Life and (non)Living: Technological and Human Conglomeration in Android Kunjappan Version 5.25

In post-modern society, we (humans) share our space with machines. Though there is no doubt in the efficiency of the machines there is always a doubt in their reason. Machines being programmed cannot exercise reason like humans. Their assistance is limited to the commands designed by the engineer. The Malayalam movie Android Kunjappan Version 5.25 pictures the limitations and advantages of one such robotic creation. The movie narrates the tale of an old man and his association with a robot which becomes his solace and companion. The film questions the association between humans and machines. It raises the fear of constructing and destroying the boundaries between the machine world and the human world. This article attempts to use the concept of cyborg introduced by Donna Haraway in ‘Cyborg Manifesto’; though Haraway uses the concept of a cyborg from a Feminist perspective, the paper attempts to look at the relationship between man and machine using the concept ‘cyborg’. This fusion of the living and non-living is sceptical and this anxiety is presented in the film. The film also captured the naivety of the commoners who are new to the monstrous world of machines. The paper’s primary aim is to list how cyborgs transgress the limitations set by society. Another objective is to discuss the anxieties of the post-modern world when technology and life hold hands. The article considers the film a futuristic art that leaves a message to the viewers; cyborgs will become an inevitable facet of the human world

Mean field analysis of quantum phase transitions in a periodic optical superlattice

In this paper we analyze the various phases exhibited by a system of ultracold bosons in a periodic optical superlattice using the mean field decoupling approximation. We investigate for a wide range of commensurate and incommensurate densities. We find the gapless superfluid phase, the gapped Mott insulator phase, and gapped insulator phases with distinct density wave orders.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, 4 table

Ricinus communis and Calotropis procera As Putative Plant Species for the Phytostabilization of Tannery Contaminated Soil: A Dynamic Approach

The present study involves the assessment of four metals (Cr, Pb, Cu, and Mn) and their mobility (primary and dynamic translocation and bioconcentration factors) in Ricinus communis and Calotropis procera growing in tannery contaminated soil (TCS) and control soil (CS). The area is moderately to strongly contaminated withCr. Except for Cr, all the analyzed metals were found within the critical range in TCS and in both plants. The assessment of both primary and dynamic translocation and bioconcentration factors showed TF < 1 and BCF > 1 for both plants, which demonstrates the major transfer and accumulation of Cr from soil to root. As these plants are not grazed upon by grazing animals, the ecological metal transfer risks from these plants are quite low. Moreover, the high commercial importance of these plants (biofuel production and medicinal value) further enhances their utilization for the phytostabilization of moderately Cr-contaminated sites. Keywords: chromium, Ricinus communis, Calotropis procera, dynamic factors, tannery industr

A STUDY ON PATTERN OF PRESCRIBING MEDICATIONS USED IN SECONDARY PREVENTION OF STROKE

ABSTRACTObjectives: The main objectives of this study were to estimate the demographic details of patients with the first incidence of stroke and to study thevarious risk factors for ischemic stroke.Methods: It was a retrospective, observational study carried out for 1 year at the Department of Stroke Medicine of a tertiary care teaching hospitalin Kerala, India. A total of 636 patients were admitted under stroke medicine during the period from July 1, 2014, to July 1, 2015, and who satisfiedthe inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. A standardized data collection form was prepared and necessary data were collectedfrom patient's medical records.Results: The maximum number of patients was in the age group of 60-69 years. 65.1% patients were residing in the rural area. 60.7% patients weremale. Most of them had hypertension as common comorbidity (21.35%) and the highest number of patients had diabetes mellitus and hypertension(21.7%). Majority of the patients were prescribed with antiplatelets (94.91%), followed by statins (93.8%).Conclusion: A strict control on the comorbid conditions and sticking on to the medications can prevent the occurrence of future stroke.Keywords: Stroke, Secondary prevention, Drugs, Prescribing pattern

Use of mifepristone for termination of intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) in previously scarred uterus in later half of pregnancy (>20 weeks)

Background: Mifepristone has the potential to be used as an agent for induction of labour by increasing the uterine contractility and increasing the sensitivity of uterus to prostaglandins. The present study is an endeavor to study the effect of mifepristone alone to induce labour in scarred uterus and its risk benefit ratio.Methods: Total 39 patients with IUFD and previous uterine surgery were included in the study after their informed consent. All women in the study were given Tablet Mifepristone 200 mg orally, thrice a day, maximum 6 doses (Max -1200 mg) over a duration of 48 hours. Patients were monitored for vitals, the uterine contractions and any bleeding per vaginum. Next dose of drug was omitted if sufficient uterine contractions or cervical dilatation ≥2.5 cm achieved. Patients were shifted to the labour room after onset of active labour. Labour was augmented with oxytocin wherever required.Results: spontaneous labour occurred in 74.3% (29/39) women while operative (cesarean/ hysterotomy) delivery occurred in 17.9% (07/39). Mean induction (first dose of mifepristone) to delivery interval was 51.5 hrs in second trimester while 59.8 hrs in third trimester women. Oxytocin augmentation was done in 8 (20.5 %) women.Conclusions: The potential advantage of mifepristone over prostaglandins and oxytocin, is mainly in situations where they are contraindicated (i.e., scarred uterus). In this study authors found that with mifepristone only regimen is quite safe and effective, inducing spontaneous labour in 74.3% (29/39) women with IUFD and in reducing the operative (cesarean/ hysterotomy) delivery (17.9%)

Identification of lunar volcanic tubes, a potential site for human settlement using 3D Chandrayaan-1 TMC data

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Radiometric Screening of Red Phosphorus Smoke for its Obscuration Characteristics

Red phosphorus and potassium nitrate-based compositions exhibit favorable smoke screenformation with high obscuration characteristics at low oxidiser content. The rapid vaporisationof excess red phosphorus at higher flame temperature leads to quick aerodispersion. Theobscuration characteristics are due to formation of P2O5 and subsequent reaction with moisture/humidity in the atmosphere. Obscuration increases with increasing humidity. Extinction coefficient,the shadow cast per unit mass of the composition, is higher in visible and comparatively lowerin far infrared