Indução, fortificação e primazia do inglês como meio de instrução na primária

Having influenced by the British linguistic superiority, English bequeathed to people of India. Consequently, it got into some of the elite class. Due to the frequent use of English in science and technology and military elites it ran into higher education first then it was considered as medium of instruction at school level too. The current study investigated into the perceptions of the primary school teachers about induction, fortification and primacy of the English language as a medium of instruction in Vehari district. The population of the study were all the primary school teachers of Vehari region while sample of the study selected from all the city schools as well as from surrounding villages. Now a days, English is one of the main and compulsory subjects in Pakistan and was declared as a medium of instruction at school level officially in 2009 and college levels. But teachers at most of the schools practice code-switching while teaching English in the classrooms. For the last five years, English medium of instruction is now in practice, so keeping all the reviewed in the literature ahead, the current study attempted to examine the teachers’ reflections about effects of English language as a medium of instruction at elementary level by surveying about the use of English language as medium of instruction at primary level. The earlier studies reviewed mostly about the implementation of English as a medium of instruction particularly regarding the hurdles and obstacles. As linguists working in language teaching in the classroom setting have meaningfully extended the scope of their research to redress the fundamental areas of classroom practices connected with teaching/learning of English as a medium of instruction. Moreover, the current study has significant suggestions for educational research for pointing out the loopholes and drawbacks in terms of English language implementation as instructional goal. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. The study concluded with some suggestions and pedagogical implication to the Policy makers, higher authorities and National accreditation for teacher education in Vehari and Pakistan.Habiendo influido por la superioridad lingüística británica, el inglés legó a la gente de la India. En consecuencia, entró en parte de la clase de élite. Debido al uso frecuente del inglés en la ciencia y la tecnología y en las élites militares, primero se introdujo en la educación superior y luego se consideró también como medio de instrucción en el nivel escolar. El estudio actual investigó las percepciones de los maestros de escuelas primarias sobre la inducción, el enriquecimiento y la primacía del idioma inglés como medio de instrucción en el distrito de Vehari. La población del estudio fueron todos los maestros de escuela primaria de la región de Vehari, mientras que la muestra del estudio se seleccionó de todas las escuelas de la ciudad, así como de las aldeas vecinas. Hoy en día, el inglés es una de las materias principales y obligatorias en Pakistán y se declaró oficialmente como un medio de instrucción en el nivel escolar en 2009 y en el nivel universitario. Pero los maestros en la mayoría de las escuelas practican el cambio de código mientras enseñan inglés en las aulas. Durante los últimos cinco años, el medio de instrucción en inglés está ahora en práctica, por lo que manteniendo todo lo revisado en la literatura a continuación, el estudio actual intentó examinar las reflexiones de los maestros sobre los efectos del idioma inglés como medio de instrucción a nivel elemental mediante una encuesta sobre el uso del idioma inglés como medio de instrucción en el nivel primario. Los estudios anteriores revisaron principalmente sobre la implementación del inglés como medio de instrucción, particularmente en relación con los obstáculos y obstáculos. A medida que los lingüistas que trabajan en la enseñanza de idiomas en el aula, han ampliado significativamente el alcance de su investigación para corregir las áreas fundamentales de las prácticas en el aula relacionadas con la enseñanza / aprendizaje del inglés como medio de instrucción. Además, el estudio actual tiene sugerencias importantes para la investigación educativa para señalar las lagunas e inconvenientes en términos de la implementación del idioma inglés como objetivo educativo. Los datos se analizaron utilizando la versión 21 de SPSS. El estudio concluyó con algunas sugerencias e implicaciones pedagógicas para los responsables de las políticas, las autoridades superiores y la acreditación nacional para la formación docente en Vehari y Pakistán.Tendo influenciado pela superioridade lingüística britânica, o inglês legou a pessoas da Índia. Consequentemente, entrou em algumas das classes de elite. Devido ao uso frequente de inglês em ciência e tecnologia e elites militares, o ensino superior foi o primeiro a ser considerado como meio de instrução também na escola. O presente estudo investigou as percepções dos professores do ensino fundamental sobre indução, fortalecimento e primazia do idioma inglês como meio de instrução no distrito de Vehari. A população do estudo foram todos os professores primários da região de Vehari, enquanto a amostra do estudo foi selecionada de todas as escolas da cidade, bem como das aldeias vizinhas. Hoje em dia, o inglês é um dos assuntos principais e obrigatórios no Paquistão e foi declarado oficialmente como meio de instrução a nível escolar em 2009 e nos níveis universitários. Mas os professores na maioria das escolas praticam a troca de código enquanto ensinam inglês nas salas de aula. Nos últimos cinco anos, o meio inglês de instrução está agora em prática, então mantendo todos os revisados na literatura, o presente estudo tentou examinar as reflexões dos professores sobre os efeitos da língua inglesa como um meio de instrução em nível elementar sobre o uso da língua inglesa como meio de instrução no nível primário. Os estudos anteriores revisaram principalmente sobre a implementação do inglês como meio de instrução, particularmente em relação aos obstáculos e obstáculos. Como linguistas que trabalham no ensino de línguas em sala de aula, ampliaram significativamente o escopo de suas pesquisas para corrigir as áreas fundamentais das práticas de sala de aula ligadas ao ensino / aprendizagem do inglês como meio de instrução. Além disso, o presente estudo tem sugestões significativas para a pesquisa educacional para apontar as lacunas e desvantagens em termos de implementação da língua inglesa como meta instrucional. Os dados foram analisados usando SPSS versão 21. O estudo concluiu com algumas sugestões e implicações pedagógicas para os decisores políticos, autoridades superiores e acreditação nacional para a formação de professores em Vehari e no Paquistão

