bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profile and Outcome of Diabetic Admissions: A Retrospective Study from Eastern Nepal
Authors: Subedi M. , Tripathi P.M. , Pradhan B. , Diwedi S. , Bogati S. , Subedi S. , Maskey R.
Published: September 2018

Introduction: Despite the increasing prevalence of diabetes, lack of awareness about the disease, its consequences and lack of quality care in diabetes lead to delayed presentation to health care giver that might be associated with more number of complication and co-morbid condition of the disease which may adversely affect the outcome of the patient. Therefore we undertook this study to determine the common symptoms that lead to admission of patients suffering from diabetes along with the complications they present and their outcome.Methods: We analyzed data from the medical records available among admitted patients with diabetes over a period of 6 months.Results: Among 200 subjects with mean age of 52 years, majority had Type 2 diabetes mellitus, 53% were males and more than half had some other comorbidities. Most of them, 68% had microvascular complications, and 27% of them had some form of macrovascular complications.Conclusions: Despite of continuous effort from various organizations, micro and macrovacular complications are very high among diabetic patients, so more emphasis has to be given on prevention of these complications at various level of health care delivery system.Jour of Diab and Endo Assoc of Nepal 2018; 2 (1): 4-8
Knowledge Regarding Self-Administration of Insulin Among the Diabetic Patient Attending the Diabetic Clinic of Tertiary Care Center of Eastern Nepal
Authors: Shrestha D. , Basnet S. , Parajuli P. , Baral D. , Badhu A.
Published: September 2018

Background: Diabetes Mellitus(DM), usually called diabetes or sugar is the condition that occurs when one’s body does not produced enough insulin or body is unable to use normal amount of insulin properly.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the Knowledge and Practice Regarding Self-administration of insulin among the diabetic patient attending the diabetic clinic of BPKIHS, to find out the association between knowledge and Practice with their selected socio-demographic variables and to find out association between knowledge and practice regarding self-administration of insulin.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to conduct the study among the Diabetic patient attending the diabetic clinic of BPKIHS. Data were collected using the self structured questionnaire.Results: The findings revealed that mean knowledge of the participants was 57.55% and practice was 73.98%. Among them 54%(27) of participants has inadequate knowledge, remaining 46%(23) has adequate knowledge. Similarly, 48%(24) of participants has inadequate practice, and remaining 52%(26) has adequate practice. There was significant association of educational status with knowledge regarding self administration of insulin with p-value 0.03 and there was significant association with occupation with knowledge regarding self administration of insulin with p-value 0.047. There was also association between knowledge and practice regarding self administration of insulin with p-value 0.049Conclusion: Educational and occupational status has influence on knowledge regarding self administration of insulin. Thus it is essential to focus on improving the patient’s knowledge on the related topic so that the participants can enhance their practice as well. Diabetes & Insulin Self Administration education must be imparted by physicians by counselling patients at each follow up visit.Jour of Diab and Endo Assoc of Nepal 2018; 2 (1): 9-16
Depression In Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus : A Cross-Sectional Study In Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital In India
Authors: Varma P. , Kant R. , Mishra P.P.
Published: September 2018

Introduction: In our country, number of patients of diabetes is increasing every year, so of depression. The emotional consequences of diabetes have been scrutinized in a number of studies and varying results about the association of depression with type 2 diabetes mellitus have been found. While depression may contribute to poor diabetes-related outcomes, diabetes and its complications may also contribute to poor depression outcomes. Both conditions may have common underlying biological and behavioural mechanisms, such as genetic susceptibility and common pathophysiological mechanism. AIM-To assess the prevalence and the factors associated with depression among the patients with type II diabetes mellitus.Materials and Methods: Single centre, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in tertiary care teaching hospital in India for a period of 8 months. 586 type II diabetes patients aged between 30 and 70 years were included. Patients taking mood elevator drugs, suffering from mental illness, gestational diabetes and type 1 diabetes were excluded from the study. Physicians Health Questionnare-9 (PHQ-9) with a score of ≥5 was used to make the diagnosis of depression.Results: Prevalence of depression among the diabetic patients found to be 49.48%. Many factors have been found to be associated with increased prevalence of depression among diabetic patients such as age, female gender, house wife, high BMI, diabetes duration, diabetes related complications, comorbid conditions and poor glycaemic control with poor follow-up.Conclusion: By managing both depression and diabetes concurrently, better outcome in patients and increase in overall quality of life can be achieved. Early detection and treatment of depression by effectively screening all diabetic patients for depression would help to bring down the severity of depression among these patients.Jour of Diab and Endo Assoc of Nepal 2018; 2 (1): 24-28
Prevalence of Hypertension and diabetes mellitus in rural hilly regions of Uttarakhand state
Authors: Pandey Arun , Bhatt Sunil , Bhatnagar Nitnav
Published: September 2018

