The Impact of Social Media on Teacher's Performance: A Case of Higher Educational Institutions of Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to see the impact of social media on teacher’s performance in higher educational institutions of Pakistan, particularly in Vehari (Punjab) and D.I Khan (KPK). This research study explored that social media has a significant impact on teachers performance. Because the faculty members of higher educational institutions play a vital role in the development of students, society and as a whole the nation. The main purpose of this study is to understand the nature of social media and up to how much extend social media is playing its role regarding the development of faculty performance. This study is quantitative and descriptive in nature .The researcher, distributed 357 survey questionnaires to the higher education sector of District Vehari and D.I. Khan and got a response from 318 respondents. Linear and multi regression were used to analyze the results and for drawing a conclusion. Knowledge sharing, creativity, collaboration and interaction through social networking sites have a significant impact on teacher’s performance which suggests that use of social networking sites in education increases the teacher performance

Enhancing the wheat growth through micronutrients enriched biochar under salt stress

Crop irrigation with brackish water having high Na+ is a common practice in developing countries like Pakistan; hence increasing the saline-sodic soils throughout the region. Therefore, two independent studies were conducted to evaluate the impact of minerals enriched contrasting biochars (MECBs) in mitigating Na+ toxicity on soil physicochemical properties, wheat growth, and physiology. In 1st trial, an incubation experiment was conducted having 32 treatments including simple biochar (SBc), manganese enriched biochar (MnBc), zinc enriched biochar (ZnBc), and iron enriched biochar (FeBc) applied at two rates (0.1% and 0.5%) with four different salinity levels such as 10, 20, 30, and 40 dSm−1. The soil was sampled after the 8th, 16th, and 24th day of incubation. Among the four sources of biochar, MnBc (0.1%) + 40 dSm−1 and FeBc (0.5%) + 40 dSm−1 showed efficient results to tolerate salinity stress in soil by efficiently reducing the availability of Na+ (60% and 30%) when compared to SBc (0.5%) + 40 dSm−1. Then, a pot study was conducted with 20 different treatments (control, SBc, MnBc, ZnBc, and FeBc) at four different salinity levels, i.e., 0, 5, 10, and 15 dSm−1. There were four replicates and the crop was harvested after 60 days of germination. The application of brackish water (control+15 dSm−1) significantly reduced the fresh weight of root (28%) and shoot (34%) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as compared to FeBc+15 dSm−1. However, the soil Na+ toxicity was significantly decreased (23%) by the application of FeBc+15 dSm−1 as compared to control+15 dSm−1. Similarly, a significant increase was observed in leaf chl. a, b and photosynthetic rate (75%, 3 and 2-folds); however, a significant decrease was observed in transpiration rate (50%) in T. aestivum L. treated with FeBc+15 dSm−1 as compared to control+15 dSm−1. Interestingly, FeBc+15 dSm−1 also played a vital role to prevent oxidative damage by controlling the shoot CMP (63%) in T. aestivum L. by efficiently triggering the activities of shoot antioxidant enzymes such as APX (30%) and CAT (52%) when compared to control+15 dSm−1. In summary, it was evaluated that FeBc showed the highest adsorption capacity of Na+ ions to regulate salinity stress by improving soil health and crop physiology

Novel VPS13B Mutations in Three Large Pakistani Cohen Syndrome Families Suggests a Baloch Variant with Autistic-Like Features.

BackgroundCohen Syndrome (COH1) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, principally identified by ocular, neural and muscular deficits. We identified three large consanguineous Pakistani families with intellectual disability and in some cases with autistic traits.MethodsClinical assessments were performed in order to allow comparison of clinical features with other VPS13B mutations. Homozygosity mapping followed by whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing strategies were used to identify disease-related mutations.ResultsWe identified two novel homozygous deletion mutations in VPS13B, firstly a 1 bp deletion, NM_017890.4:c.6879delT; p.Phe2293Leufs*24, and secondly a deletion of exons 37-40, which co-segregate with affected status. In addition to COH1-related traits, autistic features were reported in a number of family members, contrasting with the "friendly" demeanour often associated with COH1. The c.6879delT mutation is present in two families from different regions of the country, but both from the Baloch sub-ethnic group, and with a shared haplotype, indicating a founder effect among the Baloch population.ConclusionWe suspect that the c.6879delT mutation may be a common cause of COH1 and similar phenotypes among the Baloch population. Additionally, most of the individuals with the c.6879delT mutation in these two families also present with autistic like traits, and suggests that this variant may lead to a distinct autistic-like COH1 subgroup

Microbial Diversity Analysis in Malachite Green Dye Treating Sequencing Batch Reactor

