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THE QUEST FOR INTELLECTUAL AND EXISTENTIAL FREEDOM IN J.M. COETZEE’S “THE MASTER OF PETERSBURG” AND “ELIZABETH COSTELLO”: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Get PDFThis paper presents a comparative analysis of intellectual and existential freedom in J.M. Coetzee’s novels The Master of Petersburg and Elizabeth Costello. Coetzee’s protagonists grapple with the complexities of freedom as it intersects with personal grief, moral obligation, and the limits of societal norms. In The Master of Petersburg, the narrative centers on a writer’s confrontation with loss and authority in a politically repressive setting, revealing how the pursuit of autonomy is constrained by both external power and internal conflict. Elizabeth Costello, by contrast, interrogates intellectual freedom through the protagonist’s philosophical and ethical challenges, particularly concerning the writer’s responsibility to society versus individual expression. By comparing these works, this study reveals Coetzee’s layered approach to freedom, highlighting the paradoxes and responsibilities inherent in the quest for both personal and artistic liberation. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of Coetzee’s exploration of freedom and morality, offering insights into the broader implications of narrative ethics within modern literature
Enhanced Antimicrobial Effect of Biosurfactant Coated Copper Nanoparticles against Selected Plant Pathogens
Get PDFDue to their therapeutic and antibacterial uses, copper nanoparticles have gained popularity in antibacterial research. Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are becoming a more accessible and reasonably priced medical tool. When coated with the correct surfactant, copper nanoparticles are recognised for their antibacterial and other therapeutic qualities. Two biosurfactants, which are synthesised using ascorbic acid and obtained from culture broth from specific bacterial isolates A. xylosoxidans (P5C) and P. aeruginosa (P11), were employed in this work as capping agents for the coating of CuNps. The synthesised copper nanoparticles were characterised by UV visible spectroscopy, which showed an absorption peak at 222 nm. FT-IR analysis revealed that copper oxides (CuO) were present in each of the samples that were being examined. The zeta potential of CuO+P5C NPs is -24.1 mV, whereas that of CuO+P11 NPs is -12.1 mV, indicating the stability of the synthesised particles. The TEM and SEM examinations revealed that the irregularly sized particles had a spherical shape. An EDX analysis revealed that the sample had higher oxygen and copper. In a similar vein, morphological analysis was finished. Both types of CuNPs have shown good antimicrobial activity against the selected plant strains with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 125 μg/ml concentration
A Corpus-based Study of Downtoners – slightly and somewhat – as Hedging Devices in Indian English
Get PDFLinguistically, hedges are considered as rhetorical devices that make utterances fuzzier or less fuzzy. In other words, they are understatements that convey purposive tentativeness and vagueness and possibly reduce the risk of negation. Downtoners are considered as one of the most important hedging devices. One of the successful domains of corpus linguistics is in the analysis of contextual variations of lexis. Such analyses of language variation and lexicography through corpus linguistics can be more reliably compared to intuitive studies of applied linguistics. This study seeks to analyze and understand the variations found in the use of two near synonymous hedging expressions – slightly and somewhat – based on the data from Kolhapur Corpus. It begins with a simplistic comparison of frequencies and dispersions of these two downtoners based on their occurrences in the Brown Corpus, the LOB Corpus and the Kolhapur Corpus. In the second stage, based on the retrieval of all instances of slightly and somewhat from the Kolhapur Corpus of Indian English, they are analyzed in terms of the lexical items they have modified, the word classes they have represented, and the medium and register of those instances. Finally, this study seeks to determine how these two expressions differ and the external and internal factors that influence the choice of a hedging device
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL CORRELATES OF CHANTING VISHNU SAHASRANAMAM: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS
Get PDFThe goal of this study is to understand the neuropsychological and emotional effects of chanting Vishnu Sahasranamam, an utmost revered Hindu mantra in middle aged adults. The goals are to determine whether such practice improves the brain's activity as well as emotional regulation and cognitive performance, focusing less on anxiety reduction, stress management, and possible benefits of mindfulness. A qualitative methodology was used for the study and in depth semi structured interviews were done with people who participate in chanting (for a long time) quite often. Personal accounts of emotional well-being, cognitive change and mindfulness experience are identified as essential data points, all of which were analysed by Thematic Analysis. The research looks into the psychological metrics such as anxiety and emotional regulation and provide a deep insight into the relationship between the concepts of spiritual practices and modern psychology theories. The findings show that repeated reading of Vishnu Sahasranamam impacts positively the level of anxiety and stress and improves mindfulness and emotional resilience. The participants reported a better cognitive clarity and a sense of clear mind, which further promotes overall mental wellness. It emphasizes the possibility of including some ancient spiritual practices into the modern psychological interventions, a bridge between historical emotional management practices and the present mental health services. These results suggest important future work to determine how such spiritual practices can be therapeutic for the purpose of psychological wellbeing
