‘Happy Families?’: Single Mothers, the Press and the Politicians

FOR THOSE OF US who have been following how lone parents are represented in media and political debates over the last few years, the shift was all too apparent. By Spring 1997, the political scapegoating of single mothers as being responsible for tearing apart the moral fabric of society had become less frequent; tabloid headlines which screamed ‘family breakdown’, ‘scroungers' and ‘welfare benefit crisis' appeared less often; and many politicians had started to project themselves as, at the least, concerned about the welfare of lone parents and their children. Surprising really, that is, until we remember the backdrop—the UK General Election and 1.3 million UK lone parent voters. By April 1997, a growing backlash against the more extreme and pathologising accusations against single mothers had rendered explicit vilification unacceptable. To pull votes a different sort of language had to come into play—one which didn't risk turning off the electorate but would still allow a freezing or cutting of welfare spending on lone parent families. Since it was now politically inexpedient to engage in vitriolic attack, there emerged a new discourse—one which reappropriated and redefined lone parents as chief targets of government aid. Close scrutiny of the texts circulating from 1992 to the time of the General Election offers insights of how policy agendas, political rhetoric and news interweave to construct a definition of lone parents which bears little resemblance to how they may see themselves

Comparative study between pre- and post- operative clinical and electrophysiological parameters in determining the recovery of carpal tunnel syndrome

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a neuropathy caused by entrapment of the median nerve at the wrist. CTS is the most well-known and frequent form of median nerve entrapment and accounts for 90% of all entrapment neuropathies. CTS, in the form of median nerve entrapment, remains a perplexing and debilitating disorder. We report a comparative study between the Boston questionnaire (BQ) and median nerve conduction study parameters in patients with CTS treated by division of the flexor retinaculum through a short incision at the palm.Methods: The prospective cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted in department of burns, plastic and reconstructive surgery at SCB Medical College, Cuttack.Results: The average age was 44.49 years (SD=10.51; range=24-70), and the average symptom duration was 19.9 months (range=6-36). There are 36 hands in the severe group, 22 with the moderate group, and 12 with the mild category. The mean symptom severity scale score for severe group A was 40.92 (SD=5.84) and for moderate group B was 31.67 (SD=5.72), and for the mild group, C was 26.0 and SD=3.82). We found significant correlation between symptomatic recovery and Boston severity scales.Conclusions: Clinical correlation of pre- and post-op symptoms is the only full proof way to predict recovery after surgery in CTS‑affected, patients

Nonresonant microwave absorption in epitaxial La-Sr-Mn-O films and its relation to colossal magnetoresistance

We study magnetic-field-dependent nonresonant microwave absorption and dispersion in thin La$_{0.7}$Sr$_{0.3}$MnO$_{3}$ films and show that it originates from the colossal magnetoresistance. We develop the model for magnetoresistance of a thin ferromagnetic film in oblique magnetic field. The model accounts fairly well for our experimental findings, as well as for results of other researchers. We demonstrate that nonresonant microwave absorption is a powerful technique that allows contactless measurement of magnetic properties of thin films, including magnetoresistance, anisotropy field and coercive field.Comment: 20 pages, 11 figure

Detection and monitoring of Trichodesmium blooms in the coastal waters off Saurashtra coast, India using IRS-P4 OCM data

Trichodesmium blooms have been observed in the coastal waters off Saurashtra coast, Gujarat, India using Indian Remote Sensing satellite IRS-P4 Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) data. Bloom-forming features were identified using false colour composites of channels 8, 6 and 5 (865, 670, 555 nm). Several bloom features of Trichodesmium like spiral eddies, stripes, slicks and parallel bands were detected in satellite images during 29 April to 7 May 2002. A strong backscattering signal was observed in the near-infrared band of OCM data, indicating the surface manifestation of Trichodesmium bloom. The chlorophyll images have been analyzed during the bloom period; overestimation of pigments has been observed and the bloom patches appear darker. Subramaniam’s protocol for Trichodesmium bloom study has been evaluated utilizing IRS-P4 OCM data for the waters off Saurashtra coast and appeared to be relevant in detection by ocean color remote sensing. The in situ information confirmed the presence of the bloom as coastal waters turned dark brown in color with an appearance of sawdust spray

