The impact of content: english textbook designing in india

Human consciousness plays a huge role in the formation of one’s identity. In this regard, Vygotsky (1925) states that social activities explain the emergence of consciousness in human beings. So social can also be an artifact and thus, may also be ‘a regulatory agency that channels human behavior and thought’ (Ramanathan, 2005, p. 25). Considering that schools can communicate the legitimate forms of truth through prescribed textbooks, and that the English language controls and moulds power relations in contemporary Indian society, critically looking into how texts are chosen and tasks are designed in English textbooks in India may explain their possible impact on the formation of student identity

Exploring the Relationship between Classroom language Assessment Literary and Practices Using A Short-term Teacher Education Course

A mixed methods study, this doctoral research explores the relationship between the classroom language assessment literacy (CLAL) and assessment practices of English teachers. It is based on the premise that if English teachers are properly oriented in assessment of language ability in classroom, the quality of classroom assessments will improve and in turn, teachers will be in a position to carry out “assessment for learning” effectively. The study is designed considering the assessment policies and practices in India as a whole. The intervention takes place in three schools— a CBSE, a State-Board and an ICSE school— and six secondary school English teachers— two each from the above-mentioned schools— in Andhra Pradesh constituted the main participants. This research is significant in the sense that though the new assessment policy in schools demands that teachers carry out classroom assessments, and attaches a lot of importance to those, very little has been done to equip teachers with adequate skills and knowledge to enable them to meet the challenges of classroom assessment. This study tries to draw attention towards this problem and suggests a possible solution. For its theoretical framework, the study draws on classroom assessment, assessment literacy, second language teacher education, teacher development, teacher beliefs and teacher knowledge. The framework is built after studying and tracing the existing gaps in the research literature in areas relevant to the study. The study is conducted in three major phases: pre-intervention, intervention and postintervention. In the first phase, the researcher collects information about the CLAL of secondary school English teachers practicing in CBSE, state-board and ICSE schools through a state-wise survey. Then two teachers each from a CBSE, a state-board and an ICSE school are selected and information about their CLAL, beliefs about assessment and assessment practices is obtained. A teacher development (TD) programme based on the above-mentioned information is designed with a view to developing teachers’ CLAL. In the second phase, the programme is imparted separately to the three pairs of teachers for 18 hours. Records of teachers’ experience and the researcher’s observations are maintained during the intervention. In the last phase, once again, information is collected about the CLAL and assessment practices of the teachers in a similar manner as done in the first stage. Data are analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively, triangulated and meta-inferences are made after a few cross-case analyses. Finally, an effort is made to generalize and discuss the findings, state the implications of the study for policy makers, teacher education, curriculum designers, experts in language assessment and teacher educators, point out the limitations of the project and suggest directions for further research in the area of the study. The findings of the study suggest that there is a relationship between CLAL and assessment practices of teachers. But a lot of factors like the assessment policy at curricular level, institutional policy about assessment, motivation of teachers to utilize assessment for pedagogic purposes and their English language ability are found to have impact on teachers’ assessment practices. It is also found that a need-based TD programme can, to a great extent, generate the desired impact on teachers’ assessment practices

Examining the Feasibility of Tea Futures in India

The commodity derivative market in India has gained an important place in the last few decades. However, the entry of ‘tea futures’ in the derivative market is yet to come. Tea is a substitute for coffee and has a good market worldwide. India’s contribution to world production of tea is significant, but the presence of tea futures in Indian derivative market is yet to be seen whereas coffee, being a similar commodity, has a good place in the derivatives market. This study makes an attempt to examine the feasibility of tea futures in India by studying two leading conditions for tea in comparison with coffee. The study examines the market conditions by studying the export potentiality that signifies the demand and supply; and price volatility of tea price. The observations and analysis find favourable grounds for the introduction of tea futures in the commodity derivative market to extend the benefits to various groups like tea growers and manufacturers

