bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary testicular osteosarcoma
Authors: Resorlu Berkan , Onem Kadir , Germiyanoglu Rustu Cankon
Published: June 2018

Primary testicular osteosarcoma is an extremely rare type of malignant tumor, and to our knowledge, only two other cases have previously been reported in the medical literature. A 63-year-old man, who presented with a large painless left inguinal and scrotal mass, underwent radical orchiectomy. Pathological examination was suggestive of testiscular osteosarcoma. The patient received no adjuvant therapy and after 12 months of follow-up, the patient remains free of disease.
Risk factors for urethral stricture and/or bladder neck contracture after monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Grechenkov Anton , Sukhanov Roman , Bezrukov Eugene , Butnaru Denis , Barbagli Guido , Vasyutin Igor , Tivtikyan Alexander , Rapoport Leonid , Alyaev Yury , Glybochko Peter
Published: June 2018

Objective:

To identify risk factors for urethral stricture and/or bladder neck contracture after transurethral resection of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Materials and methods:

We performed a retrospective analysis of 402 patients, which underwent a monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate in the urology clinic of Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University for prostatic hyperplasia during the period 2011–2014. Urethral stricture and (or) bladder neck contracture in the postoperative period were diagnosed in 61 (15.27%) patients; 34 patients (8.6%) had urethral stricture, 20 (4.97%) bladder neck contracture, and 7 (1.7%) had a combination of urethral stricture and bladder neck contracture. In 341 of cases (84.73%), no late postoperative complications were observed. A total of 106 of the 341 patients met the inclusion criteria, hence, containing all the information necessary for analysis such as the volume of the prostate, the duration of the surgery, the size of the endoscope, data on concomitant diseases, analysis prostatic secretion, and so on. Thus, two groups were formed. Group 1 (106 patients) is the control group in which urethral strictures and/or bladder neck contractures did not occur in the long-term postoperative period and group 2 (61 patients), in which was observed the formation of these complications. To calculate the statistical significance of the differences for categorical data, Fisher criterion was used. For quantitative variables, in the case of normal data distribution, an unpaired t-test or one-way analysis of variance was used; for data having a distribution different from normal, a Mann–Whitney rank test was used.

Results:

Regression analysis established the significance of the influence of four factors on the development of scar-sclerotic changes of urethra and bladder neck: the tool diameter 27 Fr ( p < 0.0001), presence of prostatitis in past medical history ( p < 0.0001), prostate volume ( p = 0.003), and redraining of the bladder ( p = 0.0162).

Conclusion:

The relationship between the diameter of the instrument, presence of chronic prostatitis in anamnesis, increased volume of the prostate, and repeated drainage of the bladder using the urethral catheter with the risk of developing scar-sclerotic changes in the urethra and/or bladder neck are statistically reliable and confirmed as a result of regression analysis.
Contrived Competition and Manufactured Uncertainty: Understanding Managerial Job Insecurity Narratives in Large Corporations
Authors: Hassard John , Morris Jonathan
Published: June 2018

The article addresses the debate over insecurity and precarity in managerial work. It notes while some commentators suggest advanced economies are characterized by managerial job insecurity, others argue the same economies possess stable managerial tenure rates. To make sense of this conundrum, qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with managers working in large corporations in liberal-market (USA, UK) and coordinated-market (Japan) societies are analysed. The aim is to assess whether sensitivity to managerial job insecurity is widespread and if so reflects wider corporate strategies of ‘contrived competition’ and ‘manufactured uncertainty’. It is argued such notions can influence managers’ understanding of their work situation through (re)producing narratives of employment precarity. Contrary to the message from many database and questionnaire studies, evidence from this international and longitudinal study suggests awareness of job insecurity is indeed widespread and does affect managers’ views of their employment situation and prospects.
Class and Precarity: An Unhappy Coupling in China’s Working Class Formation
Authors: Smith Chris , Pun Ngai
Published: June 2018

In refuting Guy Standing’s precariat as a class, we highlight that employment situation, worker identity and legal rights are mistakenly taken as theoretical components of class formation. Returning to theories of class we use Dahrendorf’s reading of Marx where three components of classes, the objective, the subjective and political struggle, are used to define the current formation of the working class in China. Class is not defined by status, identity or legal rights, but location in the sphere of production embedded within conflictual capital–labour relations. By engaging with the heated debates on the rise of a new working class in China, we argue that the blending of employment situation and rights in the West with the idea of precarity of migrant workers in China is misleading. Deconstructing the relationship between class and precarity, what we see as an unhappy coupling, is central to the article.
Error compensation in the five-axis flank milling of thin-walled workpieces
Authors: Si Hao , Wang Liping
Published: June 2018

