Corpus based Analysis of Pakistani and British Varieties of English A Case of Cognate Object Constructions

This study provides a small scale survey of English verbs that can take cognate objects (CO) both in Pakistani and British fictions in English language. Frequencies of the verbs along with cognate object constructions occurring in Pakistani English fiction (PEF) and British English fiction (BEF) have been compared and analyzed using AntConc 3.2.2w (windows) 2008. Several syntactic properties of cognate objects have also been investigated: such as the ability to take modifier, possibility of the cognate objects to be used as pronouns (it – pronominalization) have also been verified in cognate object constructions (COC) in Pakistani as well as in British English varieties. Focus of the study is on the characteristics of English verbs. It has been found that cognate object constructions are used less in PEF as compared to their presence in BEF. Proving the fact that cognate object constructions as the complex sentence structure. As English is not the native language of Pakistan, so the writers usually avoid the usage of cognate object constructions in PEF. The study establishes Pakistani English as an independent variety using its own distinctive linguistic features. Key words: Cognate object,   Cognate object construction,   corpus,    modifier, it – pronominalization

Themes of Birth and Death in Pakistani and British English Fictions: A Corpus based Analysis

This study presents a comparison of the themes associated with the phenomena of birth and death in Pakistani and British English fictions i.e. PEF and BEF in the vast framework of several varieties of Englishes around the world. As culture of Pakistan differs entirely from that of Britain, so are the themes which are associated with birth and death in their fictions. Different words have different associative meaning in different societies (e.g. meaning and usage of ‘dear’ or ‘clever’ is quite different in Pakistan and in England.  Truly representative corpus of English fiction, comprising various genres from both the varieties of English has been analyzed and processed through AntConc 3.2.2w (windows) 2008. The study has investigated PEF as well as BEF thoroughly on the basis of Dixon’s Semantic approach to English grammar (2005) and elaborated that the adjectives used with birth and death in both fictions are entirely different besides the universally common psychological incidents of birth and death in all human beings. The study reveals that the rituals and customs associated with birth and death are entirely different in BEF and PEF. It establishes that Pakistani variety of English uses entirely distinctive linguistic norms as compared to British variety of English. Keywords: PEF, BEF, themes, birth, death, associative meaning

A NEW NONLINEAR CONSTRUCTIVE METHOD FOR LOSS REDUCTION AND LOAD BALANCING IN RADIAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK RECONFIGURATION

Ineffective utilization of power is one of the reasons of power crisis faced by developing countries. Network reconfiguration is a combinatorial optimization problem to dwindle the power losses by keeping into account the various operational constraints in distribution systems.We propose an improved algorithm to determine the optimal topology among a various alternatives, to reduce the loss reduction and to balance the load. The solution for loss reduction through network reconfiguration involves a guiding search over the relevant configurations, and the load balancing indexes are defined for formulation of objective function of load balancing problem. As a test case this method has been applied on a real network having 20 nodes radial distribution system for loss minimization and load balancing. Our propose system has the advantage that it does not require external parameters, such as barrier factors or crossover rate as contrast to most prevailing systems

The effect of task based language teaching on improving the writing and speaking skills of Pakistani ESL learners

Studies in Task Based Language Teaching (TBLT) to improve writing and speaking skills of university undergraduates are very limited, particularly in Pakistani English Language Teaching (ELT) scenario. Pakistani learners face problems to communicate in English outside classrooms. This study endeavors to determine the effect of TBLT in improving writing and speaking skills of Pakistani undergraduates. The prime objective of the study is to enable the learners of English as a Second Language (ESL) to communicate fluently in English during real life situations. The quasi-experimental study was designed using a mixed method research paradigm. Research participants comprised 50 university undergraduates divided into an experimental and a control group. The study consisted of 12 weeks of TBLT treatment to the experimental group and the control group was taught by the existing teaching methodology in Pakistan. The pretest and the posttest were conducted to determine any linguistic achievement in terms of Second Language (L2) performance triad i.e. Complexity (capacity to use advanced L2 language), Accuracy (ability to produce error free L2) and Fluency (ability to produce fluent L2). For qualitative data, students from the experimental group wrote their views about TBLT treatment on Weekly Reflective Journals. Fifty ELT practitioners teaching at primary, secondary and tertiary levels responded to the questionnaire to investigate their views about introducing TBLT and existing Pakistani ELT. A Paired Samples T-test was administered to determine significant differences among the quantitative data. For qualitative data, a thematic analysis was used to examine themes in the Reflective Journals and in the responses from the teachers. The findings revealed that the experimental group performed better than the control group in L2 writing and speaking. The teachers were not satisfied with the existing ELT system and majority of the teachers did not know about TBLT. The study concluded that TBLT improved L2 writing and speaking skills. It was recommended to implement TBLT for better ESL pedagogy in Pakistan

