EXPLORING THE PERCEPTION OF PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS (ADE /B.ED.(HONS)) ABOUT THE CHALLENGES DURING PRACTICUM IN QUETTA CITY, PAKISTAN

Teacher is the central cog in the machinery of Education. The quality and worth of the teachers determine the quality of Education. For the better education, the effective and committed teachers are needed. In ADE / B.Ed.(Hons) program, practicum is one of the essential components for practical experiences, school-based activities and teaching training to become the devoted and professional teacher. So, the present study investigated the perceptions on adequacy of practicum and highlight the challenges faced by prospective teachers. The study was conducted through using mixed method approach. Structured questionnaire and interview protocol were used for the data collection. Data was both qualitative and quantitative in nature. The sample of 150 prospective teachers from colleges and universities, offering ADE/ B.Ed. program were selected through simple random sampling technique who completed their practicum. The analysis indicated the prospective teachers face variety of challenges such as no adequate support of school administration, lack of proper guidance and encouragement from university supervisors, no skills to design and implement classroom activities associated with teachings, behavior of cooperative teachers as they spend more time with them in schools and no proper meetings and seminars conducted to check the quality of work and problems of prospective teachers. Nevertheless, majority of the prospective teachers think that practicum is an important element for the preparation of professional life of teachers and found practicum to be a valuable experience. Article visualizations

Impact of Renewable and Non-Renewable Energy Resources on CO2 Emission: Empirical Evidence from SAARC

When assessing sustainability performance, researchers often ignore the implications of combining energy, economic, and environmental factors. To address this void, we assess the consequence of energy dis-aggregation proceeding carbon emissions in SAARC nations. The majority of energy resources are renewable and non-renewable, which contributes to a rise in carbon dioxide emissions. This study aims to provide a thorough understanding of the energy utilization dioxide emissions nexus. The panel data sets covering the period 1971-2020 for the SAARC nations have been used for analysis. The data set was used to assess the effect of renewable and non-renewable energy consumption on emissions of carbon dioxide by factoring in other CO2-producing variables such as urbanization, primary and secondary education, globalization, and economic development. Panel Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) was used to examine the connection. According to research comparing the impact of renewable and non-renewable energy consumption upon Carbon dioxide emission, whereas non-renewable energy consumption increases CO2 emissions, renewable energy consumption decreases them. Urbanization, globalization, primary education, and economic growth increase carbon emissions, while secondary education contributes to environmental quality improvement via CO2 reduction. Therefore, increasing the usage of renewable energy and enhancing awareness through higher education may help SAARC nations to reduce pollution emissions

Previously described sequence variant in CDK5RAP2 gene in a Pakistani family with autosomal recessive primary microcephaly

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Autosomal Recessive Primary Microcephaly (MCPH) is a disorder of neurogenic mitosis. MCPH leads to reduced cerebral cortical volume and hence, reduced head circumference associated with mental retardation of variable degree. Genetic heterogeneity is well documented in patients with MCPH with six loci known, while pathogenic sequence variants in four respective genes have been identified so far. Mutations in <it>CDK5RAP2 </it>gene at MCPH3 locus have been least involved in causing MCPH phenotype.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All coding exons and exon/intron splice junctions of <it>CDK5RAP2 </it>gene were sequenced in affected and normal individuals of Pakistani MCPH family of Kashmiri origin, which showed linkage to MCPH3 locus on chromosome 9q33.2.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A previously described nonsense mutation [243 T>A (S81X)] in exon 4 of <it>CDK5RAP2 </it>gene has been identified in the Pakistani family, presented here, with MCPH Phenotype. Genomic and cDNA sequence comparison revealed that the exact nomenclature for this mutation is 246 T>A (Y82X).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Recurrent observation of Y82X mutation in <it>CDK5RAP2 </it>gene in this Pakistani family may be a sign of confinement of a rare ancestral haplotype carrying this pathogenic variant within Northern Pakistani population, as this has not been reported in any other population.</p

