Human relationship in the Novels of Nayantara Sahgal

Nayantara Sahgal is an Indian writer in English. She was one of the first female Indian writers in English to receive wide recognition. Her concern for women is based more on humanism rather than that of feminism. Her feminism does not go beyond treating women as an individual. During 1950's period, Nayantara Sahgal emerged as one of the most significant voices among women writers in the contemporary Indian writing in English. Nayantara Sahgal is a prolific writer who has eight novels to her credit, two biographies, two political commentaries and a large number of articles in various newspapers and magazines. She is a recipient of the prestigious `Sahitya Akademi Award' for her novel ‘Rich Like Us’ (1985), the `Sinclair Award' and the 'Common Wealth Award for Eurasia' for her novel ‘Plans For Departure’ (1986). Her fiction is closely interwoven with the fabric of interpersonal relationships not in the political and social milieu of India. Various dimensions of human relationships, man-woman particularly are the main thesis, we do find in all her novels. Man-Woman relationship holds a vital place in these relationships and the novelist deals with this dimension of relationship with full concern and broad perspective

Prevalence of the Non-Communicable disease triad in hilly state of Uttarakhand: Evidences from National Family Health Surveys

India is facing epidemiological transition towards non communicable diseases and morbidities due to NCD triad of obesity, hypertension and diabetes. The risk factors contributing to chronic disease and NCD triad are lifestyle changes, poor dietary habits, lack of physical activity, tobacco/alcohol consumption. These risk factors are however modifiable and preventable. This article reviews secondary data of NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 to analyse trends of obesity, hypertension and diabetes among urban and rural population of Uttarakhand from 2015 to 2021

Incidentally diagnosed placenta accreta managed conservatively in a primigravida: case report and review of literature

Placenta accrete spectrum (PAS) disorder is rarely reported in primigravida woman without recognisable risk factors. It can be encountered intraoperatively without prior suspicion. Massive obstetric haemorrhage and increased maternal morbidity and mortality is often associated with emergency caesarean hysterectomy. We presented a 26-year-old primigravida who was presented to our institute as post-dated pregnancy in labour with no other comorbidities. She was taken up for cesarean section in view of prolonged labor. After birth of the baby, the placenta failed to separate on its own and could not be delivered with gentle controlled cord traction and uterine massage. Placenta was seen bulging out at left cornuo-fundal site as boggy mass in serosa of uterus as bluish distended placental bulge suggestive of placenta accreta. Placenta was left in situ and postoperatively uterine artery embolisation was done. Post-operatively patient did not develop any complications and follow up period of 6 months was uneventful. Conservative management of PAS can be judiciously contemplated in primiparous women desirous of fertility preservation and uterus conservation. The woman needs to be emphasised upon need for close follow up and risk of haemorrhage and sepsis till complete resorption of placenta occurs

Comparative Study of the Oxidation Products of Dimethylglyoxime in Conventional and Microwave Heating Conditions

Abstract: Microwave has proved to be a convenient tool in the hands of chemists for organic synthetic processes in the recent past. In the present work, the products obtained by the oxidation of dimethylglyoxime (DmgH 2 ) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) by ditertiary butyl chromate (TBC) in conventional and microwave dielectric heating conditions are studied. The analysis of the compounds was done by chemical as well as instrumental methods including FTIR and DTA/TGA mass loss pattern. The results clearly indicate that the reactions are much efficient, less energy and time consuming in case of microwave dielectric heating as compared to those in conventional methods

Preservation of Seafoods by Hurdle Technology

Fish and seafoods are a highly perishable product due to the biochemical composition and the high microbial load on the skin and gills of fish. The natural microflora that is more adopted to low temperatures results in lower thermal bacterial shock at the storage temperature. The development of new fish processing techniques is required because the demand for fish or seafood with minimum changes in sensory Biochemical and nutritional quality. This has led to the advent of hurdle technology in the field of seafood technology. Hurdle technology is the combined use of several preservation methods to make a product shelf-stable, to improve quality and to provide additional safety. This technology is used in many countries of the world, including India. The factors used for food preservation is called as hurdles. A combination of hurdle such as high temperature, refrigeration, irradiation, drying and smoking etc. are applied to eliminate the growth of microorganism. The application of several hurdle may reduce the rate of fish spoilage caused by spoilage microbe. The objective of this book chapters is focus on the preservative effect of hurdles technology on the quality and shelf-life fish and fishery products with recent, combined updated information

