Islam and Political Violence: An Examination of the Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Palestine

In this paper I examine how political violence is justified in the charter of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Using the recent work done in the social psychological literature, I argue in the paper that the charter draws upon the Islamic history and memory to authorize political violence; charter uses explicit construction of binary symbols and historical mythology to dehumanize the target of violence; and finally, the charter evokes shame—which lead to “humiliated fury”—through collective memory of humiliation, which then might make martyrdom attractive.Instituto de Relaciones Internacionales (IRI

Islam and Political Violence: An Examination of the Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Palestine

In this paper I examine how political violence is justified in the charter of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Using the recent work done in the social psychological literature, I argue in the paper that the charter draws upon the Islamic history and memory to authorize political violence; charter uses explicit construction of binary symbols and historical mythology to dehumanize the target of violence; and finally, the charter evokes shame—which lead to “humiliated fury”—through collective memory of humiliation, which then might make martyrdom attractive.Instituto de Relaciones Internacionales (IRI

Islam and Political Violence: An Examination of the Covenant of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in Palestine

In this paper I examine how political violence is justified in the charter of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). Using the recent work done in the social psychological literature, I argue in the paper that the charter draws upon the Islamic history and memory to authorize political violence; charter uses explicit construction of binary symbols and historical mythology to dehumanize the target of violence; and finally, the charter evokes shame—which lead to “humiliated fury”—through collective memory of humiliation, which then might make martyrdom attractive.Instituto de Relaciones Internacionales (IRI

Studies towards the total synthesis of tagetitoxin

Tagetitoxin is a phytotoxin produced by the bacterium Pseudomonas syringae pv. tagetis. It is a selective inhibitor of RNA polymerase III in eukaryotic cells and RNA polymerase in bacteria. To date, no total synthesis of the proposed structure of tagetitoxin has been reported. While there is some ambiguity surrounding the structure of tagetitoxin, the most likely structure incorporates a unique 9-oxa-thiabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane core, with six stereogenic centres and a range of functional groups. This thesis describes the development of a novel synthetic route towards tagetitoxin. The first task was the introduction, at C-5 of D-glucose, of a carbon substituent which could later be transformed to the carboxylic acid moiety of tagetitoxin. Initial studies showed that, while incorporation of a hydroxymethyl substituent was straightforward, problems arose in attempts to selectively functionalise one of the two primary hydroxyl groups in the resulting molecule. Alternatively, incorporation of a vinyl moiety at C-5 of D-glucose was achieved using a procedure described by Rama Rao et al. This led to the formation of 1,6-anhydro-5-C-vinyl- D-glucose, which was successfully functionalised at C-1 via incorporation of a TMS acetylene group following a method described by Vasella and co-workers. The next task was to introduce a nitrogen substituent at C-3 of the sugar while inverting the configurations at both C-2 and C-3; for this purpose, conversion to a 2,3-β-epoxide was achieved in six steps. Unfortunately, attempted ring opening of the epoxide with various azide sources failed to give the desired product. A modified route was thus investigated in which the vinyl group at C-5 was converted to a less sterically demanding nitrile group. In this case, the 2,3-β- epoxide, when subjected to treatment with sodium azide in the presence of lithium perchlorate, furnished the desired azido compound with inversion of configuration at C-3. While time constraints did not allow further progress to be made towards tagetitoxin, the remaining tasks are to further introduce a thiol group at C-6, a phosphate at O-4 and oxidation of the acetylene moiety to a methyl ketoester which upon cyclisation should give the desired tagetitoxin molecule.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Observational study for the functional outcome of humerus shaft fractures treated with plating versus nailing

Background: Fractures of the humerus diaphysis comprise approximately 3% of all fractures. It’s treatment has mainly been conservative in the past but is not well tolerated by the patient now a days. Also, all humerus shaft fractures are not amenable to conservative methods. Operative interventions like dynamic compression plating and intramedullary nailing are associated with better functional outcome. There has been a lot of debate on which of the above two surgical methods is better for management of humeral shaft fractures to ensure better functional outcome and lesser complication rate. Objective were to compare the results of the plating and nailing in the treatment of humerus shaft with reference to A) functional outcome and B) complications and their management.Methods: All patients with fracture of humeral shaft presenting to the department of orthopaedics, MMIMSR, during the study period and that met our criteria were included in the study. Out of total 30 patients, 15 were randomly selected for intramedullary nailing and 15 for plating. Postoperatively, these patients were followed up for 6 months and relevant data was collected. Time taken for union, post operative complications rate and final functional outcome were then compared in the two groups. Study design was observational study.Results: It was observed that most of the patient that sustained humeral shaft fractures were 18-40 years of age. Post-operatively, fractures treated by plating united earlier, had lesser complications and significantly better functional outcome compared to nailing.Conclusions: We concluded that plating is a better method and more acceptable to patients as compare to intramedullary nailing for the treatment of fractures shaft humerus, as it is associated with better functional outcome, earlier union of fracture and lesser complication rate