Computer Aided Multi-Parameter Extraction System to Aid Early Detection of Skin Cancer Melanoma

Melanoma is the most widely occurring and life threatening form of skin cancer. Early detection of in situ melanoma has challenged researchers for many decades now. Currently there exists no computer aided mechanisms to accurately detect early melanoma. T he currently existing computer aided diagnostics mechanisms are capable of melanoma classification and are unable to detect in situ melanoma. This paper introduces a Multi Parameter Extraction and Classification System ( 푀푀푀푀푀 ) to aid early detection o f skin cancer melanoma. The 푀푀푀푀푀 defines the skin lesion images in terms of characteristic parameters which are further used for classification. In this paper the extraction of 21 parameters is achieved using a six phase approach. The parameters extr acted are analyzed using statistical methods. It is clear from the results obtained that no single parameter can affirm the detection of in situ melanoma, hence an advanced analysis mechanisms considering all the parameters need to be adopted to effective ly detect melanoma in its initial stages

Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Mint (Mentha) essential oil

Natural products of plant origin, such as essential oils have great benefit for human life. The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of mint (mentha) essential oil (EO). The EO obtained by steam distillation and their constituents were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The disc diffusion method was used for the determination of the antimicrobial activity. In the antimicrobial activity, the concentrations of 3.75, 7.5, 15, 30, 60μg/mL of mint essential oil were prepared and tested against four microbes; one Gram-positive: Staphylococcus aureus; two Gram-negative: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia; and one fungal strain, Candida albicans. The oil content was 0.05% (v/w) and the GC-MS analysis led to the identification 42 components, the major components were found to be, Carvone (53.06%), D-limonene (25.65%), and Eucalyptol (2.56%). The inhibition zones of the oil were compared with standard ciprofloxacin. The results showed that the remarkable inhibition of the bacterial growth against the tested organisms. The microbial activity of mint essential oil was due to the presence of various secondary metabolites. Therefore, may warrant further research to determine the bioactive compound(s)

Research Notes: Children as Scavengers (Rag Pickers) “A Case of Karachi”

In developing countries, the emerging mega cities face a number of interlinked issues, such as, increased flow of trading activities (particularly in the coastal cities), expansion in manufacturing and service sectors (because of a relatively developed infrastructure). As a combined effect of these factors there is a significant increase in population from within and neighboring countries. The situation aggravates even further when the huge influx of population exerts enormous pressure on limited physical and social infrastructure of a city. The obtained situation is thus observed with increased environmental degradation and significant rise in poverty levels. The coastal city of Karachi which is the largest city of Pakistan is now considered as one of the ten biggest mega cities in the world and appears as a classic case of such type of expansion in its size of population. As per the last population census of 1998 in the country, Karachi had a population of 9.8 million (though controversial). In absence of the new population census which was due in 2008, different estimates suggest that the current population size of Karachi city would be around 20 to 25 million. Along with the population growth, an average income level of its inhabitants has also caused upward shifts in consumption expenditures. The simultaneous raise in production of solid waste, as an outcome of improved standards of living and increased business activities, has impaired the city’s institutional capacity to properly dispose off and recycle the solid wastes. In the obtained situation, the remaining part of solid waste is disposed off and recycled by the private sector

Administration of an intravenous perfluorocarbon contrast agent improves echocardiographic determination of left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction: comparison with cine magnetic resonance imaging

AbstractObjectives. The purpose of this study was to determine whether contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography improves the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF).Background. Echocardiographic assessment of LV volumes and EF is widely used but may be inaccurate when the endocardium is not completely visualized. Recently the intravenous (IV) administration of perfluorocarbon microbubbles has been shown to enhance opacification of the LV cavity, but the utility of these agents to improve the echocardiographic assessment of LV systolic function is unknown.Methods. In 40 subjects (29 men and 11 women, aged 24 to 81 years) an assessment of LV volumes and EF was performed with a magnetic resonance imaging examination, followed immediately by a transthoracic echocardiogram before and after the intravenous administration of 2% dodecafluoropentane emulsion (EchoGen; Sonus Pharmaceuticals, Bothell, Washington).Results. Contrast enhanced the echocardiographic assessment of LV end diastolic volume (p < 0.02), end systolic volume (p < 0.01) and LVEF (p < 0.03). The percentage of subjects in whom the correct echocardiographic classification EF was normal, mild to moderately depressed or severely reduced improved significantly after contrast enhancement (from 71% before contrast to 94% after, p < 0.03). These findings were most striking in the subjects with two or more adjacent endocardial segments not visualized at baseline.Conclusions. Administration of an intravenous contrast agent improves the ability to accurately assess LV volumes and EF in humans. Contrast enhancement is most useful in subjects with two or more adjacent endocardial segments not seen at baseline

A study of the neuroprotective role of Punica granatum and rosuvastatin in scopolamine induced cognitive deficit in rats

Background: The present work has been planned to find out the effect of Punica granatum and Rosuvastatin on learning and memory in Scopolamine induced cognitive deficits in rats. Scopolamine being an anticholinergic agent is used fervently in experimental models for memory deficits and has been widely implicated for the screening of cognitive dysfunction. Punica granatum (Pomegranate) has shown to suppress tumor neuronal cells, hence it can be a potential agent in providing neuroprotection for preventing the development and progression of AD. There are conflicting reports indicating the role of statins as a neuroprotective agent. This contradiction led us to investigate the effect of the role of Rosuvastatin on memory. The test agents were further compared to the standard treatment group acetylcholinesterase inhibitor i.e. Donepezil.Methods: Male wistar rats 150-200gms were divided into 4 groups of 6 rats each. Amnesia was induced by scopolamine 3mg/kg ip at day 5 in all the groups. Group1 (amnesic control) given distilled water; group 2(standard treatment i.e. Donepezil 0.5mg/kg orally); group 3(Rosuvastatin group10mg/kg orally); group 4 (Punica granatum juice 500mg/kg orally) The methods for validating cognition deficits were behavioural tests like Cook’s pole response and Passive Avoidance response.Results: It was evident from our research that the Punica granatum juice and Rosuvastatin effectively antagonized the scopolamine induced cognitive impairment in the paradigms studied. The neuroprotective effect of Punica granatum juice was better as compared to the Rosuvastatin group and the effects of the former were comparable with the standard treatment i.e. Donepezil group.Conclusions: Punica granatum has a remarkable protective role in memory function, learning, cognition and behavior in Scopolamine induced amnesia model of Alzheimer’s disease which was better than Rosuvastatin treatment

The Effectiveness of Educational Platform EDMODO on Academic Achievement and Motivation towards Learning and Development of Core Thinking Skills in Arabic Subject among 3rd Basic Grade Students

