Evaluation of ‘English for Undergraduates’- a course-book for English Language Teaching at University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan from Teachers' Perspectives

English language course-books are inevitable in English language classes. Teachers often find English language course-books very helpful. The evaluation of English language course-books will make the course-books more effective. This study evaluates ‘English for Undergraduates’- a course-book prescribed for English language classes at University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan (UOSJP). The framework of Alan Cunningsworth (1995) is partially adapted to evaluate the book on the criteria of reading skill, writing skill, representation of culture and the organization of its contents.This research study is exploratory, based on survey research design using quantitative method. This study performs post-use evaluation of ‘English for Undergraduates’ using checklist method. Questionnaire based on adapted criteria checklist is used as a data-collecting instrument. Twenty-seven (27) English language teachers of University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan (UOSJP) are the sample of this study. Data obtained is analyzed through SPSS (version 23.0) and interpreted through descriptive statistics technique. The findings of this study reveal that ‘English for Undergraduate’ meets the low degree of evaluation on the criteria of reading, culture and organization; however, criteria of writing skill meets the moderate degree of evaluation. Keywords: Textbook Textbook Evaluation Criteria for Textbook Evaluation DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/10-22-08 Publication date: November 30th 202

Climate Change and Drought: Impact of Food Insecurity on Gender Based Vulnerability in District Tharparkar

Climate change has now become a reality that has intensified the sufferings of people living in arid ecosystems. Decrease in rainfall, rise in temperature and increase in the frequency of extreme events are some of the changes observed in the semi-arid desert of district Tharparkar. For thousands of years, people of Tharparkar are coping with drought and aridity of the land by using indigenous knowledge. However, global changes in the climatic pattern and deterioration of social and economic conditions have pushed the inhabitants of this arid region into extreme vulnerable situation. This paper investigates the link between climate-induced natural disasters, particularly drought, from the perspective of changing climate patterns which have resulted in food insecurity and water scarcity. The paper analyses the rainfall pattern in the last 38 years—dividing it into two periods i.e. from 1975-1994 and 1995-2014. The findings of the paper have challenged the prevailing notions about aridity and rainfall patterns in Tharparkar district. The research found that there is an increase in average annual precipitation in the district with erratic patterns. Thus, the nature of drought in the district has changed from its historic pattern of less or no rainfall to more but erratic rainfall that is more threatening to livelihoods of the people that in turn have multiplier effect on water and food insecurity. In particularly, women are more vulnerable in the absence of social security and lack of basic necessities for their survival amidst drought. For instance, traditionally the burden of managing water resources falls on women, which leads to an increased work load during the time of drought and also water scarcity. JEL Classification: Q54, Q56, Q25, I30 Keywords: Climate, Environment and Development, Drought, Water, Povert

Searching for Low Cost Alternative Energy Source: An Analysis of Pakistan Sugar Industry

Pakistan is searching for alternative energy sources owing to perpetual power crisis in the country. Stylized facts suggest that there is a strong correlation between energy consumption and economic growth, while more economic activity leads to more employment and contributes to reduce poverty. Supply dynamics considered as major cause of energy crisis in Pakistan. Sugar industry in Pakistan is assumed as an opportunity and potential for alternative energy production. This paper is an attempt to explore the alternative source of energy generation by using latent potential of sugar industry and explore the possibility of having surplus production and generation of electricity for national grid. Bagasse, a residual by-product from sugarcane is traditionally used for generation of electricity in the industry to meet its own energy needs. In addition to the analysis of potentiality of the industry, the economic analysis is also carried out from the perspective of foreign exchange saving that have been used to import furnace oil for power generation. From the retrospective analysis, it is revealed that country could save minimum 242 million dollars during the sugar season that is almost one fourth of the total furnace oil import of the country during the same period

Mitigation measures for significant factors instigating cost overrun in highway projects

Construction industry has created numerous employment opportunities and playing a role model in economic growth of Pakistan. This industry is facing serious and critical problem of cost overrun especially in highway sector in country Pakistan particularly in Sindh Province. The purpose of this study is to identify mitigation measures for significant factors of cost overrun in highway projects of Sindh Province. In this study, mixed-mode research approach has been used. Quantitatively, a structured questionnaire based on 64 common factors of cost overrun from in-depth literature review was developed and distributed to30 selected respondents among the client, contractor and consultant having more than 15 years of experience in handling highway projects in Sindh Province. The collected data was statistically analyzed using SPSS where 8 most significant factors of cost overrun were identified. Qualitatively, the identified eight most significant factors were then incorporated in open ended questionnaire and distributed to 30 selected experts for them to write possible mitigation measures for each of the significant factors. The data was then analyzed through content analysis technique to rank the mitigation measures according to their substantiality. The results of this study would be helpful for construction practitioners to be used as reference in taking up appropriate measures in controlling cost overrun in highways projects in Pakista

Bone Age practices in infants and older children among practicing radiologists in Pakistan: Developing world perspective

Objective To investigate which bone age assessment techniques are utilized by radiologists in Pakistan to determine skeletal age in three defined age groups: less than one year, one to three years and three to 18 years. We also assessed the perceived confidence in skeletal age assessments made by respondents using their chosen bone age assessment technique, within each defined age group. Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 147 practicing radiologists in Pakistan. A pre-validated survey form was adopted from a similar study conducted amongst members of the Society for Pediatric Radiology. The survey collected demographic information, choice of bone age assessment technique in each age group and confidence of bone age assessments in each age group. Results The hand-wrist method of Greulich and Pyle was used by 87.5% of respondents when assessing bone age in infants (less than one year), followed by Gilsanz-Ratib hand bone age method (7.3%). In children aged one to three years, Greulich and Pyle method was chosen by 85.7% of respondents, followed by Gilsanz-Ratib hand bone age method (6.1%) and the Hoerr, Pyle, Francis\u27 Radiographic Atlas of Skeletal Development of the Foot and Ankle (3.1%). In children, older than three years, the Greulich and Pyle technique was used by 83.7% of respondents. This was followed by Gilsanz-Ratib hand bone age method (5.8%) and the Hoerr, Pyle, Francis\u27 Radiographic Atlas of Skeletal Development of the Foot and Ankle (3.8%). 26.4% were very confident in bone age assessments conducted among infants. In children aged one to three years, 38.1% were very confident . In children, greater than three years, 48.6% were very confident in their chosen technique. Conclusion Greulich and Pyle is the dominant method for bone age assessments in all age groups, however, confidence in its application among infants and young children is low. It is recommended that clear recommendations be developed for bone age assessments in this age group alongside incorporation of indigenous standards of bone age assessments based on a representative sample of healthy native children

PO10.19 clinical spectrum of pseudo seizures at a tertiary care hospital Karachi: a video EEG based study

Background: Nonepileptic seizures are involuntary episodes of movement, sensation, or behaviors (e.g., vocalization, crying and other expressions of emotion), that do not result from abnormal cortical discharges. The events typically occur in teenage patients with anxiety and affective disorders. Psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, drugs, hypnosis and placebo are mainstay of treatment. There is no published data on clinical characteristics of pseudo-seizures from Pakistan. The objective of our study is to describe the clinical characteristics of pseudoseizures in a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: This is a descriptive study. Patients with pseudo-seizures were identified from departmental Video EEG monitoring register, over a period of three years (2004 2006). Their neurophysiologic and video recording data was reviewed and their demographic, clinical and neurophysiologic data was recorded and analyzed. SPSS version 15.0 was used for analysis. Results: A total of 132 patients underwent video EEG during the period and 51 (38%) had pseudo-seizures. Their mean age was 26.7±15.3 years. Thirty-two (63%) were female and 19 (37%) were male. Twelve (23.5%) patients were known epileptics. Median recording time was 24 (range; 0.33 55) hours and median number of events was 3 (range; 1 14). Limb movements were most common manifestation (67%) followed by muteness with no response to verbal commands (49%), behavioral symptoms (35.5%), ocular findings i.e. eye blinking and closure (25.5%), depressed conscious level (13.7%), headache (10%) and GI symptoms (10%). Six (11.8%) patients experienced epileptic seizures, in addition to pseudo-seizures. Conclusions: Pseudo-seizures are common in patients referred for video EEG monitoring. It is more common in young women. Limb movements, muteness and behavioral symptoms are most common manifestations. The pseudo-seizures and epileptic seizures may coexist in the same patient

Evaluation of erectile dysfunction with color Doppler sonography

Objective: To assess the role of Color Doppler Sonography in the evaluation of erectile dysfunction.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Radiology Department, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi from 5-6-2002 to 2-9-2003. All consecutive patients presenting with erectile dysfunction and undergoing penile color Doppler evaluation with injection PGE1 20 mcg were included in this study.Results: A total of 70 patients with an age range of 24-70 years (mean 41 +/- 12.25 years) were included in the study. A normal response was noted in 45 (psychogenic) cases. Vasculogenic causes were observed in 23 patients, 12 with arterial insufficiency and 11 with venous leak. Peyronie\u27s disease was diagnosed in 2 patients.CONCLUSION: Color Doppler evaluation of erectile dysfunction is an effective method for differentiating psychogenic and vasculogenic causes of erectile dysfunction

CASUAL COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INCIDENCE & EXTENT OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION AMONG SMOKERS & NON-SMOKERS PRESENTING AT A MALE SEXUAL HEALTH CLINIC IN HYDERABAD

Background: The term ‘‘erectile dysfunction’’ (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve and maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. ED affects millions of men throughout the world, with a strong negative effect on the quality of life and well-being of men and couples. The etiology of ED once was considered to be mainly psychogenic. However, because of advances in the understanding of the physiology of erection and the development of modern diagnostic techniques, it is now generally agreed that the etiology of ED is often multifactorial, with psychological, neurological, endocrine, vascular, traumatic or iatrogenic causes.Objective: Smoking, among many other causes, is believed to be associated with smoking. This study hopes to compare the incidence and extent of erectile dysfunction (ED) among smokers and non-smokers presenting at a male sexual health clinic in an attempt to further understand the association. Methodology: This casual-comparative analysis was conducted upon a total of 64 male patients presenting with erectile dysfunction at a sexual health clinic. Inquiries regarding the habit of smoking were made using a structured interview based questionnaire and extent of erectile dysfunction was investigated using the “International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire”. The data obtained was analyzed using MS. Excel 2017 and SPSS v. 21.0. Results: Smokers showed a markedly high incidence when compared to non-smokers. The extent of erectile dysfunction too was observed to be significantly high among smokers in comparison to non-smokers. Ex-smokers too showed a more worrisome IIEF-5 score, when compared to non-smokers. Conclusion: The results obtained, make it abundantly clear that, the association between the incidence and extent of erectile dysfunction and smoking is strong. Although, the research does not attempt to control co-founding variables, the results can be regarded as reliable due to the sheer difference in incidence and extent of erectile dysfunction between smokers and non-smokers. Keywords: Erectile Dysfunction, Smoking, The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) Questionnaire, Sexual Health & Sex Related Quality of Life

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ASTHMA SEVERITY & CONTROL AMONG PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH & WITHOUT CO-MORBID RHINITIS

Objective: This study hopes to compare the severity and control of asthma among patients presenting with and without co-morbid rhinitis. Methodology:This retrospective, comparative analysis was conducted upon a total of 377 asthmatic patients, presenting at the medical out-patient department with and without co-morbid rhinitis. The data was collected using a structured interview based questionnaire (after taking written informed consent) which included in-depth inquiries regarding the asthma severity and control for the past 4 week. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS v. 21. 0. Results: Among the 377 subjects, 200 were males while 177 were females. Mean age of the subjects was 36 years. 172 asthmatic patients in the sample suffered from the co-morbid rhinitis, while the remaining did not have the said comorbidity. Asthmatic patients with co-morbid rhinitis experienced more frequent asthmatic attacks. The incidence of visits to the emergency room and frequency of hospital admissions too was high among asthmatic patients with co-morbid rhinitis. Conclusion: The results reveal that, all attempts to draw a comparison of asthma severity and control among patients with and without comorbid rhinitis yield clear and unidirectional results, leading to a transparent conclusion i.e. the asthma severity and control is considerably poorer in asthmatics with co-morbid rhinitis. Keywords: Asthma, Severity, Control, Rhinitis and Co-morbidity

Frequency of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children with Recurrent Abdominal Pain

Background: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common disorders characterized by chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, not related to structural or biochemical abnormalities Objective: To determine the frequency of FGIDs in children with complaints of recurrent abdominal pain. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done at the outpatient department of pediatrics, National Institute of Child Health, Karachi, Pakistan from October 2022 to March 2023. Children of either gender aged 1-12 years with complaints of recurrent abdominal pain were analyzed. Socio-demographic characteristics along with presenting complaints and types of FGIDs were noted. Results: In a total of 188 children, the mean age was 7.22±1.96 years while 107 (56.9%) children were boys. The mean duration of symptoms was 2.7±1.8 months. The most frequent presenting complaints were pain during bowel movement, nausea, and epigastric pain reported by 88 (46.8%), 75 (39.9%), and 64 (34.0%) children respectively. Frequency distribution of functional GI disorders revealed that functional abdominal pain was the commonest noted in 72 (38.3%) children while irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia were found among 38 (20.2%) and 37 (19.7%) children respectively. Stratification of functional GI disorders showed a statistically significant relationship (p<0.001) concerning presenting complaints. Conclusion: Among children with FGIDs, the most frequent presenting complaints were pain during bowel movement, nausea, and epigastric pain. Functional abdominal pain, IBS, and functional dyspepsia were the most frequent types of FGID