Understanding of puberty and related health problems among female adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan

Objectives: To understand the level of knowledge, a community based study conducted with the objectives as follows: To estimate the proportion of common facilities available and accessible and frequency of utilizing of it. To estimate the proportion of female adolescent utilizing the availability of facilities. To assess the level of understanding related to puberty and related health problems among female adolescents.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the understanding and level of knowledge related to puberty and related health problems among female adolescents of Karachi, Pakistan. Data was collected from 150 female adolescents between 10-19 years of age. The pre-coded questionnaire was used to collect the data which was double entered and analyzed in SPSS. Results: Sixty six percent (66%) of the participants were aware of the names of reproductive organs. Majority of the participants received information related to sexuality from their mothers. Sixty seven percent (67%) of the participants did not know about self breast examination. Cable and internet were cited as a major source of puberty and sexual health related information. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is a lack of knowledge related to puberty and related health problems among female adolescents. This study recommends that the adolescents should be provided with health education before and during their puberty period to make them confident in dealing with their body changes during puberty effectively (JPMA 56:68;2006)

Admission criteria and subsequent academic performance of general nursing diploma students

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between admission criteria used to select students and their subsequent academic performance in general nursing diploma Programme in the province of Sindh. METHODS: Using a descriptive co-relational study design, data was collected retrospectively from records of the entire nursing student population of the batch of 2004. Using multiple linear regression analysis method, three regression models were developed to identify the group of variables that could predict academic performance of the students in the three-year general nursing diploma programme. RESULTS: Results identified a significant relationship between admission criteria and subsequent academic performance of the students in the general nursing diploma programme. Specific factors which were found significant included entry qualification, previous academic performance and gender. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that academic factors considered in the admission criteria were better predictors of students\u27 academic performance than the non academic factors. These factors should be considered in the admission criteria for general nursing diploma programme

Headmasters/headmistress' roles in facilitating learning organization in selected primary schools in Malaysia

The purpose of this study was to examine headmasters’ and headmistresses’ roles in facilitating learning organization and their perceptions of transformational leadership in primary schools. The study also examined the relationship between the headmasters’ and headmistresses’ perceptions of transformational leadership and their roles in facilitating learning organization. A survey method was used to collect data from 41 headmasters and headmistresses who were pursuing Bachelor degree programme in Educational Management. Organizational learning questionnaire developed by Silins, Zarins and Mulford (2002) was used to measure the roles of headmasters and headmistresses in facilitating learning organization, while transformational leadership questionnaire developed by Leithwood and Jantzi (1996, 1997) was used to assess leadership. Means and Pearson product correlations were used to analyze the data. Major results of this study showed that headmasters and headmistresses have high perceptions of learning organization and transformation leadership. Overall, transformational leadership indicated high and significant correlation with overall learning organization. Each dimension of transformational leadership indicated high and significant correlation with overall learning organization. Further, almost all dimensions of leadership showed significant correlations with dimensions of learning organization

Headmasters' and headmistresses roles in facilitating learning organization in selected primary schools in Malaysia : a preliminary study

The purpose of this study was to examine headmasters' and headmistresses' roles in facilitating learning organization and their perceptions of transformational leadership in primary schools. The study also examined the relationship between the headmasters'and headmistresses' perceptions of transformational leadership and their roles in facilitating learning organization. A survey method was used to collect data from all headmasters and headmistresses who were pursuing a Bachelor degree in Educational Management. An organizational learning questionnaire developed by Silins, Zarins and Mulford (2002) was modified and used to measure the roles of headmasters and headmistresses in.facilitating learning organization, while a transformational leadership questionnaire developed by Leithwood and Jantzi (1996, 1997) was modified and used to assess leadership. Means and Pearson product correlations were used to analyze the data. Major results of this study showed that headmasters and headmistresses have high perceptions of learning organization and transformation leadership. Overall, transformational leadership indicated high and significant correlations with overall learning organizations. Each dimension of transformational leadership indicated high and significant correlations with overall learning organizations' Furthermore, almost at dimensions of leadership showed significant correlations with dimensions of learning organization

