Milestones in the journey of phenomenology: from Socrates to Kant

Phenomenology is linked to ancient philosophers as its roots can be traced from the Socratic era. Various other philosophers have also contributed to develop this field. As Socrates’ ‘skepticism’, Plato’s ‘idealism’, Aristotle’s ‘realism’, Locke’s ‘epistemology’, Hume’s ‘positivism’, and Kant’s ‘existentialism’ are all of the respective concepts which provided the very fundamentals of phenomenology. After these great philosophers, others have also played their significant role as milestones in this journey. In this work, researchers have reviewed the contributions of prominent phenomenologists in historical order. The respective researchers have analyzed the difference and contrast between the approaches of different thinkers. On the basis of the review of selected thinkers by applying the method of relational analysis, researchers have concluded that with the passage of time phenomenology has also evolved and became more empirical as well as dialectic. 

An innovation in flipped class room: A teaching model to facilitate synchronous and asynchronous learning during a pandemic

Objective: To conduct an on line Flipped Class Room (FCR) to facilitate synchronous (in class activity) and asynchronous learning [Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)] and acquire feedback of the learning experience from medical students at Aga Khan University.Methods: This interventional study was conducted with year II students undergoing Endocrine Reproduction Module at the Aga Khan University during April 13 to May 22, 2020. Pre reading material and pretest was shared with the students via Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) one week before the class. Microsoft Teams was used to conduct online session by two facilitators, where student discussion on case studies was encouraged. A WhatsApp group was created with the facilitators to respond to any student queries. The session was recorded and later uploaded on VLE. Posttest and a student satisfaction survey was conducted at the end of the session.Results: The average score for the pretest and posttest was 19.67 ± 1.37 and 24.60 ± 1.34 respectively (p value \u3c0.05). The learner curve showed an increase in the knowledge learned by 4.93 points (p value \u3c0.05). Fifty-five percent students felt that placement of session was appropriate and were satisfied with the instructions and expected outcomes, received constructive feedback for improvement and generated positive attitude towards learning.Conclusions: The innovative model of FCR through facilitation of synchronous and asynchronous learning empowered student\u27s engagement and interactive learning. Students perceived this as a great learning experience which they enjoyed with positive reinforcement from feedback given by the facilitators. They suggested continuation of this model for further learning sessions in other modules of undergraduate medical education at Aga Khan University

Bioassay studies of metal(II) complexes of 2,2'-(ethane-1,2-diyldiimino)diacetic acid

Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) coordination compounds with modified diammine 2,2'-(ethane-1,2-diyldiimino)diacetic acid (EDDA) were prepared and characterized. Coordination complexes of the EDDA were characterized by physical measurements including elemental analysis, IR, UV-Visible, magnetic susceptibilities and conductance measurements. The complexes were screened against four pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus and their concentrations for maximum inhibition zones were obtained. KEY WORDS: EDDA, Coordination complexes, Antibacterial studies Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2011, 25(2), 239-245

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial studies of transition metal complexes of imidazole derivative

A series of new biologically active complexes of Zn(II), Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) with imidazole derivative have been synthesized. The synthesized chelating agent and metal(II) complexes were screened for antibacterial activities against four pathogenic species of bacteria namely; Eschereschi coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klesbiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus by agar well diffusion method. The results show that most of the metal complexes were more active than the neat ligand, against these bacterial species as expected. KEY WORDS: 1,3-Di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-2-propanol, Coordination compounds, Antimicrobial study  Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2010, 24(2), 201-207

T.S. Eliot and the Search for the Disciplined Self

This thesis aims to explore the cogency of Eliot’s claims for discipline in relation to the selves and personae depicted in his poetry from 1907 to 1920. Eliot maintained a lifelong affiliation with the classical ideals of order, discipline and authority. These models were the cornerstone of his sensibility, and Eliot devoted his literary career in tirelessly expounding and reinforcing the importance of these virtues in art, literature and all spheres of one’s public and private life. This study attempts to explore the relationship between the individuals depicted in Eliot’s poetry, and discipline. It considers whether the personae in the poetry are capable of a similar allegiance to an external authority, and whether the disciplined self, fully in control of its passions and desires, emerges in the poems after such a connection. This study argues that Eliot’s poetics contradict the standards of these classical ideals, even while his literary criticism strives forcefully to assert them. In his poetry, this is translated in the creation and depiction of individuals trapped in the prison of their ego, unable to transcend themselves or act meaningfully in the social world. The chapters in this thesis chronologically study various personae, such as the ‘Mandarins’, ‘J. Alfred Prufrock’ and ‘St. Sebastian’ to explore their efforts to realize an association with an external authority. The final chapter considers whether ‘tradition’ and the ‘historical sense’ enable ‘Gerontion’ to realize the self-transcendence which his predecessors found so elusive. This study shows that while the individuals in Eliot’s poetry (1907-20) feel the necessity for an affirmation with an external authority, such as a philosophical system, religion or history, they are unable to form this desired relationship. This results in the portrayal of negative models of selfhood in the poetry, which, in turn, poignantly emphasizes Eliot’s urgency for just such a classical discipline

Can low vitamin D binding protein levels be a cause of infertility in females?

