Enhancing ESL Classroom Management and Language Proficiency: A Gamification Approach in Pakistani Universities

  The integration of gamification principles into English as a Second Language (ESL) courses within Pakistani universities is transforming the landscape of classroom management. This qualitative research explores the innovative and engaging use of gamified techniques to enhance ESL classroom management, fostering student motivation, participation, and language proficiency. Within the context of Pakistani higher education, this study investigates the potential of gamification to create a dynamic and immersive learning environment. Through interviews with thirty (30) ESL instructors, it uncovers valuable insights into the effectiveness of gamified approaches in the Pakistani educational landscape. Pakistani universities should utilize gamification to create vibrant, motivating, and highly effective ESL learning environments, thus enhancing language acquisition outcomes, promoting student engagement and participation, and enriching the educational experience for students. By offering evidence-based recommendations, this study empowers ESL instructors and educational policy-makers to leverage gamification as a potent tool for ESL classroom management. Keywords: Gamification, Classroom management, ESL Courses, Pakistani Universities, student motivation, language proficiency

Investigating the performance of a novel pH and cathepsin B sensitive, stimulus-responsive nanoparticle for optimised sonodynamic therapy in prostate cancer

Nano-formulations that are responsive to tumour-related and externally-applied stimuli can offer improved, site-specific antitumor effects, and can improve the efficacy of conventional therapeutic agents. Here, we describe the performance of a novel stimulus-responsive nanoparticulate platform for the targeted treatment of prostate cancer using sonodynamic therapy (SDT). The nanoparticles were prepared by self-assembly of poly(L-glutamic acid-L-tyrosine) co-polymer with hematoporphyrin. The nanoparticulate formulation was characterized with respect to particle size, morphology, surface charge and singlet oxygen production during ultrasound exposure. The response of the formulation to the presence of cathepsin B, a proteolytic enzyme that is overexpressed and secreted in the tumour microenvironment of many solid tumours, was assessed. Our results showed that digestion with cathepsin B led to nanoparticle size reduction. In the absence of ultrasound, the formulation exhibited greater toxicity at acidic pH than at physiological pH, using the human prostate cells lines LNCaP and PC3 as targets. Nanoparticle cellular uptake was enhanced at acidic pH – a condition that was also associated with greater cathepsin B production. Nanoparticles exhibited enhanced ultrasound-induced cytotoxicity against both prostate cancer cell lines. Subsequent proof-of-concept in vivo studies demonstrated that, when ectopic human xenograft LNCaP tumours in SCID mice were treated with SDT using the systemically-administered nanoparticulate formulation at a single dose, tumour volumes decreased by up to 64% within 24 h. No adverse effects were observed in the nanoparticle-treated mice and their body weight remained stable. The potential of this novel formulation to deliver safe and effective treatment of prostate cancer is discussed

Nanotechnology-augmented sonodynamic therapy and associated immune-mediated effects for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is emerging as a cancer treatment alternative with significant advantages over conventional therapies, including its minimally invasive and site-specific nature, its radical antitumour efficacy with minimal side effects, and its capacity to raise an antitumour immune response. The study explores the efficacy of SDT in combination with nanotechnology against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. METHODS: A nanoparticulate formulation (HPNP) based on a cathepsin B-degradable glutamate-tyrosine co-polymer that carries hematoporphyrin was used in this study for the SDT-based treatment of PDAC. Cathepsin B levels in BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cells were correlated to cellular uptake of HPNP. The HPNP efficiency to induce a sonodynamic effect at varying ultrasound parameters, and at different oxygenation and pH conditions, was investigated. The biodistribution, tumour accumulation profile, and antitumour efficacy of HPNP in SDT were examined in immunocompetent mice carrying bilateral ectopic murine pancreatic tumours. The immune response profile of excised tumour tissues was also examined. RESULTS: The HPNP formulation significantly improved cellular uptake of hematoporphyrin for both BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cells, while increase of cellular uptake was positively correlated in PANC-1 cells. There was a clear SDT-induced cytotoxicity at the ultrasound conditions tested, and the treatment impaired the capacity of both BxPC-3 and PANC-1 cells to form colonies. The overall acoustic energy and pulse length, rather than the power density, were key in eliciting the effects observed in vitro. The SDT treatment in combination with HPNP resulted in 21% and 27% reduction of the target and off-target tumour volumes, respectively, within 24 h. A single SDT treatment elicited an antitumour effect that was characterized by an SDT-induced decrease in immunosuppressive T cell phenotypes. CONCLUSION: SDT has significant potential to serve as a monotherapy or adjunctive treatment for inoperable or borderline resectable PDAC

Impact of Blockchain Technology on Smart Grids

Peer reviewed: TrueEnergy systems are transforming due to the incorporation of multiple distributed energy resources, such as renewable energy and battery storage systems. This transformation has triggered a need to shift power distribution from a low efficiency centralized model with high coordination costs to a decentralized distribution system comprising smart grids. Researchers have discovered a number of uses for blockchain technology in the energy sector because of its decentralized structure and possibility for safe transactions. In order to pinpoint current trends and important research directions in this area, this article thoroughly examines the effects of blockchain technology on smart grids and distributed energy resources. The aim of this paper is also to identify research gaps and future research initiatives in the area of blockchain-based energy distribution. To do this, 92 research publications were subjected to a comprehensive literature review based on predetermined criteria. Transactive Energy, Electric Vehicle Integration, Privacy and Security, and Demand Response, together with some other relatively fresh and unexplored topics, were, therefore, highlighted as four major focal areas of blockchain energy research. We have also drawn attention to the gaps in the research that has already been done and the constraints imposed by present systems that must be removed before blockchain technology can be widely used.</jats:p

