E-FACILITATION`S RIPPLE EFFECT ON EDUCATIONAL TRANSITION

The rapid evolution of the online learning environment has stimulated an increased reliance on effective e-facilitation to enhance the educational experience. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the data were collected from the observation of a virtual workshop and questionnaires distributed to the participants through an online survey tool. The research investigates how the quality of e-facilitation influences the psychological safety perceptions of participants and subsequently affects their willingness to share knowledge. The study suggests that e-facilitation acts as a catalyst, creating a ripple effect on the psychological safety climate within online learning communities. By fostering a supportive and inclusive digital atmosphere, e-facilitators contribute to learners' sense of security, encouraging open communication and collaboration. Furthermore, the research investigates into the impact on knowledge-sharing behavior, clarifying the mechanisms through which e-facilitation facilitates the exchange of ideas, experiences, and insights among participants. The findings of this study have practical implications for educators, instructional designers, and e-facilitators seeking to optimize online learning environments

Oleanolic acid (pentacyclic triterpenes) as a potential candidate for α-glycosidase inhibition activity

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common health dilemma worldwide and is characterized by hyperglycemia. Inhibition in the activity of one of the digestive tract enzymes α-glucosidase is one of the therapeutic approaches to hydrolyze carbohydrates into glucose using natural agents. Many natural compounds with α-glucosidase inhibitory activity have transpired to be secondary metabolites. Monotheca buxifolia, native to Pakistan is a major medicinal tree, which has been known for its extensive pharmacological activities.Methods: α-glucosidase activity of ten isolated compounds (lupeol, lupeol acetate, betulin, β-sitosterol, β-amyrin, oleanolic acid, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, kaempferol and quercetin) from lipophilic hexane fraction of M. buxifolia (stem and leaves) was assessed against α-glucosidase enzyme using acarbose as a control.Results: All ten compounds hold α-glucosidase inhibition potential (91-99%). However, IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) values of oleanolic acid (5 µM) were 8-fold lower than that of acarbose. Moreover, inhibition potencies of lupeol (15.87 µM), β-amyrin (18.14 µM) betulin (21.49 µM), quercetin (23.47 µM), and lupeol acetate (29.45 µM) were much stronger than the inhibitory effect obtained from acarbose (38.25 µM).Conclusion: Oleanolic acid of M. buxifolia exhibited a potent inhibitory effect against α-glucosidase, therefore, oleanolic acid may be utilized in medicinal formulations against diabetic disorders.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus; Enzyme inhibition; Medicinal plants; Pentacyclic triterpenes

From Norms Taker to Norms Breaker:A Comparative Study of Turkey’s Nuclear Discourses before and after the Ostensible Coup of 2016

This article offers an analysis of public statements made by Turkish government leaders, contrasting official attitudes on nuclear nonproliferation before and after the alleged military coup attempt in 2016. Significant developments in this period include deteriorating democracy and the rule of law in Turkey and the emergence of destabilizing foreign policy differences between Turkey and Western states. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also sought to consolidate domestic power and play a more assertive security role in the Middle East. This analysis of official statements reveals a distinct shift in Turkey’s nonproliferation rhetoric after the 2016 coup. In particular, Turkish government ministers have grown increasingly critical of a perceived double standard in international nonproliferation efforts; they have also called for global nuclear disarmament despite hosting US nuclear weapons on Turkish soil. Changes in Turkey’s commitment to global norms about nuclear nonproliferation, even where this is rhetorical, have a profound effect on the potential for regional proliferation in the Middle East. Accordingly, this article contextualizes official statements to explore Turkey’s shifting policy toward nonproliferation and, in doing so, examines how and why nonproliferation discourses in Turkey are created and whether or not these reflect real policy change

