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Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Global Biodiversity: Trends and Predictions
Get PDFGlobal warming which is as a result of human activities such as burning of fossil fuels and deforestation is a major threat to species diversity. This study is based on species in the climate change hotspots, using the SSDM, phenology, species traits, responses of ectotherms, and vegetation activity. We evaluate shifts in the distribution and numbers of species and their probabilities of dying out. An average Global warming of 1.1°C since the end of the nineteenth century has altered precipitation, deteriorated habitats, and increased the rate of species’ disappearance. If emissions are not reduced, 20-30% of species like the American Pika and many amphibians could be wiped out by end of the century. Phenological activities are taking place 2.5 days earlier per decade, which affects the balance of ecosystems. This study also stresses the importance of flexibility in conservation approaches like connecting the fragmented habitats, rehabilitating the disturbed ones, and the protection of ecological connectivity to reduce the impacts of climate change on species
Perception of Faculty Members about Improving the Quality of Learning for Students with Disabilities at Higher Education Institutions
Get PDFThe study examined teacher knowledge, awareness, and perceptions of students with disabilities in higher education. At the University of Karachi, 264 faculty members from the science, social sciences, education, and management departments participated in a mixed-methods study. The findings suggested that faculty members lacked disability understanding, leading to stress and limited decision-making competence. They also lack confidence in teaching students with disabilities. The study suggests expanding enrollment, establishing supervisory authority, providing barrier-free infrastructure, adjusting teaching methodologies, community awareness initiatives, and promoting equity policies. Further research should explore Universal Design for Learning, assistive technology, individualized teaching approaches, attitudes, policy views, ICT influence, and student academic achievement
Post-9/11 American Society and the Identity Negotiation of Muslim Characters in Ayad Akhtar’s Disgraced (2012)
Get PDFThis article studies the Negotiation of Muslim Identity in Ayad Akhtar’s Disgraced (2012) that Muslim characters practice after the 9/11 attacks in the USA. The paper, moreover, evaluates the Muslim characters encountering the backlash, discrimination, harassment, othering, religious profiling, media propaganda, and alienation despite their complete integration and assimilation into the hostland identity. To explore how the Muslim Immigrant characters, as members of the minority out-group(MO), adopt the strategies of identity negotiation and construct the reactive Muslim identity in the selected play in the post-9/11 American context, The Social Identity Theory by Tajfel and Turner (2004) is used as the theoretical model through the textual analysis and Close Reading Method. The paper, furthermore, aims to study the Muslim characters struggling with the identity crisis and the derogatory treatment from the majority in-group Americans (MI). It also adds to research on the selected play the comprehensive understanding to the readers about the identity negotiations and Muslim identity construct after the 9/11 attacks in America.
Exploring Teaching Strategies to Encourage Critical Thinking in Students
Get PDFThis study aimed to determine the role of modern teaching strategies or methods used by teachers of existing times to deepen critical thinking among students by using different means and resources in the classroom and outside the classroom as well, resulting in shaping up their thoughts by giving them directions and scaffolding them through teaching strategies to conceptualize knowledge by analysing it critically. However, in recent years it has been seen that teachers and educationists in Pakistan are using various modern practices to design their lesson plans to incorporate critical thinking in students and boost their mental skills for superior growth and development. This study is intended to determine contemporary teaching techniques to provide understanding to students of the 21st century to heighten their reasoning capabilities. The data was collected through interviews from primary school teachers, working in different schools and teaching different subjects. Interviews were conducted as open-ended questions from 6 experienced teachers to inquire about the strategies the teachers opt for in their classrooms fostering critical thinking. This study suggests that modern teaching practices, methods and strategies are linked to regulate critical thinking skills in students which amplifies their overall academic and educational performance
Psychological Distress and Job Satisfaction Among Resident Physicians Working in Tertiary Care Hospitals
Get PDFThis study intended to see the association between physicians\u27 psychological distress and job satisfaction and how multiple factors like speciality and duty duration affect mental health and job satisfaction. This research was based on a cross-sectional research design along with a quantitative approach. The survey method was used to collect data from the targeted population, including resident physicians in public and private hospitals. The sample was designed using the snowball sampling technique. The Sample was comprised of 175 participants from multiple tertiary care hospitals. The age range of participants was 25-45 years. Self-reported measures, including the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and Job Satisfaction Survey (JSS), were used. Data was analysed statistically and findings revealed a significant weak negative association between psychological distress and job satisfaction. In studying demographic differences, Female residents have more psychological distress and less job satisfaction than male residents. The present study shows significant differences in education, type of employment, salary and marital status. Besides the limitations of the study, these findings could assist healthcare professionals and policymakers in using techniques and assessments that help residents improve their health
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Practicum in Teachers’ Training Programs in Perspective of Technology
