Reflective Practices at Tertiary Level: A Gender Wise Comparison

The study aimed to determine reflective practices of teachers at tertiary level and to determine the difference in reflective practices of teachers on the basis of gender. Present study was descriptive in nature. Population of the study comprised of all the 5404 teachers teaching in universities of Islamabad. 12% of teaching faculty was selected by using proportional stratified sampling technique. Questionnaire developed by Wilkes and Chapman (2015) was adapted as research tool. Findings revealed that tertiary level teachers were practicing reflection in-action and reflection on-action, using different tools of reflection, they practice reflection by examining others and own perspectives and question assumptions of others as well as their own related with their teaching. A significant difference was found among teachers by gender regarding their reflective practices. Male teachers were found better as compare to female teachers in their reflective practices. On the basis of findings of the study it is recommended that at tertiary level workshops and awareness seminars may be conducted to raise teacher’s awareness of the importance and use of reflective practices in teaching especially for female teachers

Effect of Reflective Practices on Quality Instruction at Higher Level

Present study intends to explore the effect of reflective practices on quality instruction at higher education level. Major objective of the study was to assess the effect of reflective practices on quality instruction at higher level. The effect of reflective practices was explored on five indicators of quality instructions including professional responsibilities and effective human relations, planning and preparation of curriculum, instructions, assessment practices and classroom environment. Study was descriptive in nature. Population of the study comprised of 5149 teachers teaching in universities of Islamabad. By using stratified random sampling technique 515 (10%) teaching faculty of universities was selected. 515 questionnaires were distributed among teachers and from them 408 teachers returned hence the response rate was 79.22%. Two research questionnaires were used which includes Reflective Practice instrument developed by Linda LawrenceWilkes and Alan Chapman (2015) with Cronbach’s Alpha reliability of .84, and Quality Instruction questionnaire developed by the researcher with Cronbach’s Alpha reliability of .87. Findings revealed that there is significant effect of reflective practice on quality instruction at higher level, Reflective practice has positive effect on maintaining classroom environment, assessment practices and instructional techniques of teachers. It is recommended to conduct trainings and seminars for the awareness of teachers about reflective practices and its importance and role in improving quality of instruction

Comparison of Current Trends in Early Childhood Education in Public and Private Sector Schools of Azad Jammu & Kashmir

The importance of early childhood education is undeniable as it is the foundation stone for all the upcoming levels of education. Various trends of early childhood education (hereafter ECE) have emerged in new era. The relevant data were collected from primary school teachers of both public and private sector schools of district Sudhnuti in AJ & K were taken as population. The Self-constructed questionnaire was comprised of 32 items used for data collection. In this questionnaire, the implementation of current trends of ECE was observed across public and private sector schools of AJ&K. The t-test was applied to make a comparison of the implementation of the current trend.. A stratified random sampling technique was used to collect data from 291 public sector school primary teachers. After analyzing the results, it was found that there was a significant difference in both public and private sector schools regarding current trends of ECE. The findings of the study show all over comparison mean of trends in ECE in public sector schools. The findings revealed that the private sector school teachers implement more current ECE trends in their classrooms than the public sector school teachers. The private sector school teachers have a more encouraging environment as compared to the public sector school teachers. Public and private sector schools may offer good quality ECE programs for the ECE teachers. Keeping the results of the study in mind it can safely be said that all stakeholders must take more initiatives to improve the standards of early childhood education. Educational institutions can conduct workshops for the pre-service and in-service ECE teachers. Government should allocate more funds to provide more facilities to ECE teachers so that they may achieve the high standards in ECE.

Correlation of potential noninvasive biomarkers of extracellular matrix remodeling with postoperative heart failure - a preliminary study

