Issues in Indian Cities Due to Increasing Coverage of Highways: A Case Study of The Sriperumpudur – Poonamalle Stretch in NH4

In 1947, during the year of independence, India’s national highway network was approximately 23,000 km. In 1997, national highways had a total length of 34,298 km. As of July 2013 India has multiplied thrice the distance covered by national highways (NH) connecting all the major cities and state capitals. By end of 2017, it is planned that the national highway network should be at 85000 km (12th Five Year Plan, 2012-17). Though it is an improvement in the infrastructure, we have to agree that there are many cons in the process. The highways have brought concentric expansion and appearance of sub-centers all along major road intersections. The land-use changes caused by these highways have converted the metropolises to megalopolises, hamlets emerging to bigger cities. The highways are aimed to provide better transport and to link one place to another in a fast mode. “You can start with land use, or you can start with transportation; in either case, the basic feedback leads inevitably to a hierarchy of central places and transportation links connecting them” [Moore and Thorsnes, 1994]. Land-use being the first to impact cities, eventually causes impacts on natural resources and also communities, livelihood, health, safety, etc. The progression of the urban landscape can be considered from a hybrid perception where diverse paradigms were focused in different periods. It is the need of the hour to integrate all the essential paradigms. This paper provides an overview of the issues and challenges caused by development of highways in India. Rather than covering every aspect of highways, it primarily focuses on those areas that are important from the users’ point of view. The paper first reviews the changes in Indian cities due to increasing coverage of highways, followed by a discussion on issues such as Land use split, settlement isolation, identity loss, to mention a few. Building on this background, the paper proposes further researches for the betterment of life in cities affected by Highways

HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF N-MIRACLE (POLYHERBAL FORMULATION) AGAINST ETHANOL INDUCED TOXICITY IN MALE ALBINO RATS

Objective: The aim of this current study is to investigate the hepatoprotective efficacy of N-Miracle (a polyherbal formulation) against ethanol-induced toxicity in male albino rats. Methods: Male Wistar albino rats weighing 150-200 g were used for the study. A total of 30 male albino rats were selected, divided into five groups. Ethanol-induced liver damage was done on Group III, IV, and V. Group I and Group II served as a normal and drug (N-Miracle) control. After the treatment period, the rats were anaesthetized by light ether anesthesia in a lethal chamber. Hepatic biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes, histopathological examination are carried out to document the hepatoprotective effect of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation). Results: The results of the present study demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of Aspartate Aminotransaminase (AST), Alanine Aminotransaminase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) in ethanol-induced rats as compared to normal and drug control Groups. The level of total protein and albumin were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in ethanol-treated rats. The toxic impact of ethanol was found to be restored in rats treated with N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation). The present study also exhibited the enzymatic antioxidant efficacy of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) against ethanol-induced toxicity in rats by increasing the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and decreasing the activity of Glutathione-S-transferase in the liver. The findings are also correlated with histopathological examination of N-Miracle treated group, which shows hepatic regeneration and decrease in degradation of hepatocytes. Conclusion: This study could provide a possible explanation to hepatotoxicity resulting from exposure to ethanol. The findings of the present study revealed the ameliorative effect of N-Miracle (Polyherbal formulation) against ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity by improving the liver function, increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes and restoring the morphological features of the liver

Virtual Quantification of Protein Stability Using Applied Kinetic and Thermodynamic Parameters

Protein stability, the most important aspect of molecular dynamics and simulations, requires sophisticated instrumentations of molecular biology to analyze its kinetic and thermodynamic background. Sequence- and structure-based programs on protein stability exist which relies only on single point mutations and sequence optimality. The energy distribution conferred by each hydrophobic amino acid in the protein essentially paves way for understanding its stability. To the best of our knowledge, Protein Stability is a first program of its kind, developed to explore the energy requirement of each amino acid in the protein sequence derived from various applied kinetic and thermodynamic quantities. The algorithm is strongly dependent both on kinetic quantities such as atomic solvation energies and solvent accessible surface area and thermodynamic quantities viz. enthalpy, entropy, heat capacity, etc. The hydrophobicity pattern of protein was considered as the important component of protein stabilization

Significance of Microclimatic Study in Urban Canyons Towards Ambient Urban Space Design