Developing assessment literacy of English teachers: a workshop

In India, there has been little effort to develop separate and focused pre- and in-service training programmes for English teachers in schools. As a result, a large percentage of these teachers lack the skills, abilities and knowledge, etc., required for effective teaching of language skills. Assessment being one of the most important areas of teaching also gets ignored in the process. But this negligence may prove really costly in an educational scenario which is already considered to be examination-driven. So what is urgently required is professional training or in-service teachers, and a simultaneous effort to push for similar programmes to be part of in- service teacher education programmes across the country

Synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotube/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanohybrid by utilizing click chemistry

A new hybrid material consisting of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and carbon nanotube (CNT) was synthesized by a simple and versatile approach entailing click coupling between azide moiety-functionalized POSS and alkyne-functionalized multi-walled CNTs. This approach provides a simple and convenient route to efficiently functionalize a wide variety of nanoscale nanostructure materials on the surface of CNTs

Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) for Sustainable Agriculture: Current Prospective and Future Challenges

Sustainable agriculture is a global imperative to meet the challenges of food security and environmental protection. Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) have emerged as key players in sustainable agricultural practices due to their diverse roles in enhancing plant growth, nutrient uptake, stress tolerance, and disease resistance. This review explores the diverse facts about PGPB and their potential applications in sustainable agriculture. The review begins by elucidating the mechanisms underlying PGPB-plant interactions, including phytohormone production, nutrient solubilization, and biocontrol activities. This review delves into the intricate signalling networks involved in PGPB-induced systemic resistance. In addition, this review discusses the pivotal role of PGPBs in mitigating abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and heavy metal toxicity, highlighting their contributions to climate-resilient agriculture. The ecological implications of PGPB application in sustainable agriculture are discussed, emphasizing the need for responsible and environmentally friendly practices. Furthermore, the use of PGPB for sustainable agriculture holds great promise for addressing the challenges of food security and environmental sustainability. In addition, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the multiple roles, mechanisms of action, and potential applications of PGPB, while emphasizing the importance of responsible and environmentally sound approaches in realizing the full potential of PGPB for a resilient and sustainable agricultural future

Simultaneous bladder rupture with obstetrics anal sphincter injury following forceps application: a case report and review of literature

In the modern era use of instrumental delivery is on a declining trend. Due to increase morbidity associated with forcep applications most women in developing countries preferred emergency caesarean section over instrumental delivery. But in country like India instrumental delivery is still preferable over caesarean section in many situations. We report a case that was referred from a peripheral hospital with simultaneous bladder and anal sphincter injury to our hospital. She was managed by a multidisciplinary team including urologist, surgeon and gynaecologist. Such type of case is very rare in modern era. To prevent such complications prerequisite for forcep application must be fulfilled. So that bladder injury, urinary fistula, anal incontinence and fetal complication can be avoided

Effect of participatory women's groups facilitated by Accredited Social Health Activists on birth outcomes in rural eastern India: A cluster-randomised controlled trial

Background: A quarter of the world's neonatal deaths and 15% of maternal deaths happen in India. Few community-based strategies to improve maternal and newborn health have been tested through the country's government-approved Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). We aimed to test the effect of participatory women's groups facilitated by ASHAs on birth outcomes, including neonatal mortality. Methods: In this cluster-randomised controlled trial of a community interve

Valsartan (Profiles of Drugs Substances, Excipients and Related Methodology)

Valsartan is an antihypertensive drug which selectively inhibits angiotensin receptor type II. This tetrazole derivative was first developed by Novartis and marketed under brand name Diovan® . This compound is orally active and is rapidly absorbed after oral doses, having a bioavailability of approximately 23% . Valsartan appears as a white or almost white hygroscopic powder. This compound must be kept in an air-tight container and should be protected from light and heat. It is available in film-coated tablets containing valsartan 40, 80, 160, or 320 mg, and capsules with dosage of 80 or 160 mg. Tablet combinations of valsartan with hydrochlorothiazide or amlodipine are also availabl

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection