The results showed that there is a high risk of moral hazard so that this financing is transferred to the Mudharabah contract, so the conclusion of this study is that the implementation of the mudharabah contract is not fully implemented

Prevalence of malaria parasites among blood donors in Kaduna, Nigeria

Background: Transmission of malaria parasites through blood transfusion is a well-known serious risk. Screening of blood donors for malaria as recommended by WHO is currently not included in the protocols of many Nigerian blood banks. Presence of asymptomatic Plasmodium species carriers (APCs) in some northern parts of the state has already been demonstrated using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and microscopic examination of Giemsa stained blood films. This research was undertaken to determine the prevalence of malaria parasites among blood donors in Kaduna state, Nigeria.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among the blood donors in the three selected Hospitals of Kaduna state. A well-structured questionnaire was used to collect the data regarding demographic profile. Written informed consent was obtained and questionnaire was completed by respondents selected through simple random sampling. 360 blood donors were tested for malaria parasites through microscopic examination of Giemsa stained thick and thin blood films. The data were analysed using Statistical analysis system (SAS) and statistical software for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.Results: A total of 27 (7.5%) of the blood donors had malaria parasites in their blood. Plasmodium falciparum was the only malaria parasite species encountered. There were no mixed infections and no other blood parasites were observed. The prevalence of malaria parasites in the blood donors was significantly associated with occupation (c2=24.0845, df=6, p= 0.0005) and blood group (c2=10.589, df=4, p= O.032). The infected subjects had parasites densities of between 88-250 parasites/µl with a mean parasite density of 126 parasites/µl of blood.Conclusions: The prevalence of malaria parasites among blood donors was 7.5% Blood donors should be routinely screened for malaria parasites and the blood marked negative or positive as the case may be. Recipients of malaria parasites positive blood should be given prophylactic treatment to prevent transfusion related malaria (TRM).

Comparative effects of organic manure sources and rates on performance of groundnut varieties

An experiment was conducted at the Teaching and Research farm of the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. The aim was to study effects of different organic manure sources on performance of groundnut varieties. Treatment consisted of three organic manure source, (Poultry manure, (PM) cow dung (CD) and household waste (HW) each at two levels (1 ton and 2 tons), two varieties of groundnut SAMNUT 21 (V1) and SAMNUT 23 (V2) and a control. The treatments were factorially combined and assigned in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Growth data such as plant height, canopy spread and biomass weight and; yield data including, pod yield per plant, seed yield per plant, 100 seed weight were collected

Safety and efficacy of soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators in patients with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The utility of novel oral soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators (vericiguat and riociguat), in patients with reduced or preserved ejection fraction heart failure (HFrEF/HFpEF) is currently unclear. AIM: To determine the efficacy and safety of sGC stimulators in HF patients. METHODS: Multiple databases were searched to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data on the safety and efficacy of sGC stimulators were compared using relative risk ratio (RR) on a random effect model. RESULTS: Six RCTs, comprising 5604 patients (2801 in sGC stimulator group and 2803 placebo group) were included. The primary endpoint (a composite of cardiovascular mortality and first HF-related hospitalization) was significantly reduced in patients receiving sGC stimulators compared to placebo [RR 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85-0.99, P = 0.02]. The incidence of total HF-related hospitalizations were also lower in sGC group (RR 0.91, 95%CI: 0.86-0.96, P = 0.0009), however, sGC stimulators had no impact on all-cause mortality (RR 0.96, 95%CI: 0.86-1.07, P = 0.45) or cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.94, 95%CI: 0.83-1.06, P = 0.29). The overall safety endpoint (a composite of hypotension and syncope) was also similar between the two groups (RR 1.50, 95%CI: 0.93-2.42, P = 0.10). By contrast, a stratified subgroup analysis adjusted by type of sGC stimulator and HF (vericiguat vs riociguat and HFrEF vs HFpEF) showed near identical rates for all safety and efficacy endpoints between the two groups at a mean follow-up of 19 wk. For the primary composite endpoint, the number needed to treat was 35, the number needed to harm was 44. CONCLUSION: The use of vericiguat and riociguat in conjunction with standard HF therapy, shows no benefit in terms of decreasing HF-related hospitalizations or mortality

Outcomes of open mitral valve replacement versus Transcatheter mitral valve repair; insight from the National Inpatient Sample Database.

