Women in Exile: A Study of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Bharati Mukherjee, and Anita Rau Badami

During the post-colonial period, literature has crossed the boundaries of nation, language, and culture. An important feature of the period is the emergence of woman writers. Significant space has been created for women to discuss their peculiar problems and issues. The social, cultural, and literary definitions accumulated over the past by the patriarchal tradition were redefined from alternate and, especially, from feminist or womanist points of view. With more and more women taking part in the public life and the steady increase in the number of independent women, there is a significant rise in women’s writings across the globe.The paper entitled “Transnationalism and Women: A Study of Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Bharati Mukherjee, and Anita Rau Badami” discusses how three prominent woman writers of the Diaspora deal with problems of the transnational women

Surface modified nano-zeolite used as carrier for slow release of sulphur

Surface modified nano-zeolite (SMNZ) was used as carrier to develop nano-zeolite based nano-sulphur fertilizer. A laboratory study on sulphur nano-fertilizer and conventional sulphur fertilizer were studied with percolation reactor system to evaluate the slow release of sulphur from both fertilizers in ambient temperature. SMNZ and sulphur nano-fertilizer were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Zeta Analyzer, Raman Spectroscopy, XRD and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Raman spectroscopy confirmed the sulphur attachment at 480 cm-1 in the SMNZ. The FTIR spectra at 1030 cm-1 confirmed the sulphate attachments in the SMNZ spectrum. Zeta analyzer showed the surface charge of sulphur nano-fertilizer had (-) 52.6 mV. SEM imaged the sulphur loaded SMNZ in irregular flake like structure. A comparative study of the release of sulphate (SO4 2-) from fertilizer-loaded SMNZ and (NH4)2 SO4 fertilizers were performed using the percolation reactor. The results showed that the SO42- supply from fertilizer-loaded SMNZ was available even after 912 h of continuous percolation, whereas SO42- from (NH4)2 SO4 was exhausted within 384 h. These properties suggest that SMNZ has a great potential as the fertilizer carrier for slow release of SO42-

Continuous culture of cladoceran, Moina sp. for rearing of postlarval prawns

A low-cost method for large scale culture of the fresh water cladoceran Moina sp. has been evolved. Moina is used in the frozen condition to feed the postlarvae of penaeid prawns reared at the NPCL of CMFRI

Geometric Correction in High Resolution Satellite Imagery using Mathematical Methods: A Case Study in Kiliyar Sub Basin

The number of high resolution space imagery have great interest in the photogrammetric and remote sensing communities. This imagery is considered as a basic information source for mapping with various applications in geomantic. By this hybrid both the projection model and polynomial model in geometric correction of satellite imagery, it needs to control points and standardisation data. In the geometric correction of the IRS P-5 LISS III imagery is required when ever the image is to be compared with existing maps or with other imagery. In this paper execute the composition of correction function using Ground Control Points. The results show eligibility of geometric correction of these models for selected imagery. An accuracy analysis is performed, with emphasis being laid on the number and location of Ground Control Points

The behavior of U.S. Producer Price Index : 1913 to 2004

Version of RecordThis paper analyzes the behavior of U.S. PPI over the period January 1913 to March 2004 using monthly “all commodities index” values. The mean of monthly percentage index changes for the entire data set (0.23%) was significantly greater than zero. January, July and November had mean monthly percentage changes which were significantly greater than the mean changes of the other months over the entire period. March, May and September had mean percentage changes significantly lower than the other months. We find that there is some periodicity to all commodities index. The mean of monthly commodities index changes during the Republican presidencies (0.08%) was significantly lower than the mean changes during the Democratic presidencies (0.38%) and so were the medians. We slice the entire data into three sub-periods. We find that though the means and medians have significantly increased over the three sub-periods, the standard deviations of the means have decreased. Granger causality tests reveal that while oil prices affected the all commodities index and the finished goods index, the causal relationship is not true the other way at the 99% significance level. The findings have implications for policy makers, analysts, investors, and manufacturers.Hamid, S. A., Dhakar, T. S., & Thirunnavukkarasu, A. (2006). The behavior of U.S. Producer Price Index: 1913 to 2004 (Working Paper No. 2006-04). Southern New Hampshire University, Center for Financial Studies