About 50% of the world’s population lives in cities, and the fraction is growing. Thus the study of the urban boundary layer and urban climate is of great importance.Since urban centres of the world have immense growth of population, their quality requires a very careful screening for sustainable future, growth and development. The quality of outdoor urban spaces is more significant in tropical countries like India, since the activities are shared between indoor and outdoor. There are clear links between the climate of a settlement and its potential sustainability. Its opportunities for gathering energy, its need for energy conservation and its ability to dispose of airborne wastes are largely controlled by the climate it experiences. moreover, urban design decisions will create microclimates that either accentuate or moderate the properties of the background climate. Thus, there is a clear role for an applied urban climatology in the planning of sustainable settlements. hence there is a compulsive need for providing ambient environmental conditions outdoors, specific to the pedestrian users. The uhI (urban heat Island) phenomenon though is influenced by many factors, the role of urban design and professionals like architects, urban designers and planners cannot be ignored. Often they are neglected when urban design principles get executed onsite. Therefore there is a need for understanding the urban microclimate interaction with the urban geometry elements for deriving design solutions and guidelines for the future. Though urban microclimate is also dependent on multiple factors this paper focuses on its relation with various urban geometry elements specific to the urban streets. The unit chosen for the study is ‘urban canyon’. To understand the microclimatic variation various profiles of urban canyons were selected. The urban microclimatic discomfort is given by the term “microclimatic Stress” and the thermal index used for the measurement is PeT (Physiological equivalent temperature) and rayman Pro is used for its calculation. The study of the canyons concluded with findings that proved significant impact of street geometry elements on the microclimatic stress of urban outdoors. &nbsp

Prospective Randomized Trial on Effect of Adding Clonidine to Hyperbaric Bupivacaine Intrathecally in Patients Posted for Caesarean Section

INTRODUCTION: Caesarean section is one of the commonest surgeries performed. Unlike most surgical patients, many parturients express the desire to be awake and alert during and after childbirth. The recovery should be compatible with the initial newborn bonding and frequent feeding. The role of Obstetric Anaesthesiologist has been enhanced to include providing safe and satisfying postoperative pain relief to the parturient. The advantages of spinal anaesthesia in caesarean section include; • the simplicity of the technique. • rapid onset of anaesthesia. • less neonatal exposure to potentially depressant drugs. • decreased risk of maternal pulmonary aspiration. • awake mother at the birth of the child. • Option of using additives to local anaesthetics for postoperative pain relief. Bupivacaine was introduced by Eckenstam in 1957 and used clinically by Telivuo in 1963. Although Intrathecal Bupivacaine alone offers blockade upto T5 dermatome, a substantial number of patients still experience some pain or discomfort and require analgesic supplement during Caesarean delivery. Addition of α2 adrenergic agonist Clonidine to Bupivacaine has a variety of actions • potentiates the effects of local anaesthetic • improves the quality of intraoperative anaesthesia • prolongs the sensory blockade and reduces the requirement of postoperative analgesics • Does not produce pruritus and respiratory depression unlike spinal opioids. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of 75μg Clonidine added to 0.5% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine administered intrathecally in patients undergoing elective Caesarean section. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to evaluate the effects of addition of Clonidine, an alpha -2 agonist to 0.5%Hyperbaric Bupivacaine administered intrathecally in patients posted for elective caesarean section comparing with a placebo. (Normal saline). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Madras medical College, Egmore, Chennai. Between January 2009 - March 2009 on 100 Patients of ASA Physical status I and II undergoing elective Caesarean Section. This study was done after ethical committee approval and written informed Consent obtained from all the Patients included in this study. STUDY DESIGN: This study was done in a prospective, double blind randomized manner. Each group consisted of fifty patients. Group BC - Patients in this group received 2ml of 0.5% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine + 75μg (0.5ml) of preservative free Clonidine to a total volume of 2.5 ml intrathecally. Group BN - Patients in this group received 2ml of 0.5% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine + 0.5 ml of normal saline intrathecally. The final volume of injected solution was 2.5ml in both groups. In this study 0.5% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine in 8% Dextrose manufactured by NEON Labs Ltd, Thane, and Clonidine hydrochloride (CLONEON) 150μg/ml manufactured by NEON Labs Ltd, Thane and Normal Saline manufactured by HASEEB pharmaceuticals Ltd, Nagpur were used. All the solutions were prepared under strict aseptic precautions, by the OT in charge anaesthesiologist uninvolved in the administration of SAB or in the Observation of results. The specific gravity of the injected solution is 1.025, 1.211 in group BC and BN respectively. All the solutions were hyperbaric relative to CSF. SELECTION OF CASES: Inclusion criteria: 1. ASA Physical status I & II. 2. Age between 18 – 35 years. 3. Height 145 – 160cm. 4. Patients who have given valid Informed consent. 5. Singleton fetus at term. Exclusion criteria: 1. Not satisfying inclusion criteria. 2. Age 35. 3. Preterm. 4. Hypertensive disorders of Pregnancy. 5. Cardio vascular, Neurological, Hepatic or Renal disease. 6. Known Hypersensitivity to the Study drug. 7. Contraindication to SAB. 8. Opioid exposure during pregnancy. 9. Unconscious, or severely ill Patients. OBSERVATION AND RESULTS: This study was conducted at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Egmore, Chennai. 100 patients were included in this double blinded randomized controlled study. The patients were divided in to two groups. Patients in group BC received 2ml (10mg) of 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine plus 0.5ml (75μg) of Clonidine. Patients in group BN received 2ml (10mg) of 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine plus 0.5ml of normal saline. Final volume of injected solution was 2.5ml in both groups. SUMMARY: This double blinded prospective randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of 75 μg (0.5ml) Clonidine added to 10 mg (2ml) of 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine intrathecally, in patients aged 18- 35years undergoing elective caesarean section. Patients receiving 0.5ml of normal saline with 2ml of Bupivacaine intrathecally served as the control. The following observations were made. • The addition of Clonidine significantly prolonged the two segment Regression time. • The addition of Clonidine significantly prolonged the duration of effective surgical analgesia. • The addition of Clonidine significantly prolonged the sensory block and motor block. • The addition of Clonidine significantly prolonged the duration of time for demand analgesia. • The addition of Clonidine intrathecally had no effect on the onset of sensory and motor block. • The incidence of side effects was limited to the occurrence of hypotension, bradycardia and sedation in the groups that received Clonidine intrathecally. • Addition of Clonidine did not have any effect on the fetal APGAR score. • Addition of Clonidine decreased the intra operative and post operative shivering. • Addition of Clonidine decreased the intra operative nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the efficacy of 75μg of Clonidine as a safe and effective adjuvant to 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine in subarachnoid block for caesarean section. The addition of 75 μg of Clonidine to 2 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine improved the quality of surgical anaesthesia. Clonidine 75 μg added to 10mg of 0.5% hyperbaric Bupivacaine intrathecally prolonged post operative analgesia and reduces the post operative analgesic requirements

