Factors that influence oral presentations of engineering students of Pakistan for workplace environment

Oral presentations have acquired significant importance in the world of work especially in the field of engineering. Industry demands a new type of engineer equipped with new competencies and skills to promote business of organizations. Twenty five (25) engineering students from 2 engineering universities of Pakistan participated in this study. Purposive sampling method was used for data collection since participants were selected on specific criteria of only final year engineering students. All presentations were video recorded to capture actual barriers than perceived barriers of engineering students. Data were analyzed qualitatively through oral presentation assessment rubric. This assessment rubric contained four traits such as presentation skill, confidence, nervousness and vocal variety. Three assessors assessed these oral presentations in order to overcome researcher bias. The results of the study indicated that poor presentation skill, poor confidence and nervousness influenced effective oral presentation performance of engineering students. The findings of the study can be used as a guideline to prepare better human capital for workforce which is demand of modern industry to increase its workplace productivity

Vitamin B12 deficiency--a major cause of megaloblastic anaemia in patients attending a tertiary care hospital

BACKGROUND: Folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been known to cause megaloblastic anaemia. Since the deficiencies of these two vitamins are very common in Pakistani population, it would be imperative to investigate their role in causing megaloblastic anaemia. The objective of this study was to find out the contribution of folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies in causing megaloblastic anaemia in our patient population. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, clinical records of 220 patients (101 females and 119 males with an age range of 1-80 years) who presented themselves with macrocytic anaemia at the Aga Khan University Hospital were collected. Data pertaining to complete blood count and serum levels of folate and vitamin B12 were analysed. RESULTS: The mean haemoglobin (Hb) level was 6.8 +/- 0.2 gm/dl. Sixty-nine percent of the patients had severe anaemia (Hb \u3c 8 gm/dl). Mean +/- SEM values of haemoglobin, serum folate and serum B12 were not significantly different between males and females (Hb 6.4 +/- 0.3 gm/dl vs 6.3 +/- 0.3 gm/dl; folate 6.9 +/- 0.8 etag/ml vs 7.8 +/- 1 etag/ml; B12 259 +/- 65 rhog/ml vs 225 +/- 45 rhog/ml, respectively). Linear regression analysis showed that serum folate was inversely related with the mean corpuscular volume (MCV, p = 0.04). Spearman\u27s correlation analysis indicated an inverse mild association between MCV and serum folate (correlation coefficient = -0.18). Folate deficiency was 43.4%, while vitamin B12 deficiency was 78.5% in these patients. Seventy-one percent of folate-deficient patients had vitamin B12 deficiency as well, while 26.1% of patients with B12 deficiency had a co-occurrence of folate deficiency. CONCLUSION: Vitamin B12 deficiency appears to be the major factor leading to megaloblastic anaemia in our study population. Inadequate dietary intake, over-cooking of our food and poor absorption might be contributing to high prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency in this population

Scattering Mechanisms and Transport Properties of Semiconductors at Low Temperatures

The purpose of this project is to verify scattering mechanisms in semiconductors by measuring transport properties and producing data that reflects existing research. The Hall effect is utilized to measure the resistivity, mobility and charge carrier concentration of the semiconductors: indium tin oxide (ITO), p-type silicon, and n-type silicon. By verifying and improving the measurement procedure, newer semiconductors can be produced and studied for desirable characteristics which are applicable throughout modern technology. Using liquid nitrogen to acquire the temperature dependent properties of the ITO and silicon samples, scattering mechanisms and trends related to the dopant concentration were measured. The temperature dependent electrical characteristics of three silicon samples doped with antimony, arsenic, and boron, produced carrier densities and mobilities that were consistent with existing research. At low temperatures, the samples’ mobilities were impacted by impurity scattering and at higher temperatures the mobilities were impacted by phonon scattering, as seen in both the data and previous research. The carrier concentration of ITO was measured over a broad range of temperatures to be 1.0*1021 cm-3, which is large for a semiconductor causing the material to behave like a weak metal. By producing measurements consistent with theory, similar methodology can be applied to wide band-gap semiconductors which have been less researched in the past, specifically TiO2 which is currently being produced by the Tate lab at Oregon State University

An audit of blood cross-match ordering practices at the Aga Khan University Hospital: first step towards a Maximum Surgical Blood Ordering Schedule

Objective: In the absence of an explicit maximum blood order policy, ordering for blood transfusion is frequently based on subjective anticipation of blood loss instead of evidence based estimates of average requirement in a particular procedure. This study was done to assess current practice and the feasibility of a prospective randomized work to develop practice guidelines.METHOD: We audited transfusion data for elective surgical procedures in our hospital during the last 2 years. Cross-matched to transfused ratio (C/T ratio) and Transfusion Index (Ti) for each of the elective surgical procedures was performed during the study period. C/T ratio is used as a measure of the efficiency of blood ordering practice. It should ideally be between 2 and 2.5. We compared our results with the ideal.Results: Data was analyzed for 32 elective surgical procedures in 2131 patients. Majority (2079) (97.56%) of the patients had C/T ratios higher than 2.5. Only 12 in 450 (21.11%) patients, had a Transfusion Index (Ti) higher than 0.5. There were 13 procedures in which both C/T ratio was greater than 2.5 and Ti less than or equal to 0.5.CONCLUSION: In vast majority of elective surgical procedures routine cross match is not necessary. We propose a draft Maximum Surgical Blood Ordering Schedule (MSBOS). It provides guidelines for frequently performed elective surgical procedures by recommending the maximum number of units of blood to be cross-matched preoperatively. Implementation of MSBOS will result in about 60% reduction of cost to the patients

Beyond the Technical Barriers: Oral Communication Barriers of Engineering Students of Pakistan for Workplace Environment: Preliminary Results

Engineering organizations demand soft skills of engineers to augment its business worldwide. Technical skills alone are never sufficient for engineers to perform workplace jobs efficiently in this age of industrial and commercial advancement. This study aims to investigate oral communication barriers of engineering students that can potentially influence their job performance at workplace. One hundred (100) engineering students were surveyed from an engineering university of Pakistan. Since respondents were drawn as only final year engineering students thus, purposive sampling method was employed. Data were analyzed statistically using computer based software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The gathered information was coded and percentages were determined for oral communication barrier variables included in the questionnaire. The results of the study indicated that poor English language, fear and anxiety, lack of motivation and overcrowded classroom were oral communication barriers of engineering students. The results are in line with other communication studies on oral communication barriers of engineering students available in literature review. These findings would assist engineering universities of Pakistan to prepare better engineers for the workplace. Keywords: Oral Communication Barriers, Engineering Students, Workplace Environmen

Oral presentation preparation of engineering students of Pakistan for world of work: are they really prepared?

Oral presentations have acquired significant position in the world of work. Industry demands engineering graduates equipped with technical and non technical skills to uplift business of organizations at international level. Seven final year engineering students from 2 engineering universities of Pakistan participated in this study. Purposive sampling method was used for data collection purpose. Semi structured interviews were conducted with engineering students to explore barriers that hindered their effective oral presentation performance. Data were analyzed qualitatively using the techniques of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification as suggested by (Miles & Huberman, 1994). Open coding (Richards, 2005; Strauss and Corbin, 1998; Patton, 2002) and content analysis approach was used (Miles & Huberman, 1994). The results of the study revealed that poor oral communication skill, poor knowledge, low self confidence, stress and nervousness and low motivation were barriers that hindered effective oral presentation performance of engineering students. The findings of the study can be used as a guideline to prepare better engineers in terms of technical and non technical skills for modern industry

Epidemiological features of aplastic anaemia in Pakistan

Objective: To complete the data on the demographic features of patients diagnosed to have aplastic anemia at a single institution over a 7.5 years period. Methods: Demographic information was retrieved from the patients medical records retrospectively as well as prospectively of those patients who presented with features of aplastic anaemia. Their diagnosis was confirmed by performing a complete blood count and bone marrow trephine. Results: One hundred and forty four patients were diagnosed to have aplastic anemia; there were 106 males and 38 females. Their ages ranged from 2 to 75 years, with a median of 17 years, 112 (77.7%) patients were below the age of 30 years. Severe aplastic anemia (SAA) was seen in 74 (51.4%), very severe (VSAA) in 24 (16.7%) and non-severe aplastic anemia (NSAA) in 46(31.9%) patients. No obvious cause could be established for 74.3%. Thirteen patients admitted using drugs known to cause AA and one was a radiographer (9%). Out of 44 patients tested, 7 (15.9%) were found to have either hepatitis B virus markers or antibody to hepatitis C at the time of diagnosis of AA. However it was difficult to establish a cause and effect relationship with either drugs or viruses. Conclusion: Aplastic anaemia is found to occur mostly severe aplastic anaemia (JPMA 51:443,2001)

Workplace Communication: Oral Communicative Competence of Engineers in Engineering Workplace of Pakistan

Communicative competence plays important role for engineers to perform workplace jobs efficiently in this wide spread business environment of organizations. The respondents of the study who participated in oral presentations were six engineers from 2 engineering workplace of Pakistan. Purposive sampling method was used for data collection purpose. Oral presentations were video recorded to capture communication strategies employed by engineers to overcome communication deficiencies during oral presentations. The data were analyzed qualitatively using strategic competence framework proposed by Canale and Swain (1980). In addition, Dornyei and Scott’s (1995) compiled Inventory of Strategic Language Devices was used to investigate types of communication strategies used by engineers to overcome their communication deficiencies during oral presentations. Open coding (Richards, 2005; Strauss and Corbin, 1998) was used to code the oral presentation data. The results of the study indicated that engineers employed four communication strategies namely message abandonment, code switching, self repetition and use of fillers. The findings of the study can be used as a guideline to add communication strategies in engineering curriculum to prepare productive engineers for modern industry. Key words: Communicative Competence, Engineers, Engineering Workplac

Oral Presentation Preparation of Engineering Students of Pakistan for World of Work: Are they really Prepared?

Oral presentations have acquired significant position in the world of work. Industry demands engineering graduates equipped with technical and non technical skills to uplift business of organizations at international level. Seven final year engineering students from 2 engineering universities of Pakistan participated in this study. Purposive sampling method was used for data collection purpose. Semi structured interviews were conducted with engineering students to explore barriers that hindered their effective oral presentation performance. Data were analyzed qualitatively using the techniques of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing and verification as suggested by (Miles & Huberman, 1994).  Open coding (Richards, 2005; Strauss and Corbin, 1998; Patton, 2002) and content analysis approach was used (Miles & Huberman, 1994). The results of the study revealed that poor oral communication skill, poor knowledge, low self confidence, stress and nervousness and low motivation were barriers that hindered effective oral presentation performance of engineering students. The findings of the study can be used as a guideline to prepare better engineers in terms of technical and non technical skills for modern industry.   Keywords: Industrial Environment, oral presentations, engineering student