A Study of teacher stress exploring practitioner research and teacher collaboration as a way forward.

There is widespread concern over the high levels of reported work-related stress, job dissatisfaction and psychological distress associated with teaching and the effects of stress on teacher's sense of well-being and their willingness to stay in the profession (Borg, 1990; MSLAT, 1996; Troman, 1998; Schonfeld, 1990; Wilson, 2002). Much of the traditional research on teacher stress has been carried out by external 'experts' using quantitative survey type approaches to analyze occupational stress levels resulting in restrictive data analysis unrepresentative of the true picture of stress in the teaching profession. Researchers have advocated a more holistic approach incorporating mixed methods combining both qualitative and quantitative methods in order to gain subjective teacher reports of stress and coping mechanisms resulting in a fuller picture on teacher stress with future recommendations grounded in research. Recently, the reflective practice movement in healthcare (eg:-Boswell, 2007) has suggested using a more integrative approach to advance practitioner knowledge and empower them to improve practice through reflection to create an understanding ofthe issues within a local context. My research was particularly interested in the issues relating to teacher stress including the way teacher stress was being measured and the effectiveness of qualitative over quantitative methods, the inclusion and exclusion practices of disruptive students and the use of practitioner research to encourage teacher collaboration as a way of dealing with teacher stress. Practitioner-Research methodology has been successfully adopted in Nursing and Health-Care and has recently been used in Education with mixed findings some successfully advocating p-r while other research was hampered by bureaucracy and top-down managerial agendas. In relation to this a single UK Secondary school was researched as a case study by the investigator who taught Sixth formers A'level Psychology at the school. The research was conducted in phases using a qualitative multimethod approach incorporating triangulation to include staff, students and researcher reflections about practice in order to encourage staff collaboration, empowerment and meta-cognition. A reflexive stance was thus adopted to underpin the research methodology. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted on 20 teachers (varying levels, ages and mixed gender) to assess the proposed research objectives. Classroom observations and student interviews were carried out for a year 10 class to complete the data collection. The findings revealed how students felt caught up in a selffulfilling prophecy with teachers seeing them negatively, leading to a spiral of failure and lack of motivation and the teacher interviews with both newly qualified and experienced teachers, uncovered how different coping strategies were used to deal with disruption, classroom and task management in general. The most important findings came from middle managers who claimed there was poor communication between senior tiers and lower teaching tiers with a strong sense of bureaucracy ruling their decisions. In order to bridge this gap, the practice development phase of the research tried to establish collaborative meetings in order to encourage teachers from all levels to self-reflect, deal with problematic issues and action research solutions of teaching practices. The Senior Management Team (SMT, including the Head) did not encourage staff or the researcher to proceed further with the final phase and the research was abruptly halted. Despite this, I believe that practitioner-research is a viable methodology in education research as it gives 'ownership of knowledge' to the practitioner using a self-reflexive stance to increasing their evidence-based practice resulting in a growth in meta-cognition to make improvements in practice. I feel, we need to increase insider research and use Action Research spirals and collegial collaboration as a wayforward

Exploring the Issue of ‘Run-away Women’ in Pakistan: A Call for Social and Legal Change

Women are considered as vulnerable members of almost every society. In Pakistan the scenario is no different. ‘Run-away women’ is one of the socio-legal problems faced by women. Women who consider running away from their families often face difficult situations, which may result in being trapped into prostitution or even being murdered by their own families in certain cases. In runaway cases, the majority of women do return to their families after reconciliation. However, what happens to these women after reconciliation remains unknown. This paper aims to highlight the causes of running away and its consequences in Pakistani society. It also intends to examine the existing legal mechanisms and their role in dealing with this problem. This study also analyzes the Islamic and customary laws of Pakistan to identify whether both respect the decisionmaking authority and freedom of women, or whether they create any hindrances to women’s rights and their freedom to decide. Finally, measures for improvements in the legal and social system are suggested. analyzes the Islamic and customary laws of Pakistan to identify whether both respect the decision-making authority and freedom of women, or whether they create any hindrances to women’s rights and their freedom to decide. Finally, measures for improvements in the legal and social system are suggested. Key words: runaway women, runaway girls, runaway marriage, women’s rights, women’s protectio

Making discoveries through research: midwifery students’ perceptions of their role when caring for pregnant women who misuse substances: neonatal simulators as creative pedagogy