Studies on the Application of Leaf Isolates of Lactic Acid Bacteria as PGPR
Get PDFThe rhizosphere of a plant contains microorganisms that can be called plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), which play a crucial role in promoting plant growth and development. The beneficial effects of these bacteria on plant growth can be direct or indirect. The benefits provided by these bacteria can include increased nutrient availability, phytohormone production, and protection against several phytopathogens. PGPR has become an important strategy in sustainable agriculture due to the possibility of reducing synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, promoting plant growth, and enhancing soil quality. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are ubiquitous, Gram-positive, catalase-negative, and facultative aerophilic microorganisms. They are commonly found in a wide range of environments including food-rich environments, decaying plants, milk products, the human gut, vaginal flora, and on the skin of various living organisms. Their applications are seen in food fermentation, food preservation, the pharmaceutical industry, and dietary supplements. In addition, their presence in the rhizosphere expands their application as PGPR. The LAB isolated from soil and plant parts shows significant production of phytohormones like indole acetic acid, gibberellic acid, etc. They also show antimicrobial activity against phytopathogens. Their ability to fix nitrogen, iron chelation, phosphate solubilization, and ammonia production makes them the PGPR. In this paper, the PGPR characteristics of LAB and other reported PGPR are compared
Evaluation of Organic and Inorganic Amendments on Soil Physicochemical Properties in Soybean (Glycine max L.) Cultivation
Get PDFSoil health is a fundamental determinant of crop productivity. Deterioration of its physical properties led to depletion of soil fertility which are the main constrains in food and environment security (Titirmare et al., 2023). Experimental Design used for the study was CRBD (Complete Randomize Block Design) with three replications of each treatment. Ten different treatments involved in the study were T1 Control (Recommended dose of fertilizers) T2 (50% NPK + Vermicompost), T3(50% NPK + Farm yard manure, T4 (50% NPK + Rhizobium japonicum), T5 (50% NPK + PSB (phosphate solubilizing bacteria), T6(50% NPK + Mycorrhiza, T7(50% NPK + 25% Vermicompost +25% Farm yard manure), T8(50% NPK + 25% Rhizobium japonicum + 25% PSB + 25% Mycorrhiza), T9(50% NPK + 25% Vermicompost +25% Farm yard manure + 25% Rhizobium japonicum), T10(20% Chicken manure +20% Farm yard manure + 20% Rhizobium japonicum + 20% PSB + 20% Mycorrhiza). The result indicate that the lowest bulk density (1.27 mg/m3) was observed in the T2 (50% NPK+ Vermicompost). Organic content was highest (0.38%) in treatment T2 (50% NPK+ Vermicompost and T7 (50% NPK + 25% Vermicompost +25% Farm yard manure).Result indicate that the lowest bulk density (1.27 mg/m3) was observe in T2 (50% NPK+ Vermicompost) treatment. Organic content was highest (0.38%) in treatments with T2 (50% NPK+ Vermicompost) and T7 (50% NPK+ 25% Vermicompost + 25% FYM). Lowest soil pH (7.22pH) was observed in 50% NPK+ Vermicompost and T7 (50% NPK+ 25% Vermicompost + 25% FYM). Electrical conductivity significantly decreased after soybean harvest across all the treatment, which was recorded lowest in T10 (20% Chicken manure +20% Farm yard manure + 20% Rhizobium japonicum + 20% PSB + 20% Mycorrhiza). The study showed that, using organic and inorganic in integrated form is an alternative system for the sustainable and cost-effective management of soil health without affecting environment
A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF CARDIOTOXICITY WITH DOXORUBICIN AND TRASTUZUMAB IN BREAST CANCER HER-2 POSITIVE PATIENTS
