从比较的观点看印度伦理

古印度梵文史诗《摩诃婆罗多》所表述的伦理思想可以启示我们从一个包容、多元的角度看待西方伦理学中的三种主要理论:康德的道义论、功利主义的后果论和亚里士多德的德性伦理学.它们分别涉及到人的认知性、感受性和德性.这三种理论各有其支持的理由,也存在各自不同的困难.但它们之间不会完全相互排斥,而是和而不同.其中的每一个都不能充分地解释道德行为.只有基于责任、共同善的追求和美德这三者,才能做出一个完整的道德评价.     

Diagnostic Role of Tumour Markers CEA, CA15-3, CA19-9 and CA125 in Lung Cancer

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic yield of the tumour markers carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 15-3, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carbohydrate antigen 125, in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in a group of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples were collected in a group of 90 patients with benign or malignant pulmonary diseases. After appropriate processing, tumour markers were determined by enzyme immunoassay. The diagnostic yields (sensitivity, specificity and predictive values) in each environment (serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) were obtained by using "Receivers operating characteristic" curve. Determined individually, carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carbohydrate antigen 125, showed the greatest diagnostic accuracy in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Carbohydrate antigen 15-3 did so in serum. Carcinoembryonic antigen was the most relevant marker in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. For the factors evaluated in this study, determination of carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carbohydrate antigen 125 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were clinically more useful markers in comparison with serum, although the latter may also be helpful in certain situations. Although there is no specific tumour marker for lung cancer, the combination of several can be used to diagnose most patients with lung cancer and also to rule out false positive and negative cases.     

Biotinidase deficiency—Diagnosis by enzyme assay and a follow-up study

A 3 month old male child was brought to the hospital with complaints of skin rashes, developmental delay, seizures, seborrheic dermatitis, alopecia and mild, acidosis. The child was subjected to a simple metabolic screening protocol. The result of the screening and the clinical symptoms provided an index pointing towards biotinidase deficiency., a rare autosomal recessive, inherited metabolic disorder. The enzyme was then assayed by using n-biotinylp-aminobenzoate as substrate and the diagnosis confirmed. A follow-up of the case indicated the efficacy, of biotin supplementation in biotinidase deficiency.     

Governing the child-citizen: ‘Let's Move!’ as national biopedagogy

In this paper, we offer a critical examination of Let's Move!, the comprehensive anti-obesity program initiated by the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, that aims to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. We argue that Let's Move! is not just a campaign against obesity but is emblematic of the nature of (and assumptions underpinning) the health education of children in the contemporary United States. Drawing on the concept of ‘governmentality,’ we examine how Let's Move! functions as a biopolitical strategy (a solution to the problem of childhood obesity), framed by the political rationalities of neoliberalism. In particular, we identify and explore three interrelated bio-techniques mobilized within, and through, the Let's Move! campaign. First, in an effort to ‘responsibilize’ citizens, the initiative is framed as a social movement whereby all segments of society can (and should) be empowered to take collective action against childhood obesity. Second, an array of multi-sectoral partnerships, including corporate sponsors and non-profit organizations, are being mobilized, resulting in a range of initiatives underpinned by the rhetoric of consumer choice and responsibility as well as the outsourcing of physical education to private entities. Third, the adoption of standardized fitness testing techniques based on the logic of chronic disease epidemiology, and related notions of ‘risk,’ aim to produce the disciplined child-citizen who monitors his/her health goals with the aid of Web 2.0 technologies. In contextualizing Let's Move! in this way, we illustrate how, in line with the soft authoritarian imperatives of the neoliberal enabling state, the campaign functions as a national biopedagogy, working to empower every citizen to be an ‘active partner’ in the fight against childhood obesity, so as to optimize the health of the next generation and allow them, in the words of Michelle Obama, to ‘pursue their dreams.’     

Studies on the management of root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita -wilt fungus, Fusarium oxysporum disease complex of green gram, Vigna radiata cv ML-1108

Studies were conducted under pot conditions to determine the comparative efficacy of carbofuran at 1 mg a.i./kg soil, bavistin at 1 mg a.i./kg soil, neem (Azadirachta indica) seed powder at 50 mg/kg soil, green mould (Trichoderma harzianum) at 50.0 ml/kg soil, rhizobacteria (Pseudomonas fluorescens) at 50.0 ml/kg soil against root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne incognita-wilt fungus,Fusarium oxysporum disease complex on green gram,Vigna radiata cv ML-1108. All the treatments significantly improved the growth of the plants as compared to untreated inoculated plants. Analysis of data showed that carbofuran andA. indica seed powder increased plant growth and yield significantly more in comparison to bavistin andP. fluorescens. Carbofuran was highly effective against nematode, bavistin against fungus,A. indica seed powder against both the pathogens and both the bioagents were moderately effective against both the pathogens.     

Classical angular momentum of light: A paradox and its resolution

Angular momentum carried by a classical circularly polarized electromagnetic plane wave (light) appears to be identically zero inasmuch as its linear field-momentum density is directed along wave propagation, and, therefore, the angular momentum, being the integrated moment of the linear momentum density about an axis parallel to the direction of propagation, necessarily vanishes — in detail. This, however, contradicts the established fact that circularly polarized light does carry angular momentum that remains classically non-zero. The paradox is resolved in a physically transparent manner by treating this problem as that of a transversely bounded, and hence necessarily non-trans verse, electromagnetic wave propagating along a circular waveguide, in the limit as its radius tends to infinity. We get a non-zero angular momentum that bears the correct ratio to wave energy. This angular momentum derives essentially and exactly from the boundary conditions for the geometry considered. This is an interesting example of surface terms giving a volume (bulk) contribution, much as in the entirely different context of orbital diamagnetism, which was regarded as a surprise of theoretical physics by Rudolf Peierls.[1]     

A novel framework for identifying the interactions between biophysical and social components of an agricultural system: a guide for improving wheat production in Haryana,NW India

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop a conceptual framework with related analysis methodologies that identifies the influence of social environment on an established cropping system.

Design/methodology/approach: A stratified survey including 103 villages and 823 farmers was conducted in all districts of Haryana (India). Firstly, technical efficiency (TE) was modeled using biophysical data including grain yield, seeding rate, wheat varieties, tillage, sowing date, seed source, harvesting method and the application of fertilizer, herbicide and irrigation. The relationship between TE and social community factors such as farm size, farmer age, level of education and agricultural support programs was analyzed by regression tree.

Findings: TE was lower with the farmers who only have education to a primary standard. Farmers with high TE scores were mostly between 35 and 40 years of age, and a higher TE association was common for farmers who use technical publications. Social individual factors such as farmers’ views on the future of farming were also analyzed across different TE levels.

Practical implications: Farmers with lower TE are an obvious target for production improvement, particularly given the understanding that the overall production yield gap is small in Haryana.

Theoretical implications: Our conceptual framework shows a quantitative way to establish the socio-ecological linkage, and to identify the opportunities for changes in management with extension services leading to productivity improvement.

Originality/value: This paper provides a novel framework with detailed methodology to effectively identify the socio-economic factors that limit the biophysical production in an agricultural system.