Natural Enemies Associated With Jassid on Okra Crop under Natural Agro-Ecosystem

The okra crop is infested by a number of insect pests, but Amrasca devastans consider among notorious and major insect pests. Many insect and non-insect predators are the sources for control this noxious pest. The crop was observed after 25 days of germinations with 10 days intervals. The insect pest populations and natural enemies were recorded. Jassid population starts from second week of observation and continued till last picking. Different types of natural enemies were recorded at different time periods; among these are many sp. of spider, lady bird beetle, ant, and green lacewing. This study show that Jassid populations appeared after the germinations and infested the crop till the end of crop, jassid populations were significantly increased with increase of plant vegetative growth, different natural enemies appeared at different times, and populations were also increased with increased numbers of jassid per plant. It also observed that natural enemies suppressed the jassid populations and is the good sources of pest control in the field. Keywords: Jassid, Natural Enemies, Okra, Agro-Ecosyste

An Efficient Feature Selection Algorithm for Health Care Data Processing

The researcher used to study the tides depends on a qualitative approach that takes into account the review of past works and studies of various authors and researchers. The service sector is an explosive part of the economy in many countries. Its development is fraught with difficulties, including increased costs, wasteful aspects, poor quality, and the expansion of multifaceted nature. AI systems can be deployed in health programs they want to be qualified using statistics obtained from clinical activities, consisting of screening, diagnosis, corrective measures, etc. The advantage is due to proactive behavior and specialized medical services. Stimulates e-health and electronic monitoring at the forefront of research. AI systems can be deployed in health programs they want to be “qualified” using statistics obtained from clinical activities, consisting of screening, diagnosis, corrective measures, etc. On the other hand, among the various classes in a study in medical services, the use of data mining is usually used as an aid in clinical choice (42%) and for managerial purposes (32%). This segment examines the use of data mining in these territories, and the main points of these checks, performance holes, and key points are different

Association of Malnutrition with Weaning Practices among Infants In Pakistan

OBJECTIVES To determine the association between weaning practice and malnutrition among infants. METHODOLOGY This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics in Saidu Group of Teaching Hospitals, Swat, with 133 participants selected using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Infants of both genders, aged one year or younger, and Pakistani nationals with mentally sound mothers were included, while premature infants (born before the 37th week of gestation) and those with congenital diseases were excluded. Demographic information, height and weight measurements, weaning practices, and the age at which regular weaning was initiated were collected. Weaning practices (at <6 months, 6 months, and >6 months) were recorded by questioning mothers. The association between weaning practices and malnutrition was determined using the chi-square test at a significant level of p<0.05. RESULTSThe male-to-female ratio was 1.2:1, with 50.9% wearing a prosthesis for less than a year and the minimum range being 3-6 years (13.66 %). Only 31 had stereognosis positive but were completely satisfied with their prosthesis, while 85 who were unsatisfied were found to have positive sensory perception. Statistical analysis for all groups shows a p-value of 0.000 for patient satisfaction with denture wear which is statistically significant. Most patients with the least duration of wear found their stereognosis positive and were unsatisfied with the prosthesis and vice versa. The chi-square test shows a statistically significant value for both groups of stereognosis i-e 0.0001.. CONCLUSION Early initiation of weaning (before six months of age) was associated with a lower incidence of malnutrition among infants

Media Turns Villainous While Performing its Upright Obligations of Educating, Informing and Entertaining: Analysis with Particular Reference to Pakistan

Media has become a powerful actor in the modern world, particularly in Pakistan. Media inclusive of traditional media and social media primarily aims at informing, educating and entertaining the public; but in doing it so; it led its viewers and/or readers in Pakistan to sociopolitical chaos in various ways. That being said, it helped prop up militancy and extremism, presented unethical contents to the viewers, succumbed to ideological division, and became the harbinger for online extremist communication. Said in another way, it has assumed both the face of a guide and a monster in Pakistan. Key Words: Traditional media, social media, culture, sociopolitical chaos, online extremist communicatio

EVALUATING A MULTI-COMPONENT GROUP INTERVENTION FOR IMPROVING PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF TRAINEE CIVIL SERVANTS IN PAKISTAN: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED STUDY

