Molecular Identification of Three Indian Snake Species Using Simple PCR–RFLP Method*

Abstract: Three endangered Indian snake species, Python molurus, Naja naja, and Xenochrophis piscator are known to be significantly involved in illegal trade. Effective authentication of species is required to curb this illegal trade. In the absence of morphological features, molecular identification techniques hold promise to address the issue of species identification. We present an effective PCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism method for easy identification of the three endangered snake species, Python molurus, Naja naja, and Xenochrophis piscator. A 431‐bp amplicon from cytochrome b gene was amplified using novel snake‐specific primers following restriction digestion with enzymes Mbo II and Fok I. The species‐specific reference fragment patterns were obtained for the target species, which enabled successful identification of even highly degraded shed skin sample confirming the utility of the technique in case of poor‐quality DNA. The assay could be effectively used for forensic authentication of three Indian snake species and would help strengthen conservation efforts.     

Feminist international relations and women militants: case studies from Sri Lanka and Kashmir

This paper presents women's militant activities outside the binary framework of ‘victimhood’ and ‘agency’ and invokes postmodern feminist international relations analyses to engage with women's material and ideological contribution to militant activities and political violence. Women who support and indulge in both discriminate and indiscriminate violence against institutions of the state and unarmed civilians not only redefine notions of nationalism, gender and religious identity, but also highlight their complex and problematic relationship with feminism. To what extent does participating in militant activities and armed combat provide women with opportunities to transcend conventional gender roles? In other words, do they remain the ‘other’ within ‘the other’? How are militant women influenced by these political movements and how do they influence these movements? What happens when the ‘protected’ and ‘upheld’ become the ‘protectors’ and ‘upholders’? How does/should feminist international relations approach these militant women? I attempt to address these questions through a study of women militants and their constructions as gendered political subjects in Kashmir and Sri Lanka.     

A comparison of hair colour measurement by digital image analysis with reflective spectrophotometry

While reflective spectrophotometry is an established method for measuring macroscopic hair colour, it can be cumbersome to use on a large number of individuals and not all reflective spectrophotometry instruments are easily portable. This study investigates the use of digital photographs to measure hair colour and compares its use to reflective spectrophotometry. An understanding of the accuracy of colour determination by these methods is of relevance when undertaking specific investigations, such as those on the genetics of hair colour. Measurements of hair colour may also be of assistance in cases where a photograph is the only evidence of hair colour available (e.g. surveillance). Using the CIE L^*a^*b^* colour space, the hair colour of 134 individuals of European ancestry was measured by both reflective spectrophotometry and by digital image analysis (in V++). A moderate correlation was found along all three colour axes, with Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.625, 0.593 and 0.513 for L^*, a^* and b^* respectively (p-values = 0.000), with means being significantly overestimated by digital image analysis for all three colour components (by an average of 33.42, 3.38 and 8.00 for L^*, a^* and b^* respectively). When using digital image data to group individuals into clusters previously determined by reflective spectrophotometric analysis using a discriminant analysis, individuals were classified into the correct clusters 85.8% of the time when there were two clusters. The percentage of cases correctly classified decreases as the number of clusters increases. It is concluded that, although more convenient, hair colour measurement from digital images has limited use in situations requiring accurate and consistent measurements.     

Colonial legacies,armed revolts and state violence: the Maoist movement in India

Abstract

This article examines the connected histories of armed tribal and peasant revolts in colonial and postcolonial India with reference to the ongoing Maoist conflict in rural and tribal areas of central and eastern India. The article makes two interrelated arguments about the violent continuities that endure from colonial to postcolonial contexts: (1) the nation-state system, in its efforts to establish control and influence, creates a hierarchy of citizenship engaging in the hostile policing of marginalised subjects, thereby engendering armed revolts and political violence; (2) the postcolonial state’s response to these armed revolts by marginalised subjects who challenge its sovereignty and monopoly over violence, is equally violent and repressive. Most significantly, the state’s response is legitimised in the same colonial idioms and justifications that mark epistemic and physical violence against the third world.     

Air Pollution from Cement Plants: Case Study on Particulate Matter in Bihar,India

Abstract

Environmental pollution and its impact is a major challenge for this age of industrialization and urbanization. It is becoming difficult to breathe fresh air in the cities and industrial areas. Both indoor and outdoor air quality is becoming worse day by day. A study has been conducted to find out the level of particulate matter concentration inside a village near to a cement plant located in Bihar, India to know the impact of the cement plant on the ambient environment. The present study clearly indicates that during night time particulate matter concentrations of the village environment were high compared to the day times. It is also observed that there is a high concentration of particulate matter in the ambient air compared to WHO air quality guideline values in both the cases(day times and night times) due to emission from the nearby cement plant. Hence this study suggests that the cement plants and other similar industries should take proper actions to maintain the air quality standard in the ambient areas.In the last part of the article some of the pollution control techniqueshas been discussed in brief which would be helpful to the industries to improve their environmental sustainability targets.     

Macroeconomic determinants of remittances to India

Economic Change and Restructuring - Migration and remittances have always been an exciting arena of research for economists around the globe. Remittance flows have evolved as a significant economic...     

Corporate social responsibility and sustainable development goals: A study of Indian companies

India completing five years since mandatory CSR was implemented under Sec 135 of Companies Act, 2013 compelling Indian companies to contribute 2 % of their last three‐year average net profit in few specified areas of CSR activities as mentioned in the seventh schedule of the Act. In the same period, United Nations outlined the 17 goals based on sustainable development that contains 169 objectives signed by various 193 countries around the globe contributing social, environmental causes to establish a glorious life and opportunities for everyone in the year 2015. The realization of sustainable development goals agenda 2030 lies with the Business sector, corporate as well as Government sector and also the civil society plays a significant role in this regard. The present study aims to map the CSR activities with sustainable development goals and review the mandatory CSR practices of 40 Indian companies and how companies are leveraging CSR thereby attaining sustainable and progressive target.