304 research outputs found
From non-Brahmin priests of the goddess to ascetics of god Mahima Alekha
No full textThis article deals with Mahima Dharma a contemporary vernacular ascetic religion of Odisha/Eastern India displaying a rich diversity in its regional configurations. In this paper the author proposes to look at the main protagonists of the religion, the ascetics (babas), as non-Brahmin priests, who have incorporated shakti, the power of local goddesses into their disciplined bodies and in doing so have transformed the feminine element of the Hindu belief into the belief of the indescribable and abstract god Alekha. Mahima Dharma is seen in this contribution as a sort of micro structure on the one hand of popular asceticism in rural India and on the other hand as a recent religious reform movement integrating local non-Brahmin priesthood and the local belief in goddesses into the mainstream of the male Hindu pantheon. This article draws on the author's PhD fieldwork research (1999-2002), published in 2002 as a monograph (Guzy 2002)
sj-docx-1-irp-10.1177_26334895231189197 - Supplemental material for Educators’ experiences and reflections on the implementation of evidence-based practices for autistic students in public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textSupplemental material, sj-docx-1-irp-10.1177_26334895231189197 for Educators’ experiences and reflections on the implementation of evidence-based practices for autistic students in public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic by Alyssa M. Hernandez, Olivia Michael, Gabriella Canning, Mahima Joshi, Anthony Osuna and Jill Locke in Implementation Research and Practice</p
MM4Drone: A Multi-spectral Image and mmWave Radar Approach for Identifying Mosquito Breeding Grounds via Aerial Drones
No full textMosquitoes spread diseases such as Dengue and Zika that affect a significant portion of the world population. One approach to hamper the spread of the diseases is to identify the mosquitoes' breeding places. Recent studies use drones to detect breeding sites, due to their low cost and flexibility. In this paper, we investigate the applicability of drone-based multi-spectral imagery and mmWave radios to discover breeding habitats. Our approach is based on the detection of water bodies. We introduce our Faster R-CNN-MSWD, an extended version of the Faster R-CNN object detection network, which can be used to identify water retention areas in both urban and rural settings using multi-spectral images. We also show promising results for estimating extreme shallow water depth using drone-based multi-spectral images. Further, we present an approach to detect water with mmWave radios from drones. Finally, we emphasize the importance of fusing the data of the two sensors and outline future research directions
Responsible leadership development: gender, diversity and the route to the top
No full textIn Chapter 18, Dr Mahima Mitra, Dr Andromachi Athanasopoulou, Professor Sue Dopson and Professor Michael Smets address the need to create a more representative group of leaders. They accordingly focus on areas like gender and ethnicity in charting a route to the top. In this respect, they examine institutional and individual barriers to a more diverse and responsible leadership. They consider how existing evidence suggests that these can be overcome in generating a series of principles for future responsible leadership development. As such, they deepen our understanding of inclusivity in exercising responsible leadership in fulfillment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
sj-pdf-1-ajl-10.1177_15598276221087624 – Supplemental material for Dietary Interventions to Treat Type 2 Diabetes in Adults with a Goal of Remission: An Expert Consensus Statement from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine
No full textSupplemental material, sj-pdf-1-ajl-10.1177_15598276221087624 for Dietary Interventions to Treat Type 2 Diabetes in Adults with a Goal of Remission: An Expert Consensus Statement from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine by Richard M. Rosenfeld, John H. Kelly, Monica Agarwal, Karen Aspry, Ted Barnett, Brenda C. Davis, Denise Fields, Trudy Gaillard, Mahima Gulati, George E. Guthrie, Denee J. Moore, Gunadhar Panigrahi, Amy Rothberg, Deepa V. Sannidhi, Lorraine Weatherspoon, Kaitlyn Pauly and Micaela C. Karlsen in American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine</p
sj-pdf-2-ajl-10.1177_15598276221087624 – Supplemental material for Dietary Interventions to Treat Type 2 Diabetes in Adults with a Goal of Remission: An Expert Consensus Statement from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine
No full textSupplemental material, sj-pdf-2-ajl-10.1177_15598276221087624 for Dietary Interventions to Treat Type 2 Diabetes in Adults with a Goal of Remission: An Expert Consensus Statement from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine by Richard M. Rosenfeld, John H. Kelly, Monica Agarwal, Karen Aspry, Ted Barnett, Brenda C. Davis, Denise Fields, Trudy Gaillard, Mahima Gulati, George E. Guthrie, Denee J. Moore, Gunadhar Panigrahi, Amy Rothberg, Deepa V. Sannidhi, Lorraine Weatherspoon, Kaitlyn Pauly and Micaela C. Karlsen in American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine</p
Influence of protein damage and proteasome gene expression in longevity of recalcitrant Madhuca latifolia Roxb. seeds
No full textEnhanced cellular damage during desiccation is considered to be one of the key factors limiting vigour and viability of seeds. The uncontrolled accumulation of reactive oxygen species and resultant damaging reactions such as the oxidation of lipids and DNA in desiccating seeds of Madhuca latifolia (Roxb.) J. F. Macbr. has already been well characterized. However, hydrolytic and (or) oxidative damage to proteins requires further study. This study investigated the desiccation-induced oxidative damage to proteins and proteolytic systems in recalcitrant M. latifolia seeds during ambient storage. Seeds experienced a significant drop in seed water content [ca. 1.32 to ca. 0.23 g·(g dry mass)−1] during storage resulting in complete loss of viability after 35 days of storage. A considerable decline in total protein content (3.0–3.6 fold) and activity (4.8–13.8 fold) in the gene expressions of proteasome subunits (α, β, and E2) were recorded in the embryonic axis of desiccating M. latifolia seeds. In contrast, increases in the level of protein carbonyls (2.46 fold), hydroperoxides (2.31 fold), malondialdehyde- and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-protein adducts (1.8 and 3.9 fold), and Amadori and Maillard reaction products, along with proteases (14.5–30.4 fold) were observed in desiccating M. latifolia seeds. This study revealed that increased oxidation/modification of proteins and proteasome dysfunction are involved in the deterioration of desiccating M. latifolia seeds.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author
An Experience Sampling Analysis of Fatigue and Inhibition at Work
No full textLittle is known about the psychological process level underpinnings of executive self-regulation in the workplace. Inhibition is a self-regulatory executive function that enables suppression of prepotent but inappropriate thought and action. In a first attempt to uncover the workings of executive self-regulation in the workplace, this study examined the influence of cognitive fatigue on the ability to inhibit extraneous thought and inappropriate behaviors at work. Working from the literature in executive functions, effort-recovery, and depletion models of self-regulation, it was expected that cognitive fatigue would be associated with compromised inhibitory performance, manifested in greater rates of mind-wandering and increased workplace incivility. Further, it was expected that fatigue would mediate the relationship between recovery experiences and inhibition. Using dense experience sampling method, 63 full-time workers completed multiple momentary pseudo-random assessments of cognitive fatigue, mind-wandering, and inhibition, along with daily reports of incivility, previous night\u27s psychological detachment, and sleep difficulties for a period of two work-weeks. Inhibition was assessed using performance on the Stroop task within the ESM framework. Results using hierarchical linear modeling provided partial support for the hypotheses. Cognitive fatigue was found to be associated with greater rates of mind-wandering and increased workplace incivility. Support was not found for the direct relationship between fatigue and inhibition. Support was also not found for the mediating relationships. In addition, post-hoc analysis revealed the phenomenology of mind-wandering and self-control at work. The overall pattern of findings is discussed based on current theoretical models. The limitations of the study and implications for research in I-O and general psychology have also been discussed
Evaluation and Production of Bacosides from Selected Clones of Bacopa Monnieri (L.) Wettst.
No full textPHD,DBTPlant derived natural products represent some of the most important pharmaceuticals available today. However, uncertainty regarding the commercial supply due to the limited availability of many plants in nature has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the use of natural products. Plant cell suspension culture capable of large scale industrial production of such pharmaceutically important molecules is the alternative which promises sustained and assured supply of these important molecules. Hairy roots induced following infection with Agrobacterium rhizogenes are capable of unlimited growth in culture in the absence of plant growth regulator and exhibit higher potential for the production of secondary metabolite production. The objectives of the present study were to select elite clones of B. monnieri, investigate the production of ‘bacoside A’ using cell suspension cultures and hairy root cultures and finally enhancing the production of ‘bacoside A’ of cell suspension cultures and hairy root cultures.
