Northern University

This study examines exposition of the plot in Bapsi Sidhwa’s Ice-Candy Man (1988) and Water (2006) to introduce characters, settings, and central conflicts, serving as a precursor to the novels’ major thematic concerns. Employing a qualitative, interpretive approach grounded in Seymour Chatman’s structuralist narratology, particularly his distinction between story and discourse, the analysis explores the effect of expository passages on readers’ understanding of gender oppression, cultural memory, trauma, and ideological critique. In Water, the widow ashram functions as a symbol of patriarchal, religious, and economic subjugation, while Chuyia’s forced marriage reflects systemic discrimination. In Ice-Candy Man, the child narrator Lenny presents pre-Partition Lahore, subtly anticipating communal violence and the commodification of Ayah’s body. Exposition in both novels operates not as mere background but as a thematic device, establishing early ideological frameworks that reveal patriarchy, trauma, gender vulnerability, and cultural fragmentation.

The current study explores the impact of the implementation of contemplative pedagogy in the reduction of foreign language anxiety among undergraduate students of English Language Teaching in Pakistan. The study used a quasi-experimental design with 120 participants in three state universities in Punjab in 12 weeks during the fall 2024. The experimental group was given training that included mindfulness exercises, reflective journaling, and breath practices whereas the control group was given classical training. The collection of data was done using the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale used pre- and post-intervention, semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, and classroom observation notes. The paired-sample t-tests conducted to analyze quantitatively determined that there was statistically significant resulting reduction of anxiety in the experimental group over the control group. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed that there are five dominant themes, namely, improved self-awareness, better emotional management, heightened classroom engagement, coping-development, and learner-autonomy. The findings triangulated show that contemplative practices are promising strategies of anxiety reduction in ELT, especially in applying to communication apprehension and fear of negative evaluation. By playing a role in developing new literature on holistic practices in language instruction, the study will offer an empirical basis of why integrating contemplative pedagogy in Pakistani contexts of higher learning is helpful.

The aim of this study is to analyze what is known about ethics, transparency, and accountability in the use of artificial intelligence in the Pakistani higher education sector. A sample of 250 respondents from 15 public and private sector universities and 30 key informants were surveyed and interviewed to answer the problem of the study using the mixed methods approach. An analysis of the quantitative data using SPSS showed the existence of gaps within the ethical, transparency, and accountability frameworks that govern the use of AI in the academia. Using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis, the study sought to establish the existence of relationships and an association of the independent variables, the governance frameworks, and the dependent variables, the perceptions of the respondents on AI ethics. Qualitative data on these themes were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis. Problematic were the concerns over the lack of transparency in the use of AI, the binary algorithms, the over transparency of the decision making, and the absence of critical oversight. The study showed that the higher education institutions in the country do not possess any AI governance frameworks, and the key stakeholders have little or no understanding of the ethical issues pertaining to AI. Faculty and students expressed a lack of transparency in the use of AI, while the administrators admitted there were no adequate accountability frameworks for AI in their institutions. The study showed the necessity for the AI legislation to have ethical provisions, institutional frameworks on transparency, and accountability. The study proposed the formulation of an AI governance policy, ethics, legislation and policy frameworks training for all stakeholders, oversight frameworks, and cooperative frameworks for all education institutions and regulators to meet the needs of the AI technologies within higher education in the country.

Background: Undiagnosed type 2 diabetes is increasingly recognised as a critical driver of preventable morbidity in low-income urban settings where constrained access to screening and limited health literacy impede early detection. Middle-aged adults in informal settlements may be particularly vulnerable due to cumulative exposure to behavioural and social risk factors. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of undiagnosed type 2 diabetes among middle-aged adults living in urban slums in Pakistan and to identify key socio-behavioural predictors. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among adults aged 35–60 years selected through multistage sampling. Sociodemographic, behavioural, and anthropometric data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and fasting blood glucose was measured using calibrated glucometers. Undiagnosed diabetes was defined as fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL in individuals without prior diagnosis. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors. Results: Of 326 participants, 14.7% had undiagnosed diabetes. Prevalence was higher in adults ≥51 years, individuals with obesity, those who were physically inactive, and those with low educational attainment. In multivariable models, age (AOR 1.08), obesity (AOR 2.91), physical inactivity (AOR 2.43), low education (AOR 2.57), and family history (AOR 2.12) were independent predictors. Conclusion: Undiagnosed diabetes is common among adults in urban informal settlements and is shaped by metabolic, behavioural, and social determinants. Community-based screening and targeted prevention strategies are essential to address detection gaps in these high-risk populations.