RESISTIVE RAM BASED MAIN-MEMORY SYSTEMS: UNDERSTANDING THE OPPORTUNITIES, LIMITATIONS, AND TRADEOFFS

As DRAM faces scaling issues as a high-density memory, emerging technologies are being explored as alternatives. One promising candidate is Resistive Memories (ReRAM), which is scalable, vertically stackable, and because of the possibility of integration with standard logic process, can deliver higher density as a main-memory solution. The key differentiator with this approach involves a ReRAM memory array that integrates directly with a logic processor underneath. In this research work, I explore ReRAM as a main-memory alternative at three levels of detail – at the device level, the physical-design level, and finally at the architecture level. I begin with an overview of ReRAM and compare with alternate technologies. I look at the physical design of the solution and present the results of area studies on integrating a VSCALE processor at the 45nm technology node with a ReRAM bit-cell array. The area study was performed based on parameters specified by my collaborators at Crossbar Inc. The results showed that the optimum operating point is at 50% array efficiency with a VSCALE processor, and that this configuration incurs an area penalty of 18%. Two of the key challenges for ReRAM with respect to DRAM performance include the higher write latency requirement (typically on the order of 1us) and the lower write endurance (typically less than 10^8 cycles). This compares with DRAM write-latency times of less than 30ns (depending on technology node and generation) and write endurance of more than 10^15 write cycles. In this research work, I explore the possibility of utilizing the ReRAM cell in an intermediate state between non-volatile state and threshold state, where I intentionally tradeoff the write energy for a much lower data retention. This allows the chip to more easily replace existing DRAM-like main memory applications, without requiring higher write programming current or accommodating for a longer write latency. I performed this evaluation both at the device-level and at the architecture level. At the device-level, I used UMD’s Nano-fab lab to construct a Metal-Oxide based ReRAM bitcells on which I characterized the relationship between data-retention and write current applied. My fabricated ReRAM was composed of Titanium-Oxide and Aluminum Oxide. I also confirmed the behavior of a mixed-volatility state where a formed filament relaxes over time to move to a high-resistance level. Based on my experimental measurements, operating in the mixed volatile state would reduce write energy by 10 to 100x, and thereby improve the write endurance. Finally, at the architecture-level, I used the Structural Simulation Toolkit (SST) to characterize a ReRAM-based main-memory system and compare with a DRAM-based one using our research group’s DRAMSIM3 tool. I also characterized the sensitivity of various architectural parameters (core-to-memory controller ratio, queue depth, NoC topology) on system performance on stream and gups-based graph benchmarks which indicated that the torus topology will provide reasonable performance. Impact of the number of parallel processors indicated that at low processor counts, DRAM outperforms ReRAM due to its faster memory latency. However, at high processor counts, ReRAM with its higher number of parallel connections is able to deliver higher system performance than DRAM

