Writing a Life Between Gender Lines Conversations with A. Revathi about her autobiography The Truth About Me: A Hijra Life Story

A. Revathi was born physiologically male but felt and behaved like a girl - this is how she tells her story, as will be clear from the interview below. Nearly her whole childhood, spent in a village in Salem district of Tamil Nadu, was plagued by this deep and nagging unease of being trapped in the wrong body and by 'a growing sense of irrepressible femaleness'. But when she behaved like one of her girl-playmates, it only meant repeated humiliation and violence by her family and community. This affected her academic performance, and she had to drop out of school after failing the tenth grade. In a quest to be true to herself, Revathi, still in her teens, ran away from home and travelled to Delhi to join a house of hijras. Hijras are male-to-female transsexuals who undergo a surgical removal of the genitals (often performed surreptitiously and in unsanitary conditions) and comprise a distinct community across India with elaborate customs and regulations of their own. Hijras are given ritualistic importance by mainstream Indian society (for instance, their blessings are considered to bring good fortune) but at the same time they are easy targets for sexual crimes, discriminated against in public spaces, and have few options for livelihood apart from performing at social events, begging or prostitution. Revathi, now in her mid-forties, discusses all this with remarkable candour and courage in her autobiography The Truth About Me: A Hijra Life Story, translated into English from Tamil by V. Geetha and published by Penguin India Books in 2010. This autobiography is among the very first of its kind in India, uninhibited with regard to divisive gender lines, sexual hypocrisy of 'traditional' societies, and the dismal lack of public discourse on the rights of sexual minorities

(R1986) Neutrosophic Soft Contra e-Continuous Maps, Contra e-Irresolute Maps and Application using Distance Measure

We introduce and investigate neutrosophic soft contra e-continuous maps and contra e-irresolute maps in neutrosophic soft topological spaces with examples. Also, neutrosophic soft contra econtinuous maps are compared with neutrosophic soft continuous maps, δ-continuous maps, δ- semi continuous maps, δ-pre continuous maps and e∗ continuous maps in neutrosophic soft topological spaces. We derive some useful results and properties related to them. An application in decision making problem using distance measure is given. An example of a candidate selection from a company interview is formulated as neutrosophic soft model problem and the hamming distance measure is applied to calculate the distance between the interview candidates and the ideal candidate. The candidate having less distance with the ideal solution is the desirable candidate

(R1956) Neutrosophic Soft e-Compact Spaces and Application Using Entropy Measure

In this paper, the concept of neutrosophic soft e-compactness is presented on neutrosophic soft topological spaces using the definition of e-open cover and its types. In addition, neutrosophic soft e-compactness and neutrosophic soft e-separation axioms are associated. Also, the concept of neutrosophic soft locally e-compactness is introduced in neutrosophic soft topological spaces and some of its properties are discussed. Added to that, an application in decision making problem is given using entropy

Effect of immunostimulant on enhancement of the immune response of kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus and its resistance against White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV)

An experiment of 45 days duration to test the efficacy of the Vibrio alginolyticus as an immunostimulant was conducted in Marsupenaeus japonicus against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection, considered as one of the serious pathogens of shrimps. The shrimps were fed with the experimental diets coated with different concentrations of bacteria of 17 ml / kg feed and 10 % of animal body wt. They were challenged with WSSV to assess the increase in survival rate and growth if any due to immune enhancement. Another group of shrimp was used for drawing the haemolymph to estimate the increase in the level of prophenoloxidase activity. Samplings for the above said analysis were carried out at 15 days interval for a period of 45 days. The highest prophenoloxidase activity (39.78 with sand substrate-T1) and the highest survival rate (66.66 % with sand substrate-T1) and highest growth rate (7.04 % in 17ml/kg- with sand substrate-T1) were recorded in experimental diet (17 ml / kg feed). Hence the 17 ml / kg feed of Vibrio alginolyticus formalin killed added to the diet could be an eco-friendly and economically viable immunostimulant for penaeid shrimps

Design and Evaluation of Heterobivalent PAR1–PAR2 Ligands as Antagonists of Calcium Mobilization

