For whose honour? An investigation into honour based violence

Honour based violence (HBV) is a form of gender-based violence perpetrated against a victim, most often a female relative, with a view to restore honour. Though HBV is receiving more media and academic attention, there is little consensus on the definition or characteristics of HBV, or how it fits into the wider spectrum of violence against women and girls (VAWG). The current thesis aims to explore the topic of HBV. Chapter One provides an introduction to the topic of VAWG. The need for an intersectional perspective and ecological framework in understanding the various factors that contribute to different forms of VAWG is discussed, as well as interpretations of honour and how it relates to VAWG. In Chapter Two, a systematic literature review examines research related to attitudes towards HBV in Middle Eastern and South Asian populations. The findings highlighted several factors (e.g. gender, education, socioeconomic status) that influence attitudes towards HBV. Chapter Three presents a critique of the PATRIARCH risk assessment, emphasising some of the problems in assessing risk of HBV without a consistent definition or understanding of its characteristics in relation to other forms of VAWG. Chapter Four presents a qualitative research study using thematic analysis (TA) to explore the portrayal of femicide in the UK media by comparing news reports on two forms of femicide, honour killing (HK) and intimate femicide (IF). The results outlined similar and differential themes in reporting, highlighting a focus on culture in reporting of HK and a focus on individual traits and circumstances in reporting on IF. Finally, Chapter Five presents a discussion of the main findings and conclusions drawn across the thesis, along with recommendations for future research and practice that could help to further our understanding of VAWG across societies

Evaluation of Learner vs. Teacher Centered Syllabi in Construction Management Courses: An Initial Investigation

Research indicates that retention and performance of undergraduate students increases when they perceive a cooperative and supportive educational community. The course syllabus is one of the first opportunities to influence student perception on their educational experience. Literature on syllabi suggests that learner-centered syllabi yield more positive student perceptions of teachers and the course as compared to traditional teacher-centered syllabi. Current research on the impacts of different syllabi constructs within construction education is lacking, and no studies could be found on whether these perceptions translate to student grades. This study used action research to better understand the impact of a learner-centered syllabus vs. a teacher-centered syllabus in an undergraduate construction management program. Student perception, faculty perception and student grades were measured between the learner-centered class and the teacher-centered class. The data was collected from four different classes, split among two courses, and taught by two faculty over the spring 2020 semester. Results suggested that the learner-centered syllabi appeared to motivate student engagement as well as impact both, the first impressions of the instructor and teacher-student relationship. However, it showed no difference in student grades

Burden of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Referrals to Tertiary Health Care System

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess the burden of obstetrics and gynaecological cases, causes and pattern of referral to tertiary care hospital. METHODOLOGY This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from May 2022-July 2022 using the data of patients who were referred to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit 2 at Isra University Hospital from various primary, secondary, tertiary, and private hospitals for any obstetric or gynaecological emergency were the primary source of data. The confidentiality of each patient was carefully respected. This study evaluated the prevalence, reasons and pattern of referral of various obstetric and gynaecological conditions for which patients were referred to Isra University Hospital within the study duration and the management options provided to these patients. RESULTS The gynaecological cases accounted for the majority (71%) of referrals.  Patients between 21-30 yrs of age comprised 51% of the total. Most patients (20%) were multipara in their third trimester (18%). High-risk patients (60%) were this study’s most common reason for referral, whereas financial restrictions (4%) were the least common. Only 5% of patients were referred from other tertiary care facilities, whereas 49% of patients came from the primary sector (49%), secondary (33%), and private (13%). CONCLUSION There is an imperative need to upgrade health system infrastructure, mainly primary and secondary health care systems and especially in the field of maternal and childcare, to enable prompt and appropriate diagnosis and management of various conditions in all nearby hospitals

Comparative analysis of organophosphate degrading enzymes from diverse species

Different types of organophosphorous compounds constitute most potent pesticides. These chemicals attack the nervous system of living organisms causing death. Different organisms produce enzymes to degrade these chemicals. These enzymes are present in simple microorganisms from archaea, bacteria to complex eukaryotes like humans. A comparison of representative eight shortlisted enzymes involved in the degradation and inactivation of organophosphates from a wide range of organisms was performed to infer the basis of their common functionality. There is little sequence homology in these enzymes which results in divergent tertiary structures. The only feature that these enzymes seem to share is their amino acid composition. However, structural analysis has shown no significant similarities among this functionally similar group of organophosphate degrading enzymes

Utilization of RSM for optimization of physical variables to improve bacteriocin production from Lactobacillus plantarum strain MS

The utilization of natural antimicrobial substances has been increased in the pharmaceutical sector due to their stability and inhibition activity against pathogenic microorganisms. In the current study, the bacteriocin synthesis by locally isolated Lactobacillus plantarum MS from yogurt, has been optimized by using response surface methodology. Statistical optimization of physical variables by using Box-Behnken design, 3200 AU/mL bacteriocin activity was detected at 30 °C temperature, 18h incubation time and pH 6 against Staphylococcus aureus. The resulting bacteriocin was found to be stable a broad range of pH (2-12) and temperature (37-100 °C) but the activity of bacteriocin was slightly disturbed at 121 °C. Besides, bacteriocin showed stability after treatment with various enzymes (catalase, amylase, and lipase), salt (NaCl), and surfactants (triton X-100, EDTA, and SDS) but found sensitive by treating with proteolytic enzymes (proteinase K and trypsin) in comparison with untreated bacteriocin. Because of such biochemical characteristics, these antibacterial peptides could be possibly incorporated in the field of pharmacy to fulfil consumer’s demand for natural remedies

