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This study explores the pivotal role of technology in revolutionizing distance education at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU). AIOU's response to the COVID-19 pandemic involved a swift transition to technology-driven MPhil and PhD programs. To assess the students’ engagement and satisfaction, interviews with tutors and instructors were conducted, and 50% of enrolled students participated in a comprehensive survey. The research was descriptive in nature. The findings reveal that AIOU's Learning Management System (LMS) significantly enhances student engagement and aligns effectively with course objectives. Tutors and instructors perceive the LMS as a valuable tool for facilitating interaction and learning, although perspectives vary based on teaching strategies. Students express higher satisfaction levels and deep engagement with courses delivered through the LMS. The study advocates the development of a pre-semester framework jointly created by course coordinators to ensure a learning-oriented approach throughout the semester. Additionally, leveraging the LMS for formative assessments is recommended to provide timely feedback to students. The study also underscores the importance of streamlining app usage based on ranking to enhance the overall learning experience. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for a welldefined result component within the LMS to efficiently manage and communicate academic outcomes. This research sheds light on the transformative potential of technology in education, particularly in the context of distance learning, and provides valuable insights for educational institutions seeking to enhance the quality of remote education. It is recommended that if the LMS supports self-paced courses, students can study at their own pace. They can genuinely focus on what they need to study, no matter how quickly, after peer pressure has subsided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of different pH ranges 3-10 was studied on the growth rate of six different bacterial strains, e.g. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus flexus, Brevibacterium borstelensis, Staphyllococcus scuiri, isolated from different hosts (Kinnow, Gada Dahi, Sweet orange, Musambi, and Bindweed). These bacterial endophytes were distinguished by the use of universal 16s rRNA primers based on morphological characters and biochemical tests as well as molecular approaches. The amplified PCR products were purified and sequenced from Mobix at Mc Master's University, Hamilton, Canada, and submitted to the NCBI database under accession (LT844655, MF966247, LT745986, LT745989, LT745979, and MF977365). The phylogenetic tree of isolated strains was constructed by MEGA 7.0 software. Gen 5 plate reader software was used to measure growth at O.D 600nm in 96 well plate for 24 hours at 30oC in EpochTM microplate spectrophotometer. According to the findings, Escherichia coli grew best in the pH ranges of 6, 7, and 8, but not in the pH range of 9. Similarly, Staphylococcus scuiri grew best in a pH range of 7 to 10, while pH 4 and 5 had no development. The typical growth pattern of Klebsiella pneumoniae was observed at pH 9 and 10, whereas growth was slower or limited in the other pH ranges. Whereas, Bacillus flexus and Bacillus cereus grew best at pH 6-9. Brevibacterium borstelensis, on the other hand, grew best at 4-9.These findings indicate that pH can play an important role in determining bacterial competition in host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online media has posed some serious threats to conventional media, as people are spending more time on it than traditional media. Online media has changed political and social attitudes of people. Different researches indicate positive effects of online media usage on political efficacy among students. This study aims to explore the difference in the level of political efficacy between the users of traditional and online media. A survey was conducted among 250 university students. Results show shift from traditional to online media among Pakistani students. It is found that university students have very little trust in the political system and its institutions, yet no statistically significant difference is found in political efficacy among the users of different media. There is no relationship between scores of political efficacy and frequency of Internet usage. Pakistani students seem to think about the political system independently of their media choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political parties are the most imperative element of political system in determining the direction, nature and level of political development. Political history of Pakistan is marred with military interventions and for the first time a smooth democratic transition of power was made possible after general elections in 2013. This study evaluates the role and functions of political parties in Pakistan regarding political development. For this purpose, survey was conducted among the research scholars at post graduate level and faculty members at political science departments of different universities. In survey, questions were asked about the perceived role and functions of political parties, concept of political development and role of political parties in political development of Pakistan. Most of the respondents are convinced that the role of political parties in political development of Pakistan is imperative but not appreciative yet. They are of the view that political parties have not even played sufficient role towards the political, social and economic development of the country. Results of survey also illustrate that the political setup of Pakistan needs substantial reforms, capacity building and institutionalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India is the largest democracy of the world with a vibrant mediascape and there is a complicated relationship between Indian media and political systems. Using the approach of comparative media analysis and available literature, this study analyses Indian media on the dimensions of media and political systems developed by Hallin and Mancini (2004) in their book Comparing Media Systems. Indian political system is characterized by 'clientelism' and 'polarized pluralism' thus yielding high 'political parallelism' and 'instrumentalisation' of media at the hands of political and corporate elites. Commercialization of media has ensued weak professionalism among journalists and media organizations. However, Indian media may have a promising future because of early development of democracy and minimum state intervention. Indian media carries the features of all three media models proposed by Hallin and Mancini. Though, analysis reveals that Indian media system is dominantly closer to Liberal model of North Atlantic countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]