A novel class of bivalent ligands targeting putative protease-activated receptor (PAR) heteromers has been prepared based upon reported antagonists for the subtypes PAR1 and PAR2. Modified versions of the PAR1 antagonist RWJ-58259 containing alkyne adapters were connected via cycloaddition reactions to azide-capped polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacers attached to imidazopyridazine-based PAR2 antagonists. Initial studies of the PAR1–PAR2 antagonists indicated that they inhibited G alpha q-mediated calcium mobilization in endothelial and cancer cells driven by both PAR1 and PAR2 agonists. Compounds of this novel class hold promise for the prevention of restenosis, cancer cell metastasis, and other proliferative disorders

Comparative study of Diagnostic Accuracy of Hysteroscopy Versus Transvaginal sonography in the evaluation of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding in perimenopausal age group

BACKGROUND: Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) refers to bleeding that is excessive or occurs outside of normal cyclic menstruation. Evaluation of the endometrium as a cause of AUB is done mainly in three modes i.e. by imaging of endometrium by transvaginal/ transabdominal ultrasound, visual assessment by hysteroscopy and endometrial sampling. INTRODUCTION: AUB is very common Gynaecological problem in a patient attending outpatient department, especially in perimenopausal age group. Thorough investigation is necessary in post menopausal women, where chances of endometrial cancer is10-15%. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of hysteroscopy compared to transvaginal ultrasonography in diagnosing the aetiology of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. To compare the hysteroscopy and trans vaginal ultrasonography findings with histo-pathological specimen of endometrium obtained by hysteroscopic guided biopsies. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 100 patients were taken for study. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with AUB were subjected to Tranvaginal Ultrasound and then to Hysteroscopy and hysteroscopic guided biopsy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of TVS, HYSTEROSCOPY AND HYSTEROSCOPIC GUIDED BIOPSY to detect intracavitary abnormalities. (with Hysteroscopic guided biopsy as gold standard). RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity positive predictive value, negative predictive value for detecting abnormal endometrium for TVS is 90%, 87%, 74%, 93% & for hysteroscopy shows 93%, 96%, 90%, 97% respectively. Hysteroscopy is better for intracavitary lesions like polyp and sub mucous fibroid. Trans vaginal ultrasound can identify intra mural fibroid, adenomyosis and adnexal pathology. CONCLUSION: Transvaginal ultrasound is non invasive, cheap, safe and easily available. In the evaluation of AUB, TVS is the first investigation to be done. Hysteroscopy can be better reserved for suspicious case of endometrial lesions

A study to assess the effectiveness of dick read method in reducing the aspects of labor pain perception during first stage of labor among primi gravida mothers in selected hospital at Tirunelveli District

