Melancholic celie in The Color Purple

In her theory of the melancholic subject, Julia Kristeva asserts that the melancholic subject has a sense of loss, but she cannot share this feeling with others as she considers it as private. Although the melancholic subject is stranger to her mother tongue, she should use language to get rid of her sense of loss. In The Color Purple, Alice Walker devotes herself to the plight of black people’s lives in white society. She believes that the black feel a sense of loss as they are subject to racism, sexism and gender discrimination in white society. These black people, especially black women, should use language to express their sense of loss and deal with their traumatic experiences. This article intends to focus on Julia Kristeva’s melancholic subject and apply it to Alice Walker’s The Color Purple

Gas phase glycerol dehydration to acrolein over supported silicotungstic acid catalyst

Due to the various environmental concerns, a steep hike in fossil fuel price and an increasing demand of non-renewable fossil fuels consumption, the bio-basedgas-phase dehydration of glycerol to acrolein has attracted much attention recently.Thus, the gas phase dehydration of glycerol to acrolein over two groups of supported silicotungstic acid on aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticle and zirconium dioxide catalyst is being investigated in this study. The catalysts were characterized by, Xraydiffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray techniques, temperature programmed desorption, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analyzer. The characterization results revealed that Al2O3 nano particle loading increased thermal stability, pore diameter, and specific surface area of the synthesized catalysts.Optimization by response surface methodology revealed the highest acrolein selectivity of 88.5% at 97% glycerol conversion was obtained over 30HZ-20Acatalyst with turnover frequency being 136 h-1 in 3 h for glycerol feed concentration of 10.3 wt% and 0.5 g catalyst at 300 ˚C. Coke deposition has no significant effect on the catalyst activity due to the large catalyst pore diameter (> 27 nm). The prepared catalysts were highly active and selective for acrolein production even after 40 h without any needs for gas co-feeding or application of noble metals. In addition, the kinetic study results demonstrated that glycerol dehydration to acrolein followed first-order rate with the activation energy (Ea) of 27.5 kJ/mol and frequency factor(A) of 5.35×105 s-1. Finally, the theoretical and experimental approaches confirmed no internal mass transfer limitation in glycerol dehydration reaction with catalyst pellet sizes of dp= 2-4 and 5-7 μm due to effectiveness factor equal to 1 (η=1).Calculation of the overall effectiveness factor (Ω) also confirmed the absence of external diffusion in presence of catalysts with pellet size of dp< 7 μm

Speaking characters in possessing the secret of joy

This paper is a study of Alice Walker’s Possessing the Secret of Joy in light of Julia Kristeva’s speaking subject. This novel deals with the issue of circumcision and its negative psychological effects on a woman’s mind. Moreover, it criticises female genital mutilation. In this novel, each character expresses his/her feelings, thoughts and emotions about female circumcision. In Julia Kristeva’s view, the speaking subject does not have a fixed identity but is in the process of being. The speaking subject's identity is shaped through using language and interaction with other people. This article applies Kristeva’s notion of the subject in process to Walker’s Possessing the Secret of Joy and primarily indicates Tashi’s opinion of circumcision. The findings of this study demonstrate that, through sisterhood, women can achieve their goal which is to abolish female circumcision. It indicates that although women are oppressed in African patriarchal societies, they can improve their life through sisterhood. It advises future female generations to stand up for their rights and reject the circumcision which hurts women physically and psychologically