Five-axis flank milling is the most commonly used processing method in the aviation industry for the machining of thin-walled parts with complex ruled surfaces. During machining, the tool/workpiece deformations caused by the cutting force often lead to surface errors on the machined components that severely affect the accuracy of the machining results. This article presents an iterative compensation strategy to reduce the tool/workpiece deformation-induced surface error during the five-axis flank milling of thin-walled workpieces by modifying the tool tip position and tool axis orientation. This approach can be implemented in four steps. First, a highly integrated cutter-workpiece engagement extraction method is developed for the construction of a flexible cutting force model that can follow changes in the process geometry. Second, the tool/workpiece deformations are predicted by the cantilever beam model and finite element model, respectively. Third, an off-line error compensation scheme is performed at each cutting location of the tool path to obtain the modified tool position. Fourth, the machined surface of the workpiece model is reconstructed, and the compensated machining code, which can be used directly for actual machining, is generated. A case study is presented at the end of this article, and the effectiveness of the present compensation strategy is verified by machining experiments.
Minimum drag and heating 0.3-caliber projectile nose geometry
Authors: Ölçmen Semih M , Cheng Gary C , Branam Richard , Jones Stanley E
Published: June 2018

Understanding the performance of penetrators and aerodynamic bodies of revolution (missiles, rockets, aircraft noses, etc.) requires a close look at the drag and the heat transfer characteristics at a wide range of supersonic flight conditions. This research utilizes computational study and compares the aerothermal loads of supersonic flows around a new penetrator geometry, derived based on the optimization of the nose factor, to those of other common projectile shapes: conical, tangent-ogive, and power series nose geometries. The abundance of research on 0.3-caliber projectile made the choice for this research simple in order to maximize our ability to compare to the existing data. The comparison of our 0.3 caliber cylindrical projectile with other geometries shows that within the range of 500–1500 m/s flight speed the new geometry has the lowest aerodynamic drag, lowest body temperature, and least amount of heating.
Disseminated mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium kansasii in a pot-bellied pig
Authors: Schafbuch Ryan , Tinkler Stacy , Lim Chee Kin , Wolking Rebecca , Ramos-Vara José
Published: June 2018

A 1.5-y-old spayed female Juliana pot-bellied pig was presented to the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a history of wasting and anorexia. Enlarged and partially mineralized lymph nodes were identified on radiographs and computed tomography scan. Generalized lymphadenomegaly and disseminated nodules in the lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys were identified on postmortem examination. Histologic examination revealed caseonecrotic granulomas with numerous intracellular, acid-fast bacilli. Mycobacterium kansasii type II was identified as the etiologic agent by PCR amplification using universal Mycobacterium primers, direct sequencing of the PCR amplicon, and comparison to sequences in GenBank. We describe a case in a pot-bellied pig of mycobacteriosis caused by an atypical mycobacterial species and highlight the important role of laboratory testing in suspected cases of tuberculosis.
Geographical mapping of visitor flow in tourism
Authors: Cvelbar Ljubica Knezevic , Mayr Mojca , Vavpotic Damjan
Published: June 2018

The available technology enables us to access a large amount of data shared by tourists on tourism web platforms. Such data include the exact geographical location visited, the time of a visit, and the identifier of a visitor. This article aims to identify the visitor flows in the North East Adriatic region. Visitor flows are groups of repetitive movements of visitors through the geographical space within a certain travel. We identified 31 groups of strategic visitor flows between 188 destinations in the region. The proposed methodological approach is unique and had not been used in this context before. By connecting new approaches in destination management and economic planning, we aim to improve the theoretical and practical knowledge in this field.
Reconsumption reconsidered
Authors: Cervellon Marie-Cécile , Brown Stephen
Published: June 2018

Reconsumption refers to the act of rereading books, rewatching movies, revisiting places and re-experiencing hedonic experiences more generally. In a retrospective consumer culture, replete with prequels, sequels, reboots and rereleases, there is considerable scope for expansion. This article reconsiders the reconsumption concept. Based on an in-depth, 3-year study of neo-burlesquers in France, it reveals that reconsumption is evident in a communal context; that the concept is applicable to sequels not just re-experienced originals; that it holds good when ‘post-phenomenological’ research methods are employed; and that nostalgia is its driving force.
Evaluation of bridge support condition using bridge responses
Authors: Park Young-Soo , Kim Sehoon , Kim Namgyu , Lee Jong-Jae
Published: June 2018

