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The purpose of this analytical descriptive study was to investigate the attitudes of university teachers towards their research activities. Faculty of the public sector general universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the population of the study. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 240 faculty members from six randomly selected universities. An attitude scale based on five point Likert technique was developed with the help of experts and related literature. Validity of the instrument was ensured by consulting experienced professors and experts in the field. Reliability coefficient of the scale was 0.76. Items of the rating scale were classified into six domains - research orientation, rewards influence research, personal interest, mission of university, research use, and research anxiety. For analysis, different statistical tools such as mean ratings, chi-square (x[superscript 2]), "Pearson" values, and one way analysis of variance (F test) were employed. University teachers showed positive attitudes towards research. Incentives played pivotal role in enhancing interest in scholarly activities. Research anxiety did not hamper intellectual activities of the faculty though significant number of the sample considered research stressful.

Acknowledgement of prior students' conceptions by science teacher has proved a significant tool for effective science teaching/learning. So the major objective of this research study is to investigate students' alternative ideas (misconceptions) and to develop an understanding about the existence of high frequencies of alternative ideas among science students at secondary level. A random sample of 120 students of 10th class was selected to explore students understanding regarding the concept chemical bonding. Seven instances or non-instances in total about this concept were developed to explore student's misconceptions. Inter-rater reliability was used to determine the reliability of the instrument (IAI) through Cohan Kappa cross tab statistics. Content validity of the instrument was established by experts' judgemental procedures. On the whole high frequencies of alternative ideas and low frequencies of scientific responses were obtained from girls and boys. Although, there was found relatively high frequency of alternative ideas in boys than girls, but overall high proportion of alternative ideas both in girls and boys at secondary level pointed out a big challenge for science educationalist. Further, categorical analysis revealed five categories of alternative ideas. In these alternative ideas many responses were identified as self-centered/human-centered. Similarly, subjects used many scientific terms but explained them incorrectly. There were found three other categories of alternative ideas but comparatively less in numbers. It was notable that less number of scientific ideas could develop despite of teaching chemistry for two years through traditional textbook approach at secondary level.

