India’s Unbalanced Urban Growth: An Appraisal of Trends and Policies

India is considered as a low-level urbanized country. However, the country has experienced a sharp increase in the number of towns and peri-urban areas during the last decade. Despite India’s efforts in planned development, the urban sector has generally remained unplanned and chaotic. It appears that policy interventions have not been able to achieve the desired goals and needs of the urban sector fully. This paper examines the urban policy measures taken since independence and highlights the inadequacies and dilemmas in the urban context of India. This analysis shows how metropolitan areas are spreading outwards due to shifts in population and economic activities from city cores to the peripheries and considers the policy implications of such trends

Fault Detection and Classification in Transmission Line Using Wavelet Transform and ANN

Recent years, there is an increased interest in fault classification algorithms. The reason, behind this interest is the escalating power demand and multiple interconnections of utilities in grid. This paper presents an application of wavelet transforms to detect the faults and further to perform classification by supervised learning paradigm. Different architectures of ANN aretested with the statistical attributes of a wavelet transform of a voltage signal as input features and binary digits as outputs. The proposed supervised learning module is tested on a transmission network. It is observed that ANN architecture performs satisfactorily when it is compared with the simulation results. The transmission network is simulated on Matlab. The performance indices Mean Square Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Sum Square Error (SSE) are used to determine the efficacy of the neural network

Effect of Storage Temperature on Bio efficacy of Aqueous Extract of Ganoderma lucidum

Stability testing is key requirement in the drug development process along with storage temperature which may deteriorate bio-constituents and efficacy of natural products. Aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum has revealed pharmacological effects against high altitude stressors and has potential for mitigating high altitude maladies. In the present study, the extract of Ganoderma lucidum was stored at different storage conditions such as room temperature, 4 °C and -20 °C for two year and qualitative and quantitative analysis of bio-constituents and bio-efficacy was carried out. No significant change was observed in any extract kept in different temperature conditions in terms of its polysaccharide, phenolic and flavonoids content. The extract kept at room temperature absorbed slight moisture in few samples but no change in overall polysaccharide, phenolic and flavonoids content was recorded. The moisture absorption problem was not observed in extracts stored at 4 °C and -20 °C. The bio-efficacy of the extract at room temperature, 4 °C or -20 °C were comparable to the freshly prepared extract and the data from the studies suggest that extract has good shelf life up to two year without loss of bio-efficacy. Overall, the extract retained its bio-efficacy for two years at different temperature storage conditions

GREEN TEA EXTRACT IN MICROEMULSION: STABILITY, DERMAL SENSITIZATION AND EFFICACY AGAINST UV INDUCED DAMAGES

Objective: To determine the photoprotective effect of epigallocatechin (EGC) extracted from green tea using microemulsions as a carrier system.Methods: In the present study, EGC was extracted from commercially available branded as well as loose green tea samples. Further, microemulsions (MEs) of these extracts were formulated and were evaluated for their antioxidant and photoprotective effects. MEs were formulated using Capmul MCM as oily phase, Tween 80 as a surfactant and Labrasol as co-surfactant after studying the phase behavior. MEs containing green tea extracts were applied to the rat dorsal skin after exposure to UV radiation (rate of exposure = 9.71 J/cm2, dose = 0.9011 mJ/cm2/sec). The effect of the formulation was evaluated in terms of reduced glutathione level (GSH), radical scavenging activity (DPPH), trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), irritation potential and histological changes. The EGC content of both types of green tea was estimated using HPTLC and photo-stability of ME formulation was evaluated using FTIR-ATR technique.Results: The content of EGC in loose and branded tea leaf extracts was found to be 0.00322 % w/w and 0.00468 % w/w, respectively. FTIR studies revealed the instability of formulations prepared with water as aqueous phase after UV exposure. However, in the case of PB (pH 7.4) as the aqueous phase in MEs; no change in the spectra of formulations after UV exposure for different time intervals was observed. Results of TEWL studies indicated that the barrier perturbation was not severe which clearly states the safety aspect of the formulation. The extinction coefficient (EC50) value for loose tea and branded tea leaf extract was found to be 170 µg/ml and 79 µg/ml, respectively. The yield of the extract was 0.00322±0.026 % w/w for loose tea and 0.00468±0.150 % w/w for branded tea.Conclusion: The results of the present investigation indicated that pH of the aqueous phase used for preparing the formulation affected the photo-stability of the formulation. Further, MEs prepared using green tea extracts exhibited photoprotective effects. Hence, the green tea extract containing ME formulations have promising potential to be a cosmeceutical.Keywords: Efficacy against uv induced damages, Microemulsion, Dermal sensitizatio

Fault Detection and Classification in Transmission Line Using Wavelet Transform and ANN

Recent years, there is an increased interest in fault classification algorithms. The reason, behind this interest is the escalating power demand and multiple interconnections of utilities in grid. This paper presents an application of wavelet transforms to detect the faults and further to perform classification by supervised learning paradigm. Different architectures of ANN aretested with the statistical attributes of a wavelet transform of a voltage signal as input features and binary digits as outputs. The proposed supervised learning module is tested on a transmission network. It is observed that ANN architecture performs satisfactorily when it is compared with the simulation results. The transmission network is simulated on Matlab. The performance indices Mean Square Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Sum Square Error (SSE) are used to determine the efficacy of the neural network

Fault Detection and Classification in Transmission Line Using Wavelet Transform and ANN