Significance and Factors Hampering Patents Commercialization in India

As per the Patents Act, 1970 one of the patentability criteria is ‘the invention should have industrial application’. The patents’ rights conferred to the patentee are merely not to enjoy the monopoly over the invention, but the patentee has to ensure the use of technology for the societal and economic benefit of the country. Once the patent is granted, the patentee has to ensure the working of the patent in India on a commercial scale. In return, the patentee gets his due amount for his hard work and efforts rendered for the intellectual creativity. Current paper focuses on the working/non-working profile of the patents granted to Indian Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and National Research Labs (NRLs) in the country from January 2010 to December 2017. The data has been procured from the prescribed ‘Form-27’ by the Indian Patent Office, which the patentee is required to file every year before the end of financial year, post grant of the patent. The research depicts in how many patentees submitted requisite ‘Form-27’, and in how many cases patents granted, worked or didn’t work. Moreover, various reasons cited for the non-working of the patents have also been identified. The issues being encountered with by the patentees have been identified and measures thereof required to be taken, at the individual level, institutional level and government level, have also been suggested

Diversity of Soil Nematodes in Agricultural Fields with Different Crops

Agriculture has been significant part of the Indian livelihood since ages. As agriculture rely upon the various aspects such as quality of soil, soil minerals and nematodes present in soil. In the present project of soil nematode diversity is successfully estimated by using nematode extraction method given by Cobb (1918). The experiments were performed on soil sample which were collected from four different sites during the study. These four sites were agricultural fields located in Sri Anandpur Sahib (India) with different crops viz; Site 1: Agricultural field with vegetable crops, Site 2: Agricultural field with oilseed crops, Site 3: Agricultural field with wheat crops, Site 4: Agricultural field with Maize crop. The estimation part of the study was performed at PG Zoology Laboratory of PG Department of Zoology, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Khalsa College, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, India. The six nematode species were recorded with 100% frequency along with sixteen species of nematodes with 90% frequency of occurrence in all agricultural sites selected during present study. Additionally, eighteen nematode species were recorded with 80% frequency of occurrence in all sites. Apart from this, the nematode species H. indicus and T. hynchus spp. were recorded with 70% frequency of occurrence. It can be deduced from the present experimental program that the beneficial nematodes were present abundantly in all the soil samples of selected sites. Thus, it can be stated that, to improve the soil fertility the eco-friendly agricultural practices would be an efficient approach as it foster the soil nematode diversity.&nbsp

Evaluation of the immunohistochemical expression of HER2/NEU in urinary bladder neoplasms in a tertiary care hospital

Background: HER2/NEU expression in urothelial neoplasms has been reported to range from 9% to 80% on immunohistochemistry. We studied the expression of HER2/NEU in urothelial neoplasms and its variability according to histological grade along with the prognostic value. Methods: The present study was conducted on 60 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of urinary bladder neoplasms, which comprised 45 cases of high-grade urothelial carcinoma followed by 13 cases of low-grade and 2 cases of PUNLMP. These were then subjected to IHC by HER2/NEU. Membrane positivity for HER2/NEU was noted. Results: A total of 65% of cases showed positive membranous HER2/NEU expression. HER2/NEU expression was noted in 82.6% of cases of high grade while 8.4% of cases of low grade were positive for HER2/NEU expression. Conclusions: The majority of high grade invasive urothelial carcinomas showed positive HER2/NEU expression with a significant p-value <0.001. Thus patients with high grade urothelial carcinoma may benefit from HER2/NEU targeted therapy

Patents Commercialization Profile of Universities and Higher Education Institutes in India

Innovation is the key ingredient that drives the economic growth of the nation. Globalization has diminished barriers thereby, delivering a larger market area for these innovations. Countries like USA, China, South Korea, Japan, etc. have acknowledged this fact and are thriving through consistent innovation. They have a dynamic ecosystem that supports and encourages commercialization worthy research and development (R&D) through healthy engagements among the various stakeholders. Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), a vital component of this ecosystem, offer themselves as a cradle of fundamental research and a powerhouse of potential innovations. Countries like USA have banked heavily on their HEIs, such as, Stanford and Harvard, building a sustainable framework around them. Indian HEIs, which have long been in the practice of publication of their technological advancements, are also making the transition towards the patenting system. Although the IP movement at most HEIs in India is still in nascent stages, roots have already been formed at a few select institutes.This paper attempts to provide an overview of Indian HEIs leading in patents granted and their commercialisation status, based on the “Statements of Working filed” on Form-27 at the Indian Patent Office (IPO)

Diagnosing the First Democratic Regime in Afghanistan: Human Rights Perspective

The constant presence of undemocratic regimes, insurgencies and political instability in Afghanistan has continuously resulted into the miserable status of civil and political human rights. Furthermore, the heterogeneous nature of Afghan society and economic under development have deprived the people of social, cultural and economic rights. In 2004, democratic government had been established in Afghanistan under the presidentship of Hamid Karzai. Very obviously, the people at domestic level as well as the international community expected from the democratically elected regime to take concrete initiatives for the promotion and protection of human rights. The study observes that the pioneer democratically elected government of Afghanistan had taken all constitutional measures and legal provisions for the promotion and protection of human rights in Afghanistan which can be expected from a democratic nation. But several political, socio-ethnic and socio-economic circumstances such as frequent violence due to insurgency and counter-insurgency operations, dearth of popular legitimacy to the regime, challenges to political instability along with the orthodox and heterogeneous society, facing acute economic underdevelopment have hampered the actual process of the promotion and protection of human rights in Afghanistan