Institutional Repository

Scholar@UOC is the primary academic repository of the University of Calicut.

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The Feminine Aspects of Human Rights in the poetry of 21st Century Hindi Women Poets
(Department of Hindi, University of Calicut, 2025) Shamila Abdul Shukkoor; Pramod Kovvaprath
The atrocities and injustice against women in modern society cannot be denied. The customsimposed on women by various principles of patriarchy are definitely violation of their human rights thepositive change that has come in the status of women with the changing social, cultural, religious andpolitical conditions is comparatively not upto the level. Women poets considered it as their duty to givevoice to the reality, they have experienced. Only women can represent the human rights violationhappening to them in a better way. Self experience can speak more louder than sympathy in thisperspective and attempt has been made to study the female perspective on human rights and poetrythrough female poets.The woman poets have brilliantly express the atrocities faced by women through their poetry.The entire study of research work has been divided into 6 chaptersChapter 1 - Human rights and its women's perspective- General Analysis Chapter 2 - The development of 21st century Hindi poetry Chapter 3- Female voice in Hindi poetry - A survey Chapter 4 Women aspects of human rights- Patriarchy & Women Chapter 5- Human rights and violence against women Chapter 6- Women identity and human rights The atrocities and human rights violations on women have been presented in an excellent wayby the poets. Katyayani's ‘khaufnaak Sharmindgi’ Alka Singh's ‘Ek ladki shinaakth’, Ambika Dutt's‘Damit aakanshaon ka geet’,Anuradha Singh's ‘Streeyon ka kulnaam’, Rashmi Bhardwaj's‘Bahanaapa’are some of the best examples of poems through which poets has deeply expressed theatrocities and human eights violations against women.Hence we can say that life of women is becoming difficult in the contemporary society. In orderto live her own life comfortably she is forced to think many times about the so called social norms. Theglorification of women has done by taking away a rights and courage to live. The woman poets havefearlessly expressed about the problems faced by women in the contemporary world as well as thehuman rights violations.
Gene expression analysis of transcriptional co activators and pro apoptotic markers in the development of Bombyx mori L under thermal stress
(Government Victoria College Palakkad, University of Calicut, 2026) Sajini, K.P; Sreeranjith Kumar, C.V
The silkworm Bombyx mori L. is a commercially advantageous insect with significant agricultural value, which exhibits enormous thermal sensitivity. Global warming and climate change pose a focal threat to their growth and reproduction. High temperature negatively impacts nearly all biological processes, including biochemical and physiological processes. While the optimum temperature range for normal silkworm growth is 20°C to 28°C and maximum productivity occurs between 23°C to 28°C. When temperature exceeds 30°C that directly harms its health. High temperatures pose a significant threat to all organisms, potentially leading to its death. Exposure to thermal stress compels cells to generate an overabundance of reactive oxygen species and free radicals, which subsequently culminates in oxidative stress. This oxidative burden inflicts significant damage at both the physiological and structural levels within the cell. These ROS known to play an important role in the initiation of apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, mediated through both mitochondria-dependent and independent pathways. Apoptosis integral to insect development, notably occurring during the metamorphosis of the silkworm. Despite this established role, the specific mechanism by which thermal stress induced oxidative stress and subsequent ROS mediated signaling trigger apoptosis in Bombyx mori remains poorly understood. The current study addresses this gap by performing gene expression analysis to investigate the responses of B. mori to thermal stress induced apoptosis. Specifically we assessed the differential expression of genes encoding transcriptional co-activators, pro-apoptotic markers and inflammatory response genes across varidus developmental stages following exposure to thermal stress. This investigation aims to delineate the intricate signaling cascade linking environmental stress, oxidative damage. and programmed cell death in this economically important insect species. For the purpose of evaluating the impact of thermal stress on the gene expression pattern we used the quantitative RT PCR method. Heat stress induced oxidative stress also leads to an imbalance in the antioxidant defense system and it also affects the growth and development of silkworms. In an effort to determine the impact of thermal stress, morphometric parameters of larvae. pupae and adults were studied and to determine the antioxidant activity various biochemical assays were also done. To evaluate the changes in the histological architecture of midgut tissue were also done. The quantitative and qualitative parameters of Mg cocoons in response to thermal stress were also evaluated. Following the fourth moult, fifth instar larvae were divided into two groups, control (C) group and thermal stress exposed (T) group. The group 1 was treated with normal rearing temperature about 25+2°C and the group 2 larvae were treated with 40+2°C temperature in 1 hr per day during the fifth instar stage. The treatments were also continued during the pupal and adult stage. In our observations, the high temperature exerts a negative impact on the morphometric parameters of larva, pupa and adult. The length of fifth instar larva, weight of larva, pupa and adult were decreased in the thermal stress exposed group compared to control. The mortality rate was increased in the heat shock exposed group in comparison with control. Moreover there was a significant increase in the lipid peroxidation level in different tissues of different developmental stages of silkworm. This indicates the level of oxidative stress induced by thermal stress. In addition to that there was noted a significant increase and decrease in the antioxidant defense system in the heat shock exposed group of different tissues at different developmental stages of silkworm in contrast to control. Thermal stress exposed groups showed an alternation in