Silicon (Si) has not been accepted as an essential element; although its beneficial role in plants against abiotic and biotic stresses is well known. In this regard an experiment was designed to optimize suitable Si dose among four different concentration (control, 100, 200 and 300 ppm) applied via rooting medium as soil treatment under saline (200 mM NaCl) and non-saline growing conditions in four barley genotypes (B-9006, B-15,002, Jou-87 and 14,003). It has been observed that imposition of salinity stress (200 mM NaCl) considerably reduced growth, photosynthetic pigments (Chl-a, Chl-b, total Chl. and carotenoids), leaf relative water contents, Si and K+ contents while Na+ and total soluble protein contents were remarkably enhanced. Alternatively, the rooting application of different concentrations of Si improved growth by enhancing synthesis of photosynthetic pigments and increasing K+ contents while reducing Na+ constituents in roots and leaves of barley plants grown under salinity stress. Furthermore, a negative correlation analysis was found among leaf and root Si contents with leaf and root Na+ contents among barley genotypes under salinity stress. The results also revealed that among all Si levels, 200 ppm Si dose proved to be the best for amelioration of salinity (200 mM NaCl) stress in barley crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven populations of Cyperus alopecuroides Rottb. from different sites of Punjab, Pakistan were evaluated for gas exchange characteristics against salinity. The experiment was conducted in totally completely randomized design with three replicates and four treatment levels 0 mM (control), 100 mM, 200 mM, 300 mM of (NaCl) salinity under full sunlight, growth conditions; average day-night temperature ranges from 38-41℃ and 24-26℃, respectively and photoperiod 13 to 16h, relative humidity 46.8 to 59.3%. Salinity levels were maintained with help of ECe meter for one year. The data was subjected to statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel and Minitab statistical software's for analysis of variance (ANOVA), graph Gas exchange characteristics like CO2 assimilation rate, Transpiration rate, Sub sto-matal CO2 concentration, stomatal conductance, Water use efficiency play key role against salt stress. Decrease in CO2 assimilation rate, Transpiration rate retarded the plant growth. Which was significantly effected in site-2 populations as compared to site-1 populations. Low level of salt enhance these parameters but high levels of salinity decrease Sub stomatal CO2 concentration, stomatal conductance, and Water use efficiency. Maximum CO2 assimilation rate, minimum transpiration rate, high stomatal conductance and water use efficiency in sheikhupura sites also indicated their salt tolerant quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research study was carried out to assess the bioavailability of Cadmium (Cd) in soil-plant- animal continuum. The relation between total available quantity of Cd in soil, transition of the metal into forages and its assimilation into goats feeding on these forages was studied. A significant amount (0.23 to 0.33 mg/kg) of Cd existed in soil in potentially available form. Plants absorb a number of elements from soil, some of which have no known biological function and are known to be toxic at low concentrations. However, the concentration of Cd (0.13 to 0.20 mg/kg) reported in the present study lies within the permissible limits of WHO/FAO. As plants constitute the foundation of the food chain, some concerns have been raised about the possibility of toxic concentrations of certain elements being transported from plants to higher strata of the food chain. The study was carried out to address such concerns which were ruled out as a consequence of the present research because the level of Cd was within the safe limits in soil, forages and goats in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delineated the development and validation of the diagnostic tool for children with specific learning difficulties in Urdu language among the students in mainstream classrooms. Teachers of class six and seven (both boys and girls students) of Govt. schools of Lahore city teaching Urdu subject constituted the population of the study. A sample of 202 teachers was given Screening Checklist to screen out the students with below 30% achievement in Urdu and average IQ. About 1013 students were identified through this tool and with the help of other procedures of the identification of SLD as discriminate analysis with achievement and IQ scores. Purposive sampling technique was adopted based on Ability IQ test, achievement in Urdu subject and other associated problems observed by the teachers. Validity of the Screening Checklist was established with content and Rotated Component Matrix of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis methods. Reliability of the Screening Checklist was determined with Cronbach Alpha. The conclusions of the research reflected that the Screening Checklist had good content and factorial validities. Similarly, the instrument had good reliability in terms of internal consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research study was aimed to compare the process of conceptual change by teaching through traditional textbook method and constructivist approach about the concept chemical change. The comparison of misconception of ninth grade students was made, when their ideas were probed using the five events or non-events as interview-about-events (IAE) instruments. For this purpose two hundred and two subjects were selected randomly from two different girls' schools. 24 constructivist lesson plans of 45 minutes each were developed in accordance with a Model Lesson Plan Format (MLPF). Treatment was given by the researcher himself, twice a week, to the experimental groups of 100 subjects for three months. Whereas, 102 female subjects in the control groups were customarily taught via traditional text-book approach. The Cohan Kappa reliability was determined for the instruments. Experts established the content validity. When data were analyzed qualitatively, it was observed that five different categories of misconceptions were found which may represent five alternative areas of thinking. The test of Chi-Square (x2) was administered. The findings indicate that conceptual change was markedly observed only in the experimental groups where constructivist approach was applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An image captured by a web camera contains stationary and nonstationary noise patterns. These noise patterns are of three types i.e. Fixed Pattern Noise (FPN), Interactive Nose (IN) and Temporal Noise (TN). TN is an independent noise pattern and needs an algorithm that does exploit its higher-order dependencies. Previously, these noise patterns have been characterized using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). PCA is restricted to second order dependencies. In this paper Independent Component Analysis (ICA) has been investigated for actual TN noise. The experimental results demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of wound dehiscence and sternal infections remains high after coronary artery bypass grafting, especially in patients with diabetes. Radial artery is a potential alternative which has shown good post-operative outcomes with least complications. Open and endoscopic techniques for harvesting have been used till now. We propose an interrupted or bridging technique, for harvesting the radial artery. This report describes 25 patients undergoing CABG, using radial artery graft, harvested via skin bridge technique, at South City Hospital, Karachi. It has a better cosmetic outcome, reduced postoperative pain, shortened hospital stay and increased level of satisfaction. The interrupted technique offers less invasive cost-effective approach compared to open and endoscopic techniques for radial artery harvesting.

Background: Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is fruit oil with rich source of monounsaturated fats and powerful antioxidants. It acts as hypolipidemic agent and significant decrease of plasma lipids level was observed with EVOO use. Atorvastatin is hypolipidemic drug commonly used for treatment of hyperlipidaemia. The purpose of this study was to determine & compare the lipid lowering effect of EVOO with atorvastatin in type 2 diabetic dyslipidaemia which is leading cause of microvascular diseases., Methods: This randomised controlled trial was conducted on 60 already diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus with dyslipidaemia. All sixty subjects were divided randomly into 2 groups. Atorvastatin 40 mg was given to Group One and two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil orally per day was given to Group Two. Blood was collected for estimation of plasma lipids level at base line, 4th week, and 6th weeks in two groups and was compared statistically., Results: The present study demonstrated 20-40% lipid lowering effect of atorvastatin on plasma lipids level with 9-16% increase in HDL while extra virgin olive oil showed 14-25% reduction in plasma lipids with 8-12% increase in HDL-cholesterol level., Conclusions: This study concludes that both atorvastatin and extra virgin olive oil are effective in reducing plasma lipids level in type 2 diabetic dyslipidaemia with more prominent effect of atorvastatin than EVOO.