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BackgroundSince the first reports of COVID-19 infection, the foremost requirement has been to identify a treatment regimen that not only fights the causative agent but also controls the associated complications of the infection. Due to the time-consuming process of drug discovery, physicians have used readily available drugs and therapies for treatment of infections to minimize the death toll. ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to provide a snapshot analysis of the major drugs used in a cohort of 1562 Pakistani patients during the period from May to July 2020, when the first wave of COVID-19 peaked in Pakistan. MethodsA retrospective observational study was performed to provide an overview of the major drugs used in a cohort of 1562 patients with COVID-19 admitted to the four major tertiary-care hospitals in the Rawalpindi-Islamabad region of Pakistan during the peak of the first wave of COVID-19 in the country (May-July 2020). ResultsAntibiotics were the most common choice out of all the therapies employed, and they were used as first line of treatment for COVID-19. Azithromycin was the most prescribed drug for treatment. No monthly trend was observed in the choice of antibiotics, and these drugs appeared to be a random but favored choice throughout the months of the study. It was also noted that even antibiotics used for multidrug resistant infections were prescribed irrespective of the severity or progression of the infection. The results of the analysis are alarming, as this approach may lead to antibiotic resistance and complications in immunocompromised patients with COVID-19. A total of 1562 patients (1064 male, 68.1%, and 498 female, 31.9%) with a mean age of 47.35 years (SD 17.03) were included in the study. The highest frequency of patient hospitalizations occurred in June (846/1562, 54.2%). ConclusionsGuidelines for a targeted treatment regime are needed to control related complications and to limit the misuse of antibiotics in the management of COVID-19.

The current study explored the possible effect of workplace diversity on employees' performance in Allama Iqbal Open University. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of workplace diversity on the performance of employees. The sample of study comprised of 105 Head of departments and 545 regular (BPS-2 to15), contractual, daily wagers and laborers employees working in AIOU main campus as well as regional campuses. Stratified random sampling scheme was applied to select the participants. Data was collected through questionnaire. Pearson correlation test and Regression Analysis test was applied to extract the results. The results revealed that age diversify; gender diversity and ethnicity diversity have negative relationship on the performance of the employees. Experience diversity has positive effect on employees' performance.

The learning and instruction process in Pakistan is geared around teacher-centered activities. This research aimed at involving high school students in an interactive online learning experience and to explore the acquiring of scientific argumentation skills through this online engagement. The secondary objective of the study was to investigate the transfer of argumentation skills learned through online learning to its application in other subjects. The sample consists of students of grade X who were engaged in constructing argument in Physics topics for one month using a web blog. The argumentation reports were collected for four weeks and then analyzed for quality and progression. The researchers found that students learnt the argumentation skills using the web blog and were able to transfer the skill in the subject of Pakistan Studies. The result of this study provides the prospect for using online learning in schools and the significance of scientific argumentation in improving the learning process.

The present study aimed to assess the performance of a non-formal basic education (NFBE) schools project initiated in the province of Punjab with the assistance of the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA). The study was conducted in 120 NFBE schools in four districts of Punjab and it lasted for a period of three months. It was a survey study in which data were collected from female teachers, officers of NFBE, students and their parents.100 NFBE school teachers, 20 officers of NFBE schools and 500 students and their parents participated in the study. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews. It was found that the project is achieving its targets as planned. It also found that students' drop-out rate was higher in NFBE schools and the teachers were not satisfied with job structure. It was further found that a proper media campaign might usefully be initiated to mobilize the community to participate in NFBE projects. The study recommended that learning materials be developed in different local languages. (Contains 11 tables.)

The impact of metacognitive awareness on students' performance has been examined in the present study. 900 students of grade X participated in the study. Metacognitive awareness was measured using inventory, while performance of students was measured with the help of researcher made test in the subject of chemistry. Results indicated that metacognitive awareness was significantly correlated with the performance of students. The highly metacognitively aware science students performed well on the test. Results further indicated that there was no significant difference in the metacognitive awareness of male and female students.

Instructional design refers to planning, development, delivery and evaluation of instructional system. It is an applied field of study aiming at the application of descriptive research outcomes in regular instructional settings. The present study was designed to critically review the process of instructional design at Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU). It was survey study. Population of the study consisted of 120 academicians of different academic department of AIOU. Survey was conducted through questionnaire for academic staff. It was revealed that need assessment is not done before conceiving the outlines of a course. Also the course did not contain sufficient activities, picture and illustrations. It was also found that did not confirm the course objectives. The study recommended that proper of the course writers for distance learning may be arranged.