Fourteen accessions of B. monnieri (BM1- BM14) collected from different locations across India were maintained in nursery at Thapar University. Variation in the content of ‘bacoside A’ and biomass per plant in fourteen accessions of B. monnieri were studied during the different seasons of the year. Maximum biomass accumulation and ‘bacoside A’ contents were recorded in the samples processed in summer (June) in all the accessions and minimum biomass and ‘bacoside A’ content was recorded in winter (December). Amongst accessions, BM1 and BM7 recorded higher biomass accumulation, ‘bacoside A’ content, Relative growth rate (RGR) and Harvest Index (HI). These parameters showed minimum values in accession BM14. Molecular diversity was then investigated amongst these accessions using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR). About, 35 % variations were detected in these populations based on combined data of RAPD and ISSR. Clustering based on molecular marker data grouped these accessions into two major groups and placed accession BM14 as an out group. Maximum shoot organogenic potential was observed in accession BM6 and maximum rooting potential was observed in accessions BM1, BM2, BM7, BM10 and BM14. Based on in vitro morphogenetic response, ‘bacoside A’ content and growth, accession BM6 was selected for the studies of cell suspension and hairy root cultures. Cell suspension cultures established on MS medium supplemented with α-Napthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 5.0 µM and Kinetin (KIN) at 1.15 µM showed maximum cell growth and levels of ‘bacoside A’. Hairy roots induced by strain MTCC 2364 showed higher biomass accumulation and 'bacoside A' content by five-folds. Further, attempts were made to optimize growth and production of ‘bacoside A’ using cell suspension and hairy root cultures for commercial supply. Optimization of conditions for ‘bacoside A’ production was explored using conventional method (one-variable-at-a-time approach) and statistical method (Response surface methodology, RSM). Optimization of medium components using RSM leads to around two-fold increment in biomass accumulation and levels of ‘bacoside A’. The current study uncovered several aspects of the strategies for the conservation of this medicinally important herb and increased the ‘bacoside A’ production using cell suspension and hairy root cultures. These have the potential of up-scaling in the bioreactors for the production of ‘bacoside A’. Thus can be helpful to reduce the pressure on the wild populations.DB
PEDOT Membranes as Electrically Tuneable Barriers for Nicotine Delivery
No full textFull text is available to authenticated members of The University of Auckland only.Introduction: Tobacco smoking is a major public health concern and is the number one cause of disease and preventable death worldwide. Nicotine replacement therapy is widely available to promote smoking cessation; however, these treatments do not achieve the high levels of nicotine in the body required to satisfy acute cravings. There is a requirement to develop new drug delivery systems with the ability to titrate doses of nicotine during acute cravings. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is an electroactive polymer with properties that can be modified using electrical stimuli which can be used as membranes for on-demand drug release. We hypothesise that changes in the flux of nicotine (MW-162.2 Da) through PEDOT membranes can be achieved upon electrical stimulation. In the future these membranes could form a central component of an implantable delivery system for on-demand release of nicotine. To further explore the ability of PEDOT to act as electrically tuneable rate controlling membrane, we also investigated the flux of different drug molecules with larger size, dexamethasone phosphate (MW-516.4 Da) and lactoferrin (MW-80 kDa). Aims: To prepare free standing, mechanically robust and reversibly electroactive PEDOT membranes by vacuum vapour phase polymerisation. To explore the potential of these PEDOT membranes to act as electrically tuneable barriers to nicotine flux. In addition to nicotine, the flux of larger molecules such as dexamethasone phosphate and lactoferrin through PEDOT membranes with and without electrical stimulation was also explored. Methods: Variations in vacuum vapour phase polymerisation conditions were investigated and optimised to obtain free standing, mechanically robust and electroactive PEDOT membranes. These membranes were characterised by cyclic voltammetry to determine reversible electroactivity, optical profilometry to measure thickness, four-point probe conductivity meter to measure conductivity, texture analyser to determine mechanical robustness, scanning electron microscopy for surface morphology and infrared spectroscopy to investigate intermolecular interactions. The flux of three different drugs through PEDOT membranes was investigated with and without electrical stimulation using a customised Franz cell setup with 3D printed donor compartments. Results and Discussion: PEDOT membranes were successfully prepared which were suitable to act as free-standing rate controlling membranes with a thickness of 1.66 ± 0.06 μm, high conductivity of 1550 ± 60 S/cm, reversible electroactivity and mechanical strength of 29.35 ± 3.25 N/mm2. Scanning electron microscopy of the PEDOT membranes demonstrated a smooth and uniform surface. The flux of nicotine through PEDOT membranes could not be controlled by electrical stimulation (two tailed t-tes,t p>0.05) which can be attributed to the small size and permeable nature of nicotine. Meanwhile, lactoferrin, the largest molecule tested was unable to pass through the PEDOT membrane. However, the flux of dexamethasone phosphate could be electrically controlled through PEDOT membranes, the highest rate of flux (6.64 ± 2.94 mg/cm2/h) was achieved when PEDOT was maintained in the oxidised state in comparison to no electrical stimulation (4.42 ± 0.84 mg/cm2/h) (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Vacuum vapour phase polymerisation is an appropriate route to prepare mechanically robust and electroactive PEDOT membranes. While the flux of nicotine could not be controlled through the PEDOT membranes, due to small size and high permeability, these membranes did function as electrically tuneable barriers to dexamethasone phosphate flux. In the future PEDOT membranes such as these could form a central component of implantable delivery systems for on-demand release of drugs of appropriate size where dosing can be controlled by electrical stimuli
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