Get PDFBackground: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cause of mortality for women worldwide, and its prevalence is rising in emerging countries. The widespread availability of numerous drugs that target the HER2 receptor has led to improvements in survival rates for patients with Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer over the past few decades.Aim: To study the cardiotoxicity associated with the use of doxorubicin and trastuzumab in HER-2 positive breast cancer patients, a retrospective analysis.Methodology: A retrospective analysis, Patients were screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The self-designed and validated questionnaire was used to assess the cardiotoxicity with doxorubicin and trastuzumab in breast cancer HER-2 positive patients. Collected data was tabulated and interpreted using statistical software.Results: Upon reviewing demographic data from 117 subjects, it was noted that breast cancer is most prevalent among individuals over 65 years old, with 51 (40.51%) subjects, significant at p=0.03436. All subjects in the study were female except one male. A higher proportion of subjects with a BMI of 30-34 kg/m2 were reported, with 53 (45.20%) subjects, significant at p=0.04131. Among social habits, regular smokers were found to be at a higher risk of breast cancer, significant at p=0.02115. Late menopause was associated with increased risk, with 54 (48%) subjects, significant at p=0.03887. The assessment of cardiotoxicity with doxorubicin pre- and post-therapy using ejection fraction (EF) was statistically analyzed with a p-value of 0.000017. Trastuzumab at a dose of 2mg/kg showed an EF assessment of 0.2035, statistically insignificant for cardiotoxicity. However, at a dose of 8mg/kg, trastuzumab showed a statistically significant EF assessment of 0.000018.Conclusion: This study found that breast cancer is common among older individuals, those with higher BMI, lower socioeconomic status, service workers, late menopause, and regular tobacco users. Trastuzumab at 2mg/kg showed no cardiotoxicity, while both trastuzumab at 8mg/kg and doxorubicin exhibited similar cardiotoxicity effects, with more deaths associated with doxorubicin. Therefore, trastuzumab at a lower dose appears to be effective and safe
AEROMYCOLOGICAL INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY OF K.T.S. GENERAL HOSPITAL GONDIA, (MAHARASHTRA) INDIA
Get PDFFungal spores in indoor air may come from outdoor by ventilation or they may originate within (Kukreja et. al., 2014). When these spores get favorable conditions they proliferate and cause the deterioration. An aeromycological study verifies the presence and quantifies the concentration of fungal propagules in the air. It is very important in the hospital setting because of the increasing numbers of immune suppressed and severely ill patients (Waghare et al., 2016) .The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of fungi in the air of the different sections like Outdoor Patient Department (O.P.D) Operation Theater (O.T.) and General Ward Section, of K.T.S General Hospital Gondia.The total 1349 colonies were trapped from feb.2023 to Jan 2024 by exposure petriplate method. Out of 1349 colonies, total 508 colonies found in O.P.D, 481 colonies found in General ward and 360 colonies found in Operation Theater of hospital. The maximum fungal spores were recorded in O.P.D. section followed by general ward while minimum fungal spores seen in Operation Theater of K.T.S General hospital Gondia. Total 6990 CFUs/m3 are observed by Hi- media air sampler method. There was 2575 CFUs/m3 found in O.P.D. section while 2370 CFUs/m3 in General Ward and 2045 CFUs/m3 O.T.section. Fungi found in indoor environment of hospital are Aspergillus, Cercospora, Mucor, Penicillium, Rhizoctina, Cladosporium, Rhizopus and Alternaria
Systematic Investigation of Algal Diversity of a Perennial Lake of Bamanwada Village, Chandrapur District, Maharashtra
Get PDFInventory of biodiversity of each and every habitat is very essential to understand the species diversity and their exact distribution. A scientific investigation was carried out for a period of two consecutive years from 2020 to 2022 in order to enumerate the algal diversity of a perennial lake situated at Bamanwada village. During the study, a total of 64 taxa of phytoplanktons have been isolated from the lake. All the taxa isolated during the investigation have been properly identified and classified with the help of standard literature, and are presented here along with their microphotographs.Among the isolated taxa, two are the new reports for India, seven are new reports for the state and sixteen are reported first time from the district
BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITIES AND ITS DIVERSITY IN TAMASI LAKE, TEHSIL- BHADRAVATI, DISTRICT-CHANDRAPUR(M.S.)
Get PDFBenthic macroinvertebrates are a bioindicator forevaluating overall health of aquatic ecosystem and the quality of water. Change in environmental factors reflected in the structure of benthic macroinvertebrate community. Study was carried out during May 2022 to April 2023 at Tamsi Lake Tahsil- Bhadravati District – Chandrapur. In presentinvestigation total of 23 macroinvertebrates species were recorded and identified, belonging to 11Order from all the study sites. Benthic population size and distribution were showing spatial effect. Climatic effect has shown a considerable difference in the number of benthic communities. In comparison to the dry season, more individuals were seen during the wet season. The Hemiptera family species of macroinvertebrates showed their maximum appearance, followed by Diptera, Coleoptera and Gastropoda. Less number of animals representing the order Ephemeroptera, Tubificida and Glossiphoniiformes were identified. When compared the presence of bioindicator species at the majority of sampling sites, the Benthic community of Tamasi lake shows tolerant species. This indicates the existence of pollution and hence is likely to undergo environmental stress