Whole language approach and multilingual pedagogy in schools

A few days ago, I visited the Union LPS (Lower Primary School) Thrikkanarvattom in Ernakulam Town along with two experts from NCERT, Professor Indrani Bhaduri and Dr.Vijayan. We saw that the students were fully involved and engaged in learning. After visiting the school, I thought how true the ancient Chinese proverb, “Tell me, I forget/Show me, I remember/Involve me, I understand”, was. The students of Union LPS Thrikkanarvattom were really amazing. They could read Malayalam with comprehension, do basic operations in Mathematics and read and communicate in English and Hindi, and of course enjoyed singing songs in their mother tongue. Here is what Professor Indrani Bhaduri, Head of Educational Survey Division of NCERT wrote in the School Visitor's Book

High performance dielectric materials development

The mission of polymer composites materials technology is to develop materials and processing technology to meet DoD and commercial needs. The following are outlined in this presentation: high performance capacitors, high temperature aerospace insulation, rationale for choosing Foster-Miller (the reporting industry), the approach to the development and evaluation of high temperature insulation materials, and the requirements/evaluation parameters. Supporting tables and diagrams are included

Physical phenomena in containerless glass processing

Experiments were conducted on bubble migration in rotating liquid bodies contained in a sphere. Experiments were initiated on the migration of a drop in a slightly less dense continuous phase contained in a rotating sphere. A refined apparatus for the study of thermocapillar flow in a glass melt was built, and data were acquired on surface velocities in the melt. Similar data also were obtained from an ambient temperature fluid model. The data were analyzed and correlated with the aid of theory. Data were obtained on flow velocities in a pendant drop heated from above. The motion in this system was driven principally by thermocapillarity. An apparatus was designed for the study of volatilization from a glass melt

INSILICO DOCKING STUDIES TO IDENTIFY POTENT INHIBITORS OF ALPHA-SYNUCLEIN AGGREGATION IN PARKINSON DISEASE

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. Etiology of PD is progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). One of the pathological hallmarks of PD is the presence of intracellular proteinaceous substances termed ‘Lewy bodies' composed of aggregated alpha-synuclein which is responsible for its toxic effect on SNpc. Hence any therapeutic target which blocks α-synuclein aggregation will provide a new channel to cure PD. Objective: The aim of the present study is to identify potent inhibitors (ligands) which binds to active site of α-synuclein and prevents self-association. Methods: In this study, insilico molecular docking was done against α-synuclein using five plant derived compounds namely (a) stimovul (b) 7,8dihydroxycoumarin, (c) etorphine (d) propoxyphene and (e) pentazdine. These compounds were analyzed for their Lipinski and ADMET properties using Accelrys Discovery studio 3.5. Molecular docking was performed between ligand and protein using Lead IT. Results: Results revealed that the best fit ligands against active site of α-synuclein were identified as Stimovul with a docking score of -4.5122 and the interacting amino acids were found to be SER 87 and VAL 95 followed by other compounds. Conclusion: These compounds which have the ability to bind to α-Synuclein insilico can be further developed using invitro and in vivo studies as a potent anti-parkinson drug.   Keywords: Parkinson disease, Substantia nigra, Molecular docking, Lipinski, ADMET

