PEARL Multidisciplinary Journal

Bio-indicators for Impact Assessment of Radionuclides Contamination

The activity of important radionuclides ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K were analysed in twelve medicinal plants collected from Mangalore and surrounding region by gamma spectrometry. The activity in the representative soil sample is also measured in order to study the transfer of radionuclides from soil to plant. In plant the average values of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K activity were found to be 0.8 Bqkg^-1, 5.0 Bqkg^-1 and 37.1 Bqkg^-1 respectively. In soil the average values of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K activity were found to be 54.7 Bqkg^-1, 64.2 Bqkg^-1 and 384.3 Bqkg^-1 respectively. The average values of transfer coefficient for ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra and ⁴⁰K were found to be 0.02, 0.08 and 0.10 respectively. The ²³²Th activity was below detection level for most of the plant samples, though the activity was significant in soils associated to these plants. The significant activity of ²²⁶Ra in both plant and associated soil shows the higher root uptake of this radionuclide from soil. All the plants and associated soils showed significant ⁴⁰K activity. The plant Mamia suregia showed higher transfer coefficient for all the three radionuclides. The plant can be used as bioindicator for the future monitoring of these radionuclides. The absorbed gamma dose rates prevailing in the study area were also measured using portable scintillometer. The results of these systematic investigations are presented and discussed in this paper.

The Future Outlook of Nigerian Agricultural Sector Growth in the Light of Global Financial Developments-Discourse for Nigeria Green Alternative

This empirical research investigated the future outlook of Nigerian Agricultural Sector Growth in the light of global financial developments using linear and symmetric price transmission mechanism model (ECM). The study made use of annual time series data covering GDP-Agriculture and its subsectors which spanned from 1990-2012. The findings showed that long-run association exit between agriculture and its sub-sectors with the mother sector establishing long-run equilibrium with its sub-sectors, though the convergence rate was moderate as indicated by the attractor coefficient. Furthermore, results showed that all the sub-sectors have positive influence on GDP-Agriculture with crop sub-sector having a lead influence when compared to other subsectors. Therefore, the study recommends that government should adopt adjustment strategies that hinges on shoring-up gross agriculture revenue to compensate for the dwindling oil revenues given that the prospect for the country economy depend on the policies articulated for the medium-to-long term and the seriousness with which they are implemented. 

Human Rights and Stigma Reduction in the Process of Rehabilitation of the Mentally Ill

Mentally ill persons are approached with stigma and families want to abandon them even in the wake of 21st century. It is a severe human right violation. However there are emerging models caring the destitute mentally ill with individual initiative and family collaboration who bring back the human right of the mentally ill person by removing stigma and caring them with dignity and worth. This paper is a case study of a rehabilitation centre at Kottayam in Kerala run by an ordinary person along with his family caring more than 300 mentally ill including children.

The objective of the study is to find out how the stigma reduction through a grass root community assistant rehabilitation model and enhance human right of the mentally ill persons. A qualitative design with case study methodology is followed.

The result shows that factors like acceptance of the persons with mentally ill as a family member calling him/her son/daughter and treating them so, allowing them the freedom of expression and interaction, exploring their innate abilities and host of others make them to cross the barriers of stigma. It gives back the human rights lost when they were thrown into the streets. The founder of the centre visits schools colleges, temples, churches and other community centres to disseminate information on mental health. The participants of such interaction program visit the rehabilitation center and understand how mental illness is just like any other chronic illness and spread the message back home. The entire process of community involvement enables to recreate a pro human right perspective towards persons with mental illness. Their dignity is regained; care and love in the centre as if in a family pitch their rights back in position. The entire process removes stigma about mentally ill persons and place them in a high position and prepare the society to own the responsibility to care these persons with cognitive deficits. Thus the care of mentally ill ultimately leads to stigma reduction and prepare the families and communities to accept and care the persons with mental illness. The entire process of stigma reduction contributes to the promotion of human rights of the mentally ill person and creates a model of right based care and rehabilitation of the persons with mental illness.

A Study on the Level of Self Esteem of Students with Low Academic Performance

Self-esteem has long been considered an essential component of good mental health. It is a widely used concept both in popular language and in psychology. It refers to an individual’s sense of his or her value or worth, or the extent to which a person values, approves of, appreciates, praises, or likes him or herself (Blascovich and Tomaka, 1991). The investigator personally is interested to work with teenagers and had come across some children, who found it difficult to cope with academics due to problems like comparison between the siblings and too much expectation from the parents.

Objectives of the Study were to understand the Socio-Economic background of Respondents, to assess the level of self esteem of the Respondents, to assess the co-relation between Self-Esteem and Academic Performance and to assess the level of Self-Esteem and Academic Performance between boys and Girls. The research design of the study is descriptive in nature. The aim is to study the level of self esteem of the students with low academic performance. The Universe of the study includes, students (aged 13-15) studying in High school in the district of Serchhip and Aizawl in Mizoram and Dimapur in Nagaland and have achieved low marks (below 60%) and failed in one or more subjects would be the population for the present study. The sample would be selected from 3 private schools (15 each). The Simple Random sampling techniques of probability sampling would be used to draw out the sample. The Researcher will concentrate on collecting primary data by questionnaire methods. Keeping in mind the observation as a supportive tool while meeting them and seeing their progress reports. The secondary data will be obtained from the books, magazines, reports, school records and websites. The following tools will be used to measure the variables

Vast Majority of 75.6 percent of the total respondents do have high self esteem. The reason could be the environment where they are grown, their friends circle and also other opportunities to shine.

Parents’ income impact on self esteem via academic performance: It is argued that social class is mediated in a cultural level, which in turn determines family expectation, values and attitudes regarding education. Pearson’s correlation test was applied for the above variables. There is no significant relationship between Self-esteem and Academic Performance of the Respondents

Corporate Social Responsibility Projects of KIOCL: An Impact Assessment

As pressure is added by consumers seeking to make more responsible choices and by the constraints of ever-dwindling natural resources, more companies are incorporating sustainable strategies and adopting more socially responsible practices. The top trends in the area of corporate social responsibility include increased transparency, investment in green technologies, local community and employee engagement, and recognition of economic inequality. The organisations can no longer see themselves only as profitmaking machines if they wish to survive. Companies today are giving more priority to the corporate responsibility as it is the need of the hour. The corporate is increasingly being required to align with societal norms while generating financial returns. The CSR practitioners and organisations, validate the segments like production and distribution, wealth, ethical systems, sustainable management practices by applying approaches that may be unique to the organisation. A unique and varied approach to develop CSR strategies is very useful for the development of the community and nation as a whole. KIOCL has undertaken several community oriented projects and the study revealed that it was the need of the community and it has benefitted them to a great extent.