Introduction: Among the most common chronic non-communicable diseases worldwide, hypertension (HT) and Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) are increasingly becoming a matter of public health importance. Limited studies on the prevalence of HT and DM have been performed in rural hilly regions of Uttarakhand state.Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of HT and DM and their association with some selected risk factors among adults in rural hilly areas of Uttarakhand. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out from August 2015 to October 2016 with a randomly selected sample of 401 adults in hilly region of Tehri Gharwal and Uttarkashi Districts of Uttarakhand. Demographic, anthropometric measures and lifestyle factors were obtained for all participants with the help of predesigned and pretested interview schedule. A subject with recorded systolic blood pressure of ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure of ≥ 90mmHg was considered hypertensive. Screening for DM was based on the following World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Bivariate analysis was used to identify the association.Results: The mean age of the study population was 46.6 years ± 16.1 years. Mean BMI of the participants was 22.7 ± 4.8. It was found that 27.7 per cent of the subjects were current tobacco users while 24.7 per cent were current alcoholic. The overall prevalence of HT and DM were 31.4% and 4.7% respectively. About 2.5% of the study subjects were suffering from both HT and DM. The risk factors for HT in this study included age, BMI, vegetarian diet and increase salt intake. Age was found to be a significant risk factor for DM in the present study.Conclusions: A high prevalence of HT and DM in rural hilly areas of Uttarakhand need community outreach campaigns regularly for their early detection & proper health education.Jour of Diab and Endo Assoc of Nepal 2018; 2 (1): 29-30
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Authors: Bhattarai Jyoti
Published: September 2018

Diabetes can lead to devastating expensive complications such as eye blindness, heart disease, stroke, leg amputation etc. To prevent such complications of diabetes it is really important that health care workers including patients understand the ways of improving or reducing the chances of developing such complications. It has been proven that proper management of diabetes early on can reduce such expensive and painful complications.
Isthmic Agenesis and Thyroid Hemiagenesis Associated with Thyroiditis: A Case Report
Authors: Upadhyaya Tirtha Lal , Parajuly Shyam Sundar , Pangeni Roshan
Published: September 2018

Congenital thyroid anomalies are rare. Developmental anomalies may be in the form of unilateral or bilateral hypoplasia or agenesis of one or both lobes of thyroid with or without isthmic agenesis. Most of the times when they are detected incidentally already have associated thyroid diseases. We report a 36- year-old female presented with right thyroid hemiagenesis and isthmic agenesis associated with thyroiditis in left lobe of thyroid.Jour of Diab and Endo Assoc of Nepal 2018; 2 (1): 44-46
Análise por gênero da produção do corpo docente dos cursos de Economia nas Universidades Federais de Minas Gerais
Authors: Silva Raniella Orquiza da , Cirino Jader Fernandes
Published: October 2018

O presente trabalho analisa a produção do corpo docente dos cursos de Economia nas universidades públicas de Minas Gerais, em 2017. Para tanto, parte-se da verificação percentual dos professores dessa área, de acordo com o gênero. Ao estabelecer a hipótese de que há um número desproporcional de homens em relação às mulheres, busca-se, pela elaboração de um índice, medir a produção desses docentes levando em consideração a pesquisa (publicação em periódicos). Esse índice é criado com o intuito de concluir se existe indício de desigualdade de gênero no corpo docente de economia nas universidades em questão. Constatou-se que os homens representam 70% do total dos indivíduos estudados, e que a produção científica não foi um fator que justifica tal desproporção de gênero no corpo docente de Economia nas universidades federais de Minas Gerais.
A família na manutenção do ideal corporal hegemônico contemporâneo: da produção da vergonha à reabilitação social
Authors: Batista Fabiano Eloy Atílio , Farias Rita de Cássia Pereira
Published: October 2018

O artigo apresenta reflexões sobre as contribuições da família na manutenção de um ideal corporal privilegiado pela sociedade contemporânea que oferece uma diversidade de produtos e serviços que prometem uma “melhor aceitação” do indivíduo nos modelos corporais hegemônicos. Com isso, contribuímos para as discussões sobre a antropologia do corpo ao demonstrar que o corpo não é algo natural, mas socialmente construído no contexto da cultura e sofre a interferência de diversos agentes, inclusive da família, mediante discursos e práticas regulatórias que ditam maneiras de lidar com os corpos, habilitando-os ou desabilitando-os para as interações sociais. A pesquisa é de natureza qualitativa, descritiva e documental e foi realizada mediante a análise dos discursos divulgados no reality show de transformação corporal Arruma meu Marido, no qual verificou-se os múltiplos conflitos decorrentes da corporalidade “inadequada” dos sujeitos. Observou-se que a adequação, ou não, aos padrões de beleza contribui para estabelecer a aceitação, ou não, dos sujeitos na vida privada ou coletiva.
Mudanças sociais, família e escola: impactos no desempenho escolar de um adolescente
Authors: Melo Talícia Calais Vaz de , Reis Lílian Perdigão Caixêta
Published: October 2018

A família e a escola exercem papel importante no desenvolvimento dos alunos, mas a sociedade sofreu transformações que provocaram mudanças na organização desses contextos, com repercussões para todos os membros que ali estão inseridos. Para discutir o impacto dessas questões no processo de ensino e aprendizagem dos adolescentes, objetivou-se analisar a relação família, escola e adolescente, para compreendermos suas percepções sobre o desempenho escolar do aluno. Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa, estruturada a partir do estudo de caso, conduzido com o aluno matriculado no 7º ano de uma Escola Estadual do interior de Minas Gerais. Para a coleta de dados utilizou-se um roteiro de entrevistas semiestruturadas, realizadas com a família, o adolescente e a supervisora pedagógica. A análise e interpretação dos dados foram feitas pelo Método de Análise de Conteúdo, tomando-se como referência contribuições teóricas sobre o desempenho escolar e o ciclo de vida familiar. Os resultados apontaram que o aluno tem baixo desempenho escolar; percebe-se que seja por influências internas e externas, pelas situações conflituosas vivenciadas na relação intrafamiliar, mas segundo relatos da mãe e supervisora, também por mudanças de escola e troca de professores.
Pengaruh Pendekatan Pendidikan Matematika Realistik Indonesia (PMRI) Terhadap Keterampilan Berpikir Kritis Siswa SD
Authors: Meirisa Arrum , Rifandi Ronal , Masniladevi Masniladevi
Published: September 2018

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui apakah terdapat pengaruh pendekatan PMRI terhadap kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa dan bagaimana proses belajar menggunakan pendekatan PMRI terhadap kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa di kelas V SD Negeri 44 Kalumbuk Kota Padang. Jenis penelitian ini adalah Eksperimen. Desain yang digunakan adalah Quasi Experimental dan rancangannya Posttest Only Control Design. Subjek penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas V SD Negeri 44 Kalumbuk Kota Padang, yang terdiri dari dua kelas yaitu kelas VA sebagai kelas kontrol dan kelas VB sebagai kelas eksperimen. Data yang diperoleh dengan tes akhir dianalisis dengan menggunakan uji- t. Hasil penelitian dengan menggunakan uji normalitas dan homogenitas terhadap kedua data berdistribusi normal dan homogen. Selanjutnya dilakukan uji hipotesis dengan uji-t menunjukkan thitung= 3,04 dan ttabel= 1,673 dengan df= 55 dan taraf signifikan 5%. Berdasarkan pengujian thitung > ttabel maka H0 ditolak dan H1 diterima dengan kesimpulan penggunaan PMRI memberikan pengaruh terhadap keterampilan berpikir kritis siswa di kelas V SD Negeri 44 Kalumbuk Kota Padang tahun ajaran 2017/2018.

Kata kunci: PMRI; berpikir kritis

This study aimed to determine whether there is an influence of the PMRI approach on students’ critical thinking skills and how the learning process using PMRI approach in grade V of SDN 44 Kalumbuk Padang is. This study was a quasi-experimental research with Post-test Only Control Design. The subject in this study were students of VA and VB of SDN 44 Kalumbuk Padang in the academic year of 2017/2018. The data collected through post-test was analyzed with t-test. The t-test result shows that tcount = 3,04 and ttable= 1,673 with df= 55 and alpha 5 %. Based on the result, it is concluded that the PMRI approach gives a positive influence to the students’ critical thinking skills in grade V of SDN 44 Kalumbuk padang in academic year 2017/2018.

Keywords: PMRI; critical thinking
Analisis Tingkat Pemahaman Guru Terhadap Konsep Pembelajaran Aritmatika-Bahasa di Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Kuntarto Eko
Published: September 2018

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan tingkat pemahaman guru terhadap konsep pembelajaran aritmatika-bahasa. Populasi adalah guru sekolah dasar kelas I - III. Responden berjumlah 30 orang. Analisis dilakukan untuk menggambarkan: (1) tingkat pemahaman guru tentang kurikulum, (2) buku teks, (3) kurikulum pelatihan, dan (4) proses pembelajaran. Berdasarkan analisis data diketahui bahwa: (1) pemahaman terhadap kurikulum adalah yang paling tinggi sebesar 30,66%; (2) buku pembelajaran sebesar 16,66%; (3) kurikulum pelatihan 0,27%; (4) proses pembelajaran 75,55%. Analisis komponen Perencanaan Pendidikan (RPP) menghasilkan skor rata-rata 53,45% pada tingkat pemahaman guru, lebih kecil dari skor pedoman minimum 76%. Berdasarkan pengamatan proses pembelajaran, diketahui bahwa hanya 23,22% responden atau 7 orang yang memperoleh skor baik. Itu artinya tingkat pemahaman tentang konsep pembelajaran aritmatika-bahasa relatif rendah. Dari hasil penelitian ini disajikan dengan saran-saran berikut: (1) harus ada langkah-langkah untuk meningkatkan pembelajaran elemen aritmatika-bahasa pemahaman guru, (2) kurikulum pelatihan harus menekankan pemahaman konseptual.

