Qualitative Research in Applied Linguistics: A Practical Introduction, edited by Juanita Heigham and Robert Croker

This review makes a point in favor of the assertion made for the book that it is a practical introduction to the qualitative research in applied linguistics. The book consists of four parts: an overview of qualitative research, qualitative research methods, qualitative data collection methods, ethical practice issues and the writing of research reports. After proving a rich introduction to the qualitative research, the book discusses qualitative research approaches using a reader-friendly and interactive structure: pre-reading and post-reading questions along with the list of further readings. Then the data collection tools have been thoroughly discussed. What makes this book more useful is the use of illustrative examples for each qualitative research approach and data collection tool. The last part discusses core issues of ethics and drafting a research report. From the perspective of a novice researcher, it has achieved the goal of educating readers about qualitative research methods and data collection tools, as it gradually tracks the reader and provides them with a linking concept for a better understanding. However, reference to one study for both ethnography and case study remains a confusing point. Besides, the review suggests addition of some images to make reading of the book more interesting, especially for visual learners. Besides, a diagram should be given at the end of research methods chapters to outline the steps taken by researchers to do their studies

Inhibitory effect of Polyram DF and Capsicum annum on leaf spot of rose caused by Curvularia lunata in vitro and in planta

Rose plants are affected by several diseases caused by fungi, nematode, bacteria, viruses, and other pests. Among all of these, Curvularia lunata causes significant losses to Roses. Present study was focused on In-vitro and In-vivo management of the “Curvularia leaf spot of Rose” caused by Curvularia lunata by using different fungicides and phyto-extracts. Diseased samples were collected from floriculture area of University of Agriculture, Faisalabad for isolation of pathogen. Five fungicides i.e., Cabrio-Top, Curzate-M, Aliette, Polyram-DF and Recado @ (50ppm, 100ppm and 150ppm) and five plant extracts i.e., Allium cepa, Capsicum annuum, Aloe vera, Menthaand Calotropis gigantean with three concentrations @ (5%, 10% and 15%) were evaluated under lab conditions through poisoned food technique by using Complete Randomized Design (CRD), where C. annuum gave best results (9.129mm) followed by Calotropis gigantea (13.003mm), and Polyram-DF was effective (2.218mm) followed by Curzate-M (6.542mm). Best performing fungicides and plant-extracts were subjected to In-vivo management trials. Under green-house conditions, combination of Capsicum annuum + Calotropis gigantean and Polyram-DF + Curzate-M were shown least disease incidence (14.517 and 3.224%). LSD was used for comparing variations between treatments at 5% probability. The results of these experiments were to aid in the evaluation of fungicides and Phyto-extracts, which are the most effective chemicals and phyto-extracts against leaf Spot disease of Rose

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Is population Explosion a threat to Pakistan’s Economic Development?

Purpose: Population growth and its impact on economic development have been a subject of major concern among demographers, economists, and social scientists. Some believe that rapid population growth is a significant problem, while others consider it just a hoax. Previous studies have discovered the negative as well as the positive and profound impact of rapid population growth on economic development. The present study analyses population growth and its impact on economic development in the context of Pakistan. Design/Methodology/Approach: A Descriptive Methodology is found suitable to analyze the population growth and its impact on economic development in the context of Pakistan. In this regard, 50 articles from google scholar and statistical reports from World Bank are studied. The data is taken from World Bank Indicators and presented in the form of charts. Findings: It is found that poor family planning, high fertility, low status of women in society, and illiteracy are the main contributors to rapid population growth in Pakistan. The study concludes that rapid population growth in Pakistan contributes to higher unemployment, lower per-capita income, and depletion of natural resources. Implications/Originality/Value: It further recommends that rapid population growth can be addressed by educating the women, contraceptive-use campaigns or community-based programs, and investing in family planning programs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp

Mediacyjna rola zrównoważonego przywództwa w relacji: kupiec-sprzedawca w łańcuchu dostaw - badanie empiryczne

The field of the supply chain have narrowly focused upon the development of effecting buyer-supplier relationship to support social sustainability. Previously studies have analyzed the relationship between responsible leadership and environmental performance. This paper aims to test the impact of supplier relationship management on social performance under the moderating influence of sustainable leadership. Methods: The purpose of this study is to examine the moderation role of sustainable leadership between buyer-supplier relationships and social performance improvements. Empirical data is collected from 224 respondents from different manufacturers. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) has been used for hypotheses testing. Results: The findings indicate that those four aspects of sustainable leadership- go beyond self-interest, talk enthusiastically, focuses on coaching and teaching, and see novel ideas on sustainability issues individually enhance the firm social performance. Conclusions: This study provides a starting point for understanding the sustainable leader's role and its impact on social performance outcomes. The study has some potential implications for the implementation of sustainability-related practices that need to be acknowledged. First, the findings enrich understanding of how sustainable leader (SL) affects the inter-firm relationship. Second, the research also gives a practical explanation that inter-firm relationships are contingent rather than pervasive. Thus, managers are advised to continuously explore best approaches that improve managers’ behavioral skills and adopt best practices to enhance sustainability performance.Obszar łańcucha dostaw skupił się na rozwoju efektywnej relacji sprzedający-kupujący, co umożliwia lepsze rozwój zbalansowany w obszarze socjalnym. Poprzednie badania skupiały się na analizie zależności pomiędzy odpowiedzialnym przywództwem a wpływem na środowisko. Celem pracy jest przetestowanie wpływu zarządzania relacjami z dostawcami na rozwój zbalansowany w obszarze socjalnym przy umiarowym wpływie zrównoważonego przywództwa. Metody: Celem pracy jest określenie roli moderatora zrównoważonego przywództwa pomiędzy relacjami sprzedający-kupujący oraz poprawą postępowania w obszarze socjalnym. Dane empiryczne zostały zebrane wśród 224 osób z różnych przedsiębiorstw. Do testowania hipotez zastosowania modelowanie równań strukturalnych PLS-SEM (partrial least squares). Wyniki: Uzyskane wyniki wskazują, że cztery aspekty zrównoważonego przywództwa wspomagają postępowania w obszarze socjalnym, a mianowicie: wychodzenie poza dbałość tylko o własne interesy, entuzjazm w podejściu do innych, skupienie się na coachingu i instruktażu oraz zauważanie nowych idei w obszarze zrównoważonego rozwoju. Wnioski: Praca dostarcza początkowych danych do zrozumienia roli przywództwa zrównoważonego i jego wpływ na socjalną strefę działalności. Zaprezentowano potencjalne implikacje wdrożenia w praktyce rozwoju zrównoważone, które jej wymagają dodatkowej analizy. Po pierwsze, praca zwiększa wiedzę jak zrównoważone przywództwa wpływa na relacje w obrębie firmy. Po drugie, daje praktyczne wyjaśnienie, że relacje w obrębie firmy są raczej zależne aniżeli o charakterze dominującym. Dlatego też zaleceniem dla kierownictwa jest ciągłe poznawanie i zwiększanie umiejętności miękkich oraz zaadaptowanie najlepszych praktyk dla dalszego rozwoju zrównoważonego

Frequency and risk factors of cigarette smoking among male medical students of Bacha Khan Medical College, Mardan

Tobacco consumption is a major global health issue that contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over five million deaths occur each year due to tobacco use, projected to rise to 8 million by 2030. Furthermore, current research reveals that 47% of males and 12% of females worldwide smoke. Of particular concern is cigarette and tobacco use among medical students, given their role in crafting public health policy and guiding society's tobacco prevention measures. Studies show that smoking rates among medical students in developing countries are between 16-21%, with multi-country surveys in countries like Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh indicating rates between 6.7% and 17.8%. For example, a study conducted on medical students in Damascus University Faculty of Medicine revealed a 10.9% prevalence of cigarette smoking, 23.5% for water pipe, and 7.3% for both, with higher rates reported among final-year students. Likewise, a study of Rawalpindi Medical College students found that 24% had smoked at least once, with greater prevalence among hostellites rather than day scholar students.

Appraisal of Urban Heat Island over Gujranwala and its Environmental Impact Assessment using Satellite Imagery (1995-2016).

oai:ojs2.journal.50sea.com:article/4Rapid urbanization and concretization are the main sources of formation and existence of Urban Heat Island (UHI). Due to high concentration of pollutants in urban environments, the residents are exposed to unexpected health issues. This study aims at delineating the temporal variations in the spatial extent of UHI over Gujranwala using Landsat thermal imagery. It also aims at determining the variations in pollutant concentration in the atmosphere due to vehicle’s tailpipe emissions and fossil fuel burning by industrial plants. We used various indices e.g., NDVI, NDBI, NDWI and land surface temperature calculations to investigate spatiotemporal variations in urban growth patterns and their impacts on the UHI. The results show that the UHI enlarged in all direction specially in the north west during the study period which is similar to urban growth trends. There also exist positive correlation between industrial and vehicle’s discharge with pollutant’s concentration in atmosphere. Remote sensing tools proved elegant in trend mapping and analysis. Full Tex

Stairs to success : Cyrus Hamlin

Ankara : İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent Üniversitesi İktisadi, İdari ve Sosyal Bilimler Fakültesi, Tarih Bölümü, 2017.This work is a student project of the The Department of History, Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences, İhsan Doğramacı Bilkent University.by Feyzullahoğlu, Burcu