Pakistani Sisyphean Heroes in Taufiq Rafat’s Foothold

The protagonist of Foothold, Saleem, wanders off into the wilderness to seek faith like Buddha. He does not give up his quest as he returns home to his family and friends, and learns that faith can be found and practised amongst his community. A close reading of the text proves that Saleem bears the qualities of a Sisyphean Hero as outlined by Albert Camus. Other characters have also been subjected to a similar scrutiny to prove whether they are Sisyphean Heroes or not. Furthermore, the close reading of Foothold renders an insight into the generation of the Sixties who experienced decolonization and felt like misfits in their own environment. Saleem is acutely affected by the process of decolonization and hence, he is deeply puzzled with the institutionalized religion in Pakistan. To shape the theoretical framework of this research, The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays, The Stranger, and A Happy Death have been used. As there is a dearth of criticism on Foothold therefore, the interpretations for this research have been derived from Camus’ works. This research will be beneficial to those researchers who wish to study the application of Camus’ works in a postcolonial setting. Moreover, the scope of this project extends to Sufism, Mysticism, and Imagism

THE INFLUENCE OF EXERCISE PROGRAMME ON BLOOD LIPID PROFILE OF OBESE SEDENTARY MALES

The present study was conducted in order to investigate the Influence of selected exercise programme on blood lipid profile of obese sedentary males. Since the purpose of the study was to analyse the changes that may occur due to selected exercise programme on blood lipid profile of obese persons, it was considered necessary to choose untrained individuals who were not the part of any game or sports team and were not engaged in any training or coaching programme. For this purpose, fat percentages of 200 undergraduate sedentary male students were measured. Students were selected from different colleges of Kashmir and their age ranged between 18-25 years, Out of 200 students, 25 obese (having 18% or more than 18% of fat) students were selected as the subjects of this study. Percentage of body fat was recorded at four sites of the body i.e. biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailliac and the total corresponding value of skin fold at four sites were referred to the help of conversion chart prepared by Durnin and Womersley. Blood samples were taken at rest before and after the training period. Lipid and lipoprotein measurements were done with enzymatic method on auto-analyser. From each subject 5 ml of blood samples were taken twice i.e. pre-test (before exercise programme) and post-test (after 8-weeks programme) respectively. Blood samples were drawn 48 hours after the last exercise bout an attempt to minimize the potential of acute exercise to mark the effect of training on the plasma lipids and lipoproteins. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins variables namely Triglycerides, Cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL and VLDL determined. The selected exercise programme for 8-weeks proved to be effective in significantly decreasing triglycerides, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein in post-test of obese males.  Article visualizations

Use of Corticosteroids in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that may affect many tissues and organs, but principally attacks the joints producing an inflammatory synovitis that often progresses to destruction of the articular cartilage and ankylosis of the joints. Aim was to evaluate the use of corticosteroids in rheumatoid arthritis. This was a retrospective study, which was carried out in different hospitals. Method; A total 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were studied. These patients either presented in clinics or hospital outdoor department of Jinnah hospital, Sir Ganga Ram hospital and Services hospital Lahore between the period of 12 June 2010 to 30 July 2010. Results; From the data collected it has been found that Corticosteroids have been widely used for suppressing pain and inflammation in RA. Conclusion; Corticosteroids can improve the symptoms of patients with rheumatic diseases. They may also have a disease-modifying effect in rheumatoid arthritis. Corticosteroids have a clear role in the management of rheumatic disease. Their toxicity requires that they are used only when necessary, at the lowest dose possible and for the shortest duration of time. Consideration should be paid to the measures that can be taken to limit toxicity

Benefits of knowledge-based interprofessional communication skills training in medical undergraduate education

OBJECTIVES: Good interprofessional communication is fundamental to effective teamworking in medicine. Finalmed is a private course that teaches the principles and methods of clinical presenting as an iterative technique of reasoning though clinical data. We have tested the efficacy of this technique using a questionnaire-based study. DESIGN: An anonymized 10-point Likert scale questionnaire was designed. SETTING: Questionnaires were distributed at five UK courses and two UAE courses. PARTICIPANTS: Questionnaires were given to all students attending these courses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The questionnaire included pre- and post-course questions addressing self-reported confidence in clinical presenting (CCP) and effectiveness in clinical presenting (ECP). We also asked whether attendees felt that clinical presenting should be integrated formally into medical school curricula. RESULTS: A total of 331/395 questionnaires were returned. Median improvement in CCP was 50% (P < 0.0001) and in ECP was 40% (P < 0.0001), irrespective of country of study, graduate entry status and whether the student felt that they had been exposed to these techniques previously. Students recorded a strong opinion in favour of integrating the content and style of the Finalmed course into their medical school curriculum, with 286 students (86%) recording a score of ≥8. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that after a two- or three-day dedicated course, both self-reported confidence and effectiveness in clinical presenting significantly improve. Furthermore, students in the UK and the UAE returned a desire for integration into medical school curricula of IPC through the teaching of clinical presenting

Hidden magnetic excitation in the pseudogap phase of a model cuprate superconductor

The elucidation of the pseudogap phenomenon of the cuprates, a set of anomalous physical properties below the characteristic temperature T* and above the superconducting transition temperature Tc, has been a major challenge in condensed matter physics for the past two decades. Following initial indications of broken time-reversal symmetry in photoemission experiments, recent polarized neutron diffraction work demonstrated the universal existence of an unusual magnetic order below T*. These findings have the profound implication that the pseudogap regime constitutes a genuine new phase of matter rather than a mere crossover phenomenon. They are furthermore consistent with a particular type of order involving circulating orbital currents, and with the notion that the phase diagram is controlled by a quantum critical point. Here we report inelastic neutron scattering results for HgBa2CuO4+x (Hg1201) that reveal a fundamental collective magnetic mode associated with the unusual order, and that further support this picture. The mode's intensity rises below the same temperature T* and its dispersion is weak, as expected for an Ising-like order parameter. Its energy of 52-56 meV and its enormous integrated spectral weight render it a new candidate for the hitherto unexplained ubiquitous electron-boson coupling features observed in spectroscopic studies.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, with supplementary information and figure

Properties of Graphene: A Theoretical Perspective

In this review, we provide an in-depth description of the physics of monolayer and bilayer graphene from a theorist's perspective. We discuss the physical properties of graphene in an external magnetic field, reflecting the chiral nature of the quasiparticles near the Dirac point with a Landau level at zero energy. We address the unique integer quantum Hall effects, the role of electron correlations, and the recent observation of the fractional quantum Hall effect in the monolayer graphene. The quantum Hall effect in bilayer graphene is fundamentally different from that of a monolayer, reflecting the unique band structure of this system. The theory of transport in the absence of an external magnetic field is discussed in detail, along with the role of disorder studied in various theoretical models. We highlight the differences and similarities between monolayer and bilayer graphene, and focus on thermodynamic properties such as the compressibility, the plasmon spectra, the weak localization correction, quantum Hall effect, and optical properties. Confinement of electrons in graphene is nontrivial due to Klein tunneling. We review various theoretical and experimental studies of quantum confined structures made from graphene. The band structure of graphene nanoribbons and the role of the sublattice symmetry, edge geometry and the size of the nanoribbon on the electronic and magnetic properties are very active areas of research, and a detailed review of these topics is presented. Also, the effects of substrate interactions, adsorbed atoms, lattice defects and doping on the band structure of finite-sized graphene systems are discussed. We also include a brief description of graphane -- gapped material obtained from graphene by attaching hydrogen atoms to each carbon atom in the lattice.Comment: 189 pages. submitted in Advances in Physic

Does the timed up and go test predict future falls among British community-dwelling older people? Prospective cohort study nested within a randomised controlled trial