Kata kunci: pemahaman; guru aritmatika; kurikulum

This study aimed to describe the level of teachers' understanding of the concept of arithmetic- language learning. The population was grade I – III of elementary school teacher. Respondents were 30 people. Analyzes were performed to describe: (1) the level of teachers' understanding of the curriculum, (2) textbooks, (3) training curriculum, and (4) the learning process. Based on data analysis, it is shown that: (1) understanding of the curriculum is the highest 30.66%; (2) learning books is 16.66%; (3) training curriculum is 0.27%; (4) the learning process is 75.55%. Analysis of the components of the Lesson Plan (RPP) yielded an average score of 53.45% level of understanding of teachers, smaller than the minimum guideline score 76%. Based on the observation of the learning process, it is known that only 23.22% of respondents or 7 people who obtain a score well. That means that the level of understanding of the heritage of the concept of arithmetic-language learning is relatively low. From the results of this study, it is suggested that: (1) there should be measures to enhance learning of arithmetic-language element of understanding teachers, (2) training curriculum should emphasize conceptual understanding.

Keywords: comprehension; arithmetic teacher; curriculum
Massage du sinus carotidien
Authors: Lu H. , Pasquier M. , Lu H.
Published: October 2018

Le massage du sinus carotidien (MSC) est un geste simple, utilisé en médecine d’urgence à visées diagnostique et/ou thérapeutique. Les indications principales au MSC sont l’évaluation des syncopes chez les patients de plus de 40 ans et le traitement de première ligne des tachycardies paroxystiques supraventriculaires bien tolérées hémodynamiquement. Les contre-indications incluent un antécédent d’accident vasculaire cérébral ou d’accident ischémique transitoire dans les trois mois qui précèdent ainsi que la présence d’une sténose carotidienne significative ou d’un souffle carotidien. Dans le bilan de la syncope, le MSC permet de diagnostiquer une hypersensibilité du sinus carotidien. Pour les tachycardies supraventriculaires, il permet de préciser le type de tachycardie et, dans certains cas, d’obtenir une restauration d’un rythme sinusal. Les rares complications sont liées au risque de provoquer une embolie cérébrale.
Kinetic Study of Hydroisomerization of n-Decane using Pt/SAPO-11 catalysts
Authors: Aljandeel Hayder Abdulkareem , Hussein Hussein Qasim
Published: September 2018

The hydroisomerization of n-decane was studied on SAPO-11 catalyst. Catalyst of 0.25wt.%Pt/SAPO-11 was prepared locally and used in the present work. The hydroconversion performed in a continuous fixed-bed laboratory reaction unit. Experiments of n-decane isomerization were performed in a temperature range of 200 to 275°C,LHSV range of 0.5-2 h-1, and hydrogen to decane mole ratio of 2.1-8.2. The results show that the n-decane conversion increases with increasing temperature and  decreasing LHSV , the maximum conversion 56.77 % was achieved at temperature 275°C and LHSV of 0.5 h-1. The kinetic of n-decane isomerization was also studied and the reaction was first order. The kinetic analysis also showed that the activation energy equal to 61.1137 kJ/mol.
Potato Starch for Enhancing the Properties of the Drilling Fluids
Authors: Assi Amel Habeeb
Published: September 2018

Different additives are used in drilling fluids when the demanded properties cannot be gotten with clays. Drilling muds needs several additives and materials to give good characteristics. There are local alternatives more suitable for enhancing the rheology and filtration of drilling fluids. An experimental work had been conducted to assess the suitability of using potato starch to enhance rheological properties and filtration in drilling mud. This study investigated the potato starch as a viscosifier and fluid losses agent in drilling fluid. Results from this study proved that rheological properties of potato starch mud increased when pH of drilling fluid is increased.  Potato starch could be used to enhance gel strength at low pH (approximately 8.6) and viscosifir at high pH mud (approximately 10.8). The experimental work show that the optimum NaOH concentration was between (2-6) lb./bbl and if more than that concentration was used, the relation between pH and plastic viscosity would be inversed. Comparative analysis of mud properties obtained from the potato starch and starch at low pH showed good rheological properties of the starch than for potato starch, while at high pH, both of them nearly showed good rheological properties. In conclusion, potato starch reduced filtration rate of fluid and improved the characteristics and consistency of mud cake as a primary function and showed an effect on the fluid rheology as a second function.
Permeability Estimation for Carbonate Reservoir (Case Study/ South Iraqi Field)
Authors: A. Lazim Samaher , M. Hamd-Allah Sameera , Jawad Ali Hussain
Published: September 2018

The heterogeneity nature of carbonate reservoirs shows sever scattering of the data, therefore, one has to be cautious in using the permeability- porosity correlation for calculating permeability unless a good correlation coefficient is available. In addition, a permeability- porosity correlation technique is not enough by itself since simulation studies also require more accurate tools for reservoir description and diagnosis of flow and non-flow units.