This article presents a method for evaluating the support condition of bridges. This is done by representing the aging and deteriorated supports as rotation springs with equivalent spring constants. Sensitivity analysis was performed to obtain a relationship between the spring constant and the bridge responses (deflections/slopes). From this relationship, measured bridge responses can be used to estimate the equivalent spring constants through interpolation. Numerical analysis was performed to check whether the method can be used to calculate equivalent spring constants. Then, the method was verified by performing laboratory tests on a scale model bridge and field test on an actual bridge. In both tests, spring constants were estimated using the proposed method and then verified by calculating the displacements and frequencies and comparing them to the measured values.
‘Seeing’ gender, war and terror
Authors: Walklate Sandra
Published: June 2018

This article explores the questions posed for criminology when war and terror are seen through a gendered lens. Following Barberet this lens demands blurring the boundaries between peace-time, war-time and post-conflict situations. These boundaries frame the nomos of criminology and once challenged the connections to be made between the ‘callousness’ of femicide and the ‘callousness’ of environmental destruction are exposed. Using photographs as the vehicle through which such a challenge can be maintained, the gendered analysis that follows poses conceptual and methodological questions for the discipline which ultimately demands a reimagining of the contribution of criminology and victimology to understanding gendered violence(s).
Hypoxia inducible factor 2α (HIF2α/EPAS1) is associated with development of pulmonary hypertension in severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia patients
Authors: Huang Yadi , Boerema‐de Munck Anne , Buscop‐van Kempen Marjon , Sluiter Ilona , de Krijger Ronald , Tibboel Dick , Rottier Robbert J.
Published: June 2018

We show that hypoxia inducible factor 2α (HIF2α) is highly expressed in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH). HIF2α is expressed in every patient with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, while only half of the controls express HIF2α. Our data suggest that HIF2α is a link between hypoxia and the development of PH.
A potent tetravalent T-cell–engaging bispecific antibody against CD33 in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Hoseini Sayed Shahabuddin , Guo Hongfen , Wu Zhihao , Hatano Miho Nakajima , Cheung Nai-Kong V.
Published: June 2018

Key Points

A tetravalent BsAb against CD33 treated AML human xenografts despite CD33 internalization. BsAb with bivalent versus monolavent binding to CD33 and CD3 had more than 10-fold greater potency against leukemia.
Severe Paediatric Asthma Collaborative in Europe (SPACE): protocol for a European registry
Authors: Liu Norrice M. , van Aalderen Wim , Carlsen Karin C.L. , Coleman Courtney , Chalmers James D. , Cunningham Steve , Fernandes Ricardo M. , Fleming Louise J. , Gappa Monika , Karadag Bülent , Midulla Fabio , Pijnenburg Marielle W.H. , Rutjes Niels W. , Rusconi Franca , Grigg Jonathan
Published: June 2018

The development of new asthma biologics and receptor blockers for the treatment of paediatric severe asthma raises challenges. It is unclear whether there are sufficient children in Europe to recruit into randomised placebo-controlled trials to establish efficacy and safety in this age group.

In February 2016, the European Respiratory Society funded a clinical research collaboration entitled “Severe Paediatric Asthma Collaborative in Europe” (SPACE). We now report the SPACE protocol for a prospective pan-European observational study of paediatric severe asthma. Inclusion criteria are: 1) age 6–17 years, 2) severe asthma managed at a specialised centre for ≥6 months, 3)clinical and spirometry evidence of asthma, and 4) reaching a pre-defined treatment threshold. The exclusion criterion is the presence of conditions which mimic asthma symptoms. Eligible children will be prospectively recruited into a registry, recording demographics, comorbidities, quality of life, family history, neonatal history, smoking history, asthma background, investigations, and treatment. Follow-up will provide longitudinal data on asthma control and treatment changes.

The SPACE registry, by identifying well-phenotyped children eligible for clinical trials, and the amount of overlap in eligibility criteria, will inform the design of European trials in paediatric severe asthma, and facilitate observational research where data from single centres are limited.
Study of Two-Dimensional, all – Time Dispersion of a Solute in a Fluid – Saturated Porous Medium
Authors: S Pranesh
Published: June 2018

The paper presents the mathematical formulation which describes the dispersion of solute in a laminar flow in a sparsely packed porous medium. The effect of interphase mass transfer on dispersion in a unidirectional flow through a horizontally extent of infinite porous channel is examined using the generalized dispersion model of Sankarasubramanian and Gill. The model brings into focus three important coefficients namely the exchange coefficient, the convection coefficient and the dispersion coefficient. The time-dependent dispersion coefficient and mean concentration distribution are computed and results are represented graphically. The problem finds many applications in waste water management, in chromatography and in biomechanical problems.
Climate Change Analysis using Satellite Data
Authors: Balakrishnan Manikiam Kamsali Nagaraja
Published: June 2018

Recent times have witnessed increasing impact of industrialization and urban growth on environment. In addition, the potential climate changes and possible adverse impacts on the economy and society at large are causing concern. In India, one of the major concerns is the variability of monsoon rainfall and effects on agriculture and water management. The various parameters associated with environment and climate change need to be monitored and analyzed. The effects of global warming on the Indian subcontinent vary from the submergence of low-lying islands, frequent flooding, coastal degradation and melting of glaciers in the Indian Himalayas. Indian satellites INSAT and IRS launched in early 1980s heralded the era of Space observations. The IRS satellites are providing observations of parameters such as land use/cover, forest, water bodies, crops etc. while INSAT provides quantitative products such as Cloud Motion Vectors (CMVs), Quantitative Precipitation Estimates (QPEs), Outgoing Long-wave Radiation (OLR), Vertical Temperature Profiles (VTPRs), Sea Surface Temperature. The satellite data is operationally used for generating long term database on vegetation, soil condition, rainfall, groundwater etc.. Some of the unique studies are Biosphere Reserve Monitoring, Mapping of
Molecular Iodine Catalysed One Pot Synthesis of Spirooxindoles by Tandem Knoevenagel Cyclisation
Authors: Anitha Varghese Aatika Nizam
Published: June 2018

Spirooxindoles are heterocycles found in various natural and synthetic products with potent bio-, physio-, and pharmaceutical activities. Heterocyclic fused phthalazines possess   antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, anti- inflammatory, and cardiotonic activities. Hence, an efficient multi-component method has been developed for the synthesis of pyrazolophthalazinyl spirooxindoles through tandem Knoevenagel cyclisation from isatin, malononitrile and various phthalhydrazides in presence of readily available molecular iodine as a catalyst in ethanol solvent under ultrasonic condition to afford the products in very good yield within 15 mins. The method is simple, efficient, uses readily available commercial starting materials and gives good yield of product in short reaction time.
Medicines to Prevent the Effects of Age
Authors: George Jose
Published: June 2018

The Indian system of medicine classifies panacea (herbal plants) into different classes according to their supposed action on different organs of the body or on particular symptoms of diseases. Charaka had divided medicines into fifty classes and had given the names of some medicinal plants which are useful to prevent the effects of age. Almost all human beings are anxious about their ageing and the problems allied to it and would be glad to retain youthfulness. This article introduces certain herbal plants and their use as a tonic or as a medicine for various diseases. They can be used as a panacea or in combination with other drugs. I. Asparagus racemosus (Willd)
Editorial
Authors: Veliyanoor Paulson V
Published: June 2018

Editorial
Freedom and Determinism
Authors: Gowramma Y S
Published: June 2018

'Freedom and Determinism' is a conflicting postulate with reference to the nature of human conduct. Is man free or is everything determined? Freedom is a matter of choice based on rationality, intelligence and knowledge. Moral freedom implies both choice and responsibility. ­Man is morally good because, he enjoys freedom which makes life meaningful. So, freedom and social responsibility go hand in hand. Determinists argue that free will is impossible and preceding causes necessitate everything. Naturalistic determinists consider man a part of causal chain. His actions are determined by antecedent causes. Hence, man is an 'instrumental cause. Theistic Determinists trace man's actions to God's controlling hand. Hard-determinists believe that determinism is true and moral responsibility is an illusion. So, determinism is incompatible with free will and moral responsibility. They interpret freedom as the 'Liberty of indifference.' In the opinion of soft determinists, determinism is true but man can make choices, which are the effects of certain antecedent events. So, freedom and determinism are compatible and interpret freedom as the 'Liberty of Spontaneity'. According to libertarians, determinism is false, freedom is possible and man is morally responsible for his actions. Freedom and determinism, being an ethical problem sometimes seems to deny each other and some other times seem to co-inhere in our life. The paper argues that freedom, however limited it may be, is a 'fact' of experience while, determinism is mostly a matter of 'faith', and whether to accept the fact or the faith, depends on one's individual choice and belief. Both represent different attitudes of man. So, the key is more 'attitudinal' than 'conceptual'.
Psycho Social Services for Stroke Patients and their Families: Some Observations
Authors: Prakashi Rajaram
Published: June 2018

