Multicultural literature and EFL learners’ awareness of stereotypes and prejudice

The present small-scale Norwegian classroom-based qualitative study explores multicultural literature’s potential for raising young EFL learners’ awareness of stereotypes and prejudice. The study consisted of a two-week multicultural literature project, inspired by critical literacy principles, to engage EFL 6th graders in reflecting on the topics of stereotypes and prejudice through reading and discussing two multicultural picturebooks, The Day You Begin (Woodson, 2018) and Under My Hijab (Khan, 2019), and engaging in four multimodal response activities. Following the two-week project, two semi-structured focus group interviews were carried out, and learner artifacts produced during the project were collected and analyzed. The study aimed to investigate the potential of multicultural literature for raising Norwegian 6th grade EFL learners’ awareness of stereotypes and prejudice and their willingness to challenge these following the two-week multicultural literature project. The study addressed the following research questions: “What potential does working with multicultural literature have for raising EFL learners’ awareness of stereotypes and prejudice?” and “Do the learners show a willingness to challenge stereotypes and prejudice after the multicultural literature project? If so, in which ways?” The study found that the participants demonstrated a better understanding of the terms stereotypes and prejudice following the two-week multicultural project. The study also showed that the learners were able to see beyond cultural differences, demonstrated acceptance and respect for individuals with different cultural and religious practices, and reported, through their self-evaluation, having developed a greater appreciation, empathy, and respect toward diversity. Additionally, the participants demonstrated awareness of how stereotypes and prejudice negatively affect individuals. Furthermore, the findings showed that the participants were willing to challenge stereotypes and prejudice by offering various strategies to do so, including creating awareness through conversations, discussions and social media, self-reflection, and taking action to combat racism, discrimination, stereotypes, and prejudice. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of integrating multicultural literature into the EFL classrooms and addressing complex topics to help learners appreciate and respect cultures beyond their own, while encouraging them to question and challenge various forms of injustice.The present small-scale Norwegian classroom-based qualitative study explores multicultural literature’s potential for raising young EFL learners’ awareness of stereotypes and prejudice. The study consisted of a two-week multicultural literature project, inspired by critical literacy principles, to engage EFL 6th graders in reflecting on the topics of stereotypes and prejudice through reading and discussing two multicultural picturebooks, The Day You Begin (Woodson, 2018) and Under My Hijab (Khan, 2019), and engaging in four multimodal response activities. Following the two-week project, two semi-structured focus group interviews were carried out, and learner artifacts produced during the project were collected and analyzed. The study aimed to investigate the potential of multicultural literature for raising Norwegian 6th grade EFL learners’ awareness of stereotypes and prejudice and their willingness to challenge these following the two-week multicultural literature project. The study addressed the following research questions: “What potential does working with multicultural literature have for raising EFL learners’ awareness of stereotypes and prejudice?” and “Do the learners show a willingness to challenge stereotypes and prejudice after the multicultural literature project? If so, in which ways?” The study found that the participants demonstrated a better understanding of the terms stereotypes and prejudice following the two-week multicultural project. The study also showed that the learners were able to see beyond cultural differences, demonstrated acceptance and respect for individuals with different cultural and religious practices, and reported, through their self-evaluation, having developed a greater appreciation, empathy, and respect toward diversity. Additionally, the participants demonstrated awareness of how stereotypes and prejudice negatively affect individuals. Furthermore, the findings showed that the participants were willing to challenge stereotypes and prejudice by offering various strategies to do so, including creating awareness through conversations, discussions and social media, self-reflection, and taking action to combat racism, discrimination, stereotypes, and prejudice. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of integrating multicultural literature into the EFL classrooms and addressing complex topics to help learners appreciate and respect cultures beyond their own, while encouraging them to question and challenge various forms of injustice

Security through Obscurity: Layout Obfuscation of Digital Integrated Circuits using Don't Care Conditions

