The Language of Crisis: Print Media’s Re[presentation] of the Covid-19 Discourses through Linguistic Choices

The Covid-19 pandemic has sparked intense discourse and public debate, underscoring the critical role of print media in disseminating information and shaping public understanding. This paper explores the representation of Covid-19 discourses by print media, with a particular focus on linguistic choices. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study investigates how print media, including reputable sources such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian, employed specific linguistic strategies to represent the discourses surrounding the Covid-19 crisis. Through analysis of news items, newspaper articles, and editorials, the research aims to uncover the underlying linguistic patterns used to frame and portray the pandemic. The study aims to uncover the underlying patterns and variations in the language employed by media outlets to frame and portray the pandemic. The findings suggest that print media employed various linguistic strategies to represent the discourses surrounding Covid-19. Lexical selection plays a significant role, with certain words and phrases being strategically employed to convey specific meanings and evoke emotional responses. The New York Times, for example, tends to use precise and factual language, while The Guardian may employ more emotive and inclusive language. Additionally, the use of metaphors and analogies enables print media to frame the crisis in relatable terms, shaping public understanding and interpretation. Furthermore, the tone and rhetoric employed by print media contribute to the construction of different discourses surrounding the pandemic. For instance, some newspapers may emphasize the economic impact of the crisis, while others focus on the healthcare and social implications. These discourses influence public perception, policy decisions, and societal responses. Understanding the language of crisis employed by print media in representing the discourses surrounding Covid-19 is essential for comprehending the societal impact and dynamics of the pandemic. This research contributes to media literacy and critical analysis by highlighting the role of linguistic choices in shaping public discourse. It underscores the need for responsible and ethical journalism that presents a nuanced and balanced representation of the Covid-19 crisis. Keywords: Language of crisis, print media, representation, Covid-19 discourses, lexical selection, metaphors, framing, tone, rhetoric DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/13-10-07 Publication date:May 31st 202

Disease and pest management in apple: Farmers' perception and adoption in J&K state

Diseases and pests are one of the limiting factors for low productivity of the fruit crops in Kashmir valley, India. A study on management of resources with respect to disease and pest management of apple and extent of adoption of recommended plant protection technology was undertaken for increasing apple production in Kashmir valley of J and K State. District Baramulla was selected purposively on the basis of maximum area and production under apple crop. A sample size of 200 apple growers 50 each from 4 villages were selected randomly. The study revealed that the perception index regarding attributes of technology recommended in two diseases viz. San Jose Scale and Apple Scab was 68.88% and 80.76% in respect of profitability (83.97%), simplicity-complexity each 63.57% and 54.27 % for practicability attributes of technology. The data further showed that the farmers adoption level under Chemical control was high at silver tip to green tip stage (80%) and fruit let pea size stage (78%) and medium adoption was observed at pink bloom (bud) stage (74%), petal fall stage (74%) walnut size apple stage (70%) on Apple Scab similarly, the extent of adoption was low (45%) for mechanical and no chemical control measures under clean cultivation. In case of San Jose Scale the farmers adoption level regarding name of chemical, its dose, quantity of water required per acre for preparing spray solution and time of spray at late dormant spray, (feb, March) was high (80%). The findings will help to improve the level of farmers’ knowledge to increase apple production in Kashmir valley

Evaluation of some potential silkworm Bombyx mori L. genotypes during different seasons under temperate conditions

In the present study twelve potential bivoltine silkworm Bombyx mori L. genotypes were evaluated for their performance at 25±1 0C temperature and 75±5 % relative humidity for twelve different traits during spring and summer seasons of 2012 and 2013, respectively. The data generated in respect of different traits was pooled separately, analyzed statistically and subjected to multiple trait evaluation indexes. The genotypes were ranked as per the cumulative score and the value of a particular trait in a particular genotype was compared with the ranking. Out of twelve genotypes, six genotypes viz., SKAU-R-1, SKAU-R-6, SKUAST-31, NB4D2, SH6 and SKUAST-28 were shortlisted for spring season and eight genotypes viz., SKAU-R-1, SKAU-R-6, NB4D2, SH6, SKUAST-31, CSR18, DUN6 and DUN22 for summer season. These genotypes scored higher E I values (>50) and were identified as promising genotypes hence recommended for rearing under temperate climatic conditions to push up silk productivity in the valley. Furthermore, the genotypes viz., SKAU-R-1, SKAU-R-6, SKUAST-31, NB4D2, SH6, and DUN6 performed significantly better irrespective of the seasons and scored higher E I. values (>50). Hence, these genotypes can be recommended for both seasons to boost bivoltine silk production in temperate region

