English Vocabulary Learning Through Form-Focused Approaches Using Video Podcasts

The objective of this study was to determine whether the lectures given to English students as a foreign language in addition to regular classes, would enable them to grow their language skills and to review and find information on podcasting as a learning or teaching tool, in order to improve comprehension and learning methods. Since the arrivals of the digital era, audio media utilization in teaching language has become easier to use. It goes online through the use of websites, online learning environments, learning management systems and podcast. So, this study focuses on the examination of shape-oriented methods when taking video podcasting into account. The study focuses primarily on Pakistan analyzing English language learning activities in Pakistani universities, as university graduates have been taken as a model. As technical developments affect all other industries, they also affect the education market. However, these developments are not mainly followed in developed countries such as Pakistan and Pakistani universities still adopt the conventional methods of education. As discussed above, studying has become exciting for students around the world as teachers bring some fascinating and advantageous technology such as video podcast into the classroom. This study assesses, thus, the effects of English vocabulary learning by using video podcasts to use form-focused approaches. Keywords: Vocabulary Teaching Approaches, Focus on Form vs Focus on Forms, Usage of Technology, New ways of Learning Vocabulary vs Traditional DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/78-04 Publication date: April 30th 2021

Investigating English Speaking Problems of Lawyers in Court Proceedings

Lawyers of Pakistan are facing numerous challenges while performing at their workplaces. One of the major challenges is proficiency in English language which plays the key role in getting justice. The aim of this paper is to investigate the English-speaking problems faced by the lawyers in court proceedings of Hyderabad, Sindh. For this purpose, qualitative methodology has been used in which Semi-structured interviews were conducted from (n = 5) lawyers. Convenient sampling was used to select the participants based on their convenience. Thematic analysis was done for analyzation of the data. Findings of the data revealed that lawyers were facing numerous English-speaking problems such as grammatical mistakes, vocabulary error, inappropriate use of sentences and so on. Keywords: English-speaking, Lawyers, Court Proceedings, Problems. DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/83-02 Publication date: November 30th 202

Prevalence of Neural tube defects at PUMHS Hospital.

Introduction: Spina bifida, anencephaly, and encephalocele are neural tube defects (NTD) and result from failure of closure of the neural tube between 21and 28 days following conception. Encephaloceles are possibly post-closure defects. NTDs are an important cause of mortality and morbidity globally. NTD encompasses about one-tenth of the burden of all congenital conditions and make up the third largest congenital burden after congenital heart disease and Down’s syndrome. In low income countries, NTDs may account for 29% of neonatal deaths in observable birth defects Objective: To know the prevalence of neural tube defects at PUMHS Benazirabad.. Methodology: All pregnant ladies when diagnosed to have fetus with neural tube defect through ultrasound examination were counselled for termination of pregnancy. Data collected through proforma with details of demography, gynecological history, and type of neural tube defect evaluated by senior gynecologist and neonatologist. NTDs were defined as cases of anencephaly, spina bifida, encephalocele and meningocele among infants of any gestational age. Results: A total of 7152 deliveries took place in the obstetrics department of PUMHS Hospital from January 2018 to September 2019. 38 (thirty-eight) pregnancies were terminated at different gestational ages, diagnosed as cases of neural tube defects, making a prevalence of 5.313 per 1000 births. Among the NT defects, 22/38 (57.89%) were anencephaly and 12/38 (31.57%) were spina bifida with hydrocephalus. Conclusion: The most common neural tube defect is anencephaly followed by spina bifida with hydrocephalus. Overall prevalence of NTD is comparable published literature from South East Asia.   Keywords: Neural tube defects, Anencephaly, Spina bifida, Hydrocephalus. &nbsp

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

English Language Teaching through Communicative Approach: A Qualitative Study of Public Sector Colleges of Hyderabad, Sindh