The Contours of New Regional Alignments in South Asia

South Asia is an important but complex region. Its manifold complexity is largely ascribed through historical, economic, political and strategic manifestations. The region has witnessed instability in all the given premises and interactions. The entirety happens to be the fact that the structure of alignments is motivated by security complexes which involve cohesion of foreign powers and regional states. The US, Russia, Iran and China now make out to be contemporary stakeholders in South Asian security equation. Their involvement has been seen as a major reorientation in the regional dynamics in terms of political, economic and security characteristics. The manifold possibilities of re-alignments are what the future of the region will look like. The chance of full-fledged strategic alliance in the face of US-India on the basis of similar political, economic and security interests is on the horizon. As a corollary to this alliance pattern, there is China-Russia-Pakistan alliance which is similar in force but opposite in direction. These two systems are one set of opposition forces to each other, which are also natural in form. Another structure which occurs out of the regional dynamics happens to be of India-Iran-Afghanistan which is a trifecta aiming at Pakistan. On the other hand, Russia-China-Pakistan which could turn into a politically motivated and economically driven alliance and can also cover certain aspects of security. Therefore, due to various changes in order there will stem out various patterns of relationships, which could set the order of the region as one marked by various fluctuating alignment patterns

Essential oil of Eucalyptus citriodora: Physio-Chemical analysis, Formulation with Hand Sanitizer Gel and Antibacterial Activity

Background: The essential oil-bearing plants are extensively being used in traditional systems of medicine due to the occurrence of the diversity of phytochemical constituents. The emerging crisis of developing resistance to conventional drugs has increased public health awareness and reliance on natural compounds as safer alternatives.Methods: The essential oil extracted from Eucalyptus citriodora (Hook.) leaves was characterized for physicochemical attributes, formulated with hand sanitizer gel, tested for organoleptic parameters, and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis.Results: E. citriodora essential oil (EEO) had a camphorous scent, and dark yellow coloration, while exhibiting 0.60% yield (v/w, 97% pure), 0.94 density, 1.47 refractive index, 11.10 viscosity, 0.92 specific gravity, 0.0-9.98º optical rotation, 11.20 acid number, 50.60 ester number, which satisfy the standards specified by ISO (The International Organization for Standardization). The chromatographic analysis of oil identified eucalyptol as the most abundant compound (80.08%) followed by α-terpinyl acetate, isopinocarveol, and globulol as the moderately abundant compounds (4.46-4.81%), while viridiflorol and terpinen-4-ol as less abundant compounds (3.06 and 2.69%, respectively). Formulated hand sanitizer with EEO exhibited physical and microbiological properties that were comparable with the market products. It also had a pleasant scent, was compatible with the skin, was easy to apply, and is acceptable to the users.Conclusion: The current study clearly shows that EEO could be utilized as a potential ingredient in alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer formulation for giving a pleasant smell, acceptable physical appearance and microbial quality parameters.Keywords: Essential oil; Eucalyptol; Hand sanitizer; Gel Formulation; Antimicrobial effect

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Psychiatric Disorders in Pakistan: A Case Control Study

Background. The psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression could have a profound influence on onset, expression, and course of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Aim. To estimate the frequency and strength of association of common mental disorders (CMDs) in patients with IBS and patients with other chronic diseases, that is, migraine and hypertension. Method. This was a case control study. Individuals aged 18–70 years diagnosed as IBS were enrolled as cases. The control groups consisted of patients without IBS but diagnosed to have a chronic disease, that is, migraine or HTN. Self-Reporting Questonnaire-20(SRQ-20) was used as a screening tool for the detection of CMD. Results. 82 patients were enrolled in each group. Mean SRQ score was significantly higher in IBS group than controls (9.9 ± 4.5 versus 4.9 ± 3.6, P < 0.001). CMDs were more frequent (67.1% versus 22%) and the odds of CMD were 7.24 times higher among IBS patients than controls (95% CI 3.6–14.5, P < 0.001). No difference was found in frequency of CMDs among various subtypes of IBS. Conclusion. We found that CMDs are more common and strongly associated with IBS as compared to other chronic diseases. Early screening for CMDs might be useful for an effective management of IBS

