Writing the Lesbian: Literary Culture in Global India.

This dissertation is about literary culture in late twentieth-century India. I explore how genre is deployed to represent culturally marginalized subjects. In particular, I examine the lesbian as represented by three genres—the anthology, autobiography, and the novel. These genres emerge in the context of right-wing religious nationalist attacks in the late 1990s against lesbianism as a part of Indian cultural life. The anthology writes the lesbian through anonymous contributors who are identified as lesbians in India even if not identified by name. In the autobiography, India’s only out lesbian writer, Suniti Namjoshi, who lives in England deflects attention from herself to her childhood servant, thereby opening up discussions of India’s class disparities. Novels by Abha Dawesar and Manju Kapur abandon the lesbian relationships they set out to discuss in favor of exploring historical events around caste and religious violence in contemporary India. Thus, each work participates in the deferral of the lesbian subject either by refusing to tell us who real lesbians are via anonymity, or by emphasizing other forms of social marginalization. I argue that such a strategy indicates an interest in using the lesbian to explore the terms by which culture comes to be defined by normalizing various aspects of social life of which female heterosexuality is an important one. This project expands the field of postcolonial studies and Indian sexuality studies. It brings to light literary challenges to culture, which is framed in terms of exclusive female heterosexuality. It shows that female same-sex desire cannot, however, be divorced from other modes of marginalization if we are to understand fully how meanings of cultural authenticity come to be constituted. It makes a case for identifying and including literary genres not conventionally represented or underrepresented within Indian literature as important spaces for critiques of culture. While the novel may remain the most used genre, the anthology and the autobiography clearly enable the voices of a wider range of writers.Ph.D.English and Women's StudiesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/64620/1/nairs_1.pd

EVALUATION OF A GAMIFIED LEARNING EXPERIENCE: ANALYSIS OF FACTORS THAT IMPACT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A GAMIFIED EXPERIENCE

Gamification has gone through a faddish cycle. It first gained prominence around 2012 and was quickly abandoned, as practitioners did not achieve the outcomes they expected. According to Gartner’s Hype Cycle, Gamification is at a point at which one might expect wide scale adoption. However, if history is not to repeat itself and results are to be achieved as theoretically predicted, a deeper understanding of the concept is essential. In the current study, the researchers attempt to evaluate a gamified learning experience. The participants were students of a Master in Business Administration course. The students were asked to participate in a gamified module and relevant data was collected, before and after the intervention. Based on a review of literature, the researchers identified the exogenous variables of Valence, Attitude towards use of Technology and Experience with Technology. The endogenous variables identified included Reaction and Learning. The findings of the study suggest that the gamified module resulted in increase in knowledge and that Attitude, Experience and Valence significantly predicted the Learner’s reaction to the experience. The findings of the study provide support to key theories in the area of gamification and insights for practitioners, on the factors to be considered before using a gamified learning intervention.Gamification has gone through a faddish cycle. It first gained prominence around 2012 and was quickly abandoned, as practitioners did not achieve the outcomes they expected. According to Gartner’s Hype Cycle, Gamification is at a point at which one might expect wide scale adoption. However, if history is not to repeat itself and results are to be achieved as theoretically predicted, a deeper understanding of the concept is essential. In the current study, the researchers attempt to evaluate a gamified learning experience. The participants were students of a Master in Business Administration course. The students were asked to participate in a gamified module and relevant data was collected, before and after the intervention. Based on a review of literature, the researchers identified the exogenous variables of Valence, Attitude towards use of Technology and Experience with Technology. The endogenous variables identified included Reaction and Learning. The findings of the study suggest that the gamified module resulted in increase in knowledge and that Attitude, Experience and Valence significantly predicted the Learner’s reaction to the experience. The findings of the study provide support to key theories in the area of gamification and insights for practitioners, on the factors to be considered before using a gamified learning intervention

