Evaluating the Effects of MINDSTRONG™ in Graduate Nursing Students

Abstract Problem A high rate of burnout and lack of resiliency is a major problem in nursing graduate students resulting in dropout and mental health issues. MINDSTRONG™ is an evidence-based cognitive behavioral skills-building program with the goal of building resiliency and decreasing burnout through coping skills to improve overall adult health and well-being. Methods A descriptive design using quantitative data analysis through pre, and post surveys was used. The surveys evaluated graduate nursing students’ burnout and resiliency after participating in MINDSTRONG™, a cognitive behavioral theory program, implemented by trained facilitators for seven sessions. The sample consisted of all six self-enrolled graduate nursing students recruited through university emails in a mid-sized public university located in Midwest. Results: Participants receiving MINDSTRONG™ cognitive-based interventions reported slightly less burnout and minimal resiliency improvement. Implications for Practice:  The MINDSTRONG™ program can be used as a preventive and early intervention for improving mental health outcomes and lifestyle behaviors in graduate students if required as a credit-based class

“He [grandfather] could have been killed by an Indian… kinda ruffles my feathers a lil bit”: British-born Pakistanis’ and British-born Indians’ social representations of their polyphasic inter and intra group relations in a focus group setting

It has been 70 years since the controversial and blood-filled Partition which formed Pakistan and divided India. This research aimed to explore how this period of history translates for British-born Pakistanis and British-born Indians representations of themselves, one-another and their intergroup relation in 21st Century Britain

Determination of Credit Programme Participation and Socioeconomic Characteristics of Beneficiaries:Evidence from Sargodha

In Pakistan about 65 percent population live in rural areas. The rural credit markets are segmented and imperfect. Micro -credit is considered as a valuable technique to deal with imperfections of credit markets. In this study, we analysed rural credit market of District Sargodha, Pakistan to study the socio economic characteristics of the beneficiaries and identify the determinants of participation in credit programme in the year 2004-2005. To analyse characteristic the descriptive analysis was used. For identifying the factors affecting household access to credit and participation in programme, a binary Logistic regression model was employed. Results of both analyses showed that at household level, participation in credit programme was significantly related to household characteristics, where participants were indifferent to increase in rate of interest. More than 80 percent loan came from informal sector but the probability of participation significantly increased if there existed any formal financial institution.

Accuracy of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography in Detection of Esophageal Varices in Chronic Liver Disease

Background: Patients with chronic liver disease should undergo screening endoscopy, but this approach places a heavy burden upon endoscopy units along with other limitations. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of multi-detector computed tomography scan in detecting esophageal varices taking endoscopy as gold standard.Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was done from 1st Jan 2018 to 31st Dec 2018 at Department of Radiology, PIMS Hospital Islamabad. A total of 180 patients of both gender with chronic liver disease for at least 12 months were included in this study with an age range of 25-65 years. Patients with active gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hypersensitivity to iodinated contrast agent, chronic renal failure, claustrophobic and pregnant females were excluded. All the patients underwent endoscopy and computed tomography of lower chest and the upper abdomen before and after intravenous contrast administration. Multi detector computed tomography (MDCT) scan findings for esophageal varices were compared with endoscopy findings.Results: In MDCT positive patients (n=102), 98 were true positive and 04 were false positive. Among 78 MDCT negative patients, 07 were false negative, whereas 71 were true negative. Overall sensitivity and specificity were 93.33%, and 94.67% respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 96.08% and 91.03% respectively, while diagnostic accuracy of MDCT in detecting esophageal varices in chronic liver disease patients was 93.89%, taking endoscopy as gold standard.Conclusions: Multi-detector computed tomography scan is a highly sensitive and accurate non-invasive modality for detecting esophageal varices in chronic liver disease patients.Key words: Accuracy, Chronic liver disease, Esophageal varices, Multi-detector computed tomograph

