Intersecting Memory and Witnessing Violence in Anita Desai’s The Zigzag Way

This essay engages with the juxtaposition of two disparate violent past events: the Holocaust, and the Mexican Revolution, which led to the forced displacement of the diasporic characters in Anita Desai’s novel The Zigzag Way. It explores various ways in which the violent past resurfaces in the present and enables different migrant characters of the novel to bear witness to it by using tropes such as ruin, dreams and spectres. The essay also demonstrates subtle and complex intersections among different memory theories to articulate victimisation and enforced silence of the displaced and traumatized characters. It also investigates the role of fiction in depicting the ‘unspeakable’ horrors of the tumultuous past and the readers’ as well as the characters’ implication in it as secondary witnesses

Detention Camp and State of Exception in Chris Cleave’s The Other Hand

In Chris Cleave’s novel The Other Hand (2008), the detention camp is depicted as a space of exception where refugees are reduced to invisible and voiceless beings. This article analyzes how this fictional setting produces a sense of alterity in the refugee protagonist, Little Bee. It particularly focuses on how the novel balances narratives of exclusion and violence embedded in this counter-space with the refugee girl’s agency, resistance and self-assertion. The article also explores the power of language in attributing voice and visibility to this triply marginalized African female, while revisiting the notions of migration and frontiers in the twenty-first century

Wiskott–Aldrich Syndrome causing mutation, Pro373Ser restricts conformational changes essential for WASP activity in T-cells

AbstractWiskott–Aldrich Syndrome (WAS) is caused by mutations in Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (WASP) and majority of the mutations are found in the WASP Homology 1 (WH1) domain which mediates interaction with WIP (WASP Interacting Protein), a WASP chaperone. Two point mutations together in the proline rich region (PRR) domain of WASP (S339Y/P373S) have been reported to cause WAS however the molecular defect has not been characterized. Expression of these mutants separately (WASPRS339Y, WASPRP373S) or together (WASPRSP/YS) did not rescue the chemotaxis defect or membrane projection defect of JurkatWKD T-cells (WASP knockdown). This is not due to the inability of WASP-PRR mutants to form functional WASP–WIP complex in growth rescue experiments in las17Δ yeast strain. Expression of WASPRS339Y but not WASPRP373S or WASPRSP/YS rescued the IL-2 expression defect of JurkatWKD T-cells, suggesting that Pro373Ser mutation alone is sufficient to inhibit WASP functions in T-cell activation. The diffused localization of WASP-PRR mutants in activated Jurkat T-cells suggests that Ser339 and Pro373 are critical for WASP localization. WASP-PRR mutations either together or individually did not abolish interaction of WASP with sixteen WASP binding proteins including Hck, however they caused reduction in Hck mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of WASP which is critical for WASP activity. The auto-inhibitory conformation of WASPP373S mutant was not relieved by the binding of Toca-1 or Nck1. Thus, our results suggest that Pro373Ser mutation reduces Tyr291 phosphorylation and prevents conformational changes required for WASP activity in chemotaxis and T-cell activation. Thus Pro3373Ser is probably responsible for all the defects associated with WAS in the patients

Effect of micelles on hydrolysis of di-2,3-dichloroaniline phosphate

551-562The effect of anionic surfactant, di-octylsodium sulphosuccinate (AOT) and nonionic surfactant, polyoxyethylene sorbitanmonooleate (Tween-80) on the hydrolysis of di-2,3-dichloroaniline phosphate was studied spectrophotometrically at 303 K. The influence of inorganic salts on the reaction rate was studied. The added salts viz. KCl, KNO3, and K2SO4 accelerated the rate of the reaction in the presence of anionic and nonionic micelles. The role of anionic and non-ionic micelle has been explained by the Menger-Portnoy, and Piszkiewicz models. The binding constant (Ks), rate constant (kψ) in the micellar phase, co-operativity index (n) and various thermodynamic activation parameters viz. ∆Ea, ∆S≠, ∆H≠, ∆G≠ etc. have been evaluated. Possible reaction mechanism has been proposed on the basis of the observed kinetic data

A comparative evaluation of effect of intravenous premedication with ondansetron versus granisetron on hemodynamics and sensory-motor blockade produced by intrathecal hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine

Background: Bezold Jarisch reflex is important cause of hypotension and bradycardia which occur after spinal anaesthesia. This reflex is elicited by stimulation of peripheral serotonin receptors 5- hydroxytryptamine (5- HT3 type). These receptors have antinociceptive effect, which is confirmed by many studies.The two most commonly used 5HT3 antagonist are ondansetron and granisetrone. Very few comparative studies of the two drugs on the effect after spinal anaesthesia are available.Methods: Ninety adulted patients of either sex aged 18-58 years scheduled for elective infraumbilical surgeries were randomly allocated in three groups to receive intravenous ondansetron 4mg, granisetrone 2mg or normal saline in equal volume 5mins before spinal anesthesia. Hemodynamic changes and time to sensory motor onset and regression were evaluated.Results: There was statistically significant difference in fall of systolic diastolic and mean blood pressure among the three groups. Time to two segment regression of sensory block and time to regression to S1 was faster in ondansentron (76.6±17.2mins, 176±22mins) and granisetrone group (69±17.3mins, 165±19.2mins) in comparision to control group(77.4±24.3mins, 178±21mins) which was statistically significant also p value-0.019, 0.0001 respectively.Conclusions: The prophylactic therapy with 4mg i.v. ondansetron, given five minutes before spinal anaesthesia appears to be significantly most effective and safe for attenuating haemodynamic response after spinal anaesthesia without affecting the duration of sensory block in patients undergoing infraumbilical surgeries

Solochrome dark blue azo dye removal by sonophotocatalysis using mn2+ doped zns quantum dots

Funding Information: Funding: J.P. is thankful to DST, New Delhi, India for Research fellowship under Women Scientist Scheme (SR/WOS-A/CS-82/2018). This work has also been supported by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the Scientific Employment Stimulus-Institutional Call (CEEC-INST/00102/2018) and the Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry-LAQV which is financed by national funds from FCT/MCTES (UIDB/50006/2020 and UIDP/50006/2020). Funding Information: J.P. is thankful to DST, New Delhi, India for Research fellowship under Women Scientist Scheme (SR/WOS-A/CS-82/2018). This work has also been supported by FCT?Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the Scientific Employment Stimulus-Institutional Call (CEEC-INST/00102/2018) and the Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry-LAQV which is financed by national funds from FCT/MCTES (UIDB/50006/2020 and UIDP/50006/2020). Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This work investigates the degradation of the azo dye solochrome dark blue (SDB) by measurement of the photocatalytic, sonocatalytic and sonophotocatalytic activities, under low ultrasonic frequency (40 kHz) and UV-C (254 nm) light, using Mn-doped ZnS semiconductor quantum dots (Mn2+:ZnS Qds) as catalysts, prepared by a simple chemical precipitation procedure. In order to study the different morphological and optical crystal properties, various characterization techniques were used, such as high resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption-desorption at −196 °C and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The average particle size of the semiconductor Qds was in the range of 3–4 nm. The optimal parameters affecting dye degradation, such as the catalyst loading, solution pH, time of irradiation, initial concentration of dye, dopant concentration, ultrasonic power and frequency effect were evaluated. The synthesized catalytic material exhibited a high activity for sonophotocatalytic degradation of SDB (89%), larger than that observed for sonocatalysis (69.7%) or photocatalysis (55.2%) alone, which was due to the improved electron-holes separation, formation of more reactive radicals and enhancement of the active surface area. Qds showed good stability and reusability after five repeated cycles. Finally, the degradation products were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).publishersversionpublishe

Photo-thermal catalysis for sustainable energy production and environmental treatment

Photo-thermal-catalysts (PTC) exceptional features and ability to concurrently solve sustainable energy requirements and environmental problems have drawn scientific interest. The photo-thermal effect is the process by which photo-thermal conversion materials transform radiant energy from light into thermal energy. The photo-thermal therapy of energy and environmental treatment faces the urgent task of developing effective photo-thermal agents to address complicated problem demands. In this study, we take a look at the fundamental principles and underlying process of photo-thermal material catalysis. In addition, this review provides a concise summary of the most up-to-date findings concerning photo-thermal catalysis materials, which have been aggressively researched for a wide-spread sustainable energy and environment treatment uses. In order to motivate the creation of a high-efficiency photo-thermal catalytic pathway, the criteria and techniques for designing photo-thermal catalysts are presented. This will make it possible for a better absorption of the whole spectrum of solar energy as well as a greater conversion of solar energy to heat. Theoretical direction is offered for the continued development of this technology, and the promise of the practical use of photo-thermal catalysis for different solar-driven interfacial photo-thermal conversion technologies is anticipated. This paper offers a unique perspective on photo-thermal catalysis focussing on the synergistic effects and suggesting a potential route for future applications

X-Linked thrombocytopenia causing mutations in WASP (L46P and A47D) impair T cell chemotaxis

BACKGROUND: Mutation in the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome Protein (WASP) causes Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS), X-linked thrombocytopenia (XLT) and X-linked congenital neutropenia (XLN). The majority of missense mutations causing WAS and XLT are found in the WH1 (WASP Homology) domain of WASP, known to mediate interaction with WIP (WASP Interacting Protein) and CIB1 (Calcium and Integrin Binding). RESULTS: We analyzed two WASP missense mutants (L46P and A47D) causing XLT for their effects on T cell chemotaxis. Both mutants, WASP(R)(L46P) and WASP(R)(A47D) (S1-WASP shRNA resistant) expressed well in Jurkat(WASP-KD) T cells (WASP knockdown), however expression of these two mutants did not rescue the chemotaxis defect of Jurkat(WASP-KD) T cells towards SDF-1α. In addition Jurkat(WASP-KD) T cells expressing these two WASP mutants were found to be defective in T cell polarization when stimulated with SDF-1α. WASP exists in a closed conformation in the presence of WIP, however both the mutants (WASP(R)(L46P) and WASP(R)(A47D)) were found to be in an open conformation as determined in the bi-molecular complementation assay. WASP protein undergoes proteolysis upon phosphorylation and this turnover of WASP is critical for T cell migration. Both the WASP mutants were found to be stable and have reduced tyrosine phosphorylation after stimulation with SDF-1α. CONCLUSION: Thus our data suggest that missense mutations WASP(R)(L46P) or WASP(R)(A47D) affect the activity of WASP in T cell chemotaxis probably by affecting the turnover of the protein. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12929-014-0091-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS