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Aravani as Citizen: The Forging of a Sexual Identity
Get PDFAravani is one of the transgender communities (male to female) in the state of Tamil Nadu who considers themselves as females trapped in male bodies. They are not mere cross dressers. Some of them undergo surgeries to realize their dream of becoming a complete female. They worship Aravana or Iravan, the son of Pandava prince Arjuna and Naga princess Ulupi. The Aravanis of Tamil Nadu identify themselves as the third gender like Eunuch, Hijra, Kinnar, Kothi, Shiv Shakthi and Jogappa communities in other parts of India. The Hijra population is the most visible transgender population in India. Much before the historic Supreme Court Verdict of 2014, Hijras were accepted as the third gender in India. While Hijras have mythological, religious, and cultural moorings, it is their search for social and political acceptance that this paper aims to study. Borrowing from mythology, the Tamil transgender community, Aravani, has attempted to carve out its own space within the LGBTQ spectrum. This paper examines the role of the Aravani movement in forging a sexual identity for transgender people and its impact and influence on promoting the rights of transgender people. Autobiographical records from the community and secondary sources with cultural, religious, and mythological references along with articles highlighting social and political developments were studied to map the journey towards a sexual identity. The primary texts used in this study are Our Lives Our Words and The Truth About Me
Differential Perspectives Between miRNA and lncRNA in Light of Biogenesis and Functions: A Review
Get PDFThe central dogma is suggested that deoxyribonucleic acid is translated into ribonucleic acid (RNA) and then into protein. It is considered that 2–3% of the genomic DNA in a functionally active cell, is transcribed to protein-coding RNA. The presence of noncoding transcripts has been neglected many a time as cellular DNA and transcript noises, however, increasing proof proposes that a very important part of these non-coding transcripts is functionally effective as RNA molecules. The non-coding transcripts of up to 100 bases are known as small non-coding RNA that comprises tRNA, miRNA, snoRNA, piwi-interacting RNA (pi-RNA), etc. Interestingly, rRNA features about 6.9 kb, though these are not considered long-non-coding RNAs. However, RNA molecules that are over 200 bases long (ranging between 0.8 to 10 kb) are known as long non-coding RNA (lncRNA). It does not have open reading frames (with some exceptions), 3`- untranslated regions (3’-UTRs), and these RNAs are devoid of any translation-termination regions. However, these may be capped, spliced, and polyadenylated as RNA molecules and play a major role in factor regulation, neoplastic cell invasion, chromatin granule transforming, and cell differentiation. Downregulation of lncRNA is responsible for numerous diseases in mammals. miRNAs are mature transcripts of 22 nt in length and function as antisense regulators of other RNAs. They play role in post-transcriptional factors and are involved in differentiation, proliferation, immune response, cell growth, and caspase-mediated cell death. Downregulation in miRNA expression has a necessary role in many diseases, together with cancers
Sterilize Methods Comparison for Soils: Cost, Time, and Efficiency
Get PDFSoil sterilization is generally used to eliminate or reduce microbial activity in studies involving microbial inoculations, soil enzymes, among others. Achieving an adequate sterility condition is not straightforward due to the variety of resistance structures that are generated in soil microbial ecosystems and the reservoirs that can form between soil aggregates. This is why finding an effective method to achieve good sterilization is important in methodological terms, so the present work aims to compare the effectiveness of three widely used methodologies to sterilize soil and to evaluate their cost/benefit in terms of time and inputs invested. Four treatments were tested: gamma irradiation, sterilization cycles at different times: three cycles of 1 h each and four cycles of 15 min each, and chloroform vapors. The evaluation and comparison of all samples sterilized by the different methodologies were based on the total aerobic heterotrophic bacterial count. The results of this study suggest that it is more efficient to use autoclaving methods because the process is more accessible in terms of equipment and methodologies, and the final results are the same. In the case of this work, sterilization with chloroform vapors had to be rejected. While the use of gamma radiation may be more efficient in terms of time, it can be a costly and inaccessible service for some laboratories that do not have the equipment. Therefore, the most viable options in terms of time, cost, and benefit are those using autoclaves. Among these, shorter treatment times mean a reduction in the cost of using the equipment, so the option of 15-minute cycles is desirable