Impact of foreign direct investment on economic growth: A case study of Pakistan

Purpose- This research paper aims to analyze the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan for the period 1981 to 2010. It evaluated the GDP growth performance and assessed the historical trends of the FDI and CPI in Pakistan. Methodology/Sample- The link between gross domestic product (GDP,) foreign direct investment and Inflation is measured with the help of multiple regression models. GDP in this model is used as dependent variable whereas FDI and inflation (CPI) are measured as independent variables. Findings- According to the results, the model is overall significant with the positive and significant association of GDP and FDI while a negative and significant relationship found between GDP and inflation. Practical Implications- On the basis of the empirical results acquired, Policy proposals are advised to attract FDI in Pakistan. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an essential factor for economic growth in the developing countries. FDI allows the transfer of technology, uplift competition in the domestic input market, contributes to human capital development and Profits created by FDI contribute to corporate tax revenues in the host country

To tackle symptoms of computer vision syndrome in era of COVID-19

With the emergence of a novel coronavirus, there has been an increase in the use of electronic gadgets such as laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. There has been an emphasis on social distancing and work from home. Therefore, people are switched to online mode, whether it is office work or education. Both adults and children are getting dependent on electronic devices, which has led to increased symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS). Here, we address the symptoms that can occur with enhanced use of digital media and how that could be tackled

Impact of foreign direct investment on economic growth: A case study of Pakistan

Purpose- This research paper aims to analyze the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan for the period 1981 to 2010. It evaluated the GDP growth performance and assessed the historical trends of the FDI and CPI in Pakistan. Methodology/Sample- The link between gross domestic product (GDP,) foreign direct investment and Inflation is measured with the help of multiple regression models. GDP in this model is used as dependent variable whereas FDI and inflation (CPI) are measured as independent variables. Findings- According to the results, the model is overall significant with the positive and significant association of GDP and FDI while a negative and significant relationship found between GDP and inflation. Practical Implications- On the basis of the empirical results acquired, Policy proposals are advised to attract FDI in Pakistan. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an essential factor for economic growth in the developing countries. FDI allows the transfer of technology, uplift competition in the domestic input market, contributes to human capital development and Profits created by FDI contribute to corporate tax revenues in the host country

Structural, Chemical and Morphological of Porous Silicon Produced by Electrochemical Etching

In this paper, the nanocrystalline porous silicon (PS) films is prepared by electrochemical etching of p-type silicon wafer with different currents density (15 and 30 mA/cm2) and etching times on the formation nano-sized pore array with a dimension of around few hundreds nanometric. The films were characterized by the measurement of XRD, FTIR spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy properties. We have estimated crystallites size from X-Ray diffraction about nanoscale for porous silicon and Atomic Force microscopy confirms the nanometric size Chemical fictionalization during the electrochemical etching show on surface chemical composition of PS. The etching possesses inhomogeneous microstructures that contain a-Si clusters (Si3–Si–H) dispersed in amorphous silica matrix and (O-SiO, C-SiO). From the FTIR analyses showed that the Si dangling bonds of the as-prepared PS layer have large amount of Hydrogen to form weak Si–H bonds. The atomic force microscopy investigation shows the rough silicon surface, with increasing etching process (current density and etching time) porous structure nucleates which leads to an increase in the depth and width (diameter) of surface pits. Consequently, the surface roughness also increases

Relationship between the use of drugs and changes in body weight among patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: To investigate the impact of drugs on the body weight of patients.Methods: All the randomized controlled trials that evaluated the impact of medications on the body weight of patients were searched in various databases. Studies quantifying the impact of drugs on body weight when compared to placebo or any other treatment were considered for this review. Moreover, the quantitative synthesis of evidence was also performed by generating the forest plot.Results: A total of 20 studies involving 18,547 participants were included in the current review. Weight gains ranging from 0.5 to 2.6 kg were associated with the use of pioglitazone, espindolol, brexpiprazole, glimepiride and ezogabine while weight loss ranging from 1.1 to 12 kg was linked with the use of betahistine, naltrexone, bupropion, liraglutide, phentermine, topiramate, orlistat, zonisamide, duloxetine, semaglutide, metformin and linagliptin. The quantitative synthesis suggested that drugs can significantly reduce body weight by -0.53 kg (CI 95 % -1.01, -0.04, p < 0.04) when compared to standard treatment.Conclusion: The findings of this review suggest substantial association of drugs and weight change during pharmacotherapy. Pioglitzone, brexpiprazole, espindolol, ezogabine and glimepiride cause weight gain while naltrexone, bupropion, betahistine, topiramate, phentermine, zonisamide, semaglutide, linagliptin, liraglutide, orlistat, duloxetine and metformin were associated with weight loss. Drug-induced changes in body weight might cause serious consequences and should be addressed before initiating treatment