ABSTRACT The Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin had given a variety of concepts to appreciate and analyze a novel. In this study, there is an attempt to apply the Bakhtinian intellectual tool of polyphony to unearth the deeper layers of Khaled Hosseini’s novel The Kite Runner. We argue that the novel is polyphonic through and through since it reverberates with multiple voices of various characters, and the novel’s narrative structure also supports this multiplicity of viewpoints. The novel defies the traditional path of having the final word from the author or the narrator. In many situations, the narrator’s voice struggles and fumbles with confusion, but the voices of some of the characters come up clearly and remain firm on certain aspects. This paper will provide a systematic exposition and an analysis of the novel The Kite Runner from the Bakhtinian lens to appreciate the anti-authorial mode where pluralism (polyphony) is celebrated. study Hosseinis Hosseini s novels viewpoints narrator situations narrators confusion aspects antiauthorial anti authorial (polyphony celebrated

RESUMO Mikhail Bakhtin, filósofo Russo, nos forneceu uma variedade de conceitos para apreciar e analisar um romance. Este estudo é uma tentativa de explorar os níveis mais profundos do romance O caçador de pipas, de Khaled Hosseini, usando a ferramenta intelectual bakhtiniana da polifonia. Afirmamos que o romance é polifônico, pois está repleto de vozes de inúmeros personagens, e seu enquadramento narrativo acentua ainda mais essa diversidade de perspectivas. O romance desafia a sabedoria convencional que afirma que o autor ou narrador sempre tem a última palavra. Embora a voz do narrador vacile e tropece em muitas cenas confusas, as vozes de alguns personagens emergem e permanecem firmes em alguns casos. Este artigo oferecerá uma exposição e análise metódica do livro O caçador de pipas sob a perspectiva do Bakhtinismo, a fim de reconhecer o estilo antiautoral que celebra o pluralismo (polifonia). Bakhtin Russo Hosseini polifonia polifônico perspectivas palavra confusas casos Bakhtinismo . (polifonia) (polifonia

In 2015, a Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of the Gauteng provincial legislature, South Africa, introduced the "Classroom of the Future" programme in previously disadvantaged schools, allowing an integration of information and communication technology into classrooms. In this article we focus on the sustainability of ICT in these schools. We regard sustainability as meeting one's needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The sample constituted 18 participants from 6 disadvantaged schools in the Classroom of the Future initiative. Semi-structured face-to-face and telephonic interviews were employed for data collection. Our results show that ineffective teacher professional development for ICT, and inconsistent and timeous service delivery from the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) technicians/teacher trainers were a major deterrent to effective ICT implementation. Additionally, the phasing-in approach to the rollout of ICT was a serious challenge to ICT sustainability in schools. We recommend improved teacher professional development initiatives pertaining to ICT to be instituted in schools where heads of departmenti take responsibility for empowering post-level one (PL 1) teachers on ICT to improve classroom learning. We also advocate for new improved service delivery from GDE technicians/teacher trainers, who are held accountable for fulfilling their mandates.

Abstract Introduction The spatial auditory system, though developed at birth, attains functional maturity in the late childhood (12 years). Spatial changes during childhood affect navigation in the environment and source segregation. Accommodation of a new skill through learning, especially during childhood, can expedite this process. Objective To explore the auditory spatial benefits of abacus training on psychoacoustic metrics in children. The study also aimed to identify the most sensitive metric to abacus training related changes in spatial processing, and utilize this metric for a detailed spatial error profiling. Methods A standard group comparison analysis with 90 participants divided into three groups: I: children with abacus training (C-AT); II: children with no training (C-UT); III: adults with no training (A-UT). The groups underwent a series of psychoacoustic tests, such as interaural time difference (ITD), interaural level difference (ILD), and virtual auditory space identification (VASI), as well as perceptual tests such as the Kannada version of the speech, spatial, and quality questionnaire (K-SSQ). Results Significant group differences were observed in the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and post-hoc tests, with the C-AT group showing significantly lower ILD scores (p = 0.01) and significantly higher VASI scores (p < 0.001) compared to the CUT group, which is indicative of better spatial processing abilities in the former group. The discriminant function (DF) analyses showed that the VASI was the most sensitive metric for training-related changes, based on which elaborate error analyses were performed. Conclusions Despite the physiological limits of the immature neural framework, the performance of the C-AT group was equivalent to that of untrained adults on psychoacoustic tests, which is reflective of the positive role of abacus training in expediting auditory spatial maturation. system birth 12 (1 years. years . years) segregation learning process profiling 9 I CAT C AT (C-AT) II UT (C-UT) III AUT. AUT (A-UT) ITD, ITD , (ITD) ILD, (ILD) VASI, (VASI) speech KSSQ. KSSQ K SSQ (K-SSQ) MANOVA (MANOVA posthoc post hoc p 0.01 001 0 01 0.001 0001 DF (DF trainingrelated performed framework maturation 1 ( (C-AT (C-UT (A-UT (ITD (ILD (VASI (K-SSQ 0.0 00 0.00 000 0.