Evaluation of reservoir characterization  was conducted by this paper for Mishrif Formation in south Iraqi oil field (heterogeneous carbonate reservoir), namely the permeability-porosity correlation, the hydraulic units (HU’s) and global hydraulic elements (GHE) methods depending on Reservoir Quality Index(RQI) concepts.
Russia in Nagorno Karabagh Conflict: A Mediator or an Arms Dealer
Authors: Gevorg Gasparyan , Li Wang
Published: September 2018

In the post-Soviet era, the Nagorno Karabagh conflict has been a major source of tension in the South Caucasus. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia, the United States, and France have all been involved in the mediation process between Nagorno Karabagh, Armenia, and Azerbaijan over the resolution of the conflict. Russia, given its historical ties, economic interests, political clout, and military relations with Armenia and Azerbaijan, appears to be the most influential and vital moderator in this conflict. This dates back to the outbreak of violence in early 1990s. Russia has tried to help the participants in the Nagorno Karabagh conflict to maintain the status quo, and has provided a framework of dialogue for Armenia and Azerbaijan. Russia has been the main supplier of arms to both sides, which calls into question Russia's motive and goals in its role as a mediator, and its role is subject of much controversy in the Nagorno Karabagh conflict. This paper argues that Russia's role as a mediator is primarily focused on maintaining the status quo, and ensuring the equilibrium of military capabilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in order to discourage any military escalations between the two states. We assert that despite the fact that this strategy has been successful for Russia in maintaining the status quo, a different approach, which moves beyond military balancing, is required in order to reach a long-term solution for the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno Karabagh.
Impact of Foreign Exchange Exposure Elasticity on Financial Distress of Firms: A Comparison of Developed and Emerging Economies
Authors: Bakhsh Allah , Shah Syed Zulfiqar Ali
Published: September 2018

This study looks into the potential effect of foreign exchange exposure elasticity (FEEE) on the financial distress of non-financial firms from an emerging country (Pakistan) and a developed country (USA) during 2003-2015. It employs mixed methodology in which a comprehensive quantitative analysis is made from the panel data of the sample companies from both countries (Pakistan and USA). Subsequently, views of Chief Finance Officers (CFOs) of different companies are given. Results show that the effect of foreign exchange exposure is not statistically significant on the financial distress of Pakistani firms at contemporaneous level but it has positive significant effect at lagged level. Results also show that at gross exposure level, foreign exchange exposure of US manufacturing firms has a significantly positive effect on their financial distress contemporaneously but not at net market level. In case of US non-manufacturing firms, the foreign exchange exposure elasticity does not impact significantly on the Z-Score at gross exposure level. But the market model shows a weak significant effect of the FE Exposure on the distress of such firms in USA at relatively higher significance level. The firms fundamental attributes except foreign sales exhibit a significant effect on the financial distress. Only debt has negative coefficient which describes a positive effect on the financial distress. The findings have notable implications for the financial stability of the firms, especially in Pakistan.
Perception of Teacher Educator Regarding Course Guides for B.ED (Hons) and ADE (Associate Degree in Education) Program & Provision of Resources for Effective Implementation of the Program
Authors: Malik Shazia Abdul , Ishfaq Umbreen , Khan M Saeed
Published: September 2018

The study analyzes curriculum document (teacher course guides) of ADE and B.Ed. (Hons) programs in terms of Assessment Tasks, Teaching Learning Approaches, Course Outcomes and Course Description. Study also focuses on prospective teachers and teacher educator’s perceptions about these teacher course guides and their execution in class room at selected Teachers’ Training Institutes. The sample comprises three universities and four Regional Institutions of Teacher Education offering B.Ed. (Hons) and ADE programs. Researcher congregated data from 21 teacher educators teaching to prospective teachers enrolled in ADE and B.Ed. (Hons) in the chosen institutions. Mixed methods (approach) were used to collect quantitative as well as qualitative data for extensive analysis of the research problem. The qualitative data was collected through a check list and quantitative data was collected through questionnaire. The manuscripts (Draft guide for teaching instructor) for B.Ed. (Hons). Experts developed curriculum meets the requirement of the society of Pakistan with the purpose to create more competent, proficient and well-informed teaching instructors. Effective implementation of teacher guides need improvement in terms of availability of resources like well-equipped class rooms, computer lab, library, learning materials and Information and Communication Technology.
The Impact of Education, Health, Experience and Government Loans on Farmers’ Productivity in District Nowshera
Authors: Saeed Imran Ullah , Jehangir Muhammad , Tariq Muhammad
Published: September 2018

This study generally examines the influence of education, health, experience and government loans on farmers’ productivity in district Nowshera. Specifically, this study (a) finds out the role of socio-economic factors determining tomato production in district Nowshera and (b) estimates technical efficiency of the tomato farmers in the area. Primary data has been collected through a field survey from 61 tomato producers of selected villages of the district. The results reveal on the average tomato farms in the study area are 95% efficient, indicating a 5% potential for the farms to attain the maximum output level while the range of efficiencies was 89% to 99%. Moreover, the results also showed education, health, experience and government loans playing a significant role in the determination of the tomato production. On the basis of these results, it is suggested that government increase spending on education and health as such loans can play an important role in the tomato farming in district Nowshera.
The Pashtun Tribal System and Issues of Security
Authors: Tariq Muhammad , Malik Muhammad Shoaib , Afridi Manzoor Khan
Published: September 2018

Pashtun tribal system is a very unique phenomenon of the entire Pashtuns. Being a complete code of life for most of them. This code guides them in all walks of life. In terms of its genealogy, it is very close to Islam and is considered as code of life for them. The tribal structure of Pashtuns has changed a lot during the last 36 years in which the dominating role of Maliks and tribal elders have been excessively reduced giving place to that of mullah. Soviet intervention in Afghanistan followed by the U.S. intervention was a turning point in changing the entire tribal structure of Pashtuns. The tribal Areas were converted into areas meant for the acts of barbarism, terrorism and extremism and provided sanctuaries to the insurgents.
The Effect of Nuclear and Joint Family Systems on the Moral Development: A Gender Based Analysis
Authors: Ali Muhammad Mumtaz , Farooq Rahmat Ali , Idris Muhammad
Published: September 2018

Although each and every aspect of individual is affected by the family system variables, but the most important one is their moral development. Moral development is the ability to differentiate between the good and the bad behaviors. This study explores the effect of family systems, especially, nuclear and joint families on the moral development of both boys and girls elementary level students. All 222944 elementary level students of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan constituted the population of the study. A total of 384 elementary students randomly selected, (226 boys and 158 girls) were taken as the sample of the study. Kohlberg’s Moral Judgment Interview Form A was used for the collection of data. The collected data were analyzed through frequency, percentage and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The findings of the study depicted that gender had significant influence on the moral values of elementary level students. Furthermore, girls belonging to the joint families were found morally more advanced than boys of joint families.
Teachers’ Emotional Social Intelligence and its Relationship with Students’ Cohesiveness in Classroom Learning Environment
Authors: Khaliq Fazle , Zaman Amir , Ghafar Abdul
Published: September 2018

The purpose of the study is to investigate teachers’ emotional social intelligence and its relationship with students’ cohesiveness in classroom. The main objectives of the study were to; find students’ perception of emotional social intelligence level of university teachers, find students’ cohesiveness in classroom, and measure the relationship of teachers’ emotional social intelligence with the students’ cohesiveness in classroom learning environment. Research questions were formulated. Population of the study was teachers and students (8775) of all universities (29) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The sample of the study was taken from nine (9) universities’ teachers and students (900) through simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires and interview were used as research instruments to collect data from the concerned participants and informants. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the analysis of the data. It was found that there is a significant correlation between social emotional intelligence of teachers and students’ cohesiveness in classroom learning environment. It is recommended that research studies should be conducted at different level with different variables relating to emotional social intelligence.
Impact of District Ranking System on Students’ Achievement Score in PEC Exams
Authors: Qambar Ghulam , Farooqi Muhammad Tahir Khan , Khan Hafiz Muhammad Ather
Published: September 2018

Data about functioning capability of schools and students’ achievement is collected through program monitoring and implementation unit (PMIU). It shows satisfactory trends about the performance of schools and students’ achievement scores in PEC exam. But, its correctness is questionable in many aspects because of having no auditing system or third-party validation. This paper investigates the influence of district ranking system on students’ achievement score in PEC exam by using cheating in PEC exam as a mediator. The data were collected from 300 students who recently passed PEC exam from 10 schools by using a questionnaire developed by the researchers. 10 focus group interviews were also conducted from teachers of these schools. Hence mixed method approach was used in this study. Data was analyzed in SPSS and PROCESS. The results of the study reveal that district ranking system has significant positive influence on students’ achievement score in PEC exam. District ranking system also has significant positive impact on cheating in PEC exam. Furthermore, cheating in PEC exam partially mediates the relationship between district ranking system and students’ achievement score. The results suggest that quantitative target achieving behavior overlooks other important aspect of schools’ performance and focus only on few indicators. Additionally, monitoring system and PEC assessment system have failed to provide accurate, valid, reliable, trustworthy and practical data over school and students’ performance. These performance measuring systems need consistent audit and third-party validation to ensure the correctness of data.
Impact of QEC Leaders’ Intellectual Competencies on Quality Enhancement of Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Ali M Iftikhar , Ishfaq Umbreen , Ahmed Riaz
Published: September 2018

This study investigates the impact of QEC Leaders' intellectual competencies on Quality Enhancement of Higher Education Institutions - HEIs and Universities. Quantitative data from QEC Officials of public and private sector universities in Islamabad is collected. QEC Leaders' intellectual competencies were measured by adapting Leadership Dimension Questionnaire (LDQ) from Dulewicz and Higgs (2005, 2008). Quality Enhancement was measured by using Quality Enhancement Questionnaire (QEQ) developed by HEC QAA (2006). A survey questionnaire based methodology was used to collect data from QEC Leaders of public and private universities of Islamabad. Correlation and regression analyses were used to test research hypotheses. Findings imply that QEC Leaders' strategic perspective significantly contribute towards Quality Enhancement generally and specifically towards Implementation of SA Mechanism. Furthermore, QEC Leaders possessing strong vision and imagination competencies have significant influence on Empowering QEC and high ranked QEC to contribute in the Quality Enhancement. Leadership competencies are the basic elements contributing for betterment of performance of an organization and quality enhancement. A vital role is played by the QEC Leaders for achieving organizational objectives and goals to enhance quality of Institutions and provide conducive working environment which ultimately encourages the attitudes, behaviors and motivates the followers. This study was limited to examine relationship between QEC Leaders' intellectual competencies and Quality Enhancement of HEI's in Islamabad. Further research is suggested to validate this model all QECs of Pakistan. Findings provide implications for academicians and QEC professionals to formulate policies for improving Quality of Education in Pakistan. The study provides directions for future research.
Make-Belief in Language and Verity of Legitimized Oppression: A Critical Analysis of Selected Extracts From Anita Shreve's Body Surfing
Authors: Qureshi Abdul Waheed , Khan Rab Nawaz
Published: September 2018

The research in hand is a textual analysis of the novel Body Surfing by Anita Shreve which explains the role of language in the construction of an ideology as reality. The aim is to highlight the construction of a certain concept or ideology as a dominant truth claim in society through discourse and how is it blindly followed by all the members without the least strife to change that socalled dominant ideology. Language as a major agent in the construction and perpetuation of an ideology is forever the discourse of those who are in power. This research will propound the discourse active behind the verity of 'oppression' done to women as taken-for-granted and fair. By employing Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as research method, the study will critically examine the role of language in legalizing women oppression. We have cultivated the idea of 'women as weak' into something real, that has come to us generation after generation, through language. This supposition provides theoretical underpinnings for the research, which is arrived at through CDA by treating language post-structurally. The literature analyzed highlights the role of language in the process of meaning-making by considering it to convey reality. The various words and phrases from the extracts in hand with contextual and conceptual affiliation, are dealt with under the backdrop of Fairclough's (1992) Three Dimensional Model of CDA, which results in the recognition of oppression thought as legitimate by the ultimate use of language. The analysis done under the backdrop of poststructuralism will show that language is not the depiction of maximum reality rather; it is we, the users of language, who make it real by considering some concepts as truth and others as myth. The paper concludes that the opposite gender is actually oppressed and that this oppression is not given, rather the constructed one. CDA challenges this oppression and declares it the work of language only. It (language) has no signs of reality, subsistence or truth.
Bid for Nuclear Suppliers Group Membership: A Critique of Pakistan's Diplomacy
Authors: Farooq Shamaila , Gul Saima
Published: September 2018

This paper attempts to analyze Pakistani policy positions through interviews from academic experts and officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad, and secondary sources including media reports, research journals and onlire resources. Since India's bid for the membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in June 2016, an intense debate has started over its impact on the stability of South Asia and its effects on Pakistan's nuclear strategy with respect to India. This paper focuses on how this has effected Pakistan's policy options; how Pakistan raised this issue in the past at international level to build up a counter-narrative against India's move. With realignment on membership in NSG for India based on criteria-based approach makes Pakistan's position as a center of gravity in the context of this campaign demanding for a firm diplomatic and political resolve. Failure in this aspect may result in losing Pakistan's case for membership in future. The analysis presents recommendations in light of comparing views for future measures.
Households’ Energy Consumption Pattern and Demand in Pakistan
Authors: Zahoor Ul Haq  , Sajjad  , Iqbal Javed
Published: September 2018

This study examined household energy consumption pattern in Pakistan using Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System (LA-AIDS). Price and expenditure elasticities estimated for the energy demand using a household income and expenditure data of the year 2011-12. The energy consumption expenditure pattern of rural and urban region is different. The study reveals that electricity is the most important and highly consumable source of energy for the household living in the country. Electricity and natural gas are the highly consumed fuel in the urban areas, whereas, electricity and firewood in the rural areas. The energy consumption expenditure is inelastic with respect to changes in income except for firewood for urban region. All the estimated expenditure elasticities of the energy types were found less than one indicating that energy consumption is the necessity for the household
Socio-Psychological Orientations in English Language Learning: A Study of Graduate Level Students
Authors: Riaz Muhammad , Kamran Khalid , Hashmi Qaiser Abbas
Published: September 2018

The study examines socio-psychological orientations of students of technical education (commerce colleges, technology colleges, Technical training institutes, and vocational training institutes) towards the learning of English language. The study emphasizes the social psychological variables of attitude and motivation. In technical education the syllabus of English is different from the institutes of general education. The students of general education study English language till the last year of their graduation, while the students of commerce education study functional English in the 3rd year and business communication in 4th year. These courses relate to business correspondence. The study finds that students of technical education concentrate on learning of English for its utilitarian purpose. It is due to the reason that the absence of inadequate language policy and linguistic reality of Pakistan impact these essential socio- psychological elements of the student and his view point about English language learning. Further, students also like to learn English language due to 'instrumental' purpose or for the purpose to acculturate themselves with the target language society.
Terrorist Incidents and Trade
Authors: Ul Haq Zahoor , Ullah Zia , Iqbal Javed
Published: September 2018

Employing a trade flow data from 1990 to 2013 within 50 countries, this study estimates terrorism effects on trade. The trading countries are grouped as trading partners (a) within developing countries (i.e. South-South), (b) within developed countries (North-North) or (c) within developed and developing countries (i.e. North-South). The analysis shows that all the standard gravity-type variables carry expected sign while the terrorism effect on trade is recorded significant on statistical grounds and negative when South trades with North.
An Analysis of Insurgency in Afghanistan (2001- 2016)
Authors: Tariq Muhammad , Afridi Manzoor Khan , Minhas Ahmed Saeed
Published: September 2018

Afghanistan has been wrapped in insurgency since the Russian withdrawal in 1979, followed by civil war. The emergence of Taliban to power with their self-styled type of imposition of Islamic law compelled the great powers to interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. September 2001 was a turning point in the history of Afghanistan as the NATO forces made their entry under the garb of security. The establishment of a democratic government in the country could not help in uprooting terrorism and insurgency from the country. Since the period of Russian Withdrawal, the country witnessed different eras of Taliban and the democratic governments coupled with the NATO mission. It is a fact that during the long stay of the presence of coalition forces in Afghanistan, insurgency could not be completely uprooted since new threats from different groups of insurgents have overpowered the country. Some of the provinces are hit hard by insurgency and terrorism. Efforts to hold peace talks were always dashed to the ground when the ISAF started its military operations against the terrorists.
Religious Education: Teachers’ Perspective on Girls
Authors: Mehmood Samreen , Ghaffar Abdul , Zaman Amir
Published: September 2018

This paper identifies and investigates the general perceptions of public sector teachers of both urban and rural localities regarding girl’s religious education. This research also explores the reasons for those perceptions through understanding the personal experiences of teachers with girls who were going to get religious education. To get the deep insight of the phenomena ethnographic method of research was used. In depth interviews were conducted with urban teachers group and rural teachers group. Five steps thematic analysis was conducted to find out the results.
Fear Appeals Reinforcement in Social Marketing and Inducement of Behavioral Change
Authors: Ahmad Farooq , Khan Muhammad Kamran Naqi , Hassan Shazia
Published: September 2018

Pakistan is signatory of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where promoting good health is at the heart of achieving various goals. Social marketing has earned its credit worthiness quite convincingly in influencing behavior change. It is, however, pertinent to see nature of the challenges that social marketing program tend to address are quite complex and each social problem need to size up with broader social context rather merely using conventional approaches. Number of scholars has questioned approaches that have been barely successful in bringing perceptible improvement. This gap quite pervasive as most of the techniques employed used one way communication, persuasive techniques of communication. The paradigm of participation in social marketing has shown better results in bringing about sustained behavior change. This study uses broad categorization of fear appeals elements using the explanatory power of participatory paradigm to induce behavior change. Study participants were randomly selected from a Public Sector University. The participants were randomly assigned to study intervention. Study participants were given treatment based on fear appeals in groups, based on activity theory. The qualitative data drawn was analyzed using NVIVO. The different themes were explored were grouped into four categories using activity theory like activities produced by artifacts, activities produced by subjects, activities produced by rules and transformational activities. The participatory paradigm using systematic interaction proved key factors to reinforce fear appeals that enhanced the value for social marketing program to achieve sustainable behavior change.
The Politics of Voice in the Stereotypical Representation of the Pashtuns: A Critical Study of Khaled Hosseini’s Novels
Authors: Khan Rab Nawaz , Qureshi Abdul Waheed
Published: September 2018

The current study is an attempt to critically analyze the role and politics of voice in Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns in terms of categorical and stereotypical representation of the Pashtuns. It is a critical discourse study (Norman Fairclough, 1989, 2018) of the selected data. Moreover, the data is viewed from the perspective of critical discourse studies. The novels under study are polyphonic in nature, and the characters belong to various Afghan ethnic backgrounds, like the Pashtuns, the Tajiks and the Hazaras. The study concludes that the novelist's choice of the characters with their respective voices and the roles assigned to them are political, ideological and somewhat biased. The Pashtuns have been stereotypically represented by categorizing them as the social, well-educated and more or less liberal Pashtuns, the tribal and traditionalist Pashtuns, extremist and fundamentalist Pashtuns, like Taliban. Misrepresentation of the tribal and fundamentalist Pashtuns as racists, ethnic nationalists, ideologists, sexists, exclusionists, traditionalists and power-abusers is indicative of the novelist's biasedness and exaggeration.