Attracting Prospective Students to Master’s Program: A Dilemma for Library and Information Science Education

This paper examines the issue and challenges of enticing promising students in library and information science (LIS) education in Pakistan. It also identifies the practical strategies in this regard by exploring the perceptions of faculty members. A questionnaire sent to heads of departments and semi-structured interviews with faculty were employed to collect data. The findings of the study identify social, physical, procedural, and behavioral hindrances to attracting brilliant students. The study revealed a need for fundamental changes by expanding intellectual jurisdiction, restructuring academic offerings, redesigning curriculum contents and revamping social image of the profession and professionals. The findings of the study may lead to better understanding of the phenomenon in Pakistan and other countries with a similar context

Using Social Media for Marketing Public Libraries' Collection and Services in Pakistan: Current Practices, Challenges and Future Prospects

Social media has emerged as a popular marketing tool. The present study explored the current practices of social media marketing in public libraries. It also identified the barriers which hampered the usage of social media for promoting library collection and services.  We employed a qualitative approach and conducted 10 interviews with librarians from public libraries of Lahore. The findings showed that public libraries' use of social media for marketing purposes is at its infancy stage. The interviewees reported a number of personal, administrative and infrastructural hurdles which hampered the effective use of social media for promoting public library collection and services. A number of strategies are also discussed for an enhanced and effective social media use in public libraries. This study is one of the first attempts to understand the phenomenon of social media for marketing in public libraries.   &nbsp

RASIONALITAS PRAKTEK BERBELANJA PADA ONLINE MAHASISWA

Saat ini internet tidak hanya sebatas penggunaan informasi, tetapi di zaman sekarang ini kita juga bisa melakukan transaksi belanja di internet atau biasa disebut belanja online. Banyak perusahaan dan bisnis telah beralih ke sistem belanja online karena era digital telah berkembang dan mendorong konsumen untuk berbelanja online. Sebuah toko online yang menyediakan banyak informasi yang dapat memuaskan kebutuhan pelanggan dan memberikan mereka perasaan yang baik dengan memberikan informasi tentang produk yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan saat ini dan kemudahan pembayaran. Transaksi belanja online juga semakin meningkat, sehingga kini bias antara rasional dan irasional, masyarakat tidak bisa lagi membedakan antara apa yang diinginkan dan dibutuhkan. Untuk menciptakan rasa rasionalitas yang sejalan dengan prinsip-prinsip ajaran Islam. Dalam penelitian ini, peneliti menggunakan metode penelitian kualitatif, penelitian kualitatif mengidentifikasi dan menghasilkan teori-teori baru yang unik dan mengesankan melalui literatur yang ada.Fokus analisisnya adalah motivasi psikologis dari perilaku ekonomi masing-masing, sehingga perlu dipahami secara seksama perilaku keagamaan dan ekonomi tersebut, apakah bentuk perlawanan tersebut sesuai dengan rasionalitas nilai-nilai Islam

Effects of antidepressant treatment on heart rate variability in major depression: A quantitative review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The literature measuring effects of antidepressant and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for major depression on heart rate variability (HRV) in medically well individuals was reviewed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fourteen studies evaluating HRV were included. Twenty three pre-post or within group comparisons were available. Treatment impact on measures of HRV was pooled over studies. We examined different classes of antidepressants, and for short and long electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings separately.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) were associated with declines in most measures of HRV and significant increase in heart rate (HR) in studies with short recording intervals. No significant changes were found for longer recording times.</p> <p>Treatment effects with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were more variable. Short-recording studies revealed a significant decrease in HR and an increase in one HRV measure. In two 24-hour recording studies no significant changes were observed. No relationship between ECT and HRV has been established in the literature. The effects of other drugs are reported.</p> <p>Limitations</p> <p>Few studies measure the effects of treatment of depression on HRV. Existing studies have generally used very small samples, employing a variety of measurements and methodologies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We confirm that TCAs are associated with a large decrease in HRV and increase HR. However, data for SSRIs is not clear. Although the effect of SSRIs on HRV is weaker than for TCAs, evidence shows that SSRIs are associated with a small decrease in HR, and an increase in one measure of HRV. The use of TCAs in depression leads to changes in HRV that are associated with increased risk of mortality.</p

