Urban heritage conservation and rapid urbanization : insights from Surat, India

Currently, heritage is challenged in the Indian city of Surat due to diverse pressures,  including rapid urbanization, increasing housing demand, and socio‐cultural and climate changes.  Where rapid demographic growth of urban areas is happening, heritage is disappearing at an  alarming rate. Despite some efforts from the local government, urban cultural heritage is being  neglected and historic buildings keep being replaced by ordinary concrete buildings at a worryingly  rapid pace. Discussions of challenges and issues of Surat’s urban area is supported by a qualitative  dataset, including in‐depth semi‐structured interviews and focus groups with local policy makers,  planners, and heritage experts, triangulated by observation and a photo‐survey of two historic  areas. Findings from this study reveal a myriad of challenges such as: inadequacy of urban  conservation management policies and processes focused on heritage, absence of skills, training,  and resources amongst decision makers and persistent conflict and competition between heritage  conservation needs and developers’ interests. Furthermore, the values and significance of Surat’s  tangible and intangible heritage is not fully recognized by its citizens and heritage stakeholders. A  crucial opportunity exists for Surat to maximize the potential of heritage and reinforce urban  identity for its present and future generations. Surat’s context is representative of general trends  and conservation challenges and therefore recommendations developed in this study hold the  potential to offer interesting insights to the wider planners and conservationists’ international  community.  This  paper  recommends  thoughtful  integration  of  sustainable  heritage  urban  conservation into local urban development frameworks and the establishment of approaches that  recognize the plurality of heritage values

Solutions of some non-linear programming problems

The purpose of this paper was to provide a review of the theory of Optimization, in particular non-linear and quadratic programming, and the algorithms suitable for solving both convex and non-convex programming problems. Optimization problems arise in a wide variety of fields and many can be effectively modelled with linear equations. However, there are problems for which linear models are not sufficient thus creating a need for non-linear systems. This project includes a literature study of the formal theory necessary for understanding optimization and an investigation of the algorithms available for solving of the non-linear programming problem and a special case, namely the quadratic programming problem. It was not the intention of this project to discuss all possible algorithms for solving these programming problem, therefore certain algorithms for solving various programming problems were selected for a detailed discussion in this project. Some of the algorithms were selected arbitrarily, because limited information was available comparing the efficiency of the various algorithms. It was also shown that it is difficult to conclude that one algorithm is better than another as the efficiency of an algorithm greatly depends on the size of the problem, the complexity of an algorithm and many other implementation issues. Optimization problems arise continuously in a wide range of fields and thus create the need for effective methods of solving them. We discuss the fundamental theory necessary for the understanding of optimization problems, with particular programming problems and the algorithms that solve such problems

INHIBITION OF CALCIUM OXALATE CRYSTALLIZATION BY AN EXTRACT OF OCIMUM BASILICUM SEEDS: AN IN-VITRO STUDY

Objective: Ocimum basilicum (OB) has been used to treat diverse illnesses which include urinary stone disorder for a reason that historical time in India. We investigated OB seeds for antiurolithic activity. Methods: Calcium oxalate crystallization becomes triggered by the addition of 0.01 M sodium oxalate answers in normal human urine and nucleation was done. Results: OB seeds were discovered to be robust and promising antiurolithiatic agents which are in accordance with its use in traditional medication. Conclusion: An extract of the traditional herb OB has super inhibitory activity on crystalluria and therefore might be useful in dissolving urinary stone; however, in addition, a study in animal fashions of urolithiasis is needed to assess its capability antiurolithiatic interest

Charged analogue of Finch-Skea stars

We present solutions to the Einstein-Maxwell system of equations in spherically symmetric gravitational fields for static interior spacetimes with a specified form of the electric field intensity. The condition of pressure isotropy yields three category of solutions. The first category is expressible in terms of elementary functions and does not have an uncharged limit. The second category is given in terms of Bessel functions of half-integer order. These charged solutions satisfy a barotropic equation of state and contain Finch-Skea uncharged stars. The third category is obtained in terms of modified Bessel functions of half-integer order and does not have an uncharged limit. The physical features of the charged analogue of the Finch-Skea stars are studied in detail. In particular the condition of causality is satisfied and the speed of sound does not exceed the speed of light. The physical analysis indicates that this analogue is a realistic model for static charged relativistic perfect fluid spheres.Comment: 17 pages, To appear in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Jumping Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) of Satlasana Taluka

Family Salticidae is most species rich group of order Araneae. Jumping spiders are taxonomically diverse, present everywhere in huge abundance and diurnal. As their names simply, jumping spiders are also quick and agile jumpers, and will do so both to escape potential predators and to capture small prey and regulating arthropod population. Spiders have important role in ecosystems but they have been largely ignored in conservational studies. This might be one of the reasons of poor knowledge on jumping spider of this area. The study on jumping spiders made in different habitats from Satlasna Taluka during October 2014 to December 2017. Specimen collections were conducted using visual search, litter sampling, sweep netting and hand picking methods from all the sites. One hundred eighty four specimens belong to 28 species and 17 genera were recorded. For the period of this study certain new genera documented for Gujarat such as Carrhotus sannio; Menemerus brachygnathus; M. fulvus; phintella alboterminus.; Siler semiglaucus and Thiania sp