Assessment of DNA Damage in Peripheral Blood of Tobacco Users

The smokeless tobacco has a physical powerful association with the risk of oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, Oral squamous cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. ST components exhibit genotoxicity and may alter the structure of DNA, proteins and lipids, resulting in the production of antigenicity. Present study was carried out to investigate the effects of chewing tobacco (CT) with smoking on lymphocyte DNA damage. After signing a consent form, volunteers provided blood samples (76 samples from including experimental and control subjects) to establish SCGE (comet).  Statistically significant results were obtained in experimental subjects when compared to controls. However association found with smoking had significant effect, and it can induce maximum amount of DNA damage. The genotoxic effect of chewing tobacco (CT) should be considered in addition to other known hazards for assessing health risks

PUPAL EMERGENCE INHIBITION ACTIVITY OF ACALYPHA INDICA LEAF EXTRACT AGAINST DENGUE VECTOR, AEDES ALBOPICTUS MOSQUITO

Objective: To investigate the larvicidal activities of six varying extracts of Acalypha indica (A. indica) leaves from family Euphorbiaceae against the dengue mosquito vector, Aedesalbopictus (Ae. albopictus) in laboratory.Methods: Leaves from the study plants were separated, air dried in room temperature, grounded and extracted with different solvents (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, ethanol and aqueous) by solvent apparatus and aqueous extract by maceration method. The extra solvents were evaporated to obtain crude extracts by using rotary evaporator. The crude extracts of six different solvents were dissolved in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) to prepare test dosages of 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 ppm. Third instar larvae of Ae. albopictus were exposed to 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 ppm concentrations of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, ethanol and aqueous extracts of A. indica and compared with control to determine the larvicidal effects. Larval bioassays were carriedout according to World Health Organisation (WHO) procedures. The rate of larval mortality was recorded after 24h and 48 h of time exposure. Three duplicate trials were made for each tested dosage. IC50 and IC90 values were calculated by using probit analysis.Results: Based on probit analysis result the 24h and 48h LC50 and LC90 of petroleum ether extract of A. indica against Ae. albopictus was found to be 2805.43 ppm and 2376.11 ppm, 3825.14 ppm and 3327.8 ppm, respectively. An LC50 and LC90 value of chloroform extracts of A. indicaa gainst third instar larvae was found to be 2276.5 ppm and 4015.8 ppm (24h), 2213.36 ppm and 3430.43 ppm (48h), respectively. An LC50 value of 4472.17 ppm and 2469.61 ppm, and LC90 value of 4215.84 ppm was obtained on ethylacetate extract treatment against Ae. albopictus for 24h and 48h exposure, respectively. The 24h and 48 h LC50 and LC90 values of n-butanol extracts of A. indica was found to be 2777.88 ppm and 3628.19 ppm, 2225.61 ppm and 2518.86 ppm, respectively. In the present study, the larvicidal bioassays demonstrated that the n-butanolextract was most effective with 100% mortality against larvae of Ae. albopictus at 3000, 4000 and 5000 ppm compared to other extracts. All other extracts (petroleum ether, chloroform and ethyl acetate) of A. indica at high concentration (4000 ppm and 5000 ppm) manifested a significant (P<0.01 and 0.05) knock down effect of 100% moratality after 24h and 48h exposure. While the third instar lavae of Ae. albopictus were found to be most susceptabile and produced no mortality to ethanol and aqueous extract at varying parts per million. Conclusion: A. indica leaf extract was tested for the first time against dengue vector Ae. albopictus and the results revealed that A. indica can be used to control dengue vector. Further this extract needs to be evaluated under field conditions for proper exploitation of Ae. albopictus mosquito larvae. Thus, the present study provided a first report on A. indica as a prompting mosquito larvicidal activity and can be considered for further investiagtions such as formulation of bioinsecticides to control Ae. albopictus population

A COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH ON UNDERSTANDING STRUCTURAL INTERACTIONS OF ENVELOPE PROTEIN OF DENGUE VIRUS BOUND WITH SQUALENE, A PROTOTYPE ANTI-VIRAL COMPOUND

Objective: The objective of the work was to validate the structural binding affinity of Squalene with the envelope protein of Dengue virus by means of molecular simulations. Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) structure of dengue 2 virus envelope protein was retrieved from Protein Data Bank PDB and Squalene compound from the ZINC database. Molecular docking between the E protein and Squalene were carried out by means of Auto Dock 4.2. Results: Based on the study, it was observed that the binding/docking energy for the complex structure was calculated to be-5.55 kcal/mol. Critical residues to interact with E protein were scrutinized by analyzing the interface of the complex within 4 Å proximity. Residues such as Thr 48, Glu49, Ala 50, Val 130, Leu 135, Ser 186, Pro 187, Thr 189, Gly 190, Leu 191, Phe 193, Leu 198, Leu 207, Thr 268, Phe 279, Thr 280, Gly 281, His 282 and Leu 283 were found to be non-covalently located around the squalene. Conclusion: Scopes to design de novo anti-viral compounds to the dengue viruses by using squalene as a new class of template structure have also been concisely brought into fore

SURVEY, ISOLATION, BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION, AND IDENTIFICATION OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI FROM GASTRIC PATIENT BIOPSY

Objective: This study was to isolate and identify the Helicobacter pylori from the biopsy samples of the gastric patient.Methods: Gastric biopsies were collected from the antral region of the gastric patient. Out of 96 patients, 59 males and 37 females in the age group between 11 and 70 years old were selected. A serial dilution of the sample was made. The bacterial colonies were examined on the basis of Gram staining, colony morphology, and biochemical reactions such as catalase, urease, oxidase, nitrate reduction, glycine utilization, growth (different media, different temperature, and salt tolerance), and antibiotic sensitivityResult: From the findings, it was found that 75% (65% of male and 35% of female) have H. pylori infection remaining 25% were not infected. The rate of infection was found to be more in age group 55-65 and less in age group below 25. Among 75% of H. pylori infected patients, 72% are affected with ulcer, 19% with gastric cancer, and 8.3% found to be non-gastric inflammated. Gram staining result declared that the isolated bacteria from the biopsy sample observed to be Gram-negative, spiral shaped rod. Biochemical reports produced positive indication to all the tests.Conclusion: Based on the morphological, staining and biochemical test result, it was confirmed that the isolated bacteria was found to be H. pylori.Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related to death worldwide. In 1994, the international agencyfor research on cancer classified H. pylori as a Class I (definite) carcinogen, as H. pylori infection is considered as an important trigger in the processof carcinogenesis of both types of distal gastric cancer.Â

Fatal outcome of congenital aortopulmonary window with patent ductus arteriosus complicating pregnancy

Aortopulmonary window (APW) is a rare congenital heart defect with abnormal communication between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary trunk with two separate semilunar valves. We present an autopsy case report wherein a young primigravida woman presented with progressive breathlessness and central cyanosis at 21 weeks of gestation. Echocardiography performed in the emergency room revealed elevated right-sided cardiac pressures suggestive of severe pulmonary hypertension; however, no structural cardiac defect was discernible. The patient succumbed to congestive cardiac failure and progressive hypoxia within 5 days of hospitalization. The autopsy revealed a Type I aortopulmonary window (2 cm) with patent ductus arteriosus. The lungs showed changes of severe pulmonary hypertension with superadded bronchopneumonia. This report underscores a rare presentation of APW, undiagnosed until pregnancy, leading to the Eisenmenger syndrome and death