Fabrication and characterization of curcumin loaded ZnO nanoparticles and their in vitro antibacterial activity

Nanotechnology is broadly defined as the study and development of the chemical physical and natural properties of materials, devices, and structures that differ from those found on a larger scale, and Nano patents are derived from the Japanese language. Zinc oxide nanoparticles are used in a wide-ranging applications, visible light, catalytic actions, ultrasonic, deodorizing, diabetes treatment, cosmetics, lasers, paints, ultraviolet light absorbing constituents, rubber industry, catalytic agent for light flattening, and specifically in the medical and pharmaceutical sciences7. Curcumin is a useful plant-based material derived from "turmeric" that has the potential to be used in the green synthesis of ZnONPs. This is due to the influence of "polyphenol," which may also result in the formation of ZnONPs during the reduction process. Characterization reported Spherical particles with varying size from few nanometers to about 900 nm. The antibacterial activity by disk diffusion method against E. coli (Gram negative), Pseudomonas aerugionsa, Bordetella bronchiseptics & Micrococcus luteus revealed mark able zone of inhibition that declared potent antibacterial activity of Curcumin ZnO NP against gram positive bacteria more than negative ones where Ciprofloxacin was used as standard

Modeling and Forecasting Volatility in Pakistan Stock Exchange

Analysis of time series is used to develop simple models which can forecast, interpret, and analyze the result concerning its field of application. The main purpose of this study was to check and model the volatility in Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for the near future. The stock exchange data are highly volatile and there are many factors which affect the daily market returns. A developing country like Pakistan is interfered by the conditions of International Monetary Fund (IMF), dollar fluctuations and thus, it becomes very difficult to forecast these returns due to continuous effect of above and many other factors (which are unknowns). Generally, in the presence of these factors, the naive or simple models do not perform efficiently because of their ability to model averages and thus volatility models are used which model variation in the data. We used dataset from 2nd June 2006 to 23rd August 2020 using rolling window technique and find GARCH (3,2) as best model to forecast PSX returns

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

Comparative Study of Users’ Satisfaction with Web OPACs of Public and Private Sector University Libraries in Lahore, Pakistan

A web online public access (OPAC) is an online interface of a library that allows users to make transactions online globally. This study aimed to explore the online library services offered by university libraries of Lahore, the level of user’s satisfaction with web OPACs and to compare the users’ satisfaction with web OPACs public and private sector university libraries in Lahore Punjab. The data was collected on self-developed and self-administrated peer reviewed questionnaire from 16 university library users via survey. The study revealed that both public and private sector university libraries provide basic and advance searching options, different types of search filters and Multifactor services, the t-test results at combined level factor found no significant different (sig=.000) in level of uses’ satisfaction with web OPACs of public and private sector university libraries of Lahore Punjab

Dietary Habits and Prevalence of Underweight/ Obesity in Students of University of Gujrat, Pakistan

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of underweight and overweight/obesity among University students and examine the dietary habits and nutritional plan with relation to Body mass index (BMI). METHODOLOGY: University students (N = 432, mean age 21.8±2.9 years) 342 females and 90 males were selected by simple random sampling technique. BMI was calculated through anthropometry. Consumption of selected foods and eating behaviors were noted via pre-tested questionnaire. RESULTS: Results showed that percentage of underweight students was much higher (27.1 %) while overweight and obesity ratio were moderately high (10.2% and 3.7%). From students without having breakfast in last 7 days, 35.9 % were underweight while students having regular breakfast had highest percentage in normal BMI (76.3 %) (p-value < 0.001). Consuming fruits 4-6 times /week was found highest with normal weight 59.6% while 23.9% (p-value<0.001) were underweight without fruit intake. From total of 187 participants having 4-6 times vegetable consumption, 42.9% were with normal BMI (p-value < 0.005). Students using fast food ≥ 3 times/day were overweight and obese mainly. Statistically less significant results found regarding vitamin and probiotic supplementations with their relation to BMI. From total 148 students who did daily exercise, 140 were with normal BMI. 26% of total participants never did exercise and 63.8% among them were underweight. CONCLUSION: High numbers of students regarding underweight and overweight categories are distressing in this study. To point out determinants of underweight/obesity and poor eating practices among university students, qualitative research is necessary for future

