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ساهم التقدم الكبير والحركة المتسارعة والمتغيرة التي طالت جميع مجالات الحياة في توجه عدد كبير من الأشخاص للاعتماد على الأغذية المصنعة والمعلبة والوجبات السريعة وأصبح من الصعب على كل شخص تحديد الأطعمة الصحية المناسبة له مما ساهم في تردي الحالة الصحية. ازدياد انتشار الأمراض المزمنة المتعلقة بالتغذية وارتفاع عدد الوفيات المسببة بها، جعل من اتباع نظام غذائي صحي ضرورة ملحة وأكد على أهمية اللصاقة الغذائية ودورها في التخطيط لهذا النظام الغذائي. هَدَف هذا البحث إلى مقارنة كمية العناصر الغذائية المدونة على اللصاقة الغذائية لبعض المنتجات المسوقة محلياً بمحتواها الفعلي من هذه العناصر. أظهرت هذه الدراسة وجود فرق إحصائي هام في قيم كل من الدهون، البروتين، الألياف والكربوهيدرات بين النتائج التحليلية والقيم المدونة على اللصاقة الغذائية ل 13 منتجاً، 7 منتجات، 7 منتجات و ل 15 منتجاً من أصل 18 منتجاً غذائياً تم تحليله، على التوالي. أكدت هذه الدراسة على ضرورة مطابقة قيم العناصر الغذائية المدونة على لصاقة المنتجات الغذائية للقيم الحقيقية التي يتم الحصول عليها بالطرق التحليلية لهذه العناصر، كما أبرزت أهمية وجود قانون يفرض وضع لصاقة غذائية على جميع المنتجات الغذائية المغلفة والمعبأة مسبقاً في سوريا ويحدد مجالات قبول للنسبة المئوية للاختلاف (Tolerance limits) بين النتائج التحليلية والقيم المدونة على اللصاقات الغذائية فيها.

This paper explores the effects of implementing Learning Express-Ways as an instructional communication tool between students and faculty in courses that are part of a special education teacher preparation program and apprenticeship. Findings suggest that using Learning Express-Ways contributed to the development of learning relationships with faculty and this instructional communication tool may be helpful in creating a partnership-focused approach in special education teacher preparation program.

This research study discusses results from a mixed-methods study of N=164 pre-service teachers' perceptions of and involvement in professional related activities and organizations related to students with special needs. Results found similarities between special education and general education certification seekers perceptions of beneficial training topics and perceived roadblocks to professional development participation. Since the job-related duties of teachers is vast and attrition rates of highly qualified special education teachers indicate that they leave the classroom at approximately twice the rate of their general education counterparts (Mitchell & Arnold, 2004), suggestions for increased training and professional opportunities are discussed specific to teacher preparation programs.

Understanding how to appropriately choose, implement, and utilize assistive technology (AT) for students on an individualized education program (IEP) is imperative to success within a school setting and has been shown to improve with preservice teachers' (PST) training. This study investigated the impact that a training session in which PST were exposed to a variety of AT devices/software in one university's AT lab and given direct instruction in the Student Environment Tasks Tools (SETT) framework for selecting appropriate AT by working through a training case study would have on PST knowledge of AT and its selection. Sixty-eight PST participated in this study, and the results demonstrate that the training increased their ability to name specific AT items on a presurvey (M = 3.56, SD = 14.88) compared to the postsurvey (M = 9.57, SD = 25.14). The increase of number of devices and software named pre- and postsurvey was significantly greater than chance, t(67) = -7.64, p < 0.01). Most notably, participants could name the components of SETT on the postsurvey (94.12%) and apply the SETT framework to a hypothetical student, improving the quality and quantity of recommendations for the student. This study provides further evidence for inclusion of AT in teacher preparation programs.

It is without question that technology in schools is here to stay. Educators have always been interested in the extent to which technology can be used to transform education and enhance student learning; however, the degree to which it is utilized in teacher preparation programs for pre-service teachers in terms of Web 2.0 use with future students is under debate. Web 2.0 use can be a particularly interesting tool for teachers to use in differentiating instructional strategies for students with disabilities in inclusive settings. Therefore, it is worthwhile for teacher preparation programs to look at how Web 2.0 platforms can further support students in special education in such settings. The following study delineates data from a study of N = 82 pre-service teachers. Throughout the course of this study, all students were administered a pre- and post-survey that asked questions specific to current knowledge of Web 2.0 and the extent to which they thought it could be used in their future teaching practices. In addition, all students completed an assignment within their respective courses that embedded a specific Web 2.0 component. This assignment required pre-service teacher candidates to utilize the Pinterest platform to find and 'pin' educational materials specific to students with whom they will work with in future inclusive classrooms, relative to the various categories of special education.