Application of IRS-P4 OCM data to study the impact of cyclone on coastal environment of Orissa

The present study emphasizes on the impact of cyclone on the coastal environment of Orissa, using the IRS-P4 (OCM) satellite data. The study includes the analysis of IRS-P4 (OCM) data to generate chlorophyll, Suspended Sediment Concentration (SSC) images for the coastal water and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) images for coastal vegetation in the pre and post-cyclonic stages. The effect on mangroves and change in distribution pattern of water constituents like chlorophyll and suspended sediments are brought out

Efficacy of Three Different Plant Species for Arsenic Phytoextraction from Hydroponic System

Arsenic (As) is one of the heavy metals which causes acute bio-toxicity even at low concentration and has disastrous effect on environment. In some countries, As contamination has become alarming and increasing day by day as consequences of unsustainable management practices. Many existing physical, chemical and biological processes for As removal from water system are not feasible due to techno-economic limitations. The present study highlights the scope of biological strategy for As removal through phytoextraction. Arsenic uptake and accumulation in the biomass of three plant species and their As tolerance abilities have been investigated to develop an efficient phytoextraction system in combination of these plant species. Three non-crop plant species, Pteris vittata; Mimosa pudica, and Eichhornia crassipus were treated with 0–200 mg/L As in liquid nutrient solution for 14 days. P. vittata accumulated total 9,082.2 mg (8,223 mg in fronds) As/kg biomass and Eichhornia total 6,969 mg (4,517 mg in fronds)/kg biomass at 200 mg/L As concentration, respectively. Bioaccumulation factor (BF) and translocation factor (TF) were estimated to differentiate between excluders, accumula¬tors and accumulation in above ground biomass. Pteris and Eichhornia have highest BF (67 and 17) and TF (64 and 3), respectively. In contrast, Mimosa accumulated up to 174 mg As/kg plant biomass which is low in comparison with other two plants, and both BF and TF were ≤1. This study reveals that Pteris and Eichhornia are As hyperaccumulator, and potential candidates for As removal from water system

Observations on physico-chemical variability of seawater along Tamil Nadu coast, India onboard CRV Sagar Purvi

320-328Parameters that define the environmental variables, such as, phytoplankton biomass, chl-a, and nutrient concentration have been studied and analyzed during July 2017. During this study, vertical distribution of physico-chemical and water quality parameters has also been analyzed. Decrease in water temperature and dissolved oxygen from the surface to deep water up to the thermocline and oxycline were observed, which would be in relation to oxygen minimum zone. At the depth of 100 m, the concentration of chl-a is found high as compared to the surface water. The estimation of deep chlorophyll maximum has been chosen as a major investigation in this study. Moderate and high chl-a concentration (0.5-2.8 mg m-3) regardless of less NO3 flux (0.01-0.6 µM) have been recorded through in-situ and satellite observations. The concentration of SiO4 (5-35 µM) is likely enhanced in the vertical and surface water productivity. Principal component analysis and multiple linear regressions were carried out in order to determine the difference of the variables between the surface and deep water

Statistical tools for studying the temporal variations in chlorophyll-a concentration along the Southwest Bay of Bengal waters

