Assessing feedback practices in classroom assessment at federal government educational institutions of Lahore, Pakistan

This study aimed at investigating current feedback practices in classroom assessment. A sample of 300 participants including 150 teachers and 150 students each was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Under the positivist paradigm, a survey method was deployed to conduct the research. In this study, a self-developed questionnaire comprising 20 items was used for data collection from the participants. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS (24.0). Frequencies and percentages were calculated in descriptive stats, whereas an independent sample t-test was used to verify research hypotheses. The study explored that class tests, class exercises, homework, and trial work during lessons were the most commonly used assessment tools whereas essay-type questions, and multiple-type questions were the most commonly used assessment formats. Moreover, it was found that delayed marking and returning of assessment tasks, less or no motivation for better performance, and lack of contact with parents were the major issues in feedback on classroom assessment at Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEIs). The study recommended that the workload of teachers should be reduced so that they may have sufficient time to design and evaluate assessment tasks. Professional training on assessment on regular basis may be arranged for the faculty. A comprehensive plan of classroom assessment may be proposed by school principals along with a defined syllabus and be timely communicated the same to all stakeholders. An effective mechanism of monitoring to assess classroom assessment feedback practices may also be established

Two new Bacidina species (Lecanorales, Ascomycota) from Pakistan

Bacidina margallensis and B. iqbalii from Pakistan are described and illustrated. Phylogeny of ITS nrDNA region confirms their position within the genus Bacidina, and morphological data make them distinct from other known species of the genus. Based on molecular data, corticolous Bacidina margallensis appears to be a sister species to B. chloroticula, but morphologically, when dry, is the most similar to known from Europe B. mendax because of the granular and warted greenish grey thallus, whitish-cream to dark brown and often piebald apothecia. It differs from that species by shorter, wider and less septate ascospores; 1–3-septate in B. margallensis vs 3–5(6)-septate in B. mendax, and by unusual parrot-green colour of wet thallus. Saxicolous Bacidina iqbalii is closely related to B. neosquamulosa but differs in having crustaceous thallus, transculent when wet entirely pale apothecia, larger asci and less septate large ascospores

Assessing the effect of waterpipe smoking on cancer outcome - a systematic review of current evidence

Background: Waterpipe smoking (WPS) is widely believed to be a safe and hazard-free tobacco habit. However, a number of studies have indicated that exposure to several toxicants and carcinogens through WPS is strongly related to serious health hazards. The current paper presents a narrative review on the effects of WPS on cancer outcome. Methods: The addressed focused question was "Is there an association between waterpipe smoking and cancer outcome?" PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science and the Cochrane databases were searched until June 2015 using the key words "Waterpipe", "Hookah", "Narghileh", "Shisha", "Hubbly Bubbly" "cancer" in various combinations. Letters to the Editor, review articles, case-reports and unpublished articles were excluded. Results: A total of 16 studies were included: six on lung cancer, three on oesophageal cancer, two on gastric cancer, two on bladder cancer, and one each on nasopharyngeal, pancreatic and prostate cancers. Our search did not yield any study that evaluated the risk of oral cancer in WPS users. The available evidence showed a significant association of WPS with lung cancer (UOR 6.0, 95% CI 1.78-20.26); however, no association was observed with bladder, nasopharyngeal, pancreatic and prostate cancers. Gastric (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.7-7.1) and oesophageal cancers (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.41-2.44) were observed to have weak associations with WPS. Conclusion: Regardless of the limitations, there is sufficient evidence to suggest associations of WPS with cancer, particularly in the lung. Future well-designed studies are required to identify and quantify with confidence all the health effects of this form of smoking

Comparison of Outcome of two different Methods for the treatment of Intra-articular fracture of Distal Radius

Objective: It is to compare the radiological and functional outcome of two different fixation methods for displaced intra articular distal radius fracture (DRF): open reduction and internal fixation with anatomical plate and closed reduction with percutaneous K-wires. Methodology: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Orthopaedics department, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore for one year; from April 2017 to March, 2018. Total 90 patients were selected in the study by ‘non-probability, consecutive sampling technique’ with 45 patients in each group of the study; Group-A (fixation method: Open reduction with internal fixation with volar plate) and Group-B (Fixation method: Kirschner-wire known as K-wire). Results: The mean age in the group A and group B was 53.7 ± 11.8 years and 55.2 ± 12.3 years respectively. There were 58 male and 32 females in the study. The differences in volar tilt, radial inclination, radial length and modified Mayo score were significantly better in group A than group B (p-value < 0.05). The differences were not significantly different for articular step off in the two study groups (p-value > 0.05). Conclusion: Open reduction with internal fixation using volar locking plates yielded significantly better radiological and functional outcomes than percutaneous fixation using K-wire in the 6 months’ postoperative period

Combined experimental and theoretical study of poly(aniline-co-pyrrole) oligomer

Quantum mechanical calculations are performed to establish the structure of an oligomer of aniline and pyrrole [Poly(Ani-co-Py)], through comparison of experimental and theoretically calculated properties, including conductivity. The copolymer was synthesized through chemical oxidative polymerization and then confirmed from the experimental IR, UV-vis, mass spectra, elemental, XRD, TGA, and SEM analysis. Quantum mechanical calculations are performed at Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) methods for the electronic and spectroscopic properties of the oligomer. A very nice correlation is found between the theory and experiment which consequences the structure of Poly(Ani-co-Py). Poly(Ani-co-Py) is not explored like other conducting polymers; however, by tuning this molecular structure, the electro-active nature of this material can be enhanced adequately

Some new lichen records from Pakistan

During a survey of the lichens in the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, many specimens were collected from the Jhelum and Neelum valley and characterized using morpho-anatomical, molecular and chemical test methods. Two taxa new for Pakistan, i.e., Physciella chloanta and Xanthoparmelia protomatrae s. l., were found in the collection while Physconia enteroxantha represent range extensions within Pakistan. Morpho-anatomical descriptions, ecology and distribution are provided

SCOPUS citation analysis of publications from Saudi dental colleges

Purpose: Citation analysis is frequently employed to assess the research output of individuals, departments, and institutions. Intra-country institutional analysis of bibliometric analysis is needed to formulate appropriate research policies. To assess the research output of dental colleges in Saudi Arabia Research design: An observational study was conducted for publications from Dental Colleges in Saudi Arabia using the SCOPUS database. The data for the years 2016-18 were retrieved for 18 dental colleges of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Key findings: The highest publication productivity was reported for King Abdulaziz University- Faculty of Dentistry (Jeddah). The highest number of publications in the years 2016-18 was from Jazan University- Faculty of Dentistry. The highest h index for 2016-18 was 8 for Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University- College of Dentistry. The journal in which the most articles were published was the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. Conclusions/Implications: Jazan University- Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University- Faculty of Dentistry (Jeddah) and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University- College of Dentistry are the leading dental institutions in the KSA regarding the number of papers published, the number of citations and the h index. The increased focus on research in institutions in Saudi Arabia is evidenced by the steady rise in their number of publications