Abstract The aim of this study is to provide a real picture of the disease burden of Prameha in society. The study was performed in Government Ayurved College and Hospital, Nagpur, Maharashtra during Oct 2015-Mar 2016. Total 60 patients of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus attending the Kayachikitsa Opd of GAC Nagpur were included for the study. The subjects details were recorded in case report form. The CRF included many variables such as sociodemographic factors, presenting symptoms, risk factors such as hypertension, obesity and glycaemic status, family history of diabetes and physical activity. Other parameters like BMI, glycosylated haemoglobin, fasting and post prandial blood sugar and fasting lipid profile were documented. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were carried out using the XLSTAT software (2020). Amongst 60 subjects, 65% were male and 93.3% were adults. 78% of subjects were following sedentary lifestyle and 40% had family history of diabetes. The results revealed that, obesity, family history of diabetes, uncontrolled glycemic status, sedentary lifestyles, and hypertension were prevalent among the Prameha subjects. The characterization of this risk profile and early detection of prameha by observing poorvarupa will contribute to designing more effective and specific strategies for screening and controlling Prameha in Maharashtra, India. society Hospital 2015Mar Mar 2015 2016 6 form symptoms status activity BMI haemoglobin documented 2020. 2020 . (2020) 65 933 93 3 93.3 adults 78 40 that lifestyles India 201 202 (2020 9 93. 7 4 20 (202 (20 (2 (

Abstract Rusts and powdery mildews pose serious threats to wheat and have caused substantial yield losses worldwide. Host resistance is the most economical and sustainable approach for managing such diseases. In this study, an effective leaf rust resistance gene Lr45-derived from Secale cereale L. and a linked stem rust and powdery mildew resistance gene Sr36/Pm6-derived from Triticum timopheevii were successfully pyramided. They were validated into well-adapted Indian wheat cultivars that were already carrying the APR stem rust gene Sr2/Lr27/Yr30 through marker-assisted backcross selection (MABC) following two parallel backcrossing schemes. Three efficiently linked microsatellite markers, G372185 (Lr45), Stm773-2(Sr36), and Xgwm533 (Sr2), were used to confirm introgression of these genes. Lines with resistance genes in each background showed improved agronomic traits in comparison to their recurrent parents. These lines could be used in wheat improvement programs as potentially resistant stocks for leaf, stem rusts and powdery mildew to develop new wheat cultivars. worldwide diseases study Lr45derived Lrderived Lr45 derived Lr L Sr36/Pm6derived Sr36Pm6derived SrPmderived Sr36/Pm6 Sr36 Pm6 Sr Pm pyramided welladapted well adapted Sr2Lr27Yr30 SrLrYr Sr2 Lr27 Yr30 Yr Sr2/Lr27/Yr3 markerassisted marker assisted MABC (MABC schemes markers G G37218 Lr45, , (Lr45) Stm7732Sr36, Stm7732Sr36 StmSr Stm773 2 Stm Stm773-2(Sr36) Xgwm Xgwm53 Sr2, (Sr2) parents Lr4 Pm6derived Sr36Pm6 SrPm Sr36/Pm Sr3 Sr2Lr27Yr3 Lr2 Yr3 Sr2/Lr27/Yr G3721 (Lr45 Stm7732Sr3 Stm77 Stm773-2(Sr36 Xgwm5 (Sr2 Pmderived Sr36Pm Sr2Lr27Yr G372 (Lr4 Stm7732Sr Stm7 Stm773-2(Sr3 (Sr G37 (Lr Stm773-2(Sr G3

The growing threat of vector-borne diseases and their associated health risks has prompted the nanotechnology-based investigations. The present study aimed to use a nanotechnological application with larvicidal potential against Aedes aegypti by preparing aqueous hybrid nanoemulsion of zinc sulphide nanoparticles and Eucalyptus globulus oil. The mean droplet size of prepared and most stable hybrid nanoemulsion (9.5 ppm) was found to be 60 ± 10.00 nm with rectangular shape. The hybrid nanoemulsion exhibited LC50 and LC90 values of 7.63 and 9.22 ppm, respectively, against larval stages of Aedes aegypti. The findings obtained from the larvicidal assay were corroborated with SEM, histological and biochemical profiles of Aedes larvae after treating with hybrid nanoemulsion. Under simulated conditions, nanohybrid treatment demonstrated optimum larvicidal potency after 48 hours of exposure. Further, biosafety studies of hybrid nanoemulsion were carried out against Scapholebris kingi and this larvicidal concentration of nanohybrid was found to be non-toxic to this species. Thus, the following research explains the larvicidal efficacy of zinc sulphide-based hybrid nanoemulsion of eucalyptus oil formulated during the present study is a step towards safe and efficient approach against the dengue-spreading vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