Background: An aspect of the midwifery curriculum incorporates teaching and learning to facilitate midwifery students’ understanding in caring for pregnant women who may be misusing substances. This is important to lessen stigma associated with these women. There is minimal research involving undergraduate midwifery students interacting with neonatal simulators as creative pedagogy. Objectives: To involve midwifery students within a research study using Foetal Alcohol and Drug Affected neonate simulators for co-constructing knowledge around the effects of substance misuse during pregnancy and postnatally. Design: A qualitative approach to data collection was undertaken. Study setting and participants: Level 4 student midwives (n=50) from a UK University in the South West of England participated. Methods: A taught session on protecting the unborn environment was provided as per the curriculum. Student views were sought on their perceptions of interacting with the neonatal simulators and their role as future midwives in dealing with and supporting pregnant women about the impact of teratogens on the foetus and the newborn baby. Results: Three broad themes were highlighted: Kinaesthetic Learning, In Their Shoes and Midwifery Role in Educating Others. Conclusions: Undergraduate research should be encountered early in the student learning journey. Students as ‘researchers’ in this study emphasized the importance of interacting with the simulators as creative pedagogy as a means of enhancing their knowledge. Students were able to build ‘new knowledge’ by suggesting that the simulators could be used in practice as an educational aid during parenting classes. This research has helped bridge the disconnect between teaching, research and practice as students were able to reflect on their future roles as midwives as they described an increased confidence in their ability to provide information and support for pregnant women and their babies who may have been impacted by substance misuse

N-[4-(4-Nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-propionamide

The title compound, C15H14N2O4, is an important intermediate for the synthesis of thermotropic liquid crystals. The dihedral angle between the two aromatic rings is 84.29 (4)°. An N-H...O hydrogen bond connects the molecules into chains running along the b axis. In addition, the crystal packing is stabilized by weak C-H...O hydrogen bonds. Key indicators: single-crystal X-ray study; T = 173 K; mean σ(C–C) = 0.002 Å; R factor = 0.036; wR factor = 0.096; data-to-parameter ratio = 14.3

Perception of Nursing Students Regarding Quality Clinical Teaching in the Government College of Nursing Lahore, Pakistan

Introduction: Quality clinical teaching is the heart beat of nursing profession. A good Clinical teaching environment influences on nursing students learning outcome. The good clinical environment enhances the satisfaction and competence of nursing students in learning process(Sabog, Carantos, & David, 2015). Student nurses were performing some wrong practices in Government hospital Lahore. Study was conducted to assess the perception of nursing students regarding clinical teaching.Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the Government College of Nursing Lahore. Total 148 female nursing students’ (General Nursing and Midwifery students) participates in the research age group of 18-37 years.Results: Statistical Analysis showed that clinical teachers, 62.8% never encouraged the students for questions and discussions and only 22.7% students were agreed with the clinical learning environment. This study showed that 27.0% students achieved opportunities for performance in the clinical learning environment. For age of participants and Physical Aspects of the Teaching Environment -.163 with p value of .047, Only Physical Aspects of the Teaching Environment had a statistically significance relationship. For level of program Only Teaching Skills of the Clinical Teachers and Physical Aspects of the Teaching Environment had a statistically significance relationship.(p<.001) and for level of education of respondents only Teaching Skills of the Clinical Teachers and Physical Aspects of the Teaching Environment had a statistically significance relationship.(P< .001).Conclusion: This study was designed to evaluate the perception of nursing student regarding quality clinical teaching in the Government College of Nursing Lahore, female students were involved as well as the students were selected from different class to identify the differences of their performance. Study revealed that teaching skills of the clinical teachers are very poor. Student nurses were not satisfied with the clinical learning environment and their performances were not good in the Government Hospital Lahore. Keywords: Quality clinical teaching, Evaluation of Quality Clinical Teaching, Students Clinical Performance

The Association Between Conflict Management Style and Organizational Commitment: A Case of Private University

Introduction: An organization is an institution in which many people work together for particular purpose like a government department (Surbhi, 2017). Organization is form from three component: man, material and money. Employees are main asset of any organization. Without employee no organization can run. In organization people belong from different background e.g. areas, education, language, race, religion, expertise. It is necessary employee should join organization with commitment. Organizational commitment is a form of individual behaviour showing the willingness of employees to fully contribute in the process of achieving organizational goals (Nazarudin, Arif et al. 2016). Organization commitment increase the organization output and growth. In organization where many people work together conflict arise due to many issues. If conflict is not properly manage it has great impact on organization commitment at level of individual group and university For example work disruptions, decreased productivity, project failure, absenteeism, turnover and termination. Bonds cited in his study (Crowley, 2013) that Gallup researcher found in 2012 that 52%of US employees felt emotionally depressed and separated from their job, 18% employee regularly show their sadness and unwillingness to their organization. Bonds also cited Hay group study that concluded 5% employee turnout rate increased annually. Objective: The objective of this study was to find association between conflict management style and organization commitment at private university of Lahore. Methods: A correlational research study was conducted in university of Lahore. Structured knowledge questionnaire delivered to the managerial member of university. The setting was involve all departments of university of Lahore. The target population was composed of managerial faculty who manage the department e.g. head of department, director, coordinator, manager, assistant manager, admin officer, assistant admin officer. Non Probability Purposive sampling technique was adopted. Results: The findings showed that management of university uses the five styles of conflict management, which are forcing, avoiding, cooperation, compromising and accommodating; the results indicated also that four of the five conflict management styles including cooperation, compromising, avoiding and accommodating were found to have positive relationship with organizational commitment at the levels of individual, group and university. Conclusion: It is concluded that management of university of Lahore mostly use forcing style to resolve conflict. There is positive relationship between conflict management style and organization commitment. Keywords: Conflict, Conflict Management, Organization Commitment, university DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/62-13 Publication date:May 31st 201