Get PDFThis research assesses the quality of technology integration in practicum experiences of teacher training programs. The purpose is to evaluate their readiness to integrate technology into their practices as teachers of practice. Relevant research questions focus on the effectiveness of practicum, the level of technology awareness among the prospective teachers, and issues of concern in implementing technology. This research uses surveys to collect data on pre-service teachers’ use of technology in practice teaching contexts. This includes preparedness, perceived ways of implementing the technology expectations of the degree of success that would be achieved in increasing the engagement of students, and the extent of improvement in the learning outcomes that would be achieved. Studies showed that most pre-service teachers lacked self-confidence and were not well-prepared as regards the use of technology in teaching. Constraints such as lack of mentorship, shortage of practice and poor resource mobility were realized. These findings are consistent with past work regarding the utility of the TPACK framework specifically for connecting content, pedagogy, and technology knowledge. Based on the findings of the study, it is argued that teacher training programs require structural changes that should focus on the improvement of the mentorship process, practical experience, and objectives concerning technology integration into learning. These improvements are important to prepare future educators to function in digital classrooms efficiently
Effect of Vitamin D and Bone Density in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C
Get PDFHepatitis C virus (HBV) infection is a common health problem that has a worldwide distribution. Apart from the direct effect of the virus on the liver, there are many extrahepatic manifestations among which the probable effect on bone turnover associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and deficiency of vitamin D. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bone mineral metabolism and vitamin D in patients with chronic hepatitis C. This study which included a total of 45 patients with chronic HBV (age range 25–50 years) and 50 healthy people were invited to participate in the present study. Attending Imam Hussein Medical City, Karbala. Biochemical tests included total serum calcium, phosphate, and creatinine and total alkaline phosphatase and vitamin D. Serum concentrations of biochemical bone markers were in the normal range for both CHC patients and controls did not differ significantly in results
Assessing the Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Healthy and Immunocompromised Individuals in Dutsin-Ma Metropolis, Katsina State, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study
Get PDFLatent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) is a widespread condition affecting a significant portion of the global population. People with LTBI have a 5-10% chance of developing active Tuberculosis (TB) during their lifetime. However, there is a shortage of data on the prevalence of LTBI in healthy and immunocompromised individuals in the Dutsin-Ma metropolis. Identifying and treating LTBI is crucial for reducing the burden of TB globally. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of LTBI in healthy and immunocompromised patients in the Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria. 170 blood samples were randomly collected from participants across three (3) healthcare facilities in Dutsin-Ma in September 2023 and screened for anti-TB antibodies using the Rapid Tuberculosis Test Card™ (RTTC); 50 were healthy participants, 65 were pregnant women, 30 were HIV-positive patients, and 25 were diabetic patients. The sociodemographic data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square to test for association. Among the 170 participants tested, 12.94 % (22/170) were serologically positive for anti-TB antibodies. Several risk factors associated with LTBI were identified. However, statistically, there was not enough evidence to conclude that any of the risk factors are significantly associated with the prevalence of LTBI at 95% CI and a P-value of ≤ 0.05 in this survey. The study highlights the need for routine screening and treatment of LTBI in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals in the study locality. This is vital in reducing the global burden of LTBI and active TB infections
Corporate Social Responsibility and Green Innovation Transform Corporate Green Strategy into Sustainable Firm Performance
Get PDFThis research examines the relationship between green technologies, CSR, GI, and sustainable financial performance (SFP) in small and medium-sized enterprises. Results showed that SFP1 was positively correlated with GS1, CSR1, and GI1, and the regression model was statistically significant. Higher levels of CSR and GI are associated with better SFP, suggesting the importance of integrating environmental and social considerations into business strategies. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, comparative analysis, sector-specific studies, and mediating and moderating effects to explore the relationships between CSR, GI, and SFP in SMEs
Impact of HR Practices on Eco-Friendly Behaviour in Higher Education Institutions: Mediating Mechanism of Organizational Culture & Sustainable Work Environment
Get PDFThis research explored the contributions of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices towards encouraging eco-friendly behaviour in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Karachi, Pakistan focusing on the organizational culture. Using mixed-method research, it was found that there was a high positive association between HRM practices and eco-friendly behaviour mediated by organizational culture. The analysis also revealed that a strong organizational culture mediates the effectiveness of HRM practices in achieving sustainability goals. The findings offer practical recommendations for HEIs in resource-constrained environments, suggesting that even low-cost or incremental HRM interventions can positively impact sustainability initiatives. This study fills the gap in existing literature where studies have tried but failed to capture any evidence from the educational sector and contributes to the body of knowledge by proving that HRM practices as per the strategy can promote higher environmental concern levels in organizations. Resource constraints were identified as significant challenges in adopting these practices in Karachi\u27s HEIs