Prevalence of hamstrings tightness and its impact on lower extremity function in asymptomatic individuals with prolonged standing hours

Background: Hamstrings undergo adaptive shortening. It is common in healthy individuals to have a sedentary lifestyle affecting males (91.8%) more than females (78.7%). Hamstring tightness can interrupt ADL’s predisposing the person to further health problems i.e. plantar fasciitis, sacroiliac joint pain, decreased lumbar lordosis, knee pain, quadriceps malfunction, postural disturbances, overstretched lumbar ligaments, reduced muscle strength. Aims and Objectives: To analyze the prevalence of hamstring tightness and its effects on lower extremity function in individuals with prolonged standing. Materials and Methods: 65 participants were chosen for this cross-sectional study by convenient sampling; all were female nurses. The hamstring tightness was measured by the data collection tools i.e. lower limb task questionnaire, straight leg raise test, and active knee extension test after having the consent forms signed by the participants. The data was collected from three big hospitals in the city. Results: The results of the study conducted to see the prevalence of hamstrings tightness and its impact on lower extremity function in asymptomatic individuals with prolonged standing hours showed that only 15.38% of the sample (n=65) with a mean age of 31-35 years were found with bilateral hamstrings tightness while 84.62% were found with no hamstrings tightness. Conclusion: The prevalence of hamstring tightness in asymptomatic individuals with prolonged standing hours is low

Investing in Women’s Health in Pakistan – Role of Mass Media: Positive or Negative?

Investing in women’s health is still an island in this huge sea of knowledge. Hence, this research intends to focus on role of mass media on Pakistani women’s wellbeing. The scoping review synthesized data from Pubmed and Google scholar databases reaped 17 eligible studies, of which 5 studies were on family planning/ contraception use and 3 studies on STD’s prevention, 3 studies on breast cancer and its screening, 3 studies on cervical cancer and its screening and 3 studies on social media exploitation among Pakistani women. Findings revealed that reliability and active participation in mass media has fetched many educational programs in improvement women psychological and physical health awareness. But at the same time excessive use of media caused troubles and negative impact on youth’s perception and attitude regarding women reproductive and sexual health resulting in obscenity leading to sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancy and miscarriages; which has inevitably affected women’s health. Therefore, effective strategies are need of an hour to ensure that mass media services should provide positive awareness and parents continual monitoring on their children networking websites will help community to refrain from occurrence of various adverse health consequences as well as from unwanted sexual and risky behaviors

Ultrasonography Determination of Renal Stones with Flank Pain Among Children at Radiology Department of Children Hospital Lahore, Pakistan

Background : In children kidney stones are a standout amongst the majority widely recognized persistent kidney disease in kids. The most widely recognized indication of urolithiasis is stomach ache, in adult plainly particular as colicky ache, in babies and kids. Radiographic assessment of a patient through flank ache analyzes the reason for the ache. Ultrasonography (US) can recognize 90% of stones present in the kidney. Objective: &nbsp;To evaluate the ultrasonography determination of renal stones with flank pain among children. Place And Duration: The duration of stud was from 01 March to 01 September 2019 at Children Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. Method And Meterial : A cross sectional observational study was included 140 patient’s coming for abdominal and KUB ultrasonography to radiology department of Children Hospital, Lahore. The patients were chosen through convenient sampling technique. All the examined patients including men and women among kids of age ranging from 1 to 16 years. Results: Overall 140 patients are included in this research. Out of 140 patients men were 92(65.7%) and women were 48(34.3%) in this study population. In 140 patients, 47(33.6%) were identified with kidney stones and 93(66.4%) were recognized without kidney stones. Out of 140 individuals 76(54.3%) patients contained ache and in 48(34.3%) pain is radiating the remaining 16(11.4%) had no pain. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is extremely helpful in the evaluation of nephrolithiasis with flank ache amongst children