This study investigates the contribution of three categories of reading strategies to 15 year old school students’ mathematical literacy. The data for Singapore, Australia, the United States of America, and Saudi Arabia were obtained from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2018). The multiple regression results showed that all the three types of reading strategies contributed significantly to mathematical literacy with much variation between the sub-strategies. The summary writing strategy category contributed best to students’ mathematical literacy in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Australia with beta values, 17.7%, 13.7%, and 10%, respectively whereas the reaction to email category (focused on critical thinking) was the best contributed category in the USA (7.3%). The findings further illuminate which specific strategies most strongly predict mathematical literacy across all four countries, and which distinguish the country with the best mathematical literacy performance (Singapore) and the lowest performer (Saudi Arabia). The issue is further discussed whether reading strategies have a direct contribution on mathematical literacy or not and how the answer might affect possible intervention policies to improve mathematical literacy in schools.

Aim: to evaluate the outcome of the dust as an osteoconductive substance after implantation of soil and modified soil in canines.Material and methodsThe study was conducted in the faculty of veterinary in our university between March 2018 and February 2019, The canine radial and ulnar defect model was used to compare the scaffold performance and selection of the most promising substance. outcome was assessed by x-rays to ensure the presence of the material at early post-operative then every three weeks to observe changes of the material and bone ingrowth, finally open surgery was performed to evaluate the changes in the bone defect.Eighteen canines of both sexes were enrolled in this study, the division of the canines into 3 groups was done, A, B&C, over 6 weeks the eighteen canines were operated 3 per week, one canine of each group, we named the group according to the sample.Data were collected by observation and were tabulated over the data sheet for every canine. ResultsEighteen canines were operated, the mean age of the canines was 16.17 months, range (6-30), SD 6.68. There were 13 males 72.2%, and 5 females 27.8%, the mean weight of the canines was 13.11 kgs, (12-15), SD 1.13, the operated side was right in 13 canine, 72.2%, and left side in 5, 27.8%, radius was osteomatised in 9 canine, 50%, where ulna was osteomatised in 9 canines, 50%, the length of bone defect performed was 3 cm, all operated groups were followed till 16 weeks postoperative.ConclusionImplantation of dust or formulated dust material after sterilization and purification had shown a primary failure in obtaining new bone formation during conduction of this study.The future aim is to obtain the neutral and the optimum formula that compatible with the human tissue to induce auto tissue regeneration.

The furious fear of COVID pushed universities of Pakistan to shift from old fashioned physical mode of teaching to virtual mode of teaching. The rationale of this research lays on the phenomenon to explore e-teaching impediments, barriers, obstacles, hindrances, problems and difficulties confronted by universities of Pakistan. Empirical research methodology was employed and around 50 research studies from 2010 to 2021 on E-teaching impediments, barriers, obstacles, hindrances, issues and challenges conducted in the context of Pakistan were reviewed. Results paint a very panic picture since all studies revealed various impediments and barriers that hinder online education in Pakistan. The impediments are internet related issues, load shedding of electricity, weak learning management system/IT infrastructure, online assessment problems, student behavioral issues, e-training for teachers, lack of computer skills/knowledge, students’ financial constraints, teacher-student communication gap and lack of visionary leadership. This study proposes that all universities ranging from engineering, medical, science, technology, commerce, art and business should make effective strategies, policies and procedures to overcome impediments that impede online education in Pakistan. Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), National Accreditation Council for Teachers Education (NACTE), National Computing Education Accreditation Council (NCEAC), National Business Education Accreditation Council (NBEAC) and Society for Social Sciences and Research (SSSARA) should come forward to help universities to overcome barriers that hamper online education in Pakistan.

Background: Implementing the healthcare reform plan in our country has forced medical centres to pay more attention to patient rights and their satisfaction. Consequently, the main purpose of this study was to evaluate patient\'s satisfaction levels and the gap between their expectations and perceptions in Shahid Rajaee Hospital of Shiraz. \nMethods: This cross-sectional study was performed with the aim to evaluate patient\'s satisfaction levels and the gap between their expectations and perceptions in Shahid Rajaee Hospital of Shiraz in 2015. In order to collect data, 98 questionnaires were distributed between patients in randomized sampling method; their validity and reliability was verified. Finally, we used SPSS 20 software, descriptive statistics and the t-test and Wilcoxon test for data analysis.\nResults: Results showed that amongst patient perceptions, the highest mean belonged to Reliability dimension, and the lowest one to Assurance. In terms of patient\'s expectations, highest mean belonged to Reliability dimension and the lowest one to Physical. Of the 5 dimensions in this research, the biggest gap between patient expectations and perceptions belonged to Responsiveness, and the smallest one to Physical. In general, there were significant gaps between patient\'s satisfaction levels and the quality of services provided in the 5 dimensions of; Physical, Responsiveness, Reliability, Sympathy, and Assurance.\nConclusion: The results indicated that there is a significant difference between expectations and perceptions of patients and the quality of services provided by the hospital needed more attention. Managers and policy makers should consider developing and implementing strategies to reduce these gaps in quality and to promote better health care services.

Abstract:\nIntroduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the three main causes of death due to cardiovascular diseases along with myocardial and brain infarction. The aim was to determine the prevalence of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) whilst reaching to the results that may help reduce mortality following trauma.\nMethods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study based on randomized sampling using a self-made data collection form. To evaluate the mortality rate of PTE following trauma, 92 cadavers referred to Tehran Legal Medicine Center were autopsied from 2011 to 2016. Chi-2, Fisher’s and T tests were used to analyze data utilizing SPSS 18 software.\nResults: The overall incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism in the bodies referred to Tehran Legal Medicine Center was 0.85 % over 5 years, and a statistically significant difference was observed in mortality due to thromboembolism based on gender, age, place of death, and type of injury etc. (P <0.05). \nDiscussion: According to our results, in all patients who are not able to move for various reasons such as head or lower limbs trauma, preventive measures of thromboembolism such as prescribing anticoagulant drugs, pneumatic socks or limbs and chest physiotherapy should be considered as soon as possible after ensuring that there is no risk factor.

Background: As an opioid, methadone may cause adverse effects on libido and sexual function of patients. It may continue for months after treatment. This study aimed to determine the relationship between changes in libido with serum prolactin and sexual hormones levels (LH, FSH, and Testosterone) in patients on methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) in comparison with opium addicts was conducted.\nMethod: In this case-control study, 40 referred cases addiction control clinic of Imam Reza (p) hospital were recruited by simple sampling method during one year (2016). 20 cases were on MMT program and 20 cases were opium addict. MMT patients were on treatment for at least 4 months. Both groups were followed for 4 months. Libido status, serum prolactin, LH, FSH and Testosterone of patients in both groups were evaluated at the end of four months. Data were analyzed using SPSS software v.16, descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, absolute and relative frequency) and independent t test, Mann-Whitney, chi square, exact chi-square, Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficient.\nResults: The mean (± SD) age of patients was 41.9 (± 11.5) years. Lack of libido or decreased sexual desire was detected in 35.0% (n = 7) of opium addict patients and 45.0% (n = 9) of cases on MMT respectively. Mean serum testosterone level was significantly below the normal levels in patients on MMT (p = 0.047) was lower than opium patients group. There was a significant inverse linear relationship between libido and serum FSH (r = -0.584, p=0.007) in opium addicts. There was inverse and significant linear relationship between libido status and serum prolactin levels in patients on MMT (r = -0.513, p = 0.021). A significant inverse relationship was found between age and libido (p = 0.040). There was no statistically significant relationship between other variables (type of opioid, length of opium or methadone consumption, opium or methadone dose) and status of libido, serum prolactin, FSH, LH and testosterone (p > 0.05).\nConclusion: Regarding to decreased serum testosterone level and relationship between libido status and prolactin levels in addition to decreased or loss of libido in 45% of patients on MMT program, methadone can attribute in sexual hormones disturbances and impaired libido in long-term use although it is not related to dose. More investigations are recommended for finding exact relevance of opioid use and sexual dysfunction