Carbon emissions, environmental distortions, and impact on growth

The climate changes over the past few decades are a significant threat to the future of humanity. In this regard, in current years, consumption-based carbon emanations have dominated research on environmental issues and international trade. This study examines how carbon emission influences the economic growth of the top five polluted economies of the world. To get an estimate on an empirical level, the study uses a Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PARDL) approach. After a shock, the system shifts towards a long-run equilibrium, as the estimated results show that the ECM value is negative and significant. Empirics show that energy consumption and GDP are positively and significantly associated with CO2 emissions in both the long and short run. In addition, the GDP2 effect indicates the Kuznets curve (EKC) effect in the top five polluted countries. Industrial production is positively linked with CO2 emissions in the short term but negatively correlated and statistically insignificant in a long time. Finally, it is recommended that policymakers focus on reducing pollution, especially in high‑carbon emissions, and in other countries, countries that prerequisite to cutting the use of coal and oil energy could help reduce CO2 emissions to protect the environment. In addition, these countries must switch to using clean energy such as natural gas

Application of <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> for the Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Different Cultivars of Wheat <i>(Tritium aestivum</i> L.)

Salinity has a negative impact on the agricultural production of crops. It adversely affects the physiochemical properties of the soil and ecological balance of the area. Plant growth-promoting bacteria play a key role in the biological control of phyto-pathogens and abiotic stress including salinity. Four varieties of wheat crop (V1: Akbar 2019, V2: Dilkash 2021, V3: Faisalabad 2008, and V4: Subhani 2020) were compared for their salinity stress tolerance and response towards Bacillus subtilis NA2. A completely randomized design (4 wheat varieties × 3 salt stress levels × 3 replicate × 2 control and bacterial treatments = 72 pots) was adopted using distilled water as a control. Stress negatively affected the plant growth. However, plants primed with Bacillus subtilis NA2 showed improved growth (plant lengths 29.45% and increased biomass 33.23%). Overall, bacterial strain enhanced the levels of carotenoids (45.53%), anthocyanin (32.51%), ascorbic acid (41.53%), total soluble proteins (59.21%), chlorophyll contents (49.65%), and peroxidase activity (31.76%). Levels of malondialdehyde (27.42%) and hydrogen peroxide (20.37%), catalase (16.48%), and ascorbate peroxidase (19.24%) decreased. With commensurable benefits, it can be inferred from the above study that the Bacillus subtilis NA2 strain is beneficial for the better yield of wheat under salinity stress by improving the plant defense mechanism and may be adopted in future by farmers

Effect of Okra Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (OYVMV) on Plant Growth and Yield

Okra yellow vein mosaic virus (OYVMV) is one of the most destructive diseases of okra plant. In the current study, effect of okra yellow vein mosaic virus (OYVMV) was assessed on plant growth and yield in naturally infected crop under agro-ecological conditions of Hyderabad district. The virus showed the significant reduction in plant height, number of leaves, flowers, fruits, and over all pickings and yield of all the locations wherever the crop was examined in the district. The significant reduction in plant height (48.67 cm) in infected plants as compared to healthy plants (62.96 cm) was recorded. Similarly, significant difference in the flowers formation per plant at all four locations was recorded in diseased (0.912) and healthy (2.165) plants. Fruit weight was also significantly reducing due to the disease prevalence at all four locations (73.25 g) as compared to healthy observed fruits (91.50 g). Interestingly, on overall basis there were more numbers of leaves (20.66) in infected plants as compared to healthy one (16.33). It is obvious from the results that virus (OYVMV) showed significant increase in number of leaves but reduced plant height, flowers, fruits and yield at all four observed locations, thus, pathologists and breeders are advised to work more on evaluation of resistant varieties using advanced molecular tools. The growers are also advised to adopt preventive as well as curative control measures so that the yield losses may be decreased

Short run coefficient estimates of volatility on imports estimates linear import demand model (D)).

Short run coefficient estimates of volatility on imports estimates linear import demand model (D)).</p

Long run coefficient estimates of linear import demand model (D).

Long run coefficient estimates of linear import demand model (D).</p

Long run coefficient estimates of linear demand export model (C).

Long run coefficient estimates of linear demand export model (C).</p

Short run coefficient estimates of ΔPOS and ΔNEG in nonlinear export demand model (F).

Short run coefficient estimates of ΔPOS and ΔNEG in nonlinear export demand model (F).</p