Background: Transcatheter mitral valve repair and replacement (TMVR) is a minimally invasive alternative to conventional open-heart mitral valve replacement (OMVR). The present study aims to compare the burden, demographics, cost, and complications of TMVR and OMVR. Methods: The United States National Inpatient Sample (US-NIS) for the year 2017 was queried to identify all cases of TMVR and OMVR. Categorical and continuous data were analyzed using Pearson chi-square and independent t-test analysis, respectively. An adjusted odds ratio (aOR) based on the ordinal logistic regression (OLR) model was calculated to determine the association between outcome variables. Results: Of 19,580 patients, 18,460 (94%) underwent OMVR and 1120 (6%) TMVR. Mean ages of patients were 63 ± 14 years (OMVR) and 67 ± 13 years (TMVR). Both cohorts were predominantly Caucasian (73% OMVR vs. 74.0% TMVR). The patients who underwent TMVR were more likely to belong to a household with an income in the highest quartile (26.1% vs. 22.0% for OMVR) versus the lowest quartile (22.1% vs. 27.8%). The average number of days from admission to TMVR was less compared to OMVR (2.63 days vs. 3.02 days, p = 0.015). In-hospital length of stay (LOS) was significantly lower for TMVR compared to OMVR (11.56 vs. 14.01 days, p=\u3c0.0001). Adjusted in-hospital mortality taking into account comorbidities showed no significant difference between the two groups (OR 1.2, 0.93-1.68, p = 0.15). Conclusion: Patients undergoing TMVR were older and more financially affluent. TMVR was more costly but was associated with a shorter hospital stay and similar mortality to OMVR

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Across Hemodynamic Subtypes of Severe Aortic Valve Stenosis: A Network Meta-analysis

Background: Studies assessing outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) with hemody- namic subtypes have demonstrated mixed results with respect to outcomes and periprocedural complications. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of TAVR in patients across various hemodynamic subtypes of severe AS. Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched through September 2023 to identify all observational studies comparing outcomes of TAVR in patients with paradoxical low flow low gradient (pLFLG), classic LFLG, and high gradient AS (HGAS). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The secondary outcomes were components of MACE (mortality, myocardial infarction [MI], stroke). A bivariate, influential, and frequentist network meta-analysis model was used to obtain the net odds ratio (OR) with a 95% CI. Results: A total of 21 studies comprising 17,298 (8742 experimental and 8556 HGAS) patients were included in the quantitative analysis. TAVR was asso- ciated with a significant reduction in the mean aortic gradient, and an increase in the mean aortic valve area irrespective of the AS type. Compared with HGAS, TAVR in classic LFLG had a significantly higher (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.04-2.72), while pLFLG (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.72-1.35) had a statistically similar incidence of MACE at a median follow-up of 1-year. TAVR in LFLG also had a significantly higher need for surgery (OR, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.24-10.32), and a greater risk of periprocedural (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.17-3.41), 1-month (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.08-2.64), and 12-month (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.05-1.88) mortality compared with HGAS. The incidence of MI, major bleeding, vascular complications, paravalvular leak, pacemaker implantation, and rehospitalizations was not significantly different between all other types of AS (HGAS vs LFLG, pLFLG). Conclusions: TAVR is an effective strategy in severe AS irrespective of the hemodynamic subtypes. Relatively, pLFLG did not have significantly different risk of periprocedural complications compared with HGAS, while classical LFLG AS had higher risk of MACE, primarily driven by the greater mortality risk

A rare association of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy with neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a potentially fatal neurological condition secondary toantipsychotic medication. It is characterized by distinctive clinical findings and autonomicdisturbances. NMS has not been associated with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM). TCM is an abnormal response to physiological stressors resulting from the autonomicabnormalities which at times can mimic myocardial infarction (MI). We present a unique caseof a 54-year-old female with bipolar disease presenting with lithium and haloperidol-inducedNMS complicated by TCM. The purpose of this case is to make clinicians aware of this rareassociation