Possessive indexes in Assamese

This paper deals with a comprehensive description of a set of possessive indexes found in Assamese, a language spoken in the eastern part of India, by a majority of people living in the state of Assam. Genetically, this language belongs to the group of Indo-Aryan language family and shares a close affinity with Bengali and Oriya languages due to their common source of origin. The possessive indexes of the language are found to be suffixed to the possessed noun in possessive constructions (Possessive NPs)) in terms of the category of person. Cross-linguistically, it is not very uncommon to find this kind of markers in possessive NPs (Siewierska 2004). But what makes Assamese interesting in this respect is that the set of markers found in Assamese is not derived from pronominal forms as attested in many languages of the world. Furthermore, the existence of possessive markers is an unusual phenomenon in Assamese in that it is neither common in NIA languages nor in South Asian languages (Paudyal 2008). Apart from a few geographically distant languages of Indo-Aryan origin, these markers are not available in any other Indo-Aryan languages which are close to Assamese, either geographically or genetically. Thus, this paper focuses on four aspects:  a comprehensive description of the markers as stated above, a survey of the markers in other Indo-Aryan languages, the historical origin of the markers, and the origin of the system of marking

Considering the effects of poverty and schooling returns on child labour in Vietnam

This paper examines the effects of poverty and schooling returns on child labour in Vietnam using household-level data from the Vietnam Living Standards Survey (VLSS) for 1997-98. I find that poverty is a robust determinant of child labour in Vietnam. Being above the poverty line reduces child work by as much as 146 hours a year. There is little additional effect of further increases in income giving support to the idea that child non-work is a luxury good. Schooling returns are statistically significant but the effect on child work hours is small. Interestingly, higher returns in the urban area increase child work hours in adjoining rural regions. This result is consistent with a possibility of increasing returns to education and migration to urban centers for higher training, while remaining siblings work more to make up for the foregone earnings of the migrants and to perhaps pay for the added education expense. I do not find evidence of credit constraints affecting child hours.Child Labor; poverty; education; Vietnam.

[Review of] Shalini Shankar. Des; Land: Teen Culture, Class and Success in Silicon Valley

Shalini Shankar begins her book by locating her own positionality of growing up in a predominantly white, middle-class high school in suburban New York versus the study\u27s main focus of South Asian youth in Silicon Valley\u27s mostly ethnic neighborhoods. Shankar was encouraged by her Indian, immigrant family to socialize with other South Asians, similar to the youth she studies; however, she clearly notes the stark differences in the researcher and subject divisions. Shankar employs an unusual anthropological approach to study Desi youth in the Silicon Valley by historically contexualizing the economic success of the South Asian community while presenting the sometimes destructive behavior of the youth. These behaviors include drug use, gossip, interyouth and inter-generational tensions. This study was completed during the 1999-2001, at the height of the dot.com boom. Shankar seems to develop a genuine bond with the youth and organizes the data and research in a methodological, organized, and analytical way. The scholarly contribution she makes to South Asian American Studies and Women\u27s Studies is concrete and evidenced by various points that follow. She also provides a significant insight into inter-generation bonding, although her discussion of slang language within the Desi youth culture remains somewhat reductive

Mass Production of Entomopathogenic Nematodes- A Review

Utilization of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) is an ecofriendly method of crop protection. EPNs can be easily mass produced. Production approaches are either in vivo or in vitro methods (solid and liquid). Most nematodes intended for commercial application are produced in solid or liquid fermentation technology. However, for laboratory research and small greenhouse or field trials, in vivo production of entomopathogenic nematodes is the common method of propagation. Mass production of EPNs is influenced by the amount of progeny required, time, resources, the costs of production, as well as the level of expertise available. The differences in nematode life cycle and bacterial symbiosis play major role in final nematode yields. This review describes the general biology of EPNs and gives an overview of studies to date on EPNs mass production

Nematophagous fungi: Metarhizium anisopliae

Plant-parasitic nematodes are major pests affecting many economically important crop productions throughout the world. Some chemicals are widely used against the phytonematodes. Because of hazardous effects of these compounds on human beings, animals and on the environment, there is a need to develop other control strategies. Biocontrol of phytonematodes is an important method among environment-friendly measures of nematode management. There are some soil-inhabiting fungi that have biocontrol potential on phytonematodes, which can be used for nematode management. The fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, originally is an entomopathogenic bioagent has been utilizing as bionematicides. The fungus produces some secondary metabolite which may play a role in pathogenicity. Biocontrol potential of this fungus on some phytonematodes has been reported and its utilization is a major approach towards sustainable and environment friendly agricultural production