Sulabha-Janaka Samvada in Vyasa’s Mahabharata: Debating Meaning and Language Structures

The present paper  offers an analytical study on  the Sulabha-Janaka Samvada as one of the significant pieces of philosophical and religious instructions in the Shanti Parva of Vyasa’s Mahabharata. The dialogue that takes place between a male emperor and female recluse  stands tall not only because it serves as an exploration of key feminine voices incessantly debating the ideas of Samkhya Philosophy and means to salvation(moksa) but also because it establishes Sulabha’s discourses as a rare occasion in the ambit of Sanskrit Literature. In this discourse, we find the idea of what constitutes a well-knit argument, proponents of a debate that defines meaning-making in the process of closely scrutinized and investigated language structure. This discourse between two polar personalities becomes a short philosophical dialogic treatise, amid hefty monologues such as the incessant instructions by Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita and Bheeshma in the Shanti Parva interspaced by many teachings of Vidura. Sulabha’s counter-arguments to Janaka are significant for it redefines the meaning and path to moksa, and in the process, expounds on what is proper speech, the correct usage of language and vocabulary and the purpose of doing so irrespective of the biases of class, gender, caste and educational elitism. The Sulabha-Janaka conversation has not received its due credit either in the Western or Eastern academic scholarship and scholarly attention has only been invested in the teachings of theGita, the ideas of dharma and many similar aspects. This short textual study provides a fresh perspective on philosophizing human need of meaning making and understanding the art of negotiating the engagement process of meaning associated with its structure. Keywords: Sulabha-JanakaSamvaad, female aesthetics, Samkhya Philosophy, language, meaning, structure, Vyasa’s Mahabharata

Cultivation of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) from Agro-waste and Dry Leaf Litter in used Plastic Bottles: Community Waste Management Model Targeting Stubble and Dry Leaf Burning

In recent years, solid waste management has developed from early approaches of burning or dumping to reuse, recycle, regain, and retain various alternative technologies. The present study aims at developing an effective community waste management model with a solution to multiple issues. It aims to provide an alternative to widespread stubble burning, burning dry leaf litter and promoting plastic reuse. The present novel technology involved the cultivation of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) in used plastic bottles to convert agricultural and urban waste into a highly nutritional end product. In this direction, the effect of different wheat straw and dry leaves’ ratios was assessed on the spawn run time, primordial formation, final harvesting time, mean yield per plastic bottle, and the % biological efficiency per gram of the substrate. Both the combinations of L30:WS70 and L50:WS50 represented ideal options for using the two waste substrates to cultivate the mushroom species. This model will help recycle agro-waste and serve as an effective method of generating nutritious food for fighting food security while decreasing the plastic load and trash thrown for disposal

A pilot evaluation of Swasthya Pahal program using SMAART informatics framework to support NCD self-management

Background: Empirical research acknowledges the capability of mHealth and eHealth interventions for ensuring high-quality and tailored healthcare to individuals. People living with various health conditions get access to a wide range of healthcare services through digital interventions. The aim of the study is to examine the usefulness of Swasthya Pahal, a community-based Health for all program, aimed to enhance screening and self-management of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity among police personnel. Methods: A convenient sample of 64 individuals aged 18 years and above present at the Police Sanchar Training Centre, Dehradun, Uttarakhand were enrolled over 2 days in January 2020. The Swasthya Pahal pilot program was approved by the Uttarakhand State Police authorities. Individuals\u27 health data was recorded using an interactive, bi-lingual, touch screen, computer-based program. Subjective data was collected and self-reported information was gathered about (I) socio-demographics, (II) health behaviors, (III) clinical status, and (IV) Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP). Objective data assessments included measurements such as weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels using a series of physiological sensors. Additional information gathered at 1 month follow up included modifications that individuals made in their self-management of diabetes and hypertension, diet, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Information was gathered related to individuals\u27 interest in receiving SMS based health messages. Results: The average age of study participants was 37 (SD =8) years, 88% were males, and 42% had graduate education. Hypertension (31%) was found to be the most common family history. Thirty-six percent of individuals were presently smokers or consumed alcohol. Sixty-two percent of them self-reported doing some form of exercise. Walking, jogging and yoga were the most common exercise types. Eighty-seven percent of them were not receiving any treatment to self-manage hypertension. Based on the JNC 8 criteria, 37% of the individuals were hypertensive. Fifty of the 64 individuals expressed interest to receive SMS message, 64% of them expressed keenness to receive weekly SMS messages. Messages related to diet, physical activity, sleep, and smoking and alcohol consumption were perceived as important. Conclusions: The Swasthya Pahal program using the SMAART informatics framework is a useful tool to enhance screening and self-management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among police personnel

Burden of household food insecurity in urban slum settings.

This study examined the burden of food insecurity in India's un-notified slums, using an SDG framework to identify correlates of food insecurity. A convenience sampling approach was employed in selecting 38 slums from 675 un-notified slums across four geographic zones. Ten percent of the households in each slum site were selected from each zone, and one household member was interviewed, based on their availability and fulfilment of the eligibility criteria. Eligible individuals included those aged 18 years and above, who were resident in the selected slums and provided consent. Individuals with mental or physical challenges were excluded. A total sample of 907 study participants were included. Results showed that 43% (n = 393) of the participants were food insecure. More than half were females (73%, n = 285), who had not completed any schooling (51%, n = 202). One-third (n = 128) resided in the Northern Region of Delhi. SDG-related predictors of food insecurity included: household educational level (SDG 4 Quality education) (p = 0.03), coverage of health service needs (SDG 3 Good health and well-being) (p = 0.0002), electricity needs (SDG 7 affordable and clean energy) (p<0.0001), and employment needs (SDG 8 Decent and economic growth) (p = 0.003). Having healthcare needs that were partially or fully met was equally associated with higher food insecurity: this could be attributed to high healthcare costs and the lack of federal subsidies in un-notified slums, collectively contributing to high out-of-pocket health costs. Failure to fully meet employment needs was also significantly associated with higher food insecurity. However, met needs for electricity, finance, women's safety and satisfactory family relationships, were associated with lower food insecurity. Household predictors of food insecurity included: number of household members, and the presence of physically disabled household members. Necessary interventions should include connecting food insecure households to existing social services such as India's Public Distribution System, and multi-sector partnerships to address the existing challenges

Towards a Micromechanics Model for Continuous Carbon Fiber Composite 3D Printed Parts

Material extrusion is transitioning from a technology mainly for rapid prototyping to one that is increasingly finding use in manufacturing functional parts. Of particular interest in this regard is the reinforcement of extruded parts with Continuous Carbon Fiber (CCF). However, predicting the effective properties of 3D printed composite parts presents a unique challenge because of the strong effects of meso-structure on the mechanical behavior of printed parts. This work aims to develop a mathematical model that would enable such a prediction of behavior by incorporating the rule of mixtures commonly used in micromechanics modeling. Results from tensile tests on composite specimens with varying volume fractions produced from a blend of onyx (nylon and chopped carbon fiber) and CCF are reported. Volume fractions are varied through a range of factors including the layers with fiber, the distribution of fiber within layers and the angle of the fibers relative to the loading direction, though findings suggest that this has no significant influence on the model itself, and that volume fraction is a sufficient parameter. The predictive ability of the micromechanics model is put to the test for composite honeycombs under compression, and a wide discrepancy between model and experimental result is demonstrated, demonstrating the limitations of such a model and suggesting pathways for improvement.Mechanical Engineerin

Safety of Bariatric Surgery in ≥ 65-Year-Old Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background Age &gt;= 65 years is regarded as a relative contraindication for bariatric surgery. Advanced age is also a recognised risk factor for adverse outcomes with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) which continues to wreak havoc on global populations. This study aimed to assess the safety of bariatric surgery (BS) in this particular age group during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison with the younger cohort.Methods We conducted a prospective international study of patients who underwent BS between 1/05/2020 and 31/10/2020. Patients were divided into two groups - patients &gt;= 65-years-old (Group I) and patients &lt; 65-years-old (Group II). The two groups were compared for 30-day morbidity and mortality.Results There were 149 patients in Group 1 and 6923 patients in Group II. The mean age, preoperative weight, and BMI were 67.6 +/- 2.5 years, 119.5 +/- 24.5 kg, and 43 +/- 7 in Group I and 39.8 +/- 11.3 years, 117.7 +/- 20.4 kg, and 43.7 +/- 7 in Group II, respectively. Approximately, 95% of patients in Group 1 had at least one co-morbidity compared to 68% of patients in Group 2 (p = &lt; 0.001). The 30-day morbidity was significantly higher in Group I ( 11.4%) compared to Group II (6.6%) (p = 0.022). However, the 30-day mortality and COVID-19 infection rates were not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusions Bariatric surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a higher complication rate in those &gt;= 65 years of age compared to those &lt; 65 years old. However, the mortality and postoperative COVID-19 infection rates are not significantly different between the two groups