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Abstract : Factor Analysis to Explore the Indicators of Quality Assurance Mechanism on Higher Educational Institutions in Pakistan
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Abstract: The study aims to gauge the effectiveness of Quality Assurance Mechanism (QAM) and its impact on quality of education in Higher Education Institutions in Pakistan. In this study, a comprehensive survey was conducted, through a well-structured questionnaire, to collect essential data from the respondents. A total of 300 teachers of 5 private and 5 public sector universities were participated in the study. The Cronbach’s alpha reliability value is found to be almost 0.80 for all construct of the instrument in this study. An independent t- test was carried out to reveal the significant difference among private and public sector universities in terms of quality of education. The p-value (significance value) of this test in each construct indicates that there is significant difference among private and public sector universities regarding quality assurance practices. Furthermore, the multivariate statistical tool “Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA)” was used to explore the underlying pattern of the public and private sector universities data. Finally, four factors emerged in the data whose eigen value are greater than one. Factors emerges in public sector universities data represents teacher’s satisfaction and combination of budget allocation and funding while factors that emerges on private sector universities are the combination of globalization, ranking and adequate funding. Keywords: Quality Assurance (Q.A), Higher Education Commission (H.E.C), Independent t-test, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Factors, Reliability, Globalization (Glob), Ranking.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Diclofenac Sodium Inhibits Hepatic Tryptophan 2,3-Dioxygenase but Augments Brain Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Activities in Rats
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Abstract: Tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) exist only in liver while indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) exists ubiquitously in the body, these are the most rate-limiting enzymes of kynurenine pathway (KP). In response to elevated levels of cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines, both enzymes show increase activity in patients with depression or Alzheimer disease (AD). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may protect against both depression and AD, but observational studies have offered contradictory results. Present study evaluates the effects of anti-inflammatory diclofenac sodium (DS) on rat hepatic TDO and brain IDO activities. Adult Albino Wistar rats were divided into control and test groups, each test group received DS (2mg/kg) i.p. injection daily and were killed either after 3.5 hours (acute treatment) or after 3, 5 and 7 days (chronic treatment) while control groups received an equal volume of vehicle. Results show that TDO enzyme activity was inhibited and liver tryptophan concentrations were increased after 3 to 7 days treatment of DS; however no effect was seen on these parameters after 3.5hrs. Brain IDO activity was increased after both acute and chronic DS treatment. It is concluded that DS inhibits hepatic TDO enzyme activity following chronic treatment, while augments brain IDO activity following both acute and chronic DS treatment, this may result in rise in cerebral kynurenic acid and/or quinolinic acid concentrations. Therefore there is a need that effects of DS on kynurenine pathway should be further investigated to rule out the protective effect of DS in inflammation-induced depression and Alzheimer disease. Keywords: Dicolfenac sodium, tryptophan, kynurenine, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Expansion of Residential Colonies and Conversion of Farmland in Bahawalpur City, Pakistan: A Temporal View
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Abstract: This study focuses on the issue of farmland conversion into housing colonies in Bahawalpur City. In order to understand the magnitude of this issue, data of 102 sample colonies was collected for the period of 1950-2011 through field survey and secondary sources including TMA Bahawalpur City. The year of establishment, area occupied and legal status of colonies were recorded and the data were aggregated into 10-year categories for analysis and to produce temporal maps. Results indicate that during the last 61 years, an area of 1,142 acres (462.15 hectares) had been converted to 102 colonies at an average rate of 18.72 acres per year. Among these colonies only 18 were approved by concerned authorities whereas 84 were not approved legally. Approved colonies occupy an area of just 197 acres (17.25% of the total) whereas non-approved colonies and towns cover a huge area of 945 acres (82.74%). The conversion of farmland fluctuated substantially over time. During the period of 1950-1960 merely seven colonies were built which consumed an area of 97 acres indicating a conversion rate of 9.7 acres per year, while during the period of 2000-2010 a total of 32 colonies were built that consumed an area of 422 acres (170.77 hectares) indicating conversion rate of 42.2 acres per year. These findings indicate that the rate of farmland conversion is accelerating. If this trend goes unchecked, the problem of farmland conversion may change into a serious threat for future food supplies. This study identified several suggestions to tackle the issue. Keywords: Farmland conversion, Bahawalpur City, TMA, Housing schemes, Legal status.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Surface Behavior and Thickness Measurement of Free Standing Thin Film of Liquid Crystal Compound Biphenyl (E7)
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Abstract: A simple experimental setup based on a polarizing optical technique is designed to find the thickness of free standing thin film of Biphenyl (E7). Monochromatic light is passed through a liquid crystal thin film in two different modes of placement. In each mode approximately 10 mg of Biphenyl is used. The films of varying area were used in this study. The thin films were highly stable and could survive more than one day. The intensity of transmitted monochromatic radiation is measured using this technique by placing thin film in horizontal and vertical modes. Using Beer-Lambert’s Law the thickness of thin film is also measured using polarizing optical technique. In both the modes (horizontal and vertical) different behaviors of thickness of thin film are observed.. Keywords: Thin film, Biphenyl (E7), Polarizing Optical Technique, Beer-Lambert’s Law.Download Full Article |