Web OPAC services and barriers users’ face while searching information in public and private sector university libraries in Pakistan

This research aimed to investigate the current status and online services portfolio of web OPACs and barriers users’ face while searching information on web OPACs of public and private sector university libraries in Lahore. The inquirer adopted quantitative survey method and distributed self administrated (peer reviewed and pilot test) questionnaire among 425 library users who were selected using stratified convenient sampling technique. This study illustrated various types of service being offer and uncovered number of barriers and redundancies that users’ of public and private sector university libraries face while searching information remotely on web OPACs. This research study would benefit library administrators and web OPAC designers in the make web OPACs more effective

Information Literacy Skills of LIS Students in Pakistan: A study of University of Sargodha and University of the Punajab, Lahore

This study aimed to investigate the perceived level of IL skills, strength, weakness, challenges, and levels of IL programs attended by ILS students of two leading library schools of Pakistan. This research used descriptive survey method and distributed questionnaire among 330 participants which returned 232 complete usable responses. This study found that participants of both LIS schools perceived good level of IL skills while the majority of them prefer internet sources as they possess adequate internet surfing skills. In addition to challenges the large number of participants lacks knowledge and skills to use computer and personal computer (M = 2.71, SD = 1.245) and (M = 2.84, SD = 1.439). Whereas, the results of IL program attended depicted that majority of participants obtained low mean of (M = 2.76, SD = .985) to (M = 2.57, SD = .991). This study concludes that students of both IL schools were performing well with regard to their IL skills even though there is a dire need for advance level of IL instructions and embedded IL course integration at all a level of degree programs to equipped students with necessary skills

Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors and Heart Failure Prevention in Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes and heart failure (HF) are closely linked, with one causing a worse prognosis in the other. The majority of anti-hyperglycaemic agents primarily reduce risk of ischaemic microvascular events without targeting the mechanisms involved for diabetes cardiomyopathy and HF. Sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have emerged as a novel class of glucose-lowering agents that have consistently reduced HF hospitalisations, unlike other agents. The authors discuss the current evidence and highlight possible future directions for the role of SGLT2 inhibitors in HF prevention

Efficacy of Balloon Kyphoplasty in Compression Fractures of the Thoracolumbar Spine

Objective:&nbsp;&nbsp;To study the Efficacy of Balloon Kyphoplasty in compression fractures of the thoracolumbar spine. Material and Methods:&nbsp;&nbsp;This study was conducted on 95 patients with thoracolumbar wedge fractures from 2017 to 2022. Complete neurological examination and CT and MRI scans of the spine of all patients were done. All patients have been treated with a balloon kyphoplasty procedure. Data was collected on VAS score, SF-36 score, kyphotic angle and percentage of vertebral body destruction both preoperatively and post-operatively. Statistical analysis was done by using paired sample t-test. Results:&nbsp;&nbsp;The mean age was 57 years. Males were 58.9% and females 41.0%. Osteoporosis was the cause of fracture in 90.5% and trauma in 9.4% of patients. VAS improved from 7.42 ± 1.24 to post-procedure 3.24 ± 1.51, P &lt; 0.0001. SF-36 improved from 35.31 ± 17.4 to post-procedure 49.23 ± 19.2, P &lt; 0.0001. Kyphosis angle restoration from 18.42 ± 7.41 to post-procedure 10.61 ± 6.32, P value &lt; 0.0001. Percentage loss of vertebral height from 32.91% to postoperatively 17.64% (SD-17.2 and P &lt; 0.0001). 10.5% of patients developed cement leakage and there is no leakage in 89.4%. The adjacent level fracture occurred in 4 patients. Conclusion:&nbsp;&nbsp;Balloon Kyphoplasty is an effective procedure for thoracolumbar wedge fractures. It improves pain, activities of daily living, kyphosis angle improvement, and restoration of vertebral height