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The substantial disruption caused by the COVID-19 epidemic to the world's education system is only one of the many setbacks the world has recently experienced. The transition of the students from their offline learning mode to a fully digital approach was not easy from the beginning for them. The online teaching readiness heavily relied on their competencies and skills to adapt the pedagogy, training, technical skills, a proper mindset and new roles. This research endeavors to evaluate the readiness of the teachers belonging to higher education institutions (HEIs) to handle online education based on the online teaching readiness model. A systematic questionnaire with 30 statements was used by the researcher to collect and analyse data from 296 HEI lecturers in Saudi Arabia. Smart PLS3 was used to attain reliability, convergent, discriminate validity and model fitness. These programs will help equip the teachers with the necessary technical skills, pedagogy, competency and readiness to comprehend the requisite techniques of online teaching and the vital strategies for keeping their students engaged. Technical proficiency, pedagogy, competency and teaching readiness show a direct relationship with online education. On the other hand, attitude and training do not show any relationship with online education.

In econometrics, Autoregressive Conditional Duration (ACD) models use high-frequency economic or financial duration data, which mostly exhibit irregular time intervals. The ACD model is widely used to examine the duration of transaction volume and duration of price variations in stock markets. In this work, our goal is to devise testing that will aid in the identification of the best potential duration model among a set of four models using Bayesian approach. We test three models that rely on conditional mean duration (Weibull ACD, Log Weibull ACD, Generalized Gamma ACD) and one conditional median duration model (Birnbaum-Saunders ACD), and are being compared each other. The study was done in Rstan, a programming language for statistical inference, and the simulation uses the Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC) algorithm of Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) to sample from the posterior distribution. Our findings show that Log Weibull ACD (second-generation model) as best among the four models followed by Birnbaum-Saunders ACD (third-generation model). The result offers methodological implications for algorithmic trading (algo-trading), high-frequency trading and risk management.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus (sensu stricto). The parasite affects a wide range of livestock and wild animals. In this study, the population diversity of the Echinococcus species was investigated based on mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (nad5) genes. In addition to this, β-tubulin gene isoforms of Echinococcus granulosus were amplified to determine the resistance against benzimidazoles. For this purpose, 40 cyst samples from cattle (n = 20) and buffaloes (n = 20) were collected from the main abattoir of Sialkot. DNA extraction was performed using Qiagen Blood and Tissue Kits. Amplification was performed through PCR. Each amplicon was confirmed by GelRed™ stained agarose gel (2%). Samples were sequenced in a DNA analyzer and viewed for any misread nucleotide by using MEGA (v.11). Corrections in nucleotide sequence and multiple sequence alignment were made through the same software. NCBI-BLAST was used for sample specific sequences to identify them as belonging to a particular species. Diversity indices were estimated using DnaSP (v.6) while phylogenetic analysis was inferred using the Bayesian method using MrBayes (v.1.1). β-tubulin gene isoforms sequence analysis was performed to find out the candidate gene causing benzimidazole resistance. All 40 isolates were found positive for E. granulosus. BLAST-based searches of sequences of each isolate for each gene (nad5 and cytb) confirmed their maximum similarity with the G1 genotype. Overall, high haplotype diversity (Hd nad5 = 1.00; Hd cytb = 0.833) and low nucleotide diversity (π nad5 = 0.00560; π = cytb = 0.00763) was identified based on diversity indices. For both the genes, non-significant values of Tajima’s D (nad5 = −0.81734; cytb = −0.80861) and Fu’s Fs (nad5 = −1.012; cytb = 0.731) indicate recent population expansion. Bayesian phylogeny-based results of nad5 and cytb sequences confirmed their genotypic status as distinct from other Echinococcus species. This study shed light on the status of benzimidazole resistance in Echinococcus granulosus for the very first time from Pakistan. The findings of this study will significantly add in the information available on genetic diversity of Echinoccous granulosus based on cytb and nad5 genes sequences.

Parasitic infestations are one of the major threats to the livestock industry in Pakistan. These have a negative impact on the production of domesticated livestock species. Paramphistomes belong to the superfamily Paramphistomoidea and are involved in infecting ruminants all over the world. To date, there was no information on mitochondrial DNA-based molecular characterization of Paramphistomum epiclitum from Pakistan. To close this research gap, this study was designed to provide insights into the epidemiology of Paramphistomum species. Paramphistomum epiclitum isolates were recovered from the rumen of small ruminants slaughtered at an abattoir located in Faisalabad city and animal demographics were recorded. DNA was extracted and mitochondrial cox1 was amplified and sequenced. Prevalence was calculated along with a 95% confidence interval in various groups. The chi-square test was applied to determine the association between different variables under investigation. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the Bayesian method. Population diversity indices were calculated using DnaSP 4.5 software. A total of 43 mutations were observed among 7 haplotypes. Negative values of Fu's Fs values, and Tajima's D indicated population expansion. Deworming, season, and grazing were the variables that significantly correlate (p < 0.05) with the prevalence of P. epiclitum. The high prevalence of P. epiclitum demonstrates that more studies are indeed needed to further understand the prevalence and distribution of P. epiclitum in definitive and all potential intermediate hosts in addition to intraspecies variation and relationship with populations from other locations.