Background Falling is common among older people. The Timed-Up-and-Go Test (TUG) is recommended as a screening tool for falls but its predictive value has been challenged. The objectives of this study were to examine the ability of TUG to predict future falls and to estimate the optimal cut-off point to identify those with higher risk for future falls. Methods This is a prospective cohort study nested within a randomised controlled trial including 259 British community-dwelling older people ≥65 years undergoing usual care. TUG was measured at baseline. Prospective diaries captured falls over 24 weeks. A Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis determined the optimal cut-off point to classify future falls risk with sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of TUG times. Logistic regression models examined future falls risk by TUG time. Results Sixty participants (23%) fell during the 24 weeks. The area under the curve was 0.58 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.49-0.67, p = 0.06), suggesting limited predictive value. The optimal cut-off point was 12.6 seconds and the corresponding sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 30.5%, 89.5%, 46.2%, and 81.4%. Logistic regression models showed each second increase in TUG time (adjusted for age, gender, comorbidities, medications and past history of two falls) was significantly associated with future falls (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.00-1.19, p = 0.05). A TUG time ≥12.6 seconds (adjusted OR = 3.94, 95% CI = 1.69-9.21, p = 0.002) was significantly associated with future falls, after the same adjustments. Conclusions TUG times were significantly and independently associated with future falls. The ability of TUG to predict future falls was limited but with high specificity and negative predictive value. TUG may be most useful in ruling in those with a high risk of falling rather than as a primary measure in the ascertainment of risk

Sponge spicules as blueprints for the biofabrication of inorganic–organic composites and biomaterials

While most forms of multicellular life have developed a calcium-based skeleton, a few specialized organisms complement their body plan with silica. However, of all recent animals, only sponges (phylum Porifera) are able to polymerize silica enzymatically mediated in order to generate massive siliceous skeletal elements (spicules) during a unique reaction, at ambient temperature and pressure. During this biomineralization process (i.e., biosilicification) hydrated, amorphous silica is deposited within highly specialized sponge cells, ultimately resulting in structures that range in size from micrometers to meters. Spicules lend structural stability to the sponge body, deter predators, and transmit light similar to optic fibers. This peculiar phenomenon has been comprehensively studied in recent years and in several approaches, the molecular background was explored to create tools that might be employed for novel bioinspired biotechnological and biomedical applications. Thus, it was discovered that spiculogenesis is mediated by the enzyme silicatein and starts intracellularly. The resulting silica nanoparticles fuse and subsequently form concentric lamellar layers around a central protein filament, consisting of silicatein and the scaffold protein silintaphin-1. Once the growing spicule is extruded into the extracellular space, it obtains final size and shape. Again, this process is mediated by silicatein and silintaphin-1, in combination with other molecules such as galectin and collagen. The molecular toolbox generated so far allows the fabrication of novel micro- and nanostructured composites, contributing to the economical and sustainable synthesis of biomaterials with unique characteristics. In this context, first bioinspired approaches implement recombinant silicatein and silintaphin-1 for applications in the field of biomedicine (biosilica-mediated regeneration of tooth and bone defects) or micro-optics (in vitro synthesis of light waveguides) with promising results

Knowledge and Awareness about Cervical Cancer and Its Prevention amongst Interns and Nursing Staff in Tertiary Care Hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality amongst the gynecological cancers worldwide, especially in developing countries. It is imperative for at least health professionals in developing countries like Pakistan to have a sound knowledge about the disease. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and its prevention amongst health professionals in tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan.A cross-sectional, interview based survey was conducted in June, 2009. Sample of 400 was divided between the three tertiary care centers. Convenience sampling was applied as no definitive data was available regarding the number of registered interns and nurses at each center.Of all the interviews conducted, 1.8% did not know cervical cancer as a disease. Only 23.3% of the respondents were aware that cervical cancer is the most common cause of gynecological cancers and 26% knew it is second in rank in mortality. Seventy-eight percent were aware that infection is the most common cause of cervical cancer, of these 62% said that virus is the cause and 61% of the respondents knew that the virus is Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Majority recognized that it is sexually transmitted but only a minority (41%) knew that it can be detected by PCR. Only 26% of the study population was aware of one or more risk factors. Thirty seven percent recognized Pap smear as a screening test. In total only 37 out of 400 respondents were aware of the HPV vaccine.This study serves to highlight that the majority of working health professionals are not adequately equipped with knowledge concerning cervical cancer. Continuing Medical Education program should be started at the hospital level along with conferences to spread knowledge about this disease