The role of the complement system in traumatic brain injury: a review

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important cause of disability and mortality in the western world. While the initial injury sustained results in damage, it is the subsequent secondary cascade that is thought to be the significant determinant of subsequent outcomes. The changes associated with the secondary injury do not become irreversible until some time after the start of the cascade. This may present a window of opportunity for therapeutic interventions aiming to improve outcomes subsequent to TBI. A prominent contributor to the secondary injury is a multifaceted inflammatory reaction. The complement system plays a notable role in this inflammatory reaction; however, it has often been overlooked in the context of TBI secondary injury. The complement system has homeostatic functions in the uninjured central nervous system (CNS), playing a part in neurodevelopment as well as having protective functions in the fully developed CNS, including protection from infection and inflammation. In the context of CNS injury, it can have a number of deleterious effects, evidence for which primarily comes not only from animal models but also, to a lesser extent, from human post-mortem studies. In stark contrast to this, complement may also promote neurogenesis and plasticity subsequent to CNS injury. This review aims to explore the role of the complement system in TBI secondary injury, by examining evidence from both clinical and animal studies. We examine whether specific complement activation pathways play more prominent roles in TBI than others. We also explore the potential role of complement in post-TBI neuroprotection and CNS repair/regeneration. Finally, we highlight the therapeutic potential of targeting the complement system in the context of TBI and point out certain areas on which future research is needed

The Changing Landscape for Stroke\ua0Prevention in AF: Findings From the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase 2

Background GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, global registry program describing antithrombotic treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke. Phase 2 began when dabigatran, the first non\u2013vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC), became available. Objectives This study sought to describe phase 2 baseline data and compare these with the pre-NOAC era collected during phase&nbsp;1. Methods During phase 2, 15,641 consenting patients were enrolled (November 2011 to December 2014); 15,092 were eligible. This pre-specified cross-sectional analysis describes eligible patients\u2019 baseline characteristics. Atrial fibrillation&nbsp;disease characteristics, medical outcomes, and concomitant diseases and medications were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the total patients, 45.5% were female; median age was 71 (interquartile range: 64, 78) years. Patients were from Europe (47.1%), North America (22.5%), Asia (20.3%), Latin America (6.0%), and the Middle East/Africa (4.0%). Most had high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc [Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age&nbsp; 6575 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65 to 74 years, Sex category] score&nbsp; 652; 86.1%); 13.9% had moderate risk (CHA2DS2-VASc&nbsp;= 1). Overall, 79.9% received oral anticoagulants, of whom 47.6% received NOAC and 32.3% vitamin K antagonists (VKA); 12.1% received antiplatelet agents; 7.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. For comparison, the proportion of phase 1 patients (of N&nbsp;= 1,063 all eligible) prescribed VKA was 32.8%, acetylsalicylic acid 41.7%, and no therapy 20.2%. In Europe in phase 2, treatment with NOAC was more common than VKA (52.3% and 37.8%, respectively); 6.0% of patients received antiplatelet treatment; and 3.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. In North America, 52.1%, 26.2%, and 14.0% of patients received NOAC, VKA, and antiplatelet drugs, respectively; 7.5% received no antithrombotic treatment. NOAC use was less common in Asia (27.7%), where 27.5% of patients received VKA, 25.0% antiplatelet drugs, and 19.8% no antithrombotic treatment. Conclusions The baseline data from GLORIA-AF phase 2 demonstrate that in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, NOAC have been highly adopted into practice, becoming more frequently prescribed than VKA in&nbsp;Europe and North America. Worldwide, however, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated, particularly in&nbsp;Asia&nbsp;and North America. (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [GLORIA-AF]; NCT01468701

Students’ Perception about Their Master’s Program in Information Management

The aim of the paper is to explore the student’s perceptions about the reasons of joining the Master’s degree program in Information Management (MIM). It also seeks their insights regarding the quality of academic and professional aspects of the program along with the recommendations for further improvements. The quantitative research design, based on a self-administered survey was employed. The population of the study was consisted of MIM students from sessions (2018-2020 & 2019-2021) at the Institute of Information Management, University of Punjab. The questionnaire was designed using Google Form and distributed online through WhatsApp and Facebook groups among all 113 students enrolled in the program during July and August 2020. We got 105 filled responses which were analyzed using SPSS (version 24). The findings revealed that the mostly students were pursuing this program taking it as an interesting choice of career and were highly satisfied with academic and professional quality of the program. The results also showed the students’ future goals were typical one, which was to seek employment in the same field after completion of the degree. The students recommended that more practical work and technological courses should be added in the curriculum to make them well prepared for future information market

Needed Competencies for Library and Information Faculty Members in Pakistan

The present qualitative study is aimed to explore the needed competencies of library and information educators in Pakistan during changing times. Data were collected by employing qualitative approach. In depth-interviews were conducted with17 faculty members to explore their perceptions about the knowledge areas and skills required to be competent enough for deliver quality education to future information breed. The findings put forward various competencies needed for library and information educators including (i) subject knowledge and skills, (ii) IT knowledge and skills, (iii) instructional skills, (iv) research skills and (v) managerial, leadership and social skills. The findings presented in the paper provide a unique insight to understand the needs of this workforce in the country. Though conducted in Pakistani perspective, the study findings may have implications for other countries with similar context