Language is a complex phenomenon whether it counts in speaking or writing. Teaching and learning English language is much demanded in today’s globalization era. The increasing need of English language learning has demanded English language teaching around the globe. Therefore, the demand for language learning needs a tremendous quality in language teaching materials and resources. In current years, language learning has been perceived from a special perspective; it can be viewed as the communication between users and the learner of the language. The aim of the study is to determine the factors that deter teachers to implement communicative approach in their teaching. Researchers and practitioners have considered communicative competence as an ideal teaching approach (Berns, 1990). However, public sector colleges in Pakistan rely on Grammar Translation Method (GTM). Though students have good understanding of the language skills such as vocabulary, grammar and reading but research still have shown low proficiency when their speaking skills are tested. Therefore, in order to overcome this default in language proficiency, many teachers are supposed to adopt communicative language teaching methodology in their teaching. The study findings shed light on the factors which always deter teachers in the implementation of CLT and it is believed by the teachers that CLT should be followed at public sector colleges since it is one of the most effective methods of language teaching and learning. English language teaching and learning can be learnt meaningfully, if the aspects like phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics will be instilled or implemented properly

System Level Analysis and Performance Evaluation of Soft Switch Network in PTCL South Region

In this paper, we present a thorough research to analyze the performance of the soft switches of PTCL (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited) in south region by taking real values from the operational systems and ratio of fault occurrence in soft switches. The major issues and shortcomings related to hardware of soft switches, network build up and protocols of SS (Soft Switch) are discussed. Performance characteristics of two soft switches (Pak Capital SS Vendor-A and Marston Rd SS Vendor-B) on the basis of key parameters including, System over view, System architecture, Hardware, Network built-up are analyzed. All parameters are compared with PTA (Pakistan Telecommunication Authority) standards and suggestions are provided to remove single point of failure to achieve 24x7 services available for the customers of PTCL. The conclusion drawn out of the research works, and suggestions provided will pave a path to increase the efficiency of soft switches, enrich the operation of the system, reduces the fault occurrence and complete isolation of the MGs/MSAN/MSAGs, improve the availability of the PTCL services to its customers and will enhance the image of the company for its valuable customer

Combining Ability Estimates for Yield and Fiber Quality Parameters in Gossypium Hirsutum L. Hybrids

General and specific combining ability effects were discriminated in different parents and offspring to isolate the potential of genotypes used in diallel system to attain the genetic inheritance pattern ascertain with the nature of gene action. A six-by-six, hirsutum diallel excluding reciprocals, was analyzed for general and specific combining ability estimates and components of genetic variation to investigate the genetic retrospect and inheritance pattern of eleven quantitative and fiber quality characters. Hirsutum cultivars included CIM-506, BH-160, NIAB-111, CIM-497, NIAB-999 and RH-510. Some of the traits like boll number, boll weight and sympodia plant-1 did not reveal the highest GCA scoring parent for seed cotton yield. The ranking order for GCAs of the parents was not maintained from F1 to F2diallel set and the ranking order of the hybrids with respect to their SCA values was also not maintainable from F1 to F2 diallel set. Thus the hybrids could not maintain their superiority (or inferiority) of their SCA values

Combining Ability Estimates for Yield and Fiber Quality Parameters in Gossypium Hirsutum L. Hybrids

General and specific combining ability effects were discriminated in different parents and offspring to isolate the potential of genotypes used in diallel system to attain the genetic inheritance pattern ascertain with the nature of gene action. A six-by-six, hirsutum diallel excluding reciprocals, was analyzed for general and specific combining ability estimates and components of genetic variation to investigate the genetic retrospect and inheritance pattern of eleven quantitative and fiber quality characters. Hirsutum cultivars included CIM-506, BH-160, NIAB-111, CIM-497, NIAB-999 and RH-510. Some of the traits like boll number, boll weight and sympodia plant-1 did not reveal the highest GCA scoring parent for seed cotton yield. The ranking order for GCAs of the parents was not maintained from F1 to F2diallel set and the ranking order of the hybrids with respect to their SCA values was also not maintainable from F1 to F2 diallel set. Thus the hybrids could not maintain their superiority (or inferiority) of their SCA values

Effect of Potassium Chloride on Seed Germination and Early Growth of Three Rape Seed Varieties

Salinity stress is one of the crucial factors affecting at different stages of growth and development of the crop. In the present research, the seeds of three rape seed varieties like Toria selection, Sindh Raya and Sarhein-95 were exposed to increasing concentrations (1 and 2%) of KCl to demonstrate the effect of salt stress on seed germination and early seedling growth of rape seed varieties. Seed germination and seedling growth decreased with the increase of KCl grown in Petri dishes within seven days. Highest germination and seedling growth was recorded in Sindh Raya than Toria and Sarhein-95. On the basis of all growth characteristics, the three genotypes were found to be more sensitive under KCl salt stress