Evaluación del uso de la animación de pizarra en el proceso de aprendizaje

A big challenge for the present-day trainers and teachers is to attract and retain the attention of the students and participants. In the era of social media and smartphones, students have several things that can distract them during the learning process and the responsibility to find ways to engage them effectively falls on the teacher. Based on a review of literature on technological developments, the researchers of the current study propose the use of whiteboard animation multimedia as a tool to enhance the learning experience. In the current study, the effectiveness of this technique is evaluated through a pre-test post-test control group design and the sample comprised of students of the master’s in business administration course. The findings provide empirical evidence supporting the use of whiteboard animation videos to supplement classroom learning.Un gran desafío para los formadores y profesores de hoy en día es atraer y retener la atención de los estudiantes y participantes. En la era de las redes sociales y los teléfonos inteligentes, los estudiantes tienen varias cosas que pueden distraerlos durante el proceso de aprendizaje y la responsabilidad de encontrar formas de involucrarlos de manera efectiva recae en el maestro. Con base en una revisión de la literatura sobre desarrollos tecnológicos, los investigadores del presente estudio proponen el uso de multimedia de animación de pizarra como una herramienta para mejorar la experiencia de aprendizaje. En el presente estudio se evalúa la efectividad de esta técnica a través de un diseño de grupo control pretest postest y la muestra conformada por estudiantes del curso de maestría en administración de empresas. Los hallazgos brindan evidencia empírica que respalda el uso de videos de animación de pizarra para complementar el aprendizaje en el aula

El papel de la orientación y la confianza en las compras electrónicas en la predicción del comportamiento de compra impulsiva. : Un estudio basado en miembros de la Generación Y en la India

Impulse Buying and the drivers of similar consumer behaviours have captured the interest of researchers for quite some time now. The construct was first explored in the context of offline or brick and mortar stores. However, with the growing popularity of online retail stores has led to the concept being included in studies on customer behaviour, specifically in the online context. In the current study, the researchers attempt to contribute to literature on customer behaviour in the online environment by exploring the relationship between E-Shopping Orientation, Trust and Impulsive Buying Behaviour. The focus of the currents study is the members of Generation Y. The scope was limited to this specific section, given that each generation differs from the other in terms of their behaviour, needs and drivers. While the direct impact of E-shopping Orientation on Impulsive Buying Behaviour was found to be not statistically significant, the indirect effect was found to be significant. This suggests that Trust fully mediates the relationship between E-Shopping Orientation and Impulsive Buying Behaviour. In addition to contributing to literature in the area of customer behaviour, the findings also add to our understanding of a major section of the Indian customer base.Las compras impulsivas y los impulsores de comportamientos similares de los consumidores han captado el interés de los investigadores desde hace bastante tiempo. La construcción se exploró por primera vez en el contexto de tiendas físicas o fuera de línea. Sin embargo, la creciente popularidad de las tiendas minoristas en línea ha llevado a que el concepto se incluya en estudios sobre el comportamiento del cliente, específicamente en el contexto en línea. En el estudio actual, los investigadores intentan contribuir a la literatura sobre el comportamiento del cliente en el entorno online explorando la relación entre la orientación de compra electrónica, la confianza y el comportamiento de compra impulsivo. El foco del estudio actual son los miembros de la Generación Y. El alcance se limitó a esta sección específica, dado que cada generación difiere de la otra en términos de su comportamiento, necesidades e impulsores. Si bien se encontró que el impacto directo de la orientación de compras electrónicas sobre el comportamiento de compra impulsivo no era estadísticamente significativo, el efecto indirecto sí lo era. Esto sugiere que la confianza media completamente en la relación entre la orientación de compra electrónica y el comportamiento de compra impulsivo. Además de contribuir a la literatura en el área del comportamiento del cliente, los hallazgos también contribuyen a nuestra comprensión de una sección importante de la base de clientes de la India

Moderating role of location autonomy on technostress and subjective wellbeing in information technology companies

Integrating digital tools into day-to-day work activities has become an undeniable reality. However, the unprecedented reliance on technology has brought with it the escalating degrees of technostress evident through health concerns like chronic musculoskeletal problems and decreased job satisfaction. And the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the negative impact, as IT industries adopted the hybrid workplace approach, especially in developing countries like India. This paper aims to find whether location autonomy moderates the effect of technostress on subjective wellbeing among IT employees working in a hybrid model. A purposive sampling method gathered 440 responses from IT professionals in Bengaluru tech parks. IBM SPSS and AMOS software were used to assess the constructs by SEM analysis, in line with the job demand-control theory. The results showed that location autonomy accounts for 31.6% of the variance in subjective wellbeing, while technostress explains 33.2% of the variance, with dimensions ranging from 21% to 46%. Additionally, location autonomy moderates and strengthens the link between technostress and subjective wellbeing. The study recommends that organizational leaders adopt HR policies that allow employees to choose their workplace rather than mandating a specific location for scheduled days in the week. This approach can potentially improve overall employee wellbeing, offering a favorable resolution to the challenges posed by technostress in the IT industry

