Issues of English Language Learners in Communication at Intermediate Level in Pakistan

The students have to face lot of problems in speaking English as a second language (ESL). This study investigates the problems, fears and hindrances in using English language as a speaking tool in and outside class room. The population consists of the students of Intermediate/HSSC level from age group of 16 to 19 years. The study determines the causes of poor communication in English language among higher secondary school students. The descriptive survey design was used and questionnaire was used as a tool in collection of data. Responses were obtained from students and teachers in two higher secondary schools. The study sample was 60, in which 30 were students and 30 were teachers. Frequency and simple percentage were used in the analysis of data. The findings of the study led to the conclusion that the dominance of mother tongue, less qualified teachers of English language, negative attitudes of students toward speaking English language, improper use of method in enhancing English language speaking and no access to  instructional media, A.V aids and other  facilities, are the reasons behind the poor English language communication of the students. The study also found out that provision of qualified teachers of English language, using the right approach to the spoken ability of English language, engaging of students in debating and listening to English programs are some of the ways that can improve secondary school students’ performance in spoken English communication. KEYWORDS: Issues, ELT, ESL, communication, English language learners, Higher Secondary School (HSSC)

AI in Assisting the Elderly and People with Disabilities

The focus of this research is to magnify those technologies that have been developed and that need more modification in their make. We will disclose some machines that have a great impact on the lives elderly and people with disabilities. As we know that artificial intelligence has advanced our life and now we can take advantage of it by using machines though that is related to defense or related to our daily life goods buying robots. These machines are not very common to everybody but we need to do it as these assist more than a human being to elder or disable persons. We also need to invest in these kinds of projects that can be fruitful to human beings. As it is clear that there is no sufficient human resources exist that can assist the elderly and people with disabilities. So ICTs are expected to play its part in assisting those people. In this age, 3D printers making better and better prosthetic for those in need. In the future we will reach a level that will make regular body parts inferior and before we know it the cyborg age will be upon us by this 3D technology. Also in the labs around the world bioengineering have begun to print prototype body parts like ears, noses, artificial bones and skin, even an entire face

SELF-ASSEMBLED CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES FOR PERCUTANEOUS DELIVERY OF CAFFEINE: PREPARATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND IN VITRO RELEASE STUDIES

Objective: Chitosan (CS)–tripolyphosphate (TPP)–nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively studied during the past few decades due to their well-recognized applicability in various fields. The present study attempts to optimise the development of these nanoparticles to enhance the percutaneous delivery of caffeine.Methods: CS-TPP-NPs were prepared via ionic cross-linking of CS and TPP and were characterized. The influence of several formulation conditions (CS: TPP mass ratio and concentration of caffeine) and process parameters (stirring speed, stirring time and ultra-sonication time) on the colloidal characteristics of CS-TPP-NPs were investigated and the resulting nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Physicochemical properties, including particle size, zeta potential and polydispersity index (PDI) were examined, and in vitro release studies were conducted to ascertain the release profile of caffeine from the nanoparticles. In addition, the colloidal stability of the prepared NPs was also assessed on storage.Results: Process parameters appeared to exert a significant effect on the physicochemical characteristics of the CS-TPP-NPs. The CS-TPP-NPs prepared under optimum conditions (CS concentration of 0.2 mg/ml, CS: TPP volume ratio of 25:12 ml, stirred at 700 rpm for 60 min, with 0.97 mg/ml caffeine concentration and treatment with low ultra-sonication for 30 min) had shown a mean particle size of ~143.43±1.69 nm, zeta potential of+43.13±1.10 mV, PDI of ~0.30±0.01. A drug loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency of 48.89% and 60.69%, respectively, were obtained. Cumulative release study for drug-loaded CS-NPs was significantly (p<0.001, paired t-test) higher (58.7% caffeine released) compared to control formulation (41.5% caffeine released) after 72 h. Stability studies conducted for 28 d showed that caffeine-loaded CS-NPs degraded much quicker when stored at 25 â°C than 4 â°C. It was also noted that caffeine-loaded CS-NPs in the freeze-dried form were unstable as the surface charge of nanoparticles dropped from positive zeta potential to-3.55 mV within 2 d at 4 â°C and at 25 â°C, surface charge dropped to-3.16 mV within 14 d of the experiment.Conclusion: Chitosan (CS)–tripolyphosphate (TPP)–nanoparticles (NPs) appear to be a promising strategy to achieve sustained percutaneous delivery of caffeine

