Depiction of Women in the Selected Works of R. K. Narayan- An Analysis

R. K. Narayan, one of the greatest Indian writers and a major contributor to English fiction, has presented the lives of women around and depicted women characters with varied facets in his fiction. Most of his works reflect the predicament of women and the social reality in which they try to assimilate themselves at times. He is a writer who could portray women depicting their psychological urges. Narayan’s works depict the role of women in family and society and show a gradual transformation in these women characters and evolve them to their best at the societal spectrum. He portrayed his women characters with all shades creating a signature effect with regard to characterization of women in society.This paper examines the various female characters – modern as well as traditional and the differences in their thought patterns, habits, ambitions, beliefs, conduct, aspirations and their way of looking at life. My research focuses on few observations on the portrayal and depiction of women in the selected works of R. K. Narayan with a view of exploring the female characters and different aspects of human nature and human life. This paper also proves the fact that apart from providing aesthetic pleasure, these selected literary texts depict the various facades of women in our everyday lives. It also portrays a paradigm shift that the female characters experience by rendering a message to the world around. This paper gives few insights into life and the predicaments which as human beings we falter on. This paper also suggests and recommends the readers to explore such texts and characters to develop an aesthetic ability and a sense of appreciation for the works of R. K. Narayan

Molecular characterization of traditional mango germplasm of coastal Andhra Pradesh using RAPD markers

A study was conducted at Horticultural research station, Venkataramannagudem for evaluating the variability of mango germplasm to conserve the elite ones and to identify the superior genotypes using molecular markers for future crop improvement. Genetic variation and relationship among 34 traditional mango germplasm were analyzed using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Fifteen out of the twenty primers screened were informative and 177 amplified DNA bands with sizes ranging from 100 - 5000 bp were selected as RAPD markers. The number of amplified fragments varied from 3 (OPG 13) to 20 (OPX 04) with an average of 11.8 polymorphic fragments per marker. Specific RAPD markers for some mango germplasm were identified. Unweighted Pair Group Method using Arithmetic means (UPGMA) cluster analysis grouped all the germplasm into two clusters with a genetic similarity coefficient range of 0.67 to 0.88. The accessions within the germplasm i.e., Banganapalli -1, Banganapalli -2 and Banginapalli-3 showed genetic similarity which is in good agreement from a single ancestor with their putative pedigrees. The genotypes Panukula Mamidi and Rajamamidi were closely clustered since these two genotypes are native to the Vizianagaram district. Similarly, the genotypes Nuzividu Tiyya Mamidi and Nuzividu Rasalu occurred in the same cluster indicated that these genotypes also originated from the same geographical area, it can be concluded that they were separated into the cluster based on geographic origin. This study showed clearly that germplasm from coastal Andhra Pradesh unveiled maximum diversity and indicated the potential of RAPD markers for the identification of mango germplasm for breeding purposes

Severe Hypokalemia Secondary to Distal Renal Tubular Acidosis in a Hispanic Man

Introduction: Renal tubular acidosis is a rare renal disorder that can cause severe electrolyte imbalances which can be life threatening. Case: A 21-year-old man presented to the ED on account of generalized weakness and body aches of one day duration. He reported no past medical history other than a previous episode of similar symptoms with improvement after IV hydration and electrolytes replacements about 2 months prior. He was not taking any medications and denied vomiting, diarrhea nor any significant family history. He admitted to alcohol and marijuana use. Physical examination was significant for reduced muscle power, tone, and reflexes in all extremities. He was unable to move his limbs against gravity. Admission laboratory findings revealed severe hypokalemia 1.1 mEq/L, metabolic acidosis with bicarbonate of 10.1 and EKG showed QT prolongation. Patient received a total of about 200 mEq of potassium through a central line in 24 hours with serum level of 3.7mmol/l in addition to intravenous bicarbonates with a resolution of the presenting symptoms. Discussion: The causes of hypokalemia are broad however a methodical approach can be helpful to rule out the many causes and narrow down the differential diagnosis. Distal RTA is caused by the inability of the distal renal tubule to secrete hydrogen ions due to the selective failure of activity or expression of the H+-ATPase. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of systematic approach to the evaluation of patients with hypokalemia to uncover the cause of the underlying disease before life threatening complications occur. Our patient remains under close follow up