Contemporary integrated circuits are designed and manufactured in a globalized environment leading to concerns of piracy, overproduction and counterfeiting. One class of techniques to combat these threats is circuit obfuscation which seeks to modify the gate-level (or structural) description of a circuit without affecting its functionality in order to increase the complexity and cost of reverse engineering. Most of the existing circuit obfuscation methods are based on the insertion of additional logic (called “key gates”) or camouflaging existing gates in order to make it difficult for a malicious user to get the complete layout information without extensive computations to determine key-gate values. However, when the netlist or the circuit layout, although camouflaged, is available to the attacker, he/she can use advanced logic analysis and circuit simulation tools and Boolean SAT solvers to reveal the unknown gate-level information without exhaustively trying all the input vectors, thus bringing down the complexity of reverse engineering. To counter this problem, some ‘provably secure’ logic encryption algorithms that emphasize methodical selection of camouflaged gates have been proposed previously in literature [1,2,3]. The contribution of this paper is the creation and simulation of a new layout obfuscation method that uses don't care conditions. We also present proof-of-concept of a new functional or logic obfuscation technique that not only conceals, but modifies the circuit functionality in addition to the gate-level description, and can be implemented automatically during the design process. Our layout obfuscation technique utilizes don’t care conditions (namely, Observability and Satisfiability Don’t Cares) inherent in the circuit to camouflage selected gates and modify sub-circuit functionality while meeting the overall circuit specification. Here, camouflaging or obfuscating a gate means replacing the candidate gate by a 4X1 Multiplexer which can be configured to perform all possible 2-input/ 1-output functions as proposed by Bao et al. [4]. It is important to emphasize that our approach not only obfuscates but alters sub-circuit level functionality in an attempt to make IP piracy difficult. The choice of gates to obfuscate determines the effort required to reverse engineer or brute force the design. As such, we propose a method of camouflaged gate selection based on the intersection of output logic cones. By choosing these candidate gates methodically, the complexity of reverse engineering can be made exponential, thus making it computationally very expensive to determine the true circuit functionality. We propose several heuristic algorithms to maximize the RE complexity based on don’t care based obfuscation and methodical gate selection. Thus, the goal of protecting the design IP from malicious end-users is achieved. It also makes it significantly harder for rogue elements in the supply chain to use, copy or replicate the same design with a different logic. We analyze the reverse engineering complexity by applying our obfuscation algorithm on ISCAS-85 benchmarks. Our experimental results indicate that significant reverse engineering complexity can be achieved at minimal design overhead (average area overhead for the proposed layout obfuscation methods is 5.51% and average delay overhead is about 7.732%). We discuss the strengths and limitations of our approach and suggest directions that may lead to improved logic encryption algorithms in the future. References: [1] R. Chakraborty and S. Bhunia, “HARPOON: An Obfuscation-Based SoC Design Methodology for Hardware Protection,” IEEE Transactions on Computer-Aided Design of Integrated Circuits and Systems, vol. 28, no. 10, pp. 1493–1502, 2009. [2] J. A. Roy, F. Koushanfar, and I. L. Markov, “EPIC: Ending Piracy of Integrated Circuits,” in 2008 Design, Automation and Test in Europe, 2008, pp. 1069–1074. [3] J. Rajendran, M. Sam, O. Sinanoglu, and R. Karri, “Security Analysis of Integrated Circuit Camouflaging,” ACM Conference on Computer Communications and Security, 2013. [4] Bao Liu, Wang, B., "Embedded reconfigurable logic for ASIC design obfuscation against supply chain attacks,"Design, Automation and Test in Europe Conference and Exhibition (DATE), 2014 , vol., no., pp.1,6, 24-28 March 2014

Willingness to Pay for Community-Based Healthcare Insurance Schemes in Developing Countries: A Case of Lahore, Pakistan

BACKGROUND: Healthcare costs and poverty are significant barriers to achieving universal access to healthcare. Thus, Community-Based Health Insurance Schemes (CBHIS) are regarded as an influential instrument for providing access to healthcare. For this purpose, this study was carried out in order to assess the community’s Willingness to Pay (WTP) for CBHIS and its determinants among the residents of Lahore City.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was adopted during the period of May 2018 to August 2018 to conduct a standardized questionnaire survey among targeted population of Lahore. A total of 250 households from lower, middle and upper-middle-class areas were approached randomly from which 200 participated in the survey, rendering a response rate of 90.9%. Sample size was determined by using single population proportion formula assuming 5% margin of error and 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Moreover, multiple regression analysis, Pearson’s correlation and t-test were employed to determine relationships between different variables affecting WTP.RESULTS: Sixty-four percent of the respondents were willing to pay for CBHIS. Among the remaining thirty-six% of unwilling the community, income level (p< 0.05, CI=0.34 to 1.11) and education level (p< 0.05, CI=0.52-1.37) were significant predictors of WTP. Moreover, strong positive relation (p<0.05) between people’s awareness and WTP for CBHIS was witnessed. The findings further suggested that the larger population of the willing community was not willing to pay more than 5000 Rs annually.CONCLUSION: Henceawareness level of the community regarding the benefits of CBHIS is a major hindrance. The key policy priority is to increase the community’s awareness regarding the benefits of CBHIS and to increase willingness to pay rate among public.&nbsp

Exploring the Socio-Economic Causes of Child Labour in Automobile Workshops in District Multan Punjab

