The Non-human, Haunting and the question of ‘Excess’ in Elizabeth Bowen’s ‘The Demon Lover’

Engaging with the new materialist views on death and life beyond anthropocentric views of self, this paper examines the ambiguities of conceptualizing the boundaries and relations between the human and the non-human. The non-human agency, by going beyond the limited cultural notions of subjectivity and ‘self,’ shows the possibility of an ‘other’ that though is entangled with the human self also offers an agentic capacity of its own. Therefore, by focusing on Rosi Braidotti’s views on new ways of conceptualizing death, of the necessity of accepting death as the pre-condition of our existence and part of the cycles of ‘becoming,’ the intra-actions between the human and the non-human, the self and the other, animate and the inanimate, the paper analyses how such an approach further opens up greater collaborative possibilities of thinking ‘life’. Exploring the entangled conceptual relations of human and non-human within a literary narrative and the ambiguities it poses concerning determining their boundaries, this paper will investigate the idea of haunting, the usage of memory and history, and the interconnectedness between the self and the other in Elizabeth Bowen’s well-known short story, ‘The Demon Lover’. In doing so, the paper shows how Bowen’s use of literary language itself generates the new materialistic concerns of the mesh of human-nonhuman entanglements. A close new materialist reading of the text, along with a thorough examination of the usage of excess, therefore illuminates not only newer ways of reading Bowen but also for examining the entanglements of human self and non-human other.&nbsp

Investigation of the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of complex lanthanide oxides

Complex lanthanide oxide systems are known to host novel phases of matter, while also providing functionality for practical applications. In this dissertation, the structural, magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of three families of lanthanide oxides have been studied with the dual aims of investigating the magnetic behaviour and identifying promising magnetic refrigerants for cooling to temperatures currently accessible using non-renewable liquid He. The thesis presents a two-part study of the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of the geometrically frustrated lanthanide garnets, where the magnetic $Ln^{3+}$ form corner-sharing triangles. First, the family of garnets $Ln_3A_2X_3$O$_{12}$, $Ln$ = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, $A$ = Ga, Sc, In, Te, $X$ = Ga, Al, Li are investigated. Changes to the single-ion anisotropy of the magnetic ion as well as variations in the chemical pressure radically alters the nature of magnetic ordering, the degree of frustration and the magnetocaloric performance. In the second part, the garnets $Ln_3A$Ga$_4$O$_{12}$, $Ln$ = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, $A$ = Cr, Mn, are studied. Introducing additional spins significantly reduces the frustration in the garnet lattice. Low temperature powder neutron diffraction of Ho$_3$MnGa$_4$O$_{12}$ reveals concomitant ordering of Ho$^{3+}$ and Mn$^{3+}$ moments below the ordering temperature, $T_N$ = 5.8 K. The magnetocaloric performance of $Ln$_3CrGa$_4$O$_{12}$, $Ln$ = Gd, Dy, Ho, greatly surpasses that of the parent $Ln_3$Ga$_5$O$_{12}$ at $T$ = 2 K. The final results chapters in the thesis describe the magnetism and magnetocaloric effect in the lanthanide orthoborates, $Ln$BO$_3$ , $Ln$ = Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and the lanthanide metaborates, $Ln$(BO$_2$)$_3$, $Ln$ = Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb. The magnetic $Ln^{3+}$ form slightly distorted edge-sharing triangular layers in $Ln$BO$_3$. Unique magnetic features are observed, including short-range ordering and spin reorientation transitions depending on the single-ion anisotropy of the $Ln^{3+}$. The $Ln$BO$_3$ are also efficient magnetocalorics in the liquid helium temperature range. The lanthanide metaborates contain one-dimensional chains of magnetic lanthanide ions. Bulk magnetic measurements show features consistent with low-dimensional magnetism, such as magnetisation plateaux at one-third of the saturation magnetisation for Nd(BO$_2$)$_3$ and Tb(BO$_2$)$_3$ in a field of 14 T. This thesis provides insight into the fundamental magnetic properties of complex lanthanide oxide systems and also demonstrates strategies for identifying new magnetocaloric materials: both through chemical control of the structure of well-known magnetocalorics and by studying materials that have not been explored previously. The results pave the way for further in-depth investigations and finding new magnetic coolants based on complex lanthanide oxide systems.Winton Programme for the Physics of Sustainabilit

The consumption of garlic as a preventive measure against the development of metabolic disorders

Garlic is a perennial medicinal plant which is commonly used as a household spice. The medicinal use of garlic back to historical times and it was used to build stamina, treat diarrhea, to cure intestinal diseases, to treat headache, flu, sore throat and many more. Another form of processed garlic, black garlic, is a newer form of garlic and can be called as a functional food. Black garlic has a black colour, sweet taste, and absence of pungent odour. S-allyl cysteine (SAC) has been found to be one of the most predominant antioxidants presents in black garlic. The black colour of black garlic is due to the presence of the anti-oxidant Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). The functional properties of garlic are due to the presence of organosulfur compounds namely allin, allicin (diallyl thiosulfonate), diallyl trisulfide (DATS), allylproplyl disulfide, ajoene, vinyldithiins, S-allylcysteine (SAC), S-allylmercaptocysteine. Due to the presence of these organosulfur compounds, garlic plays a major role in the treatment and prevention of various metabolic disorders like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and cancer. This literature review reveals the effect of garlic over the prevention and health promotion for several metabolic disorders. &nbsp