A study to assess the effectiveness of Dick Read Method in reducing the aspects of labor pain perception during first stage of labor among Primi Gravida Mothers in selected hospital at Tirunelveli District. OBJECTIVES: 1. To assess the pretest and posttest level of labor pain perception during the first stage of labor among the primigravida mothers. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Dick Read Method in reducing the aspects of labor pain perception during first stage of labor among the PrimiGravida Mothers. 3. To find out the association between the aspects of labor pain perception during first stage of labor with their selected demographic variables among the PrimiGravida Mothers. HYPOTHESES: H1: There will be a significant reduction in posttest mean aspects of labor pain perception score during the first stage of labor among the primigravida mothers after practicing the Dick Read Method. H2: There will be a significant association between the aspects of level of labor pain perception during first stage of labor among the primigravida mothers with their selected demographic variables. Review was done to evaluate the effectiveness of Dick Read Method in reducing labour pain perception and selected demographic variables. The conceptual framework for this study was based on Fahy and Parratt Birth Territory theory. Research design for the study was time series research design. Convenient Sampling technique was used to select the sample and the sample size was 30. Pretest labour pain perception was assessed by likert scacle(pain threshold), FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale for pain tolerance and Visual Analogue scale (pain intensity). Then asked the mother to do Dick Read Method during each contraction. The investigator conducted the post test on 4 cm and 6 cm of cervical dilatation by using same tool. RESULTS: The results shows that the pretest mean value of pain threshold was 26.7and standard deviation score was 3.68. In posttest I pain threshold mean score was 13.2, standard deviation score was 2.49. In posttest II pain threshold mean score was 9.46, standard deviation score was 1.83. The obtained ‘t’ value of pretest and posttest I score was 22.5, posttest I and posttest II score was 8.9, pretest and posttest II score was 22.3, which was significant at 0.05 levels. Hence it was concluded that Dick Read Method was effective in increasing the level of pain threshold during first stage of labour among the primigravida mothers. The pretest mean pain tolerance score was 8, standard deviation was 0.81. In posttest I pain tolerance mean score was 3.76, standard deviation score was 0.91. In posttest II paintolerance mean score was 2.9, standard deviation score was 0.38.The obtained ‘t’ test for pretest and posttest I score was 19.91, posttest I and posttest II score was 5.06, pretest and posttest II score was 29.1, which was significant at 0.05 level. Hence the Dick Read Method was effective in increasing the level of pain tolerance during first stage of labour among the primigravida mothers. The pretest mean pain intensity score was 8.03 of the standard deviation was 0.77. In posttest I pain intensity mean score was 4.2, standard deviation score was 1.04. In posttest II pain intensity mean score was 3.06, standard deviation score was 0.34. The obtained ‘t’ test for pretest and posttest I score was 25.21, post test I and post test II score was 6.28, pre test and post test II score was 31.99, which was significant at 0.05 level. Hence the Dick Read Method was effective in decreasing the level of pain intensity during first stage of labour among the primigravida mothers. There was no significant association between the demographic variables, gestational variables and labour pain perception variables (Pain threshold, Pain tolerance and Pain intensity). CONCLUSION: As primigravida mothers has labour pain during first stage of labour, it is necessary to provide pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to reduce the labour pain perception. The findings of the study indicated that the dick read method was simple and effective intervention. Based on the findings of the study recommendations for future study are as follows: The study can be conducted on larger samples there by findings can be generalized. A comparative study can also be done between the effectiveness of various nonpharmacological measures to reducing labour pain perception

A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Crushed Ice Pack Application and Sitz Bath on Episiotomy Pain and Wound Healing Among Postnatal Mothers

An episiotomy is an incision made in the perineum- the tissue between the vaginal opening and the anus during child birth. Pain at the episiotomy site is more distressing for the mother during postnatal period. An ice pack application or warm shallow bath (sitz bath) may increase comfort and promotes healing. The main aim of this present study was to compare the effect of Crushed ice pack application and Sitz bath on episiotomy pain and wound healing among postnatal mothers. A Matched group design was adopted in this study. By using Non probability purposive sampling technique 22 postnatal mothers with episiotomy were selected as samples at Ramakrishna Hospital, Coimbatore and 11mothers were assigned randomly to each group I and group II. Episiotomy pain was assessed by using Numerical Pain Intensity scale and Wound healing was assessed by using Davidson REEDA scale. Group I received crushed ice pack application and Group II received sitz bath. Intervention was given for 10 minutes twice a day for three consecutive days from first postnatal day. Data were analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The statistical analysis revealed that the calculated mean scores of episiotomy pain in the group I and group II was1.72 and 2.9 respectively and the mean difference is 1.2 with the standard deviation of group I and group II was 0.64 and 0.53 respectively. The calculated ‘t’ value 11.3 was greater than the table value of 2.086 at 0.05 level of significance. The calculated mean scores of episiotomy wound healing in the group I and group II was 1.54 and 1.81 respectively and the mean difference is 0.27 with the standard deviation of group I and group II was 0.5 and 0.6 respectively. The calculated‘t’ value 2.6 was greater than the table value of 2.086 at 0.05 level of significance. Finally, the study concluded that the crushed ice pack application was more effective than sitz bath in reducing the level of episiotomy pain and promotes wound healing among postnatal mothers

FINGER RECONGITION AND GESTURE BASED VIRTUAL KEYBOARD

Hand gesture recognition is very significant for human-computer interaction.In this work, we present a novel real-time method for hand gesture recognition. The proposedsystem is vision based, which uses machine learning techniques and inputs from a computerwebcam. Vision based gesture recognition tracking and gesture recognition in our framework,the hand region is extracted from the background with the background subtraction method.Finally, a rule classifier is applied to predict the labels of hand gestures. Our method showsbetter performance than a state-of-art method on another data set of hand gesture