the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, POX, GST, GPX, and GR. Furthermore an alteration in the gene expression of BmApaf-1, BmICE-2, Caspase3. BmYKki, MBF1. TNFSFS5 and IL6 in different developmental stages of silkworm. Thermal stress exerts an upregulated expression of apoptotic related genes such as BmApaf-1, BmICE-2 and Caspase3 gene in different tissues of different developmental stages of silkworm. This indicates the _ activation of apoptotic pathways in silkworm Bombyx mori in response to thermal stress. Upregulated expression of transcriptional co-activator genes (BmYki and MBFI1) in the experimental group may protect the organism from thermal stress. Besides that the increased expression of IL6 and TNFSF5 implicated the incidence of inflammation in thermal stress exposed group in comparison with control. Moreover the heat shock protein genes play a critical role in the defense against thermal stress. The upregulated expression of Hsp70 gene in all the developmental stages indicates the protection against thermal stress. The present study also analyzed the impact of thermal stress on the various cocoon parameters like length, weight. shell weight, shell ratio, filament length, filament weight and reelability percentage. It is obvious that thermal stress negatively affects the quality and quantity of cocoons produced. So the result revealed that thermal stress induced oxidative stress exerts a negative impact on the overall growth and productivity of cocoons. Moreover the thermal stress induced ROS initiates the activation of apoptotic pathways and also activates the stress response genes to withstand the thermal stress. This study gives an idea about the overall biochemical and molecular aspects of stress response in silkworm on exposure to thermal stress.
Occupational mobility and educational status of Kavara community in Kerala
(Sree Keralavarma College, University of Calicut, 2026) Kiranraj, K. R; Sunil Kumar K.
Occupational mobility means, change from one occupation to another. The most of the scheduled castes communities include Kavara communities are change their weaving work, their hereditary occupation to another occupation, like building construction worksite, blacksmith et 2l for their better social and economic positions. Another dimension of occupational mobility, simply means change of occupation of lower prestige to higher prestige vice versa. In social science research the study of occupational mobility, particularly highlight social mobility. Social mobility refers to the shifts in an individual’s social status from one status to another. Many indicators or determining factors of social mobility. Occupation, education, income, migration et al in this work | focused on occupation and education are the two variables, are tested. Migration is another indicator of social mobility, Kavara community are migrated from one place to another acquiring new skills, knowledge and occupy better positions and better opportunities for jobs. Using historical, descriptive and analytical methods, the study examines the evolution of occupational mobility and educational status of Scheduled Caste in general and Kavara community in particular. A comparative analysis situates the concept mobility with special care to occupation within broader theoretical frameworks, drawing from primary and secondary sources, including government documents, books, journals newspapers and online materials. Various theoretical interpretation postulates proper linkages between the concept of mobility and occupation and take education considered as an agent through which the mobility can be became possible. In the words of Sorokin, horizontal mobility in occupation (with special reference to the Kavara community as a Scheduled Caste) is a change of jobs or profession that does not result in a change of social status or class. Transformation from traditional occupation to non-traditional occupation does not create any upward mobility in the social status of Kavara community. An individual moving to a comparable position in a different company, such as a manager in one firm to a similar manager in another, or a doctor becoming a medical school professor, experiences horizontal mobility because their overall social standing, prestige, and class remain the same. This conceptual interpretation can be clearly manifested in the nature of occupational mobility of Kavara community. According to Sorokin, Vertical mobility in occupation describes an individual's movement up or down the occupational or social hierarchy. It may be resulting in a change in status, income or power. This can happen internally within a company, such as a promotion or through career changes that result in a higher (upward mobility) or lower (downward mobility) socio-economic position. Key factors influencing vertical mobility include education, skills, economic conditions, and government policies. Kavara community is historically marginalised section as Scheduled Caste in Kerala, and are even politically isolated within the Scheduled Caste people in Kerala in their population, occupation and economy, political participation and education. This people have no occupational mobility but occupation scarcity only. As far as the occupation mobility and educational status of Kavara community is concerned, their occupational mobility is not based on vertical because they have relatively very small occupational status that cannot help them to improve their position upward, and their weak educational status does not help them to find any vertical mobility for their social position. Ultimately, while considering the life of Kavara community as 2 Scheduled Caste in Kerala having no significant influence even within the Scheduled Castes in the state. Their limited access in traditional occupation, relatively small occupational status, relatively small educational status and social position constraints limit their potential. Meaningful reforms and hopeful interventions by state and civil society definitely redefining this people, addressing their social-economic disparities and fostering inclusive, transparent engagement for their socio-economic improvement and their social and political engagement in the mainstream sphere of society. This research contributes to broader the political discourses on the Scheduled Caste category like Kavara community, and thus, this study advocating for a more desirable transformation for Kavara community as a political isolated community in Scheduled Caste section in Kerala.
An inventory on the diversity of family scytonemataceae in selected districts adjoining the western ghats region of Kerala
(Department of Botany, University of Calicut, 2024) Swetha, K.; Harilal, C.C.
Cyanobacteria are the largest and most diverse group of photosynthetic microorganisms, thriving in nearly all habitats, including extreme climatic conditions. The Scytonemataceae family is unique among cyanobacteria for its false branching phenotype and includes ecologically significant species, making it especially interesting for agricultural and biotechnological applications. This family is noted for its taxonomic diversity and widespread distribution. The present study was carried out on the diversity of the family Scytonemataceae in 52 sampling sites falling in the Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad districts of the Western Ghats region of Kerala, India. Collecting cyanobacterial specimens and assessing their microclimatic conditions were carried out on a seasonal basis. Apart from the diversity assessments, the study focused on the habitat characteristics, seasonality, spatio-temporal patterns, and impacts of environmental factors influencing the growth and distribution of the Scytonemataceae family in the Western Ghat mountain chain region. A total of 35 species belonging to the Scytonemataceae family were identified, of which 23 are new to Kerala, and 16 are new to India. The study revealed that in terms of temporal scale, seasonal variation had the most significant effect on the cyanobacteria belonging to the family Scytonemataceae, with the highest diversity during the monsoon season, followed by the post-monsoon. In contrast, the pre-monsoon season exhibited relatively lower cyanobacterial diversity. From a spatial perspective, environmental factors such as moisture, atmospheric temperature, Surface temperature, and diurnal temperature are strong determinants of the growth of the Scytonemataceae family during allseasons. This research highlights that seasonal variations and specific environmental factors strongly influence the diversity of the Scytonemataceae family in the Western Ghats region of Kerala.
Studies on the photodynamic effects of photoactive fractions from Fagopyrum tataricum L Gaertn and Ficus auriculata Lour on skin cancer cells
(Department of Life Sciences, University of Calicut, 2025) Merin Rinky, K.; Gayathri Devi, D.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) represents a promising alternativeto traditional cancer treatments, particularly for skin cancer, whoseincidence is increasing in India. The study investigated thephotodynamic potential of plant photosensitizers from Fagopyrumtataricum and Ficus auriculata, known for their content of fagopyrinand furan compounds, respectively. The photoactive fractions PAF1(from F. tatricum) and PAF2 (from F.auriculata) were isolated byTLC fractionation of cold ethanol extracts of the aerial parts andleaves. The presence of photosensitizers was confirmed in crudeextract by HPTLC. The efficacy of these fractions was investigated onA431 skin cancer cells using MTT assay, Trypan blue assay, caspase 3assay and cell cycle analysis. They demonstrated dose and time-dependent cytotoxicity on cancer cells upon exposure to light, whileexhibiting low toxicity compared to normal L929 cells.Thephotosensitizers present in PAF1 and PAF2 were detected usingHRLCMS and GCMS analysis. Additionally, the interactions of keycompounds with EGFR targets were supported by in silico dockingstudies. These results highlight the potential of plant-derived PDTagents for safer and more effective anticancer treatments. Furtherstudies are needed to isolate the photosensitizers from the fractions andevaluate their photodynamic toxicity through further in vitro, in vivoand clinical studies.