Ontology based e-Learning approach over Traditional e-Learning

This research paper covers the possible enhancement on tradition e-Learning approach to Ontology based e-Learning approach. Traditional e-Learning environment has the number of limitation. These limitation of the tradition e-Learning will overcome in proposed ontology based e-Learning approach. The first section of this paper covers the growth of information technology in education sector for e-Learning. The second section describes about the e-learning. The third section of this paper shows personalized e-learning. The forth section highlights the problem faced by the e-learner. The fifth section shows the proposed approach of modern ontology based e-learning technique which will overcome the limitations of the current e-Learning methods. Six section is about the various tools used to create ontology for proposed e-learning approach in this research paper. The benefits of proposed approach are listed in the seventh section

Characteristics of Fatal Cases of Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) from September 2009 to January 2010 in Saurashtra Region, India

Background: India reported first case of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in May, 2009 and Saurashtra region in August, 2009. We describe the characteristics of fatal cases of 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection reported in Saurashtra region. Methods: From September, 2009 to January, 2010, we observed 71 fatal cases that were infected with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus and admitted in different hospitals in Rajkot city. Real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) testing was used to confirm infection; the clinico-epidemiological features were observed and documented. Results: Median age of the deceased (71) was 29 years, and 57.7% were females. Median time observed was 5 days from onset of illness to diagnosis of influenza A (H1N1), and 57.7% were referred from general practitioner (OR=0.42, CI=0.24-0.74). Median hospital stay reported was 3 days. All admitted patients received oseltamivir, but only 16.9% received it within 2 days of onset of illness. The most common symptoms were cough (97.2%), fever (93%), sore throat and shortness of breath. Co-morbid conditions were present in almost half of the patients who ultimately died, the most common of which was pregnancy (OR=0.15, CI=0.04-0.52). Radiological pneumonia was reported in 98% patients. Conclusion: Residing in urban area, delayed referral from general practitioner, presence of co-existing condition, especially pregnancy was responsible for mortality among influenza A (H1N1) infected positive

A case of new-onset vitiligo in a patient on tofacitinib and brief review of paradoxical presentations with other novel targeted therapies

With recent advancements in the understanding of vitiligo pathogenesis, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have emerged as a promising new treatment modality, but their effects remain incompletely elucidated. Tofacitinib, an oral JAK 1/3 inhibitor approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, has previously been shown to induce significant re-pigmentation in vitiligo. However, as with other novel targeted therapies, cutaneous adverse effects have been observed. We report a 36-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis, refractory to multiple pharmacotherapies, who was initiated on tofacitinib and subsequently developed progressive depigmented patches consistent with new-onset vitiligo. Although definitive causation cannot be established in this case without additional studies, it is important to note that many targeted therapies have the potential to induce paradoxical effects, that is, the occurrence or exacerbation of pathologic conditions that have been shown to respond to these medications. Paradoxical findings with other targeted therapies include the occurrence of melanoma during treatment with BRAF inhibitors, keratoacanthomas with PD-1 inhibitors, vitiligo and psoriasis with TNF-alpha inhibitors, and hidradenitis suppurativa with various biologic agents. Although JAK inhibitors hold therapeutic promise in the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders, further research is warranted to more fully comprehend their effects

SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHOD FOR THE ESTIMATION OF TOTAL ALKALOIDS IN THE TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA M. AND ITS HERBAL FORMULATIONS

Objective: A simple spectrophotometric method was developed for the estimation of total alkaloids in Tinospora cordifolia M. and its formulations.Methods: The method based on the formation of yellow colored complex by reaction between bromocresol green (BCG) and alkaloids in medicinal plants. A yellow colored complex forms is easily extractable by chloroform at pH 4.7.Results: The method was linear in concentration range of 2-10 μg/ml with λmax at 415 nm. The LOD and LOQ were found to be 0.215 and 0.652 respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precision and accuracy were within the acceptable criteria (relative standard deviation<2.0% and accuracy within 100±2%). Conclusion: The developed method is simple, precise and accurate and can be adopted for the routine quality control and standardization of plant materials containing alkaloids and its pharmaceutical products.Â

Broadband study of blazar 1ES 1959+650 during flaring state in 2016

Aim : The nearby TeV blazar 1ES 1959+650 (z=0.047) was reported to be in flaring state during June - July 2016 by Fermi-LAT, FACT, MAGIC and VERITAS collaborations. We studied the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) in different states of the flare during MJD 57530 - 57589 using simultaneous multiwaveband data to understand the possible broadband emission scenario during the flare. Methods : The UV/optical and X-ray data from UVOT and XRT respectively on board Swift and high energy $\gamma$-ray data from Fermi-LAT are used to generate multiwaveband lightcurves as well as to obtain high flux states and quiescent state SEDs. The correlation and lag between different energy bands is quantified using discrete correlation function. The synchrotron self Compton (SSC) model was used to reproduce the observed SEDs during flaring and quiescent states of the source. Results : A decent correlation is seen between X-ray and high energy $\gamma$-ray fluxes. The spectral hardening with increase in the flux is seen in X-ray band. The powerlaw index vs flux plot in $\gamma$-ray band indicates the different emission regions for 0.1 - 3 GeV and 3-300 GeV energy photons. Two zone SSC model satisfactorily fits the observed broadband SEDs. The inner zone is mainly responsible for producing synchrotron peak and high energy $\gamma$-ray part of the SED in all states. The second zone is mainly required to produce less variable optical/UV and low energy $\gamma$-ray emission. Conclusions : Conventional single zone SSC model does not satisfactorily explain broadband emission during observation period considered. There is an indication of two emission zones in the jet which are responsible for producing broadband emission from optical to high energy $\gamma$-rays.Comment: 11 pages, 12 figures, Accepted in A&