ABSTRACT Microbial diversity was investigated in an optimized sequencing batch reactor (SBR), treating malachite green containing wastewater, with the decolorization efficiency of 89 % and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removing ability of 93%. Both culture-independent 16S rRNA gene method and culture-dependent plate-dilution method were utilized. Phylogenetic trees were sketched by neighbor-joining method using bioinformatics tools. Cultureindependent method showed the SBR community affiliation with the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta proteobacteria, in addition to the moderate resemblances with Verrucomicrobia, and some uncultured bacteria. The culture-dependent isolates, however, identified only with the Beta and Gamma proteobacteria. Some sequences had less than 95% homology to the data in GenBank indicates the possibility of novel bacterial species

Subnational mapping of HIV incidence and mortality among individuals aged 15–49 years in sub-Saharan Africa, 2000–18 : a modelling study

Background: High-resolution estimates of HIV burden across space and time provide an important tool for tracking and monitoring the progress of prevention and control efforts and assist with improving the precision and efficiency of targeting efforts. We aimed to assess HIV incidence and HIV mortality for all second-level administrative units across sub-Saharan Africa. Methods: In this modelling study, we developed a framework that used the geographically specific HIV prevalence data collected in seroprevalence surveys and antenatal care clinics to train a model that estimates HIV incidence and mortality among individuals aged 15–49 years. We used a model-based geostatistical framework to estimate HIV prevalence at the second administrative level in 44 countries in sub-Saharan Africa for 2000–18 and sought data on the number of individuals on antiretroviral therapy (ART) by second-level administrative unit. We then modified the Estimation and Projection Package (EPP) to use these HIV prevalence and treatment estimates to estimate HIV incidence and mortality by second-level administrative unit. Findings: The estimates suggest substantial variation in HIV incidence and mortality rates both between and within countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with 15 countries having a ten-times or greater difference in estimated HIV incidence between the second-level administrative units with the lowest and highest estimated incidence levels. Across all 44 countries in 2018, HIV incidence ranged from 2 ·8 (95% uncertainty interval 2·1–3·8) in Mauritania to 1585·9 (1369·4–1824·8) cases per 100 000 people in Lesotho and HIV mortality ranged from 0·8 (0·7–0·9) in Mauritania to 676· 5 (513· 6–888·0) deaths per 100 000 people in Lesotho. Variation in both incidence and mortality was substantially greater at the subnational level than at the national level and the highest estimated rates were accordingly higher. Among second-level administrative units, Guijá District, Gaza Province, Mozambique, had the highest estimated HIV incidence (4661·7 [2544·8–8120·3]) cases per 100000 people in 2018 and Inhassunge District, Zambezia Province, Mozambique, had the highest estimated HIV mortality rate (1163·0 [679·0–1866·8]) deaths per 100 000 people. Further, the rate of reduction in HIV incidence and mortality from 2000 to 2018, as well as the ratio of new infections to the number of people living with HIV was highly variable. Although most second-level administrative units had declines in the number of new cases (3316 [81· 1%] of 4087 units) and number of deaths (3325 [81·4%]), nearly all appeared well short of the targeted 75% reduction in new cases and deaths between 2010 and 2020. Interpretation: Our estimates suggest that most second-level administrative units in sub-Saharan Africa are falling short of the targeted 75% reduction in new cases and deaths by 2020, which is further compounded by substantial within-country variability. These estimates will help decision makers and programme implementers expand access to ART and better target health resources to higher burden subnational areas

Measuring routine childhood vaccination coverage in 204 countries and territories, 1980-2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020, Release 1

