An Analysis of Preposition (Idiomatic Phrases, Prepositional Phrases and Zero Prepositions) Detection Errors in the Writing of Graduate ESL Learners of Pakistan

In this paper we describe a methodology for detecting preposition errors in the writing of ESL graduate learners To investigate the nature of errors in the writing skill problems of graduate learners two fifty graduate male and female learners randomly selected from four colleges and one university were asked to complete two writing skill tasks Fifth word deletion and open composition test The study is related to the research question Why ESL graduate learners commit errors in their writing skills a Prepositions phrasal verbs and idiomatic phrases It is detected that preposition overuse and preposition omission are the common problems for ESL Besides students deem prepositions quite tricky to use in their writing So the findings show the wrong use of prepositions specifically with in of and unnecessary insertion of prepositions It is observed that errors are because of the interference of L1 in L2 Besides the final results of the two tests showed that Prepositions prepositional verbs prepositional phrases phrasal verbs zero prepositions are quite problematic for ESL learners The learners try to put prepositions on the same patterns of L1 which ultimately leads them towards error

Frequency of Thyroid Dysfunction and Congenital Heart Defects in Subjects with Down Syndrome

ABSTRACT: Background: Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality with prevalence of 1 in 700-1500 live births. Its manifestations may include congenital heart defects(CHD), thyroid dysfunctions, hematopoietic disorders, early-onset Alzheimer disease, gastrointestinal disorders, neuromuscular weakness, hearing and visual problems, characteristic facial and physical features. The prevalence of thyroid disorders and congenital heart diseases are higher in DS patients than in general population. Objective:To explore the frequency, and types of congenital heart defects (CHD) and Thyroid disorders in children with Down syndrome (DS) in the children hospital and the institute of child health (CHICH) Multan. Study design:  Descriptive cross sectional Setting: Outpatient department (OPD) of CHICH Multan Method:A total of 158 down syndrome (DS) patients of 0 to 15 years of age, of both genders were included in this study from October 2019 to October 2020. DS was diagnosed by specific clinical features and karyotyping. Age, sex and mother’s age was noted. Blood samples of all the patients were sent for karyotyping and serum T4 and Thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH). For patients more than 36 months, blood samples were also sent for Antithyroglobulin and antithyroid peroxidase antibodies. Echocardiography of all the patients was done. Data was collected and analyzed by using SPSS version 16.0. Results:Out of 158 DS children most presented below 6months of age, with male to female ratio of 1:1.4. Mostly mothers were between 20 to 40 years of age. Karyotyping revealed non disjunction in 97% of cases. Cardiac abnormalities were found in 48% of DS children. Most common Type was VSD (10.9%), Thyroid abnormalities were detected in 24% of DS patients, subclinical hypothyroidism (13.9%) was most common. Conclusion: CHD and Thyroid disorders must be ruled out in all DS patients,to start early management.  Keywords: Down syndrome, Congenital heart disease, hypothyroidism

Geoelectrical Survey for the Exploration of Ground Water using Vertical Electrical Sounding: A Case Study of Androt District Rawlakot, Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) method has been widely used to depict the subsurface lithology, thickness and structure based on resistivity of layered media with the ultimate objective of evaluating groundwater potential. In this investigation, VES was used to outline subsurface geology to produce a 2D subsurface resistivity model based on the resistivity contrast of layered rocks, for evaluating the accessibility of groundwater in the Siwaliks group of Androt District Rawlakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K). The Schlumberger electrode configuration was used with spacing arrangement of current electrode (AB/2) going from 1.5 to 250 meters and potential electrode (MN) 1 to 50 meters. The VES data was qualitatively analyzed by using iteration software (IPI2win) which showed that the area is composed of clay, shale, fractured sandstone with intercalation of clay based on resistivity contrast. At depth of 40m-100m along VES indicates good prospects for ground water potential, associated with sandstone beds of Siwaliks group. The resistivity depth section maps at potential depth of 30m, 40m, 60m and 80m are prepared for the demarcation of potential reservoir beds at various depth. The interpreted sounding curves are interpreted qualitatively and pseudo section, Resistivity section and geological log are prepared based on resistivity contrast which shows agreement with geology and hydrological condition of the area. The favorable reservoir rock as an aquifer demarcated in the study area is fractured sandstone with intercalation of clay beds, with apparent resistivity range of 80Ωm to 100Ωm and thickness of 20m to 50m at different sites. The apparent resistivity sections revealed that the North East (NE) and North West (NW) regions are comparatively good potential reservoir for ground water

Ectopic Acromegaly Secondary to Bronchial Tumor; a Case Report of Rare Occurrence.