Stroke is the most common cause of Neurological Disability in the adult patients. Once a stroke has occurred, the patient and his/ her family are usually confronted with drastic changes in their life style. Stroke brings many adjustment problems and warrants many sacrifices from the family and patients. In addition to medical treatment, the patients and the family members are found to be in need of a wide variety of psychosocial services. The present article brings out the observations and insights of the author, based on her clinical and research experience in neurological setting.
"Female Body Concerns in Health Research: A Feminist Psychological Perspective "
Authors: Thomas Tissy Mariam
Published: June 2018

The biological model in health research is biased to women issues by minimizing them into anatomical and physiological factors. As one critical article put it 'women are studied for what distinguishes them from men their breast-and genitals"[Meyerowitz and Hart,7993]. The paper presents a critical review of strands of health research and feminist psychology, which have drawn upon biological concepts (eg,hormones) and processes (eg, reproduction) to account for perceived tigender differences in health research. The overemphasis of biological dimension of gender differences is analysed with the background of philosophical assumptions of health research. The social construction of gender bias in eating disorders is also explored in the later section of the paper. Thus the paper attempts to bring the attention of health researchers to the problem of endorsing stereotypical accounts of women gender in health research and neglecting social, discursive practices, which define femininities.
"Social Profile of Indian Physicians "
Authors: C Somashekar
Published: June 2018

This paper describes the social profile of 200 physicians, practicing medical profession in Bangalore City of the State of Karnataka. The paper explores the personal, family and educational background of the physicians. This would enable us not only to have a social profile of the medical practitioners in the social system, but may also be of relevance in explaining their professional performance. An important finding of the study reveals that the proportion of those coming from higher social origins being marginally higher at 55 percent. It could be indicating to a trend in which the share of less privileged in higher ranking professions is on the rise. An attempt is made to understand the implications of social origin for other traits. The findings reveal that social origin varies significantly with rural urban background, basis for medical education, age at thinking of medical professions and educational grades of the physicians. However, it varies independent of gender, age and educational achievements of the physicians studied.
"Environmentalism and Forest Rights of Tribals in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada Districts of Karnataka "
Authors: MK Hareesha , Rani Midatala
Published: June 2018

Reservation of forests and direct channelisation of natural resources to meet the commercial demands of market from British period has degraded forests in Western Ghats. It has badly affected the livelihood of tribals. They are facing threat to their economic, social and cultural life. Tribals are also treated as encroachers and given notices to vacate the forests. In response environmental and tribal movements emerged. They have demanded recorded rights over land and forest resources. The Forest Rights Act-2006 gives some relief to tribals.
"Women, Violence and Education: A Case Study of Esfahan Province, Iran "
Authors: Iravani` Mohammad Reza
Published: June 2018

In the developing countries, women generally have fewer shares in worker organizations. Even when women join the syndicates, they rarely get the high positions as in management. Employers have extremely limited women's access to development. They (employers] usually complain about women absenting from work due to their pregnancy and delivery. They claim that they have suffered costs such as paid leave during their pregnancy or after delivery, and replacement of other workers for them is so difficult and does not have that productivity. Usually, they believe, women are less productive because of their home responsibilities. Another factor that affects the public employment is the age structure, migration, pregnancy rate, population growth, and worker-supply level. However, economic, social, cultural, and political factors affect women's employment for more than population growth factor. War-time and early revolution economic depression brought about changes in the economic system of the country and resulted in transitions in the work market. These transitions and economic depression seriously limited industrial production and productive employment where women's employment was quantitatively and qualitatively affected.
"Emotional Intelligence of Adolescence in Relation to Self Concept "
Authors: Koneri Roopmala
Published: June 2018

Emotional Intelligence is one of the latest "buzz word" in organizations and has created great interest in researchers, educators and mental health professionals. Emotional Intelligence is what gives a person competitive edge. Building once Emotional Intelligence has lifelong impact. . It helps us to appreciate our daily encounter with ourselves and others. It is largely influenced by ones self-concept. The main objectives of the study are to find out whether there is significant relationship exists between self concept and Emotional Intelligence of adolescence. Sample of 800 students studying in X standard of Bangalore urban and rural schools were selected using random sampling technique. It is found that there is significant relationship between self concept and Emotional Intelligence of adolescents.
"Consciousness of Yoga in Reducing Stress among Adolescents "
Authors: R Victor Samson
Published: June 2018