Causes Of Dropouts In Education Zone Khag District Budgam

Abstract: The present study has been carried on causes of dropouts in education zone Khag District Budgam. (1) Most of the schools are not accessible to people. The national policy on education and right to education had guaranteed education for all which seems far reality in this Zone. (2) Most of the schools have very less teacher student ratio, which has a direct impact on the performance of these schools. Moreover, the extracurricular activities are altogether lacking in these schools

Social Intelligence and Academic Achievement of College Students – A Study of District Srinagar

The history of the rise, progress and development of advanced countries shows that they have given due consideration and importance to higher education and all their progress owes a lot to the advancement and priority given to higher education. Higher education plays leadership role in all aspects of life. By providing quality education we can produce quality products. Each person has an individual profile of characteristics and abilities that result from predispositions, learning and development. These manifest as individual differences in intelligence, creativity and many more. Social intelligence refers to the ability to read other people and understand their intentions and motivations. People with this intelligence are usually clued into the differences between what others say and what they really mean. As a result, socially intelligent types may sometimes be accused of being mind readers. People who successfully use this type of intelligence can be masterful conversationalists. This can be due to a combination of excellent listening skills and the ability to meaningfully engage others. People who are socially intelligent can usually make others feel comfortable. They also tend to enjoy interacting with a variety of people. It is social intelligence or the richness of our qualitative life, rather than our quantitative intelligence, that truly makes human what they are. According to Social Scientist Ross Honey Will, “Social Intelligence is an aggregated measure of self and social awareness, evolved social beliefs and attitudes and a capacity and appetite to manage complex social change.” It can be described as a combination of abilities: the first is a basic understanding of people (i.e. a kind of strategic social awareness) and the second is the skills needed for interacting successfully with them, in other words, the ability to get along with others and to encourage them to cooperate with you. Social Intelligence can be thought of encompassing five dimensions: Presence, Clarity, Awareness, Authenticity and Empathy. People with high Social Intelligence are often said to have “Nourishing Behaviours” which make others around them feel valued, loved, respected and appreciated. These people are very appealing to others and are often described as having a “Magnetic Personality.” Conversely people low in Social Intelligence are often described as “Toxic” they cause others to feel angry, devalued, frustrated, inadequate or guilty. They are often very alienating people. Interestingly, however, often people can be unintentionally “Toxic” and their low Social Intelligence is simply due to lack of insights. In other words, they are often so preoccupied with personal stresses that they fail to see the impact of the behaviour on others. They will often undergo radical behavioural or even personality changes when made to see themselves as others see them

Study of IRF-8 gene in Kashmiri population and its relation with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal hematopoietic disorder caused by an acquired genetic defect in a pluripotent stem cell. A number of theories have been postulated to describe the etiology of CML such as genetic alterations and alterations in cytokine production. A combination of inflammatory cytokines have an important role in cancer development. The aim of this study was to screen for mutations of IRF-8 gene in CML cases and healthy controls of the Kashmiri population. We included eighty confirmed CML cases and an equal number of age, district and gender matched controls in this study. HaeIII enzyme digestion cuts amplified product at 5’-GGCC-3’ sequence and any mutation in it abrogates restriction digestion by this enzyme. Restriction results showed wild conditions with no mutation at any of the 6 positions where HaeIII cuts, which was confirmed by the sequencing results as well. Further sequencing results showed interesting single G A substitution at position 92 of the amplified product. In CML cases, the allelic frequency for normal allele (G) was found to be 47.5% (76/160) and the allelic frequency observed for G A type was found to be 52.5% (84/160). The allelic frequency observed in controls for normal allele (G) was 91.25% (146/160). The frequencies analyzed for G A allele was 8.75% (14/160). Since the frequency observed for G A allele was higher in CML cases (52.5%) than in normal controls (8.75%) and it was found to be statistically significant (OR= 11.52, 95%CI: (6.13-21.6); p = 0.001). Sequencing results further showed occasional deletion at the same position where transition was seen. Also we found that CML is prevalent more in males as compared to females (ratio is 1:1.12). Majority of the CML case were from district Srinagar of the Valley. Mean age of the cases and controls were found to be 44.7 years and 43.6 years respectively. We observed a higher representation of CML cases in the age group between 30 and 40. Furthermore, the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome (BCR-ABL fusion gene) was observed in 82.5% of CML cases in our study. This is the first report of the sequence variation in exon 7 region of IRF-8 gene and the risk to CML in the Kashmiri population. However, more insight need to be gained and further substantiated by conducting a similar study on statistically significant sample size