Implications for school nurses using simulator dolls to manage unplanned teen pregnancy.

Background: School nurses are key professionals in the promotion of sexual and reproductive health which should include using high fidelity baby simulator dolls. Aim: To explore teenager’s perceptions of their practical parenting skills and their attitudes towards experiential learning from using high fidelity baby simulators. Methods: Virtual baby simulator dolls were used as part of sex and relationship education with school pupils (aged 15-16 years) to look after over a weekend. Pupils were recruited from a UK Academy and completed a diary of their experiences while parenting, received quantitative feedback simulator reports and completed a post-study evaluation questionnaire. Findings: Pupils saw the virtual baby project as beneficial and important in schools and perceived an improvement in their understanding of practical parenting skills, sexual health and contraception. Conclusion: The implications of this paper are towards involving school nurses more actively in sexual health education in schools via the use of high fidelity simulators as creative pedagogy in Personal Sexual Health Education (PSHCE)

Enhanced Parameter Estimation of DENsity CLUstEring (DENCLUE) Using Differential Evolution

Peer reviewe

Effects of Diagenesis on the Reservoir Quality in the Upper Sands of Lower Goru Formation, Badin Block, Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan

The core samples of B member of upper sand reservoir rocks of the lower Goru Formation from three wellsof the Badin block were studied using thin section, XRD, and SEM techniques to investigate the diagenetic trends andtheir effect on reservoir quality. Microscopic study indicates that the B sand unit is mature with quartz as thepredominant mineral constituent with variable amount of feldspar and lithic minerals. The QFL plot indicates that mostof the samples are plotted in the field of quartz arenite, sub-litharenite and sub-arkose respectively. A few samplesbelong to the category of litharenite and feldspathic litharenite. The feldspars were partially to completely altered tokaolinite and other clay minerals. Coarse-crystalline or micro-crystalline calcite is the predominant cementing material.Bulk rock XRD analysis also confirms that the main mineral constituents of there samples are quartz and calcite invariable proportions. The undulose extinction and fracturing of quartz grains indicate that the area remained understress. Moreover, such fracturing is post-depositional and therefore is the product of late diagenesis. Scanning ElectronMicroscopic (SEM) images at 50 micrometer (μm) size show irregular type of fracturing within the quartz grains. Thislate stage fracturing of quartz has also generated various types of channels which may serve as secondary porosity. Thequartz overgrowth was observed in some samples due to late stage diagenesis. The micro-crystalline cement in the formof calcite is mostly present within the pores in fractured quartz. The results indicate that the diagenesis played asignificant role in improving the reservoir characteristics of B sand by increasing the porosity due to quartz fracturing,feldspar dissolution, alteration and quartz corrosion. Hence, better understanding of reservoir heterogeneities inporosity through diagenetic studies can be helpful in evaluating potential reservoir horizons for hydrocarbonaccumulation on spatial and temporal scales

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease and Risk of Adjacent Segment Disease

Objective:  To determine the chances of adjacent segment disease (ASD) and risk factors after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). Material and Methods: 110 patients of both genders with degenerative lumbar instability at L4/5 level were included in my study. We did PLIF in all our patients and followed our patients for one year. The following parameters were measured: the degree of lumbar lordosis, the degree lumbosacral angle, the disc space height and their dynamic angulation and the displacement of L3 over L4. We checked the outcome with the help of the Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) and Oswestry disability index (ODI). We divided the patients into groups A and B; group A includes patients with progression of degeneration at the proximal level (L3-L4), while group B with no progression of disease at proximal level. Results:  The 86 patients (78.18%) were in group A, and 24 patients (21.88%) were in group B. There were no significant difference in radiological parameters of both groups; lumbosacral angle of lordosis, L3 laminar inclination angle, preoperative degenerative changes at proximal level, L4–L5 lordosis and BMD before surgery. The clinically and statistically significant differenceswere of the age of the patients falling in two groups. We found that at the completion of study ODI and JOA were not significantly different in both groups (P >0.05). Conclusion:  Degenerative lumbar disease is an age related disease with no significant effect of radiological degenerations on the final outcome of our patients.No other possible risk factor has a significant effect on outcome