Universalization of Elementary Education: Challenges, Issues and Efforts

The Indian education system is perhaps the largest system in the world catering the need of millions of students of different socio-economic background. Education is globally acknowledged as the most powerful means of empowerment. Education is utmost important for every child irrespective of its gender. It is disheartening that, even in current modern scenario, some people are still against the education of the girl children. Every child has the right to receive elementary education however, Due to many factors girls are forced to leave school while others never have been provided an opportunity to enroll in schools. Among children not attending schools there are more girls than boys and among illiterate adults, there are more women than women. Many girls continue to dropout that adversely affects the efficiency of the education system and respective progressive expectations. The unfinished task in terms of un-enrolled and out-of-school girl child is the manor challenge. Rigorous and continuous efforts are required to bring and retain girl children under the purview of education system. The community and government schemes in this direction, can jointly play a vital role in bringing and retaining girl children to schools for primary and secondary education. To understand the problems and challenges faced by girls at elementary education level the author conducted a study in education zone Magam. The zone progressed significantly but still it has many areas of concern that are primarily responsible for un-fulfilment of the goals of universal literacy. There are number of problems which become hindrance in the way of education of girls but whatever the reason is if significant efforts were taken this problem can be then tackled easily. So, the authors hope that this study can help us to illuminate some of the complexities around education of the girls at elementary level and bring new insight to policy makers and educational practitioners

Design of a Figure-8 Spherical Motion Flapping Wing for Miniature UAV\u27s

Hummingbirds and some insects exhibit a Figure-8 motion, which allows them to undergo variety of maneuvers including hovering. It is therefore desirable to have flapping wing miniature air vehicles (FWMAV) that can replicate this unique wing motion. In this research, a design of a flapping wing for FWMAV that can mimic Figure-8 motion using a spherical four bar mechanism is presented. To produce Figure-8 motion, the wing is attached to the coupler point of the spherical four bar mechanism and driven by a DC servo motor. For verification of the design, a prototype of the wing and mechanism is fabricated to determine whether the design objectives are met. Additionally, experimental testing is conducted to determine the feasibility of this design with the wing driven at speeds ranging from 2.5 to 12.25 Hz. To determine the aerodynamic coefficients the wing experiences during the Figure-8 cycle, wind tunnel experimentation is conducted. The results show good correlation between the model and experimental testing

Skills expectation-performance gap: A study of Pakistan's accounting education

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Higher education institutions are always directed through policy reforms to promote graduates employability by developing skills in students that contribute to human capital. This interest in employability through education system in the development of skills reflects is part of human capital theory. Considering this, underlying research investigates the expectation-performance gap in the development of generic skills for the purpose of employability offered by the accounting institutes of Pakistan. For the purpose of answering the research question, this research, adopted the theoretical framework of ‘expectation-performance gap’ by Bui and Porter and analysed it within the context of Pakistan. Adoption of this theoretical framework implies the evaluation of three constituent factors as research objectives; the ‘expectation gap’ (reflecting the differences in the expectations of accounting educators and employers), the ‘constraints gap’ (limiting factors to develop generic skills into the student learning process) and the ‘performance gap’ (reflecting the ineffectiveness of teaching activities). However, there is also a fourth objective, that is, to evaluate an outline of the ‘skills acquisition framework’ considering the context of Pakistan’s accounting job-market. Principally this research adopts the survey strategy of a questionnaire with closed-ended questions in order to collect the data. But for the purpose of refining the content of the questionnaire for relevance to the context of Pakistan there are also cognitive interviews. Thus, this research entails a mixed-method approach. The qualitative data from the interviews was analysed using content analysis, thematic analysis and textual analysis. Whereas the quantitative data from the questionnaires was analysed using numerous statistical techniques such as Mann-Whitney U-test, Independent sample t-test, Statistical mean and Principal Component Analysis. The findings related to the ‘expectation gap’ were that there are 19 skills where the accounting educators have dissimilar expectation from employers in terms of skill base education, such skills include decision making, economics, ability to analyse and reason logically, teamwork etc. The findings related to the ‘constraints gap’ were that there are 6 constraining elements which are prevailing within the context of professional accounting education, such constraints include ‘training organisations are not following standard procedures to develop skills in students’, ‘people (potential students) have misperception about accounting education’, 'enrolling students have weak academic background', ‘inadequate stipend offered by training organisations to trainees’, ‘accounting institutes are not appreciating teaching activities, and lack of training opportunities for academics’. The findings related to the ‘performance gap’ were that there are 24 skills where the accounting educators found to be ineffective in the development of skills in students as expected by employers for employment purpose, such skills include inter or multidisciplinary perspective, financial risk analysis, think and behave ethically, independent thinking etc. From the perspective of the ‘skills acquisition framework’, overall 6 skills components were identified from the perspective of Pakistan's accounting job-market, such skills components include appreciative skills, interpersonal skills, technical and functional skills, organisational and business management skills, personal skills and professional skills. Considering the novelty of the adopted theoretical framework (expectation-performance gap by Bui and Porter, 2010) there was a related paucity of literature employing it for empirical investigation using the questionnaire based approach. Therefore, this research provides such theoretical underpinning to this framework that now enables it to be used within the questionnaire based approach. Further this research has described all the generic skills used in this study from the accounting disciplinary perspective and highlights the constraining elements that are assumed to limit the ability of professional accounting institutes. This research also provides a skill acquisition framework which could be used as a reference point for new entrants to the accounting job-market