Genetic characterization of Barbari goats using microsatellite markers

Genetic variation in Barbari goats, a highly prolific breed distributed widely in the northern part of India, known for better milk and meat quality, was studied as a part of genetic characterization and conservation. The genomic DNA from 50 unrelated Barbari goats were amplified via PCR with a panel of 21 microsatellite markers, and resolved through 6 per cent denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by silver staining. The number of alleles ranged from 4 to 11, with allele sizes ranging from 88 to 220 bp. The distribution of allele frequencies was between 0.0104 and 0.5208. Polymorphism information content varied from 0.5563 to 0.8348. The population was not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for all except two microsatellite loci (ILSTS044 and ILSTS060). The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.8478 to 1.0000 while the expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.6208 to 0.8509. Based on the results of the present study, there is a good scope for exploiting the genetic variability in the Barbari goats for further improvement of performance

Detection of mecA gene of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus by PCR assay from raw milk

The occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA in foods of animal origin, pose a serious threat to the well- being of humans due to innumerable clinical implications. There is a potential risk of transmission of S. aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus transmission to humans through raw milk if consumed without maintaining adequate hygienic standards. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA from raw milk samples vis-à-vis their phenotypic and genotypic characterization for antimicrobial resistance pattern and presence of mecA gene in raw milk samples of cattle, buffalo and goat in the Jammu city of Jammu and Kashmir. Samples (60) were subjected to California mastitis test to check for their mastitic status. The organisms were cultured and identified on the basis of their cultural, morphological, staining and various biochemical characteristics. The amplification of the mecA gene generated a product with a band size of 533bp upon agarose gel electrophoresis. The S. aureus prevalence was 60, 52 and 60% in raw milk of cattle, buffalo and goat, respectively. Out of 34 S. aureus isolates, 44.1% were MRSA positive

Physics Potential of the ICAL detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO)

The upcoming 50 kt magnetized iron calorimeter (ICAL) detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is designed to study the atmospheric neutrinos and antineutrinos separately over a wide range of energies and path lengths. The primary focus of this experiment is to explore the Earth matter effects by observing the energy and zenith angle dependence of the atmospheric neutrinos in the multi-GeV range. This study will be crucial to address some of the outstanding issues in neutrino oscillation physics, including the fundamental issue of neutrino mass hierarchy. In this document, we present the physics potential of the detector as obtained from realistic detector simulations. We describe the simulation framework, the neutrino interactions in the detector, and the expected response of the detector to particles traversing it. The ICAL detector can determine the energy and direction of the muons to a high precision, and in addition, its sensitivity to multi-GeV hadrons increases its physics reach substantially. Its charge identification capability, and hence its ability to distinguish neutrinos from antineutrinos, makes it an efficient detector for determining the neutrino mass hierarchy. In this report, we outline the analyses carried out for the determination of neutrino mass hierarchy and precision measurements of atmospheric neutrino mixing parameters at ICAL, and give the expected physics reach of the detector with 10 years of runtime. We also explore the potential of ICAL for probing new physics scenarios like CPT violation and the presence of magnetic monopoles.Comment: 139 pages, Physics White Paper of the ICAL (INO) Collaboration, Contents identical with the version published in Pramana - J. Physic