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This paper examines the extent to which refugee girls and young women were able to access learning during COVID-19 education closures in Pakistan, and the role that EdTech played in their learning access. It is based on findings from a survey with 403 Afghan refugee students, along with in-depth interviews with six young female refugees. The research shows that, while the majority of female refugee students were able to continue accessing education in some form during school closures, learning access was nevertheless limited, and a sizable minority were not engaged in any learning during this time. Teacher and institutional support was either absent or inadequate for many students, and infrastructure and devices that serve to support remote learning were not always reliable or accessible. Although male respondents were less likely than females to engage in independent study during the closures, refugee girls and young women were significantly less likely than their male counterparts to own the devices they needed for learning. The findings demonstrate how targeted investment in specific types of EdTech and teacher professional development, as well as supporting educational institutions in the establishment of remote learning opportunities, could help sustain learning during future periods of educational restriction.

Current international discourse foregrounds gender parity in education as a means of empowering women in societies with strong adherence to traditional gender norms, such as Pakistan. This discourse contends that women's access to higher education and subsequent employment enables them to identify and reject traditional cultural values and norms. However, some scholars criticise the gender parity approach as portraying a simplistic narrative that fails to recognise the social, cultural, and family contexts within which women are embedded. Drawing on an ecological approach, this article examines how education and empowerment are experienced by highly educated women in Pakistan with a particular focus on these contexts. Our findings demonstrate that education and employment are often experienced as disempowering due to their reinforcement of traditional gender roles and values. However, we also found that women move iteratively between acquiescing to traditional gender norms and pushing the boundaries of acceptable practice through this acquiescence. Our findings demonstrate that for the women in our study, empowerment was experienced through their ability to strike a delicate balance between compliance with traditional customs and the pursuit of opportunities that opened because of this compliance.

Involving young refugees in the research process has significant potential to address current gaps in refugee research in a rigorous, equitable, and empowering way (Clark 2004; Haile, Meloni, and Rezaie 2020). This field note is a report on Voices of Refugee Youth, a research initiative in Pakistan and Rwanda that aims to build the evidence base for postprimary refugee education, while also increasing young refugees' access to and representation in this field of research. The purpose of this field note is to reflect critically on the participatory approach adopted by the initiative, whereby young refugees work as coresearchers who advise, collect data, and contribute to the deliverables. In the note we highlight the benefits of this approach, but also problematize it to offer valuable lessons about involving young refugees meaningfully in the research process. We conclude that participation must be approached with flexibility in order to facilitate different levels of participation, based on the skills or knowledge level of the young refugees in question. It is critical that participation is accompanied by rigorous training that responds to participants' contexts and experience levels and addresses ethical issues, such as positionalitybased bias.

This study investigates the students' perceptions regarding their voices towards improvement in learning at public and private sector universities in Pakistan. These voices are collected by the Quality Enhancement Cells of the varsities through either technological tools or other ways. To understand how this data is utilized, a self-constructed and validated tool was utilized to get information about four categories; understanding of the term student voices, inquiry of learning process; university facilitation for best learning and implementation of student voices. Using purposive sampling technique, a survey of 112 under graduate students from four fields of studies (social sciences, natural sciences, business administrations and languages) from a Public and Private Sector University each from District Lahore was conducted. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 22, and t-test and chi-square was performed to measure the difference in institutional facilitation of public and private sector universities. One-way ANOVA was applied to check the effects of student's status in the class on the inquiry of learning process. The study indicated statistically significant effect of public and private sector on students' perceptions regarding institutional facilitations for learning improvement. The study also reported the significant effects of student's status on the inquiry of learning process. It is suggested that further studies need to explore how and where the students' voices are being used for planning, assessment and course development.

Teacher's professionalism is a social construct that is defined through educational policy, practice, and standards. These are considered inevitable for developing professionalism. This paper discusses the role of National Education Policy (NEP) and National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPSTs) for the development of professionalism based on the views of experts who had direct experience with the process of formulation of NEP and NPSTs. Six experts; three associated with the preparation of NEP (2009) and three of NPSTs were interviewed through a semistructured interview consisting indicators of professionalism, conducted, recorded and transcribed. The analysis showed that while preparing NEP (2009) and NPSTs, teachers' professionalism was not considered in true spirit. They declared that there was no mutual coordination between NEP and NPSTs experts for the development of teacher's professionalism and was also not included onto the agenda. It is recommended that teacher professionalism may be focused while developing National Education Policies.

The researcher attempted to ascertain the extent to which the English language textbook, English for Class 8, endorsed by the Punjab Textbook Board is compatible with Pakistani learners' language learning needs. The purpose of the study was to investigate the degree the prescribed textbook facilitates language acquisition, its meaningful application, and development of oral communicative competence. A qualitative approach was employed. The findings of this study reflect that the textbook does not cater to the target learners' future academic and professional language needs because the incorporated activities do not focus on sociolinguistic and discourse-level aspects of the target language. Furthermore, many activities offer meaningless and discrete-point exercises which do not contribute to any oral skill development. There are limited opportunities to develop oral communicative competence. By incorporating adequate visual supplementary material the prescribed English language textbook can become an effective tool for developing oral communicative competence.

The research, which was taken into consideration, focused on assessing the effectiveness of vocabulary building through Read-Aloud Strategy for Primary level students. The main objective of the study was intended to identify the influence of read-aloud strategy on vocabulary building which is a key to other skills like reading comprehension and speaking skills and also to identify the effect of read-aloud strategy on the overall vocabulary development of the students of primary level. To achieve the above-stated objective, a quasi-experimental design was adopted where the research process was categorized as non-equivalent control group design with pre-test and post-test evaluation. Moreover, non-randomized sampling was followed and two already existing intact groups were allocated as experimental and control group respectively. The main aim of this study was focused on determining the level of vocabulary development of the students. The students selected for this study belonged to Private School in Lahore. In addition, the experiment was followed by an intervention where vocabulary tests, both pre and posttests, were used during the experiment. The statistical analysis of the pretest and post-test results of an experimental and control group revealed that read aloud is the most appropriate teaching strategy for vocabulary building. In addition, it was also revealed that teachers use different interaction techniques for read-aloud such as, more instructional time was spent on the words which were found to be critical for story comprehension for learners. From the findings, it can be recommended that the practices should be identified which are commonly used by the primary classroom teachers as it can lead towards the development of effective instructional strategies and teacher's training programs. Moreover, it was also recommended that the teachers should focus on the instructional strategies and should give individual attention to the students in order to make sure that each student is performing.