Background Measuring routine childhood vaccination is crucial to inform global vaccine policies and programme implementation, and to track progress towards targets set by the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) and Immunization Agenda 2030. Robust estimates of routine vaccine coverage are needed to identify past successes and persistent vulnerabilities. Drawing from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2020, Release 1, we did a systematic analysis of global, regional, and national vaccine coverage trends using a statistical framework, by vaccine and over time. Methods For this analysis we collated 55 326 country-specific, cohort-specific, year-specific, vaccine-specific, and dosespecific observations of routine childhood vaccination coverage between 1980 and 2019. Using spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression, we produced location-specific and year-specific estimates of 11 routine childhood vaccine coverage indicators for 204 countries and territories from 1980 to 2019, adjusting for biases in countryreported data and reflecting reported stockouts and supply disruptions. We analysed global and regional trends in coverage and numbers of zero-dose children (defined as those who never received a diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis [DTP] vaccine dose), progress towards GVAP targets, and the relationship between vaccine coverage and sociodemographic development. Findings By 2019, global coverage of third-dose DTP (DTP3; 81.6% [95% uncertainty interval 80.4-82 .7]) more than doubled from levels estimated in 1980 (39.9% [37.5-42.1]), as did global coverage of the first-dose measles-containing vaccine (MCV1; from 38.5% [35.4-41.3] in 1980 to 83.6% [82.3-84.8] in 2019). Third- dose polio vaccine (Pol3) coverage also increased, from 42.6% (41.4-44.1) in 1980 to 79.8% (78.4-81.1) in 2019, and global coverage of newer vaccines increased rapidly between 2000 and 2019. The global number of zero-dose children fell by nearly 75% between 1980 and 2019, from 56.8 million (52.6-60. 9) to 14.5 million (13.4-15.9). However, over the past decade, global vaccine coverage broadly plateaued; 94 countries and territories recorded decreasing DTP3 coverage since 2010. Only 11 countries and territories were estimated to have reached the national GVAP target of at least 90% coverage for all assessed vaccines in 2019. Interpretation After achieving large gains in childhood vaccine coverage worldwide, in much of the world this progress was stalled or reversed from 2010 to 2019. These findings underscore the importance of revisiting routine immunisation strategies and programmatic approaches, recentring service delivery around equity and underserved populations. Strengthening vaccine data and monitoring systems is crucial to these pursuits, now and through to 2030, to ensure that all children have access to, and can benefit from, lifesaving vaccines. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Indo-Pak Media Approach towards Peace and War Journalism during the Policy Crisis: Analyzing the Coverage of Pulwama Attack and Balakot Air-Strike in daily Dawn and The Hindu

This study contently examines the media coverage of Pulwama attack and Balakot air strike in daily Dawn and The Hindu, wherein the total 162 news stories on both the selected issues were thoroughly analyzed in the broader perspective of peace journalism. Supporting the core theoretical assumptions of indexing theory [media follow the guidelines of elites] and policy-media interaction model [media tow the government’s policy line], the Indo-Pak media employ, to some extent, peace journalism, especially at the time of policy crisis. However, the study shows mixed results as the Indian newspaper, owing to prevailing political environment in India, was more inclined towards war journalism 38.8% as compare to the war-oriented  12.2% coverage in daily Dawn. On other hand, the findings indicate high level of tendency in daily Dawn i.e. 53.7% towards peace journalism, comparing with 23.8% peace-oriented coverage in daily The Hindu

Divisive and inegalitarian? Economic and social outcomes of public, private and faith-based education in Pakistan

Pakistan follows a diverse educational system consisting of three different tracks (public, private, and faith-based Madrasah education) with often conflicting objectives. As national cohesion has remained an elusive goal in Pakistan, it is important to know if there are systematic differences in the way graduates from different educational tracks access available opportunities. Using Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) survey data 2013-2014, we find that graduates from three tracks face different occupational choices and economic outcomes after their transition to the labor market and systematically differ with respect to the inter-generational transmission of educational and occupational opportunities. Additionally, we analyzed if graduates from the three educational types differ with respect to their socializing skills. Using the ‘sum-score’ approach to estimate the social exclusion, we found that graduates from private and Madrasah educational systems are the least and most socially excluded respectively

Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic and Phytotoxic Potency of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Rhizopus stolonifer Culture

Purpose: To evaluate the antimicrobial, cytotoxic and phytotoxic activities of the organic extract of Rhizopus stolonifer whole cell static culture in order to determine the presence of potentially bioactive compounds in the culture. Methods: The organic extract was obtained by extracting the whole cell culture of R. stolonifer with Ethyl Acetate (EtOAc). The antifungal activity was determined by inhibitory effect on the growth of Alternaria alternata , Aspergillus flavus , Curvularia protuberata and Fusarium oxysporum , cytotoxic activity by brine shrimp lethality test, antibacterial activity against Ervinia carotovora and Xanthomonas campestris by disc diffusion technique, and phytotoxic activity by testing the crude extract against the Lemna minor frond. Results: The extract showed phytotoxic activity (at 95% level of significance) against Lemna minor (67.7 % lethality) with Fronds Inhibition (FI50) of 167.85 µg mL-1. The extract exhibited a significant (at 95% level of significance) cytotoxic activity (LC50 of 115.71 µg mL-1) against brine shrimp. Maximum mortality (56.7 %) was obtained at a concentration of 200 µg mL-1 concentration after 48 h. In the antifungal test, the highest inhibitory effect was observed against Fusarium oxysporum (88.8 %) followed by Alternaria alternata (81.5 %), Aspergillus flavus (70.5 %) and Curvularia protuberata (37.5 %) at 1000 µg. mL-1 when compared to negative reference. Antibacterial activity against Ervinia carotovora and Xanthomonas campestris was minimal even at extract level of 2000 µg mL-1. Conclusion: The ethyl acetate extract of R. stolonifer possesses significant herbicidal, cytotoxic and antifungal properties. Isolation and characterization is required for structural elucidation of its bioactive compounds