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Metabolic Engineering of Microbial Cell Factories for Sustainable Biomanufacturing
Get PDFMetabolic engineering is essential for the development of microbial cell factories to produce biomolecules from low-value renewable substrates. This role helps advance the development of ecologically responsible and commercially robust chemical industries, including biofuels and high-value compounds like medicines. The ability of microbial cell factories to generate a wide variety of substances sustainably, therefore satisfying modern commodity needs, has piqued the scientific community\u27s attention. The goal of metabolic engineering is to convert different microorganisms into efficient cell factories to produce desired products, and it has been used for decades to develop novel metabolic pathways and alter pre-existing ones with the help of system biology, synthetic biology, and evolutionary engineering
Unlocking Play-based Teaching: Analysing the Attitude and Practices of Teachers at Early Childhood Education Level
Get PDFThe study aimed to investigate teachers’ attitude and practices for using play-based teaching method at early childhood education (ECE) level, and to assess challenges faced by ECE teachers in implementing play-based teaching method at ECE level. Quantitative research design and survey research method was adopted to conduct this study. The research population included all 3,517 male and female ECE teachers in government schools of Khushab District. The research sample consisted of 348 early childhood education instructors selected through stratified selection technique. Self-developed research instrument was used to collect the data from the respondents. It was found that ECE instructors had a favourable attitude to the play-based teaching at ECE level. They were of the view that play-based instruction enhances engagement of children in learning however, organizing activities for play-based instruction was labour-intensive. ECE Teachers implemented regulations and facilitated play-based activities while considering the intellectual abilities, emotional traits, and sociocultural backgrounds of their pupils. Teachers are suggested to design play-based teaching activities considering students\u27 interests, individual characteristics, and time constraints. Providing the required support, guidance and professional development opportunities to the teachers through online and face-to-face mode can be helpful for adopting play-based teaching at early childhood education level
Analysing Customer Loyalty Trends in Niche Apparel Brands in Context of Pakistan
Get PDFBrand loyalty is regarded as crucial to maintaining the competitive advantage of companies. Several factors such as brand experiences, brand trust, brand prestige, and brand personality have been proposed as the antecedents of brand loyalty. However, their effect varies with the context. This quantitative research attempts to investigate the impact of brand expectations, brand trust, brand prestige, and brand personality on attitudinal and behavioural dimensions of brand loyalty in the context of Pakistan\u27s bridal market especially focusing on HSY and Nomi Ansari bridal brands. The researcher collected data from 400 consumers through purposive sampling using an online questionnaire. The results revealed that brand experience and brand trust are the key factors for building consumer loyalty while brand prestige negatively impacts brand loyalty suggesting that perceived exclusiveness may discourage consumers. It was found that the bridal brand Nomi Ansari found appealing for younger consumers indicates a significant influence of brand personality on brand loyalty. It is recommended that bridal brands should focus on improving customer experiences and creating a brand trust to improve brand loyalty. Moreover, investing in marketing strategies that highlight brand prestige and personality can facilitate emotional relationships with consumers
Academic Integrity in Special Education Schools: Exploring the Perception of Visually Impaired Students
Get PDFAcademic integrity is important for any special education institution and its stakeholders to continue providing students with visual impairments with a high-quality education. Visually impaired students receiving special education in their respective institutions keenly observe their educational system. The study aimed to inquire about the status of academic integrity through visually impaired students’ perception in their respective institutes of special education in Punjab. This study used an explanatory type of research through a qualitative approach. An independently created semi-structured interview served as the data collection instrument. Three (03) experts in the field validated the instrument. A thorough literature review was conducted to verify the questionnaire\u27s reliability. According to the study questions, six major themes emerged from the data analysis. The study’s findings revealed that visually impaired students consider their classmates a reliable source for sharing information during class assessments. This study recommends that teachers of visually impaired students should be trained enough to develop quality academic skills among visually impaired students to get rid of cheating in exams through copying or taking help from anyone
Perceptions of University Teachers about Curriculum & Pedagogy: A Case of Public Sector Universities in Pakistan
Get PDFThe perceptions of university teachers about curriculum and pedagogy are pivotal in shaping the educational experiences of both teachers and students, impacting learning outcomes, and contributing to the continuous improvement of educational practices. The purpose of this research is to critically assess university instruction from the viewpoint of the actors themselves because teaching allows teachers to reflect on, interpret, and recreate their pedagogical practices while also using them as a source of learning from an innovative and changing perspective. This case study aims to comprehend how teachers mean the teaching process. The data were collected through an open-ended questionnaire focused on curriculum perception as a guiding document shaping educational aims and activities, in which 30 university faculty members of three universities participated. The research study facilitated the creation of the subjects\u27 discourse regarding their experiences as university instructors. The findings highlight a few characteristics of teachers who stand out in the lives of their students: a deep mastery of the subject matter they teach, an appropriate theory-practice relationship, a primary concern for the learning process in the classroom, and the importance of didactics in the learning process
Cultivating Positivity: Role of Gratitude and Psychological Well-Being among Undergraduate Psychology Students