In spite of extensive research all over the globe, decreasing quality of life, increasing health hazards, social unrest, student unrest, etc. are all different expressions of stress. Selye and Levi (1975) defined "stress as a nonspecific, conventional and phylogenetic basic response pattern, the primary function of which is to prepare the body for physical activity such as resistance or flight". Stanley Hall describes the period of adolescence as "a period of great stress and strain, storm and strife." Developmentally, adolescents are not initially too capable of handling much stress in their lives and it affects their academic and personal life. But, more & more researches reveal that yoga is an important tool for reduction of stress. With special concern it is helping teenagers in dealing with stress and thus is one of the foremost objectives of Yoga. In this aspect there is a need to create consciousness of Yoga to reduce stress during adolescence in academic and personal life among adolescents. Secondary physical education teachers have to take initiatives in imparting and practicing yoga in school, in addition a separate Yoga subject can be incorporated at secondary level; supportively suitable curriculum should be structured by the concerned organization in the view of adolescent-student to help them in reducing anxiety and stress.
Editorial Team
Authors: Issue Editor Editor
Published: June 2018

Editorial Team, Artha-Journal of Social Sciences, Christ University
Mother, I want to marry her, but only if you wish”: A Case of Visual Analysis to Understand Families in Contemporary Kerala
Authors: Shiju Joseph , Sasidharan T , Maya Menon
Published: June 2018

The study suggests looking into culturally sensitive datasources like popular films that open a window into thesocial psyche. As an illustrative case, the climax sequenceof a popular Malayalam film Aniyathipravu is analyzedusing the method of visual analysis. The analysis isguided by the hermeneutic approach of psychoanalysisand by inputs from evolutionary psychology. Theanalysis attempts to explore the aspects of individuationof the son, female identity formation and the familialconsequences of these aspects in the contemporarysociety. It reveals how the son is caught in theambivalence of wanting to be separate from his motherand to be dependent on her, and how the mother isevolved into the cultural stereotype of mother-in-law. Thestudy also shows that motherhood overshadows all otheraspects of the female identity in the contemporary society.Study has demonstrated the use of visual analysis tointerpret data from popular culture. It indicates the needto psychologically analyze family structure in thecontemporary society.
Paddy Cultivation in Kerala – Trends, Determinants and Effects on Food Security
Authors: N Karunakaran
Published: June 2018

The statistical profile of Kerala agriculture since 1960, clearly established the decrease in the area under paddy cultivation in the state. Time series analysis of acreage, production and productivity data of rice in Kerala during the five decades from 1960-61 to 2009-10 revealed the performance of this crop in terms of growth of area, production and productivity. The production of major food crop, rice, reached a negative growth rates due to the declining trend of their area. The diversification of crops in terms of variation in acreage allocation has taken place due to price and non-price factors like agro-climatic conditions, labour availability, irrigation facilities, soil fertility, cost of cultivation, price levels, profitability, mechanisation, etc. The change has taken place largely in favour of non-food crops and recently it is towards rubber. The real growth of agricultural crop output has declined continuously since 1960-61 compared to monetary growth, i. e, the growth in the value of agricultural crop output. Food security, particularly rice security is the vital issue for Kerala today. The data reveals that during 1960-61 Kerala had a shortage of rice of about 40.12 percent, which increased to 83.45 percent in 2009-10. The study clearly revealed the increasing demand for rice in Kerala in the coming years compared to the existing supply. This will enlarge the supply demand gap of rice in Kerala in the future years indicating a threat to food security bringing out a need for further increase in rice production in a sustainable way.Keywords: Kerala; Paddy cultivation; growth trend; overall growth; determinants; effects.
ULFA’s Xhunor Axom1 and Negation of the State
Authors: Das Bitasta
Published: June 2018

The people of Assam have been the worst sufferers as a result of the ongoing conflicts. Three decades of widespread human rights violation in the form of arrests, detention, killings and at times genocide have made life miserable for the democratic civilian population. As a result, over the years, various political and non-political organization, intellectuals and various cross sections of the civil society have been demanding for a political solution for the long standing arm conflict known as ―Indo Assam Conflict‖. (Borbora 2008:3).The people of Assam have been the worst sufferers as a result of the ongoing conflicts. Three decades of widespread human rights violation in the form of arrests, detention, killings and at times genocide have made life miserable for the democratic civilian population. As a result, over the years, various political and non-political organization, intellectuals and various cross sections of the civil society have been demanding for a political solution for the long standing arm conflict known as ―Indo Assam Conflict‖. (Borbora 2008:3).
Indented Identities: The Quandary of the Indian Woman
Authors: Kumar Shlok
Published: June 2018

Indian television has a come a long way since its humble beginnings. But while advancements are being made on the technical front, most soaps on Indian television lack realism and thrive by weaving new patterns on a tattered storyboard saturated in the tenebrous tar of patriarchy and superannuated social conventions. Television possesses the potency to mould public discourse on account of its pervasive- and invasive- nature. A vast majority of the public consumes entertainment proffered in the form of soap operas- which seem endearingly preoccupied with everyday concerns. Although the portrayal of women in Indian soaps has changed over the years, gender roles and behavioural patterns are influenced by a complex reworking of disempowering archetypes and stereotypes instilled in the public imagination by anintransigent, elite fraternity viciously dedicated to embracing overt aspects of modernity. In view of the largelydeprecatory portrayal of female characters, it is high time to interrogate the role of the soap opera in shaping the identity of women.Keywords: Television, women, identity, soap opera, audience
Learning and Study Strategies: Academic Achievement and Gender Differences
Authors: R Beena Daliya , Bhogle Sudha
Published: June 2018

To do well in school and for enhanced academic success, effective Learning and Study strategies are important. The objectives of this research work were to determine gender differences, if any, in Learning and Study strategies in high school students and to find the relationship between these strategies and Academic achievement. To do this, Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) - Weinstein & Palmer, (2002) was administered to a group of 684, 8th std., school students, of which 363 were boys and 321 were girls. These students were selected from private schools of Bangalore; all the 4 zones – north, south, east, and west - were represented. All the students chosen were studying the state syllabus. The results of the research indicate gender differences in the following strategies – processing of information, motivation and selection of main ideas. No gender differences emerged for Academic achievement. Further, academic achievement was found to be significantly related to levels of anxiety, attitude, concentration ability, selection of main ideas, effective time management and test taking strategies.Keywords: Learning strategies, Study strategies, Academic Achievement, Gender difference.
Eclectic Therapeutic Relationship with BPD Clients: Examining the Eclectic Therapeutic Relationship with Clients with Borderline Personality Disorder
Authors: Ninan Preethi Anne , Biswas Sudeshna
Published: June 2018

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) clients are characterised by behavioural symptoms of acts of deliberate self-harm, difficulty controlling anger, and instability in relationships, besides others. While specific therapies address specific problem behaviours, an integrated or eclectic approach enables clinicians to adopt a comprehensive therapy plan (Livesley, 2008). Since the therapeutic relationship with BPD clients is characterised by frequent ruptures and fluctuations, it is necessary to understand how the eclectic stance approaches the therapeutic relationship with BPD clients. This study explores these questions through in-depth interviews with seven self-identified eclectic therapists who have worked with BPD clients. Using Thematic Network Analysis, it was found from the interviews that eclectic therapists choose the stance because of the flexibility it offers them, and because of definite client and setting factors. This stance, they suggested, helps in mutual decision-making and leads the therapist to make constant adjustments to the client‘s level. The process of rapport-building was seen to be an on-going process, where the therapist acts as a facilitator, and often works against resisting traits of the clients. Therapists also talked about ruptures in the relationship due to certain factors and identified means through which these can be repaired. Finally, they identified their reactions to BPD clients as consisting of both positive reactions, and negative and unconscious reactions, which require monitoring. The results of this study yield an understanding about the reasons behind the decision to take an eclectic stance, and how it affects the therapeutic relationship. Keywords: Borderline personality disorder, Eclectic therapy, Therapeutic alliance.
Resilience among psychotherapists: Personal coping and environmental factors
Authors: Moosath Harishankar
Published: June 2018

This article explores the relationships between resilience and occupational stress among psychotherapists. Using a phenomenological paradigm, ten Psychotherapists in clinical practice were interviewed to explore the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that enable them to cope with stress as well as their perception of environmental factors that contribute to resilience. Thematic analysis was used to capture personal coping and environmental factors that contribute to resilience. The findings are discussed and implications for further research indicted.Keywords: Resilience, Coping with stress, Psychotherapists
Enhancing Math Learning Using Synchronous Online Teaching
Authors: Divakaran Anu
Published: June 2018

In today’s world, digital technology enables us to access knowledge from anywhere, anytime and learn at our pace. This online learning process when made interactive and collaborative can lead to effective learning. Synchronous online learning satisfies these requirements of online and distant learning with focus on the quality of instruction and how effectively learners are engaged. As the name implies, synchronous learning allows instruction and learning to happen in real-time, but not necessarily in the same place. It provides all the advantages of digital, online and distant learning with an added benefit of bringing human interaction to the learning environment which is not available in an asynchronous learning platform. This paper focuses on using synchronous learning environment to enhance mathematics learning. While an abundant source of materials are available online related to mathematics, support from the teacher is always an added advantage especially since mathematics includes problem-solving and logical reasoning. The students will remain engaged and motivated in a synchronous learning environment than in an asynchronous one since immediate feedback is highly appreciated by the students when faced with a critical and challenging concept. If both the teacher and the students are familiar with the use of the synchronous technology tools, synchronous learning can combine the benefits of both face-to-face and online digital learning while bringing the learners together through collaborative learning. Collaboration brings in new ideas and methods of learning. Hence it is inevitable that the present educators make use of this opportunity to humanize online and distant learning by familiarizing themselves with efficient tools and making use of the discoveries and inventions in the field of education, computer science, anthropology, and psychology. There are many tools and software packages available for implementing synchronous learning, and the choice depends on the type of interactions and the pedagogy preferred by the teacher.
Layered Language in Ayi Kwei Armah’s the Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born
Authors: V Shantha
Published: June 2018