Design and performance comparison of different adaptive control schemes for pitch angle control in a twin – rotor – MIMO – system

The Twin Rotor MIMO System is a higher order non-linear plant and is inherently unstable due to cross coupling between tail and main rotor. In this paper only the control of main rotor is considered which is non-linear and stable by using adaptive schemes. The control problem is to achieve perfect tracking for input reference signals while maintaining robustness and stability. Four adaptive schemes were implemented, two using Model Reference Adaptive Control under which MIT rule and Modified MIT rule are used. The other two using Adaptive Interaction, namely, Adaptive PID and Approximate Adaptive PID. It is observed that adaptive schemes fulfill all the three system performance requirements at the same time. Modified MIT rule was found to give superior performance in comparison to other controllers. Also Approximate Adaptive PID was able to stabilize the main rotor and cancel the effect of cross coupling between tail rotor and main rotor when operating simultaneously without the need for designing decouplers for the system. Thus the main rotor can be made independent from the state of the tail rotor by using Approximate Adaptive PID

Hermetic storage - an ecofriendly safe storage method for long term storage of black gram: Poster

India is the primary origin of the black gram that is majorly cultivated in the southern part of Asian countries. About 70% of world black gram production comes from India. Black gram is more prone to insect infestation and microorganisms resulting in deterioration of grain quality. These losses can be controlled by following appropriate storage method at farmer’s level. Eco-friendly, safe storage methods are demanded by the customers due to food safety, quality and environmental issues. Hermetic storage is a safe storage method, suitable for long term storage without usage of chemical pesticides. It creates an air tight environment to rapidly exterminate insect development and suppresses micro floral activity. A study was conducted to identify the suitable, cost effective storage method for safe storage of black gram at the farm level. Hermetic bags were made by using different combinations of gunny, polypropylene & storezo bags for the safe storage of black gram. The properties of packaging materials viz., thickness, and water vapour transmission rate significantly affected the quality parameters of the black gram stored in various bags. Moisture content, thousand grain mass, bulk density, insect emergence, and germination percentage of black gram stored in various bags were studied over a storage period of 12 months. Black gram stored in polypropylene and gunny bags was infested with pulse beetle by the third month of the storage period. But black gram stored in bags with hermetic bag as inner layer was not infested up to 12 months and could retain the grain quality.India is the primary origin of the black gram that is majorly cultivated in the southern part of Asian countries. About 70% of world black gram production comes from India. Black gram is more prone to insect infestation and microorganisms resulting in deterioration of grain quality. These losses can be controlled by following appropriate storage method at farmer’s level. Eco-friendly, safe storage methods are demanded by the customers due to food safety, quality and environmental issues. Hermetic storage is a safe storage method, suitable for long term storage without usage of chemical pesticides. It creates an air tight environment to rapidly exterminate insect development and suppresses micro floral activity. A study was conducted to identify the suitable, cost effective storage method for safe storage of black gram at the farm level. Hermetic bags were made by using different combinations of gunny, polypropylene & storezo bags for the safe storage of black gram. The properties of packaging materials viz., thickness, and water vapour transmission rate significantly affected the quality parameters of the black gram stored in various bags. Moisture content, thousand grain mass, bulk density, insect emergence, and germination percentage of black gram stored in various bags were studied over a storage period of 12 months. Black gram stored in polypropylene and gunny bags was infested with pulse beetle by the third month of the storage period. But black gram stored in bags with hermetic bag as inner layer was not infested up to 12 months and could retain the grain quality

Investigation of deformation of the cornea during tonometry using FEM

A three dimensional finite element model of the human eye is developed to evaluate the force which will be applied over the surface of cornea during tonometry and gonioscopy tests. The standard tonometers and gonioscopy experiences deformation from 0.5mm to 3mm of the cornea is adopted during both point contact and boundary contact on the surface of the cornea. The results demonstrate the maximum force experienced by the tonometer with point contact at the center of the cornea for the maximum possible deformation of the cornea during tonometry. The study also analyzes for the force experienced by the tonometer or goniolens with boundary layer contact for the defined deformation of the cornea along the direction from cornea towards the retina

Molekularna metoda određivanja opsega zaraženosti uskladištenog pšeničnog brašna kestenjastim brašnarom (Tribolium castaneum (Herbst))