Evaluation of Ultrasonography with Conventional Clinical Parameters for Predicting Difficult Laryngoscopy

Background: Unanticipated difficult intubation poses a challenge in routine practice for anaesthesiologists. A preoperative airway evaluation helps in the identification of a difficult airway. Airway assessment with ultrasound is a modality recently being used to predict difficult airway. In this study we evaluate ultrasonography parameters with conventional clinical parameters for predicting difficult airway in adults undergoing elective surgeries. Methods: This cross sectional randomised clinical trial analyses ASA class 1 and 2 adults requiring endotracheal intubation for surgeries under general anaesthesia were enrolled following which Modified Mallampatti score and thyromental distance as well as ultrasound distance to epiglottis (DSE) and distance to hyoid bone (DSHB) were measured and based on Cormack Lehane grading they were categorised into easy and difficult airway groups. Results: DSE had the highest sensitivity of 90.48% whereas Modified Mallampatti grading had least sensitivity of 66.67%. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that ultrasonographic measurements at the thyrohyoid and hyoid level have higher sensitivity and specificity than the clinical parameters for airway assessment

Statistical analysis plan for a cluster randomised trial in Madhya Pradesh, India: community health promotion and medical provision and impact on neonates (CHAMPION2).

BACKGROUND: Neonatal mortality in India has fallen steadily and was estimated to be 24 per 1000 live births in the year 2017. However, neonatal mortality remains high in rural parts of the country. The Community Health Promotion and Medical Provision and Impact On Neonates (CHAMPION2) trial investigates the effect of a complex health intervention on neonatal mortality in the Satna District of Madhya Pradesh. METHODS/DESIGN: The CHAMPION2 trial forms one part of a cluster-randomised controlled trial with villages (clusters) randomised to receive either a health (CHAMPION2) or education (STRIPES2) intervention. Villages receiving the health intervention are controls for the education intervention and vice versa. The primary outcome is neonatal mortality. The effect of the active intervention on the primary outcome (compared to usual care) will be expressed as a risk ratio, estimated using a generalised estimating equation approach with robust standard errors that take account of clustering at village level. Secondary outcomes include maternal mortality, stillbirths, perinatal deaths, causes of death, health care and knowledge, hospital admissions of enrolled women during pregnancy or in the immediate post-natal care period or of their babies (during the neonatal period), maternal blood transfusions, and the cost effectiveness of the intervention. A total of 196 villages have been randomised and over 34,000 women have been recruited in CHAMPION2. DISCUSSION: This update to the published trial protocol gives a detailed plan for the statistical analysis of the CHAMPION2 trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registry of India: CTRI/2019/05/019296. Registered on 23 May 2019. https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?EncHid=MzExOTg=&Enc=&userName=champion2