Background: Employee absenteeism is a big challenge because they are the workforce of organizations. Organizations cannot be successful and functional without their employees. There are many reasons for employee absenteeism from work like sickness, emergencies of any kind, and accidents (Harte et. al, 2011). Employee absenteeism become a major issue all over the world and also become costly for organizations. (Roelen et al., 2013). Purposes of the study: The purpose of the study is to explore the determinants of absenteeism among nurses. Research Methodology : A Quantitative cross-sectional study design was used to describe the determinants of absenteeism among nurses in Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex (MTI).Nowshera. The target population was 350 and the participants were all staff nurses of Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex (MTI) Nowshera. The participant of this study was selected by simple random sample .Result: According to the study findings of nurses absent from clinical sites due to workload 70.29% positively responded that they have enough work to keep busy at the clinical site, also done work in the absence of their colleagues puts pressure of work on them and they likely to be absent from the workplace. Conclusion: The results of my study concluded from the (n=187) that the significant factor of absenteeism among nurses is poor physical conditions they have to encounter overcrowding, noise, lighting, and their physical needs not properly fulfilled and this dissatisfaction contributes to absenteeism. Result: The nurses of Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex Nowshera are overburdened but they can perform all allocated duties on time instead they have several patients because of a poor staff-patient ratio. Key Words : Nurses, absenteeism DOI : 10.7176/JHMN/119-12 Publication date: November 30th 2025

Roll coating is a process used to apply a uniform liquid layer to a moving sheet with applications in industries such as plastics, PVC fabrics, and paints. This study theoretically investigates the flow of Yeleswarapu fluid between a heated roll and web during the roll coating process. The governing equations are formulated from fundamental laws, non-dimensionalized, and reduced to ordinary differential equations using the lubrication theory. A regular perturbation method is employed by considering the Weissenberg number as a small parameter to derive expressions for velocity, pressure distribution, pressure gradient, and flow rate. Power input and roll-separating force are computed using the Runge–Kutta method. Furthermore, the response surface method with analysis of variance is applied to optimize the Nusselt number and shear stress, while sensitivity analysis examines the effects of the Weissenberg number (We), Brickman number, and viscosity ratio parameter (β*) on the shear stress and Nusselt number. Results show that a higher Weissenberg number reduces velocity and temperature, while increasing the Brinkman number significantly raises temperature. The Yeleswarapu model predicts up to 6.23% lower pressure in the nip region as We(= 0.12) compared to Newtonian fluid. Moreover, the separation point moves to the right of its Newtonian value, and the exit coating thickness increases with increasing viscoelastic effects.

Technological disruption, automation, and changing industry needs have all contributed to the rapid evolution of the global labor market. This has significantly altered the relationship between education and work. Traditional ways of learning, which are based on fixed degrees and qualifications that last for a set period, are becoming less effective for the evolving skill needs of today's economies. This mixed-methods study examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhances micro-credentialing systems better to align skills-based education with the job market's needs. The research combines quantitative analysis of learner and labor market data (n = 200), qualitative insights from 30 stakeholder interviews, and case studies of leading platforms (IBM SkillsBuild, Google Career Certificates, and European Digital Credentials) to demonstrate that AI-supported micro-credentialing significantly improves outcomes. Students who used AI-enhanced pathways had higher completion rates (82.3% vs. 58.4%), better skill alignment (86.5 vs. 69.1), faster job placement (36.2 vs. 49.3 days), higher wage growth (8.1% vs. 4.9%), and higher rates of target-role employment (78.4% vs. 50.4%). Logistic regression verified that AI assistance independently enhances employment probabilities by 2.54 times, even when accounting for completion and skill alignment. Qualitative findings highlight AI's role in tailoring education, affirming skills, and addressing systemic deficiencies particularly for non-traditional learners. The study concludes that ethically designed, AI-driven micro-credentials provide a scalable and equitable connection between education and employment, offering actionable recommendations for educators, employers, policymakers, and researchers to leverage this potential responsibly.

This research paper examines the complexities of Muslim identity formation within the context of diasporic displacement, with a particular focus on Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner. Focusing on the complex experiences of displacement, cultural dislocation, and identity negotiation, the research paper examines how Muslim characters struggle to reconcile their religious and cultural heritage with the values and expectations of Western society. Drawing on the theoretical framework of Bhabha, the research paper reveals how the diasporic condition intensifies internal conflicts related to faith, belonging, and selfhood. The novel is situated within a broader discourse on post-9/11 representations of Muslim identity, highlighting the ways in which migration and exile exacerbate psychological and cultural fragmentation. By employing a qualitative and interpretive approach, this paper demonstrates that The Kite Runner not only portrays the individual trauma of its characters but also reflects a collective identity crisis rooted in the diasporic Muslim experience. The research paper contributes to the growing body of scholarship on diaspora, Muslim representation, and postcolonial literature, emphasizing the need for nuanced understandings of identity in a globalized world.

Wireless networks utilize Cooperative Automatic Repeat Request (C-ARQ) protocols to enhance reliability. A key element of these protocols is selecting the appropriate node for retransmission to optimize performance. While various node selection criteria have been proposed, limited attention has been given to implementing distributed criteria. Therefore, this paper proposes a practical method for implementing distributed node selection criteria in a network of multiple energy-harvesting nodes and a base station. While we apply this method to a criterion that focuses solely on the current energy levels of the nodes, given our emphasis on energy harvesting wireless networks, the method can be easily adapted to other criteria, such as those that also consider channel conditions. The results show that the proposed method performs as expected. However, the method cannot prevent duplicate transmissions caused by nodes having the same or relatively close energy battery levels.