To meet the ever-increasing teaching standards, pre-service special educators need extensive and advanced opportunities for pedagogical preparation prior to entering the classroom. Providing opportunities for pre-service special educators to practice such strategies within a virtual simulation environment offers teacher preparation programs a way to individualize the teaching and practice of various pedagogical aspects needed when new educators enter their first classroom. Coupling such simulations with specific instructional coaching allows for increased and individualized remediation of the way instruction is given, classroom management practices, or getting to know your student population. This exploratory case study investigated the extent to which virtual simulations combined with instructional coaching impacted the way pre-service educators learned how to provide opportunities to respond (OTR) to the avatar students through the repeated teaching of a lesson over four sessions.

It is no question that preparing teachers to work with the many facets involved in special education is a daunting task. Upon entering the classroom on the first day, special education teachers are expected to be prepared (Sayeski, 2015) when presented with numerous responsibilities (Collins, Sweigart, Landrum, & Cook, (2017), including parent collaboration and involvement in the individualized education plan (IEP) process. This article offers a strategy, mini-conferencing, for training novice special education teachers to foster the increased participation of parents in IEP meetings. Recommendations for best practice used to establish the mini-conference and a step-by-step guide for implementation are discussed.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of intra-articular PRP injections in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Study Design: Cross Sectional. Setting: Orthopedic Department of Mardan Medical Complex. Period: 13th August to 14th December 2023. Methods: Involving 50 diagnosed osteoarthritis patients at demographic data, grades of osteoarthritis, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were recorded pre-treatment. Patients received PRP injections at three intervals, and post-treatment WOMAC scores were assessed. Statistical analysis included mean, standard deviations, and a paired t-test. Results: The study comprised 66% female patients, with a mean age of 50.08±5.82 and mean BMI of 27.16±3.53. Regarding grades of osteoarthritis, grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 comprised of n=14(28%), 19(38%), 17(34%) respectively PRP treatment significantly reduced WOMAC scores from a pre-treatment mean of 56.62±5.70 to 27.54±4.79 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The significant reduction in WOMAC scores post-treatment suggests that intra-articular PRP injections may serve as a valuable intervention in the short term management of knee osteoarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the short term outcome of intra-articular corticosteroid injection the treatment of chronic shoulder pain. Study Design: Descriptive Study. Setting: Mardan Medical Complex, MTI. Period: 12th August 2023 to 15th December 2023. Methods: All patients of chronic shoulder pain fulfilling inclusion criteria were administered intraarticular corticosteroid injection. Pre intervention demographic and visual analogue scale (VAS) score and DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) scores were noted. All patients underwent through intraarticular corticosteroid injection procedure. VAS score and DASH score was calculated again on four week follow up visit. Both scores were compared by paired t test using SPSS version 23. The pre and post injection VAS and DASH scores were compared and p value calculated using paired t test. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Total of 50 patients were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 50.08+6.43yrs and mean duration of symptoms was 5.7+1.6 months. 64% (n=32) of the patients were male, while 36% (n=18) were female about a total of 64% (n=32) of the patients were diabetic. Majority (56%, n=28) of patients exhibited left-side involvement, while 44% (22) presented with right-side involvement. The mean pre intervention VAS score was 79.86 + 6.32 and DASH score was 59.98+8.44. The mean post intervention VAS score was 15.7+4.1and DASH score was 49.78+6.33. After applying paired t-test on pre and post intervention scores, both VAS and DASH score was statistically significant with p value of <0.001. Conclusion: Intra-articular corticosteroid injection significantly relieved shoulder pain and improved functional outcome in short term follow up in patients with chronic shoulder pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors provide information and research on virtual learning environments and how they can support teacher preparation programs.