Research background. The presence of insect fragments is one of the major constrains in stored food commodities and it causes considerable loss in the quality of the produce. The management of the pest is viewed as a huge challenge in foodprocessingindustry. Conventionally, the detection of Tribolium castenaum in the food processing industry is carried out by acid hydrolysis and staining methods that are time consuming and lack precision. Experimental approach. Considering the importance of a quick and effective method, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based approach was developed and elucidated in this study. The mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (mtCOI) gene was identified as a target due to its abundance in the pest. Specific primers were designed against the target gene by Primer Premier software and amplified in a qPCR. Results and conclusions. This method is capable of detecting all the ontogenic stages of T. castaneum in stored wheat flour. Earlier experiments had demonstrated that about 20 µg of DNA can be obtained from 2.2 mg of insects. To quantify the infestation levels, the cycle threshold (Ct) values obtained from known samples were subjected to regression analysis and expressed as adult equivalents. In the unknown samples, the infestation was calculated as 1.74 and 0.046 adult insects in 5 g of wheat flour. The maximum permissible limit of insect fragments in flour is 75 insect fragments or approx. 3 adults per 50 g of flour as per the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Hence, by adopting this new method, it is possible for the warehouse operators to arrive at a decision to proceed with efficient management practices where wheat flour is stored. Also, this method can be ratified by government agencies associated with international business to ascertain whether the wheat flour meets the standards set by the respective country before subjecting to foreign trade. Novelty and scientific contribution. This study is the first of its kind in the detection and quantification of T. castaneum in milled products. So far, only conventional methods have been employed to assess the presence of the pests and manual counting of fragments are practiced to quantify the infestation levels. The developed qPCR method is faster, reliable and can be employed in milling industries, bakery industries, food processing plants and foreign trade units for critical detection and quantification of T. castaneum pest infestation.Pozadina istraživanja. Prisutnost dijelova insekata u namirnicama jedno je od glavnih ograničenja pri njihovom skladištenju, te uzrokuje velike gubitke u kvaliteti proizvoda. Suzbijanje štetnika predstavlja velik izazov u prehrambenoj industriji. Tradicionalno se prisutnost kestenjastog brašnara (Tribolium castaneum) u prehrambenim proizvodima utvrđuje kiselinskom hidrolizom i metodom bojanja, koje su dugotrajne i neprecizne. Eksperimentalni pristup. Uzevši u obzir potrebu za primjenom brze i učinkovite metode određivanja prisutnosti T. castaeneum u brašnu, u radu je razvijena i opisana kvantitativna metoda koja se temelji na lančanoj reakciji polimerazom u stvarnom vremenu (qRT-PCR). Kao ciljni gen odabran je mitohondrijski gen za podjedinicu 1 citokrom c oksidaze (mtCOI) zbog njegove rasprostranjenosti u nametniku. Pomoću kompjuterskog softvera Primer Premier izrađene su početnice za umnožavanje DNA ciljane vrste metodom qRT-PCR. Rezultati i zaključci. Ovom se metodom može identificirati kestenjasti brašnar (T. castaneum) u svim fazama ontogeneze u uskladištenom brašnu. Prijašnji su eksperimenti pokazali da se iz 2,2 mg kukaca može izdvojiti otprilike 20 µg DNA. Za utvrđivanje opsega zaraze provedena je regresijska analiza broja ciklusa (Ct-vrijednost) potrebnih za određivanje poznatih uzoraka, a rezultati su izraženi kao broj odraslih kukaca. U nepoznatim je uzorcima izračunat stupanj zaraze od 1,74 odnosno 0,046 odraslih insekata u 5 g pšeničnog brašna. Prema regulativi Američke agencije za hranu i lijekove (engl. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)), najveći dopušteni broj dijelova insekata u brašnu je 75, odnosno otprilike 3 odrasla kukca u 50 kg brašna. Pomoću ove nove metode voditelji skladišta mogu donijeti odluku o tome gdje skladištiti brašno, te učinkovito provoditi plan suzbijanja ovog nametnika. Također, državne agencije koje posreduju u međunarodnom poslovanju mogu temeljem ove metode utvrditi zadovoljava li kakvoća proizvedenog pšeničnog brašna standarde zemalja kojima se ono isporučuje. Novina i znanstveni doprinos. Ovo je prvo istraživanje u kojem je utvrđena količina kestenjastog brašnara T. castaneum u mljevenim žitaricama. Dosad su korištene samo konvencionalne metode utvrđivanja prisustva nametnika u brašnu, a opseg zaraze je određivan ručnim brojanjem dijelova insekata. Nova qRT-PCR metoda je brža, pouzdanija i može se koristiti u mlinarskoj i pekarskoj industriji, pogonima za preradu hrane i pri međunarodnoj trgovini za utvrđivanje opsega zaraze kestenjastim brašnarom