Introduction: Acromegaly is caused due to the unregulated and sustained overproduction of growth hormone (GH). The majority of the cases are caused by autonomous secretion of GH from anterior pituitary tumors. Nonetheless, in less than 1 % of the cases, the cause of autonomous secretion is secondary to ectopic growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) production. Bronchial carcinoids are the most common cause of ectopic GHRH production. Case description:  A 32-year-old female presented to the clinic with a history of cough, hemoptysis, and undocumented weight loss for four years. Initial workup showed a large right main stem endobronchial mass. Transbronchial biopsy of the mass revealed a grade I neuroendocrine tumor (NET). During NET workup, a large sellar mass was incidentally found on cross-sectional imaging. The hormonal profile revealed markedly elevated insulin-like growth factor -1 (IGF-1) and mildly raised prolactin. The MRI Brain study revealed pituitary macroadenoma measuring 2 cm x 1.2 cm x 1.5 cm. The patient underwent bronchial carcinoid tumor resection, which led to normalization of serum IGF-1 and growth hormone response to an oral glucose tolerance test. Subsequent MRI brain revealed complete resolution of previously noted sellar mass. Practical implications:  This case highlights the importance of differentiating acromegaly secondary to pituitary adenoma and ectopic acromegaly. This case emphasizes the importance of keeping rare entities in the differential while assessing patients with pituitary macroadenoma

STOCK MARKET COINTEGRATION: EVIDENCE FROM DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING EQUITY MARKETS

This study examined the relationship between KSE and stockmarkets of developed and developing countries for the period of 2000-2012. Cointegration approach showed that one cointegrationequation exists in KSE and developed countries equity markets andtwo cointegration equations exist in KSE and developing countriesequity markets case. Granger causality test showed a uni-directionalrelationship between KSE and developed and developing markets,and a bi-directional relationship with Taiwan’s equity market.Variance decomposition analysis showed that most of the changes inKSE are due to its own dynamics in both the developed and developingmarkets. Correlation matrix shows that there is a weak or nocorrelation between the KSE and developed and developing countriesso the benefit of diversification can be achieved by investing in KSE

The role of quality health services and discussion about birth spacing in postpartum contraceptive use in Sindh, Pakistan: A multilevel analysis

Introduction: Rapid population growth, stagnant contraceptive prevalence, and high unmet need for family planning present significant challenges for meeting Pakistan\u27s national and international development goals. Although health behaviors are shaped by multiple social and environmental factors, research on contraceptive uptake in Pakistan has focused on individual and household determinants, and little attention has been given to community characteristics that may affect access to services and reproductive behavior.Methods: Individual and community determinants of contraceptive use were identified using multivariable multilevel logistic regression to analyze data from a 2014 cross-sectional survey of 6,200 mothers in 503 communities in Sindh, Pakistan.Results: Only 27% of women who had given birth in the two years before the study reported using contraceptives. After adjusting for individual and community characteristics, there was no difference in the odds of contraceptive use between urban and rural women. Women who had delivered at a health facility had 1.4 times higher odds of contraceptive use than women who delivered at home. Those who received information about birth spacing from a doctor or relatives/friends had 1.81 and 1.38 times higher odds of contraceptive use, respectively, than those who did not. Living in a community where a higher proportion of women received quality antenatal care and where discussion of birth spacing was more common was significantly associated with contraceptive use. Community-wide poverty lowered contraceptive use.Conclusions: Quality of care at the community level has strong effects on contraceptive use, independent of the characteristics of individual households or women. These findings suggest that powerful gains in contraceptive use may be realized by improving the quality of antenatal care in Pakistan. Community health workers should focus on generating discussion of birth spacing in the community. Outreach efforts should target communities where the demand for contraception appears to be depressed due to high levels of poverty

Frequency of hepatitis E and Hepatitis A virus in water sample collected from Faisalabad, Pakistan

Hepatitis E and Hepatitis A virus both are highly prevalent in Pakistan mainly present as a sporadic disease. The aim of the current study is to isolate and characterized the specific genotype of Hepatitis E virus from water bodies of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Drinking and sewage samples were qualitatively analyzed by using RT-PCR. HEV Genotype 1 strain was recovered from sewage water of Faisalabad. Prevalence of HEV and HAV in sewage water propose the possibility of gradual decline in the protection level of the circulated vaccine in the Pakistani population

Comparison of GFRP and CFRP confinement of normal and high strength concrete

Provedeno je eksperimentalno i analitičko istraživanje kako bi se utvrdilo povećanje čvrstoće i duktilnosti betonskih uzoraka ovijenih GFRP-om i CFRP-om od betona normalne čvrstoće i betona visoke čvrstoće. Podaci ispitivanja uspoređeni su i s teorijskim predviđanjima iz triju sjevernoameričkih smjernica za izvedbu i europskih smjernica za FRP. Rezultati ispitivanja pokazuju kako je učinkovitost i GFRP-a i CFRP-a izraženija u betonu normalne čvrstoće u usporedbi s betonom visoke čvrstoće.An experimental and analytical study was conducted to quantify the increase in strength and ductility of GFRP and CFRP confined concrete cylinders made of normal strength concrete and high strength concrete. The test data are also compared with theoretical predictions from three North American and European FRP design guidelines. The test results show that the effectiveness of both GFRP and CFRP is more pronounced in normal strength concrete compared to high strength concrete