Insilico analysis of Arabidopsis ferric reductase oxidases (FRO) proteins associated with iron homeostasis

The ferric reduction oxidase (FRO) gene family is involved in various biological processes of plants and plays an essential role in metal homeostasis, tolerance, and signaling networks in response to several abiotic stresses. Our study describes the structural, functional characterization, and evolutionary relationships of eight Arabidopsis FRO proteins. The studies predicted the subcellular localization of FRO proteins to the plasma membrane, mitochondria, and chloroplast organelles. The structural analysis revealed localization of proteins onto the first and fifth chromosomes having 8-9exons and 8-10 transmembrane helices. The protein features of FRO proteins revealed 699-747 amino acids having 79600.02-84126.3 (Da) molecular weight. The six highly conserved protein motifs were predicted with 45-50 amino acids long representing ferric chelate reductase family domains. The phylogeny tree constructed using Clustal W divided the FRO proteins into two clusters and the interactome network revealed the co-expression of COPT1, NRAMP1, NRAMP3, NRAMP4, FRD3, OPT3, IRT1, IRT2, ZIF1, PYE proteins along with the seven FRO proteins

Salt-tolerant genes from halophytes are potential key players of salt tolerance in glycophytes

Crop productivity strongly depends on several biotic and abiotic factors. Salinity is one of the most important abiotic factors, besides drought, extreme temperatures, light and metal stress. The enhanced burden of secondary salinization induced through anthropogenic activities increases pressure on glycophytic crop plants. The recent isolation and characterization of salt tolerance genes encoding signaling components from halophytes, which naturally grow in high salinity, has provided tools for the development of transgenic crop plants with improved salt tolerance and economically beneficial traits. In addition understanding of the differences between glycophytes and halophytes with respect to levels of salinity tolerance is also one of the prerequisite to achieve this goal. Based on the recent developments in mechanisms of salt tolerance in halophytes, we will explore the potential of introducing salt tolerance by choosing the available genes from both dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous halophytes, including the salt overly sensitive system (SOS)-related cation/proton antiporters of plasma (NHX/SOS1) and vacuolar membranes (NHX), energy-related pumps, such as plasma membrane and vacuolar H+ adenosine triphosphatase (PM& V-H+ATPase), vacuolar H+ pyrophosphatases (V-H+PPase) and potassium transporter genes. Various halophyte genes responsible for other processes, such as crosstalk signaling, osmotic solutes production and reactive oxygen species (ROS) suppression, which also enhance salt tolerance will be described. In addition, the transgenic overexpression of halophytic genes in crops (rice, peanut, finger millet, soybean, tomato, alfalfa, jatropha, etc.) will be discussed as a successful mechanism for the induction of salt tolerance. Moreover, the advances in genetic engineering technology for the production of genetically modified crops to achieve the improved salinity tolerance under field conditions will also be discussed

Integrated transcriptome, small RNA and degradome sequencing approaches provide insights into Ascochyta blight resistance in chickpea

Ascochyta blight (AB) is one of the major biotic stresses known to limit the chickpea production worldwide. To dissect the complex mechanisms of AB resistance in chickpea, three approaches, namely, transcriptome, small RNA and degradome sequencing were used. The transcriptome sequencing of 20 samples including two resistant genotypes, two susceptible genotypes and one introgression line under control and stress conditions at two time points (3rd and 7th day post inoculation) identified a total of 6767 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These DEGs were mainly related to pathogenesis�related proteins, disease resistance genes like NBS�LRR, cell wall biosynthesis and various secondary metabolite synthesis genes. The small RNA sequencing of the samples resulted in the identification of 651 miRNAs which included 478 known and 173 novel miRNAs. A total of 297 miRNAs were differentially expressed between different genotypes, conditions and time points. Using degradome sequencing and in silico approaches, 2131 targets were predicted for 629 miRNAs. The combined analysis of both small RNA and transcriptome datasets identified 12 miRNA�mRNA interaction pairs that exhibited contrasting expression in resistant and susceptible genotypes and also, a subset of genes that might be post�transcriptionally silenced during AB infection. The comprehensive integrated analysis in the study provides better insights into the transcriptome dynamics and regulatory network components associated with AB stress in chickpea and, also offers candidate genes for chickpea improvement

A Case for Humans-in-the-Loop: Decisions in the Presence of Erroneous Algorithmic Scores