A Study of inside out transobturator tape for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION : Stress Urinary incontinence (SUI) is defined as involuntary leakage of urine on effort or exertion, or sneezing or coughing in the absence of bladder contraction. Stress urinary incontinence is extremely bothersome and can lead to significant interference in the quality of life in the female population. Stress urinary incontinence affects up to 40 % of women in the western world and 25% of women in India1. Women have a 4% risk of needing stress incontinence surgery during their lifetime, with nearly one third of surgeries performed due to recurrence. The tension free vaginal tape procedure described by Ulmsten has revolutionized the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. This procedure had high cure rate when compared to Burch colposuspension. While these tapes have proved their long term efficacy, their insertion via an ascending or descending retropubic approach has been associated with number of intraoperative complications. The transobturator approach was first described by DeLorme in 2001 for placement of midurethral vaginal tape with the objective of avoiding retropubic area. It consists of insertion of the tape through a skin incision in the thigh into the obturator foramen towards the urethra. Cadaveric dissections by various authors have proved this procedure is safer but complications like lower urinary tract injuries, vaginal tears and groin haematoma have been noted. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : 1) To evaluate the efficacy of inside out transobturator tape in the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. 2) To determine the influence of inside out transobturator tape on objective and subjective cure rate and quality of life in patients with stress urinary incontinence. 3) To assess the postoperative complications and thus the safety of this procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS : A total of 25 patients with stress urinary incontinence in Government Stanley Hospital during the period November 2010 to January 2013 were asked to participate in this prospective study. All the women underwent a standardized preoperative evaluation including detailed incontinence history regarding duration and severity of stress urinary incontinence. All the patients underwent pelvic examination, a stress-test in upright position and a short term pad test. Study Design: Prospective study. Inclusion Criteria: 1) Patients in the age group between twenty five to eighty five years. 2) Clinical as well as urodynamic diagnosis of stress urinary incontinence. 3) Positive pad test, stress-test. Exclusion Criteria: 1) Detrusor overactivity or impaired bladder contractility. 2) Post void residual urine 100 ml or greater. 3) Pregnancy. 4) Neurological pathology. 5) Active urinary or vaginal infection. CONCLUSION : The inside out transobturator approach (TVT-O) is an effective and safe technique for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence. The anatomical and functional mechanism of continence is restored with this minimally invasive approach. The position of the transobturator tape is similar to that of the natural hammock supporting the urethra, respects the orientation of muscle fibres better than the tension free transvaginal tape operation, and the dissection is less extensive, making tape migration less likely to occur. The para-urethral subvaginal dissection is less extensive with the inside-out route and the learning curve of this approach appears to be quicker. There are several proven advantages concerning the feasibility of the inside out transobturator technique compared to the transvaginal tape procedure: the short duration of the operation; the low risk of urethral and bladder lesion, making cystoscopy redundant; the absence of risk of bowel lesion; the low risk of haemorrhage. Initial and long term results appear to suggest a cure rate similar to that of the transvaginal tape procedure and outside in transobturator approach with decreased incidence of complications

Studies on Alum as Milk Coagulating Agent in the Manufacture of Paneer – An Indian Cottage Cheese

Alum is a white crystalline double sulphate of aluminum and potassium that is commonly used as an astringent. Utilising its protein binding property, alum was studied as coagulating agent of milk in the preparation of paneer. Paneer is a soft variety of cottage cheese very popular in Indian sub-continent, used in various culinary dishes. Its   preparation essentially involves acid coagulation of hot milk and pressing of the hot coagulum to form a compact block which is then cooled by immersing in chilled water. Citric acid and vinegar are commonly used as coagulating agents of milk during paneer manufacture. However, when alum was used as a coagulating agent, it was observed that most of the proteins were amalgamated during coagulation process resulting in enhanced yield of paneer. It also resulted in reduced solids losses in whey. However, use of alum resulted in a slight astringency in paneer, hence it was recommended to be used in combination with common coagulant i.e. citric acid. The solids content (losses) in whey were 6.62, 6.08, and 6.32 %, respectively for citric acid, alum and citric acid + alum mixture used as coagulating agents. Similarly, the yields of paneer were 16.42, 19.04 and 16.99 %. The alum coagulated paneer looked glossy and attractive which was indicated by reflectance values of 83.75% as against 79% for control paneer sample. The paneer made by alum coagulation had slightly brittle texture

Evaluation of high temperature polymers

The purpose of this paper is to identify and develop arc-track resistant insulation materials that can operate reliably at 300 C. In the first phase, high performance polymers are evaluated based on structure, thermal stability and electrical properties. Next, the polymers are ranked according to performance and experimental characterization. Then, experimental evaluations in wire configuration are conducted. And selection is made based on performance and commerical potential

Distribution and Attachment of Bryozoans in the Intertidal Region of South Andaman Island

Aiming to collate the distribution and the attachment preference of intertidal bryozoan of Andaman waters, a study was carried out in three intertidal sites (Burmanallah, Kodiyaghat, and Chidiytapu) of southeastern coasts of the Andaman Islands between June and August 2016. The present study is the first exclusive report on bryozoans from the Andaman Islands after a long research gap of nine decades. During our investigation, a total of twelve genera were identified from both calcareous and non-calcareous substratum. Out of the twelve genera, eight genera were new records from the island. The present study showed that the attachment affinity of the Bryozoans is more towards natural substratum particularly on the rocks. The Thalamoporella sp. reported the most abundant species with maximum average colony length of 3.5 cm from the rock substratum