Background: Postoperative heart failure (PHF) is a major factor that prolongs hospital stay and contributes to increased cost and morbidity after surgery. Clinical predictors of PHF have been identified but lack specificity and predictive accuracy; therefore, identifying the candidates at risk for PHF remains difficult, thus, necessitating further investigation. Since cardiac fibrosis in the elderly contributes to abnormal cardiac contractility, elevated markers of extracellular matrix turnover can be used to identify those at risk for PHF. Purpose: To identify biomarkers in those at risk for PHF. Methods: Serum biomarkers of collagen synthesis (C-terminal propeptide type 1 of procollagen [PICP] and N-terminal propeptide of type III procollagen [PIIINP]), collagen degradation (C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type 1 [CITP]), and extracellular matrix remodeling (matrix metalloprotease-1 [MMP-1] and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases-1 [TIMP-1]) were determined by ELISA in preoperative blood samples collected from patients with no prior history of heart failure who were undergoing cardiac surgery and correlated to PHF. Results: Of 45 patients enrolled (mean age 69 ± 11 years, 77% male), 11 (24%, mean age 66 ± 10 years) developed PHF requiring additional inotropic support (dobutamine) and management for heart failure. Overall, there were no significant differences in baseline demographics and comorbidities between those who did or did not develop PHF. Ventricular function was preserved, with no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (60 ± 11% vs. 50 ± 16%; P=0.11) or atrial and ventricular dimensions and function between the two groups. Mean PICP levels showed elevated trend in PHF (661 ± 375 ng/ ml vs. 609 ± 410 ng/ml in the non-PHF group; P=0.07); however, PIIINP levels were not significantly different between the two groups (134 ± 72 in PHF vs. 157 ± 73; P=0.47). However, levels of CITP were significantly lower in PHF patients (6 ± 3 ng/ml vs. 9 ± 7 ng/ml; P=0.03). The overall ratio of PICP/CITP was higher in patients with PHF (119 vs. 108; P=0.7). The MMP-1, MMP-2 and TIMP-1 levels were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The preliminary data obtained from 45 patients demonstrated a trend toward higher PICP levels indicative of collagen synthesis in those at risk for PHF but was not statistically significant. This is likely due to the small sample size and the heterogeneity of the patients, indicating a larger number of heterogeneous patients are needed to demonstrate the prognostic significance of serum biomarkers of extracellular matrix remodeling

Frequent periodic leg movement during sleep is associated with left ventricular hypertrophy and adverse cardiovascular outcomes

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbance caused by obstructive sleep apnea is recognized as a contributing factor to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. However, the effect of restless legs syndrome, another common cause of fragmented sleep, on cardiac structure, function, and long-term outcomes is not known. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of frequent leg movement during sleep on cardiac structure and outcomes in patients with restless legs syndrome. METHODS: In our retrospective study, patients with restless legs syndrome referred for polysomnography were divided into those with frequent (periodic movement index \u3e 35/hour) and infrequent (≤ 35/hour) leg movement during sleep. Long-term outcomes were determined using Kaplan-Meier and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 584 patients, 47% had a periodic movement index \u3e 35/hour. Despite similarly preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, the group with periodic movement index \u3e 35/hour had significantly higher left ventricular mass and mass index, reflective of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). There were no significant baseline differences in the proportion of patients with hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, prior myocardial infarction, stroke or heart failure, or the use of antihypertensive medications between the groups. Patients with frequent periodic movement index were older, predominantly male, and had more prevalent coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation. However, on multivariate analysis, periodic movement index \u3e 35/hour remained the strongest predictor of LVH (odds ratio, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.67-3.59; P \u3c .001). Advanced age, female sex, and apnea-hypopnea index were other predictors of LVH. Patients with periodic movement index \u3e 35/hour had significantly higher rates of heart failure and mortality over median 33-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent periodic leg movement during sleep is an independent predictor of severe LVH and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality

Effect of Students Attitude Towards Mathematics on their Mathematical Achievement at Secondary School Level

The effect of student’s attitude on mathematical achievement has gathered tremendous attention from various researchers. However, there is a degree of inconsistency in the findings regarding these effects. The aim of the study was to find out the effect of students’ attitude towards Mathematics on their mathematical achievement at secondary schools in AJ&K. The objectives of the study were; to analyze students’ attitude in Mathematics at secondary level, to compare students’ attitude and academic achievement in Mathematics (gender wise) in AJ&K and to find out the effect of students’ attitude on Mathematical achievement at secondary level in AJ&K. The research was descriptive and quantitative in nature  and cross-sectional survey was used to collect the data. All the students of 10th class of Govt. Secondary Schools in District Bagh AJ&K were the population of the study. There were 1076 students (458 boys and 618 girls) studying in 10th class in Government Secondary Schools of District Bagh. Sample was taken using Stratified random sampling technique. The researcher selected 444 students (192 male and 252 female) using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. The researcher developed five-point Likert scale questionnaire to collect the data. It was concluded that attitude had an impact on the mathematical achievements of the students. Parents’ education, qualification and social status had positive effect on academic achievements of students. It is recommended that students may be encouraged to achieve mathematical goals