Language is used by writers in multiple ways to effectively convey the writer’s vision. This paper explores the Ghanian novelist Ayi Kwei Armah’s novel The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Bornand its layered use of language. How effectively can the realist mode portray a sense of deep despair? What are the layered levels at which language and narration must function to achieve the wrenching impact the author seeks to impart? What visual imagery or symbolic language can a writer use to convey the unconveyable? How can such elements be woven seamlessly into a realistic narrative? This paper examines some of these questions, and attempts to unravel the multiple ways in which descriptive language, revolting metaphors and nauseating scatological imagery are employed in the text.
New Media Usage among School Children of Bangalore
Authors: Naresh Suparna
Published: June 2018

A study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation in the United States during the turn of the millennium showed that children in America spent almost five hours watching television and two hours in front of the computer. As recently as June 2010, the World Summit on Media for Children and Youth held in Karlstad, Sweden held sway on the topic- ‘Towards the new global vision for children, youth and media’. Alberto Pellai, the Summit keynote speaker (representing the department of Public Health at the University Degli Studi Di Milano, Italy) touched upon the need for media education emphasizing on media content that had to educate and help in the growth and development of children rather than mislead the beliefs and value system of children. Statistics reveal new media as being a strong contender for top spot of favoured past time among children. It no longer surprises people that the time spent by children on new media usage has tripled in the last ten years in the US (Kaiser Family Foundation report). Children in urban India from all accounts are no different from their American counterparts. This trend needs to be pondered, debated and questioned. The researcher would like to explore the different issues related to children and new media usage from an urban perspective since new media is more accessible to urban Indians for obvious reasons- finance, socio-cultural readiness towards new, innovative medium of communication (new media) and educational background. Through interactive sessions with school students, parents and teachers the researcher would like to find out- why children use new media, the content used by children, parent perception of new media usage by their children, teacher’s view on new media usage by students. According to Bagman, a popular blogger, there are two kinds of people, “Whenever there is a question of a new medium, there are those who are excited because of it and those who are wary of it.” The researcher too, through this paper, would like to know which way people in urban India are inclined.
Diffusion of News through Social Media with Reference to the Kiss of Love Movement on Facebook
Authors: P Rupa
Published: June 2018

Web 2.0 is an interactive medium that has paved the way for the democratization of news. News is no longer the domain of the elite who disseminate it to the masses via mass media. In the age of Web 2.0, where social media rules the roost, every individual is a content generator and a purveyor of information. News is now more viral than ever. Facebook with over a hundred million users in India is the most popular social networking site in India. People use Facebook to connect, like, share and comment on everything from politics to culture to religion and so on. They also use it to disseminate news that they connect with on a personal level; along with their opinions on the same. This way, they become creators and transmitters of information.The Kiss of Love movement is a non-violent protest against moral policing which began when a Facebook page called 'Kiss of love' asked the youth across Kerala to participate in a protest against moral policing on 2nd November, 2014, at Marine Drive, Cochin. The controversial movement has snowballed into a mass movement which has spread into other states. A campaign of this magnitude has been made possible due to viral diffusion of news, information and comments on Facebook. This study uses quantitative and qualitative tools to study the diffusion of news with regard to the Kiss of Love movement through Facebook in an attempt to shed more light on the diffusion process of information through social media.
Locating Bengaluru as India’s Silicon Valley
Authors: Kar Suparna Majumdar
Published: June 2018

Bengaluru is one of the fastest growing cities in India. This paper traces the emergence of Bengaluru as one of the leading hubs of Information and CommunicationTechnology as well as Research and Development in India. This is rooted in a complex combination of historical forces such as leadership during the colonial and post-independence periods, the influence of the city‟scolonial past, infrastructure development, as well as the impact of policy, and shifts in the same in independent India. Some of the more recent forces that have helped to shape the city have been the investment in educational and research institutions of high repute as well as in Public Sector Undertakings which resulted in the unique character of the city and its culture. These, along with a favourable policy climate, have been influential in the emergence of the city as a global leader in the field ofResearch and Development and Information Technology which has earned it its nickname of the „Silicon Valley of India‟