Impact of Genotype × Environment Interaction on Seed Yield and Pod Shattering of Soybean Genotypes in Nigeria
Get PDFYield instability and pod shattering are the major problems associated with soybean production in Nigeria. To study Genotype × Environment interaction effects on seed yield and pod shattering behaviour of some soybean genotypes in Nigeria, an experiment was conducted in three (3) environments within the country. In each environment, the experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. During the harvest, pod shattering evaluation was conducted using the sun-dry method. Data were collected on seed yield and pod shattering percentage and analyzed using Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI) and Genotype plus Genotype × Environment Interaction (GGE) bi-plot analyses. Genotypes NCRI SOYAC18, NCRI SOYAC78, NCRI SOYAC9, NCRI SOYAC20, NCRI SOYAC61, NCRI SOYAC22, NCRI SOYAC28 and NCRI SOYAC76, with yields above 1.23 ton/ha recorded high and stable yield across environments. For pod shattering resistance, nine genotypes (NCRI SOYAC3, NCRI SOYAC69, NCRI SOYAC77, NCRI SOYAC29, NCRI SOYAC9, NCRI SOYAC7, NCRI SOYAC67, NCRI SOYAC76 and NCRI SOYAC22) had stable pod shattering resistance across environments. Therefore, only three genotypes (NCRI SOYAC9, NCRI SOYAC22, and NCRI SOYAC76) were stable in both high yield and resistance to pod shattering. Consequently, any soybean breeding programme that involves high yield and pod shattering resistance could consider these three genotypes
A Short Note on Scientific Research Methodologies
Get PDFScientific research methodologies are critical to the advancement of scientific knowledge and the development of new theories and concepts. Researchers use a variety of methodologies to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, and answer research questions. Understanding the different research methodologies available is essential for selecting the appropriate approach to address specific research questions. This article provides a comprehensive overview of scientific research methodologies, including experimental research, observational research, survey research, case study research, and correlational research
Predictors of Households’ Adoption of Gas Cooking Stove in Some Rural Communities of Abia and Ebonyi States, Southeast Nigeria
Get PDFThis paper aims at the factors that predict household’s adoption of gas cooking stoves in selected rural communities of Southeast Nigeria. Leaning on theories of Knowledge gap, Groupthink, Technological determinism and Innovation Diffusion, it explores the theme of adoption as a selective process while interrogating the idea of an energy ladder. The paper probes the factors that accentuate poor energy choices in the face of availability of the better domestic energy source, gas. Based on data from 600 respondents, 300 from each of the southeastern Nigeria states of Abia and Ebonyi, an ordinal regression in the form of a Generalized Linear Model was used to predict the proportional odds of the dependent ordinal variables. Parameter estimates of the regression model predicting ordinal likelihood (odds) of using cooking gas indicate that none of the categories underage bracket were significant. The odds of households with male heads having very high usage of cooking gas stove were 1.563 (95% CI, .882 to 1.830) times more than that of households with female heads. The odds are against larger households; households with heads that are of lower education levels; households that regularly cook with fuelwood and those with lower income. The study recommends advocacy to bridge the knowledge gap and a subsidization regime that can overcome the income challenge
Impact Performance Improvement of Multiscale Hybrid Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites with CNT
Get PDFImproving the interface properties of carbon nanotubes increases the mechanical performance of fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites. Studies on different fiber types and different polymer matrix materials present promising results in literature. The effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) additives on impact performance of fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites produced by vacuum infusion method and drop weight impact test applied. Glass and carbon 1 m2 fiber fabrics were divided into 9 equal square pieces and placed on top of each other to make them multi-layered structure. Fiber reinforcements were produced using vacuum infusion method with epoxy resin. 0.5% of the total composite weight was added to CNT with same production parameters and intraply hybrid composite containing glass, carbon and aramid fibers was also produced. Samples were produced from the composite plates and the drop weight impact test was performed with 50 J impact energy in accordance with ASTM D7136 standard. While this increase could be observed in glass fiber and carbon fiber reinforced composites, the impact energy absorption performance in carbon fiber reinforced composite increased more than 100%. CNT increased the impact performance of multi-layer fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites
Determination of Heavy Metals in Root and Shoot of Durum Wheat, Plant Soil: Translocation and Bioaccumulation Factor
Get PDFHeavy metals are uptake by the soil, transfer and accumulate in the various parts of durum wheat plant. The exposure of wheat crops to heavy metals poses threat to their physiological growth and human health through consumption. The study aimed at finding the concentration of heavy metals in durum wheat varieties, transfer and bioaccumulation ability, and effect of organic and conventional farming on heavy metals. The wheat samples (under organic and conventional farming) were randomly sampled at tillering, jointing, and grain filling stage. They were digested with ultra-microwave and analyzed with inductively coupled plasma. The results showed that Zn emerged as the highest concentration in the soil, root, and shoot of all wheat samples and mostly followed by Cr, Cu, Pb, and Cd. With few instances, an order of Cu>Zn>Cd>Cr>Pb>As translocation and accumulation was observed. Statistical study (α .05 and CI of 95%) revealed conventional farming increased heavy metals in the soil. Therefore, organic farming should be adopted to prevent heavy metal contamination of wheat plants and higher food chain
An Introduction to Electromyography Signal Processing and Machine Learning for Pattern Recognition: A Brief Overview
Get PDFElectromyography (EMG) is about studying electrical signals from muscles and can provide a wealth of information on the function, contraction, and activity of your muscles. In the field of EMG pattern recognition, these signals are used to identify and categorize patterns linked to muscle activity. Various machine learning (ML) methods are used for this purpose. Successful detection of these patterns depends on using effective signal-processing techniques. It is crucial to reduce noise in EMG for accurate and meaningful information about muscle activity, improving signal quality for precise assessments. ML tools such as SVMs, neural networks, KNNs, and decision trees play a crucial role in sorting out complex EMG signals for different pattern recognition tasks. Clustering algorithms also help analyze and interpret muscle activity. EMG and ML find diverse uses in rehabilitation, prosthetics, and human-computer interfaces, though real-time applications come with challenges. They bring significant changes to prosthetic control, human-computer interfaces, and rehabilitation, playing a vital role in pattern recognition. They make prosthetic control more intuitive by understanding user intent from muscle signals, enhance human-computer interaction with responsive interfaces, and support personalized rehabilitation for those with motor impairments. The combination of EMG and ML opens doors for further research into understanding muscle behavior, improving feature extraction, and advancing classification algorithms
Solution Methods for Nonlinear Ordinary Differential Equations Using Lie Symmetry Groups
Get PDFFor formulating mathematical models, engineering problems and physical problems, Nonlinear ordinary differential equations(NODEs) are used widely. Nevertheless, explicit solutions can be obtained for very few NODEs, due to lack of techniques to obtain explicit solutions. Therefore methods to obtain approximate solution for NODEs are used widely. Although symmetry groups of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) can be used to obtain exact solutions however, these techniques are not widely used. The purpose of this paper is to present applications of Lie symmetry groups to obtain exact solutions of NODEs . In this paper we connect different methods,theorems and definitions of Lie symmetry groups from different references and we solve first order and second order NODEs. In this analysis three different methods are used to obtain exact solutions of NODEs. Using applications of these symmetry methods, drawbacks and advantages of these different symmetry methods are discussed and some examples have been illustrated graphically. Focus is first placed on discussing about the notion of symmetry groups of the ODEs. Focus is then changed to apply them to find general solutions for NODEs under three different methods. First we find suitable change of variables that convert given first order NODE into variable separable form using these symmetry groups. As another method to find general solutions for first order NODEs, we find particular type of solution curves called invariant solution curves under Lie symmetry groups and we use these invariant solution curves to obtain the general solutions. We find general solutions for the second order NODEs by reducing their order to first order using Lie symmetry groups