The study explored the impact of leadership style of teacher on the performance of students in the light of Hersey and Blanchard situational model. Data were collected through readiness level scale and achievement tests from 80 students of 8th grade in Lahore city using a pretest-posttest experimental design. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied for data analysis. It was revealed that the posttest performance of experimental group was significantly higher than their pretest performance as compared with the control group. Results also showed that readiness level of students can be changed through leadership style of the teacher which has direct impact on students' performance. There was a significant difference in achievement scores of 'telling' and 'selling' intervention techniques against 'participating' and 'delegating' styles reflecting a strong positive impact on the performance of students particularly having low readiness level. It was suggested that educational administrators should provide training to teachers to use situational approach at different learning levels to improve students' performance.

The literature on the adjustment experiences of Pakistani international students is scarce. There is a dire need to fill this gap as almost 50,000 Pakistani students are studying in Western universities. The current study aimed to identify predictors of psychological adjustment of Pakistani international students. The study was conducted on a sample of 309 Pakistani international students. A quantitative approach was utilized. Thus, an acculturative stress scale; a Big 5 personality test; and a Multidimensional scale of perceived social support; were administered to the sample of Pakistani international students, who choose to study abroad. The results of the study highlighted both positive and negative predictors of psychological adjustment. The identified positive predictors were age, perceived cultural distance, and Neuroticism while negative predictors were social support, and personality factors (consciousness and extraversion). The current study serves as an initiative to determine the acculturative stressors faced by Pakistani international students. This study has a significant theoretical contribution to Pakistani international student mobility and the associated challenges and stressors on the part of Pakistani students who decide to study abroad. The data of this study was collected online from HEC scholars only. A replication study is recommended including immigrant and self-financed Pakistani students for better generalizations. The present study would be of great interest to three stakeholders including students, universities in Pakistan, and the host universities that give admission to Pakistani students to study abroad.

We propose a decolonial-posthuman pedagogy for contemplating the idea of 'womanness' in postcolonial Pakistan. Since posthumanism disbands anthropocentrism while decoloniality subverts Westcentrisms, we combine them to upend the notions of passivity and muteness attributed to Pakistani women via western feminist discourses. By foregrounding 'womanness' as an ongoing process of self-construction, we enable our undergraduate female Pakistani students of English Literature to rethink their selves as agentic knowing subjects. Through carefully designed activities, our students combined specific decolonial and posthuman theoretics while reading "Frankenstein" as a site wherein their own experiences as Pakistani women could be brought into play. Our approach blended the ideas of Walter Mignolo, Gayatri Spivak and Rosi Braidotti, etc., to posit how Pakistani womanness involves inhabiting other skins so as to raise questions regarding the modes of repression that have historically gone into defining their sense of self.

Pakistan is lagging behind in education in this global world. To speed up the pace of work to achieve 100% literacy rate is a burning issue for the educationists. The failure of the public sector delivery of education system is adding fuel to the fire and educational innovations are the need of the hour. The very inception of Punjab Education Foundation is a step forward in this regard. Foundation Assisted Schools is the flagship program of Punjab Education Foundation under which assistance is provided to poor strata of society in the province of Punjab through Public-Private Partnership. This study aimed at analyzing whether the Foundation Assisted Schools Program has been successful in improving the quality of schools in their service delivery to the deserving students across the Punjab. The purpose was accomplished by analyzing the enrolment rate, grade transition and survival rate of respective pupil cohort of schools before and after becoming Foundation Assisted School partners. 1209 Foundation Assisted partner schools in 7 districts of the Punjab were constituted the accessible population and out of which 121 were taken randomly as sample. Data concerning trends on the pupil cohort were collected, recorded on Pupil Flow Chart and analyzed with the help of percentage and t-test. Results showed that the Foundation Assisted Schools Program, as a mechanism, was successful in influencing pupil cohort in a positive and desired way as improved ratios of enrolment, grade transitions and survival rate were observed.

It is evidence based conclusion that students' classroom participation makes them more motivated, supports their learning, improves their communication and promotes higher order thinking skills. The current study was an intention to investigate the current level of secondary school students' classroom participation and to identify the underlying factors that contribute to it. The study was conducted on 9th and 10th grade students, randomly selected from 19 boys' and 21 girls' government high schools in Lahore city. Sampling process consisted of two stages. In the first stage, 10% sample size was calculated which led to random selection of 4 schools, two from each cohort. At second stage, 500 students were purposively selected from 1689 students, 250 from each cohort. A self-report questionnaire (FBCPS) was used to collect data. Response rate was 70%. Simple descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The study concluded that students exhibit significant level of classroom participation. Further boys participated more in the class as compare to girls, while internal and external factors behind their classroom participation were same, although the extent to which they influence was different. Girls were influenced by motivation in their classroom participation as compared to boys. Boys' participated more due to high self-esteem. Teachers, parents and peers and curriculum are important external factors which supported boys classroom participation more than girls who in turn more influenced by classroom environment.

The psychosocial adaptation of international scholars is a growing area of inquiry in social sciences. Currently, almost 47,164 Pakistani international scholars are enrolled in various universities worldwide but there is a dearth of literature concerning their psychosocial adjustment. This qualitative inquiry focuses on Pakistani graduate and postgraduate international scholars' insights concerning their adaptation practices in Dutch culture and society. The study is grounded in a sociocultural adaptation model. The primary data was collected through in-depth interviews with ten Pakistani international students who are currently registered in three Dutch universities. The seven central themes that emerged out of in-depth interviews were the perception of cultural disparity, linguistic challenges, limited interaction with host nationals, discrimination, difficulties practicing religious obligations, acculturation attitudes, and participants' coping strategies applied during the adjustment process. The findings of the current study highlight both barriers and protective factors within the scope of theoretical assumptions and literature. The current study contributes to the gap in the available literature concerning Pakistani international scholars' experiences. A limited number of studies have discussed acculturation practices of Muslim students and from a specific region. The present findings would be useful for Pakistani international scholars who intend to study abroad and the administration of the host universities receiving Pakistani international scholars to facilitate their adjustment to the new context.