Global burden and strength of evidence for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Understanding the health consequences associated with exposure to risk factors is necessary to inform public health policy and practice. To systematically quantify the contributions of risk factor exposures to specific health outcomes, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 aims to provide comprehensive estimates of exposure levels, relative health risks, and attributable burden of disease for 88 risk factors in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, from 1990 to 2021. Methods: The GBD 2021 risk factor analysis used data from 54 561 total distinct sources to produce epidemiological estimates for 88 risk factors and their associated health outcomes for a total of 631 risk–outcome pairs. Pairs were included on the basis of data-driven determination of a risk–outcome association. Age-sex-location-year-specific estimates were generated at global, regional, and national levels. Our approach followed the comparative risk assessment framework predicated on a causal web of hierarchically organised, potentially combinative, modifiable risks. Relative risks (RRs) of a given outcome occurring as a function of risk factor exposure were estimated separately for each risk–outcome pair, and summary exposure values (SEVs), representing risk-weighted exposure prevalence, and theoretical minimum risk exposure levels (TMRELs) were estimated for each risk factor. These estimates were used to calculate the population attributable fraction (PAF; ie, the proportional change in health risk that would occur if exposure to a risk factor were reduced to the TMREL). The product of PAFs and disease burden associated with a given outcome, measured in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), yielded measures of attributable burden (ie, the proportion of total disease burden attributable to a particular risk factor or combination of risk factors). Adjustments for mediation were applied to account for relationships involving risk factors that act indirectly on outcomes via intermediate risks. Attributable burden estimates were stratified by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintile and presented as counts, age-standardised rates, and rankings. To complement estimates of RR and attributable burden, newly developed burden of proof risk function (BPRF) methods were applied to yield supplementary, conservative interpretations of risk–outcome associations based on the consistency of underlying evidence, accounting for unexplained heterogeneity between input data from different studies. Estimates reported represent the mean value across 500 draws from the estimate's distribution, with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) calculated as the 2·5th and 97·5th percentile values across the draws. Findings: Among the specific risk factors analysed for this study, particulate matter air pollution was the leading contributor to the global disease burden in 2021, contributing 8·0% (95% UI 6·7–9·4) of total DALYs, followed by high systolic blood pressure (SBP; 7·8% [6·4–9·2]), smoking (5·7% [4·7–6·8]), low birthweight and short gestation (5·6% [4·8–6·3]), and high fasting plasma glucose (FPG; 5·4% [4·8–6·0]). For younger demographics (ie, those aged 0–4 years and 5–14 years), risks such as low birthweight and short gestation and unsafe water, sanitation, and handwashing (WaSH) were among the leading risk factors, while for older age groups, metabolic risks such as high SBP, high body-mass index (BMI), high FPG, and high LDL cholesterol had a greater impact. From 2000 to 2021, there was an observable shift in global health challenges, marked by a decline in the number of all-age DALYs broadly attributable to behavioural risks (decrease of 20·7% [13·9–27·7]) and environmental and occupational risks (decrease of 22·0% [15·5–28·8]), coupled with a 49·4% (42·3–56·9) increase in DALYs attributable to metabolic risks, all reflecting ageing populations and changing lifestyles on a global scale. Age-standardised global DALY rates attributable to high BMI and high FPG rose considerably (15·7% [9·9–21·7] for high BMI and 7·9% [3·3–12·9] for high FPG) over this period, with exposure to these risks increasing annually at rates of 1·8% (1·6–1·9) for high BMI and 1·3% (1·1–1·5) for high FPG. By contrast, the global risk-attributable burden and exposure to many other risk factors declined, notably for risks such as child growth failure and unsafe water source, with age-standardised attributable DALYs decreasing by 71·5% (64·4–78·8) for child growth failure and 66·3% (60·2–72·0) for unsafe water source. We separated risk factors into three groups according to trajectory over time: those with a decreasing attributable burden, due largely to declining risk exposure (eg, diet high in trans-fat and household air pollution) but also to proportionally smaller child and youth populations (eg, child and maternal malnutrition); those for which the burden increased moderately in spite of declining risk exposure, due largely to population ageing (eg, smoking); and those for which the burden increased considerably due to both increasing risk exposure and population ageing (eg, ambient particulate matter air pollution, high BMI, high FPG, and high SBP). Interpretation: Substantial progress has been made in reducing the global disease burden attributable to a range of risk factors, particularly those related to maternal and child health, WaSH, and household air pollution. Maintaining efforts to minimise the impact of these risk factors, especially in low SDI locations, is necessary to sustain progress. Successes in moderating the smoking-related burden by reducing risk exposure highlight the need to advance policies that reduce exposure to other leading risk factors such as ambient particulate matter air pollution and high SBP. Troubling increases in high FPG, high BMI, and other risk factors related to obesity and metabolic syndrome indicate an urgent need to identify and implement interventions

Household, community, sub-national and country-level predictors of primary cooking fuel switching in nine countries from the PURE study

Introduction. Switchingfrom polluting (e.g. wood, crop waste, coal)to clean (e.g. gas, electricity) cooking fuels can reduce household air pollution exposures and climate-forcing emissions.While studies have evaluated specific interventions and assessed fuel-switching in repeated cross-sectional surveys, the role of different multilevel factors in household fuel switching, outside of interventions and across diverse community settings, is not well understood. Methods.We examined longitudinal survey data from 24 172 households in 177 rural communities across nine countries within the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiology study.We assessed household-level primary cooking fuel switching during a median of 10 years offollow up (∼2005–2015).We used hierarchical logistic regression models to examine the relative importance of household, community, sub-national and national-level factors contributing to primary fuel switching. Results. One-half of study households(12 369)reported changing their primary cookingfuels between baseline andfollow up surveys. Of these, 61% (7582) switchedfrom polluting (wood, dung, agricultural waste, charcoal, coal, kerosene)to clean (gas, electricity)fuels, 26% (3109)switched between different polluting fuels, 10% (1164)switched from clean to polluting fuels and 3% (522)switched between different clean fuels