Exploring Marxist Perspective Amidst Exploitation and False Consciousness in Hosain’s The Old Man

History has witnessed the exploitation of working class at the hands of ruling class since the very beginning of mankind. This exploitation has always led the poor to the state of false consciousness. Karl Marx has pointed out this social injustice in his theory. This research is an attempt to find Marxist elements of exploitation and false consciousness in the short story The Old Man by Attia Hosain, which is written in the context of subcontinent. Current study has incorporated the textual method of analysis through the lens of the proposition of Karl Marx about the behaviour of the bourgeoisie towards the proletariat. The study is qualitative in nature where descriptive method of textual analysis is utilized to look for and examine the instances of exploitation and false consciousness. The major finding of research depicts that the upper class has always exploited the poor and the poor who have false consciousness bear all inhumane behaviour without any resistance. Thus, it is the view that exploitation and false consciousness pose difficulties and hardships for the poor class

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) from Sphingomonas paucimobilis Increase the Efficacy of Liposome-Based Nanovaccine against Acinetobacter baumannii-Associated Pneumonia in Immunocompetent and Immunocompromised Mice

Due to the high propensity of drug resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii, the number of currently available therapeutic drugs has become very limited. Thus, it becomes incredibly important to prepare an effective vaccine formulation capable of eliciting an effective immune response against A. baumannii. In this study, we prepared a liposomal vaccine formulation bearing glycosphingolipids (GSLs) from Sphingomonas paucimobilis and loaded with the whole cell antigen (WCAgs-GSLs-liposomes) of A. baumannii. The immune-stimulating potential and prophylactic efficacy of WCAgs-GSLs-liposomes were compared with those of WCAgs-liposomes (without GSLs) or free WCAgs in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice. The efficacy of vaccine formulations was determined by analyzing antibody titer, cytokine levels, and survival studies in the immunized mice. The findings revealed that vaccination with WCAgs-GSLs-liposomes stimulated a greater secretion of antibodies and cytokines, higher lymphocyte proliferation, and increased expression of the co-stimulatory molecules. Anti-sera from WCAgs-GSLs-liposomes-immunized mice remarkably reduced the biofilm formation by A. baumannii. Most importantly, WCAgs-GSLs-liposomes-vaccinated mice demonstrated a higher defiance against the pathogen, as compared to the immunizations with WCAgs-liposomes (without GSLs) or free WCAgs. Immunocompetent mice immunized with WCAgs-GSLs-liposomes showed a 100% survival rate, while those immunized with WCAgs-liposomes exhibited a 60% survival rate. The protective effect of WCAgs-GSLs-liposomes was also found to be higher in immunocompromised mice, as the immunized mice showed a 50% survival rate, which was greater than the 20% survival rate of those immunized with WCAgs-liposomes. The survival data was also supported by the findings of bacterial load and histological analysis that substantiated the greatest prophylactic potential of the WCAgs-GSLs-liposomes. These findings recommend that WCAgs-GSLs-liposomes may be reckoned as a prospective vaccine to protect the persons against A. baumannii infection

Interference of L1 (Urdu) in L2 (English) in Pakistan: Teaching English as a Second Language

Under the shadow of the inescapable fact that learning L2 (Second or Foreign Language) especially English in this global village is mandatory for academia in developing countries, thereupon, Pakistan faces akin conditions where learners are exposed to Urdu as National Language and English as Academic and Official Language besides L1 (First Language, Mother Tongue, Primary Language or Native Language). Within this confused sequential multilingualism, few achieve native-like accuracy or fluency or both, while others fall a prey to influence of L1 in L2. The current study extends to explore the different types of interferences Pakistani Urdu (L1) speakers face while learning English as Second Language (ESL) (L2). A random sample of thirty students of first semester BS (Hons.) program students with Urdu as L1 from eleven Pakistani universities were interviewed online and were examined utilizing qualitative approach for the investigation of syntactic interferences which were theoretically evaluated employing the Contrastive Analysis technique proposed by Ellis (1985). Findings unfolded four types of syntactic errors owing to interferences of L1 (Urdu) in the usage of L2 (English): Articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement and direct implications of Urdu (L1) words which were posing hurdles for Urdu as L1 speakers of Pakistan in learning ESL as L2

Etoposide Incorporated into Camel Milk Phospholipids Liposomes Shows Increased Activity against Fibrosarcoma in a Mouse Model

Phospholipids were isolated from camel milk and identified by using high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Anticancer drug etoposide (ETP) was entrapped in liposomes, prepared from camel milk phospholipids, to determine its activity against fibrosarcoma in a murine model. Fibrosarcoma was induced in mice by injecting benzopyrene (BAP) and tumor-bearing mice were treated with various formulations of etoposide, including etoposide entrapped camel milk phospholipids liposomes (ETP-Cam-liposomes) and etoposide-loaded DPPC-liposomes (ETP-DPPC-liposomes). The tumor-bearing mice treated with ETP-Cam-liposomes showed slow progression of tumors and increased survival compared to free ETP or ETP-DPPC-liposomes. These results suggest that ETP-Cam-liposomes may prove to be a better drug delivery system for anticancer drugs