ORIENTATION: Call centres in a digital work environment in Africa typically require high levels of sustained interpersonal contact with customers, which lead to exhaustion and call centre agent withdrawalRESEARCH PURPOSE: This study investigates the interaction effects between call centre agents' emotional intelligence and their sense of meaningfulness (as moderating mechanism) in predicting their exhaustion and professional efficacyMOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: Human resource practitioners need deeper understanding/insight of meaningfulness as a moderating mechanism in the link between call centre agents' emotional intelligence, levels of exhaustion and sense of professional efficacy. Such knowledge is important for informing wellness programmes for call centre agents.RESEARCH APPROACH/DESIGN AND METHOD: A quantitative cross-sectional survey approach was followed. A non-probability sample of (N = 409) of permanently employed call centre employees in Lagos, Nigeria, and Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa participated in this study.MAIN FINDINGS: Moderated regression analysis showed that call centre agents' sense of meaningfulness and the ability to perceive and manage others' emotions significantly moderates exhaustion and professional efficacyPRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: Overall the results provide evidence of the importance of considering call centre agents' sense of meaningfulness, perceptions of emotions and managing others' emotions as a resource for supporting their exhaustion levels as well as professional efficacy in dealing with stress.CONTRIBUTION/VALUE-ADD: The research will add to the interventions needed to be developed to strengthen the relationship between sense of meaningfulness, perceptions of emotions and managing others' emotions and exhaustion and professional efficacy in the call centre industry within Lagos, Nigeria, and Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa.

ORIENTATION: The Water and Sanitation Department in South Africa has undergone changes resulting in diminished job security, reduced employment and evolving technology, thus compelling employees to adjust to and cope continuously with these changes. Employees are now more responsible than ever before for developing self-regulatory resources, to remain employable. RESEARCH PURPOSE: The study aimed to examine the role of gender and emotional dimensions in career adaptability among employees of the Department of Water and Sanitation, South Africa. MOTIVATION FOR THE STUDY: There is a paucity of research into the way in which gender and emotional intelligence act as predictors of career adaptability, specifically in a public sector service. RESEARCH APPROACH/DESIGN AND METHOD: A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was conducted on a convenience sample (N = 160) of staff employed by the Water and Sanitation Department in South Africa. MAIN FINDINGS: The bivariate correlation revealed significant associations between overall emotional intelligence, with career adaptability and it sub-dimensions. Stepwise hierarchical analysis revealed significant associations between gender, and emotional intelligence with the outcome variable. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to predict the research objective of the study PRACTICAL/MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: The study results emphasised the importance of emotional intelligence and career adaptabilities as important meta-competencies in helping employees to respond to career changes and to craft sustainable careers. Contribution/value add: The results also highlighted the strengths of developmental areas for both women and men in developing their emotional intelligence and career adaptability.

Abstract In this paper, we have studied local convergence of Super-Halley method in Banach spaces under the assumption of second order majorant conditions. This approach allows us to obtain generalization of earlier convergence analysis under majorizing sequences. Two important special cases of the convergence analysis based on the premises of Kantorovich and Smale type conditions have also been concluded. To show efficacy of our approach we have given three numerical examples.

Resumen En este artículo, hemos estudiado la convergencia local del método Super-Halley en espacios de Banach, asumiendo condiciones mayorantes de segundo orden. Este punto de vista nos permite obtener generalizaciones de análisis de convergencia bajo sucesiones mayorantes obtenidos anteriormente. También se han concluido dos casos especiales del análisis de convergencia basados en las premisas de condiciones tipo Kantorovich y Smale. Para mostrar la eficacia de nuestro enfoque, damos tres ejemplos numéricos.

Polyvinylpyrrolidone Oxime (PVPO) was synthesized and studied for mild steel (MS) corrosion inhibition in 1 M H2SO4, at different concentrations and temperatures. The corrosion inhibition efficiency was studied using weight loss method, polarization technique, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and quantum chemical calculations. The results from weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization and EIS showed that the inhibition efficiency (I. E.) increased with gradual increments in the inhibitor concentration, and decreased at higher temperatures. The polarization study also revealed that PVPO acted as a mixed type inhibitor, and Langmuir adsorption isotherm fitted well for the adsorption behavior. The highest corrosion efficiency was found to be 88.39%, with a concentration of 1000 ppm, and a temperature of 303 K. The corrosion inhibition mechanism has been further proposed, including the support from the theoretical study. SEM images also verified the MS surface smoothening in PVPO presence, and, hence, it has shown to be a good corrosion inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: Food-borne disease (FBD) outbreaks are a common occurrence that is either not investigated or poorly investigated. According to anecdote evidence, this is because of non-uniformity to environmental health practices in South Africa. AIM: This study aimed to determine and describe the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of environmental health practitioners (EHPs) when conducting outbreak investigations of FBD at a local municipality. SETTING: This study was conducted in three sub-districts of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM), one of five municipalities in Gauteng province, South Africa. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Continuous variables were compared using analysis of variances, and correlation was used to determine any association. RESULTS: Knowledge responses were scored out of 9. Open-ended questions were themed into five items (support, guidelines, resources, training and specialisation). Sixty-one (76.3%) participants were randomly selected to participate in the study. There were more female participants (55.7%) than male participants, and the mean age was 30.9 years. The participants' knowledge scores ranged from 1 to 9. There were 17 (27.9%) participants who have conducted FBD outbreak investigation. Twenty-six (42.6%) believed that they were properly trained to conduct FBD outbreak investigations. Age was associated with position (p = 0.000) and qualification (p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that there are gaps and challenges in the knowledge, while the practices were not consistent amongst environmental health practitioners. However, the attitude of EHPs was positive with regard to their role in FBD outbreak investigations.

An expired drug with non-toxic characteristics has been evaluated as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel alloy. The corrosion inhibition efficiency of the expired ethambutol drug in a 0.5 M HCl solution has been studied using weight loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), electrochemical polarization, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and molecular dynamics (MD) techniques. The results showed that the drug provides appreciable inhibition efficiency, more than 95% at the higher concentration, i.e., 1000 ppm. The Tafel polarization plots have shown that the expired drug acted as a mixed type inhibitor. Langmuir adsorption isotherm, along with physiochemical mode of interaction, has proved that the corrosion inhibition process accords with the isotherm. The outcomes obtained from all the experimental techniques and theoretically obtained information are in good correlation. MD simulations reveal that the studied compound adsorbs onto the surface of mild steel in the planar orientation.

Social movements for public education challenge neoliberal claims that there is no alternative to the market-to the inevitability of the privatisation of education. This article analyses the ways in which education activists in India deploy critical histories in their struggles for a public and common school system. It is empirically grounded in a critical analysis of a 2016 activist documentary film called We Shall Fight, We Shall Win. The film was produced by a grassroots activist coalition called the All India Forum for the Right to Education (AIFRTE) as part of their ongoing struggles against the commercialisation and communalisation of education. The film provides a rare opportunity to explore different kinds of historical knowledge produced in collective struggles for equity and social justice in India. In particular, this analysis examines the ways in which activists link the past and the present to challenge and decentre privatised narratives of education and development. In doing so, this research offers situated insights into the critical histories that inspire, sustain and co-construct one site of ongoing collective struggle for public education in India.

Abstract Background: Vancomycin is used primarily for Gram-positive infections. Recommended dosage regimens and targeted therapeutic levels vary between institutions. Objectives: This study aims to describe therapeutic levels according to initial vancomycin doses and patient’s age. A secondary objective was to evaluate appropriateness of vancomycin use in our hospital. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Patients included in this study were classified by age (neonates, infants, children and adolescents) and categorized into those who received vancomycin ≤5 and >5 days. Initial vancomycin dosing regimens and corresponding initial trough levels obtained were evaluated. Initial trough levels drawn in relation to the third, fourth, or fifth doses corresponding to the first course of therapy were analyzed. Acceptable trough levels ranged from 5-20 mg/L. Results: One-hundred-and-sixty-four patients who received intravenous vancomycin in 2013 were included. Of the 229 courses of vancomycin, 190 (83%) were used 5 days or less (mean 4.9 days). Sixteen infants (88.9%) and 21 adolescents (100%), who received vancomycin empiric dosing of 60 mg/kg/day, had initial trough levels >5mg/L. However, in the children’s group 20 (37.7%) did not reach levels >5 mg/L. None of vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were >1mg/L for the four patients who had infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. Conclusions: In our institution, initial empiric vancomycin dosing of 60 mg/kg/day resulted in levels ≥5mg/L in most infants and adolescents. It remains unclear why some children aged 1-12 years did not achieve these levels.