Abstract are not provided by the author/publishe

A take on social wellbeing attributes by first year medical students

Objective: To compare awareness about concept of social wellness in male and female first year medical students. Methods: It was a cross sectional, questionnaire based study conducted from February till December 2010. Responses on aspects of social wellness were rated never, sometimes, mostly and always from lowest to highest (1-4); evaluated as frequency, proportion and percentages by PASW (Predictive analysis software) version 18. Chisquare test was applied for comparison of social wellness in both genders; results to be declared significant with pvalue \u3c0.05. Results: Overall score for social well being of females (20.24±4.50) was higher than male medical students (18.66±4.76; p\u3c0.0001). Majority of the female respondents believed that they exhibit fairness and justice in public dealing (p\u3c0.004), had a good network of close friends and family (p\u3c0 001), were prompt at helping batch fellows (p \u3c0.004), participated in group discussions (p \u3c0.004), followed dynamics of communication (p\u3c0.05) and were better at solving problems (p\u3c0.01) as compared to the male respondents. Conclusion: The scores highlighted a better interaction of females with the social environment

Body mass index or body fat! which is a better obesity scale for Pakistani population?

Ojective: To compare two methods of classifying obesity based on body mass index and body fat percentage.Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2012 to August 2013 at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. Male and female volunteers between the ages 15-65 years were selected using simple random sampling. They were classified into different groups for body mass index and body fat percentage measured through bioelectrical impedance scale. The subjects were sub-grouped into underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. SPSS 11 was used for statistical analysis.Results: The mean age of the 828 healthy volunteers was 25.67±10.10 years. A total of 552 (66.6%) subjects had a higher body fatpercentage and were misclassified by body mass index. Only 276 (33.3%) subjects had body fat percentage values corresponding to the body mass index classification. The difference in terms of categorising obesity was highly significant (p\u3c0.001). Both body mass index and body fat percentage showed positive correlation with age (r=0.144; p=0.001) (r=0.261; p=0.001) and weight (r=0.578; p=0.001) (r=0.444; p=0.001) respectively. Moreover body fat percentage showed a significant positive association with gender (r=0.109; p=0.027) whereas BMI did not.Conclusions: Body fat percentage should be incorporated for a better understanding as well as categorising of obesity

Spectrum of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Burn Wound Patients

Objectives: To find out the spectrum of bacterial pathogens isolated from pus samples of infected burn sites and to come across the sample collection according to post burn day and distribution of Gram positive and negative isolates in samples in relation to time of collection.Methodology: It is a prospective, non-randomized, descriptive study conducted at Microbiology laboratory, Pathology department and burn care center (BCC), Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad for 4 months, from 2nd April to 3rd August 2013. One hundred and ten clinical isolates from 68 patients were collected. Sample collection from referred patients was done at the time of admission and from admitted patients was done during changing their dressings. The sample collected was immediately transferred to the Pathology laboratory and submitted for Culturing. The samples were inoculated on Blood agar and MacConkey agar (Oxoid USA) and incubated aerobically at 35+ 2 0C for 18 -48 hours. After incubation the pathogens were identified with the help of colonial Morphology, gram stain reaction, biochemical tests, and API 20E. Results: Out of 68 samples 110 burn wound pathogens were isolated. 47% of the samples yielded single etiological agent whereas the rest of 53 % had polymicrobial etiology. Gram negatives were in majority 81.82% and Gram positives were18.18 %. The samples in which only one isolate was obtained were 32. Amongst them P. aeruginosa was isolated in (65.6%) of samples. In 31 samples two isolates were obtained. In such samples coexistence of P .aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae was most prevalent i.e. in 10 (32.25%). There were only five samples in which more than two isolates were obtained. Amongst Gram negatives were the predominant bacterial pathogens out of them P. aeruginosa were 53 %. MRSA made the major bulk of Gram positives that is 65 %, the rest 35% were Staph aureus MSSA. Gram positives were isolated more in the first week samples i.e. 30% as compared to the subsequent weeks.Conclusion: It was concluded that more than 80 % of bacterial isolates of burn wound infections were Gram negative and less than 20% were Gram positive i-e Staphylococcus aureus