Wetland seed banks: implications in vegetation management

Studies were conducted in a wetland of the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, southeast Missouri. Seed distribution pattern in the top 6 cm soil profile was examined. Soil temperature and water matric potential ((psi)) were monitored as various species emerged on the marsh surface during an artificial drawdown. Seeds of the four dominating species (Echinochloa crusgalli, Eleocharis obtusa, Polygonum hydropiperoides, and Xanthium pensylvanicum) were subjected to a wide range of diurnally fluctuating temperatures on a two-way thermogradient plate, and also to a selected range of (psi) in a greenhouse. Physical analyses of soil included an assessment of shear strength ((tau)) at various levels of (psi);Both quantitative and qualitative changes occurred in the seed bank during the study period. The seed distribution pattern, however, did not change significantly;Temperature regimes of 25-32/15-20(DEGREES)C favored seed germination in Echinochloa, whereas, a (psi) less than -76 kPa was found conducive for the emergence of this species in the field during a drawdown. A bimodal response to (psi) was discernible that may have some survival value. Maintaining soil water contents above the so-called field capacity should encourage a good stand of this species in the field. Seeds of Eleocharis germinated better in 25-29/14-19(DEGREES)C regime. Emergence in the field appeared little affected over a wide range of (psi). However, in the greenhouse, a (psi) below -33 kPa sharply reduced the rate of emergence in this species. Polygonum required a 19-21/8-9(DEGREES)C regime for better germination. Field and greenhouse study revealed the stress tolerance limit of this species to be -10 to -15 kPa (psi). Higher temperatures (27-33/16-20(DEGREES)C) as well as lower (psi) (-33 to -80 kPa) were found to favor germination/emergence of Xanthium;Results suggest that a slow drawdown with prolonged period of keeping the soil water content above the so-called field capacity will facilitate the establishment of a good vegetation cover of species useful to waterfowl

Gender Equality in Elementary Education: A Dream or Reality

For centuries girls were not treated equal to boys in many ways. The education of girls has become one of the most important concerns of 21st century not only at local level but also at the national level. Efforts by the government are on to ensure gender equality but government initiatives alone would not be sufficient to achieve this goal. Society must take initiative to create a climate in which there is no gender discrimination and girls have full opportunity to receive good quality elementary education without any barrier. The female literacy rate is also lower than the male literacy rate. The ground reality is deprivation and exploitation of girls especially from rural areas and those belonging to deprived sections of the society. Education is a powerful tool of social transformation. Hence, education for girls has to be paid special attention. Greater access for education must be ensured in the educational system. Gender sensitivity must be developed. A watch has to be kept on dropout rate of girls and corrective measures should be taken to check the dropout rates. There is no denying the fact that education of girls have made considerable progress in almost every aspect, but they still have to struggle against many handicaps and social evils in the male dominated society. The study found that there are 222 children in the age group of 06-14 years who are out of school from a single education zone. Taking this thing into consideration it seems a dream to achieve 100% literacy rate at elementary level if time bound steps are not taken to solve this problem. Hence, the study will help all stakeholders to become aware of the present situation and issues prevailing in the education zone Khag and can play an active role in solving these problems effectively and fruitfully.&nbsp

Myasthenia gravis with motor neurone disease

A 56 year old male presented with features of easy f atiguability, episodic hoarseness and nasal quality of voice accompanied by nasal regurgitation of liquids for three years. Neurological examination revealed lingual atrophy with fasciculations, pyramidal tract signs and features of neuromuscular junction dysfunction. Moreover, CT scanning of thorax revealed thymic enlargement. The co-occurrence of myasthenia gravis with motor neurone disease is being reported for its rarity

Socio-psychological Issues in the Novels of Chaman Nahal

This paper deals with the partition between India and Pakistan. After partition how people became mentally sick and psychologically depress. Chaman Nahal depicted a photographic detail the catastrophic episode that was enacted on the Indian soil immediately before and after the declaration of the British decision in June 1947 to vacate India after partitioning it. Nahal showed how people of Pakistan have been living together with peace and harmony, but after the partition world is shaken by the creation of Pakistan. Keywords: human psyche, massacre, bloodshed, partition, trauma, anguish, rape, violenc

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in lower extremity amputations – a gigantic health-care problem or a false alarm?

Objectives:  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses not only an increasingly serious health-care problem but also a notoriously gigantic public issue.  We aimed to evaluate whether MRSA infection is a significant negative predictive factor for amputation healing and morbidity, in comparison to non-MRSA infections.Materials and Methods:  A cross-sectional comparative study of all the lower extremity amputations during the 25-month study period to examine the influence of MRSA and non-MRSA infection on clinical outcome.  Results were compared between MRSA- and non-MRSA-infected patients using Fisher’s exact test.Results:  During the two-year period, 171 patients underwent lower limb amputations for acute or chronic limb ischemia.  Sixteen (9.3%) had documented wound infection; including 10 MRSA (62.5%), 2 methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (12.5%), 2 Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.5%), 1 coagulase-negative staphylococci (6.2%) and 1 enterococcus (6.2%).  Patients with MRSA and non-MRSA infections were well matched in demographics, indication & level of amputation, duration of operation, American Society of Anesthetists (ASA) grades, and wound classification (p<0.05).   There was no death or morbidity observed within 30 day post-operative period in all groups within the study.  Over a 28 months median follow-up (range 16-50 months), an overall survival of 93% was observed.  Twelve patients (7%) died including one in MRSA group and 11 in no infection group. Conclusion:  MRSA infection does not adversely affect the clinical outcome in patients undergoing lower extremity amputations.  Regardless of presence of MRSA bacteria; common infection control measures, thorough wound debridement, careful wound surveillance and judicial administration of antibiotics should be routinely applied to all patients