Migration has become a de facto phenomenon in the contemporary globalized world and India is not untouched. Indian labourers from the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh migrated to the UAE in search of better jobs and prospects. They migrated alone and left behind their families. The distance between them and their family can also create mental disorders; therefore, it becomes necessary to analyze the mental health of the migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study is quantitative and based on a sample survey approach. The researchers collected 416 samples through a structured questionnaire and used the snowball sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, chi-square test and logistic regression were utilized to analyze and interpret the results. The outbreak of coronavirus disturbed their livelihood resulting in a cut to their salary or earnings; in total, 83% of migrants were affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in terms of loss of their income, out of which 76% were affected by less than AED 1000. The respondents’ mental health was worrisome, but they were hopeful for the future. In total, 73.5% of respondents felt nervous, 62% felt depressed, 77% felt lonely, 63.4% had a hard time sleeping, and 63% had difficulties concentrating. The findings of the study draw attention to the policymakers to carry out necessary provisions to the targeted psychologically affected community. The findings also suggest creating awareness among the people by using social networking sites and diagnosing mental disorders on an urgent basis.

This present investigation reports, for the first time, the properties of the polybenzoxazine bio-based furfurylamine reinforced using the hybrid short carbon fibers and tungsten particles. The results revealed good compatibility between the matrix and the filers using scanning electron microscopy, due to the use of the silane treatment that led to enhanced interfacial bonding. In addition, the mechanical data disclosed that the bending and impact values were respectively increased to 210 MPa and 9 KJ/m2 for the composites containing 20%wt of the short carbon fibers and 20%wt tungsten particles. The hybrid composite shielding properties were evaluated using the cobalt-60 as an irradiation source, and the nuclear results depicted that the half-value length and the tenth-value length were increased as compared to those of the pure polymers. Based on the thermal stability studies, the reinforced hybrid composites also showed excellent thermal resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThe increasing incidence of acute appendicitis in sub-Saharan Africa emphasizes the need for accurate and reliable diagnostic tools. However, the variability in the diagnostic performance of computed tomography for suspected acute appendicitis coupled with comparatively higher negative appendectomy rates in this setting highlight a possible concern regarding the diagnostic accuracy. This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of a computed tomography scan for suspected acute appendicitis at the emergency department in Tanzania.MethodsA retrospective diagnostic accuracy study was conducted from July to October 2020. All patients above 14 years of age who presented at the emergency department with right iliac fossa abdominal pain of fewer than ten days and underwent computed tomography for suspected acute appendicitis were evaluated, and the Alvarado score was computed. Histological diagnosis and clinical follow-up of 14 days were considered the reference standard. Ethical clearance was sought from the Aga Khan University Ethical review committee.Results176 patients were included in this study. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were 100% (95% CI 91.8-100), 96.9% (95% CI 92.2-99.1), and 96.9% (95% CI 93.1-98.3), respectively. The mean Alvarado score in those without acute appendicitis was 4 (95% CI 3.7-4.3) compared to a mean score of 6.6 (95% CI 6.0-7.2) amongst those with acute appendicitis. The area under the receiver operator characteristics curve of computed tomography was 98.4%, and that of the Alvarado score was 84.1%.ConclusionsThe diagnostic performance of computed tomography in this study is similar to that established elsewhere. However, the Alvarado score is not routinely used for the initial screening of suspected acute appendicitis patients. A threshold of Alvarado score of 4 as a guide to conduct computed tomography for suspected acute appendicitis would have decreased computed tomography use by 50%, and missed 4 cases. Implementation studies that address Alvarado score use should be conducted.

This research focuses on the increasing dependency on flipped classrooms with the merger of distance teaching and learning instead of face-to-face classrooms during the pandemic, which impacted student’s performance and learning post-pandemic. The primary purpose of this research study was to identify support, motivation, participation, collaboration, assessment, and feedback gained through the use of flipped classrooms with the merger of distance teaching instead of a physical classroom in the pandemic situations and the challenges faced by teachers in using flipped classroom. The main intention is to analyze flipped classroom effectiveness as an emerging concept in a pandemic situation. In this research, a methodology is recommended step by step below in the methodology section—a quantitative research method used to collect accurate and reliable results. A survey research method was used in this study. The populations of 90–73 respondents among higher secondary grade students of the public school in Sukkur were selected for data collection. For managing the data, SPSS statistics software was used. In inferential statistics, an independent-samples t-test was used for the analysis of data. The results were analyzed based on gender mean score. The significant findings from this study suggested that the flipped classroom is a practical learning approach that enhances student engagement, performance, and learning in the class. It is summed up that a large number of students favoured the flipped classroom approach over traditional pedagogy. This study will help to further integrate this approach into higher levels of institutions by keeping in mind its effectiveness and hindrances in Pakistan.

This research aims to analyze the impact of bank performance determinants on bank performance by applying robust regression analysis. For this, the relationship between return on assets and net interest margin with bank performance determinants has been discussed using robust regression. Robust regression offers a better and more realistic analysis owing to reducing the impact of outliers and influential data, and it is recommended for more precise results.

Lower back pain and musculoskeletal injuries are serious concerns for workers subjected to physical workload and manual material handling tasks. Spine assistive exoskeletons are being developed to support the spine and distribute the spine load. This article presents a detailed up-to-date review on the back support exoskeletons by discussing their type (Active/Passive), structure (Rigid/Soft), power transmission methods, weight, maximum assistive force, battery technologies, tasks (lifting, bending, stooping work), kinematic compatibility and other important features. This article also assesses the back support exoskeletons in terms of their ability to reduce the physical load on the spine. By reviewing functional and structural characteristics, the goal is to increase communication and realization among ergonomics practitioners, developers, customers, and factory workers. The search resulted in reviewing 34 exoskeletons of which 16 were passive and 18 were active. In conclusion, back support exoskeletons have immense potential to significantly reduce the factors regarding work-related musculoskeletal injuries. However, various technical challenges and a lack of established safety standards limit the wide adaptation of exoskeletons in industry.