Child labor is deeply rooted and extremely extensive in Pakistan. The problem of Child Labour in District Multan is quite high and abnormal. Various studies have shown that a large number of children in different age group has been employed in various shops, like Cycle repair workshop, Cars workshop, Motorbike workshop, Trucks workshop, mechanical and electrical workshop. Rickshaw workshop and other places. This study explores the socioeconomic determinants of child labour in automobile workshops. The key variables in the present study were child labour and poverty. The researcher used quantitative method for survey research. The current research was conducted in District Multan, Punjab. Therefore, child labourers were selected in the sampling frame equally. Snowball sampling technique was adopted. A total of 80 respondents were selected from different automobile workshops. The majority of the children were poor and they had no education or little education. Their parents had little education and were poorly paid jobs, unemployed or deceased. In this paper, the causes of child labour have been identified and measures to reduce this curse have been suggested

Polymorphic noncoding region of GNRH1 gene in male patients with impaired fertility

Impaired male fertility is a multifactorial pathological condition and genetic contribution is up to 20%. Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone 1 (GNRH1) is associated with maturation of spermatozoa. We aimed to study genetic sequence of GNRH1 gene in azoospermia males. We collected 50 clinically diagnosed infertile males after the informed consent. DNA was extracted and primers were designed to amplify the exonic and exon/intron boundaries of exon 1 and exon 2 region of GNRH1 gene. The amplicons were sequenced and analyzed using bioninformatic tools. We have identified sequence variations at c.1325-131del.A, c.1325+40 T>G, c.1325+34T>G, c.1325+124 Ins. A, c.1325+126 Ins. A, c.1325+181T>G, c.1325+264 Ins.G and c.1325+269 Ins. A positions. Human Splicing Finder predicted that c.1325-131del.A, c.1325+34T>G, c.1325+124 Ins. A, c.1325+264 Ins.G and c.1325+269 Ins. A have impact on the splicing while c.1325+40 T>G, c.1325+126 Ins. A and c.1325+181T>G have relation with the splicing. The c.1325+40 reported in literature as rs2709608 but has no association with the male infertility. The c.1325+181T>G We could not find other variations in the literature therefore suggested to be novel. Our study suggests that intronic region of GNRH1 gene a highly variable in Pakistani infertile male patients and suggests to explore its correlation with the disease on a large scale

TEAM-BASED LEARNING VS LECTURE-BASED LEARNING IN MEDICAL EDUCATION

Objective: The objective of the study is to determine better mode of learning for medical graduates by comparing team-based learning (TBL) and lecture-based learning methods. Study Design: Comparative analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Surgical Ward 25 of Endocrine and General surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, in April 2019. Methodology: This comparative study was based on the principles of TBL; the control program used the traditional lecture-based approach. Both programs were aimed at investigating the knowledge and performance of the two groups. Thirty surgical interns were included in this study. Two groups were made by random selection of surgical interns, 15 in TBL group and other 15 in traditional teaching group. TBL group (Group A) was given the topic of thyroid diseases for self-study followed by 1 h discussion amongst the group members. Lecture-based group (Group B) was given 1 h powerpoint presentation on similar topic. As the main outcome measures, questionnaire containing twenty best choice questions was given to both groups. Performance of the two groups was checked and results calculated as total, average, and standard deviation. Results: Group A participants’ total score (147) was higher than Group B (131) but the p-value was not found to be significant (0.144). Conclusion: Both forms of learning methods are effective and productive in medical education

Mandibular Third Molars and Lower Anterior Crowding: Comparison of Opinions of Oral-Maxillofacial Surgeons and Orthodontists

Objective: To compare the opinion of orthodontists and oral-maxillofacial surgeons on relation between erupting mandibular third molars and lower incisal crowding.Patients and Methods: This descriptive study involved 100 Pakistani clinicians (50 orthodontists, 50 oral-maxillofacial surgeons) to answer online questionnaire regarding their opinions on link between erupting Mandibular Third Molars along with their extraction opinion with reference to development and prevention of lower incisal crowding. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Pearson's chi-square test was applied and statistical significance was defined at <=0.05.Results: Statistically insignificant differences were found between oral-maxillofacial surgeons and orthodontists regarding question of erupting mandibular third molars in causing lower incisal crowding. Similarly, statistically insignificant differences between oral-maxillofacial surgeons and orthodontists were found regarding question of recommending preventive extraction of mandibular third molars for developing lower incisal crowding.Conclusion: No opinion differences were observed between Pakistani oral surgeons and orthodontists, regarding the link of lower third molar as a cause of lower incisal crowding

Histomorphological changes in gonads of Clupisoma naziri during spring and summer season

Present study was conducted to analyse the effect of breeding and non-breeding seasons on histomorphological changes in gonads of Clupisoma naziri. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and northern Punjab, Pakistan, 43 mature fish of both sexes were gathered from the Indus River and its tributaries. In the non-breeding season (spring), both testis and ovaries went through a preparatory phase, with thick tunica albuginea and fast spermatogenesis in testes and the formation of cortical alveoli or yolk vesicles in the cortex of the cytoplasm in ovaries. The testicular lobules were loaded with spermatozoa and some spermatogenic cells during breeding season (summer), while the ovaries were filled with mature ovarian follicles. The breeding season is marked by spermatozoa leaking freely from testes and ovaries brimming with completely mature eggs. The gonadosomatic (GSI) results are consistent with the histomorphological results of gonads, as their values peak during breeding season and drop during non-breeding season. C. naziri breeds once a year during the summer season, according to the current study, and this information will aid aqua breeders in the culturing of this commercially significant catfish in Pakistan

Development and optimization of virus neutralization test in chicken embryonated eggs for indirect identification of avian influenza and Newcastle disease virus

Avian viral problems have been consistently reported in commercial poultry of Pakistan causing heavy economic losses to the poultry farmers. Authentic idenfication and confirmation of the causative agent is always been question mark for the selection of vaccinal strain in this regard. Current study was therefore undertaken to optimize the virus neutralization test for the serological survey of vaccinated poultry particularly for avian influenza virus’s subtypes and Newcastle disease virus. Various physiochemical factors such as concentration of antigen and antibody, Incubation temperature and incubation period for in vitro and in-vivo reaction of antigen and antibody were optimized in chicken embryonated eggs. Serum samples were obtained from vaccinated breeder birds of five commercial poultry breeder companies and subjected for VNT using different concentration of three antigen and their respective homologous antibodies under optimized conditions. AIV H9 (EID50-1×109.0/ml) and NDV (EID50-1×108.2/ml) having biological titer of 10-7 /50ul  HA units were neutralize with 10-2/50ul HIU of antibody and incubated at 37°C for 30 minutes was injected subsequently into 10 day old chicken embryo followed by incubation at 37°C for 38 hours showed ≥90% neutralizing specificity. Furthermore, sera obtained from five AIV-H9, AIV-H5 and NDV exposed commercial poultry farms revealed that Big bird broiler, Big bird breeders and A&S chicks are 100% sensitive and specific whereas, Gateway chicks and Waqas poultry breeders showed 100% homology for AIV-H5 virus but do not confers similarity with prevailing AIV-H9 and NDV field strains. Therefore, high sensitivity, reproducibility and specificity VNT, it could be a tool for indirect detection of homology between vaccinal strain and wild virus antigen using known antisera. Particularly, for those organisms possess natural ability to mutate in the adverse climatic conditions. Keywords: Virus neutralization test, Avian Influenza Virus, Newcastle Disease Virus, Sensitivity, Specificit

In-vivo antiviral potential of crude extracts derived from Tribulus terrestris against newcastle disease virus

Viral problems have been in focused of the scientists due to their high metabolic rate, drug resistance and unique nature of pathological mechanism. The failure of novel synthetic allopathic antiviral drugs propels the scientists to investigate other sources of alternative antiviral agents. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and spectrophotometry were conducted by using standard methods of phytochemical analysis of bioactive components. The methanolic extracts of Tribulus terrestris showed higher phytochemical phenols followed by tannins, alkaloids, carotenoid, saponins quantified by spectrophotometer assay.  The current study was done to evaluate the in vivo antiviral potential of crude extracts of medicinal plant by means of NDV Haemagglutination (HA) titer in vivo vero cell line culture. Furthermore, different doses of crude extract such as 20µl/ml, 40µl/ml, 60µlml and 80µl/ml were interacted with Lasota strain of the NDV (EID50= 1×105, HAU= I05) in 90% saturated vero cell line with constant supply of CO2 at 37°C. It is evaluated that the prevention dose (80µl/ml) of Tribulus terrestris (Pre-treatment) against Newcastle disease virus on vero cell line (2.5±1.0) just before 24 hour of infection is declared as optimum effective time period to counter these agents as compared to Co-treatment (80ul/ml) (3.0±1.15) and Post treatment (80µl/ml) (3.50±1.00). It is suggested from the results of current study that T. terristris showed enormous anti Newcastle disease virus effect in vero cell line adapted virus particularly when used as preventive antiviral therapy at the dose rate not less than 80ul/ml just before onset of disease