In recent years, there is an increased interest in fault classification algorithms. The reason, behind this interest is the escalating power demand and multiple interconnections of utilities in grid. This paper presents an application of wavelet transforms to detect the faults and further to perform classification by supervised learning paradigm. Different architectures of ANN are tested with the statistical attributes of a wavelet transform of a voltage signal as input features and binary digits as outputs. The proposed supervised learning module is tested on a transmission network. It is observed the Layer Recurrent Neural Network (LRNN) architecture performs satisfactorily when it is compared with the simulation results. The transmission network is simulated on Matlab. The performance indices Mean Square Error (MSE), Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Sum Square Error (SSE) are used to determine the efficacy of the neural network

Towns in urban development: a case study of their demographic, socioeconomic and structural importance

The purpose of this dissertation was to present a methodological analysis of the demographic, socioeconomic and structural components of small and medium towns to highlight their significance and integration into the urban policy framework. This dissertation was based on descriptive-analytical study on the demographic growth, social and economic characteristics, provision of urban infrastructure and services, municipal finance, urban governance and policy framework of the towns. The main premise of this study was to shift the focus of urban studies researchers from the epistemologies of the developmental discourse of large cities, urban agglomerations, metropolitan regions and megacities towards ordinary towns which have the potential to develop and grow but are considered as provincial and weak. Therefore, this study attempted to search for an advanced agenda on the research on small and medium towns by focusing on four critical areas; (i) small and medium towns’ economic and service functions, (ii) coverage of infrastructure and municipal service performance levels, (iii) municipal finances and functions performed, and (iv) measuring the capacities of small and medium towns to stimulate urban development. The study was conducted in the eight towns (Sihora, Panagar, Katangi, Patan, Shahpura, Majholi, Barela and Bhedaghat) of Jabalpur district in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. The data for the study was collected by way of semi-structured interviews and secondary sources. The semi-structured interviews included the information related to the governance pattern of the urban local bodies of the towns. The information on demographic and socioeconomic indicators was extracted from the Primary Census Abstract and District Census Handbook, Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh (2011) which was available at Census of India office based in New Delhi. The collected datasets were analyzed by applying the quantitative techniques such as rank-size rule, centrality indexes based on the area and population served by a settlement, location quotient for occupational pattern, functional or activity mapping versus financial structure of the urban local bodies and SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities and threats) analysis. The findings from the study indicated that the towns are transitional areas between the urban and rural and holds significance in terms of highlighting bottom – up planning by taking the rurban clusters and agropolitan development approaches to develop and strengthen the socioeconomic and urban functions basis of towns. It can also be argued from the findings on governance, functional responsibilities and the status of the finances of the urban local bodies that the decentralization mandate of the Government of India was introduced to fulfill the gaps in urban governance that existed previously under a centralized management with little autonomy of the urban local bodies. However, the towns are still possessed with political, institutional, technical and economic challenges and there is a need to build everything from scratch which means taking on new administrations processes. Lastly, it was found that the strengths and weaknesses of the towns could be prioritized based upon short – term action plans for the development towns. This might be also useful in fulfilling the purpose to provide a general direction for the integration of towns in the present urban development discourse of India as well as the state of Madhya Pradesh. Based upon the empirical evidences of this study, it can be said that this dissertation makes a significant contribution in understanding the complex relationship between urbanization, development and economic growth. This study also indirectly implies that there is a need to reexamine the classification of urban areas in India. The urbanization pattern in India is mainly characterized by a few highly populated large cities and a large number of small and medium towns. At present, 70 percent of the urban population resides in 468 Class I cities and the remaining 30 percent is distributed in 5,705 towns in India. The definition of urban areas in India has been rigid since 1961. The oversimplification of the classification of urban areas can be seen as a major criticism in the definition of urban area in India. As such, the designation of a settlement as “urban” upon acquiring a minimum threshold of 5,000 people is only a statistical measure that is simply adding the number of towns in the overall urban growth. The lower order urban settlements remained classified as urban with little attention paid on their jurisdictional, organizational and administrative components. Although, this study presents an array of issues associated with the social and economic development of towns still, an impetus for subsequent rigorous, social scientific investigation into the emerging towns and their relevant issues is required in India

Evaluation of susceptibility testing methods for polymyxin

SummaryBackgroundThe widespread resistance in Gram-negative bacteria has necessitated evaluation of the use of older antimicrobials such as polymyxins. In the present study we evaluated the different susceptibility testing methods for polymyxins B and E against Gram-negative bacteria using the new Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.MethodsThe susceptibility of 281 multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) to polymyxin B was evaluated, comparing broth microdilution (BMD; reference method), agar dilution, E-test, and disk diffusion. Disk diffusion testing of polymyxin B was also performed against 723 MDR GNB.ResultsTwenty-four of 281 (8.5%) isolates were found to be resistant to polymyxin B by the reference BMD method. The rates of very major errors for agar dilution and E-test (for polymyxin B) were 0.7% and 1%, respectively, and those for disk diffusion (for polymyxin B and polymyxin E) were 1% and 0.7%, respectively. For the 257 isolates found sensitive by reference BMD, the rates of major errors by agar dilution and E-test (for polymyxin B) were 2.4% and 0%, respectively, and those for disk diffusion (polymyxin B and polymyxin E) were 0% and 0.7%, respectively. Twenty-six (3.6%) of the 723 Gram-negative isolates were resistant to polymyxin B by disk diffusion.ConclusionThe E-test and agar dilution methods showed good concordance with BMD. The disk diffusion method can be useful for initial screening in diagnostic laboratories