The reliability and validity of a designed setup for the assessment of static back extensor force and endurance in older women with and without hyperkyphosis.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the intra-rater reliability and validity of a designed load cell setup for the measurement of back extensor muscle force and endurance.ParticipantsThe study sample included 19 older women with hyperkyphosis, mean age 67.0&nbsp;±&nbsp;5.0&nbsp;years, and 14 older women without hyperkyphosis, mean age 63.0&nbsp;±&nbsp;6.0&nbsp;years.MethodsMaximum back extensor force and endurance were measured in a sitting position with a designed load cell setup. Tests were performed by the same examiner on two separate days within a 72-hour interval. The intra-rater reliability of the measurements was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard errors of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC). The validity of the setup was determined using Pearson correlation analysis and independent t-test.ResultsUsing our designed load cell, the values of ICC indicated very high reliability of force measurement (hyperkyphosis group: 0.96, normal group: 0.97) and high reliability of endurance measurement (hyperkyphosis group: 0.82, normal group: 0.89). For all tests, the values of SEM and MDC were low in both groups. A significant correlation between two documented forces (load cell force and target force) and significant differences in the muscle force and endurance among the two groups were found.ConclusionThe measurements of static back muscle force and endurance are reliable and valid with our designed setup in older women with and without hyperkyphosis

The Reliability of Standing Sagittal Measurements of Spinal Curvature and Range of Motion in Older Women With and Without Hyperkyphosis Using a Skin-Surface Device.

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to investigate the intrarater reliability of a skin-surface instrument (Spinal Mouse, Idiag, Voletswil, Switzerland) in measuring standing sagittal curvature and global mobility of the spine in older women with and without hyperkyphosis. METHODS:Measurements were made in 19 women with hyperkyphosis (thoracic kyphosis angle ≥50°), mean age 67 ± 5 years, and 14 women without hyperkyphosis (thoracic kyphosis angle &lt;50°), mean age 63 ± 6 years. Sagittal thoracic and lumbar curvature and mobility of the spine were assessed with the Spinal Mouse during neutral standing, full spinal flexion, and full spinal extension. Tests were performed by the same examiner on 2 days with a 72-hour interval. The intrarater reliability of the measurements was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change. RESULTS:Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.89 to 0.99 in both groups. The standard errors of measurement ranged from 1.02° to 2.06° in the hyperkyphosis group and from 1.15° to 2.22° in the normal group. The minimal detectable change ranged from 2.85° to 5.73° in the hyperkyphosis group and from 3.20° to 6.17° in the normal group. CONCLUSIONS:Our results indicated that the Spinal Mouse has excellent intrarater reliability for the measurement of sagittal thoracic and lumbar curvature and mobility of the spine in older women

Knowledge of Mothers in Management of Diarrhea in Under-Five Children, in Kashan, Iran

Background: Diarrhea has been considered as a major cause of mortality in children aged less than five years old. Most of these deaths are due to dehydration and mis management or delayed management of the disease. Most of the diarrhea episodes are treated in the home by mothers. Therefore the mothers’ knowledge in management of diarrhea is likely related to its mortality and morbidity. Objectives: This study designed to evaluate the knowledge of the mothers with children under five years old about diarrhea and its management and to identify the relation of the knowledge content with some demographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 430 mothers who had at least one child aged below five years old were selected by cluster sampling. The mothers were asked to complete the 22 items questionnaire designed to evaluate their knowledge of diarrhea. Some demographic characteristics such as age, number of children, education of the mother and her spouse and the source of knowledge also were recorded. Subsequently, the data analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results: Most of the mothers were 25-30 years old (43.8%). Slightly more than half (55.6%) had just one child. The health center, educational programs and the personal reading were the main sources of the knowledge about the treatment (43.7%). Twenty eight point eight percent of the mothers had a good knowledge in diarrhea diagnosis and its treatment, while the 46.5% had medium and 24.7% suffered low knowledge. The knowledge of the mothers had significant relationship with the age of the mother, education of the father, number of children, occupation of the mother, and the source of the knowledge. Conclusions: The mothers studied in this research had inadequate knowledge about diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea. The educational programs must be an essential part of the health centers programs

Journey through nature and self: the melancholic narrator in Atwood's Surfacing

Julia Kristeva's melancholic subject is one who feels a sense of loss and cannot express herself openly. As a result of melancholia, the subject exhibits strange behaviour, loses her language, and isolate herself. As such, the melancholia is seen as a disorder of self-identity. It is the aim of this paper to discuss how Margaret Atwood's melancholic female subject in Surfacing goes on a quest-journey in the wilderness to deal with her sense of loss and regainsa new life. In the initial part of her life, the protagonist is seen destroying herself through a loveless union with her husband, loss of her parents, and coerced abortion. As a melancholic subject, she is unable to express and share her grief with those around her. Her expedition in search of her missing father brings about new experiences in nature which eventually leads to her self-recognition as she finds ways to deal with her condition. This reading of Atwood's female protagonist as a melancholic subject provides a new depiction of how melancholia is healed through interaction with nature