We propose a decolonial pedagogy in the teaching of English Literature at the undergraduate level in postcolonial Pakistan. We argue that the English literary texts that are taught in conjunction with different supplementary materials retain a West-centric tilt that requires disbanding. Therefore, we administered carefully designed worksheets. These encouraged marginal thinking across the differential socio-historical canvases that outline the prescribed texts, online lectures, supplementary reading materials and the students' situatedness. The students used these resources as tools for practising a decolonial hermeneutics. By directing these tools towards their own lived situation, they intervened within the Western means of knowledge production and undid their alterity and historical silencing. By analysing the students' assignments as sites of decolonial articulation, we propose that decolonial pedagogy can be used to generate an intercultural intellectual solidarity that allows the formerly colonised to rethink themselves in a manner that no longer talks back to the Empire.

Background: Raising a child with hydrocephalus can be very challenging, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In Pakistan, mothers being the primary caregivers for their hydrocephalic children are under tremendous stress. Methods: This study explores the challenges faced by Pakistani mothers raising children with hydrocephalus, employing a qualitative methodology through focus group discussions comprising ten mothers of hydrocephalic babies at Tertiary Care Hospital in Pakistan. Results: The findings highlight three main themes: emotional toll, social isolation, and financial strain. Mothers experience significant emotional stress due to societal stigma and a lack of support, particularly from their husbands and family. Social isolation is prevalent, as mothers fear sharing their burdens and face physical confinement due to their children's needs. Financial strain is another major issue, with high medical costs adding to their economic difficulties. Conclusion: The study emphasizes improved access to specialized care, awareness campaigns to reduce stigma, financial assistance, and stronger community support networks to support these mothers better. Addressing these unmet needs is crucial for empowering Pakistani mothers in their caregiving roles and improving the quality of life for their children with hydrocephalus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breast cancer is a global health challenge with significant mortality, affecting millions worldwide. The current study is aimed at evaluating awareness and practices related to breast cancer screening, prevention, and treatment among the general public and physicians in Lahore, Pakistan, which has a significant incidence of breast cancer. Methodology: The current study adopted a cross‐sectional study design conducted in Lahore, Pakistan, between March and August 2023, among 404 participants from the general public and 240 physicians. Data collection and evaluation involved the use of validated questionnaires, and both descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS Version 25. Result: In Lahore, Pakistan, breast cancer awareness among the public was low, with 80.2% unaware of its global prevalence, 65.3% believing not everyone is at risk, and only 42.1% recognizing symptoms. Females showed greater awareness (OR: 1.020, CI: 0.617–1.686, p = 0.002) and positive attitudes (OR: 2.711, CI: 1.478–6.478, p = 0.045), while the 18–29 age group had higher odds of positive practices (OR: 4.317, CI: 2.678–5.956, p = 0.004). Educational attainment significantly influences knowledge and attitudes. Only 13.9% practiced self‐examination. Among physicians, 88.8% were confident in screenings, but patient fear (42.9%) and financial barriers (79.2%) hindered action. Physicians with FCPS qualifications had higher odds of awareness (OR: 1.550, CI: 1.130–2.117, p = 0.007), attitudes (OR: 1.500, CI: 1.050–2.150, p = 0.025), and practices (OR: 1.470, CI: 1.070–2.017, p = 0.020). Those with 11–20 years of experience also showed better awareness (OR: 1.400, CI: 1.050–1.868, p = 0.022) and attitudes (OR: 1.450, CI: 1.045–2.018, p = 0.029). Conclusion: In conclusion, breast cancer awareness among the general public is limited, highlighting the need for tailored education programs. Although most physicians show high awareness, challenges in patient communication and barriers, such as fear and financial constraints, must be addressed to improve screening uptake. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted interventions to enhance public awareness, screening practices, and physician‐patient communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study aims to explore the perceived outcomes of Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) reforms on autonomy and overall performance within tertiary healthcare institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, Pakistan. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out from September 2023 to March 2024, involving interviews with frontline staff, administrative personnel, and senior management within MTI-affiliated institutions. The methodology employed, using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques. Results: The study showed that institutional staff members' knowledge and understanding of the MTI changes differed. Some observed very minor adjustments, while others saw advances in hospital operations and service delivery. Administrative complexity, political meddling, and resource allocation problems were noted as challenges. Positive results were also observed, though, and they included improved infrastructure, possibilities for staff training, and decision-making procedures. Conclusion: Despite significant improved, there are still challenges, such as inconsistent staff comprehension, mixed impacts on service delivery, resource allocation issues, and political meddling. Addressing these issues necessitates improved communication, continuous evaluation, and coordinated efforts to improve administrative systems and obtain consistent funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the characteristics of teachers having great bearing upon students' learning is their professional self-esteem. Various instruments are available for measuring general self-esteem and professional self-esteem of teachers. For the present study it was deemed appropriate to use a Turkish professional self-esteem scale developed by Aricak (Aricak, 1999). However, before conducting the actual study, it was decided to check the construct validity of the Aricak scale and to see how the instrument behaves in the Pakistani context. This instrument is a Likert type (five points) scale having originally 30 items with 14 positive and 16 negative statements. Aricak (1999) reported a Cronbach Alpha coefficient 0.93 (n = 152) and test-retest reliability coefficient 0.90 (n = 92, p<01) of the scale. However, the first administration of the original English version of the scale in Pakistan resulted in 0.84 reliability of the scale, which was considered less than satisfactory. Two measures were taken to adapt the Aricak scale and to improve its validity and reliability to reflect and suit the local values. Firstly, the scale was translated into Urdu, the national language of Pakistan in order to increase its comprehensibility, resulting in the improvement of the reliability of the Urdu version of the scale with its original 30 items to 0.89. At the second stage, seven more items (4 positive and 3 negative) were added to the scale. Reliability of the revised scale with 37 items was found to be 0.93. The paper also describes that unlike the original scale having three factors, 37 items of the revised and adapted scale loaded on five factors.

Purpose: This study aimed to find out the web content accessed by university students and to compare the level of interaction with real-life friends and online friends. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, the quantitative research design used, and the researcher collected data through the survey method. The population comprises all undergraduate students at the University of the Punjab, Lahore. The sample of 320 students, age ranges from 18 to 22 years from eight selected departments, collected through a simple random sampling technique and after extraction 284 questionnaires evaluated by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings: The findings of the study showed that students preferred activities on the Internet is to access social networking sites. Additionally, the mobile phone is the most commonly used device among university students to access the Internet. Furthermore, students mostly used Facebook to keep in touch with their old friends and talk on different topics more easily with their online friends as compared to real-life friends. The study also shows that the results of both the hypothesis are significant; therefore, no difference exists regarding time spent on the Internet in real-life friendship patterns and online friendship patterns. Originality/value: The research was used to find out the difference between the online friendship and real-life friendship patterns of the two groups who use the Internet for less time and who spend more time on the Internet among the university students.

Education is necessary for the personality grooming of individual. There are different types of institutions available like private and public institutions, technical institutions, and madrasas (religious institutions). These institutes are having the triangle of three main pillars; consisted of Teachers, Students, and Curriculum. There are two main types of schools in Pakistan and all over the world. One is public and other is private school system. Now a days private schools are becoming more favorite and attractive for majority of the students due to their better education systems, test criteria and knowledge creation vis-a-vis public schools, which comparatively very cheap but inefficient are losing their attraction. Parents prefer to send their children in private schools and avoid public schools. The main objective of this study is to investigate why people prefer high charging private schools over free public schools (That charge nothing)? We use primary data collected through constructed questionnaire and survey method was applied for collection of data from the target respondents of private and public schools located in District Vehari, Pakistan. The results show that five main factors emerge as important determinants of private school choice. These include the socioeconomic status of the household, the degree of a school's accessibility, the cost of schooling, parents' perceptions of school quality, and their perceptions of the available employment opportunities in the region.

This article aims to explore the concept of student well-being and how it can be introduced and integrated within Pakistan's educational structure. The basis of the discussion is built around the need for having a student well-being model for schools in Pakistan. For the purpose of the study, the information is gathered inductively through a detailed literature review of the relevant data, which was further supplemented by three case studies from the public, private and catholic schools in Victoria, Australia. Along with this, extensive literature review was made of Pakistan's education system. Following the completion of the literature review and case studies, a comprehensive framework is proposed along with a student well-being management plan for developing and integrating the student well-being model into the existing educational programme in the country.

Medical students often face challenges in choosing a career path due to limited exposure to specialized fields like neurosurgery. Understanding their perceptions and experiences is crucial in addressing the gaps in neurosurgical education and inspiring future neurosurgeons. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 461 medical students, utilizing convenience sampling. Data collection employed a validated, self-administered tool. Statistical analysis in SPSS Version 25 included t-tests and chi-square tests, comparing scores based on age, gender, year of study, and exposure to the formal neurosurgical rotations in their institute. Significance value was set at P < 0.05. In the study of 461 medical students, 79.8% identified with the 19–23 age group, and 63.8% affirmed neurosurgery exposure. Medical students' perceptions included: 167 (36.3%) students found neurosurgery teaching sufficient; 164 (35.6%) disagreed that obtaining neurosurgical history is difficult; 224 (48.6%) agreed on neurosurgical disease complexity; and 250 (54.2%) found these diseases challenging and interesting. A majority of 183 (39.7%) respondents agreed that neurosurgical diseases had poor outcomes. Regarding training for neurosurgical surgery, 205 (44.5%) participants strongly agreed on its length, and 215 (46.7%) consented to extensive operating hours. However, 167 (36.3%) strongly disagreed about the ample job prospects in Pakistan. Enhancing neurosurgery education with quality, consistency, and adaptability is essential to bridge gaps and inspire future neurosurgeons. These findings guide improvements in educational programs, preparing a skilled workforce to meet evolving health-care demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinization and sodication present significant threats to crop productivity in many parts of the world including Pakistan. Cultivating halophytes like quinoa presents a viable solution for the profitable use of salt-affected lands. This study specifically examines the performance and salt tolerance mechanism of four quinoa accessions under varying salinity and sodicity levels. In addition to a control group, different combinations of electrical conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio (ECe dS m−1 SAR levels) were established: 10:20, 10:40, 20:20, and 20:40, achieved by using a mixture of salts. Most of the quinoa cultivars exhibited robust growth, with the exception of GLN-22, which proved unable to withstand high levels of salinity and sodicity, resulting in a 78% reduction in yield. GLN-29, on the other hand, demonstrated superior performance across all levels of salinity and sodicity. UAF-Q7 excelled under conditions of high salinity and low sodicity compared to equivalent salinity levels but elevated sodicity. Meanwhile, GLN-33 exhibited enhanced growth under elevated sodicity levels but struggled in the face of high salinity stress. In terms of nutrient uptake, GLN-29 displayed a higher accumulation of Na+ (32%) in older leaves compared to younger ones, alongside elevated levels of antioxidant activity at all salinity and sodicity levels. Notably, GLN-29 exhibited excellent adaptation to both high salinity and sodicity levels, resulting in the highest grain yield (14.75 g/pot) and the salt tolerance mechanism was associated with highly efficient K+ retention and transport of Na+ to older leaves. This underscores the necessity for further comprehensive field studies to ascertain its suitability for the sustainable utilization of salt-affected soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young individuals (18 to 25 years old) misuse prescription drugs at the highest rates. College or university audience may come with added risk. Previous studies indicate that personality plays a significant role in the prediction of much addictive behavior. Four characteristics of anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, sensation seeking, and impulsivity have continuously been linked. The major focus on overall prescription drug use, inconsistent operationalization of misuse, and failure to account for alcohol use restrict published studies on personality as a predictor of prescription drug misuse. Small and general sample sizes were used. We wanted to know more about how personality influenced total use, use that was approved by a doctor, and misuse of prescription sedatives/tranquilizers, opioids, and stimulants. Young adults in Karachi, Pakistan were included in the large (N = 1755) sample (mean age = 18.6 years; 68.9% female). We hypothesized that sedatives/tranquilizers would be associated to anxiety sensitivity, opioids to hopelessness, stimulants to sensation seeking, and impulsivity to all three. Except for the impulsivity to opioid use pathway, our "any use" model's predictions were entirely supported. Sensation seeking predicted stimulants for misuse, anxiety sensitivity (marginally) predicted sedatives/tranquilizers, and impulsivity predicted all three. Our models advocate for the use of interventions that are tailored to each young adults' personality. Targeting anxiety sensitivity for sedative/tranquilizer misuse, sensation seeking for stimulant misuse and impulsivity for unrestrained prescription drug misuse are specifically suggested by the studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) has recently gained much popularity due to its emerging applications in road deicing, and as an industrial adsorbent for removal of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) gas and other odorous acid gases from gaseous streams. CMA is a multi-purpose, low-corrosion and concrete-safe alternative to the conventionally used sodium chloride (NaCl) deicers. CMA prevents snow and ice from bonding to either surfaces or itself. In the present study, CMA was prepared from dolomitic limestone of Abbottabad region, Pakistan. The prepared samples were characterized through various instrumental techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy combined with Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The performance of CMA was compared with NaCl. It was found that after 24 hours, 15 %, of ice melted, when no deicing agent was used. Likewise, 49.4 %, and 66.4 % of ice melted, when CMA and NaCl were used as deicing agents, respectively. Thus, the rate of ice melting increased by 70 % and 77.4 %, with CMA and NaCl respectively. The analysis showed that CMA could successfully be produced from dolomitic limestone of Abbottabad, and the same may be applied for deicing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the history of humankind, lunar eclipse has always captured attention and imagination of human beings. This study is an anthropological attempt to describe prevailing perceptions and myths about lunar eclipse and resultant religious and cultural practices in some of the rural areas of Central Punjab, Pakistan. For this purpose, qualitative research techniques of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions have been used to understand and untangle the strings of indigenous perpetuations about a celestial phenomenon. The research findings showed multiple sets of socio-cultural and religious beliefs and practices which have been followed through generations that demonstrate the richness of culture and mythological value of local verbal tales. Perceptions include fear of God, remembering the day of judgment, good or bad luck, and occurrence of disease. Practices include praying, charity, taking certain precautions to avoid the disease, and doing some religious and cultural rituals. Some unique folktales are also narrated by the respondents of the locale which have specific socio-cultural meanings for them. The paper describes all these perceptions and practices in two main parts: socio-cultural perceptions and practices and religious perceptions and practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report the effect of fibrosis on yield of Deoxyribonucleic Acid extraction from Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded tissue. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Molecular Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi Pakistan, Jul to Dec 2021. Methodology: Fifty-four Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded tissues having size <2cm containing fibrosis (Mild, Moderate, Severe) were included in the study. Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded tissues having tissue size > 2cm were excluded. Deoxyribonucleic Acid was extracted and quantified from Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded blocks. Results: Nine (17%) Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded tissues had no fibrosis, 28(51%) had Mild fibrosis, 9(17%) and 8(15%) had Moderate and Severe fibrosis. Measurement scale in 5 different stages for evaluation of our quantified results were used. For specimens with no fibrosis the DNA quantity fel on scale 1, 0(0%); on scale 2, 1(11%); on scale 3, 0(0%); on scale 4, 1(11%); and on scale 5, 7(78%). Deoxyribonucleic Acid yield in moderate fibrosis specimens fel on scale 1, 0(0%)' on scale 2, 7(78%); on scale 3, 0(0%); on scale 4, 1(11%); and on scale 5, 1(11%). Among severe fibrosis the Deoxyribonucleic Acid quantity fal on scale 1, 5(62%); on scale 2, 3(38%); on scale 3, 0(0%); on scale 4, 0(0%); and on scale 5, 0(0%). Conclusion: Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded tissues having severe fibrosis resulted in significantly lower Deoxyribonucleic Acid yield as compared to Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded tissues having no fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematics is well known as a subject area where there can be problems in terms of understanding as well as retaining positive attitudes. In a large study involving 813 school students (ages approximately 10-12) drawn from two different school systems in Pakistan, the effect of limited working memory capacity on performance in mathematics was explored along with a survey of areas of difficulty and student attitudes. This involved looking at student perceptions of their experiences, the nature of the difficulties they have with mathematics and possible reasons for these difficulties. The overall aim is to explore the extent of the effect of working memory and to gain insights so that practical ways forward to enhance mathematics education can be identified. It was found that limited working memory capacity has a very strong influence on performance, confirming other studies. Indeed, if the cognitive load exceeds the capacity of working memory, understanding becomes a casualty, with consequent attitude deterioration. Students need to be able to see that mathematics has a purpose in being able to be applied to real-life situations. However, attempts to develop applications may often generate further working memory overload. Curricula devised by those outside the classroom can sometimes be inappropriate while topics causing the greatest problems at these ages and include areas of geometry, statistics and the applications of mathematics.

This study investigated relationship between self-concept and academic achievement of bachelor degree students. Female students at bachelor were considered the target population. A sample of 1500 students was selected by using two stage cluster sampling technique. An amended form of Self-Descriptive Questionnaire developed by Marsh (1985) was used as tool of research. Factor analysis was employed to explore the pattern of inter-item correlations of the questionnaire. Kendall's-Tau-b technique of correlation was applied to correlate responses obtained on academic, physical and social self concepts related items with the academic achievement scores of students Physical self-concept and social self-concepts were found unrelated to academic achievement. However, a significant but weak correlation was found between academic self-concept and academic achievement.

This qualitative in-depth interview study investigated the experiences of Pakistani English teachers in an online community, English Companion Ning (ECN). The main purpose of the study was to investigate what ECN meant to these Pakistani teachers and how they found their professional learning experiences different in ECN from face-to-face professional development programs in Pakistan. Data were gathered from six teachers through in-depth interviews, guided tours, field notes, memos, and ECN logs. Using the grounded theory approach, this study analyzed and interpreted the data through initial, focused, and axial coding. Data analysis revealed that being free from budget, temporal, and geographical constraints, the ECN provided numerous opportunities to the Pakistani teachers for a sustained and long-term professional learning in a collaborative setting.

The study aimed to investigate the organizational and task factors as antecedents of teachers' professional development (TPD) and occupational expertise (OE). Positivist paradigm had been used for the study. The data were collected through a structured questionnaire from a convenience sample of 233 faculty members in higher education institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan. The statistical test of correlation, descriptive, and regression were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that organizational and tasks factors and their dimensions positively and significantly affected TPD and OE. The results also found partial mediation of TPD between organizational and task factors and OE association. The results offered opportunities to administration in HEIs in Pakistan to invest in TPD to attain OE for sustained contribution in knowledge economy.

Simple Summary: This present research work was designed for the validation of some SNPs of casein in Bos indicus (Sahiwal breed), previously reported for their association with milk yield in Bos taurus. This study indicated that these SNPs of casein genes (rs43703010, rs109500451, rs110079521, rs110323127, rs43703015, rs43703016 and rs43703017) significantly affected milk yield in Bos indicus of the Sahiwal breed. Animals with the genotype GG, having the SNP α S1 and aA S2 casein genes (rs43703010 and rs109500451), show high milk yield. For the SNPs of the κ casein genes (CSN3) (rs110079521, rs43703016 and rs43703017), animals with genotype AA were high milk producers. For the other two SNPs of the CSN3 gene (rs110323127 and rs43703015), animals with genotypes GG and CC produced a high milk yield. In light of these results, animal breeders may be able to make a more precise selection of the animals of Bos indicus (Sahiwal breed) with high milk yield. The aim of the present study was the validation of the already reported Bos taurus SNPs in the Sahiwal breed. A total of nine SNPs of the casein gene were studied. Out of nine, seven Bos taurus SNPs of casein protein genes were found to be significantly associated with milk productivity traits. The genomic DNA was extracted from the mammary alveolar endothelial cells of a flock of 80 purebred Sahiwal lactating dams available at Khizrabad Farm near Sargodha. New allele-specific primers were designed from the NCBI annotated sequence database of Bos taurus to obtain 100 nt-long PCR products. Each dam was tested separately for all the SNPs investigated. Animals with genotype GG for the SNPs rs43703010, rs10500451, and 110323127, respectively, exhibited high milk yield. Similarly, animals with genotype AA for the SNPs rs11079521, rs43703016, and rs43703017 showed high milk yield consistently. For the SNP rs43703015, animals with genotype CC showed high milk productivity. These above-mentioned SNPs have previously been reported to significantly up-regulate casein protein contents in Bos taurus. Our results indicated SNPs that significantly affect the milk protein contents may also significantly increase per capita milk yield. These finding suggest that the above-mentioned reported SNPs can also be used as genetic markers of milk productivity in Sahiwal cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Maintaining normal amniotic fluid index and normal hemoglobin level is crucial for normal fetal development. Their reduction can lead to maternal and fetal morbidity in the form of operative delivery and poor perinatal outcome such as, low birth weight. There is an association between oligohydramnios and anaemia, although there is scarcity on this correlation in literature. Early detection of oligohydramnios can improve maternal and perinatal outcome. This study aimed to investigate the association between oligohydramnios and anaemia during the third trimester of pregnancy. Methodology: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at NESCOM Hospital, Pakistan. The study spanned from August 1, 2021, to July 31, 2022. Results: The study included 109 pregnant individuals with oligohydramnios, resulting in an incidence of 22% among the total of 551 deliveries during the study period. The average age of participants was 29.75 years. The average gestational age was 33.52 weeks, with a range of 28 to 38 weeks. The analysis indicated that 44.03% of cases with oligohydramnios were associated with anaemia, followed by idiopathic causes (41.28%). Pearson's correlation revealed a significant association between oligohydramnios and anaemia (r = 0.307, p = 0.001), supporting the hypothesis of a potential interconnection between these two conditions. Regarding delivery outcomes, 81.6% underwent cesarean section, emphasizing the need for careful management in cases of oligohydramnios and anaemia. Neonatal outcomes indicated that 1.8% and 44.5% of neonates were extremely low birth weight and low birth weight, respectively. Conclusion: This study provides empirical evidence supporting a significant association between oligohydramnios and anaemia in the third trimester. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the traces of neoliberal ideology in O-level English language textbooks taught in elitist private schools in Pakistan that follow the UK-based international educational system administrated by the University of Cambridge under the General Certificate of Education (GCE). Analysis in the study was informed by Fairclough's CDA writings. Moreover, Bourdieu's views on neoliberalism were also considered to shed some light on neoliberal ideology in the textbooks. Findings suggest that several neoliberal themes were evident in the textbooks under scrutiny, including marketization, consumerism, branding, celebrity culture, competition, individualism, self-responsibility and self-entrepreneurship, mobility, new 'Othering' strategy and English as a neoliberal skill. Based on the findings, we argue that the global ELT industry that produces teaching materials, including textbooks for the periphery is a major contributor to the neoliberal world order maintained by the local (political) elite in the government(s) e.g. Pakistan in case of the present study. The textbooks prepare learners for a competitive world rather than a world based on cooperation, mutual progress, and happiness. The study thus questions such neoliberal hegemony encoded in the textbooks and argues for critical examination and selection of the materials for contexts where English is taught as a foreign language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adoption of a health information system is always a challenge for hospitals. It is because most of the medical staff do not have enough skills to use the new technology and due to the sensitivity of medical data. These factors pose a challenge for the successful adoption of health information system in hospitals. The aim of this research is to find out the factors which influence the adoption of information systems in hospitals. The study investigated the impact of the Financial status of the Hospital; Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use on the adoption of health information systems through a questionnaire survey. Data was collected from 602 healthcare workers from 20 hospitals through close-ended questionnaire in Pakistan, where the adoption of health information systems is very slow. PLS-SEM was used for the analysis. The findings show that the Financial status of the Hospital; Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Ease of Use have positive and significant role in the adoption of Health Information Systems. The finding also shows that hospital size moderates the relationship of Perceived ease of use and the adoption of health information systems and interestingly it does not moderate the relationship among perceived usefulness and financial strength toward the adoption of health information systems. The study concludes that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and financial strength are the main factors, necessary for the adoption of health information systems. The findings of the study have useful implications for policy makers, medical professionals to successfully adopt health information systems in hospitals. It also provides new avenues for researchers to explore other factors and test this framework in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of 'Energy from waste' is one of the most focused areas of work to find a solution for controlling trash and combat energy crises. In Pakistan and other agricultural countries, because of their substantial use during the summer, watermelon peels as fruit waste are usually thrown out as a trash. This study supported the management of huge quantities of waste to value-added products at a commercial scale. The current study aims to select and subject xylanolytic and ethanologenic Bacillus cereus XG2 for water melon peels valorization appropriately with comparison of three hydrolysis techniques. The study will be helpful for selection of economical and environmentally beneficial valorization strategies. For ethanalogenesis, separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) protocols with Saccharomyces cerevisiae K7 and Metchnikowia cibodasensis Y34 were used. For hydrolysis, three different saccharification approaches, viz. dilute sulfuric acid, enzymatic hydrolysis (using Bacillus cereus XG2 xylanases), and combined acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis, were