Study of environmental biodegradation of LDPE films in soil using optical and scanning electron microscopy

An outdoor soil burial test was carried out to evaluate the degradation of commercially available LDPE carrier bags in natural soil for up to 2 years. Biodegradability of low density polyethylene films in soil was monitored using both optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After 7-9 months of soil exposure, microbial colonization was evident on the film surface. Exposed LDPE samples exhibit progressive changes towards degradation after 17-22 months. SEM images reveal signs of degradation such as exfoliation and formation of cracks on film leading to disintegration. The possible degradation mode and consequences on the use and disposal of LDPE films is discussed

Demographic Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients in District Gujrat

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Covid-19 in the district of Gujrat, its association with gender, age, its correlation with respiratory and cardiac symptoms and to find the link of this disease with travel history of patients to affected areas. Methodology: A total of 222 COVID-19 -Positive patients (Male and Female) out of 514 clinically suspected cases (fever, cough, dyspnoea, lethargy & anosmia) as per WHO guidelines were selected. The use of the data for research purposes was explained to patients, and informed consent was taken. The study was approved by the ethical committee of Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital. Samples were extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs using standard extraction protocol. Statistical tools used was SPSS Version 24. Chi-square test and correlation of age with respiratory and cardiac symptoms was calculated. Results: Male gender was significantly affected by this disease (P=0.001) as compared to the female gender. Regarding the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, 31(14%) were asymptomatic. 37(16.7%) had Dyspnea, 45 (65.3%) cough (P= 0.001). Nine (4.1%) developed pneumonia. Fever and Cough was the most common symptom in the age group 21-40 yrs(P=0.001). While pneumonia developed in the older age group. The cardiac symptoms appeared in young age group (p=0.000) in the age group 21-40 yrs (70.9% n=78).38 patients (17.2%) had the symptom of chest pain, 24(10.9%) tachycardia and 1(0.5%) developed arrhythmia. Out of 222 COVID positive patients, 67.1% (149) gave a history of direct contact with positive patients, 19.8% (n=44) gave travel history,4.5% (n=10) had a history of going to Raiwind Ijtamah and 8.6% (n=19) were zaireen/pilgrims from Taftan. Conclusion: The COVID -19 is comparatively more common in male patients. 50% of the patients were of age group 21-40 years showing the symptoms of fever and cough along with mild cardiac symptoms. Acute pneumonia developed in older age groups while cardiac symptoms were significant in young age. In Gujrat District, the majority of the patients (67.1%) developed Covid-19 due to travelling

Alanine Transaminase levels in Patients of Dengue Fever in the Suburbs of Islamabad

Introduction: Hepatic dysfunction is a highly varied condition that can show up as minor damage with elevated levels of transaminases, or appear as extensive damage and failure of liver cells. Thus, in order to reduce associated morbidity and mortality, this ailment should be diagnosed at the earliest possible so that appropriate therapy can be instituted. Our study was carried out to observe hepatic damage in patients with dengue fever (DF) by measuring alanine transaminase levels. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of three months duration was carried out in the Department of Medicine, Dr. Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital affiliated with Islamabad Medical & Dental College, Pakistan. The sampling technique was Non-Random consecutive sampling and 118 patients were included in our study. Serum Alanine Transaminase (ALT) (normal = 7-56 IU/L), serum Aspartate Transaminase (AST) (normal = 10-40 IU/L) were determined and ultra-sound abdomen was performed. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 24. The Chi-square test was used to observe the relationship between categorical variables. Phi, Cramer’s V, Pearson’s, and Spearman’s Correlation tests were used to study the association of age and gender with ALT levels. Results: There were 72% males (n=85) and 28% females (n=33). Patients were grouped according to age and mean ALT (95+86 IU/L) and AST (134.7+ 98 IU/L) levels were calculated in the different age groups. These levels were found to be significantly raised (P=0.00) in the age groups of 9-18 years and 19-25 years as compared to the other age groups. Moreover, males had high ALT levels as compared to females, however, a significant difference was not observed. There was also no association seen of gender with raised ALT levels (P=0.564), Phi & Cramer’s V=0.56, and Spearman’s correlation coefficient=0.320.Conclusions: ALT and AST levels were elevated above the normal in our sample indicating hepatic involvement