New Tools for Dengue Diagnostics

Dengue caused by four antigenically distinct serotype remains a serious health concern around the world, particularly in the tropical areas. Clinical signs and symptoms of this disease are indistinguishable from other infectious disease; therefore, laboratory diagnosis is very crucial for confirming the disease that will be useful for the patient’s management. In laboratory, dengue can be confirmed using cell culture, RNA detection, and serological detection based on ELISA and immunochromatographic test. However, each of these methods has certain practical limitations. Therefore, researchers from all over the world have been working to address these limitations. In this chapter, we will highlight the current research toward the development of novel point-of-care test for the diagnosis of dengue in acute and convalescent phase

The Role of Major Phenolics in Apple to Total Antioxidant Capacity

The naturally occurring phenolic compounds have received major attention in recent years as huge amounts of phenolic compounds can be extracted from fruits, vegetables and beverages that have substantial health benefits. From a physiological and metabolic aspect, phenolic compounds are vital in defence responses, such as anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative, anti-bacterial, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, cardioprotective activities. Among the fruits having a higher content of phenolic compounds, the apple (Malus Domestica) is the most widely consumed fruit in the world. Apples have a high nutritional value as it is a rich source of ascorbic acid, polyphenols and pectin. Apple peel forms a small percentage (6–8%) of the total fruit weight and contains the highest content of phenolic compounds, particularly chlorogenic acid. There are five major groups of polyphenolic compounds found in apples namely flavanols (Catechin, Epicatechin and Pyrocyanidins), phenolic compounds, phenolic acids (mainly Chlorogenic acids), dihydrochalcones (Phloretin glycosides), flavonols (Quercetin glycosides) and anthocyanins (Cyanidin). This chapter reviews the chemical properties, mode of action, types, extraction of phenolics in apples and the contribution and role of major phenolics in apples to the total antioxidant capacity

Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Wheat: Genome to Field

Nitrogen (N), being the most limiting macroelement for optimal plant growth and development needs synthetic N fertilizer usage for uplifting crop yields; nevertheless, an excessive and inefficient use of N fertilizer is a global concern incurring high production costs, environment pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, developing crop plants with high nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is an essential research target to achieve a better agricultural sustainability. NUE being a complex trait depends on our understanding of genetics (G), environment (E), management (M), and their interrelationships (G x E x M). NUE improvement is preceded by key processes such as nitrogen capture, utilization efficiency, nitrogen partitioning, trade-offs between yield and quality aspects, as well as interactions with the capture and utilization of other nutrients. An in-depth knowledge can be attained on NUE mechanisms through the UK Wheat Genetic Improvement Network project (http://www.wgin.org.uk/) using an integrated strategy that look into the physiological, metabolic, molecular, and genetic aspects influencing NUE in wheat. The current book chapter highlights the recent progress in understanding and improving NUE in wheat, focussing on N impact on plant morphology and agronomic performances, using a combination of approaches, including whole-plant physiology and quantitative, forward and reverse genetics

Assessment of different methods of rice (Oryza sativa. L) cultivation affecting growth parameters, soil chemical, biological, and microbiological properties, water saving, and grain yield in rice–rice system

Field experiments were conducted at DRR farm located at ICRISAT, Patancheru, in sandy clay loam soils during four seasons, Kharif 2008, Rabi 2008–2009, Kharif 2009 and Rabi 2009–2010, to investigate growth parameters, water-saving potential, root characteristics, chemical, biological, and microbial properties of rhizosphere soil, and grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) by comparing the plants grown with system of rice intensification (SRI) methods, with organic or organic + inorganic fertilization, against current recommended best management practices (BMP). All the growth parameters including plant height, effective tillers (10–45 %), panicle length, dry matter, root dry weight (24–57 %), and root volume (10–66 %) were found to be significantly higher with in SRI-organic + inorganic over BMP. With SRI-organic fertilization, growth parameters showed inconsistent results; however, root dry weight (3–77 %) and root volume (31–162 %) were found significantly superior compared to BMP. Grain yield was found significantly higher in SRI-organic + inorganic (12–23 and 4–35 % in the Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively), while with SRI-organic management, yield was found higher (4–34 %) only in the Rabi seasons compared to BMP. An average of 31 and 37 % of irrigation water were saved during Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively, with both SRI methods of rice cultivation compared to BMP. Further, total nitrogen, organic carbon%, soil dehydrogenase, microbial biomass carbon, total bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes were found higher in the two SRI plots in comparison to BMP. It is concluded that SRI practices create favorable conditions for beneficial soil microbes to prosper, save irrigation water, and increase grain yield