•Self Directed Learning promotes learner autonomy.•Obsolete and fixed syllabus hampers self-regulation.•Learner motivation is a precursor of self-regulation.•Teacher authoritative attitude serves as ...a barrier in self-regulated learning.
Present paper explores the implications and barriers associated with the transition from teacher-directed learning (TDL) to self-directed learning (SDL) in the EFL classroom in Pakistan. This study intends to explore teachers’ views about the nature and viability of implementing the SDL approach to teach English in Pakistan. A qualitative approach is followed in data collection and a contrastive thematic method is employed for analysis. With a sample of 16 English language teachers from four public universities, data is collected through semi-structured interviews. The results show that teachers view SDL with a potential to make students self-sufficient and autonomous, but Pakistani education system, cultural background, and learners’ psychological aspects hinder the process of transition. These obstacles may be removed through creating awareness among teachers and students, and by bringing more flexibility into syllabi and teaching methods, and most importantly, through training local teachers.
Background:
Dupilumab is a human monoclonal antibody directed against the alpha subunit of the interleukin-4 receptor and inhibits the signaling of IL-4 and IL-13. It is approved for treating asthma ...and other type-2 inflammatory diseases. There is a conflict in the literature regarding the safety and efficacy of dupilumab. Thus, we aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of dupilumab in patients with moderate to severe asthma.
Methods:
Six databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and
clinicaltrials.gov
registry) were searched until January 2022. We included randomized controlled trials that compared dupilumab with the placebo in moderate to severe asthma patients. We extracted the data at 12 and 24 weeks and analyzed them using review manager 5.4.
Findings:
Thirteen trials were included. Dupilumab significantly improved the forced expiratory volume in 1 s, asthma control questionnaire score, the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide level, and immunoglobulin E level at 12 and 24 weeks (
p
< 0.05). However, it was associated with increased blood eosinophils at 12 and 24 weeks. Dupilumab was generally a safe agent for asthmatic patients. It showed no significant difference compared with the placebo regarding most adverse events.
Conclusion:
Dupilumab improves pulmonary function and reduces local and systemic inflammatory markers with minimal adverse events in patients with moderate to severe asthma.
Ethnic and religious organizations are usually criticized for being disconnected from the mainstream. The present research offers a counter-narrative through empirical evidence of the contribution ...made by Canadian Muslim organization. A case study was employed to explore the role of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) in Muslim immigrants' integration into Canadian society. Data were obtained through interviews with current and previous presidents and the management of these organizations. Other forms of data were collected from the official websites of ICNA, its brochures and annual reports. Findings revealed that ICNA has successfully facilitated new transnational Muslims and Canadian community at large through its volunteering and holistic services to meet the needs and resultantly to build inter and intragroup ties and integration into Canadian society. Findings guide towards using community organizations as a tool to promote socio-cultural, economic and political integration for a well-connected and harmonious society.
The role of teachers in promoting learner autonomy has been the focus of second language acquisition researchers for more than a decade. This paper aimed at exploring perceived constraints in ...promoting learner autonomy, from the perspective of teachers. A sample of 16 university lecturers teaching communication skills in four public universities of Punjab was selected through purposive sampling. Following a qualitative approach, data were gathered through semistructured individual interviews which were later transcribed and analyzed thematically. Three major reported categories of constraints that emerged from the data were sociocultural, psychological, and institutional constraints. Sociocultural and psychological constraints were found to overlap and were linked in a complex way, where Pakistani culture was found ingrained in teachers’ and learners’ practices. Findings indicated that perceived barriers must be kept in mind while planning strategies to achieve learner autonomy in the classroom.
Present study focuses on ameliorative potential of Typha elephantina leave’s aqueous (TE.AQ) extract against Paracetamol (PCM) induced toxicity in rabbits. We fed the male rabbits with 300 mg PCM in ...alone and in combination with TE.AQ at different doses i.e. (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight) or silymarin (100 mg/kg) daily for 21 days. PCM in alone significantly (P < 0.5) increased serum urea, uric acid, creatinine, total protein, albumin, globulin and blood urea nitrogen. Serum sodium, potassium and magnesium level were high. The glutathione, radical scavenging activity and Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were significantly reduced. Treatment with TE.AQ at dose rate 300 mg/kg body weight and Silymarin significantly ameliorated all the parameters when compared with PCM administered group. The 100 and 200 mg of TE.AQ showed no significant effects. The histopathological examination confirmed the therapeutic potential of TE.AQ. These results established the presence of natural antioxidants in Typha elephantina leaves.
