An Analysis of the Darkest Part of the Forest by Holy Black in Light of Wendy B. Faris’ Model of Narrative Techniques in Magical Realism

This research study focuses on the analysis of the narrative techniques of the text The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holy Black, an American novelist, in light of Wendy. B. Faris’ theory of narrative techniques in magical realism proposed in Ordinary Enchantment: Magical Realism and the Remystification of Narrative (2004) that serves as theoretical framework. In this context, the present research is a post-modernist analysis of the text since magical realism is mode of writing under Post Modernism. The study negotiates that text appears as a magical realist text because it shows several instances, settings, plot and characters which present it more than a fantasy. The plot revolves around the horned boy, a faerie prince, faeries, their encounter with human beings, magic, spell, and pastoral settings. The analysis of juxtaposition of realistic elements with fantasy or unrealistic happenings is the focus of this research. Wendy B. Faris has proposed five primary elements as the narrative building blocks of the binary opposition between realism and fantasy: the irreducible element, unsettling doubts, the phenomenal world, merging realms and, the distortion of time, space and identity. The researchers’ aim is to investigate whether Faris’ five elements may be successfully applied to the text under analysis. The findings of this research study amplify that this text is a post-modernist piece of writing and it truly exhibits the amalgamation of fantasy and real word occurrences. By discerning narrative elements in the text through discussion and textual references, the researchers have negotiated how these narrative elements served as building blocks of magical realism in the selected text. This research is qualitative and descriptive and adds to the body of Fantasy, American and Post-Modernist literature

Need of Emerging Software Technologies among Physiotherapists during COVID 19 Pandemic in Punjab

The current study was an observational cross sectional survey conducted on 52 physical therapists of Punjab. Sampling technique used was probability purposive sampling. This study included both genders having experience of more than five years in either academics or clinical physical therapy. The novice practitioners are excluded. This study is conducted on the physical therapists of both private and government hospitals and institutes of Punjab. A self-structured Questionnaire was administered online and through email. Overall, 63% physical therapists were strongly needed the android apps for updated knowledge for clinical practice,55% therapists were strongly needed apps for the clinical training, clinical practice purpose and differential diagnoses, 59% therapist were needed android apps for pre and post-surgical management,57% physical therapists were needed android apps for patient home plan managemen

Anti-inflammatory effects of topical lactobacillus acidophilus and antibiotic in wound repair on the basis of microscopic parameters: a comparative study in rats

Background: Wound treatment still a task for medical professionals, according to the time advancement. We need to elaborate further new interventions to cope up this common factor of community. The objective of the study was to assess the anti-inflammatory topical role of Lactobacillus acidophilus with antibiotic in wound repair of rats based on of microscopic parameters. This comparative study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy Al-Tibri Medical Collage and Hospital Isra University Karachi Campus from December 2018 to April 2019.Methods: Total 18 male of wistar rats were randomly selected for this study. The study comprised of three topical groups Control, Antibiotic and Lactobacillus acidophilus groups respectively.Results: The samples were taken from the wound site for the preparation of microscopic slides, to count the numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory process in both groups on day 3 and 7. Data obtained were analyzed by SPSS version 20 by applying One Way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey’s test.Conclusions: The results were shown potent anti-inflammatory effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus group in comparison with other conventional therapy. The study concludes that the topical application of Lactobacillus acidophilus had remarkable anti-inflammatory effects in wound management

Neovascularization: topical effects of streptococcus thermophilus and low level laser therapy in treatment of diabetic wound in rats

Background: Diabetic wound is a major socioeconomic debilitating problem in this society. Various treatment options are available but still it requires better treatment option. In diabetes mellitus the oxygenation to the tissues is reduced. In this study effects of low level laser therapy were compared with topical application of Streptococcus thermophilus on diabetic wounds that induces formation of new blood vessel and free radical scavenging system, a comparative study to get better treatment option for diabetic wounds.Methods: 18 male rats were selected and divided randomly into three groups. Diabetes was induced in all the rats by using the Alloxan monohydrate at a dose of 120mg/kg of the body weight. Group A was treated with normal saline, group B was treated with low level laser therapy and group C was treated with Streptococcus thermophilus topically. Skin tissues were collected on day three and seven, slides were prepared for microscopic examination to observe the new blood vessels formation.Results: Mean number of new blood vessel formation was observed in group B compared with group A and C. Significant vasculogenesis was seen in group B when treated with Low level laser therapy.Conclusions: In the group of low level laser therapy new blood vessel formation was seen with better wound healing. It means LLLT provides better oxygenation to the tissues by generation of new blood vessels compared with Streptococcus thermophilus and normal saline