The study aimed at uncovering the effectiveness of educational platform (Edmodo) on academic achievement and motivation towards learning and development of Core Thinking Skills in Arabic Subject among 3rd Basic Grade Students in Jordan, The study adopted the quasi-experimental design, in order to achieve the objectives of the study, the following instruments were designed: an achievement test, a motivation scale for learning, and a scale of core thinking skills, where the validity and the reliability for the instruments have been verified and proven by appropriate methods. A site on Edmodo platform was also dedicated. The study sample consisted of (37) students from Assad Ibn Alfurat School of Liwa Markka Educational Directorate in Amman for 2019/2020 academic year. The study sample was divided randomly into two groups experimental and control group. The students in the experimental group consist of (18) students taught through (Educational Platform Edmodo), were students in the control group consists of the (19) students were taught in the traditional way. The results of the study indicated that there are statistically significant differences between the two groups attributed to the educational platform Edmodo in the development of academic achievement, the motivation towards learning, and the core thinking skills between the two groups attributed to the experimental group. The study recommended that the educational platforms be used to teach the Arabic language and conducting other similar studies in different educational stages with new variable

A comparative study between X-chromosome mapping of Sudanese and Egyptian Anopheles pharoensis theobald (Diptera: Culicidae) strains

Background: Current literature lacks information regarding Anopheles pharoensis malaria transmission patterns. Anopheles pharoensis succeeded in transmitting Malaria in Egypt. However, it was unsuccessful in doing the same in Sudan. From here arises these important questions: Why does it transmit malaria in Egypt but not in the Sudan or other Countries? Is it a Sibling species or a Sub-species? This investigation aimed to answer these questions by studying the genetics of Anopheles pharoensis collected from Egypt and Sudan.Methods: A comparative study was conducted in Egypt and Sudan to determine the population genetic structure of Anopheles pharoensis species based on chromosomal inversion of karyotypes. Fourth-stage larvae of Anopheles pharoensis were collected from Egypt (Faiyoum government) and from Sudan (Khartoum, Gezira and Sennar states).Result: Significant levels of differentiation were observed among the species studied.Conclusion: Investigations suggest that Anopheles pharoensis species collected from Egypt can transmit malaria due to the presence of an inversion in the X-chromosome. The lack of the aforementioned inversion probably prevented the transmission of malaria by Anopheles pharoensis in Sudan. The results above provide insight into malaria transmission patterns by Anopheles pharoensis. However, more needs to be done and hence it is recommended to undergo further research on genetics and morphological studies using molecular biological tool son Anopheles pharoensis in Sudan

Effect of backward injection with combined hole on film colling performance

This study investigates the film cooling performance and flow features of backward injection with combined hole. This concept is evaluated by comparison to forward injection with combined hole and other forms with both injections, forward and backward. The shapes are namely, cylindrical hole, conical hole and fan-shaped hole. The eight configurations are computed for three blowing ratios M=0.5, 1.0 and 1.5. The air coolant was injected through holes inclined at 35° and 155° for forward and backward injection respectively. The lateral averaged film cooling effectiveness and the distribution of adiabatic film cooling efficiency are studied using commercial software ANSYS- CFX. In addition, several velocity vectors and contours are presented for analyzing the thermal behavior. The results show that a uniform coverage is obtained by the backward injection which leads to best cooling. The maximum improvement of film cooling is obtained by backward injection with combined hole at M=1.5

The efficiency of natural plant extracts in improving storage stability, antioxidant activity, sensory evaluation, and physicochemical properties of date juice-based energy drink

Energy drinks (EDs) are a type of sweetened and non-alcoholic beverage with high content of caffeine. EDs were prepared from date juice enriched with different concentrations of ginger rhizomes extract, moringa leaf extract, and caffeine. Physicochemical properties (pH, TSS, and color parameters), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity, microbiological quality, and sensory characteristics were evaluated for freshly prepared EDs and during storage. The results showed that freshly prepared EDs from date juice and natural extracts revealed lower pH, higher TSS, and lower color parameters than the control. The inclusion of date juice and natural extracts improved the TPC, antioxidant activity, and microbiological quality of freshly prepared EDs. Storage studies exhibited that EDs containing date juice and natural extracts were more stable during storage in terms of all quality parameters estimated. However, the ED made from date juice, ginger extract, moringa extract, and caffeine was the best in terms of all parameters evaluated with higher stability during 3 months of storage at room temperature. In general, by date juice and natural plant extracts addition, a desirable ED can be prepared