Energy Efficient Spintronic Device for Neuromorphic Computation

Future computing will require significant development in new computing device paradigms. This is motivated by CMOS devices reaching their technological limits, the need for non-Von Neumann architectures as well as the energy constraints of wearable technologies and embedded processors. The first device proposal, an energy-efficient voltage-controlled domain wall device for implementing an artificial neuron and synapse is analyzed using micromagnetic modeling. By controlling the domain wall motion utilizing spin transfer or spin orbit torques in association with voltage generated strain control of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in the presence of Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI), different positions of the domain wall are realized in the free layer of a magnetic tunnel junction to program different synaptic weights. Additionally, an artificial neuron can be realized by combining this DW device with a CMOS buffer. The second neuromorphic device proposal is inspired by the brain. Membrane potential of many neurons oscillate in a subthreshold damped fashion and fire when excited by an input frequency that nearly equals their Eigen frequency. We investigate theoretical implementation of such “resonate-and-fire” neurons by utilizing the magnetization dynamics of a fixed magnetic skyrmion based free layer of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). Voltage control of magnetic anisotropy or voltage generated strain results in expansion and shrinking of a skyrmion core that mimics the subthreshold oscillation. Finally, we show that such resonate and fire neurons have potential application in coupled nanomagnetic oscillator based associative memory arrays

Resonate and Fire Neuron with Fixed Magnetic Skyrmions

In the brain, the membrane potential of many neurons oscillates in a subthreshold damped fashion and fire when excited by an input frequency that nearly equals their eigen frequency. In this work, we investigate theoretically the artificial implementation of such "resonate-and-fire" neurons by utilizing the magnetization dynamics of a fixed magnetic skyrmion in the free layer of a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ). To realize firing of this nanomagnetic implementation of an artificial neuron, we propose to employ voltage control of magnetic anisotropy or voltage generated strain as an input (spike or sinusoidal) signal, which modulates the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). This results in continual expansion and shrinking (i.e. breathing) of a skyrmion core that mimics the subthreshold oscillation. Any subsequent input pulse having an interval close to the breathing period or a sinusoidal input close to the eigen frequency drives the magnetization dynamics of the fixed skyrmion in a resonant manner. The time varying electrical resistance of the MTJ layer due to this resonant oscillation of the skyrmion core is used to drive a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) buffer circuit, which produces spike outputs. By rigorous micromagnetic simulation, we investigate the interspike timing dependence and response to different excitatory and inhibitory incoming input pulses. Finally, we show that such resonate and fire neurons have potential application in coupled nanomagnetic oscillator based associative memory arrays

Influence of single and multiple dry bands on critical flashover voltage of silicone rubber outdoor insulators: simulation and experimental study

Dry band formation on the surface of outdoor insulators is one of the main reasons leading to flashover and power outages. In this paper, a dynamic arc model is proposed for single and multiple dry bands configuration to predict the critical flashover voltage for silicone rubber outdoor insulators. An arc is modelled as a time dependent impedance consisting of a Resistor Inductor Capacitor (RLC) circuit. The effect of dry band location and existence of multiple dry bands on critical flashover voltage is investigated. To validate the proposed model, experiments were conducted in a climate chamber under controlled environmental conditions on rectangular silicone rubber sheets polluted using improved solid layer method based on IEC 60,507. Tests were conducted at different dry band configurations and pollution severity levels. A good correlation was found between experimental results and simulation results. This model can provide a good foundation for the development of mathematical models for station post insulators having multiple dry and clean bands and can be used in the design and selection of outdoor insulators for polluted conditions

A qualitative meta-synthesis of young peoples' experiences of ‘sexting’

Objective: To conduct a meta-synthesis of the qualitative research to explore young people's experiences and use of smart phones to send and receive sexually focused messages and images. Design: A qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted on the retrieved papers following a systematic search of PUBMED, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), COCHRANE, Embase, Medline and Psycinfo. The sample included five qualitative studies with a total sample size of 480 participants. Results: The meta-synthesis of the papers resulted in the development of four central themes: gender inequity, popularity with peers, relationship context, and costs and benefits. Conclusions: Drawing the qualitative work together highlights the manner in which ‘sexting’ is more nuanced than traditional ‘cyber-bullying’. The consensual sending of intimate images is a highly gendered activity. The gender issues require work with female students to explore the issue of ‘sexting’ and how it can be harmful. Work with male students around the issues of respect and gender harassment in relation to ‘sexting’ is also required and should contribute to sex and relationships education. The results indicate that school nurses working with young people need to build discussions about the use of technology within relationships into their work with young people

Do Workers’ Remittances Boost Human Capital Development?

This study examines the influence of workers’ remittances along with the economic governance system on human capital development in 17 countries having low income, lower middle, upper middle and high income levels by using the annual panel between 1996 and 2013. Overall, results of fixed-effects model reveal that workers’ remittances have significantly positive impact on the human capital development. Results also reveal the positive and significant impact of all selected variables of economic governance system on human capital. It is concluded that the strong economic governance system strengthens the association between workers’ remittances and human capital during the aforementioned time period. JEL Classification: F24, J23 Keywords: Remittances, Economic Governance System, Human Capital Developmen

La eficacia de las estrategias de andamiaje y la orientación de tareas sobre el conocimiento receptivo y productivo de las colocaciones léxicas

The present study aimed at investigating the effects of scaffolding strategies using input and output-oriented tasks on Iranian EFL learners' receptive and productive knowledge of lexical collocations. For this purpose, 540 adult intermediate-level EFL learners- both male and female- were selected and divided into six experimental groups; three input-oriented and three output-oriented tasks. Each experimental group received treatment under one of the three scaffolding strategies of direct corrective feedback, cooperative group technique, and visual cues. After the treatment period, a 40-item multiple-choice test and a 40-item fill-in-the-blanks test were administered to assess the participants' receptive and productive collocations knowledge. To analyze the data, two separate two-way ANOVA procedures were used. The results indicated that visual cues were the most effective scaffolding strategy in teaching lexical collocations. Moreover, the cooperative group technique had a significant positive impact on learning collocations compared to direct corrective feedback. The results also showed that the participants in the output-oriented tasks group significantly outperformed those in the input-oriented tasks group. These findings can have practical implications for language learners, teachers, and materials developers, and theoretical implications for researchers.El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los efectos de las estrategias de andamiaje que utilizan tareas orientadas a insumos y resultados en el conocimiento receptivo y productivo de las colocaciones léxicas de los estudiantes iraníes de inglés como lengua extranjera. Para este propósito, 540 aprendices adultos en nivel intermedio, tanto hombres como mujeres fueron seleccionados y divididos en seis grupos experimentales; tres en la categoría de insumos y tres en la categoría de resultados. Cada grupo experimental recibió un tratamiento bajo una de tres estrategias de andamiaje, tales como:  retroalimentación directa correctiva, técnica grupal cooperativa y señales visuales. Después del periodo de tratamiento, se administró una prueba de 40 preguntas de múltiple respuesta y una prueba de 40 preguntas de llenar espacios para evaluar el conocimiento de las colocaciones receptivas y productivas de los participantes. Para analizar los datos, se utilizaron dos procedimientos ANOVA bidireccionales separados. Los resultados indicaron que las señales visuales fueron la estrategia más efectiva en la enseñanza de colocaciones léxicas. Además, la técnica de cooperación grupal tuvo un impacto significativo en el aprendizaje de colocaciones comparado con la retroalimentación directa correctiva. Los resultados también mostraron que los participantes en el grupo de tareas orientadas a resultados superaron significativamente a los del grupo de tareas orientadas a insumos. Estos hallazgos pueden tener implicaciones prácticas para los aprendices de lengua, docentes, desarrolladores de materiales e implicaciones teoréticas para los investigadores