Multivariate statistical analysis such as Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) are used to study the effect of physico-chemical parameters on chlorophyll distribution along the southwest Bay of Bengal from January 2012 to June 2014.  Physical properties recorded showed clear seasonal patterns in sea surface temperature (26.2 – 32.8 °C), salinity (24 – 36 PSU), pH (7.808 to 8.428), photosynthetic photon flux (522 – 1220.4 µM m-2s-1) with the minimum and maximum values during monsoon and summer seasons, respectively. In contrast, the chemical variables such as nitrite (0.15 to 2.35 µM), nitrate (1.02 to 6.58 µM), ammonia (0.11 – 5.22 µM), total nitrogen (1.04 to 11.58 µM), inorganic phosphate (0.16 – 2.97 µM), total phosphorus (0.55 – 8.60 µM) and reactive silicate (2.00 to 23.95 µM) showed the minimum and maximum concentration during summer and monsoon seasons, respectively. The high and low chlorophyll (0.10 to 6.92 µg l-1) and dissolved oxygen (4.07 and 7.884 mg l-1) concentrations are observed during summer and pre-monsoon seasons, respectively. PCA found that nitrogenous nutrients and chlorophyll are positively loaded and Sea Surface Temperature (SST) was negatively loaded in all the seasons except during summer season. Inter-comparison of modeled and in-situ chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration showed a significant correlation during monsoon season by 93 % of matchup with a R2 = 0.930, N = 60 and SEE = ±0.369 compared to other seasons. Regression analysis also predicted the positive influence of nitrate and ammonia and negative influence of SST with chl-a

Statistical tools for studying the temporal variations in chlorophyll-a concentration along the Southwest Bay of Bengal waters

454-464Multivariate statistical analysis such as multiple linear regression (MLR) and principal component analysis (PCA) are used to study the effect of physico-chemical parameters on chlorophyll distribution along the southwest Bay of Bengal from January 2012 to June 2014. Physical properties recorded showed clear seasonal patterns in sea surface temperature (26.2 – 32.8 °C), salinity (24 – 36 PSU), pH (7.808 to 8.428), photosynthetic photon flux (522 – 1220.4 μM m-2s-1) with the minimum and maximum values during monsoon and summer seasons, respectively. In contrast, the chemical variables such as nitrite (0.15 to 2.35 μM), nitrate (1.02 to 6.58 μM), ammonia (0.11 – 5.22 μM), total nitrogen (1.04 to 11.58 μM), inorganic phosphate (0.16 – 2.97 μM), total phosphorus (0.55 – 8.60μM) and reactive silicate (2.00 to 23.95 μM) showed the minimum and maximum concentration during summer and monsoon seasons, respectively. The high and low chlorophyll (0.10 to 6.92 μg l-1) and dissolved oxygen (4.07 and 7.884 mg l-1) concentrations are observed during summer and pre-monsoon seasons, respectively. PCA found that nitrogenous nutrients and chlorophyll are positively loaded and sea surface temperature (SST) was negatively loaded in all the seasons except during summer season. Inter-comparison of modeled and in-situ chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentration showed a significant correlation during monsoon season by 93 % of matchup with a R2 = 0.930, N = 60 and SEE = ±0.369 compared to other seasons. Regression analysis also predicted the positive influence of nitrate and ammonia and negative influence of SST with chl-a

Arsenic hyperaccumulation efficiency depends on time and tissue in Pteris vittata

The metalloid arsenic is a toxic environmental pollutant. Arsenic pollution becomes serious due to mining, mineral, smelting and tannery industry. Leaching of naturally occurring arsenic into drinking water aquifers, has been reported in many countries including India and Bangladesh. Available engineering methods for remediation is costly and difficult. Many plant species reported to accumulate arsenic. Pteris vittata has been reported as arsenic hyperaccumulator. An Indian eco-type of P. vittata has been used to study the arsenic accumulation. The plants were grown in arsenic containing soil along with soil without arsenic (control). The ferns were separated into two portions, i.e., above ground (fronds), stage specific as well as tissues from different position of pinnae and below ground (roots and rhizomes). Futher, it was also harvested at different time interval. Dried fern samples (0.1 g) were digested with mixture of concentrated nitric acid and perchloric acid. Heavy metal measurement in foliar and root samples was performed with ICP-OES. Tissue specific arsenic accumulation indicates that juvenile leaf contains highest arsenic than mature leaf. Middle pinnae of mature leaf show high arsenic content compared to upper and lower pinnae. Among the underground parts of the plant, rhizome contains high arsenic than roots. Further, time dependent arsenic accumulation study indicates that active accumulation of arsenic starts from day 7 to day 30 in leaf tissue, while in roots, day 3 to 7 show sudden increase and no much drastic change in accumulation from day 7 onwards