The increased use of algorithmic predictions in sensitive domains has been accompanied by both enthusiasm and concern. To understand the opportunities and risks of these technologies, it is key to study how experts alter their decisions when using such tools. In this paper, we study the adoption of an algorithmic tool used to assist child maltreatment hotline screening decisions. We focus on the question: Are humans capable of identifying cases in which the machine is wrong, and of overriding those recommendations? We first show that humans do alter their behavior when the tool is deployed. Then, we show that humans are less likely to adhere to the machine's recommendation when the score displayed is an incorrect estimate of risk, even when overriding the recommendation requires supervisory approval. These results highlight the risks of full automation and the importance of designing decision pipelines that provide humans with autonomy.Comment: Accepted at ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (ACM CHI), 202

Recovery of Chromium from Ferrochrome Slag

ABSTRACT: Ferrochrome slag generated from alumino-thermi method piles up in large quantities poses many problems to the environment and contaminates ground water on long run, needs to be addressed very urgently. It principally contains chromium, alumina, Iron, magnesium, calcium in small quantities. This paper deals with extraction of chromium and renders the slag harmless. In this paper industrial waste was collected from GTS industries and used in the subsequent experimentation. Ferrochrome slag is treated with lime to conduct slag-lime solid-solid reaction. Chromium present in the slag reacts with lime to form mixed chromates. The reaction is conducted at 973K, soluble chromium ion was extracted with water and is subsequently separated by adsorbing fly ash based zeolite which can be recovered. The recovery of chromium metal in the slag is 64%. The method is viable for the commercial recovery of chromium from slag

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACY & LIFE SCIENCES Screening of potential efficacy of dietary ginger on ethanol induced oxidative stress in rat cardiac tissue: A study on changes in basic metabolic profiles

Abstract The present study was premeditated to examine the possible mechanisms where by ginger (Zingiber officinale) could protect cardiac tissue from alcohol toxicity in rats. The carbohydrate metabolic profiles like total carbohydrates, pyruvate, total proteins, free amino acids and lactate levels were measured in heart tissue. The total carbohydrates, pyruvate, and total proteins were significant declined while free amino acids, lactate levels were significant increased in alcohol intoxicated rats. Whereas with ginger (200 mg/kg body weight) treatment shown significant increase in the total carbohydrates, total proteins and pyruvate levels, whereas free amino acids, lactate levels were significant drop in the cardiac tissues. From the present study, we conclude that ginger protects the heart tissue from alcohol toxicity in rats, this may be due to the presence of many bioactive compounds in ginger

Chick Embryo Partial Ischemia Model: A New Approach to Study Ischemia Ex Vivo

Background: Ischemia is a pathophysiological condition due to blockade in blood supply to a specific tissue thus damaging the physiological activity of the tissue. Different in vivo models are presently available to study ischemia in heart and other tissues. However, no ex vivo ischemia model has been available to date for routine ischemia research and for faster screening of anti-ischemia drugs. In the present study, we took the opportunity to develop an ex vivo model of partial ischemia using the vascular bed of 4th day incubated chick embryo. Methodology/Principal Findings: Ischemia was created in chick embryo by ligating the right vitelline artery using sterile surgical suture. Hypoxia inducible factor- 1 alpha (HIF-1a), creatine phospho kinase-MB and reactive oxygen species in animal tissues and cells were measured to confirm ischemia in chick embryo. Additionally, ranolazine, N-acetyl cysteine and trimetazidine were administered as an anti-ischemic drug to validate the present model. Results from the present study depicted that blocking blood flow elevates HIF-1a, lipid peroxidation, peroxynitrite level in ischemic vessels while ranolazine administration partially attenuates ischemia driven HIF-1a expression. Endothelial cell incubated on ischemic blood vessels elucidated a higher level of HIF-1a expression with time while ranolazine treatment reduced HIF-1a in ischemic cells. Incubation of caprine heart strip on chick embryo ischemia model depicted an elevated creatine phospho kinase-MB activity under ischemic condition while histology of the treated heart sections evoked edema and disruption of myofibril structures. Conclusions/Significance: The present study concluded that chick embryo partial ischemia model can be used as a novel ex vivo model of ischemia. Therefore, the present model can be used parallel with the known in vivo ischemia models in understanding the mechanistic insight of ischemia development and in evaluating the activity of anti-ischemic drug.status: publishe