An interesting case of genital infantile hemangioma

Vascular lesions are commonly seen in newborns. They may be present at birth or appear in the days, weeks or months that follow. Most are benign and self-limiting but rarely they may be part of complex syndromes or systemic disorders, or they may be associated with complications requiring treatment. This is a case of a 2-month-old baby presenting with an Infantile hemangioma in the genital region

Attitude Toward Democracy In Pakistan: Secondary School Teachers Perceptions

The study aimed at exploring the public sector secondary school teachers’ perceptions for development of democratic values and strategies to improve the democratic system and attitudes toward democracy. Sixty secondary school teachers were selected as a sample. The qualitative data in the form of interview responses were collected to explore teachers’ perceptions about democracy, problems in the smooth running of democracy and remedies to these problems. Five-point Likert-type attitude toward democracy scale (ATDS) was developped to assess the attitude of secondary school teachers toward democracy. The data were analysed by applying one sample t-test.  The study provide discussion at concusions drawn about democratic values and attitude of teachers toward democracy

Omphalocele and macroglossia: a case of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a pediatric overgrowth disorder which predisposes to tumor development. The following case study examined a prenatal finding of omphalocele with postnatal findings of macroglossia and cutaneous hemangioma, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of BWS. This case highlighted the features of BWS, the diagnostic principles and the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach to its management

Using Influence Nets in Financial Informatics: A Case Study of Pakistan

The paper presents an application of Influence Nets (INs) in the field of financial informatics. Influence Nets have primarily been used in war games to model effects based operations but, as shown in this paper, they can prove to be equally useful in other domains requiring decision making under uncertain situations. The primary advantage of INs lies in their ability to acquire knowledge from subject matter experts in problem domains that rely heavily on experts’ opinion. A sample case study from the fields of economics and finance is presented in this paper. The case study models the choices faced by a developing country to recover her economy which is going through a difficult phase due to global financial crisis, internal law and order situation and political instability

Maximizing conjunctive use of surface and ground water under surface water quality constraints

A simulation/optimization (s/o) model is presented to address the increasingly common conflicts between water quantity and quality objectives. The model can assist water resources analysts in selecting compromise strategies for stream/aquifer systems in which the stream gains water from the aquifer. The water quantity objective is to maximize steady conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water resources. The water quality objective is to maximize waste loading from a sewage treatment plant {STP) to the stream without violating downstream water quality beyond acceptable limits. The STP discharge is proportional to human population. The two objectives conflict because an increase in groundwater extraction reduces dilution of the stream water contaminants. The result is a decrease in the STP waste loading to the stream and the waste-producing human population that can be supported. The tradeoff between objectives is illustrated graphically via sets of noninferior solutions. The sets of noninferior solutions are prepared using the E-constraint method and assuming different upstream flow rates. The s/o model includes superposition expressions describing head and flow responses to decision variables (pumping, diversion, and loadings) and regression expressions describing contaminant concentration responses to these decision variables. Modeled contaminants include: 5-day biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen (organic, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate), organic and dissolved phosphorus, total dissolved solids, and chlorophyll-a

Relationship Between Achievement Goals, Meta-Cognition And Academic Success In Pakistan

The research was the replication of the study done by Coutinho (2006) and it aimed at finding the relationship between achievement goals, meta-cognition and academic success. Achievement goals were further divided into two types: mastery and performance. The participants were 119 students enrolled in M. A. Education, Department of Education at the University of Sargodha. The questionnaire used in the original study, along with Urdu translation, was administered to the participants. The questionnaire consisted of three sections measuring mastery goals, performance goals, and meta-cognition, respectively. The academic achievement record was taken from the Office of Department of Education. Academic achievement was taken as marked and obtained at the Matric, Intermediate, Bachelors, and M.A. levels. It was concluded there is no significant correlation between mastery goals and academic achievement. Similarly, there was no significant correlation between performance goals and academic achievement at Matric, Intermediate and Bachelor levels. However, negative correlation was observed between performance goals and achievement at the masters level. The researchers found no significant relationship between meta-cognition and academic achievement at all levels and there were no significant gender differences in mastery goals, performance goals and meta-cognition

PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS’ PERCEPTION OF ENGAGEMENT IN ACTIVE LEARNING THROUGH PEER TEACHING AND PEER ASSESSMENT

The study intends to investigate the perceptions of higher education students about their engagement in active learning through peer-teaching and peer-assessment. A group of 22 students comprising nine female and thirteen males participated in the study. The researchers taught the course within six weeks, and then divided it amongst students through assignments. The students prepared it, discussed with researchers, shared and taught the assigned part of the course to their peers in the classroom in the presence of one of the researchers. The peers assessed the quality of presentation and mastery of the content and teaching skills of their peers against a given rubric. Three instruments namely: questionnaire, interviews and focussed group discussion were used to investigate students’ perceptions. The analysis of data revealed that students felt actively engaged in their studies through peer teaching and peer-assessment. Moreover correlation between peer assessment and teacher assessment was also calculated. Peer teaching and peer assessment can be confidently used in higher education in Pakistan on condition that teacher as a supervisor is highly vigilant

Pharmacognostic evaluation of the leaf of Rhus succedanea var. Himalaica. J. D hooker

Background: Rhus succedanea is generally traded, distributed and sold in the markets in its crude and raw form. This may have been mixed with adulterants, mismanaged by malpractices and substituted with other closely related drugs having different effect. This study is therefore carried out to authenticate the plant through pharmacogonostic evaluations.Material & Methods: The organoleptic studies were carried through sensory organs i.e size, shape, texrure, odour, etc. Histological studies were conducted by preparing hand slides, mounting the specimen in potato tuber; fluorescence characters were determined through UV and phytochemical screening was investigated using various standard and common methods from relevant literature.Results: Morphologically, the Rhus is a perennial small sized deciduous tree, 5–9 m tall with opposite imparipinnately compound leaves and small grayish yellow flowers born on paniculate inflorescence; locally, called as Rakhkal in Pashto and Kakarsingi in Urdu. The organoleptic evaluation showed leaf had pleasant, aromatic odour and astringent taste. Transverse section of leaf through midrib region was worked out. The anatomy of the midrib has shown to be surrounded by both upper and lower epidermis with multicellular nonglandular trichomes. The leaf was hypostomatic showing anomocytic stomata with average stomatal number 27.1 ± 7.2 and stomatal index 14 ± 3.63. The average vein islet, vein termination and palisade ratios were 13.6 ± 3.04, 10.21 ± 1.92 and 6 ± 2.01 respectively. Leaf powder showed the existance of anomocytic stomata, spirally thickened xylem vessels, non-glandular multicellular and stellate trichomes. Fluorescence study and percent extractive values was also carried out. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrates, protein, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids and anthraquenones, while tannins and fixed oil was not detected. Quantitatively highest amount of alkaloids 16% and flavonoids 19% in leaf was detected.Conclusion: The results of the of the anatomical, organoleptic and physiochemical studies of the powder of leaf will be helpful in standardization of R. succedanea the crude drug.Keywords: Pharmacognostic evaluation; leaf; Rhus succedanea; organoleptic evaluation; Anatomy; Fluorescence study; phytochemical screenin

20-Gauge vs. 23-Gauge Vitrectomy, in Terms of Surgically Induced Astigmatism

OBJECTIVES To compare the post-operative (post-op) surgically induced mean astigmatism in patients undergoing 20-gauge- and 23-gauge vitrectomy. METHODOLOGY Sixty patients were enrolled. Relevant information was recorded in a Performa for each patient. Patients were randomly grouped into A (20-gauge) and B (23-gauge) groups. Astigmatism was recorded by a single technician using the same keratometer for all patients. A single surgeon operated on all patients. Post-operatively, all patients were re-examined after 1 week and 6 weeks, and their surgically induced astigmatism was recorded. RESULTSOf 60 patients, 58.6% were males, and 41.4% were females, with a mean age of 53.77 ± 9.63 years. The post-operative astigmatism difference between the two vitrectomy procedures was investigated. In the 20-gauge group, with 30 patients, the mean post-operative astigmatism difference was 2.21 D (±0.66 SD), with a standard error mean of 0.12. In the 23-gauge group, with 30 patients, the mean post-operative astigmatism difference was 0.74 D (±0.44 SD), with a standard error mean of 0.08. The degrees of freedom (df) were 58, and the standard error of the difference was 0.145. The t-value was calculated at 10.1504, and the p-value was found to be 0.001, indicating a significant difference. CONCLUSION The observation that the 20-gauge group displayed a notably higher mean difference in astigmatism than the 23-gauge group suggests a potential association between the choice of vitrectomy procedure and the extent of astigmatism alteration in post-operative outcomes