Creative industries have been considered crucial to the economic well-being of any country. Besides the economy, the advertising industry has been investigated in West for its influence on the minds ...of its consumers. Pakistan has a diversity of culture and impact of creative industries on common people is not studied yet. The present study analyses the advertising discourse to explore gender construction through language and visuals in Pakistani print media. The sample includes four national English newspapers collected over a period of one month. An asymmetrical and stereotypical portrayal of women emerges from discourse analysis. Along with gender-specific language, images are constructed to render women marginalised as compared to men in Pakistani society. Results imply that creative industries have a potential to exert an ever-lasting impact on mass-mind but have become a tool in the hands of influential people.
Surfactant corrosion inhibition performance in water–oil environments is influenced by complex relationships between their physical properties, solution chemistry and interfacial characteristics. The ...existence of polar heads/nonpolar tails influences both the preferential distribution of the surfactant between the two media as well as the phase in which micellisation occurs. Both phenomena affect the efficiency of the surfactant inhibitor and its adsorption at the metal-solution interface. To demonstrate the complexity of such interactions, the effect of brine salinity on the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and partitioning/distribution behaviour of a quaternary amine corrosion inhibitor (alkyldimethylbenzylhexadecylammonium chloride, or BAC-C16) in a brine and toluene system (at 1:1 ratio) was explored. All experiments were conducted at 50 °C and pH4 over varying salinities (0.1, 1 and 10 wt%) of NaCl brine. Both CMC and partitioning characteristics of BAC-C16 are significantly affected by aqueous phase salinity, with an inversion of the partitioning response observed between concentrations of 0.1 and 1 wt% NaCl. The effect of BAC-C16 partitioning/distribution behaviour on corrosion inhibitor performance was examined using rotating cylinder electrode experiments. The results illustrate that in order to establish the true corrosion inhibition behaviour, consideration of the chemical distribution characteristics is crucial.
Prevention of stroke by anticoagulation is essential in patients with Atrial fibrillation (AF); with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) being preferred over warfarin in most patients. The Long-term ...efficacy and safety of DOACs vs. Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) remain unknown.BackgroundPrevention of stroke by anticoagulation is essential in patients with Atrial fibrillation (AF); with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) being preferred over warfarin in most patients. The Long-term efficacy and safety of DOACs vs. Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) remain unknown.Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus) were searched from inception to February 10th, 2021. The primary endpoint was cardiovascular mortality. Secondary outcomes included incidence of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) and systemicembolism. The safety endpoint was clinically relevant bleeding (a composite of major or minor clinically relevant bleeding).MethodsElectronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus) were searched from inception to February 10th, 2021. The primary endpoint was cardiovascular mortality. Secondary outcomes included incidence of ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) and systemicembolism. The safety endpoint was clinically relevant bleeding (a composite of major or minor clinically relevant bleeding).A total of three studies with 3039 participants (LAAO = 1465; DOACs = 1574) were included. Mean age was 74.2 and 75.3 years in the LAAO and DOAC group respectively. Average follow-up period was 2 years. There was no difference in terms of cardiac mortality (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.40-2.03; p = 0.81), ischemic stroke/TIA (RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.80-1.65; p = 0.46; I 2 = 0) and clinically significant bleeding (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.50-1.17; p = 0.22; I 2 = 69) between the groups.ResultsA total of three studies with 3039 participants (LAAO = 1465; DOACs = 1574) were included. Mean age was 74.2 and 75.3 years in the LAAO and DOAC group respectively. Average follow-up period was 2 years. There was no difference in terms of cardiac mortality (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.40-2.03; p = 0.81), ischemic stroke/TIA (RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.80-1.65; p = 0.46; I 2 = 0) and clinically significant bleeding (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.50-1.17; p = 0.22; I 2 = 69) between the groups.Among patients with AF, LAAO was comparable to DOACs with similar efficacy and safety profiles.ConclusionsAmong patients with AF, LAAO was comparable to DOACs with similar efficacy and safety profiles.
The Wedding Invitation is one of the significant text genres. Following genre analysis approach and discourse analysis (DA), the present research analysed the wedding invitation genres in Pakistan to ...explore generic structures, as well as the role played by the broader socio-cultural norms and values in shaping this genre. Therefore, a corpus of 50 wedding invitations in Urdu and English was randomly selected from cards received from January to June 2018. The results of this genre analysis revealed seven obligatory and one optional move in Urdu, while six obligatory and one optional move in English invitations. Through discourse analysis, it has been uncovered how religious association and cultural influence in Pakistani society shape textual selection. Little variation was displayed in the invitations of the two languages, presumably due to regional cultural reflections and recent influence of western values. A comparison of Pakistani and UK invitations showed differences not only in move selection but also in lexical choices which are shaped by the respective cultures.
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