adopted. Two statistical models, Placket-Burman (hydrolysis) and Central composite design (ethanologenesis) were used. In untreated watermelon waste (WW), reducing sugar, total lipids, total carbohydrates, and protein contents were calculated as 16.70±0.05 g/L, 3.20±0.02 g/L, 28.7±0.04 g/L, and 3.70±0.03 g/L, respectively. Similarly, the lignin (15.51±0.22%), hemicellulose (17.20±2.30%). and cellulose (52.26±0.33%) contents were also analyzed. Based on the significance of the Plackett–Burman model for enzymatic saccharification, the released reducing sugars as well as total sugars were 21.62±0.01 g/L and 43.30±1.55 g/L, respectively, and enzymatic hydrolyzate was adopted for further fermentation experiments. By CCD model, the highest ethanol yield calculated for yeast Metchnikowia cibodasensis Y34 was 0.4±0.04 g/g of fermentable sugars at 32.5o C with 50% enzymatic hydrolysate of WW by incubating for 8 days. It was suggested that SHF could be a beneficial approach to increase the conversion of hemicellulose to fermentable sugars to produce bioethanol on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines the interplay between corruption and good governance in the context of developing nations, focusing on Pakistan. Corruption's elusive nature complicates its measurement, but its adverse effects on governance are undeniable, hindering transparency and accountability, which are essential for good governance. Combining qualitative research and data from sources like the World Governance Indicators, the study explores corruption's impact. A small-scale regional comparative analysis and five interviews with public officials from various Pakistani ministries and departments provide additional insights. The findings highlight how corruption impedes governance, affecting transparency and accountability. The study also outlines initiatives by the Pakistani government to combat corruption, positioning Pakistan in the World Governance Indicators and the Transparency Perception Index. Addressing corruption is crucial for fostering effective governance and sustainable development. Proactive measures and public involvement are recommended to curb corruption and enhance governance in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the impact of social media on political attitudes and behaviors among Pakistani voters during the 2024 General Elections. Pakistan, a diverse and populous South Asian nation, has experienced a tumultuous political history, including periods of democratic governance and military rule. The 2024 General Elections represented a critical moment in its political landscape, with significant shifts in political behavior influenced by social media. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating Almond and Powell's political system model and the system theory of political communication. Data was collected through an online questionnaire from a population of voters in Lahore, with a sample size of 243 participants. The questionnaire was designed to ensure construct validity and reliability, with measures like Cronbach's alpha for internal consistency. Statistical analysis techniques were used to examine the data. Findings strongly support the hypothesis that exposure to political content on social media is associated with changes in political attitudes and behaviors among Pakistani voters during the 2024 General Elections. The study recommends that political parties should enhance their engagement on social media platforms to effectively influence voter behavior. Additionally, further research is suggested to explore the long-term impacts of social media on political engagement in different regions of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A qualitative study that focuses on exploring the reign of environmental governance in Pakistan in relation to global environmental governance. It also explores the barriers involved in successful formulation, execution and implementation of environmental policy instruments in Pakistan. A plethora of wicked environmental challenges exist many of which pose serious threat to our economy. Even though a multitude of federal and provincial environmental departments, regulations and policies exist yet there is a setback in controlling disasters and/or alleviating situations. Why is it so? To explore data was collected through structured interviews. A pilot interview was conducted to ascertain the validity. Small sample size is a limitation of this study. Interviews analysis revealed weak political commitment, resource deficiencies, dearth of research-based policy making and response centric approaches as prime reasons for poor environmental governance. The study suggests need for strict regulatory and collaborative governance, communities' involvement, vulnerability assessments and proactive approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan and Afghanistan share deep commonalties-social, cultural, religious, and political; which increases interdependency. This study deeply investigates the security implications for Pakistan since the Taliban regime 2.0. Afghan Taliban have strong connections with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), such deep-rooted ties between the TTP and Afghan Taliban; thus, directly impacting bilateral ties. Regional Security Complex theory and Constructivism has been applied to explain the whole situation. Pakistan's security and stability greatly depend on Afghanistan's internal political and security environments. The Neo-Taliban takeover of Afghanistan poses several challenges to Pakistan. In the aftermath of August 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a rise in militancy. Various articles, research papers, and books regarding the mentioned issue have been reviewed to explain it. In order to counter said challenges, this paper highlights various ways forward for Pakistan such as pragmatic and proactive foreign policy, regional cooperation comprehensive joint plan of action with the Afghan official [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative descriptive study delves into the awareness and systematic implementation challenges surrounding Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) for deaf children in Pakistan. Through semi-structured interviews with parents, professionals, and NGO representatives, the research highlights a pervasive lack of awareness among stakeholders, limited access to early screenings, and an absence of formal institutes providing comprehensive support. Thematic analysis of the interview data reveals recurring themes such as limited systematic mechanisms and efforts, limited involvement of professionals in IFSPs, fragmented services and lack of coordination, and barriers to accessibility. The findings underscore the urgency of comprehensive awareness campaigns, systematic screenings, interdisciplinary training, and advocacy for government involvement to address the multifaceted barriers to effective IFSP implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coronavirus has created significant disruptions and exposed supply chain (SC) vulnerabilities. This crisis started a discussion about SC sustainability and performance. Therefore, the implementation of advanced technologies and supply chain collaboration could mitigate this disruption with the help of government support and policies. Considering this situation, this paper examines how COVID-19 influences advanced technologies (Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Blockchain, Digital twins, and Big Data Analytics) and supply chain collaboration (SCC) with a moderating role of government support and policies (GSP) in Pakistan. The study encompasses a comprehensive assessment carried out via structural equation modeling and data collected from Pakistani companies engaged in SCM or those operating within the SC divisions of manufacturing enterprises. According to the empirical findings, it is evident that COVID-19 outbreaks have a significant influence on SSCP; However, they do not show a similar impact on advanced technologies (AI, IoT, Blockchain, DT, and BDA) and supply chain collaboration, the influence of COVID-19 on SSCP was effectively mediated through advance technologies (AI, IoT, Blockchain, DT, and BDA) and supply chain collaboration. This research contributes to the existing literature on SSCP by emphasizing the importance of the resource-based view, dynamic capability view, and institutional theories. SC and logistics managers can apply the theoretical framework proposed in this study to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic or disruptions in logistics and SC operations, thereby improving profitability in the context of an epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The prevalence of hyperthyroidism in Pakistan is 2.9%, which is two times higher than in the United States. Most high-quality hyperthyroidism clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) used internationally originate from high-income countries in the West. Local CPGs in Pakistan are not backed by transparent methodologies. We aimed to produce comprehensive, high-quality CPGs for the management of hyperthyroidism in Pakistan. Methods: We employed the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT approach utilizing the 2016 American Thyroid Association Guidelines for Diagnosis and Management of Hyperthyroidism and Other Causes of Thyrotoxicosis as the source CPG. Recommendations from the source guideline were either adopted as is, excluded, or adapted according to our local context. Results: The source guideline included a total of 124 recommendations, out of which 71 were adopted and 49 were excluded. 4 recommendations were carried forward for adaptation via the ETD process, with modifications being made to 2 of these. The first addressed the need for liver function tests (LFTs) amongst patients experiencing symptoms of hepatotoxicity while being treated with anti-thyroid drugs (ATDs). The second pertained to thyroid status testing post-treatment by radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy for Graves' Disease (GD). Both adaptations centered around the judicious use of laboratory investigations to reduce costs of hyperthyroidism management. Conclusion: Our newly developed hyperthyroidism CPGs for Pakistan contain two context-specific modifications that prioritize patients' finances during the course of hyperthyroidism management and to limit the overuse of laboratory testing in a resource-constrained setting. Future research must investigate the cost-effectiveness and risk-benefit ratio of these modified recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: "Ghosting" refers to the practice of abruptly cutting off all contact with a person with whom you have been in constant correspondence. The break comes without warning and without understandable provocation. The term most commonly applies to online romantic relationships. The motives for and effects of ghosting have been studied, and validated research questionnaires have been developed; however, there are no such questionnaires available for Urdu speakers. The purpose of this study was to adapt the "Ghosting Questionnaire (GQ)" for use in Pakistan and India, two of the world's most populous countries—a process that involves translation, adaptation, and validation. Methods: The study's methodology involved translating the GQ into Urdu using both forward and backward translation techniques. Convergent validity, test–retest reliability, internal consistency, confirmatory factor analysis, and goodness of fit were all components of the psychometric analyses. Conclusions: The Urdu version of the GQ demonstrated a good internal consistency, with the Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega both exceeding 0.90. It also showed a high test–retest reliability—(0.96). The one-factor structure was confirmed by the confirmatory factor analysis, which agreed with the original English version of the GQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In current era of globalization, environmental sustainability has become a major concern in developing countries. This issue of sustainability also gained importance in Pakistan. Previous literature ignored the link of knowledge spillover along with energy efficiency and globalization on environmental sustainability in Pakistan. So, the motivation of current study is to explore the impact of energy efficiency, knowledge spillover, and globalization on environmental sustainability in Pakistan from 1980 to 2021. This study applied Phillip Perron (PP)unit test to determine the stationarity properties of study variables, and it was found that all variables are I(1). The study then applied the Johansen cointegration estimation technique, confirming a cointegration and long-run relationship between environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, knowledge spill over, and globalization. So, the vector error correction model is applied to determine the variables' long-run relationship. Results confirmed that knowledge spill over and energy efficiency negatively impact environmental sustainability by increasing the ecological footprint, while globalization positively affects environmental sustainability. Thus, for environmental sustainability policy formation, fostering circular economy practices that improve resource efficiency is essential, advocating a shift in the conventional production and utilization paradigm by recycling the natural environment and producing as little waste as possible. Further, governments should develop and stimulate the expansion of financial institutions and markets along with promoting a planned urbanization process are essential for ensuring that resources are handled sustainably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the extent to which refugee girls and young women were able to access learning during COVID-19 education closures in Pakistan, and the role that EdTech played in their learning access. It is based on findings from a survey with 403 Afghan refugee students, along with in-depth interviews with six young female refugees. The research shows that, while the majority of female refugee students were able to continue accessing education in some form during school closures, learning access was nevertheless limited, and a sizable minority were not engaged in any learning during this time. Teacher and institutional support was either absent or inadequate for many students, and infrastructure and devices that serve to support remote learning were not always reliable or accessible. Although male respondents were less likely than females to engage in independent study during the closures, refugee girls and young women were significantly less likely than their male counterparts to own the devices they needed for learning. The findings demonstrate how targeted investment in specific types of EdTech and teacher professional development, as well as supporting educational institutions in the establishment of remote learning opportunities, could help sustain learning during future periods of educational restriction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, ICT integration at the instructional level was introduced in one school of Khoski District, Badin. This study aimed to investigate how ICT is integrated at the faculty level in an institution of a rural area of lower Sindh. A qualitative case study was an appropriate method for this study because it was focused on a real-life situation and the researchers had no control over the events. The data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, observations, and official documents. The selection of the participants was based on purposeful sampling. School faculty was chosen because the school was is in the process of ICT integration. Results suggested that to integrate ICT effectively in an institution there should be a proper technology integration plan with day wise agenda and a proper authorisation plan for management with an estimated budget. The government should take an interest in ICT integration with the help of NGOs and private school teams for a digitalized education system in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This was a follow-up study conducted in 2020 assessing changes in levels of type 2 poliovirus–neutralizing antibodies 2 years postimmunization in children who received inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) in Karachi, Pakistan. Unexpectedly, the findings revealed an increase in seroprevalence of type 2 antibodies from 73.1% to 81.6% 1 year and 2 years after IPV, respectively. The increase in type 2 immunity could result from the intensive transmission of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in Karachi during the second year of IPV administration. This study suggests that the cVDPV2 outbreak detected in Pakistan infected large proportions of children in Karachi. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT03286803. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]