Get PDFPositive psychology emphasizes the significance of personal positive qualities such as gratitude, for human well-being. Gratitude is linked to greater perceptions of support and stronger social relationships. The purpose of the study is to examine the correlation between gratitude and psychological well-being among undergraduate psychology students (N = 224). A quantitative correlational design was employed, utilizing online surveys distributed through Google Forms. The Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6) assessed gratitude, and a shortened version of the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale measured psychological well-being. Descriptive statistics were computed for gratitude and psychological well-being, and a Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to analyse the research questions. Results have shown a weak positive correlation between gratitude and psychological well-being, suggesting that gratitude may be a significant factor influencing the well-being of undergraduate psychology students. This study helps to learn more about gratitude\u27s role in this specific population and may inform interventions to promote well-being among future mental health professionals
Social Media Use among University Students: Impact on Socialization
Get PDFThe rapid increase in internet usage worldwide has significantly impacted various aspects of life, with social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram becoming integral parts of daily life, especially among younger generations. Social media\u27s influence extends into educational, social, cultural, and political spheres, transforming how individuals interact and communicate. It provides students with tools to engage with peers and educators, potentially enhancing their socialization and educational experiences. This study explored the relationship between using various social media applications, online community participation, information-seeking, and socialization of BS students at public sector universities in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K). Using a proportionate random sampling technique, 300 students were selected from three public universities of AJ&K. The data was collected through a structured questionnaire survey that allowed for the systematic gathering of responses, ensuring consistency across the sample. The data was analysed using statistical analysis. The findings revealed no substantial relationship between social media use and socialization among university students in this region. An important implication of the findings of this study might be that contrary to common assumptions, social media might play a minor role in these students’ socialization process. However, caution is needed regarding the generalization of the findings, and further studies using triangulation-based designs need to be conducted to have further insights into this topic
Exploring the Portrayal of Masculinity in Howard Jacobson’s The Finkler Question: A Postmodern Perspective
Get PDFThis research article explores the portrayal of masculinity in Howard Jacobson’s novel, The Finkler Question, through a postmodern lens. It examines how the novel challenges traditional beliefs about masculinity and male identity, drawing on Jean-Francois Lyotard and Judith Butler to explore the fluid and contested nature of masculinity. Using textual analysis, the study focuses on themes of ageing, sexuality, and power in the portrayal of male characters and their relationships. The findings reveal that these characters navigate complex and contradictory identities, challenging conventional notions of masculinity. The novel critically reflects the socio-political context of contemporary Europe, highlighting diverse expressions of masculinity and the impact of societal expectations and traditional gender roles on male identity. Through its characters, the novel envisions a more inclusive and diverse understanding of male identity, emphasizing the fluid and evolving nature of masculinity. This study contributes to the ongoing discussion on gender and identity by demonstrating how The Finkler Question provides valuable insights into the nuanced nature of masculinity in contemporary Europe. The novel\u27s critique of traditional masculinity underscores the need for a more inclusive understanding of male identity and highlights the importance of a postmodern perspective in grasping the fluid nature of masculinity in modern society
Effects of Depression on Students\u27 Academic Performance
No full textThis study aims to investigate the impact of depression on the academic outcomes of university-going students. For this purpose, a questionnaire called the “Depression Screening Test” based on a five-point Likert scale developed by Ivan Goldberg in 1993 was adopted. Academic performance was measured using the students\u27 cumulative grade point average (CGPA). A sample of 101 respondents has been collected via purposive sampling technique. Changes in depression explain 37.8 per cent of changes in the students’ performance, which is significant at a 1 per cent level of significance. Moreover, the regression analysis depicts that a unit change in depression has an adverse impact of 0.426 units change in the CGPA, which is significant at a 1 per cent significance level. It is recommended that universities must have a psychologist on board who facilitates the students to dilute the depression
Study Protocol for a Randomized Health and Social Literacy Intervention to Improve Maternal Health in Pakistan
Get PDFMany poor and illiterate women in reproductive years in Pakistan live in underdeveloped areas and are solely dependent on free primary health services provided by the state through the Lady Health Worker (LHW) Programme. These women need higher health and social literacy to make informed health decisions and receive inferior services from overburdened LHWs. This project aims to deliver a health and social literacy intervention by integrating Community Social Workers (CSWs) at the primary level to promote maternal health in the country. A 24-month intervention with six health and social literacy modules will be delivered by trained CSWs. Multistage randomized sampling will be used to sample 6 BHUs across six cities from six districts of Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 360 women will be sampled and assigned randomly to the experiment and control groups. Pakistan needs to catch up on its sustainable development goals for maternal health, not just due to the limitations of the existing services, but also due to the low health and social literacy of women, which prevents effective uptake. Each LHW is expected to have an estimated 1,500 women clients for multiple services, which makes support for women’s literacy and awareness difficult. Integrating a partner workforce or CSWs to support disadvantaged women for improved maternal health outcomes is critically needed. The results of this intervention will advise policymakers and stakeholders about long-term plans for literacy support of women and the integration of CSWs in the primary healthcare setup