Relationship Between Violence, Empathy and Aggression

One of the basic purpose of this study is to determine gender differences and relationship of violence with that of empathy and aggression. The total sample of the study contained sixty-four (N=64) University students with the age range on 20-25 years. The sample included thirty-two (n=32) male and thirty-two (n=32) female students of University of Peshawar. The results revealed the significant difference on violence between male and female university students males scored significantly higher on violence scale as compared to females. A negligible negative correlation was found between violence and empathy. It was concluded from the finding of the present study that males are more violent than females but there is no significant relation between violence, empathy and aggression

An Empirical Analysis of the Linder

This paper presents empirical evidence in support of the Linder theory of international trade for three of the South Asian countries, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. This finding implies that these countries trade more intensively with countries of other regions, which may have similar per capita income levels, as predicted by Linder in his hypothesis. The contribution of this research is threefold: first, there is new information on the Linder hypothesis by focusing on South Asian countries; second, this is one of very few analyses to capture both time-series and cross-section elements of the trade relationship by employing a panel data set; third, the empirical methodology used in this analysis corrects a major shortcoming in the existing literature by using a censored dependent variable in estimation.

Challenges of Islamic Education in the Changing World

Islamic education, deeply rooted in the teachings of Islam, has evolved over centuries to cater to the spiritual, moral, intellectual, and societal needs of Muslims. This article explores the historical foundations of Islamic education, its core objectives, and the challenges it faces in the modern era. The challenges include striking a balance between tradition and modernization, addressing gender equity, promoting critical thinking, countering extremism, and integrating technology. The recommendations presented emphasize curricular reform, teacher training, quality assurance, and the incorporation of critical thinking and digital integration. The conclusion underscores the dynamic nature of Islamic education, emphasizing its role in shaping well-rounded individuals who are rooted in their faith while navigating contemporary realities. The continued collaboration among educators, scholars, and community leaders is essential to ensure that Islamic education remains a transformative force for future generations of Muslims. Keywords: Islamic education, Muslim communities, Challenge

Self-Assessment of Students’ Anxiety during High Stake Laboratory Work Examinations

The present study intends to explore the level of practical examination anxietyamong secondary and higher secondary school students and its causes andremedies. A self-developed Perceived Science Practical Anxiety Scale (PSPAS)was used to collect quantitative data from 900 science students of two districts of central Punjab: Sargodha and Faisalabad. Moreover, 50 students were interviewed to explore their perceptions of the causes of science practical examination anxiety and the remedies to reduce it. All students had recently taken science practical examination and therefore had first-hand vivid experience of science practical examination anxiety. The analysis of responses in the questionnaire revealed that on an average more than half (61.50 %) of the students experienced anxiety during practical examination. Fourteen sources of anxiety during practical examination were ranked and synthesis of qualitative data from interviews recorded five categories of anxiety causes: shortage and unavailability of the materials, lack of practice, harsh behaviour of laboratory personnel, over loaded syllabus and lack of guidance. The students’ opinion regarding reducing anxiety was synthesized into four themes: relaxation during practical examination, individual level preparation, completion of practical syllabus well before time and training of laboratory personnel. The findings of the study may be beneficial for teachers, school mangers and policy makers and those who are responsible for the preparation and execution of examination policies, to reduce anxiety among students.Keywords: high stake examinations, higher secondary schools, laboratory work examinations, self-assessment, student anxiet

Synovial sarcoma of cervicodorsal spine: A case report

Synovial sarcoma is a soft-tissue sarcoma. Its involvement of the spine is extremely rare. We report a 40 year old male who presented with shoulder pain and progressive weakness in all four limbs for six months with a visible, slowly growing bulge in his upper back. On examination he had quadriparesis and diffuse sensory deficit. MRI of the cervical spine showed a large soft tissue mass, iso to hypointense, extending into the neural canal, compressing the cord. The mass had a few internal areas of contrast enhancement with extension into the right paraspinal regions involving the vertebral bodies. Sub-periosteal spine dissection was done. Tumour was primarily extradural, involving and extending from paraspinal soft tissues to the posterior arches, laminae and spinous processes of the verteberae, with their destruction. Gross radical removal of the visible mass was done, followed by three cycles of radiation therapy. Excisional biopsy showed synovial sarcoma TYPE II. In conclusion, synovial sarcomas should be kept in the differentials of a mass arising in spinal axis