A Study Of Attitude Of University Students Of M.A /M.Sc Towards Teaching Profession

This article is based on a part of study conducted in 2010. The major aim of study was to analyse the attitude of university students of M.A./M.Sc. towards teaching profession. For this purpose, all the students of Master level (1st and 2nd year) were included in the population. Out of the whole population of the students, ninety three (93) students were selected randomly by using simple random sampling technique. To gather data, questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire comprised twenty five (25) items including both, positive and negative statements. The questionnaire was analyzed on the basis of five point Likert scale.  For statistical analysis of data, the arithmetic mean, percentage and z-score were calculated. On the whole, it was found that the responses of the M.A./M.Sc students were varied. Female students had more positive attitude towards teaching profession than male students. The attitude of male and female students was found to be same towards university teaching

Spectrum leasing in cognitive radio networks: a survey

Cognitive Radio (CR) is a dynamic spectrum access approach, in which unlicensed users (or secondary users, SUs) exploit the underutilized channels (or white spaces) owned by the licensed users (or primary users, PUs). Traditionally, SUs are oblivious to PUs, and therefore the acquisition of white spaces is not guaranteed. Hence, a SU must vacate its channel whenever a PU reappears on it in an unpredictablemanner,which may affect the SUs’ network performance. Spectrumleasing has been proposed to tackle the aforementioned problem through negotiation between the PU and SU networks, which allows the SUs to acquire white spaces for a guaranteed period of time.Through spectrumleasing, the PUs and SUs enhance their network performances, and additionally PUs maximize their respective monetary gains. Numerous research efforts have been made to investigate the CR, whereas the research into spectrum leasing remains at its infancy. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review on spectrum leasing schemes in CR networks by highlighting some pioneering approaches and discuss the gains, functionalities, characteristics, and challenges of spectrum leasing schemes along with the performance enhancement in CR networks. Additionally, we discuss various open issues in order to spark new interests in this research area

Influence of Stock Market Dynamics, Renewable Energy Utilization, and Urban Development on Environmental Decline: Novel Insights from G20 Nations

This study's main goal is to objectively investigate how stock market expansion, Urbanization FDI, and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows affect CO2 emissions. This study also explores how the use of renewable energy affects CO2 emissions and economic output in a panel of G20 nations. The whole sample as well as sub-samples of rich and developing economies of the G20 member countries were used in the empirical analysis. The study tells that due to rise in urbanization the carbon dioxide emission reduced. Similarly, THE GDP growth and CO2 emission are positively related and our results shows that FDI and CO2 emission are also directly related. Meanwhile for the trade openness the results are mixed, in start it rises CO2 emission but after sometimes it reduces. Moreover, due to shift of renewable energy consumption from fossil fuel helps to emit less CO2 and MSCI shows directly relation with CO2 emission for these countries. The findings support a notable long-run equilibrium link between the variables in all of the panels. Also, according to the long-run elasticities, FDI considerably lowers CO2 emissions in both the complete sample and emerging economies, while stock market growth declines in developed economies. Similar to how using renewable energy significantly lowers CO2 emissions and boosts economic output globally panels. Our conclusions have significant policy ramifications. In order to meet the rising demand for energy by displacing the usage of conventional energy sources like coal, gas, and oil, policymakers must first implement effective policies to promote renewable energy sources. As a result, both the CO2 emissions and the promotion of sustainable economic growth in the G20 nations will be aided. Also, according to the long-run elasticities, FDI considerably lowers CO2 emissions in both the complete sample and emerging economies, while stock market growth declines in developed economies.&nbsp

Gold nanoparticle conjugation enhances the antiacanthamoebic effects of chlorhexidine

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a serious infection with blinding consequences and often associated with contact lens wear. Early diagnosis, followed by aggressive topical application of drugs, is a prerequisite in successful treatment, but even then prognosis remains poor. Several drugs have shown promise, including chlorhexidine gluconate; however, host cell toxicity at physiologically relevant concentrations remains a challenge. Nanoparticles, subcolloidal structures ranging in size from 10 to 100 nm, are effective drug carriers for enhancing drug potency. The overall aim of the present study was to determine whether conjugation with gold nanoparticles enhances the antiacanthamoebic potential of chlorhexidine. Gold-conjugated chlorhexidine nanoparticles were synthesized. Briefly, gold solution was mixed with chlorhexidine and reduced by adding sodium borohydride, resulting in an intense deep red color, indicative of colloidal gold-conjugated chlorhexidine nanoparticles. The synthesis was con- firmed using UV-visible spectrophotometry that shows a plasmon resonance peak of 500 to 550 nm, indicative of gold nanoparticles. Further characterization using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry showed a goldconjugated chlorhexidine complex at m/z 699 ranging in size from 20 to 100 nm, as determined using atomic force microscopy. To determine the amoebicidal and amoebistatic effects, amoebae were incubated with gold-conjugated chlorhexidine nanoparticles. For controls, amoebae also were incubated with gold and silver nanoparticles alone, chlorhexidine alone, neomycin-conjugated nanoparticles, and neomycin alone. The findings showed that gold-conjugated chlorhexidine nanoparticles exhibited significant amoebicidal and amoebistatic effects at 5 M. Amoebicidal effects were observed by parasite viability testing using a Trypan blue exclusion assay and flow-cytometric analysis using propidium iodide, while amoebistatic effects were observed using growth assays. In contrast, chlorhexidine alone, at a similar concentration, showed limited effects. Notably, neomycin alone or conjugated with nanoparticles did not show amoebicidal or amoebistatic effects. Pretreatment of A. castellanii with goldconjugated chlorhexidine nanoparticles reduced amoeba-mediated host cell cytotoxicity from 90% to 40% at 5 M. In contrast, chlorhexidine alone, at similar concentrations, had no protective effects for the host cells. Similarly, amoebae treated with neomycin alone or neomycin-conjugated nanoparticles showed no protective effects. Overall, these findings suggest that gold-conjugated chlorhexidine nanoparticles hold promise in the improved treatment of A. castellanii keratitis

Expectations in a Marriage Proposal: A Gender-Based Comparison in Pakistan

To determine the differences in expectations of males and females regarding marriage proposals. It was a cross-sectional study conducted in Karachi. Young people aged between 18 and 45 years were enrolled in the study. An online questionnaire was circulated through a convenience sampling technique. Our sample had 456 participants with n=294 64.5% females. N=387 84.9% were between 18-25 years of age. N=292 64% did not have a preference regarding spouse’s skin tone but n=269 59.0% preferred a taller spouse. Body type was a considerable factor for n=227 49.8%. N=309 67.8% preferred their partner to have a job, own a business and have a career. Love marriage was preferred by n=194 42.5%. Majority of the sample (58.1%) did not have a preference in terms of ethnicity but n=193 42.2% wanted a spouse from the same sect, denomination or caste. N=357 78.3% were against dowry. 52% of the participants said their choices were influenced by societal norms and culture to some extent. Four most important personality traits in a potential spouse were loyalty (75.7%), respect (62.7%), maturity (49.3%) and honesty (46.5%). The findings of this study are reflective of our community and culture as the majority of individuals are under societal influence. Moreover, their preference in traits emphasizes mutual understanding as opposed to physical characteristics. An adequate understanding of an individual's expectations from a marriage proposal decreases the risk of psychological distress associated with the relationship

Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Plants as Dispatchable Renewable Energy Resource of Pakistan: A case study of Tharparkar

Pakistan is identified to be one of the next-11 the top emerging economies of the world after the BRICS. This emphasizes the establishment of a competitive electricity market that can fulfil the demand of the country considering the environmental concerns. In this scenario reliability of power is something that cannot be compromised. Dispatchable power stations play a major role in balancing supply and demand; this balance is essential for maintaining the power cuts free country. All dispatchable power stations incorporate some form of storage particularly thermal or chemical (i.e. a stored fuel).  Earlier dispatchable power was regarded as the generation which can start quickly and meet the peak demand requirements but arrival of renewables in power system has increased worth of its presence since it has just not to supply peak demand but also to meet during the unavailability of other renewable energy sources because of their intermittent behavior meanly at times of dark hours and slow wind speed. This study considers the viability of Concentrated Solar Thermal Power in Pakistan and thoroughly analyses several characteristics i.e., Availability of fuel, water, road and communication network, flexibility and environmental impacts of the technology for the cite of Tharparkar

Route selection for multi-hop cognitive radio networks using reinforcement learning: an experimental study

Cognitive radio (CR) enables unlicensed users to explore and exploit underutilized licensed channels (or white spaces). While multi-hop CR network has drawn significant research interest in recent years, majority work has been validated through simulation. A key challenge in multi-hop CR network is to select a route with high quality of service (QoS) and lesser number of route breakages. In this paper, we propose three route selection schemes to enhance the network performance of CR networks, and investigate them using a real testbed environment, which consists of universal software radio peripheral and GNU radio units. Two schemes are based on reinforcement learning (RL), while a scheme is based on spectrum leasing (SL). RL is an artificial intelligence technique, whereas SL is a new paradigm that allows communication between licensed and unlicensed users in CR networks. We compare the route selection schemes with an existing route selection scheme in the literature, called highest-channel (HC), in a multi-hop CR network. With respect to the QoS parameters (i.e., throughput, packet delivery ratio, and the number of route breakages), the experimental results show that RL approaches achieve a better performance in comparison with the HC approach, and also achieve close to the performance achieved by the SL approach

Numerical Solution and Analysis for Acute and Chronic Hepatitis B

In this article, we present the transmission dynamic of the acute and chronic hepatitis B epidemic problem to control the spread of hepatitis B in a community. In order to do this, first we present sensitivity analysis of the basic reproduction number R0. We develop a unconditionally convergent nonstandard finite difference scheme by applying Mickens approach φ(h) = h + O(h^2) instead of h to control the spread of this infection, treatment and vaccination to minimize the number of acute infected, chronically infected with hepatitis B individuals and maximize the number of susceptible and recovered individuals. The stability analysis of the scheme has been developed by theorems which shows the both stable locally and globally. Comparison is also made with standard nonstandard finite difference scheme. Finally numerical simulations are also established to investigate the influence of the system parameter on the spread of the disease

Ractopamine at the Center of Decades-Long Scientific and Legal Disputes: A Lesson on Benefits, Safety Issues, and Conflicts

Ractopamine (RAC) is a synthetic phenethanolamine, β–adrenergic agonist used as a feed additive to develop leanness and increase feed conversion efficiency in different farm animals. While RAC has been authorized as a feed additive for pigs and cattle in a limited number of countries, a great majority of jurisdictions, including the European Union (EU), China, Russia, and Taiwan, have banned its use on safety grounds. RAC has been under long scientific and political discussion as a controversial antibiotic as a feed additive. Here, we will present significant information on RAC regarding its application, detection methods, conflicts, and legal divisions that play a major role in controversial deadlock and why this issue warrants the attention of scientists, agriculturists, environmentalists, and health advocates. In this review, we highlight the potential toxicities of RAC on aquatic animals to emphasize scientific evidence and reports on the potentially harmful effects of RAC on the aquatic environment and human health