Evaluating a multi-component group intervention for improving psychological well-being of trainee civil servants in Pakistan: a randomised controlled study Zahoor Ahmed Abstract Introduction: Mental health by its very definition is related to productivity and economic output as well. It has been termed a priority under the UN 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Covid-19 has further brought it into limelight with almost one billion people estimated to have a mental-health or substance-use disorder (Greenwood & Krol, 2020; WHO, 2020). Work-related stress has been associated with psychological problems (Quick et al., 1997). In Pakistan, the civil service carries a disproportionally high burden of responsibility and national development depends on their performance and productivity which in turn cannot be divorced from their state of mental health. However, to the best of my knowledge, no study has so far been conducted on addressing workplace related psychological issues among the civil servants in Pakistan. The present study was conducted to fill this gap. It adapted WHO’s low intensity, group psychological intervention, Problem Management Plus (PM+) to design 5 workshops to improve psychological well-being of newly inducted civil servant trainees and evaluate its effectiveness. Methods: The study was conducted at Civil Service Academy (CSA), Lahore, Pakistan in two phases. In the first phase, a scoping review of the literature and consultations with stakeholders were conducted to inform adaptation of the PM+ to ensure effective implementation with trainee civil servants in Pakistan. In the second phase, a two-arm single blinded Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the adapted curriculum to reduce symptoms of psychological distress in trainee civil servants in Pakistan. 240 newly inducted civil servants, undergoing a 6 months’ induction training were randomized on a 1:1 allocation ratio into intervention and usual training curriculum arm. The intervention arm received the adapted group psychosocial intervention, consisted of 5 training workshops, integrated into their orientation sessions of trainee civil servants along with the usual training. The control arm received the usual training only. The primary outcomes were changes in the scores of psychological distresses as measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and coping skills strategies as measured by Brief Cope Questionnaire at 3-months post intervention. Secondary outcomes included symptoms of anxiety, well-being, and psychological capital. Intention-to-treat analyses were done using mixed models adjusted for covariates. Ethical approval of the study was obtained from the Human Development Research Foundation, Pakistan and the University of Liverpool. The trial was registered prospectively on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03762421). Results: Phase 1 showed that PM+ was transferable into Civil Service Academy (CSA) settings following a careful adaptation process. The adaptation retained the concepts and strategies of the intervention while making significant changes in its structure and delivery. In the RCT conducted in Phase 2, of the 240 participants enrolled, 213 completed the post assessment at 7 weeks and 3 months’ post intervention. The mixed-model analysis showed that intervention arm participants reported significantly higher scores on Brief-COPE, compared to control arm participants (m[SD], 23.42[8.86] vs. 21.92[8.55]; mean difference, 95%CI, 2.11 [0.19 to 4.04]; p<0.05) at 3-months post-intervention. Similarly, lower scores on PHQ-9 at one-week post intervention were reported by intervention arm participants compared to control arm participants (m[SD], 2.61[2.98] vs. 3.64[4.72]; mean difference, 95%CI, -1.01[-1.80 to -0.22]; p<0.05). Statistically significant difference on secondary outcomes at one-week and 3-months post-intervention was also observed. Conclusions: The adapted PM+ intervention has resulted in improving coping skills and reducing psychological distress in trainee civil servants. The intervention has the potential to be integrated into the curriculum of Civil Service Academy (CSA) and could be useful to equip civil servant trainees with necessary skills to cope with their forthcoming workplace challenges

Investigating Identity Fraud Management Practices in E-tail sector:A Systematic Review

Purpose: Identity fraud is a growing issue for online retail organisations. The literature on this issue is scattered, and none of the studies presents a holistic view of identity fraud management practices in the online retail context. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the identity fraud management practices and present a comprehensive set of practices for e-tail sector. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review approach was adopted, and the articles were selected through pre-set inclusion criteria. The authors synthesised existing literature to investigate identity fraud management in e-tail sector. Findings: The research finds that literature on practices for identity fraud management is scattered. The findings also reveal that firms assume identity fraud issues as a technological challenge, which is one of the major reasons for a gap in effective management of identity frauds. This research suggests e-tailers to deal this issue as a management challenge and counter strategies should be developed in technological, human and organisational aspects. Research limitations/implications: This study is limited to the published sources of data. Studies, based on empirical data, will be helpful to support the argument of this study; additionally, future studies are recommended to include a wide number of databases. Practical implications: This research will help e-tail organisations to understand the whole of identity fraud management and help them develop and implement a comprehensive set of practices at each stage, for effective management identity frauds. Originality/value: This research makes unique contributions by synthesising existing literature at each stage of fraud management and encompasses social, organisational and technological aspects. It will also help academicians understanding a holistic view of available research and opens new lines for future research.</p