Predicting the Growth of Two-Dimensional Nanostructures

The ability to predict the morphology of crystals formed by chemical reactions is of fundamental importance for the shape-controlled synthesis of nanostructures. Based on the atomistic mechanism for crystal growth under different driving forces, we have developed morphology diagrams to predict regimes for the growth of two-dimensional crystals. By using controlled reactions for crystal growth in the absence of surfactants/capping agents, we demonstrate the validity of this approach for the formation of 2-D structures of Au, Ag, Pt, Pd and hydroxyapatite.Comment: 31 pages, 10 figure

A Review on Role of Different Adipokines in Gestational Diabetes

Adipokines are cell-signaling molecules produced by the adipose tissue that play functional roles in energy or metabolic status of the body, inflammation, obesity, gestational diabetes etc. Adipokines come in several forms, including adiponectin, leptin, chemeein, resistin, and nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase. The hormone adiponectin is primarily recognised for its anti- inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties. Through its anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and antioxidant properties, the adipocyte-secreted hormone adiponectin regulates lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, blood sugar levels, and adipocyte function. The hormone leptin, which is released from adipose tissue (body fat), aids the body in long-term maintenance of a healthy weight. In order to prevent the body from producing the hunger response when it doesn't need energy. White adipocytes release resistin, a hormone high in cysteine. Insulin resistance is influenced by resistin. Adipocytes secrete a protein called chemerin, which has endocrine functions in metabolism and immunity as well as autocrine/paracrine effects on adipose formation and function. Due to significantly greater oestrogen levels, there is an increase in insulin sensitivity in the first and second trimesters. Increased insulin resistance and decreased sensitivity are caused by a number of antagonistic hormones, particularly placental lactogen, leptin, progesterone, prolactin, and cortisol in the late second and early third trimester. In addition to outlining their mechanisms of action in the development of gestational diabetes, this review paper attempts to summarise the functions of adipokines in the induction of insulin resistance during pregnancy

In situ observation of the magnetocaloric effect through neutron diffraction in the Tb(DCO2)3Tb(DCO_2)_3 and TbODCO3TbODCO_3 frameworks

Probing the magnetic structure of magnetocaloric materials in applied fields, can reveal detailed insight into the mechanism of magnetic refrigeration thereby linking the magnetic states that form under applied magnetic fields to changes in magnetic entropy. This study probes the long range magnetic order in $Tb(DCO_2)_3$ and $TbODCO_3$ as a function of temperature and applied magnetic field, through neutron diffraction measurements. A triangular Ising antiferromagnetic phase is formed, in small applied magnetic fields in $Tb(DCO_2)_3$, a spin flip transition occurs to a simple ferromagnetic structure in higher applied fields. $TbODCO_3$ undergoes a phase transition, in applied fields, into two magnetic phases; namely a buckled chain ferromagnetic phase along the b-axis and a canted antiferromagnetic phase, with a ferromagnetic component along c-axis. Both of the states observed in $TbODCO_3$ are consistent with Ising-like anisotropy previously reported in $TbODCO_3$ and the coexistance of these is likely the result of applying a magnetic field to a powdered sample

Inhibition of NO2, PGE2, TNF-α, and iNOS EXpression by Shorea robusta L.: An Ethnomedicine Used for Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activity

This paper is an attempt to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and the possible mechanism of action of tender leaf extracts of Shorea robusta, traditionally used in ailments related to inflammation. The acetic-acid-induced writhing and tail flick tests were carried out for analgesic activity, while the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in carrageenan-and dextran- induced paw edema and cotton-pellet-induced granuloma model. The acetic-acid-induced vascular permeability, erythrocyte membrane stabilization, release of proinflammatory mediators (nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2), and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukins-1β and -6) from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human monocytic cell lines were assessed to understand the mechanism of action. The results revealed that both aqueous and methanol extract (400 mg/kg) caused significant reduction of writhing and tail flick, paw edema, granuloma tissue formation (P < 0.01), vascular permeability, and membrane stabilization. Interestingly, the aqueous extract at 40 μg/mL significantly inhibited the production of NO and release of PGE2, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Chemically the extract contains flavonoids and triterpenes and toxicity study showed that the extract is safe. Thus, our study validated the scientific rationale of ethnomedicinal use of S. robusta and unveils its mechanism of action. However, chronic toxicological studies with active constituents are needed before its use

Strain coupling and acoustic attenuation associated with glassy magnetic phase transitions in the disordered double perovskite La2FeMnO6

Elastic and anelastic anomalies in a ceramic sample of La2FeMnO6 have been characterized by resonant ultrasound spectroscopy in order to understand the strength and form of magnetoelastic coupling that accompanies the glassy magnetic transitions of a double perovskite with no long-range order of the B-site cations. The first transition, to a cluster glass below ∼280K, does not appear to involve any significant coupling with strain. The second glassy transition, near 55 K, appears to conform to Vogel-Fulcher dynamics in which magnetic dissipation and acoustic loss peaks arise from freezing driven by interactions between ferromagnetic clusters, with an activation energy of ∼0.03eV and time constant τo∼10−9s. The magnetoelastic coupling mechanism appears to involve local spin states with strain relaxation enhanced by changes in local electronic structure. Mediation of the coupling via strain also ensures that local heterogeneity in the strain state, such as at ferroelastic twin walls, will contribute to the magnetic heterogeneity of these materials