Background: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the satisfaction level among eye patients visiting trust and private hospitals. Purpose: The fundamental purpose of the study was to assess the satisfaction level of patients who visited the trust eye setup and private eye setup. Methodology: Descriptive cross-sectional study was performed. The place of study was the Layton Rahmatullah Benevolent Trust Hospital and the University of Lahore teaching hospital. The sample size taken was 260 (130 in each group) with ages above 16 years. Both genders were included in the data collection. Data entry and analysis were done using computer software SPSS version 25. Results: Total number of 260 patients, 129 from trust and 131 from a private hospital. Male 103 (39.6%) and female 157 (60.4%) with a median age of 42 (17-82). By checking socioeconomic status, 4.6% were from the lower, 24.6% was from the lower middle, 63.1% were from the middle and 7.7% were from the upper class. By checking satisfaction level, 1.5% of people were least satisfied, 24.6% of patients were neutral and 73.8% of patients were highly satisfied. Conclusion: Thus, from the present study, it is concluded that there is no significant difference in the satisfaction level of patients between trust and private eye setups. The satisfaction level was seen highest in both setups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Refractive errors are the most frequent form of impaired vision and the second most manageable cause of blindness in the world. Surprisingly, uncorrected refractive errors are accounting for 20% of blindness cases as well as 50% of vision loss cases worldwide. During the year 2000, the international prevalence of myopia and high myopia was calculated to be 22.9 percent and 2.7 percent, correspondingly. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different patterns of refractive error among near workers. Methodology: Cross-sectional study was done on 248 participants through a convenient sampling method from the private sector hospitals. Data was collected during 3-4 months from March 2022 to May 2022 by a modified adapted questionnaire to evaluate the pattern of refractive errors among near workers in Lahore. Results: All the participant's profession was associated with near work. 42.3.% of responders reported myopia,10.9% hyperopia, 14.9% simple myopic astigmatism, 2.4% simple hyperopic astigmatism,7.3% compound hyperopic astigmatism, and 5.6% with mixed astigmatism. Conclusion: Near work is strongly associated with the refractive errors most commonly myopia progression and aggravation but unfortunately, there is little research work done in Pakistan on the relationship between near work and refractive errors further studies needed to be done on this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to investigate perceptions of participants about early childhood care and education professional development workshop. The sample consisted of 28 participants including 10 males and 18 females who were participating in a postgraduate diploma in early childhood education. The questionnaire was used for data collection consisting of 31 closed ended items. It had three dimensions; workshop content, workshop facilitation arrangements and pedagogy of the resource persons. Independent t-test was applied to investigate the satisfaction level of participants about workshop content, workshop facilitation arrangement and pedagogy of the resource persons. The results revealed that there was no significant gender wise difference between participants' satisfaction level and workshop facilitation arrangements. But significant gender wise difference was found between participants' satisfaction level and the workshop content and pedagogy of the resource persons. It was found that females and males were fully satisfied with the pedagogy of the resource persons. On the other hand, females were more satisfied than males in case of workshop content and males were highly satisfied with workshop facilitation arrangements as compared to females. Findings of this research suggested the need to review and improve the content of the courses of the workshop by using different AV Aids during the workshops. Furthermore, the schedule of the workshop should be changed by increasing the number of days and decreasing the hours of the workshop for the ease of the participants. In ODL, participants belong to different backgrounds, so diversity may be incorporated in content and pedagogy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at investigating preparedness of tutors to effectively use TPACK in the implementation of Associate Degree in Education (ADE) and Bachelors of Education (B.Ed., 4 years) programs in an open and distance learning organization. It used the conceptual framework of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) for collection of empirical data and its analysis. TPACK enables the researchers to conceptualize technology in its relationship with the content of school subjects and the pedagogical issues. Specifically, the study documented the characteristics of the population of tutors participating in the implementation of ADE and B.Ed. programs and assessed strength of relationship between the tutors' characteristics and their state of preparedness to use TPACK in delivering their courses. The study followed quantitative approach to address the research questions. A survey was conducted in regional centres of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Islamabad. Sample of the study was 94 tutors from 10 regional centres of AIOU. TPACK preparedness questionnaire was used as instrument to collect data from the participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results showed that in content knowledge, technology knowledge science tutors have sufficient knowledge and skills of use of technology integrated with content and various strategies of developing understanding of science. Although tutors' response was average on the factors of social studies, literacy and pedagogical knowledge. Mean scores of pedagogical content knowledge, technological content knowledge, technological pedagogical knowledge and technology pedagogy content knowledge reveals that tutors have less knowledge about how to choose the technology that enhance the teaching and learning approaches for a lesson. Teacher educators are not as much prepares to select the technologies to use in their classroom that support teaching learning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analytical characterization of blends of butter oil and chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seed oil was performed. Chia oil was added in butter oil at four different levels i.e. 6.25%, 12.5%, 18.75% and 25% (T1, T2, T3 and T4), butter oil without any addition of chia oil served as control. Blends of butter oil and chia oil were packaged in tin containers, stored at ambient temperature (34±2°C) for 90-days. Iodine values of control, T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 36.85, 45.63, 57.22, 67.45 and 76.37 (cg/g).Concentration of omega-3 fatty acids in T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 4.17%, 7.39%, 12.55% and 16.74%. The extent of omega-6 fatty acids in T1, T2, T3 and T4 was 2.81%, 2.94%, 3.15% and 3.32%.Concentration of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids in butter oil can be increased by chia oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]