Purpose: Soil salinity is an emerging threat to plant growth and crop production, resulting in substantial economic losses. Pea is one of the most important leguminous crops being grown all over the world being affected. Keeping in view the stress alleviation of glutathione, current investigation was designed to evaluate the beneficial role of seed priming with glutathione on morphological and biochemical attributes of pea under sodium fluoride stress. Methods: For this purpose, pea seeds primed with 25, 50, and 70 µM L-1 glutathione. Sodium fluoride caused a significant decline in seed germination percentage, root and shoot length. Glutathione primed seed improved the fresh and dry biomass, root nodules and proline content of Pea plant. Results: The 50uM-1 enhanced the growth rate by 50%, photosynthetic rate by 93% under NaF stress. Glutathione primed seed also enhanced the gas exchange parameters, i.e., transpiration rate and stomatal conductance, by 80% and 89%, respectively. Conclusions: Consequently, the results of the current study demonstrated that seed priming with glutathione can reduce the sodium fluoride stress and improved the growth of pea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the impact of brand personality dimensions i.e., sincerity, excitement, competence, sophistication, and ruggedness on brand love and subsequently assesses the mediating role of brand love in transmitting the absorbed effect to brand loyalty for the fashion clothing retail brands in Pakistan. Empirical data were gathered through a self-administered questionnaire from 350 randomly selected consumers within the age group of 18-42 years, who comprise a major portion of the retail fashion clothing retail brands' market. The proposed conceptual model was assessed through Structural Equation Model, utilizing Smart PLS V. 3.2.8 to test the hypothesized relationships. All the dimensions of the brand personality that consumers perceived as congruent, proved to have a significantly positive effect on brand love except for ruggedness. Brand love was found to have a significantly positive effect on brand loyalty. Besides direct relationships, brand love strongly mediates the relationship between brand personality dimensions and brand loyalty except for ruggedness. This study contributes to the brand management literature by empirically testing the relationships underpinned by congruency theory, between brand personality dimensions namely, excitement, ruggedness, sophistication, competence, sincerity, and brand love. Besides, utilizing support of the attachment theory, it empirically established a significantly positive relationship between brand love and brand loyalty in the specific context of fashion clothing brands available in Pakistan. Practically it presents interesting insights to the brand managers to articulate the brand communication messages that are not only relevant but also portray congruent brand personality and trigger their love into active brand loyalty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparing teacher candidates to provide learning strategies that support the differentiated needs of students should be at the forefront of all educator preparation programs (EPPs). Teacher candidates must become fluid in providing strategies that promote students' individualized academic and social–emotional growth as well as strategies that support effective collaboration to enhance student productivity across the school environment. This pilot study explored the use of mixed reality (e.g., Mursion) as a tool to support pre-service general and special education teacher preparation and improvement of self-efficacy related to student engagement and instructional strategies. This study collected data on teacher candidates' pre-/post-self-efficacy and participant self-reflections from an EPP in the United States. The results of this study yielded ideas as to how EPPs can better support teacher candidate preparation using a mixed-reality platform, as data revealed participant increase in self-efficacy and gains in the use of student engagement and instructional strategies that supported the use of evidence-based and high-leverage practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most prevalent heavy metal pollutant in the environment is lead (Pb). Lead potentially contribute 10% of overall heavy metal contamination. Lead uptake by plants has been found to have an impact on their metabolic functions, photosynthetic activity, growth, and productivity. The current experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of triacontanol (Tria) for attenuating Pb stress in Brassica oleracea var. italic (broccoli). Three different Tria concentrations (10, 20 and 30 µmol L−1) were used to prime broccoli seeds. Growth of broccoli was reduced when exposed to Pb-driven toxicity. Additionally, Pb had a deleterious impact on the protein quantity, stomatal conductance, transpiration and photosynthetic rate. Nevertheless, plants grown from seeds primed with Tria2 (20 µmol L−1 Tria) exhibited improved morphological characteristics, uptake of mineral content (Mn+2, Zn+2, K+1, Na+1) along with biomass production. There was 1.6-fold increase in photosynthetic rate, the phenol (1.3 folds), and DPPH activity (1.2 folds) in seed primed with Tria2. Additionally, plants treated with Tria2 demonstrated enhanced MTI and gas exchange characteristics that improves plant stress tolerance under Pb stress. Seed priming with Tria can be used to increase plant tolerance to Pb stress as evidenced by the improved growth and biochemical characteristics of broccoli seedlings. A number of studies emphasize the beneficial effects of plant growth regulators on the growth and yield of agricultural crops. The priming of seeds with triacontanol in vegetable crops, however, is a concern about which we know remarkably little. In addition, the effects of triacontanol on Brassica oleracea L var. italica under lead stress on growth, biomass, and nutrient content are largely unknown. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of seed priming with triacontanol on the agronomic traits, physiochemical traits, and nutrient content of Brassica oleracea L. var. italica under lead stress. Schematic diagram showing the effect of tricontanol on growth and physiochemical parameters of broccoli grown in Pb-toxic soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluoride is abundant in the environment and toxic to all living organisms above a certain threshold. Fluoride exposure causes physiological, molecular, and biochemical changes in plants. The current study was initiated to determine the response of plants grown under fluoride stress administered as a soil drench. During the growth season of October 2019 to December 2019, the Lactuca sativa L. was experimented. Sodium fluoride (NaF) concentrations of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 ppm were applied to plants twice a week as soil drench to create stressed conditions. With increasing NaF concentration, there was a gradual reduction in morphological, biomass, and yield attributes and at the highest concentration, i.e, 300ppm, the growth was least. By observing the negative effects of NaF on plants, the current pot experiment concludes that Lettuce is sensitive to NaF stress. Future researchers may direct their studies to alleviate NaF stress by understanding the biochemical changes occurring in the plant during stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing rate of globalization, industrialization and the resultant population growth (urbanization) have caused severe environmental problems in the world. One of these problems is soil salinity; a threat to crop production in Pakistan. Fluoride acts as an environmental pollutant and even at lower ambient fluoride concentrations many physiological changes may begin in the plants. Some of these changes may have important consequences such as reduction in growth and yield. Therefore, the present investigation was commenced to determine the responses of Spinach plants grown under fluoride stress given. The effect of Sodium Fluoride on Spinach variety (All Green) was studied during growth season October 2019-December 2019. The concentrations of fluoride of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 ppm were applied to plants as soil drench twice a week to create stressed condition. It was observed that plant height and biomass production of Spinach plant decreased under Fluoride stress while this stress was not found in control. Successive gradual reduction in yield characters was also observed with increased Sodium Fluoride concentration. After 60 days of sowing, shoot and root length of plants treated with 300 ppm were 16.23 cm and 7.53 cm respectively, far less than those of control. By observing the deleterious effects of NaF on plants, it is concluded that sodium fluoride present in the soil causes a marked reduction in growth and other attributes of Spinach plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile users today are much more aware of third-party tracking activities resulting in highly targeted advertising. Companies need to consider whether there is a notable evolution in consumer behavior towards mobile advertising due to heightened privacy concerns. Subsequently, almost 10 million Pakistani smartphone users have installed ad-blocking browsers on their smartphones. This research study aims to tackle this issue of ad avoidance by looking into the factors that may improve user attitudes towards in-app ads and result in greater ad acceptance. This study explores attitudes towards in-app mobile advertising in terms of perceptions regarding advertising utility, irritation, trust, and privacy concerns and explores the role of permission in mitigating privacy concerns. The structural equation modeling was adopted using AMOS v-22, using cross-sectional data from a sample of 684 individuals. The findings of the study offer guidance to app developers and advertising professionals in designing and directing advertising content more effectively and ensuring excellent ad-click rates. The study also provides some insight into understanding the ad-avoidance behavior prevailing in Pakistan and how marketers can redesign their marketing approach and techniques to control it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper synthesises findings from two research projects with organisations involved in arts for youth well-being. Since 2017, Aotearoa New Zealand's government has recognised the importance of the arts for well-being. However, the sector in Aotearoa has historically lacked recognition and support and this paper identifies a number of challenges that remain entrenched in the funding system. Study One used an online survey to understand the approaches, aspirations and challenges of 19 organisations involved in youth arts for well-being. Study Two used ethnographic methods with three youth arts organisations to explore their experiences of the funding and policy context. Specific aspects of the funding system in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, hinder the sustainable development of creatively rich, culturally responsive, inclusive and strengths-based practice that takes youth participation seriously. New approaches to resourcing youth arts for well-being are needed to better support good practice and sector development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]