Video in the English curriculum of an Indian secondary school

This case study explores the potential of video in helping teachers and pupils to break out of entrenched but arguably unfruitful methods of English language teaching in Indian secondary schools, provides evidence that it can have a substantial impact, and analyses the conditions in which this is possible. The study could be described as action research drawing on ethnographic methods. I introduced a 'package' of video-based English lessons to the Core English Curriculum of an Indian Central School, and observed the consequences. The package was prepared by me, but taught by the students' regular teachers. First I observed for a month the nonnal, textbook-based teaching in the English classroom. Then the teacher was trained to use the video package, which was based on the contents of one of the chapters in the text-book they used. Finally, I observed the introduction of this package in the classroom. My data came from audio-recordings of the classes, diaries kept for me by the students, interviews and informal discussions with teachers and students, and my own observations of the classes and the school generally. In addition, I was able to draw on my own experiences of having been a student and a teacher in India. Chapter 1 outlines the background It discusses the unique position of English in India - its history and current social status - and describes schooling in India, placing Central Schools and their Core English Curriculum in context. It sets my research agenda as the study of the introduction of video in a 'real life' setting, as opposed to the 'artificial' experimental or quasi-experimental situations of much previous work. Chapter 2 surveys the literature I draw upon. As there is very little previous research bearing directly on this topic, I have had to refer to a wider body of partially relevant literature on: (i) use of television for education in India; (ii) second language classroom studies with an emphasis on the development of communicative competence; (iii) classroom studies with special reference to group work; (iv) bilingualism. Chapter 3 explains the advantages of a case study based on ethnographic methods, and considers some of the potential problems and limitations, notably the risks in generalising from one study. Chapter 4 deals with theoretical issues and practical methods in developing teaching materials for the project. I discuss research into the use of video in second language teaching, and explain how I drew on it to develop the video material itself, task sheets for students to work on in groups after watching video extracts, and a teacher-training package. Group work is not essential in introducing video, but I argue that it is the best way of using the medium. The next three chapters deal with the introduction of the video package, and the context in which it was introduced. Chapter 5 describes the school. Chapter 6 is a chronology of the various stages in the introduction of video into the English classroom. Chapter 7 then analyses this introduction in terms of the various participants involved - the problems faced by each, and the conflicts that arose between them. Chapters 8 and 9 concentrate on the classroom. Chapter 8 examines the traditional English classes, analysing the teacher-fronted, transmission mode of teaching that prevails, and identifying twin roots of this pedagogy. First, there is the indigenous Harikatha tradition (in which the written word is treated as a sacred text for reverent, uncritical commentary); and secondly, there is the imperial tradition, arising directly from the introduction of En~lish as the medium of educational instruction in India. The manner in which these traditions affect classroom pedagogy today is critically evaluated. Chapter 9 analyses the classes after the video package had been introduced. It focuses on talk, now the students' rather than the teacher's language, for with the introduction of video in the classroom, the students had to learn to work in groups on the task-sheets. The television screen did not inspire the same uncritical reverence as the written word. The chapter reveals how the ritualised routine of the transmission mode broke down with the introduction of video; and how it encouraged the students to take more control of their own learning environment. Chapter 10 discusses what the research can claim to have discovered.. Video does seem to have considerable potential in helping teachers and students to break out of the traditional methods of language teaching in Indian schools, moving the students further on the path of developing communicative competence in English. But more research is needed, and I make concrete suggestions for such studies. With due caution because of the dangers of generalising from one case-study, I draw implications for teachers, schools and government if best use is to be made of the potential of video in English teaching

Evaluation of antidepressant activity of tramadol in albino mice using forced swim model

Background: The fact that tramadol can be used as an antidepressant, has been already proved by some animal studies. The objective of the present study was to evaluate antidepressant activity of tramadol in albino mice using forced swim model.Methods: Forced swimming test (FST) model was used to evaluate the antidepressant effect. Mice in the group "I" were given normal saline. Mice in the group II were given imipramine. Mice in the group III were given tramadol 10mg/kg. Mice in the group IV were given tramadol 20mg/kg. Mice in the group V were given tramadol 40mg/kg. All doses in all groups were given by intra peritoneum route.Results: The average values of immobility in group I were higher significantly compared to group III, IV and V. The values of group I and group II were found to be comparable. It was found that the baseline mean value was 196.33 which reduced to 5.16 with the effect of imipramine where imipramine was given to those mice. But in tramadol 10mg group, it was highest, and it came down to 40.66 and as the dose of tramadol was increased, the immobility time reduced from 40.66 at 10mg dose to 31.33 at 20mg dose and finally to 13.33mg at 40mg dose.Conclusions: Considering the results of two different animal models of depression it can be concluded that Tramadol has antidepressant activity at 10mg, 20mg, 40mg which was almost similar to Imipramine

Case report on necrotizing fasciitis following episiotomy

Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is an extremely rare but near fatal bacterial soft tissue infection, complicating the operative wounds. Here is a case report of Necrotising fasciitis in episiotomy wound in low socioeconomic, poorly nourished and anaemic women. A 39 years old, second gravida, delivered normally with medio-lateral episiotomy under local anaesthesia. On postnatal day four, patient developed high grade fever and on examination episiotomy was found to be unhealthy and gaped. She was started on broad spectrum antibiotics empirically but the cellulitis rapidly progressed to vulva, then to the bilateral thighs and extended till knees. Bilateral lower limb Doppler ultrasonography was done to rule out deep vein thrombosis which showed no abnormality. USG abdomen revealed huge pus collection in the lower abdomen. Under anaesthesia, surgical exploration was done, pus was drained followed by wound debridement and pus sent for culture and sensitivity. Pus and blood culture showed growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae, so started on appropriate antibiotics. Patient started recovering, when the wound was healthy, secondary suturing of episiotomy wound done. She was discharged on post-natal day 27 after full recovery. Early diagnosis and aggressive timely management are the corner stone to avoid morbidity and mortality of NF

Efavirinz induced gynecomastia: a case report

Gynecomastia is swelling of the breast tissue in men, caused by an imbalance of the hormones, estrogen and testosterone. Drugs commonly implicated are spironolactone, cimetidine, ketoconazole, hGH, estrogens, hCG, anti-androgens, GnRH analogues and 5-α reductase inhibitors. Medications probably associated with gynecomastia include risperidone, verapamil, nifedipine, omeprazole, alkylating agents, HIV medications (efavirenz), anabolic steroids, alcohol and opioids. HIV infected patients who are treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can develop breast enlargement due to benign and malignant mammary diseases. We report here a case of gynecomastia due to efavirinz

Serum βHCG as a Predictor of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

BACKGROUND AND AIMS : Hypertensive disorders occur in 6 %- 8% of pregnancies and contribute significantly to stillbirths and neonatal morbidity and mortality. They are one of the leading cause of maternal mortality- accounting for almost 15% of such deaths. Worldwide, over half a million women die each year because of pregnancy-related causes, and 99% of these deaths occur in the developing world. A variety of biochemical and biophysical markers, have been proposed for the purpose of predicting the development of preeclampsia in pregnancy. Screening for these factors in the second trimester of pregnancy will help in early detection of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, thus enabling 1. Early identification of patients at risk of developing preeclampsia and eclampsia. 2. Prophylactic medication to prevent hypertension or to reduce its severity. 3. Prophylactic proper antenatal care. METHODS : A prospective study was done to determine the role of βhcg in 100 pregnant women in their second trimester (13-20) weeks, attending TVMCH OPD. Routine antenatal investigations were done. 5 ml of venous blood sample was collected and tests were carried out. Estimation of serum beta hcg level was done by enzyme linked fluorescence immunoassay. In antenatal clinic, the patients were followed up. Their frequency of visits are once in a month till 28 weeks, once in 15 days upto 34 weeks and weekly till delivery. RESULTS : From the study it was found, women who have elevated βHCG values in 13-20 weeks are at increased risk of developing PIH. For any test to be used as a screening tests it should have good sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value. In this study β hcg had Sensitivity – 71.4% , Specificity-87.1%. CONCLUSION : While comparing patients with normal BP and pre eclampsia - βHCG values are elevated in patients with pre eclampsia. The sensitivity and specificity of βHCG are very low to be useful as a mass screening marker on its own and therefore it should be combined with other serum markers and ultrasound parameters like Doppler study of uterine vessels, which will help in improving its role as a screening tool

Effect of pyrethroids, permethrin and fenvalarate, on the oxidative stress of Helicoverpa armigera

The cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera is a polyphagous pest of several crops in Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean Europe. Pyrethroid insecticides are used to control noxious insects in agriculture, forestry, households and horticulture. Therefore, the effect of permethrin and fenvalarate was evaluated on the oxidative stress in H. armigera. Lipid peroxidation, H2O2 content, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity increased and glutathione reductase (GR) activity decreased in a time- and dose-dependent manner in insecticide-fed larvae. However, catalase activity was not affected in insecticide-fed larvae. Larval growth decreased by ~ 64 and 70% in larvae fed on diets with sub-lethal doses of permethrin and fenvalarate. The results suggested that both the insecticides induced lipid peroxidation, H2O2, LDH leak, and altered antioxidant enzymes leading to oxidative stress in cells, which contribute to deleterious effects of these insecticides on the growth of H. armigera larvae, along with their neurotoxic effects

Optimization of Multi-Energy Systems for Efficient Power-to-X Conversion

This paper reviews the work in the areas of optimization and efficiency enhancement of multi-energy systems (MES) for power-to-X conversion. The first study delves into the deployment of Power-to-Hydrogen (PtH2) within district-scale MES, emphasizing the role of PtH2 in achieving zero operational CO2 emissions, especially in systems with high renewable energy generation. The study also highlights the significance of heat pump efficiency, battery capital cost, and lifetime in influencing PtH2 implementation. The second investigation focuses on the integration of energy strategies for the transport and building sectors. It introduces a multi-objective optimization model that considers both sectors, aiming to minimize costs and life-cycle emissions. The findings suggest a potential transition from internal combustion engines to battery electric vehicles and a shift from gas boilers to heat pumps, leading to substantial emission reductions by 2050. Lastly, the third research explores the potential of power-to-gas (P2G) technology in enhancing the integration of renewable energy. By coordinating P2G with CO2-based electrothermal energy storage (ETES), the study demonstrates a significant improvement in the recovery efficiency of surplus wind power. Collectively, these studies underscore the importance of optimizing MES for sustainable and efficient energy conversion

High yielding and drought tolerant genotypes developed through marker-assisted back crossing (MBAC) in chickpea

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the second largest grown food legume crop in the world after common bean. This crop is largely grown under rainfed conditions in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa where terminal drought is the major production constraint. Generation of large scale genomic resources in chickpea during the recent years has made it possible to improve the complex traits like drought tolerance. A “QTL-hotspot” harbouring QTLs for several root and drought tolerance traits was transferred from the drought tolerant line ICC 4958 to a leading chickpea cultivar JG 11 (ICCV 93954), and a widely adapted cultivar Bharati (ICCV 10) in India. A set of 20 BC3F4/ BC3F5 introgression lines (ILs) of JG 11 and 22 of Bharati were evaluated at three to four locations (Patancheru, Nandyal, Gulbarga and Dharwad) in Southern India over two years during 2011-12 to 2014-15. Many lines giving at least 10% higher yield than the recurrent parents JG 11 and Bharati were identified at each location and in each growing condition (rainfed/irrigated). As the introgressed genomic region also influences seed size, most ILs had bigger seed than the recurrent parents. These results are very encouraging and demonstrate the effectiveness of marker-assisted breeding in improving terminal drought stress tolerance in chickpea

Exploiting metabolic acidosis in solid cancers using a tumor-agnostic pH-activatable nanoprobe for fluorescence-guided surgery

Cancer cell metabolism leads to a uniquely acidic microenvironment in solid tumors, but exploiting the labile extracellular pH differences between cancer and normal tissues for clinical use has been challenging. Here we describe the clinical translation of ONM-100, a nanoparticle-based fluorescent imaging agent. This is comprised of an ultra-pH sensitive amphiphilic polymer, conjugated with indocyanine green, which rapidly and irreversibly dissociates to fluoresce in the acidic extracellular tumor microenvironment due to the mechanism of nanoscale macromolecular cooperativity. Primary outcomes were safety, pharmacokinetics and imaging feasilibity of ONM-100. Secondary outcomes were to determine a range of safe doses of ONM-100 for intra-operative imaging using commonly used fluorescence camera systems. In this study (Netherlands National Trial Register #7085), we report that ONM-100 was well tolerated, and four solid tumor types could be visualized both in- and ex vivo in thirty subjects. ONM-100 enables detection of tumor-positive resection margins in 9/9 subjects and four additional otherwise missed occult lesions. Consequently, this pH-activatable optical imaging agent may be clinically beneficial in differentiating previously unexploitable narrow physiologic differences

Topoisomerase 1 inhibition reversibly impairs synaptic function

Topoisomerases are enzymes that resolve DNA supercoiling during cell division and gene transcription. Inhibitors of these enzymes are used to treat multiple forms of cancer. Recently we found that topoisomerase inhibitors have profound effects on synaptic genes expressed in the brain. Here we examine the contribution of a clinically used topoisomerase inhibitor on the expression of synaptic proteins and synaptic transmission. We find that inhibition of topoisomerase 1 (TOP1) dampens excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission in cortical neurons. Additionally, these effects are fully reversible, because synaptic protein levels and synaptic transmission recover upon washout of the TOP1 inhibitor. These findings provide insights into how inhibition of TOP1 impacts synaptic function in neurons