Assessing feedback practices in classroom assessment at federal government educational institutions of Lahore, Pakistan

This study aimed at investigating current feedback practices in classroom assessment. A sample of 300 participants including 150 teachers and 150 students each was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Under the positivist paradigm, a survey method was deployed to conduct the research. In this study, a self-developed questionnaire comprising 20 items was used for data collection from the participants. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS (24.0). Frequencies and percentages were calculated in descriptive stats, whereas an independent sample t-test was used to verify research hypotheses. The study explored that class tests, class exercises, homework, and trial work during lessons were the most commonly used assessment tools whereas essay-type questions, and multiple-type questions were the most commonly used assessment formats. Moreover, it was found that delayed marking and returning of assessment tasks, less or no motivation for better performance, and lack of contact with parents were the major issues in feedback on classroom assessment at Federal Government Educational Institutions (FGEIs). The study recommended that the workload of teachers should be reduced so that they may have sufficient time to design and evaluate assessment tasks. Professional training on assessment on regular basis may be arranged for the faculty. A comprehensive plan of classroom assessment may be proposed by school principals along with a defined syllabus and be timely communicated the same to all stakeholders. An effective mechanism of monitoring to assess classroom assessment feedback practices may also be established

DETERMINATION OF 10-GINGEROL IN INDIAN GINGER BY VALIDATED HPTLC METHOD OF SAMPLES COLLECTED ACROSS SUBCONTINENT OF INDIA

Objective: A simple, sensitive, precise, and accurate stability indicating HPTLC (high-performance thin-layer chromatography) method for analysis of 10-gingerol in ginger has been developed and validated as perICH guidelines.Methods: The separation was achieved on TLC (thin layer chromatography) aluminum plates pre-coated with silica gel 60F254 using n-hexane: ethyl acetate 55:45 (%, v/v) as a mobile phase. Densitometric analysis was performed at 569 nm.Results: This system was found to have a compact spot of 10-gingerol at RF value of 0.57±0.03. For the proposed procedure, linearity (r2 = 0.998±0.02), limit of detection (18ng/spot), limit of quantification (42 ng/spot), recovery (ranging from 98.35%–100.68%), were found to be satisfactory.Conclusion: Statistical analysis reveals that the content of 10-gingerol in different geographical region varied significantly. The highest and lowest concentration of 10-gingerol in ginger was found to be present in a sample of Patna, Lucknow and Surat respectively which inferred that the variety of ginger found in Patna, Lucknow are much superior to other regions of India

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated engineering of Escherichia coli for n-butanol production from xylose in defined medium.

Abstract Butanol production from agricultural residues is the most promising alternative for fossil fuels. To reach the economic viability of biobutanol production, both glucose and xylose should be utilized and converted into butanol. Here, we engineered a dual-operon-based synthetic pathway in the genome of E. coli MG1655 to produce n-butanol using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Further deletion of competing pathway followed by fed-batch cultivation of the engineered strain in a bioreactor with glucose-containing complex medium yielded 5.4 g/L n-butanol along with pyruvate as major co-product, indicating a redox imbalance. To ferment xylose into butanol in redox-balanced manner, we selected SSK42, an ethanologenic E. coli strain engineered and evolved in our laboratory to produce ethanol from xylose, for integrating synthetic butanol cassette in its genome via CRISPR/Cas9 after deleting the gene responsible for endogenous ethanol production. The engineered plasmid- and marker-free strain, ASA02, produced 4.32 g/L butanol in fed-batch fermentation in completely defined AM1–xylose medium

An overview of artificial nutrition in apiculture

Artificial nutrition in apiculture is a long-term subject of discussion and investigation. The maintenance and boosting of bee colonies in apiculture depends on synthetic food around the globe to overcome the suppressing factors, including dearth periods. The information on types of food components and their combinations used is haphazard and hardly helpful in determining the advancements in the artificial feeding of bees. This study aimed to extract the available information on artificial feeding on honeybees and arrange it most scientifically. The information in the form of research or review articles available on every platform, viz., soft portals, printed journals, books and scientific proceedings, were collected and analyzed to produce a comprehensive and informative review article on the artificial nutrients in apiculture. Compilation of the available information revealed that artificial feeding of bees depends on food components and their combinations. Based on this, it can be suggested that nectar and pollen are basic foods of honey bees, and based on this, the food components were further categorized as nectar supplements and pollen supplements. These supplements were fed to bees as natural nutrients and food components. The natural nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, yeasts, antibiotics, amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants, etc. Meanwhile, under natural food components, cereal grains, pulses, beans, fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, spices, condiments, and some non-traditional/ miscellaneous kinds of stuff have been included in the bee diets. On the other hand, many diet categories have been prepared using the abovementioned nutrients and food components in various forms and proportions. In general, the pollen and nectar, the main food of bees, have been supplemented under different diet combinations. These diet combinations used pollen and nectar substitutes or combined with other nutrition, drugs, antibiotics, etc. The present investigation provides an updated overview of the food categories and their combinations used in the artificial feeding of bees to date. These findings can help explore new food items and their effective diet combinations

Systematic Risk Factors and Stock Return Volatility

This study analyzes the transmission of systematic risk exhaling from macroeconomic fundamentals to volatility of stock market by using auto regressive generalized auto regressive conditional heteroskedastic (AR-GARCH) and vector auto regressive (VAR) models. Systematic risk factors used in this study are industrial production, real interest rate, inflation, money supply and exchange rate from 2000-2014. Results indicate that there exists relationship among the volatility of macroeconomic factors and that of stock returns in Pakistan. The relationship among the volatility of macroeconomic variables and that of stock returns is bidirectional; both affect each other in different dynamics

GENETIC DIVERSITY IN ACCESSIONS OF INDIAN TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA L.) USING RAPD MARKERS

Objective: The present investigation was undertaken for identification and assessment of eight accessions of Curcuma longa collected from all ecological zones in India by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers.Methods: DNA was isolated using modified cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed according to the method based on Williams et al. and data analysis was done using Alpha Imager EC software.Results: Eleven out of twenty primers screened were informative and produced 150 amplification products among which 132 products (88%) were found to be polymorphic. The percentage polymorphism of all 08 accessions ranged from 44.44% to 100%. A total of 150 amplification products were scored with an average frequency of 13.63 bands per primer. Most of the RAPD markers studied showed a different level of genetic polymorphism. The data of 150 RAPD bands were used to generate Jaccard's similarity coefficients and to construct a dendrogram by means of UPGMA.Conclusion: Results shows that C. longa undergoes genetic variation due to a wide range of ecological conditions within distribution area of its population in India. This investigation as an understanding of the level and partitioning of genetic variation within the accessions and would provide an important input into determining efficient management strategies and will help to breeders for turmeric improvement program

Leiomyoma of the Round Ligament of the Uterus : Case report and review of literature

Smooth muscle tumours of the round ligament of the uterus are rare and can mimic an inguinal hernia. Preoperative diagnosis can be established by a computed tomography scan of the abdomen or an exploration of the inguinal canal. Surgical excision is the curative treatment

Exploring the challenges in classroom assessment: A mixed-method study of secondary schools in Pakistan

In the process of classroom assessment, data is collected regarding the skills, understanding and knowledge of students. It has very important role in enhancing academic achievement of students. Present study was designed at exploring the challenges of classroom assessment. The sample of study contained a sample of 360 participants and a concurrent mixed-method design was deployed to conduct the research. Data collection was carried out using researchers’ self-developed questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using statistical software of SPSS version 24.0 for descriptive and inferential stats. For collection and analyses of qualitative data, classroom observation and semi-structured interviews were also conducted. The study explored those major challenges included lack of interest of both, the parents and the students; insufficient guidance on the assessment by school administration; and less or no provision of professional training in assessment to the teachers. It was recommended that the school administration should take appropriate steps for the involvement of all stakeholders. Extensive professional training should be provided to all the teachers on regular basis by the concerned departments

Impact of Oppressors on Truthfulness: A Case Study on University of Karachi – Students (Under-Graduate & Graduate)

Under this truth model and research study, the truth is defined as a central fold, which is communicated of its surroundings. Truth is always there available to every person for being revealed but each type of personality is distracted, distressed, dominated or oppressed with an oppressor who is a hurdle in prevalence of truth to each personality. It might be a voice, noise, a physical barrier or distortion etc..The communication type between each and every elements of the model is extra personal in nature. The truth to any one type whether, through direct or indirect interaction. Therefore, the model responds for two-way communication process where, each entity or element act as sender and as well as receiver in the same discipline.The model and research study will further help in finding the core hypothesis i.e. to calculate when the ability of truthfulness in under-graduate, post-graduate and graduate standard students come into existence when dealing with various oppressive conditions and policies i.e. being unaware with the truth, and reacted when dealt with the situation of known about the truth, furthermore; what sources are acquired for prevalence of truth. Secondly, the inheritance element in the process of discovering truth from ancestral roots and the frequency of parent child interaction in investigating of disturbing conditions and matter. How both the ends respond i.e. positively or negatively? The truth model will also be assisting in understanding the scenarios of untruthfulness (social interaction) when opposite reactions insist students to act differently to prescribed criteria and standards. Various studies show that untruthfulness occur due to in hunger and starvation. Further, truthfulness is the adverse situation in anger or aggression (need to be checked). Some other factors such as social disorder, neglected by superior authorities (teachers or maestros) also result in provoking truthfulness in the students. The model will be quite helpful in checking of such disorders of truthfulness. Keywords: Two-way Communication process, Disorders of truthfulness, Hunger and Starvation DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-6-14 Publication date:March 31st 201