Commands of Synthetic Biology to Modernize and Re-design the Biological Systems

The scope of synthetic biology continues to expand and has encompassed a huge number of biological features. Its scope starts from scratch, enabling the de novo synthesis of biological systems. It has re-designed the biological systems and empowered the production of synthetic genes, RNA, DNA and proteins by undertaking the control of pathways involved in genetic regulation. It has increased the production of nano-scale RNA architectures and synthetic biological circuits which either have therapeutic or other productive uses. Furthermore, advancements in synthetic biology have enabled the generation of diversity through methods such as epPCR and site-directed mutagenesis, allowing for the creation of complex genetic variations. Additionally, synthetic biology intersects with computer engineering to design functional biological devices and circuits, utilizing computational analysis to guide the design process. Moreover, ethical and regulatory considerations are paramount in synthetic biology, with careful examination required to address dual-use concerns, environmental impacts, and issues of social justice and equitable access to benefits. As synthetic biology continues to advance, it presents opportunities to address pressing challenges in fields ranging from medicine and agriculture to environmental conservation and beyond. Thus, the fusion of synthetic biology with other scientific disciplines holds promise for transformative innovation and societal benefit. The present discussion enlightened the core of generating complex biological systems and has given a brief overview on the fusion of synthetic biology with other fields of science.Keywords: Biological Systems; Genetic Regulation; Synthetic biology circuits 

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. METHODS: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. FINDINGS: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. INTERPRETATION: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Disguised Identities as Mask for Negation of Patriarchal Norms in Nadia Hashimi’s the Pearl that Broke its Shell

The present research study focuses upon the discussion of the disguised identities of Afghani women in the text The Pearl that Broke its Shell by an Afghan American writer Nadia Hashimi. The Afghani women adopt the disguised identities to survive in male dominated societies and the research strives to answer the reasons behind this adopted strategy. Judith Butler views have been taken as a theoretical framework to strengthen the research argument, who negotiate that in modern times there seems to be no fixed gender. The text elaborates the Afghan tradition of Bacha posh negating feminine gender and tells that how women break their shells, and boundaries to survive in male dominated Afghanistan. The research answers the primal point that how this practice and the struggle of Afghani women pose the question mark on the Afghan patriarchy and it enhances the determination and self-will of feminine gender. Besides, the research is qualitative in nature

Structuralistic Analysis of the Poem “The Stone Chat” by Taufeeq Rafat in perspective of Binary Opposition

The aim of this research study is to apply Structuralism (a Linguistic movement related to scientific study of words as signs) as a theoretical framework on the poem “The Stone Chat” by Taufiq Rafat, a prominent Pakistani poet. The study focuses on, presenting Structuralistic analysis (relation between sign and signifier) of the selected text, as proposed by the Swiss Structuralist, De Saussure. Besides, this paper particularly is a textual analysis of a Pakistani piece of poetry by application of linguistic concept of binary opposites (paired opposite) as proposed by a Linguist Levi-Strauss (a linguist) in his book Structuralist Anthropology, (1950). The searching of text for binary oppositions is the targeted endeavor of this study with the focus to analyze how far they are skillfully and contextually positioned in this poem. Hence, the researchers intend to focus on the antithetical forces and binary ideas present in the text. The close textual analysis of the poem is aimed at in this context, since The Stone Chat has antithetical ideas in abundance. Furthermore, the proposed study underhand, focuses upon bringing to foreground the syntagmatic relation (concept of chain) between signifiers as they are employed in linguistic framework or pattern of this poem. Besides, to the fact how text (signifiers) acts and reacts (contradicts) to its linguistic framework, this paper aims to analyze the variations in tone, attitude and thinking perspectives of speaker in the poem. Furthermore, the close textual analysis, descriptive and interpretive methods as research techniques have been utilized in this study. This research study is likely to contribute to fields of Linguistics, Literary theory and Pakistani literature as a distinct genre. 

Impact of Personal Digital Devices Usage on Academic Performance of University Students in Pakistan

This study aims to determine the impact of using personal digital devices (PDDs) on university students’ academic performance. A survey-based questionnaire was developed and used to collect data from 240 Masters students of final semester (16-years of education) enrolled in the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore selected by proportional stratified sampling technique. The study concluded that the smart phones, mobile phones, laptops were frequently used PDDs by the students for the academic purposes. Students used PDDs for using social networks like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, etc. in order to stay in touch with their classmates regarding their academic needs. It was found that using PDDs helped them improve their English language skills and PDDs also helped in their learning process hence improving their classroom performance. However, the use of PDDs also would divert students’ attention in classroom. The use of PDDs facilitated students in their academic achievements and class room performance by improving the writing skills, their CGPAs/ Grades, and clearing their concepts. It would help the university management play an important role in encouraging their students to use their PDDs positively so they could improve their academic performance and learning