Incidence of Neonatal Birth Injuries and Related Factors in Kashan, Iran

Background: Birth injuries are defined as the impairment of neonatal body function due to adverse events that occur at birth and can be avoidable or inevitable. Despite exact prenatal care, birth trauma usually occurs, particularly in long and difficult labor or fetal malpresentations. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the incidence of birth injuries and their related factors in Kashan, Iran, during 2012-2013. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all live-born neonates in the hospitals of Kashan City were assessed prospectively by a checklist included demographic variables (maternal age, weight, and nationality), reproductive and labor variables (prenatal care, parity, gestational age, premature rupture of membrane (PROM), fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern, duration of PROM, induction of labor, fundal pressure, shoulder dystocia, fetal presentation, duration of second stage, type of delivery, and delivery attendance), and neonatal variables (sex, birth weight, height, head circumference, Apgar score, and neonatal trauma). Birth trauma was diagnosed based on pediatrician or resident examination and in some cases confirmed by paraclinic methods. Statistical analyses were performed by chi-square, student’s t-test, and multiple logistic regression analyses using SPSS version 17. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In this study, the incidence of birth trauma was 2.2%. Incidence of trauma was 3.6% in vaginal deliveries and 1.2% in cesarean sections (P < 0.0001). The most common trauma was cephalohematoma (57.2%) and then asphyxia (16.8%). In multiple logistic regression analyses, decreased fetal heart rate (FHR), fundal pressure, shoulder dystocia, vaginal delivery, male sex, neonatal weight, delivery by resident, induction of labor, and delivery in a teaching hospital were predictors of birth trauma. Conclusions: Overall, incidence of birth trauma in Kashan City was lower in comparison with most studies. Considering existing risk factors, further monitoring on labor, and delivery management in teaching hospitals are recommended to prevent birth injuries. In addition, careful supervision on students and residents' training should be applied in teaching hospitals

The Color Purple and Women's Time

In Women's Time, Julia Kristeva asserts that women have been deprived of linear time for progress and improvement; they have been confined to circular time, which is a vicious circle of repetition; therefore she asked for the existence of a third generation of feminists to focus on linear time and to provide the ground for women's social as well as domestic roles. She mentions that the third feminists' duty is to pay attention to the individuality of each woman. In The Color Purple, Alice Walker's female protagonist, Celie, revolts against fixed gender roles. She unites with other female characters and has a sisterhood relationship. This article intends to focus on the effect of patriarchal system on women. Moreover, it will highlight sisterhood and its effect on women's individuality and social roles. As such, this article intends to focus on Julia Kristeva's notion of women's time and the way Celie intends to follow her desires. The attention to Celie's passions and desires in life helps her to know herself better

Magdalena's shaping and reshaping identity in By The Light of My Father's Smile

Based on Julia Kristeva's concept of speaking subject, the speaking subject has fluid subjectivity. The subject's identity is made and unmade through his use of language and his interaction with other people. Other people's speeches and emotions can influence the subject's subjectivity. The current article will shed light on Alice Walker's By the Light of My Father's Smile in the light of Julia Kristeva's speaking subject, the speaking subject is in the process of being. Alice Walker's novel deals with father's denial of her daughter's sexual desires. In this novel, Magdalena is desconnected from her sexual desires as her father punished her for having an affair with her Mundo beloved. The memory of beating remained in Magdalena's mind and she cannot get rid of it. However, she attempts to use language in order to define her subjectivity. Therefore, this article will focus on the way Magdalena intends to shape her identity by the use of language and interaction with other characters. This article will discuss the way Magdalena uses language and the way she is judged by other characters while they use language and they express their thoughts and emotions about her